<PAGE>
As filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on October 31, 1996
File No. 2-48227
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF l933
Pre-Effective Amendment No.
Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 X
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 140
Amendment No. 42 X
__________________________
ALLIANCE BOND FUND, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105
(Address of Principal Executive Office) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (800)221-5672
________________________
EDMUND P. BERGAN, JR.
Alliance Capital Management L.P.
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York l0105
(Name and address of agent for service)
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check
appropriate box)
X immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)
60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.
<PAGE>
If appropriate, check the following box:
This post-effective amendment designates a new effective
date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
Registrant has registered an indefinite number of shares of
Capital Stock pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the Investment Company
Act of 1940. Registrant's Rule 24f-2 notice for its fiscal year
ended June 30, 1996 was filed on August 29, 1996.
<PAGE>
CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
(as required by Rule 404(c))
N-1A ITEM NO. LOCATION IN
PROSPECTUS
(CAPTION)
PART A
Item 1. Cover Page Cover Page
Item 2. Synopsis The Funds at a
Glance
Item 3. Condensed Financial Information
Financial
Highlights
Item 4. General Description of
Registrant Description of the
Fund; General
Information
Item 5. Management of the Fund Management of the
Fund; General
Information
Item 6. Capital Stock and Other
Securities Dividends,
Distributions and
Taxes; General
Information
Item 7. Purchase of Securities
Being Offered Purchase and Sale
of Shares; General
Information
Item 8. Redemption or Repurchase Purchase and Sale
of Shares
Item 9. Pending Legal Proceedings Not Applicable
PART B LOCATION IN
STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
(Caption)
Item 10. Cover Page Cover Page
<PAGE>
Item 11. Table of Contents Cover Page
Item 12. General Information Description of the
Fund; General
Information
Item 13. Investment Objectives and
Policies Description of the
Fund
Item 14. Management of the Registrant Management of the
Fund
Item 15. Control Persons and Principal
Holders of Securities Management of the
Fund; General
Information
Item 16. Investment Advisory and
Other Services Management of the
Fund
Item 17. Brokerage Allocation and
Other Practices Portfolio
Transactions
Item 18. Capital Stock and Other
Securities General Information
Item 19. Purchase, Redemption and
Pricing of Securities
Being Offered Purchase,
Redemption and
Repurchase of
Shares
Item 20. Tax Status Dividends,
Distributions and
Taxes
Item 21. Underwriters General Information
Item 22. Calculation of Performance
Data General Information
Item 23. Financial Statements Financial
Statements; Report
of Independent
Auditors
<PAGE>
THE ALLIANCE BOND FUNDS
_______________________________________________________________________________
P.O. BOX 1520, SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY 07096-1520
TOLL FREE (800) 221-5672
FOR LITERATURE: TOLL FREE (800) 227-4618
PROSPECTUS
NOVEMBER 1, 1996
U.S. GOVERNMENT FUNDS GLOBAL BOND FUNDS
-ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM U.S. -ALLIANCE NORTH AMERICAN
GOVERNMENT FUND GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST
-U.S. GOVERNMENT -ALLIANCE GLOBAL DOLLAR
PORTFOLIO GOVERNMENT FUND
-ALLIANCE LIMITED MATURITY -ALLIANCE GLOBAL STRATEGIC
GOVERNMENT FUND INCOME TRUST
MORTGAGE FUND CORPORATE BOND FUND
-ALLIANCE MORTGAGE -CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO
SECURITIES INCOME FUND
MULTI-MARKET FUNDS
-ALLIANCE WORLD INCOME TRUST
-ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM
MULTI-MARKET TRUST
-ALLIANCE MULTI-MARKET
STRATEGY TRUST
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
The Funds at a Glance 2
Expense Information 4
Financial Highlights 7
Glossary 15
Description of the Funds 16
Investment Objectives and Policies 16
Additional Investment Practices 23
Certain Fundamental Investment Policies 34
Risk Considerations 36
Purchase and Sale of Shares 40
Management of the Funds 42
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes 44
General Information. 45
Appendix A: Bond Ratings A-1
Appendix B: General Information About Canada,
Mexico and Argentina B-1
Adviser
Alliance Capital Management L.P.
1345 Avenue Of The Americas
New York, New York 10105
The Alliance Bond Funds provide a broad selection of investment alternatives to
investors seeking high current income. The U.S. Government Funds invest mainly
in U.S. Government securities and the Mortgage Fund invests in mortgage-related
securities, while the Multi-Market Funds diversify their investments among debt
markets around the world and the Global Bond Funds invest primarily in foreign
government securities. The Corporate Bond Fund invests primarily in corporate
debt securities.
Each fund or portfolio (each a "Fund") is, or is a series of, an open-end
management investment company. This Prospectus sets forth concisely the
information which a prospective investor should know about each Fund before
investing. A "Statement of Additional Information" for each Fund that provides
further information regarding certain matters discussed in this Prospectus and
other matters that may be of interest to some investors has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and is incorporated herein by reference. For
a free copy, write Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the indicated address or
call the "For Literature" telephone number shown above.
Each Fund (except Alliance World Income Trust) offers three classes of shares
that may be purchased, at the investor's choice, at a price equal to their net
asset value (i) plus an initial sales charge imposed at the time of purchase
(the "Class A shares"), (ii) with a contingent deferred sales charge imposed on
most redemptions made within three years of purchase (the "Class B shares"), or
(iii) without any initial or contingent deferred sales charge, as long as the
shares are held for one year or more (the "Class C shares"). Alliance World
Income Trust offers only one class of shares, which may be purchased at a price
equal to its net asset value without any initial or contingent deferred sales
charge. See "Purchase and Sale of Shares."
AN INVESTMENT IN THESE SECURITIES IS NOT A DEPOSIT OR OBLIGATION OF, OR
GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY, ANY BANK AND IS NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL
DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD OR ANY OTHER AGENCY.
INVESTORS ARE ADVISED TO READ THIS PROSPECTUS CAREFULLY AND TO RETAIN IT FOR
FUTURE REFERENCE.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
ALLIANCE
INVESTING WITHOUT THE MYSTERY.
R/SM These are registered marks used under licenses from the owner, Alliance
Capital Management L.P.
THE FUNDS AT A GLANCE
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information contained in this Prospectus.
THE FUNDS' INVESTMENT ADVISER IS . . .
Alliance Capital Management L.P. ("Alliance"), a global investment manager
providing diversified services to institutions and individuals through a broad
line of investments including more than 100 mutual funds. Since 1971, Alliance
has earned a reputation as a leader in the investment world with over $168
billion in assets under management as of June 30, 1996. Alliance provides
investment management services to employee benefit plans for 33 of the FORTUNE
100 companies.
U.S. GOVERNMENT FUNDS
SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND
SEEKS . . . High current income consistent with preservation of capital.
INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . A diversified portfolio of U.S. Government
securities.
U.S. GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
SEEKS . . . As high a level of current income as is consistent with safety of
principal.
INVESTS SOLELY IN . . . A diversified portfolio of U.S. Government securities
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.
LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT FUND
SEEKS . . . The highest level of current income, consistent with low volatility
of net asset value.
INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . U.S. Government securities, including
mortgage-related securities, and repurchase agreements relating to U.S.
Government securities.
MORTGAGE FUND
MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME FUND
SEEKS . . . A high level of current income consistent with prudent investment
risk.
INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . A diversified portfolio of mortgage-related
securities.
MULTI-MARKET FUNDS
WORLD INCOME TRUST
SEEKS . . . The highest level of current income that is available from a
portfolio of high-quality debt securities having remaining maturities of not
more than one year.
INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . A non-diversified portfolio of debt securities
denominated in the U.S. Dollar and selected foreign currencies. The Fund
maintains at least 35% of its net assets in U.S. Dollar-denominated securities.
SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST
SEEKS . . . The highest level of current income through investment in a
portfolio of high-quality debt securities having remaining maturities of not
more than three years.
INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . A non-diversified portfolio of debt securities
denominated in the U.S. Dollar and selected foreign currencies. While the Fund
normally will maintain a substantial portion of its assets in debt securities
denominated in foreign currencies, the Fund will invest at least 25% of its net
assets in U.S. Dollar-denominated securities.
MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY TRUST
SEEKS . . . The highest level of current income that is available from a
portfolio of high-quality debt securities having remaining maturities of not
more than five years.
INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . A non-diversified portfolio of debt securities
denominated in the U.S. Dollar and selected foreign currencies. The Fund
expects to maintain at least 70% of its assets in debt securities denominated
in foreign currencies, but not more than 25% of the Fund's total assets may be
invested in debt securities denominated in a single currency other than the
U.S. Dollar.
GLOBAL BOND FUNDS
NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST
SEEKS . . . The highest level of current income that is available from a
portfolio of investment grade debt securities issued or guaranteed by the
governments of the United States, Canada and Mexico.
INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . A non-diversified portfolio of government securities
denominated in the U.S. Dollar, the Canadian Dollar and the Mexican Peso. The
Fund expects to maintain at least 25% of its assets in securities denominated
in the U.S. Dollar. In addition, the Fund may invest up to 25% of its total
assets in debt securities issued by governmental entities in Argentina.
2
GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT FUND
SEEKS . . . Primarily a high level of current income and, secondarily, capital
appreciation.
INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . A non-diversified portfolio of sovereign debt
obligations and in U.S. and non-U.S. corporate fixed-income securities.
Substantially all of the Fund's assets are invested in lower-rated securities.
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME TRUST
SEEKS . . . Primarily a high level of current income and secondarily capital
appreciation.
INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . A non-diversified portfolio of fixed-income
securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers.
CORPORATE BOND FUND
CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO
SEEKS . . . Primarily to maximize income over the long term; secondarily, the
Fund will attempt to increase its capital through appreciation of its
investments.
INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . A diversified portfolio of U.S. Dollar-denominated
corporate bonds issued by domestic and foreign issuers that give promise of
relatively attractive yields.
A WORD ABOUT RISK . . .
The prices of the shares of the Alliance Bond Funds will fluctuate as the daily
prices of the individual bonds in which they invest fluctuate, so that your
shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
Price fluctuations may be caused by changes in the general level of interest
rates or changes in bond credit quality ratings. Changes in interest rates have
a greater effect on bonds with longer maturities than those with shorter
maturities. Some of the Funds invest in high-yield, high-risk bonds that are
rated below investment grade and are considered to have predominantly
speculative characteristics. The prices of non-U.S. Dollar denominated bonds
also fluctuate with changes in foreign exchange rates. Investment in the Global
Bond Funds, the Multi-Market Funds and any other Fund that may invest a
significant amount of its assets in non-U.S. securities involves risks not
associated with Funds that invest primarily in securities of U.S. issuers.
While the Funds invest principally in fixed-income securities, in order to
achieve their investment objectives, the Funds may at times use certain types
of derivative instruments, such as options, futures, forwards and swaps. These
instruments involve risks different from, and, in certain cases, greater than,
the risks presented by more traditional investments. These risks are fully
discussed in this Prospectus. See "Description of the Funds-Additional
Investment Practices" and "-Risk Considerations."
GETTING STARTED . . .
Shares of the Funds are available through your financial representative and
most banks, insurance companies and brokerage firms nationwide. Shares of each
Fund (except WORLD INCOME) can be purchased for a minimum initial investment of
$250, and subsequent investments can be made for as little as $50. For detailed
information about purchasing and selling shares, see "Purchase and Sale of
Shares." In addition, the Funds offer several time and money saving services to
investors. Be sure to ask your financial representative about:
AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PROGRAM
RETIREMENT PLANS
SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS
DIVIDEND DIRECTION PLANS
AUTO EXCHANGE
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWALS
CHECK-WRITING
A CHOICE OF PURCHASE PLANS
TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS
24 HOUR INFORMATION
ALLIANCE
INVESTING WITHOUT THE MYSTERY.
R/SM These are registered marks used under licenses from the owner, Alliance
Capital Management L.P.
3
EXPENSE INFORMATION
_______________________________________________________________________________
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES are one of several factors to consider when
you invest in a Fund. The following tables summarize your maximum transaction
costs from investing in a Fund, other than WORLD INCOME, and annual operating
expenses for each class of shares of each Fund. WORLD INCOME, which has only
one class of shares, has no sales charge on purchases or reinvested dividends,
no deferred sales charge, and no redemption fee or exchange fee. For each Fund,
the "Examples" below show the cumulative expenses attributable to a
hypothetical $1,000 investment, assuming a 5% annual return, in each class for
the periods specified.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES
-------------- ---------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Maximum sales charge imposed on purchases
(as a percentage of offering price) 4.25%(a) None None
Sales charge imposed on dividend reinvestments None None None
Deferred sales charge (as a percentage of
original purchase price or redemption
proceeds, whichever is lower) None 3.0% 1.0% during
during the the first year,
first year, 0% thereafter
decreasing 1.0%
annually to 0%
after the
third year (b)
Exchange fee None None None
</TABLE>
(A) REDUCED FOR LARGER PURCHASES. PURCHASES OF $1,000,000 OR MORE ARE NOT
SUBJECT TO AN INITIAL SALES CHARGE BUT MAY BE SUBJECT TO A 1.0% DEFERRED SALES
CHARGE ON REDEMPTIONS WITHIN ONE YEAR OF PURCHASE. SEE "PURCHASE AND SALE OF
SHARES-HOW TO BUY SHARES" -PAGE 37.
(B) CLASS B SHARES OF EACH FUND AUTOMATICALLY CONVERT TO CLASS A SHARES AFTER
SIX YEARS. SEE "PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES-HOW TO BUY SHARES" -PAGE 37.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES EXAMPLES
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees(b)
(after waiver) None None None After 1 year $ 57 $ 53 $ 23 $ 33 $ 23
12b-1 fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $ 89 $ 80 $ 70 $ 69 $ 69
Other expenses After 5 years $122 $119 $119 $119 $119
Interest expense .13% .13% .12% After 10 years $217 $223 $223 $255 $255
Other operating expenses (a)(b)
(after reimbursement) 1.10% 1.10% 1.10%
Total other expenses 1.23% 1.23% 1.22%
Total fund operating expenses(b) 1.53% 2.23% 2.22%
U.S. GOVERNMENT CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees .53% .53% .53% After 1 year $ 52 $ 47 $ 17 $ 27 $ 17
12b-1 fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $ 73 $ 64 $ 54 $ 54 $ 54
Other expenses(a) .18% .19% .18% After 5 years $ 96 $ 93 $ 93 $ 93 $ 93
Total fund operating After 10 years $161 $167 $167 $202 $202
expenses 1.01% 1.72% 1.71%
LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees .65% .65% .65% After 1 year $ 63 $ 59 $ 29 $ 39 $ 29
12b-1 fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $107 $ 98 $ 88 $ 88 $ 88
Other expenses After 5 years $153 $150 $150 $150 $150
Interest expense .73% .74% .75% After 10 years $279 $285 $285 $318 $318
Other operating expenses(a) .46% .46% .45%
Total other expenses 1.19% 1.20% 1.20%
Total fund operating expenses(h) 2.14% 2.85% 2.85%
MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees .51% .51% .51% After 1 year $ 59 $ 54 $ 24 $ 34 $ 24
12b-1 fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $ 93 $ 84 $ 74 $ 73 $ 73
Other expenses After 5 years $129 $127 $127 $126 $126
Interest expense .63% .63% .62% After 10 years $231 $237 $237 $269 $269
Other operating expenses(a) .22% .23% .22%
Total other expenses .85% .86% .84%
Total fund operating expenses(g) 1.66% 2.37% 2.35%
</TABLE>
PLEASE REFER TO THE FOOTNOTES ON PAGE 5.
4
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES EXAMPLES
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
WORLD INCOME
Management fees(c)(after waiver) .49% After 1 year $ 20
12b-1 fees(c)(after waiver) .68% After 3 years $ 62
Other expenses(a) .80% After 5 years $106
Total fund operating expenses(c) 1.97% After 10 years $230
SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees .55% .55% .55% After 1 year $ 54 $ 50 $ 20 $ 29 $ 19
12b-1 fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $ 80 $ 71 $ 61 $ 60 $ 60
Other expenses(a) .38% .40% .37% After 5 years $107 $105 $105 $104 $104
Total fund operating expenses 1.23% 1.95% 1.92% After 10 years $185 $192 $192 $224 $224
MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees .60% .60% .60% After 1 year $ 58 $ 53 $ 23 $ 33 $ 23
12b-1 fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $ 91 $ 82 $ 72 $ 72 $ 72
Other expenses After 5 years $126 $123 $123 $123 $123
Interest expense .05% .07% .05% After 10 years $224 $229 $229 $263 $263
Other operating expenses(a) .65% .62% .64%
Total other expenses .70% .69% .69%
Total fund operating expenses(d) 1.60% 2.29% 2.29%
NORTH AMERICAN
GOVERNMENT INCOME CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees(e) .65% .65% .65% After 1 year $ 68 $ 64 $ 34 $ 44 $ 34
12b-1 fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $120 $112 $102 $102 $102
Other expenses After 5 years $176 $174 $174 $174 $174
Interest expense 1.11% 1.11% 1.12% After 10 years $325 $331 $331 $362 $362
Other operating expenses(a) .56% .57% .56%
Total other expenses 1.67% 1.68% 1.68%
Total fund operating expenses(f) 2.62% 3.33% 3.33%
GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees .75% .75% .75% After 1 year $ 59 $ 54 $ 24 $ 34 $ 24
12b-1 fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $ 92 $ 84 $ 74 $ 73 $ 73
Other expenses(a) .60% .62% .60% After 5 years $128 $127 $127 $126 $126
Total fund operating expenses 1.65% 2.37% 2.35% After 10 years $230 $236 $236 $269 $269
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees(i) None None None After 1 year $ 61 $ 56 $ 26 $ 36 $ 26
12b-1 fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $100 $ 91 $ 81 $ 81 $ 81
Other expenses(a)(i) 1.60% 1.60% 1.60% After 5 years $141 $138 $138 $138 $138
Total fund operating expenses(i) 1.90% 2.60% 2.60% After 10 years $255 $261 $261 $293 $293
CORPORATE BONDCLASS A CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees .63% .63% .63% After 1 year $ 54 $ 49 $ 19 $ 29 $ 19
12b-1 fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $ 79 $ 70 $ 60 $ 60 $ 60
Other expenses(a) .27% .27% .27% After 5 years $106 $103 $103 $103 $103
Total fund operating expenses 1.20% 1.90% 1.90% After 10 years $182 $187 $187 $222 $222
</TABLE>
+ ASSUMES REDEMPTION AT END OF PERIOD AND, WITH RESPECT TO SHARES HELD TEN
YEARS, CONVERSION OF CLASS B SHARES TO CLASS A SHARES AFTER SIX YEARS.
++ ASSUMES NO REDEMPTION AT END OF PERIOD AND, WITH RESPECT TO SHARES HELD
TEN YEARS, CONVERSION OF CLASS B SHARES TO CLASS A SHARES AFTER SIX YEARS.
(a) THESE EXPENSES INCLUDE A TRANSFER AGENCY FEE PAYABLE TO ALLIANCE FUND
SERVICES, INC., AN AFFILIATE OF ALLIANCE, BASED ON A FIXED DOLLAR AMOUNT
CHARGED TO THE FUND FOR EACH SHAREHOLDER'S ACCOUNT.
(b) NET OF VOLUNTARY FEE WAIVERS AND EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS. ABSENT SUCH
WAIVERS AND REIMBURSEMENTS, MANAGEMENT FEES WOULD HAVE BEEN .55%, OTHER
EXPENSES WOULD HAVE BEEN 2.19% FOR CLASS A, 2.19% FOR CLASS B AND 2.17% FOR
CLASS C AND TOTAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES WOULD HAVE BEEN 3.17% FOR CLASS A,
3.87% FOR CLASS B AND 3.85% FOR CLASS C.
(c) NET OF VOLUNTARY FEE WAIVERS. ABSENT SUCH WAIVERS, ANNUALIZED MANAGEMENT
FEES WOULD HAVE BEEN .65%, ANNUALIZED RULE 12B-1 FEES WOULD HAVE BEEN .90% AND
ANNUALIZED TOTAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES WOULD HAVE BEEN 2.35%.
(d) EXCLUDING INTEREST EXPENSE, TOTAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES WOULD HAVE BEEN
FOR CLASS A, 1.55%, FOR CLASS B, 2.22% AND FOR CLASS C, 2.24%.
(e) REPRESENTS .65 OF 1% OF THE THE FUND'S AVERAGE DAILY ADJUSTED TOTAL NET
ASSETS.
(f) EXCLUDING INTEREST EXPENSE, TOTAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES WOULD HAVE BEEN
FOR CLASS A, 1.51%, FOR CLASS B, 2.22% AND FOR CLASS C, 2.21%.
(g) EXCLUDING INTEREST EXPENSE, TOTAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES WOULD HAVE BEEN
FOR CLASS A, 1.03%, FOR CLASS B, 1.74%, FOR CLASS C, 1.73%.
(h) EXCLUDING INTEREST EXPENSE, TOTAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES WOULD HAVE BEEN
FOR CLASS A, 1.41%, FOR CLASS B, 2.11%, FOR CLASS C, 2.10%.
(i) NET OF VOLUNTARY FEE WAIVERS AND EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT. ABSENT SUCH
WAIVERS AND REIMBURSEMENTS, MANAGEMENT FEES WOULD HAVE BEEN .75%, OTHER
EXPENSES WOULD HAVE 27.55% FOR CLASS A, 27.55% FOR CLASS B, AND 27.55% FOR
CLASS C AND TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES WOULD HAVE BEEN 28.60% FOR CLASS A, 29.30%
FOR CLASS B, AND 29.30% FOR CLASS C.
5
The purpose of the tables on pages 4 and 5 is to assist the investor in
understanding the various costs and expenses that shareholders of a Fund will
bear directly or indirectly. Long-term shareholders of a Fund may pay aggregate
sales charges totaling more than the economic equivalent of the maximum initial
sales charges permitted by the Conduct Rules of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. See "Management of the Funds-Distribution Services
Agreements." The Rule 12b-1 fee for each class comprises a service fee not
exceeding .25% of the aggregate average daily net assets of the Fund
attributable to the class and an asset-based sales charge equal to the
remaining portion of the Rule 12b-1 fee. With respect to each of MULTI-MARKET
STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME, MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME and
LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT, "interest expense" represents interest paid by the
Fund on borrowings for the purpose of making additional portfolio investments.
Such borrowings are intended to enable each of those Funds to produce higher
net yields to shareholders than the Funds could pay without such borrowings.
See "Description of Funds-Risk Considerations-Effects of Borrowing." Excluding
interest expense, total fund operating expenses of each of MULTI-MARKET
STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME, MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME and
LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT would be lower (see notes (d), (f), (g) and (h)
above) and the cumulative expenses shown in the Examples above with respect to
those Funds would be lower. The management fee rates of GLOBAL DOLLAR
GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME, are higher than that paid by most other
investment companies, but Alliance believes the fees are comparable to those
paid by investment companies of similar investment orientation. The expense
ratios for Class B and Class C shares of MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY and NORTH
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME are higher than the expense ratios of most other
mutual funds, but are comparable to the expense ratios of mutual funds whose
shares are similarly priced. The Examples set forth above assume reinvestment
of all dividends and distributions and utilize a 5% annual rate of return as
mandated by Commission regulations. THE EXAMPLES SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED
REPRESENTATIVE OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES; ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR
LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN. ACTUAL RETURN WILL VARY.
6
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
_______________________________________________________________________________
The tables on the following pages present, for each Fund, per share income and
capital changes for a share outstanding throughout each period indicated. The
information in the tables relating to SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT has been
audited by Price Waterhouse LLP, the independent accountants for the Fund, and
the information in the tables relating to U.S. GOVERNMENT, LIMITED MATURITY
GOVERNMENT, MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME, WORLD INCOME, SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET,
MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME, GLOBAL DOLLAR
GOVERNMENT, GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME and CORPORATE BOND has been audited by
Ernst & Young LLP, the independent auditors for each Fund. A report of Price
Waterhouse LLP or Ernst & Young LLP, as the case may be, on the information
with respect to each Fund appears in the Fund's Statement of Additional
Information. The following information for each Fund should be read in
conjunction with the financial statements and related notes which are included
in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information.
Further information about a Fund's performance is contained in the Fund's
annual report to shareholders, which may be obtained without charge by
contacting Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the address or the "For Literature"
telephone number shown on the cover of this Prospectus.
7
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NET NET NET
ASSET REALIZED AND INCREASE
VALUE NET UNREALIZED (DECREASE) IN DIVIDENDS FROM DISTRIBUTIONS
BEGINNING OF INVESTMENT GAIN (LOSS) ON NET ASSET VALUE NET INVESTMENT FROM NET
FISCAL YEAR OR PERIOD PERIOD INCOME (LOSS) INVESTMENTS FROM OPERATIONS INCOME REALIZED GAINS
- --------------------------------- ------------ ------------ -------------- --------------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT#
CLASS A
Year Ended 8/31/96 $ 9.70 $ .47 $ (.02) $ .45 $ (.49) $0.00
Year Ended 8/31/95 9.67 .42 .05 .47 (.41) 0.00
Period Ended 8/31/94** 9.77 .14 (.09) .05 (.12) 0.00
Year Ended 4/30/94 10.22 .35 (.29) .06 (.42) 0.00
5/4/92+ to 4/30/93 10.00 .46 .34 .80 (.46) (.12)
CLASS B
Year Ended 8/31/96 $ 9.81 $ .41 $ (.03) $ .38 $ (.42) $0.00
Year Ended 8/31/95 9.78 .36 .04 .40 (.34) 0.00
Period Ended 8/31/94** 9.88 .10 (.07) .03 (.11) 0.00
Year Ended 4/30/94 10.31 .40 (.39) .01 (.35) 0.00
5/4/92+ to 4/30/93 10.00 .38 .33 .71 (.38) (.02)
CLASS C
Year Ended 8/31/96 $ 9.80 $ .40 $ (.02) $ .38 $ (.42) $0.00
Year Ended 8/31/95 9.77 .34 .06 .40 (.34) 0.00
Period Ended 8/31/94** 9.87 .10 (.07) .03 (.11) 0.00
8/2/93++ to 4/30/94 10.34 .26 (.42) (.16) (.25) 0.00
U.S. GOVERNMENT
CLASS A
Year Ended 6/30/96 $ 7.96 $ .58 $ (.44) $ .14 $ (.58) $0.00
Year Ended 6/30/95 7.84 .64 .13 .77 (.65) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/94 8.64 .65 (.80) (.15) (.65) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/93 8.34 .69 .29 .98 (.68) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/92 8.01 .70 .35 1.05 (.72) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/91 8.14 .81 (.11) .70 (.83) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/90 8.49 .86 (.38) .48 (.83) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/89 8.51 .89 (.03) .86 (.88) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/88 8.90 .93 (.39) .54 (.93) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/87 9.24 .98 (.34) .64 (.98) 0.00
CLASS B
Year Ended 6/30/96 $ 7.96 $ .52 $ (.44) $ .08 $ (.52) $0.00
Year Ended 6/30/95 7.84 .58 .13 .71 (.59) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/94 8.64 .59 (.80) (.21) (.59) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/93 8.34 .62 .30 .92 (.62) 0.00
9/30/91++ to 6/30/92 8.25 .49 .09 .58 (.49) 0.00
CLASS C
Year Ended 6/30/96 $ 7.96 $ .52 $ (.44) $ .08 $ (.52) $0.00
Year Ended 6/30/95 7.83 .58 .14 .72 (.59) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/94 8.64 .59 (.81) (.22) (.59) 0.00
4/30/93++ to 6/30/93 8.56 .10 .08 .18 (.10) 0.00
LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT
CLASS A
Six Months Ended 5/31/96 unaudited $ 9.52 $ .25(h) $ (.25) $ .00 $ (.27) $0.00
Year Ended 11/30/95 9.51 .52(h) .02 .54 (.50) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/94 9.94 .42 (.32) .10 (.48) (.01)
Year Ended 11/30/93 9.84 .57 .11 .68 (.58) 0.00
6/1/92+ to 11/30/92 10.00 .35 (.17) .18 (.34) 0.00
CLASS B
Six Months Ended 5/31/96 unaudited $ 9.52 $ .22(h) $ (.25) $(.03) $ (.24) $0.00
Year Ended 11/30/95 9.52 .46(h) .01 .47 (.44) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/94 9.94 .39 (.35) .04 (.42) (.01)
Year Ended 11/30/93 9.84 .49 .12 .61 (.51) 0.00
6/1/92+ to 11/30/92 10.00 .31 (.17) .14 (.30) 0.00
CLASS C
Six Months Ended 5/31/96 unaudited $ 9.52 $ .22(h) $ (.25) $(.03) $ (.24) $0.00
Year Ended 11/30/95 9.52 .46(h) .01 .47 (.44) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/94 9.94 .37 (.33) .04 (.42) (.01)
5/3/93++ to 11/30/93 9.98 .27 (.03) .24 (.28) 0.00
MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME
CLASS A
Six Months Ended 6/30/96 unaudited $ 8.75 $ .26 $ (.31) $(.05) $ (.29) $0.00
Year Ended 12/31/95 8.13 .57(h) .64 1.21 (.57) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/94 9.29 .57 (1.13) (.56) (.58) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/93 9.08 .67 .23 .90 (.67) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/92 9.21 .77 (.09) .68 (.81) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/91 8.79 .88 .41 1.29 (.87) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/90 8.76 .87 .03 .90 (.87) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/89 8.81 .97 (.05) .92 (.97) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/88 9.03 .99 (.23) .76 (.98) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/87 9.74 1.00 (.68) .32 (1.00) (.03)
Year Ended 12/31/86 9.97 1.06 (.02) 1.04 (1.06) (.21)
CLASS B
Six Months Ended 6/30/96 unaudited $ 8.75 $ .23 $ (.31) $(.08) $ (.26) $0.00
Year Ended 12/31/95 8.13 .51(h) .64 1.15 (.51) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/94 9.29 .51 (1.14) (.63) (.51) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/93 9.08 .61 .22 .83 (.60) 0.00
1/30/92++ to 12/31/92 9.16 .68 (.08) .60 (.68) 0.00
CLASS C
Six Months Ended 6/30/96 unaudited $ 8.75 $ .23 $ (.31) $(.08) $ (.26) $0.00
Year Ended 12/31/95 8.13 .51(h) .64 1.15 (.51) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/94 9.29 .51 (1.14) (.63) (.51) 0.00
5/3/93++ to 12/31/93 9.30 .40 0.00 .40 (.40) 0.00
</TABLE>
PLEASE REFER TO THE FOOTNOTES ON PAGE 14.
8
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DISTRIBUTIONS TOTAL NET ASSETS RATIO OF NET
IN EXCESS TOTAL INVESTMENT AT END OF RATIO INVESTMENT
OF NET RETURN DIVIDENDS NET ASSET RETURN PERIOD OF EXPENSES INCOME (LOSS) PORTFOLIO
INVESTMENT OF AND VALUE END BASED ON NET (000'S TO AVERAGE TO AVERAGE TURNOVER
INCOME CAPITAL DISTRIBUTIONS OF PERIOD ASSET VALUE (B) OMITTED) NET ASSETS NET ASSETS RATE
- ----------- -------- ------------- ---------- --------------- ------------ ------------ ------------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$0.00 $0.00 $ (.49) $ 9.66 4.71% $ 3,455 1.53%(d)(e) 4.85% 110%
(.03) 0.00 (.44) 9.70 5.14 2,997 1.40(d) 4.56 15
(.03)(a) 0.00 (.15)(c) 9.67 .53 2,272 1.40(d) 3.98 144
(.09)(a) 0.00 (.51)(c) 9.77 .52 2,003 1.27(d) 4.41 55
0.00 0.00 (.58)(c) 10.22 8.20 6,081 1.00*(d) 4.38* 294
$0.00 $0.00 $ (.42) $ 9.77 3.89% $ 6,781 2.23%(d)(e) 4.11% 110%
(.03) 0.00 (.37) 9.81 4.32 6,380 2.10(d) 3.82 15
(.02)(a) 0.00 (.13)(c) 9.78 .28 6,281 2.10(d) 3.22 144
(.09)(a) 0.00 (.44)(c) 9.88 .03 7,184 2.05(d) 3.12 55
0.00 0.00 (.40)(c) 10.31 7.22 1,292 1.75*(d) 3.36* 294
$0.00 $0.00 $ (.42) $ 9.76 3.90% $ 4,850 2.22%(d)(e) 4.11% 110%
(.03) 0.00 (.37) 9.80 4.33 5,180 2.10(d) 3.80 15
(.02)(a) 0.00 (.13)(c) 9.77 .28 7,128 2.10(d) 3.26 144
(.06)(a) 0.00 (.31)(c) 9.87 (1.56) 8,763 2.10*(d) 2.60* 55
$0.00 $0.00 $ (.58) $ 7.52 1.74% $ 397,894 1.01% 7.38% 334%
0.00 0.00 (.65) 7.96 10.37 463,660 1.01 8.27 190
0.00 0.00 (.65) 7.84 (1.93) 482,595 1.02 7.76 188
0.00 0.00 (.68) 8.64 12.23 527,968 1.10 8.04 386
0.00 0.00 (.72) 8.34 13.52 492,448 1.12 8.43 418
0.00 0.00 (.83) 8.01 8.97 491,910 1.07 10.02 402
0.00 0.00 (.83) 8.14 5.99 510,675 1.09 10.35 455
0.00 0.00 (.88) 8.49 10.87 532,525 1.11 10.70 148
0.00 0.00 (.93) 8.51 6.41 529,909 1.14 10.70 149
0.00 0.00 (.98) 8.90 7.00 496,600 1.07(d) 10.36 255
$0.00 $0.00 $ (.52) $ 7.52 1.01% $ 628,628 1.72% 6.67% 334%
0.00 0.00 (.59) 7.96 9.52 774,097 1.72 7.57 190
0.00 0.00 (.59) 7.84 (2.63) 756,282 1.72 7.04 188
0.00 .00 (.62) 8.64 11.45 552,471 1.81 7.25 386
0.00 .00 (.49) 8.34 6.95 32,227 1.80* 7.40* 418
$0.00 $0.00 $ (.52) $ 7.52 1.01% $ 166,075 1.71% 6.68% 334%
0.00 0.00 (.59) 7.96 9.67 181,948 1.71 7.59 190
0.00 0.00 (.59) 7.83 (2.75) 231,859 1.70 6.97 188
0.00 .00 (.10) 8.64 2.12 67,757 1.80* 6.00* 386
$0.00 $0.00 $ (.27) $ 9.25 (0.02)% $ 19,816 2.43%*(e) 5.36%* 101%
0.00 (.03) (.53) 9.52 5.91 27,887 2.14(e) 5.53 293
0.00 (.04) (.53) 9.51 1.03 43,173 1.34(e) 4.78 375
0.00 0.00 (.58) 9.94 7.02 59,215 1.54(e) 5.66 499
0.00 0.00 (.34) 9.84 1.84 24,186 1.44*(d)(e) 6.58*(d) 101
$0.00 $0.00 $ (.24) $ 9.25 (.38)% $ 62,110 3.14%*(e) 4.67%* 101%
0.00 (.03) (.47) 9.52 5.05 84,362 2.85(e) 4.83 293
0.00 (.03) (.46) 9.52 .42 136,458 2.08(e) 4.12 375
0.00 0.00 (.51) 9.94 6.27 168,157 2.26(e) 4.98 499
0.00 0.00 (.30) 9.84 1.50 149,188 2.13*(d)(e) 6.01*(d) 101
$0.00 $0.00 $ (.24) $ 9.25 (.35)% $ 53,265 3.13%*(e) 4.69%* 101%
0.00 (.03) (.47) 9.52 5.06 68,459 2.85(e) 4.84 293
0.00 (.03) (.46) 9.52 .42 141,838 2.04(e) 4.10 375
0.00 0.00 (.28) 9.94 2.40 228,703 1.58*(e) 3.70* 499
$0.00 $0.00 $ (.29) $ 8.41 (.52)% $ 441,071 1.47%*(e) 6.25%* 140%
0.00 (.02) (.59) 8.75 15.34 502,390 1.66(e) 6.77 285
0.00 (.02) (.60) 8.13 (6.14) 553,889 1.29(e) 6.77 438
(.02) 0.00 (.69) 9.29 10.14 848,069 1.00 7.20 622
0.00 0.00 (.81) 9.08 7.73 789,898 1.18 8.56 555
0.00 0.00 (.87) 9.21 15.44 544,171 1.16 9.92 439
0.00 0.00 (.87) 8.79 11.01 495,353 1.12 10.09 393
0.00 0.00 (.97) 8.76 10.98 556,077 1.13 11.03 328
0.00 0.00 (.98) 8.81 8.64 619,572 1.11 10.80 239
0.00 0.00 (1.03) 9.03 3.49 682,650 1.15 10.79 211
0.00 0.00 (1.27) 9.74 11.18 756,730 1.00 10.86 190
$0.00 $0.00 $ (.26) $ 8.41 (.89)% $ 584,494 2.17%*(e) 5.54%* 140%
0.00 (.02) (.53) 8.75 14.48 737,593 2.37(e) 6.06 285
0.00 (.02) (.53) 8.13 (6.84) 921,418 2.00(e) 6.05 438
(.02) 0.00 (.62) 9.29 9.38 1,454,303 1.70 6.47 622
0.00 0.00 (.68) 9.08 7.81 1,153,957 1.67* 5.92* 555
$0.00 $0.00 $ (.26) $ 8.41 (.90)% $ 41,615 2.17%*(e) 5.55%* 140%
0.00 (.02) (.53) 8.75 14.46 45,558 2.35(e) 6.07 285
0.00 (.02) (.53) 8.13 (6.84) 58,338 1.97(e) 6.06 438
(.01) 0.00 (.41) 9.29 4.34 91,724 1.67* 5.92* 622
</TABLE>
PLEASE REFER TO THE FOOTNOTES ON PAGE 14.
9
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NET NET NET
ASSET REALIZED AND INCREASE
VALUE NET UNREALIZED (DECREASE) IN DIVIDENDS FROM DISTRIBUTIONS
BEGINNING OF INVESTMENT GAIN (LOSS) ON NET ASSET VALUE NET INVESTMENT FROM NET
FISCAL YEAR OR PERIOD PERIOD INCOME (LOSS) INVESTMENTS FROM OPERATIONS INCOME REALIZED GAINS
- --------------------------------- ------------ ------------ -------------- --------------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
WORLD INCOME
Six Months Ended 4/30/96 unaudited $ 1.66 $ .04(h) $ .02 $ .06 $ (.05) $0.00
Year Ended 10/31/95 1.88 .11(h) (.23) (.12) 0.00 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/94 1.90 .18 (.12) .06 (.05) 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/93 1.91 .22 (.16) .06 (.07) 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/92 1.98 .19 (.17) .02 (.09) 0.00
12/3/90+ to 10/31/91 2.00 .14 (.03) .11 (.13) 0.00
SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET
CLASS A
Six Months Ended 4/30/96 unaudited $ 7.47 $ .29(h) $ .20 $ .49 $ (.34) $0.00
Year Ended 10/31/95 8.71 .46(h) (.98) (.52) 0.00 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/94 9.25 .93 (.86) .07 0.00 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/93 9.25 .92 (.32) .60 (.60) 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/92 9.94 .91 (.86) .05 (.72) (.02)
Year Ended 10/31/91 9.89 .97 .06 1.03 (.97) (.01)
Year Ended 10/31/90 9.69 1.09 .19 1.28 (1.08) 0.00
5/5/89+ to 10/31/89 9.70 .53 (.01) .52 (.53) 0.00
CLASS B
Six Months Ended 4/30/96 unaudited $ 7.47 $ .28(h) $ .20 $ .48 $ (.33) $0.00
Year Ended 10/31/95 8.71 .41(h) (.99) (.58) 0.00 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/94 9.25 .94 (.93) .01 0.00 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/93 9.25 .87 (.34) .53 (.53) 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/92 9.94 .84 (.86) (.02) (.65) (.02)
Year Ended 10/31/91 9.89 .89 .07 .96 (.90) (.01)
2/5/90++ to 10/31/90 9.77 .74 .12 .86 (.74) 0.00
CLASS C
Six Months Ended 4/30/96 unaudited $ 7.47 $ .29(h) $ .19 $ .48 $ (.33) $0.00
Year Ended 10/31/95 8.71 .39(h) (.97) (.58) 0.00 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/94 9.25 .58 (.57) .01 0.00 0.00
5/3/93++ to 10/31/93 9.18 .28 .05 .33 (.26) 0.00
MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY
CLASS A
Six Months Ended 4/30/96 unaudited $ 6.83 $ .30(h) $ .24 $ .54 $ .33 $0.00
Year Ended 10/31/95 8.04 .77(h) (1.31) (.54) 0.00 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/94 8.94 .85 (1.08) (.23) (.09) 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/93 8.85 1.02 (.26) .76 (.67) 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/92 9.91 1.00 (1.23) (.23) (.81) (.02)
5/29/91+ to 10/28/91 10.00 .42 (.09) .33 (.42) 0.00
CLASS B
Six Months Ended 4/30/96 unaudited $ 6.83 $ .27(h) $ .24 $ .51 $ (.30) $0.00
Year Ended 10/31/95 $ 8.04 $ .44(h) $(1.05) $ (.61) $ 0.00 $0.00
Year Ended 10/31/94 8.94 .88 (1.18) (.30) (.08) 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/93 8.85 .92 (.22) .70 (.61) 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/92 9.91 1.04 (1.34) (.30) (.74) (.02)
5/29/91+ to 10/28/91 10.00 .39 (.09) .30 (.39) 0.00
CLASS C
Six Months Ended 4/30/96 unaudited $ 6.83 $ .27(h) $ .24 $ .51 $ (.30) $0.00
Year Ended 10/31/95 8.04 .44(h) (1.04) (.60) 0.00 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/94 8.94 .46 (.75) (.29) (.09) 0.00
5/3/93++ to 10/31/93 8.76 .32 .16 .48 (.30) 0.00
NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME
CLASS A
Six Months Ended 5/31/96 unaudited $ 6.75 $ .58(h) $ .46 $ 1.04 $ (.48) $0.00
Year Ended 11/30/95 8.13 1.18(h) (1.59) (.41) 0.00 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/94 10.35 1.02 (2.12) (1.10) (.91) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/93 9.70 1.09 .66 1.75 (1.09) (.01)
3/27/92+ to 11/30/92 10.00 .69 (.31) .38 (.68) 0.00
CLASS B
Six Months Ended 5/31/96 unaudited $ 6.75 $ .56(h) $ .45 $ 1.01 $ (.45) $0.00
Year Ended 11/30/95 8.13 1.13(h) (1.61) (.48) 0.00 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/94 10.35 .96 (2.13) (1.17) (.84) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/93 9.70 1.01 .67 1.68 (1.02) (.01)
3/27/92+ to 11/30/92 10.00 .64 (.31) .33 (.63) 0.00
CLASS C
Six Months Ended 5/31/96 unaudited $ 6.75 $ .56(h) $ .45 $ 1.01 $ (.45) $0.00
Year Ended 11/30/95 $ 8.13 $1.13(h) $(1.61) $ (.48) $ 0.00 $0.00
Year Ended 11/30/94 10.34 .96 (2.12) (1.16) (.84) 0.00
5/3/93++ to 11/30/93 10.04 .58 .30 .88 (.58) 0.00
GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT
CLASS A
Year Ended 8/31/96 $ 8.02 $ .84 $ 2.10 $ 2.94 $ (.95) $0.00
Year Ended 8/31/95 9.14 .86 (1.10) (.24) (.88) 0.00
2/25/94+ to 8/31/94 10.00 .45 (.86) (.41) (.45) 0.00
CLASS B
Year Ended 8/31/96 $ 8.02 $ .78 $ 2.08 $ 2.86 $ (.87) $0.00
Year Ended 8/31/95 9.14 .80 (1.11) (.31) (.81) 0.00
2/25/94+ to 8/31/94 10.00 .42 (.86) (.44) (.42) 0.00
CLASS C
Year Ended 8/31/96 $ 8.02 $ .77 $ 2.10 $ 2.87 $ (.88) $0.00
Year Ended 8/31/95 9.14 .79 (1.10) (.31) (.81) 0.00
2/25/94+ to 8/31/94 10.00 .42 (.86) (.44) (.42) 0.00
</TABLE>
PLEASE REFER TO THE FOOTNOTES ON PAGE 14.
10
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DISTRIBUTIONS TOTAL NET ASSETS RATIO OF NET
IN EXCESS TOTAL INVESTMENT AT END OF RATIO INVESTMENT
OF NET RETURN DIVIDENDS NET ASSET RETURN PERIOD OF EXPENSES INCOME (LOSS) PORTFOLIO
INVESTMENT OF AND VALUE END BASED ON NET (000'S TO AVERAGE TO AVERAGE TURNOVER
INCOME CAPITAL DISTRIBUTIONS OF PERIOD ASSET VALUE (B) OMITTED) NET ASSETS NET ASSETS RATE
- ----------- -------- ------------- ---------- --------------- ------------ ------------- -------------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$0.00 $0.00 $ (.05) $ 1.67 4.02% $ 47,692 2.12%*(d) 5.56%* N/A
0.00 (.10) (.10) 1.66 (6.35) 55,778 1.97(d) 6.46 N/A
0.00 (.03) (.08) 1.88 3.27 103,310 1.70(d) 3.96 N/A
0.00 0.00 (.07) 1.90 3.51 149,623 1.54(d) 5.14 N/A
0.00 0.00 (.09) 1.91 1.26 318,716 1.59(d) 7.21 N/A
0.00 0.00 (.13) 1.98 6.08 1,059,222 1.85*(d) 7.29* N/A
$0.00 $0.00 $ (.34) $ 7.62 6.95% $ 295,888 1.30%* 8.21%* 99%
0.00 (.72) (.72) 7.47 (5.74) 320,333 1.23 7.39 230
0.00 (.61) (.61) 8.71 .84 593,677 1.13 7.28 109
0.00 0.00 (.60) 9.25 6.67 953,571 1.16 8.26 182
0.00 0.00 (.74) 9.25 .49 1,596,903 1.10 9.00 133
0.00 0.00 (.98) 9.94 10.91 2,199,393 1.09 9.64 146
0.00 0.00 (1.08) 9.89 13.86 1,346,035 1.18 10.81 152
0.00 0.00 (.53) 9.69 5.57 210,294 1.14* 10.83* 10
$0.00 $0.00 $ (.33) $ 7.62 6.52% $ 434,660 2.01%* 7.46%* 99%
0.00 (.66) (.66) 7.47 (6.50) 523,530 1.95 6.69 230
0.00 (.55) (.55) 8.71 .12 1,003,633 1.85 6.58 109
0.00 0.00 (.53) 9.25 5.91 1,742,703 1.87 7.57 182
0.00 0.00 (.67) 9.25 (.24) 2,966,071 1.81 8.28 133
0.00 0.00 (.91) 9.94 10.11 3,754,003 1.81 8.87 146
0.00 0.00 (.74) 9.89 9.07 1,950,330 1.86* 9.90* 152
$0.00 $0.00 $ (.33) $ 7.62 6.52% $ 4,731 1.99%* 7.46%* 99%
0.00 (.66) (.66) 7.47 (6.49) 3,416 1.92 6.66 230
0.00 (.55) (.55) 8.71 .12 8,136 1.83 6.50 109
0.00 0.00 (.26) 9.25 3.66 5,538 1.82* 7.19* 182
$0.00 $0.00 $ (.33) $ 7.04 8.12% $ 70,038 1.65%(f)* 8.60%* 137%
0.00 (.67) (.67) 6.83 (6.47) 76,837 1.60(f) 8.56 400
0.00 (.58) (.67) 8.04 (2.64) 52,385 1.41(f) 7.17 605
0.00 0.00 (.67) 8.94 9.01 82,977 1.94(f) 9.17(g) 200
0.00 0.00 (.83) 8.85 (2.80) 141,526 2.53(f) 10.58(g) 239
0.00 0.00 (.42) 9.91 3.68 143,594 2.81*(f) 10.17*(g) 121
$0.00 $0.00 $ (.30) $ 7.04 7.63% $ 99,649 2.35%*(f) 7.88% 137%
0.00 (.60) (.60) 6.83 (7.31) 116,551 2.29(f) 7.53 400
0.00 (.52) (.60) 8.04 (3.35) 233,896 2.11(f) 6.44 605
0.00 0.00 (.61) 8.94 8.25 431,186 2.64(f) 8.46(g) 200
0.00 0.00 (.76) 8.85 (3.51) 701,465 3.24(f) 9.83(g) 239
0.00 0.00 (.39) 9.91 3.36 662,981 3.53*(f) 9.40*(g) 121
$0.00 $0.00 $ (.30) $ 7.04 7.64% $ 798 2.34%*(f) 7.86%* 137%
0.00 (.61) (.61) 6.83 (7.29) 786 2.29(f) 7.55 400
0.00 (.52) (.61) 8.04 (3.34) 1,252 2.08(f) 6.10% 605%
0.00 0.00 (.30) 8.94 5.54 718 2.44*(f) 7.17*(g) 200
$0.00 $0.00 $ (.48) $ 7.31 15.73% $ 303,684 2.44%*(f) 16.19%* 162%
0.00 (.97) (.97) 6.75 (3.59) 252,608 2.62(f) 18.09 180
0.00 (.21) (1.12) 8.13 (11.32) 303,538 1.70(f) 11.22 131
0.00 0.00 (1.10) 10.35 18.99 268,233 1.61(f) 10.77 254
0.00 0.00 (.68) 9.70 3.49 61,702 2.45*(d)(f) 10.93* 86
$0.00 $0.00 $ (.45) $ 7.31 15.17% $1,216,642 3.15%*(f) 15.49%* 162%
0.00 (.90) (.90) 6.75 (4.63) 1,123,074 3.33(f) 17.31 180
0.00 (.21) (1.05) 8.13 (11.89) 1,639,602 2.41(f) 10.53 131
0.00 0.00 (1.03) 10.35 18.15 1,313,591 2.31(f) 10.01 254
0.00 0.00 (.63) 9.70 3.30 216,317 3.13*(d)(f) 10.16* 86
$0.00 $0.00 $ (.45) $ 7.31 15.17% $ 234,462 3.14%*(f) 15.50%* 162%
0.00 (.90) (.90) 6.75 (4.63) 219,009 3.33(f) 17.32 180
0.00 (.21) (1.05) 8.13 (11.89) 369,714 2.39(f) 10.46 131
0.00 0.00 (.58) 10.34 9.00 310,230 2.21*(f) 9.74* 254
$0.00 $0.00 $ (.95) $10.01 38.43% $ 23,253 1.65% 9.23% 315%
0.00 0.00 (.88) 8.02 (1.48) 12,020 1.93 11.25 301
0.00 0.00 (.45) 9.14 (3.77) 10,995 .75*(d) 9.82* 100
$0.00 $0.00 $ (.87) $10.01 37.35% $ 84,295 2.37% 8.57% 315%
0.00 0.00 (.81) 8.02 (2.40) 62,406 2.64 10.52 301
0.00 0.00 (.42) 9.14 (4.17) 47,030 1.45*(d) 9.11* 100
$0.00 $0.00 $ (.88) $10.01 37.39% $ 14,511 2.35% 8.52% 315%
0.00 0.00 (.81) 8.02 (2.36) 9,330 2.63 10.46 301
0.00 0.00 (.42) 9.14 (4.16) 10,404 1.45*(d) 9.05* 100
</TABLE>
PLEASE REFER TO THE FOOTNOTES ON PAGE 14.
11
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NET NET NET
ASSET REALIZED AND INCREASE
VALUE NET UNREALIZED (DECREASE) IN DIVIDENDS FROM DISTRIBUTIONS
BEGINNING OF INVESTMENT GAIN (LOSS) ON NET ASSET VALUE NET INVESTMENT FROM NET
FISCAL YEAR OR PERIOD PERIOD INCOME (LOSS) INVESTMENTS FROM OPERATIONS INCOME REALIZED GAINS
- --------------------------------- ------------ ------------ -------------- --------------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME
CLASS A
1/9/96+ to 4/30/96 unaudited $10.00 $ .27 $ .27 $ .54 $ (.31) $0.00
CLASS B
3/25/96++ to 4/30/96 unaudited $9.97 $ .09 $ .27 $ .36 $ (.10) $0.00
CLASS C
3/25/96++ to 4/30/96 unaudited $9.97 $ .09 $ .27 $ .36 $ (.11) $0.00
CORPORATE BOND
CLASS A
Year Ended 6/30/96 $12.92 $1.26 $ .27 $1.53 $(1.16) $0.00
Year Ended 6/30/95 12.51 1.19 .36 1.55 (1.14) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/94 14.15 1.11 (1.36) (.25) (1.11) (.25)
Year Ended 6/30/93 12.01 1.25 2.13 3.38 (1.24) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/92 11.21 1.06 .82 1.88 (1.08) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/91 11.39 1.11 (.06) 1.05 (1.23) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/90 12.15 1.24 (.86) .38 (1.14) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/89 11.82 1.12 .32 1.44 (1.11) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/88 12.24 1.10 (.38) .72 (1.14) 0.00
Nine Months Ended 6/30/87 12.25 .86 (.06) .80 (.81) 0.00
Year ended 9/30/86 11.52 1.20 .73 1.93 (1.20) 0.00
CLASS B
Year Ended 6/30/96 $12.92 $1.15 $ .29 $1.44 $(1.07) $0.00
Year Ended 6/30/95 12.50 1.11 .36 1.47 (1.05) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/94 14.15 1.02 (1.37) (.35) (1.04) (.25)
1/8/93++ to 6/30/93 12.47 .49 1.69 2.18 (.50) 0.00
CLASS C
Year Ended 6/30/96 $12.93 $1.14 $ .29 $1.43 $(1.07) $0.00
Year Ended 6/30/95 12.50 1.10 .38 1.48 (1.05) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/94 14.15 1.02 (1.37) (.35) (1.05) (.25)
5/30/93++ to 6/30/93 13.63 .16 .53 .69 (.17) 0.00
</TABLE>
PLEASE REFER TO THE FOOTNOTES ON PAGE 14.
12
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DISTRIBUTIONS TOTAL NET ASSETS RATIO OF NET
IN EXCESS TOTAL INVESTMENT AT END OF RATIO INVESTMENT
OF NET RETURN DIVIDENDS NET ASSET RETURN PERIOD OF EXPENSES INCOME (LOSS) PORTFOLIO
INVESTMENT OF AND VALUE END BASED ON NET (000'S TO AVERAGE TO AVERAGE TURNOVER
INCOME CAPITAL DISTRIBUTIONS OF PERIOD ASSET VALUE (B) OMITTED) NET ASSETS NET ASSETS RATE
- ----------- -------- ------------- ---------- --------------- ------------- ------------ -------------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$0.00 $0.00 $ (.31) $10.23 5.47% $1,643,833(i) 1.90%*(d) 8.97%* 179%
$0.00 $0.00 $ (.10) $10.23 2.75% $73,494(i) 2.60%*(d) 8.14%* 179%
$0.00 $0.00 $ (.11) $10.22 2.75% $102(i) 2.60%*(d) 8.14%* 179%
$0.00 $0.00 $(1.16) $13.29 12.14% $ 277,369 1.20% 9.46% 389%
0.00 0.00 (1.14) 12.92 13.26 230,750 1.24 9.70 387
(.03) 0.00 (1.39) 12.51 (2.58) 219,182 1.30 7.76 372
0.00 0.00 (1.24) 14.15 29.62 216,171 1.39 9.29 579
0.00 0.00 (1.08) 12.01 17.43 60,356 1.48 8.98 610
0.00 0.00 (1.23) 11.21 9.71 62,268 1.44 9.84 357
0.00 0.00 (1.14) 11.39 3.27 68,049 1.51 10.70 480
0.00 0.00 (1.11) 12.15 12.99 52,381 1.84 9.53 104
0.00 0.00 (1.14) 11.82 6.24 37,587 1.81 9.24 98
0.00 0.00 (.81) 12.24 7.32 41,072 1.27 9.17 95
0.00 0.00 (1.20) 12.25 17.19 45,178 1.08 9.80 240
$0.00 $0.00 $(1.07) $13.29 11.38% $ 338,152 1.90% 8.75% 389%
0.00 0.00 (1.05) 12.92 12.54 241,393 1.99 9.07 387
(.01) 0.00 (1.30) 12.50 (3.27) 184,129 2.00 7.03 372
0.00 0.00 (.50) 14.15 17.75 55,508 2.10* 7.18* 579
$0.00 $0.00 $(1.07) $13.29 11.30% $ 83,095 1.90% 8.74% 389%
0.00 0.00 (1.05) 12.93 12.62 51,028 1.84 8.95 387
0.00 0.00 (1.30) 12.50 (3.27) 50,860 1.99 6.98 372
0.00 0.00 (.17) 14.15 5.08 5,115 2.05* 5.51* 579
</TABLE>
PLEASE REFER TO THE FOOTNOTES ON PAGE 14.
13
# PRIOR TO JULY 22, 1993, EQUITABLE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
("EQUITABLE") SERVED AS THE INVESTMENT ADVISER TO THE ALLIANCE PORTFOLIOS (THE
"TRUST"), OF WHICH SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT IS A SERIES. ON JULY 22, 1993,
ALLIANCE ACQUIRED THE BUSINESS AND SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF THE ASSETS OF EQUITABLE
AND BECAME INVESTMENT ADVISER OF THE TRUST.
+ COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS.
++ COMMENCEMENT OF DISTRIBUTION.
* ANNUALIZED.
** REFLECTS NEWLY ADOPTED FISCAL YEAR END.
(a) INCLUDES WITH RESPECT TO SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT A RETURN OF CAPITAL
FOR THE YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 1994 OF $(0.08) FOR CLASS A, $(0.08) FOR CLASS B
AND $(0.05) FOR CLASS C AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 31, 1994 OF $(0.03) FOR
CLASS A AND $(0.02) FOR CLASS B AND CLASS C.
(b) 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 CHARGE OR CONTINGENT
DEFERRED SALES CHARGE IS NOT REFLECTED IN THE CALCULATION OF TOTAL INVESTMENT
RETURN. TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURNS CALCULATED FOR PERIODS OF LESS THAN ONE YEAR
ARE NOT ANNUALIZED.
(c) "TOTAL DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS" INCLUDES DIVIDENDS IN EXCESS OF NET
INVESTMENT INCOME AND RETURN OF CAPITAL. SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT HAD
DIVIDENDS IN EXCESS OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES,
FOR THE YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 1994, OF $(.01); WITH RESPECT TO CLASS B SHARES,
$(.01); AND WITH RESPECT TO CLASS C SHARES, $(.01).
(d) NET OF EXPENSES ASSUMED AND/OR WAIVED/REIMBURSED. IF SHORT-TERM U.S.
GOVERNMENT HAD BORNE ALL EXPENSES, THE EXPENSE RATIOS WOULD HAVE BEEN WITH
RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES, 2.20% (ANNUALIZED) FOR 1993, 2.17% FOR THE YEAR
ENDED APRIL 30, 1994, 2.95% (ANNUALIZED) FOR THE PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 31, 1994,
3.71% FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1995, 3.04 % FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,
1996; WITH RESPECT TO CLASS B SHARES, 4.81% (ANNUALIZED) FOR 1993, 3.21% FOR
THE YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 1994, 3.60% (ANNUALIZED) FOR THE PERIOD ENDED AUGUST
31, 1994, 4.33% FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1995, 3.74% FOR THE YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, 1996; WITH RESPECT TO CLASS C SHARES, 3.10% (ANNUALIZED) FOR THE
YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 1994, 3.64% (ANNUALIZED) FOR THE PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 31,
1994, 4.23% FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1995, 3.72% FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST
31, 1996. IF U.S. GOVERNMENT HAD BORNE ALL EXPENSES, THE EXPENSE RATIOS WOULD
HAVE BEEN 1.22% FOR 1986 AND 1.09% FOR 1987. IF LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT HAD
BORNE ALL EXPENSES, THE EXPENSE RATIOS WOULD HAVE BEEN WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A
SHARES, 1.55% (ANNUALIZED) FOR 1992; AND WITH RESPECT TO CLASS B SHARES, 2.28%
(ANNUALIZED) FOR 1992. THE RATIO OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
FOR LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE BEEN WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES,
6.47% (ANNUALIZED) FOR 1992; AND WITH RESPECT TO CLASS B SHARES, 5.86%
(ANNUALIZED) FOR 1992. IF WORLD INCOME HAD BORNE ALL EXPENSES, THE EXPENSE
RATIOS WOULD HAVE BEEN 1.87% FOR 1992, 1.92% FOR 1993, 2.08% FOR 1994, AND
2.35% FOR 1995. IF NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME HAD BORNE ALL EXPENSES, THE
EXPENSE RATIOS WOULD HAVE BEEN WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES, 2.49%
(ANNUALIZED) FOR 1992; AND WITH RESPECT TO CLASS B SHARES, 3.16% (ANNUALIZED)
FOR 1992. IF GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT HAD BORNE ALL EXPENSES FOR THE PERIOD
FEBRUARY 25, 1994 TO AUGUST 31, 1994, THE EXPENSE RATIOS WOULD HAVE BEEN WITH
RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES, 1.91% (ANNUALIZED); WITH RESPECT TO CLASS B SHARES,
2.63% (ANNUALIZED); AND WITH RESPECT TO CLASS C SHARES, 2.59% (ANNUALIZED). IF
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME HAD BORNE ALL EXPENSES FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 9, 1996
TO APRIL 30, 1996, THE EXPENSE RATIO WOULD HAVE BEEN WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A
SHARES, 28.6% (ANNUALIZED); WITH RESPECT TO CLASS B SHARES, FOR THE PERIOD
MARCH 25, 1996 TO APRIL 30, 1996 TO 29.30% (ANNUALIZED); AND WITH RESPECT TO
CLASS C SHARES 29.30% (ANNUALIZED).
(e) IF SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT HAD NOT BORNE INTEREST EXPENSES, THE RATIO
OF EXPENSES TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS WOULD HAVE BEEN WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A
SHARES 1.40% FOR 1996; WITH RESPECT TO CLASS B SHARES, 2.10% FOR 1996; AND WITH
RESPECT TO CLASS C SHARES 2.10% FOR 1996. IF LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT HAD
NOT BORNE INTEREST EXPENSES, THE RATIO OF EXPENSES TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS WOULD
HAVE BEEN WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES, 1.42% (ANNUALIZED) FOR 1992, 1.33%
FOR 1993, 1.20% FOR 1994, 1.41% FOR 1995, AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MAY 31, 1996
1.61% (ANNUALIZED); WITH RESPECT TO CLASS B SHARES, 2.10% (ANNUALIZED) FOR
1992, 2.07% FOR 1993, 1.91% FOR 1994, 2.11% FOR 1995, AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
MAY 31, 1996 2.33% (ANNUALIZED); WITH RESPECT TO CLASS C SHARES, 1.74%
(ANNUALIZED), FOR 1993, 1.89% FOR 1994, 2.10% FOR 1995, AND FOR THE PERIOD
ENDED MAY 31, 1996 2.32% (ANNUALIZED). IF MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME FUND HAD
NOT BORNE INTEREST EXPENSE THE RATIO OF EXPENSES TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS WOULD
HAVE BEEN WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES .97% FOR 1994, 1.03% FOR 1995, AND FOR
THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 1.02% (ANNUALIZED); WITH RESPECT TO CLASS B
SHARES, 1.68% FOR 1994, 1.74% FOR 1995, AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
1.73% (ANNUALIZED); WITH RESPECT TO CLASS C SHARES 1.69% FOR 1994, 1.73% FOR
1995, AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 1.72% (ANNUALIZED).
(f) INCLUDES INTEREST EXPENSES. IF MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY HAD NOT BORNE
INTEREST EXPENSES OR LOAN FEES, THE RATIO OF EXPENSES TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
WOULD HAVE BEEN WITH RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES, 1.33% (ANNUALIZED) FOR 1991,
1.33% FOR 1992, 1.40% FOR 1993, 1.30% FOR 1994, 1.55% FOR 1995, AND FOR THE
PERIOD ENDED APRIL 30, 1996 1.59% (ANNUALIZED); WITH RESPECT TO CLASS B SHARES,
2.05% (ANNUALIZED) FOR 1991, 2.05% FOR 1992, 2.11% FOR 1993, 2.01% FOR 1994,
2.22% FOR 1995, AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED APRIL 30, 1996 2.30% (ANNUALIZED);
WITH RESPECT TO CLASS C SHARES, 2.11% (ANNUALIZED) FOR 1993, 1.99% FOR 1994,
2.24% FOR 1995, AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED APRIL 30, 1996 2.29% (ANNUALIZED). IF
NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME HAD NOT BORNE INTEREST EXPENSES, THE RATIO OF
EXPENSES (NET OF INTEREST EXPENSES) TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS WOULD HAVE BEEN WITH
RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES, 1.66% (ANNUALIZED) FOR 1992, 1.33% FOR 1993, 1.37%
FOR 1994, 1.51% FOR 1995, AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MAY 31, 1996 1.46%
(ANNUALIZED); WITH RESPECT TO CLASS B SHARES, 2.35% (ANNUALIZED) FOR 1992,
2.04% FOR 1993, 2.07% FOR 1994, 2.22% FOR 1995, AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MAY
31, 1996 2.17% (ANNUALIZED); AND WITH RESPECT TO CLASS C SHARES, 2.04%
(ANNUALIZED) FOR 1993, 2.06% FOR 1994, 2.21% FOR 1995, AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
MAY 31, 1996 2.16% (ANNUALIZED).
(g) INCLUDES LOAN FEES. IF MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY HAD NOT INCURRED LOAN FEES,
THE RATIO OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS WOULD HAVE BEEN WITH
RESPECT TO CLASS A SHARES, 11.65% (ANNUALIZED) FOR 1991, 11.78% FOR 1992 AND
9.73% FOR 1993; WITH RESPECT TO CLASS B SHARES, 10.88% (ANNUALIZED) FOR 1991,
11.02% FOR 1992 AND 8.99% FOR 1993; AND WITH RESPECT TO CLASS C SHARES, 7.50%
(ANNUALIZED) FOR 1993.
(h) BASED ON AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING.
(i) NET ASSETS AT END OF PERIOD.
14
GLOSSARY
_______________________________________________________________________________
The following terms are frequently used in this Prospectus. Many of these terms
are explained in greater detail under "Description of the Funds-Additional
Investment Practices" and in Appendix A.
BONDS are fixed, floating and variable rate debt obligations.
DEBT SECURITIES are bonds, debentures, notes, bills and repurchase agreements.
FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES are debt securities, convertible securities and
preferred stocks and include floating rate and variable rate instruments.
Fixed-income securities may be rated (or if unrated, for purposes of the Funds'
investment policies may be determined by Alliance to be of equivalent quality
to those rated) TRIPLE-A (Aaa or AAA), HIGH QUALITY (Aa or AA or above), HIGH
GRADE (A or above) or INVESTMENT GRADE (Baa or BBB or above) by, as the case
may be, Moody's, S&P, Duff & Phelps or Fitch, or may be lower-rated securities,
as defined below. In the case of "split-rated" fixed-income securities (i.e.,
securities assigned non-equivalent credit quality ratings, such as Baa by
Moody's but BB by S&P, or, to take another example, Ba by Moody's and BB by S&P
but B by Fitch), a Fund will use the rating deemed by Alliance to be the most
appropriate under the circumstances.
LOWER-RATED SECURITIES are fixed-income securities rated Ba or BB or below, or
determined by Alliance to be of equivalent quality, and are commonly referred
to as "junk bonds."
EQUITY SECURITIES are common and preferred stocks, securities convertible into
common and preferred stocks, and rights and warrants to subscribe for the
purchase of common and preferred stocks.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES are bonds, debentures, corporate notes and preferred
stocks that are convertible into common and preferred stock.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES are securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. These securities include
securities backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, those
supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury and those
backed only by the credit of the issuing agency itself. The first category
includes U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES (which are U.S. Treasury bills, notes and
bonds) and certificates issued by GNMA (see below). U.S. Government securities
not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States include
certificates issued by FNMA and FHLMC (see below).
MORTGAGE-RELATED SECURITIES are pools of mortgage loans that are assembled for
sale to investors (such as mutual funds) by various governmental,
government-related and private organizations. These securities include:
ARMS, which are adjustable-rate mortgage securities;
SMRS, which are stripped mortgage-related securities;
CMOS, which are collateralized mortgage obligations;
GNMA CERTIFICATES, which are securities issued by the Government National
Mortgage Association;
FNMA CERTIFICATES, which are securities issued by the Federal National
Mortgage Association; and
FHLMC CERTIFICATES, which are securities issued by the Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation.
INTEREST-ONLY or IO securities are debt securities that receive only the
interest payments on an underlying debt that has been structured to have two
classes, one of which is the IO class and the other of which is the
PRINCIPAL-ONLY or PO class, which class receives only the principal payments on
the underlying debt obligation. POs are similar to, and are sometimes referred
to as, ZERO COUPON SECURITIES, which are debt securities issued without
interest coupons.
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES are securities issued or guaranteed, as to
payment of principal and interest, by a foreign government or any of its
political subdivisions, authorities, agencies or instrumentalities.
SOVEREIGN DEBT OBLIGATIONS are foreign government debt securities, loan
participations between foreign governments and financial institutions and
interests in entities organized and operated for the purpose of restructuring
the investment characteristics of foreign government securities.
WORLD BANK is the commonly used name for the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development.
LIBOR is the London Interbank Offered Rate.
MOODY'S is Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
S&P is Standard & Poor's.
DUFF & PHELPS is Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co.
FITCH is Fitch Investors Service, Inc.
PRIME COMMERCIAL PAPER is commercial paper rated Prime-1 or higher by Moody's,
A-1 or higher by S&P, Fitch-1 by Fitch or Duff 1 by Duff & Phelps. HIGHER
QUALITY COMMERCIAL PAPER is commercial paper rated at least Prime-2 by Moody's,
A-2 by S&P, Fitch-2 by Fitch or Duff 2 by Duff & Phelps.
QUALIFYING BANK DEPOSITS are certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and
interest-bearing savings deposits of banks having total assets of more than $1
billion and which are members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
RULE 144A SECURITIES are securities that may be resold pursuant to Rule 144A
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SECURITIES ACT").
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.
15
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS
_______________________________________________________________________________
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. No Fund will change a non-fundamental objective or policy without
notifying its shareholders. There is no guarantee that any Fund will achieve
its investment objective.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
U.S. GOVERNMENT FUNDS
The U.S. Government Funds are diversified investment companies that have been
designed to offer investors high current income consistent with preservation of
capital by investing primarily in U.S. Government securities.
ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND
Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund ("Short-Term U.S. Government") seeks
high current income consistent with preservation of capital by investing
primarily in a portfolio of U.S. Government securities. Under normal
circumstances, the Fund maintains an average dollar-weighted portfolio maturity
of not more than three years and invests at least 65% of its total assets in
U.S. Government securities and repurchase agreements and forward commitments
relating to U.S. Government securities. The Fund's investment objective is not
fundamental.
In addition to investing in U.S. Government securities, the Fund may invest a
portion of its assets in securities of non-governmental issuers. Although these
investments will be of high quality at the time of purchase, they generally
involve higher levels of credit risk than do U.S. Government securities, as
well as the risk (present with all fixed-income securities) of fluctuations in
value as interest rates change. The Fund will not be obligated to dispose of
any security whose credit quality falls below high quality.
The Fund may also (i) invest in certain SMRS, (ii) invest in variable, floating
and inverse floating rate instruments, (iii) make short sales "against the
box," (iv) enter into various hedging transactions, such as interest rate
swaps, caps and floors, (v) enter into reverse repurchase agreements, (vi)
purchase and sell futures contracts for hedging purposes, (vii) purchase and
sell call and put options on futures contracts or on securities, for hedging
purposes or to earn additional income, (viii) make secured loans of portfolio
securities, (ix) enter into repurchase agreements, and (x) purchase securities
for future delivery. The Fund may not invest more than 5% of its total assets
in securities the disposition of which is restricted under Federal securities
laws (excluding, to the extent permitted by applicable law, Rule 144A
securities). For additional information on the use, risks and costs of these
practices, see "Additional Investment Practices."
U.S. GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
U.S. Government Portfolio ("U.S. Government") seeks as high a level of current
income as is consistent with safety of principal. As a matter of fundamental
policy, the Fund pursues its objective by investing solely in U.S. Government
securities that are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
These include U.S. Treasury securities, including zero coupon Treasury
securities, and GNMA certificates, including certain SMRS and variable and
floating rate instruments. The average weighted maturity of the Fund's
portfolio of U.S. Government securities is expected to vary between one year or
less and 30 years. For additional information on the use, risks and cost of
these practices, see "Additional Investment Practices." The Fund's investment
objective is not fundamental.
Counsel to the Fund has advised the Fund that, in their view, shares of the
Fund are a legal investment for, among other investors, (i) savings and loan
associations and commercial banks chartered under the laws of the United
States, (ii) savings and loan associations chartered under the laws of Arizona,
Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii*, Illinois, Indiana,
Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New
Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota,
Texas and Washington, (iii) credit unions chartered under the laws of
California, Florida*, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland*, Minnesota, Nevada*,
New York, Ohio*, Pennsylvania*, Tennessee, Utah and West Virginia, and (iv)
commercial banks chartered under the laws of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona,
California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii*, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota,
Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York,
North Carolina*, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island,
Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming. Institutions
in the asterisked(*) states should obtain prior state regulatory approval
before investing in shares of the Fund. In addition, the Fund believes that it
is currently a legal investment for savings and loan associations, credit
unions and commercial banks chartered under the laws of certain other states.
ALLIANCE LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT FUND
Alliance Limited Maturity Government Fund, Inc. ("Limited Maturity Government")
seeks the highest level of current income, consistent with low volatility of
net asset value. As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund normally has at
least 65% of the value of its total assets invested in U.S. Government
securities, including mortgage-related securities, and repurchase agreements
relating to U.S. Government securities. For a description of these securities,
see "Additional Investment Practices."
In pursuing its investment objective and policies, the Fund takes advantage of
a wide range of maturities of debt securities and adjusts the dollar-weighted
average maturity of
16
its portfolio from time to time, depending on its assessment of relative yields
on securities of different maturities and the expected effect of future changes
in interest rates on the market value of the Fund's portfolio. At all times,
however, each security held by the Fund has either a remaining maturity of not
more than 10 years or a duration not exceeding that of a 10-year Treasury note.
Duration is a measure that relates the price volatility of a security to
changes in interest rates. The duration of a debt security is the weighted
average term to maturity, expressed in years, of the present value of all
future cash flows, including coupon payments and principal repayments. Thus, by
definition, duration is always less than or equal to full maturity.
The Fund believes that because of the nature of its assets, it is not exposed
to any material risk of loss as a result of default on its portfolio
securities. The Fund is, however, exposed to the risk that the prices of such
securities will fluctuate, in some cases significantly, as interest rates
change.
The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in (i) high quality
asset-backed securities, including mortgage-related securities that are not
U.S. Government securities, (ii) Treasury securities issued by private
corporate issuers, (iii) certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and
interest-bearing savings deposits of domestic and foreign banks having total
assets of more than $1 billion, (iv) higher quality commercial paper or, if not
rated, issued by companies that have outstanding high quality debt issues and
(v) high quality debt securities of corporate issuers.
The Fund may also (i) enter into futures contracts and purchase and write
options on futures contracts, (ii) enter into forward commitments for the
purchase or sale of securities, (iii) enter into interest rate swaps, caps and
floors, (iv) invest in Eurodollar instruments, (v) purchase and write put and
call options on foreign currencies, (vi) invest in variable, floating and
inverse floating rate instruments, (vii) enter into repurchase agreements
pertaining to the types of securities in which it invests, (viii) use reverse
repurchase agreements and dollar rolls and (ix) make secured loans of its
portfolio securities. For additional information on the use, risks and costs of
these investment practices, see "Additional Investment Practices."
The Fund may invest up to 15% of the value of its total assets in debt
securities denominated in U.S. Dollars or in foreign currencies and issued or
guaranteed by foreign governments or issued by foreign non-governmental
issuers, provided that such foreign debt securities are of high quality. The
percentage of the Fund's assets invested in foreign debt securities will vary
and its portfolio of foreign debt securities may include those of a number of
foreign countries or, depending upon market conditions, those of a single
country. See "Risk Considerations-Foreign Investment."
MORTGAGE FUND
ALLIANCE MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME FUND
Alliance Mortgage Securities Income Fund, Inc. ("Mortgage Securities Income")
is a diversified investment company that seeks a high level of current income
to the extent consistent with prudent investment risk. The Fund invests
primarily in a diversified portfolio of mortgage-related securities, including
CMOs, and, as a matter of fundamental policy, maintains at least 65% of its
total assets in mortgage-related securities.
The Fund expects that governmental, government-related or private entities may
create mortgage loan pools offering pass-through investments in addition to
those described in this Prospectus. The mortgages underlying these securities
may be instruments whose principal or interest payments may vary or whose terms
to maturity may differ from customary long-term fixed-rate mortgages. As new
types of mortgage-related securities are developed and offered to investors,
the Fund will consider making investments in such new types of securities. The
Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in lower-rated mortgage-related
securities. See "Risk Considerations-Securities Ratings" and "-Investment in
Lower-Rated Fixed-Income Securities." The average weighted maturity of the
Fund's portfolio of fixed-income securities is expected to vary between two and
ten years.
The Fund may invest up to 35% of the value of its total assets in (i) U.S.
Government securities, (ii) qualifying bank deposits, (iii) prime commercial
paper or, if not rated, issued by companies which have an outstanding high
quality debt issue, (iv) high grade debt securities secured by mortgages on
commercial real estate or residential rental properties, and (v) high grade
asset-backed securities.
The Fund may also (i) invest in repurchase agreements pertaining to the types
of securities in which it invests, (ii) enter into forward commitments for the
purchase or sale of securities, (iii) purchase put and call options written by
others and write covered put and call options on the types of securities in
which the Fund may invest for hedging purposes, (iv) enter into interest rate
swaps, caps and floors, (v) enter into interest rate futures contracts, (vi)
invest in variable floating and inverse floating rate instruments, and (vii)
lend portfolio securities. The Fund will not invest in illiquid securities if,
as a result, more than 10% of its total assets would be illiquid. For
additional information on the use, risk and costs of these practices, see
"Additional Investment Practices."
MULTI-MARKET FUNDS
The Multi-Market Funds are non-diversified investment companies that have been
designed to offer investors a higher yield than a money market fund and less
fluctuation in net asset value than a longer-term bond fund.
ALLIANCE WORLD INCOME TRUST
ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST
ALLIANCE MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY TRUST
Alliance World Income Trust, Inc. ("World Income"), Alliance Short-Term Multi-
Market Trust, Inc. ("Short-Term Multi-Market") and Alliance Multi-Market
Strategy Trust, Inc. ("Multi-Market Strategy") each seek the highest level of
current income, consistent with what Alliance considers to be prudent
investment risk, that is available from a portfolio of high quality
17
debt securities having remaining maturities of not more than, with respect to
WORLD INCOME, one year, with respect to SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET, three years,
and with respect to MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, five years. Each Fund seeks high
current yields by investing in a portfolio of debt securities denominated in
the U.S. Dollar and selected foreign currencies. The Multi-Market Funds seek
investment opportunities in foreign, as well as domestic, securities markets.
WORLD INCOME, which is not a money market fund, will maintain at least 35% of
its net assets in U.S. Dollar-denominated securities. SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET
will normally maintain a substantial portion of its assets in debt securities
denominated in foreign currencies, but will invest at least 25% of its net
assets in U.S. Dollar-denominated securities. MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY normally
expects to maintain at least 70% of its assets in debt securities denominated
in foreign currencies.
In pursuing their investment objectives, the Multi-Market Funds seek to
minimize credit risk and fluctuations in net asset value by investing only in
short-term debt securities. Normally, a high proportion of these Funds'
portfolios consists of money market instruments. Alliance actively manages the
Multi-Market Funds' portfolios in accordance with a multi-market investment
strategy, allocating a Fund's investments among securities denominated in the
U.S. Dollar and the currencies of a number of foreign countries and, within
each such country, among different types of debt securities. Alliance adjusts
each Multi-Market Fund's exposure to each currency such that the percentage of
assets invested in securities of a particular country or denominated in a
particular currency varies in accordance with Alliance's assessment of the
relative yield and appreciation potential of such securities and the relative
strength of a country's currency. Fundamental economic strength, credit quality
and interest rate trends are the principal factors considered by Alliance in
determining whether to increase or decrease the emphasis placed upon a
particular type of security or industry sector within a Fund's investment
portfolio. None of the Multi-Market Funds invests more than 25% of its net
assets in debt securities denominated in a single currency other than the U.S.
Dollar.
The returns available from short-term foreign currency-denominated debt
instruments can be adversely affected by changes in exchange rates. Alliance
believes that the use of foreign currency hedging techniques, including
"cross-hedges" (see "Additional Investment Practices-Forward Foreign Currency
Exchange Contracts"), can help protect against declines in the U.S. Dollar
value of income available for distribution to shareholders and declines in the
net asset value of a Fund's shares resulting from adverse changes in currency
exchange rates. For example, the return available from securities denominated
in a particular foreign currency would diminish in the event the value of the
U.S. Dollar increased against such currency. Such a decline could be partially
or completely offset by an increase in value of a cross-hedge involving a
forward exchange contract to sell a different foreign currency, where such
contract is available on terms more advantageous to a Fund than a contract to
sell the currency in which the position being hedged is denominated. It is
Alliance's belief that cross-hedges can therefore provide significant
protection of net asset value in the event of a general rise in the U.S. Dollar
against foreign currencies. However, a cross-hedge cannot protect against
exchange rate risks perfectly, and if Alliance is incorrect in its judgment of
future exchange rate relationships, a Fund could be in a less advantageous
position than if such a hedge had not been established.
Each Multi-Market Fund invests in debt securities denominated in the currencies
of countries whose governments are considered stable by Alliance. In addition
to the U.S. Dollar, such currencies include, among others, the Australian
Dollar, Austrian Schilling, British Pound Sterling, Canadian Dollar, Danish
Krone, Dutch Guilder, European Currency Unit ("ECU"), French Franc, Irish
Pound, Italian Lira, Japanese Yen, Mexican Peso, New Zealand Dollar, Norwegian
Krone, Spanish Peseta, Swedish Krona, Swiss Franc and German Mark.
An issuer of debt securities purchased by a Multi-Market Fund may be domiciled
in a country other than the country in whose currency the instrument is
denominated. In addition, the Funds may purchase debt securities (sometimes
referred to as "linked" securities) that are denominated in one currency while
the principal amounts of, and value of interest payments on, such securities
are determined with reference to another currency. In this regard, as of the
date of this Prospectus each Fund has invested in U.S. Dollar denominated
securities issued by Mexican issuers and/or Peso-linked securities. The value
of these investments may fluctuate inversely in correlation with changes in the
Peso-U.S. Dollar exchange rate and with the general level of interest rates in
Mexico. For a general description of Mexico, see Appendix B and each
Multi-Market Fund's Statement of Additional Information.
Each Multi-Market Fund may invest in debt securities denominated in the ECU,
which is a "basket" consisting of specified amounts of the currencies of
certain of the member states of the European Union, a fifteen-nation
organization engaged in cooperative economic activities. The specific amounts
of currencies comprising the ECU may be adjusted by the Council of Ministers of
the European Union to reflect changes in relative values of the underlying
currencies.
Each Multi-Market Fund may invest in debt securities issued by supranational
organizations including the World Bank, which was chartered to finance
development projects in developing member countries; the European Union; the
European Coal and Steel Community, which is an economic union of various
European nations' steel and coal industries; and the Asian Development Bank,
which is an international development bank established to lend funds, promote
investment and provide technical assistance to member nations in the Asian and
Pacific regions.
Each Multi-Market Fund seeks to minimize investment risk by limiting its
portfolio investments to debt securities of high quality, and WORLD INCOME will
invest 65% (and normally substantially all) of its total assets in high quality
income-producing debt securities. Accordingly, the Multi-Market Funds'
portfolio securities will consist of (i) U.S. Government
18
securities, (ii) high quality foreign government securities, (iii) obligations
issued by supranational entities and corporate debt securities having a
triple-A rating, with respect to WORLD INCOME, or a high quality rating, with
respect to SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET and MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, (iv) certificates
of deposit and bankers' acceptances issued or guaranteed by, or time deposits
maintained at, banks (including foreign branches of foreign banks) having total
assets of more than $1 billion, with respect to WORLD INCOME, or $500 million,
with respect to SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET and MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, and
determined by Alliance to be of high quality, and (v) prime commercial paper or
unrated commercial paper determined by Alliance to be of equivalent quality and
issued by U.S. or foreign companies having outstanding: in the case of WORLD
INCOME, triple-A debt securities; in the case of MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, high
quality debt securities; and in the case of SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET, high grade
debt securities.
As a matter of fundamental policy, each Multi-Market Fund concentrates at least
25% of its total assets in debt instruments issued by domestic and foreign
companies engaged in the banking industry, including bank holding companies.
Such investments may include certificates of deposit, time deposits, bankers'
acceptances, and obligations issued by bank holding companies, as well as
repurchase agreements entered into with banks (as distinct from non-banks) in
accordance with the policies set forth with respect to the Funds in "Additional
Investment Practices-Repurchase Agreements." See "Risk
Considerations-Investment in the Banking Industry."
Each Multi-Market Fund may also (i) invest in indexed commercial paper, (ii)
enter into futures contracts and purchase and write options on futures
contracts, (iii) purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies,
(iv) purchase or sell forward foreign currency exchange contracts, (v) with
respect to SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET and MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, enter into
interest rate swaps, caps and floors, (vi) invest in variable, floating and
inverse floating rate instruments, (vii) make secured loans of its portfolio
securities, and (viii) enter into repurchase agreements. A Multi-Market Fund
will not invest in illiquid securities if, as a result, more than 10% of its
assets would be so invested. For additional information on the use, risks and
costs of these practices, see "Additional Investment Practices." MULTI-MARKET
STRATEGY maintains borrowings of approximately 25% of its total assets less
liabilities (other than the amount borrowed). See "Risk Considerations-Effects
of Borrowing."
GLOBAL BOND FUNDS
The Global Bond Funds are non-diversified investment companies that have been
designed to offer investors a high level of current income through investments
primarily in foreign government securities.
ALLIANCE NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST
Alliance North American Government Income Trust, Inc. ("North American
Government Income") seeks the highest level of current income, consistent with
what Alliance considers to be prudent investment risk, that is available from a
portfolio of debt securities issued or guaranteed by the United States, Canada
and Mexico, their political subdivisions (including Canadian provinces but
excluding states of the United States), agencies, instrumentalities or
authorities ("Government securities"). The Fund invests in investment grade
securities denominated in the U.S. Dollar, the Canadian Dollar and the Mexican
Peso and expects to maintain at least 25% of its assets in securities
denominated in the U.S. Dollar. In addition, the Fund may invest up to 25% of
its total assets in debt securities issued by governmental entities of
Argentina ("Argentine Government securities"). The Fund expects that it will
not retain a debt security which is down-graded below BBB or Baa, or, if
unrated, determined by Alliance to have undergone similar credit quality
deterioration, subsequent to purchase by the Fund. There may be circumstances,
however, such as the downgrading to below investment grade of all of the
securities of a governmental issuer in one of the countries in which the Fund
has substantial investments, under which the Fund, after considering all the
circumstances, would conclude that it is in the best interests of the
shareholders to retain its holdings in securities of that issuer. The average
weighted maturity of the Fund's portfolio of fixed-income securities is
expected to vary between one year or less and 30 years.
Alliance believes that the increasingly integrated economic relationship among
the United States, Canada and Mexico, characterized by the reduction and
projected elimination of most barriers to free trade among the three nations
and the growing coordination of their fiscal and monetary policies, will over
the long term benefit the economic performance of all three countries and
promote greater correlation of currency fluctuation among the U.S. and Canadian
Dollars and the Mexican Peso. See, however, Appendix B and the Fund's Statement
of Additional Information with respect to the current state of the Mexican
economy.
Alliance will actively manage the Fund's assets in relation to market
conditions and general economic conditions and adjust the Fund's investments in
an effort to best enable the Fund to achieve its investment objective. Thus,
the percentage of the Fund's assets invested in a particular country or
denominated in a particular currency will vary in accordance with Alliance's
assessment of the relative yield and appreciation potential of such securities
and the relationship of the country's currency to the U.S. Dollar. The Fund
invests at least, and normally substantially more than, 65% of its total assets
in Government securities. To the extent that its assets are not invested in
Government securities, however, the Fund may invest the balance of its total
assets in investment grade debt securities issued by the governments of
countries located in Central and South America or any of their political
subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities or authorities, provided that such
securities are denominated in their local currencies. The Fund will not invest
more than 10% of its total assets in debt securities issued by the governmental
entities of any one such country, except that the Fund may invest up to 25% of
its total assets in Argentine Government securities. The Fund will normally
invest at least 65% of its total assets in income-producing securities. For a
general description of Canada, Mexico and Argentina, see Appendix B and the
Fund's Statement of Additional Information.
19
Canadian Government securities include the sovereign debt of Canada or any of
its provinces and Government of Canada bonds and Government of Canada Treasury
bills. Canada Treasury bills are debt obligations with maturities of less than
one year. A new issue of Government of Canada bonds frequently consists of
several different bonds with maturities ranging from one to 25 years.
All Canadian provinces have outstanding bond issues and several provinces also
guarantee bond issues of provincial authorities, agents and Crown corporations.
Each new issue yield is based upon a spread from an outstanding Government of
Canada issue of comparable term and coupon. Many Canadian municipalities,
municipal financial authorities and Crown corporations raise funds through the
bond market in order to finance capital expenditures. Unlike U.S. municipal
securities, which have special tax status, Canadian municipal securities have
the same tax status as other Canadian Government securities and trade similarly
to such securities. The Canadian municipal market may be less liquid than the
provincial bond market.
Canadian Government securities in which the Fund may invest include a modified
pass-through vehicle issued pursuant to the program established under the
National Housing Act of Canada. Certificates issued pursuant to this program
benefit from the guarantee of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, a
federal Crown corporation that is (except for certain limited purposes) an
agency of the Government of Canada whose guarantee is an unconditional
obligation of the Government of Canada in most circumstances (similar to that
of GNMA in the United States).
Mexican Government securities denominated and payable in the Mexican Peso
include (i) Cetes, which are book-entry securities sold directly by the Mexican
Government on a discount basis and with maturities that range from seven to 364
days, (ii) Bonds, which are long-term development bonds issued directly by the
Mexican Government with a minimum term of 364 days, and (iii) Ajustabonos,
which are adjustable-rate bonds with a minimum three-year term issued directly
by the Mexican Government with the face amount adjusted each quarter by the
quarterly inflation rate.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in Argentine Government
securities that are denominated and payable in the Argentine Peso. Argentine
Government securities include (i) Bono de Inversion y Crecimiento ("BIC"),
which are investment and growth bonds issued directly by the Argentine
Government with maturities of up to ten years, (ii) Bono de Consolidacion
Economica ("BOCON"), which are economic consolidation bonds issued directly by
the Argentine Government with maturities of up to ten years and (iii) Bono de
Credito a la Exportacion ("BOCREX"), which are export credit bonds issued
directly by the Argentine government with maturities of up to four years. To
date, Argentine Government securities are not rated by S&P, Moody's, Duff &
Phelps or Fitch. Alliance, however, believes, that there are Argentine
Government securities that are of investment grade quality.
The Fund may also (i) enter into futures contracts and purchase and write
options on futures contracts for hedging purposes, (ii) purchase and write put
and call options on foreign currencies, (iii) purchase or sell forward foreign
currency exchange contracts, (iv) write covered put and call options and
purchase put and call options on U.S. Government and foreign government
securities traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges, and write put and
call options for cross-hedging purposes, (v) enter into interest rate swaps,
caps and floors, (vi) enter into forward commitments for the purchase or sale
of securities, (vii) invest in variable, floating and inverse floating rate
instruments, (viii) make secured loans of its portfolio securities, and (ix)
enter into repurchase agreements. The Fund will not invest in illiquid
securities if, as a result, 10% of its net assets would be so invested. For
additional information on the use, risks and costs of these practices, see
"Additional Investment Practices." The Fund also maintains borrowings of
approximately one-third of the Fund's total assets less liabilities (other than
the amount borrowed). See "Risk Considerations-Effects of Borrowing."
ALLIANCE GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT FUND
Alliance Global Dollar Government Fund, Inc. ("Global Dollar Government") seeks
primarily a high level of current income, and secondarily capital appreciation.
In seeking to achieve these objectives, the Fund invests at least 65% of its
total assets in sovereign debt obligations. The Fund's investments in sovereign
debt obligations will emphasize obligations of a type customarily referred to
as "Brady Bonds" that are issued as part of debt restructurings and that are
collateralized in full as to principal due at maturity by zero coupon U.S.
Government securities ("collateralized Brady Bonds"). See "Additional
Investment Practices-Brady Bonds." The Fund may also invest up to 35% of its
total assets in U.S. and non-U.S. corporate fixed-income securities. See "Risk
Considerations-U.S. Corporate Fixed-Income Securities." The Fund will limit its
investments in sovereign debt obligations and U.S. and non-U.S. corporate
fixed-income securities to U.S. Dollar-denominated securities. Alliance expects
that, based upon current market conditions, the Fund's portfolio of U.S.
fixed-income securities will have an average maturity range of approximately
nine to 15 years and the Fund's portfolio of non-U.S. fixed-income securities
will have an average maturity range of approximately 15 to 25 years. Alliance
anticipates that the Fund's portfolio of sovereign debt obligations will have a
longer average maturity.
Substantially all of the Fund's assets will be invested in lower-rated
securities, which may include securities having the lowest rating for
non-subordinated debt instruments (i.e., rated C by Moody's or CCC or lower by
S&P, Duff & Phelps and Fitch) and unrated securities of comparable investment
quality. These securities are considered to have extremely poor prospects of
ever attaining any real investment standing, to have a current identifiable
vulnerability to default, to be unlikely to have the
20
capacity to pay interest and repay principal when due in the event of adverse
business, financial or economic conditions, and/or to be in default or not
current in the payment of interest or principal. For a description of bond
ratings, see Appendix A. The Fund may also invest in investment grade
securities. Unrated securities will be considered for investment by the Fund
when Alliance believes that the financial condition of the issuers of such
obligations and the protection afforded by the terms of the obligations
themselves limit the risk to the Fund to a degree comparable to that of rated
securities which are consistent with the Fund's investment objectives and
policies. As of August 31, 1996, the percentages of the Fund's assets invested
in securities rated (or considered by Alliance to be of equivalent quality to
securities rated) in particular rating categories were 2% in A and above, 51%
in Ba or BB, 22% in B and 25% in non-rated. See "Risk Considerations-Securities
Ratings," "-Investment in Fixed-Income Securities Rated Baa and BBB,"
"-Investment in Lower-Rated Fixed-Income Securities" and Appendix A.
With respect to its investments in sovereign debt obligations and non-U.S.
corporate fixed-income securities, the Fund will emphasize investments in
countries that are considered at the time of purchase to be emerging or
developing countries by the World Bank. A substantial part of the Fund's
investment focus is expected to be in securities or obligations of Argentina,
Brazil, Mexico, Morocco, the Philippines and Venezuela because these countries
are now, or are expected by Alliance at a future date to be, the principal
participants in debt restructuring programs (including, in the case of
Argentina, Mexico, the Philippines and Venezuela, issuers of currently
outstanding Brady Bonds) that, in Alliance's opinion, will provide the most
attractive investment opportunities for the Fund. Alliance anticipates that
other countries that will provide investment opportunities for the Fund
include, among others, Bolivia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador,
Jordan, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Poland, Thailand, Turkey and Uruguay. See
"Additional Investment Practices-Brady Bonds."
The Fund may invest up to 30% of its total assets in the sovereign debt
obligations and corporate fixed-income securities of issuers in any one of
Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Morocco, the Philippines or Venezuela, each
of which is an emerging market country, and the Fund will limit investments in
the sovereign debt obligations of each such country (or of any other single
foreign country) to less than 25% of its total assets. The Fund expects that it
will not invest more than 10% of its total assets in the sovereign debt
obligations and corporate fixed-income securities of issuers in any other
single foreign country and is not required to invest any minimum amount of its
assets in the securities or obligations of issuers located in any particular
country.
A substantial portion of the Fund's investments will be in (i) securities which
were initially issued at discounts from their face values ("Discount
Obligations") and (ii) securities purchased by the Fund at a price less than
their stated face amount or, in the case of Discount Obligations, at a price
less than their issue price plus the portion of "original issue discount"
previously accrued thereon, i.e., purchased at a "market discount."
The Fund may also (i) invest in structured securities, (ii) invest in fixed and
floating rate loans that are arranged through private negotiations between an
issuer of sovereign debt obligations and one or more financial institutions and
in participations in and assignments of these types of loans, (iii) invest in
other investment companies, (iv) invest in warrants, (v) enter into interest
rate swaps, caps and floors, (vi) enter into forward commitments for the
purchase or sale of securities, (vii) make secured loans of its portfolio
securities, (viii) enter into repurchase agreements pertaining to the types of
securities in which it invests, (ix) use reverse repurchase agreements and
dollar rolls, (x) enter into standby commitment agreements, (xi) make short
sales of securities or maintain a short position, (xii) write put and call
options on securities of the types in which it is permitted to invest and write
call options for cross-hedging purposes, (xiii) purchase and sell
exchange-traded options on any securities index composed of the types of
securities in which it may invest, and (xiv) invest in variable, floating and
inverse floating rate instruments. The Fund may also at any time, with respect
to up to 35% of its total assets, temporarily invest funds awaiting
reinvestment or held for reserves for dividends and other distributions to
shareholders in U.S. Dollar-denominated money market instruments. For
additional information on the use, risks and costs of these practices, see
"Additional Investment Practices." While the Fund does not currently intend to
do so, it reserves the right to borrow an amount not to exceed one-third of the
Fund's assets less liabilities (other than the amount borrowed). See "Risk
Considerations-Effects of Borrowing."
ALLIANCE GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME TRUST
Alliance Global Strategic Income Trust, Inc. ("Global Strategic Income") is a
non-diversified investment company that seeks primarily a high level of current
income and secondarily capital appreciation. The Fund pursues its investment
objectives by investing primarily in a portfolio of fixed-income securities of
U.S. and non-U.S. companies and U.S. Government and foreign government
securities and supranational entities, including lower-rated securities. The
Fund may also use derivative instruments to attempt to enhance income. The
average weighted maturity of the Fund's portfolio of fixed-income securities is
expected to vary between 5 years and 30 years in accordance with Alliance's
changing perceptions of the relative attractiveness of various maturity ranges.
Under normal market conditions, at least 65% of the value of the Fund's total
assets will be invested in the fixed-income securities of issuers located in
three countries, one of which may be the United States. No more than 25% of the
value of its total assets, however, will be invested in the securities of any
one foreign government. U.S. Government securities in which the Fund may invest
include mortgage-related securities and zero coupon securities. Fixed-income
securities in which the Fund may invest include preferred stock,
mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities, and zero coupon securities.
The Fund may also invest in rights and warrants (for debt securities or for
equity securities that are acquired in connection with debt instruments), and
loan participations and assignments.
21
The Fund will maintain at least 65% of the value of its total assets in
investment grade securities and may maintain not more than 35% of the value of
its total assets in lower-rated securities. See "Risk Considerations-Securities
Ratings" and "-Investment in Lower-Rated Fixed-Income Securities." Unrated
securities will be considered for investment by the Fund when Alliance believes
that the financial condition of the issuers of such obligations and the
protection afforded by the terms of the obligations themselves limit the risk
to the Fund to a degree comparable to that of rated securities which are
consistent with the Fund's investment objectives and policies. Lower-rated
securities in which the Fund may invest include Brady Bonds and fixed-income
securities of issuers located in emerging markets. There is no minimum rating
requirement applicable to the Fund's investments in lower-rated fixed-income
securities.
The Fund may also: (i) invest in foreign currencies, (ii) purchase and write
put and call options on securities and foreign currencies, (iii) purchase or
sell forward foreign exchange contracts, (iv) invest in variable, floating and
inverse floating rate instruments, (v) invest in indexed commercial paper, (vi)
invest in structured securities, (vii) lend portfolio securities amounting to
not more than 25% of its total assets, (viii) enter into repurchase agreements
pertaining to the types of securities in which it invests, (ix) use reverse
repurchase agreements and dollar rolls, (x) purchase and sell securities on a
forward commitment basis, (xi) enter into standby commitments, (xii) 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 purchase and write options on futures
contracts, (xiii) invest in Eurodollar instruments, (xiv) enter into interest
rate swaps, caps and floors, and (xv) make short sales of securities or
maintain a short position. For additional information on the use, risks and
costs of these policies and practices see "Additional Investment Practices" and
"Risk Consideration." The Fund currently intends to limit its ability to borrow
to an amount not to exceed 25% of its total assets. See "Risk
Considerations-Effects of Borrowing."
CORPORATE BOND FUND
CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO
Corporate Bond Portfolio ("Corporate Bond") is a diversified investment company
that seeks primarily to maximize income over the long term consistent with
providing reasonable safety in the value of each shareholder's investment, and
secondarily to increase its capital through appreciation of its investments in
order to preserve and, if possible, increase the purchasing power of each
shareholder's investment. In pursuing these objectives, the Fund's policy is to
invest in readily marketable securities which give promise of relatively
attractive yields, but which do not involve substantial risk of loss of
capital. The Fund follows a policy of maintaining at least 65% of its net
assets invested in debt securities. Such objectives and policies cannot be
changed without the approval of the shareholders. Although the Fund also
follows a policy of maintaining at least 65% of its total assets invested in
corporate bonds, it is permitted to invest in securities of non-corporate
issuers.
The Fund follows an investment strategy which in certain respects can be
regarded as more aggressive than the strategies of many other funds investing
primarily in corporate bonds. In this regard, the Fund's investment portfolio
normally tends to have a relatively long average maturity and duration, and to
place significant emphasis on both foreign corporate and sovereign debt
obligations and corporate bonds that are expected to benefit from improvement
in their issuers' credit fundamentals. Consequently, in recent years the Fund
frequently has experienced greater net asset value volatility than most other
corporate bond funds. Prospective investors in the Fund should therefore be
prepared to accept the degree of volatility associated with its investment
strategy. See "Risk Considerations".
There is no minimum rating requirement applicable to the Fund's investments in
fixed-income securities, except the Fund expects that it will not retain a
security that is downgraded below B, or if unrated, determined by Alliance to
have undergone similar credit quality deterioration subsequent to purchase.
Currently, the Fund believes its objectives and policies may best be
implemented by investing at least 65% of its total assets in fixed-income
securities considered investment grade or higher. The remainder of the Fund's
assets may be invested in lower-rated fixed-income securities. See "Risk
Considerations-Securities Ratings," "-Investment in Fixed-Income Securities
Rated Baa and BBB," "-Investment in Lower-Rated Fixed-Income Securities" and
Appendix A. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996, on a weighted average
basis, the percentages of the Fund's assets invested in securities rated (or
considered by Alliance to be of equivalent quality to securities rated) in
particular rating categories were 25% in A and above, 41% in Baa or BBB, 11% in
Ba or BB, and 7% in B. The Fund did not invest in securities rated below B by
each of Moody's, S&P, Duff & Phelps and Fitch or, if not rated, considered by
Alliance to be of equivalent quality to securities so rated.
The Fund may invest up to 50% of the value of its total assets in foreign debt
securities which will consist primarily of corporate fixed-income securities
and sovereign debt obligations. Not more than 15% of the Fund's total assets
may be invested in sovereign debt obligations in the form of foreign
government loan participations and assignments, which may be lower rated and
considered to be predominantly speculative as regards the issuer's capacity to
pay interest and repay principal. All of the Fund's investments, whether
foreign or domestic, are U.S. Dollar-denominated.
Within the foregoing limitations, the Fund has complete flexibility as to the
types of securities in which it will invest and the relative proportions
thereof, and the Fund plans to vary the proportions of its holdings of long-
and short-term fixed-income securities
22
and of equity securities in order to reflect its assessment of prospective
cyclical changes even if such action may adversely affect current income.
However, substantially all of the Fund's investments will be income producing.
The average weighted maturity of the Fund's portfolio of fixed-income
securities is expected to vary between one year or less and 30 years.
The Fund may also (i) invest in structured securities, (ii) invest in fixed and
floating rate loans that are arranged through private negotiations between an
issuer of sovereign debt obligations and one or more financial institutions and
in participations in and assignments of these type of loans, (iii) for hedging
purposes, purchase put and call options written by others and write covered put
and call options on the types of securities in which the Fund may invest, (iv)
for hedging purposes, enter into various hedging transactions, such as interest
rate swaps, caps and floors, (v) invest in variable, floating and inverse
floating rate instruments, (vi) invest in zero coupon and pay-in-kind
securities, and (vii) invest in CMOs and multi-class pass-through. As a matter
of fundamental policy, the Fund will not purchase illiquid securities. For
additional information on the use, risks and costs of these practices, see
"Additional Investment Practices."
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT PRACTICES
Some or all of the Funds may engage in the following investment practices to
the extent described in this Prospectus. See the Statement of Additional
Information of each Fund for a further discussion of the uses, risks and costs
of engaging in these practices.
DERIVATIVES. The Funds may use derivatives in furtherance of their investment
objectives. Derivatives are financial contracts whose value depends on, or is
derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index. These
assets, rates, and indices may include bonds, stocks, mortgages, commodities,
interest rates, currency exchange rates, bond indices and stock indices.
Derivatives can be used to earn income or protect against risk, or both. For
example, one party with unwanted risk may agree to pass that risk to another
party who is willing to accept the risk, the second party being motivated, for
example, by the desire either to earn income in the form of a fee or premium
from the first party, or to reduce its own unwanted risk by attempting to pass
all or part of that risk to the first party.
Derivatives can be used by investors such as the Funds to earn income and
enhance returns, to hedge or adjust the risk profile of a portfolio, and either
to replace more traditional direct investments or to obtain exposure to
otherwise inaccessible markets. Each of the Funds is permitted to use
derivatives for one or more of these purposes, although most of the Funds
generally use derivatives primarily as direct investments in order to enhance
yields and broaden portfolio diversification. Each of these uses entails
greater risk than if derivatives were used solely for hedging purposes.
Derivatives are a valuable tool which, when used properly, can provide
significant benefit to Fund shareholders. A Fund may take a significant
position in those derivatives that are within its investment policies if, in
Alliance's judgement, this represents the most effective response to current or
anticipated market conditions. The MULTI-MARKET FUNDS and GLOBAL STRATEGIC
INCOME in particular generally make extensive use of carefully selected
forwards and other derivatives to achieve the currency hedging that is an
integral part of their investment strategy. Alliance's use of derivatives is
subject to continuous risk assessment and control from the standpoint of each
Fund's investment objectives and policies.
Derivatives may be (i) standardized, exchange-traded contracts or (ii)
customized, privately negotiated contracts. Exchange-traded derivatives tend to
be more liquid and subject to less credit risk than those that are privately
negotiated.
There are four principal types of derivative instruments-options, futures,
forwards and swaps-from which virtually any type of derivative transaction can
be created.
. OPTIONS-An option, which may be standardized and exchange-traded, or
customized and privately negotiated, is an agreement that, for a premium
payment or fee, gives the option holder (the buyer) the right but not the
obligation to buy or sell the underlying asset (or settle for cash an amount
based on an underlying asset, rate or index) at a specified price (the exercise
price) during a period of time or on a specified date. A call option entitles
the holder to purchase, while a put option entitles the holder to sell, the
underlying asset (or settle for cash an amount based on an underlying asset,
rate or index). Likewise, when an option is exercised the writer of the option
would be obligated to sell (in the case of a call option) or to purchase (in
the case of a put option) the underlying asset (or settle for cash an amount
based on an underlying asset, rate or index).
. FUTURES-A futures contract is an agreement that obligates the buyer to buy
and the seller to sell a specified quantity of an underlying asset (or settle
for cash the value of a contract based on an underlying asset, rate or index)
at a specific price on the contract maturity date. Futures contracts are
standardized, exchange-traded instruments and are fungible (i.e., considered to
be perfect substitutes for each other). This fungibility allows futures
contracts to be readily offset or cancelled through the acquisition of equal
but opposite positions, which is the primary method in which futures contracts
are liquidated. A cash-settled futures contract does not require physical
delivery of the underlying asset but instead is settled for cash equal to the
difference between the values of the contract on the date it is entered into
and its maturity date.
. FORWARDS-A forward contract is an obligation by one party to buy, and the
other party to sell, a specific quantity of an underlying commodity or other
tangible asset for an agreed upon price at a future date. Forward contracts are
customized, privately negotiated agreements designed to satisfy the objectives
of each party. A forward contract usually results in the delivery of the
underlying asset upon maturity of the contract in return for the agreed upon
payment.
23
. SWAPS-A swap is a customized, privately negotiated agreement that obligates
two parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified intervals (payment
dates) based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or
rates (interest rates in the case of interest rate swaps, currency exchange
rates in the case of currency swaps) for a specified amount of an underlying
asset (the "notional" principal amount). The payment flows are netted against
each other, with the difference being paid by one party to the other. Except
for currency swaps, the notional principal amount is used solely to calculate
the payment streams but is not exchanged. With respect to currency swaps,
actual principal amounts of currencies may be exchanged by the counterparties
at the initiation, and again upon the termination, of the transaction.
Debt instruments that incorporate one or more of these building blocks for the
purpose of determining the principal amount of and/or rate of interest payable
on the debt instruments are often referred to as "structured securities." An
example of this type of structured security is indexed commercial paper. The
term is also used to describe certain securities issued in connection with the
restructuring of certain foreign obligations. See "Indexed Commercial Paper"
and "Structured Securities" below. The term "derivative" is also sometimes used
to describe securities involving rights to a portion of the cash flows from an
underlying pool of mortgages or other assets from which payments are passed
through to the owner of, or that collateralize, the securities. These
securities are described below under "Mortgage-Related Securities" and "Other
Asset-Backed Securities."
Derivatives also involve risks different from, and, in certain cases, greater
than, the risks presented by more traditional investments. Following is a
general discussion of important risk factors and issues concerning the use of
derivatives that investors should understand before investing in a Fund.
. MARKET RISK-This is the general risk attendant to all investments that the
value of a particular investment will change in a way detrimental to the Fund's
interest.
. MANAGEMENT RISK-Derivative products are highly specialized instruments that
require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated
with stocks and bonds. The use of a derivative requires an understanding not
only of the underlying instrument but also of the derivative itself, without
the benefit of observing the performance of the derivative under all possible
market conditions. In particular, the use and complexity of derivatives require
the maintenance of adequate controls to monitor the transactions entered into,
the ability to assess the risk that a derivative adds to a Fund's portfolio and
the ability to forecast price, interest rate or currency exchange rate
movements correctly.
. CREDIT RISK-This is the risk that a loss may be sustained by a Fund as a
result of the failure of another party to a derivative (usually referred to as
a "counterparty") to comply with the terms of the derivative contract. The
credit risk for exchange-traded derivatives is generally less than for
privately negotiated derivatives, since the clearing house, which is the issuer
or counterparty to each exchange-traded derivative, provides a guarantee of
performance. This guarantee is supported by a daily payment system (i.e.,
margin requirements) operated by the clearing house in order to reduce overall
credit risk. For privately negotiated derivatives, there is no similar clearing
agency guarantee. Therefore, the Funds consider the creditworthiness of each
counterparty to a privately negotiated derivative in evaluating potential
credit risk.
. LIQUIDITY RISK-Liquidity risk exists when a particular instrument is
difficult to purchase or sell. If a derivative transaction is particularly
large or if the relevant market is illiquid (as is the case with many privately
negotiated derivatives), it may not be possible to initiate a transaction or
liquidate a position at an advantageous price.
. LEVERAGE RISK-Since many derivatives have a leverage component, adverse
changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, rate or index can result
in a loss substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative
itself. In the case of swaps, the risk of loss generally is related to a
notional principal amount, even if the parties have not made any initial
investment. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss,
regardless of the size of the initial investment.
. OTHER RISKS-Other risks in using derivatives include the risk of mispricing
or improper valuation of derivatives and the inability of derivatives to
correlate perfectly with underlying assets, rates and indices. Many
derivatives, in particular privately negotiated derivatives, are complex and
often valued subjectively. Improper valuations can result in increased cash
payment requirements to counterparties or a loss of value to a Fund.
Derivatives do not always perfectly or even highly correlate or track the value
of the assets, rates or indices they are designed to closely track.
Consequently, a Fund's use of derivatives may not always be an effective means
of, and sometimes could be counterproductive to, furthering the Fund's
investment objective.
DERIVATIVES USED BY THE FUNDS. Following is a description of specific
derivatives currently used by one or more of the Funds.
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES. In purchasing an option on securities, a Fund would be
in a position to realize a gain if, during the option period, the price of the
underlying securities 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 not greater than the premium paid for the option. Thus,
a Fund would realize a loss if the price of the underlying security declined or
remained the same (in the case of a call) or increased or remained the same (in
the case of a put) or otherwise did not increase (in the case of a put) or
decrease (in the case of a call) by more than the amount of the premium. If a
put or call option purchased by a Fund were permitted to expire without being
sold or exercised, its premium would represent a loss to the Fund.
24
A Fund may write a put or call option in return for a premium, which is
retained by the Fund whether or not the option is exercised. Except with
respect to uncovered call options written for cross-hedging purposes, none of
the Funds will write uncovered call or put options on securities. 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.
The risk involved in writing an uncovered put option is that there could be a
decrease in the market value of the underlying securities. If this occurred, a
Fund could be obligated to purchase the underlying security at a higher price
than its current market value. Conversely, the risk involved in writing an
uncovered call option is that there could be an increase in the market value of
the underlying security, and a Fund could be obligated to acquire the
underlying security at its current price and sell it at a lower price. The risk
of loss from writing an uncovered put option is limited to the exercise price
of the option, whereas the risk of loss from writing an uncovered call option
is potentially unlimited.
A Fund may write a call option on a security that it does not own in order to
hedge against a decline in the value of a security that it owns or has the
right to acquire, a technique referred to as "cross-hedging." 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
exceeds that to be received from writing a covered call option, while at the
same time achieving the desired hedge. The correlation risk involved in
cross-hedging may be greater than the correlation risk involved with other
hedging strategies.
SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT, MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME, NORTH AMERICAN
GOVERNMENT INCOME, GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT, GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME and
CORPORATE BOND generally purchase or write privately negotiated options on
securities. A Fund that purchases or writes privately negotiated options on
securities will effect such transactions only with investment dealers and other
financial institutions (such as commercial banks or savings and loan
institutions) deemed creditworthy by Alliance, and Alliance has adopted
procedures for monitoring the creditworthiness of such counterparties.
Privately negotiated options purchased or written by a Fund may be illiquid,
and it may not be possible for the Fund to effect a closing transaction at an
advantageous time. See "Illiquid Securities" below. Neither MORTGAGE SECURITIES
INCOME nor CORPORATE BOND will purchase an option on a security if, immediately
thereafter, the aggregate cost of all outstanding options purchased by such
Fund would exceed 2% of the Fund's total assets. Nor will either such Fund
write an option if, immediately thereafter, the aggregate value of the Fund's
portfolio securities subject to outstanding options would exceed 15% of the
Fund's total assets.
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES INDICES. An option on a securities index is similar to an
option on a security except that, rather than taking or making 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. A Fund invests in options on foreign currencies
that are privately negotiated or traded on U.S. or foreign exchanges for the
purpose of protecting against declines in the U.S. Dollar value of foreign
currency denominated portfolio securities and against increases in the U.S.
Dollar cost of securities to be acquired. The purchase of an option on a
foreign currency may constitute an effective hedge against fluctuations in
exchange rates, although if rates move adversely, a Fund may forfeit the entire
amount of the premium plus related transaction costs.
RIGHTS AND WARRANTS. GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT may invest in warrants, and
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may invest in rights and warrants, which are option
securities permitting their holders to subscribe for other securities. GLOBAL
DOLLAR GOVERNMENT may invest in warrants, and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may
invest in rights and warrants, for debt securities or for equity securities
that are acquired in connection with debt instruments. Rights are similar to
warrants except that they have a substantially shorter duration. Rights and
warrants do not carry with them dividend or voting rights with respect to the
underlying securities, or any rights in the assets of the issuer. As a result,
an investment in rights and warrants may be considered more speculative than
certain other types of investments. In addition, the value of a right or a
warrant does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying
securities, and a right or a warrant ceases to have value if it is not
exercised prior to its expiration date. GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may invest up
to 20% of its total assets in rights and warrants.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS. Futures contracts that a
Fund may buy and sell may include futures contracts on fixed-income or other
securities or foreign currencies, and contracts based on interest rates or
financial indices, including any index of U.S. Government securities, foreign
government securities or corporate debt securities.
Options on futures contracts are options that call for the delivery upon
exercise of futures contracts. Options on futures contracts written or
purchased by a Fund will be traded on U.S. or foreign exchanges and, except
with respect to SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME, will be
used only for hedging purposes.
LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT, WORLD INCOME, SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET,
MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME and GLOBAL STRATEGIC
INCOME will not enter into a futures contract or option on a futures contract
25
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.
Nor will LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT, MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME, WORLD INCOME,
SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET, MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
INCOME or GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME do so if immediately thereafter the aggregate
of initial margin deposits on all the outstanding futures contracts of the Fund
and premiums paid on outstanding options on futures contracts would exceed 5%
of the market value of the total assets of the Fund. In addition, MORTGAGE
SECURITIES INCOME and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME will not enter into (i) any
futures contract other than one on fixed-income securities or based on interest
rates, (ii) any futures contract if immediately thereafter the sum of the then
aggregate futures market prices of financial instruments required to be
delivered under open futures contract sales and the aggregate futures market
prices of instruments required to be delivered under open futures contract
purchases would exceed 30% of the value of the Fund's total assets, or (iii)
options on futures contracts.
EURODOLLAR INSTRUMENTS. Eurodollar instruments are essentially U.S.
Dollar-denominated futures contracts or options thereon that are linked to
LIBOR. Eurodollar futures contracts enable purchasers to obtain a fixed rate
for the lending of funds and sellers to obtain a fixed rate for borrowings.
LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME intend to use
Eurodollar futures contracts and options thereon to hedge against changes in
LIBOR (to which many short-term borrowings and floating rate securities in
which each Fund invests are linked).
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS. Each Fund that purchases or sells
forward contracts on foreign currencies ("forward contracts") attempts to
minimize the risk to it from adverse changes in the relationship between the
U.S. Dollar and other currencies. 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"). 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"). 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").
FORWARD COMMITMENTS. Forward commitments are forward contracts for the purchase
or sale of securities, including 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 or approval of a proposed financing by appropriate authorities
(i.e., a "when, as and if issued" trade).
When forward commitments with respect to fixed-income securities are
negotiated, the price, which is generally expressed in yield terms, is fixed at
the time the commitment is made, but payment for and delivery of the securities
take place at a later date. Normally, the settlement date occurs within two
months after the transaction, but settlements beyond two months may be
negotiated. Securities purchased or sold under a forward commitment are subject
to market fluctuation, and no interest or dividends accrues to the purchaser
prior to the settlement date. At the time a Fund enters into a forward
commitment, it records the transaction and thereafter reflects the value of the
security purchased or, if a sale, the proceeds to be received, in determining
its net asset value. Any unrealized appreciation or depreciation reflected in
such valuation would be canceled if the required conditions did not occur and
the trade were canceled.
The use of forward commitments helps 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 bond
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, thereby obtaining the
benefit of currently higher cash yields. No forward commitments will be made by
LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME, GLOBAL DOLLAR
GOVERNMENT or GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME if, as a result, the Fund's aggregate
forward commitments under such transactions would be more than 25% of the total
assets of GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME and 30% of the total assets of each of the
other Funds.
A Fund's right to receive or deliver a security under a forward commitment may
be sold prior to the settlement date. The Funds enter into forward commitments,
however, only with the intention of actually receiving securities or delivering
them, as the case may be. If a Fund, however, 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.
INTEREST RATE TRANSACTIONS (SWAPS, CAPS AND FLOORS). Each Fund that may enter
into interest rate swap, cap or floor transactions expects to do so primarily
for hedging purposes, which may include preserving a return or spread on a
particular investment or portion of its portfolio or protecting against an
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.
26
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) computed based on a
contractually-based principal (or "notional") amount. Interest rate swaps are
entered into 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). Interest rate caps and floors are similar to options in that the
purchase of an interest rate cap or floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent
that a specified index exceeds (in the case of a cap) or falls below (in the
case of a floor) a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest
on a notional amount from the party selling the interest rate cap or 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.
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.
SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET, MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
INCOME and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may enter into interest rate swaps involving
payments to the same currency or in different currencies. SHORT-TERM U.S.
GOVERNMENT, LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT, MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME, GLOBAL
DOLLAR GOVERNMENT, GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME and CORPORATE BOND 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 thereto is then
rated in the highest rating category of at least one nationally recognized
rating organization. Each of SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET, MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY,
NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME will enter into
interest rate swap, cap or floor transactions with its respective custodian,
and with other counterparties, but only if: (i) for transactions with
maturities under one year, such other counterparty has outstanding prime
commercial paper; or (ii) for transactions with maturities greater than one
year, the counterparty has outstanding high quality debt securities.
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 well established and relatively liquid. Caps and floors are less liquid
than swaps. These transactions do not involve the delivery of securities or
other underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, unless there is a
counterparty default, the risk of loss to a Fund from interest rate
transactions is limited to the net amount of interest payments that the Fund is
contractually obligated to make.
STANDBY COMMITMENT AGREEMENTS. Standby commitment agreements are similar to put
options that 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. The
Funds will enter into such agreements only for the purpose of investing in the
security underlying the commitment at a yield and price considered advantageous
and unavailable on a firm commitment basis. No Fund will enter into a standby
commitment with a remaining term in excess of 45 days. The Funds will limit
their investments in standby commitments so that the aggregate purchase price
of the securities subject to the commitments does not exceed 20% or 25% with
respect to GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME, of their respective assets.
There is no guarantee that the security subject to a standby commitment will be
issued. In addition, 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
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.
INDEXED COMMERCIAL PAPER. Indexed commercial paper may have its principal
linked to changes in foreign currency exchange rates whereby its principal
amount is adjusted upwards or downwards (but not below zero) at maturity to
reflect changes in the referenced exchange rate. Each Fund that invests in such
commercial paper may do so without limitation. A Fund will receive interest and
principal payments on such commercial paper in the currency in which such
commercial paper is denominated, but the amount of principal payable by the
issuer at maturity will change in proportion to the change (if any) in the
exchange rate between the two specified currencies between the date the
instrument is issued and the date the instrument matures. While such commercial
paper entails the risk of loss of principal, the potential for realizing gains
as a result of changes in foreign currency exchange rates enables a Fund to
hedge (or cross-hedge) against a decline in the U.S. Dollar value of
investments denominated in foreign currencies while providing an attractive
money market rate of return. A Fund will purchase such commercial paper for
hedging purposes only, not for speculation.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. U.S. Government securities may be backed by the
full faith and credit of the United States, supported only by the right of the
issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or backed only by the credit of the
issuing agency itself. These securities include:
(i) the following U.S. Treasury securities, which are backed by the full faith
and credit of the United States and differ only in their interest rates,
maturities and times of issuance: U.S. Treasury bills (maturities of one year
or less with no interest paid and hence issued at a discount and repaid at full
face value upon maturity), U.S. Treasury
27
notes (maturities of one to ten years with interest payable every six months)
and U.S. Treasury bonds (generally maturities of greater than ten years with
interest payable every six months);
(ii) obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and
instrumentalities that are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
Government, such as securities issued by GNMA, the Farmers Home Administration,
the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Export-Import Bank, the
General Services Administration and the Small Business Administration; and
(iii) obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and
instrumentalities that are not supported by the full faith and credit of the
U.S. Government, such as securities issued by FNMA and FHLMC, and governmental
CMOs.
The maturities of the U.S. Government securities listed in paragraphs (i) and
(ii) above usually range from three months to 30 years. Such securities, except
GNMA certificates, normally provide for periodic payments of interest in fixed
amounts with principal payments at maturity or specified call dates. For
information regarding GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC certificates and CMOs, see
"Mortgage-Related Securities" below.
U.S. Government securities also include zero coupon securities and
principal-only securities and certain SMRS. In addition, other U.S. Government
agencies and instrumentalities have issued stripped securities that are similar
to SMRS. Such securities include those that are issued with an IO class and a
PO class. See "Mortgage-Related Securities" below and "Zero Coupon and
Principal-Only Securities" below. Although these stripped securities are
purchased and sold by institutional investors through several investment
banking firms acting as brokers or dealers, these securities were only recently
developed. As a result, established trading markets have not yet developed and,
accordingly, these securities may be illiquid.
Guarantees of securities by the U.S. Government or its agencies or
instrumentalities guarantee only the payment of principal and interest on the
securities, and do not guarantee the securities' yield or value or the yield or
value of the shares of a Fund that holds the securities.
U.S. Government securities are considered among the safest of fixed-income
investments. As a result, however, their yields are generally lower than the
yields available from other fixed-income securities.
MORTGAGE-RELATED SECURITIES. The mortgage-related securities in which a Fund
may invest typically are securities representing interests in pools of mortgage
loans made to home owners. The mortgage loan pools may be assembled for sale to
investors (such as a Fund) by governmental or private organizations.
Mortgage-related securities issued by GNMA are backed by the full faith and
credit of the United States; those issued by FNMA and FHLMC are not so backed.
Mortgage-related securities bear interest at either a fixed rate or an
adjustable rate determined by reference to an index rate. Mortgage-related
securities frequently provide for monthly payments that consist of both
interest and principal, unlike more traditional debt securities, which normally
do not provide for periodic repayments of principal.
Securities representing interests in pools created by private issuers generally
offer a higher rate of interest than securities representing interests in pools
created by governmental issuers because there are no direct or indirect
governmental guarantees of the underlying mortgage payments. However, private
issuers sometimes obtain committed loan facilities, lines of credit, letters of
credit, surety bonds or other forms of liquidity and credit enhancement to
support the timely payment of interest and principal with respect to their
securities if the borrowers on the underlying mortgages fail to make their
mortgage payments. The ratings of such non-governmental securities are
generally dependent upon the ratings of the providers of such liquidity and
credit support and would be adversely affected if the rating of such an
enhancer were downgraded. A Fund may buy mortgage-related securities without
credit enhancement if the securities meet the Fund's investment standards.
Although the market for mortgage-related securities is becoming increasingly
liquid, those of certain private organizations may not be readily marketable.
One type of mortgage-related security is of the "pass-through" variety. The
holder of a pass-through security is considered to own an undivided beneficial
interest in the underlying pool of mortgage loans and receives a pro rata share
of the monthly payments made by the borrowers on their mortgage loans, net of
any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities. Prepayments of
mortgages resulting from the sale, refinancing or foreclosure of the underlying
properties are also paid to the holders of these securities, which, as
discussed below, frequently causes these securities to experience significantly
greater price and yield volatility than experienced by traditional fixed-income
securities. Some mortgage-related securities, such as securities issued by
GNMA, are referred to as "modified pass-through" securities. The holders of
these securities are entitled to the full and timely payment of principal and
interest, net of certain fees, regardless of whether payments are actually made
on the underlying mortgages. Another form of mortgage-related security is a
"pay-through" security, which is a debt obligation of the issuer secured by a
pool of mortgage loans pledged as collateral that is legally required to be
paid by the issuer regardless of whether payments are actually made on the
underlying mortgages.
Collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) are the predominant type of
"pay-through" mortgage-related security. In a CMO, a series of bonds or
certificates is issued in multiple classes. Each class of a CMO, often referred
to as a "tranche," is issued at a specific coupon rate and has a stated
maturity or final distribution date. Principal prepayments on collateral
underlying a CMO may cause it to be retired substantially earlier than the
stated maturities or final distribution dates. The principal and interest on
the underlying mortgages may be
28
allocated among several classes of a series of a CMO in many ways. In a common
structure, payments of principal, including any principal prepayments, on the
underlying mortgages are applied to the classes of the series of a CMO in the
order of their respective stated maturities or final distribution dates, so
that no payment of principal will be made on any class of a CMO until all other
classes having an earlier stated maturity or final distribution date have been
paid in full. One or more tranches of a CMO may have coupon rates that reset
periodically, or "float", at a specified increment over an index such as LIBOR.
Floating-rate CMOs may be backed by fixed or adjustable rate mortgages. To
date, fixed-rate mortgages have been more commonly utilized for this purpose.
Floating-rate CMOs are typically issued with lifetime caps on the coupon rate
thereon. These caps, similar to the caps on adjustable-rate mortgages described
below, represent a ceiling beyond which the coupon rate on a floating-rate CMO
may not be increased regardless of increases in the interest rate index to
which the floating-rate CMO is tied. The collateral securing the CMOs may
consist of a pool of mortgages, but may also consist of mortgage-backed bonds
or pass-through securities. CMOs may be issued by a U.S. Government
instrumentality or agency or by a private issuer. Although payment of the
principal of, and interest on, the underlying collateral securing privately
issued CMOs may be guaranteed by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC, these CMOs represent
obligations solely of the private issuer and are not insured or guaranteed by
GNMA, FNMA, FHLMC, any other governmental agency or any other person or entity.
Another type of mortgage-related security, known as adjustable-rate mortgage
securities (ARMS), bears interest at a rate determined by reference to a
predetermined interest rate or index. There are two main categories of rates or
indices: (i) rates based on the yield on U.S. Treasury securities and (ii)
indices derived from a calculated measure such as a cost of funds index or a
moving average of mortgage rates. Some rates and indices closely mirror changes
in market interest rate levels, while others tend to lag changes in market rate
levels and tend to be somewhat less volatile.
ARMS may be secured by adjustable-rate mortgages or fixed-rate mortgages. ARMS
secured by fixed-rate mortgages generally have lifetime caps on the coupon
rates of the securities. To the extent that general interest rates increase
faster than the interest rates on the ARMS, these ARMS will decline in value.
The adjustable-rate mortgages that secure ARMS will frequently have caps that
limit the maximum amount by which the interest rate or the monthly principal
and interest payments on the mortgages may increase. These payment caps can
result in negative amortization (i.e., an increase in the balance of the
mortgage loan). Furthermore, since many adjustable-rate mortgages only reset on
an annual basis, the values of ARMS tend to fluctuate to the extent that
changes in prevailing interest rates are not immediately reflected in the
interest rates payable on the underlying adjustable-rate mortgages.
Stripped mortgage-related securities (SMRS) are mortgage-related securities
that are usually structured with two classes of securities collateralized by a
pool of mortgages or a pool of mortgaged-backed bonds or pass-through
securities, with each class receiving different proportions of the principal
and interest payments from the underlying assets. A common type of SMRS has one
class of interest-only securities (IOs) receiving all of the interest payments
from the underlying assets, while the other class of securities, principal-only
securities (POs), receives all of the principal payments from the underlying
assets. IOs and POs are extremely sensitive to interest rate changes and are
more volatile than mortgage-related securities that are not stripped. IOs tend
to decrease in value as interest rates decrease, while POs generally increase
in value as interest rates decrease. If prepayments of the underlying mortgages
are greater than anticipated, the amount of interest earned on the overall pool
will decrease due to the decreasing principal balance of the assets. Changes in
the values of IOs and POs can be substantial and occur quickly, such as
occurred in the first half of 1994 when the value of many POs dropped
precipitously due to increases in interest rates. For this reason, none of the
Funds relies on IOs and POs as the principal means of furthering its investment
objective.
The value of mortgage-related securities is affected by a number of factors.
Unlike traditional debt securities, which have fixed maturity dates,
mortgage-related securities may be paid earlier than expected as a result of
prepayment of the underlying mortgages. If property owners make unscheduled
prepayments of their mortgage loans, these prepayments will result in the early
payment of the applicable mortgage-related securities. In that event a Fund may
be unable to invest the proceeds from the early payment of the mortgage-related
securities in an investment that provides as high a yield as the
mortgage-related securities. Consequently, early payment associated with
mortgage-related securities causes these securities to experience significantly
greater price and yield volatility than experienced by traditional fixed-income
securities. The occurrence of mortgage prepayments is affected by the level of
general interest rates, general economic conditions and other social and
demographic factors. During periods of falling interest rates, the rate of
mortgage prepayments tends to increase, thereby tending to decrease the life of
mortgage-related securities. During periods of rising interest rates, the rate
of mortgage prepayments usually decreases, thereby tending to increase the life
of mortgage-related securities. If the life of a mortgage-related security is
inaccurately predicted, a Fund may not be able to realize the rate of return it
expected.
As with fixed-income securities generally, the value of mortgage-related
securities can also be adversely affected by increases in general interest
rates relative to the yield provided by such securities. Such adverse effect is
especially possible with fixed-rate mortgage securities. If the yield available
on other investments rises above the yield of the fixed-rate mortgage
securities as a result of general increases in interest rate levels, the value
of the mortgage-related securities will decline. Although the negative effect
could be lessened if the mortgage-related securities were to be paid earlier
(thus
29
permitting a Fund to reinvest the prepayment proceeds in investments yielding
the higher current interest rate), as described above the rate of mortgage
prepayments and early payment of mortgage-related securities generally tends to
decline during a period of rising interest rates.
Although the value of ARMS may not be affected by rising interest rates as much
as the value of fixed-rate mortgage securities is affected by rising interest
rates, ARMS may still decline in value as a result of rising interest rates.
Although, as described above, the yield on ARMS varies with changes in the
applicable interest rate or index, there is often a lag between increases in
general interest rates and increases in the yield on ARMS as a result of
relatively infrequent interest rate reset dates. In addition, adjustable-rate
mortgages and ARMS often have interest rate or payment caps that limit the
ability of the adjustable-rate mortgages or ARMS to fully reflect increases in
the general level of interest rates.
OTHER ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES. The securitization techniques used to develop
mortgage-related securities are being applied to a broad range of financial
assets. Through the use of trusts and special purpose corporations, various
types of assets, including automobile loans and leases, credit card
receivables, home equity loans, equipment leases and trade receivables, are
being securitized in structures similar to the structures used in mortgage
securitizations. These asset-backed securities are subject to risks associated
with changes in interest rates and prepayment of underlying obligations similar
to the risks of investment in mortgage-related securities discussed above.
Each type of asset-backed security also entails unique risks depending on the
type of assets involved and the legal structure used. For example, credit card
receivables are generally unsecured obligations of the credit card holder and
the debtors are entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal
consumer credit laws, many of which give such debtors the right to set off
certain amounts owed on the credit cards, thereby reducing the balance due.
There have also been proposals to cap the interest rate that a credit card
issuer may charge. In some transactions, the value of the asset-backed security
is dependent on the performance of a third party acting as credit enhancer or
servicer. Furthermore, in some transactions (such as those involving the
securitization of vehicle loans or leases) it may be administratively
burdensome to perfect the interest of the security issuer in the underlying
collateral and the underlying collateral may become damaged or stolen.
ZERO COUPON AND PRINCIPAL-ONLY SECURITIES. Zero coupon securities and
principal-only (PO) securities are debt securities that have been issued
without interest coupons or stripped of their unmatured interest coupons, and
include receipts or certificates representing interests in such stripped debt
obligations and coupons. Such a security pays no interest to its holder during
its life. Its value to an investor consists of the difference between its face
value at the time of maturity and the price for which it was acquired, which is
generally an amount significantly less than its face value. Such securities
usually trade at a deep discount from their face or par value and are subject
to greater fluctuations in market value in response to changing interest rates
than debt obligations of comparable maturities and credit quality that make
current distributions of interest. On the other hand, because there are no
periodic interest payments to be reinvested prior to maturity, these securities
eliminate reinvestment risk and "lock in" a rate of return to maturity.
Zero coupon Treasury securities are U.S. Treasury bills issued without interest
coupons. Principal-only Treasury securities are U.S. Treasury notes and bonds
that have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons, and receipts or
certificates representing interests in such stripped debt obligations and
coupons. Currently the only U.S. Treasury security issued without coupons is
the Treasury bill. Although the U.S. Treasury does not itself issue Treasury
notes and bonds without coupons, under the U.S. Treasury STRIPS program
interest and principal payments on certain long-term Treasury securities may be
maintained separately in the Federal Reserve book entry system and may be
separately traded and owned. In addition, in the last few years a number of
banks and brokerage firms have separated ("stripped") the principal portions
from the coupon portions of U.S. Treasury bonds and notes and sold them
separately in the form of receipts or certificates representing undivided
interests in these instruments (which instruments are generally held by a bank
in a custodial or trust account). The staff of the Commission has indicated
that, in its view, these receipts or certificates should be considered as
securities issued by the bank or brokerage firm involved and, therefore, should
not be included in a Fund's categorization of U.S. Government securities. The
Funds disagree with the staff's position but will not treat such securities as
U.S. Government securities until final resolution of the issue.
Current federal tax law requires that a holder (such as a Fund) of a zero
coupon security accrue a portion of the discount at which the security was
purchased as income each year even though the holder receives no interest
payment in cash on the security during the year. As a result, in order to make
the distributions necessary for a Fund not to be subject to federal income or
excise taxes, the Fund might be required to pay out as an income distribution
each year an amount, obtained by liquidation of portfolio securities or
borrowings if necessary, greater than the total amount of cash that the Fund
has actually received as interest during the year. Each Fund believes, however,
that it is highly unlikely that it would be necessary to liquidate portfolio
securities or borrow money in order to make such required distributions or to
meet its investment objective. For a discussion of the tax treatment of zero
coupon Treasury securities, see "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes-Zero Coupon
Treasury Securities" in the Statement of Additional Information of each Fund
that is permitted to invest in such securities.
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME and CORPORATE BOND may also invest in "pay-in-kind"
debentures (i.e., debt obligations the interest on which may be paid in the
form of obligations of the same type rather than cash), which have
characteristics similar to zero coupon securities.
30
VARIABLE, FLOATING AND INVERSE FLOATING RATE INSTRUMENTS. Fixed-income
securities may have fixed, variable or floating rates of interest. Variable and
floating rate securities pay interest at rates that are adjusted periodically,
according to a specified formula. A "variable" interest rate adjusts at
predetermined intervals (e.g., daily, weekly or monthly), while a "floating"
interest rate adjusts whenever a specified benchmark rate (such as the bank
prime lending rate) changes.
A Fund may invest in fixed-income securities that pay interest at a coupon rate
equal to a base rate, plus additional interest for a certain period of time if
short-term interest rates rise above a predetermined level or "cap." The amount
of such an additional interest payment typically is calculated under a formula
based on a short-term interest rate index multiplied by a designated factor.
Leveraged inverse floating rate debt instruments are sometimes known as inverse
floaters. The interest rate on an inverse floater resets in the opposite
direction from the market rate of interest to which the inverse floater is
indexed. An inverse floater may be considered to be leveraged to the extent
that its interest rate varies by a magnitude that exceeds the magnitude of the
change in the index rate of interest. The higher degree of leverage inherent in
inverse floaters is associated with greater volatility in market value, such
that, during periods of rising interest rates, the market values of inverse
floaters will tend to decrease more rapidly than those of fixed rate securities.
STRUCTURED SECURITIES. Structured securities in which GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT,
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME and CORPORATE BOND may invest represent interests in
entities organized and operated solely for the purpose of restructuring the
investment characteristics of sovereign debt obligations, with respect to
GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME, or foreign government
securities, with respect to CORPORATE BOND. This type of restructuring involves
the deposit with or purchase by an entity, such as a corporation or trust, of
specified instruments (such as commercial bank loans or Brady Bonds) and the
issuance by that entity of one or more classes of structured securities backed
by, or representing interests in, the underlying instruments. The cash flow on
the underlying instruments may be apportioned among the newly issued structured
securities to create securities with different investment characteristics such
as varying maturities, payment priorities and interest rate provisions, and the
extent of the payments made with respect to structured securities is dependent
on the extent of the cash flow on the underlying instruments. Because
structured securities typically involve no credit enhancement, their credit
risk generally will be equivalent to that of the underlying instruments.
Structured securities of a given class may be either subordinated or
unsubordinated to the right of payment of another class. Subordinated
structured securities typically have higher yields and present greater risks
than unsubordinated structured securities. GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT may invest
up to 25% of its total assets, and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME and CORPORATE BOND
may invest without limit, in these types of structured securities.
LOAN PARTICIPATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS. A Fund's investments in loans are expected
in most instances to be in the form of participations in loans and assignments
of all or a portion of loans from third parties. A Fund's investment in loan
participations typically will result in the Fund having a contractual
relationship only with the lender and not with the borrower. A Fund will
acquire participations only if the lender interpositioned between the Fund and
the borrower is a lender having total assets of more than $25 billion and whose
senior unsecured debt is rated investment grade or higher. When a Fund
purchases a loan assignment from a lender it will acquire direct rights against
the borrower on the loan. Because loan assignments are arranged through private
negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, however, the
rights and obligations acquired by a Fund as the purchaser of an assignment may
differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning lender. The
assignability of certain sovereign debt obligations, with respect to GLOBAL
DOLLAR GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME, or foreign government
securities, with respect to CORPORATE BOND, is restricted by the governing
documentation as to the nature of the assignee such that the only way in which
the Fund may acquire an interest in a loan is through a participation and not
an assignment. A Fund may have difficulty disposing of assignments and
participations because to do so it will have to assign such securities to a
third party. Because there is no liquid market for such securities, such
securities can probably be sold only to a limited number of institutional
investors. The lack of a liquid secondary market may have an adverse effect on
the value of such securities and a Fund's ability to dispose of particular
assignments or participations when necessary to meet its liquidity needs in
response to a specific economic event such as a deterioration in the
creditworthiness of the borrower. The lack of a liquid secondary market for
assignments and participations also may make it more difficult for the Fund to
assign a value to these securities for purposes of valuing the Fund's portfolio
and calculating its net asset value.
GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may invest up to 25%, and
CORPORATE BOND may invest up to 15%, of their total assets, in loan
participations and assignments. The government that is the borrower on the loan
will be considered by a Fund to be the issuer of a loan participation or
assignment for purposes of its fundamental investment policy that it may not
invest 25% or more of its total assets in securities of issuers conducting
their principal business activities in the same industry (i.e., foreign
government).
BRADY BONDS. Brady Bonds are created through the exchange of existing
commercial bank loans to foreign entities for new obligations in connection
with debt restructurings under a plan introduced by former U.S. Secretary of
the Treasury, Nicholas F. Brady (the "Brady Plan"). Brady Bonds have been
issued only recently, and, accordingly, do not have a long payment history.
They may be collateralized or uncollateralized and issued in various currencies
(although most are U.S. Dollar-denominated) and they are actively traded in the
over-the-counter secondary market.
31
U.S. Dollar-denominated, collateralized Brady Bonds, which may be fixed-rate
par bonds or floating rate discount bonds, are generally collateralized in full
as to principal due at maturity by U.S. Treasury zero coupon obligations that
have the same maturity as the Brady Bonds. Interest payments on these Brady
Bonds generally are collateralized by cash or securities in an amount that, in
the case of fixed rate bonds, is equal to at least one year of rolling interest
payments based on the applicable interest rate at that time and is adjusted at
regular intervals thereafter. Certain Brady Bonds are entitled to "value
recovery payments" in certain circumstances, which in effect constitute
supplemental interest payments but generally are not collateralized. Brady
Bonds are often viewed as having up to four valuation components: (i)
collateralized repayment of principal at final maturity, (ii) collateralized
interest payments, (iii) uncollateralized interest payments, and (iv) any
uncollateralized repayment of principal at maturity (these uncollateralized
amounts constitute the "residual risk"). In the event of a default with respect
to collateralized Brady Bonds as a result of which the payment obligations of
the issuer are accelerated, the U.S. Treasury zero coupon obligations held as
collateral for the payment of principal will not be distributed to investors,
nor will such obligations be sold and the proceeds distributed. The collateral
will be held by the collateral agent to the scheduled maturity of the defaulted
Brady Bonds, which will continue to be outstanding, at which time the face
amount of the collateral will equal the principal payments that would have then
been due on the Brady Bonds in the normal course. In addition, in light of the
residual risk of Brady Bonds and, among other factors, the history of defaults
with respect to commercial bank loans by public and private entities of
countries issuing Brady Bonds, investments in Brady Bonds are to be viewed as
speculative.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. Convertible securities include bonds, debentures,
corporate notes and preferred stocks that are convertible into common stock.
Prior to conversion, convertible securities have the same general
characteristics as non-convertible debt securities, which provide a stable
stream of income with generally higher yields than those of equity securities
of the same or similar issuers. The price of a convertible security will
normally vary with changes in the price of the underlying stock, although the
higher yield tends to make the convertible security less volatile than the
underlying common stock. As with debt securities, the market value of
convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase 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 enable investors 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 may share some or all of the risks of debt securities with
those ratings. For a description of these risks, see "Risk
Considerations-Investment in Lower-Rated Fixed-Income Securities."
SHORT SALES. A short sale is effected by selling a security that a Fund does
not own, or if the Fund owns the security, it is not to be delivered upon
consummation of the sale. A short sale is "against the box" if a Fund owns or
has the right to obtain without payment securities identical to those sold
short. SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT each may make
short sales only against the box and only for the purpose of deferring
realization of gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition,
each of these Funds may not make a short sale if, as a result, more than 10% of
net assets (taken at market value), with respect to GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT,
and 10% of total assets, with respect to SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT, would be
held as collateral for short sales.
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may make a short sale in anticipation that the market
price of that security will decline. When the Fund makes a short sale of a
security that it does not own, it must borrow from a broker-dealer the security
sold short and deliver the security to the broker-dealer upon conclusion of the
short sale. The Fund may be required to pay a fee to borrow particular
securities and is often obligated to pay over any payments received on such
borrowed securities. The Fund's obligation to replace the borrowed security
will be secured by collateral deposited with a broker-dealer qualified as a
custodian and will consist of high grade liquid assets. Depending on the
arrangements the Fund makes with the broker-dealer from which it borrowed the
security regarding remittance of any payments received by the Fund on such
security, the Fund may not receive any payments (including interest) on its
collateral deposited with the broker-dealer.
In order to defer realization of gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may also make short sales "against the box."
The Fund may not make a short sale, if as a result, more than 25% of its total
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 short-term
capital gain. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss increased, by the
transaction costs described above. Although a Fund's gain is limited to the
price at which it sold the security short, its potential loss is theoretically
unlimited.
Certain special federal income tax considerations may apply to short sales
entered into by a Fund. See "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes" in the
relevant Fund's Statement of Additional Information.
32
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. A Fund requires continual
maintenance of collateral in an amount equal to, or in excess of, the resale
price. 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. There is no
percentage restriction on any Fund's ability to enter into repurchase
agreements, except that SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT may enter into repurchase
agreements on not more than 25% of its total assets. The Funds may enter into
repurchase agreements with member banks of the Federal Reserve System or
"primary dealers" (as designated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York),
although LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT, WORLD INCOME, SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET,
MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME and GLOBAL DOLLAR
GOVERNMENT currently enter into repurchase agreements only with their
custodians and such primary dealers.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND DOLLAR ROLLS. Reverse repurchase agreements
involve sales by a Fund of portfolio assets concurrently with an agreement by
the Fund to repurchase the same assets at a later date at a fixed price. During
the reverse repurchase agreement period, the Fund continues to receive
principal and interest payments on these securities. Generally, the effect of
such a transaction is that a Fund can recover all or most of the cash invested
in the portfolio securities involved during the term of the reverse repurchase
agreement, while it will be able to keep the interest income associated with
those portfolio securities. Such transactions are advantageous only if the
interest cost to a Fund of the reverse repurchase transaction is less than the
cost of otherwise obtaining the cash.
Dollar rolls involve sales by a Fund of securities for delivery in the current
month and the Fund's simultaneously contracting to repurchase substantially
similar (same type and coupon) securities on a specified future date. During
the roll period, a Fund forgoes principal and interest paid on the securities.
A Fund is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the
lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the "drop")
as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale.
Reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls involve the risk that the market
value of the securities a Fund is obligated to repurchase under the agreement
may decline below the repurchase price. In the event the buyer of securities
under a reverse repurchase agreement or dollar roll files for bankruptcy or
becomes insolvent, a Fund's use of the proceeds of the agreement may be
restricted pending a determination by the other party, or its trustee or
receiver, whether to enforce the Fund's obligation to repurchase the securities.
Reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls are speculative techniques and
are considered borrowings by the Funds. SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT may enter
into reverse repurchase agreements with commercial banks and registered
broker-dealers in order to increase income, in an amount up to 33-1/3% of its
total assets. Under normal circumstances, LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT does not
expect to engage in reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls with respect
to greater than 50% of its total assets. Reverse repurchase agreements and
dollar rolls together with any borrowings by GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT will not
exceed 33% of its total assets less liabilities (other than amounts borrowed).
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with
commercial banks and registered broker-dealers in order to increase income, in
an amount up to 25% of its total assets. Reverse repurchase agreements and
dollar rolls together with any borrowings by GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME will not
exceed 25% of its total assets. See "Risk Considerations-Effects of Borrowing."
LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. A Fund may make secured loans of portfolio
securities to brokers, dealers and financial institutions, provided that cash,
liquid high-grade debt securities 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. 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, 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 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. 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. A Fund will not lend portfolio securities in excess of 25%, with
respect to SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME, and 20%,
with respect to each of LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT, MORTGAGE SECURITIES
INCOME, WORLD INCOME, SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET, MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, NORTH
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME and GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT, of its total assets,
nor will a Fund lend portfolio securities to any officer, director, employee or
affiliate of the Fund or Alliance.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. Subject to any more restrictive applicable investment
policies, none of the Funds will maintain more than 15% of its net assets in
illiquid securities. 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,
33
when market makers do not exist or will not entertain bids or offers),
including many currency swaps and any assets used to cover currency swaps, (ii)
over-the-counter options and assets used to cover over-the-counter options, and
(iii) repurchase agreements not terminable within seven days. Rule 144A
securities that have legal or contractual restrictions on resale but have a
readily available market are not deemed illiquid. Alliance will monitor the
liquidity of each Fund's Rule 144A portfolio securities under the supervision
of the Directors of that Fund. A Fund that invests in illiquid securities may
not be able to sell such securities and may not be able to realize their full
value upon sale.
INVESTMENT IN OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES. GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT may invest
in other investment companies whose investment objectives and policies are
consistent with those of the Fund. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest not
more than 10% of its total assets in securities of other investment companies.
In addition, under the 1940 Act the Fund may not own more than 3% of the total
outstanding voting stock of any investment company and not more than 5% of the
value of the Fund's total assets may be invested in the securities of any
investment company. If the Fund acquired shares in investment companies,
shareholders would bear both their proportionate share of expenses in the Fund
(including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of such
investment companies (including management and advisory fees).
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
practices described above.
DEFENSIVE POSITION. For temporary defensive purposes, each Fund may invest in
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 may
also include short-term, foreign-currency denominated securities of the type
mentioned above issued by foreign governmental entities, companies and
supranational organizations. For a complete description of the types of
securities in which a Fund may invest while in a temporary defensive position,
see the Fund's Statement of Additional Information.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER. Portfolio turnover rates are set forth under "Financial
Highlights." These rates of portfolio turnover are greater than those of most
other investment companies. A high rate of portfolio turnover involves
correspondingly greater brokerage and other expenses than a lower rate, 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. See
"Dividends, Distributions and Taxes" in each Fund's Statement of Additional
Information.
CERTAIN FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
Each Fund has adopted certain fundamental investment policies listed below,
which may not be changed without the approval of its shareholders. Additional
investment restrictions with respect to a Fund are set forth in its Statement
of Additional Information.
SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT may not (i) invest more than 5% of its total assets
in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities and
repurchase agreements relating thereto), although up to 25% of the Fund's total
assets may be invested without regard to this restriction, or (ii) invest 25%
or more of its total assets in the securities of any one industry.
U.S. GOVERNMENT may not (i) borrow money except from banks for temporary or
emergency purposes and then only in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of
its total assets at the time the borrowing is made, (ii) make loans to other
persons, (iii) effect a short sale of any security, (iv) purchase securities on
margin, but it may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the
clearance of purchases and sales of securities, or (v) write, purchase or sell
puts, calls or combinations thereof.
LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT may not (i) invest more than 5% of its total assets
in the securities of any one issuer or own more than 10% of the outstanding
voting securities of such issuer (other than U.S. Government securities),
except that up to 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets may be invested
without regard to the 5% and 10% limitations, (ii) invest 25% or more of its
total assets in securities of companies engaged principally in any one
industry, except that this restriction does not apply to investments in the
mortgage and mortgage-financed industry (in which more than 25% of the value of
the Fund's total assets will, except for temporary defensive positions, be
invested) or U.S. Government securities, (iii) borrow money except from banks
for emergency or temporary purposes in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value
of the total assets of the Fund, except that the Fund may engage in reverse
repurchase agreements and dollar rolls in an amount up to 50% of the Fund's
total assets, and (iv) pledge, hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise encumber its
assets, except to secure permitted borrowings.
MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME may not (i) invest more than 5% of the value of its
total assets in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government
securities), except that up to 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets may
be invested without regard to this limitation, (ii) invest more than 25% of the
value of its total assets in the securities of issuers conducting their
principal business activities in a single industry, except that this limitation
shall not apply to investments in the mortgage and mortgage-financed industry
(in which more than 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets will, except
for temporary defensive positions, be invested) or U.S. Government securities,
(iii) borrow money except from
34
banks for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption
requests which might require the untimely disposition of securities, borrowing
in the aggregate may not exceed 15%, and borrowing for purposes other than
meeting redemptions may not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets
(including the amount borrowed) less liabilities (not including the amount
borrowed) at the time the borrowing is made, outstanding borrowings in excess
of 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets will be repaid before any
subsequent investments are made, (iv) pledge, hypothecate, mortgage or
otherwise encumber its assets, except in an amount of not more than 15% of the
value of its total assets to secure borrowings for temporary or emergency
purposes and except as provided in (vi) below, provided, however, that this
limitation does not apply to deposits made in connection with the entering into
and holding of interest rate futures contracts, (v) invest more than 10% of the
value of its total assets in the aggregate in illiquid securities or other
illiquid investments and repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven
days, or (vi) lend its portfolio securities if immediately after such a loan
more than 20% of the value of the Fund's total assets would be subject to such
loans.
WORLD INCOME may not (i) invest 25% or more of its total assets in securities
of companies engaged principally in any one industry other than the banking
industry except that this restriction does not apply to U.S. Government
securities, (ii) borrow money except from banks for temporary or emergency
purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests which might require the
untimely disposition of securities; borrowing in the aggregate may not exceed
15%, and borrowing for purposes other than meeting redemptions may not exceed
5% of the value of the Fund's total assets (including the amount borrowed) less
liabilities (not including the amount borrowed) at the time the borrowing is
made; securities will not be purchased while borrowings in excess of 5% of the
value of the Fund's total assets are outstanding, or (iii) pledge, hypothecate,
mortgage or otherwise encumber its assets, except to secure permitted
borrowings.
SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET may not (i) invest 25% or more of its total assets in
securities of companies engaged principally in any one industry other than the
banking industry, except that this restriction does not apply to U.S.
Government securities, (ii) borrow money except from banks for temporary or
emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests which might
require the untimely disposition of securities; borrowing in the aggregate may
not exceed 15%, and borrowing for purposes other than meeting redemptions may
not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets (including the amount
borrowed) less liabilities (not including the amount borrowed) at the time the
borrowing is made; securities will not be purchased while borrowings in excess
of 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets are outstanding, or (iii) pledge,
hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise encumber its assets, except to secure
permitted borrowings.
MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY may not (i) invest 25% or more of its total assets in
securities of companies engaged principally in any one industry other than the
banking industry, except that this restriction does not apply to U.S.
Government securities, (ii) borrow money, except the Fund may, in accordance
with provisions of the 1940 Act, (a) borrow from a bank, if after such
borrowing, there is asset coverage of at least 300% as defined in the 1940 Act,
and (b) borrow for temporary or emergency purposes in an amount not exceeding
5% of the value of the total assets of the Fund, or (iii) pledge, hypothecate,
mortgage or otherwise encumber its assets, except to secure permitted
borrowings.
NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME may not (i) invest 25% or more of its total
assets in securities of companies engaged principally in any one industry
except that this restriction does not apply to U.S. Government securities, (ii)
borrow money, except that the Fund may, in accordance with provisions of the
1940 Act, (a) borrow from a bank, if after such borrowing, there is asset
coverage of at least 300% as defined in the 1940 Act, and (b) borrow for
temporary or emergency purposes in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of
the total assets of the Fund, or (iii) pledge, hypothecate, mortgage or
otherwise encumber its assets, except to secure permitted borrowings.
GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT may not (i) invest 25% or more of its total assets in
the securities of issuers conducting their principal business activities in any
one industry, except that this restriction does not apply to U.S. Government
securities, (ii) purchase more than 10% of any class of the voting securities
of any one issuer, (iii) borrow money, except the Fund may, in accordance with
provisions of the 1940 Act, (a) borrow from a bank, if after such borrowing,
there is asset coverage of at least 300% as defined in the 1940 Act, and (b)
borrow for temporary or emergency purposes in an amount not exceeding 5% of the
value of the total assets of the Fund, (iv) pledge, hypothecate, mortgage or
otherwise encumber its assets, except to secure permitted borrowings, or (v)
purchase a security if, as a result (unless the security is acquired pursuant
to a plan of reorganization or an offer of exchange), the Fund would own more
than 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of any investment company or more
than 5% of the value of the Fund's net assets would be invested in securities
of any one or more investment companies.
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may not: (i) borrow money, except the Fund may, in
accordance with provisions of the 1940 Act, (a) borrow from a bank, if after
such borrowing there is asset coverage of at least 300% as defined in the 1940
Act, and (b) borrow for temporary or emergency purposes in an amount not
exceeding 5% of the value of the total assets of the Fund, or (ii) pledge,
hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise encumber its assets, except to secure
permitted borrowings.
CORPORATE BOND may not (i) invest more than 5% of its total assets in the
securities of any one issuer other than U.S. Government securities, or (ii) own
more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any issuer.
35
RISK CONSIDERATIONS
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 will change
as the general level of interest rates fluctuates. During periods of falling
interest rates, the values of a Fund's securities generally rise. Conversely,
during periods of rising interest rates, the values of a Fund's securities
generally decline. Changes in interest rates have a greater effect on
securities with longer maturities and durations than those with shorter
maturities and durations.
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.
U.S. CORPORATE FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES. The U.S. corporate fixed-income
securities in which GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT invests may include securities
issued in connection with corporate restructurings such as takeovers or
leveraged buyouts, which may pose particular risks. Securities issued to
finance corporate restructurings may have special credit risks due to the
highly leveraged conditions of the issuer. In addition, such issuers may lose
experienced management as a result of the restructuring. Finally, the market
price of such securities may be more volatile to the extent that expected
benefits from the restructuring do not materialize. The Fund may also invest in
U.S. corporate fixed-income securities that are not current in the payment of
interest or principal or are in default, so long as Alliance believes such
investment is consistent with the Fund's investment objectives. The Fund's
rights with respect to defaults on such securities will be subject to
applicable U.S. bankruptcy, moratorium and other similar laws.
FOREIGN INVESTMENT. 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 such
securities may experience greater price volatility and significantly lower
liquidity than a portfolio invested solely in 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.
Furthermore, foreign investment in the securities markets of certain foreign
countries is restricted or controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions or
controls may at times limit or preclude investment in certain securities and
may increase the cost and expenses of a Fund. In addition, the repatriation of
investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of securities from certain
of the countries is controlled under regulations, including in some cases the
need for certain advance government notification or authority, and if a
deterioration occurs in a country's balance of payments, the country could
impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances. A 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. Investing in local markets may require a Fund
to adopt special procedures or seek local governmental approvals or other
actions, any of which may involve additional costs to a Fund. The liquidity of
a Fund's investments in any country in which any of these factors exists could
be affected 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 U.S.
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 or the
Fund's investments in such country. 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.
WORLD INCOME may invest a portion of its net assets in securities denominated
in the ECU. There are risks associated with concentration of investments in a
particular region of the world such as Western Europe since the economies and
markets of the countries in the region tend to be interrelated and may be
adversely affected by political, economic and other events in a similar manner.
Alliance believes that, except for currency fluctuations between the U.S. Dollar
and the Canadian Dollar, the matters described above are not likely to have a
material adverse effect on NORTH
36
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME'S investments in the securities of Canadian issuers
or investments denominated in Canadian issuers or investments denominated in
Canadian Dollars. The factors described above are more likely to have a
material adverse effect on the Fund's investments in the securities of Mexican
and other non-Canadian foreign issuers, including investments in securities
denominated in Mexican Pesos or other non-Canadian foreign currencies. If not
hedged, however, currency fluctuations could affect the unrealized appreciation
and depreciation of Canadian Government securities as expressed in U.S. Dollars.
CURRENCY CONSIDERATIONS. Those Funds that invest some portion of their assets
in securities denominated in, and receive revenues in, foreign currencies will
be adversely affected by reductions in the value of those currencies relative
to the U.S. Dollar. These changes will affect a Fund's net assets,
distributions and income. If the value of the foreign currencies in which a
Fund receives income falls relative to the U.S. Dollar between receipt of the
income and the making of Fund distributions, a Fund may be required to
liquidate securities in order to make distributions if the Fund has
insufficient cash in U.S. Dollars to meet the 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 certain currency hedging transactions, which
themselves, involve certain special risks. See "Additional Investment
Practices" above.
SOVEREIGN DEBT OBLIGATIONS. No established secondary markets may exist for many
of the sovereign debt obligations in which GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL
STRATEGIC INCOME will invest. Reduced secondary market liquidity may have an
adverse effect on the market price and a Fund's ability to dispose of
particular instruments when necessary to meet its liquidity requirements or in
response to specific economic events such as a deterioration in the
creditworthiness of the issuer. Reduced secondary market liquidity for certain
sovereign debt obligations may also make it more difficult for a Fund to obtain
accurate market quotations for the purpose of valuing its portfolio. Market
quotations are generally available on many sovereign debt obligations only from
a limited number of dealers and may not necessarily represent firm bids of
those dealers or prices for actual sales.
By investing in sovereign debt obligations, the Funds will be exposed to the
direct or indirect consequences of political, social and economic changes in
various countries. Political changes in a country may affect the willingness of
a foreign government to make or provide for timely payments of its obligations.
The country's economic status, as reflected, among other things, in its
inflation rate, the amount of its external debt and its gross domestic product,
will also affect the government's ability to honor its obligations.
The sovereign debt obligations in which the Funds will invest in many cases
pertain to countries that are among the world's largest debtors to commercial
banks, foreign governments, international financial organizations and other
financial institutions. In recent years, the governments of some of these
countries have encountered difficulties in servicing their external debt
obligations, which led to defaults on certain obligations and the restructuring
of certain indebtedness. Restructuring arrangements have included, among other
things, reducing and rescheduling interest and principal payments by
negotiating new or amended credit agreements or converting outstanding
principal and unpaid interest to Brady Bonds, and obtaining new credit to
finance interest payments. Certain governments have not been able to make
payments of interest on or principal of sovereign debt obligations as those
payments have come due. Obligations arising from past restructuring agreements
may affect the economic performance and political and social stability of those
issuers.
The ability of governments to make timely payments on their obligations is
likely to be influenced strongly by the issuer's balance of payments, including
export performance, and its access to international credits and investments. To
the extent that a country receives payment for its exports in currencies other
than dollars, its ability to make debt payments denominated in dollars could be
adversely affected. To the extent that a country develops a trade deficit, it
will need to depend on continuing loans from foreign governments, multi-lateral
organizations or private commercial banks, aid payments from foreign
governments and on inflows of foreign investment. The access of a country to
these forms of external funding may not be certain, and a withdrawal of
external funding could adversely affect the capacity of a government to make
payments on its obligations. In addition, the cost of servicing debt
obligations can be affected by a change in international interest rates since
the majority of these obligations carry interest rates that are adjusted
periodically based upon international rates.
The Funds are permitted to invest in sovereign debt obligations that are not
current in the payment of interest or principal or are in default so long as
Alliance believes it to be consistent with the Funds' investment objectives.
The Funds may have limited legal recourse in the event of a default with
respect to certain sovereign debt obligations it holds. For example, remedies
from defaults on certain sovereign debt obligations, unlike those on private
debt, must, in some cases, be pursued in the courts of the defaulting party
itself. Legal recourse therefore may be significantly diminished. Bankruptcy,
moratorium and other similar laws applicable to issuers of sovereign debt
obligations may be substantially different from those applicable to issuers of
private debt obligations. The political context, expressed as the willingness
of an issuer of sovereign debt obligations to meet the terms of the debt
obligation, for example, is of considerable importance. In addition, no
assurance can be given that the holders of
37
commercial bank debt will not contest payments to the holders of securities
issued by foreign governments in the event of default under commercial bank
loan agreements.
EFFECTS OF BORROWING. A Fund's loan agreements provide for additional
borrowings and for repayments and reborrowings from time to time, and each Fund
that may borrow expects to effect borrowings and repayments at such times and
in such amounts as will maintain investment leverage in an amount approximately
equal to its borrowing target. The loan agreements provide for a selection of
interest rates that are based on the bank's short-term funding costs in the
U.S. and London markets.
Borrowings by a Fund result in leveraging of the Fund's shares of common stock.
Utilization of leverage, which is usually considered speculative, however,
involves certain risks to a Fund's shareholders. These include a higher
volatility of the net asset value of a Fund's shares of common stock and the
relatively greater effect on the net asset value of the shares. So long as a
Fund is able to realize a net return on its investment portfolio that is higher
than the interest expense paid on borrowings, the effect of leverage will be to
cause the Fund's shareholders to realize a higher current net investment income
than if the Fund were not leveraged. On the other hand, interest rates on U.S.
Dollar-denominated and foreign currency-denominated obligations change from
time to time as does their relationship to each other, depending upon such
factors as supply and demand forces, monetary and tax policies within each
country and investor expectations. Changes in such factors could cause the
relationship between such rates to change so that rates on U.S.
Dollar-denominated obligations may substantially increase relative to the
foreign currency-denominated obligations in which the Fund may be invested. To
the extent that the interest expense on borrowings approaches the net return on
a Fund's investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to the Fund's
shareholders will be reduced, and if the interest expense on borrowings were to
exceed the net return to shareholders, a Fund's use of leverage would result in
a lower rate of return than if a Fund were not leveraged. Similarly, the effect
of leverage in a declining market could be a greater decrease in net asset
value per share than if the Fund were not leveraged. In an extreme case if a
Fund's current investment income were not sufficient to meet the interest
expense on borrowings, it could be necessary for the Fund to liquidate certain
of its investments, thereby reducing the net asset value of a Fund's shares.
In the event of an increase in rates on U.S. Government securities or other
changed market conditions, to the point where leverage by MULTI-MARKET
STRATEGY, GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME or NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME could
adversely affect the Funds' shareholders, as noted above, or in anticipation of
such changes, each Fund may increase the percentage of its investment portfolio
invested in U.S. Government securities, which would tend to offset the negative
impact of leverage on Fund shareholders. Each Fund may also reduce the degree
to which it is leveraged by repaying amounts borrowed.
Under the 1940 Act, a Fund is not permitted to borrow unless immediately after
such borrowing there is "asset coverage," as that term is defined and used in
the 1940 Act, of at least 300% for all borrowings of the Fund. In addition,
under the 1940 Act, in the event asset coverage falls below 300%, a Fund must
within three days reduce the amount of its borrowing to such an extent that the
asset coverage of its borrowings is at least 300%. Assuming, for example,
outstanding borrowings representing not more than one-third of a Fund's total
assets less liabilities (other than such borrowings), the asset coverage of the
Fund's portfolio would be 300%; while outstanding borrowings representing 25%
of the Fund's total assets less liabilities (other than such borrowings), the
asset coverage of the Fund's portfolio would be 400%. A Fund will maintain
asset coverage of outstanding borrowings of at least 300% and if necessary
will, to the extent possible, reduce the amounts borrowed by making repayments
from time to time in order to do so. Such repayments could require a Fund to
sell portfolio securities at times considered disadvantageous by Alliance. In
the event that a Fund is required to sell portfolio securities in order to make
repayments, such sales of portfolio securities could cause the Fund to incur
related transaction costs and might cause the Fund to realize gains on
securities held for less than three months. Because not more than 30% of a
Fund's gross income may be derived from the sale or disposition of stocks and
securities held for less than three months to maintain the Fund's tax status as
a regulated investment company, such gains would limit the ability of a Fund to
sell other securities held for less than three months that a Fund might wish to
sell in the ordinary course of its portfolio management and thus might
adversely affect the Fund's yield. See "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes."
GLOBAL STATEGIC INCOME may borrow in order to purchase securities or make other
investments. Each of MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME,
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME and GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT may also borrow to
repurchase its shares or to meet redemption requests. In addition, each Fund
may borrow for temporary purposes (including the purposes mentioned in the
preceding sentence) in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of the assets of
the Fund. Borrowings for temporary purposes are not subject to the 300% asset
average limit described above. See "Certain Fundamental Investment Policies."
SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT, MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
INCOME, GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL STATEGIC INCOME may also borrow
through the use of reverse repurchase agreements, and GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT
and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME also through the use of dollar rolls to the extent
permitted by the 1940 Act. See "Investment Objectives and Policies-Reverse
Repurchase Agreements and Dollar Rolls."
38
INVESTMENT IN THE BANKING INDUSTRY. Due to the investment policies of
MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, WORLD INCOME and SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET with respect to
investments in the banking industry, those Funds will have greater exposure to
the risk factors which are characteristic of such investments. In particular,
the value of and investment return on each Fund's shares will be affected by
economic or regulatory developments in or related to the banking industry.
Sustained increases in interest rates can adversely affect the availability and
cost of funds for a bank's lending activities, and a deterioration in general
economic conditions could increase the exposure to credit losses. The banking
industry is also subject to the effects of: the concentration of loan
portfolios in particular business such as real estate, energy, agriculture or
high technology-related companies; national and local regulation; and
competition within those industries as well as with other types of financial
institutions. In addition, each Fund's investments in commercial banks located
in several foreign countries are subject to additional risks due to the
combination in such banks of commercial banking and diversified securities
activities. As discussed above, however, the Funds will seek to minimize their
exposure to such risks by investing only in debt securities which are
determined to be of high quality.
SECURITIES RATINGS. The ratings of fixed-income securities by S&P, Moody's,
Duff & Phelps and Fitch are a generally accepted barometer of credit risk. They
are, however, subject to certain limitations from an investor's standpoint. The
rating of an issuer is heavily weighted by past developments and does not
necessarily reflect probable future conditions. There is frequently a lag
between the time a rating is assigned and the time it is updated. In addition,
there may be varying degrees of difference in credit risk of securities within
each rating category.
INVESTMENT IN FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES RATED BAA AND BBB. Securities rated Baa
or BBB are considered to have speculative characteristics and share some of the
same characteristics as lower-rated securities, as described below. Sustained
periods of deteriorating economic conditions or of rising interest rates are
more likely to lead to a weakening in the issuer's capacity to pay interest and
repay principal than in the case of higher-rated securities.
INVESTMENT IN LOWER-RATED FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES. Lower-rated securities are
subject to greater risk of loss of principal and interest than higher-rated
securities. They are also generally considered to be subject to greater market
risk than higher-rated securities, and 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. Securities rated Ba or BB are judged to have
speculative elements or to be predominantly speculative with respect to the
issuer's ability to pay interest and repay principal. Securities rated B are
judged to have highly speculative elements or to be predominantly speculative.
Such securities may have small assurance of interest and principal payments.
Securities rated Baa by Moody's are also judged to have speculative
characteristics.
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 such securities and, in turn, the Fund's assets.
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 considering investments for the Fund,
Alliance will attempt to identify those high-yielding securities whose
financial condition is adequate to meet future obligations, has improved, or is
expected to improve in the future. Alliance's analysis focuses on relative
values based on such factors as interest or dividend coverage, asset coverage,
earnings prospects, and the experience and managerial strength of the issuer.
NON-RATED SECURITIES. Non-rated securities will also be considered for
investment by NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME, GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT,
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME and CORPORATE BOND when Alliance believes that the
financial condition of the issuers of such securities, or the protection
afforded by the terms of the securities themselves, limits the risk to the Fund
to a degree comparable to that of rated securities which are consistent with
the Fund's objective and policies.
NON-DIVERSIFIED STATUS. Each of WORLD INCOME, SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET,
MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME, GLOBAL DOLLAR
GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL STATEGIC INCOME is a "non-diversified" investment
company, which means the Fund is not limited in the proportion of its assets
that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer. However, each Fund
intends to conduct its operations so as to qualify to be taxed as a "regulated
investment company" for purposes of the Code, which will relieve the Fund of
any liability for federal income tax to the extent its earnings are distributed
to shareholders. See "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes" in each Fund's
Statement of Additional Information. To so qualify, among other requirements,
each Fund will limit its investments so that, at the close of each quarter of
the taxable year, (i) not more than 25% of the Fund's total assets will be
invested in the securities of a single issuer, and (ii) with respect to 50% of
its total assets, not more than 5% of its total assets will be invested in the
securities of a single issuer and the Fund will not own more than 10% of the
outstanding voting securities of a single issuer. A Fund's investments in U.S.
Government securities are not subject to these limitations. Because each of
WORLD INCOME, SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET, MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN
GOVERNMENT INCOME, GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL STATEGIC INCOME is a
non-diversified
39
investment company, it may invest in a smaller number of individual issuers
than a diversified investment company, and an investment in such Fund may,
under certain circumstances, present greater risk to an investor than an
investment in a diversified investment company.
Foreign government securities are not treated like U.S. Government securities
for purposes of the diversification tests described in the preceding paragraph,
but instead are subject to these tests in the same manner as the securities of
non-governmental issuers. In this regard sovereign debt obligations issued by
different issuers located in the same country are often treated as issued by a
single issuer for purposes of these diversification tests. Certain issuers of
structured securities and loan participations may be treated as separate
issuers for the purposes of these tests. Accordingly, in order to meet the
diversification tests and thereby maintain its status as a regulated investment
company, each of GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME and NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME
will be required to diversify its portfolio of foreign government securities in
a manner which would not be necessary if the Fund had made similar investments
in U.S. Government securities.
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES
_______________________________________________________________________________
HOW TO BUY SHARES
You can purchase shares of any of the Funds through broker-dealers, banks or
other financial intermediaries, or directly through Alliance Fund Distributors,
Inc. ("AFD"), each Fund's principal underwriter. The minimum initial investment
in each Fund (except WORLD INCOME) is $250. The minimum for subsequent
investments in each Fund is $50. Investments of $25 or more are allowed under
the automatic investment program of each Fund. Share certificates are issued
only upon request. See the Subscription Application and Statements of
Additional Information for more information.
Existing shareholders may make subsequent purchases by electronic funds
transfer if they have completed the Telephone Transactions section of the
Subscription Application or the Shareholder Options form obtained from Alliance
Fund Services, Inc. ("AFS"), each Fund's registrar, transfer agent and dividend
disbursing agent. Telephone purchase orders can be made by calling (800)
221-5672, may not exceed $500,000, must be received by the Fund by 3:00 p.m.
Eastern time on a Fund business day and will be made at the next day's net
asset value (less any applicable sales charge).
Each Fund (except WORLD INCOME) offers three classes of shares, Class A, Class
B and Class C. WORLD INCOME offers only one class of shares, which may be
purchased without any initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge
("CDSC"). The Funds may refuse any order to purchase shares. In this regard,
the Funds reserve the right to restrict purchases of Fund shares (including
through exchanges) when they appear to evidence a pattern of frequent purchases
and sales made in response to short-term considerations.
CLASS A SHARES-INITIAL SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVE
You can purchase Class A shares at net asset value plus an initial sales
charge, as follows:
Initial Sales Charge
as % of Commission to
Net Amount as % of Dealer/Agent as %
Amount Purchased Invested Offering Price of Offering Price
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than $100,000 4.44% 4.25% 4.00%
$100,000 to less than $250,000 3.36 3.25 3.00
$250,000 to less than $500,000 2.30 2.25 2.00
$500,000 to less than $1,000,000 1.78 1.75 1.50
On purchases of $1,000,000 or more, you pay no initial sales charge but may pay
a CDSC equal to 1% of the lesser of net asset value at the time of redemption
or original cost if you redeem within one 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 in
accordance with 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 Statements of Additional Information.
CLASS B SHARES-DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVE
You can purchase Class B shares at net asset value without an initial sales
charge. However, you may pay a CDSC if you redeem shares within three years
after purchase. The amount of the CDSC (expressed as a percentage of the lesser
of the current net asset value or original cost) will vary according to the
number of years from the purchase of Class B shares until the redemption of
those shares.
The amount of the CDSC for each Fund is as set forth below. Class B shares of a
Fund purchased prior to the date of this Prospectus may be subject to a
different CDSC schedule, which was disclosed in the Fund's prospectus in use at
the time of purchase and is set forth in the Fund's current Statement of
Additional Information.
Year Since Purchase CDSC
- -------------------------------
First 3.0%
Second 2.0%
Third 1.0%
Thereafter None
Class B shares are subject to higher distribution fees than Class A shares for
a period of six years (after which they convert to Class A shares). The higher
fees mean a higher expense ratio, so Class B shares pay correspondingly lower
dividends and may have a lower net asset value than Class A shares.
40
CLASS C SHARES-ASSET-BASED SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVE
You can purchase Class C shares without any initial sales charge. A Fund will
thus receive the full amount of your purchase, and, if you hold your shares for
one year or more, you will receive the entire net asset value of your shares
upon redemption. Class C shares incur higher distribution fees than Class A
shares and do not convert to any other class of shares of the Fund. The higher
fees mean a higher expense ratio, so Class C shares pay correspondingly lower
dividends and may have a lower net asset value than Class A shares.
Class C shares redeemed within one year of purchase will be subject to a CDSC
equal to 1% of the lesser of their original cost or net asset value at the time
of redemption.
APPLICATION OF THE CDSC
Shares obtained from dividend or distribution reinvestment are not subject to
the CDSC. The CDSC is deducted from the amount of the redemption and is paid to
AFD. The CDSC will be waived on redemptions of shares following the death or
disability of a shareholder, to meet the requirements of certain qualified
retirement plans or pursuant to a monthly, bimonthly or quarterly systematic
withdrawal plan. See the Statements of Additional Information.
HOW THE FUNDS VALUE THEIR SHARES
The net asset value of each class of shares of a Fund is calculated by dividing
the value of the Fund's net assets allocable to that class by the outstanding
shares of that class. Shares are valued each day the New York Stock Exchange
(the "Exchange") is open as of the close of regular trading (currently 4:00
p.m. Eastern time). The securities in a Fund are valued at their current market
value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if such quotations are
not readily available, such other methods as the Fund's Directors and Trustees
believe would accurately reflect fair market value.
GENERAL
The decision as to which class of shares is most 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
Class A shares. If you are making a smaller investment, you might consider
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, as long as the shares are held
for one year or more, no CDSC. Consult your financial agent. 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 $5,000,000.
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,
including Equico Securities, Inc., an affiliate of AFD, in connection with the
sale of shares of the Funds. Such 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, such 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.
Such 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 and their immediate family members 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.
HOW TO SELL SHARES
You may "redeem", i.e., sell your shares in a Fund to the Fund on any day the
Exchange is open, either directly or through your financial intermediary. The
price you will receive is the net asset value (less any applicable CDSC) next
calculated after the Fund receives your request in proper form. Proceeds
generally will be sent to you within seven days. However, for shares recently
purchased by check or electronic funds transfer, a Fund will not send proceeds
until it is reasonably satisfied that the check or electronic funds transfer
has been collected (which may take up to 15 days).
SELLING SHARES THROUGH YOUR BROKER
Your broker must receive your request before 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, and your
broker must transmit your request to the Fund by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time, for
you to receive that day's net asset value (less any applicable CDSC). Your
broker is responsible for furnishing all necessary documentation to a Fund and
may charge you for this service.
SELLING SHARES DIRECTLY TO A FUND
Send a signed letter of instruction or stock power form to AFS, along with
certificates, if any, that represent the shares you want to sell. For your
protection, signatures must be guaranteed by a bank, a member firm of a
national stock exchange or other eligible guarantor institution. 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. For
details contact:
Alliance Fund Services
P.O. Box 1520
Secaucus, NJ 07096-1520
800-221-5672
Alternatively, a request for redemption of shares for which no stock
certificates have been issued can also be made by telephone to 800-221-5672.
Telephone redemption requests must be made by 4 p.m. Eastern time on a Fund
business day in order to receive that day's net asset value, and may be made
only once in any 30-day period. A shareholder who has completed the Telephone
Transactions section of the Subscription Application, or the Shareholder
Options form obtained from AFS, can elect to have the proceeds of his or her
41
redemption sent to his or her bank via an electronic funds transfer. Proceeds
of telephone redemptions also may be sent by check to a shareholder's address
of record. Redemption requests by electronic funds transfer may not exceed
$100,000 and redemption requests by check may not exceed $50,000. Telephone
redemption is not available for shares held in nominees or "street name"
accounts or retirement plan accounts or shares held by a shareholder who has
changed his or her address of record within the previous 30 calendar days.
GENERAL
The sale of shares is a taxable transaction for federal tax purposes. 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
reaching AFS by telephone, in which event you should issue written instructions
to AFS. AFS is not responsible for the authenticity of telephonic 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 telephonic 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 Application. A shareholder manual
explaining all available services will be provided upon request. To request a
shareholder manual, call 800-227-4618.
HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES
You may exchange your shares of WORLD INCOME for Class A shares of other
Alliance Mutual Funds and shares of most Alliance money market funds. You may
exchange your shares of any other Fund 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 net asset values next
determined, without sales or service charges. Exchanges may be made by
telephone or written request. Telephone exchange requests must be received by
AFS 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 the 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 AFS at 800-221-5672 to exchange
uncertificated shares. An exchange is a taxable capital transaction for federal
tax purposes. The exchange service may be changed, suspended, or terminated on
60 days' written notice.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS
_______________________________________________________________________________
ADVISER
Alliance, which is a Delaware limited partnership with principal offices at
1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105, has been retained under
an advisory agreement (the "Advisory Agreement") to provide investment advice
and, in general, to conduct the management and investment program of each Fund,
subject to the general supervision and control of the Directors or Trustees of
the Fund.
Alliance is a leading international investment manager supervising client
accounts with assets as of June 30, 1996 totaling more than $168 billion (of
which more than $55 billion represented the assets of investment companies).
Alliance's clients are primarily major corporate employee benefit funds, public
employee retirement systems, investment companies, foundations and endowment
funds. The 51 registered investment companies managed by Alliance comprising
more than 100 separate investment portfolios currently have over two million
shareholders. As of June 30, 1996, Alliance was retained as an investment
manager of employee benefit assets for 33 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, Alliance, 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, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Equitable Companies
Incorporated, a holding company controlled by AXA, a French insurance holding
company. Certain information concerning the ownership and control of Equitable
by AXA is set forth in each Fund's Statement of Additional Information under
"Management of the Fund."
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, and each person's principal
occupation during the past five years.
Principal occupation
Employee; time period; during the past
Fund title with ACMC five years
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short-Term U.S. Patricia J. Young since 1995 Associated with Alliance
Government -Senior Vice President since March 1992; prior
thereto, a managing
director and portfolio
manager for Hyperion
Capital since March
1991.
42
Principal occupation
Employee; time period; during the past
Fund title with ACMC five years
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paul A. Ullman Associated with Alliance
since 1995-Vice President since March 1992; prior
thereto, a director and
portfolio manager for
Hyperion Capital since
July 1990.
U.S. Government Wayne D. Lyski since 1983 Associated with
-Executive Vice President Alliance.
Paul J. DeNoon since Associated with Alliance
January 1992- since January 1992;
Vice President prior thereto, a
Vice President at
Manufacturers
Hanover Trust.
Limited Maturity Patricia J. Young since (see above)
Government inception -(see above)
Paul A. Ullman since (see above)
inception-(see above)
Mortgage Securities Patricia J. Young since (see above)
Income March 1992-(see above)
Paul A. Ullman since (see above)
March 1992-(see above)
World Income Douglas J. Peebles since Associated with
inception-Vice President Alliance.
Short-Term Douglas J. Peebles since (see above)
Multi-Market 1995-(see above)
Multi-Market Strategy Douglas J. Peebles since (see above)
inception-(see above)
North American Wayne D. Lyski since (see above)
Government Income inception -(see above)
Global Dollar Wayne D. Lyski since (see above)
Government inception -(see above)
Global Strategic Wayne D. Lyski since (see above)
Income inception -(see above)
Douglas J. Peebles since (see above)
inception-(see above)
Corporate Bond Wayne D. Lyski since (see above)
1987-(see above)
Paul J. DeNoon since (see above)
January 1992-(see above)
DISTRIBUTION SERVICES AGREEMENTS
Rule 12b-1 adopted by the Commission under the 1940 Act permits an investment
company to pay expenses associated with the distribution of its shares in
accordance with a duly adopted plan. Each Fund has adopted one or more "Rule
12b-1 plans" (for each Fund, a "Plan") and has entered into a Distribution
Services Agreement (the "Agreement") with AFD. Pursuant to its Plan, a Fund
pays to AFD a Rule 12b-1 distribution services fee, which may not exceed for
each Fund other than WORLD INCOME an annual rate of .30% (.50% with respect to
SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT) of the Fund's aggregate average daily net assets
attributable to the Class A shares, 1.00% of the Fund's aggregate average daily
net assets attributable to the Class B shares and 1.00% of the Fund's aggregate
average daily net assets attributable to the Class C shares, and for WORLD
INCOME may not exceed an annual rate of .90% of the Fund's aggregate average
daily net assets, for distribution expenses. The Trustees of SHORT-TERM U.S.
GOVERNMENT currently limit payments with respect to Class A shares under the
Plan to .30% of the Fund's aggregate average daily net assets attributable to
Class A shares. The Plans provide that a portion of the distribution services
fee in an amount not to exceed .25% of the aggregate average daily net assets
of each Fund attributable to each of Class A, Class B and Class C shares
constitutes a service fee used for personal service and/or the maintenance of
shareholder accounts.
The Plans provide that AFD will use the distribution services fee received from
a Fund in its entirety for payments (i) to compensate broker-dealers or other
persons for providing distribution assistance, (ii) to otherwise promote the
sale of shares of the Fund, and (iii) to compensate broker-dealers, depository
institutions and other financial intermediaries for providing administrative,
accounting and other services with respect to the Fund's shareholders. In this
regard, some payments under the Plans are used to compensate financial
intermediaries with trail or maintenance commissions in an amount equal to,
with respect to each Fund other than WORLD INCOME, .25%, annualized, with
respect to Class A shares and Class B shares, and 1.00%, annualized, with
respect to Class C shares, and, with respect to WORLD INCOME, .90%, annualized,
of the assets maintained in a Fund by their customers. Distribution services
fees received from WORLD INCOME and the other Funds, except SHORT-TERM U.S.
GOVERNMENT, with respect to Class A shares will not be used to pay any interest
expenses, carrying charges or other financing costs or allocation of overhead
of AFD. Distribution services fees received from the Funds, with respect to
Class B and Class C shares, may be used for these purposes. The Plans also
provide that Alliance may use its own resources to finance the distribution of
each Fund's shares.
The Funds are not obligated under the Plans to pay any distribution services
fee in excess of the amounts set forth above. Except as noted below for
SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT, with respect to Class A shares of each Fund,
distribution expenses accrued by AFD in one fiscal year may not be paid from
distribution services fees received from the Fund in subsequent fiscal years.
AFD's compensation with respect to Class B and Class C shares under the Plans
of the other Funds is directly tied to the expenses incurred by AFD. Actual
distribution expenses for Class B and Class C shares for any given year,
however, will probably exceed the distribution services fees payable under the
applicable Plan with respect to the class involved and, in the case of Class B
shares, payments received from CDSCs. The excess will be carried forward by AFD
and reimbursed from distribution services fees payable under the Plan with
respect to the class involved and payments subsequently received through CDSCs,
so long as the Plan is in effect. Since AFD's compensation under the Plan of
SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT is not directly tied to its expenses incurred, the
amount of compensation received by it during any year may be more or less than
its actual expenses.
43
Unreimbursed distribution expenses incurred as of the end of each 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 all Funds (except
SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT), were, as of that time, as follows:
Amount of Unreimbursed Distribution Expenses
(as % of Net Assets of Class)
--------------------------------------------
Class B Class C
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short-Term U.S. Government $ 468,418 (6.91%) $ 686,992 (14.17%)
U.S. Government $10,771,067 (1.71%) $2,913,843 (1.75%)
Limited Maturity Government $ 785,406 (.93%) $2,304,343 (3.37%)
Mortgage Securities Income $15,837,781 (2.15%) $2,076,306 (4.56%)
Short-Term Multi-Market $28,259,365 (5.40%) $1,036,535 (30.35%)
Multi-Market Strategy $10,014,626 (8.59%) $ 330,171 (42.03%)
North American Government Income $36,368,974 (3.24%) $2,736,736 (1.25%)
Global Dollar Government $ 1,921,057 (2.28%) $ 294,686 (2.03%)
Corporate Bond $ 6,818,208 (2.02%) $ 895,197 (1.08%)
The Plans are 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 Funds' management, based on the
advice of counsel, these laws do not prohibit such depository institutions from
providing services for investment companies such as the administrative,
accounting and other services referred to in the Agreements. In the event that
a change in these laws prevented a bank from providing such services, it is
expected that other service arrangements would be made and that shareholders
would not be adversely affected. The State of Texas requires that shares of a
Fund may be sold in that state only by dealers or other financial institutions
that are registered there as broker-dealers.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
_______________________________________________________________________________
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends on shares of a Fund will be declared on each Fund business day from
the Fund's net investment income. Dividends on shares for Saturdays, Sundays
and holidays will be declared on the previous business day. Each Fund pays
dividends on its shares after the close of business on the twentieth day of
each month or, if such day is not a business day, the first business day
thereafter. At your election (which you may change at least 30 days prior to
the record date for a particular dividend or distribution), dividends and
distributions are paid in cash or reinvested without charge in additional
shares of the same class having an aggregate net asset value as of the payment
date of the dividend or distribution equal to the cash amount thereof.
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 such
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.
Cash dividends can be paid by check or, if the shareholder so elects,
electronically via the ACH network. There is no sales or other charge in
connection with the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.
Dividends paid by a Fund, if any, with respect to Class A, Class B and Class C
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
fees applicable to Class B and Class C shares, and any incremental transfer
agency costs relating to Class B shares, will be borne exclusively by the class
to which they relate.
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 timing of any such dividend or distribution must
necessarily depend upon the realization by such 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.
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.
FOREIGN INCOME TAXES
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 or deductions for foreign
income taxes paid, but there can be no assurance that any Fund will be able to
do so.
44
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
Each Fund intends to qualify to be taxed as a "regulated investment company"
under the Code. To the extent that a Fund distributes its taxable income and
net capital gain to its shareholders, qualification as a regulated investment
company relieves that Fund of federal income and excise taxes on that part of
its taxable income including net capital gains which it pays out to its
shareholders. Dividends out of net ordinary income and distributions of net
short-term capital gains are taxable to the recipient shareholders as ordinary
income. In the case of corporate shareholders, such dividends from certain
Funds may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction, but only to the
extent of qualifying dividends received by the Fund.
The excess of net long-term capital gains over the net short-term capital
losses realized and distributed by each Fund to its shareholders as capital
gains distributions is taxable to the shareholders as long-term capital gains,
irrespective of the length of time a shareholder may have held his or her
stock. Long-term capital gains distributions are not eligible for the
dividends-received deduction referred to above.
Under the current federal tax law the amount of an income dividend or capital
gains distribution declared by a Fund during October, November or December of a
year to shareholders of record as of a specified date in such a month that is
paid during January of the following year is includable in the prior year's
taxable income of shareholders that are calendar year taxpayers.
Any dividend or distribution received by a shareholder on shares of a Fund will
have the effect of reducing the net asset value of such shares by the amount of
such dividend or distribution. Furthermore, a dividend or distribution made
shortly after the purchase of such shares by a shareholder, although in effect
a return of capital to that particular shareholder, would be taxable to him or
her as described above. If a shareholder held shares six months or less and
during that period received a distribution taxable to such shareholder as
long-term capital gain, any loss realized on the sale of such shares during
such six-month period would be a long-term capital loss to the extent of such
distribution.
A dividend or capital gains distribution with respect to shares of a 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, 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.
Distributions by a Fund may be subject to state and local taxes. U.S.
GOVERNMENT, LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT, MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME, WORLD
INCOME, SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET, MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN
GOVERNMENT INCOME and CORPORATE BOND are qualified to do business in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and, therefore, are subject to the Pennsylvania
foreign franchise and corporate net income tax in respect of their business
activities in Pennsylvania. Accordingly, shares of such Funds are exempt from
Pennsylvania personal property taxes. These Funds anticipate continuing such
business activities but reserve the right to suspend them at any time,
resulting in the termination of the exemptions.
A Fund will be required to withhold 31% of any payments made to a shareholder
if the shareholder has not provided a certified taxpayer identification number
to the Fund, or the Secretary of the Treasury notifies a Fund that a
shareholder has not reported all interest and dividend income required to be
shown on the shareholder's Federal income tax return.
Under certain circumstances, if a Fund realizes losses 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. See
"Dividends, Distributions and Taxes" in the Statement of Additional
Information. Shareholders will be advised annually as to the federal tax status
of dividends and capital gains distributions made by a Fund for the preceding
year. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding their own
tax situation.
Shareholders will be advised annually as to the federal tax status of dividends
and capital gains distributions made by a Fund for the preceding year.
Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding their own tax
situation.
GENERAL INFORMATION
_______________________________________________________________________________
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Consistent with the Conduct Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc., and subject to seeking best price and execution, a
Fund may consider sales of its shares as a factor in the selection of dealers
to enter into portfolio transactions with the Fund.
ORGANIZATION
Each of the following Funds is a Maryland corporation organized in the year
indicated: U.S. GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO and CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO (each a
series of Alliance Bond Fund, Inc.) (1973), ALLIANCE LIMITED MATURITY
GOVERNMENT FUND, INC. (1992), ALLIANCE MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME FUND, INC.
(1983), ALLIANCE WORLD INCOME TRUST, INC. (1990), ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM
MULTI-MARKET TRUST, INC. (1989), ALLIANCE MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY TRUST, INC.
(1991), ALLIANCE NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST, INC. (1992), ALLIANCE
GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT FUND, INC. (1993), and ALLIANCE GLOBAL STRATEGIC
INCOME TRUST, INC. (1995). Prior to March 1, 1996, ALLIANCE LIMITED MATURITY
GOVERNMENT FUND, INC. was known as Alliance Mortgage Strategy Trust, Inc. Prior
to January 4, 1993, CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO was known as Monthly Income
Portfolio. ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND is a series of The Alliance
Portfolios, a Massachusetts business trust that was organized in 1987. Prior to
August 2, 1993, The Alliance Portfolios was known as The Equitable Funds and
SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT was known as The Equitable Short-Term U.S.
Government Fund.
It is anticipated that annual shareholder meetings will not be held;
shareholder meetings will be held only when required by federal, or in the case
of the Funds organized as Maryland corporations, state law. Shareholders have
available certain procedures for the removal of Directors or Trustees.
45
A shareholder in a Fund will be entitled to share pro rata with other holders
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 Funds are
empowered to establish, without shareholder approval, additional portfolios,
which may have different investment objectives, and additional classes of
shares. If an additional portfolio or class were established in a 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 or Trustees, that
affect each portfolio and class in substantially the same manner. Class A,
Class B and Class C shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and
other rights, except that each class bears its own distribution and transfer
agency expenses. Each class of shares votes separately with respect to a 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 Trustees and, in
liquidation of a Fund, are entitled to receive the net assets of the Fund.
Since this Prospectus sets forth information about all the Funds, it is
theoretically possible that a Fund might be liable for any materially
inaccurate or incomplete disclosure in this Prospectus concerning another Fund.
Based on the advice of counsel, however, the Funds believe that the potential
liability of each Fund with respect to the disclosure in this Prospectus
extends only to the disclosure relating to that Fund. Certain additional
matters relating to a Fund's organization are discussed in its Statement of
Additional Information.
PENDING LEGAL PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME
On July 25, 1995, a Consolidated and Supplemental Class Action Complaint
("Complaint") styled IN RE ALLIANCE NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST,
INC. SECURITIES LITIGATION was filed in the United States District Court for
the Southern District of New York against the Fund, Alliance, ACMC, AFD, The
Equitable Companies Incorporated, a parent of Alliance, certain officers of the
Fund, certain current and former directors of the Fund, certain current and
former officers of ACMC and certain directors of ACMC, alleging violations of
federal securities laws, fraud and breach of fiduciary duty in connection with
the Fund's investments in Mexican and Argentine securities. The Complaint seeks
certification of a plaintiff class of all persons who purchased or owned Class
A, B or C shares of the Fund from March 27, 1992 through December 23, 1994. The
Complaint alleges that as of the date of the Complaint, the Fund's losses
exceeded $750,000,000. The Complaint seeks as relief unspecified damages, costs
and attorneys' fees.
The principal allegations of the Complaint are that upon the advice of Alliance
the Fund purchased debt securities issued by the Mexican and Argentine
governments in amounts that were not permitted by the Fund's investment
objective, and that there was no shareholder vote to change the investment
objective to permit purchases in such amounts. The Complaint further alleges
that the decline in the value of the Mexican and Argentine securities held by
the Fund caused the Fund's net asset value to decline to the detriment of the
Fund's shareholders.
On September 26, 1995, defendants jointly filed a motion to dismiss the
Complaint in its entirety. On September 26, 1996, the District Court granted
defendants' motion to dismiss the Complaint as to all claims asserted by
plaintiffs. On October 11, 1996, plaintiffs filed a motion for reconsideration
of the District Court's decision. The Fund and Alliance believe that the
allegations in the Complaint are without merit and intend to vigorously defend
against these claims.
REGISTRAR, TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND-DISBURSING AGENT
AFS, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Alliance, located at 500 Plaza
Drive, Secaucus, New Jersey 07094, acts as each Fund's registrar, transfer
agent and dividend-disbursing agent for a fee based upon the number of
shareholder accounts maintained for the Fund. The transfer agency fee with
respect to Class B shares will be higher than the transfer agency fee with
respect to Class A shares or Class C shares.
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
AFD, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Alliance, located at 1345 Avenue of
the Americas, New York, New York 10105, is the principal underwriter of shares
of the Funds.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time, the Funds advertise their "yield" and "total return," which
are computed separately for Class A, Class B and Class C shares. A Fund's yield
for any 30-day (or one-month) period is computed by dividing the net investment
income per share earned during such period by the maximum public offering price
per share on the last day of the period, and then annualizing such 30-day (or
one-month) yield in accordance with a formula prescribed by the Commission
which provides for compounding on a semi-annual basis. A Fund may also state in
sales literature an "actual distribution rate" for each class which is computed
in the same manner as yield except that actual income dividends declared per
share during the period in question are substituted for net investment income
per share. The actual distribution rate is computed separately for Class A,
Class B and Class C shares. Advertisements of a Fund's total return disclose
its average annual compounded total return for the periods prescribed by the
Commission. A 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 a Fund are assumed to have been reinvested when
paid and the maximum sales charges applicable to purchases and redemptions of a
Fund's shares are assumed to have been paid. A Fund's advertisements may quote
performance rankings or ratings of a Fund by financial publications or
independent organizations such as Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. and
Morningstar, Inc. or compare a Fund's performance to various indices.
46
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This Prospectus and the Statements of Additional Information, which have been
incorporated by reference herein, do not contain all the information set forth
in the Registration Statements filed by the Funds with the Commission under the
Securities Act. Copies of the Registration Statements 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.
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH
OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
THIS PROSPECTUS IS INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE AN OFFER BY EACH FUND ONLY OF THE
SECURITIES OF WHICH IT IS THE ISSUER AND IS NOT INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE AN OFFER
BY ANY FUND OF THE SECURITIES OF ANY OTHER FUND WHOSE SECURITIES ARE ALSO
OFFERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS. NO FUND INTENDS TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION AS TO
THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE DISCLOSURE IN THIS PROSPECTUS RELATING TO
ANY OTHER FUND. SEE "GENERAL INFORMATION-ORGANIZATION."
47
APPENDIX A: BOND RATINGS
_______________________________________________________________________________
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.
Aaa-Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry
the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt
edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are
likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair
the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa-Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards.
Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high
grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of
protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of
protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements
present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than the Aaa
securities.
A-Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are
to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present
which suggest a susceptibility to impairment some time in the future.
Baa-Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade obligations, i.e.,
they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payment and
principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba-Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered as well-assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
B-Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa-Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest.
Ca-Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C-Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing.
Absence of Rating-When no rating has been assigned or where a rating has been
suspended or withdrawn, it may be for reasons unrelated to the quality of the
issue.
Should no rating be assigned, the reason may be one of the following:
1. An application for rating was not received or accepted.
2. The issue or issuer belongs to a group of securities or companies that are
not rated as a matter of policy.
3. There is a lack of essential data pertaining to the issue or issuer.
4. The issue was privately placed, in which case the rating is not published
in Moody's publications.
Suspension or withdrawal may occur if new and material circumstances arise, the
effects of which preclude satisfactory analysis; if there is no longer
available reasonable up-to-date data to permit a judgment to be formed; if a
bond is called for redemption; or for other reasons.
Note-Moody's applies numerical modifiers, 1, 2 and 3 in each generic rating
classification from Aa through B in its corporate bond rating system. The
modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of its generic
rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier
3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating
category.
STANDARD & POOR'S
AAA-Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to pay
interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA-Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
and differs from the highest rated issues only in small degree.
A-Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.
BBB-Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest
and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for
debt in this category than in higher rated categories.
BB, B, CCC, CC, C-Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C is regarded as having
predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay
interest and repay principal. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and
CCC the highest. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective
characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures
to adverse conditions.
A-1
CI-The rating CI is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being
paid.
D-Debt rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when
interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due even if
the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such
payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be used
upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are
jeopardized.
Plus (+) or Minus (-)-The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the
addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major
rating categories.
NR-Not rated.
DUFF & PHELPS CREDIT RATING CO.
AAA-Highest credit quality. The risk factors are negligible, being only
slightly more than for risk-free U.S. Treasury debt.
AA+,AA, AA- -High credit quality. Protection factors are strong. Risk is modest
but may vary slightly from time to time because of economic conditions.
A+, A, A- -Protection factors are average but adequate. However, risk factors
are more variable and greater in periods of economic stress.
BBB+, BBB, BBB- -Below average protection factors but still considered
sufficient for prudent investment. Considerable variability in risk during
economic cycles.
BB+, BB, BB- -Below investment grade but deemed likely to meet obligations when
due. Present or prospective financial protection factors fluctuate according to
industry conditions or company fortunes. Overall quality may move up or down
frequently within this category.
B+, B, B- -Below investment grade and possessing risk that obligations will not
be met when due. Financial protection factors will fluctutate widely according
to economic cycles, industry conditions and/or company fortunes. Potential
exists for frequent changes in the rating within this category or into a higher
or lower rating grade
CCC-Well below investment grade securities. Considerable uncertainty exists as
to timely payment of principal or interest. Protection factors are narrow and
risk can be substantial with unfavorable economic/industry conditions, and/or
with unfavorable company developments.
DD-Defaulted debt obligations. Issuer failed to meet scheduled principal and/or
interest payments.
FITCH INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.
AAA-Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit quality.
The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay interest and repay
principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably foreseeable events.
AA-Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is very strong, although
not quite as strong as bonds rated AAA. Because bonds rated in the AAA and AA
categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable future developments,
short-term debt of these issuers is generally rated F- 1+.
A-Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be
strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions
and circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.
BBB-Bonds considered to be investment grade and of satisfactory credit quality.
The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be
adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances, however,
are more likely to have adverse impact on these bonds, and therefore impair
timely payment. The likelihood that the ratings of these bonds will fall below
investment grade is higher than for bonds with higher ratings.
BB-Bonds are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to pay interest and
repay principal may be affected over time by adverse economic changes. However,
business and financial alternatives can be identified which could assist the
obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements.
B-Bonds are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this class are
currently meeting debt service requirements, the probability of continued
timely payment of principal and interest reflects the obligor's limited margin
of safety and the need for reasonable business and economic activity throughout
the life of the issue.
CCC-Bonds have certain identifiable characteristics which, if not remedied, may
lead to default.
The ability to meet obligations requires an advantageous business and economic
environment.
CC-Bonds are minimally protected. Default in payment of interest and/or
principal seems probable over time.
C-Bonds are in imminent default in payment of interest or principal.
DDD, DD, D-Bonds are in default on interest and/or principal payments. Such
bonds are extremely speculative and should be valued on the basis of their
ultimate recovery value in liquidation or reorganization of the obligor. DDD
represents the highest potential for recovery on these bonds, and D represents
the lowest potential for recovery.
Plus (+) Minus (-)-Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol to
indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus and
minus signs, however, are not used in the AAA, DDD, DD or D categories.
NR-Indicates that Fitch does not rate the specific issue.
A-2
APPENDIX B:
GENERAL INFORMATION
ABOUT CANADA, MEXICO AND ARGENTINA
_______________________________________________________________________________
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT CANADA
Canada consists of a federation of ten Provinces and two federal territories
(which generally fall under federal authority) with a constitutional division
of powers between the federal and Provincial governments. The Parliament of
Canada has jurisdiction over all areas not assigned exclusively to the
Provincial legislatures, and has jurisdiction over such matters as the federal
public debt and property, the regulation of trade and commerce, currency and
coinage, banks and banking, national defense, the postal services, navigation
and shipping and unemployment insurance.
The Canadian economy is based on the free enterprise system, with business
organizations ranging from small owner-operated businesses to large
multinational corporations. Manufacturing and resource industries are large
contributors to the country's economic output, but as in many other highly
developed countries, there has been a gradual shift from a largely
goods-producing economy to a predominantly service-based one. Agriculture and
other primary production play a small but key role in the economy. Canada is
also an exporter of energy to the United States in the form of natural gas (of
which Canada has substantial reserves) and hydroelectric power, and has
significant mineral resources.
Canadian Dollars are fully exchangeable into U.S. Dollars without foreign
exchange controls or other legal restriction. Since the major developed-country
currencies were permitted to float freely against one another, the range of
fluctuation in the U.S. Dollar/Canadian Dollar exchange rate has been narrower
than the range of fluctuation between the U.S. Dollar and most other major
currencies. During the last several years, Canada has experienced a weakening
of its currency. In January 1995, the Canadian Dollar fell to a nine-year low
against the U.S. Dollar, decreasing in value compared to the U.S. Dollar by
approximately 25% from October 1991, but from January 20, 1995, through October
25, 1996, the Canadian Dollar increased in value by approximately 5.9% against
the U.S. Dollar. The range of fluctuation that occurred in the past is not
necessarily indicative of the range of fluctuation that will occur in the
future. Future rates of exchange cannot be accurately predicted.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE UNITED MEXICAN STATES
The United Mexican States ("Mexico") is a nation formed by 31 states and a
Federal District (Mexico City). The Political Constitution of Mexico, which
took effect on May 1, 1917, established Mexico as a Federal Republic and
provides for the separation of executive, legislative and judicial branches.
The President and the members of the General Congress are elected by popular
vote.
While in recent years the Mexican economy has experienced improvement in a
number of areas, including seven consecutive years (1987-1994) of growth in
gross domestic product and a substantial reduction in the rate of inflation and
in public sector financial deficit, beginning in 1994, Mexico has experienced
an economic crisis that led to the devaluation of the Peso in December 1994.
Much of the past improvement in the Mexican economy has been attributable to a
series of economic policy initiatives initiated by the Mexican government over
the past decade, which seek to modernize and reform the Mexican economy,
control inflation, reduce the financial deficit, increase public revenues
through the reform of the tax system, establish a competitive and stable
currency exchange rate, liberalize trade restrictions and increase investment
and productivity, while reducing the government's role in the economy. In this
regard, the Mexican government has been proceeding with a program for
privatizing certain state owned enterprises, developing and modernizing the
securities markets, increasing investment in the private sector and permitting
increased levels of foreign investment. The adoption effective January 1, 1994
by Canada, the United States and Mexico of the North American Free Trade
Agreement could also contribute to the growth of the Mexican economy.
In 1994 Mexico faced internal and external conditions that resulted in an
economic crisis that continues to affect the Mexican economy adversely. Growing
trade and current account deficits, which could no longer be financed by
inflows of foreign capital, were factors contributing to the crisis. A
weakening economy and unsettling political and social developments caused
investors to lose confidence in the Mexican economy. This resulted in a large
decline in foreign reserves followed by a sharp and rapid devaluation of the
Mexican Peso. The ensuing economic and financial crisis resulted in higher
inflation and domestic interest rates, a contraction in real gross domestic
product and a liquidity crisis.
In response to the adverse economic conditions that developed at the end of
1994, the Mexican government instituted a new economic program; and a new
social accord among the government, business and labor sectors of the country
was entered into in an effort to stabilize the economy and the financial
markets. To help relieve Mexico's liquidity crisis and restore financial
stability to Mexico's economy, the Mexican government also obtained financial
assistance from the United States, other countries and certain international
agencies conditioned upon the implementation and continuation of the economic
reform program.
While the Mexican economy has stabilized, it is just beginning to emerge from a
recession and continues to suffer from high inflation and high interest rates.
Its gross domestic product grew in the second quarter of 1996 after declining
for five consecutive quarters. In October 1995, the Mexican government
announced a new accord designed to encourage economic growth and reduce
inflation. It cannot be accurately predicted whether this accord will achieve
its purpose. Mexico's economy may also be influenced by international economic
conditions, particularly those in the United States, and by world prices for
oil and other commodities. The recovery of the economy will require
B-1
continued economic and fiscal discipline as well as stable political and social
conditions. There is no assurance that Mexico's economic policy initiatives
will be successful or that succeeding administrations will continue these
initiatives.
In August 1976, the Mexican government established a policy of allowing the
Mexican Peso to float against the U.S. Dollar and other currencies. Under this
policy, the value of the Mexican Peso consistently declined against the U.S.
Dollar. Under economic policy initiatives implemented since December 1987, the
Mexican government introduced a series of schedules allowing for the gradual
devaluation of the Mexican Peso against the U.S. Dollar. These gradual
devaluations continued until December 1994. On December 20, 1994, the Mexican
government announced a new policy that would allow a more substantial yet still
controlled devaluation of the Mexican Peso. On December 22, 1994, the Mexican
government announced that it would not continue with the policy announced two
days earlier and would instead permit the Peso to float against other
currencies, resulting in a continued decline against the U.S. Dollar. From
December 22, 1994 through October 25, 1996, the Mexican Peso decreased in value
compared to the U.S. Dollar by approximately 64%.
In 1982, Mexico imposed strict foreign exchange controls which shortly
thereafter were relaxed and were eliminated in 1991. There is no assurance that
future regulatory actions in Mexico would not affect the Fund's ability to
obtain U.S. Dollars in exchange for Mexican Pesos.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE REPUBLIC OF ARGENTINA
The Republic of Argentina ("Argentina") consists of 23 provinces and the
federal capital of Buenos Aires. Its federal constitution provides for an
executive branch headed by a President, a legislative branch and a judicial
branch. Each province has its own constitution, and elects its own governor,
legislators and judges, without the intervention of the federal government.
The military has intervened in the political process on several occasions since
the 1930's and has ruled the country for 22 of the past 65 years. The most
recent military government ruled the country from 1976 to 1983. Four
unsuccessful military uprisings have occurred since 1983, the most recent in
December 1990.
Shortly after taking office in 1989, the country's current President adopted
market-oriented and reformist policies, including a large privatization
program, a reduction in the size of the public sector and an opening of the
economy to international competition.
In the decade prior to the current announcement of a new economic plan in March
1991, the Argentine economy was characterized by low and erratic growth,
declining investment rates and rapidly worsening inflation. Despite its
strengths, which include a well-balanced natural resource base and a high
literacy rate, the Argentine economy failed to respond to a series of economic
plans in the 1980's. The 1991 economic plan represented a pronounced departure
from its predecessors in calling for raising revenues, cutting expenditures and
reducing the public deficit. The extensive privatization program commenced in
1989 was accelerated, the domestic economy deregulated and opened up to foreign
trade and the frame-work for foreign investment reformed. As a result of the
economic stabilization reforms, gross domestic product increased for four
consecutive years before declining in 1995 and the rate of inflation has
continued to decrease.
Significant progress was also made between 1991 and 1994 in rescheduling
Argentina's debt with both external and domestic creditors, which improved
fiscal cash flows in the medium terms and allowed a return to voluntary credit
markets. Further reforms are currently being implemented in order to sustain
and continue the progress to date. There is no assurance that Argentina's
economic policy initiatives will be successful or that succeeding
administrations will continue these initiatives.
In 1995 economic policy was directed toward the effects of the Mexican currency
crisis. The Mexican currency crisis led to a run on bank deposits, which has
been brought under control by a series of measures designed to strengthen the
financial system. The measures included the "dollarization" of banking
reserves, the establishment of two trust funds and strengthening bank reserve
requirements.
In 1991 the Argentine government enacted currency reforms, which required the
domestic currency to be fully backed by international reserves, in an effort to
make the Argentine Peso fully convertible into the U.S. Dollar at a rate of one
to one.
The Argentine Peso has been the Argentine currency since January 1, 1992. Since
that date, the rate of exchange from the Argentine Peso to the U.S. Dollar has
remained approximately one to one. The fixed exchange rate has been
instrumental in stabilizing the economy, but has not reduced pressures from a
slow-growth economy and high rates of unemployment. It is not clear that the
government will be able to resist pressure to devalue the currency. However,
the historic range is not necessarily indicative of fluctuations that may occur
in the exchange rate over time and future rates of exchange cannot be
accurately predicted. The Argentine foreign exchange market was highly
controlled until December 1989, when a free exchange rate was established for
all foreign currency transactions. Argentina has eliminated restrictions on
foreign direct investment and capital repatriation. On September 8, 1993,
legislation was adopted abolishing previous requirements of a three-year
waiting period for capital repatriation. Under the new legislation, foreign
investors will be permitted to remit profits at any time.
B-2
ALLIANCE SUBSCRIPTION APPLICATION
_______________________________________________________________________________
THE ALLIANCE BOND FUNDS
SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND
U.S. GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT FUND
MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME FUND
WORLD INCOME TRUST
SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST
MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY TRUST
NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST
GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT FUND
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME
CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO
INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS
_______________________________________________________________________________
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:
> Individuals, Joint Tenants and Gift/Transfer to a Minor:
. Indicate your name(s) exactly as it appears on your social security card.
> Trust/Other:
. Indicate the name of the entity exactly as it appeared on the notice you
received from the IRS when your Employer Identification number was
assigned.
SECTION 2 YOUR ADDRESS (REQUIRED)
Complete in full.
SECTION 3 YOUR INITIAL INVESTMENT (REQUIRED)
For each fund in which you are investing: 1) Write the dollar amount of your
initial purchase in the column corresponding to the class of shares you have
chosen (If you are eligible for a reduced sales charge, you must also complete
Section 4F) 2) Circle a distribution option for your dividends 3) Circle 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 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.
B. 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.
C. 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.
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 pre-printed 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.
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.
Investments made by check or EFT will not be made available for up to 15
CALENDAR DAYS, following the purchase date.
IF WE CAN ASSIST YOU IN ANY WAY, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL US AT: (800)
221-5672.
SUBSCRIPTION APPLICATION
_______________________________________________________________________________
THE ALLIANCE BOND FUNDS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT THE FRONT OF THE APPLICATION)
1. YOUR ACCOUNT REGISTRATION (PLEASE PRINT)
_______________________________________________________________________________
__ INDIVIDUAL OR JOINT ACCOUNT
_______________________________________________________________________________
Owner's Name (First Name) (MI) (Last Name)
_________________________________________________
Social Security Number (Required to open account)
_______________________________________________________________________________
Joint Owner's Name* (First Name ) (MI) (Last Name)
*JOINT TENANTS WITH RIGHT OF SURVIVORSHIP UNLESS ALLIANCE FUND SERVICES IS
INFORMED OTHERWISE.
__ GIFT/TRANSFER TO A MINOR
_______________________________________________________________________________
Custodian - One Name Only (First Name) (MI) (Last Name)
_______________________________________________________________________________
Minor (First Name) (MI) (Last Name)
___________________________________________________________
Minor's Social Security Number (Required to open account)
Under the State of____(Minor's Residence) Uniform Gifts/Transfer to Minor's Act
__ TRUST ACCOUNT
_______________________________________________________________________________
Name of Trustee
_______________________________________________________________________________
Name of Trust
_______________________________________________________________________________
Name of Trust (cont'd)
_______________________________________________________________________________
Trust Dated Tax ID or Social Security Number (Required to open account)
__ OTHER
_______________________________________________________________________________
Name of Corporation,Partnership,Investment only retirement plan or other Entity
__________________________ __________________________________________________
Tax ID Number Trustee Name (Retirement Plans Only)
2. YOUR ADDRESS
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Street
_______________________________________________________________________________
City State Zip Code
_______________________________________________________________________________
If Non-U.S., Specify Country
_____________________________________ _______________________________________
Daytime Phone Evening Phone
I am a: __ U.S. Citizen __ Non-Resident Alien
__ Resident Alien __ Other
FOR ALLIANCE USE ONLY
3. YOUR INITIAL INVESTMENT
_______________________________________________________________________________
THE MINIMUM INVESTMENT IS $250 PER FUND. THE MAXIMUM INVESTMENT IN CLASS B IS
$250,000; CLASS C IS $5,000,000.
I hereby subscribe for shares of the following Alliance Bond Fund(s) and elect
distribution options as indicated.
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 (the $250 minimum investment requirement
applies to Funds into which distributions are directed).
BROKER/DEALER USE ONLY
WIRE CONFIRM #
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS OF SHARES
----------------------------------------
CONTINGENT DISTRIBUTIONS OPTIONS
MAKE ALL CHECKS PAYABLE TO: INITIAL DEFERRED ASSET-BASED *CIRCLE*
ALLIANCE FUND SERVICES SALES CHARGE SALES CHARGE SALES CHARGE ------------------------
ALLIANCE FUND NAME A B C DIVIDENDS CAPITAL GAINS
- --------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ --------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Short-Term U.S. Government $ (37) $ (51) $ (337) R C D R C D
U.S. Government (46) (76) (346) R C D R C D
Limited Maturity Gov't. (88) (89) (388) R C D R C D
Mortgage Securities Income (52) (63) (352) R C D R C D
World Income (54) not offered not offered R C D R C D
Short-Term Multi-Market (70) (68) (370) R C D R C D
Multi-Market Strategy (22) (23) (322) R C D R C D
North American Government (55) (56) (355) R C D R C D
Global Dollar Government (166) (266) (366) R C D R C D
Global Strategic Income (124) (224) (324) R C D R C D
Corporate Bond+ (95) (295) (395) R C D R C D
TOTAL INVESTMENT $ $ $
</TABLE>
FOR CLASS A AND CLASS C ONLY:
To apply for checkwriting privileges, please complete the signature card to the
left. The minimum amount any check can be written for is $500. The
checkwriting privilege is not transferable to any other fund account. If the
account registration is changed, the check writing privilege terminates and
must be reapplied for.
+ Checkwriting service not offered on Corporate Bond Fund and World Income
Trust.
A contingent deferred sales charge may be assessed on check amounts written
against your account.
SIGNATURE CARD NAME OF FUND:
CLASS A OR CLASS C ACCOUNT #
(if known)
________________________________ _____________________
ACCOUNT NAME(S) AS REGISTERED
_________________________________________________________
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
_________________________________________________________
AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE(S) - for joint accounts, all owners, or their legal
representatives, must sign this card.
1. _______________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________________
Check One Box
__All the above signatures are required on checks written against this account.
__Any one signature is acceptable on checks written against this account.
__A combination of signatures is required (specify number).
SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS PRINTED ON REVERSE SIDE. STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
COMPANY
MY SOCIAL SECURITY (TAX IDENTIFICATION ) NUMBER IS: __________________________
4. YOUR SHAREHOLDER OPTIONS
_______________________________________________________________________________
A. AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLANS (AIP)
__ WITHDRAW FROM MY BANK ACCOUNT*
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 and attach a voided check).
Monthly Dollar
Amount Day of Withdrawal
Fund Name ($25 minimum) (1st thru 31st) Circle "all" or applicable months
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
__________ ______________ _________________ All J F M A M J J A S O N D
__________ ______________ _________________ All J F M A M J J A S O N D
__________ ______________ _________________ All J F M A M J J A S O N D
__________ ______________ _________________ All J F M A M J J A S O N D
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 another Alliance fund within the same class of shares.
From" Fund Account "To" Fund Account #
"From" Fund Name #" (if existing) "To" Fund Name (if existing)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
__ New
_________________ __________________ _________________ __ Existing
__ New
_________________ __________________ _________________ __ Existing
__ New
_________________ __________________ _________________ __ Existing
__ New
_________________ __________________ _________________ __ Existing
__ EXCHANGE SHARES MONTHLY
I authorize Alliance to transact monthly exchanges between my fund accounts as
listed below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
"From" Fund Account # Dollar Amount Day of Exchange** "To" Fund Account #
"From" Fund Name (if existing) ($25 minimum) (1st thru 31st) "To" Fund Name (if existing)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
__ New
________________ _____________________ ______________ _________________ _______________ __ Existing
__ New
________________ _____________________ ______________ _________________ _______________ __ Existing
__ New
________________ _____________________ ______________ _________________ _______________ __ Existing
__ New
________________ _____________________ ______________ _________________ _______________ __ Existing
</TABLE>
**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. Only
available within the same class of shares.
B. SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLANS (SWP)
In order to establish a SWP, you must reinvest all dividends and capital gains
and own or purchase shares of the Fund having a current net asset value of at
least:
.$10,000 for monthly payments,
.$5,000 for bi-monthly payments,
.$4,000 for quarterly or less frequent payments
__ I authorize Alliance to transact periodic redemptions from my fund account
and send the proceeds to me as indicated below.
Fund Name and Dollar Amount Circle "all" or
Class of Shares ($50 minimum) applicable months
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
____________________ ______________________ All J F M A M J J A S O N D
____________________ ______________________ All J F M A M J J A S O N D
____________________ ______________________ All J F M A M J J A S O N D
____________________ ______________________ All J F M A M J J A S O N D
PLEASE SEND MY SWP PROCEEDS TO:
__ MY CHECKING ACCOUNT (VIA EFT) - Currently Class A and Class C only
I would like to have these payments occur on or about the _________(1st-31st)
of the months circled above. (Complete Section 4D for the bank account you
wish to use and attach a voided check)
__ MY ADDRESS OF RECORD (VIA CHECK)
__ THE PAYEE AND ADDRESS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 4E (VIA CHECK)
60042GEN-BONDApp
C. 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:
. Review the information in the Prospectus about telephone transaction
services.
. 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. In the case of shares purchased by check, redemption proceeds may not
be made available until the Fund is reasonably assured that the check has
cleared, normally 15 calendar days after the purchase date.
D. BANK INFORMATION
This bank account information will be used for:
__ Distributions (Section 3) __ Automatic Investments (Section 4A)
__ Systematic Withdrawals (Section 4B) __ Telephone Transactions (Section 4C)
Please attach a voided check:
Tape Pre-printed Voided Check Here.
We Cannot Establish These Services Without it.
Your bank must be a member of the National Automated Clearing House Association
(NACHA) in order to have EFT transactions processed to your fund account.
For EFT transactions, the fund requires signatures of bank account owners
exactly as they appear on bank records.
E. THIRD PARTY PAYMENT DETAILS
This third party payee information will be used for:
__ Distributions (Section 3) __ Systematic Withdrawals (Section 4B)
_______________________________________________________________________________
Name
_______________________________________________________________________________
Address - Line 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
Address - Line 2
_______________________________________________________________________________
Address - Line 3
F. REDUCED CHARGES (CLASS A ONLY)
If you, your spouse or minor children own shares in other Alliance funds, you
may be eligible for a reduced sales charge. Please complete the Right of
Accumulation section or the Statement of Intent section.
A. RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION
__ Please link the tax identification numbers or account numbers listed below
for Right of Accumulation privileges, so that this and future purchases will
receive any discount for which they are eligible.
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.
_________________________ __________________________ ________________________
Tax ID or Account # Tax ID or Account # Tax ID or Account #
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 have no
change within the last 30 days. The maximum telephone redemption amount is
$50,000. This service can be enacted once every 30 days.
__ I do NOT elect the telephone exchange service.
__ I do NOT elect the telephone redemption by check service.
I CERTIFY UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY THAT THE NUMBER SHOWN IN SECTION 1 OF THIS
FORM IS MY CORRECT TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER AND THAT
I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED THAT THIS ACCOUNT IS SUBJECT TO BACKUP WITHHOLDING.
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.
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 Acceptance Date
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
_______________________________________________________________________________
Representative Number
_______________________________________________________________________________
Branch Office Address
_______________________________________________________________________________
City State Zip Code
_______________________________________________________________________________
Branch Number Branch Phone
The payment of funds is authorized by the signature(s) appearing on the reverse
side.
If this card is signed by more than one person, all checks will require all
signatures appearing on the reverse side unless a lesser number is indicated.
If no indication is given, all checks will require all signatures. Each
signatory guarantees the genuineness of the other signatures.
The Bank is hereby appointed agent by the person(s) signing this card (the
"Depositor[s]") and, as agent, is authorized and directed to present checks
drawn on this checking account to Alliance __________________________________
("the Fund") or its transfer agent as requests to redeem shares of "the Fund"
registered in the name of the Depositor(s) in the amounts of such checks and to
deposit the proceeds of such redemptions in this checking account. The Bank
shall be liable only for its own negligence.
The Depositor(s) agrees to be subject to the rules and regulations of the Bank
pertaining to this checking account as amended from time to time. The Bank and
"the Fund" reserve the right to change, modify or terminate this checking
account and authorization at any time.
CHECKS MAY NOT BE FOR LESS THAN $500 or such other minimum amount as may from
time to time be established by "the Fund" upon prior written notice to its
shareholders. Shares purchased by check (including certified or cashier's
check) will not be redeemed within 15 calendar days of such purchase by
checkwriting or any other method of redemption.
No checkwriting available on Alliance World Income and Alliance Corporate Bond.
ENCLOSE THIS CARD WITH THE APPLICATION FORM
<PAGE>
THE ALLIANCE BOND FUNDS
_______________________________________________________________________________
P.O. BOX 1520, SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY 07096-1520
TOLL FREE (800) 221-5672
FOR LITERATURE: TOLL FREE (800) 227-4618
PROSPECTUS AND APPLICATION
(ADVISOR CLASS)
NOVEMBER 1, 1996
U.S. GOVERNMENT FUNDS GLOBAL BOND FUNDS
- - -ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM U.S. -ALLIANCE NORTH AMERICAN
GOVERNMENT FUND GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST
- - -U.S. GOVERNMENT -ALLIANCE GLOBAL DOLLAR
PORTFOLIO GOVERNMENT FUND
- - -ALLIANCE LIMITED MATURITY -ALLIANCE GLOBAL STRATEGIC
GOVERNMENT FUND INCOME TRUST
MORTGAGE FUND CORPORATE BOND FUND
- - -ALLIANCE MORTGAGE -CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO
SECURITIES INCOME FUND
MULTI-MARKET FUNDS
- - -ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM
MULTI-MARKET TRUST
- - -ALLIANCE MULTI-MARKET
STRATEGY TRUST
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
The Funds at a Glance 2
Expense Information 4
Glossary 7
Description of the Funds 8
Investment Objectives and Policies 8
Additional Investment Practices 15
Certain Fundamental Investment Policies 26
Risk Considerations 27
Purchase and Sale of Shares 32
Management of the Funds 33
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes 34
General Information. 35
Appendix A: Bond Ratings A-1
Appendix B: General Information About Canada,
Mexico and Argentina B-1
Adviser
Alliance Capital Management L.P.
1345 Avenue Of The Americas
New York, New York 10105
The Alliance Bond Funds provide a broad selection of investment alternatives to
investors seeking high current income. The U.S. Government Funds invest mainly
in U.S. Government securities and the Mortgage Fund invests in mortgage-related
securities, while the Multi-Market Funds diversify their investments among debt
markets around the world and the Global Bond Funds invest primarily in foreign
government securities. The Corporate Bond Fund invests primarily in corporate
debt securities.
Each fund or portfolio (each a 'Fund') is, or is a series of, an open-end
management investment company. This Prospectus sets forth concisely the
information which a prospective investor should know about each Fund before
investing. A 'Statement of Additional Information' for each Fund that provides
further information regarding certain matters discussed in this Prospectus and
other matters that may be of interest to some investors has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and is incorporated herein by reference. For
a free copy, write Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the indicated address or
call the 'For Literature' telephone number shown above.
This Prospectus offers the Advisor Class shares of each Fund which may be
purchased at net asset value without any initial or contingent deferred sales
charges and without ongoing distribution expenses. Advisor Class shares are
offered solely to (i) investors participating in fee-based programs meeting
certain standards established by Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc., each Fund's
principal underwriter, and (ii) participants in self-directed defined
contribution employee benefit plans (e.g., 401(k) plans) that meet certain
minimum standards. See 'Purchase and Sale of Shares.'
AN INVESTMENT IN THESE SECURITIES IS NOT A DEPOSIT OR OBLIGATION OF, OR
GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY, ANY BANK AND IS NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL
DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD OR ANY OTHER AGENCY.
INVESTORS ARE ADVISED TO READ THIS PROSPECTUS CAREFULLY AND TO RETAIN IT FOR
FUTURE REFERENCE.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
ALLIANCE
MUTUAL FUNDS WITHOUT THE MYSTERY.
R/SM These are registered marks used under licenses from the owner, Alliance
Capital Management L.P.
1
THE FUNDS AT A GLANCE
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information contained in this Prospectus.
THE FUNDS' INVESTMENT ADVISER IS . . .
Alliance Capital Management L.P. ('Alliance'), a global investment manager
providing diversified services to institutions and individuals through a broad
line of investments including 107 mutual funds. Since 1971, Alliance has earned
a reputation as a leader in the investment world with over $156 billion in
assets under management as of March 1, 1996. Alliance provides investment
management services to 34 of the FORTUNE 100 companies.
U.S. GOVERNMENT FUNDS
SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND
SEEKS . . . High current income consistent with preservation of capital.
INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . A diversified portfolio of U.S. Government
securities.
U.S. GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
SEEKS . . . As high a level of current income as is consistent with safety of
principal.
INVESTS SOLELY IN . . . A diversified portfolio of U.S. Government securities
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.
LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT FUND
SEEKS . . . The highest level of current income, consistent with low volatility
of net asset value.
INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . U.S. Government securities, including
mortgage-related securities, and repurchase agreements relating to U.S.
Government securities.
MORTGAGE FUND
MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME FUND
SEEKS . . . A high level of current income consistent with prudent investment
risk.
INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . A diversified portfolio of mortgage-related
securities.
MULTI-MARKET FUNDS
SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST
SEEKS . . . The highest level of current income through investment in a
portfolio of high-quality debt securities having remaining maturities of not
more than three years.
INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . A non-diversified portfolio of debt securities
denominated in the U.S. Dollar and selected foreign currencies. While the Fund
normally will maintain a substantial portion of its assets in debt securities
denominated in foreign currencies, the Fund will invest at least 25% of its net
assets in U.S. Dollar-denominated securities.
MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY TRUST
SEEKS . . . The highest level of current income that is available from a
portfolio of high-quality debt securities having remaining maturities of not
more than five years.
INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . A non-diversified portfolio of debt securities
denominated in the U.S. Dollar and selected foreign currencies. The Fund
expects to maintain at least 70% of its assets in debt securities denominated
in foreign currencies, but not more than 25% of the Fund's total assets may be
invested in debt securities denominated in a single currency other than the
U.S. Dollar.
GLOBAL BOND FUNDS
NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST
SEEKS . . . The highest level of current income that is available from a
portfolio of investment grade debt securities issued or guaranteed by the
governments of the United States, Canada and Mexico.
INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . A non-diversified portfolio of government securities
denominated in the U.S. Dollar, the Canadian Dollar and the Mexican Peso, and
expects to maintain at least 25% of its assets in securities denominated in the
U.S. Dollar. In addition, the Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in
debt securities issued by governmental entities in Argentina.
2
GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT FUND
SEEKS . . . Primarily a high level of current income and, secondarily, capital
appreciation.
INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . A non-diversified portfolio of sovereign debt
obligations and in U.S. and non-U.S. corporate fixed-income securities.
Substantially all of the Fund's assets are invested in lower-rated securities.
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME TRUST
SEEKS . . . Primarily a high level of current income and secondarily capital
appreciation.
INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . a non-diversified portfolio of fixed-income
securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers.
CORPORATE BOND FUND
CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO
SEEKS . . . Primarily to maximize income over the long term; secondarily, the
Fund will attempt to increase its capital through appreciation of its
investments.
INVESTS PRIMARILY IN . . . A diversified portfolio of U.S. Dollar-denominated
corporate bonds issued by domestic and foreign issuers that give promise of
relatively attractive yields.
A WORD ABOUT RISK . . .
The prices of the shares of the Alliance Bond Funds will fluctuate as the daily
prices of the individual bonds in which they invest fluctuate, so that your
shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
Price fluctuations may be caused by changes in the general level of interest
rates or changes in bond credit quality ratings. Changes in interest rates have
a greater effect on bonds with longer maturities than those with shorter
maturities. Some of the Funds invest in high-yield, high-risk bonds that are
rated below investment grade and are considered to have predominantly
speculative characteristics. The prices of non-U.S. Dollar denominated bonds
also fluctuate with changes in foreign exchange rates. Investment in the Global
Bond Funds, the Multi-Market Funds and any other Fund that may invest a
significant amount of its assets in non-U.S. securities involves risks not
associated with Funds that invest primarily in securities of U.S. issuers.
While the Funds invest principally in fixed-income securities, in order to
achieve their investment objectives, the Funds may at times use certain types
of derivative instruments, such as options, futures, forwards and swaps. These
instruments involve risks different from, and, in certain cases, greater than,
the risks presented by more traditional investments. These risks are fully
discussed in this Prospectus. See 'Description of the Funds-Additional
Investment Practices' and '-Risk Considerations.'
GETTING STARTED . . .
Shares of the Funds are available through your financial representative. Each
Fund offers multiple classes of shares, of which only the Advisor Class is
offered by this Prospectus. Advisor Class shares may be purchased at net asset
value without any initial or contingent deferred sales charges and without
ongoing distribution fees. Advisor Class shares may be purchased solely by
investors (i) through accounts established under a fee-based program, sponsored
and maintained by a registered broker-dealer or other financial intermediary
and approved by Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc., each Fund's principal
underwriter, pursuant to which each investor pays an asset-based fee at an
annual rate of at least .50% of the assets in the investor's account, to the
broker-dealer or financial intermediary, or its affiliate or agent, for
investment advisory or administrative services, or (ii) 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. Shares of each Fund can be
purchased for a minimum initial investment of $250, and subsequent investments
can be made for as little as $50. Fee-based programs through which Advisor
Class shares may be purchased may impose different requirements with respect to
minimum initial and subsequent investment levels than described above. For
detailed information about purchasing and selling shares, see 'Purchase and
Sale of Shares.' Be sure to ask your financial representative about:
AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PROGRAM
RETIREMENT PLANS
SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS
DIVIDEND DIRECTION PLANS
AUTO EXCHANGE
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWALS
CHECK-WRITING
TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS
24 HOUR INFORMATION
Alliance
Mutual funds without the Mystery.
R/SM These are registered marks used under licenses from the owner, Alliance
Capital Management L.P.
3
EXPENSE INFORMATION
_______________________________________________________________________________
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES are one of several factors to consider when
you invest in a Fund. The following tables summarize your maximum transaction
costs from investing in the Advisor Class shares each Fund and estimated annual
expenses for Advisor Class of shares of each Fund. For each Fund, the
'Examples' below show the cumulative expenses attributable to a hypothetical
$1,000 investment, assuming a 5% annual return, in Advisor Class shares for the
periods specified.
ADVISOR CLASS SHARES
--------------------
Maximum sales charge imposed on purchases None
Sales charge imposed on dividend reinvestments None
Deferred sales charge None
Exchange fee None
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES EXAMPLES
- - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------------
SHORT-TERM U.S.
GOVERNMENT ADVISOR CLASS ADVISOR CLASS
- ---------------- ------------- -------------
Management fees(b)(after waiver) None After 1 year $11
Other expenses(a) 1.10% After 3 years $36
Total fund operating expenses 1.10%
U.S. GOVERNMENT ADVISOR CLASS ADVISOR CLASS
- ---------------- ------------- -------------
Management fees .53% After 1 year $ 7
Other expenses(a) .18% After 3 years $23
Total fund operating expenses .71%
LIMITED MATURITY
GOVERNMENT ADVISOR CLASS ADVISOR CLASS
- ---------------- ------------- -------------
Management fees .65% After 1 year $19
Other expenses After 3 years $58
Interest expense .73%
Other operating expenses(a) .46%
Total other expenses 1.19%
Total fund operating expenses 1.84%
MORTGAGE SECURITIES
INCOME ADVISOR CLASS ADVISOR CLASS
- --------------------- ------------- -------------
Management fees .51% After 1 year $14
Other expenses After 3 years $43
Interest expense .63%
Other operating expenses(a) .22%
Total other expenses .85%
Total fund operating expenses 1.36%
SHORT-TERM
MULTI-MARKET ADVISOR CLASS ADVISOR CLASS
- ---------------- ------------- -------------
Management fees .55% After 1 year $ 9
Other expenses(a) .38% After 3 years $30
Total fund operating expenses .93%
PLEASE REFER TO THE FOOTNOTES ON PAGE [ ] AND THE DISCUSSION FOLLOWING THESE
TABLES ON PAGE [ ].
4
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES EXAMPLES
- ------------------------------------------------- ---------------------
MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY ADVISOR CLASS ADVISOR CLASS
- ------------------ ------------- -------------
Management fees .60% After 1 year $13
Other expenses After 3 years $41
Interest expense .05%
Other operating expenses(a) .65%
Total other expenses .70%
Total fund operating expenses 1.30%
NORTH AMERICAN
GOVERNMENT INCOME ADVISOR CLASS ADVISOR CLASS
- - ----------------- ------------- -------------
Management fees(c) .65% After 1 year $24
Other expenses After 3 years $72
Interest expense 1.11%
Other operating expenses(a) .56%
Total other expenses 1.67%
Total fund operating expenses 2.32%
GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT ADVISOR CLASS ADVISOR CLASS
- - ------------------------ ------------- -------------
Management fees .75% After 1 year $15
Other expenses(a) .73% After 3 years $47
Total fund operating expenses 1.48%
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME ADVISOR CLASS ADVISOR CLASS
- - ----------------------- ------------- -------------
Management fees .75% After 1 year $14
Other expenses(a) .64% After 3 years $44
Total fund operating expenses 1.39%
CORPORATE BOND ADVISOR CLASS ADVISOR CLASS
- - --------------- ------------- -------------
Management fees .63% After 1 year $ 9
Other expenses(a) .27% After 3 years $29
Total fund operating expenses .90%
(A) THESE EXPENSES INCLUDE A TRANSFER AGENCY FEE PAYABLE TO ALLIANCE FUND
SERVICES, INC., AN AFFILIATE OF ALLIANCE, BASED ON A FIXED DOLLAR AMOUNT
CHARGED TO THE FUND FOR EACH SHAREHOLDER'S ACCOUNT.
(B) NET OF VOLUNTARY FEE WAIVER AND EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT. IN THE ABSENCE
OF SUCH WAIVER AND EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT, THE MANAGEMENT FEE WOULD BE
.55%, OTHER EXPENSES WOULD BE 2.33% AND TOTAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
WOULD BE 2.88%.
(C) REPRESENTS .65 OF 1% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY VALUE OF THE FUND'S ADJUSTED
TOTAL NET ASSETS.
5
The purpose of the tables on pages 4 and 5 is to assist the investor in
understanding the various costs and expenses that an investor in a Fund will
bear directly or indirectly. The examples do not reflect any charges or
expenses imposed by your financial representative or your employee benefit
plan. The management fee rate of GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL
STRATEGIC INCOME TRUST are higher than that paid by most other investment
companies, but Alliance believes the fee is comparable to those paid by
investment companies of similar investment orientation. 'Other Expenses'
are based on estimated amounts for that Fund's current fiscal year. The
Examples set forth above assume reinvestment of all dividends and
distributions and utilize a 5% annual rate of return as mandated by
Commission regulations. THE EXAMPLES SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED
REPRESENTATIVE OF FUTURE EXPENSES; ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS
THAN THOSE SHOWN.
6
GLOSSARY
_______________________________________________________________________________
The following terms are frequently used in this Prospectus. Many of these terms
are explained in greater detail under 'Description of the Funds-Additional
Investment Practices' and in Appendix A.
BONDS are fixed, floating and variable rate debt obligations.
DEBT SECURITIES are bonds, debentures, notes, bills and repurchase agreements.
FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES are debt securities, convertible securities and
preferred stocks and include floating rate and variable rate instruments.
Fixed-income securities may be rated (or if unrated, for purposes of the Funds'
investment policies may be determined by Alliance to be of equivalent quality
to those rated) TRIPLE-A (Aaa or AAA), HIGH QUALITY (Aa or AA or above), HIGH
GRADE (A or above) or INVESTMENT GRADE (Baa or BBB or above) by, as the case
may be, Moody's, S&P, Duff & Phelps or Fitch, or may be lower-rated securities,
as defined below. In the case of 'split-rated' fixed-income securities (i.e.,
securities assigned non-equivalent credit quality ratings, such as Baa by
Moody's but BB by S&P, or, to take another example, Ba by Moody's and BB by S&P
but B by Fitch), a Fund will use the rating deemed by Alliance to be the most
appropriate under the circumstances.
LOWER-RATED SECURITIES are fixed-income securities rated Ba and BB or below, or
determined by Alliance to be of equivalent quality, and are commonly referred
to as 'junk bonds.'
EQUITY SECURITIES are common and preferred stocks, securities convertible into
common and preferred stocks and rights and warrants to subscribe for the
purchase of common and preferred stocks.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES are bonds, debentures, corporate notes and preferred
stocks that are convertible into common and preferred stock.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES are securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. These securities include
securities backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, those
supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury and those
backed only by the credit of the issuing agency itself. The first category
includes U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES (which are U.S. Treasury bills, notes and
bonds) and certificates issued by GNMA (see below). U.S. Government securities
not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States include
certificates issued by FNMA and FHLMC (see below).
MORTGAGE-RELATED SECURITIES are pools of mortgage loans that are assembled for
sale to investors (such as mutual funds) by various governmental,
government-related and private organizations. These securities include:
ARMS, which are adjustable-rate mortgage securities,
SMRS, which are stripped mortgage-related securities,
CMOS, which are collateralized mortgage obligations,
GNMA CERTIFICATES, which are securities issued by the Government National
Mortgage Association,
FNMA CERTIFICATES, which are securities issued by the Federal National
Mortgage Association, and
FHLMC CERTIFICATES, which are securities issued by the Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation.
INTEREST-ONLY or IO securities are debt securities that receive only the
interest payments on an underlying debt that has been structured to have two
classes, one of which is the IO class and another of which is the
PRINCIPAL-ONLY or PO class, which class receives only the principal payments on
the underlying debt obligation. POs are similar to, and are sometimes referred
to as, ZERO COUPON SECURITIES, which are debt securities issued without
interest coupons.
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES are securities issued or guaranteed, as to
payment of principal and interest, by a foreign government or any of its
political subdivisions, authorities, agencies or instrumentalities.
SOVEREIGN DEBT OBLIGATIONS are foreign government debt securities, loan
participations between foreign governments and financial institutions and
interests in entities organized and operated for the purpose of restructuring
the investment characteristics of foreign government securities.
WORLD BANK is the commonly used name for the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development.
LIBOR is the London Interbank Offered Rate.
MOODY'S is Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
S&P is Standard & Poor's Ratings Services.
DUFF & PHELPS is Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co.
FITCH is Fitch Investors Service, Inc.
PRIME COMMERCIAL PAPER is commercial paper rated Prime-1 or higher by Moody's,
A-1 or higher by S&P, Fitch-1 by Fitch or Duff 1 by Duff & Phelps. HIGHER
QUALITY COMMERCIAL PAPER is commercial paper rated at least Prime-2 by Moody's,
A-2 by S&P, Fitch-2 by Fitch or Duff 2 by Duff & Phelps.
QUALIFYING BANK DEPOSITS are certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and
interest-bearing savings deposits of banks having total assets of more than $1
billion and which are members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
RULE 144A SECURITIES are securities that may be resold pursuant to Rule 144A
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 'SECURITIES ACT').
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.
7
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS
_______________________________________________________________________________
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. No Fund will change a non-fundamental objective or policy without
notifying its shareholders. There is no guarantee that any Fund will achieve
its investment objective.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
U.S. GOVERNMENT FUNDS
The U.S. Government Funds are diversified investment companies that have been
designed to offer investors high current income consistent with preservation of
capital by investing primarily in U.S. Government securities.
ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND
Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund ('Short-Term U.S. Government') seeks
high current income consistent with preservation of capital by investing
primarily in a portfolio of U.S. Government securities. Under normal
circumstances, the Fund maintains an average dollar-weighted portfolio maturity
of not more than three years and invests at least 65% of its total assets in
U.S. Government securities and repurchase agreements and forward commitments
relating to U.S. Government securities. The Fund's investment objective is not
fundamental.
In addition to investing in U.S. Government securities, the Fund may invest a
portion of its assets in securities of non-governmental issuers. Although these
investments will be of high quality at the time of purchase, they generally
involve higher levels of credit risk than do U.S. Government securities, as
well as the risk (present with all fixed-income securities) of fluctuations in
value as interest rates change. The Fund will not be obligated to dispose of
any security whose credit quality falls below high quality.
The Fund may also (i) invest in certain SMRS, (ii) invest in variable, floating
and inverse floating rate instruments, (iii) make short sales 'against the
box,' (iv) enter into various hedging transactions, such as interest rate
swaps, caps and floors, (v) enter into reverse repurchase agreements, (vi)
purchase and sell futures contracts for hedging purposes, (vii) purchase and
sell call and put options on futures contracts or on securities, for hedging
purposes or to earn additional income, (viii) make secured loans of portfolio
securities, (ix) enter into repurchase agreements, and (x) purchase securities
for future delivery. The Fund may not invest more than 5% of its total assets
in securities the disposition of which is restricted under Federal securities
laws (excluding, to the extent permitted by applicable law, Rule 144A
securities). For additional information on the use, risks and costs of these
practices, see 'Additional Investment Practices.'
U.S. GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
U.S. Government Portfolio ('U.S. Government') seeks as high a level of current
income as is consistent with safety of principal. As a matter of fundamental
policy, the Fund pursues its objective by investing solely in U.S. Government
securities that are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
These include U.S. Treasury securities, including zero coupon Treasury
securities, and GNMA certificates, including certain SMRS and variable and
floating rate instruments. The average weighted maturity of the Fund's
portfolio of U.S. Government securities is expected to vary between one year or
less and 30 years. For additional information on the use, risks and cost of
these practices, see 'Additional Investment Practices.' The Fund's investment
objective is not fundamental.
Counsel to the Fund has advised the Fund that, in their view, shares of the
Fund are a legal investment for, among other investors, (i) savings and loan
associations and commercial banks chartered under the laws of the United
States, (ii) savings and loan associations chartered under the laws of Arizona,
Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas,
Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New
Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee,
Texas, Utah and Washington, (iii) credit unions chartered under the laws of
California, Florida*, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland*, Minnesota, Nevada, New York,
Ohio*, Pennsylvania*, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah and West Virginia, and (iv)
commercial banks chartered under the laws of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona,
California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii*, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota,
Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York,
North Carolina*, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island,
Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming. Institutions
in the asterisked(*) states should obtain prior state regulatory approval
before investing in shares of the Fund. In addition, the Fund believes that it
is currently a legal investment for savings and loan associations, credit
unions and commercial banks chartered under the laws of certain other states.
ALLIANCE LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT FUND
Alliance Limited Maturity Government Fund, Inc. ('Limited Maturity Government')
seeks the highest level of current income, consistent with low volatility of
net asset value. As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund normally has at
least 65% of the value of its total assets invested in U.S. Government
securities, including mortgage-related securities, and repurchase agreements
relating to U.S. Government securities. For a description of these securities,
see 'Additional Investment Practices.'
In pursuing its investment objective and policies, the Fund takes advantage of
a wide range of maturities of debt securities and adjusts the dollar-weighted
average maturity of its portfolio from time to time, depending on its
assessment of
8
relative yields on securities of different maturities and the expected effect
of future changes in interest rates on the market value of the Fund's
portfolio. At all times, however, each security held by the Fund has either a
final maturity of not more than 10 years or a duration not exceeding that of a
10-year Treasury note. Duration is a measure that relates the price volatility
of a security to changes in interest rates. The duration of a debt security is
the weighted average term to maturity, expressed in years, of the present value
of all future cash flows, including coupon payments and principal repayments.
Thus, by definition, duration is always less than or equal to full maturity.
The Fund believes that because of the nature of its assets, it is not exposed
to any material risk of loss as a result of default on its portfolio
securities. The Fund is, however, exposed to the risk that the prices of such
securities will fluctuate, in some cases significantly, as interest rates
change.
The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in (i) high quality
asset-backed securities, including mortgage-related securities that are not
U.S. Government securities, (ii) Treasury securities issued by private
corporate issuers, (iii) certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and
interest-bearing savings deposits of domestic and foreign banks having total
assets of more than $1 billion, (iv) higher quality commercial paper or, if not
rated, issued by companies that have outstanding high quality debt issues and
(v) high quality debt securities of corporate issuers.
The Fund may also (i) enter into futures contracts and purchase and write
options on futures contracts, (ii) enter into forward commitments for the
purchase or sale of securities, (iii) enter into interest rate swaps, caps and
floors, (iv) invest in Eurodollar instruments, (v) purchase and write put and
call options on foreign currencies, (vi) invest in variable, floating and
inverse floating rate instruments, (vii) enter into repurchase agreements
pertaining to the types of securities in which it invests, (viii) use reverse
repurchase agreements and dollar rolls and (ix) make secured loans of its
portfolio securities. For additional information on the use, risks and costs of
these investment practices, see 'Additional Investment Practices.'
The Fund may invest up to 15% of the value of its total assets in debt
securities denominated in U.S. Dollars or in foreign currencies and issued or
guaranteed by foreign governments or issued by foreign non-governmental
issuers, provided that such foreign debt securities are of high quality. The
percentage of the Fund's assets invested in foreign debt securities will vary
and its portfolio of foreign debt securities may include those of a number of
foreign countries or, depending upon market conditions, those of a single
country. See 'Risk Considerations-Foreign Investment.'
MORTGAGE FUND
ALLIANCE MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME FUND
Alliance Mortgage Securities Income Fund, Inc. ('Mortgage Securities Income')
is a diversified investment company that seeks a high level of current income
to the extent consistent with prudent investment risk. The Fund invests
primarily in a diversified portfolio of mortgage-related securities, including
CMOs, and, as a matter of fundamental policy, maintains at least 65% of its
total assets in mortgage-related securities.
The Fund expects that governmental, government-related or private entities may
create mortgage loan pools offering pass-through investments in addition to
those described in this Prospectus. The mortgages underlying these securities
may be instruments whose principal or interest payments may vary or whose terms
to maturity may differ from customary long-term fixed-rate mortgages. As new
types of mortgage-related securities are developed and offered to investors,
the Fund will consider making investments in such new types of securities. The
Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in lower-rated mortgage-related
securities. See 'Risk Considerations-Securities Ratings' and '-Investment in
Lower-Rated Fixed-Income Securities.' The average weighted maturity of the
Fund's portfolio of fixed-income securities is expected to vary between two and
ten years.
The Fund may invest up to 35% of the value of its total assets in (i) U.S.
Government securities, (ii) qualifying bank deposits, (iii) prime commercial
paper or, if not rated, issued by companies which have an outstanding high
quality debt issue, (iv) high grade debt securities secured by mortgages on
commercial real estate or residential rental properties, and (v) high grade
asset-backed securities.
The Fund may also (i) invest in repurchase agreements pertaining to the types
of securities in which it invests, (ii) enter into forward commitments for the
purchase or sale of securities, (iii) purchase put and call options written by
others and write covered put and call options on the types of securities in
which the Fund may invest for hedging purposes, (iv) enter into interest rate
swaps, caps and floors, (v) enter into interest rate futures contracts, (vi)
invest in variable floating and inverse floating rate instruments, and (vii)
lend portfolio securities. The Fund will not invest in illiquid securities if,
as a result, more than 10% of its total assets would be illiquid. For
additional information on the use, risk and costs of these practices, see
'Additional Investment Practices.'
MULTI-MARKET FUNDS
The Multi-Market Funds are non-diversified investment companies that have been
designed to offer investors a higher yield than a money market fund and less
fluctuation in net asset value than a longer-term bond fund.
ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST
ALLIANCE MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY TRUST
Alliance Short-Term Multi- Market Trust, Inc. ('Short-Term Multi-Market') and
Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust, Inc. ('Multi-Market Strategy') each seek
the highest level of current income, consistent with what Alliance considers to
be prudent investment risk, that is available from a portfolio of high quality
debt securities having remaining maturities of not more than, with respect to
SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET, three years, and with respect to MULTI-MARKET
STRATEGY, five years. Each Fund seeks
9
high current yields by investing in a portfolio of debt securities denominated
in the U.S. Dollar and selected foreign currencies. The Multi-Market Funds seek
investment opportunities in foreign, as well as domestic, securities markets.
SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET will normally maintain a substantial portion of its
assets in debt securities denominated in foreign currencies but will invest at
least 25% of its net assets in U.S. Dollar-denominated securities. MULTI-MARKET
STRATEGY normally expects to maintain at least 70% of its assets in debt
securities denominated in foreign currencies.
In pursuing their investment objectives, the Multi-Market Funds seek to
minimize credit risk and fluctuations in net asset value by investing only in
short-term debt securities. Normally, a high proportion of these Funds'
portfolios consists of money market instruments. Alliance actively manages the
Multi-Market Funds' portfolios in accordance with a multi-market investment
strategy, allocating a Fund's investments among securities denominated in the
U.S. Dollar and the currencies of a number of foreign countries and, within
each such country, among different types of debt securities. Alliance adjusts
each Multi-Market Fund's exposure to each currency such that the percentage of
assets invested in securities of a particular country or denominated in a
particular currency varies in accordance with Alliance's assessment of the
relative yield and appreciation potential of such securities and the relative
strength of a country's currency. Fundamental economic strength, credit quality
and interest rate trends are the principal factors considered by Alliance in
determining whether to increase or decrease the emphasis placed upon a
particular type of security or industry sector within the Fund's investment
portfolio. Neither of the Multi-Market Funds invests more than 25% of its net
assets in debt securities denominated in a single currency other than the U.S.
Dollar.
The returns available from short-term foreign currency-denominated debt
instruments can be adversely affected by changes in exchange rates. Alliance
believes that the use of foreign currency hedging techniques, including
'cross-hedges' (see 'Additional Investment Practices-Forward Foreign Currency
Exchange Contracts'), can help protect against declines in the U.S. Dollar
value of income available for distribution to shareholders and declines in the
net asset value of a Fund's shares resulting from adverse changes in currency
exchange rates. For example, the return available from securities denominated
in a particular foreign currency would diminish in the event the value of the
U.S. Dollar increased against such currency. Such a decline could be partially
or completely offset by an increase in value of a cross-hedge involving a
forward exchange contract to sell a different foreign currency, where such
contract is available on terms more advantageous to a Fund than a contract to
sell the currency in which the position being hedged is denominated. It is
Alliance's belief that cross-hedges can therefore provide significant
protection of net asset value in the event of a general rise in the U.S. Dollar
against foreign currencies. However, a cross-hedge cannot protect against
exchange rate risks perfectly, and if Alliance is incorrect in its judgment of
future exchange rate relationships, a Fund could be in a less advantageous
position than if such a hedge had not been established.
Each Multi-Market Fund invests in debt securities denominated in the currencies
of countries whose governments are considered stable by Alliance. In addition
to the U.S. Dollar, such currencies include, among others, the Australian
Dollar, Austrian Schilling, British Pound Sterling, Canadian Dollar, Danish
Krone, Dutch Guilder, European Currency Unit ('ECU'), French Franc, Irish
Pound, Italian Lira, Japanese Yen, Mexican Peso, New Zealand Dollar, Norwegian
Krone, Spanish Peseta, Swedish Krona, Swiss Franc and German Mark.
An issuer of debt securities purchased by a Multi-Market Fund may be domiciled
in a country other than the country in whose currency the instrument is
denominated. In addition, the Funds may purchase debt securities (sometimes
referred to as 'linked' securities) that are denominated in one currency while
the principal amounts of, and value of interest payments on, such securities
are determined with reference to another currency. In this regard, as of the
date of this Prospectus each Fund has invested in U.S. Dollar denominated
securities issued by Mexican issuers and/or Peso-linked securities. The value
of these investments may fluctuate inversely in correlation with changes in the
Peso-Dollar exchange rate and with the general level of interest rates in
Mexico. For a general description of Mexico, see Appendix B and each
Multi-Market Fund's Statement of Additional Information.
Each Multi-Market Fund may invest in debt securities denominated in the ECU,
which is a 'basket' consisting of specified amounts of the currencies of
certain of the member states of the European Union, a fifteen-nation
organization engaged in cooperative economic activities. The specific amounts
of currencies comprising the ECU may be adjusted by the Council of Ministers of
the European Union to reflect changes in relative values of the underlying
currencies.
Each Multi-Market Fund may invest in debt securities issued by supranational
organizations including the World Bank, which was chartered to finance
development projects in developing member countries; the European Union; the
European Coal and Steel Community, which is an economic union of various
European nations' steel and coal industries; and the Asian Development Bank,
which is an international development bank established to lend funds, promote
investment and provide technical assistance to member nations in the Asian and
Pacific regions.
Each Multi-Market Fund seeks to minimize investment risk by limiting its
portfolio investments to debt securities of high quality. Accordingly, the
Multi-Market Funds' portfolio securities will consist of (i) U.S. Government
securities, (ii) high quality foreign government securities, (iii) obligations
issued by supranational entities and corporate debt securities having a high
quality rating, (iv) certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances issued or
guaranteed by, or time deposits maintained at, banks (including foreign
branches of foreign banks) having total assets of more than $500 million and
10
determined by Alliance to be of high quality, and (v) prime commercial paper
or, if not rated, determined by Alliance to be of equivalent quality and issued
by U.S. or foreign companies having outstanding: in the case of MULTI-MARKET
STRATEGY, high quality debt securities; and in the case of SHORT-TERM
MULTI-MARKET, high grade debt securities.
As a matter of fundamental policy, each Multi-Market Fund concentrates at least
25% of its total assets in debt instruments issued by domestic and foreign
companies engaged in the banking industry, including bank holding companies.
Such investments may include certificates of deposit, time deposits, bankers'
acceptances, and obligations issued by bank holding companies, as well as
repurchase agreements entered into with banks (as distinct from non-banks) in
accordance with the policies set forth with respect to the Funds in 'Additional
Investment Practices-Repurchase Agreements.' See 'Risk
Considerations-Investment in the Banking Industry.'
Each Multi-Market Fund may also (i) invest in indexed commercial paper, (ii)
enter into futures contracts and purchase and write options on futures
contracts, (iii) purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies,
(iv) purchase or sell forward foreign currency exchange contracts, (v) enter
into interest rate swaps, caps and floors, (vi) invest in variable, floating
and inverse floating rate instruments, (vii) make secured loans of its
portfolio securities, and (viii) enter into repurchase agreements. A
Multi-Market Fund will not invest in illiquid securities if, as a result, more
than 10% of its assets would be so invested. For additional information on the
use, risks and costs of these practices, see 'Additional Investment Practices.'
MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY maintains borrowings of approximately 25% of its total
assets less liabilities (other than the amount borrowed). See 'Risk
Considerations-Effects of Borrowing.'
GLOBAL BOND FUNDS
The Global Bond Funds are non-diversified investment companies that have been
designed to offer investors a high level of current income through investments
primarily in foreign government securities.
ALLIANCE NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST
Alliance North American Government Income Trust, Inc. ('North American
Government Income') seeks the highest level of current income, consistent with
what Alliance considers to be prudent investment risk, that is available from a
portfolio of debt securities issued or guaranteed by the United States, Canada
and Mexico, their political subdivisions (including Canadian provinces but
excluding states of the United States), agencies, instrumentalities or
authorities ('Government securities'). The Fund invests in investment grade
securities denominated in the U.S. Dollar, the Canadian Dollar and the Mexican
Peso and expects to maintain at least 25% of its assets in securities
denominated in the U.S. Dollar. In addition, the Fund may invest up to 25% of
its total assets in debt securities issued by governmental entities of
Argentina ('Argentine Government securities'). The Fund expects that it will
not retain a debt security which is down-graded below BBB or Baa, or, if
unrated, determined by Alliance to have undergone similar credit quality
deterioration, subsequent to purchase by the Fund. There may be circumstances,
however, such as the downgrading to below investment grade of all of the
securities of a governmental issuer in one of the countries in which the Fund
has substantial investments, under which the Fund, after considering all the
circumstances, would conclude that it is in the best interests of the
shareholders to retain its holdings in securities of that issuer. The average
weighted maturity of the Fund's portfolio of fixed-income securities is
expected to vary between one year or less and 30 years.
Alliance believes that the increasingly integrated economic relationship among
the United States, Canada and Mexico, characterized by the reduction and
projected elimination of most barriers to free trade among the three nations
and the growing coordination of their fiscal and monetary policies, will over
the long term benefit the economic performance of all three countries and
promote greater correlation of currency fluctuation among the U.S. and Canadian
Dollars and the Mexican Peso. See, however, Appendix B and the Fund's Statement
of Additional Information with respect to the current state of the Mexican
economy.
Alliance will actively manage the Fund's assets in relation to market
conditions and general economic conditions and adjust the Fund's investments in
an effort to best enable the Fund to achieve its investment objective. Thus,
the percentage of the Fund's assets invested in a particular country or
denominated in a particular currency will vary in accordance with Alliance's
assessment of the relative yield and appreciation potential of such securities
and the relationship of the country's currency to the U.S. Dollar. The Fund
invests at least, and normally substantially more than, 65% of its total assets
in Government securities. To the extent that its assets are not invested in
Government securities, however, the Fund may invest the balance of its total
assets in investment grade debt securities issued by the governments of
countries located in Central and South America or any of their political
subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities or authorities, provided that such
securities are denominated in their local currencies. The Fund will not invest
more than 10% of its total assets in debt securities issued by the governmental
entities of any one such country, except that the Fund may invest up to 25% of
its total assets in Argentine Government securities. The Fund will normally
invest at least 65% of its total assets in income-producing securities. For a
general description of Canada, Mexico and Argentina, see Appendix B and the
Fund's Statement of Additional Information.
Canadian Government securities include the sovereign debt of Canada or any of
its provinces and Government of Canada bonds and Government of Canada Treasury
bills. Canada Treasury bills are debt obligations with maturities of less than
one year. A new issue of Government of Canada bonds frequently consists of
several different bonds with maturities ranging from one to 25 years.
11
All Canadian provinces have outstanding bond issues and several provinces also
guarantee bond issues of provincial authorities, agents and Crown corporations.
Each new issue yield is based upon a spread from an outstanding Government of
Canada issue of comparable term and coupon. Many Canadian municipalities,
municipal financial authorities and Crown corporations raise funds through the
bond market in order to finance capital expenditures. Unlike U.S. municipal
securities, which have special tax status, Canadian municipal securities have
the same tax status as other Canadian Government securities and trade similarly
to such securities. The Canadian municipal market may be less liquid than the
provincial bond market.
Canadian Government securities in which the Fund may invest include a modified
pass-through vehicle issued pursuant to the program established under the
National Housing Act of Canada. Certificates issued pursuant to this program
benefit from the guarantee of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, a
federal Crown corporation that is (except for certain limited purposes) an
agency of the Government of Canada whose guarantee is an unconditional
obligation of the Government of Canada in most circumstances (similar to that
of GNMA in the United States).
Mexican Government securities denominated and payable in the Mexican Peso
include (i) Cetes, which are book-entry securities sold directly by the Mexican
Government on a discount basis and with maturities that range from seven to 364
days, (ii) Bonds, which are long-term development bonds issued directly by the
Mexican Government with a minimum term of 364 days, and (iii) Ajustabonos,
which are adjustable-rate bonds with a minimum three-year term issued directly
by the Mexican Government with the face amount adjusted each quarter by the
quarterly inflation rate.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in Argentine Government
securities that are denominated and payable in the Argentine Peso. Argentine
Government securities include (i) Bono de Inversion y Crecimiento ('BIC'),
which are investment and growth bonds issued directly by the Argentine
Government with maturities of up to ten years, (ii) Bono de Consolidacion
Economica ('BOCON'), which are economic consolidation bonds issued directly by
the Argentine Government with maturities of up to ten years and (iii) Bono de
Credito a la Exportacion ('BOCREX'), which are export credit bonds issued
directly by the Argentine government with maturities of up to four years. To
date, Argentine Government securities are not rated by either S&P, Moody's,
Duff & Phelps or Fitch. Alliance, however, believes, that there are Argentine
Government securities that are of investment grade quality.
The Fund may also (i) enter into futures contracts and purchase and write
options on futures contracts for hedging purposes, (ii) purchase and write put
and call options on foreign currencies, (iii) purchase or sell forward foreign
currency exchange contracts, (iv) write covered put and call options and
purchase put and call options on U.S. Government and foreign government
securities traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges, and write put and
call options for cross-hedging purposes, (v) enter into interest rate swaps,
caps and floors, (vi) enter into forward commitments for the purchase or sale
of securities, (vii) invest in variable, floating and inverse floating rate
instruments, (viii) make secured loans of its portfolio securities, and (ix)
enter into repurchase agreements. The Fund will not invest in illiquid
securities if, as a result, 10% of its net assets would be so invested. For
additional information on the use, risks and costs of these practices, see
'Additional Investment Practices.' The Fund also maintains borrowings of
approximately one-third of the Fund's total assets less liabilities (other than
the amount borrowed). See 'Risk Considerations-Effects of Borrowing.'
ALLIANCE GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT FUND
Alliance Global Dollar Government Fund, Inc. ('Global Dollar Government') seeks
primarily a high level of current income, and secondarily capital appreciation.
In seeking to achieve these objectives, the Fund invests at least 65% of its
total assets in sovereign debt obligations. The Fund's investments in sovereign
debt obligations will emphasize obligations of a type customarily referred to
as 'Brady Bonds' that are issued as part of debt restructurings and that are
collateralized in full as to principal due at maturity by zero coupon U.S.
Government securities ('collateralized Brady Bonds'). See 'Additional
Investment Practices-Brady Bonds.' The Fund may also invest up to 35% of its
total assets in U.S. and non-U.S. corporate fixed-income securities. See 'Risk
Considerations-U.S. Corporate Fixed-Income Securities.' The Fund will limit its
investments in sovereign debt obligations and U.S. and non-U.S. corporate
fixed-income securities to U.S. Dollar-denominated securities. Alliance expects
that, based upon current market conditions, the Fund's portfolio of U.S.
fixed-income securities will have an average maturity range of approximately
nine to 15 years and the Fund's portfolio of non-U.S. fixed-income securities
will have an average maturity range of approximately 15 to 25 years. Alliance
anticipates that the Fund's portfolio of sovereign debt obligations will have a
longer average maturity.
Substantially all of the Fund's assets will be invested in lower-rated
securities, which may include securities having the lowest rating for
non-subordinated debt instruments (i.e., rated C by Moody's or CCC or lower by
S&P, Duff & Phelps and Fitch) and unrated securities of comparable investment
quality. These securities are considered to have extremely poor prospects of
ever attaining any real investment standing, to have a current identifiable
vulnerability to default, to be unlikely to have the capacity to pay interest
and repay principal when due in the event of adverse business, financial or
economic conditions, and/or to be in default or not current in the payment of
interest or principal. For a description of bond ratings, see Appendix A. The
Fund may also invest in investment grade securities. Unrated securities will be
considered for investment by the Fund when Alliance believes that the financial
condition of the issuers of such obligations and the protection afforded by the
terms of the obligations themselves limit the risk to the Fund to a degree
comparable to that of rated securities which are
12
consistent with the Fund's investment objectives and policies. As of August 31,
1995, the percentages of the Fund's assets invested in securities rated (or
considered by Alliance to be of equivalent quality to securities rated) in
particular rating categories were 3% in A and above, 57% in Ba or BB, 34% in B,
4% in Caa or CCC, and 2% in non-rated. See 'Risk Considerations-Securities
Ratings,' '-Investment in Fixed-Income Securities Rated Baa and BBB,'
'-Investment in Lower-Rated Fixed-Income Securities' and Appendix A.
With respect to its investments in sovereign debt obligations and non-U.S.
corporate fixed-income securities, the Fund will emphasize investments in
countries that are considered at the time of purchase to be emerging or
developing countries by the World Bank. A substantial part of the Fund's
initial investment focus is expected to be in securities or obligations of
Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Morocco, the Philippines and Venezuela because these
countries are now, or are expected by Alliance at a future date to be, the
principal participants in debt restructuring programs (including, in the case
of Argentina, Mexico, the Philippines and Venezuela, issuers of currently
outstanding Brady Bonds) that, in Alliance's opinion, will provide the most
attractive investment opportunities for the Fund. See Appendix A to the Fund's
Statement of Additional Information for information about those six countries.
Alliance anticipates that other countries that will provide initial investment
opportunities for the Fund include, among others, Bolivia, Costa Rica, the
Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Jordan, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Poland, Thailand,
Turkey and Uruguay. See 'Additional Investment Practices-Brady Bonds.'
The Fund may invest up to 30% of its total assets in the sovereign debt
obligations and corporate fixed-income securities of issuers in any one of
Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Morocco, the Philippines or Venezuela, each of which
is an emerging market country, and the Fund will limit investments in the
sovereign debt obligations of each such country (or of any other single foreign
country) to less than 25% of its total assets. The Fund expects that it will
not invest more than 10% of its total assets in the sovereign debt obligations
and corporate fixed-income securities of issuers in any other single foreign
country and is not required to invest any minimum amount of its assets in the
securities or obligations of issuers located in any particular country.
A substantial portion of the Fund's investments will be in (i) securities which
were initially issued at discounts from their face values ('Discount
Obligations') and (ii) securities purchased by the Fund at a price less than
their stated face amount or, in the case of Discount Obligations, at a price
less than their issue price plus the portion of 'original issue discount'
previously accrued thereon, i.e., purchased at a 'market discount.'
The Fund may also (i) invest in structured securities, (ii) invest in fixed and
floating rate loans that are arranged through private negotiations between an
issuer of sovereign debt obligations and one or more financial institutions and
in participations in and assignments of these types of loans, (iii) invest in
other investment companies, (iv) invest in warrants, (v) enter into interest
rate swaps, caps and floors, (vi) enter into forward commitments for the
purchase or sale of securities, (vii) make secured loans of its portfolio
securities, (viii) enter into repurchase agreements pertaining to the types of
securities in which it invests, (ix) use reverse repurchase agreements and
dollar rolls, (x) enter into standby commitment agreements, (xi) make short
sales of securities or maintain a short position, (xii) write put and call
options on securities of the types in which it is permitted to invest and write
call options for cross-hedging purposes, (xiii) purchase and sell
exchange-traded options on any securities index composed of the types of
securities in which it may invest, and (xiv) invest in variable, floating and
inverse floating rate instruments. The Fund may also at any time, with respect
to up to 35% of its total assets, temporarily invest funds awaiting
reinvestment or held for reserves for dividends and other distributions to
shareholders in U.S. Dollar-denominated money market instruments. For
additional information on the use, risks and costs of these practices, see
'Additional Investment Practices.' While the Fund does not currently intend to
do so, it reserves the right to borrow an amount not to exceed one-third of the
Fund's assets less liabilities (other than the amount borrowed). See 'Risk
Considerations-Effects of Borrowing.'
ALLIANCE GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME TRUST
Alliance Global Strategic Income Trust ('Global Strategic Income') is a
non-diversified investment company that seeks primarily a high level of current
income and secondarily capital appreciation. The Fund pursues its investment
objectives by investing primarily in a portfolio of fixed-income securities of
U.S. and non-U.S. companies and U.S. Government and foreign government
securities and supranational entities, including lower-rated securities. The
Fund may also use derivative instruments to attempt to enhance income. The
average weighted maturity of the Fund's portfolio of fixed-income securities is
expected to vary between 5 years and 30 years in accordance with Alliance's
changing perceptions of the relative attractiveness of various maturity ranges.
Under normal market conditions, at least 65% of the value of the Fund's total
assets will be invested in the fixed-income securities of issuers located in
three countries, one of which may be the United States. No more than 25% of the
value of its total assets, however, will be invested in the securities of any
one foreign government. U.S. Government securities in which the Fund may invest
include mortgage-related securities and zero coupon securities. Fixed-income
securities in which the Fund may invest include preferred stock,
mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities, and zero coupon securities.
The Fund may also invest in rights and warrants (for debt securities or for
equity securities that are acquired in connection with debt instruments), and
loan participations and assignments.
The Fund will maintain at least 65% of the value of its total assets in
investment grade securities and may maintain not more that 35% of the value of
its total assets in lower-rated securities. See 'Additional Risk
Considerations-Securities Ratings' and '-Investment in Lower-Rated Fixed-Income
13
Securities.' Unrated securities will be considered for investment by the Fund
when Alliance believes that the financial condition of the issuers of such
obligations and the protection afforded by the terms of the obligations
themselves limit the risk to the Fund to a degree comparable to that of rated
securities which are consistent with the Fund's investment objectives and
policies. Lower-rated securities in which the Fund may invest include Brady
Bonds and fixed-income securities of issuers located in emerging markets. There
is no minimum rating requirement applicable to the Fund's investments in
lower-rated fixed-income securities.
The Fund may also: (i) invest in foreign currencies, (ii) purchase and write
put and call options on securities and foreign currencies, (iii) purchase or
sell forward foreign exchange contracts, (iv) invest in variable, floating and
inverse floating rate instruments, (v) invest in indexed commercial paper, (vi)
invest in structured securities, (vii) lend portfolio securities amounting to
not more than 25% of its total assets, (viii) enter into repurchase agreements
pertaining to the types of securities in which it invests, (ix) use reverse
repurchase agreements and dollar rolls, (x) purchase and sell securities on a
forward commitment basis, (xi) enter into standby commitments, (xii) 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 purchase and write options on futures
contracts, (xiii) invest in Eurodollar instruments, (xiv) enter into interest
rate swaps, caps and floors, and (xv) make short sales of securities or
maintain a short position. For additional information on the use, risks and
costs of these policies and practices see 'Additional Investment Practices and
Risks.' The Fund currently intends to limit its ability to borrow to an amount
not to exceed 25% of its total assets. See 'Additional Risk
Considerations-Effect of Borrowing.'
CORPORATE BOND FUND
CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO
Corporate Bond Portfolio ('Corporate Bond') is a diversified investment company
that seeks primarily to maximize income over the long term consistent with
providing reasonable safety in the value of each shareholder's investment, and
secondarily to increase its capital through appreciation of its investments in
order to preserve and, if possible, increase the purchasing power of each
shareholder's investment. In pursuing these objectives, the Fund's policy is to
invest in readily marketable securities which give promise of relatively
attractive yields, but which do not involve substantial risk of loss of
capital. The Fund follows a policy of maintaining at least 65% of its net
assets invested in debt securities. Such objectives and policies cannot be
changed without the approval of the shareholders. Although the Fund also
follows a policy of maintaining at least 65% of its total assets invested in
corporate bonds, it is permitted to invest in securities of non-corporate
issuers.
The Fund follows an investment strategy which in certain respects can be
regarded as somewhat more aggressive than the strategies of many other funds
investing primarily in corporate bonds. In this regard, the Fund's investment
portfolio normally tends to have a relatively long average maturity and
duration, and to place significant emphasis on both foreign corporate and
sovereign debt obligations and corporate bonds that are expected to benefit
from improvement in their issuers' credit fundamentals. Consequently, in recent
years the Fund frequently has experienced greater net asset value volatility
than most other corporate bond funds. Prospective investors in the Fund should
therefore be prepared to accept the degree of volatility associated with its
investment strategy. See 'Risk Considerations'.
There is no minimum rating requirement applicable to the Fund's investments in
fixed-income securities, except the Fund expects that it will not retain a
security that is downgraded below B, or if unrated, determined by Alliance to
have undergone similar credit quality deterioration subsequent to purchase.
Currently, the Fund believes its objectives and policies may best be
implemented by investing at least 65% of its total assets in fixed-income
securities considered investment grade or higher. The remainder of the Fund's
assets may be invested in lower-rated fixed-income securities. See 'Risk
Considerations-Securities Ratings,' '-Investment in Fixed-Income Securities
Rated Baa and BBB,' '-Investment in Lower-Rated Fixed-Income Securities' and
Appendix A. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1995, on a weighted average
basis, the percentages of the Fund's assets invested in securities rated (or
considered by Alliance to be of equivalent quality to securities rated) in
particular rating categories were 23% in A and above, 44% in Baa or BBB, 25% in
Ba or BB, and 8% in B. The Fund did not invest in securities rated below B by
each of Moody's, S&P, Duff & Phelps and Fitch or, if not rated, considered by
Alliance to be of equivalent quality to securities so rated.
The Fund may invest up to 50% of the value of its total assets in foreign debt
securities which will consist primarily of corporate fixed-income securities
and sovereign debt obligations. Not more than 15% of the Fund's total assets
may be invested in these other sovereign debt obligations, which may be lower
rated and considered to be predominantly speculative as regards the issuer's
capacity to pay interest and repay principal. All of the Fund's investments,
whether foreign or domestic, are U.S. Dollar-denominated.
Within the foregoing limitations, the Fund has complete flexibility as to the
types of securities in which it will invest and the relative proportions
thereof, and the Fund plans to vary the proportions of its holdings of long-
and short-term fixed-income securities and of equity securities in order to
reflect its assessment of prospective cyclical changes even if such action may
adversely affect current income. However, substantially all of the Fund's
investments will be income producing. The average weighted maturity of the
Fund's portfolio of fixed-income securities is expected to vary between one
year or less and 30 years.
The Fund may also (i) invest in structured securities, (ii) invest in fixed and
floating rate loans that are arranged through
14
private negotiations between an issuer of sovereign debt obligations and one or
more financial institutions and in participations in and assignments of these
type of loans, (iii) for hedging purposes, purchase put and call options
written by others and write covered put and call options on the types of
securities in which the Fund may invest, (iv) for hedging purposes, enter into
various hedging transactions, such as interest rate swaps, caps and floors, (v)
invest in variable, floating and inverse floating rate instruments, (vi) invest
in zero coupon and pay-in-kind securities, and (vii) invest in CMOs and
multi-class pass-through. As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund will not
purchase illiquid securities. For additional information on the use, risks and
costs of these practices, see 'Additional Investment Practices.'
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT PRACTICES
Some or all of the Funds may engage in the following investment practices to
the extent described in this Prospectus. See the Statement of Additional
Information of each Fund for a further discussion of the uses, risks and costs
of engaging in these practices.
DERIVATIVES. The Funds may use derivatives in furtherance of their investment
objectives. Derivatives are financial contracts whose value depends on, or is
derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index. These
assets, rates, and indices may include bonds, stocks, mortgages, commodities,
interest rates, currency exchange rates, bond indices and stock indices.
Derivatives can be used to earn income or protect against risk, or both. For
example, one party with unwanted risk may agree to pass that risk to another
party who is willing to accept the risk, the second party being motivated, for
example, by the desire either to earn income in the form of a fee or premium
from the first party, or to reduce its own unwanted risk by attempting to pass
all or part of that risk to the first party.
Derivatives can be used by investors such as the Funds to earn income and
enhance returns, to hedge or adjust the risk profile of a portfolio, and either
in place of more traditional direct investments or to obtain exposure to
otherwise inaccessible markets. Each of the Funds is permitted to use
derivatives for one or more of these purposes, although most of the Funds
generally use derivatives primarily as direct investments in order to enhance
yields and broaden portfolio diversification. Each of these uses entails
greater risk than if derivatives were used solely for hedging purposes.
Derivatives are a valuable tool which, when used properly, can provide
significant benefit to Fund shareholders. Alliance is not an aggressive user of
derivatives with respect to any of the Funds. However, a Fund may take a
significant position in those derivatives that are within its investment
policies if, in Alliance's judgement, this represents the most effective
response to current or anticipated market conditions. The MULTI-MARKET FUNDS
and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME in particular generally make extensive use of
carefully selected forwards and other derivatives to achieve the currency
hedging that is an integral part of their investment strategy. Alliance's use
of derivatives is subject to continuous risk assessment and control from the
standpoint of each Fund's investment objectives and policies.
Derivatives may be (i) standardized, exchange-traded contracts or (ii)
customized, privately negotiated contracts. Exchange-traded derivatives tend to
be more liquid and subject to less credit risk than those that are privately
negotiated.
There are four principal types of derivative instruments-options, futures,
forwards and swaps-from which virtually any type of derivative transaction can
be created.
. OPTIONS-An option, which may be standardized and exchange-traded, or
customized and privately negotiated, is an agreement that, for a premium
payment or fee, gives the option holder (the buyer) the right but not the
obligation to buy or sell the underlying asset (or settle for cash an amount
based on an underlying asset, rate or index) at a specified price (the exercise
price) during a period of time or on a specified date. A call option entitles
the holder to purchase, while a put option entitles the holder to sell, the
underlying asset (or settle for cash an amount based on an underlying asset,
rate or index). Likewise, when an option is exercised the writer of the option
would be obligated to sell (in the case of a call option) or to purchase (in
the case of a put option) the underlying asset (or settle for cash an amount
based on an underlying asset, rate or index).
. FUTURES-A futures contract is an agreement that obligates the buyer to buy
and the seller to sell a specified quantity of an underlying asset (or settle
for cash the value of a contract based on an underlying asset, rate or index)
at a specific price on the contract maturity date. Futures contracts are
standardized, exchange-traded instruments and are fungible (i.e., considered to
be perfect substitutes for each other). This fungibility allows futures
contracts to be readily offset or cancelled through the acquisition of equal
but opposite positions, which is the primary method in which futures contracts
are liquidated. A cash-settled futures contract does not require physical
delivery of the underlying asset but instead is settled for cash equal to the
difference between the values of the contract on the date it is entered into
and its maturity date.
. FORWARDS-A forward contract is an obligation by one party to buy, and the
other party to sell, a specific quantity of an underlying commodity or other
tangible asset for an agreed upon price at a future date. Forward contracts are
customized, privately negotiated agreements designed to satisfy the objectives
of each party. A forward contract usually results in the delivery of the
underlying asset upon maturity of the contract in return for the agreed upon
payment.
. SWAPS-A swap is a customized, privately negotiated agreement that obligates
two parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified intervals (payment
dates) based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or
rates (interest rates in the case of interest rate swaps, currency exchange
rates in the case of currency swaps) for a specified amount of an underlying
asset (the 'notional'
15
principal amount). The payment flows are netted against each other, with the
difference being paid by one party to the other. Except for currency swaps, the
notional principal amount is used solely to calculate the payment streams but
is not exchanged. With respect to currency swaps, actual principal amounts of
currencies may be exchanged by the counterparties at the initiation, and again
upon the termination, of the transaction.
Debt instruments that incorporate one or more of these building blocks for the
purpose of determining the principal amount of and/or rate of interest payable
on the debt instruments are often referred to as 'structured securities.' An
example of this type of structured security is indexed commercial paper. The
term is also used to describe certain securities issued in connection with the
restructuring of certain foreign obligations. See 'Indexed Commercial Paper'
and 'Structured Securities' below. The term 'derivative' is also sometimes used
to describe securities involving rights to a portion of the cash flows from an
underlying pool of mortgages or other assets from which payments are passed
through to the owner of, or that collateralize, the securities. These
securities are described below under 'Mortgage-Related Securities' and 'Other
Asset-Backed Securities.'
While the judicious use of derivatives by highly experienced investment
managers such as Alliance can be quite beneficial, derivatives also involve
risks different from, and, in certain cases, greater than, the risks presented
by more traditional investments. Following is a general discussion of important
risk factors and issues concerning the use of derivatives that investors should
understand before investing in a Fund.
. MARKET RISK-This is the general risk attendant to all investments that the
value of a particular investment will change in a way detrimental to the Fund's
interest.
. MANAGEMENT RISK-Derivative products are highly specialized instruments that
require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated
with stocks and bonds. The use of a derivative requires an understanding not
only of the underlying instrument but also of the derivative itself, without
the benefit of observing the performance of the derivative under all possible
market conditions. In particular, the use and complexity of derivatives require
the maintenance of adequate controls to monitor the transactions entered into,
the ability to assess the risk that a derivative adds to a Fund's portfolio and
the ability to forecast price, interest rate or currency exchange rate
movements correctly.
. CREDIT RISK-This is the risk that a loss may be sustained by a Fund as a
result of the failure of another party to a derivative (usually referred to as
a 'counterparty') to comply with the terms of the derivative contract. The
credit risk for exchange-traded derivatives is generally less than for
privately negotiated derivatives, since the clearing house, which is the issuer
or counterparty to each exchange-traded derivative, provides a guarantee of
performance. This guarantee is supported by a daily payment system (i.e.,
margin requirements) operated by the clearing house in order to reduce overall
credit risk. For privately negotiated derivatives, there is no similar clearing
agency guarantee. Therefore, the Funds consider the creditworthiness of each
counterparty to a privately negotiated derivative in evaluating potential
credit risk.
. LIQUIDITY RISK-Liquidity risk exists when a particular instrument is
difficult to purchase or sell. If a derivative transaction is particularly
large or if the relevant market is illiquid (as is the case with many privately
negotiated derivatives), it may not be possible to initiate a transaction or
liquidate a position at an advantageous price.
. LEVERAGE RISK-Since many derivatives have a leverage component, adverse
changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, rate or index can result
in a loss substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative
itself. In the case of swaps, the risk of loss generally is related to a
notional principal amount, even if the parties have not made any initial
investment. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss,
regardless of the size of the initial investment.
. OTHER RISKS-Other risks in using derivatives include the risk of mispricing
or improper valuation of derivatives and the inability of derivatives to
correlate perfectly with underlying assets, rates and indices. Many
derivatives, in particular privately negotiated derivatives, are complex and
often valued subjectively. Improper valuations can result in increased cash
payment requirements to counterparties or a loss of value to a Fund.
Derivatives do not always perfectly or even highly correlate or track the value
of the assets, rates or indices they are designed to closely track.
Consequently, a Fund's use of derivatives may not always be an effective means
of, and sometimes could be counterproductive to, furthering the Fund's
investment objective.
DERIVATIVES USED BY THE FUNDS. Following is a description of specific
derivatives currently used by one or more of the Funds.
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES. In purchasing an option on securities, a Fund would be
in a position to realize a gain if, during the option period, the price of the
underlying securities 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 not greater than the premium paid for the option. Thus,
a Fund would realize a loss if the price of the underlying security declined or
remained the same (in the case of a call) or increased or remained the same (in
the case of a put) or otherwise did not increase (in the case of a put) or
decrease (in the case of a call) by more than the amount of the premium. If a
put or call option purchased by a Fund were permitted to expire without being
sold or exercised, its premium would represent a loss to the Fund.
A Fund may write a put or call option in return for a premium, which is
retained by the Fund whether or not the option is exercised. Except with
respect to uncovered call options written for cross-hedging purposes, none of
the Funds will write
16
uncovered call or put options on securities. 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.
The risk involved in writing an uncovered put option is that there could be a
decrease in the market value of the underlying securities. If this occurred, a
Fund could be obligated to purchase the underlying security at a higher price
than its current market value. Conversely, the risk involved in writing an
uncovered call option is that there could be an increase in the market value of
the underlying security, and a Fund could be obligated to acquire the
underlying security at its current price and sell it at a lower price. The risk
of loss from writing an uncovered put option is limited to the exercise price
of the option, whereas the risk of loss from writing an uncovered call option
is potentially unlimited.
A Fund may write a call option on a security that it does not own in order to
hedge against a decline in the value of a security that it owns or has the
right to acquire, a technique referred to as 'cross-hedging.' 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
exceeds that to be received from writing a covered call option, while at the
same time achieving the desired hedge. The correlation risk involved in
cross-hedging may be greater than the correlation risk involved with other
hedging strategies.
SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT, MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME, NORTH AMERICAN
GOVERNMENT INCOME, GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT, GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME and
CORPORATE BOND generally purchase or write privately negotiated options on
securities. A Fund that purchases or writes privately negotiated options on
securities will effect such transactions only with investment dealers and other
financial institutions (such as commercial banks or savings and loan
institutions) deemed creditworthy by Alliance, and Alliance has adopted
procedures for monitoring the creditworthiness of such counterparties.
Privately negotiated options purchased or written by a Fund may be illiquid,
and it may not be possible for the Fund to effect a closing transaction at an
advantageous time. See 'Illiquid Securities' below. Neither MORTGAGE SECURITIES
INCOME nor CORPORATE BOND will purchase an option on a security if, immediately
thereafter, the aggregate cost of all outstanding options purchased by such
Fund would exceed 2% of the Fund's total assets. Nor will either such Fund
write an option if, immediately thereafter, the aggregate value of the Fund's
portfolio securities subject to outstanding options would exceed 15% of the
Fund's total assets.
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES INDICES. An option on a securities index is similar to an
option on a security except that, rather than taking or making 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. A Fund invests in options on foreign currencies
that are privately negotiated or traded on U.S. or foreign exchanges for the
purpose of protecting against declines in the U.S. Dollar value of foreign
currency denominated portfolio securities and against increases in the U.S.
Dollar cost of securities to be acquired. The purchase of an option on a
foreign currency may constitute an effective hedge against fluctuations in
exchange rates, although if rates move adversely, a Fund may forfeit the entire
amount of the premium plus related transaction costs.
RIGHTS AND WARRANTS. GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT may invest in warrants, and
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may invest in rights and warrants, which are option
securities permitting their holders to subscribe for other securities. GLOBAL
DOLLAR GOVERNMENT may invest in warrants, and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may
invest in rights and warrants, for debt securities or for equity securities
that are acquired in connection with debt instruments. Rights are similar to
warrants except that they have a substantially shorter duration. Rights and
warrants do not carry with them dividend or voting rights with respect to the
underlying securities, or any rights in the assets of the issuer. As a result,
an investment in rights and warrants may be considered more speculative than
certain other types of investments. In addition, the value of a right or
warrant does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying
securities, and a right or warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised
prior to its expiration date. GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may invest up to 20% of
its total assets in rights and warrants.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS. Futures contracts that a
Fund may buy and sell may include futures contracts on fixed-income or other
securities or foreign currencies, and contracts based on interest rates or
financial indices, including any index of U.S. Government securities, foreign
government securities or corporate debt securities.
Options on futures contracts are options that call for the delivery upon
exercise of futures contracts. Options on futures contracts written or
purchased by a Fund will be traded on U.S. or foreign exchanges and, except
with respect to SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME, will be
used only for hedging purposes.
LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT, SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET, MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY,
NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME will not enter
into a futures contract or option on a futures contract 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. Nor will LIMITED MATURITY
GOVERNMENT, MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME, SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET, MULTI-MARKET
17
STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME or GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME do so if
immediately thereafter the aggregate of initial margin deposits on all the
outstanding futures contracts of the Fund and premiums paid on outstanding
options on futures contracts would exceed 5% of the market value of the total
assets of the Fund. In addition, MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME and GLOBAL
STRATEGIC INCOME will not enter into (i) any futures contract other than one on
fixed-income securities or based on interest rates, (ii) any futures contract
if immediately thereafter the sum of the then aggregate futures market prices
of financial instruments required to be delivered under open futures contract
sales and the aggregate futures market prices of instruments required to be
delivered under open futures contract purchases would exceed 30% of the value
of the Fund's total assets, or (iii) options on futures contracts.
EURODOLLAR INSTRUMENTS. Eurodollar instruments are essentially U.S.
Dollar-denominated futures contracts or options thereon that are linked to
LIBOR. Eurodollar futures contracts enable purchasers to obtain a fixed rate
for the lending of funds and sellers to obtain a fixed rate for borrowings.
LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME intends to use
Eurodollar futures contracts and options thereon to hedge against changes in
LIBOR (to which many short-term borrowings and floating rate securities in
which the Fund invests are linked).
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS. Each Fund that purchases or sells
forward contracts on foreign currencies ('forward contracts') attempts to
minimize the risk to it from adverse changes in the relationship between the
U.S. Dollar and other currencies. 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'). 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'). 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').
FORWARD COMMITMENTS. Forward commitments are forward contracts for the purchase
or sale of securities, including 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 or approval of a proposed financing by appropriate authorities
(i.e., a 'when, as and if issued' trade).
When forward commitments with respect to fixed-income securities are
negotiated, the price, which is generally expressed in yield terms, is fixed at
the time the commitment is made, but payment for and delivery of the securities
take place at a later date. Normally, the settlement date occurs within two
months after the transaction, but settlements beyond two months may be
negotiated. Securities purchased or sold under a forward commitment are subject
to market fluctuation, and no interest or dividends accrues to the purchaser
prior to the settlement date. At the time a Fund enters into a forward
commitment, it records the transaction and thereafter reflects the value of the
security purchased or, if a sale, the proceeds to be received, in determining
its net asset value. Any unrealized appreciation or depreciation reflected in
such valuation would be canceled if the required conditions did not occur and
the trade were canceled.
The use of forward commitments helps 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 bond
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, thereby obtaining the
benefit of currently higher cash yields. No forward commitments will be made by
LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME, GLOBAL DOLLAR
GOVERNMENT or GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME if, as a result, the Fund's aggregate
forward commitments under such transactions would be more than 25% of the total
assets of GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME and 30% of the total assets of each of the
other Funds.
A Fund's right to receive or deliver a security under a forward commitment may
be sold prior to the settlement date. The Funds enter into forward commitments,
however, only with the intention of actually receiving securities or delivering
them, as the case may be. If a Fund, however, 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.
INTEREST RATE TRANSACTIONS (SWAPS, CAPS AND FLOORS). Each Fund that may enter
into interest rate swap, cap or floor transactions expects to do so primarily
for hedging purposes, which may include preserving a return or spread on a
particular investment or portion of its portfolio or protecting against an
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
18
rate payments) computed based on a contractually-based principal (or
'notional') amount. Interest rate swaps are entered into 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). Interest rate caps
and floors are similar to options in that the purchase of an interest rate cap
or floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds
(in the case of a cap) or falls below (in the case of a floor) a predetermined
interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional amount from the
party selling the interest rate cap or 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.
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.
SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET, MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
INCOME and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may enter into interest rate swaps involving
payments to the same currency or in different currencies. SHORT-TERM U.S.
GOVERNMENT, LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT, MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME, GLOBAL
DOLLAR GOVERNMENT, GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME and CORPORATE BOND 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 thereto is then
rated in the highest rating category of at least one nationally recognized
rating organization. Each of SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET, MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY,
NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME will enter into
interest rate swap, cap or floor transactions with its respective custodian,
and with other counterparties, but only if: (i) for transactions with
maturities under one year, such other counterparty has outstanding prime
commercial paper; or (ii) for transactions with maturities greater than one
year, the counterparty has outstanding high quality debt securities.
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 well established and relatively liquid. Caps and floors are less liquid
than swaps. These transactions do not involve the delivery of securities or
other underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, unless there is a
counterparty default, the risk of loss to a Fund from interest rate
transactions is limited to the net amount of interest payments that the Fund is
contractually obligated to make.
STANDBY COMMITMENT AGREEMENTS. Standby commitment agreements are similar to put
options that 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. The
Funds will enter into such agreements only for the purpose of investing in the
security underlying the commitment at a yield and price considered advantageous
and unavailable on a firm commitment basis. No Fund will enter into a standby
commitment with a remaining term in excess of 45 days. The Funds will limit
their investments in standby commitments so that the aggregate purchase price
of the securities subject to the commitments does not exceed 20%, 25% with
respect to GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME, of their respective assets.
There is no guarantee that the security subject to a standby commitment will be
issued. In addition, 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
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.
INDEXED COMMERCIAL PAPER. Indexed commercial paper may have its principal
linked to changes in foreign currency exchange rates whereby its principal
amount is adjusted upwards or downwards (but not below zero) at maturity to
reflect changes in the referenced exchange rate. Each Fund that invests in such
commercial paper may do so without limitation. A Fund will receive interest and
principal payments on such commercial paper in the currency in which such
commercial paper is denominated, but the amount of principal payable by the
issuer at maturity will change in proportion to the change (if any) in the
exchange rate between the two specified currencies between the date the
instrument is issued and the date the instrument matures. While such commercial
paper entails the risk of loss of principal, the potential for realizing gains
as a result of changes in foreign currency exchange rates enables a Fund to
hedge (or cross-hedge) against a decline in the U.S. Dollar value of
investments denominated in foreign currencies while providing an attractive
money market rate of return. A Fund will purchase such commercial paper for
hedging purposes only, not for speculation.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. U.S. Government securities may be backed by the
full faith and credit of the United States, supported only by the right of the
issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or backed only by the credit of the
issuing agency itself. These securities include:
(I) the following U.S. Treasury securities, which are backed by the full faith
and credit of the United States and differ only in their interest rates,
maturities and times of issuance: U.S. Treasury bills (maturities of one year
or less with no interest paid and hence issued at a discount and repaid at full
face value upon maturity), U.S. Treasury notes (maturities of one to ten years
with interest payable every six months) and U.S. Treasury bonds (generally
maturities of greater than ten years with interest payable every six months);
(ii) obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and
instrumentalities that are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
Government, such as securities issued by GNMA, the Farmers Home Administration,
the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Export-Import Bank, the
General Services Administration and the Small Business Administration; and
19
(iii) obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and
instrumentalities that are not supported by the full faith and credit of the
U.S. Government, such as securities issued by FNMA and FHLMC, and governmental
CMOs.
The maturities of the U.S. Government securities listed in paragraphs (i) and
(ii) above usually range from three months to 30 years. Such securities, except
GNMA certificates, normally provide for periodic payments of interest in fixed
amounts with principal payments at maturity or specified call dates. For
information regarding GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC certificates and CMOs, see
'Mortgage-Related Securities' below.
U.S. Government securities also include zero coupon securities and
principal-only securities and certain SMRS. In addition, other U.S. Government
agencies and instrumentalities have issued stripped securities that are similar
to SMRS. Such securities include those that are issued with an IO class and a
PO class. See 'Mortgage-Related Securities' below and 'Zero Coupon and
Principal-Only Securities' below. Although these stripped securities are
purchased and sold by institutional investors through several investment
banking firms acting as brokers or dealers, these securities were only recently
developed. As a result, established trading markets have not yet developed and,
accordingly, these securities may be illiquid.
Guarantees of securities by the U.S. Government or its agencies or
instrumentalities guarantee only the payment of principal and interest on the
securities, and do not guarantee the securities' yield or value or the yield or
value of the shares of a Fund that holds the securities.
U.S. Government securities are considered among the safest of fixed-income
investments. As a result, however, their yields are generally lower than the
yields available from other fixed-income securities.
MORTGAGE-RELATED SECURITIES. The mortgage-related securities in which a Fund
may invest typically are securities representing interests in pools of mortgage
loans made to home owners. The mortgage loan pools may be assembled for sale to
investors (such as a Fund) by governmental or private organizations.
Mortgage-related securities issued by GNMA are backed by the full faith and
credit of the United States; those issued by FNMA and FHLMC are not so backed.
Mortgage-related securities bear interest at either a fixed rate or an
adjustable rate determined by reference to an index rate. Mortgage-related
securities frequently provide for monthly payments that consist of both
interest and principal, unlike more traditional debt securities, which normally
do not provide for periodic repayments of principal.
Securities representing interests in pools created by private issuers generally
offer a higher rate of interest than securities representing interests in pools
created by governmental issuers because there are no direct or indirect
governmental guarantees of the underlying mortgage payments. However, private
issuers sometimes obtain committed loan facilities, lines of credit, letters of
credit, surety bonds or other forms of liquidity and credit enhancement to
support the timely payment of interest and principal with respect to their
securities if the borrowers on the underlying mortgages fail to make their
mortgage payments. The ratings of such non-governmental securities are
generally dependent upon the ratings of the providers of such liquidity and
credit support and would be adversely affected if the rating of such an
enhancer were downgraded. A Fund may buy mortgage-related securities without
credit enhancement if the securities meet the Fund's investment standards.
Although the market for mortgage-related securities is becoming increasingly
liquid, those of certain private organizations may not be readily marketable.
One type of mortgage-related security is of the 'pass-through' variety. The
holder of a pass-through security is considered to own an undivided beneficial
interest in the underlying pool of mortgage loans and receives a pro rata share
of the monthly payments made by the borrowers on their mortgage loans, net of
any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities. Prepayments of
mortgages resulting from the sale, refinancing or foreclosure of the underlying
properties are also paid to the holders of these securities, which, as
discussed below, frequently causes these securities to experience significantly
greater price and yield volatility than experienced by traditional fixed-income
securities. Some mortgage-related securities, such as securities issued by
GNMA, are referred to as 'modified pass-through' securities. The holders of
these securities are entitled to the full and timely payment of principal and
interest, net of certain fees, regardless of whether payments are actually made
on the underlying mortgages. Another form of mortgage-related security is a
'pay-through' security, which is a debt obligation of the issuer secured by a
pool of mortgage loans pledged as collateral that is legally required to be
paid by the issuer regardless of whether payments are actually made on the
underlying mortgages.
Collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) are the predominant type of
'pay-through' mortgage-related security. In a CMO, a series of bonds or
certificates is issued in multiple classes. Each class of a CMO, often referred
to as a 'tranche,' is issued at a specific coupon rate and has a stated
maturity or final distribution date. Principal prepayments on collateral
underlying a CMO may cause it to be retired substantially earlier than the
stated maturities or final distribution dates. The principal and interest on
the underlying mortgages may be allocated among several classes of a series of
a CMO in many ways. In a common structure, payments of principal, including any
principal prepayments, on the underlying mortgages are applied to the classes
of the series of a CMO in the order of their respective stated maturities or
final distribution dates, so that no payment of principal will be made on any
class of a CMO until all other classes having an earlier stated maturity or
20
final distribution date have been paid in full. One or more tranches of a CMO
may have coupon rates that reset periodically, or 'float', at a specified
increment over an index such as LIBOR. Floating-rate CMOs may be backed by
fixed or adjustable rate mortgages. To date, fixed-rate mortgages have been
more commonly utilized for this purpose. Floating-rate CMOs are typically
issued with lifetime caps on the coupon rate thereon. These caps, similar to
the caps on adjustable-rate mortgages described below, represent a ceiling
beyond which the coupon rate on a floating-rate CMO may not be increased
regardless of increases in the interest rate index to which the floating-rate
CMO is tied. The collateral securing the CMOs may consist of a pool of
mortgages, but may also consist of mortgage-backed bonds or pass-through
securities. CMOs may be issued by a U.S. Government instrumentality or agency
or by a private issuer. Although payment of the principal of, and interest on,
the underlying collateral securing privately issued CMOs may be guaranteed by
GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC, these CMOs represent obligations solely of the private
issuer and are not insured or guaranteed by GNMA, FNMA, FHLMC, any other
governmental agency or any other person or entity.
Another type of mortgage-related security, known as adjustable-rate mortgage
securities (ARMS), bears interest at a rate determined by reference to a
predetermined interest rate or index. There are two main categories of rates or
indices: (i) rates based on the yield on U.S. Treasury securities and (ii)
indices derived from a calculated measure such as a cost of funds index or a
moving average of mortgage rates. Some rates and indices closely mirror changes
in market interest rate levels, while others tend to lag changes in market rate
levels and tend to be somewhat less volatile.
ARMS may be secured by adjustable-rate mortgages or fixed-rate mortgages. ARMS
secured by fixed-rate mortgages generally have lifetime caps on the coupon
rates of the securities. To the extent that general interest rates increase
faster than the interest rates on the ARMS, these ARMS will decline in value.
The adjustable-rate mortgages that secure ARMS will frequently have caps that
limit the maximum amount by which the interest rate or the monthly principal
and interest payments on the mortgages may increase. These payment caps can
result in negative amortization (i.e., an increase in the balance of the
mortgage loan). Furthermore, since many adjustable-rate mortgages only reset on
an annual basis, the values of ARMS tend to fluctuate to the extent that
changes in prevailing interest rates are not immediately reflected in the
interest rates payable on the underlying adjustable-rate mortgages.
Stripped mortgage-related securities (SMRS) are mortgage-related securities
that are usually structured with two classes of securities collateralized by a
pool of mortgages or a pool of mortgaged-backed bonds or pass-through
securities, with each class receiving different proportions of the principal
and interest payments from the underlying assets. A common type of SMRS has one
class of interest-only securities (IOs) receiving all of the interest payments
from the underlying assets, while the other class of securities, principal-only
securities (POs), receives all of the principal payments from the underlying
assets. IOs and POs are extremely sensitive to interest rate changes and are
more volatile than mortgage-related securities that are not stripped. IOs tend
to decrease in value as interest rates decrease, while POs generally increase
in value as interest rates decrease. If prepayments of the underlying mortgages
are greater than anticipated, the amount of interest earned on the overall pool
will decrease due to the decreasing principal balance of the assets. Changes in
the values of IOs and POs can be substantial and occur quickly, such as
occurred in the first half of 1994 when the value of many POs dropped
precipitously due to increases in interest rates. For this reason, none of the
Funds relies on IOs and POs as the principal means of furthering its investment
objective.
The value of mortgage-related securities is affected by a number of factors.
Unlike traditional debt securities, which have fixed maturity dates,
mortgage-related securities may be paid earlier than expected as a result of
prepayment of the underlying mortgages. If property owners make unscheduled
prepayments of their mortgage loans, these prepayments will result in the early
payment of the applicable mortgage-related securities. In that event a Fund may
be unable to invest the proceeds from the early payment of the mortgage-related
securities in an investment that provides as high a yield as the
mortgage-related securities. Consequently, early payment associated with
mortgage-related securities causes these securities to experience significantly
greater price and yield volatility than experienced by traditional fixed-income
securities. The occurrence of mortgage prepayments is affected by the level of
general interest rates, general economic conditions and other social and
demographic factors. During periods of falling interest rates, the rate of
mortgage prepayments tends to increase, thereby tending to decrease the life of
mortgage-related securities. During periods of rising interest rates, the rate
of mortgage prepayments usually decreases, thereby tending to increase the life
of mortgage-related securities. If the life of a mortgage-related security is
inaccurately predicted, a Fund may not be able to realize the rate of return it
expected.
As with fixed-income securities generally, the value of mortgage-related
securities can also be adversely affected by increases in general interest
rates relative to the yield provided by such securities. Such adverse effect is
especially possible with fixed-rate mortgage securities. If the yield available
on other investments rises above the yield of the fixed-rate mortgage
securities as a result of general increases in interest rate levels, the value
of the mortgage-related securities will decline. Although the negative effect
could be lessened if the mortgage-related securities were to be paid earlier
(thus permitting a Fund to reinvest the prepayment proceeds in investments
yielding the higher current interest rate), as described above the rate of
mortgage prepayments and early payment of mortgage-related securities generally
tends to decline during a period of rising interest rates.
Although the value of ARMS may not be affected by rising interest rates as much
as the value of fixed-rate mortgage
21
securities is affected by rising interest rates, ARMS may still decline in
value as a result of rising interest rates. Although, as described above, the
yield on ARMS varies with changes in the applicable interest rate or index,
there is often a lag between increases in general interest rates and increases
in the yield on ARMS as a result of relatively infrequent interest rate reset
dates. In addition, adjustable-rate mortgages and ARMS often have interest rate
or payment caps that limit the ability of the adjustable-rate mortgages or ARMS
to fully reflect increases in the general level of interest rates.
OTHER ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES. The securitization techniques used to develop
mortgage-related securities are being applied to a broad range of financial
assets. Through the use of trusts and special purpose corporations, various
types of assets, including automobile loans and leases, credit card
receivables, home equity loans, equipment leases and trade receivables, are
being securitized in structures similar to the structures used in mortgage
securitizations. These asset-backed securities are subject to risks associated
with changes in interest rates and prepayment of underlying obligations similar
to the risks of investment in mortgage-related securities discussed above.
Each type of asset-backed security also entails unique risks depending on the
type of assets involved and the legal structure used. For example, credit card
receivables are generally unsecured obligations of the credit card holder and
the debtors are entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal
consumer credit laws, many of which give such debtors the right to set off
certain amounts owed on the credit cards, thereby reducing the balance due.
There have also been proposals to cap the interest rate that a credit card
issuer may charge. In some transactions, the value of the asset-backed security
is dependent on the performance of a third party acting as credit enhancer or
servicer. Furthermore, in some transactions (such as those involving the
securitization of vehicle loans or leases) it may be administratively
burdensome to perfect the interest of the security issuer in the underlying
collateral and the underlying collateral may become damaged or stolen.
ZERO COUPON AND PRINCIPAL-ONLY SECURITIES. Zero coupon securities and
principal-only (PO) securities are debt securities that have been issued
without interest coupons or stripped of their unmatured interest coupons, and
include receipts or certificates representing interests in such stripped debt
obligations and coupons. Such a security pays no interest to its holder during
its life. Its value to an investor consists of the difference between its face
value at the time of maturity and the price for which it was acquired, which is
generally an amount significantly less than its face value. Such securities
usually trade at a deep discount from their face or par value and are subject
to greater fluctuations in market value in response to changing interest rates
than debt obligations of comparable maturities and credit quality that make
current distributions of interest. On the other hand, because there are no
periodic interest payments to be reinvested prior to maturity, these securities
eliminate reinvestment risk and 'lock in' a rate of return to maturity.
Zero coupon Treasury securities are U.S. Treasury bills issued without interest
coupons. Principal-only Treasury securities are U.S. Treasury notes and bonds
that have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons, and receipts or
certificates representing interests in such stripped debt obligations and
coupons. Currently the only U.S. Treasury security issued without coupons is
the Treasury bill. Although the U.S. Treasury does not itself issue Treasury
notes and bonds without coupons, under the U.S. Treasury STRIPS program
interest and principal payments on certain long-term Treasury securities may be
maintained separately in the Federal Reserve book entry system and may be
separately traded and owned. In addition, in the last few years a number of
banks and brokerage firms have separated ('stripped') the principal portions
from the coupon portions of U.S. Treasury bonds and notes and sold them
separately in the form of receipts or certificates representing undivided
interests in these instruments (which instruments are generally held by a bank
in a custodial or trust account). The staff of the Commission has indicated
that, in its view, these receipts or certificates should be considered as
securities issued by the bank or brokerage firm involved and, therefore, should
not be included in a Fund's categorization of U.S. Government securities. The
Funds disagree with the staff's position but will not treat such securities as
U.S. Government securities until final resolution of the issue.
Current federal tax law requires that a holder (such as a Fund) of a zero
coupon security accrue a portion of the discount at which the security was
purchased as income each year even though the holder receives no interest
payment in cash on the security during the year. As a result, in order to make
the distributions necessary for a Fund not to be subject to federal income or
excise taxes, the Fund might be required to pay out as an income distribution
each year an amount, obtained by liquidation of portfolio securities or
borrowings if necessary, greater than the total amount of cash that the Fund
has actually received as interest during the year. Each Fund believes, however,
that it is highly unlikely that it would be necessary to liquidate portfolio
securities or borrow money in order to make such required distributions or to
meet its investment objective. For a discussion of the tax treatment of zero
coupon Treasury securities, see 'Dividends, Distributions and Taxes-Zero Coupon
Treasury Securities' in the Statement of Additional Information of each Fund
that is permitted to invest in such securities.
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME and CORPORATE BOND may also invest in 'pay-in-kind'
debentures (i.e., debt obligations the interest on which may be paid in the
form of obligations of the same type rather than cash), which have
characteristics similar to zero coupon securities.
VARIABLE, FLOATING AND INVERSE FLOATING RATE INSTRUMENTS. Fixed-income
securities may have fixed, variable or floating rates of interest. Variable and
floating rate securities pay interest at rates that are adjusted periodically,
according to a
22
specified formula. A 'variable' interest rate adjusts at predetermined
intervals (e.g., daily, weekly or monthly), while a 'floating' interest rate
adjusts whenever a specified benchmark rate (such as the bank prime lending
rate) changes.
A Fund may invest in fixed-income securities that pay interest at a coupon rate
equal to a base rate, plus additional interest for a certain period of time if
short-term interest rates rise above a predetermined level or 'cap.' The amount
of such an additional interest payment typically is calculated under a formula
based on a short-term interest rate index multiplied by a designated factor.
Leveraged inverse floating rate debt instruments are sometimes known as inverse
floaters. The interest rate on an inverse floater resets in the opposite
direction from the market rate of interest to which the inverse floater is
indexed. An inverse floater may be considered to be leveraged to the extent
that its interest rate varies by a magnitude that exceeds the magnitude of the
change in the index rate of interest. The higher degree of leverage inherent in
inverse floaters is associated with greater volatility in market value, such
that, during periods of rising interest rates, the market values of inverse
floaters will tend to decrease more rapidly than those of fixed rate securities.
STRUCTURED SECURITIES. Structured securities in which GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT,
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME and CORPORATE BOND may invest represent interests in
entities organized and operated solely for the purpose of restructuring the
investment characteristics of sovereign debt obligations, with respect to
GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME, or foreign government
securities, with respect to CORPORATE BOND. This type of restructuring involves
the deposit with or purchase by an entity, such as a corporation or trust, of
specified instruments (such as commercial bank loans or Brady Bonds) and the
issuance by that entity of one or more classes of structured securities backed
by, or representing interests in, the underlying instruments. The cash flow on
the underlying instruments may be apportioned among the newly issued structured
securities to create securities with different investment characteristics such
as varying maturities, payment priorities and interest rate provisions, and the
extent of the payments made with respect to structured securities is dependent
on the extent of the cash flow on the underlying instruments. Because
structured securities typically involve no credit enhancement, their credit
risk generally will be equivalent to that of the underlying instruments.
Structured securities of a given class may be either subordinated or
unsubordinated to the right of payment of another class. Subordinated
structured securities typically have higher yields and present greater risks
than unsubordinated structured securities. GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT may invest
up to 25% of its total assets, and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME and CORPORATE BOND
may invest without limit, in these types of structured securities.
LOAN PARTICIPATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS. A Fund's investments in loans are expected
in most instances to be in the form of participations in loans and assignments
of all or a portion of loans from third parties. A Fund's investment in loan
participations typically will result in the Fund having a contractual
relationship only with the lender and not with the borrower. A Fund will
acquire participations only if the lender interpositioned between the Fund and
the borrower is a lender having total assets of more than $25 billion and whose
senior unsecured debt is rated investment grade or higher. When a Fund
purchases a loan assignment from a lender it will acquire direct rights against
the borrower on the loan. Because loan assignments are arranged through private
negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, however, the
rights and obligations acquired by a Fund as the purchaser of an assignment may
differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning lender. The
assignability of certain sovereign debt obligations, with respect to GLOBAL
DOLLAR GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME, or foreign government
securities, with respect to CORPORATE BOND, is restricted by the governing
documentation as to the nature of the assignee such that the only way in which
the Fund may acquire an interest in a loan is through a participation and not
an assignment. A Fund may have difficulty disposing of assignments and
participations because to do so it will have to assign such securities to a
third party. Because there is no liquid market for such securities, such
securities can probably be sold only to a limited number of institutional
investors. The lack of a liquid secondary market may have an adverse effect on
the value of such securities and a Fund's ability to dispose of particular
assignments or participations when necessary to meet its liquidity needs in
response to a specific economic event such as a deterioration in the
creditworthiness of the borrower. The lack of a liquid secondary market for
assignments and participations also may make it more difficult for the Fund to
assign a value to these securities for purposes of valuing the Fund's portfolio
and calculating its net asset value.
GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may invest up to 25%, and
CORPORATE BOND may invest up to 15%, of their total assets, in loan
participations and assignments. The government that is the borrower on the loan
will be considered by a Fund to be the issuer of a loan participation or
assignment for purposes of its fundamental investment policy that it may not
invest 25% or more of its total assets in securities of issuers conducting
their principal business activities in the same industry (i.e., foreign
government).
BRADY BONDS. Brady Bonds are created through the exchange of existing
commercial bank loans to foreign entities for new obligations in connection
with debt restructurings under a plan introduced by former U.S. Secretary of
the Treasury, Nicholas F. Brady (the 'Brady Plan'). Brady Bonds have been
issued only recently, and, accordingly, do not have a long payment history.
They may be collateralized or uncollateralized and issued in various currencies
(although most are U.S. Dollar-denominated) and they are actively traded in the
over-the-counter secondary market.
U.S. Dollar-denominated, collateralized Brady Bonds, which may be fixed-rate
par bonds or floating rate discount bonds, are
23
generally collateralized in full as to principal due at maturity by U.S.
Treasury zero coupon obligations that have the same maturity as the Brady
Bonds. Interest payments on these Brady Bonds generally are collateralized by
cash or securities in an amount that, in the case of fixed rate bonds, is equal
to at least one year of rolling interest payments based on the applicable
interest rate at that time and is adjusted at regular intervals thereafter.
Certain Brady Bonds are entitled to 'value recovery payments' in certain
circumstances, which in effect constitute supplemental interest payments but
generally are not collateralized. Brady Bonds are often viewed as having up to
four valuation components: (i) collateralized repayment of principal at final
maturity, (ii) collateralized interest payments, (iii) uncollateralized
interest payments, and (iv) any uncollateralized repayment of principal at
maturity (these uncollateralized amounts constitute the 'residual risk'). In
the event of a default with respect to collateralized Brady Bonds as a result
of which the payment obligations of the issuer are accelerated, the U.S.
Treasury zero coupon obligations held as collateral for the payment of
principal will not be distributed to investors, nor will such obligations be
sold and the proceeds distributed. The collateral will be held by the
collateral agent to the scheduled maturity of the defaulted Brady Bonds, which
will continue to be outstanding, at which time the face amount of the
collateral will equal the principal payments that would have then been due on
the Brady Bonds in the normal course. In addition, in light of the residual
risk of Brady Bonds and, among other factors, the history of defaults with
respect to commercial bank loans by public and private entities of countries
issuing Brady Bonds, investments in Brady Bonds are to be viewed as speculative.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. Convertible securities include bonds, debentures,
corporate notes and preferred stocks that are convertible into common stock.
Prior to conversion, convertible securities have the same general
characteristics as non-convertible debt securities, which provide a stable
stream of income with generally higher yields than those of equity securities
of the same or similar issuers. The price of a convertible security will
normally vary with changes in the price of the underlying stock, although the
higher yield tends to make the convertible security less volatile than the
underlying common stock. As with debt securities, the market value of
convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase 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 enable investors 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 may share some or all of the risks of debt securities with
those ratings. For a description of these risks, see 'Risk
Considerations-Investment in Lower-Rated Fixed-Income Securities.'
SHORT SALES. A short sale is effected by selling a security that a Fund does
not own, or if the Fund owns the security, it is not to be delivered upon
consummation of the sale. A short sale is 'against the box' if a Fund owns or
has the right to obtain without payment securities identical to those sold
short. SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT each may make
short sales only against the box and only for the purpose of deferring
realization of gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition,
each of these Funds may not make a short sale if, as a result, more than 10% of
net assets (taken at market value), with respect to GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT,
and 10% of total assets, with respect to SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT, 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. GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may
make a short sale in anticipation that the market price of that security will
decline. When the Fund makes a short sale of a security that it does not own,
it must borrow from a broker-dealer the security sold short and deliver the
security to the broker-dealer upon conclusion of the short sale. The Fund may
be required to pay a fee to borrow particular securities and is often obligated
to pay over any payments received on such borrowed securities. The Fund's
obligation to replace the borrowed security will be secured by collateral
deposited with a broker-dealer qualified as a custodian and will consist of
cash or highly liquid securities similar to those borrowed. Depending on the
arrangements the Fund makes with the broker-dealer from which it borrowed the
security regarding remittance of any payments received by the Fund on such
security, the Fund may not receive any payments (including interest) on its
collateral deposited with the broker-dealer.
If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short
sale and the time GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME replaces the borrowed security, the
Fund will incur a loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will
realize a short-term capital gain. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss
increased, by the transaction costs described above. Although the Fund's gain
is limited to the price at which it sold the security short, its potential loss
is theoretically unlimited.
In order to defer realization of gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may also make short sales 'against the box.'
The Fund may not make a short sale if, as a result, more than 25% of its total
assets would be held as collateral for short sales.
Certain special federal income tax considerations may apply to short sales
entered into by a Fund. See 'Dividends, Distributions and Taxes' in the
relevant Fund's Statement of Additional Information.
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
24
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. A
Fund requires continual maintenance of collateral in an amount equal to, or in
excess of, the resale price. 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. There is no percentage restriction on any Fund's ability to enter into
repurchase agreements, except that SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT may enter into
repurchase agreements on not more than 25% of its total assets. The Funds may
enter into repurchase agreements with member banks of the Federal Reserve
System or 'primary dealers' (as designated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New
York), although LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT, SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET,
MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME and GLOBAL DOLLAR
GOVERNMENT currently enter into repurchase agreements only with their
custodians and such primary dealers.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND DOLLAR ROLLS. Reverse repurchase agreements
involve sales by a Fund of portfolio assets concurrently with an agreement by
the Fund to repurchase the same assets at a later date at a fixed price. During
the reverse repurchase agreement period, the Fund continues to receive
principal and interest payments on these securities. Generally, the effect of
such a transaction is that a Fund can recover all or most of the cash invested
in the portfolio securities involved during the term of the reverse repurchase
agreement, while it will be able to keep the interest income associated with
those portfolio securities. Such transactions are advantageous only if the
interest cost to a Fund of the reverse repurchase transaction is less than the
cost of otherwise obtaining the cash.
Dollar rolls involve sales by a Fund of securities for delivery in the current
month and the Fund's simultaneously contracting to repurchase substantially
similar (same type and coupon) securities on a specified future date. During
the roll period, a Fund forgoes principal and interest paid on the securities.
A Fund is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the
lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the 'drop')
as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale.
Reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls involve the risk that the market
value of the securities a Fund is obligated to repurchase under the agreement
may decline below the repurchase price. In the event the buyer of securities
under a reverse repurchase agreement or dollar roll files for bankruptcy or
becomes insolvent, a Fund's use of the proceeds of the agreement may be
restricted pending a determination by the other party, or its trustee or
receiver, whether to enforce the Fund's obligation to repurchase the securities.
Reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls are speculative techniques and
are considered borrowings by the Funds. SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT may enter
into reverse repurchase agreements with commercial banks and registered
broker-dealers in order to increase income, in an amount up to 33-1/3% of its
total assets. Under normal circumstances, LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT does not
expect to engage in reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls with respect
to greater than 50% of its total assets. Reverse repurchase agreements and
dollar rolls together with any borrowings by GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT will not
exceed 33% of its total assets less liabilities (other than amounts borrowed).
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with
commercial banks and registered broker-dealers in order to increase income, in
an amount up to 25% of its total assets. Reverse repurchase agreements and
dollar rolls together with any borrowings by GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME will not
exceed 25% of its total assets. See 'Risk Considerations-Effects of Borrowing.'
LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. A Fund may make secured loans of portfolio
securities to brokers, dealers and financial institutions, provided that cash,
liquid high-grade debt securities 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. 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, 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 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. 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. A Fund will not lend portfolio securities in excess of 25%, with
respect to SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME, and 20%,
with respect to each of LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT, MORTGAGE SECURITIES
INCOME, SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET, MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN
GOVERNMENT INCOME and GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT, of its total assets, nor will a
Fund lend portfolio securities to any officer, director, employee or affiliate
of the Fund or Alliance.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. Subject to any more restrictive applicable investment
policies, none of the Funds will maintain more than 15% of its net assets in
illiquid securities. 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
25
offers), including many currency swaps and any assets used to cover currency
swaps, (ii) over-the-counter options and assets used to cover over-the-counter
options, and (iii) repurchase agreements not terminable within seven days. Rule
144A securities that have legal or contractual restrictions on resale but have
a readily available market are not deemed illiquid. Alliance will monitor the
liquidity of each Fund's Rule 144A portfolio securities under the supervision
of the Directors of that Fund. A Fund that invests in illiquid securities may
not be able to sell such securities and may not be able to realize their full
value upon sale.
INVESTMENT IN OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES. GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT may invest
in other investment companies whose investment objectives and policies are
consistent with those of the Fund. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest not
more than 10% of its total assets in securities of other investment companies.
In addition, under the 1940 Act the Fund may not own more than 3% of the total
outstanding voting stock of any investment company and not more than 5% of the
value of the Fund's total assets may be invested in the securities of any
investment company. If the Fund acquired shares in investment companies,
shareholders would bear both their proportionate share of expenses in the Fund
(including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of such
investment companies (including management and advisory fees).
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
practices described above.
DEFENSIVE POSITION. For temporary defensive purposes, each Fund may invest in
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 may
also include short-term, foreign-currency denominated securities of the type
mentioned above issued by foreign governmental entities, companies and
supranational organizations. For a complete description of the types of
securities in which a Fund may invest while in a temporary defensive position,
see the Fund's Statement of Additional Information.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER. Alliance anticipates that the annual turnover rate will not
exceed 300% for SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT, SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET, NORTH
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME and GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT; 400% for U.S.
GOVERNMENT; 500% for LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME;
and 600% for MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME, MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY and CORPORATE
BOND. A 300%, 400%, 500% and 600% annual turnover rate would occur, for
example, when all of the securities in a Fund's portfolio are replaced three,
four, five and six times, respectively, in a period of one year. These rates of
portfolio turnover are greater than those of most other investment companies. A
high rate of portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater brokerage and
other expenses than a lower rate, 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. See 'Dividends, Distributions and
Taxes' in each Fund's Statement of Additional Information.
CERTAIN FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
Each Fund has adopted certain fundamental investment policies listed below,
which may not be changed without the approval of its shareholders. Additional
investment restrictions with respect to a Fund are set forth in its Statement
of Additional Information.
SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT may not (i) invest more than 5% of its total assets
in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities and
repurchase agreements relating thereto), although up to 25% of the Fund's total
assets may be invested without regard to this restriction, or (ii) invest 25%
or more of its total assets in the securities of any one industry.
U.S. GOVERNMENT may not (i) borrow money except from banks for temporary or
emergency purposes and then only in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of
its total assets at the time the borrowing is made, (ii) make loans to other
persons, (iii) effect a short sale of any security, (iv) purchase securities on
margin, but it may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the
clearance of purchases and sales of securities, or (v) write, purchase or sell
puts, calls or combinations thereof.
LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT may not (i) invest more than 5% of its total assets
in the securities of any one issuer or own more than 10% of the outstanding
voting securities of such issuer (other than U.S. Government securities),
except that up to 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets may be invested
without regard to the 5% and 10% limitations, (ii) invest 25% or more of its
total assets in securities of companies engaged principally in any one
industry, except that this restriction does not apply to investments in the
mortgage and mortgage-financed industry (in which more than 25% of the value of
the Fund's total assets will, except for temporary defensive positions, be
invested) or U.S. Government securities, (iii) borrow money except from banks
for emergency or temporary purposes in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value
of the total assets of the Fund, except that the Fund may engage in reverse
repurchase agreements and dollar rolls in an amount up to 50% of the Fund's
total assets, and (iv) pledge, hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise encumber its
assets, except to secure permitted borrowings.
MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME may not (i) invest more than 5% of the value of its
total assets in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government
securities), except that up to 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets may
be invested
26
without regard to this limitation, (ii) invest more than 25% of the value of
its total assets in the securities of issuers conducting their principal
business activities in a single industry, except that this limitation shall not
apply to investments in the mortgage and mortgage-financed industry (in which
more than 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets will, except for
temporary defensive positions, be invested) or U.S. Government securities,
(iii) borrow money except from banks for temporary or emergency purposes,
including the meeting of redemption requests which might require the untimely
disposition of securities, borrowing in the aggregate may not exceed 15%, and
borrowing for purposes other than meeting redemptions may not exceed 5% of the
value of the Fund's total assets (including the amount borrowed) less
liabilities (not including the amount borrowed) at the time the borrowing is
made, outstanding borrowings in excess of 5% of the value of the Fund's total
assets will be repaid before any subsequent investments are made, (iv) pledge,
hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise encumber its assets, except in an amount of
not more than 15% of the value of its total assets to secure borrowings for
temporary or emergency purposes and except as provided in (vi) below, provided,
however, that this limitation does not apply to deposits made in connection
with the entering into and holding of interest rate futures contracts, (v)
invest more than 10% of the value of its total assets in the aggregate in
illiquid securities or other illiquid investments and repurchase agreements
maturing in more than seven days, or (vi) lend its portfolio securities if
immediately after such a loan more than 20% of the value of the Fund's total
assets would be subject to such loans.
SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET may not (i) invest 25% or more of its total assets in
securities of companies engaged principally in any one industry other than the
banking industry, except that this restriction does not apply to U.S.
Government securities, (ii) borrow money except from banks for temporary or
emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests which might
require the untimely disposition of securities; borrowing in the aggregate may
not exceed 15%, and borrowing for purposes other than meeting redemptions may
not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets (including the amount
borrowed) less liabilities (not including the amount borrowed) at the time the
borrowing is made; securities will not be purchased while borrowings in excess
of 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets are outstanding, or (iii) pledge,
hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise encumber its assets, except to secure
permitted borrowings.
MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY may not (i) invest 25% or more of its total assets in
securities of companies engaged principally in any one industry other than the
banking industry, except that this restriction does not apply to U.S.
Government securities, (ii) borrow money, except the Fund may, in accordance
with provisions of the 1940 Act, (a) borrow from a bank, if after such
borrowing, there is asset coverage of at least 300% as defined in the 1940 Act,
and (b) borrow for temporary or emergency purposes in an amount not exceeding
5% of the value of the total assets of the Fund, or (iii) pledge, hypothecate,
mortgage or otherwise encumber its assets, except to secure permitted
borrowings.
NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME may not (i) invest 25% or more of its total
assets in securities of companies engaged principally in any one industry
except that this restriction does not apply to U.S. Government securities, (ii)
borrow money, except that the Fund may, in accordance with provisions of the
1940 Act, (a) borrow from a bank, if after such borrowing, there is asset
coverage of at least 300% as defined in the 1940 Act, and (b) borrow for
temporary or emergency purposes in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of
the total assets of the Fund, or (iii) pledge, hypothecate, mortgage or
otherwise encumber its assets, except to secure permitted borrowings.
GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT may not (i) invest 25% or more of its total assets in
the securities of issuers conducting their principal business activities in any
one industry, except that this restriction does not apply to U.S. Government
securities, (ii) purchase more than 10% of any class of the voting securities
of any one issuer, (iii) borrow money, except the Fund may, in accordance with
provisions of the 1940 Act, (a) borrow from a bank, if after such borrowing,
there is asset coverage of at least 300% as defined in the 1940 Act, and (b)
borrow for temporary or emergency purposes in an amount not exceeding 5% of the
value of the total assets of the Fund, (iv) pledge, hypothecate, mortgage or
otherwise encumber its assets, except to secure permitted borrowings, or (v)
purchase a security if, as a result (unless the security is acquired pursuant
to a plan of reorganization or an offer of exchange), the Fund would own more
than 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of any investment company or more
than 5% of the value of the Fund's net assets would be invested in securities
of any one or more investment companies.
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may not : (i) borrow money, except the Fund may, in
accordance with provisions of the 1940 Act, (a) borrow from a bank, if after
such borrowing there is asset coverage of at least 300% as defined in the 1940
Act, and (b) borrow for temporary or emergency purposes in an amount not
exceeding 5% of the value of the total assets of the Fund, or (ii) pledge,
hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise encumber its assets, except to secure
permitted borrowings.
CORPORATE BOND may not (i) invest more than 5% of its total assets in the
securities of any one issuer other than U.S. Government securities, or (ii) own
more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any issuer.
RISK CONSIDERATIONS
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 will change
as the general level of interest rates fluctuates. During periods of falling
interest rates, the values of a Fund's securities generally rise. Conversely,
during periods of rising interest rates, the values of a Fund's securities
generally decline. Changes in interest rates have a greater effect on
securities with longer maturities and durations than those with shorter
maturities and durations.
27
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.
U.S. CORPORATE FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES. The U.S. corporate fixed-income
securities in which GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT invests may include securities
issued in connection with corporate restructurings such as takeovers or
leveraged buyouts, which may pose particular risks. Securities issued to
finance corporate restructurings may have special credit risks due to the
highly leveraged conditions of the issuer. In addition, such issuers may lose
experienced management as a result of the restructuring. Finally, the market
price of such securities may be more volatile to the extent that expected
benefits from the restructuring do not materialize. The Fund may also invest in
U.S. corporate fixed-income securities that are not current in the payment of
interest or principal or are in default, so long as Alliance believes such
investment is consistent with the Fund's investment objectives. The Fund's
rights with respect to defaults on such securities will be subject to
applicable U.S. bankruptcy, moratorium and other similar laws.
FOREIGN INVESTMENT. 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 such
securities may experience greater price volatility and significantly lower
liquidity than a portfolio invested solely in 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.
Furthermore, foreign investment in the securities markets of certain foreign
countries is restricted or controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions or
controls may at times limit or preclude investment in certain securities and
may increase the cost and expenses of a Fund. In addition, the repatriation of
investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of securities from certain
of the countries is controlled under regulations, including in some cases the
need for certain advance government notification or authority, and if a
deterioration occurs in a country's balance of payments, the country could
impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances. A 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. Investing in local markets may require a Fund
to adopt special procedures or seek local governmental approvals or other
actions, any of which may involve additional costs to a Fund. The liquidity of
a Fund's investments in any country in which any of these factors exists could
be affected 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 U.S.
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 or the
Fund's investments in such country. 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 believes that, except for currency fluctuations between the U.S.
Dollar and the Canadian Dollar, the matters described above are not likely to
have a material adverse effect on NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME'S
investments in the securities of Canadian issuers or investments denominated in
Canadian issuers or investments denominated in Canadian Dollars. The factors
described above are more likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund's
investments in the securities of Mexican and other non-Canadian foreign
issuers, including investments in securities denominated in Mexican Pesos or
other non-Canadian foreign currencies. If not hedged, however, currency
fluctuations could affect the unrealized appreciation and depreciation of
Canadian Government securities as expressed in U.S. Dollars.
CURRENCY CONSIDERATIONS. Those Funds that invest some portion of their assets
in securities denominated in, and receive revenues in, foreign currencies will
be adversely affected by reductions in the value of those currencies relative
28
to the U.S. Dollar. These changes will affect a Fund's net assets,
distributions and income. If the value of the foreign currencies in which a
Fund receives income falls relative to the U.S. Dollar between receipt of the
income and the making of Fund distributions, a Fund may be required to
liquidate securities in order to make distributions if the Fund has
insufficient cash in U.S. Dollars to meet the 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 certain currency hedging transactions, which
themselves, involve certain special risks. See 'Additional Investment
Practices' above.
SOVEREIGN DEBT OBLIGATIONS. No established secondary markets may exist for many
of the sovereign debt obligations in which GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL
STRATEGIC INCOME will invest. Reduced secondary market liquidity may have an
adverse effect on the market price and the Fund's ability to dispose of
particular instruments when necessary to meet its liquidity requirements or in
response to specific economic events such as a deterioration in the
creditworthiness of the issuer. Reduced secondary market liquidity for certain
sovereign debt obligations may also make it more difficult for the Fund to
obtain accurate market quotations for the purpose of valuing its portfolio.
Market quotations are generally available on many sovereign debt obligations
only from a limited number of dealers and may not necessarily represent firm
bids of those dealers or prices for actual sales.
By investing in sovereign debt obligations, the Fund will be exposed to the
direct or indirect consequences of political, social and economic changes in
various countries. Political changes in a country may affect the willingness of
a foreign government to make or provide for timely payments of its obligations.
The country's economic status, as reflected, among other things, in its
inflation rate, the amount of its external debt and its gross domestic product,
will also affect the government's ability to honor its obligations.
The sovereign debt obligations in which the Fund will invest in many cases
pertain to countries that are among the world's largest debtors to commercial
banks, foreign governments, international financial organizations and other
financial institutions. In recent years, the governments of some of these
countries have encountered difficulties in servicing their external debt
obligations, which led to defaults on certain obligations and the restructuring
of certain indebtedness. Restructuring arrangements have included, among other
things, reducing and rescheduling interest and principal payments by
negotiating new or amended credit agreements or converting outstanding
principal and unpaid interest to Brady Bonds, and obtaining new credit to
finance interest payments. Certain governments have not been able to make
payments of interest on or principal of sovereign debt obligations as those
payments have come due. Obligations arising from past restructuring agreements
may affect the economic performance and political and social stability of those
issuers.
The ability of governments to make timely payments on their obligations is
likely to be influenced strongly by the issuer's balance of payments, including
export performance, and its access to international credits and investments. To
the extent that a country receives payment for its exports in currencies other
than dollars, its ability to make debt payments denominated in dollars could be
adversely affected. To the extent that a country develops a trade deficit, it
will need to depend on continuing loans from foreign governments, multi-lateral
organizations or private commercial banks, aid payments from foreign
governments and on inflows of foreign investment. The access of a country to
these forms of external funding may not be certain, and a withdrawal of
external funding could adversely affect the capacity of a government to make
payments on its obligations. In addition, the cost of servicing debt
obligations can be affected by a change in international interest rates since
the majority of these obligations carry interest rates that are adjusted
periodically based upon international rates.
The Fund is permitted to invest in sovereign debt obligations that are not
current in the payment of interest or principal or are in default so long as
Alliance believes it to be consistent with the Fund's investment objectives.
The Fund may have limited legal recourse in the event of a default with respect
to certain sovereign debt obligations it holds. For example, remedies from
defaults on certain sovereign debt obligations, unlike those on private debt,
must, in some cases, be pursued in the courts of the defaulting party itself.
Legal recourse therefore may be significantly diminished. Bankruptcy,
moratorium and other similar laws applicable to issuers of sovereign debt
obligations may be substantially different from those applicable to issuers of
private debt obligations. The political context, expressed as the willingness
of an issuer of sovereign debt obligations to meet the terms of the debt
obligation, for example, is of considerable importance. In addition, no
assurance can be given that the holders of commercial bank debt will not
contest payments to the holders of securities issued by foreign governments in
the event of default under commercial bank loan agreements.
EFFECTS OF BORROWING. A Fund's loan agreements provide for additional
borrowings and for repayments and reborrowings from time to time, and each Fund
that may borrow expects to effect borrowings and repayments at such times and
in such amounts as will maintain investment leverage in an amount approximately
equal to its borrowing target. The loan agreements provide for a selection of
interest rates that are based on the bank's short-term funding costs in the
U.S. and London markets.
Borrowings by a Fund result in leveraging of the Fund's shares of common stock.
Utilization of leverage, which is usually considered speculative, however,
involves certain risks to a
29
Fund's shareholders. These include a higher volatility of the net asset value
of a Fund's shares of common stock and the relatively greater effect on the net
asset value of the shares. So long as a Fund is able to realize a net return on
its investment portfolio that is higher than the interest expense paid on
borrowings, the effect of leverage will be to cause the Fund's shareholders to
realize a higher current net investment income than if the Fund were not
leveraged. On the other hand, interest rates on U.S. Dollar-denominated and
foreign currency-denominated obligations change from time to time as does their
relationship to each other, depending upon such factors as supply and demand
forces, monetary and tax policies within each country and investor
expectations. Changes in such factors could cause the relationship between such
rates to change so that rates on U.S. Dollar-denominated obligations may
substantially increase relative to the foreign currency-denominated obligations
in which the Fund may be invested. To the extent that the interest expense on
borrowings approaches the net return on a Fund's investment portfolio, the
benefit of leverage to the Fund's shareholders will be reduced, and if the
interest expense on borrowings were to exceed the net return to shareholders, a
Fund's use of leverage would result in a lower rate of return than if a Fund
were not leveraged. Similarly, the effect of leverage in a declining market
could be a greater decrease in net asset value per share than if the Fund were
not leveraged. In an extreme case if a Fund's current investment income were
not sufficient to meet the interest expense on borrowings, it could be
necessary for the Fund to liquidate certain of its investments, thereby
reducing the net asset value of a Fund's shares.
In the event of an increase in rates on U.S. Government securities or other
changed market conditions, to the point where leverage by either MULTI-MARKET
STRATEGY or NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME could adversely affect the Funds'
shareholders, as noted above, or in anticipation of such changes, either Fund
may increase the percentage of its investment portfolio invested in U.S.
Government securities, which would tend to offset the negative impact of
leverage on Fund shareholders. Either Fund may also reduce the degree to which
it is leveraged by repaying amounts borrowed.
Under the 1940 Act, a Fund is not permitted to borrow unless immediately after
such borrowing there is 'asset coverage,' as that term is defined and used in
the 1940 Act, of at least 300% for all borrowings of the Fund. In addition,
under the 1940 Act, in the event asset coverage falls below 300%, a Fund must
within three days reduce the amount of its borrowing to such an extent that the
asset coverage of its borrowings is at least 300%. Assuming, for example,
outstanding borrowings representing not more than one-third of a Fund's total
assets less liabilities (other than such borrowings), the asset coverage of the
Fund's portfolio would be 300%; while outstanding borrowings representing 25%
of the Fund's total assets less liabilities (other than such borrowings), the
asset coverage of the Fund's portfolio would be 400%. A Fund will maintain
asset coverage of outstanding borrowings of at least 300% and if necessary
will, to the extent possible, reduce the amounts borrowed by making repayments
from time to time in order to do so. Such repayments could require a Fund to
sell portfolio securities at times considered disadvantageous by Alliance. In
the event that a Fund is required to sell portfolio securities in order to make
repayments, such sales of portfolio securities could cause the Fund to incur
related transaction costs and might cause the Fund to realize gains on
securities held for less than three months. Because not more than 30% of a
Fund's gross income may be derived from the sale or disposition of stocks and
securities held for less than three months to maintain the Fund's tax status as
a regulated investment company, such gains would limit the ability of a Fund to
sell other securities held for less than three months that a Fund might wish to
sell in the ordinary course of its portfolio management and thus might
adversely affect the Fund's yield. See 'Dividends, Distributions and Taxes.'
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may borrow in order to purchase securities or make
other investments. Each of MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
INCOME, GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may also borrow to
repurchase its shares or to meet redemption requests. In addition, each Fund
may borrow for temporary purposes (including the purposes mentioned in the
preceding sentence) in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of the assets of
the Fund. Borrowings for temporary purposes are not subject to the 300% asset
average limit described above. See 'Certain Fundamental Investment Policies.'
SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT, MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
INCOME, GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME may also borrow
through the use of reverse repurchase agreements, and GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT
also through the use of dollar rolls to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.
See 'Investment Objectives and Policies-Reverse Repurchase Agreements and
Dollar Rolls.'
INVESTMENT IN THE BANKING INDUSTRY. Due to the investment policies of
MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY and SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET with respect to investments
in the banking industry, those Funds will have greater exposure to the risk
factors which are characteristic of such investments. In particular, the value
of and investment return on each Fund's shares will be affected by economic or
regulatory developments in or related to the banking industry. Sustained
increases in interest rates can adversely affect the availability and cost of
funds for a bank's lending activities, and a deterioration in general economic
conditions could increase the exposure to credit losses. The banking industry
is also subject to the effects of: the concentration of loan portfolios in
particular business such as real estate, energy, agriculture or high
technology-related companies; national and local regulation; and competition
within those industries as well as with other types of financial institutions.
In addition, each Fund's investments in commercial banks located in several
foreign countries are subject to additional risks due to the combination in
such banks of commercial banking and diversified securities
30
activities. As discussed above, however, the Funds will seek to minimize their
exposure to such risks by investing only in debt securities which are
determined to be of high quality.
SECURITIES RATINGS. The ratings of fixed-income securities by S&P, Moody's,
Duff & Phelps and Fitch are a generally accepted barometer of credit risk. They
are, however, subject to certain limitations from an investor's standpoint. The
rating of an issuer is heavily weighted by past developments and does not
necessarily reflect probable future conditions. There is frequently a lag
between the time a rating is assigned and the time it is updated. In addition,
there may be varying degrees of difference in credit risk of securities within
each rating category.
INVESTMENT IN FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES RATED BAA AND BBB. Securities rated Baa
or BBB are considered to have speculative characteristics and share some of the
same characteristics as lower-rated securities, as described below. Sustained
periods of deteriorating economic conditions or of rising interest rates are
more likely to lead to a weakening in the issuer's capacity to pay interest and
repay principal than in the case of higher-rated securities.
INVESTMENT IN LOWER-RATED FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES. Lower-rated securities are
subject to greater risk of loss of principal and interest than higher-rated
securities. They are also generally considered to be subject to greater market
risk than higher-rated securities, and 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, although the market values of securities rated
below investment grade and comparable unrated securities tend to react less to
fluctuations in interest rate levels than do those of higher-rated securities.
Securities rated Ba or BB are judged to have speculative elements or to be
predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's ability to pay interest
and repay principal. Securities rated B are judged to have highly speculative
elements or to be predominantly speculative. Such securities may have small
assurance of interest and principal payments. Securities rated Baa by Moody's
are also judged to have speculative characteristics.
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 such securities and, in turn, the Fund's assets.
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 considering investments for the Fund,
Alliance will attempt to identify those high-yielding securities whose
financial condition is adequate to meet future obligations, has improved, or is
expected to improve in the future. Alliance's analysis focuses on relative
values based on such factors as interest or dividend coverage, asset coverage,
earnings prospects, and the experience and managerial strength of the issuer.
NON-RATED SECURITIES. Non-rated securities will also be considered for
investment by NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME, GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT and
CORPORATE BOND when Alliance believes that the financial condition of the
issuers of such securities, or the protection afforded by the terms of the
securities themselves, limits the risk to the Fund to a degree comparable to
that of rated securities which are consistent with the Fund's objective and
policies.
NON-DIVERSIFIED STATUS. Each of SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET, MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY,
NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME, GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL STRATEGIC
INCOME is a 'non-diversified' investment company, which means the Fund is not
limited in the proportion of its assets that may be invested in the securities
of a single issuer. However, each Fund intends to conduct its operations so as
to qualify to be taxed as a 'regulated investment company' for purposes of the
Code, which will relieve the Fund of any liability for federal income tax to
the extent its earnings are distributed to shareholders. See 'Dividends,
Distributions and Taxes' in each Fund's Statement of Additional Information. To
so qualify, among other requirements, each Fund will limit its investments so
that, at the close of each quarter of the taxable year, (i) not more than 25%
of the Fund's total assets will be invested in the securities of a single
issuer, and (ii) with respect to 50% of its total assets, not more than 5% of
its total assets will be invested in the securities of a single issuer and the
Fund will not own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of a
single issuer. A Fund's investments in U.S. Government securities are not
subject to these limitations. Because each of SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET,
MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME and GLOBAL DOLLAR
GOVERNMENT is a non-diversified investment company, it may invest in a smaller
number of individual issuers than a diversified investment company, and an
investment in such Fund may, under certain circumstances, present greater risk
to an investor than an investment in a diversified investment company.
Foreign government securities are not treated like U.S. Government securities
for purposes of the diversification tests described in the preceding paragraph,
but instead are subject to these tests in the same manner as the securities of
non-governmental issuers. In this regard sovereign debt obligations issued by
different issuers located in the same country are often treated as issued by a
single issuer for purposes of these diversification tests. Certain issuers of
structured securities
31
and loan participations may be treated as separate issuers for the purposes of
these tests. Accordingly, in order to meet the diversification tests and
thereby maintain its status as a regulated investment company, NORTH AMERICAN
GOVERNMENT INCOME will be required to diversify its portfolio of foreign
government securities in a manner which would not be necessary if the Fund had
made similar investments in U.S. Government securities.
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES
_______________________________________________________________________________
HOW TO BUY SHARES
Each Fund offers multiple classes of shares, of which only the Advisor Class is
offered by this Prospectus. Advisor Class shares of each Fund may be purchased
through your financial representative at net asset value without any initial or
contingent deferred sales charges and without ongoing distribution expenses.
Advisor Class shares may be purchased soley by investors (i) through accounts
established under a fee-based program, sponsored and maintained by a registered
broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and approved by Alliance Fund
Distributors, Inc. ('AFD'), each Fund's principal underwriter, pursuant to
which each investor pays an asset-based fee at an annual rate of at least .50%
of the assets in the investor's account to the broker-dealer or financial
intermediary, or its affiliate or agent, for investment advisory or
administrative services, or (ii) 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. The minimum initial investment in each
Fund is $250. The minimum for subsequent investments in each Fund is $50.
Investments of $25 or more are allowed under the automatic investment program
of each Fund and under a 403(b)(7) retirement plan. Share certificates are
issued only upon request. See the Subscription Application and Statements of
Additional Information for more information.
The Funds may refuse any order to purchase Advisor Class shares. In this
regard, the Funds reserve the right to restrict purchases of Advisor Class
shares (including exchanges) when there appears to be evidence of a pattern
of frequent purchases and sales made in response to short-term fluctuations in
share price.
HOW THE FUNDS VALUE THEIR SHARES
The net asset value of Advisor Class shares of a Fund is calculated by dividing
the value of the Fund's net assets allocable to the Advisor Class by the
outstanding shares of the Advisor Class. Shares are valued each day the New
York Stock Exchange (the 'Exchange') is open as of the close of regular trading
(currently 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). The securities in a Fund are valued at
their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if
such quotations are not readily available, such other methods as the Fund's
Directors and Trustees believe would accurately reflect fair market value.
HOW TO SELL SHARES
You may 'redeem', i.e., sell your shares in a Fund to the Fund on any day the
Exchange is open, either directly or through your financial representative. The
price you will receive is the net asset value next calculated after the Fund
receives your request in proper form. Proceeds generally will be sent to you
within seven days. However, for shares recently purchased by check or
electronic funds transfer, a Fund will not send proceeds until it 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 what documents are required by
your fee-based program or employee benefit plan, you should contact your
financial representative.
SELLING SHARES THROUGH YOUR FINANCIAL REPRESENTATIVE
Your financial representative must receive your request before 4:00 p.m.
Eastern time, and your financial representative must transmit your request to
the Fund by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time, for you to receive that day's net asset
value. Your financial representative is responsible for furnishing all
necessary documentation to a Fund and may charge you for this service.
SELLING SHARES DIRECTLY TO A FUND
Send a signed letter of instruction or stock power form to Alliance Fund
Services, Inc. ('AFS'), along with certificates, if any, that represent the
shares you want to sell. For your protection, signatures must be guaranteed by
a bank, a member firm of a national stock exchange or other eligible guarantor
institution. Stock power forms are available from your financial
representative, AFS, and many commercial banks. Additional documentation is
required for the sale of shares by corporations, intermediaries, fiduciaries
and surviving joint owners. For details contact:
Alliance Fund Services
P.O. Box 1520
Secaucus, NJ 07096-1520
800-221-5672
Alternatively, a request for redemption of shares for which no stock
certificates have been issued can also be made by telephone to 800-221-5672.
Telephone redemption requests must be made by 4 p.m. Eastern time on a Fund
business day in order to receive that day's net asset value and, except for
certain omnibus accounts, may be made only once in any 30 day period. A
shareholder who has completed the Telephone Transactions section of the
Subscription Application, or the Shareholder Options form obtained from AFS,
can elect to have the proceeds of their redemption sent to their bank via an
electronic funds transfer. Proceeds of telephone redemptions also may be sent
by check to a shareholder's address of record. Except for certain omnibus
accounts, redemption requests by electronic funds transfer may not exceed
$100,000 and redemption requests by check may not exceed $50,000. Telephone
redemption is not available for shares held in nominees or 'street name'
accounts or retirement plan accounts or shares held by a shareholder who has
changed his or her address of record within the previous 30 calendar days.
GENERAL
The sale of shares is a taxable transaction for federal tax purposes. 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.
32
During drastic economic or market developments, you might have difficulty
reaching AFS by telephone, in which event you should issue written instructions
to AFS. AFS is not responsible for the authenticity of telephonic 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 telephonic 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.
HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES
You may exchange your Advisor Class shares of any other Fund for Advisor Class
shares of other Alliance Mutual Funds (including AFD Exchange Reserves, a money
market fund managed by Alliance). Exchanges of shares are made at the net asset
values next determined, without sales or service charges. Exchanges may be made
by telephone or written request. Telephone exchange requests must be received
by AFS by 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on a Fund business day in order to receive
that day's net asset value.
Please read carefully the prospectus of the mutual fund into which you are
exchanging before submitting the request. Call AFS at 800-221-5672 to exchange
uncertificated shares. An exchange is a taxable capital transaction for federal
tax purposes. The exchange service may be changed, suspended, or terminated on
60 days' written notice.
GENERAL
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 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.
Each Fund offers three classes of shares other than the Advisor Class, which
are Class A, Class B and Class C. All classes of shares of a Fund have a common
investment objective and investment portfolio. Class A shares are offered with
an initial sales charge and pay a distribution services fee. Class B shares
have a contingent deferred sales charge (a 'CDSC') and also pay a distribution
services fee. Class C shares have no initial sales charge or CDSC but pay a
distribution services fee. Because Advisor Class shares have no initial sales
charge or CDSC and pay no distribution services fee, Advisor Class shares are
expected to have different performance from Class A, Class B or Class C
shares. You may obtain more information about Class A, Class B and Class C
shares, which are not offered by this Prospectus, by contacting AFS by
telephone at 1-800-221-5672 or by contacting your financial representative.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS
_______________________________________________________________________________
ADVISER
Alliance, which is a Delaware limited partnership with principal offices at
1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105, has been retained under
an advisory agreement (the 'Advisory Agreement') to provide investment advice
and, in general, to conduct the management and investment program of each Fund,
subject to the general supervision and control of the Directors or Trustees of
the Fund.
Alliance is a leading international investment manager supervising client
accounts with assets as of March 1, 1996 totaling more than $156 billion
(of which more than $48 billion represented the assets of investment
companies). Alliance's clients are primarily major corporate employee benefit
funds, public employee retirement systems, investment companies, foundations
and endowment funds. The 50 registered investment companies managed by Alliance
comprising 107 separate investment portfolios currently have over two million
shareholders. As of March 1, 1996, Alliance was retained as an investment
manager for 34 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, Alliance, 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, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Equitable Companies
Incorporated, a holding company controlled by AXA, a French insurance holding
company. Certain information concerning the ownership and control of Equitable
by AXA is set forth in each Fund's Statement of Additional Information under
'Management of the Fund.'
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, and each person's principal
occupation during the past five years.
Principal occupation
Employee; time period; during the past
Fund title with ACMC five years
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short-Term U.S. Patricia J. Young since 1995 Associated with
Government -Senior Vice President Alliance since
March 1992; prior
thereto, a managing
director and portfolio
manager for Hyperion
Capital since March 1991
and a managing director
with Fischer, Francis,
Trees & Watts
33
Principal occupation
Employee; time period; during the past
Fund title with ACMC five years
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paul A. Ullman Associated with
since 1995-Vice President Alliance since
March 1992; prior
thereto, a director and
portfolio manager for
Hyperion Capital since
July 1990 and a
Vice President at
Salomon Brothers Inc.
U.S. Government Wayne D. Lyski since 1983 Associated with Alliance
-Executive Vice President
Paul J. DeNoon since Associated with Alliance
January 1992- since January 1992;
Vice President prior thereto, a
Vice President at
Manufacturers
Hanover Trust
Limited Maturity Patricia J. Young (see above)
Government since inception -(see above)
Paul A. Ullman (see above)
since inception-(see above)
Mortgage Securities Patricia J. Young since (see above)
Income March 1992-(see above)
Paul A. Ullman since (see above)
March 1992-(see above)
Short-Term Douglas J. Peebles since Associated with
Multi-Market 1995-Vice President Alliance
Multi-Market Douglas J. Peebles since (see above)
Strategy inception-(see above)
North American Wayne D. Lyski since inception (see above)
Government Income -(see above)
Global Dollar Wayne D. Lyski since inception (see above)
Government -(see above)
Global Strategic Wayne D. Lyski since inception (see above)
Income -(see above)
Douglas J. Peebles since (see above)
inception-(see above)
Corporate Bond Wayne D. Lyski since (see above)
1987-(see above)
Paul J. DeNoon since (see above)
January 1992-(see above)
DISTRIBUTION SERVICES AGREEMENTS
Each Fund has entered into a Distribution Services Agreement (the 'Agreement')
with AFD with respect to Advisor Class shares. The Glass-Steagall Act and other
applicable laws may limit the ability of a bank or other depository institution
to become an underwriter or distributor of securities. However, in the opinion
of the Funds' management, based on the advice of counsel, these laws do not
prohibit such depository institutions from providing services for investment
companies such as the administrative, accounting and other services referred to
in the Agreements. In the event that a change in these laws prevented a bank
from providing such services, it is expected that other service arrangements
would be made and that shareholders would not be adversely affected. The State
of Texas requires that shares of a Fund may be sold in that state only by
dealers or other financial institutions that are registered there as
broker-dealers.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
_______________________________________________________________________________
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends on shares of a Fund will be declared on each Fund business day from
the Fund's net investment income. Dividends on shares for Saturdays, Sundays
and holidays will be declared on the previous business day. Each Fund pays
dividends on its shares after the close of business on the twentieth day of
each month or, if such day is not a business day, the first business day
thereafter. At your election (which you may change at least 30 days prior to
the record date for a particular dividend or distribution), dividends and
distributions are paid in cash or reinvested without charge in additional
shares of the same class having an aggregate net asset value as of the payment
date of the dividend or distribution equal to the cash amount thereof.
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 such
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.
Cash dividends can be paid by check or, if the shareholder so elects,
electronically via the ACH network. There is no sales or other charge in
connection with the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.
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 such dividend or distribution must
necessarily depend upon the realization by such 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.
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.
FOREIGN INCOME TAXES
Investment income received by a Fund from sources within foreign countries may
be subject to foreign income taxes
34
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, but there can be no
assurance that any Fund will be able to do so.
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
Each Fund intends to qualify to be taxed as a 'regulated investment company'
under the Code. To the extent that a Fund distributes its taxable income and
net capital gain to its shareholders, qualification as a regulated investment
company relieves that Fund of federal income and excise taxes on that part of
its taxable income including net capital gains which it pays out to its
shareholders. Dividends out of net ordinary income and distributions of net
short-term capital gains are taxable to the recipient shareholders as ordinary
income. In the case of corporate shareholders, such dividends from certain
Funds may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction, except that the
amount eligible for the deduction is limited to the amount of qualifying
dividends received by the Fund. A corporation's dividends-received deduction
will be disallowed unless the corporation holds shares in the Fund at least 46
days. Furthermore, the dividends-received deduction will be disallowed to the
extent a corporation's investment in shares of a Fund is financed with
indebtedness.
The excess of net long-term capital gains over the net short-term capital
losses realized and distributed by each Fund to its shareholders as capital
gains distributions is taxable to the shareholders as long-term capital gains,
irrespective of the length of time a shareholder may have held his or her
stock. Long-term capital gains distributions are not eligible for the
dividends-received deduction referred to above.
Under the current federal tax law the amount of an income dividend or capital
gains distribution declared by a Fund during October, November or December of a
year to shareholders of record as of a specified date in such a month that is
paid during January of the following year is includable in the prior year's
taxable income of shareholders that are calendar year taxpayers.
Any dividend or distribution received by a shareholder on shares of a Fund will
have the effect of reducing the net asset value of such shares by the amount of
such dividend or distribution. Furthermore, a dividend or distribution made
shortly after the purchase of such shares by a shareholder, although in effect
a return of capital to that particular shareholder, would be taxable to him or
her as described above. If a shareholder held shares six months or less and
during that period received a distribution taxable to such shareholder as
long-term capital gain, any loss realized on the sale of such shares during
such six-month period would be a long-term capital loss to the extent of such
distribution.
A dividend or capital gains distribution with respect to shares of a 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, 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.
Distributions by a Fund may be subject to state and local taxes. U.S.
GOVERNMENT, LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT, MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME, SHORT-TERM
MULTI-MARKET, MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY, NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME and
CORPORATE BOND are qualified to do business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
and, therefore, are subject to the Pennsylvania foreign franchise and corporate
net income tax in respect of their business activities in Pennsylvania.
Accordingly, shares of such Funds are exempt from Pennsylvania personal
property taxes. These Funds anticipate continuing such business activities but
reserve the right to suspend them at any time, resulting in the termination of
the exemptions.
A Fund will be required to withhold 31% of any payments made to a shareholder
if the shareholder has not provided a certified taxpayer identification number
to the Fund, or the Secretary of the Treasury notifies a Fund that a
shareholder has not reported all interest and dividend income required to be
shown on the shareholder's Federal income tax return.
Shareholders will be advised annually as to the federal tax status of dividends
and capital gains distributions made by a Fund for the preceding year.
Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding their own tax
situation.
GENERAL INFORMATION
_______________________________________________________________________________
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Consistent with the Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., and subject to seeking best price and execution, a
Fund may consider sales of its shares as a factor in the selection of dealers
to enter into portfolio transactions with the Fund.
ORGANIZATION
Each of the following Funds is a Maryland corporation organized in the year
indicated: U.S. GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO and CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO (each a
series of Alliance Bond Fund, Inc.) (1973), ALLIANCE LIMITED MATURITY
GOVERNMENT FUND, INC. (1992), ALLIANCE MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME FUND, INC.
(1983), ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM MULTI-MARKET TRUST, INC. (1989), ALLIANCE
MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY TRUST, INC. (1991), ALLIANCE NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
INCOME TRUST, INC. (1992) and ALLIANCE GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT FUND, INC.
(1993). Prior to March 1, 1996, ALLIANCE LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT FUND, INC.
was known as Alliance Mortgage Strategy Trust, Inc. Prior to January 4, 1993,
CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO was known as Monthly Income Portfolio. ALLIANCE
SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND is a series of The Alliance Portfolios, a
Massachusetts business trust that was organized in 1987. Prior to August 2,
1993, The Alliance Portfolios was known as The Equitable Funds and SHORT-TERM
U.S. GOVERNMENT was known as The Equitable Short-Term U.S. Government Fund.
35
It is anticipated that annual shareholder meetings will not be held;
shareholder meetings will be held only when required by federal, or in the case
of the Funds organized as Maryland corporations, state law. Shareholders have
available certain procedures for the removal of Directors or Trustees.
A shareholder in a Fund will be entitled to his or her pro rata share of 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. The Funds are empowered to establish, without
shareholder approval, additional portfolios, which may have different
investment objectives, and additional classes of shares. If an additional
portfolio or class were established in a 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 or Trustees, that affect each
portfolio and class in substantially the same manner. Advisor Class, Class A,
Class B and Class C shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and
other rights, except that each class bears its own transfer agency expenses and
each of Class A, Class B and Class C shares bears its own distribution
expenses. Each class of shares votes separately with respect to 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 Trustees and, in liquidation of a Fund, are entitled to receive the net
assets of the Fund. Since this Prospectus sets forth information about all the
Funds, it is theoretically possible that a Fund might be liable for any
materially inaccurate or incomplete disclosure in this Prospectus concerning
another Fund. Based on the advice of counsel, however, the Funds believe that
the potential liability of each Fund with respect to the disclosure in this
Prospectus extends only to the disclosure relating to that Fund. Certain
additional matters relating to a Fund's organization are discussed in its
Statement of Additional Information.
PENDING LEGAL PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME
On July 25, 1995, a Consolidated and Supplemental Class Action Complaint
('Complaint') styled IN RE ALLIANCE NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST,
INC. SECURITIES LITIGATION was filed in the United States District Court for
the Southern District of New York against the Fund, Alliance, ACMC, AFD, The
Equitable Companies Incorporated, a parent of Alliance, certain officers of the
Fund, certain current and former directors of the Fund, certain current and
former officers of ACMC and certain directors of ACMC, alleging violations of
federal securities laws, fraud and breach of fiduciary duty in connection with
the Fund's investments in Mexican and Argentine securities. The Complaint seeks
certification of a plaintiff class of all persons who purchased or owned Class
A, B or C shares of the Fund from March 27, 1992 through December 23, 1994. The
Complaint alleges that as of the date of the Complaint, the Fund's losses
exceeded $750,000,000. The Complaint seeks as relief unspecified damages, costs
and attorneys' fees.
The principal allegations of the Complaint are that upon the advice of Alliance
the Fund purchased debt securities issued by the Mexican and Argentine
governments in amounts that were not permitted by the Fund's investment
objective, and that there was no shareholder vote to change the investment
objective to permit purchases in such amounts. The Complaint further alleges
that the decline in the value of the Mexican and Argentine securities held by
the Fund caused the Fund's net asset value to decline to the detriment of the
Fund's shareholders.
On September 26, 1995, defendants jointly filed a motion to dismiss the
Complaint in its entirety. The Fund and Alliance believe that the allegations
in the Complaint are without merit and intend to vigorously defend against
these claims.
REGISTRAR, TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND-DISBURSING AGENT
AFS, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Alliance, located at 500 Plaza
Drive, Secaucus, New Jersey 07094, acts as each Fund's registrar, transfer
agent and dividend-disbursing agent for a fee based upon the number of
shareholder accounts maintained for the Fund.
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
AFD, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Alliance, located at 1345 Avenue of
the Americas, New York, New York 10105, is the principal underwriter of shares
of the Funds.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time, the Funds advertise their 'yield' and 'total return,' which
are computed separately for each class of shares, including Advisor Class
shares. A Fund's yield for any 30-day (or one-month) period is computed by
dividing the net investment income per share earned during such period by the
maximum public offering price per share on the last day of the period, and then
annualizing such 30-day (or one-month) yield in accordance with a formula
prescribed by the Commission which provides for compounding on a semi-annual
basis. A Fund may also state in sales literature an 'actual distribution rate'
for each class which is computed in the same manner as yield except that actual
income dividends declared per share during the period in question are
substituted for net investment income per share. The actual distribution rate
is computed separately for each class of shares, including Advisor Class
shares. Advertisements of a Fund's total return disclose its average annual
compounded total return for the periods prescribed by the Commission. A 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 a Fund are assumed to have been reinvested when paid and the maximum sales
charges applicable to
36
purchases and redemptions of a Fund's shares are assumed to have been paid. A
Fund's advertisements may quote performance rankings or ratings of a Fund by
financial publications or independent organizations such as Lipper Analytical
Services, Inc. and Morningstar, Inc. or compare a Fund's performance to various
indices.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This Prospectus and the Statements of Additional Information, which have been
incorporated by reference herein, do not contain all the information set forth
in the Registration Statements filed by the Funds with the Commission under the
Securities Act. Copies of the Registration Statements 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.
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH
OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
THIS PROSPECTUS IS INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE AN OFFER BY EACH FUND ONLY OF THE
SECURITIES OF WHICH IT IS THE ISSUER AND IS NOT INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE AN OFFER
BY ANY FUND OF THE SECURITIES OF ANY OTHER FUND WHOSE SECURITIES ARE ALSO
OFFERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS. NO FUND INTENDS TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION AS TO
THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE DISCLOSURE IN THIS PROSPECTUS RELATING TO
ANY OTHER FUND. SEE 'GENERAL INFORMATION-ORGANIZATION.'
37
APPENDIX A: BOND RATINGS
_______________________________________________________________________________
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.
Aaa-Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry
the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as 'gilt
edge.' Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are
likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair
the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa-Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards.
Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high
grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of
protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of
protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements
present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than the Aaa
securities.
A-Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are
to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present
which suggest a susceptibility to impairment some time in the future.
Baa-Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade obligations, i.e.,
they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payment and
principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba-Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered as well-assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
B-Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa-Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest.
Ca-Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C-Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing.
Absence of Rating-When no rating has been assigned or where a rating has been
suspended or withdrawn, it may be for reasons unrelated to the quality of the
issue.
Should no rating be assigned, the reason may be one of the following:
1. An application for rating was not received or accepted.
2. The issue or issuer belongs to a group of securities or companies that are
not rated as a matter of policy.
3. There is a lack of essential data pertaining to the issue or issuer.
4. The issue was privately placed, in which case the rating is not published
in Moody's publications.
Suspension or withdrawal may occur if new and material circumstances arise, the
effects of which preclude satisfactory analysis; if there is no longer
available reasonable up-to-date data to permit a judgment to be formed; if a
bond is called for redemption; or for other reasons.
Note-Moody's applies numerical modifiers, 1, 2 and 3 in each generic rating
classification from Aa through B in its corporate bond rating system. The
modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of its generic
rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier
3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating
category.
STANDARD & POOR'S RATINGS SERVICES
AAA-Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to pay
interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA-Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
and differs from the highest rated issues only in small degree.
A-Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.
BBB-Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest
and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for
debt in this category than in higher rated categories.
BB, B, CCC, CC, C-Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C is regarded as having
predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay
interest and repay principal. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and
CCC the highest. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective
characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures
to adverse conditions.
A-1
CI-The rating CI is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being
paid.
D-Debt rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when
interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due even if
the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such
payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be used
upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are
jeopardized.
Plus (+) or Minus (-)-The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the
addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major
rating categories.
NR-Not rated.
DUFF & PHELPS CREDIT RATING CO.
AAA-Highest credit quality. The risk factors are negligible, being only
slightly more than for risk-free U.S. Treasury debt.
AA+,AA, AA- -High credit quality. Protection factors are strong. Risk is modest
but may vary slightly from time to time because of economic conditions.
A+, A, A- -Protection factors are average but adequate. However, risk factors
are more variable and greater in periods of economic stress.
BBB+, BBB, BBB- -Below average protection factors but still considered
sufficient for prudent investment. Considerable variability in risk during
economic cycles.
BB+, BB, BB- -Below investment grade but deemed likely to meet obligations when
due. Present or prospective financial protection factors fluctuate according to
industry conditions or company fortunes. Overall quality may move up or down
frequently within this category.
B+, B, B- -Below investment grade and possessing risk that obligations will not
be met when due. Financial protection factors will fluctutate widely according
to economic cycles, industry conditions and/or company fortunes. Potential
exists for frequent changes in the rating within this category or into a higher
or lower rating grade
CCC-Well below investment grade securities. Considerable uncertainty exists as
to timely payment of principal or interest. Protection factors are narrow and
risk can be substantial with unfavorable economic/industry conditions, and/or
with unfavorable company developments.
DD-Defaulted debt obligations. Issuer failed to meet scheduled principal and/or
interest payments.
FITCH INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.
AAA-Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit quality.
The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay interest and repay
principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably foreseeable events.
AA-Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is very strong, although
not quite as strong as bonds rated AAA. Because bonds rated in the AAA and AA
categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable future developments,
short-term debt of these issuers is generally rated F- 1+.
A-Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be
strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions
and circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.
BBB-Bonds considered to be investment grade and of satisfactory credit quality.
The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be
adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances, however,
are more likely to have adverse impact on these bonds, and therefore impair
timely payment. The likelihood that the ratings of these bonds will fall below
investment grade is higher than for bonds with higher ratings.
BB-Bonds are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to pay interest and
repay principal may be affected over time by adverse economic changes. However,
business and financial alternatives can be identified which could assist the
obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements.
B-Bonds are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this class are
currently meeting debt service requirements, the probability of continued
timely payment of principal and interest reflects the obligor's limited margin
of safety and the need for reasonable business and economic activity throughout
the life of the issue.
CCC-Bonds have certain identifiable characteristics which, if not remedied, may
lead to default.
The ability to meet obligations requires an advantageous business and economic
environment.
CC-Bonds are minimally protected. Default in payment of interest and/or
principal seems probable over time.
C-Bonds are in imminent default in payment of interest or principal.
DDD, DD, D-Bonds are in default on interest and/or principal payments. Such
bonds are extremely speculative and should be valued on the basis of their
ultimate recovery value in liquidation or reorganization of the obligor. DDD
represents the highest potential for recovery on these bonds, and D represents
the lowest potential for recovery.
Plus (+) Minus (-)-Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol to
indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus and
minus signs, however, are not used in the AAA, DDD, DD or D categories.
NR-Indicates that Fitch does not rate the specific issue.
A-2
APPENDIX B: GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT CANADA, MEXICO AND ARGENTINA
_______________________________________________________________________________
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT CANADA
Canada consists of a federation of ten Provinces and two federal territories
(which generally fall under federal authority) with a constitutional division
of powers between the federal and Provincial governments. The Parliament of
Canada has jurisdiction over all areas not assigned exclusively to the
Provincial legislatures, and has jurisdiction over such matters as the federal
public debt and property, the regulation of trade and commerce, currency and
coinage, banks and banking, national defense, the postal services, navigation
and shipping and unemployment insurance.
The Canadian economy is based on the free enterprise system, with business
organizations ranging from small owner-operated businesses to large
multinational corporations. Manufacturing and resource industries are large
contributors to the country's economic output, but as in many other highly
developed countries, there has been a gradual shift from a largely
goods-producing economy to a predominantly service-based one. Agriculture and
other primary production play a small but key role in the economy. Canada is
also an exporter of energy to the United States in the form of natural gas (of
which Canada has substantial reserves) and hydroelectric power, and has
significant mineral resources.
Canadian Dollars are fully exchangeable into U.S. Dollars without foreign
exchange controls or other legal restriction. Since the major developed-country
currencies were permitted to float freely against one another, the range of
fluctuation in the U.S. Dollar/Canadian Dollar exchange rate has been narrower
than the range of fluctuation between the U.S. Dollar and most other major
currencies. During the last several years, Canada has experienced a weakening
of its currency. In January 1995, the Canadian Dollar fell to a nine-year low
against the U.S. Dollar, decreasing in value compared to the U.S. Dollar by
approximately 25% from October 1991, but from January 20, 1995, through
February 15, 1996, the Canadian Dollar increased in value by approximately 3.4%
against the U.S. Dollar. The range of fluctuation that occurred in the past is
not necessarily indicative of the range of fluctuation that will occur in the
future. Future rates of exchange cannot be accurately predicted.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE UNITED MEXICAN STATES
The United Mexican States ('Mexico') is a nation formed by 31 states and a
Federal District (Mexico City). The Political Constitution of Mexico, which
took effect on May 1, 1917, established Mexico as a Federal Republic and
provides for the separation of executive, legislative and judicial branches.
The President and the members of the General Congress are elected by popular
vote.
While in recent years the Mexican economy has experienced improvement in a
number of areas, including seven consecutive years (1987-1994) of growth in
gross domestic product and a substantial reduction in the rate of inflation and
in public sector financial deficit, beginning in 1994, Mexico has experienced
an economic crisis that led to the devaluation of the Peso in December 1994.
Much of the past improvement in the Mexican economy has been attributable to a
series of economic policy initiatives initiated by the Mexican government over
the past decade, which seek to modernize and reform the Mexican economy,
control inflation, reduce the financial deficit, increase public revenues
through the reform of the tax system, establish a competitive and stable
currency exchange rate, liberalize trade restrictions and increase investment
and productivity, while reducing the government's role in the economy. In this
regard, the Mexican government has been proceeding with a program for
privatizing certain state owned enterprises, developing and modernizing the
securities markets, increasing investment in the private sector and permitting
increased levels of foreign investment. The recent adoption by Canada, the
United States and Mexico of the North American Free Trade Agreement could also
contribute to the growth of the Mexican economy.
In 1994 Mexico faced internal and external conditions that resulted in an
economic crisis that continues to affect the Mexican economy adversely. Growing
trade and current account deficits, which could no longer be financed by
inflows of foreign capital, were factors contributing to the crisis. A
weakening economy and unsettling political and social developments caused
investors to lose confidence in the Mexican economy. This resulted in a large
decline in foreign reserves followed by a sharp and rapid devaluation of the
Mexican Peso. The ensuing economic and financial crisis resulted in higher
inflation and domestic interest rates, a contraction in real gross domestic
product and a liquidity crisis.
In response to the adverse economic conditions that developed at the end of
1994, the Mexican government instituted a new economic program; and a new
social accord among the government, business and labor sectors of the country
was entered into in an effort to stabilize the economy and the financial
markets. To help relieve Mexico's liquidity crisis and restore financial
stability to Mexico's economy, the Mexican government also obtained financial
assistance from the United States, other countries and certain international
agencies conditioned upon the implementation and continuation of the economic
reform program.
While the Mexican economy has stabilized, it is still in a recession and
suffers from high inflation and high interest rates. In October 1995, the
Mexican government announced a new accord designed to encourage economic growth
and reduce inflation. It cannot be accurately predicted whether this accord
will achieve its purpose. Mexico's economy may also be influenced by
international economic conditions, particularly those in the United States, and
by world prices for oil and other commodities. The recovery of the economy will
require
B-1
continued economic and fiscal discipline as well as stable political and social
conditions. There is no assurance that Mexico's economic policy initiatives
will be successful or that succeeding administrations will continue these
initiatives.
In August 1976, the Mexican government established a policy of allowing the
Mexican Peso to float against the U.S. Dollar and other currencies. Under this
policy, the value of the Mexican Peso consistently declined against the U.S.
Dollar. Under economic policy initiatives implemented since December 1987, the
Mexican government introduced a series of schedules allowing for the gradual
devaluation of the Mexican Peso against the U.S. Dollar. These gradual
devaluations continued until December 1994. On December 20, 1994, the Mexican
government announced a new policy that would allow a more substantial yet still
controlled devaluation of the Mexican Peso. On December 22, 1994, the Mexican
government announced that it would not continue with the policy announced two
days earlier and would instead permit the Peso to float against other
currencies, resulting in a continued decline against the U.S. Dollar. From
December 22, 1994 through February 15, 1996, the Mexican Peso decreased in
value compared to the U.S. Dollar by approximately 60%.
In 1982, Mexico imposed strict foreign exchange controls which shortly
thereafter were relaxed and were eliminated in 1991. There is no assurance that
future regulatory actions in Mexico would not affect the Fund's ability to
obtain U.S. Dollars in exchange for Mexican Pesos.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE REPUBLIC OF ARGENTINA
The Republic of Argentina ('Argentina') consists of 23 provinces and the
federal capital of Buenos Aires. Its federal constitution provides for an
executive branch headed by a President, a legislative branch and a judicial
branch. Each province has its own constitution, and elects its own governor,
legislators and judges, without the intervention of the federal government.
The military has intervened in the political process on several occasions since
the 1930's and has ruled the country for 22 of the past 62 years. The most
recent military government ruled the country from 1976 to 1983. Four
unsuccessful military uprisings have occurred since 1983, the most recent in
December 1990.
Shortly after taking office in 1989, the country's current President adopted
market-oriented and reformist policies, including a large privatization
program, a reduction in the size of the public sector and an opening of the
economy to international competition.
In the decade prior to the current announcement of a new economic plan in March
1991, the Argentine economy was characterized by low and erratic growth,
declining investment rates and rapidly worsening inflation. Despite its
strengths, which include a well-balanced natural resource base and a high
literacy rate, the Argentine economy failed to respond to a series of economic
plans in the 1980's. The Economy Minister's plan represented a pronounced
departure from its predecessors in calling for raised revenues, reduced
expenditures and a reduced public deficit. The extensive privatization program
commenced in 1989 was accelerated, the domestic economy deregulated and opened
up to foreign trade and the frame-work for foreign investment reformed. As a
result of the economic stabilization reforms, gross domestic product has
increased and inflation has decreased.
Significant progress was also made in 1992 in rescheduling Argentina's debt
with both external and domestic creditors, which improved fiscal cash flows in
the medium terms and allowed a return to voluntary credit markets. Further
reforms are currently being implemented in order to sustain and continue the
progress to date. There is no assurance that Argentina's economic policy
initiatives will be successful or that succeeding administrations will continue
these initiatives.
In 1995 economic policy was directed toward the effects of the Mexican currency
crisis. The Mexican currency crisis led to a run on bank deposits, which was
brought under control by a series of measures designed to strengthen the
financial system. The measures included the 'dollarization' of banking
reserves, the establishment of two trust funds, and the implementation of
limited deposit insurance.
In 1991 the Argentine government enacted currency reforms, which required the
domestic currency to be fully backed by foreign exchange reserves, in an effort
to make the Argentine Peso fully convertible into the U.S. Dollar at a rate of
one to one.
The Argentine Peso has been the Argentine currency since January 1, 1992. Since
that date, the rate of exchange from the Argentine Peso to the U.S. Dollar has
remained approximately one to one. The fixed exchange rate has been
instrumental in stabilizing the economy, but has not reduced pressures from a
slow-growth economy and record unemployment. It is not clear that the
government will be able to resist pressure to devalue the currency. However,
the historic range is not necessarily indicative of fluctuations that may occur
in the exchange rate over time and future rates of exchange cannot be
accurately predicted. The Argentine foreign exchange market was highly
controlled until December 1989, when a free exchange rate was established for
all foreign currency transactions. Argentina has eliminated restrictions on
foreign direct investment and capital repatriation. On September 8, 1993,
legislation was adopted abolishing previous requirements of a three-year
waiting period for capital repatriation. Under the new legislation, foreign
investors will be permitted to remit profits at any time.
B-2
<PAGE>
(LOGO) ALLIANCE BOND FUND, INC. -
U.S. GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
_______________________________________________________________
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
November 1, 1996
_______________________________________________________________
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus but
supplements and should be read in conjunction with the current
Prospectus for the U.S. Government Portfolio (the "Portfolio") of
the Alliance Bond Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") that offers Class A,
Class B and Class C shares of the Portfolio and, if the
Portfolios begins to offer Advisor Class shares, the Prospectus
that offers the Advisor Class shares of the Portfolio (the
"Advisor Class Prospectus" and, together with any Prospectus that
offers the Class A, Class B, and Class C shares, the
"Prospectus(es)"). Copies of the Prospectus(es) of the Portfolio
may be obtained by contacting Alliance Fund Services, Inc., at
the address or the "For Literature" telephone number shown above.
The Portfolio currently does not offer Advisor Class shares.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Description of the Portfolio . . . . . . . . . . .
Management of the Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchase of Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Redemption and Repurchase of Shares. . . . . . . .
Shareholder Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net Asset Value. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Portfolio Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
<PAGE>
Financial Statements and Report of Independent
Auditors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
________________________________
(R) This is a registered mark used under license from the owner,
Alliance Capital Management L.P.
<PAGE>
_______________________________________________________________
DESCRIPTION OF THE PORTFOLIO
_______________________________________________________________
INTRODUCTION TO THE FUND
The Fund is an open-end management investment company
whose shares are offered in separate series referred to as
"Portfolios." Each Portfolio is a separate pool of assets
constituting, in effect, a separate fund with its own investment
objective policies. A shareholder in a Portfolio will be
entitled to his or her pro-rata share of all dividends and
distributions arising from that Portfolio's assets and, upon
redeeming shares of that Portfolio, the shareholder will receive
the then current net asset value of that Portfolio represented by
the redeemed shares. (See "Purchase of Shares" and "Redemption
and Repurchase of Shares," in the Portfolio's Prospectus.) The
Fund is empowered to establish, without shareholder approval,
additional Portfolios which may have different investment
objectives.
The Fund currently has two portfolios: the U.S.
Government Portfolio (the "Portfolio"), which is described in
this Statement of Additional Information, and the Corporate Bond
Portfolio, which is described in a separate Statement of
Additional Information. Copies of the Corporate Bond Portfolio's
Prospectus and Statement of Additional 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.
THE U.S. GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
Except as otherwise indicated, the Fund has investment
policies that are not "fundamental policies" and, therefore, may
be changed by the Board of Directors without a shareholder vote.
However, the Fund will not change its investment policies without
contemporaneous written notice to its shareholders. The Fund's
investment objective may not be changed without shareholder
approval. There can be, of course, no assurance that the
Portfolio will achieve its investment objective.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The investment objective of the Portfolio is to seek as
high a level of current income as is consistent with safety of
principal. As a matter of fundamental policy, which cannot be
changed without approval of the Portfolio's shareholders, the
Portfolio pursues its objective by investing solely in securities
that are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its
2
<PAGE>
instrumentalities and backed by the full faith and credit of the
United States ("U.S. Government Securities").
HOW THE PORTFOLIO PURSUES ITS OBJECTIVE
The Portfolio pursues its investment objective by
investing in U.S. Government Securities.
U.S. Government securities include: (i) U.S. Treasury
obligations, which differ only in their interest rates,
maturities and times of issuance as follows: U.S. Treasury bills
(maturity of one year or less), U.S. Treasury notes (maturities
of one to ten years) and U.S. Treasury bonds (generally
maturities of greater than ten years); and (ii) obligations
issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and
instrumentalities that are supported by the full faith and credit
of the United States (such as securities issued by the Farmers
Home Administration, the Government National Mortgage Association
("GNMA"), the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the
Export-Import Bank, the General Services Administration and the
Maritime Administration and certain securities issued by the
Federal Housing Administration and the Small Business
Administration). The maturities of U.S. Government securities
usually range from three months to 30 years.
Securities issued by GNMA ("GNMA Certificates") differ
in certain respects from other U.S. Government securities, which
normally provide for periodic payment of interest in fixed
amounts with principal payments at maturity or specified call
dates. GNMA Certificates are mortgage-backed securities
representing part ownership of a pool of mortgage loans. These
loans -- issued by lenders such as mortgage bankers, commercial
banks and savings and loan-associations -- are either insured by
the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Veterans
Administration. A "pool" or group of such mortgages is assembled
and, after being approved by GNMA, is offered to investors
through securities dealers. Once approved by GNMA, the timely
payment of interest and principal on each mortgage is guaranteed
by the full faith and credit of the United States. GNMA
Certificates also differ from other U.S. Government securities in
that principal is paid back monthly by the borrower over the term
of the loan rather than returned in a lump sum at maturity. GNMA
Certificates are called "pass-through" securities because both
interest and principal payments (including pre-payments) are
passed through to the holder of the Certificate. Upon receipt,
principal payments are used by the Portfolio to purchase
additional U.S. Government securities.
The Portfolio may invest in zero coupon Treasury
securities, which consist of Treasury bills or the principal
components of U.S. Treasury bonds or notes. The Portfolio may
3
<PAGE>
also invest in zero coupon securities issued by U.S. Government
agencies or instrumentalities that are supported by the full
faith and credit of the United States, which consist of the
principal components of securities of U.S. Government agencies or
instrumentalities. A zero coupon security pays no interest to
its holder during its life. An investor acquires a zero coupon
security at a price which is generally an amount based upon its
present value, and which, depending upon the time remaining until
maturity, may be significantly less than its face value
(sometimes referred to as a "deep discount" price). Upon
maturity of the zero coupon security, the investor receives the
face value of the security.
Currently, the only U.S. Treasury security issued
without coupons is the Treasury bill. The zero coupon securities
purchased by the Portfolio may consist of principal components
held in STRIPS form issued through the U.S. Treasury's STRIPS
program, which permits the beneficial ownership of the component
to be recorded directly in the Treasury book-entry system. In
addition, in the last few years a number of banks and brokerage
firms have separated ("stripped") the principal portions
("corpus") from the coupon portions of the U.S. Treasury bonds
and notes and sold them separately in the form of receipts or
certificates representing undivided interests in these
instruments (which instruments are generally held by a bank in a
custodial or trust account). The staff of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the Commission) has indicated that, in its
view, these receipts or certificates should be considered as
securities issued by the bank or brokerage firm involved and,
therefore, unlike those obligations issued under the U.S.
Treasury's STRIPS program, should not be included in the Fund's
categorization of U.S. Government Securities. The Fund disagrees
with the staff's interpretation but has undertaken that it will
not invest in such securities until final resolution of the
issue. However, if such securities are deemed to be U.S.
Government Securities, the Portfolio will not be subject to any
limitations on their purchase.
Zero coupon securities do not entitle the holder to any
periodic payments of interest prior to maturity. Accordingly,
such securities usually trade at a deep discount from their face
or par value and will be subject to greater fluctuations of
market value in response to changing interest rates than debt
obligations of comparable maturities which make periodic
distributions of interest.
Current federal tax law requires that a holder (such as
the Portfolio) of a zero coupon security accrue a portion of the
discount at which the security was purchased as income each year
even though the holder receives no interest payment in cash on
the security during the year. As a result, in order to make the
4
<PAGE>
distributions necessary for the Portfolio not to be subject to
federal income or excise taxes, the Portfolio might be required
to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount,
obtained by liquidation of portfolio securities or borrowings if
necessary, greater than the total amount of cash that the
Portfolio has actually received as interest during the year. The
Portfolio believes, however, that it is highly unlikely that it
would be necessary to liquidate portfolio securities or borrow
money in order to make such required distributions or to meet its
investment objective.
The Portfolio may invest in stripped mortgage-related
securities ("SMRS") which are derivative multi-class mortgage-
related securities. The Portfolio will only invest in SMRS that
are issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities and supported by the full faith and credit of
the United States. SMRS in which the Portfolio may invest are
usually structured with two classes that receive different
proportions of the interest and principal distributions on a pool
of GNMA Certificates ("Mortgage Assets"). A common type of SMRS
will have one class receiving some of the interest and most of
the principal from the Mortgage Assets, while the other class
will receive most of the interest and the remainder of the
principal. In the most extreme case, one class will receive all
of the interest (the interest-only or "IO" class), while the
other class will receive all of the principal (the principal-only
or "PO" class). The yield to maturity on an IO class is
extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including
prepayments) on the related underlying Mortgage Assets, and a
rapid rate of principal prepayments may have a material adverse
effect on the yield to maturity of the IO class. The rate of
principal prepayment will change as the general level of interest
rates fluctuates. If the underlying Mortgage Assets experience
greater than anticipated principal prepayments, the Portfolio may
fail to fully recoup its initial investment in these securities.
Due to their structure and underlying cash flows, SMRS, may be
more volatile than mortgage-related securities that are not
stripped.
In addition, other U.S. Government agencies and
instrumentalities have issued stripped securities that are
similar to SMRS. Such securities include those that are issued
with an IO class and a PO class. Although these stripped
securities are purchased and sold by institutional investors
through several investment banking firms acting as brokers or
dealers, these securities were only recently developed. As a
result, established trading markets have not yet developed and,
accordingly, these securities may be illiquid. However, these
securities will be treated as liquid provided they are so
determined by, or under procedures approved by, the Board of
Directors.
5
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Counsel to the Fund has advised the Fund that, in their
view, shares of the Portfolio are a legal investment for, among
other investors, (i) savings and loan associations and commercial
banks chartered under the laws of the United States, (ii) savings
and loan associations chartered under the laws of Arizona,
Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois,
Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada,
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio,
Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and
Washington; (iii) credit unions chartered under the laws of
California, Florida*, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland*, Minnesota,
Nevada, New York, Ohio*, Pennsylvania*, Rhode Island, Tennessee,
Utah and West Virginia, and (iv) commercial banks chartered under
the laws of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado,
Delaware,Florida, Hawaii*, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota,
Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New
Mexico, New York, North Carolina*, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont,
Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming. Institutions in the
asterisked states should obtain prior state regulatory approval
before investing in shares of the Portfolio. In addition, the
Fund believes that the Portfolio is currently a legal investment
for savings and loan associations and commercial banks chartered
under the laws of certain other states.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. The Fund has adopted the following
investment policy which may be changed by the vote of the Board
of Directors.
The Fund will not invest in illiquid securities if
immediately after such investment more than 15% of the Fund's
total assets (taken at market value) would be invested in such
securities. In addition, the Fund will not maintain more than
15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. For this purpose,
illiquid securities include, among others, (a) direct placements
or other securities which are subject to legal or contractual
restrictions on resale or for which there is no readily available
market (e.g., trading in the security is suspended or, in the
case of unlisted securities, market makers do not exist or will
not entertain bids or offers), (b) options purchased by the Fund
over-the-counter and the cover for options written by the Fund
over-the-counter, and (c) repurchase agreements not terminable
within seven days. See "Additional Investment Policies and
Practices," below. Securities that have legal or contractual
restrictions on resale but have a readily available market are
not deemed illiquid for purposes of this limitation.
Historically, illiquid securities have included
securities subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale
6
<PAGE>
because they have not been registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), securities which are
otherwise not readily marketable and repurchase agreements having
a maturity of longer than seven days. Securities which have not
been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as
private placements or restricted securities and are purchased
directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. Mutual
funds do not typically hold a significant amount of these
restricted or other illiquid securities because of the potential
for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations
on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of
portfolio securities and a mutual fund might be unable to dispose
of restricted or other illiquid securities promptly or at
reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty
satisfying redemptions within seven days. A mutual fund might
also have to register such restricted securities in order to
dispose of them resulting in additional expense and delay.
Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of
securities.
In recent years, however, a large institutional market
has developed for certain securities that are not registered
under the Securities Act including repurchase agreements,
commercial paper, foreign securities, municipal securities and
corporate bonds and notes. Institutional investors depend on an
efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security
can be readily resold or on an issuer's ability to honor a demand
for repayment. The fact that there are contractual or legal
restrictions on resale to the general public or to certain
institutions may not be indicative of the liquidity of such
investments.
Rule 144A under the Securities Act allows a broader
institutional trading market for securities otherwise subject to
restriction on resale to the general public. Rule 144A
establishes a "safe harbor" from the registration requirements of
the Securities Act for resales of certain securities to qualified
institutional buyers. An insufficient number of qualified
institutional buyers interested in purchasing certain restricted
securities held by the Fund, however, could affect adversely the
marketability of such portfolio securities and the Fund might be
unable to dispose of such securities promptly or at reasonable
prices. Rule 144A has already produced enhanced liquidity for
many restricted securities, and market liquidity for such
securities may continue to expand as a result of this regulation
and the consequent inception of the PORTAL System, which is an
automated system for the trading, clearance and settlement of
unregistered securities of domestic and foreign issuers sponsored
by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD).
7
<PAGE>
Alliance Capital Management L.P., the Fund's investment
adviser (the "Investment Adviser"), acting under the supervision
of the Board of Directors, will monitor the liquidity of
restricted securities in the Fund's portfolio that are eligible
for resale pursuant to Rule 144A. In reaching liquidity
decisions, the Investment Adviser will consider, among others,
the following factors: (1) the frequency of trades and quotes for
the security; (2) the number of dealers issuing quotations to
purchase or sell the security; (3) the number of other potential
purchasers of the security; (4) the number of dealers undertaking
to make a market in the security; (5) the nature of the security
(including its unregistered nature) and the nature of the
marketplace for the security (e.g., the time needed to dispose of
the security, the method of soliciting offers and the mechanics
of the transfer); and (6) any applicable Commission
interpretation or position with respect to such type of
securities.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER. Because the Portfolio will actively
use trading to benefit from yield disparities among different
issues of U.S. Government Securities or otherwise to achieve its
investment objective and policies, the Portfolio may be subject
to a greater degree of turnover and, thus, a higher incidence of
short-term capital gains taxable as ordinary income than might be
expected from investment companies which invest substantially all
of their funds on a long-term basis, and correspondingly larger
mark-up charges can be expected to be borne by the Portfolio.
Management anticipates that the annual turnover in the Portfolio
may be in excess of 400% in future years (but is not expected to
exceed 500%). An annual turnover rate of 400% occurs, for
example, when all of the securities in the Portfolio are replaced
four times in a period of one year. The portfolio turnover rates
for the fiscal years ended June 30, 1995 and 1996 were 190% and
334%, respectively.
The value of the Portfolio's shares will be influenced
by the factors which generally affect securities, such as the
economic and political outlook, earnings, dividends and the
supply and demand for various classes of securities. There can
be, of course, no assurance that the Portfolio's investment
objective will be achieved.
FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
The following restrictions supplement those set forth in
the Prospectus for the Portfolio. These restrictions may not be
changed without shareholder approval which means the vote of (1)
67% or more of the shares of the Portfolio represented at a
meeting at which more than 50% of the outstanding shares are
represented or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the
Portfolio, whichever is less.
8
<PAGE>
The following restrictions provide that the Portfolio
may not:
1. Invest in companies for the purpose of
exercising control of management;
2. Issue any senior securities as defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (except to
the extent that when-issued securities transactions,
forward commitments or stand-by commitments may be
considered senior securities);
3. Participate on a joint or a joint and several
basis in any trading account in securities;
4. Effect a short sale of any security;
5. Purchase securities on margin, but it may
obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for
the clearance of purchase and sales of securities;
6. Invest in the securities of any other
investment company except in connection with a merger,
consolidation, acquisition of assets or other
reorganization approved by the Fund's shareholders; or
7. Write, purchase or sell puts, calls or
combinations thereof;
To maintain portfolio diversification and reduce
investment risk, as a matter of fundamental policy, the Portfolio
may not: (i) borrow money except from banks for temporary or
emergency purposes and then only in an amount not exceeding 5% of
the value of its total assets at the time the borrowing is made;
(ii) make loans to other persons; (iii) effect a short sale of
any security; (iv) purchase securities on margin, but it may
obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the
clearance of purchases and sales of securities; or (v) write,
purchase or sell puts, calls or combinations thereof.
In addition to the restrictions set forth above in
connection with the qualification of its shares for sale in
certain states, the following restrictions apply and provide that
the Portfolio may not:
1. Invest more than 15% of average net
assets at the time of purchase in securities which
are not readily marketable including restricted
securities;
9
<PAGE>
2. Invest in warrants (other than warrants
acquired by the Portfolio as a part of a unit or
attached to securities at the time of purchase) if,
as a result such warrants valued at the lower of
cost or market would exceed 5% of the value of the
Portfolio's net assets provided that not more than
2% of the Portfolio's net assets may be in warrants
not listed on the New York or American Stock
Exchanges;
3. Engage in the purchase of real estate
(including limited partnership interests) excluding
readily marketable interests in real estate
investment trusts or readily marketable securities
of companies which invest in real estate;
4. Invest in oil, gas or other mineral
leases; or
5. Invest more than 15% of the Portfolio's
total assets in securities of issuers which
together with any predecessors have a record of
less than three years continuous operation or
securities of issuers which are restricted as to
disposition.
The foregoing percentage limitations will apply at the
time of the purchase of a security and shall not be considered
violated unless an excess or deficiency occurs or exists
immediately after and as a result of an acquisition of such
security.
_______________________________________________________________
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
_______________________________________________________________
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The Directors and officers of the Fund, their ages and
their principal occupations during the past five years are set
forth below. Each such Director and officer is also a trustee,
director or officer of other registered investment companies
sponsored by the Investment Adviser. Unless otherwise specified,
the address of each such person is 1345 Avenue of the Americas,
New York, New York 10105.
10
<PAGE>
DIRECTORS
JOHN D. CARIFA1 , 51, Chairman of the Board and
President of the Fund, Chief Operating Officer, the Chief
Financial Officer and a Director of Alliance Capital Management
Corporation ("ACMC")2 with which he has been associated since
prior to 1991.
RUTH BLOCK, 65, was formerly an Executive Vice President
and the Chief Insurance Officer of The Equitable Life Assurance
Society of the United States since prior to 1991. She is a
Director of Ecolab Incorporated (specialty chemicals) and Amoco
Corporation (oil and gas). Her address is P.O. Box 4653,
Stamford, Connecticut 06903.
DAVID H. DIEVLER, 67, was formerly a Senior Vice
President of ACMC with which he had been associated since prior
to 1991. He is currently an independent consultant. His address
is P.O. Box 167, Spring Lake, New Jersey 07762.
JAMES R. GREENE, 75, has been an independent financial
consultant since prior to 1991. He is also a Director of ASARCO,
Incorporated (metals smelting and refining), Bank Leumi Trust
Co., Buck Engineering Company (manufacturing), American Reliance
Insurance Co. (insurance) and United Tote (computer software).
His address is 134 Buttonwood Drive, Fair Haven, New Jersey
07701.
DR. JAMES M. HESTER, 72, is President of the Harry Frank
Guggenheim Foundation and a Director of Union Carbide Corporation
with which he has been associated since prior to 1991. He was
formerly President of New York University, the New York Botanical
Garden and Rector of the United Nations University. His address
is 45 East 89th Street, New York, New York 10128.
CLIFFORD L. MICHEL, 57, is a member of the law firm of
Cahill Gordon & Reindel, with which he has been associated since
prior to 1991. He is President and Chief Executive Officer of
Wenonah Development Company (investments) and a Director of
Placer Dome, Inc. (mining) Tempo Technology Corporation
_________________________
1An "interested person" of the Fund as defined in the 1940
Act.
2For purposes of this Statement of Additional Information,
ACMC refers to Alliance Capital Management Corporation, the
sole general partner of the Investment Adviser, and to the
predecessor general partner of the Investment Adviser of
the same name.
11
<PAGE>
(manufacturer of abrasives) and Faber-Castell Corporation
(writing products). His address is St. Bernard Road, Gladstone,
New Jersey 07934.
DONALD J. ROBINSON, 62, was formerly a partner at
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe and is currently of counsel to
that firm. His address is 599 Lexington Avenue, 26th Floor, New
York, New York 10022.
ROBERT C. WHITE, 76, is currently an independent
consultant. He was formerly a Vice President and the Chief
Financial Officer of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute since
prior to 1991. He is also a Trustee of St. Clair Fixed Income
Fund, St. Clair Tax-Free Fund and St. Clair Equity Fund
(registered investment companies) and a Director of MEDSTAAT
Systems, Inc. (health care information). His address is 30825
River Crossing, Bingham Farms, Michigan 48025.
OFFICERS
JOHN D. CARIFA, CHAIRMAN AND PRESIDENT (see biography,
above).
WAYNE D. LYSKI, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, 55, is an
Executive Vice President of ACMC with which he has been
associated since prior to 1991.
KATHLEEN A. CORBET, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, 36, is a
Senior Vice President of ACMC since July 1993. Prior thereto,
she was employed by Equitable Capital since prior to 1991.
PAUL J. DeNOON, VICE PRESIDENT, 34, is a Vice President
of ACMC with which he has been associated since January 1992.
Previously, he was a Vice President at Manufacturers Hanover
Trust since prior to 1991.
EDMUND P. BERGAN, JR., SECRETARY, 46, is a Senior Vice
President and the General Counsel of Alliance Fund Distributors,
Inc. with which he has been associated since prior to 1991.
DOMENICK PUGLIESE, ASSISTANT SECRETARY, 35, is a Vice
President and Associate General Counsel of Alliance Fund
Distributors, Inc. with which he has been associated since May
1995. Previously, he was Vice President and Counsel of Concord
Financial Holding Corporation since 1994, Vice President and
Associate General Counsel of Prudential Securities since 1991.
MARK D. GERSTEN, TREASURER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER,
46, is a Vice President of Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. and a
Senior Vice President of Alliance Fund Services, Inc. with which
he has been associated since prior to 1991.
12
<PAGE>
JUAN RODRIGUEZ, ASSISTANT CONTROLLER, 39, is an
Assistant Vice President of Alliance Fund Services, Inc. with
which he has been associated since prior to 1991.
CARLA, LaROSE, ASSISTANT CONTROLLER, 33, is a Manager of
Alliance Fund Services, Inc., with which she has been associated
since 1991.
JOSEPH J. MANTINEO, ASSISTANT CONTROLLER, 37, is a Vice
President of Alliance Fund Services, Inc. with which he has been
associated since prior to 1991.
VINCENT S. NOTO, ASSISTANT CONTROLLER, 31, is an
Assistant Vice President of Alliance Fund Services, Inc. with
which he has been associated since 1991.
The aggregate compensation paid by the Fund to each of
the Directors during its fiscal year ended June 30, 1996, the
aggregate compensation paid to each of the Directors during
calendar year 1995 by all of the funds to which the Investment
Adviser provides investment advisory services (collectively, the
"Alliance Fund Complex") and the total number of registered
investment 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 fund 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.
Total Number
of Funds in
Total the Alliance
Compensation Fund Complex,
from the Including the
Alliance Fund, as to
Aggregate Fund Complex, which the Director
Name of Director Compensation Including is a Director
of the Fund from the Fund the Fund or Trustee
John D. Carifa $-0- $-0- 50
Ruth Block 1,679 159,000 37
David H. Dievler 1,679 183,500 43
James R. Greene 1,728 65,750 11
Dr. James M. Hester 1,679 156,500 38
Clifford L. Michel 1,679 133,750 37
Eugene F. O'Neil 1,794 18,000 5
Donald J. Robinson -0- 66,500 38
Robert C. White 1,685 137,500 36
13
<PAGE>
As of October 11, 1996, the Directors and officers of
the Fund as a group owned less than 1% of the shares of the Fund.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Alliance Capital Management L.P., a New York Stock
Exchange listed company with principal offices at 1345 Avenue of
the Americas, New York, New York 10105, has been retained under
an investment advisory contract (the "Investment Advisory
Contract") to provide investment advice and, in general, to
conduct the management and investment program of the Fund under
the supervision and control of the Fund's Board of Directors.
The Investment Adviser is a leading international
investment manager supervising client accounts with assets as of
June 30, 1996 of more than $168 billion (of which approximately
$55 billion represented the assets of investment companies). The
Investment Adviser's clients are primarily major corporate
employee benefit funds, public employee retirement systems,
investment companies, foundations and endowment funds. As of
June 30, 1996, the Investment Adviser was retained as an
investment manager of employee benefit fund assets for 33 of the
FORTUNE 100 companies. As of that date, the Investment Adviser
and its subsidiaries employed approximately 1,450 employees who
operated out of domestic offices and the offices of subsidiaries
in Bombay, Istanbul, London, Paris, Sao Paulo, Sydney, Tokyo,
Toronto, Bahrain, Luxembourg and Singapore. The 51 registered
investment companies comprising more than 100 separate investment
portfolios managed by the Investment Adviser currently have more
than two million shareholders.
Alliance Capital Management Corporation, the sole
general partner of, and the owner of a 1% general partnership
interest in, the Investment Adviser, 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"), a holding company
controlled by AXA, a French insurance holding company. As of
June 30, 1996, 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 Investment Adviser ("Units"). As of
June 30, 1996, approximately 33% and 10% of the Units were owned
by the public and employees of the Investment Adviser and its
subsidiaries, respectively, including employees of the Investment
Adviser who serve as Directors of the Fund.
14
<PAGE>
As of September 6, 1996, AXA and its subsidiaries owned
approximately 60.7% of the issued and outstanding shares of
capital stock of ECI. AXA is a holding company for an
international group of insurance and related financial services
companies. AXAs insurance operations include activities in life
insurance, property and casualty insurance and reinsurance. The
insurance operations are diverse geographically, with activities
in more than 20 countries, including France, the United States,
Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and other countries,
principally in Western Europe 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 September 9,
1996, 36.3% of the issued ordinary shares (representing 49.1% of
the voting power) of AXA were owned directly or indirectly by
Finaxa, a French holding company (Finaxa). As of September 6,
1996, 61.3% of the voting shares (representing 73.5% of the
voting power) of Finaxa were owned by five French mutual
insurance companies (the "Mutuelles AXA") (one of which, AXA
Assurances I.A.R.D. Mutuelle, owned 34.8% of the voting shares
(representing 40.6% of the voting power), and 23.7% of the voting
shares of Finaxa (representing 15.0% of the voting power) were
owned by Banque Paribas, a French bank. Including the ordinary
shares directly or indirectly owned by Finaxa, the Mutuelles AXA
directly or indirectly owned 42.0% of the issued ordinary shares
(representing 56.8% of the voting power) of AXA as of
September 9, 1996. Acting as a group, the Mutuelles AXA control
AXA and Finaxa. In addition, as of September 9, 1996, 7.8% of
the issued ordinary shares of AXA without the power to vote were
owned by subsidiaries of AXA.
Under the Investment Advisory Contract, the Investment
Adviser provides investment advisory services and order placement
facilities for the Fund and pays all compensation of Directors
and officers of the Fund who are affiliated persons of the
Investment Adviser. The Investment Adviser or its affiliates
also furnishes the Fund, without charge, management supervision
and assistance and office facilities and provides persons
satisfactory to the Fund's Board of Directors to serve as the
Fund's officers.
For the fiscal years ended June 30, 1994, 1995 and 1996,
the Investment Adviser received under the advisory agreement then
in effect, $8,098,159, $7,422,436 and $7,041,367, respectively,
as advisory fees from the Portfolio.
The Investment Advisory Contract became effective on
July 22, 1992. The The Investment Advisory Contract continues in
15
<PAGE>
effect for successive twelve-month periods computed from each
July 1, provided that such continuance is specifically approved
at least annually by a vote of a majority of the Portfolio's
outstanding voting securities or by the Fund's Board of
Directors, and in either case, by a majority of the Directors who
are not parties to the Investment Advisory Contract or interested
persons of any such party. Most recently, continuance of the
Investment Advisory Contract until June 30, 1997 was approved by
vote, cast in person, by the Board of Directors, including a
majority of the Directors who are not "interested persons" as
defined in the 1940 Act, at their meeting held on June 4, 1996.
The Investment Advisory Contract 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 Investment Adviser on
60 days' written notice, and will automatically terminate in the
event of its assignment. The Investment Advisory Contract
provides that in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or
gross negligence on the part of the Investment Adviser, or of
reckless disregard of its obligations thereunder, the Investment
Adviser shall not be liable for any action or failure to act in
accordance with its duties thereunder.
Certain other clients of the Investment Adviser may have
investment objectives and policies similar to those of the Fund.
The Investment Adviser may, from time to time, make
recommendations which result in the purchase or sale of a
particular security by its other clients simultaneously with the
Fund. If transactions on behalf of more than one client during
the same period increase the demand for securities being
purchased or the supply of securities being sold, there may be an
adverse effect on price or quantity. It is the policy of the
Investment Adviser to allocate advisory recommendations and the
placing of orders in a manner which is deemed equitable by the
Investment Adviser to the accounts involved, including the Fund.
When two or more of the clients of the Investment Adviser
(including the Fund) are purchasing or selling the same security
on a given day from the same broker-dealer, such transactions may
be averaged as to price.
The Investment Adviser may act as an investment adviser
to other persons, firms or corporations, including investment
companies, and is the investment adviser to the following
registered investment companies: ACM Institutional Reserves,
Inc., AFD Exchange Reserves, The Alliance Fund, Inc., Alliance
All-Asia Investment Fund, Inc., Alliance Balanced Shares, Inc.,
Alliance Capital Reserves, Alliance Developing Markets Fund,
Inc., Alliance Global Dollar Government Fund, Inc., Alliance
Global Small Cap Fund, Inc., Alliance Global Strategic Income
Trust, Inc., Alliance Government Reserves, Alliance Growth and
16
<PAGE>
Income Fund, Inc., Alliance Income Builder Fund, Inc., Alliance
International Fund, Alliance Limited Maturity Government Fund,
Inc., Alliance Money Market Fund, Alliance Mortgage Securities
Income Fund, Inc., Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust, Inc.,
Alliance Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Alliance Municipal Income
Fund II, Alliance Municipal Trust, Alliance New Europe Fund,
Inc., Alliance North American Government Income Trust, Inc.,
Alliance Premier Growth Fund, Inc., Alliance Quasar Fund, Inc.,
Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc., Alliance/Regent
Sector Opportunity Fund, Inc., Alliance Short-Term Multi- Market
Trust, Inc., Alliance Technology Fund, Inc., Alliance Utility
Income Fund, Inc., Alliance Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.,
Alliance World Income Trust, Inc., Alliance Worldwide
Privatization Fund, Inc., Fiduciary Management Associates, 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 Global Environment Fund, Inc.,
Alliance World Dollar Government Fund, Inc., Alliance World
Dollar Government Fund II, Inc., The Austria Fund, Inc., The
Korean Investment Fund, Inc., The Southern Africa Fund, Inc. and
The Spain Fund, Inc., all registered closed-end investment
companies.
______________________________________________________________
EXPENSES OF THE FUND
______________________________________________________________
DISTRIBUTION SERVICES AGREEMENT
The Fund has entered into a Distribution Services
Agreement (the "Agreement") with Alliance Fund Distributors,
Inc., the Fund's principal underwriter (the "Principal
Underwriter"), to permit the Principal Underwriter to distribute
the Portfolio's shares and to permit the Fund to pay distribution
services fees to defray expenses associated with the distribution
of its Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares in
accordance with a plan of distribution which is included in the
Agreement and has been duly adopted and approved in accordance
with Rule 12b-1 adopted by the Commission under the 1940 Act (the
"Rule 12b-1 Plan").
Distribution services fees are accrued daily and paid
monthly and are charged as expenses of the Portfolio 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
17
<PAGE>
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 respective contingent deferred sales
charges and respective distribution services fees 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/or
distribution services fee provide for the financing of the
distribution of the relevant class of the Portfolio's shares.
Under the Agreement, the Treasurer of the Fund reports
the amounts expended under the Rule 12b-1 Plan and the purposes
for which such expenditures were made to the Directors of the
Fund for their review on a quarterly basis. Also, the Agreement
provides that the selection and nomination of disinterested
Directors (as defined in the 1940 Act) are committed to the
discretion of such disinterested Directors then in office.
The Agreement became effective on July 22, 1992 with
respect to Class A and Class B shares, and was amended as of
April 30, 1993 to permit the distribution of an additional class
of shares, of Class C shares and September 30, 1996 with respect
to Advisor Class shares. The amendment to the Agreement was
approved by the unanimous vote, cast in person, of the
disinterested Directors, at a meeting called for that purpose
held on February 23, 1993, and by the initial holder of Class C
shares of the Fund on April 30, 1993. The Agreement became
effective on September 30, 1996 with respect to Advisor Class
shares.
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.
Information with respect to distribution services fees and other
revenues and expenses of the Principal Underwriter will be
presented to the Directors each year for their consideration in
connection with their deliberations as to the continuance of the
Agreement. In their review of the Agreement, the Directors will
be asked to take into consideration separately with respect to
each class the distribution expenses incurred with respect to
such class. The distribution services fee of a particular class
will not be used to subsidize the provision of distribution
services with respect to any other class.
The Investment Adviser may from time to time and from
its own funds or such other resources as may be permitted by
rules of the Commission make payments for distribution services
to the Principal Underwriter; the latter may in turn pay part or
all of such compensation to brokers or other persons for their
distribution assistance.
18
<PAGE>
During the Portfolio's fiscal year ended June 30, l996,
with respect to Class A shares, the distribution services fees
for expenditure payable to the Principal Underwriter amounted to
$1,309,625, which constituted .30 of 1.00% of the Portfolio's
average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares during
the fiscal year, and the Investment Adviser made payments from
its own resources aggregating $289,641. Of the $1,599,266 paid
by the Portfolio and the Investment Adviser under the Plan with
respect to Class A shares, $74,687 was spent on advertising,
$17,582 on the printing and mailing of prospectuses for persons
other than current shareholders, $1,138,654 for compensation to
broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries (including
$69,662 to the Fund's Principal Underwriter), $135,543 for
compensation to sales personnel,, and $298,681 was spent on
printing of sales literature, travel, entertainment, due
diligence and other promotional expenses.
During the Portfolio's fiscal year ended June 30, 1996
with respect to Class B shares, the distribution services fees
for expenditures payable to the Principal Underwriter amounted to
$7,264,663, which constituted 1% of the Portfolio's average daily
net assets attributable to Class B shares during the fiscal year,
and the Investment Adviser made payments from its own resources
aggregating $-0-. Of the $4,524,622 paid by the Portfolio and
the Investment Adviser under the Plan with respect to Class B
shares, $133,630 was spent on advertising, $29,605 on the
printing and mailing of prospectuses for persons other than
current shareholders, $2,746,903 for compensation to broker-
dealers and other financial intermediaries (including $235,639 to
the Fund's Principal Underwriter), $106,424 for compensation paid
to sales personnel, $345,355 was spent on printing of sales
literature, travel, entertainment, due diligence and other
promotional expenses, and $1,162,705 was spent on the financing
of interest relating to Class B shares.
During the Portfolio's fiscal year ended June 30, 1996,
with respect to Class C shares, distribution services fees for
expenditures payable to the Principal Underwriter amounted to
$1,750,258, which constituted 1% of the Portfolio's average daily
net assets attributable to Class C shares during the fiscal year,
and the Investment Adviser made payments from its own resources
aggregating $689,579. Of the $2,439,837 paid by the Portfolio
and the Investment Adviser under the Plan with respect to Class C
shares, $109,444 was spent on advertising, $21,093 on the
printing and mailing of prospectuses for persons other than
current shareholders, $1,940,326 for compensation to broker-
dealers and other financial intermediaries (including $185,966 to
the Fund's Principal Underwriter), $185,542 for compensation paid
to sales personnel, and $284,432 was spent on printing of sales
19
<PAGE>
literature, travel, entertainment, due diligence and other
promotional expenses.
The Agreement will continue in effect for successive
twelve-month periods (computed from each July 1) with respect to
each class of the Fund, 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 this 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 Directors approved
the continuance of the Agreement until June 30, 1997 at their
meeting held on June 4, 1996.
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.
All material amendments to the Agreement must be
approved by a vote of the Directors or the holders of the Fund's
outstanding voting securities, voting separately by class, and in
either case, by a majority of the disinterested Directors, cast
in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
approval; and the Agreement may not be amended in order to
increase materially the costs that a particular class may bear
pursuant to the Agreement without the approval of a majority of
the holders of the outstanding voting shares of the Portfolio or
the class or classes of the Portfolio affected. The Agreement
may be terminated (a) by the Fund without penalty at any time by
a majority vote of the holders of the outstanding voting
securities, of the Portfolio, voting separately by class, or by a
majority vote of the disinterested Directors, or (b) by the
Principal Underwriter. To terminate the Agreement, any party
must give the other party 60 days' written notice; to terminate
the Rule 12b-1 Plan only, the Fund is not required to give prior
written notice to the Principal Underwriter. The Agreement will
terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
20
<PAGE>
TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT
Alliance Fund Services, Inc., an indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Investment Adviser, receives a transfer agency
fee per account holder for each of the Class A, Class B, Class C
shares and Advisor Class shares of the Portfolio, 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 fee with respect to the Class A and Advisor
Class shares. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996, the Fund
paid Alliance Fund Services, Inc. $1,099,331 for transfer agency
services.
_______________________________________________________________
PURCHASE OF SHARES
_______________________________________________________________
The following information supplements that set forth in
the Prospectus(es) under "Purchase and Sale of Shares -- How To
Buy Shares."
GENERAL
Shares of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio that are offered subject to a sales charge are
offered through (i) investment dealers that are members of NASD
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 Portfolio 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, pursuant to which each investor pays an asset-based
fee at an annual rate of at least .50% of the assets in the
investor's account, to the sponsor, or its affiliate or agent,
(ii) through self-directed defined contribution employee benefit
plans (e.g., 401(k) plans) that have at least 1,000 participants
21
<PAGE>
or $25 million in assets, (iii) by the categories of investors
described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) 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).
If you are a Fund shareholder through an account
established under a fee-based program, your fee-based program may
impose requirements with respect to the purchase, sale or
exchange of Advisor Class shares of the Fund that are different
from those described in the Advisor Class Prospectus and this
Statement of Additional Information. 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.
Investors may purchase shares of the Portfolio either
through selected dealers, agents or financial representatives or
directly through the Principal Underwriter. 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.
Shares of the Portfolio may also be sold in foreign
countries where permissible. The Portfolio may refuse any order
for the purchase of shares. The Portfolio reserves the right to
suspend the sale of the Portfolio's shares to the public in
response to conditions in the securities markets or for other
reasons. Sales personnel of selected dealers and agents
distributing the Fund's Portfolio's shares may receive differing
compensation for selling Class A, Class B, Class C or Advisor
Class shares.
The public offering price of shares of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio invests might
materially affect the value of Portfolio 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
Portfolio'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.
22
<PAGE>
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 shares 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.
The Fund will accept unconditional orders for 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 so
determined, but only if the selected dealer, agent or financial
representative receives the order prior to the close of regular
trading on the Exchange and transmits it to the Principal
Underwriter prior to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. The selected
dealer, agent or financial representative, as applicable, is
responsible for transmitting such orders by 5:00 p.m. If the
selected dealer, agent or financial representative fails to do
so, the investor's right to that day's closing price must be
settled between the investor and the selected dealer, agent or
financial representative, as applicable. If the selected dealer,
agent or financial representative, as applicable, receives the
order after the close of regular trading on the Exchange, the
price will be based on the net asset value determined as of the
close of regular trading on the Exchange on the next day it is
open for trading.
Following the initial purchase of Portfolio 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
23
<PAGE>
Funds Transfer from a bank account maintained by the shareholder
at a bank that is a member of the National Automated Clearing
House Association ("NACHA"). If a shareholder's telephone
purchase request is received before 3:00 p.m. Eastern time on a
Fund business day, the order to purchase shares is automatically
placed the following Fund business day, and the applicable public
offering price will be the public offering price determined as of
the close of business on such following business day.
Full and fractional shares are credited to a
subscriber's account in the amount of his or her subscription.
As a convenience to the subscriber, and to avoid unnecessary
expense to the Fund, stock certificates representing shares of
the Fund are not issued except upon written request to the Fund
by the shareholder or his or her authorized selected dealer or
agent. This facilitates later redemption and relieves the
shareholder of the responsibility for and inconvenience of lost
or stolen certificates. No certificates are issued for
fractional shares, although such shares remain in the
shareholder's account on the books of the Fund.
In addition to the discount or commission amount paid to
dealers or agents, the Principal Underwriter from time to time
pays additional cash or other incentives to dealers or agents,
including EQ Financial Consultants, Inc., formerly Equico
Securities, Inc., an affiliate of the Principal Underwriter, in
connection with the sale of shares of the Portfolio. Such
additional amounts may be utilized, in whole or in part, to
provide additional compensation to registered representatives who
sell shares of the Portfolio. On some occasions, cash or other
incentives will be conditioned upon the sale of a specified
minimum dollar amount of the shares of the Portfolio 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 and their
immediate family members 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
Portfolio, 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
24
<PAGE>
that borne by Class A shares, and Advisor Class shares do not
bear such a fee, (iii) Class B and Class C shares bear higher
transfer agency costs than that borne by Class A and Advisor
Class shares, (iv) each of Class A, Class B and Class C shares
has exclusive voting rights with respect to provisions of the
Rule 12b-1 Plan pursuant to which its distribution services fee
is paid and other matters for which separate class voting is
appropriate under applicable law, provided that, if the Portfolio
submits to a vote of the Class A shareholders, an amendment to
the Rule 12b-1 Plan that would materially increase the amount to
be paid thereunder with respect to the Class A shares, then such
amendment will also be submitted to the Class B and Advisor Class
shareholders, and the Class A shareholders, the Class B
shareholders and the Advisor Class shareholders will vote
separately by class, and (v) Class B 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 SHARES3
The alternative purchase arrangements available with
respect to Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares
permit an investor to choose the method of purchasing shares that
is most beneficial given the amount of the purchase, the length
of time the investor expects to hold the shares, and other
circumstances. Investors should consider whether, during the
anticipated life of their investment in the Portfolio, the
accumulated distribution services fee and contingent deferred
sales charges on Class B shares prior to conversion, or the
accumulated distribution services fee and contingent deferred
sales charges 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
_________________________
3Advisor Class shares are sold only to investors described
above in this section under "-- General."
25
<PAGE>
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) for more than $250,000 for
Class B 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 $5,000,000 for Class C shares.
Class A shares are subject to a lower distribution
services fee and, accordingly, pay correspondingly higher
dividends per share than Class B shares or Class C shares.
However, because initial sales charges are deducted at the time
of purchase, investors purchasing Class A shares would not have
all their funds invested initially and, therefore, would
initially own fewer shares. Investors not qualifying for reduced
initial sales charges who expect to maintain their investment for
an extended period of time might consider purchasing Class A
shares because the accumulated continuing distribution charges on
Class B shares or Class C shares may exceed the initial sales
charge on Class A shares during the life of the investment.
Again, however, such investors must weigh this consideration
against the fact that, because of such initial sales charges, not
all their funds will be invested initially.
Other investors might determine, however, that it would
be more advantageous to purchase Class B shares or Class C shares
in order to have all their funds invested initially, although
remaining subject to higher continuing distribution charges and
being subject to a contingent deferred sales charge for a three-
year and one-year period, respectively. For example, based on
current fees and expenses, an investor subject to the 4.25%
initial sales charge 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 Portfolio shares
for the three-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.
26
<PAGE>
During the Fund's fiscal periods ended June 30, 1996,
1995 and 1994, the aggregate amount of underwriting commission
payable with respect to shares of the Portfolio in each year was
$534,472, $1,895,104 and $4,514,499, respectively. Of that
amount, the Principal Underwriter received amounts of $26,128,
$68,408 and $98,340, respectively, representing that portion of
the sales charges paid on shares of the Portfolio sold during the
year which was not reallowed to selected dealers (and was,
accordingly, retained by the Principal Underwriter). During the
fiscal period ended June 30, 1996, the Principal Underwriter
received $1,113,832, in contingent deferred sales charges with
respect to Class B shares.
CLASS A SHARES
The public offering price of Class A shares is the net
asset value plus a sales charge, as set forth below.
Sales Charge
Discount or
Commission
As % of to Dealers
As % of the or Agents
Net Public As % of
Amount of Amount Offering Offering
Purchase Invested Price Price
Less than
$100,000....... 4.44% 4.25% 4.00%
$100,000 but
less than
250,000 ...... 3.36 3.25 3.00
250,000 but
less than
500,000....... 2.30 2.25 2.00
500,000 but
less than
1,000,000*.... 1.78 1.75 1.50
____________________
* There is no initial sales charge on transactions of $1,000,000
or more.
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.
27
<PAGE>
In addition, no charge will be assessed on shares derived from
reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions. The
contingent deferred sales charge on Class A shares will be waived
on certain redemptions, as described below under "--Class B
Shares." In determining the contingent deferred sales charge
applicable to a redemption of Class A shares, it will be assumed
that the redemption is, first, of any shares that are not subject
to a contingent deferred sales charge (for example, because an
initial sales charge was paid with respect to the shares, or they
have been held beyond the period during which the charge applies
or were acquired upon the reinvestment of dividends or
distributions) and, second, of shares held longest during the
time they are subject to the sales charge. Proceeds from the
contingent deferred sales charge on Class A shares are paid to
the Principal Underwriter and are used by the Principal
Underwriter to defray the expenses of the Principal Underwriter
related to providing distribution-related services to the Fund in
connection with the sales of Class A shares, such as the payment
of compensation to selected dealers or agents for selling Class A
shares. With respect to purchases of $1,000,000 or more made
through selected dealers or agents, the Investment Adviser may,
pursuant to the Distribution Services Agreement described above,
pay such dealers or agents from its own resources a fee of up to
.25 of 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 Portfolio 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
28
<PAGE>
charge may be deemed to be an "underwriter" under the Securities
Act.
Set forth below is an example of the method of computing
the offering price of the Class A shares. The example assumes a
purchase of Class A shares of the Portfolio aggregating less than
$100,000 subject to the schedule of sales charges set forth above
at a price based upon the net asset value of Class A shares of
the Portfolio on June 30, 1996.
Net Asset Value per Class A Share
at June 30, 1996 $7.52
Per Share Sales Charge - 4.25%
of offering price (4.44% .33
of net asset value per share)
Class A Per Share Offering Price
to the Public $7.85
======
Investors choosing the initial sales charge alternative
may under certain circumstances be entitled to pay (i) no initial
sales charge (but be subject in most such cases to a contingent
deferred sales charge) or (ii) a reduced initial sales charge.
The circumstances under which 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
Portfolio into a single "purchase," if the resulting "purchase"
totals at least $100,000. The term "purchase" refers to: (i) a
single purchase by an individual, or to concurrent purchases,
which in the aggregate are at least equal to the prescribed
amounts, by an individual, his or her spouse and their children
under the age of 21 years purchasing shares of the Portfolio 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
Portfolio 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
29
<PAGE>
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 Developing Markets Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Dollar Government Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Strategic Income Trust, Inc.
Alliance Growth and Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance Income Builder Fund, Inc.
Alliance International Fund
Alliance Limited Maturity Government Fund, Inc.
Alliance Mortgage Securities Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust, Inc.
Alliance Municipal Income Fund II
-Arizona Portfolio
-Florida Portfolio
-Massachusetts Portfolio
-Michigan Portfolio
-Minnesota Portfolio
-New Jersey Portfolio
-Ohio Portfolio
-Pennsylvania Portfolio
-Virginia Portfolio
Alliance Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
-California Portfolio
-Insured California Portfolio
-Insured National Portfolio
-National Portfolio
-New York 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/Regent Sector Opportunity Fund, Inc.
Alliance Short-Term Multi-Market Trust, Inc.
Alliance Technology Fund, Inc.
Alliance Utility Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance World Income Trust, Inc.
Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund, Inc.
The Alliance Fund, Inc.
30
<PAGE>
The Alliance Portfolios
- Alliance Growth Fund
- Alliance Conservative Investors Fund
- Alliance Growth Investors Fund
- Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund
- Alliance Strategic Balanced 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 Portfolio
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
Portfolio 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 Portfolio
worth an additional $100,000, the sales charge for the $100,000,
purchase would be at the 2.25% rate applicable to a single
$300,000 purchase of shares of the Portfolio, 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
31
<PAGE>
period of 13 months in Class A shares (or Class A, Class B,
Class C and/or Advisor Class shares) of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio or any other
Alliance Mutual Fund made not more than 90 days prior to the date
that the investor signs a 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 Portfolio, the investor
and the investor's spouse each purchase shares of the Portfolio
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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio shares, are not subject to
escrow. When the full amount indicated has been purchased, the
escrow will be released. To the extent that an investor
purchases more than the dollar amount indicated on the Statement
of Intention and qualifies for a further reduced sales charge,
the sales charge will be adjusted for the entire amount purchased
at the end of the 13-month period. The difference in the sales
charge will be used to purchase additional shares of the
Portfolio 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 Portfolio should complete the appropriate portion of the
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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
Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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
Portfolio to be redeemed or repurchased may reinvest all or any
portion of the redemption or repurchase proceeds in Class A
shares of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio within 30 calendar days after the
redemption or repurchase transaction. The reinstatement
privilege may be used by the shareholder only once, irrespective
of the number of shares redeemed or repurchased, except that the
privilege may be used more than once in connection with
transactions whose sole purpose is to transfer a shareholder's
interest in the Portfolio to his or her individual retirement
account or other qualified retirement plan account. 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.
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<PAGE>
SALES AT NET ASSET VALUE. The Portfolio may sell its
Class A shares at net asset value (i.e., without an initial sales
charge) and without a contingent deferred sales charge to certain
categories of investors, including: (i) investment management
clients of the Investment Adviser or its affiliates;
(ii) officers and present or former Directors of the Fund;
present or former directors and trustees of other investment
companies managed by the Investment Adviser; present or retired
full-time employees of the Investment Adviser, the Principal
Underwriter, Alliance Fund Services, Inc. and their affiliates;
officers and directors of ACMC, the Principal Underwriter,
Alliance Fund Services, Inc. and their affiliates; officers,
directors and present and 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 purchase for
investment purposes (such shares may not be resold except to the
Fund); (iii) the Investment Adviser, Principal Underwriter,
Alliance Fund Services, Inc. and their affiliates; certain
employee benefit plans for employees of the Investment Adviser,
the Principal Underwriter, Alliance Fund Services, Inc. and their
affiliates; (iv) persons participating in a fee-based program,
sponsored and maintained by a registered broker-dealer and
approved by the Principal Underwriter, pursuant to which such
persons pay an asset-based fee to such broker-dealer, or its
affiliate or agent, for services in the nature of investment
advisory or administrative services; (v) 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 (vi) employer-sponsored
qualified pension or profit-sharing plans (including Section
401(k) plans), custodial accounts maintained pursuant to Section
403(b)(7) retirement plans and individual retirement accounts
(including individual retirement accounts to which simplified
employee pension (SEP) contributions are made), if such plans or
accounts are established or administered under 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
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sold without an initial sales charge so that the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 three years of purchase will be subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge at the rates set forth below
charged as a percentage of the dollar amount subject thereto.
The charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of
the cost of the shares being redeemed or their net asset value at
the time of redemption. Accordingly, no sales charge will be
imposed on increases in net asset value above the initial
purchase price. In addition, no charge will be assessed on
shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions.
To illustrate, assume that an investor purchased 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. Therefore, $400 of the $600
redemption proceeds will be charged at a rate of 2.0% (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.
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Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge as a % of
Dollar Amount Subject to Charge
Shares Purchased Shares Purchased
Year before On or After
Since Purchase May 1, 1992 May 1, 1992
First 4.75% 3.0%
Second 3.75% 2.0%
Third 2.75% 1.0%
Fourth 1.75% None
Fifth .75% None
Sixth 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 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 or Trustees 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. Six years after the end of the
calendar month in which the shareholder's purchase order was
accepted, Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A
shares and will no longer be subject to a higher distribution
services fee. Such conversion will occur on the basis of the
relative net asset values of the two classes, without the
imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge. The purpose
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
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<PAGE>
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 six 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
Portfolio 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 Portfolio to sell Class C shares without
either an initial or contingent deferred sales charge, as long as
the shares are held one year or more. Class C shares do not
convert to any other class of shares of the Portfolio and incur
higher distribution services fees and transfer agency costs than
Class A 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
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<PAGE>
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
Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 described above
under "Purchase of Shares--General," and by investment advisory
clients of, and certain other persons associated with, the
Investment Adviser and its affiliates or the Fund. If (i) a
holder of Advisor Class shares ceases to participate in a fee-
based program or plan that satisfies the requirements to purchase
shares set forth under "Purchase of Shares--General" or (ii) the
holder is otherwise no longer eligible to purchase Advisor Class
shares as described in the Advisor Class Prospectus and this
Statement of Additional Information (each, a "Conversion Event"),
then all Advisor Class shares held by the shareholder will
convert automatically and without notice to the shareholder,
other than the notice 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
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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 Portfolio's Prospectus(es) under "Purchase and Sale of Share-
- -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
Portfolio that are different from those described herein. A
transaction fee may be charged by your financial representative
with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of Advisor Class
shares made through such financial representative.
REDEMPTION
Subject only to the limitations described below, the
Fund's Articles of Incorporation require that the Fund redeem the
shares of the Portfolio 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
39
<PAGE>
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 Portfolio of securities owned by
it is not reasonably practicable or as a result of which it is
not reasonably practicable for the Portfolio 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 Portfolio.
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 Portfolio'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 (either in cash or in portfolio
securities) received by a shareholder upon redemption or
repurchase of his or her shares, assuming the shares constitute
capital assets in his or her 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 Portfolio for which no share
certificates have been issued, the registered owner or owners
should forward a letter to the Portfolio containing a request for
redemption. The signature or signatures on the letter must be
guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" as defined in
Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
To redeem shares of the Fund represented by stock
certificates, the investor should forward the appropriate stock
certificate or certificates, endorsed in blank or with blank
stock powers attached, to the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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
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<PAGE>
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
Portfolio shareholder is entitled to request redemption by
electronic funds transfer once in any 30-day period (except for
certain omnibus accounts), of shares for which no share
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 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. Except for certain
omnibus accounts or as noted below, each Portfolio shareholder is
eligible to request redemption by check, once in any 30-day
period, of Portfolio 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. Telephone redemption by
check 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. A shareholder
otherwise eligible for telephone redemption by check may cancel
the privilege by written instruction to Alliance Fund Services,
Inc., or by checking the appropriate box on the Subscription
Application found in the Prospectus.
TELEPHONE REDEMPTIONS - GENERAL. During periods of
drastic economic or market developments, such as the market break
of October 1987, it is possible that shareholders would have
difficulty in reaching Alliance Fund Services, Inc. by telephone
(although no such difficulty was apparent at any time in
connection with the 1987 market break). If a shareholder were to
experience such difficulty, the shareholder should issue written
instructions to Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the address shown
on the cover of this Statement of Additional Information. The
Fund reserves the right to suspend or terminate its telephone
redemption service at any time without notice. Neither the Fund
nor the Investment Adviser, the Principal Underwriter or Alliance
Fund Services, Inc. will be responsible for the authenticity of
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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 Portfolio may repurchase shares through the
Principal Underwriter, selected financial intermediaries or
selected dealers or agents. The repurchase price will be the net
asset value next determined after the Principal Underwriter
receives the request (less the contingent deferred sales charge,
if any, with respect to the Class A, Class B and Class C shares),
except that requests placed through selected dealers or agents
before the close of regular trading on the Exchange on any day
will be executed at the net asset value determined as of such
close of regular trading on that day if received by the Principal
Underwriter prior to its close of business on that day (normally
5:00 p.m. Eastern time). The financial intermediary or selected
dealer or agent is responsible for transmitting the request to
the Principal Underwriter by 5:00 p.m. If the financial
intermediary or selected dealer or agent fails to do so, the
shareholder's right to receive that day's closing price must be
settled between the shareholder and the dealer or agent. A
shareholder may offer shares of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio are offered through a financial
intermediary or selected dealer or agent, the repurchase is
settled by the shareholder as an ordinary transaction with or
through the selected dealer or agent, who may charge the
shareholder for this service. The repurchase of shares of the
Portfolio 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
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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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio's Prospectus(es) under "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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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
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 Alliance). In
addition, (i) present officers and full-time employees of the
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<PAGE>
Investment Adviser, (ii) present Directors or Trustees of any
Alliance Mutual Fund and (iii) certain employee benefit plans for
employees of the Investment Adviser, 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 Portfolio for Advisor Class shares of the
Portfolio, exchanges of shares as described above in this section
are taxable transactions for federal income tax purposes. The
exchange service may be changed, suspended, or terminated on 60
days' written notice.
All exchanges are subject to the minimum investment
requirements and any other applicable terms set forth in the
Prospectus for the Alliance Mutual Fund whose shares are being
acquired. An exchange is effected through the redemption of the
shares tendered for exchange and the purchase of shares being
acquired at their respective net asset values as next determined
following receipt by the Alliance Mutual Fund whose shares are
being exchanged of (i) proper instructions and all necessary
supporting documents as described in such fund's Prospectus, or
(ii) a telephone request for such exchange in accordance with the
procedures set forth in the following paragraph. Exchanges
involving the redemption of shares recently purchased by check
will be permitted only after the Alliance Mutual Fund whose
shares have been tendered for exchange is reasonably assured that
the check has cleared, normally up to 15 calendar days following
the purchase date.
Each Portfolio shareholder, and the shareholder's
selected dealer, agent or financial representative, as
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<PAGE>
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 Investment
Adviser, the Principal Underwriter or Alliance Fund Services,
Inc. will be responsible for the authenticity of telephone
requests for exchanges that the Fund reasonably believes to be
genuine. The Fund will employ reasonable procedures in order to
verify that telephone requests for exchanges are genuine,
including, among others, recording such telephone instructions
and causing written confirmations of the resulting transactions
to be sent to shareholders. If the Fund did not employ such
procedures, it could be liable for losses arising from
unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions. Selected
dealers, agents or financial representatives, as applicable, may
charge a commission for handling telephone requests for
exchanges.
The exchange privilege is available only in states where
shares of the Alliance Mutual Funds being acquired may be legally
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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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio has available
forms of such plans pursuant to which investments can be made in
the Portfolio 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, N.J. 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 Portfolio
is deferred until distribution from the IRA. An individual's
eligible contributions to an IRA will be deductible if neither
the individual nor his or her spouse is an active participant in
an employer-sponsored retirement plan. If the individual or his
or her spouse is an active participant in an employer-sponsored
retirement plan, the individual's contributions to an IRA may be
deductible, in whole or in part, depending on the amount of the
adjusted gross income of the individual and his or her spouse.
EMPLOYER-SPONSORED QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS. Sole
proprietors, partnerships and corporations may sponsor qualified
money purchase pension and profit-sharing plans, including
Section 401(k) plans ("qualified plans"), under which annual tax-
deductible contributions are made within prescribed limits based
on compensation paid to participating individuals. The minimum
initial investment requirement may be waived with respect to
certain of these qualified plans.
If the aggregate net asset value of shares of the
Alliance Mutual Funds held by the qualified plan reaches $5
million on or before December 15 in any year, all Class B or
Class C shares of the Portfolio held by the plan can be exchanged
at the plan's request, without any sales charge, for Class A
shares of the Portfolio.
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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 Portfolio.
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.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN
GENERAL. Any shareholder who owns or purchases shares
of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio automatically reinvested in
additional shares of the Portfolio.
Shares of the Portfolio 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
Portfolio.
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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 Portfolio'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
shareholder 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 Portfolio should complete the appropriate portion
of the Subscription Application found in the Prospectus, while
current Portfolio shareholders desiring to do so can obtain an
application form by contacting Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at
the address or the "For Literature" telephone number shown on the
cover of this Statement of Additional Information.
CDSC Waiver for Class B Shares and Class C Shares.
Under a systematic withdrawal plan, up to 1% monthly, 2%
bi-monthly or 3% quarterly of the value at the time of redemption
of the Class B or Class C shares in a shareholder's account may
be redeemed free of any contingent deferred sales charge.
With respect to Class B shares, the waiver applies only
with respect to shares acquired after July 1, 1995. Class B
shares that are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge
(such as shares acquired with reinvested dividends or
distributions) will be redeemed first and will count toward the
foregoing limitations. Remaining Class B shares that are held
the longest will be redeemed next. Redemptions of Class B shares
in excess of the foregoing limitations will be subject to any
otherwise applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
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 these limitations will be
subject to any otherwise applicable contingent deferred sales
charge.
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DIVIDEND DIRECTION PLAN
A shareholder who already maintains, in addition to his
or her Class A, Class B, Class C or Advisor Class Portfolio
accounts, a Class A, Class B, Class C or Advisor Class accounts
with one or more other Alliance Mutual Funds may direct that
income dividends and/or capital gains paid on his or her Class A,
Class B, Class C or Advisor Class Portfolio shares be
automatically reinvested, in any amount, without the payment of
any sales or service charges, in shares of the same class of such
other Alliance Mutual Fund(s). Further information can be
obtained by contacting Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the
address or the "For Literature" telephone number shown on the
cover of this Statement of Additional Information. Investors
wishing to establish a dividend direction plan in connection with
their initial investment should complete the appropriate section
of the Subscription Application found in the Prospectus. Current
shareholders should contact Alliance Fund Services, Inc. to
establish a dividend direction plan.
STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
Each shareholder of the Portfolio 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 auditors, Ernst & Young LLP, as
well as a monthly cumulative dividend statement and 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.
CHECKWRITING
A new Class A or Class C investor may fill out the
Signature Card which is included in the Prospectus to authorize
the Fund to arrange for a checkwriting service through State
Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Bank") to draw against
Class A or Class C shares of the Portfolio redeemed from the
investor's account. Under this service, checks may be made
payable to any payee in any amount not less than $500 and not
more than 90% of the net asset value of the Class A or Class C
shares in the investor's account (excluding for this purpose the
current month's accumulated dividends and shares for which
certificates have been issued). A Class A or Class C shareholder
wishing to establish this checkwriting service subsequent to the
opening of his or her Portfolio account should contact the
Portfolio by telephone or mail. Corporations, fiduciaries and
institutional investors are required to furnish a certified
resolution or other evidence of authorization. This checkwriting
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service will be subject to the Bank's customary rules and
regulations governing checking accounts, and the Portfolio and
the Bank each reserve the right to change or suspend the
checkwriting service. There is no charge to the shareholder for
the initiation and maintenance of this service or for the
clearance of any checks.
When a check is presented to the Bank for payment, the
Bank, as the shareholder's agent, causes the Fund to redeem, at
the net asset value next determined, a sufficient number of full
and fractional shares of the Portfolio in the shareholder's
account to cover the check. Because the level of net assets in a
shareholder's account constantly changes due, among various
factors, to market fluctuations, a shareholder should not attempt
to close his or her account by use of a check. In this regard,
the Bank has the right to return checks (marked "insufficient
funds") unpaid to the presenting bank if the amount of the check
exceeds 90% of the assets in the account. Canceled (paid) checks
are returned to the shareholder. The checkwriting service
enables the shareholder to receive the daily dividends declared
on the shares to be redeemed until the day that the check is
presented to the Bank for payment.
_______________________________________________________________
NET ASSET VALUE
_______________________________________________________________
The net asset value of shares of the Portfolio on which
the subscription and redemption prices are based is computed in
accordance with the Fund's Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws
as of the next close of regular trading on the Exchange
(currently 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) next following receipt of a
purchase or redemption order (and on any other day on which
trading in the types of securities in which the Portfolio invests
might materially affect the value of Portfolio shares) and, is
the quotient obtained by dividing the value of the net assets of
the Portfolio (i.e., the value of the securities and other assets
of the Portfolio, less its liabilities, including expenses
payable or accrued but excluding capital stock and surplus) by
the total number of shares of the Portfolio outstanding. For
purposes of this computation, portfolio securities listed on the
Exchange are valued, except as indicated below, at the last sale
price reflected in the consolidated tape at the close of the
Exchange on the business day as of which such value is being
determined. If there has been no sale on such day, then the
security is valued at the quoted bid price thereof at the close
of the Exchange on such day. If no bid is quoted on such day,
then the securities are valued at the mean of the bid and asked
prices at the close of the Exchange on the day such valuation is
made as obtained from two dealers regularly making a market in
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such security, except that where a bid and asked price can be
obtained from only one such dealer, such security is valued at
the mean of the bid and asked price obtained from such dealer.
Securities not listed on the Exchange but listed on
other national securities exchanges are valued in like manner.
Portfolio securities traded on more than one national securities
exchange are valued at the last sale price on the business day as
of which such value is being determined as reflected on the tape
at the close of the exchange representing the principal market
for such securities. Securities traded over-the-counter,
including listed debt securities whose primary market is believed
by the Fund's management to be over-the-counter, are valued at
the mean of the bid and asked prices at the close of the Exchange
on the days such valuation is made as obtained from two dealers
regularly making a market in such securities, except that where a
bid and asked price can be obtained from only one such dealer,
such securities are valued at the mean of the bid and asked price
obtained from such dealer. Securities for which no bid and asked
price quotations are readily available are valued by such methods
as the Directors of the Fund determine in good faith to reflect
the fair market value thereof. Restricted securities and all
other assets of the Portfolio are valued in such manner as the
Directors of the Fund in good faith deem appropriate to reflect
fair market value thereof.
The assets belonging to the Class A shares, the Class B
shares, Class C shares and the 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
accrued expenses and liabilities allocated to that class from the
assets belonging to that class.
______________________________________________________________
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
______________________________________________________________
Subject to the general supervision of the Board of
Directors of the Fund, the Investment Adviser is responsible for
the investment decisions and the placing of the orders for
portfolio transactions for the Portfolio. The Portfolio's
portfolio transactions occur primarily with issuers, underwriters
or major dealers acting as principals. Such transactions are
normally on a net basis which do not involve payment of brokerage
commissions. The cost of securities purchased from an
underwriter usually includes a commission paid by the issuer to
the underwriter; transactions with dealers normally reflect the
spread between bid and asked prices. Premiums are paid with
respect to options purchased by the Portfolio, and brokerage
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commissions are payable with respect to transactions in exchange-
traded interest rate futures contracts.
The Investment Adviser makes the decisions for the
Portfolio and determines the broker or dealer to be used in each
specific transaction. Most transactions for the Portfolio,
including transactions in listed securities, are executed in the
over-the-counter market by approximately fifteen (15) principal
market maker dealers with whom the Investment Adviser maintains
regular contact. Most transactions made by the Portfolio will be
principal transactions at net prices and the Portfolio will incur
little or no brokerage costs. Where possible, securities will be
purchased directly from the issuer or from an underwriter or
market maker for the securities unless the Investment Adviser
believes a better price and execution is available elsewhere.
Purchases from underwriters of newly-issued securities for
inclusion in the Portfolio usually will include a concession paid
to the underwriter by the issuer and purchases from dealers
serving as market makers will include the spread between the bid
and asked price.
The Portfolio has no obligation to enter into
transactions in securities with any broker, dealer, issuer,
underwriter or other entity. In placing orders, it is the policy
of the Fund to obtain the best price and execution for its
transactions. Where best price and execution may be obtained
from more than one broker or dealer, the Investment Adviser may,
in its discretion, purchase and sell securities through brokers
and dealers who provide research, statistical and other
information to the Investment Adviser. Such services may be used
by the Investment Adviser for all of its investment advisory
accounts and, accordingly, not all such services may be used by
the Investment Adviser in connection with the Portfolio. There
may be occasions where the transaction cost charged by a broker
may be greater than that which another broker may charge if the
Fund determines in good faith that the amount of such transaction
cost is reasonable in relationship to the value of the brokerage
and research and statistical services provided by the executing
broker.
No transactions for the Portfolio are executed through
any broker or dealer affiliated with the Fund's Investment
Adviser, or with Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
Corporation, an affiliate of the Investment Adviser. During the
fiscal years ended June 30, 1994, 1995 and 1996, the Portfolio
incurred no brokerage commissions.
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______________________________________________________________
TAXES
______________________________________________________________
The Fund advises the Portfolio's shareholders annually
as to the Federal income tax status of dividends and
distributions made to a Portfolio's shareholders during each
calendar year.
GENERAL. The Portfolio intends for each taxable year to
qualify as a "regulated investment company" under the code. To
so qualify, the Portfolio must, among other things, (i) derive at
least 90% of its gross income in each taxable year from
dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans,
gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities
or foreign currency, or certain other income (including, but not
limited to, gains from options, futures and forward contracts)
derived with respect to its business of investing in stock,
securities or currency; (ii) derive less than 30% of its gross
income in each taxable year from the sale or other disposition
within three months of their acquisition by the Portfolio of
stocks, securities, options, futures or forward contracts and
foreign currencies (or options, futures or forward contracts on
foreign currencies) that are not directly related to the
Portfolio's principal business of investing in stocks or
securities (or options and futures with respect to stocks or
securities); and (iii) diversify its holdings so that, at the end
of each quarter of its taxable year, the following two conditions
are met: (a) at least 50% of the value of the Portfolio's assets
is represented by cash, cash items, U.S. Government Securities,
securities of other regulated investment companies and other
securities with respect to which the Portfolio's investment is
limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater
than 5% of the Portfolio's total assets and 10% of the
outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (b) not more
than 25% of the value of the Portfolio's assets is invested in
securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government
Securities or securities of other regulated investment
companies). These requirements, among other things, may limit
the Portfolio's ability to write and purchase options, to enter
into interest rate swaps and to purchase or sell interest rate
caps or floors.
If the Portfolio qualifies as a regulated investment
company for any taxable year and makes timely distributions to
its shareholders of 90% or more of its net investment income for
that year (calculated without regard to its net capital gain,
i.e., the excess of its net long-term capital gain over its net
short-term capital loss), it will not be subject to federal
income tax on the portion of its taxable income for the year
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(including any net capital gain) that it distributes to
shareholders.
The Portfolio will also avoid the 4% federal excise tax
that would otherwise apply to certain undistributed income for a
given calendar year if it makes timely distributions to
shareholders equal to the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income
for such year, (ii) 98% of its capital gain net income and
foreign currency gains for the twelve-month period ending on
October 31 of such year, and (iii) any ordinary income or capital
gain net income from the preceding calendar year that was not
distributed during such year. For this purpose, income or gain
retained by the Portfolio that is subject to corporate income tax
will be considered to have been distributed by the Portfolio by
year-end. For federal income and excise tax purposes, dividends
declared and payable to shareholders of record as of a date in
October, November or December but actually paid during the
following January will be treated as if paid by the Portfolio on
December 31 of such calendar year, and will be taxable to these
shareholders for the year declared, and not for the year in which
the shareholders actually receive the dividend.
The information set forth in the following discussion
relates solely to the significant United States federal income
tax consequences of dividends and distributions by the Portfolio
and of sales or redemptions of Portfolio shares, and assumes that
the Portfolio qualifies to be taxed as a regulated investment
company. Investors should consult their own tax counsel with
respect to the specific tax consequences of their being
shareholders of the Portfolio, including the effect and
applicability of federal, state and local tax laws to their own
particular situation and the possible effects of changes therein.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. The Portfolio intends to
make timely distributions of the Portfolio's taxable income
(including any net capital gain) so that the Portfolio will not
be subject to federal income and excise taxes. Dividends of the
Portfolio's net ordinary income and distributions of any net
realized short-term capital gain are taxable to shareholders as
ordinary income.
The excess of net long-term capital gains over the net
short-term capital losses realized and distributed by the
Portfolio to its shareholders will be taxable to the shareholders
at long-term capital gains, irrespective of the length of time a
shareholder may have held his Portfolio shares. Any dividend or
distribution received by a shareholder on shares of the Portfolio
will have the effect of reducing the net asset value of such
shares by the amount of such dividend or distribution.
Furthermore, a dividend or distribution made shortly after the
purchase of such shares by a shareholder, although in effect a
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return of capital to that particular shareholder, would be
taxable to him as described above. Dividends are taxable in the
manner discussed regardless of whether they are paid to the
shareholder in cash or are reinvested in additional shares of the
Portfolio.
Since the Portfolio expects to derive substantially all
of its gross income (exclusive of capital gains) from sources
other than dividends, it is expected that none of the Portfolio's
dividends or distributions will qualify for the
dividends-received deduction for corporations.
A dividend or capital gains distribution with respect to
shares of the Portfolio held by a tax-deferred or qualified
retirement plan, such as an IRA, 403(b)(7) retirement plan or
corporate pension or profit-sharing plan, 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.
After the end of the taxable year, the Portfolio will
notify shareholders of the federal income tax status of any
distributions made by the Portfolio to shareholders during such
year.
SALES AND REDEMPTIONS. Any gain or loss arising from a
sale or redemption of Portfolio shares generally will be capital
gain or loss except in the case of a dealer or a financial
institution, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if such
shareholder has held such shares for more than one year at the
time of the sale or redemption; otherwise it will be short-term
capital gain or loss. However, if a shareholder has held shares
in the Portfolio for six months or less and during that period
has received a distribution taxable to the shareholder as a long-
term capital gain, any loss recognized by the shareholder on the
sale of those shares during the six-month period will be treated
as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the distribution.
In determining the holding period of such shares for this
purpose, any period during which a shareholder's risk of loss is
offset by means of options, short sales or similar transactions
is not counted.
Any loss realized by a shareholder on a sale or exchange
of shares of the Portfolio will be disallowed to the extent the
shares disposed of are replaced within a period of 61 days
beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are
sold or exchanged. For this purpose, acquisitions pursuant to
the Dividend Reinvestment Plan would constitute a replacement if
made within the period. If disallowed, the loss will be
reflected in an upward adjustment to the basis of the shares
acquired.
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BACKUP WITHHOLDING. The Portfolio may be required to
withhold United States federal income tax at the rate of 31% of
all taxable distributions payable to shareholders who fail to
provide the Portfolio with their correct taxpayer identification
numbers or to make required certifications, or who have been
notified by the Internal Revenue service that they are subject to
backup withholding. Corporate shareholders and certain other
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.
ZERO COUPON TREASURY SECURITIES. Under current federal
tax law, the Portfolio will receive net investment income in the
form of interest by virtue of holding Treasury bills, notes and
bonds, and will recognize interest attributable to it under the
original issue discount rules of the Code from holding zero
coupon Treasury securities. Current federal tax law requires
that a holder (such as the Portfolio) of a zero coupon security
accrue a portion of the discount at which the security was
purchased as income each year even though the Portfolio receives
no interest payment in cash on the security during the year.
Accordingly, the Portfolio may be required to pay out as an
income distribution each year an amount which is greater than the
total amount of cash interest the Portfolio actually received.
Such distributions will be made from the cash assets of the
Portfolio or by liquidation of portfolio securities, if
necessary. If a distribution of cash necessitates the
liquidation of portfolio securities, the Investment Adviser will
select which securities to sell. The Portfolio may realize a
gain or loss from such sales. In the event the Portfolio
realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its
shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution, if
any, than they would have in the absence of such transactions.
STRIPPED MORTGAGE-RELATED SECURITIES. Certain classes
of SMRS which are issued at a discount, the payments of which are
subject to acceleration by reason of prepayments of the
underlying Mortgage Assets securing such classes, are subject to
special rules for determining the portion of the discount at
which the class was issued which must be accrued as income each
year. Under Code section 1272(a)(6), a principal-only class or a
class which receives a portion of the interest and a portion of
the principal from the underlying Mortgage Assets is subject to
rules which require accrual of interest to be calculated and
included in the income of a holder (such as the Portfolio) based
on the increase in the present value of the payments remaining on
the class, taking into account payments includable in the class'
stated redemption price at maturity which are received during the
accrual period. For this purpose, the present value calculation
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is made at the beginning of each accrual period (i) using the
yield to maturity determined for the class at the time of its
issuance (determined on the basis of compounding at the close of
each accrual period and properly adjusted for the length of the
accrual period), calculated on the assumption that certain
prepayments will occur, and (ii) taking into account any
prepayments that have occurred before the close of the accrual
period. Since interest included in the Portfolio's income as a
result of these rules will have been accrued and not actually
paid, the Portfolio may be required to pay out as an income
distribution each year an amount which is greater than the total
amount of cash interest the Portfolio actually received, with
possible results as described above.
TAXATION OF FOREIGN STOCKHOLDERS. The foregoing
discussion relates only to U.S. Federal income tax law as it
affects shareholders who are U.S. residents or U.S. corporations.
The effects of Federal income tax law on shareholders who are
non-resident aliens or foreign corporations may be substantially
different. Foreign investors should consult their counsel for
further information as to the U.S. tax consequences of receipt of
income from the Fund.
_______________________________________________________________
GENERAL INFORMATION
_______________________________________________________________
CAPITALIZATION
The authorized capital stock of the Fund consists of
1,400,000,000 shares of Common Stock having a par value of $.001
per share. All shares of each Portfolio participate equally in
dividends and distributions from that Portfolio, including any
distributions in the event of a liquidation. Each share of the
Portfolio is entitled to one vote for all purposes. Shares of
both Portfolios vote for the election of Directors and on any
other matter that affects both Portfolios in substantially the
same manner as a single class, except as otherwise required by
law. As to matters affecting each Portfolio differently, such as
approval of the Investment Advisory Contract and changes in
investment policy, shares of each Portfolio would vote as a
separate class. There are no conversion or preemptive rights in
connection with any shares of the Portfolio. All shares of the
Portfolio when duly issued will be fully paid and non-assessable.
The authorized capital stock of the Fund consists of
200,000,000 shares of Common Stock having a par value of $.001
per share. The authorized capital stock of the Portfolio
currently consists of 200,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock,
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200,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, and 200,000,000
shares of Class C Common Stock, and 200,000,000 shares of Advisor
Class Common Stock, each having a par value of $.001 per share.
Class A, Class B and Class C shares each represent interests in
the assets of the Portfolio and have identical voting, dividend,
liquidation and other rights on the same terms and conditions,
except that expenses related to the distribution of each class
and transfer agency expenses of each class are borne solely by
each class and each class of shares has exclusive voting rights
with respect to provisions of the Fund's Rule 12b-1 distribution
plan which pertain to a particular class and other matters for
which separate class voting is appropriate under applicable law,
provided that, if the Fund submits to a vote of both the Class A
shareholders and the Class B shareholders an amendment to the
Rule 12b-1 distribution plan that would materially increase the
amount to be paid thereunder with respect to the Class A shares,
the Class A shareholders and the Class B shareholders will vote
separately by class.
The Fund's Board of Directors may, without shareholder
approval, increase or decrease the number of authorized but
unissued shares of the Portfolio's Class A, Class B, Class C and
Advisor Class Common Stock.
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 Directors
in the future, for reasons such as the desire to establish one or
more additional portfolios with different investment objectives,
policies or restrictions, may create additional series of shares.
Any issuance of shares of another series would be governed by the
1940 Act and the laws 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 Investment
Advisory Contract and changes in investment policy, shares of
each Portfolio would vote as separate series.
Procedures for calling a shareholders' meeting for the
removal of Directors of the Fund, similar to those set forth in
Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act, 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.
58
<PAGE>
As of the close of business on October 11, l996, there
were 103,122,493 shares of common stock of the Portfolio
outstanding. Of this amount, 51,460,878 shares were Class A
shares, 78,295,629 shares were Class B shares and 20,741,022
shares were Class C shares. To the knowledge of the Portfolio,
the following persons owned of record, and no person owned
beneficially, 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the
Portfolio as of October 11, 1996:
No of % of % of % of
Name and Address Shares Class A Class B Class C
Merrill Lynch 4,085,842 7.941%
Mutual Fund Operations
4800 Deer Lake Dr. East,
3rd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32244-6486
Merrill Lynch 16,333,528 20.86%
Mutual Fund Operations
4800 Deer Lake Dr. East,
3rd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32244-6486
Merrill Lynch 12,015,411 57.93%
Mutual Fund Operations
4800 Deer Lake Dr. East,
3rd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32244-6486
CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin
Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, acts as Custodian for the
securities and cash of the Fund, but plays no part in deciding on
the purchase or sale of portfolio securities.
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc., 1345 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, New York 10105, serves as the Fund's
Principal Underwriter, and as such may solicit orders from the
public to purchase shares of the Portfolio. Under the
Distribution Services Agreement, the Fund has agreed to indemnify
the Principal Underwriter, in the absence of its willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of
its obligations thereunder, against certain civil liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act.
59
<PAGE>
COUNSEL
Legal matters in connection with the issuance of the
shares of the Portfolio 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.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Ernst & Young LLP, New York, New York, have been
appointed as independent auditors for the Fund.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time, the Portfolio advertises its "yield,"
"actual distribution rate" and "total return." The Portfolio
will compute its yield, actual distribution rate and total return
separately for Class A, Class B and Class C shares. The
Portfolio will compute its yield, actual distribution rate and
total return separately for Class A, Class B and Class C. The
Portfolio's yield for any 30-day (or one-month) period is
computed by dividing the net investment income per share earned
during such period by the maximum public offering price per share
on the last day of the period, and then annualizing such 30-day
(or one-month) yield in accordance with a formula prescribed by
the Commission which provides for compounding on a semi-annual
basis. The Portfolio's "actual distribution rate," which may be
advertised in items of sales literature, is computed in the same
manner as yield except that actual income dividends declared per
share during the period in question is substituted for net
investment income per share. The actual distribution rate is
computed separately for each class of shares. Advertisements of
the Portfolio's total return disclose the Portfolio's average
annual compounded total return for its most recently completed
one, five and ten year periods (or, if shorter, the period since
the Portfolio's inception). The Portfolio'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 such investment
at the end of the period. For purposes of computing total
return, income dividends and capital gains distributions paid on
shares of the Portfolio are assumed to have been reinvested when
received and the maximum sales charge applicable to purchases of
the Portfolio's shares is assumed to have been paid.
The yield for the month ended June 30, 1996 for the
Class A shares of the Portfolio was 6.49%, for Class B shares was
6.06% and for Class C shares was 6.07%. The actual distribution
rate for such period for the Portfolio for Class A shares was
60
<PAGE>
7.41%, for Class B shares was 6.99% and for Class C shares was
6.99%. The Portfolio's average annual total return for the one-
year period ended June 30, 1996 was (2.54)%, for the five-year
period ended June 30, 1996 was 6.07% and for the ten-year period
ended June 30, 1996 was 6.95% for Class A shares of the
Portfolio; the average annual total return for the one year ended
June 30, 1996 was (1.82)% and for the period September 30, 1991
(commencement of distribution) through June 30, 1996, was 5.46%
for Class B shares of the Portfolio; and the average annual total
return for the one-year period ended June 30, 1996, was 1.01% and
for the period May 3, 1993 (commencement of distribution) through
June 30, 1996 was 3.06% for Class C shares of the Portfolio.
Yield and total return are computed separately for the
Portfolio's Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares.
The Portfolio's yield and total return are not fixed and will
fluctuate in response to prevailing market conditions or as a
function of the type and quality of the securities held by the
Portfolio, its average portfolio maturity and its expenses.
Yield and total return information is useful in reviewing the
Portfolio's performance and such information may provide a basis
for comparison with other investments. Such other investments
may include certificates of deposit, money market funds and
corporate debt securities. However, an investor should know that
investment return and principal value of an investment in the
Portfolio will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when
redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. In
addition, the Portfolio's shares are not insured or guaranteed by
the U.S. Government. In comparison, certificates of deposit are
guaranteed and pay a fixed rate of return; money market funds
seek a stable net asset value; and corporate debt securities may
provide a higher yield than those available from the Portfolio.
Advertisements quoting performance rankings or ratings
of the Fund's Portfolio as measured by financial publications or
by independent organizations such as Lipper Analytical Services,
Inc. ("Lipper") and Morningstar, Inc. and advertisements
presenting the historical record payments of income dividends by
the Portfolio may also from time to time be sent to investors or
placed in newspapers, magazines, such as Barrons, Business Week,
Changing Times, Forbes, Investor's Daily, Money Magazine, The New
York Times and The Wall Street Journal or other media on behalf
of the Fund. The Portfolio has been ranked by Lipper in the
category known as "U.S. Government bond funds".
61
<PAGE>
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 under the Securities Act of 1933.
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.
62
<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
JUNE 30, 1996 ALLIANCE BOND FUND U.S. GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
_______________________________________________________________________________
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000) VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. GOVERNMENT AND AGENCY OBLIGATIONS-101.5%
U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES-61.9%
U.S. TREASURY NOTES-30.3%
6.00%, 5/31/98 $ 4,600 $ 4,589,834
8.50%, 7/15/97 11,400 11,705,520
8.75%, 10/15/97 247,000 255,575,840
9.00%, 5/15/98 85,000 89,318,850
--------------
361,190,044
U.S. TREASURY BOND-21.3%
14.00%, 11/15/11 166,400 254,004,608
U.S. TREASURY STRIP-10.3%
Zero coupon, 2/15/09 155,600 65,529,384
Zero coupon, 11/15/09 144,300 57,428,514
--------------
122,957,898
Total U.S. Treasury Securities
(cost $748,197,114) 738,152,550
GOVERNMENT NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION-33.0%
Mobile Homes
8.25%, 6/15/05-3/15/16 5,838 6,042,598
8.50%, 5/15/08-1/15/12 1,232 1,284,050
8.75%, 11/15/00-1/15/12 4,928 5,171,805
9.00%, 10/15/11-1/15/12 1,508 1,581,220
9.75%, 5/15/99-1/15/13 8,406 9,025,684
10.25%, 4/15/98-6/15/13 7,742 8,305,727
11.25%, 3/15/98-5/15/98 35 37,527
--------------
31,448,611
Project Loans
7.00%, 4/15/97-5/15/35 26,350 25,860,423
7.05%, 9/15/25 7,050 6,783,289
7.30%, 1/15/31 7,712 7,524,016
7.50%, 2/15/23-1/15/35 10,164 10,023,859
7.80%, 11/15/34 15,086 15,076,149
8.00%, 4/15/23-2/15/34 23,651 23,843,504
8.125%, 10/15/29 27,304 27,653,942
8.375%, 1/15/30-7/15/32 15,534 15,873,918
8.43%, 7/15/27 4,919 5,037,654
8.50%, 11/15/12-7/15/32 47,318 48,574,324
8.75%, 1/15/33 2,508 2,589,839
9.00%, 4/15/29-5/15/35 8,136 8,450,918
9.25%, 4/15/32 6,969 7,289,485
9.50%, 8/15/31 10,298 10,845,188
10.50%, 8/15/29 5,787 6,287,796
--------------
221,714,304
Single Family Homes
7.50%, 1/15/99-4/15/26 129,311 127,518,280
9.00%, 7/20/24-9/20/24 12,733 13,242,271
--------------
140,760,551
Total Government National Mortgage Association
(cost $395,910,160) 393,923,466
FEDERAL AGENCY SECURITIES-6.6%
Federal Housing Authority
11.93%, 1/01/29 7,919 8,076,975
Financial Assistance Corp.
9.45%, 11/21/03 26,000 27,664,780
9.50%, 4/16/04 31,506 33,823,897
Overseas Private Investment Corporation
Series 94-195
6.08%, 8/15/04 9,000 8,586,810
Total Federal Agency Securities
(cost $85,048,622) 78,152,462
TOTAL INVESTMENTS-101.5%
(cost $1,229,155,896) 1,210,228,478
Other assets less liabilities-(1.5%) (17,631,009)
NET ASSETS-100% $1,192,597,469
See notes to financial statements.
5
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
JUNE 30, 1996 ALLIANCE BOND FUND U.S. GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
_______________________________________________________________________________
ASSETS
Investments in securities, at value (cost $1,229,155,896) $1,210,228,478
Cash 639,843
Interest receivable 12,540,424
Receivable for capital stock sold 2,100,606
Other receivables 103,772
Total assets 1,225,613,123
LIABILITIES
Payable for investment securities purchased 23,960,176
Payable for capital stock redeemed 4,341,423
Dividends payable 2,402,549
Advisory fee payable 1,615,747
Distribution fee payable 149,871
Accrued expenses 545,888
Total liabilities 33,015,654
NET ASSETS $1,192,597,469
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS
Capital stock, at par $ 158,561
Additional paid-in capital 1,430,102,882
Distributions in excess of net investment income (2,402,549)
Accumulated net realized loss (216,334,254)
Net unrealized depreciation of investments and other assets (18,927,171)
$1,192,597,469
CALCULATION OF MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE
CLASS A SHARES
Net asset value and redemption price per share ($397,894,221/
52,902,109 shares of capital stock issued and outstanding) $7.52
Sales charge-4.25% of public offering price .33
Maximum offering price $7.85
CLASS B SHARES
Net asset value and offering price per share ($628,628,059/
83,578,767 shares of capital stock issued and outstanding) $7.52
CLASS C SHARES
Net asset value, redemption and offering price per share($166,075,189
/22,080,415 shares of capital stock issued and outstanding) $7.52
See notes to financial statements.
6
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 ALLIANCE BOND FUND U.S. GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
_______________________________________________________________________________
INVESTMENT INCOME
Interest $112,315,976
EXPENSES
Advisory fee $7,041,367
Distribution fee - Class A 1,309,625
Distribution fee - Class B 7,264,663
Distribution fee - Class C 1,750,258
Transfer agency 1,625,622
Custodian 214,225
Taxes 160,299
Printing 149,831
Administrative 135,982
Audit and legal 133,864
Registration 97,842
Directors' fees 11,723
Miscellaneous 45,735
Total expenses 19,941,036
Net investment income 92,374,940
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENTS
Net realized loss on investments (47,116,946)
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments (26,134,142)
Net loss on investments (73,251,088)
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS $ 19,123,852
See notes to financial statements.
7
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES
IN NET ASSETS ALLIANCE BOND FUND U.S. GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
_______________________________________________________________________________
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
JUNE 30,1996 JUNE 30,1995
--------------- ---------------
INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS
Net investment income $ 92,374,940 $ 108,632,124
Net realized loss on investments (47,116,946) (64,741,614)
Net change in unrealized (depreciation)
appreciation of investments and other assets (26,134,142) 87,484,438
Net increase in net assets from operations 19,123,852 131,374,948
DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:
Net investment income
Class A (32,265,939) (38,253,548)
Class B (48,490,547) (56,201,323)
Class C (11,692,283) (15,168,018)
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS
Net decrease (153,783,285) (72,782,075)
Total decrease (227,108,202) (51,030,016)
NET ASSETS
Beginning of year 1,419,705,671 1,470,735,687
End of year $1,192,597,469 $1,419,705,671
See notes to financial statements.
8
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 1996 ALLIANCE BOND FUND U.S. GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
_______________________________________________________________________________
NOTE A: SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Alliance Bond Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") is registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 as a diversified open end management investment company.
The Fund, which is a Maryland corporation operates as a series company
currently comprised of two portfolios: Corporate Bond Portfolio and U.S.
Government Portfolio. Each series is considered to be a separate entity for
financial reporting and tax purposes. The financial statements and notes
include the operations of the U.S. Government Portfolio (the "Portfo1io") only.
The Portfolio offers three classes of shares: Class A, Class B and Class C
shares. Class A shares are sold with a front-end sales charge of up to 4.25%.
Class B shares are currently sold with a contingent deferred sales charge which
declines from 3.00% to zero depending on the period of time the shares are
held. Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares six years
after the end of the calendar month of purchase. Class C shares were sold
without an initial or contingent deferred sales charge. However, Class C shares
purchased on or after July 1, 1996, are subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge of 1% on redemptions made within the first year after purchase. All
three 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 following is
a summary of the significant accounting policies followed by the Portfolio.
1. SECURITY VALUATION
Portfolio securities traded on a national securities exchange are valued at the
last reported sales price on such exchange. Listed securities not traded and
securities traded in the over-the-counter market, including listed debt
securities whose primary market is believed to be over-the-counter, are valued
at the mean of the closing bid and asked price as obtained from a recognized
pricing service and brokers. Securities for which bid and asked price
quotations are not readily available are valued in good faith at fair value
using methods determined by the Board of Directors. In determining fair value,
consideration is given to cost, operating and other financial data. Securities
which mature in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which
approximates market value.
2. TAXES
It is the Portfolio'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 applicable, to
shareholders. Therefore, no provisions for federal income or excise taxes are
required.
3. INVESTMENT INCOME AND SECURITY TRANSACTIONS
Interest income is accrued daily. Security transactions are accounted for on
the date the securities are purchased or sold. Security gains and losses are
determined on the identified cost basis. The portfolio accretes discount as an
adjustment to income.
4. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend
date and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations.
NOTE B: ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays
Alliance Capital Management L.P., (the "Adviser"), an advisory fee equal to .60
of 1% of the first $500 million, and .50 of 1% in excess of $500 million on an
annualized basis, of its net assets at the end of each quarter. The Adviser has
agreed to reimburse the Portfolio pursuant to the securities laws of certain
states to the extent its aggregate annual expenses (exclusive of interest,
taxes, brokerage, distribution fees and extraordinary expenses) exceed 2.5% of
the first $30 million of its average daily net assets, 2% of the next $70
million of its average daily net assets and 1.5% of its average daily net
assets in excess of $100 million. No such reimbursement was required for the
year ended June 30, 1996. Pursuant to the advisory agreement the Portfolio paid
$135,982 to the Adviser representing the cost of certain legal and accounting
services provided to the Portfolio by the Adviser for the year ended June 30,
1996.
The Portfolio compensates Alliance Fund Services, Inc. (a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Adviser) under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing
personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio.
Such compensation amounted to $1,099,331 for the year ended June 30, 1996.
9
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(CONTINUED) ALLIANCE BOND FUND U.S. GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
_______________________________________________________________________________
Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser)
serves as the Distributor of the Portfolio's shares. The Distributor received
front-end sales charges of $26,128 from the sale of Class A shares and
$1,113,832 in contingent deferred sales charges imposed upon redemptions by
shareholders of Class B shares for the year ended June 30, 1996.
NOTE C: DISTRIBUTION SERVICES AGREEMENT
The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Services Agreement (the "Agreement")
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the
Agreement, the Portfolio pays a distribution fee to the Distributor at an
annual rate of up to .30 of 1% of the Portfolio's average daily net assets
attributable to the Class A shares and 1% of the Portfolio's average daily net
assets attributable to the Class B and Class C shares. Such fee is 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 reimbursed by the Portfolio in the amount of $10,771,067, and $2,913,843
for Class B and Class C shares, respectively; such costs may be recovered from
the Portfolio 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
Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the
Portfolio's shares.
NOTE D: INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
At June 30, 1996, the cost of securities for federal income tax purposes was
$1,230,825,536. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation of investments was
$3,489,894 and gross unrealized depreciation of investments was $24,086,952,
resulting in net unrealized depreciation of $20,597,058. For federal income tax
purposes, the Portfolio had a capital loss carryforward at June 30, 1996 of
approximately $172,663,428 of which $19,845,081 expires in 1998; $8,257,319 in
1999; $83,016,947 in 2003; and $61,544,081 in 2004.
11
ALLIANCE BOND FUND U.S. GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
_______________________________________________________________________________
NOTE E: CAPITAL STOCK
There are 600,000,000 shares of $.001 par value capital stock authorized for
the Portfolio, of which 200,000,000 shares are designated for Class A, Class B
and Class C shares, respectively. Transactions in capital stock were as follows:
SHARES AMOUNT
--------------------------- -----------------------------
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
JUNE 30, JUNE 30, JUNE 30, JUNE 30,
1996 1995 1996 1995
------------ ------------ -------------- -------------
CLASS A
Shares sold 8,593,308 9,001,368 $ 67,686,755 $ 69,178,564
Shares issued in
reinvestment of
dividends 2,069,864 2,226,877 16,232,269 17,158,946
Shares converted from
Class B to Class A 1,518,616 -0- 11,511,531 -0-
Shares redeemed (17,526,781) (14,571,760) (137,499,410) (112,341,061)
Net decrease (5,344,993) (3,343,515) $ (42,068,855) $(26,003,551)
CLASS B
Shares sold 11,077,356 25,073,085 $ 87,210,898 $192,424,585
Shares issued in
reinvestment of
dividends 2,551,782 2,907,922 20,013,580 22,420,168
Shares converted from
Class B to Class A (1,518,616) -0- (11,511,531) -0-
Shares redeemed (25,781,796) (27,250,780) (201,478,136) (209,527,642)
Net (decrease)
increase (13,671,274) 730,227 $(105,765,189) $ 5,317,111
CLASS C
Shares sold 7,342,699 6,046,572 $ 57,646,630 $ 46,423,819
Shares issued in
reinvestment of
dividends 444,118 836,828 3,477,381 6,463,373
Shares redeemed (8,562,292) (13,632,303) (67,073,252) (104,982,827)
Net decrease (775,475) (6,748,903) $ (5,949,241) $(52,095,635)
11
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS ALLIANCE BOND FUND U.S. GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
_______________________________________________________________________________
SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OF CAPITAL STOCK OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A
----------------------------------------------------------
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
----------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year $7.96 $7.84 $8.64 $8.34 $8.01
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income .58 .64 .65 .69 .70
Net realized and unrealized (loss)
gain on investments (.44) .13 (.80) .29 .35
Net increase (decrease) in net
asset value from operations .14 .77 (.15) .98 1.05
LESS: DIVIDENDS
Dividends from net investment income (.58) (.65) (.65) (.68) (.72)
Net asset value, end of year $7.52 $7.96 $7.84 $8.64 $8.34
TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return based on net
asset value (a) 1.74% 10.37% (1.93)% 12.23% 13.52%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of year (000's omitted) $397,894 $463,660 $482,595 $527,968 $492,448
Ratio of expenses to average net assets 1.01% 1.01% 1.02% 1.10% 1.12%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets 7.38% 8.27% 7.76% 8.04% 8.43%
Portfolio turnover rate 334% 190% 188% 386% 418%
</TABLE>
See footnote summary on page 14.
12
ALLIANCE BOND FUND U.S. GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
_______________________________________________________________________________
SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OF CAPITAL STOCK OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS B
----------------------------------------------------------------
SEPTEMBER 30,
1991(B)
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, TO
-------------------------------------------------- JUNE 30,
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $7.96 $7.84 $8.64 $8.34 $8.25
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income .52 .58 .59 .62 .49
Net realized and unrealized (loss)
gain on investments (.44) .13 (.80) .30 .09
Net increase (decrease) in net asset
value from operations .08 .71 (.21) .92 .58
LESS: DIVIDENDS
Dividends from net investment income (.52) (.59) (.59) (.62) (.49)
Net asset value, end of period $7.52 $7.96 $7.84 $8.64 $8.34
TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return based on net
asset value (a) 1.01% 9.52% (2.63)% 11.45% 6.95%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000's omitted) $628,628 $774,097 $756,282 $552,471 $32,227
Ratio of expenses to average net assets 1.72% 1.72% 1.72% 1.81% 1.80%(c)
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets 6.67% 7.57% 7.04% 7.25% 7.40%(c)
Portfolio turnover rate 334% 190% 188% 386% 418%
</TABLE>
See footnote summary on page 14.
13
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED) ALLIANCE BOND FUND U.S. GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
_______________________________________________________________________________
SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OF CAPITAL STOCK OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS C
---------------------------------------------------
MAY 3,
1993(B)
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, TO
------------------------------------- JUNE 30,
1996 1995 1994 1993
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $7.96 $7.83 $8.64 $8.56
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income .52 .58 .59 .10
Net realized and unrealized (loss)
gain on investments (.44) .14 (.81) .08
Net increase (decrease) in net asset
value from operations .08 .72 (.22) .18
LESS: DIVIDENDS
Dividends from net investment income (.52) (.59) (.59) (.10)
Net asset value, end of period $7.52 $7.96 $7.83 $8.64
TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return based on net
asset value (a) 1.01% 9.67% (2.75)% 2.12%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period(000's omitted) $166,075 $181,948 $231,859 $67,757
Ratio of expenses to average net assets 1.71% 1.71% 1.70% 1.80%(c)
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets 6.68% 7.59% 6.97% 6.00%(c)
Portfolio turnover rate 334% 190% 188% 386%
</TABLE>
(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 net asset value during the period, and
redemption on the last day of the period. Initial sales charge or contingent
deferred sales charge is not reflected in the calculation of total investment
return. Total investment return calculated for a period less than one year is
not annualized.
(b) Commencement of distribution.
(c) Annualized.
14
REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS ALLIANCE BOND FUND U.S. GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
_______________________________________________________________________________
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ALLIANCE BOND FUND U.S. GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of
Alliance Bond Fund U.S. Government Portfolio (one of the portfolios comprising
the Alliance Bond Fund, Inc.), including the portfolio of investments, as of
June 30, 1996, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended,
the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period
then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated
therein. These financial statements and financial highlights are the
responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our
audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of June
30, 1996, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. An audit also
includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to
above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
Alliance Bond Fund U.S. Government Portfolio at June 30, 1996, 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 indicated periods, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
New York, New York
July 31, 1996
63
<PAGE>
[LOGO] ALLIANCE BOND FUND, INC.
-CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO
P. O. Box 1520, Secaucus, New Jersey 07096-1520
Toll Free (800) 221-5672
For Literature Toll Free (800) 227-4681
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
November 1, 1996
____________________________________________________________
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus
but supplements and should be read in conjunction with the
current Prospectus for the Corporate Bond Portfolio (the
"Portfolio") of the Alliance Bond Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") that
offers Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the Portfolio and,
if the Portfolio begins to offer Advisor Class shares, the
Prospectus that offers the Advisor Class shares of the Portfolio
(the "Advisor Class Prospectus" and, together with any Prospectus
that offers the Class A, Class B, and Class C shares, the
("Prospectus(es)"). The Portfolio currently does not offer
Advisor Class shares. Copies of the Prospectus(es) of the
Portfolio 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 Portfolio . . . . . . . . . . .
Management of the Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchase of Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Redemption and Repurchase of Shares. . . . . . . .
Shareholder Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net Asset Value. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Portfolio Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Financial Statements and Report of Independent
Auditors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(R): This is a registered mark used under license from the owner,
Alliance Capital Management L.P.
64
<PAGE>
_____________________________________________________________
DESCRIPTION OF THE PORTFOLIO
_____________________________________________________________
INTRODUCTION TO THE FUND
The Fund is an open-end management investment company
commonly known as a "mutual fund" whose shares are offered in
separate series referred to as "Portfolios." Each Portfolio is a
separate pool of assets constituting, in effect, a separate fund
with its own investment objectives and policies. A shareholder
in a Portfolio will be entitled to his or her pro-rata share of
all dividends and distributions arising from that Portfolio's
assets and, upon redeeming shares of that Portfolio, the
shareholder will receive the then current net asset value of that
Portfolio represented by the redeemed shares. (See "Purchase of
Shares" and "Redemption and Repurchase of Shares," in the
Portfolio's Prospectus.) The Fund is empowered to establish,
without shareholder approval, additional Portfolios which may
have different investment objectives.
The Fund currently has two portfolios: the Corporate
Bond Portfolio and the U.S. Government Portfolio.
Except as otherwise indicated, the Fund has investment
policies that are not "fundamental policies" and, therefore, may
be changed by the Board of Directors without a shareholder vote.
However, the Fund will not change its investment policies without
contemporaneous written notice to its shareholders. The Fund's
investment objectives may not be changed without shareholder
approval. There can be, of course, no assurance that the
Portfolio will achieve its investment objectives.
THE CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
GENERAL. The primary investment objective of the
Portfolio is to maximize income over the long term consistent
with providing reasonable safety in the value of each
shareholder's investment. As a secondary objective, the
Portfolio will attempt to increase its capital through
appreciation of its investments in order to preserve and, if
possible, increase the purchasing power of each shareholder's
investment.
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<PAGE>
HOW THE PORTFOLIO PURSUES ITS OBJECTIVES
In pursuing these objectives, the Portfolio's policy is
to invest in readily marketable securities which give promise of
relatively attractive yields, but which do not involve
substantial risk of loss of capital. The Portfolio follows a
policy of maintaining at least 65% of its net assets invested in
debt securities. Such objectives and policies cannot be changed
without the approval of the holders of a majority of the
Portfolio's voting securities. The Portfolio also follows a
policy of maintaining at least 65% of its net assets invested in
corporate bonds. Moreover, the Portfolio intends to manage its
portfolio actively by taking advantage of such trading
opportunities as swaps to higher yielding bonds of similar
quality and swaps to different types of bonds which are more
attractive investments due to distortions in normal yield
differentials.
There is no minimum rating requirement applicable to the
Portfolio's investments in fixed-income securities. Currently,
the Portfolio believes its objectives and policies may best be
implemented by investing at least 65% of its total assets in
fixed-income securities considered investment grade or higher
(securities rated at least Baa by Moody's Investors Services,
Inc. ("Moody's") or BBB by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services
("S&P")). During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996, on a
weighted average basis, the percentages of the Portfolio's assets
invested in securities rated in particular rating categories by
Moody's or if unrated by Moody's, considered by Alliance Capital
Management L.P. the Fund's investment adviser (the "Investment
Adviser") to be of equivalent quality to such ratings, were as
follows: 25% in A and above, 41% in Baa, 11% in Ba, and 7% in B.
The Portfolio did not invest in securities rated below B by
Moody's, or if unrated by Moody's, considered by the Investment
Adviser to be of equivalent quality to such a rating. Securities
rated Ba or below by Moody's or BB or below by S&P are often
referred to as junk bonds. (See "Special Risk Considerations"
below). The Portfolio expects that it will not retain a security
which is downgraded below B, or if unrated, determined by the
Investment Adviser to have undergone similar credit quality
deterioration subsequent to purchase.
The Portfolio will not invest more than 5% of its total
assets in the securities of any one issuer, excepting U.S.
Government obligations. Further, the Portfolio will not own more
than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any issuer. The
Portfolio has complete flexibility as to the types of securities
in which it will invest and the relative proportions thereof, and
the Portfolio plans to vary the proportions of its holdings of
long- and short-term fixed-income securities (including debt
securities, convertible debt securities, U.S. Government (full
66
<PAGE>
faith and credit) obligations) and of common and preferred stocks
in order to reflect its assessment of prospective cyclical
changes even if such action may adversely affect current income.
However, substantially all of the Portfolio's investments will be
income producing. (See "Investment Restrictions", below, for
additional restrictions which are fundamental policies of the
Portfolio and which cannot be changed without shareholder
approval).
The Portfolio may invest up to 50% of the value of its
total assets in foreign debt securities which will consist
primarily of corporate fixed-income securities and instruments
issued or guaranteed by foreign governments ("Sovereign Debt
Obligations"). Sovereign Debt Obligations may include, as
described below, securities issued in connection with foreign
government debt restructurings as well as foreign government loan
participations and assignments. Not more than 15% of the
Portfolio's total assets may be invested in Sovereign Debt
Obligations in the form of foreign government loan participations
and assignments, substantially all of which may be high-yield,
high-risk debt securities that are low-rated (i.e. below
investment grade) or of comparable quality and unrated, and that
are considered to be predominantly speculative as regards the
issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Investors
should be aware that there are risks associated with investment
by the Portfolio in foreign securities. See "Special Risk
Considerations."
BRADY BONDS. The Portfolio may invest in certain debt
obligations customarily referred to as "Brady Bonds," which are
created through the exchange of existing commercial bank loans to
foreign entities for new obligations in connection with debt
restructurings under a plan introduced by former U.S. Secretary
of the Treasury, Nicholas F. Brady (the "Brady Plan").
Brady Plan debt restructurings totalling more than $120
billion have been implemented to date in Argentina, Bolivia,
Brazil, Costa Rica, The Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico,
Nigeria, the Phillipines, Uruguay and Venezuela, with the largest
proportion of Brady Bonds having been issued to date by
Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Venezuela.
Brady Bonds have been issued only recently, and,
accordingly, do not have a long payment history. They may be
collateralized or uncollateralized and issued in various
currencies (although most are dollar-denominated) and they are
actively traded in the over-the-counter secondary market.
Certain Brady Bonds are collateralized in full as to principal
due at maturity by zero coupon obligations issued or guaranteed
by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities having
the same maturity ("Collateralized Brady Bonds").
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<PAGE>
Dollar-denominated, Collateralized Brady Bonds may be
fixed rate bonds or floating rate bonds. Interest payments on
Brady Bonds are often collateralized by cash or securities in an
amount that, in the case of fixed rate bonds, is equal to at
least one year of rolling interest payments or, in the case of
floating rate bonds, initially is equal to at least one year's
rolling interest payments based on the applicable interest rate
at that time and is adjusted at regular intervals thereafter.
Certain Brady Bonds are entitled to "value recovery payments" in
certain circumstances, which in effect constitute supplemental
interest payments but generally are not collateralized. Brady
Bonds are often viewed as having three or four valuation
components: (i) collateralized repayment of principal at final
maturity; (ii) collateralized interest payments; (iii)
uncollateralized interest payments; and (iv) any uncollateralized
repayment of principal at maturity (these uncollateralized
amounts constitute the "residual risk"). In the event of a
default with respect to Collateralized Brady Bonds as a result of
which the payment obligations of the issuer are accelerated, the
U.S. Treasury zero coupon obligations held as collateral for the
payment of principal will not be distributed to investors, nor
will such obligations be sold and the proceeds distributed. The
collateral will be held by the collateral agent to the scheduled
maturity of the defaulted Brady Bonds, which will continue to be
outstanding, at which time the face amount of the collateral will
equal the principal payments which would have been due on the
Brady Bonds in the normal course. In addition, in light of the
residual risk of Brady Bonds and, among other factors, the
history of defaults with respect to commercial bank loans by
public and private entities of countries issuing Brady Bonds,
investments in Brady Bonds are to be viewed as speculative.
STRUCTURED SECURITIES. The Portfolio may invest in
interests in entities organized and operated solely for the
purpose of restructuring the investment characteristics of
Sovereign Debt Obligations and loan participations and
assignments. This type of restructuring involves the deposit
with or purchase by an entity, such as a corporation or trust, of
specified instruments (such as commercial bank loans or Brady
Bonds) and the issuance by that entity of one or more classes of
securities ("Structured Securities") backed by, or representing
interests in, the underlying instruments. The cash flow on the
underlying instruments may be apportioned among the newly issued
Structured Securities to create securities with different
investment characteristics such as varying maturities, payment
priorities and interest rate provisions, and the extent of the
payments made with respect to Structured Securities is dependent
on the extent of the cash flow on the underlying instruments.
Because Structured Securities of the type in which the Portfolio
anticipates it will invest typically involve no credit
68
<PAGE>
enhancement, their credit risk generally will be equivalent to
that of the underlying instruments.
The Portfolio is permitted to invest in a class of
Structured Securities that is either subordinated or
unsubordinated to the right of payment of another class.
Subordinated Structured Securities typically have higher yields
and present greater risks than unsubordinated Structured
Securities.
Certain issuers of Structured Securities may be deemed
to be "investment companies" as defined in the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"). As a result, the
Portfolio's investment in these Structured Securities may be
limited by the restrictions contained in the 1940 Act. Under the
1940 Act, the Portfolio may not own more than 3% of the total
outstanding voting stock of any investment company and not more
than 5% of the value of the Portfolio's total assets may be
invested in the securities of any investment company. If the
Portfolio acquires shares in investment companies, shareholders
would bear both their proportionate shares of expenses in the
Portfolio (including management and advisory fees) and,
indirectly, the expenses of such investment companies (including
the management and advisory fees).
LOAN PARTICIPATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS. The Portfolio may
invest in fixed and floating rate loans ("Loans") arranged
through private negotiations between an issuer of Sovereign Debt
Obligations and one or more financial institutions ("Lenders").
The Portfolio's investments in Loans are expected in most
instances to be in the form of participations in Loans
("Participations") and assignments of all or a portion of Loans
("Assignments") from third parties. The Portfolio may invest up
to 15% of its total assets in Participations and Assignments.
The government that is the borrower on the Loan will be
considered by the Portfolio to be the issuer of a Participation
or Assignment for purposes of the Portfolio's fundamental
investment policy that it will not invest 25% or more of its
total assets in securities of issuers conducting their principal
business activities in the same industry (i.e., foreign
government). The Portfolio's investment in Participations
typically will result in the Portfolio having a contractual
relationship only with the Lender and not with the borrower. The
Portfolio will have the right to receive payments of principal,
interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the
Lender selling the Participation and only upon receipt by the
Lender of the payments from the borrower. The Portfolio will
acquire Participations only if the Lender interpositioned between
the Portfolio and the borrower is a Lender having total assets of
more than $25 billion and whose senior unsecured debt is rated
69
<PAGE>
investment grade or higher (i.e., Baa or higher by Moody's or BBB
or higher by S&P).
In connection with purchasing Participations, the
Portfolio generally will have no right to enforce compliance by
the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement relating to the
Loan, nor any rights of set-off against the borrower, and the
Portfolio may not directly benefit from any collateral supporting
the Loan in which it has purchased the Participation. As a
result, the Portfolio may be subject to the credit risk of both
the borrower and the Lender that is selling the Participation.
In the event of the insolvency of the Lender selling a
Participation, the Portfolio may be treated as a general creditor
of the Lender and may not benefit from any set-off between the
Lender and the borrower. Certain Participations may be
structured in a manner designed to avoid purchasers of
Participations being subject to the credit risk of the Lender
with respect to the Participation, but even under such a
structure, in the event of the Lender's insolvency, the Lender's
servicing of the Participation may be delayed and the
assignability of the Participation impaired.
When the Portfolio purchases Assignments from Lenders it
will acquire direct rights against the borrower on the Loan.
Because Assignments are arranged through private negotiations
between potential assignees and potential assignors, however, the
rights and obligations acquired by the Portfolio as the purchaser
of an Assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those
held by the assigning Lender.
The Portfolio may have difficulty disposing of
Assignments and Participations because to do so it will have to
assign such securities to a third party. Because there is no
liquid market for such securities, the Portfolio anticipates that
such securities could be sold only to a limited number of
institutional investors. The lack of a liquid secondary market
may have an adverse impact on the value of such securities and
the Portfolio's ability to dispose of particular Assignments or
Participations when necessary to meet the Portfolio's liquidity
needs or in response to a specific economic event such as a
deterioration in the creditworthiness of the borrower. The lack
of a liquid secondary market for Assignments and Participations
also may make it more difficult for the Portfolio to assign a
value to these securities for purposes of valuing the Portfolio
and calculating its net asset value. Further, the assignability
of certain Sovereign Debt Obligations is restricted by the
governing documentation as to the nature of the assignee such
that the only way in which the Portfolio may acquire an interest
in a Loan is through a Participation and not an Assignment.
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<PAGE>
OPTIONS. The Portfolio may purchase put and call
options written by others and write covered put and call options
overlying the types of securities in which the Portfolio may
invest. A put option (sometimes called a "standby commitment")
gives the purchaser of the option, upon payment of a premium, the
right to deliver a specified amount of a security to the writer
of the option on or before a fixed date at a predetermined price.
A call option (sometimes called a "reverse standby commitment")
gives the purchaser of the option, upon payment of a premium, the
right to call upon the writer to deliver a specified amount of a
security on or before a fixed date at a predetermined price. The
Portfolio will not purchase any option if, immediately
thereafter, the aggregate cost of all outstanding options
purchased by the Portfolio would exceed 2% of the value of its
total assets; the Portfolio will not write any option if,
immediately thereafter, the aggregate value of the Portfolio's
securities subject to outstanding options would exceed 15% of its
total assets.
The Portfolio may purchase put and call options to
provide protection against adverse price or yield effects from
anticipated changes in prevailing interest rates. For instance
in periods of rising interest rates and falling bond prices, the
Portfolio might purchase a put option to limit its exposure to
falling prices. In periods of falling interest rates and rising
bond prices, the Portfolio might purchase a call option. In
purchasing a call option, the Portfolio would be in a position to
realize a gain if, during the option period, the price of the
security increased by an amount in excess of the premium paid.
It would realize a loss if the price of the security declined or
remained the same or did not increase during the period by more
than the amount of the premium. By purchasing a put option, the
Portfolio would be in a position to realize a gain if, during the
option period, the price of the security declined by an amount in
excess of the premium paid. It would realize a loss if the price
of the security increased or remained the same or did not
decrease during that period by more than the amount of the
premium. If a put or call option purchased by the Portfolio were
permitted to expire without being sold or exercised, its premium
would represent a loss to the Portfolio.
When the Portfolio writes a put option it must either
own at all times during the option period an offsetting put
option on the same security or maintain in a segregated account
cash or liquid assets in an amount adequate to purchase the
underlying security should the put be exercised. When the
Portfolio writes a call option it must own at all times during
the option period either the underlying securities or an
offsetting call option on the same securities. If a put option
written by the Portfolio were exercised the Portfolio would be
obligated to purchase the underlying security at the exercise
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<PAGE>
price. If a call option written by the Portfolio were exercised
the Portfolio would be obligated to sell the underlying security
at the exercise price.
The risk involved in writing a put option is that there
could be a decrease in the market value of the underlying
security caused by rising interest rates or other factors. If
this occurred, the option could be exercised and the underlying
security would then be sold to the Portfolio at a higher price
than its current market value. The risk involved in writing a
call option is that there could be an increase in the market
value of the underlying security caused by declining interest
rates or other factors. If this occurred, the option could be
exercised and the underlying security would then be sold by the
Portfolio at a lower price than its current market value. These
risks could be reduced by entering into a closing transaction as
described below. The Portfolio retains the premium received from
writing a put or call option whether or not the option is
exercised.
The Portfolio may also write call options for cross-
hedging purposes. A call option is for cross-hedging purposes if
it is designed to provide a hedge against a decline in value in
another security which the Portfolio owns or has the right to
acquire. In such circumstances, the Portfolio collateralizes the
option by maintaining, in a segregated account with the
Custodian, cash or liquid high-grade debt securities in an amount
not less than the market value of the underlying security, marked
to market daily.
The Portfolio may dispose of an option which it has
purchased by entering into a "closing sale transaction" with the
writer of the option. A closing sale transaction terminates the
obligation of the writer of the option and does not result in the
ownership of an option. The Portfolio realizes a profit or loss
from a closing sale transaction if the premium received from the
transaction is more than or less than the cost of the option.
The Portfolio may terminate its obligation to the holder
of an option written by the Portfolio through a "closing purchase
transaction." The Portfolio may not, however, effect a closing
purchase transaction with respect to such an option after it has
been notified of the exercise of such option. The Portfolio
realizes a profit or loss from a closing purchase transaction if
the cost of the transaction is more than or less than the premium
received by the Portfolio from writing the option.
The Portfolio generally purchases or writes options in
negotiated transactions. The Portfolio effects such transactions
only with investment dealers and other financial institutions
(such as commercial banks or savings and loan institutions)
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<PAGE>
deemed creditworthy by the Investment Adviser. The Investment
Adviser has also adopted procedures for monitoring the
creditworthiness of such entities. Options purchased or written
by the Portfolio in negotiated transactions are illiquid and it
may not be possible for the Portfolio to effect a closing
purchase transaction at a time when the Investment Adviser
believes it would be advantageous to do so.
INTEREST RATE TRANSACTIONS. In order to attempt to
protect the value of the Portfolio's investments from interest
rate fluctuations, the Portfolio may enter into various hedging
transactions, such as interest rate swaps and the purchase or
sale of interest rate caps and floors. The Portfolio expects to
enter into these transactions primarily to preserve a return or
spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio.
The Portfolio may also enter into these transactions to protect
against any increase in the price of securities the Portfolio
anticipates purchasing at a later date. The Portfolio intends to
use these transactions as a hedge and not as a speculative
investment. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the
Portfolio with another party of their respective commitments to
pay or receive interest, e.g., an exchange of floating rate
payments for fixed rate payments. 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
on a notional 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 a notional principal amount from the party selling
such interest rate floor.
The Portfolio may enter into interest rate swaps, caps
and floors on either an asset-based or liability-based basis
depending on whether it is hedging its assets or its liabilities,
and will only be entered into on a net basis, i.e., the two
payment streams are netted out, with the Portfolio receiving or
paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two
payments. Inasmuch as these hedging transactions are entered
into for good faith hedging purposes, the Investment Adviser and
the Portfolio believe such obligations do not constitute senior
securities and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject
to its borrowing restrictions. The net amount of the excess, if
any, of the Portfolio's obligations over its entitlements with
respect to each interest rate swap will be accrued on a daily
basis and an amount of cash or liquid securities having an
aggregate net asset value at least equal to the accrued excess
will be maintained in a segregated account by the Custodian. The
Portfolio will not enter into any interest rate swap, cap or
floor transaction unless the unsecured senior debt or the claims-
paying ability of the other party thereto is rated in the highest
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rating category of at least one nationally recognized rating
organization at the time of entering into such transaction. If
there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, the
Portfolio will have contractual remedies pursuant to the
agreements related to the transaction. The swap market has grown
substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and
investment banking firms acting both as principals and agents
utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap
market has become well established and provides a degree of
liquidity. Caps and floors are more recent innovations for which
documentation is not as standardized and, accordingly, they are
less liquid than swaps.
ZERO COUPON SECURITIES. To the extent consistent with
its investment objectives, the Portfolio may invest without limit
in "zero coupon" securities, which are debt securities that have
been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons and receipts or
certificates representing interests in such stripped debt
obligations and coupons. A zero coupon security pays no interest
to its holder during its life. Its value to an investor consists
of the difference between its face value at the time of maturity
and the price for which it was acquired, which is generally an
amount significantly less than its face value (sometimes referred
to as a "deep discount" price). Accordingly, such securities
usually trade at a deep discount from their face or par value and
will be subject to greater fluctuations of market value in
response to changing interest rates than debt obligations of
comparable maturities that make current distributions of
interest. On the other hand, because there are no periodic
interest payments to be reinvested prior to maturity, zero coupon
securities eliminate reinvestment risk and lock in a rate of
return to maturity. The Portfolio may also invest in "pay-in-
kind" debentures (i.e., debt obligations, the interest on which
may be paid in the form of additional obligations of the same
type rather than cash) which have characteristics similar to zero
coupon securities.
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS AND MULTI-CLASS
PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES. Mortgage-related securities in which
the Portfolio may invest may also include collateralized mortgage
obligations ("CMOs") and multi-class pass-through securities.
CMOs are debt obligations issued by special purpose entities that
are secured by mortgage-backed certificates, including, in many
cases, certificates issued by governmental and government-related
guarantors, including GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC, together with certain
funds and other collateral. Multi-class pass-through securities
are equity interests in a trust composed of mortgage loans or
other mortgage-related securities. Payments of principal and
interest on underlying collateral provide the funds to pay debt
service on the CMO or make scheduled distributions on the multi-
class pass-through security. CMOs and multi-class pass-through
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securities (collectively CMOs unless the context indicates
otherwise) may be issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the
United States Government or by private organizations. The issuer
of a CMO may elect to be treated as a Real Estate Mortgage
Investment Conduit ("REMIC").
In a CMO, a series of bonds or certificates is issued in
multiple classes. Each class of CMOs, often referred to as a
"tranche," is issued at a specific coupon rate and has a stated
maturity or final distribution date. Principal prepayments on
collateral underlying a CMO may cause it to be retired
substantially earlier than the stated maturities or final
distribution dates. Interest is paid or accrues on all classes
of a CMO on a monthly, quarterly or semi-annual basis. The
principal and interest on the underlying mortgages may be
allocated among the several classes of a series of a CMO in many
ways. In a common structure, payments of principal, including
any principal prepayments, on the underlying mortgages are
applied to the classes of the series of a CMO in the order of
their respective stated maturities or final distribution dates,
so that no payment of principal will be made on any class of a
CMO until all other classes having an earlier stated maturity or
final distribution date have been paid in full.
One or more tranches of a CMO may have coupon rates
which reset periodically at a specified increment over an index
such as the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"). These
adjustable rate tranches are known as "floating rate CMOs."
Floating rate CMOs may be backed by fixed or adjustable rate
mortgages. To date, fixed-rate mortgages have been more commonly
utilized for this purpose. Floating rate CMOs are typically
issued with lifetime caps on the coupon rate thereon. These caps
represent a ceiling beyond which the coupon rate on a floating
rate CMO may not be increased regardless of increases in the
interest rate index to which the floating rate CMO is geared.
The staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") has determined that certain issuers of CMOs are
investment companies for purposes of the 1940 Act. In reliance
on a 1991 staff interpretation, the Portfolio's investments in
certain qualifying CMOs, including REMICs, are not subject to the
1940 Act's limitation on acquiring interests in other investment
companies. In order to be able to rely on the staff's
interpretation, the CMOs must be unmanaged, fixed-asset issuers
that (i) invest primarily in mortgage-backed securities, (ii) do
not issue redeemable securities, (iii) operate under general
exemptive orders exempting them from all provisions of the 1940
Act, and (iv) are not registered or regulated under the 1940 Act
as investment companies. To the extent that the Portfolio
selects CMOs that do not meet the above requirements, the
Portfolio may not invest more than 10% of its assets in all such
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entities and may not acquire more than 3% of the voting
securities of any single such entity.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. Consistent with
applicable regulatory requirements, the Portfolio may loan its
portfolio securities where such loans are continuously secured by
cash collateral equal to no less than the market value,
determined daily, of the securities loaned. In loaning its
portfolio securities, the Portfolio will require that interest or
dividends on securities loaned be paid to the Portfolio. Where
voting or consent rights with respect to loaned securities pass
to the borrower, the Portfolio will follow the policy of calling
the loan, in whole or in part as may be appropriate, to permit it
to exercise such voting or consent rights if the exercise of such
rights involves issues having a material effect on the
Portfolio's investment in the securities loaned. Although the
Portfolio cannot at the present time determine the types of
borrowers to whom it may lend its portfolio securities, the
Portfolio anticipates that such loans will be made primarily to
bond dealers.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. The Fund will not invest in
securities for which there is no public market (i.e. illiquid
securities). For this purpose, illiquid securities include,
among others, securities that are illiquid by virtue of the
absence of a readily available market or legal or contractual
restriction on resale.
Historically, illiquid securities have included
securities subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale
because they have not been registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended ("Securities Act"), securities which are
otherwise not readily marketable and repurchase agreements having
a maturity of longer than seven days. Securities which have not
been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as
private placements or restricted securities and are purchased
directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. Mutual
funds do not typically hold a significant amount of these
restricted or other illiquid securities because of the potential
for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations
on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of
portfolio securities and a mutual fund might be unable to dispose
of restricted or other illiquid securities promptly or at
reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty
satisfying redemptions within seven days. A mutual fund might
also have to register such restricted securities in order to
dispose of them resulting in additional expense and delay.
Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of
securities.
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In recent years, however, a large institutional market
has developed for certain securities that are not registered
under the Securities Act including repurchase agreements,
commercial paper, foreign securities, municipal securities and
corporate bonds and notes. Institutional investors depend on an
efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security
can be readily resold or on an issuer's ability to honor a demand
for repayment. The fact that there are contractual or legal
restrictions on resale to the general public or to certain
institutions may not be indicative of the liquidity of such
investments.
Rule 144A under the Securities Act allows a broader
institutional trading market for securities otherwise subject to
restriction on resale to the general public. Rule 144A
establishes a "safe harbor" from the registration requirements of
the Securities Act for resales of certain securities to qualified
institutional buyers. An insufficient number of qualified
institutional buyers interested in purchasing certain restricted
securities held by the Fund, however, could affect adversely the
marketability of such portfolio securities and the Fund might be
unable to dispose of such securities promptly or at reasonable
prices. Rule 144A has already produced enhanced liquidity for
many restricted securities, and market liquidity for such
securities may continue to expand as a result of this regulation
and the consequent inception of the PORTAL System, which is an
automated system for the trading, clearance and settlement of
unregistered securities of domestic and foreign issuers sponsored
by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD).
The Investment Adviser, acting under the supervision of
the Board of Directors, will monitor the liquidity of restricted
securities in the Fund's portfolio that are eligible for resale
pursuant to Rule 144A. In reaching liquidity decisions, the
Investment Adviser will consider, among others, the following
factors: (1) the frequency of trades and quotes for the
security; (2) the number of dealers issuing quotations to
purchase or sell the security; (3) the number of other potential
purchasers of the security; (4) the number of dealers undertaking
to make a market in the security; (5) the nature of the security
(including its unregistered nature) and the nature of the
marketplace for the security (e.g., the time needed to dispose of
the security, the method of soliciting offers and the mechanics
of the transfer); and (6) any applicable Commission
interpretation or position with respect to such type of
securities.
SPECIAL RISK CONSIDERATIONS. Securities rated Baa are
considered by Moody's to have speculative characteristics.
Sustained periods of deteriorating economic conditions or rising
interest rates are more likely to lead to a weakening in the
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issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal than in the
case of higher-rated securities. Securities rated below
investment grade, i.e., Ba or BB and lower, ("lower-rated
securities") are subject to greater risk of loss of principal and
interest than higher-rated securities and are considered to be
predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity
to pay interest and repay principal, which may in any case
decline during sustained periods of deteriorating economic
conditions or rising interest rates. They are also generally
considered to be subject to greater market risk than higher-rated
securities in times of deteriorating economic conditions. In
addition, lower-rated securities may be more susceptible to real
or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions
than investment grade securities, although the market values of
securities rated below investment grade and comparable unrated
securities tend to react less to fluctuations in interest rate
levels than do those of higher-rated securities.
The market for lower-rated securities may be thinner and
less active than that for higher-quality 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, the Portfolio may experience
difficulty in valuing such securities and, in turn, the
Portfolio's assets. In addition, adverse publicity and investor
perceptions about lower-rated securities, whether or not based on
fundamental analysis, may tend to decrease the market value and
liquidity of such lower-rated securities.
The ratings of fixed-income securities by Moody's and
S&P are a generally accepted barometer of credit risk. They are,
however, subject to certain limitations from an investor's
standpoint. The rating of an issuer is heavily weighted by past
developments and does not necessarily reflect probable future
conditions. There is frequently a lag between the time a rating
is assigned and the time it is updated. In addition, there may
be varying degrees of difference in credit risk of securities
within each rating category.
The Investment Adviser will try to reduce the risk
inherent in the Portfolio's investment approach through credit
analysis, diversification and attention to current developments
and trends in interest rates and economic conditions. However,
there can be no assurance that losses will not occur. Since the
risk of default is higher for lower-quality securities, the
Investment Adviser's research and credit analysis are a
correspondingly important aspect of its program for managing the
Portfolio's securities. In considering investments for the
Portfolio, the Investment Adviser will attempt to identify those
high-yielding securities whose financial condition is adequate to
meet future obligations, has improved, or is expected to improve
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in the future. The Investment Adviser's analysis focuses on
relative values based on such factors as interest or dividend
coverage, asset coverage, earnings prospects, and the experience
and managerial strength of the issuer.
Non-rated securities will also be considered for
investment by the Portfolio when the Investment Adviser believes
that the financial condition of the issuers of such securities,
or the protection afforded by the terms of the securities
themselves, limits the risk to the Portfolio to a degree
comparable to that of rated securities which are consistent with
the Portfolio's objectives and policies.
In seeking to achieve the Portfolio's primary objective,
there will be times, such as during periods of rising interest
rates, when depreciation and realization of capital losses on
securities in the 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 the
Portfolio.
EXTENT OF TRADING. No established secondary markets may
exist for many of the Sovereign Debt Obligations in which the
Portfolio will invest. Reduced secondary market liquidity may
have an adverse effect on the market price and the Portfolio's
ability to dispose of particular instruments when necessary to
meet its liquidity requirements or in response to specific
economic events such as a deterioration in the creditworthiness
of the issuer. Reduced secondary market liquidity for certain
Sovereign Debt Obligations may also make it more difficult for
the Portfolio to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes
of valuing its portfolio. Market quotations are generally
available on many Sovereign Debt Obligations only from a limited
number of dealers and may not necessarily represent firm bids of
those dealers or prices for actual sales.
ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL FACTORS. By investing in
Sovereign Debt Obligations, the Portfolio will be exposed to the
direct or indirect consequences of political, social and economic
change in various countries. Political changes in a country may
affect the willingness of a foreign government to make or provide
for timely payments of its obligations. The country's economic
status, as reflected, among other things, in its inflation rate,
the amount of its external debt and its gross domestic product,
will also affect the government's ability to honor its
obligations.
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Many countries providing investment opportunities for
the Portfolio have experienced substantial, and in some periods
extremely high, rates of inflation for many years. Inflation and
rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had and may continue
to have adverse effects on the economies and securities of
certain of these countries. In an attempt to control inflation,
wage and price controls have been imposed in certain countries.
Investing in Sovereign Debt Obligations involves
economic and political risks. The Sovereign Debt Obligations in
which the Portfolio will invest in most cases pertain to
countries that are among the world's largest debtors to
commercial banks, foreign governments, international financial
organizations and other financial institutions. In recent years,
the governments of some of these countries have encountered
difficulties in servicing their external debt obligations, which
led to defaults on certain obligations and restructuring of
certain indebtedness. Restructuring arrangements have included,
among other things, reducing and rescheduling interest and
principal payments by negotiating new or amended credit
agreements or converting outstanding principal and unpaid
interest to Brady Bonds, and obtaining new credit to finance
interest payments. Certain governments have not been able to
make payments of interest on or principal of Sovereign Debt
Obligations as those payments have come due. Obligations arising
from past restructuring agreements may affect the economic
performance and political and social stability of those issuers.
Central banks and other governmental authorities which
control the servicing of Sovereign Debt Obligations may not be
willing or able to permit the payment of the principal or
interest when due in accordance with the terms of the
obligations. As a result, the issuers of Sovereign Debt
Obligations may default on their obligations. Defaults on
certain Sovereign Debt Obligations have occurred in the past.
Holders of certain Sovereign Debt Obligations may be requested in
the restructuring and rescheduling of these obligations to extend
further loans to the issuers. The interests of holders of
Sovereign Debt Obligations could be adversely affected in the
course of restructuring arrangements or by certain other factors
referred to below. Furthermore, some of the participants in the
secondary market for Sovereign Debt Obligations may also be
directly involved in negotiating the terms of these arrangements;
and may therefore have access to information not available to
other market participants.
The ability of governments to make timely payments on
their obligations is likely to be influenced strongly by the
issuer's balance of payments, including export performance, and
its access to international credits and investments. A country
whose exports are concentrated in a few commodities could be
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vulnerable to a decline in the international prices of one or
more of those commodities. Increased protectionism on the part
of a country's trading partners could also adversely affect the
country's exports and diminish its trade account surplus, if any.
To the extent that a country receives payments for its exports in
currencies other than dollars, its ability to make debt payments
denominated in dollars could be adversely affected.
To the extent that a country develops a trade deficit,
it will need to depend on continuing loans from foreign
governments, multilateral organizations or private commercial
banks, aid payments from foreign governments and on inflows of
foreign investment. The access of a country to those forms of
external funding may not be certain, and a withdrawal of external
funding could adversely affect the capacity of a government to
make payments on its obligations. In addition, the cost of
servicing debt obligations can be affected by a change in
international interest rates since the majority of these
obligations carry interest rates that are adjusted periodically
based upon international rates.
Another factor bearing on the ability of a country to
repay Sovereign Debt Obligations is the level of the country's
international reserves. Fluctuations in the level of these
reserves can affect the amount of foreign exchange readily
available for external debt payments and, thus, could have a
bearing on the capacity of the country to make payments on its
Sovereign Debt Obligations.
Expropriation, confiscatory taxation, nationalization,
political or social instability or other similar developments,
such as military coups, have occurred in the past in countries in
which the Portfolio may invest and could adversely affect the
Portfolio's assets should these conditions or events recur.
INVESTMENT CONTROLS AND REPATRIATION. Foreign
investment in certain Sovereign Debt Obligations is restricted or
controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions or controls
may at times limit or preclude foreign investment in certain
Sovereign Debt Obligations and increase the costs and expenses of
the Portfolio. Certain countries in which the Portfolio may
invest require governmental approval prior to investments by
foreign persons, limit the amount of investment by foreign
persons in a particular issuer, limit the investment by foreign
persons only to a specific class of securities of an issuer that
may have less advantageous rights than the classes available for
purchase by domiciliaries of the countries and/or impose
additional taxes on foreign investors.
Certain countries may require governmental approval for
the repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of
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the sales of securities by foreign investors. In addition, if a
deterioration occurs in a country's balance of payments, the
country could impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital
remittances. The Portfolio could be adversely affected by delays
in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental approval for
repatriation of capital, as well as by the application to the
Portfolio of any restrictions on investments. Investing in local
markets may require the Portfolio to adopt special procedures,
seek local government approvals or take other actions, each of
which may involve additional costs to the Portfolio.
OTHER CHARACTERISTICS OF INVESTMENT IN FOREIGN ISSUES.
Foreign securities investments are affected by changes in
currency rates or exchange control regulations as well as by
changes in governmental administration, economic or monetary
policy (in the United States or abroad) and changed circumstances
in dealings between nations. Currency exchange rate movements
will increase or reduce the U.S. dollar value of the Portfolio's
net assets and income attributable to foreign securities. Costs
are incurred in connection with conversion of currencies held by
the Portfolio.
There may be less publicly available information about
foreign issuers than about domestic issuers, and foreign issuers
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 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.
Foreign issuers are subject to accounting, auditing and
financial standards and requirements that differ, in some cases
significantly, from those applicable to U.S. issuers. In
particular, the assets and profits appearing on the financial
statements of a foreign issuer may not reflect its financial
position or results of operations in the way they would be
reflected had the financial statements been prepared in
accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
In addition, for an issuer that keeps accounting records in local
currency, inflation accounting rules in some of the countries in
which the Portfolio may invest require, for both tax and
accounting purposes, that certain assets and liabilities be
restated on the issuer's balance sheet in order to express items
in terms of currency of constant purchasing power. Inflation
accounting may indirectly generate losses or profits.
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Consequently, financial data may be materially affected by
restatements for inflation and may not accurately reflect the
real condition of those issuers and securities markets.
Substantially less information is publicly available about
certain non-U.S. issuers than is available about U.S. issuers.
FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES. The following
restrictions supplement those already discussed. These
restrictions may not be changed without shareholder approval
which means the vote of (1) 67% or more of the shares of the
Portfolio represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the
outstanding shares are represented or (2) more than 50% of the
outstanding shares of the Portfolio, whichever is less.
The following restrictions provide that the Portfolio
may not:
1. Purchase any security of any issuer (other than
United States Government securities) if as a result more than 5%
of the value of its total assets would consist of the securities
of such issuer or the Portfolio would own more than 10% of the
outstanding voting securities of any issuer;
2. Purchase the securities of any other investment
company except in a regular transaction in the open market or as
part of a merger, consolidation or purchase of assets;
3. Invest more than 5% of the value of its total assets
in the securities of any issuer, the business of which has been
in continuous operation for less than three years;
4. Purchase or retain the securities of any issuer if
those officers and directors of the Fund or of the Investment
Adviser beneficially owning individually more than 1/2 of 1% of
the securities of such issuer together beneficially own more than
5% of the securities of such issuer;
5. Invest in other companies for the purpose of
exercising control of management;
6. Purchase securities on margin, except that the
Portfolio may borrow in an amount up to 10% of its total assets
to meet redemption requests and for the clearance of purchases
and sales of portfolio securities (this borrowing provision is
not for investment leverage but solely to facilitate management
of the Portfolio to enable the Portfolio to meet redemption
requests where the liquidation of portfolio securities is deemed
to be disadvantageous or inconvenient and to obtain such short-
term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases
and sales of portfolio securities; all borrowings at any time
outstanding will be repaid before any additional investments are
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made; the Portfolio will not mortgage, pledge or hypothecate any
assets in connection with any such borrowing in excess of 15% of
the Portfolio's total assets) or sell securities short;
7. Borrow money except as previously set forth in 6
above;
8. Make loans to other persons except loans of
securities collateralized in cash at 100% each business day (the
acquisition of publicly distributed bonds, debentures and other
debt securities is not considered a loan);
9. Purchase any security (other than United States
Government securities) if as a result more than 25% of the value
of its total assets would be invested in any one industry;
10. Underwrite securities issued by other persons;
11. Purchase any securities as to which it would be
deemed a statutory underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, or any securities having no public market;
12. Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts;
13. Purchase or sell real estate, except that the
Portfolio may invest in marketable securities secured by real
estate or interests therein or issued by companies including real
estate investment trusts, which deal in real estate or interests
therein;
14. Participate in a joint, or a joint and several,
trading account in securities;
15. Invest in interests in oil, gas or other mineral
leases exploration or development programs;
16. Issue any securities senior to the capital stock
offered hereby; or
17. Invest in warrants (other than warrants acquired by
the Portfolio as a part of a unit or attached to securities at
the time of purchase) if, as a result, such warrants valued at
the lower of cost or market would exceed 5% of the value of the
Portfolio's net assets at the time of purchase provided that not
more than 2% of the Portfolio's net assets at the time of
purchase may be invested in warrants not listed on the New York
Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange.
The foregoing percentage limitations will apply at the
time of the purchase of a security and shall not be considered
violated unless an excess or deficiency occurs or exists
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immediately after and as a result of an acquisition of such
security.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER. Because the Portfolio will actively
use trading to benefit from yield disparities among different
issues of fixed-income securities or otherwise to achieve its
investment objective and policies, the Portfolio may be subject
to a greater degree of turnover and, thus, a higher incidence of
short-term capital gain taxable as ordinary income than might be
expected from investment companies which invest substantially all
of their funds on a long-term basis and, correspondingly, larger
mark-up charges can be expected to be borne by the Portfolio in
such cases. Management anticipates that the annual turnover in
the Portfolio may be in excess of 600% in future years but is not
expected to exceed 700%. An annual turnover rate of 600% occurs,
for example, when all of the securities in the Portfolio are
replaced six times in a period of one year. The portfolio
turnover rates for the fiscal years ended June 30, 1995 and 1996
were 387% and 389%, respectively.
The value of the Portfolio's shares will be influenced
by the factors which generally affect securities, such as the
economic and political outlook, earnings, dividends and the
supply and demand for various classes of securities. There can
be, of course, no assurance that the Portfolio's investment
objectives will be achieved.
_____________________________________________________________
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
_____________________________________________________________
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The Directors and principal officers of the Fund, their
ages and their primary 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 Investment Adviser. Unless otherwise
specified, the address of each of such persons is 1345 Avenue of
the Americas, New York, New York 10105.
DIRECTORS
JOHN D. CARIFA4 , 51, Chairman and President of the
Fund, is the President and Chief Operating Officer, the Chief
Financial Officer and a Director of Alliance Capital Management
_________________________
4An "interested person" of the Fund as defined in the 1940
Act.
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Corporation ("ACMC")5 with which he has been associated since
prior to 1991.
RUTH BLOCK, 65, was formerly an Executive Vice President
and the Chief Insurance Officer of Equitable since prior to 1991.
She is a Director of Ecolab Incorporated (specialty chemicals)
and Amoco Corporation (oil and gas). Her address is P.O. Box
4653, Stamford, Connecticut 06903.
DAVID H. DIEVLER, 67, was formerly a Senior Vice
President of ACMC, with which he had been associated since prior
to 1991. He is currently an independent consultant. His address
is P.O. Box 167, Spring Lake, New Jersey 07762.
JAMES R. GREENE, 75, has been an independent financial
consultant since prior to 1991. He is also a Director of ASARCO,
Incorporated (metals smelting and refining), Bank Leumi Trust
Co., Buck Engineering Company (manufacturing), American Reliance
Insurance Co. (insurance) and United Tote (computer software).
His address is 134 Buttonwood Drive, Fair Haven, New Jersey
07701.
DR. JAMES M. HESTER, 72, is President of the Harry Frank
Guggenheim Foundation and a Director of Union Carbide Corporation
with which he has been associated since prior to 1991. He was
formerly President of New York University, the New York Botanical
Garden and Rector of the United Nations University. His address
is 45 East 89th Street, New York, New York 10128.
CLIFFORD L. MICHEL, 57, is a member of the law firm of
Cahill Gordon & Reindel, with which he has been associated since
prior to 1991. He is President and Chief Executive Officer of
Wenonah Development Company (investments) and a Director of
Placer Dome, Inc. (mining), Tempo Technology Corporation
(manufacturer of abrasives) and Faber-Castell Corporation
(writing products). His address is St. Bernard Road, Gladstone,
New Jersey 07934.
DONALD J. ROBINSON, 62, was formerly a partner at
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe and is currently of counsel to
that firm. His address is 599 Lexington Avenue, 26th Floor, New
York, New York 10022.
_________________________
5For purposes of this Statement of Additional Information,
ACMC refers to Alliance Capital Management Corporation, the
sole general partner of the Investment Adviser, and to the
predecessor general partner of the Investment Adviser of
the same name.
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ROBERT C. WHITE, 76, is currently an independent
consultant. He was formerly a Vice President and the Chief
Financial Officer of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute since
prior to 1991. He is also a Trustee of St. Clair Fixed Income
Fund, St. Clair Tax-Free Fund and St. Clair Equity Fund
(registered investment companies) and a Director of MEDSTAAT
Systems, Inc. (health care information). His address is 30825
River Crossing, Bingham Farms, Michigan 48025.
OFFICERS
JOHN D. CARIFA, CHAIRMAN AND PRESIDENT (see biography,
above).
WAYNE D. LYSKI, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, 55, is an
Executive Vice President of ACMC with which he has been
associated since prior to 1991.
KATHLEEN A. CORBET, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, 36, is a
Senior Vice President of ACMC since July 1993. Prior thereto,
she was employed by Equitable Capital since prior to 1991.
PAUL J. DENOON, VICE PRESIDENT, 34, is a Vice President
of ACMC with which he has been associated since January 1992.
Previously, he was a Vice President at Manufacturers Hanover
Trust since prior to 1991.
EDMUND P. BERGAN, JR., SECRETARY, 46, is a Senior Vice
President and the General Counsel of Alliance Fund Distributors,
Inc. with which he has been associated since prior to 1991.
DOMENICK PUGLIESE, ASSISTANT SECRETARY, 35, is a Vice
President and Associate General Counsel of Alliance Fund
Distributors, Inc. with which he has been associated since May
1995. Previously, he was Vice President and Counsel of Concord
Financial Holding Corporation since 1994, Vice President and
Associate General Counsel of Prudential Securities since 1991.
MARK D. GERSTEN, TREASURER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER,
46, is a Vice President of Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. and a
Senior Vice President of Alliance Fund Services, Inc. with which
he has been associated since prior to 1991.
JUAN RODRIGUEZ, ASSISTANT CONTROLLER, 39, is an
Assistant Vice President of Alliance Fund Services, Inc. with
which he has been associated since prior to 1991.
CARLA, LaROSE, ASSISTANT CONTROLLER, 33, is a Manager of
Alliance Fund Services, Inc., with which she has been associated
since 1991.
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JOSEPH J. MANTINEO, ASSISTANT CONTROLLER, 37, is a Vice
President of Alliance Fund Services, Inc. with which he has been
associated since prior to 1991.
VINCENT S. NOTO, ASSISTANT CONTROLLER, 31, is an
Assistant Vice President of Alliance Fund Services, Inc. with
which he has been associated since 1991.
The aggregate compensation paid by the Fund to each of
the Directors during its fiscal year ended June 30, 1996, the
aggregate compensation paid to each of the Directors during
calendar year 1995 by all of the funds to which the Investment
Adviser provides investment advisory services (collectively, the
"Alliance Fund Complex") and the total number of registered
investment 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 fund 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.
Total Number of Funds
Total in the Alliance Fund
Compensation Complex, Including
Aggregate from the Alliance the Fund, as to which
Name of Director Compensation Fund Complex, the Director is a
of the Fund from the Fund Including the Fund Director or Trustee
________________ _____________ __________________ _____________________
John D. Carifa $-0- $-0- 50
Ruth Block 1,679 159,000 37
David H. Dievler 1,679 183,500 43
James R. Greene 1,728 65,750 11
Dr. James M. Hester 1,679 156,500 38
Clifford L. Michel 1,679 133,750 37
Eugene F. O'Neil 1,794 18,000 5
Donald J. Robinson -0- 66,500 38
Robert C. White 1,685 137,500 36
As of October 11, 1996, the Directors and officers of
the Fund as a group owned less than 1% of the shares of the Fund.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Alliance Capital Management L.P. (the "Investment
Adviser"), a New York Stock Exchange listed company with
principal offices at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New
York 10105, has been retained under an investment advisory
contract (the "Investment Advisory Contract") to provide
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investment advice and, in general, to conduct the management and
investment program of the Fund under the supervision and control
of the Fund's Board of Directors.
The Investment Adviser is a leading international
investment manager supervising client accounts with assets as of
June 30, 1996 of more than $168 billion (of which approximately
$55 billion represented the assets of investment companies). The
Investment Adviser's clients are primarily major corporate
employee benefit funds, public employee retirement systems,
investment companies, foundations and endowment funds. As of
June 30, 1996, the Investment Adviser was retained as an
investment manager of employee benefit fund assets for 33 of the
FORTUNE 100 companies. As of that date, the Investment Adviser
and its subsidiaries employed approximately 1,450 employees who
operated out of domestic offices and the offices of subsidiaries
in Bombay, Istanbul, London, Paris, Sao Paulo, Sydney, Tokyo,
Toronto, Bahrain, Luxembourg and Singapore. The 51 registered
investment companies comprising more than 100 separate investment
portfolios managed by the Investment Adviser currently have more
than two million shareholders.
Alliance Capital Management Corporation, the sole
general partner of, and the owner of a 1% general partnership
interest in, the Investment Adviser, 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"), a holding company
controlled by AXA, a French insurance holding company. As of
June 30, 1996, 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 Investment Adviser ("Units"). As of
June 30, 1996, approximately 33% and 10% of the Units were owned
by the public and employees of the Investment Adviser and its
subsidiaries, respectively, including employees of the Investment
Adviser who serve as Directors of the Fund.
As of September 6, 1996, AXA and its subsidiaries owned
approximately 60.7% of the issued and outstanding shares of
capital stock of ECI. AXA is a holding company for an
international group of insurance and related financial services
companies. AXAs insurance operations include activities in life
insurance, property and casualty insurance and reinsurance. The
insurance operations are diverse geographically, with activities
in more than 20 countries, including France, the United States,
Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and other countries,
principally in Western Europe and the Asia/Pacific area. AXA is
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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 September 9,
1996, 36.3% of the issued ordinary shares (representing 49.1% of
the voting power) of AXA were owned directly or indirectly by
Finaxa, a French holding company (Finaxa). As of September 6,
1996, 61.3% of the voting shares (representing 73.5% of the
voting power) of Finaxa were owned by five French mutual
insurance companies (the "Mutuelles AXA") (one of which, AXA
Assurances I.A.R.D. Mutuelle, owned 34.8% of the voting shares
representing 40.6% of the voting power), and 23.7% of the voting
shares of Finaxa (representing 15.0% of the voting power) were
owned by Banque Paribas, a French bank. Including the ordinary
shares directly or indirectly owned by Finaxa, the Mutuelles AXA
directly or indirectly owned 42.0% of the issued ordinary shares
(representing 56.8% of the voting power) of AXA as of September
9, 1996. Acting as a group, the Mutuelles AXA control AXA and
Finaxa. In addition, as of September 9, 1996, 7.8% of the issued
ordinary shares of AXA without the power to vote were owned by
subsidiaries of AXA.
Under the Investment Advisory Contract, the Investment
Adviser provides investment advisory services and order placement
facilities for the Fund and pays all compensation of Directors
and officers of the Fund who are affiliated persons of the
Investment Adviser. The Investment Adviser or its affiliates
also furnishes the Fund, without charge, management supervision
and assistance and office facilities and provides persons
satisfactory to the Fund's Board of Directors to serve as the
Fund's officers.
For the fiscal years ended June 30, 1994, 1995 and 1996,
the Investment Adviser received under the advisory agreement then
in effect, in the amount of $2,565,102, $2,989,872 and $3,676,819
respectively, as advisory fees from the Portfolio.
The Investment Advisory Contract became effective on
July 22, 1992. The Investment Advisory Contract was approved by
the unanimous vote, cast in person, of the Fund's Directors,
including the Directors who are not parties to the Investment
Advisory Contract or "interested persons" as defined in the 1940
Act of any such party, at a meeting called for such purpose and
held on September 11, 1991. At a meeting held on June 11, 1992,
a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio
approved the Investment Advisory Contract.
The Investment Advisory Contract continues in effect for
successive twelve-month periods computed from each July 1,
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provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least
annually by a vote of a majority of the Portfolio's outstanding
voting securities or by the Fund's Board of Directors, including
in either case approval by a majority of the Directors who are
not parties to the Investment Advisory Contract or interested
persons of any such party. Most recently, continuance of the
Investment Advisory Contract until June 30, 1997 was approved by
vote, cast in person, by the Board of Directors, including a
majority of the Directors who are not "interested persons" as
defined in the 1940 Act, at their meeting held on June 4, 1996.
The Investment Advisory Contract 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 Investment Adviser on
60 days' written notice, and will automatically terminate in the
event of its assignment. The Investment Advisory Contract
provides that in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or
gross negligence on the part of the Investment Adviser, or of
reckless disregard of its obligations thereunder, the Investment
Adviser shall not be liable for any action or failure to act in
accordance with its duties thereunder.
Certain other clients of the Investment Adviser may have
investment objectives and policies similar to those of the Fund.
The Investment Adviser may, from time to time, make
recommendations which result in the purchase or sale of a
particular security by its other clients simultaneously with the
Fund. If transactions on behalf of more than one client during
the same period increase the demand for securities being
purchased or the supply of securities being sold, there may be an
adverse effect on price or quantity. It is the policy of the
Investment Adviser to allocate advisory recommendations and the
placing of orders in a manner which is deemed equitable by the
Investment Adviser to the accounts involved, including the Fund.
When two or more of the clients of the Investment Adviser
(including the Fund) are purchasing or selling the same security
on a given day from the same broker-dealer, such transactions may
be averaged as to price.
The Investment Adviser may act as an investment adviser
to other persons, firms or corporations, including investment
companies, and is the investment adviser to the following
registered investment companies: ACM Institutional Reserves,
Inc., AFD Exchange Reserves, Inc., The Alliance Fund, Inc.,
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund, Inc., Alliance Balanced
Shares, Inc., Alliance Capital Reserves, Alliance Developing
Markets Fund, Inc., Alliance Global Dollar Government Fund, Inc.,
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund, Inc., Alliance Global Strategic
Income Trust, Inc., Alliance Government Reserves, Alliance Growth
and Income Fund, Inc., Alliance Income Builder Fund, Inc.,
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Alliance International Fund, Alliance Limited Maturity Government
Fund, Inc., Alliance Money Market Fund, Alliance Mortgage
Securities Income Fund, Inc., Alliance Multi-Market Strategy
Trust, Inc., Alliance Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Alliance
Municipal Income Fund II, Alliance Municipal Trust, Alliance New
Europe Fund, Inc., Alliance North American Government Income
Trust, Inc., Alliance Premier Growth Fund, Inc., Alliance Quasar
Fund, Inc., Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc., Alliance
Regent/Sector Opportunity Fund, Inc., Alliance Short-Term Multi-
Market Trust, Inc., Alliance Technology Fund, Inc., Alliance
Utility Income Fund, Inc., Alliance Variable Products Series
Fund, Inc., Alliance World Income Trust, Inc., Alliance Worldwide
Privatization Fund, Inc., Fiduciary Management Associates, 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 Global Environment 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.
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 Portfolios shares and to permit the Fund to pay distribution
services fees to defray expenses associated with the distribution
of its Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares in
accordance with a plan of distribution which is included in the
Agreement and has been duly adopted and approved in accordance
with Rule 12b-1 adopted by the Commission under the 1940 Act (the
"Rule 12b-1 Plan").
Distribution services fees are accrued daily and paid
monthly and are charged as expenses of the Portfolio 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 respective contingent deferred sales
charges and respective distribution services fees on the Class B
shares and Class C shares are the same as those of the initial
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sales charge and/or 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 Portfolio's shares.
Under the Agreement, the Treasurer of the Fund reports
the amounts expended under the Rule 12b-1 Plan and the purposes
for which such expenditures were made to the Directors of the
Fund for their review on a quarterly basis. Also, the Agreement
provides that the selection and nomination of disinterested
Directors (as defined in the 1940 Act) are committed to the
discretion of such disinterested Directors then in office.
The Agreement became effective on July 22, 1992 with
respect to Class A and Class B shares, and was amended as of
April 30, 1993 to permit the distribution of an additional class
of shares, Class C shares, and September 30, 1996 with respect to
Advisor Class shares. to permit the distribution of an additional
class of shares, Class C shares. The amendment to the Agreement
was approved by the unanimous vote, cast in person, of the
disinterested Directors at a meeting called for that purpose held
on February 23, 1993, and by the initial holder of Class C shares
of the Fund on April 30, 1993.
The Investment Adviser may, from time to time and from
its own funds or such other resources as may be permitted by
rules of the Commission make payments for distribution services
to the Principal Underwriter; the latter may in turn pay part or
all of such compensation to brokers or other persons for their
distribution assistance.
During the Portfolio's fiscal year ended June 30, 1996,
with respect to Class A shares, the distribution services fees
for expenditure payable to the Principal Underwriter amounted to
$762,635, which constituted .30 of 1% of the Portfolio's average
daily net assets attributable to Class A shares during the fiscal
year, and the Investment Adviser made payments from its own
resources aggregating $327,465. Of the $1,090,100 paid by the
Portfolio and the Investment Adviser under the Plan with respect
to Class A shares, $53,092 was spent on advertising, $12,652 on
the printing and mailing of prospectuses for persons other than
current shareholders, $692,631 for compensation to broker-dealers
and other financial intermediaries (including $92,540 to the
Fund's Principal Underwriter), $124,605 for compensation to sales
personnel, and $207,120 was spent on printing of sales
literature, travel, entertainment, due diligence and other
promotional expenses.
During the Portfolio's fiscal year ended June 30, 1996,
with respect to Class B shares, distribution services fees for
expenditures payable to the Principal Underwriter amounted to
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$2,917,088 , which constituted 1% of the Portfolio's average
daily net assets attributable to Class B shares during such
fiscal year, and the Investment Adviser made payments from its
own resources aggregating $1,451,194. Of the $4,368,282 paid by
the Portfolio and the Investment Adviser under the Plan with
respect to Class B shares, $92,727 was spent on advertising,
$21,552 on the printing and mailing of prospectuses for persons
other than current shareholders, $3,397,848 for compensation to
broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries (including
$158,629 to the Fund's Principal Underwriter), $143,576 for
compensation paid to sales personnel, and $240,968 was spent on
printing of sales literature, travel, entertainment, due
diligence and other promotional expenses and $471,611 was spent
on financing of interest relating to Class B shares.
During the Portfolio's fiscal year ended June 30, 1996,
with respect to Class C shares, distribution services fees for
expenditures payable to the Principal Underwriter amounted to
$644,433, which constituted 1% of the Portfolio's average daily
net assets attributable to Class C shares during such fiscal
year, and the Investment Adviser made payments from its own
resources aggregating $288,030. Of the $932,463 paid by the
Portfolio and the Investment Adviser under the Plan with respect
to Class C shares, $41,318 was spent on advertising, $8,833 on
the printing and mailing of prospectuses for persons other than
current shareholders, $713,485 for compensation to broker-
dealers and other financial intermediaries (including $68,641 to
the Fund's Principal Underwriter), $62,295 for compensation paid
to sales personnel, and $106,532 was spent on printing of sales
literature, travel, entertainment, due diligence and other
promotional expenses.
The Agreement will continue in effect for successive
twelve-month periods (computed from each July 1) with respect to
each class of the Fund, 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 this 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 Directors approved
the continuance of the Agreement until June 30, 1997 at their
meeting held on June 4, 1996.
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
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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.
All material amendments to the Agreement must be
approved by a vote of the Directors or the holders of the Fund's
outstanding voting securities, voting separately by class, and in
either case, by a majority of the disinterested Directors, cast
in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
approval; and the Agreement may not be amended in order to
increase materially the costs that a particular class may bear
pursuant to the Agreement without the approval of a majority of
the outstanding voting shares of the class or classes affected.
The Agreement may be terminated (a) by the Fund without penalty
at any time by a majority vote of the holders of the outstanding
voting securities of the Portfolio, voting separately by class or
by a majority vote of the disinterested Directors as defined in
the 1940 Act, or (b) by the Principal Underwriter. To terminate
the Agreement, any party must give the other party 60 days'
written notice; to terminate the Rule 12b-1 Plan only, the Fund
is not required to give prior written notice to the Principal
Underwriter. The Agreement will terminate automatically in the
event of its assignment.
TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT
Alliance Fund Services, Inc., an indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Investment Adviser, receives a transfer agency
fee per account holder for each of the Class A, Class B, Class C
shares and Advisor Class shares of the Portfolio, 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 fee with respect to the Class A and Advisor
Class shares. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996, the Fund
paid Alliance Fund Services, Inc. $731,969 for transfer agency
services.
PURCHASE OF SHARES
The following information supplements that set forth in
the Portfolio's Prospectus(es) under the headings "Purchase and
Sale of Shares -- How To Buy Shares, How To Sell Shares, and
Shareholder Services."
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GENERAL
Shares of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio that are offered subject to a sales charge are
offered through (i) investment dealers that are members of NASD
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 Portfolio 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, pursuant to which each investor pays an asset-based
fee at an annual rate of at least .50% of the assets in the
investor's account, to the sponsor, or its affiliate or agent,
(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, or (iii) by the categories of investors
described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) 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).
If you are a Fund shareholder through an account
established under a fee-based program, your fee-based program may
impose requirements with respect to the purchase, sale or
exchange of Advisor Class shares of the Fund that are different
from those described in the Advisor Class Prospectus and this
Statement of Additional Information. 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.
Investors may purchase shares of the Portfolio either
through selected dealers, agents or financial representatives or
directly through the Principal Underwriter. Sales personnel of
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selected dealers and agents distributing the Portfolio's shares
may receive differing compensation for selling Class A, Class B,
Class C or Advisor Class shares.
Shares may also be sold in foreign countries where
permissible. The Fund may refuse any order for the purchase of
shares. The Fund reserves the right to suspend the sale of the
Portfolio's shares to the public in response to conditions in the
securities markets or for other reasons.
The public offering price of shares of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio invests might
materially affect the value of Portfolio 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
Portfolio's total assets, less its liabilities, by the total
number of its shares then outstanding. A Fund business day is any
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 value of
the Class A shares 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. For purposes of this computation, the
securities in the Portfolio are valued at their current market
value determined on the basis of market quotations.If such
accurate quotations are not readily available, securities will be
valued at such other methods as the Directors believe would
accurately reflect fair market value.
The Fund will accept unconditional orders for 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
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value computed as of the close of regular trading on the Exchange
on that day (plus applicable Class A sales charges). In the case
of orders for purchase of shares placed through selected dealers,
agents, or financial representatives, as applicable, the
applicable public offering price will be the net asset value as
so determined, but only if the selected dealer, agent or
financial representative receives the order prior to the close
of regular trading on the Exchange and transmits it to the
Principal Underwriter prior to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. The
selected dealer, agent or financial representative, as
applicable, is responsible for transmitting such orders by 5:00
p.m. If the selected dealer, agent or financial representative
fails to do so, the investor's right to that day's closing price
must be settled between the investor and the selected dealer,
agent or financial representative, as applicable. If the
selected dealer, agent or financial representative, as
applicable, receives the order after the close of regular trading
on the Exchange, the price will be based on the net asset value
determined as of the close of regular trading on the Exchange on
the next day it is open for trading.
Following the initial purchase of Portfolio 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 "Literature" telephone number
shown on the cover of this Statement of Additional Information.
Except with respect to certain omnibus accounts, telephone
purchase orders may not exceed $500,000. Payment for shares
purchased by telephone can be made only by Electronic Funds
Transfer from a bank account maintained by the shareholder at a
bank that is a member of the National Automated Clearing House
Association ("NACHA"). If a shareholder's telephone purchase
request is received before 3:00 p.m. Eastern time on a Fund
business day, the order to purchase shares is automatically
placed the following Fund business day, and the applicable public
offering price will be the public offering price determined as of
the close of business on such following business day.
Full and fractional shares are credited to a
subscriber's account in the amount of his or her subscription.
As a convenience to the subscriber, and to avoid unnecessary
expense to the Fund, stock certificates representing shares of
the Fund are not issued except upon written request to the Fund
by the shareholder or his or her authorized selected dealer or
agent. This facilitates later redemption and relieves the
shareholder of the responsibility for and inconvenience of lost
or stolen certificates. No certificates are issued for
fractional shares, although such shares remain in the
shareholder's account on the books of the Fund.
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In addition to the discount or commission amount paid to
dealers or agents, the Principal Underwriter from time to time
pays additional cash or other incentives to dealers or agents,
including EQ Financial Consultants, Inc., formerly Equico
Securities, Inc., an affiliate of the Principal Underwriter, in
connection with the sale of shares of the Portfolio. Such
additional amounts may be utilized, in whole or in part, to
provide additional compensation to registered representatives who
sell shares of the Portfolio. On some occasions, cash or other
incentives will be conditioned upon the sale of a specified
minimum dollar amount of the shares of the Portfolio 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 and their
immediate family members 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
Portfolio, 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 and Class C shares bear higher
transfer agency costs than that borne by Class A and Advisor
Class shares, (iv) each of Class A, Class B and Class C shares
has exclusive voting rights with respect to provisions of the
Rule 12b-1 Plan pursuant to which its distribution services fee
is paid and other matters for which separate class voting is
appropriate under applicable law, provided that, if the Portfolio
submits to a vote of the Class A shareholders, an amendment to
the Rule 12b-1 Plan that would materially increase the amount to
be paid thereunder with respect to the Class A shares, then such
amendment will also be submitted to the Class B and Advisor Class
shareholders and the Class A shareholders, the Class B
shareholders and the Advisor Class shareholders will vote
separately by class, and (v) Class B and Advisor Class shares
are subject to a conversion feature. Each class has different
exchange privileges and certain different shareholder service
options available.
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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 SHARES6
The alternative purchase arrangements available with
respect to Class A shares, Class B shares, and Class C shares
permit an investor to choose the method of purchasing shares that
is most beneficial given the amount of the purchase, the length
of time the investor expects to hold the shares, and other
circumstances. Investors should consider whether, during the
anticipated life of their investment in the Fund, the accumulated
distribution services fee and contingent deferred sales charge on
Class B shares prior to conversion, or the accumulated
distribution services fee and contingent deferred sales charge on
Class C shares, would be less than the initial sales charge and
accumulated distribution services fee on Class A shares purchased
at the same time, and to what extent such differential would be
offset by the higher return of Class A shares. Class A shares
will normally be more beneficial than Class B shares to the
investor who qualifies for reduced initial sales charges on Class
A shares, as described below. In this regard, the Principal
Underwriter will reject any order (except orders from certain
retirement plans) for more than $250,000 for Class B 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 $5,000,000 for Class C shares.
Class A shares are subject to a lower distribution
services fee and, accordingly, pay correspondingly higher
dividends per share than Class B shares or Class C shares.
However, because initial sales charges are deducted at the time
of purchase, investors purchasing Class A shares would not have
all their funds invested initially and, therefore, would
initially own fewer shares. Investors not qualifying for reduced
initial sales charges who expect to maintain their investment for
an extended period of time might consider purchasing Class A
shares because the accumulated continuing distribution charges on
Class B shares or Class C shares may exceed the initial sales
charge on Class A shares during the life of the investment.
Again, however, such investors must weigh this consideration
_________________________
6Advisor Class shares are sold only to investors described
above in this section under "-- General."
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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 three-
year and one-year period, respectively. For example, based on
current fees and expenses, an investor subject to the 4.25%
initial sales charge 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 Portfolio shares
for the three-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 June 30, 1996, 1995
and 1994, the aggregate amount of underwriting commission payable
with respect to shares of the Portfolio in each year was
$2,039,062, $1,563,728 and $3,198,135, respectively. Of that
amount, the Principal Underwriter received amounts of $66,987 ,
$62,554 and $118,140, respectively, representing that portion of
the sales charges paid on shares of the Portfolio sold during the
year which was not reallowed to selected dealers (and was,
accordingly, retained by the Principal Underwriter). During the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1996, the Principal Underwriter
received $396,376 in contingent deferred sales charges with
respect to Class B 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.
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Sales Charge
Discount or
Commission
As % of to Dealers
As % of the or Agents
Net Public As % of
Amount of Amount Offering Offering
Purchase Invested Price Price
Less than
$100,000....... 4.44% 4.25% 4.00%
$100,000 but
less than
250,000 ...... 3.36 3.25 3.00
250,000 but
less than
500,000....... 2.30 2.25 2.00
500,000 but
less than
1,000,000*.... 1.78 1.75 1.50
____________________
*There is no initial sales charge on transactions of $1,000,000
or more.
With respect to purchases of $1,000,000 or more, Class A
shares redeemed within one year of purchase will be subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge equal to 1% of the lesser of the
cost of the shares being redeemed or their net asset value at the
time of redemption. Accordingly, no sales charge will be imposed
on increases in net asset value above the initial purchase price.
In addition, no charge will be assessed on shares derived from
reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions. The
contingent deferred sales charge on Class A shares will be waived
on certain redemptions, as described below under Class B Shares.
In determining the contingent deferred sales charge applicable to
a redemption of Class A shares, it will be assumed that the
redemption is, first, of any shares that are not subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge (for example, because an initial
sales charge was paid with respect to the shares, or they have
been held beyond the period during which the charge applies or
were acquired upon the reinvestment of dividends or
distributions) and, second, of shares held longest during the
time they are subject to the sales charge. Proceeds from the
contingent deferred sales charge on Class A shares are paid to
the Principal Underwriter and are used by the Principal
Underwriter to defray the expenses of the Principal Underwriter
related to providing distribution-related services to the Fund in
connection with the sales of Class A shares, such as the payment
of compensation to selected dealers or agents for selling Class A
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shares. With respect to purchases of $1,000,000 or more made
through selected dealers or agents, the Investment Adviser may,
pursuant to the Agreement described above, pay such dealers or
agents from its own resources a fee of up to .25 of 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 Portfolio receives the entire net
asset value of its Class A shares sold to investors. The
Principal Underwriter's commission is the sales charge shown
above less any applicable discount or commission "reallowed" to
selected dealers and agents. The Principal Underwriter will
reallow discounts to selected dealers and agents in the amounts
indicated in the table above. In this regard, the Principal
Underwriter may elect to reallow the entire sales charge to
selected dealers and agents for all sales with respect to which
orders are placed with the Principal Underwriter. A selected
dealer who receives reallowance in excess of 90% of such a sales
charge may be deemed to be an "underwriter" under the Securities
Act.
Set forth below is an example of the method of computing
the offering price of the Class A shares. The example assumes a
purchase of Class A shares of the Portfolio aggregating less than
$100,000 subject to the schedule of sales charges set forth above
at a price based upon the net asset value of Class A shares of
the Portfolio on June 30, 1996.
Net Asset Value per Class A Share
at June 30, 1996 $13.29
Per Share Sales Charge - 4.25%
of offering price (4.44% .59
of net asset value per share)
Class A Per Share Offering Price
to the Public $13.88
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Investors choosing the initial sales charge alternative
may under certain circumstances be entitled to pay (i) no initial
sales charge (but subject in most such cases to a contingent
deferred sales charge) or (ii) a reduced initial sales charge.
The circumstances under which 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
Portfolio into a single "purchase," if the resulting "purchase"
totals at least $100,000. The term "purchase" refers to: (i) a
single purchase by an individual, or to concurrent purchases,
which in the aggregate are at least equal to the prescribed
amounts, by an individual, his or her spouse and their children
under the age of 21 years purchasing shares of the Portfolio 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
Portfolio 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 Developing Markets Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Dollar Government Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Strategic Income Trust, Inc.
Alliance Growth and Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance Income Builder Fund, Inc.
Alliance International Fund
Alliance Limited Maturity Government Fund, Inc.
Alliance Mortgage Securities Income Fund, Inc.
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Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust, Inc.
Alliance Municipal Income Fund II
-Arizona Portfolio
-Florida Portfolio
-Massachusetts Portfolio
-Michigan Portfolio
-Minnesota Portfolio
-New Jersey Portfolio
-Ohio Portfolio
-Pennsylvania Portfolio
-Virginia Portfolio
Alliance Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
-California Portfolio
-Insured California Portfolio
-Insured National Portfolio
-National Portfolio
-New York 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 Regent/Sector Opportunity Fund, Inc.
Alliance Short-Term Multi-Market Trust, Inc.
Alliance Technology Fund, Inc.
Alliance Utility Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance World Income Trust, Inc.
Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund, Inc.
The Alliance Fund, Inc.
The Alliance Portfolios
- Alliance Growth Fund
- Alliance Conservative Investors Fund
- Alliance Growth Investors Fund
- Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund
- Alliance Strategic Balanced Fund
Prospectuses for the Alliance Mutual Funds may be
obtained without charge by contacting Alliance Fund Services,
Inc. at the address or the "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 Portfolio
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
Portfolio held by the investor and (b) all shares
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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 Portfolio
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 $300,000 purchase of shares of the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio or any other
Alliance Mutual Fund made not more than 90 days prior to the date
that the investor signs a 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 Portfolio, the investor
and the investor's spouse each purchase shares of the Portfolio
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 Portfolio or any other Alliance Mutual Fund, to
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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 Portfolio shares, are not subject to
escrow. When the full amount indicated has been purchased, the
escrow will be released. To the extent that an investor
purchases more than the dollar amount indicated on the Statement
of Intention and qualifies for a further reduced sales charge,
the sales charge will be adjusted for the entire amount purchased
at the end of the 13-month period. The difference in the sales
charge will be used to purchase additional shares of the
Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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
Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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, and (ii) the total purchase
previously made during the 13-month period. Sales charges
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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
Portfolio to be redeemed or repurchased may reinvest all or any
portion of the redemption or repurchase proceeds in Class A
shares of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio within 30 calendar days after the
redemption or repurchase transaction. The reinstatement
privilege may be used by the shareholder only once, irrespective
of the number of shares redeemed or repurchased, except that the
privilege may be used more than once in connection with
transactions whose sole purpose is to transfer a shareholder's
interest in the Portfolio to his or her individual retirement
account or other qualified retirement plan account. 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 Portfolio may sell its
Class A shares at net asset value (i.e., without an initial sales
charge) and without any contingent deferred sales charge to
certain categories of investors, including: (i) investment
management clients of the Investment Adviser or its affiliates;
(ii) officers and present or former Directors of the Fund;
present or former directors and trustees of other investment
companies managed by the Investment Adviser; present or retired
full-time employees of the Investment Adviser, the Principal
Underwriter, Alliance Fund Services, Inc. and their affiliates;
officers and directors of ACMC, the Principal Underwriter,
Alliance Fund Services, Inc. and their affiliates; officers,
directors and present and 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 Investment Adviser, Principal Underwriter,
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Alliance Fund Services, Inc. and their affiliates; certain
employee benefit plans for employees of the Investment Adviser,
the Principal Underwriter, Alliance Fund Services, Inc. and their
affiliates; (iv) persons participating in a fee-based program,
sponsored and maintained by a registered broker-dealer and
approved by the Principal Underwriter, pursuant to which such
persons pay an asset-based fee to such broker-dealer, or its
affiliate or agent, for services in the nature of investment
advisory or administrative services; (v) 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 (vi) employer- sponsored
qualified pension or profit-sharing plans (including Section
401(k) plans), custodial accounts maintained pursuant to Section
403(b)(7) retirement plans and individual retirement accounts
(including individual retirement accounts to which simplified
employee pension (SEP) contributions are made), if such plans or
accounts are established or administered under 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 three 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
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the cost of the shares being redeemed or their net asset value at
the time of redemption. Accordingly, no sales charge will be
imposed on increases in net asset value above the initial
purchase price. In addition, no charge will be assessed on
shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions.
To illustrate, assume that an investor purchased 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. Therefore, $400 of the $600
redemption proceeds will be charged at a rate of 2.0% (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
Year Dollar Amount
Since Purchase Subject to Charge
First 3.0%
Second 2.0%
Third 1.0%
Thereafter None
In determining the contingent deferred sales charge
applicable to a redemption of Class B shares, it will be assumed
that the redemption is, first, of any shares that were acquired
upon the reinvestment of dividends or distributions and, second,
of shares held longest during the time they are subject to the
sales charge. When shares acquired in an exchange are redeemed,
the applicable contingent deferred sales charge and conversion
schedules will be the schedules that applied at the time of the
purchase of shares of the corresponding class of the Alliance
Mutual Fund originally purchased by the shareholder.
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The contingent deferred sales charge is waived on
redemptions of shares (i) following the death or disability, as
defined in 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 or Trustees 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. Six years after the end of the
calendar month in which the shareholder's purchase order was
accepted, Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A
shares and will no longer be subject to a higher distribution
services fee. Such conversion will occur on the basis of the
relative net asset values of the two classes, without the
imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge. The purpose
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 six years after the end of the calendar month in which the
shareholder's purchase order was accepted.
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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
Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio and incur
higher distribution services fees and transfer agency costs than
Class A 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
Portfolio 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
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deferred sales charge and the distribution services fee enables
the Portfolio 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 described above
under "Purchase of Shares-General, and by investment advisory
clients of, and certain other persons associated with, the
Investment Adviser and its affiliates or the Fund. If (i) a
holder of Advisor Class shares ceases to participate in the fee-
based program or plan that satisfies the requirements to purchase
shares set forth under Purchase of Shares--General or (ii) the
holder is otherwise no longer eligible to purchase Advisor Class
shares as described in the Advisor Class Prospectus and this
Statement of Additional Information (each, a "Conversion Event"),
then all Advisor Class shares held by the shareholder will
convert automatically and without notice to the shareholder,
other than the notice 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.
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REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE OF SHARES
The following information supplements that set forth in
the Portfolio's Prospectus(es) under "Purchase and Sale of Share-
- -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
Portfolio that are different from those described herein. A
transaction fee may be charged by your financial representative
with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of Advisor Class
shares made through such financial representative.
REDEMPTION
Subject only to the limitations described below, the
Fund's Articles of Incorporation require that the Fund redeem the
shares of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio of securities owned by
it is not reasonably practicable or as a result of which it is
not reasonably practicable for the Portfolio 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 Portfolio.
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 Portfolio's
portfolio securities at the time of such redemption or
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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 (either in cash or in portfolio
securities) received by a shareholder upon redemption or
repurchase of his or her shares, assuming the shares constitute
capital assets in his or her 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 Portfolio for which no share
certificates have been issued, the registered owner or owners
should forward a letter to the Portfolio containing a request for
redemption. The signature or signatures on the letter must be
guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" as defined in
Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
To redeem shares of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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
Portfolio shareholder is entitled to request redemption by
electronic fund transfer once in any 30 day period (except for
certain omnibus accounts), of shares for which no share
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 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. Except for certain
omnibus accounts or as noted below, each Portfolio shareholder is
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eligible to request redemption by check, once in any 30-day
period, of Portfolio shares for which no stock certificate 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. Telephone redemption by
check 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. A shareholder
otherwise eligible for telephone redemption by check may cancel
the privilege by written instruction to Alliance Fund Services,
Inc., or by checking the appropriate box on the Subscription
Application found in the Prospectus.
TELEPHONE REDEMPTIONS - GENERAL. During periods of
drastic economic or market developments, such as the market break
of October 1987, it is possible that shareholders would have
difficulty in reaching Alliance Fund Services, Inc. by telephone
(although no such difficulty was apparent at any time in
connection with the 1987 market break). If a shareholder were to
experience such difficulty, the shareholder should issue written
instructions to Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the address shown
on the cover of this Statement of Additional Information. The
Fund reserves the right to suspend or terminate its telephone
redemption service at any time without notice. Neither the Fund
nor the Investment Adviser, the Principal Underwriter or Alliance
Fund Services, Inc. will be responsible for the authenticity of
telephone requests for redemptions that the Fund reasonably
believes to be genuine. The Fund will employ reasonable
procedures in order to verify that telephone requests for
redemptions are genuine, including, among others, recording such
telephone instructions and causing written confirmations of the
resulting transactions to be sent to shareholders. If the Fund
did not employ such procedures, it could be liable for losses
arising from unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions.
Selected dealers or agents may charge a commission for handling
telephone requests for redemptions.
REPURCHASE
The Portfolio 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
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close of regular trading on that day if received by the Principal
Underwriter prior to its close of business on that day (normally
5:00 p.m. Eastern time). The financial intermediary or selected
dealer or agent is responsible for transmitting the request to
the Principal Underwriter by 5:00 p.m. If the financial
intermediary or selected dealer or agent fails to do so, the
shareholder's right to receive that day's closing price must be
settled between the shareholder and the dealer or agent. A
shareholder may offer shares of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio are offered through a financial
intermediary or selected dealer or agent, the repurchase is
settled by the shareholder as an ordinary transaction with or
through the selected dealer or agent, who may charge the
shareholder for this service. The repurchase of shares of the
Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio's Prospectus(es) under "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 Portfolio that are different from those described herein.
A transaction fee may be charged by your financial representative
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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 Portfolio through
an automatic investment program utilizing Electronic Fund
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
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 Portfolio for
shares of the same class of other Alliance Mutual Funds
(including AFD Exchange Reserves, a money market fund managed by
Alliance). In addition, (i) present officers and full-time
employees of the Investment Adviser, (ii) present Directors or
Trustees of any Alliance Mutual Fund and (iii) certain employee
benefit plans for employees of the Investment Adviser, the
Principal Underwriter, Alliance Fund Services, Inc. and their
affiliates may, on a tax-free basis, exchange Class A shares of
the Portfolio for Advisor Class shares of the Portfolio.
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.
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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 Portfolio for Advisor Class shares of the
Portfolio, exchanges of shares as described above in this section
are taxable transactions for Federal tax purposes. The exchange
service may be changed, suspended, or terminated on 60 days
written notice.
All exchanges are subject to the minimum investment
requirements and any other applicable terms set forth in the
Prospectus for the Alliance Mutual Fund whose shares are being
acquired. An exchange is effected through the redemption of the
shares tendered for exchange and the purchase of shares being
acquired at their respective net asset values as next determined
following receipt by the Alliance Mutual Fund whose shares are
being exchanged of (i) proper instructions and all necessary
supporting documents as described in such fund's Prospectus, or
(ii) a telephone request for such exchange in accordance with the
procedures set forth in the following paragraph. Exchanges
involving the redemption of shares recently purchased by check
will be permitted only after the Alliance Mutual Fund whose
shares have been tendered for exchange is reasonably assured that
the check has cleared, normally up to 15 calendar days following
the purchase date.
Each Portfolio 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
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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 Investment
Adviser, the Principal Underwriter or Alliance Fund Services,
Inc. will be responsible for the authenticity of telephone
requests for exchanges that the Fund reasonably believes to be
genuine. The Fund will employ reasonable procedures in order to
verify that telephone requests for exchanges are genuine,
including, among others, recording such telephone instructions
and causing written confirmations of the resulting transactions
to be sent to shareholders. If the Fund did not employ such
procedures, it could be liable for losses arising from
unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions. Selected
dealers, agents or financial representatives, as applicable, may
charge a commission for handling telephone requests for
exchanges.
The exchange privilege is available only in states where
shares of the Alliance Mutual Funds 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio has available
forms of such plans pursuant to which investments can be made in
the Portfolio and other Alliance Mutual Funds. Persons desiring
information concerning these plans should contact Alliance Fund
Services, Inc. at the "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, N.J. 07096-1520
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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 Portfolio
is deferred until distribution from the IRA. An individual's
eligible contributions to an IRA will be deductible if neither
the individual nor his or her spouse is an active participant in
an employer-sponsored retirement plan. If the individual or his
or her spouse is an active participant in an employer-sponsored
retirement plan, the individual's contributions to an IRA may be
deductible, in whole or in part, depending on the amount of the
adjusted gross income of the individual and his or her spouse.
EMPLOYER-SPONSORED QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS. Sole
proprietors, partnerships and corporations may sponsor qualified
money purchase pension and profit-sharing plans, including
Section 401(k) plans ("qualified plans"), under which annual tax-
deductible contributions are made within prescribed limits based
on compensation paid to participating individuals. The minimum
initial investment requirement may be waived with respect to
certain of these qualified plans.
If the aggregate net asset value of shares of the
Alliance Mutual Funds held by the qualified plan reaches $5
million on or before December 15 in any year, all Class B or C
shares of the Portfolio held by the plan can be exchanged, at the
Plans request without any sales charge, for Class A shares of the
Portfolio.
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 Portfolio.
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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.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN
GENERAL. Any shareholder who owns or purchases shares
of the Portfolio 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 Portfolio automatically reinvested in additional shares
of the Portfolio.
Shares of the Portfolio 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
Portfolio.
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 Portfolio'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 Portfolio should complete the appropriate portion
of the Subscription Application found in the Prospectus, while
current Portfolio shareholders desiring to do so can obtain an
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application form by contacting Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at
the address or the "Literature" telephone number shown on the
cover of this Statement of Additional Information.
CDSC Waiver for Class B Shares and Class C Shares.
Under a systematic withdrawal plan, up to 1% monthly, 2%
bi-monthly or 3% quarterly of the value at the time of redemption
of the Class B or Class C shares in a shareholder's account may
be redeemed free of any contingent deferred sales charge.
With respect to Class B shares, the waiver applies only
with respect to shares acquired after July 1, 1995. Class B
shares that are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge
(such as shares acquired with reinvested dividends or
distributions) will be redeemed first and will count toward the
foregoing limitations. Remaining Class B shares that are held
the longest will be redeemed next. Redemptions of Class B shares
in excess of the foregoing limitations will be subject to any
otherwise applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
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 these limitations will be
subject to any otherwise applicable contingent deferred sales
charge.
DIVIDEND DIRECTION PLAN
A shareholder who already maintains, in addition to his
or her Class A, Class B, Class C or Advisor Class Portfolio
accounts, 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 his or her Class A,
Class B, Class C or Advisor Class Portfolio 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 "Literature" telephone number shown on the cover
of this Statement of Additional Information. Investors wishing
to establish a dividend direction plan in connection with their
initial investment should complete the appropriate section of the
Subscription Application found in the Prospectus. Current
shareholders should contact Alliance Fund Services, Inc. to
establish a dividend direction plan.
STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
Each shareholder of the Portfolio receives semi-annual
and annual reports which include a portfolio of investments,
financial statements and, in the case of the annual report, the
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report of the Fund's independent auditors, Ernst & Young LLP, as
well as a monthly cumulative dividend statement and 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 net asset value of shares of the Portfolio on which
the subscription and redemption prices are based is computed in
accordance with the Fund's Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws
as of the next close of regular trading on the Exchange
(currently 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) next following receipt of a
purchase or redemption order (and on any other day on which
trading in the types of securities in which the Portfolio invests
might materially affect the value of Portfolio shares) and, is
the quotient obtained by dividing the value of the net assets of
the Portfolio (i.e., the value of the securities and other assets
of the Portfolio, less its liabilities, including expenses
payable or accrued but excluding capital stock and surplus) by
the total number of shares of the Portfolio outstanding. For
purposes of this computation, portfolio securities listed on the
Exchange are valued, except as indicated below, at the last sale
price reflected in the consolidated tape at the close of the
Exchange on the business day as of which such value is being
determined. If there has been no sale on such day, then the
security is valued at the quoted bid price thereof at the close
of the Exchange on such day. If no bid is quoted on such day,
then the securities are valued at the mean of the bid and asked
prices at the close of the Exchange on the day such valuation is
made as obtained from two dealers regularly making a market in
such security, except that where a bid and asked price can be
obtained from only one such dealer, such security is valued at
the mean of the bid and asked price obtained from such dealer.
Securities not listed on the Exchange but listed on
other national securities exchanges are valued in like manner.
Portfolio securities traded on more than one national securities
exchange are valued at the last sale price on the business day as
of which such value is being determined as reflected on the tape
at the close of the exchange representing the principal market
for such securities. Securities traded over-the-counter,
including listed debt securities whose primary market is believed
by the Fund's management to be over-the-counter, are valued at
the mean of the bid and asked prices at the close of the Exchange
on the days such valuation is made as obtained from two dealers
regularly making a market in such securities, except that where a
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bid and asked price can be obtained from only one such dealer,
such securities are valued at the mean of the bid and asked price
obtained from such dealer. Securities for which no bid and asked
price quotations are readily available are valued by such methods
as the Directors of the Fund determine in good faith to reflect
the fair market value thereof. Restricted securities and all
other assets of the Portfolio are valued in such manner as the
Directors of the Fund in good faith deem appropriate to reflect
fair market value thereof.
The assets belonging to the Class A shares, the Class B
shares, the Class C shares and the 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
accrued expenses and liabilities allocated to that class from the
assets belonging to that class pursuant to an order issued by the
Commission.
________________________________________________________________
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
________________________________________________________________
Subject to the general supervision of the Board of
Directors of the Fund, the Investment Adviser is responsible for
the investment decisions and the placing of the orders for
portfolio transactions for the Portfolio. The Portfolio's
portfolio transactions occur primarily with issuers, underwriters
or major dealers acting as principals. Such transactions are
normally on a net basis which do not involve payment of brokerage
commissions. The cost of securities purchased from an
underwriter usually includes a commission paid by the issuer to
the underwriter; transactions with dealers normally reflect the
spread between bid and asked prices. Premiums are paid with
respect to options purchased by the Portfolio and brokerage
commissions are payable with respect to transactions in exchange-
traded interest rate futures contracts.
The Investment Adviser makes the decisions for the
Portfolio and determines the broker or dealer to be used in each
specific transaction. Most transactions for the Portfolio,
including transactions in listed securities, are executed in the
over-the-counter market by approximately fifteen (15) principal
market maker dealers with whom the Investment Adviser maintains
regular contact. Most transactions made by the Portfolio will be
principal transactions at net prices and the Portfolio will incur
little or no brokerage costs. Where possible, securities will be
purchased directly from the issuer or from an underwriter or
market maker for the securities unless the Investment Adviser
believes a better price and execution is available elsewhere.
Purchases from underwriters of newly-issued securities for
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inclusion in the Portfolio usually will include a concession paid
to the underwriter by the issuer and purchases from dealers
serving as market makers will include the spread between the bid
and asked price.
The Portfolio has no obligation to enter into
transactions in securities with any broker, dealer, issuer,
underwriter or other entity. In placing orders, it is the policy
of the Fund to obtain the best price and execution for its
transactions. Where best price and execution may be obtained
from more than one broker or dealer, the Investment Adviser may,
in its discretion, purchase and sell securities through brokers
and dealers who provide research, statistical and other
information to the Investment Adviser. Such services may be used
by the Investment Adviser for all of its investment advisory
accounts and, accordingly, not all such services may be used by
the Investment Adviser in connection with the Portfolio. There
may be occasions where the transaction cost charged by a broker
may be greater than that which another broker may charge if the
Fund determines in good faith that the amount of such transaction
cost is reasonable in relationship to the value of the brokerage
and research and statistical services provided by the executing
broker.
No transactions for the Portfolio are executed through
any broker or dealer affiliated with the Fund's Investment
Adviser, or with Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
Corporation, an affiliate of the Investment Adviser. During the
fiscal years ended June 30, 1994, 1995 and 1996, the Portfolio
incurred no brokerage commissions.
For purposes of this Statement of Additional
Information, ACMC refers to Alliance Capital Management
Corporation, the sole general partner of the Investment Adviser,
and to the predecessor general partner of the Investment Adviser
of the same name.
________________________________________________________________
TAXES
________________________________________________________________
The Fund advises the Portfolio's shareholders annually
as to the Federal income tax status of dividends and
distributions made to the Portfolio's shareholders during each
calendar year.
GENERAL. The Portfolio intends for each taxable year to
qualify as a "regulated investment company" under the Code . To
so qualify, the Portfolio must, among other things, (i) derive at
least 90% of its gross income in each taxable year from
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dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans,
gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities
or foreign currency, or certain other income (including, but not
limited to, gains from options, futures and forward contracts)
derived with respect to its business of investing in stock,
securities or currency; (ii) derive less than 30% of its gross
income in each taxable year from the sale or other disposition
within three months of their acquisition by the Portfolio of
stocks, securities, options, futures or forward contracts and
foreign currencies (or options, futures or forward contracts on
foreign currencies) that are not directly related to the
Portfolio's principal business of investing in stocks or
securities (or options and futures with respect to stocks or
securities); and (iii) diversify its holdings so that, at the end
of each quarter of its taxable year, the following two conditions
are met: (a) at least 50% of the value of the Portfolio's assets
is represented by cash, cash items, U.S. Government Securities,
securities of other regulated investment companies and other
securities with respect to which the Portfolio's investment is
limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater
than 5% of the Portfolio's total assets and 10% of the
outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (b) not more
than 25% of the value of the Portfolio's assets is invested in
securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government
Securities or securities of other regulated investment
companies). These requirements, among other things, may limit
the Portfolio's ability to write and purchase options, to enter
into interest rate swaps and to purchase or sell interest rate
caps or floors.
If the Portfolio qualifies as a regulated investment
company for any taxable year and makes timely distributions to
its shareholders of 90% or more of its net investment income for
that year (calculated without regard to its net capital gain,
i.e., the excess of its net long-term capital gain over its net
short-term capital loss), it will not be subject to federal
income tax on the portion of its taxable income for the year
(including any net capital gain) that it distributes to
shareholders.
The Portfolio will also avoid the 4% federal excise tax
that would otherwise apply to certain undistributed income for a
given calendar year if it makes timely distributions to
shareholders equal to the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income
for such year, (ii) 98% of its capital gain net income and
foreign currency gains for the twelve-month period ending on
October 31 of such year, and (iii) any ordinary income or capital
gain net income from the preceding calendar year that was not
distributed during such year. For this purpose, income or gain
retained by the Portfolio that is subject to corporate income tax
will be considered to have been distributed by the Portfolio by
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year-end. For federal income and excise tax purposes, dividends
declared and payable to shareholders of record as of a date in
October, November or December but actually paid during the
following January will be treated as if paid by the Portfolio on
December 31 of such calendar year, and will be taxable to these
shareholders for the year declared, and not for the year in which
the shareholders actually receive the dividend.
The information set forth in the following discussion
relates solely to the significant United States federal income
tax consequences of dividends and distributions by the Portfolio
and of sales or redemptions of Portfolio shares, and assumes that
the Portfolio qualifies to be taxed as a regulated investment
company. Investors should consult their own tax counsel with
respect to the specific tax consequences of their being
shareholders of the Portfolio, including the effect and
applicability of federal, state and local tax laws to their own
particular situation and the possible effects of changes therein.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. The Portfolio intends to
make timely distributions of the Portfolio's taxable income
(including any net capital gain) so that the Portfolio will not
be subject to federal income and excise taxes. Dividends of the
Portfolio's net ordinary income and distributions of any net
realized short-term capital gain are taxable to shareholders as
ordinary income.
The excess of net long-term capital gains over the net
short-term capital losses realized and distributed by the
Portfolio to its shareholders will be taxable to the shareholders
as long-term capital gains, irrespective of the length of time a
shareholder may have held his Portfolio shares. Any dividend or
distribution received by a shareholder on shares of the Portfolio
will have the effect of reducing the net asset value of such
shares by the amount of such dividend or distribution.
Furthermore, a dividend or distribution made shortly after the
purchase of such shares by a shareholder, although in effect a
return of capital to that particular shareholder, would be
taxable to him as described above. Dividends are taxable in the
manner discussed regardless of whether they are paid to the
shareholder in cash or are reinvested in additional shares of the
Portfolio.
After the end of the taxable year, the Portfolio will
notify shareholders of the federal income tax status of any
distributions made by the Portfolio to shareholders during such
year.
SALES AND REDEMPTIONS. Any gain or loss arising from a
sale or redemption of Portfolio shares generally will be capital
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gain or loss except in the case of a dealer or a financial
institution, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if such
shareholder has held such shares for more than one year at the
time of the sale or redemption; otherwise it will be short-term
capital gain or loss. However, if a shareholder has held shares
in the Portfolio for six months or less and during that period
has received a distribution taxable to the shareholder as a
long-term capital gain, any loss recognized by the shareholder on
the sale of those shares during the six-month period will be
treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the
distribution. In determining the holding period of such shares
for this purpose, any period during which a shareholder's risk of
loss is offset by means of options, short sales or similar
transactions is not counted.
Any loss realized by a shareholder on a sale or exchange
of shares of the Portfolio will be disallowed to the extent the
shares disposed of are replaced within a period of 61 days
beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are
sold or exchanged. For this purpose, acquisitions pursuant to
the Dividend Reinvestment Plan would constitute a replacement if
made within the period. If disallowed, the loss will be
reflected in an upward adjustment to the basis of the shares
acquired.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING. The Portfolio may be required to
withhold United States federal income tax at the rate of 31% of
all taxable distributions payable to shareholders who fail to
provide the Portfolio with their correct taxpayer identification
numbers or to make required certifications, or who have been
notified by the Internal Revenue Service that they are subject to
backup withholding. Corporate shareholders and certain other
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.
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION OF THE FUND. The
following discussion relates to certain significant United States
federal income tax consequences to the Portfolio with respect to
the determination of its "investment company taxable income" each
year. This discussion assumes that the Portfolio will be taxed
as a regulated investment company for each of its taxable years.
PASSIVE FOREIGN INVESTMENT COMPANIES. Certain of the
Portfolio's investments in Structured Securities may constitute,
for federal income tax purposes, investments in shares of foreign
corporations. If the Portfolio owns shares in a foreign
corporation that constitutes a "passive foreign investment
company" (a "PFIC") for federal income tax purposes and the
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Portfolio does not elect to treat the foreign corporation as a
"qualified electing fund" within the meaning of the Code, the
Portfolio may be subject to United States federal income taxation
on a portion of any "excess distribution" it receives from the
PFIC or any gain it derives from the disposition of such shares,
even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend by the
Portfolio to its United States shareholders. The Portfolio may
also be subject to additional interest charges in respect of
deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains. Any tax
paid by the Portfolio as a result of its ownership of shares in a
PFIC will not give rise to any deduction or credit to the
Portfolio or to any shareholder. A PFIC means any foreign
corporation if, for the taxable year involved, either (i) it
derives at least 75% of its gross income from "passive income"
(including, but not limited to, interest, dividends, royalties,
rents and annuities), or (ii) on average, at least 50% of the
value (or adjusted tax basis, if elected) of the assets held by
the corporation produce "passive income." The Treasury has issued
proposed regulations which would provide a "mark-to-market"
election solely with respect to gain inherent in PFIC stock held
by a regulated investment company, such as the Portfolio, which
does not elect to treat the PFIC as a "qualified electing fund."
If the proposed regulations are adopted in final form and the
election provided therein were to be made by the Portfolio, the
Portfolio would recognize a gain as of the last business day of
its taxable year the excess of the fair market value of each
share of stock in the PFIC over the Portfolio's adjusted tax
basis in that share. This gain, which would be treated as
derived from securities held by the Portfolio for at least three
months, generally would not be subject to the deferred tax and
interest charge amounts to which it might otherwise be subject,
as discussed above, in the event of an "excess distribution" or
gain with regard to shares of a PFIC. If the Portfolio purchases
shares in a PFIC and the Portfolio does elect to treat the
foreign corporation as a "qualified electing fund" under the
Code, the Portfolio may be required to include in its income each
year a portion of the ordinary income and net capital gains of
the foreign corporation, even if this income is not distributed
to the Portfolio. Any such income would be subject to the 90%
and calendar year distribution requirements described above.
DISCOUNT OBLIGATIONS. Under current federal tax law,
the Portfolio will include in income as interest each year, in
addition to stated interest received on obligations held by the
Portfolio, amounts attributable to the Portfolio from holding (i)
securities which were initially issued at discounts from their
face values ("Discount Obligations") and (ii) securities
(including many Brady Bonds) purchased by the Portfolio at a
price less than their stated face amount or, in the case of
Discount Obligations, at a price less than their issue price plus
the portion of "original issue discount" previously accrued
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thereon, i.e., purchased at a "market discount." Current federal
tax law requires that a holder (such as the Portfolio) of a
Discount Obligation accrue as income each year a portion of the
discount at which the obligation was purchased by the Portfolio
even though the Portfolio does not receive interest payments in
cash on the security during the year which reflect the accrued
discount. The Portfolio will elect to likewise accrue and
include in income each year a portion of the market discount with
respect to a Discount Obligation or other obligation even though
the Portfolio does not receive interest payments in cash on the
securities which reflect that accrued discount.
As a result of the applicable rules, in order to make
the distributions necessary for the Portfolio not to be subject
to federal income or excise taxes, the Portfolio may be required
to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount
significantly greater than the total amount of cash which the
Portfolio has actually received as interest during the year.
Such distributions will be made from the cash assets of the
Portfolio, from borrowings or by liquidation of portfolio
securities, if necessary. If a distribution of cash necessitates
the liquidation of portfolio securities, the Investment Adviser
will select which securities to sell. The Portfolio may realize
a gain or loss from such sales. In the event the Portfolio
realizes net capital gains from such sales, its shareholders may
receive a larger capital gain distribution, if any, than they
would have in the absence of such sales.
OPTIONS. Certain listed options are considered "section
1256 contracts" for federal income tax purposes. Section 1256
contracts held by the Portfolio at the end of each taxable year
will be "marked to market" and treated for federal income tax
purposes as though sold for fair market value on the last
business day of such taxable year. Gain or loss realized by the
Portfolio on section 1256 contracts generally will be considered
60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or loss.
With respect to options traded over-the-counter or on
certain foreign exchanges, gain or loss realized by the Portfolio
upon the lapse or sale of such options held by the Portfolio will
be either long-term or short-term capital gain or loss depending
upon the Portfolio's holding period with respect to such option.
However, gain or loss realized upon the lapse or closing out of
such options that are written by the Portfolio will be treated as
short-term capital gain or loss. In general, if the Portfolio
exercises an option, or an option that the Portfolio has written
is exercised, gain or loss on the option will not be separately
recognized but the premium received or paid will be included in
the calculation of gain or loss upon disposition of the property
underlying the option.
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TAX STRADDLES. Any option, interest rate swap, cap or
floor, or other position entered into or held by the Portfolio in
conjunction with any other position held by the Portfolio may
constitute a "straddle" for federal income tax purposes. In
general, straddles are subject to certain rules that may affect
the character and timing of the Portfolio's gains and losses with
respect to straddle positions.
OTHER TAXES. Income received by the Portfolio also may
be subject to state, local and foreign income taxes, including
taxes withheld at the source. The United States has entered into
tax treaties with many foreign countries which entitle the
Portfolio to a reduced rate of such taxes or exemption from taxes
on such income. It is impossible to determine the effective rate
of foreign tax in advance since the amount of the Portfolio's
assets to be invested within various countries is not known.
TAXATION OF FOREIGN STOCKHOLDERS.
The foregoing discussion relates only to U.S. Federal
income tax law as it affects shareholders who are U.S. residents
or U.S. corporations. The effects of Federal income tax law on
shareholders who are non-resident aliens or foreign corporations
may be substantially different. Foreign investors should consult
their counsel for further information as to the U.S. tax
consequences of receipt from the Portfolio.
________________________________________________________________
GENERAL INFORMATION
________________________________________________________________
The Portfolio is formally designated in the Charter of
the Fund as the Monthly Income Portfolio. Class A shares of the
Portfolio are classified in the Charter of the Fund as shares of
Monthly Income Portfolio Common Stock, Class B shares of the
Portfolio are classified in the Charter of the Fund as shares of
Monthly Income Portfolio Class B Common Stock and Class C shares
of the Portfolio are classified in the Charter of the Fund as
shares of Monthly Income Portfolio Class C Common Stock. The
Portfolio began conducting business as the Corporate Bond
Portfolio as of January 4, 1993.
CAPITALIZATION
All shares of each Portfolio participate equally in
dividends and distributions from that Portfolio, including any
distributions in the event of a liquidation. Each share of the
Portfolio is entitled to one vote for all purposes. Shares of
both Portfolios vote for the election of Directors and on any
other matter that affects both Portfolios in substantially the
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same manner as a single class, except as otherwise required by
law. As to matters affecting each Portfolio differently, such as
approval of the Investment Advisory Contract and changes in
investment policy, shares of each Portfolio would vote as a
separate class. There are no conversion or preemptive rights in
connection with any shares of the Portfolio. All shares of the
Portfolio when duly issued will be fully paid and non-assessable.
The authorized capital stock of the Fund consists of
1,400,000,000 shares of Common Stock having a par value of $.001
per share. The authorized capital stock of the Portfolio
currently consists of 250,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock,
50,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, 50,000,000 shares of
Class C Common Stock, and 250,000,000 shares of Advisor Class
Common Stock, each having a par value of $.001 per share Class A,
Class B and Class C shares each represent interests in the assets
of the Portfolio and have identical voting, dividend, liquidation
and other rights on the same terms and conditions, except that
expenses related to the distribution of each class and transfer
agency expenses of each class are borne solely by each class and
each class of shares has exclusive voting rights with respect to
provisions of the Fund's Rule 12b-1 distribution plan which
pertain to a particular class and other matters for which
separate class voting is appropriate under applicable law,
provided that, if the Fund submits to a vote of both the Class A
shareholders and the Class B shareholders an amendment to the
Rule 12b-1 distribution plan that would materially increase the
amount to be paid thereunder with respect to the Class A shares,
the Class A shareholders and the Class B shareholders will vote
separately by class.
The Fund's Board of Directors may, without shareholder
approval, increase or decrease the number of authorized but
unissued shares of the Portfolio's Class A, Class B, Class C and
Advisor Class Common Stock.
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 Directors
in the future, for reasons such as the desire to establish one or
more additional portfolios with different investment objectives,
policies or restrictions, may create additional series of
shares. Any issuance of shares of another series would be
governed by the 1940 Act and the laws 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
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the Investment Advisory Contract and changes in investment
policy, shares of each Portfolio would vote as separate series.
Procedures for calling a shareholders' meeting for the
removal of Directors of the Fund, similar to those set forth in
Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act, 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.
As of the close of business on October 11, 1996, there
were 57,299,816 shares of common stock of the Portfolio
outstanding. Of this amount, 22,370,084 shares were Class A,
27,320,625 shares were Class B and 7,109,107 shares were Class C
shares. To the knowledge of the Portfolio, the following persons
owned of record, and no person owned beneficially, 5% or more of
the outstanding shares the Portfolio as of October 11, 1996:
No of % of % of % of
Name and Address Shares Class A Class B Class C
Merrill Lynch 1,979,049 8.85%
Mutual Fund Operations
4800 Deer Lake Dr. East,
3rd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32244-6486
Merrill Lynch 4,889,825 17.58%
Mutual Fund Operations
4800 Deer Lake Dr. East,
3rd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32244-6486
Merrill Lynch 3,054,610 42.97%
Mutual Fund Operations
4800 Deer Lake Dr. East,
3rd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32244-6486
CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin
Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, acts as Custodian for the
securities and cash of the Fund, but plays no part in deciding on
the purchase or sale of portfolio securities.
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PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc., 1345 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, New York 10105, serves as the Fund's
Principal Underwriter, and as such may solicit orders from the
public to purchase shares of the Portfolio. Under the Agreement,
the Fund has agreed to indemnify the Principal Underwriter, in
the absence of its willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations thereunder,
against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
COUNSEL
Legal matters in connection with the issuance of the
shares of the Fund 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.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Ernst & Young LLP, New York, New York, have been
appointed as independent auditors for the Fund.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time, the Portfolio may advertise its
"yield," "actual distribution rate" and "total return." The
Portfolio will compute its yield, actual distribution rate and
total return separately for Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor
Class shares. The Portfolio's yield for any 30-day (or
one-month) period is computed by dividing the net investment
income per share earned during such period by the maximum public
offering price per share on the last day of the period, and then
annualizing such 30-day (or one-month) yield in accordance with a
formula prescribed by the Commission which provides for
compounding on a semi-annual basis. The Portfolio's "actual
distribution rate," which may be advertised in items of sales
literature, is computed in the same manner as yield except that
actual income dividends declared per share during the period in
question is substituted for net investment income per share. The
actual distribution rate is compounded separately for each class
of shares. The Portfolio'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 such investment at the end of the period. For
purposes of computing total return, income dividends and capital
gains distributions paid on shares of the Portfolio are assumed
to have been reinvested when received and the maximum sales
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charge applicable to purchases of the Portfolio shares is assumed
to have been paid.
The yield for the month ended June 30, 1996 for the
Class A shares of the Portfolio was 7.55%, for Class B shares was
7.18% and for Class C shares was 7.18%. The actual distribution
rate for such period for the Portfolio for Class A shares was
8.82%, for Class B shares was 8.50% and for Class C shares was
8.50%. The Portfolio's average annual total return for the one-
year period ended June 30, 1996, was 7.40%, for the five-year
period ended June 30, 1996, was 12.51% and for the ten-year
period ended June 30, 1996, was 10.27% for Class A shares of the
Portfolio; the average annual total return for the one year ended
June 30, 1996 was 8.38% and for the period January 3, 1993
(commencement of distribution) through June 30, 1996, was 10.78%
for Class B shares of the Portfolio; and the average annual total
return for the one-year period ended June 30, 1996, was 11.30%
and for the period May 3, 1993 (commencement of distribution)
through June 30, 1996, was 7.94% for Class C shares of the
Portfolio.
The Portfolio's yield and total return are not fixed and
will fluctuate in response to prevailing market conditions or as
a function of the type and quality of the securities held by the
Portfolio, its average portfolio maturity and its expenses.
Yield and total return information is useful in reviewing the
Portfolio's performance and such information may provide a basis
for comparison with other investments. Such other investments
may include certificates of deposit, money market funds and
corporate debt securities. However, an investor should know that
investment return and principal value of an investment in the
Portfolio will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when
redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. In
addition, the Portfolio's shares are not insured or guaranteed by
the U.S. Government. In comparison, certificates of deposit are
guaranteed and pay a fixed rate of return; money market funds
seek a stable net asset value; and corporate debt securities may
provide a higher yield than those available from the Portfolio.
Advertisements quoting performance rankings or ratings
of the Fund's Portfolio as measured by financial publications or
by independent organizations such as Lipper Analytical Services,
Inc. ("Lipper") and Morningstar, Inc. and advertisements
presenting the historical record payments of income dividends by
the Portfolio may also from time to time be sent to investors or
placed in newspapers, magazines such as Barrons, Business Week,
Changing Times, Forbes, Investor's Daily, Money Magazine, The
New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal, or other media on
behalf of the Fund. The Portfolio has been ranked by Lipper in
the category known as "corporate debt bonds BBB rated funds".
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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 under the Securities Act of 1933.
Copies of the Registration Statement may be obtained at a
reasonable charge from the Commission or may be examined, without
charge, at the offices of the Commission in Washington, D.C.
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PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
JUNE 30, 1996 ALLIANCE BOND FUND CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO
_______________________________________________________________________________
STANDARD & PRINCIPAL
POOR'S AMOUNT
RATINGS(A) (000) VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
CORPORATE DEBT OBLIGATIONS-45.1%
FINANCIAL-12.7%
BBB Arkwright CSN Trust
9.625%, 8/15/26 (b) $30,000 $30,972,900
A3 CS First Boston, Inc.
7.75%, 5/15/06 (b)(c) 30,000 30,015,900
B- Home Holdings, Inc.
8.625%, 12/15/03 43,165 28,057,250
-----------
89,046,050
INSURANCE-10.5%
A2 Farmers Insurance Exchange
8.625%, 5/01/24 (b)(c) 18,725 17,753,584
A Mutual Life Insurance Co. of New York
11.25%, 8/15/24 (b)(g) 25,000 22,475,000
A2 Prudential Insurance Co.
8.30%, 7/01/25 (b)(c) 33,000 33,071,775
-----------
73,300,359
INDUSTRIAL-10.3%
BB+ Digital Equipment Corp.
7.75%, 4/01/23 5,000 4,515,335
8.625%, 11/01/12 5,860 5,871,521
Baa3 USX Marathon Group
8.50%, 3/01/23 (c) 29,400 29,659,190
BB+ Viacom, Inc.
7.625%, 1/15/16 35,505 32,157,660
-----------
72,203,706
MEDIA-4.7%
BBB News America Holdings, Inc.
7.75%, 12/01/45 36,700 32,818,718
ELECTRIC UTILITIES-2.6%
BBB Connecticut Light & Power Co.
7.875%, 6/01/01 18,000 18,234,000
RETAIL-2.5%
Ba3 K-Mart Corp.
7.95%, 2/01/23 (c) 19,500 14,917,500
8.25%, 1/01/22 (c) 3,000 2,310,000
-----------
17,227,500
TELECOMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT-1.8%
B- Arch Communications Group, Inc.
10.875%, 3/15/08 (g) 24,000 12,480,000
Total Corporate Debt Obligations
(cost $323,985,466) 315,310,333
YANKEES-19.6%
INDUSTRIAL-11.9%
BB Grupo Televisa, S.A.
13.25%, 5/15/08 (b)(g) 34,000 18,275,000
Baa3 Reliance Industries, Ltd.
9.375%, 6/24/26 (b)(c) 35,000 35,288,750
BBB- TransGas de Occidente, S.A.
9.79%, 11/01/10 (b) 30,000 29,218,200
-----------
82,781,950
CORPORATE-3.6%
NR Grupo Dina/ MCII Holdings USA
12.00%, 11/15/02 (b)(g) 14,170 11,052,600
B3 Grupo Mexicano de Desarrollo, S.A.
8.25%, 2/17/01 (c) 27,200 14,280,000
-----------
25,332,600
FINANCIAL-2.6%
BBB MC Cuernavaca Trust
9.25%, 7/25/01 (b) 26,375 18,133,022
TELEPHONE-1.5%
B- Millicom International Cellular, S.A.
13.50%, 6/01/06 (b)(g) 20,000 10,750,000
Total Yankees (cost $150,780,004) 136,997,572
SOVEREIGN DEBT OBLIGATIONS-17.6%
ARGENTINA-2.7%
NR Repackaged Argentina
Domestic Security Trust
14.75%, 9/01/02 (b) 18,000 18,877,500
BRAZIL-2.0%
B+ Republic of Brazil C-Bonds
8.00%, 4/15/14 (d) 22,731 14,107,309
BULGARIA-5.2%
NR Bulgaria (Republic of) FRN
6.25%, 7/28/24 (e) 70,000 36,312,500
COLOMBIA-2.8%
BBB- Republic of Colombia
8.70%, 2/15/16 21,500 19,748,825
5
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
ALLIANCE BOND FUND CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO
_______________________________________________________________________________
SHARES OR
STANDARD & PRINCIPAL
POOR'S AMOUNT
RATINGS(A) (000) VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
POLAND-4.9%
Baa3 Republic of Poland PDI
3.75%, 10/27/14 (c)(f) $ 44,000 $ 33,880,000
Total Sovereign Debt Obligations
(cost $123,257,567) 122,926,134
PREFERRED STOCK-13.9%
FINANCIAL SERVICES-12.7%
Baa3 Credit Lyonnais Capital ADR pfd.
9.50%, (b)(c) 698,000 16,141,250
A2 MCI Capital I pfd.
8.00% (c) 1,470,000 35,647,500
A2 Santander Finance Ltd. Series C pfd.
8.125% (c) 698,000 16,584,625
Baa2 SI Financing Trust I pfd.
9.50% (c) 818,000 20,437,500
-----------
88,810,875
INDUSTRIAL-1.2%
BB- Digital Equipment Corp. Series A pfd.
8.875% 325,000 8,125,000
Total Preferred Stock
(cost $96,906,562) 96,935,875
U.S. GOVERNMENT/AGENCY OBLIGATION-2.0%
AAA Federal National Mortgage Assn.
Zero coupon, 10/09/19
(cost $13,406,218) 75,800 13,762,248
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT-0.1%
COMMERCIAL PAPER-0.1%
A1+ General Electric Credit Corp.
5.20%, 7/01/96 (c)
(amortized cost $494,000) 494 494,000
TOTAL INVESTMENTS-98.3%
(cost $708,829,817) 686,426,162
Other assets less liabilities-1.7% 12,189,623
NET ASSETS-100% $698,615,785
(a) Unaudited.
(b) Securities exempt from Registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act
of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from
registration, normally to qualified buyers. At June 30, 1996, the aggregate
market value of these securities amounted to $292,025,481 representing 41.8% of
net assets.
(c) Moody rating.
(d) Coupon consists of 4.50% cash payment and 3.50% paid in kind.
(e) Coupon will fluctuate based on six month LIBOR plus 0.8125.
(f) Coupon increases periodically based upon a predetermined schedule. Stated
interest rate in effect at June 30, 1996.
(g) Indicates a security that has a zero coupon that remains in effect until a
predetermined date at which time the stated coupon rate becomes effective.
Glossary of Terms:
ADR - American Depository Receipt.
FRN - Floating Rate Note.
NR - Not Rated.
PDI - Past Due Interest.
See notes to financial statements.
6
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
JUNE 30, 1996 ALLIANCE BOND FUND CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO
_______________________________________________________________________________
ASSETS
Investments in securities, at value(cost $708,829,817) $686,426,162
Receivable for investment securities sold 45,836,384
Interest receivable 12,023,088
Receivable for capital stock sold 4,939,800
Dividends receivable 1,202,448
Total assets 750,427,882
LIABILITIES
Payable for investment securities purchased 48,107,198
Dividends payable 1,691,443
Payable for capital stock redeemed 774,776
Distribution fee payable 404,614
Advisory fee payable 331,360
Accrued expenses 502,706
Total liabilities 51,812,097
NET ASSETS $698,615,785
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS
Capital stock, at par $ 52,578
Additional paid-in capital 845,084,602
Undistributed net investment income 5,680,591
Accumulated net realized loss on investments,
options and other assets (129,798,331)
Net unrealized depreciation of investments (22,403,655)
$698,615,785
CALCULATION OF MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE
CLASS A SHARES
Net asset value and redemption price per share ($277,369,346/
20,874,707 shares of capital stock issued and outstanding) $13.29
Sales charge-4.25% of public offering price .59
Maximum offering price $13.88
CLASS B SHARES
Net asset value and offering price per share ($338,151,797/
25,449,141 shares of capital stock issued and outstanding) $13.29
CLASS C SHARES
Net asset value, redemption and offering price per share($83,094,642
/6,253,683 shares of capital stock issued and outstanding) $13.29
See notes to financial statements.
7
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 ALLIANCE BOND FUND CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO
_______________________________________________________________________________
INVESTMENT INCOME
Interest $61,988,404
Dividends 3,042,290 $65,030,694
EXPENSES
Advisory fee 3,676,819
Distribution fee - Class A 762,635
Distribution fee - Class B 2,917,088
Distribution fee - Class C 644,433
Transfer agency 1,062,004
Custodian 205,272
Administrative 134,873
Registration 117,276
Printing 112,822
Audit and legal 93,465
Taxes 46,655
Directors' fees 15,192
Miscellaneous 27,187
Total expenses 9,815,721
Net investment income 55,214,973
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
Net realized gain on investment transactions 9,127,977
Net realized gain on options written 282,000
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:
Investments (1,027,200)
Options written (419,664)
Net gain on investments 7,963,113
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS $63,178,086
See notes to financial statements.
8
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES
IN NET ASSETS ALLIANCE BOND FUND CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO
_______________________________________________________________________________
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
JUNE 30,1996 JUNE 30,1995
------------- -------------
INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS
Net investment income $ 55,214,973 $ 44,706,035
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and
options written 9,409,977 (7,853,164)
Net change in unrealized (depreciation)
appreciation of investments and options written (1,446,864) 22,302,973
Net increase in net assets from operations 63,178,086 59,155,844
DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:
Net investment income
Class A (22,018,218) (20,387,693)
Class B (23,308,105) (17,840,438)
Class C (5,153,555) (4,314,460)
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS
Net increase 162,746,223 52,386,982
Total increase 175,444,431 69,000,235
NET ASSETS
Beginning of year 523,171,354 454,171,119
End of year (including undistributed net
investment income of $5,680,591 and
$945,496, respectively.) $698,615,785 $523,171,354
See notes to financial statements.
9
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 1996 ALLIANCE BOND FUND CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO
_______________________________________________________________________________
NOTE A: SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Alliance Bond Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") is registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 as a diversified open-end management investment company.
The Fund, which is a Maryland corporation operates as a series company
currently comprised of two portfolios: the Corporate Bond Portfolio and the
U.S. Government Portfolio. Each series is considered to be a separate entity
for financial reporting and tax purposes. The financial statements and notes
include the operations of the Corporate Bond Portfolio (the "Portfolio") only.
The Portfolio offers three classes of shares: Class A, Class B and Class C
shares. Class A shares are currently sold with a front-end sales charge of up
to 4.25%. Class B shares are sold with a contingent deferred sales charge which
declines from 3% to zero depending on the period of time the shares are held.
Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares six years after the
end of the calendar month of purchase. Class C shares were sold without an
initial or contingent deferred sales charge. However, Class C shares purchased
on or after July 1, 1996, are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of
1% on redemptions made within the first year after purchase. All three 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 following is a summary of the
significant accounting policies followed by the Portfolio.
1. SECURITY VALUATION
Portfolio securities traded on a national securities exchange are valued at the
last reported sales price on such exchange. Listed securities not traded and
securities traded in the over-the-counter market, including listed debt
securities whose primary market is believed to be over-the-counter, are valued
at the mean of the closing bid and asked price as obtained from a recognized
pricing service and brokers. Securities for which bid and asked price
quotations are not readily available or restricted securities are valued in
good faith at fair value using methods determined by the Board of Directors. In
determining fair value, consideration is given to cost, operating and other
financial data. Securities which mature in 60 days or less are valued at
amortized cost, which approximates market value.
2. TAXES
It is the Portfolio'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 or net realized gains, if applicable, to its
shareholders. Therefore, no provisions for federal income or excise taxes are
required.
3. INVESTMENT INCOME AND SECURITY TRANSACTIONS
Interest income is accrued daily. Dividend income is recorded on ex-dividend
date. Security transactions are accounted for on the date the securities are
purchased or sold. Security gains and losses are determined on the identified
cost basis. The Portfolio accretes discount as an adjustment to interest income.
4. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend
date and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations.
5. RECLASSIFICATION OF COMPONENTS OF NET ASSETS
During the year, the Fund reclassified certain components of net assets. The
reclassification resulted in a net decrease to accumulated net realized loss on
investments, options, and other assets and a corresponding increase to
additional paid-in capital of $133,858,099. This reclassification was the
result of capital loss carryforwards in conjunction with the Fund merger that
occurred in 1993. Net assets were not affected by the reclassification.
10
ALLIANCE BOND FUND CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO
_______________________________________________________________________________
NOTE B: ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Under the terms of an investment advisory agreement, the Portfolio pays
Alliance Capital Management L.P., (the "Adviser"), an advisory fee at a annual
rate of .625 of 1% of the first $500 million and .50 of 1% in excess of $500
million of the Portfolio's average daily net assets. Such fee is accrued daily
and paid monthly. The Adviser has agreed to reimburse the Portfolio pursuant to
the securities laws of certain states to the extent its aggregate annual
expenses (exclusive of interest, taxes, brokerage, distribution fees and
extraordinary expenses) exceed 2.5% of the first $30 million of its average
daily net assets, 2% of the next $70 million of its average daily net assets
and 1.5% of its average daily net assets in excess of $100 million. No such
reimbursement was required for the year ended June 30, 1996.
Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Portfolio paid $134,873 to the Adviser
representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the
Portfolio by the Adviser for the year ended June 30, 1996.
The Portfolio compensates Alliance Fund Services, Inc. (a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Adviser) under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing
personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Portfolio.
Such compensation amounted to $731,969 for the year ended June 30, 1996.
Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser)
serves as the Distributor of the Portfolio's shares. The Distributor received
front-end sales charges of $66,987 from the sale of Class A shares and $396,376
in contingent deferred sales charges imposed upon redemptions by shareholders
of Class B shares for the year ended June 30, 1996.
NOTE C: DISTRIBUTION SERVICES AGREEMENT
The Portfolio has adopted a Distribution Services Agreement (the "Agreement")
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the
Agreement, the Portfolio pays a distribution fee to the Distributor at an
annual rate of up to .30 of 1% of the Portfolio's average daily net assets
attributable to Class A shares and 1% of the Portfolio's average daily net
assets attributable to the Class B and Class C shares. Such fee is 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 reimbursed by the Portfolio in the amount of $6,818,208 and $895,197, for
Class B and Class C shares, respectively; such costs may be recovered from the
Portfolio 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
Adviser may use its own resources to finance the distribution of the
Portfolio's shares.
NOTE D: INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments
and U.S. Government obligations) aggregated $2,070,696,447 and $1,910,714,045,
respectively, for the year ended June 30, 1996. At June 30, 1996, the cost of
securities for federal income tax purposes was $712,340,690. Accordingly, gross
unrealized appreciation of investments was $7,176,093 and gross unrealized
depreciation of investments was $33,090,621, resulting in net unrealized
depreciation of $25,914,528. At June 30, 1996, the Portfolio had a capital loss
carryforward for federal income tax purposes of approximately $126,287,458 of
which $93,188,575 expires in 1997; $14,295,126 in 1998; $258,361 in 2000;
$15,028,057 in 2003 and $3,517,339 in 2004.
11
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONT.)
ALLIANCE BOND FUND CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO
_______________________________________________________________________________
NOTEE: DERIVATIVES
1. OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS
For hedging purposes, the Fund purchases and writes (sells) put and call
options on debt securities that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities
exchanges and over-the-counter markets.
The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Fund pays a premium
whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Fund bears the risk
of loss of premium and change in market value should the counterparty not
perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in
the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired
through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The
proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased
by the premiums paid.
When the Fund writes an option, 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 recorded by the Fund on the expiration date as realized gains from option
transactions. The difference between the premium and the amount paid on
effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is
also treated as a realized gain, or if the premium is less than the amount paid
for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is
exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying
security in determining whether the Fund has realized a gain or loss. If a put
option is exercised, the premium reduces the cost basis of the security
purchased by the Fund. In writing an option, the Fund bears the market risk of
an unfavorable change in the price of the security or currency underlying the
written option. Exercise of an option written by the Fund could result in the
Fund selling or buying a security at a price different from the current market
value.
Transactions in options written for the year ended June 30, 1996 were as
follows:
NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS PREMIUMS
--------- ------------
Options outstanding at beginning of year 1 $ 2,354,400
Options written -0- -0-
Options terminated in closing purchase transactions (1) (2,354,400)
Options expired -0- -0-
Options outstanding at June 30, 1996 -0- $ -0-
12
ALLIANCE BOND FUND CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO
_______________________________________________________________________________
NOTE F: CAPITAL STOCK
There are 350,000,000 shares of $.001 par value capital stock authorized for
the Portfolio, of which 250,000,000 shares are designated as Class A and
50,000,000 each for Class B and Class C shares. Transactions in capital stock
were as follows:
SHARES AMOUNT
--------------------------- ------------------------------
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
JUNE 30, JUNE 30, JUNE 30, JUNE 30,
1996 1995 1996 1995
------------ ------------ -------------- --------------
CLASS A
Shares sold 5,346,878 4,080,977 $ 71,873,295 $ 50,484,798
Shares issued in
reinvestment of
dividends 863,496 793,256 11,552,038 9,725,083
Shares converted from
Class B to Class A 290,778 -0- 3,878,519 -0-
Shares redeemed (3,486,540) (4,535,928) (46,736,968) (55,998,676)
Net increase 3,014,612 338,305 $ 40,566,884 $ 4,211,205
CLASS B
Shares sold 10,495,172 8,208,751 $141,176,345 $100,252,498
Shares issued in
reinvestment of
dividends 729,705 613,407 9,764,021 7,530,010
Shares converted from
Class B to Class A (290,799) -0- (3,878,519) -0-
Shares redeemed (4,169,007) (4,864,645) (56,009,933) (58,632,382)
Net increase 6,765,071 3,957,513 $ 91,051,914 $ 49,150,126
CLASS C
Shares sold 3,778,824 2,047,757 $ 50,939,949 $ 25,280,601
Shares issued in
reinvestment of
dividends 151,683 168,260 2,030,186 2,081,504
Shares redeemed (1,624,777) (2,335,384) (21,842,710) (28,336,454)
Net increase(decrease) 2,305,730 (119,367) $ 31,127,425 $ (974,349)
13
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS ALLIANCE BOND FUND CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO
_______________________________________________________________________________
SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OF CAPITAL STOCK OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A
---------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
---------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year $12.92 $12.51 $14.15 $12.01 $11.21
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 1.26 1.19 1.11 1.25 1.06
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments .27 .36 (1.36) 2.13 .82
Net increase (decrease) in net asset
value from operations 1.53 1.55 (.25) 3.38 1.88
LESS: DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income (1.16) (1.14) (1.11) (1.24) (1.08)
Dividends in excess of net investment income -0- -0- (.03) -0- -0-
Distributions from net realized gains -0- -0- (.25) -0- -0-
Total dividends and distributions (1.16) (1.14) (1.39) (1.24) (1.08)
Net asset value, end of year $13.29 $12.92 $12.51 $14.15 $12.01
TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return based on net
asset value (a) 12.14% 13.26% (2.58)% 29.62% 17.43%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of year (000's omitted) $277,369 $230,750 $219,182 $216,171 $60,356
Ratio of expenses to average net assets 1.20% 1.24% 1.30% 1.39% 1.48%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets 9.46% 9.70% 7.76% 9.29% 8.98%
Portfolio turnover rate 389% 387% 372% 579% 610%
</TABLE>
See footnote summary on page 16.
14
ALLIANCE BOND FUND CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO
_______________________________________________________________________________
SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OF CAPITAL STOCK OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS B
---------------------------------------------------
JANUARY 8,
1993(B)
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, TO
------------------------------------- JUNE 30,
1996 1995 1994 1993
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $12.92 $12.50 $14.15 $12.47
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 1.15 1.11 1.02 .49
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments .29 .36 (1.37) 1.69
Net increase (decrease) in net asset
value from operations 1.44 1.47 (.35) 2.18
LESS: DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income (1.07) (1.05) (1.04) (.50)
Dividends in excess of net investment income -0- -0- (.01) -0-
Distribution from net realized gains -0- -0- (.25) -0-
Total dividends and distributions (1.07) (1.05) (1.30) (.50)
Net asset value, end of period $13.29 $12.92 $12.50 $14.15
TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return based on net
asset value (a) 11.38% 12.54% (3.27)% 17.75%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000's omitted) $338,152 $241,393 $184,129 $55,508
Ratio of expenses to average net assets 1.90% 1.99% 2.00% 2.10%(c)
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets 8.75% 9.07% 7.03% 7.18%(c)
Portfolio turnover rate 389% 387% 372% 579%
</TABLE>
See footnote summary on page 16.
15
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED) ALLIANCE BOND FUND CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO
_______________________________________________________________________________
SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OF CAPITAL STOCK OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS C
---------------------------------------------------
MAY 3,
1993(B)
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, TO
------------------------------------- JUNE 30,
1996 1995 1994 1993
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $12.93 $12.50 $14.15 $13.63
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 1.14 1.10 1.02 .16
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments .29 .38 (1.37) .53
Net increase (decrease) in net asset
value from operations 1.43 1.48 (.35) .69
LESS: DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income (1.07) (1.05) (1.05) (.17)
Distribution from net realized gains -0- -0- (.25) -0-
Total dividends and distributions (1.07) (1.05) (1.30) (.17)
Net asset value, end of period $13.29 $12.93 $12.50 $14.15
TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return based on net
asset value (a) 11.30% 12.62% (3.27)% 5.08%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000's omitted) $83,095 $51,028 50,860 $5,115
Ratio of expenses to average net assets 1.90% 1.84% 1.99% 2.05%(c)
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets 8.74% 8.95% 6.98% 5.51%(c)
Portfolio turnover rate 389% 387% 372% 579%
</TABLE>
(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 net asset value during the period, and
redemption on the last day of the period. Initial sales charge or contingent
deferred sales charge is not reflected in the calculation of total investment
return. Total investment return calculated for a period less than one year is
not annualized.
(b) Commencement of distribution.
(c) Annualized.
16
REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS ALLIANCE BOND FUND CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO
_______________________________________________________________________________
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ALLIANCE BOND FUND CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of
Alliance Bond Fund Corporate Bond Portfolio (one of the portfolios comprising
the Alliance Bond Fund, Inc.), including the portfolio of investments, as of
June 30, 1996, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended,
the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period
then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated
therein. These financial statements and financial highlights are the
responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our
audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of June
30, 1996, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. An audit also
includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to
above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
Alliance Bond Fund Corporate Bond Portfolio at June 30, 1996, 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 indicated periods, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
New York, New York
July 31, 1996
138
<PAGE>
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(a) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Included in each Prospectus:
Financial Highlights
Included in the Statement of Additional Information:
Portfolio of Investments - June 30, 1996.
- Corporate Bond Portfolio
- U.S. Government Portfolio
Statements of Assets and Liabilities - June 30, 1996.
- Corporate Bond Portfolio
- U.S. Government Portfolio
Statements of Operations - year ended June 30, 1996.
- Corporate Bond Portfolio
- U.S. Government Portfolio
Statements of Changes in Net Assets - years ended
June 30, 1996 and June 30, 1995.
- Corporate Bond Portfolio
- U.S. Government Portfolio
Notes to Financial Statements - June 30, 1996.
Financial Highlights.
Report of Independent Auditors.
Included in Part C of the Registration Statement:
All other schedules are either inapplicable, or the
required information is contained in the financial
statements.
(b) EXHIBITS:
(1) (a) Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant -
Incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 1 to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 36 to Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on
December 28, 1987 (File Nos. 2-48227 and 811-2383).
C-1
<PAGE>
(b) Articles Supplementary to the Articles of
Incorporation of the Registrant - Incorporated
herein by reference as Exhibit 1(b) to Post-
Effective Amendment No. 46 to Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on
August 29, 1991 (File Nos. 2-48227 and 811-2383).
(c) Articles Supplementary to the Articles of
Incorporation of the Registrant - Incorporated
herein by reference as Exhibit 1(c) to Post-
Effective Amendment No. 49 to Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on
August 31, 1992 (File Nos. 2-48227 and 811-2383).
(d) Articles of Amendment to the Articles of
Incorporation of the Registrant - Incorporated
herein by reference as Exhibit 1(d) to Post-
Effective Amendment No. 56 to Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on
October 31, 1993 (File Nos. 2-48227 and 811-2383).
(e) Articles Supplementary to the Articles of
Incorporation of the Registrant - Filed herewith.
(2) By-Laws of the Registrant - Incorporated herein by
reference as Exhibit 2 to Pre-Effective Amendment
No. 36 to Registrant's Registration Statement on
Form N-1A, filed on December 28, 1987 (File Nos.
2-48227 and 811-2383).
(3) Not applicable.
(4)(a) Certificate for shares of Common Stock of
Registrant's High Yield Portfolio, U.S. Government
Portfolio and Monthly Income Portfolio -
Incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 4 to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 37 to Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed
October 28, 1988 (File Nos. 2-48227 and 811-2383).
(b) Certificate for shares of Common Stock of
Registrant's U.S. Government Portfolio Class A
Common Stock - Incorporated herein by reference as
Exhibit 4(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No.46 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A,
filed on August 29, 1991 (File Nos 2-48227 and 811-
2383).
(c) Certificate for shares of Common Stock of
Registrant's U.S. Government Portfolio Class B
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Common Stock - Incorporated herein by reference as
Exhibit 4(c) to Post-Effective Amendment No.46 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A,
filed on August 29, 1991 (File Nos: 2-48227 and
811- 2383).
(d) Certificate for Shares of Common Stock of
Registrant's U.S. Government Portfolio Class C
Common Stock - Incorporated herein by reference as
Exhibit 4(d) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A,
filed on October 31, 1993 (File Nos: 2-48227 and
811- 2383).
(e) Certificate for Shares of Common Stock of
Registrant's Corporate Bond Portfolio Class B
Common Stock - Incorporated herein by reference as
Exhibit 4(e) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A,
filed on October 31, 1993 (File Nos: 2-48227 and
811- 2383).
(f) Certificate for Shares of Common Stock of
Registrant's Corporate Bond Portfolio Class C
Common Stock - Incorporated herein by reference as
Exhibit 4(f) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A,
filed on October 31, 1993 (File Nos: 2-48227 and
811- 2383).
(5) Investment Advisory Contract between the Registrant
and Alliance Capital Management L.P. - Incorporated
herein by reference as Exhibit 5 to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 37 to Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form N-1A, filed on October 28, 1988
(File Noose: 2-48227 and 811-2383).
(5)(a) Investment Advisory Contract between the Registrant
and Alliance Capital Management L.P. - Incorporated
herein by reference as Exhibit 5(a) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 49 to Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on
August 31, 1992 (File Nos.: 2-48227 and 811-2383).
(b) Investment Advisory Contract between the Registrant
and Alliance Capital Management L.P. - Incorporated
herein by reference as Exhibit 5(b) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 to Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on
October 31, 1993 (File Nos.: 2-48227 and 811-2383).
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(6)(a) Distribution Services Agreement between the
and (15) Registrant and Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. -
Incorporated herein by reference as Exhibits 6(a)
and 15 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 37 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A,
filed on October 28, 1988 (File Noose: 2-48227 and
811-2383).
(b) Amended Distribution Services Agreement between the
Registrant and Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. -
Incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 6(b) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 to Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on
August 29, 1991 (File Nos. 2-48227 and 811-2383).
(c) Distribution Services Agreement between the
Registrant and Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. -
Incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 6(c) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 to Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on
March 2, 1993 (File Nos. 2-48227 and 811-2383).
(d) Distribution Services Agreement between the
Registrant and Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. -
Incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 6(d) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 to Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on
October 31, 1993 (File Nos. 2-48227 and 811-2383).
(e) Distribution Services Agreement between the
Registrant and Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. -
Incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 6(e) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 to Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on
October 31, 1993 (File Nos. 2-48227 and 811-2383).
(f) Amendment to the Distribution Services Agreement
between the Registrant and Alliance Fund
Distributors, Inc. - Filed herewith.
(g) Selected Dealer Agreement between Alliance Fund
Distributors, Inc. and selected dealers offering
shares of Registrant - Incorporated herein by
reference as Exhibit 6(b) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 41 to Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form N-1A, filed on October 26, 1990
(File Nos. 2-48227 and 811-2383).
(h) Selected Dealer Agreement between Alliance Fund
Distributors, Inc. and selected dealers offering
shares of Registrant - Incorporated herein by
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reference as Exhibit 6(f) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 52 to Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form N-1A, filed on March 2, 1993
(File Nos. 2-48227 and 811-2383).
(i) Selected Agent Agreement between Alliance Fund
Distributors, Inc. and selected agents making
available shares of Registrant - Incorporated
herein by reference as Exhibit 6(c) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 to Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on
October 26, 1990 (File Nos. 2-48227 and 811-2383).
(j) Amended Selected Dealer Agreement between Alliance
Fund Distributors, Inc. and selected dealers
offering shares to Registrant - Incorporated herein
by reference as Exhibit 6(e) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 51 to Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form N-1A, filed on November 5, 1992
(File Nos. 2-48227 and 811-2383).
(k) Amended to Selected Agent Agreement between
Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. and selected
agents making available shares to Registrant -
Incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 6(f) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 51 to Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on
November 5, 1992 (File Nos. 2-48227 and 811-2383).
(l) Selected Agent Agreement between Alliance Fund
Distributors, Inc. and selected agents making
available shares of Registrant - Incorporated
herein by reference as Exhibit 6(j) to Post-
Effective Amendment No. 52 to Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on
March 2, 1993 (File Nos. 2-48227 and 811-2383).
(m) Not applicable.
(8) Custodian Contract between the Registrant and State
Street Bank and Trust Company - Incorporated herein by
reference as Exhibit 8 to Post-Effective Amendment No.
37 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A,
filed on October 28, 1988 (File Nos. 2-48227 and 811-
2383).
(a) Amendment to the Custodian Contract between the
Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company
- Filed herewith.
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(9) Transfer Agency Agreement between Registrant and
Alliance Fund Services, Inc. - Incorporated herein by
reference as Exhibit 9 to Post-Effective Amendment
No. 39 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form
N-1A, filed on August 28, 1989 (File Nos. 2-48227 and
811-2383).
(10) Not applicable.
(11) Consent of Independent Auditors - Filed herewith.
Consent of Morningstar, Inc. - Incorporated herein by
reference as Exhibit 11 to Post-Effective Amendment No.
49 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A,
filed on August 31, 1992 (File Nos. 2-48227 and 811-
2383).
(12) Not applicable.
(13) Not applicable.
(14) Not applicable.
(15) (a) Rule 12b-1 Plan - See Exhibit 6(a) above.
(b) Amended Rule 12b-1 Plan - See Exhibit 6(b) above.
(16) Schedule for computation of each Yield and Total Return
Performance quotation - Incorporated herein by reference
as Exhibit 16 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 37 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed
on October 28, 1988 (File Nos. 2-48227 and 811-2383).
(18) Rule 18f-3 Plan - Incorporated herein by reference as
Exhibit 18 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed
on April 23, 1996 (File Nos.: 2-48227 and 811- 2383).
(a) Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Plan - Filed
herewith.
(27) Financial Data Schedule - Filed herewith.
Other Exhibits:
Powers of Attorney of Ruth S. Block, John D. Carifa,
David H. Dievler, James R. Greene, James M. Hester,
Clifford L. Michel, Eugene F. O'Neil and Robert C. White
- Incorporated by reference as "Other Exhibits" to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 37 to Registrant's
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Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on October
28, 1988 (File Nos. 2-48227 and 811-2383).
Power of Attorney of James R. Greene - Incorporated
herein by reference as "Other Exhibits" to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 to Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on October
26, 1990 (File Nos. 2-48227 and 811-2383).
Powers of Attorney of Ruth S. Block, John D. Carifa,
David H. Dievler, James R. Greene, James M. Hester,
Clifford L. Michel, Donald J. Robinson and Robert C.
White - Filed herewith.
ITEM 25. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with
Registrant.
None.
ITEM 26. Number of Holders of Securities.
Registrant had, as of October 11, 1996, record holders
of shares of Common Stock as follows:
Corporate Bond Portfolio:
Class A - 16,630
Class B - 16,691
Class C - 3,209
U.S. Government Portfolio:
Class A - 15,496
Class B - 22,407
Class C - 3,050
ITEM 27. Indemnification.
It is the Registrant's policy to indemnify its directors
and officers, employees and other agents to the maximum
extent permitted by Section 2-418 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Maryland and as set
forth in Article EIGHTH of Registrant's Articles of
Incorporation as set forth below and Section 10(a) of
the Distribution Services Agreement filed as Exhibit 6
as set forth below.
The liability of the Registrant's directors and officers
is dealt with in Article SEVENTH, Section (f) of
Registrant's Articles of Incorporation, as set forth
below. The Investment Adviser's liability for any loss
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suffered by the Registrant or its shareholders is set
forth in Section 4 of the Investment Advisory Contract
filed as Exhibit 5 as set forth below.
SECTION 2-418 OF THE MARYLAND GENERAL CORPORATION LAW
READS AS FOLLOWS:
"2-418 INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS,
EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS.--(a) In this section the
following words have the meaning indicated.
(1) "Directors" means any person who is or was a director of
a corporation and any person who, while a director of a
corporation, is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee,
employee, or agent of another foreign or domestic
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, other
enterprise, or employee benefit plan.
(2) "Corporation" includes any domestic or foreign
predecessor entity of a corporation in a merger,
consolidation, or other transaction in which the
predecessor's existence ceased upon consummation of the
transaction.
(3) "Expenses" include attorney's fees.
(4) "Official capacity" means the following
(i) When used with respect to a director, the office of
director in the corporation; and
(ii) When used with respect to a person other than a
director as contemplated in subsection (j), the elective
or appointive office in the corporation held by the
officer, or the employment or agency relationship
undertaken by the employee or agent in behalf of the
corporation.
(iii) "Official capacity" does not include service for
any other foreign or domestic corporation or any
partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise, or
employee benefit plan.
(5) "Party" includes a person who was, is, or is threatened
to be made a named defendant or respondent in a
proceeding.
(6) "Proceeding" means any threatened, pending or completed
action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative, or investigative.
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(b) (1) A corporation may indemnify any director made
a party to any proceeding by reason of service in
that capacity unless it is established that:
(i) The act or omission of the director was material to
the cause of action adjudicated in the proceeding;
and
1. Was committed in bad faith; or
2. Was the result of active and deliberate
dishonesty; or
(ii) The director actually received an improper personal
benefit in money, property, or services; or
(iii) In the case of any criminal proceeding, the
director had reasonable cause to believe that the act or
omission was unlawful.
(2)(i) Indemnification may be against judgments,
penalties, fines, settlements, and reasonable expenses
actually incurred by the director in connection with the
proceeding.
(ii) However, if the proceeding was one by or in the
right of the corporation, indemnification may not be
made in respect of any proceeding in which the director
shall have been adjudged to be liable to the
corporation.
(3) (i) The termination of any proceeding by judgment,
order or settlement does not create a presumption that
the director did not meet the requisite standard of
conduct set forth in this subsection.
(ii) The termination of any proceeding by conviction,
or a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, or an
entry of an order of probation prior to judgment,
creates a rebuttable presumption that the director did
not meet that standard of conduct.
(c) A director may not be indemnified under subsection
(b) of this section in respect of any proceeding
charging improper personal benefit to the director,
whether or not involving action in the director's
official capacity, in which the director was adjudged to
be liable on the basis that personal benefit was
improperly received.
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(d) Unless limited by the charter:
(1) A director who has been successful, on the merits
or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding referred
to in subsection (b) of this section shall be
indemnified against reasonable expenses incurred by the
director in connection with the proceeding.
(2) A court of appropriate jurisdiction upon
application of a director and such notice as the court
shall require, may order indemnification in the
following circumstances:
(i) If it determines a director is entitled to
reimbursement under paragraph (1) of this subsection,
the court shall order indemnification, in which case the
director shall be entitled to recover the expenses of
securing such reimbursement; or
(ii) If it determines that the director is fairly and
reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all
the relevant circumstances, whether or not the director
has met the standards of conduct set forth in subsection
(b) of this section or has been adjudged liable under
the circumstances described in subsection (c) of this
section, the court may order such indemnification as the
court shall deem proper. However, indemnification with
respect to any proceeding by or in the right of the
corporation or in which liability shall have been
adjudged in the circumstances described in subsection
(c) shall be limited to expenses.
(3) A court of appropriate jurisdiction may be the same
court in which the proceeding involving the director's
liability took place.
(e)(1) Indemnification under subsection (b) of this
section may not be made by the corporation unless
authorized for a specific proceeding after a
determination has been made that indemnification of the
director is permissible in the circumstances because the
director has met the standard of conduct set forth in
subsection (b) of this section.
(2) Such determination shall be made:
(i) By the board of directors by a majority vote of a
quorum consisting of directors not, at the time, parties
to the proceeding, or, if such a quorum cannot be
obtained, then by a majority vote of a committee of the
board consisting solely of two or more directors not, at
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the time, parties to such proceeding and who were duly
designated to act in the matter by a majority vote of
the full board in which the designated directors who are
parties may participate;
(ii) By special legal counsel selected by the board or
a committee of the board by vote as set forth in
subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, or, if the requisite
quorum of the full board cannot be obtained therefor and
the committee cannot be established, by a majority vote
of the full board in which directors who are parties may
participate; or
(iii) By the stockholders.
(3) Authorization of indemnification and determination
as to reasonableness of expenses shall be made in the
same manner as the determination that indemnification is
permissible. However, if the determination that
indemnification is permissible is made by special legal
counsel, authorization of indemnification and
determination as to reasonableness of expenses shall be
made in the manner specified in subparagraph (ii) of
paragraph (2) of this subsection for selection of such
counsel.
(4) Shares held by directors who are parties to the
proceeding may not be voted on the subject matter under
this subsection.
(f)(1) Reasonable expenses incurred by a director who is
a party to a proceeding may be paid or reimbursed by the
corporation in advance of the final disposition of the
proceeding, upon receipt by the corporation of:
(i) A written affirmation by the director of the
director's good faith belief that the standard of
conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation
as authorized in this section has been met; and
(ii) A written undertaking by or on behalf of the
director to repay the amount if it shall ultimately be
determined that the standard of conduct has not been
met.
(2) The undertaking required by subparagraph (ii) of
paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be an unlimited
general obligation of the director but need not be
secured and may be accepted without reference to
financial ability to make the repayment.
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<PAGE>
(3) Payments under this subsection shall be made as
provided by the charter, bylaws, or contract or as
specified in subsection (e) of this section.
(g) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided
or authorized by this section may not be deemed
exclusive of any other rights, by indemnification or
otherwise, to which a director may be entitled under the
charter, the bylaws, a resolution of stockholders or
directors, an agreement or otherwise, both as to action
in an official capacity and as to action in another
capacity while holding such office.
(h) This section does not limit the corporation's power to
pay or reimburse expenses incurred by a director in
connection with an appearance as a witness in a
proceeding at a time when the director has not been made
a named defendant or respondent in the proceeding.
(i) For purposes of this section:
(1) The corporation shall be deemed to have requested a
director to serve an employee benefit plan where the
performance of the director's duties to the corporation
also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services
by, the director to the plan or participants or
beneficiaries of the plan:
(2) Excise taxes assessed on a director with respect to
an employee benefit plan pursuant to applicable law
shall be deemed fines; and
(3) Action taken or omitted by the director with respect
to an employee benefit plan in the performance of the
director's duties for a purpose reasonably believed by
the director to be in the interest of the participants
and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be for
a purpose which is not opposed to the best interests of
the corporation.
(j) Unless limited by the charter:
(1) An officer of the corporation shall be indemnified
as and to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this
section for a director and shall be entitled, to the
same extent as a director, to seek indemnification
pursuant to the provisions of subsection (d);
(2) A corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to
an officer, employee, or agent of the corporation to the
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same extent that it may indemnify directors under this
section; and
(3) A corporation, in addition, may indemnify and
advance expenses to an officer, employee, or agent who
is not a director to such further extent, consistent
with law, as may be provided by its charter, bylaws,
general or specific action of its board of directors or
contract.
(k) (1) A corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer,
employee, or agent of the corporation, or who, while a
director, officer, employee, or agent of the
corporation, is or was serving at the request, of the
corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee,
employee, or agent of another foreign or domestic
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, other
enterprise, or employee benefit plan against any
liability asserted against and incurred by such person
in any such capacity or arising out of such person's
position, whether or not the corporation would have the
power to indemnify against liability under the
provisions of this section.
(2) A corporation may provide similar protection,
including a trust fund, letter of credit, or surety
bond, not inconsistent with this section.
(3) The insurance or similar protection may be provided
by a subsidiary or an affiliate of the corporation.
(l) Any indemnification of, or advance of expenses to, a
director in accordance with this section, if arising out
of a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation,
shall be reported in writing to the stockholders with
the notice of the next stockholders' meeting or prior to
the meeting."
ARTICLE EIGHTH OF THE REGISTRANT'S ARTICLES OF
INCORPORATION READS AS FOLLOWS:
EIGHTH: To the maximum extent permitted by the General
Corporation Law of the State of Maryland as from time to
time amended, the Corporation shall indemnify its
currently acting and its former directors and officers
and those persons who, at the request of the
Corporation, serve or have served another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise in
one or more of such capacities.
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Section 10(a) of the Distribution Services Agreement
reads as follows:
Section 10. Indemnification.
(a) The Fund agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the
Underwriter, and any person who control's the
Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act, free and harmless form and against
any and all claims, demands, liabilities and
expenses (including the cost of investigating or
defending such claims, demands or liabilities and
any counsel fees incurred in connection therewith)
which the Underwriter or any such controlling
person may incur, under the Securities Act, or
under common law or otherwise, arising out of or
based upon any alleged untrue statements of a
material fact contained in the Fund's Registration
Statement or Prospectus or Statement of Additional
Information in effect form time to time under the
Securities Act or arising out of or based upon any
alleged omission to state a material fact required
to be stated in either thereof or necessary to make
the statements in either thereof not misleading;
provided, however, that in no event shall anything
therein contained by so construed as to protect the
Underwriter against any liability to the Fund or
its security holders to which the Underwriter would
otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the
performance of its duties, or by reason of the
Underwriter's reckless disregard of its obligations
and duties under this agreement. The Fund's
agreement to indemnify the Underwriter or any such
controlling person, such notification to be given
by letter or by telegram addressed to the Fund at
its principal office in New York, New York, and
sent to the Fund by the person against whom such
action is brought within ten days after the summons
or other first legal process shall have been
served. The failure so to notify the Fund of the
commencement of any such action shall not relieve
the Fund from any liability which it may have to
the person against whom such action is brought by
reason of any such alleged untrue statement or
omission otherwise than on account of the indemnity
agreement contained in this Section 10. The Fund
will be entitled to assume the defense of any such
suit brought to enforce any such claim, and to
retain counsel of good standing chosen by the Fund
and approved by the Underwriter. In the event the
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Fund does elect to assume the defense of any such
suit and retain counsel of good standing approved
by the Underwriter, the defendant or defendants in
such suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any
additional counsel retained by any of them; but in
case the Fund does not elect to assume the defense
of any such suit, or in case the Underwriter does
not approve of counsel chosen by the Fund, the Fund
will reimburse the Underwriter or the controlling
person or persons named as defendant or defendants
in such suit, for the fees and expenses of any
counsel retained by the Underwriter or such
persons. The indemnification agreement contained
in this Section 10 shall remain operative and in
full force and effect regardless of any
investigation made by or on behalf of the
Underwriter or any controlling person and shall
survive the sale of any of the Fund's shares made
pursuant to subscriptions obtained by the
Underwriter. This agreement of indemnity will
inure exclusively to the benefit of the
Underwriter, to the benefit of its successors and
assigns, and to the benefit of any controlling
persons and their successors and assigns. The Fund
agrees promptly to notify the Underwriter of the
commencement of any litigation or proceeding
against the Fund in connection with the issue and
sale of any of its shares."
Article SEVENTH, Section (f) of the Registrant's
Articles of Incorporation reads as follows:
(f) Specifically and without limitation of subsection
(e) of this Article Seventh but subject to the
exception therein prescribed, the Corporation may
enter into management or advisory, underwriting,
distribution and administration contracts, and may
otherwise do business, with Alliance Capital
Management Corporation, and any parent, subsidiary
or affiliate of such firm or any affiliate of any
such affiliate, or the stockholders, directors,
officers and employees thereof, and may deal freely
with one another notwithstanding that the Board of
Directors of the Corporation may be composed in
part of directors, officers or employees of such
firm and/or its parents, subsidiaries or affiliates
shall be invalidated or in any way affected
thereby, nor shall any director or officer of the
Corporation be liable to the Corporation or to any
stockholder or creditor thereof or to any person
for any loss incurred by it or him under or by
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reason of such contract or transaction; provided
that nothing herein shall protect any director or
officer of the Corporation against any liability to
the Corporation or to its security holders to which
he would otherwise be subject b y reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of the duties involved in the
conduct of his office; and provided always that
such contract or transaction shall have been on
terms that were not unfair to the Corporation at
the time at which it was entered into."
Section 4 of the Investment Advisory Contract reads as
follows:
"4. We shall expect of you, and you will give us the
benefit of, your best judgment and efforts in
rendering these services to us, and we agree as an
inducement to your undertaking these services that
you shall not be liable hereunder for any mistake
of judgment or in any event whatsoever, except for
lack of good faith, provided that nothing herein
shall be deemed to protect, or purport to protect,
you against any liability to us or to our security
holders to which you would otherwise be subject by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence in the performance of your duties
hereunder, or by reason of your reckless disregard
of your obligations and duties hereunder."
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under
the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act of 1933
(the "Securities Act") may be permitted to directors,
officers and controlling persons of the Registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification
is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that
a claim for indemnification against such liabilities
(other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of
any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer of controlling person in connection
with the securities being registered, the Registrant
will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a
court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of
whether such indemnification by it is against public
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policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be
governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
In accordance with Release No. IC-11330 (September 2,
1980), the Registrant will indemnify its directors,
officers, investment manager and principal underwriters
only if (1) a final decision on the merits was issued by
the court or other body before whom the proceeding was
brought that the person to be indemnified (the
"indemnitee") was not liable by reason or willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his
office ("disabling conduct") or (2) a reasonable
determination is made, based upon a review of the facts,
that the indemnitee was not liable by reason of
disabling conduct, by (a) the vote of a majority of a
quorum of the directors who are neither "interested
persons" of the Registrant as defined in section
2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 nor
parties to the proceeding ("disinterested, non-party
directors"), or (b) an independent legal counsel in a
written opinion. The Registrant will advance attorneys
fees or other expenses incurred by its directors,
officers, investment adviser or principal underwriters
in defending a proceeding, upon the undertaking by or on
behalf of the indemnitee to repay the advance unless it
is ultimately determined that he is entitled to
indemnification and, as a condition to the advance, (1)
the indemnitee shall provide a security for his
undertaking, (2) the Registrant shall be insured against
losses arising by reason of any lawful advances, or (3)
a majority of a quorum of disinterested, non-party
directors of the Registrant, or an independent legal
counsel in a written opinion, shall determine, based on
a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a
full trial-type inquiry), that there is reason to
believe that the indemnitee ultimately will be found
entitled to indemnification.
The Registrant participates in a joint directors and
officers liability insurance policy issued by the ICI
Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage under this policy
has been extended to directors, trustees and officers of
the investment companies managed by Alliance Capital
Management L.P. Under this policy, outside trustees and
directors would be covered up to the limits specified
for any claim against them for acts committed in their
capacities as trustee or director. A pro rata share of
the premium for this coverage is charged to each
investment company and to the Investment Adviser.
C-17
<PAGE>
ITEM 28. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser.
The descriptions of Alliance Capital Management L.P.
under the captions "Management of the Fund" in the
Prospectuses and in the Statements of Additional
Information constituting Parts A and B, respectively, of
this Registration Statement are incorporated by
reference herein.
The information as to the directors and executive
officers of Alliance Capital Management Corporation, the
general partner of Alliance Capital Management L.P., set
forth in Alliance Capital Management L.P.'s Form ADV
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
April 21, 1988 (File No. 801-32361) and amended through
the date hereof, is incorporated by reference.
ITEM 29. Principal Underwriters.
(a) Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc., the Registrant's
Principal Underwriter in connection with the sale of
shares of the Registrant. Alliance Fund Distributors,
Inc. also acts as Principal Underwriter or Distributor
for the following investment companies:
ACM Institutional Reserves, Inc.
AFD Exchange Reserves
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund, Inc.
Alliance Balanced Shares, Inc.
Alliance Capital Reserves
Alliance Developing Markets Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Dollar Government Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Strategic Income Trust, Inc.
Alliance Government Reserves
Alliance Growth and Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance Income Builder Fund, Inc.
Alliance International Fund
Alliance Limited Maturity Government Fund, Inc.
Alliance Money Market Fund
Alliance Mortgage Securities Income Fund,
Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust, Inc.
Alliance Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance Municipal Income Fund II
Alliance Municipal Trust
Alliance New Europe Fund, Inc.
Alliance North American Government Income
Trust, Inc.
Alliance Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
Alliance Quasar Fund, Inc.
Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc.
C-18
<PAGE>
Alliance Regent/Sector Opportunity Fund, Inc.
Alliance Short-Term Multi-Market Trust, Inc.
Alliance Technology Fund, Inc.
Alliance Utility Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.
Alliance World Income Trust, Inc.
Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund, Inc.
Fiduciary Management Associates
The Alliance Fund, Inc.
The Alliance Portfolios
(b) The following are the Directors and Officers of Alliance
Fund Distributors, Inc., the principal place of business
of which is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New
York, 10105.
POSITIONS AND POSITIONS AND
OFFICES WITH OFFICES WITH
NAME UNDERWRITER REGISTRANT
Michael J. Laughlin Chairman
Robert L. Errico President
Edmund P. Bergan, Jr. Senior Vice President, Secretary
General Counsel
and Secretary
Daniel J. Dart Senior Vice President
Richard A. Davies Senior Vice President,
Managing Director
Byron M. Davis Senior Vice President
Kimberly A. Gardner Senior Vice President
Geoffrey L. Hyde Senior Vice President
Richard E. Khaleel Senior Vice President
Barbara J. Krumsiek Senior Vice President
Stephen R. Laut Senior Vice President
Daniel D. McGinley Senior Vice President
Dusty W. Paschall Senior Vice President
Antonios G. Poleondakis Senior Vice President
C-19
<PAGE>
Gregory K. Shannahan Senior Vice President
Joseph F. Sumanski Senior Vice President
Peter J. Szabo Senior Vice President
Nicholas K. Willett Senior Vice President
Richard A. Winge Senior Vice President
Jamie A. Atkinson Vice President
Benji A. Baer Vice President
Warren W. Babcock III Vice President
Kenneth F. Barkoff Vice President
William P. Beanblossom Vice President
Jack C. Bixler Vice President
Casimir F. Bolanowski Vice President
Kevin T. Cannon Vice President
William W. Collins, Jr. Vice President
Leo H. Cook Vice President
Richard W. Dabney Vice President
John F. Dolan Vice President
Mark J. Dunbar Vice President
Sohaila S. Farsheed Vice President
Linda A. Finnerty Vice President
William C. Fisher Vice President
Robert M. Frank Vice President
Gerard J. Friscia Vice President &
Controller
C-20
<PAGE>
Andrew L. Gangolf Vice President and Assistant
Assistant General Secretary
Counsel
Mark D. Gersten Vice President Treasurer
and Chief
Financial
Officer
Joseph W. Gibson Vice President
Troy L. Glawe Vice President
Herbert H. Goldman Vice President
James E. Gunter Vice President
Alan Halfenger Vice President
Daniel M. Hazard Vice President
George R. Hrabovsky Vice President
Valerie J. Hugo Vice President
Thomas K. Intoccia Vice President
Robert H. Joseph, Jr. Vice President
and Treasurer
Richard D. Keppler Vice President
Sheila F. Lamb Vice President
Donna M. Lamback Vice President
Thomas Leavitt, III Vice President
James M. Liptrot Vice President
James P. Luisi Vice President
Shawn P. McClain Vice President
Christopher J. MacDonald Vice President
Michael F. Mahoney Vice President
Maura A. McGrath Vice President
Matthew P. Mintzer Vice President
C-21
<PAGE>
Joanna D. Murray Vice President
Nicole Nolan-Koester Vice President
Daniel J. Phillips Vice President
Robert T. Pigozzi Vice President
James J. Posch Vice President
Robert E. Powers Vice President
Domenick Pugliese Vice President and Assistant
Assistant General Secretary
Counsel
Bruce W. Reitz Vice President
Dennis A. Sanford Vice President
Karen C. Satterberg Vice President
Raymond S. Sclafani Vice President
Richard J. Sidell Vice President
J. William Strott, Jr. Vice President
Richard E. Tambourine Vice President
Joseph T. Tocyloski Vice President
Neil S. Wood Vice President
Emilie D. Wrapp Vice President and Assistant
Special Counsel Secretary
Maria L. Carreras Assistant Vice President
John W. Cronin Assistant Vice President
Leon M. Fern Assistant Vice President
William B. Hanigan Assistant Vice President
John C. Hershock Assistant Vice President
James J. Hill Assistant Vice President
Edward W. Kelly Assistant Vice President
C-22
<PAGE>
Nicholas J. Lapi Assistant Vice President
Patrick Look Assistant Vice President
& Assistant Treasurer
Thomas F. Monnerat Assistant Vice President
Jeanette M. Nardella Assistant Vice President
Carol H. Rappa Assistant Vice President
Lisa Robinson-Cronin Assistant Vice President
Robert M. Smith Assistant Vice President
Wesley S. Williams Assistant Vice President
Mark R. Manley Assistant Secretary
ITEM 30. Location of Accounts and Records.
The majority of the accounts, books and other documents
required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules thereunder
are maintained as follows: journals, ledgers, securities
records and other original records are maintained
principally at the offices of Alliance Fund Services,
Inc., 500 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, New Jersey 07094, and
at the offices of State Street Bank and Trust Company,
the Registrant's Custodian, 225 Franklin Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110. All other records so required to
be maintained are maintained at the offices of Alliance
Capital Management L.P., 1345 Avenue of the Americas,
New York, New York 10105.
ITEM 31. Management Services.
Not applicable.
ITEM 32. Undertakings.
The Registrant undertakes to furnish each person to whom
a prospectus is delivered with a copy of the
Registrant's latest report to shareholders, upon request
and without charge.
The Registrant undertakes to provide assistance to
shareholders in communications concerning the removal of
any Director of the Fund in accordance with Section 16
of the Investment Company Act of 1940.
C-23
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all requirements
for effectiveness of this Amendment to its Registration Statement
pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has
duly caused this Amendment to its Registration Statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City and State of New York, on the 30th day of
October, 1996.
ALLIANCE BOND FUND, INC.
By /s/ John D. Carifa
John D. Carifa
Chairman
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of
1933 this Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed
below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated:
Signature Title Date
1) Principal
Executive Officer
/s/ John D. Carifa Chairman and
John D. Carifa President October 30, 1996
2) Principal Financial
and Accounting Officer
/s/ Mark D. Gersten Treasurer and Chief
Mark D. Gersten Financial Officer October 30, 1996
C-24
<PAGE>
3) All of the Directors
Ruth Block
John D. Carifa
David H. Dievler
James R. Greene
James M. Hester
Clifford L. Michel
Donald J. Robinson
Robert C. White
By /s/Edmund P. Bergan, Jr. October 30, 1996
Edmund P. Bergan, Jr.
(Attorney-in-fact)
C-25
<PAGE>
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
PAGE
(1)(e) Articles Supplementary to the Articles of
Incorporation of the Registrant
(6)(f) Amendment to Distribution Services Agreement
(8)(a) Amendment to Custodian Contract
(11) Consent of Independent Auditors
(18)(a) Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Plan
(27) Financial Data Schedule
Other Exhibits: Powers of Attorneys for Messrs: Carifa,
Dievler, Greene, Hester, Michel, Robinson
and White and Ms. Block
C-26
00250123.AM3
<PAGE>
ALLIANCE BOND FUND, INC.
ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY
Alliance Bond Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation having
its principal office in the City of Baltimore (hereinafter called
the "Corporation"), certifies that:
FIRST: The Board of Directors of the Corporation hereby
increases the aggregate number of shares of capital stock that
the Corporation has authority to issue by 450,000,000 shares and
hereby classifies such shares as an aggregate of 450,000,000 of
Advisor Class Common Stock of each Corporation's portfolios
(individually, a "Portfolio") as set forth in Article THIRD
below.
SECOND: The shares of the Advisor Class Common Stock of
each of the Corporation's Portfolios as so classified by the
Corporation's Board of Directors shall have the preferences,
conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions,
limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and
conditions of redemption set forth in the Corporation's Charter
with respect to the applicable Portfolios (other than those
provisions of the Charter which by their terms are applicable
solely to other classes of the Corporation's Common Stock) and
shall be subject to all provisions of the Charter relating to
stock of the Corporation generally, and those set forth as
follows:
(1) The assets attributable to the Advisor
Class Common Stock of a Portfolio shall be invested
in the same investment portfolio of the Corporation
as the assets attributable to the Common Stock,
Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock of
that Portfolio.
(2) The dividends and distributions of
investment income and capital gains with respect to
the Advisor Class Common Stock of a Portfolio shall
be in such amount as may be declared from time to
time by the Board of Directors, and such dividends
and distributions may vary from dividends and
distributions of investment income and capital
gains with respect to the Common Stock, Class B
Common Stock and Class C Common Stock of that
Portfolio to reflect differing allocations of the
expenses of the Corporation among the holders of
the four classes and any resultant differences
among the net asset values per share of the four
classes, to such extent and for such purposes as
<PAGE>
the Board of Directors may deem appropriate. The
allocation of investment income or capital gains
and expenses and liabilities of the Corporation and
of amounts distributable in the event of
dissolution of the Corporation or liquidation of
the Corporation or a Portfolio among the Common
Stock of a Portfolio, the Class B Common Stock of
that Portfolio, the Class C Common Stock of that
Portfolio and the Advisor Class Common Stock of
that Portfolio shall be determined by the Board of
Directors in a manner that is consistent with the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the rules and
regulations thereunder, and the interpretations
thereof, in each case as from time to time amended,
modified or superseded.
(3) Except as may otherwise be required by
law pursuant to any applicable order, rule or
interpretation issued by the Securities and
Exchange Commission, or otherwise, the holders of
the Advisor Class Common Stock of a Portfolio shall
have (i) exclusive voting rights with respect to
any matter submitted to a vote of stockholders that
affects only holders of the Advisor Class Common
Stock of that Portfolio and (ii) no voting rights
with respect to the provisions of any distribution
plan adopted by the Corporation pursuant to Rule
12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940
applicable solely to one or more classes of the
Corporation's Common Stock other than Advisor Class
Common Stock of that Portfolio or with respect to
any other matter submitted to a vote of
stockholders which does not affect holders of the
Advisor Class Common Stock of that Portfolio.
(4) At such times (which may vary among
holders of Advisor Class Common Stock of each
Portfolio) as may be determined by the Board of
Directors (or with the authorization of the Board
of Directors, by the officers of the Corporation)
in accordance with the Investment Company Act of
1940, applicable rules and regulations thereunder
and applicable rules and regulations of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.,
as memorialized in resolutions duly adopted by the
Board of Directors and from time to time reflected
in the registration statement of the Corporation
(the "Corporation's Registration Statement"),
certain of the shares of Advisor Class Common Stock
of a Portfolio may be automatically converted into
shares of another class of stock of that Portfolio
2
<PAGE>
based on the relative net asset values of such
classes at the time of conversion, subject,
however, to any terms or conditions of conversion
that may be imposed by the Board of Directors (or
with the authorization of the Board of Directors,
by the officers of the Corporation) as are
memorialized in resolutions duly adopted by the
Board of Directors and reflected in the
Corporation's Registration Statement.
THIRD: A. Immediately before the increase in
authorized capital stock provided for herein, the total
number of shares of stock of all classes which the
Corporation had authority to issue was 950,000,000 shares,
the par value of each class of stock being $.001 per share,
with an aggregate par value of $950,000, classified as
follows:
Class B Class C
Name of Portfolio Common Stock Common Stock Common Stock
U.S. Government 200,000,000 200,000,000 200,000,000
Portfolio
Corporate Bond 250,000,000 50,000,000 50,000,000
Portfolio
B. Immediately after the increase in
authorized capital stock provided for herein, the total
number of shares of stock of all classes which the
Corporation has authority to issue is 1,400,000,000 the par
value of each class of stock being $.001 per share, with an
aggregate par value of $1,400,000, classified as follows:
Class B Class C Advisor Class
Name of Portfolio Common Stock Common Stock Common Stock Common Stock
U.S. Government 200,000,000 200,000,000 200,000,000 200,000,000
Portfolio
Corporate Bond 250,000,000 50,000,000 50,000,000 250,000,000
Portfolio
FOURTH: The Corporation is registered as an open-
end company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
FIFTH: The total number of shares that the
Corporation has authority to issue has been increased by the
3
<PAGE>
Board of Directors in accordance with Section 2-105(c) of
the Maryland General Corporation Law.
SIXTH: The shares aforesaid have been duly
classified by the Corporation's Board of Directors pursuant
to authority and power contained in the Corporation's
Articles of Incorporation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Alliance Bond Fund, Inc. has
caused these Articles Supplementary to be executed by its
Chairman of the Board and attested by its Secretary and its
corporate seal to be affixed on this 30th day of September,
1996. The Chairman of the Board of the Corporation who
signed these Articles Supplementary acknowledges them to be
the act of the Corporation and states under the penalties of
perjury that, to the best of his knowledge, information and
belief, the matters and facts set forth herein relating to
authorization and approval hereof are true in all material
respects.
ALLIANCE BOND FUND, INC.
[CORPORATE SEAL] By: /s/ John D. Carifa
John D. Carifa
Chairman
Attested: /s/ Edmund P. Bergan, Jr.
Edmund P. Bergan, Jr.,
Secretary
4
00250123.AK9
<PAGE>
AMENDMENT TO
DISTRIBUTION SERVICES AGREEMENT
AMENDMENT made this 4th day of June, 1996 between ALLIANCE
BOND FUND, INC., a Maryland corporation (the "Fund"), and
ALLIANCE FUND DISTRIBUTORS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
"Underwriter").
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the Fund and the Underwriter wish to amend the
Distribution Services Agreement dated as of July 22, 1992
(amended April 30, 1993) (the "Agreement") in the manner set
forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
1. Amendment of Agreement. Section 1 and the first full
paragraph of Section 4(a) of the Agreement are hereby amended and
restated to read as follows:
"Section 1. Appointment of Underwriter. The Fund
hereby appoints the Underwriter as the principal underwriter and
distributor of the Fund to sell the public shares of its Class A
Common Stock (the "Class A shares"), Class B Common Stock (the
"Class B shares"), Class C Common Stock (the "Class C shares"),
Advisor Class Common Stock (the "Advisor Class shares"), and
shares of such other class or classes as the Fund and the
Underwriter shall from time to time mutually agree shall become
subject to the Agreement ("New shares"), (the Class A shares,
Class B shares, Class C shares, Advisor Class shares, and New
shares shall be collectively referred to herein as the "shares")
and hereby agrees during the term of this Agreement to sell
shares to the Underwriter upon the terms and conditions set forth
herein."
"Section 4(a). Any of the outstanding shares may be
tendered for redemption at any time, and the Fund agrees to
redeem or repurchase the shares so tendered in accordance with
its obligations as set forth in Section 3 of ARTICLE FIFTH of its
Articles of Incorporation and in accordance with the applicable
provisions set forth in the Prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information. The price to be paid to redeem or
repurchase the shares shall be equal to the net asset value
calculated in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(c)
hereof, less any applicable sales charge. All payments by the
Fund hereunder shall be made in the manner set forth below. The
redemption or repurchase by the Fund of any of the Class A shares
purchased by or through the Underwriter will not effect the
<PAGE>
initial sales charge secured by the Underwriter or any selected
dealer or compensation paid to any selected agent (unless such
selected dealer or selected agent has otherwise agreed with the
Underwriter), in the course of the original sale, regardless of
the length of the time period between the purchase by an investor
and his tendering for redemption or repurchase."
2. Class References. Any and all references in the
Agreement to "Class Y shares" are hereby amended to read "Advisor
Class shares".
3. No Other Changes. Except as provided herein, the
Agreement shall be unaffected hereby.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
Amendment to the Agreement.
ALLIANCE BOND FUND, INC.
By:/s/ Wayne D. Lyski
Wayne D. Lyski
Senior Vice President
ALLIANCE FUND DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By:/s/ Robert L. Errico
Robert L. Errico
President
Accepted as of the date first written above:
ALLIANCE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT L.P.
By: Alliance Capital Management Corporation,
General Partner
By: /s/ John D. Carifa
John D. Carifa
President and Chief Operating Officer
2
00250123.AM5
AMENDMENT TO CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
Agreement made by and between State Street and Trust Company
(the Custodian) and Alliance Bond Fund, Inc. (The Fund). WHEREA
S, the Custodian and the Fund are parties to a custodian contract
dated December 27, 1987, amended September 16, 1992 (the Custodian
Contract) governing the terms and conditions under which the
Custodian maintains custody of the securities and other assets of
the Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Custodian and the Fund desire to amend the terms
and conditions under which the Custodian maintains the Funds
securities and other non-cash property in the custody of certain
foreign sub-custodians in conformity with the requirements of Rule
17f-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and covenants
contained herein, the Custodian and the Fund hereby amend the
Custodian Contract by the addition of the following terms and
provisions;
Notwithstanding any provisions any provisions to the contrary
set forth in the Custodian Contract, the Custodian may hold
securities and other non-cash property for all of its customers,
including the Fund, with a foreign sub-custodian in a single
account that is identified as belonging to the Custodian for the
benefit of its customers, provided however, that (i) the records
of the Custodian with respect to securities entry those securities
and other non-cash securities and other non-cash property
belonging to the Fund and (ii) the Custodian shall require that
securities and other non-cash property so held by the foreign sub-
custodian be held separately from any assets of the foreign sub-
custodian or of others.
Except as specifically superseded or modified herein, the
terms and provisions of the Custodian Contract shall continue to
apply with full force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this
instrument to be executed as a sealed instrument in its name and
behalf by its duly authorized representative this day of
, 1996.
ALLIANCE BOND FUND, INC.
By:
Title:
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
By:
Title:
<PAGE>
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions
"Financial Highlights," "Shareholder Services - Statements and
Reports" and "General Information - Independent Auditors" and to
the use of our reports dated July 31, 1996 included in this
Registration Statement (Form N-1A No. 2-48227) of Alliance Bond
Fund, Inc.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
New York, New York
October 29, 1996
00250123.AM9
<PAGE>
ALLIANCE BOND FUND, INC.
Amended and Restated Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3
under the Investment Company Act of 1940
Effective as amended and restated September 30, 1996
The Plan (the "Plan") pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act") of Alliance Bond Fund,
Inc. (the "Fund"), which sets forth the general characteristics
of, and the general conditions under which the Fund may offer,
multiple classes of shares of its now existing and hereafter
created portfolios,1 is hereby amended and restated in its
entirety. This Plan may be revised or amended from time to time
as provided below.
Class Designations
The Fund2 may from time to time issue one or more of the
following classes of shares: Class A shares, Class B shares,
Class C shares and Advisor Class shares. Each of the four
classes of shares will represent interests in the same portfolio
of investments of the Fund and, except as described herein, shall
have the same rights and obligations as each other class. Each
class shall be subject to such investment minimums and other
conditions of eligibility as are set forth in the prospectus or
statement of additional information through which such shares are
issued, as from time to time in effect (the "Prospectus").
Class Characteristics
Class A shares are offered at a public offering price that is
equal to their net asset value ("NAV") plus an initial sales
charge, as set forth in the Prospectus. Class A shares may also
be subject to a Rule 12b-1 fee, which may include a service fee
and, under certain circumstances, a contingent deferred sales
charge ("CDSC"), as described in the Prospectus.
____________________
1. This Plan is intended to allow the Fund to offer multiple
classes of shares to the full extent and in the manner
permitted by Rule 18f-3 under the Act (the "Rule"), subject
to the requirements and conditions imposed by the Rule.
2. For purposes of this Plan, if the Fund has existing more than
one portfolio pursuant to which multiple classes of shares
are issued, then references in this Plan to the "Fund" shall
be deemed to refer instead to each portfolio.
<PAGE>
Class B shares are offered at their NAV, without an initial
sales charge, and may be subject to a CDSC and a Rule 12b-1 fee,
which may include a service fee, as described in the Prospectus.
Class C shares are offered at their NAV, without an initial
sales charge, and may be subject to a CDSC and a Rule 12b-1 fee,
which may include a service fee, as described in the Prospectus.
Advisor Class shares are offered at their NAV, without any
initial sales charge, CDSC or Rule 12b-1 fee.
The initial sales charge on Class A shares and CDSC on
Class A, B and C shares are each subject to reduction or waiver
as permitted by the Act, and as described in the Prospectus.
Allocations to Each Class
Expense Allocations
The following expenses shall be allocated, to the extent
practicable, on a class-by-class basis: (i) Rule 12b-1 fees
payable by the Fund to the distributor or principal underwriter
of the Fund's shares (the "Distributor"), and (ii) transfer
agency costs attributable to each class. Subject to the approval
of the Fund's Board of Directors, including a majority of the
independent Directors, the following "Class Expenses" may be
allocated on a class-by-class basis: (a) printing and postage
expenses related to preparing and distributing materials such as
shareholder reports, prospectuses and proxy statements to current
shareholders of a specific class,3 (b) SEC registration fees
incurred with respect to a specific class, (c) blue sky and
foreign registration fees and expenses incurred with respect to a
specific class, (d) the expenses of administrative personnel and
services required to support shareholders of a specific class
(including, but not limited to, maintaining telephone lines and
personnel to answer shareholder inquiries about their accounts or
about the Fund), (e) litigation and other legal expenses relating
to a specific class of shares, (f) Directors' fees or expenses
incurred as a result of issues relating to a specific class of
shares, (g) accounting and consulting expenses relating to a
specific class of shares, (h) any fees imposed pursuant to a non-
Rule 12b-1 shareholder services plan that relate to a specific
class of shares, and (i) any additional expenses, not including
____________________
3. For Advisor Class shares, the expenses of preparation,
printing and distribution of prospectuses and shareholder
reports, as well as other distribution-related expenses, will
be borne by the investment adviser of the Fund (the
"Investment Adviser") or the Distributor from their own
resources.
2
<PAGE>
advisory or custodial fees or other expenses related to the
management of the Fund's assets, if these expenses are actually
incurred in a different amount with respect to a class, or if
services are provided with respect to a class that are of a
different kind or to a different degree than with respect to one
or more other classes.
All expenses not now or hereafter designated as Class
Expenses ("Fund Expenses") will be allocated to each class on the
basis of the net asset value of that class in relation to the net
asset value of the Fund.
However, notwithstanding the above, the Fund may allocate all
expenses other than Class Expenses on the basis of relative net
assets (settled shares), as permitted by Rule 18f- 3(c)(2) under
the Act.
Waivers and Reimbursements
The Investment Adviser or Distributor may choose to waive or
reimburse Rule 12b-1 fees, transfer agency fees or any Class
Expenses on a voluntary, temporary basis. Such waiver or
reimbursement may be applicable to some or all of the classes and
may be in different amounts for one or more classes.
Income, Gains and Losses
Income, and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses
shall be allocated to each class on the basis of the net asset
value of that class in relation to the net asset value of the
Fund.
The Fund may allocate income, and realized and unrealized
capital gains and losses to each share based on relative net
assets (i.e. settled shares), as permitted by Rule 18f-3(c)(2)
under the Act.
Conversion and Exchange Features
Conversion Features
Class B shares of the Fund automatically convert to Class A
shares of the Fund after a certain number of months or years
after the end of the calendar month in which the shareholder's
purchase order was accepted as described in the Prospectus.
Class B shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends and
distributions will be treated as Class B shares for all purposes
except that such Class B shares will be considered held in a
separate sub-account. Each time any Class B shares in the
shareholder's account convert to Class A shares, an equal pro-
3
<PAGE>
rata portion of the Class B shares in the sub-account will also
convert to Class A shares.
Advisor Class shares of the Fund automatically convert to
Class A shares of the Fund during the calendar month following
the month in which the Fund is informed that the beneficial owner
of the Advisor Class shares has ceased to participate in a fee-
based program or employee benefit plan that satisfies the
requirements to purchase Advisor Class shares as described in the
Prospectus or is otherwise no longer eligible to purchase Advisor
Class shares as provided in the Prospectus.
The conversion of Class B and Advisor Class shares to Class A
shares may be suspended if the opinion of counsel obtained by the
Fund that the conversion does not constitute a taxable event
under current federal income tax law is no longer available.
Class B and Advisor Class shares will convert into Class A shares
on the basis of the relative net asset value of the two classes,
without the imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge.
In the event of any material increase in payments authorized
under the Rule 12b-1 Plan (or, if presented to shareholders, any
material increase in payments authorized by a non-Rule 12b-1
shareholder services plan) applicable to Class A shares, existing
Class B and Advisor Class shares will stop converting into
Class A shares unless the Class B and Advisor Class shareholders,
voting separately as a class, approve the increase in such
payments. Pending approval of such increase, or if such increase
is not approved, the Directors shall take such action as is
necessary to ensure that existing Class B and Advisor Class
shares are exchanged or converted into a new class of shares
("New Class A") identical in all material respects to Class A
shares as existed prior to the implementation of the increase in
payments, no later than such shares were previously scheduled to
convert to Class A shares. If deemed advisable by the Directors
to implement the foregoing, such action may include the exchange
of all existing Class B and Advisor Class shares for new classes
of shares ("New Class B" and "New Advisor Class," respectively)
identical to existing Class B and Advisor Class shares, except
that New Class B and New Advisor Class shares shall convert to
New Class A shares. Exchanges or conversions described in this
paragraph shall be effected in a manner that the Directors
reasonably believe will not be subject to federal income
taxation. Any additional cost associated with the creation,
exchange or conversion of New Class A, New Class B and New
Advisor Class shares shall be borne by the Investment Adviser and
the Distributor. Class B and Advisor Class shares sold after the
implementation of the fee increase may convert into Class A
shares subject to the higher maximum payment, provided that the
material features of the Class A plan and the relationship of
4
<PAGE>
such plan to the Class B and Advisor Class shares are disclosed
in an effective registration statement.
Exchange Features
Shares of each class generally will be permitted to be
exchanged only for shares of a class with similar characteristics
in another Alliance Mutual Fund and shares of certain Alliance
money market funds, except that certain holders of Class A shares
of the Fund eligible to purchase and hold Advisor Class shares of
the Fund may also exchange their Class A shares for Advisor Class
shares. If the aggregate net asset value of shares of all
Alliance Mutual Funds held by an investor in the Fund reaches the
minimum amount at which an investor may purchase Class A shares
at net asset value without a front-end sales load on or before
December 15 in any year, then all Class B and Class C shares of
the Fund held by that investor may thereafter be exchanged, at
the investor's request, at net asset value and without any front-
end sales load or CDSC for Class A shares of the Fund. All
exchange features applicable to each class will be described in
the Prospectus.
Dividends
Dividends paid by the Fund with respect to its Class A,
Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares, to the extent any
dividends are paid, will be calculated in the same manner, at the
same time and will be in the same amount, except that any Rule
12b-1 fee payments relating to a class of shares will be borne
exclusively by that class and any incremental transfer agency
costs or, if applicable, Class Expenses relating to a class shall
be borne exclusively by that class.
Voting Rights
Each share of a Fund entitles the shareholder of record to
one vote. Each class of shares of the Fund will vote separately
as a class with respect to the Rule 12b-1 plan applicable to that
class and on other matters for which class voting is required
under applicable law. Class A, Class B and Advisor Class
shareholders will vote as three separate classes to approve any
material increase in payments authorized under the Rule 12b-1
plan applicable to Class A shares.
Responsibilities of the Directors
On an ongoing basis, the Directors will monitor the Fund for
the existence of any material conflicts among the interests of
the four classes of shares. The Directors shall further monitor
on an ongoing basis the use of waivers or reimbursement by the
Investment Adviser and the Distributor of expenses to guard
5
<PAGE>
against cross-subsidization between classes. The Directors,
including a majority of the independent Directors, shall take
such action as is reasonably necessary to eliminate any such
conflict that may develop. If a conflict arises, the Investment
Adviser and Distributor, at their own cost, will remedy such
conflict up to and including establishing one or more new
registered management investment companies.
Reports to the Directors
The Investment Adviser and Distributor will be responsible
for reporting any potential or existing conflicts among the four
classes of shares to the Directors. In addition, the Directors
will receive quarterly and annual statements concerning
distributions and shareholder servicing expenditures complying
with paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of Rule 12b-1. In the statements, only
expenditures properly attributable to the sale or servicing of a
particular class of shares shall be used to justify any
distribution or service fee charged to that class. The
statements, including the allocations upon which they are based,
will be subject to the review of the independent Directors in the
exercise of their fiduciary duties. At least annually, the
Directors shall receive a report from an expert, acceptable to
the Directors, (the "Expert"), with respect to the methodology
and procedures for calculating the net asset value, dividends and
distributions for the classes, and the proper allocation of
income and expenses among the classes. The report of the Expert
shall also address whether the Fund has adequate facilities in
place to ensure the implementation of the methodology and
procedures for calculating the net asset value, dividends and
distributions for the classes, and the proper allocation of
income and expenses among the classes. The Fund and the
Investment Adviser will take immediate corrective measures in the
event of any irregularities reported by the Expert.
Amendments
The Plan may be amended from time to time in accordance with
the provisions and requirements of Rule 18f-3 under the Act.
Amended and restated by action of the Board of Directors this
30th day of September, 1996.
By: /s/_Edmund P. Bergan, Jr.
_________________________
Edmund P. Bergan, Jr.
Secretary
6
00250123.AM4
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose
signature appears below hereby revokes all prior powers granted
by the undersigned to the extent inconsistent herewith and
constitutes and appoints John D. Carifa, Edmund P. Bergan, Jr.,
and Domenick Pugliese, and each of them, to act severally as
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned in any and all capacities,
solely for the purpose of signing the Registration Statement, and
any amendments thereto, on Form N-1A of Alliance Bond Fund, Inc.
and filing the same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents
in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact, or their substitute or substitutes, may do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/John D. Carifa
John D. Carifa
Dated: September 30, 1996
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose
signature appears below hereby revokes all prior powers granted
by the undersigned to the extent inconsistent herewith and
constitutes and appoints John D. Carifa, Edmund P. Bergan, Jr.,
and Domenick Pugliese, and each of them, to act severally as
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned in any and all capacities,
solely for the purpose of signing the Registration Statement, and
any amendments thereto, on Form N-1A of Alliance Bond Fund, Inc.
and filing the same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents
in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact, or their substitute or substitutes, may do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ Ruth Block
Ruth Block
Dated: September 30, 1996
00250123.AM6
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose
signature appears below hereby revokes all prior powers granted
by the undersigned to the extent inconsistent herewith and
constitutes and appoints John D. Carifa, Edmund P. Bergan, Jr.,
and Domenick Pugliese, and each of them, to act severally as
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned in any and all capacities,
solely for the purpose of signing the Registration Statement, and
any amendments thereto, on Form N-1A of Alliance Bond Fund, Inc.
and filing the same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents
in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact, or their substitute or substitutes, may do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ David H. Dievler
David H. Dievler
Dated: September 30, 1996
00250123.AM6
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose
signature appears below hereby revokes all prior powers granted
by the undersigned to the extent inconsistent herewith and
constitutes and appoints John D. Carifa, Edmund P. Bergan, Jr.,
and Domenick Pugliese, and each of them, to act severally as
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned in any and all capacities,
solely for the purpose of signing the Registration Statement, and
any amendments thereto, on Form N-1A of Alliance Bond Fund, Inc.
and filing the same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents
in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact, or their substitute or substitutes, may do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ James R. Greene
James R. Greene
Dated: September 30, 1996
00250123.AM6
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose
signature appears below hereby revokes all prior powers granted
by the undersigned to the extent inconsistent herewith and
constitutes and appoints John D. Carifa, Edmund P. Bergan, Jr.,
and Domenick Pugliese, and each of them, to act severally as
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned in any and all capacities,
solely for the purpose of signing the Registration Statement, and
any amendments thereto, on Form N-1A of Alliance Bond Fund, Inc.
and filing the same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents
in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact, or their substitute or substitutes, may do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ James M. Hester
James M. Hester
Dated: September 30, 1996
00250123.AM6
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose
signature appears below hereby revokes all prior powers granted
by the undersigned to the extent inconsistent herewith and
constitutes and appoints John D. Carifa, Edmund P. Bergan, Jr.,
and Domenick Pugliese, and each of them, to act severally as
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned in any and all capacities,
solely for the purpose of signing the Registration Statement, and
any amendments thereto, on Form N-1A of Alliance Bond Fund, Inc.
and filing the same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents
in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact, or their substitute or substitutes, may do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ Clifford L. Michel
Clifford L. Michel
Dated: September 30, 1996
00250123.AM6
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose
signature appears below hereby revokes all prior powers granted
by the undersigned to the extent inconsistent herewith and
constitutes and appoints John D. Carifa, Edmund P. Bergan, Jr.,
and Domenick Pugliese, and each of them, to act severally as
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned in any and all capacities,
solely for the purpose of signing the Registration Statement, and
any amendments thereto, on Form N-1A of Alliance Bond Fund, Inc.
and filing the same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents
in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact, or their substitute or substitutes, may do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ Robert C. White
Robert C. White
Dated: September 30, 1996
00250123.AM6
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose
signature appears below hereby revokes all prior powers granted
by the undersigned to the extent inconsistent herewith and
constitutes and appoints John D. Carifa, Edmund P. Bergan, Jr.,
and Domenick Pugliese, and each of them, to act severally as
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned in any and all capacities,
solely for the purpose of signing the Registration Statement, and
any amendments thereto, on Form N-1A of Alliance Bond Fund, Inc.
and filing the same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents
in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact, or their substitute or substitutes, may do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ Donald J. Robinson
Donald J. Robinson
Dated: September 30, 1996
00250123.AM6
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<CIK> 0000003794
<NAME> ALLIANCE BOND FUND, INC.
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<NAME> ALLIANCE US GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
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