<PAGE>
Filed Pursuant to Rule 497(c)
Registration File No.: 002-94996
THE HUDSON RIVER TRUST
Principal Office Located at
1345 Avenue of the Americas -- New York, New York 10105
The Hudson River Trust (the "Trust") is a mutual fund, currently issuing
separate series of shares of beneficial interest, each representing a
separate investment portfolio (each a "Portfolio"). The Portfolios available
through this prospectus are The Asset Allocation Series: Alliance
Conservative Investors, Alliance Balanced and Alliance Growth Investors; The
Equity Series: Alliance Growth and Income, Alliance Common Stock, Alliance
Global and Alliance Aggressive Stock; and The Fixed Income Series: Alliance
Money Market, Alliance Intermediate Government Securities and Alliance High
Yield. An investment in the Alliance Money Market Portfolio is neither
insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Shares of each Portfolio are
currently divided into two classes: Class IA shares, offered hereby, and
Class IB shares, offered pursuant to another prospectus.
This prospectus sets forth concisely the investment objectives and policies
of the Portfolios and the information about the Trust a prospective investor
should know before investing. It should be read and retained for future
reference.
A Statement of Additional Information relating to Class IA shares ("SAI")
dated May 1, 1997 has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC"). This SAI is incorporated by reference into this prospectus and is
available at no charge by writing the Trust at the above address. California
residents may obtain the SAI at no charge by calling 1-800-999-3527.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
--------
<S> <C>
Financial Highlights......................... 2
The Trust.................................... 11
Investment Objectives and Policies........... 11
Investment Techniques........................ 22
Certain Investment Restrictions.............. 27
Management of the Trust...................... 28
Description of the Trust's Shares............ 31
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes........... 33
Investment Performance....................... 33
Appendix A--Description of Bond Ratings ..... A-1
</TABLE>
An investment in the Trust 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.
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.
PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 1, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
HRT103 (5/97)--#3 Copyright 1997 The Hudson River Trust. All rights reserved.
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The financial information in the tables below for the fiscal years ended on
or after December 31, 1993 has been audited by Price Waterhouse LLP, the
Trust's independent accountants. Financial highlights for prior years have
been audited by another independent accounting firm. The December 31, 1996
audited financial statements of the Trust and the "Report of Independent
Accountants" appear in the SAI. The Trust's annual report, which contains
additional performance information, is available without charge upon request.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
PER SHARE INCOME AND CAPITAL CHANGES
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)(C)
ASSET ALLOCATION SERIES
ALLIANCE CONSERVATIVE INVESTORS PORTFOLIO:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994 1993* 1992
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period (a) ..... $ 11.52 $ 10.15 $11.12 $10.94 $11.29
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income ....................... 0.50 0.60 0.55 0.52 0.64
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments................................ 0.07 1.43 (1.00) 0.65 (0.01)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
Total from investment operations ............ 0.57 2.03 (0.45) 1.17 0.63
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from net investment income ........ (0.51) (0.59) (0.52) (0.50) (0.62)
Distributions from realized gains .......... (0.27) (0.07) -- (0.49) (0.36)
Distributions in excess of realized gains ... (0.02) -- -- -- --
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
Total dividends and distributions .......... (0.80) (0.66) (0.52) (0.99) (0.98)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
Net asset value, end of period................ $ 11.29 $ 11.52 $10.15 $11.12 $10.94
========== ========== ========== ========== =========
Total return (d).............................. 5.21% 20.40% (4.10)% 10.76% 5.64%
========== ========== ========== ========== =========
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000's)............. $282,402 $252,101 $173,691 $114,418 $70,675
Ratio of expenses to average net assets ..... 0.61% 0.59% 0.59% 0.60% 0.61%
Ratio of net investment income to average net
assets ...................................... 4.48% 5.48% 5.22% 4.49% 5.77%
Portfolio turnover rate....................... 181% 287% 228% 178% 136%
Average commission rate paid (f).............. $0.0488 -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
(RESTUBBED TABLE CONTINUED FROM ABOVE)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 2,
DECEMBER 31, 1989 TO
------------------ DECEMBER 31,
1991 1990 1989
--------- --------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period (a) ..... $ 10.23 $ 10.26 $10.00
--------- --------- --------------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income ....................... 0.69 0.72 0.15
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments................................ 1.28 (0.09) 0.16
--------- --------- --------------
Total from investment operations ............ 1.97 0.63 0.31
--------- --------- --------------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from net investment income ........ (0.66) (0.66) (0.05)
Distributions from realized gains .......... (0.25) -- --
Distributions in excess of realized gains ... -- -- --
--------- --------- --------------
Total dividends and distributions .......... (0.91) (0.66) (0.05)
--------- --------- --------------
Net asset value, end of period................ $ 11.29 $ 10.23 $10.26
========= ========= ==============
Total return (d).............................. 19.80% 6.30% 3.10%
========= ========= ==============
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000's)............. $50,279 $29,971 $13,984
Ratio of expenses to average net assets ..... 0.64% 0.73% 0.26%
Ratio of net investment income to average net
assets ...................................... 6.45% 7.06% 1.54%
Portfolio turnover rate....................... 171% 88% 0%
Average commission rate paid (f).............. -- -- --
</TABLE>
- ------------
Footnotes appear on page 10.
2
<PAGE>
ALLIANCE BALANCED PORTFOLIO (h):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994 1993* 1992
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of
year (a)....................... $ 16.76 $ 14.87 $ 16.67 $ 16.19 $ 18.48
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS:
Net investment income.......... 0.53 0.54 0.45 0.50 0.56
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments ... 1.31 2.36 (1.78) 1.46 (1.11)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Total from investment
operations.................... 1.84 2.90 (1.33) 1.96 (0.55)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from net investment
income......................... (0.53) (0.54) (0.44) (0.50) (0.55)
Dividends in excess of net
investment income............. -- -- (0.03) -- --
Distributions from realized
gains......................... (1.40) (0.47) -- (0.95) (1.19)
Distributions in excess of
realized gains................ (0.03) -- -- (0.03) --
Total dividends and
distributions................. (1.96) (1.01) (0.47) (1.48) (1.74)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net asset value, end of year ... $ 16.64 $ 16.76 $ 14.87 $ 16.67 $ 16.19
============ ============ ============ ============ ============
Total return (d)................ 11.68% 19.75% (8.02)% 12.28% (2.85)%
============ ============ ============ ============ ============
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year
(000's)........................ $1,637,856 $1,523,142 $1,329,820 $1,364,640 $1,076,670
Ratio of expenses to average
net assets..................... 0.41% 0.40% 0.39% 0.39% 0.40%
Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets.......... 3.15% 3.33% 2.87% 2.99% 3.30%
Portfolio turnover rate (i) .... 177% 186% 115% 99% 91%
Average commission rate
paid (f)....................... $ 0.0516 -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
(RESTUBBED TABLE CONTINUED FROM ABOVE)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------------
1991 1990 1989 1988 1987
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of
year (a)....................... $ 14.40 $ 15.16 $ 13.38 $ 12.39 $ 12.79
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS:
Net investment income.......... 0.60 0.78 0.85 0.67 0.41
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments ... 5.23 (0.76) 2.53 0.95 (0.47)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total from investment
operations.................... 5.83 0.02 3.38 1.62 (0.06)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from net investment
income......................... (0.55) (0.78) (0.85) (0.63) (0.34)
Dividends in excess of net
investment income............. -- -- -- -- --
Distributions from realized
gains......................... (1.20) -- (0.75) -- --
Distributions in excess of
realized gains................ -- -- -- -- --
Total dividends and
distributions................. (1.75) (0.78) (1.60) (0.63) (0.34)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net asset value, end of year ... $ 18.48 $ 14.40 $ 15.16 $ 13.38 $ 12.39
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Total return (d)................ 41.25% 0.25% 25.84% 13.27% (0.86)%
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
<PAGE>
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year
(000's)........................ $964,262 $286,432 $241,910 $161,819 $108,913
Ratio of expenses to average
net assets..................... 0.41% 0.45% 0.45% 0.51% 0.47%
Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets.......... 3.60% 5.35% 5.71% 5.15% 2.88%
Portfolio turnover rate (i) .... 159% 119% 132% 204% 197%
Average commission rate
paid (f)....................... -- -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
- ------------
Footnotes appear on page 10.
3
<PAGE>
ALLIANCE GROWTH INVESTORS PORTFOLIO:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994 1993*
--------------- ----------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period (a) . $ 17.68 $14.66 $15.61 $14.69
--------------- ----------- ---------- ----------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income .................. 0.40 0.57 0.50 0.43
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments and foreign currency
transactions .......................... 1.66 3.24 (0.98) 1.79
--------------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Total from investment operations ........ 2.06 3.81 (0.48) 2.22
--------------- ----------- ---------- ----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from net investment income .... (0.40) (0.54) (0.46) (0.42)
Dividends in excess of net investment
income................................. (0.03) (0.01) (0.01) --
Distributions from realized gains ...... (2.10) (0.24) -- (0.88)
Distributions in excess of realized
gains.................................. (0.01) -- -- --
--------------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Total dividends and distributions ...... (2.54) (0.79) (0.47) (1.30)
--------------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Net asset value, end of period............ $ 17.20 $17.68 $14.66 $15.61
=============== =========== ========== ==========
Total return (d) ......................... 12.61% 26.37% (3.15)% 15.26%
=============== =========== ========== ==========
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net asset, end of period (000's).......... $1,301,643 $896,134 $492,478 $278,467
Ratio of expenses to average net assets . 0.57% 0.56% 0.59% 0.62%
Ratio of net investment income to average
net assets .............................. 2.31% 3.43% 3.32% 2.71%
Portfolio turnover rate................... 190% 107% 131% 118%
Average commission rate paid (f).......... $ 0.0495 -- -- --
</TABLE>
(RESTUBBED TABLE CONTINUED FROM ABOVE)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OCTOBER 2,
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1989 TO
----------------------------- DECEMBER 31,
1992 1991 1990 1989
---------- --------- --------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period (a) . $ 15.17 $ 11.03 $ 10.33 $10.00
---------- --------- --------- --------------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income .................. 0.44 0.41 0.44 0.11
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments and foreign currency
transactions .......................... 0.28 4.93 0.64 0.29
---------- --------- --------- --------------
Total from investment operations ........ 0.72 5.34 1.08 0.40
---------- --------- --------- --------------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from net investment income .... (0.41) (0.37) (0.38) (0.06)
Dividends in excess of net investment
income................................. -- -- -- --
Distributions from realized gains ...... (0.79) (0.83) -- (0.01)
Distributions in excess of realized
gains.................................. -- -- -- --
---------- --------- --------- --------------
Total dividends and distributions ...... (1.20) (1.20) (0.38) (0.07)
---------- --------- --------- --------------
Net asset value, end of period............ $ 14.69 $ 15.17 $ 11.03 $10.33
========== ========= ========= ==============
Total return (d) ......................... 4.85% 48.83% 10.70% 4.00%
========== ========= ========= ==============
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net asset, end of period (000's).......... $148,650 $84,338 $24,539 $6,018
Ratio of expenses to average net assets . 0.60% 0.66% 0.78% 0.29%
Ratio of net investment income to average
net assets .............................. 3.00% 3.03% 4.11% 1.01%
Portfolio turnover rate................... 129% 139% 92% 6%
Average commission rate paid (f).......... -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
EQUITY SERIES
ALLIANCE GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, OCTOBER 1, 1993
------------------------------ TO
1996 1995 1994 DECEMBER 31, 1993
---------- --------- --------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period (a)............... $ 11.70 $ 9.70 $ 9.95 $10.00
---------- --------- --------- -----------------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income................................. 0.24 0.33 0.31 0.03
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments........................................... 2.05 1.97 (0.36) (0.06)
---------- --------- --------- -----------------
Total from investment operations...................... 2.29 2.30 (0.05) (0.03)
---------- --------- --------- -----------------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from net investment income.................. (0.23) (0.30) (0.20) (0.02)
Dividends in excess of net investment income ......... -- -- -- (0.00)
Distributions from realized gains .................... (0.75) -- -- --
---------- --------- --------- -----------------
Tax return of capital distribution.................... -- -- -- (0.00)
---------- --------- --------- -----------------
Total dividends and distributions..................... (0.98) (0.30) (0.20) (0.02)
--------- --------- -----------------
Net asset value, end of period......................... $ 13.01 $ 11.70 $ 9.70 $ 9.95
========== ========= ========= =================
Total return (d)....................................... 20.09% 24.07% (0.58)% (0.25)%
========== ========= ========= =================
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000's)...................... $232,080 $98,053 $31,522 $1,456
Ratio of expenses to average net assets................ 0.58% 0.60% 0.78% 2.70%(b)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets .. 1.94% 3.11% 3.13% 1.12%(b)
Portfolio turnover rate................................ 88% 65% 52% 48%
Average commission rate paid (f)....................... $ 0.0604 -- -- --
</TABLE>
- ------------
Footnotes appear on page 10.
4
<PAGE>
ALLIANCE COMMON STOCK PORTFOLIO (g)(h):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994 1993* 1992
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, begin-
ning of year (a)........ $16.48 $13.36 $14.65 $13.49 $14.18
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
INCOME FROM
INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS:
Net investment
income................. 0.15 0.20 0.20 0.23 0.24
Net realized and
unrealized gain
(loss) on invest-
ments and
foreign currency
transactions........... $3.73 4.12 (0.51) 3.10 0.20
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Total from invest-
ment operations........ 3.88 4.32 (0.31) 3.33 0.44
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from net
investment
income................. (0.15) (0.20) (0.19) (0.23) (0.24)
Dividends in
excess of net
investment
income................. -- (0.02) (0.01) (0.00) --
Distributions from
realized gains......... (1.76) (0.95) (0.77) (1.94) (0.89)
Distributions in excess
of realized gains...... (0.22) (0.03) -- -- --
Tax return of capital
distributions.......... -- -- (0.01) -- --
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Total dividends
and distributions...... (2.13) (1.20) (0.98) (2.17) (1.13)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net asset value, end
of year................. $18.23 $16.48 $13.36 $14.65 $13.49
============ ============ ============ ============ ============
Total return (d)......... 24.28% 32.45% (2.14)% 24.84% 3.22%
============ ============ ============ ============ ============
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of
year (000's)............ $6,625,390 $4,879,677 $3,466,245 $3,125,128 $2,307,292
Ratio of expenses to
average net assets...... 0.38% 0.38% 0.38% 0.38% 0.38%
Ratio of net invest-
ment income to
average net assets...... 0.85% 1.27% 1.40% 1.55% 1.73%
Portfolio turnover rate 55% 61% 52% 82% 71%
Average commission rate
paid (f)................ $0.0565 -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
(RESTUBBED TABLE CONTINUED FROM ABOVE)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------------------------
1991 1990 1989 1988 1987
------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, begin-
ning of year (a)........$ 11.22 $ 12.87 $ 12.19 $ 10.15 $ 11.34
------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
INCOME FROM
INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS:
Net investment
income................. 0.32 0.21 0.27 0.23 0.17
Net realized and
unrealized gain
(loss) on invest-
ments and
foreign currency
transactions........... 3.91 (1.25) 2.84 2.04 0.72
------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total from invest-
ment operations........ 4.23 (1.04) 3.11 2.27 0.89
------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from net
investment
income................. (0.29) (0.22) (0.26) (0.23) (0.17)
Dividends in
excess of net
investment
income................. -- -- -- -- --
Distributions from
realized gains......... (0.98) (0.39) (2.17) -- (1.91)
Distributions in excess
of realized gains...... -- -- -- -- --
Tax return of capital
distributions.......... -- -- -- -- --
------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total dividends
and distributions...... (1.27) (0.61) (2.43) (0.23) (2.08)
------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net asset value, end
of year.................$ 14.18 $ 11.22 $ 12.87 $ 12.19 $ 10.15
============ ========== ========== ========== ==========
Total return (d)......... 37.90% (8.11)% 25.59% 22.44% 7.49%
============ ========== ========== ========== ==========
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of
year (000's)............$2,126,402 $673,476 $725,627 $537,827 $434,558
Ratio of expenses to
average net assets...... 0.40% 0.44% 0.43% 0.46% 0.46%
Ratio of net invest-
ment income to
average net assets...... 2.32% 1.72% 1.87% 2.02% 1.21%
Portfolio turnover rate 90% 82% 90% 71% 86%
Average commission rate
paid (f)................ -- -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
- ------------
Footnotes appear on page 10.
5
<PAGE>
ALLIANCE GLOBAL PORTFOLIO (h):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994 1993* 1992
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ -----------
Net asset value, beginning of
period (a)....................... $ 15.74 0 $13.87 $13.62 $11.41 $11.64
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ -----------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS:
Net investment income ........... 0.21 0.26 0.20 0.08 0.14
Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investments and
foreign currency transactions.. 2.05 2.32 0.52 3.58 (0.20)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ -----------
Total from investment
operations..................... 2.26 2.58 0.72 3.66 (0.06)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ -----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from net investment
income......................... (0.21) (0.25) (0.17) (0.15) (0.11)
Dividends in excess of net
investment income.............. (0.08) -- -- -- --
Distributions from realized
gains.......................... (0.79) (0.42) (0.28) (1.30) (0.06)
Distributions in excess of
realized gains................. -- (0.03) (0.00) (0.00) --
Tax return of capital
distributions ................. (0.00) (0.01) (0.02) -- --
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ -----------
Total dividends and
distributions.................. (1.08) (0.71) (0.47) (1.45) (0.17)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ -----------
Net asset value, end of period ... $ 16.92 $15.74 $13.87 $13.62 $11.41
============ ============ ============ ============ ===========
Total return (d) ................. 14.60% 18.81% 5.23% 32.09% (0.50)%
============ ============ ============ ============ ===========
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period
(000's) ......................... $997,041 $686,140 $421,698 $141,257 $49,171
Ratio of expenses to average net
assets .......................... 0.60% 0.61% 0.69% 0.84% 0.70%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets .............. 1.28% 1.76% 1.41% 0.62% 1.20%
Portfolio turnover rate........... 59% 67% 71% 150% 216%
Average commission rate paid (f) . $ 0.0418 -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
(RESTUBBED TABLE CONTINUED FROM ABOVE)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AUGUST 27,
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1987 TO
------------------------------ DECEMBER 31,
1991 1990 1989 1988 1987
------- ------- ------- ------ -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of
period (a).......................$ 9.76 $ 10.74 $ 9.57 $ 8.67 $ 10.00
------- ------- ------- ------- -----------------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS:
Net investment income ........... 0.22 0.38 0.17 0.13 0.01
Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investments and
foreign currency transactions.. 2.74 (1.03) 2.38 0.82 (1.34)
------- ------- ------- ------- -----------------
Total from investment
operations..................... 2.96 (0.65) 2.55 0.95 (1.33)
------- ------- ------- ------- -----------------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from net investment
income......................... (0.23) (0.33) (0.14) (0.05) --
Dividends in excess of net
investment income.............. -- -- -- -- --
Distributions from realized
gains.......................... (0.85) -- (1.24) -- --
Distributions in excess of
realized gains................. -- -- -- -- --
Tax return of capital
distributions ................. -- -- -- -- --
------- ------- ------- ------- -----------------
Total dividends and
distributions.................. (1.08) (0.33) (1.38) (0.05) --
------- -------- -------- ------- -----------------
Net asset value, end of period ...$ 11.64 $ 9.76 $ 10.74 $ 9.57 $ 8.67
======= ======== ======== ======= ================
Total return (d) ................. 30.54% (6.06)% 26.73% 10.88% (13.30)%
======= ======== ======== ======= ================
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period
(000's) .........................$39,487 $24,097 $15,409 $9,212 $6,030
Ratio of expenses to average net
assets .......................... 0.75% 0.75% 0.80% 1.06% 0.40%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets .............. 1.94% 3.67% 1.49% 1.30% 0.19%
Portfolio turnover rate........... 267% 502% 399% 235% 11%
Average commission rate paid (f) . -- -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
6
<PAGE>
ALLIANCE AGGRESSIVE STOCK PORTFOLIO (h):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994 1993* 1992
----------- --------- ----------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of
year (a) ....................... $ 35.68 $ 30.63 $31.89 $29.81 $33.82
------------ ---------- ------------ ---------- ----------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS:
Net investment income .......... 0.09 0.10 0.04 0.09 0.17
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments.... 7.52 9.54 (1.26) 4.91 (1.25)
------------ ---------- ------------ ---------- ----------
Total from investment
operations ................... 7.61 9.64 (1.22) 5.00 (1.08)
------------ ---------- ------------ ---------- ----------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from net investment
income........................ (0.09) (0.10 ) (0.04) (0.09) (0.18)
Dividends in excess of net
investment income............. (0.00) -- -- -- --
Distributions from realized
gains......................... (7.33) (4.49 ) -- (2.75) (2.75)
Distributions in excess of
realized gains................ (0.02) -- -- (0.07) --
Tax return of capital
distribution.................. -- -- (0.00) (0.01) --
------------ ---------- ------------ ---------- ----------
Total dividends and
distributions................. (7.44) (4.59 ) (0.04) (2.92) (2.93)
------------ ---------- ------------ ---------- ----------
Net asset value, end of year ... $ 35.85 $ 35.68 $30.63 $31.89 $29.81
============ ========== ============ ========== ==========
Total return (d)................. 22.20% 31.63 % (3.81)% 16.77% (3.16)%
============ ========== ============ ========== ==========
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year (000's) . $3,865,256 $2,700,515 $1,832,164 $1,557,332 $1,210,576
Ratio of expenses to average net
assets ......................... 0.48% 0.49 % 0.49% 0.49% 0.50%
Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets .......... 0.24% 0.28 % 0.12% 0.28% 0.57%
Portfolio turnover rate ......... 108% 127 % 92% 89% 68%
Average commission rate
paid (f) ....................... $ 0.0263 -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
(RESTUBBED TABLE CONTINUED FROM ABOVE)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------------
1991 1990 1989 1988 1987
-------- -------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of
year (a) .......................$ 19.37 $ 19.90 $ 14.07 $ 14.09 $ 13.35
-------- -------- ------- ------- -------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS:
Net investment income .......... 0.12 0.16 0.23 0.20 0.20
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments.... 16.68 1.46 5.87 (0.03) 0.79
-------- -------- ------- ------- -------
Total from investment
operations ................... 16.80 1.62 6.10 0.17 0.99
-------- -------- ------- ------- -------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from net investment
income........................ (0.10) (0.16) (0.23) (0.19) (0.13)
Dividends in excess of net
investment income............. -- -- -- -- --
Distributions from realized
gains......................... (2.25) (1.99) (0.04) -- (0.12)
Distributions in excess of
realized gains................ -- -- -- -- --
Tax return of capital
distribution.................. -- -- -- -- --
-------- -------- ------- ------- -------
Total dividends and
distributions................. (2.35) (2.15) (0.27) (0.19) (0.25)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net asset value, end of year ...$ 33.82 $ 19.37 $ 19.90 $ 14.07 $ 14.09
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Total return (d)................. 86.87% 8.16% 43.50% 1.13% 7.30%
======== ========= ======== ======== ========
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year (000's) .$959,257 $120,960 $99,459 $62,116 $47,776
Ratio of expenses to average net
assets ......................... 0.51% 0.55% 0.55% 0.65% 0.58%
Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets .......... 0.40% 0.78% 1.29% 1.35% 1.19%
Portfolio turnover rate ......... 117% 54% 89% 70% 134%
Average commission rate
paid (f) ....................... -- -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
- ------------
Footnotes appear on page 10.
7
<PAGE>
FIXED INCOME SERIES
ALLIANCE MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO (g)(h):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994 1993* 1992
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning
of year(a)..................... $ 10.16 $ 10.14 $10.12 $10.11 $10.13
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS:
Net investment income.......... 0.54 0.57 0.41 0.30 0.37
Net realized and
unrealized gain (loss)
on investments................ (0.01) -- -- -- (0.01)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total from investment
operations.................... 0.53 0.57 0.41 0.30 0.36
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
LESS DIVIDENDS:
Dividends from net
investment income............. (0.52) (0.55) (0.39) (0.29) (0.38)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total dividends................ (0.52) (0.55) (0.39) (0.29) (0.38)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net asset value, end of year .. $ 10.17 $ 10.16 $10.14 $10.12 $10.11
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Total return (d)................ 5.33% 5.74% 4.02% 3.00% 3.57%
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year (000's) $463,422 $386,691 $325,391 $248,460 $268,584
Ratio of expenses to average
net assets..................... 0.43% 0.44% 0.42% 0.42% 0.43%
Ratio of net investment
income to average net
assets......................... 5.17% 5.53% 4.01% 2.91% 3.63%
</TABLE>
(RESTUBBED TABLE CONTINUED FROM ABOVE)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------------
1991 1990 1989 1988 1987
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning
of year(a)..................... $ 10.17 $ 10.14 $ 10.13 $ 10.09 $ 10.02
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS:
Net investment income.......... 0.61 0.81 0.89 0.73 0.64
Net realized and
unrealized gain (loss)
on investments................ -- 0.01 0.01 (0.01) 0.01
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total from investment
operations.................... 0.61 0.82 0.90 0.72 0.65
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
LESS DIVIDENDS:
Dividends from net
investment income............. (0.65) (0.79) (0.89) (0.68) (0.58)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total dividends................ (0.65) (0.79) (0.89) (0.68) (0.58)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net asset value, end of year .. $ 10.13 $ 10.17 $ 10.14 $ 10.13 $ 10.09
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Total return (d)................ 6.20% 8.22% 9.18% 7.32% 6.63%
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year (000's) $302,395 $359,426 $289,338 $234,378 $154,606
Ratio of expenses to average
net assets..................... 0.43% 0.44% 0.44% 0.48% 0.46%
Ratio of net investment
income to average net
assets......................... 5.96% 7.85% 8.70% 7.14% 6.29%
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
ALLIANCE INTERMEDIATE GOVERNMENT SECURITIES PORTFOLIO (e):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------------------- APRIL 1, 1991 TO
1996 1995 1994 1993* 1992 DECEMBER 31, 1991
--------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period (a) ..... $ 9.47 $ 8.87 $ 10.08 $10.53 $10.73 $10.00
--------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- -----------------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income........................ 0.54 0.58 0.65 0.59 0.60 0.52
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments................................. (0.19) 0.57 (1.08) 0.51 (0.02) 0.66
--------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- -----------------
Total from investment operations............. 0.35 1.15 (0.43) 1.10 0.58 1.18
--------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- -----------------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from net investment income ........ (0.53) (0.55) (0.78) (0.68) (0.60) (0.34)
Distributions from realized gains............ -- -- -- (0.87) (0.18) (0.11)
--------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- -----------------
Total dividends and distributions............ (0.53) (0.55) (0.78) (1.55) (0.78) (0.45)
--------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- -----------------
Net asset value, end of period................ $ 9.29 $ 9.47 $ 8.87 $10.08 $10.53 $10.73
========= ========= ========= ========== ========== =================
Total return (d).............................. 3.78% 13.33% (4.37)% 10.58% 5.53% 12.10%
========= ========= ========= ========== ========== =================
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000's)............. $88,384 $71,780 $48,518 $158,511 $293,587 $241,290
Ratio of expenses to average net assets ...... 0.56% 0.57% 0.56% 0.53% 0.52% 0.43%
Ratio of net investment income to average net
assets....................................... 5.73% 6.15% 6.75% 5.43% 5.63% 4.88%
Portfolio turnover rate....................... 318% 255% 133% 254% 316% 174%
</TABLE>
- ------------
Footnotes appear on page 10.
8
<PAGE>
ALLIANCE HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO (H):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994 1993* 1992
---------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period
(a)...................................... $ 9.64 $ 8.91 $10.08 $ 9.15 $ 8.96
---------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income .................. 1.02 0.98 0.89 0.94 0.89
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments ....................... 1.07 0.73 (1.17) 1.10 0.19
---------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------
Total from investment operations ....... 2.09 1.71 (0.28) 2.04 1.08
---------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from net investment income .. (0.98) (0.94) (0.88) (0.92) (0.89)
Dividends in excess of net investment
income................................ (0.03) (0.04) (0.01) -- --
Distributions from realized gains ...... (0.70) -- -- (0.19) --
---------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------
Total dividends and distributions ...... (1.71) (0.98) (0.89) (1.11) (0.89)
---------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------
Net asset value, end of period........... $ 10.02 $ 9.64 $ 8.91 $10.08 $ 9.15
========== ========== ========= ========= =========
Total return (d)......................... 22.89% 19.92% (2.79)% 23.15% 12.31%
========== ========== ========= ========= =========
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000's) ....... $199,360 $118,129 $73,895 $67,169 $47,687
Ratio of expenses to average net assets . 0.59% 0.60% 0.61% 0.63% 0.60%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets ..................... 9.93% 10.34% 9.23% 9.52% 9.58%
Portfolio turnover rate ................. 485% 350% 248% 280% 177%
</TABLE>
(RESTUBBED TABLE CONTINUED FROM ABOVE)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
JANUARY 2,
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1987 TO
--------------------------------------- DECEMBER 31,
1991 1990 1989 1988 1987
--------- --------- --------- --------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period
(a)...................................... $ 7.97 $ 9.14 $ 9.72 $ 9.67 $10.00
--------- --------- --------- --------- -----------------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income .................. 0.89 1.04 1.09 1.00 1.06
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments ....................... 0.99 (1.14) (0.60) (0.08) (0.60)
--------- --------- --------- --------- -----------------
Total from investment operations ....... 1.88 (0.10) 0.49 0.92 0.46
--------- --------- --------- --------- -----------------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from net investment income .. (0.89) (1.07) (1.07) (0.87) (0.79)
Dividends in excess of net investment
income................................ -- -- -- -- --
Distributions from realized gains ...... -- -- -- -- --
--------- --------- --------- --------- -----------------
Total dividends and distributions ...... (0.89) (1.07) (1.07) (0.87) (0.79)
--------- --------- --------- --------- -----------------
Net asset value, end of period........... $ 8.96 $ 7.97 $ 9.14 $ 9.72 $ 9.67
========= ========= ========= ========= =================
Total return (d)......................... 24.46% (1.10)% 5.14% 9.73% 4.68%
========= ========= ========= ========= =================
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000's) ....... $45,066 $36,569 $41,280 $34,810 $10,687
Ratio of expenses to average net assets . 0.61% 0.62% 0.62% 0.73% 0.98%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets ..................... 10.31% 12.04% 11.22% 10.05% 10.62%
Portfolio turnover rate ................. 187% 53% 116% 209% 235%
</TABLE>
- ------------
Footnotes appear on page 10.
9
<PAGE>
- ------------
FOOTNOTES TO FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
* Prior to July 22, 1993, Equitable Capital Management Corporation
("Equitable Capital") served as the investment adviser to the Trust. On
July 22, 1993, Alliance Capital Management L.P. ("Alliance") acquired
the business and substantially all of the assets of Equitable Capital
and became the investment adviser to the Trust.
(a) Date as of which funds were first allocated to the Portfolios are as
follows:
Alliance Common Stock Portfolio -- June 16, 1975
Alliance Money Market Portfolio -- July 13, 1981
Alliance Balanced Portfolio -- January 27, 1986
Alliance Aggressive Stock Portfolio -- January 27, 1986
Alliance High Yield Portfolio -- January 2, 1987
Alliance Global Portfolio -- August 27, 1987
Alliance Conservative Investors Portfolio -- October 2, 1989
Alliance Growth Investors Portfolio -- October 2, 1989
Alliance Intermediate Government Securities Portfolio -- April 1, 1991
Alliance Growth and Income Portfolio -- October 1, 1993
(b) Annualized.
(c) Net investment income and capital changes per share are based upon
monthly average shares outstanding.
(d) Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at 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. Total return calculated for a
period of less than one year is not annualized.
(e) On February 22, 1994 shares of the Intermediate Government Securities
Portfolio of the Trust were substituted for shares of the Trust's
Short-Term World Income Portfolio.
(f) For fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995, a portfolio
is required to disclose its average commission rate paid per share for
security trades on which commissions are charged.
(g) Information shown for the Alliance Common Stock and Alliance Money
Market Portfolios is attributable to a Portfolio share of beneficial
interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated, based upon
monthly average shares outstanding and other supplementary data. The
information is presented under the continuing entity basis of
accounting as if the reorganization described in "General Information
and History" in the SAI had always been in effect.
(h) On December 16, 1992, the Trust's Board of Trustees declared a 10-for-1
stock split of the outstanding shares of the Alliance Money Market,
Alliance High Yield, Alliance Balanced, Alliance Common Stock, Alliance
Global and Alliance Aggressive Stock Portfolios ("Split Portfolios").
The split was effected on January 1, 1993 for shareholders of record on
that date. Consequently, the information presented in the tables above
for each Split Portfolio share outstanding throughout each period
(other than the periods ended prior to January 1, 1993), and the shares
outstanding at the end of such periods presented for the Split
Portfolios, has been restated.
(i) The Alliance Balanced Portfolio's portfolio turnover rates in 1996 and
1995 were 139% and 152%, respectively, for the equity component and
were 221% and 233%, respectively, for the fixed income component.
10
<PAGE>
THE TRUST
The Trust is an open-end management investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (the "Investment Company Act"). As a "series" investment
company, the Trust issues shares of beneficial interest that are currently
divided into fourteen Portfolios, although the Trust may, from time to time,
establish additional Portfolios. Each Portfolio is a separate diversified
series of the Trust, and the Trust's assets and liabilities are divided among
the Portfolios. Originally organized as a Maryland corporation which
commenced operations on March 22, 1985, the Trust was reorganized as a
Massachusetts business trust on July 10, 1987.
Shares of each Portfolio are currently divided into two classes: Class IA
shares are offered pursuant to this prospectus at net asset value and are not
subject to fees imposed pursuant to a distribution plan. Class IB shares are
offered pursuant to another prospectus at net asset value and are subject to
distribution fees imposed pursuant to a distribution plan (the "Distribution
Plan") adopted under Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act. Class IB
shares are sold to an insurance company separate account of Equitable.
Inquiries regarding Class IB shares should be addressed to Equitable, Income
Management Group, at 200 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, NJ 07096 (toll-free:
1-800-789-7771).
The two classes of shares are offered under the Trust's multiple class
distribution system approved by the Trust's Board of Trustees, and are
designed to allow promotion of insurance products investing in the Trust
through alternative distribution channels. Under the Trust's multi-class
system, shares of each class of a Portfolio represent an equal pro rata
interest in the assets of that Portfolio and, generally, have identical
voting, dividend, liquidation, and other rights, other than with respect to
the payment of distribution fees under the Distribution Plan.
The Trust's shares are sold only to separate accounts of insurance companies
in connection with variable life insurance contracts and variable annuity
certificates and contracts (collectively, the "Contracts") issued by The
Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States ("Equitable") and
certain insurance companies unaffiliated with Equitable. Equitable was the
record owner of approximately 99.7% and 100% of the Trust's Class IA and
Class IB shares, respectively, as of March 31, 1997, and consequently may be
deemed to control the Trust.
The Trust does not currently foresee any disadvantages to policy owners
arising from offering the Trust's shares to separate accounts of insurance
companies that are unaffiliated with each other; however, it is theoretically
possible that the interests of owners of various policies participating in
the Trust through their separate accounts might at some time be in conflict.
In the case of a material irreconcilable conflict, one or more separate
accounts might withdraw their investments in the Trust, which could force the
Trust to sell portfolio securities at disadvantageous prices.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
The following investment objectives of each Portfolio are fundamental and,
unless permitted by law, will not be changed without a vote of the holders of
the majority of the voting securities of that Portfolio. There can, of
course, be no assurance that a Portfolio will achieve its investment
objective.
THE ASSET ALLOCATION SERIES
o The Alliance Conservative Investors Portfolio's fundamental
investment objective is to achieve a high total return without, in
the investment adviser's opinion, undue risk to principal. It will
pursue this objective by investing in a diversified mix of publicly
traded equity and debt securities.
o The Alliance Balanced Portfolio's fundamental investment objective
is to achieve a high return through both appreciation of capital
and current income. The Alliance Balanced Portfolio will pursue
this objective by investing in a diversified portfolio of publicly
traded equity and debt securities and short-term money market
instruments.
o The Alliance Growth Investors Portfolio's fundamental investment
objective is to achieve the highest total return consistent with
the investment adviser's determination of reasonable risk. It will
pursue this objective by investing in a diversified mix of publicly
traded equity and fixed
11
<PAGE>
income securities, including at times common stocks issued by
intermediate and small-sized companies and at times lower quality
fixed income securities commonly known as "junk bonds."
THE EQUITY SERIES
o The Alliance Growth and Income Portfolio's fundamental investment
objective is to provide a high total return through a combination
of current income and capital appreciation by investing primarily
in income-producing common stocks and securities convertible into
common stocks.
o The Alliance Common Stock Portfolio's fundamental investment
objective is to achieve long-term growth of its capital and
increase income. It will pursue this objective by investing
primarily in common stock and other equity-type instruments.
o The Alliance Global Portfolio's fundamental investment objective is
to achieve long-term growth of capital. The Alliance Global
Portfolio will pursue this objective by investing primarily in
equity securities of non-U.S. companies as well as U.S. issuers.
o The Alliance Aggressive Stock Portfolio's fundamental investment
objective is to achieve long-term growth of capital. The Alliance
Aggressive Stock Portfolio will pursue this objective by investing
primarily in common stocks and other equity-type securities issued
by quality small and intermediate sized companies that, in the
opinion of Alliance, have strong growth prospects and in covered
options on those securities.
THE FIXED INCOME SERIES
o The Alliance Money Market Portfolio's fundamental investment
objective is to obtain a high level of current income, preserve its
assets and maintain liquidity. The Alliance Money Market Portfolio
will pursue this objective by investing in primarily high quality
U.S. dollar-denominated money market instruments.
o The Alliance Intermediate Government Securities Portfolio's
fundamental investment objective is to achieve high current income
consistent with relative stability of principal through investment
primarily in debt securities issued or guaranteed as to principal
and interest by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or
instrumentalities. The Alliance Intermediate Government Securities
Portfolio's investments will each have a final maturity of not more
than ten years or a duration not exceeding that of a 10-year
Treasury note.
o The Alliance High Yield Portfolio's fundamental investment
objective is to achieve high return by maximizing current income
and, to the extent consistent with that objective, capital
appreciation. The Alliance High Yield Portfolio will pursue this
objective by investing primarily in a diversified mix of high
yield, fixed income securities, which generally involve greater
volatility of price and risk of principal and income than higher
quality fixed income securities. Lower quality debt securities are
commonly known as "junk bonds."
INVESTMENT POLICIES
The following investment policies and restrictions, unless otherwise noted,
are not fundamental policies of the Portfolios. They may be changed by the
Board of Trustees without a shareholder vote, except as otherwise stated in
this Prospectus or in the SAI.
THE ASSET ALLOCATION SERIES
The Alliance Conservative Investors Portfolio, the Alliance Balanced
Portfolio and the Alliance Growth Investors Portfolio together are called the
Asset Allocation Series. These Portfolios invest in a variety of fixed income
and equity securities, each pursuant to a different asset allocation
strategy, as described below. The term "asset allocation" is used to describe
the process of shifting assets among discrete categories of investments in an
effort to reduce risk while producing desired return objectives. Portfolio
management, therefore, will consist not only of selecting specific securities
but also of setting, monitoring and changing, when necessary, the asset mix.
12
<PAGE>
Each Portfolio has been designed with a view toward a different "investor
profile." The "conservative investor" has a relatively short-term investment
bias, either because of a limited tolerance for market volatility or a short
investment horizon. This investor is averse to taking risks that may result
in principal loss, even though such aversion may reduce the potential for
higher long-term gains and result in lower performance during periods of
equity market strength. Consequently, the asset mix for the Alliance
Conservative Investors Portfolio attempts to reduce volatility while
providing modest upside potential. The "growth investor" has a longer-term
investment horizon and is therefore willing to take more risks in an attempt
to achieve long-term growth of principal. This investor wishes, in effect, to
be risk conscious without being risk averse. The asset mix for the Alliance
Growth Investors Portfolio attempts to provide for upside potential without
excessive volatility.
The "balanced investor" is somewhat less aggressive than the growth investor
and has a medium-to long-term investment horizon. This investor is sensitive
to risk, but is willing to take on some risk in seeking high total return.
Consequently, the asset mix for the Alliance Balanced Portfolio attempts to
capture a sizable portion of the market's upside while diversifying risk
among asset classes.
Alliance Capital Management L.P., the Trust's investment adviser
("Alliance"), has established an asset allocation committee (the
"Committee"), all the members of which are employees of Alliance, which is
responsible for setting and continually reviewing the asset mix ranges of
each Portfolio. The Committee meets at least twice each month. Under normal
market conditions, the Committee is expected to change allocation ranges
approximately three to five times per year. However, the Committee has broad
latitude to establish the frequency, as well as the magnitude, of allocation
changes within the guidelines established for each Portfolio. During periods
of severe market disruption, allocation ranges may change frequently. It is
also possible that in periods of stable and consistent outlook no change will
be made. The Committee's decisions are based on a variety of factors,
including liquidity, portfolio size, tax consequences and general market
conditions, always within the context of the appropriate investor profile for
each Portfolio. Consequently, asset mix decisions for the Alliance
Conservative Investors Portfolio particularly emphasize risk assessment of
each asset class viewed over the shorter term, while decisions for the
Alliance Growth Investors Portfolio are principally based on the longer term
total return potential for each asset class.
When the Committee establishes a new allocation range for a Portfolio, it
also prescribes the length of time during which that Portfolio should achieve
an asset mix within the new range. To achieve a new asset mix, the Portfolios
look first to available cash flow. If it appears that cash flow will, in the
opinion of Alliance, be insufficient to achieve the desired asset mix, the
Portfolios will sell securities and reinvest the proceeds in the appropriate
asset class.
The Asset Allocation Series Portfolios are permitted to use a variety of
hedging techniques to attempt to control stock market, interest rate and
currency risks. Each of the Portfolios in the Asset Allocation Series may
make loans of up to 50% of its total portfolio securities. Each of the
Portfolios in the Asset Allocation Series may write covered call and put
options and may purchase call and put options on all the types of securities
in which it may invest, as well as securities indexes and foreign currencies.
Each Portfolio may also purchase and sell stock index, interest rate and
foreign currency futures contracts and options thereon, as well as forward
foreign currency exchange contracts. See "Investment Techniques--Forward
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts," below.
Risk Factors. In addition to the risk factors associated with the securities
in which the Portfolios in the Asset Allocation Series may invest, these
Portfolios bear the risk that Alliance will not accurately assess and respond
to changing market conditions. While Alliance has established the Committee
to help it anticipate and respond positively to changes in market conditions,
there can be no assurance that this goal will be achieved. Furthermore, these
Portfolios may incur additional operating expenses during periods of
frequently changing asset mix ranges.
ALLIANCE CONSERVATIVE INVESTORS PORTFOLIO--INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Alliance Conservative Investors Portfolio attempts to achieve its
investment objective by allocating varying portions of its assets to high
quality, publicly traded fixed income securities (including money
13
<PAGE>
market instruments and cash) and publicly traded common stocks and other
equity securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers. All fixed income securities
held by the Portfolio will be of investment grade. This means that they will
be in one of the top four rating categories assigned by Standard & Poor's
("S&P") or Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"). The Portfolio may
invest in the types of equity securities in which the Alliance Common Stock
Portfolio may invest, including convertible securities. No more than 15% of
the Portfolio's assets will be invested in securities of non-U.S. issuers.
See "Investment Techniques--Foreign Securities and Currencies," below.
The Portfolio will at all times hold at least 40% of its assets in investment
grade fixed income securities, each having a duration, as determined by
Alliance, that is less than that of a 10-year Treasury bond (the "Fixed
Income Core"). Duration is a measure that relates the price volatility of a
bond to changes in interest rates. The duration of a bond 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. In
some cases, Alliance's calculation of duration will be based on certain
assumptions (including assumptions regarding prepayment rates, in the case of
mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities, and foreign and domestic interest
rates). As of December 31, 1996, the duration of a 10-year Treasury bond was
considered by Alliance to be 7.2 years.
The Portfolio is generally expected to hold approximately 70% of its assets
in fixed income securities (including the Fixed Income Core) and 30% in
equity securities. Actual asset mixes will be adjusted in response to
economic and credit market cycles. The fixed income asset class will always
comprise at least 50%, but never more than 90%, of the Portfolio's total
assets. The equity class will always comprise at least 10%, but never more
than 50%, of the Portfolio's total assets.
ALLIANCE BALANCED PORTFOLIO--INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Alliance Balanced Portfolio attempts to achieve its objective by
investing varying portions of its assets in publicly-traded equity and debt
securities and money market instruments. The Alliance Balanced Portfolio
attempts to achieve long-term growth of capital by investing in common stock
and other equity-type instruments. It will try to achieve a competitive level
of current income and capital appreciation through investments in publicly
traded debt securities and a high level of current income through investments
in money market instruments.
The portion of the Alliance Balanced Portfolio's assets invested in each type
of security will vary in accordance with economic conditions, the general
level of common stock prices, interest rates and other relevant
considerations, including the risks associated with each investment medium.
Although the Alliance Balanced Portfolio will seek to reduce the risks
associated with any one investment medium by utilizing a variety of
investments, performance will depend upon Alliance's ability to assess
accurately and react to changing market conditions.
The Alliance Balanced Portfolio will at all times hold at least 25% of its
assets in fixed income securities (including, for these purposes, that
portion of the value of securities convertible into common stock which is
attributable to the fixed income characteristics of those securities, as well
as money market instruments). The Portfolio's equity securities will always
comprise at least 25%, but never more than 75%, of the Portfolio's total
assets. Consequently, the Portfolio will have "Core Holdings" of at least 25%
fixed income securities and 25% equity securities. Over time, holdings by the
Portfolio are currently expected to average approximately 50% in fixed income
securities and approximately 50% in equity securities. Actual asset mixes
will be adjusted in response to economic and credit market cycles.
The equity securities invested in by the Alliance Balanced Portfolio will
consist of the types of securities in which the Alliance Common Stock
Portfolio may invest. The money market securities will consist of the types
of securities and credit quality in which the Alliance Money Market Portfolio
may invest. The debt securities will consist principally of bonds, notes,
debentures and equipment trust certificates. The Portfolio may also buy debt
securities with equity features such as conversion or exchange rights or
warrants for the acquisition of stock or participations based on revenues,
rates or profits. These debt securities will principally be investment grade
securities rated at least Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P, or will be issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. If such
Baa or
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BBB debt securities held by the Portfolio fall below those ratings, the
Portfolio will not be obligated to dispose of them and may continue to hold
them if Alliance considers them appropriate investments under the
circumstances. In addition, the Alliance Balanced Portfolio may at times hold
some of its assets in cash. The Portfolio may invest up to 20% of its total
assets in foreign securities. See "Investment Techniques--Foreign Securities
and Currencies," below. The Portfolio may make secured loans of up to 50% of
its total portfolio securities. See "Investment Techniques--Securities
Lending," below. The Alliance Balanced Portfolio may write covered call and
put options and may purchase call and put options on all the types of
securities in which it may invest, as well as securities indexes and foreign
currencies. The Alliance Balanced Portfolio may also purchase and sell stock
index, interest rate and foreign currency futures contracts and options
thereon. See "Investment Techniques--Options," "Investment
Techniques--Futures" and "Investment Techniques--Risk Factors in Options and
Futures," below.
ALLIANCE GROWTH INVESTORS PORTFOLIO--INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Alliance Growth Investors Portfolio attempts to achieve its investment
objective by allocating varying portions of its assets to a number of asset
classes. Equity investments will include both exchange-traded and
over-the-counter common stocks and equity-type securities, which may include
preferred stock and convertible securities, and may include securities issued
by intermediate-and small-sized companies that, in the opinion of Alliance,
have favorable growth prospects. More risk is associated with investment in
intermediate and small-sized companies because they are often dependent on
limited product lines, financial resources or management groups. They may be
more vulnerable to competition from larger companies with greater resources
and to economic conditions affecting their market sector. Intermediate-and
small-sized companies may be new, without long business or management
histories, and perceived by the market as unproven. Their securities may be
held primarily by insiders or institutional investors, and may trade
infrequently or in limited volume. The prices of these stocks often fluctuate
more than those of larger, more established companies. Fixed income
investments will include investment grade fixed income securities (including
cash and money market instruments) as well as securities that have a high
current yield and that are either rated in the lower categories by nationally
recognized statistical rating organizations ("NRSROs") (i.e., Baa or lower by
Moody's or BBB or lower by S&P) or are unrated. For a discussion of the risks
associated with investment in these higher yielding securities, see
"Investment Techniques--Fixed Income Securities"; and "Investment
Techniques--Risk Factors of Lower Rated Fixed Income Securities," below. For
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, approximately 19% of the Portfolio
was invested in fixed income securities, all rated AAA or its equivalent. No
more than 30% of the Portfolio's assets will be invested in securities of
non-U.S. issuers. See "Investment Techniques--Foreign Securities and
Currencies," below.
The Portfolio will at all times hold at least 40% of its assets in publicly
traded common stocks and other equity securities of the type purchased by the
Alliance Common Stock Portfolio (the "Equity Core"). The Portfolio is
generally expected to hold approximately 70% of its assets in equity
securities (including the Equity Core) and 30% in fixed income securities.
Actual asset mixes will be adjusted in response to economic and credit market
cycles. The fixed income asset class will always comprise at least 10%, but
never more than 60%, of the Portfolio's total assets. The equity class will
always comprise at least 40%, but never more than 90%, of the Portfolio's
total assets.
THE EQUITY SERIES
ALLIANCE GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO--INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Alliance Growth and Income Portfolio seeks to maintain a portfolio yield
above that of issuers comprising the S&P 500 Index and to achieve (in the
long run) a rate of growth in portfolio income that exceeds the rate of
inflation. The Alliance Growth and Income Portfolio will generally invest in
common stocks of "blue chip" issuers, i.e., those (1) which have a total
market capitalization of at least $1 billion, (2) which pay periodic
dividends and (3) whose common stock is in the highest four issuer ratings
for S&P (i.e., A+, A, A-or B+) or Moody's (i.e., High Grade, Investment
Grade, Upper Medium Grade or Medium Grade) or, if unrated, is determined to
be of comparable quality by Alliance. It is expected that on average the
dividend rate of these issuers will exceed the average rate of issuers
constituting the S&P 500 Index.
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The Alliance Growth and Income Portfolio may invest without limit in
securities convertible into common stocks, which include convertible bonds,
convertible preferred stocks and convertible warrants. The Alliance Growth
and Income Portfolio may invest up to 30% of its total assets in high yield,
high risk convertible securities rated at the time of purchase below
investment grade (i.e., rated Ba or lower by Moody's or BB or lower by S&P or
determined by the Trust's investment adviser to be of comparable quality).
Convertible securities normally provide a yield that is higher than that of
the underlying stock but lower than that of a fixed income security without
the convertible feature. Also, the price of a convertible security will
normally vary to some degree with changes in the price of the underlying
common stock, although in some market conditions the higher yield tends to
make the convertible security less volatile than the underlying common stock.
In addition, the price of a convertible security will also vary to some
degree inversely with interest rates. For additional discussion of the risks
associated with investment in lower-rated securities, see "Investment
Techniques--Fixed Income Securities" and "Investment Techniques--Risk Factors
of Lower Rated Fixed Income Securities," below. For more information
concerning the bond ratings assigned by Moody's and S&P, see Appendix A.
The Alliance Growth and Income Portfolio does not expect to invest more than
25% of its total assets in foreign securities, although it may do so without
limit. It may enter into foreign currency futures contracts (and related
options), forward foreign currency exchange contracts and options on
currencies for hedging purposes. See "Investment Techniques--Forward Foreign
Currency Exchange Contracts," below.
The Alliance Growth and Income Portfolio may write covered call and put
options on securities and securities indexes for hedging purposes or to
enhance its return and may purchase call and put options on securities and
securities indexes for hedging purposes. The Alliance Growth and Income
Portfolio may also purchase and sell securities index futures contracts and
may write and purchase options thereon for hedging purposes. See "Investment
Techniques--Options," "Investment Techniques--Futures," and "Investment
Techniques--Risk Factors in Options and Futures," below.
For temporary defensive purposes, the Alliance Growth and Income Portfolio
may invest in certain money market instruments. See "Investment
Techniques--Certain Money Market Instruments," below.
ALLIANCE COMMON STOCK PORTFOLIO--INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Alliance Common Stock Portfolio attempts to achieve its investment
objective by investing primarily in common stocks and other equity-type
securities that Alliance believes will share in the growth of the nation's
economy over a long period.
Most of the time, the Alliance Common Stock Portfolio will invest primarily
in common stocks that are listed on national securities exchanges. Smaller
amounts will be invested in stocks that are traded over-the-counter and in
other equity-type securities (such as preferred stocks or convertible debt
instruments). Current income is an incidental consideration. The Alliance
Common Stock Portfolio generally will not invest more than 20% of its total
assets in foreign securities. See "Investment Techniques--Foreign Securities
and Currencies," below.
If, in light of economic conditions and the general level of common stock
prices, it appears that the Portfolio's investment objective will not be met
by using all its assets to buy equities, the Alliance Common Stock Portfolio
may also use part of its assets to make nonequity investments. These could
include buying securities such as nonparticipating and nonconvertible
preferred stocks and certain fixed income securities. Fixed income securities
will include investment grade bonds and debentures and money market
instruments, as well as securities that have a high current yield because
they are either rated in the lower categories by NRSROs (i.e., Baa or lower
by Moody's or BBB or lower by S&P) or are unrated. For a discussion of the
risks associated with investment in these higher yielding securities, see
"Investment Techniques--Fixed Income Securities" and "Investment
Techniques--Risk Factors of Lower Rated Fixed Income Securities," below. For
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, less than 1% of the average assets
of the Portfolio were invested in higher yielding securities.
The Alliance Common Stock Portfolio may make temporary investments in money
market instruments of the same type and credit quality as those in which the
Alliance Money Market Portfolio may invest. The Portfolio may make secured
loans of up to 50% of its total portfolio securities. See "Investment
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Techniques--Securities Lending," below. The Alliance Common Stock Portfolio
may write covered call and put options and may buy call and put options on
individual common stocks and other equity-type securities, securities
indexes, and foreign currencies. The Portfolio may also purchase and sell
stock index and foreign currency futures contracts and options thereon. See
"Investment Techniques--Options," "Investment Techniques--Futures," and
"Investment Techniques--Risk Factors in Options and Futures," below.
ALLIANCE GLOBAL PORTFOLIO--INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Alliance Global Portfolio attempts to achieve its objective by investing
primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity securities selected
principally to permit participation in established non-U.S. companies that,
in the opinion of Alliance, have prospects for growth, as well as in
securities issued by United States companies. These non-U.S. companies may
have operations in the United States, in their country of incorporation or in
other countries. The Alliance Global Portfolio intends to diversify
investments among several countries and to have represented in the Portfolio
business activities in not less than three different countries (including the
United States). For temporary or defensive purposes, the Alliance Global
Portfolio may at times invest substantially all of its assets in securities
issued by U.S. companies or in cash or cash equivalents, including money
market instruments issued by foreign entities.
The Alliance Global Portfolio may invest in any type of security including,
but not limited to, shares, preferred or common, as well as shares of mutual
funds which invest in foreign securities, bonds and other evidences of
indebtedness, and other securities of issuers wherever organized and
governments and their political subdivisions. Although no particular
proportion of stocks, bonds or other securities is required to be maintained,
the Alliance Global Portfolio intends under normal conditions to invest in
equity securities. The Portfolio may make secured loans of up to 50% of its
total portfolio securities. See "Investment Techniques--Securities Lending,"
below. The Alliance Global Portfolio may write covered call and put options
and may purchase call and put options on individual equity securities,
securities indexes, and foreign currencies. The Alliance Global Portfolio may
also purchase and sell stock index, foreign currency and interest rate
futures contracts and options on such contracts, as well as forward foreign
currency exchange contracts. See "Investment Techniques--Options,"
"Investment Techniques--Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts,"
"Investment Techniques--Futures," and "Investment Techniques--Risk Factors in
Options and Futures," below.
Risk Factors. For a discussion of the risks associated with investments in
foreign securities, see "Investment Techniques--Foreign Securities and
Currencies," below.
ALLIANCE AGGRESSIVE STOCK PORTFOLIO--INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Alliance Aggressive Stock Portfolio attempts to achieve its objective by
investing primarily in common stocks and other equity-type securities issued
by intermediate-and small-sized companies that, in the opinion of Alliance,
have favorable growth prospects. The Alliance Aggressive Stock Portfolio may
also invest a portion of its assets in securities of companies in cyclical
industries, companies whose securities are temporarily undervalued, companies
in special situations and less widely known companies.
If, in light of economic conditions, it appears that the Alliance Aggressive
Stock Portfolio's objective will not be achieved primarily through
investments in common stocks, the Portfolio may also invest in other
equity-type securities (such as preferred stocks and convertible debt
instruments) and protective options. Under certain market conditions, the
Alliance Aggressive Stock Portfolio may also invest in corporate fixed income
securities, which will generally be investment grade, or invest part of its
assets in cash or cash equivalents for liquidity or defensive purposes,
including money market instruments rated at least Prime-1 by Moody's or A-1
by S&P. The Alliance Aggressive Stock Portfolio may invest no more than 20%
of its total assets in foreign securities. See "Investment
Techniques--Foreign Securities and Currencies," below. The Portfolio may make
secured loans of up to 50% of its total portfolio securities. See "Investment
Techniques--Securities Lending," below. The Alliance Aggressive Stock
Portfolio may write covered call options and may purchase call and put
options on individual equity securities, securities indexes and foreign
currencies. The Alliance Aggressive Stock Portfolio may also purchase and
sell stock index and
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foreign currency futures contracts and options thereon. See "Investment
Techniques--Options," "Investment Techniques--Futures" and "Risk Factors in
Options and Futures," below.
Risk Factors. More risk is associated with investment in intermediate-and
small-sized companies, because they are often dependent on limited product
lines, financial resources or management groups. They may be more vulnerable
to competition from larger companies with greater resources and to economic
conditions affecting their market sector. Intermediate-and small-sized
companies may be new, without long business or management histories, and
perceived by the market as unproven. Their securities may be held primarily
by insiders or institutional investors, and may trade infrequently or in
limited volume. The prices of these stocks often fluctuate more than those of
larger more established companies.
THE FIXED INCOME SERIES
ALLIANCE MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO--INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Alliance Money Market Portfolio attempts to achieve its objective by
investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of high-quality U.S.
dollar-denominated money market instruments. The instruments in which the
Portfolio invests include: (1) marketable obligations of, or guaranteed by,
the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities (collectively, the
"U.S. Government"); (2) certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, bank
notes, time deposits and interest bearing savings deposits issued or
guaranteed by (a) domestic banks (including their foreign branches) or
savings and loan associations having total assets of more than $1 billion and
which are members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") in
the case of banks, or insured by the FDIC, in the case of savings and loan
associations or (b) foreign banks (either by their foreign or U.S. branches)
having total assets of at least $5 billion and having an issue of either
commercial paper rated at least A-1 by S&P or Prime-1 by Moody's or long term
debt rated at least AA by S&P or Aa by Moody's; (3) commercial paper (rated
at least A-1 by S&P or Prime-1 by Moody's or, if not rated, issued by
domestic or foreign companies having outstanding debt securities rated at
least AA by S&P or Aa by Moody's) and participation interests in loans
extended by banks to such companies; (4) mortgage-backed securities and
asset-backed securities; (5) corporate debt obligations with remaining
maturities of less than one year, rated at least AA by S&P or Aa by Moody's,
as well as corporate debt obligations rated at least A by S&P or Moody's,
provided the corporation also has outstanding an issue of commercial paper
rated at least A-1 by S&P or Prime-1 by Moody's; (6) floating rate or master
demand notes; and (7) repurchase agreements covering securities issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government (see "Investment Techniques--Repurchase
Agreements," below). Time deposits with maturities greater than seven days
are considered to be illiquid securities.
Investments by the Alliance Money Market Portfolio are limited to those which
present minimal credit risk. If a security held by the Alliance Money Market
Portfolio is no longer deemed to present minimal credit risk, the Alliance
Money Market Portfolio will dispose of the security as soon as practicable
unless the Trustees determine that such action would not be in the best
interest of the Portfolio. Purchases of securities that are unrated must be
ratified by the Trustees of the Trust. Because the market value of debt
obligations fluctuates as an inverse function of changing interest rates, the
Portfolio seeks to minimize the effect of such fluctuations by investing only
in instruments with a remaining maturity of 397 calendar days or less at the
time of investment, except for obligations of the U.S. Government, which may
have a remaining maturity of 762 calendar days or less. The Portfolio will
maintain a dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity of 90 days or less. The
Alliance Money Market Portfolio may invest up to 20% of its total assets in
U.S. dollar-denominated foreign money market instruments. See "Investment
Techniques--Foreign Securities and Currencies," below. The Portfolio may make
secured loans of up to 50% of its total portfolio securities. See "Investment
Techniques--Securities Lending," below.
ALLIANCE INTERMEDIATE GOVERNMENT SECURITIES PORTFOLIO--INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Alliance Intermediate Government Securities Portfolio attempts to achieve
its investment objective by investing primarily in debt securities issued or
guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest by the U.S.
Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities ("U.S. Government
Securities"). The Alliance Intermediate Government Securities Portfolio may
also invest in repurchase
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agreements and forward commitments related to U.S. Government Securities. The
Portfolio may seek to enhance its current return and may seek to hedge
against changes in interest rates by engaging in transactions involving
related options, futures and options on futures.
The Alliance Intermediate Government Securities Portfolio expects that under
normal market conditions it will invest at least 80% of its total assets in
U.S. Government Securities and repurchase agreements and forward commitments
relating to U.S. Government Securities. U.S. Government Securities include,
without limitation, the following:
o U.S. Treasury Bills--Direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury which
are issued in maturities of one year or less. No interest is paid
on Treasury Bills; instead, they are issued at a discount and
repaid at full face value when they mature. They are backed by the
full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
o U.S. Treasury Notes--Direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury issued
in maturities which vary between one and ten years, with interest
payable every six months. They are backed by the full faith and
credit of the U.S. Government.
o U.S. Treasury Bonds--These direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury
are issued in maturities more than ten years from the date of
issue, with interest payable every six months. They are backed by
the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
o "Ginnie Maes"--Ginnie Maes are debt securities issued by a mortgage
banker or other mortgagee and represent an interest in a pool of
mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration or the
Farmer's Home Administration or guaranteed by the Veteran's
Administration. The Government National Mortgage Association
("GNMA") guarantees the timely payment of principal and interest.
Ginnie Maes, although not direct obligations of the U.S.
Government, are guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
o "Fannie Maes"--The Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA")
is a government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private
stockholders that purchases residential mortgages from a list of
approved seller/servicers. Pass-through securities issued by FNMA
are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by
FNMA and supported by FNMA's right to borrow from the U.S.
Treasury, at the discretion of the U.S. Treasury. Fannie Maes are
not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
o "Freddie Macs"--The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
("FHLMC"), a corporate instrumentality of the U.S. Government,
issues participation certificates ("PCs") which represent an
interest in residential mortgages from FHLMC's National Portfolio.
FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate
collection of principal, but PCs are not backed by the full faith
and credit of the U.S. Government.
o Governmental Collateralized Mortgage Obligations--These are
securities issued by a U.S. Government instrumentality or agency
which are backed by a portfolio of mortgages or mortgage-backed
securities held under an indenture. See "Other Investments," below.
o "Sallie Maes"--The Student Loan Marketing Association ("SLMA") is a
government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private
stockholders that provides liquidity for banks and other
institutions engaged in the Guaranteed Student Loan Program. These
loans are either directly guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or
guaranteed by state agencies and reinsured by the U.S. Government.
SLMA issues both short term notes and longer term public bonds to
finance its activities.
The Portfolio may also invest in "zero coupon" U.S. Government Securities
which have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons and receipts or
in certificates representing undivided interests in such stripped U.S.
Government Securities and coupons. These securities tend to be more volatile
than other types of U.S. Government Securities.
Guarantees of the Portfolio's securities by the U.S. Government or its
agencies or instrumentalities guarantee only the payment of principal at
maturity and interest when due on the guaranteed securities, and do not
guarantee the securities' yield or value or the yield or value of the
Alliance Intermediate Government Securities Portfolio's shares.
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The Portfolio buys and sells securities with a view to maximizing current
return without, in the view of Alliance, undue risk to principal. Potential
capital gains resulting from possible changes in interest rates will not be a
major consideration. The Portfolio may take full advantage of a wide range of
maturities of U.S. Government Securities and may adjust the dollar-weighted
average maturity of its portfolio from time to time, depending on Alliance's
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 securities held by the Portfolio. However, at all times, each instrument
held by the Portfolio will have either a final maturity of not more than ten
years or a duration, as determined by Alliance, 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
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. In some cases, Alliance's calculation of duration
will be based on certain assumptions (including assumptions regarding
prepayment rates, in the mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities, and
foreign and domestic interest rates). As of December 31, 1996, the duration
of a 10-year Treasury bond was considered by Alliance to be 7.2 years. The
Portfolio may also invest a substantial portion of its assets in money market
instruments. See "Investment Techniques--Certain Money Market Instruments,"
below.
It is a fundamental policy of the Alliance Intermediate Government Securities
Portfolio that under normal market conditions it will invest at least 65% of
its total assets in U.S. Government Securities and repurchase agreements and
forward commitments relating to U.S. Government Securities.
Other Investments. The Alliance Intermediate Government Securities Portfolio
may also purchase collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs") issued by
non-governmental issuers and securities issued by a real estate mortgage
investment conduits ("REMICs"). See "Investment Techniques--Mortgage-Backed
and Asset-Backed Securities," below. The Alliance Intermediate Government
Securities Portfolio will purchase only CMOs only if they collateralized by
U.S. Government Securities. However, CMOs issued by entities other than U.S.
Government agencies or instrumentalities and securities issued by REMICs are
not considered U.S. Government Securities for purposes of the investment
policies of the Alliance Intermediate Government Securities Portfolio even
though the CMOs may be collateralized by U.S. Government Securities. Such
securities will generally be investment grade. In the event such securities
fall below investment grade, the Portfolio will not be obligated to dispose
of such securities and may continue to hold such securities if, in the
opinion of Alliance, such investment is appropriate under the circumstances.
In order to enhance its current return and to reduce fluctuations in net
asset value, the Portfolio may write call and put options on U.S. Government
Securities which are "covered" as described herein and may purchase call and
put options on U.S. Government Securities. The Portfolio may also enter into
interest rate futures contracts with respect to U.S. Government Securities,
and may write and purchase options thereon. See "Investment
Techniques--Options" and "Investment Techniques--Futures," below.
The Portfolio may also enter into forward commitments for the purchase of
U.S. Government Securities, purchase such securities on a when-issued or
delayed delivery basis, make secured loans of its portfolio securities
without limitation and enter into repurchase agreements with respect to U.S.
Government Securities with commercial banks and registered broker-dealers.
See "Investment Techniques--Forward Commitments and When-Issued and Delayed
Delivery Securities," below.
The Portfolio may make short sales involving either securities retained in
the Portfolio's portfolio or securities which the Portfolio has the absolute
right to acquire without additional consideration.
Special Considerations. 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 corporate debt securities. As
with other mutual funds, the value of the Portfolio's shares will fluctuate
with the value of its investments. The value of the Portfolio's investments
will change as the general level of interest rates fluctuates. During periods
of falling interest rates, the values of U.S. Government Securities generally
rise. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, the values of U.S.
Government Securities generally decline. In an effort to preserve the capital
of the Portfolio when interest rates are generally rising, the investment
adviser may shorten the average maturity of the U.S. Government Securities in
the Portfolio's
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portfolio. Because the principal values of U.S. Government Securities with
shorter maturities are less affected by rising interest rates, a portfolio
with a shorter average maturity will generally diminish less in value during
such periods than a portfolio of longer average maturity. Because U.S.
Government Securities with shorter maturities generally have a lower yield to
maturity, however, the Portfolio's current return based on its net asset
value will generally be lower as a result of such action than it would have
been had such action not been taken. Ginnie Maes and other mortgage-backed or
mortgage-related securities in which the Portfolio invests may not be an
effective means of "locking in" favorable long-term interest rates since the
Portfolio must reinvest scheduled and unscheduled principal payments relating
to such securities. At the time principal payments or prepayments are
received by the Portfolio and reinvested, prevailing interest rates may be
higher or lower than the Portfolio's current yield.
At times when the Portfolio has written call options, its ability to profit
from declining interest rates will be limited. Any resulting appreciation in
the value of the Portfolio would likely be partially or wholly offset by the
losses on call options written by the Portfolio. The termination of option
positions under such conditions would result in the realization of capital
losses, which would reduce the amounts available for distribution to
shareholders.
ALLIANCE HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO--INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Alliance High Yield Portfolio attempts to achieve its objective by
investing primarily in a diversified mix of high yield, fixed income
securities, which generally involve greater volatility of price and risk of
principal and income than high quality fixed income securities.
Ordinarily, the Portfolio will invest a portion of its assets in fixed income
securities which have a high current yield and that are either rated in the
lower categories of NRSROs (i.e., rated Baa or lower by Moody's or BBB or
lower by S&P) or are unrated. The Portfolio may also make temporary
investments in money market instruments of the same type as the Alliance
Money Market Portfolio. The Portfolio will not invest more than 10% of its
total assets in (i) fixed income securities which are rated lower than B3 or
B-or their equivalents by one NRSRO or if unrated are of equivalent quality
as determined by Alliance, and (ii) money market instruments of any entity
which has an outstanding issue of unsecured debt that is rated lower than B3
or B-or their equivalents by an NRSRO or if unrated is of equivalent quality
as determined by Alliance; however, this restriction will not apply to (i)
fixed income securities which, in the opinion of Alliance, have similar
characteristics to securities which are rated B3 or higher by Moody's or B-or
higher by S&P, or (ii) money market instruments of any entity that has an
unsecured issue of outstanding debt which, in the opinion of Alliance, has
similar characteristics to securities which are so rated. See Appendix A,
"Description of Bond Ratings," for a description of each rating category. In
the event that any securities held by the Alliance High Yield Portfolio fall
below those ratings, the Portfolio will not be obligated to dispose of such
securities and may continue to hold such securities if, in the opinion of
Alliance, such investment is considered appropriate under the circumstances.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, the approximate percentages of
the Portfolio's average assets invested in securities of each rating
category, determined on a dollar weighted basis, were as follows: 0% in
securities rated AAA or its equivalent, 13.4% in securities rated BB or its
equivalent and 58.6% in securities rated B or its equivalent. Of these
securities, 89.8% were rated by an NRSRO and 10.2% were unrated. All of the
unrated securities were considered by the investment adviser to be of
comparable quality to the Portfolio's investments rated by an NRSRO.
The Portfolio may also invest in fixed income securities which are providing
high current yields because of risks other than credit, such as prepayment
risks, in the case of mortgage-backed securities, or currency risks, in the
case of non-U.S. dollar denominated foreign securities. The Portfolio may
also be invested in common stocks and other equity-type securities (such as
convertible debt securities). See "Investment Techniques--Fixed Income
Securities" and "Investment Techniques--Risk Factors of Lower Rated Fixed
Income Securities," below.
The Alliance High Yield Portfolio will attempt to maximize current income by
taking advantage of market developments, yield disparities and variations in
the creditworthiness of issuers. Substantially all of the Portfolio's
investments will be income producing. The Portfolio will use various
strategies in
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attempting to achieve its objective. The Portfolio may make secured loans of
its portfolio securities without limitation. See "Investment
Techniques--Securities Lending," below. In order to enhance its current
return and to reduce fluctuations in net asset value, the Portfolio may write
covered call and put options and may purchase call and put options on
individual fixed income securities, securities indexes and foreign
currencies. The Portfolio may also purchase and sell stock index, interest
rate and foreign currency futures contracts and options thereon. See
"Investment Techniques--Options," "Investment Techniques--Futures," and "Risk
Factors in Options and Futures," below.
INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
The Portfolios have the flexibility to invest, within limits, in a variety of
instruments designed to enhance their investment capabilities. All of the
Portfolios may make investments in repurchase agreements, and all of the
Portfolios may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery
or forward commitment basis. The Portfolios, other than the Alliance Money
Market Portfolio, may write (i.e., sell) covered put and call options and buy
put and call options on securities and securities indexes. The Portfolios,
other than the Alliance Money Market and Alliance Intermediate Government
Securities Portfolios, may also write covered put and call options and buy
put and call options on foreign currencies. The Alliance Balanced, Alliance
Common Stock, Alliance Aggressive Stock, Alliance High Yield, Alliance
Global, Alliance Conservative Investors, Alliance Growth Investors, Alliance
Intermediate Government Securities and Alliance Growth and Income Portfolios
may buy and sell exchange-traded financial futures contracts, and options
thereon. A brief description of certain of these investment instruments and
their risks appears below. More detailed information is to be found in the
SAI.
MORTGAGE-BACKED AND ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
The Portfolios may invest in mortgage-backed securities, which are mortgage
loans made by banks, savings and loan institutions and other lenders that are
assembled into pools, that are (i) issued by an agency of the U.S. Government
(such as GNMA) whose securities are guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury, (ii)
issued by an instrumentality of the U.S. Government (such as FNMA) whose
securities are supported by the instrumentality's right to borrow from the
U.S. Treasury, at the discretion of the U.S. Treasury, though not backed by
the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government itself, or (iii)
collateralized by U.S. Treasury obligations or U.S. Government agency
securities. Interests in such pools are described in this prospectus as
mortgage-backed securities. The Portfolios may invest in (i) mortgage-backed
securities, including GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC certificates, (ii) CMOs that are
issued by non-governmental entities and collateralized by U.S. Treasury
obligations or by U.S. Government agency or instrumentality securities, (iii)
REMICs and (iv) other asset-backed securities. Other asset-backed securities
(unrelated to mortgage loans) may include securities such as certificates for
automobile receivables ("CARS") and credit card receivable securities
("CARDS") as well as other asset-backed securities that may be developed in
the future.
The rate of return on mortgage-backed securities, such as GNMA, FNMA and
FHLMC certificates and CMOs, and, to a lesser extent, asset-backed securities
may be affected by early prepayment of principal on the underlying loans or
receivables. Prepayment rates vary widely and may be affected by changes in
market interest rates. It is not possible to predict with certainty the
average life of a particular mortgage pool or pool of loans or receivables.
Reinvestment of principal may occur at higher or lower rates than the
original yield. Therefore, the actual maturity and realized yield on
mortgage-backed securities and, to a lesser extent, asset-backed securities
will vary based upon the prepayment experience of the underlying pool of
mortgages or pool of loans or receivables.
The fixed rate mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities in which the
Alliance Money Market Portfolio invests will have remaining maturities of
less than one year. The Portfolios may also invest in floating or variable
rate mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities on the same terms as they
may invest in floating or variable rate notes, described below under "Certain
Money Market Instruments."
CERTAIN MONEY MARKET INSTRUMENTS
All of the Portfolios may invest in money market instruments, including
certificates of deposit, time deposits, bankers' acceptances, bank notes and
other short-term debt obligations issued by commercial
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banks or savings and loan associations ("S&Ls"). Certificates of deposit are
receipts from a bank or an S&L for funds deposited for a specified period of
time at a specified rate of return. Time deposits in banks or S&Ls are
generally similar to certificates of deposit, but are uncertificated.
Bankers' acceptances are time drafts drawn on commercial banks by borrowers,
usually in connection with international commercial transactions.
The Portfolios may also invest in commercial paper, meaning short-term,
unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations to finance their short-term
credit needs. In addition, these Portfolios may invest in variable or
floating rate notes. Variable and floating rate notes provide for automatic
establishment of a new interest rate at fixed periodic intervals (e.g., daily
or monthly) or whenever some specified interest rate changes. The interest
rate on variable or floating rate securities is ordinarily determined by
reference to some other objective measure such as the U.S. Treasury bill
rate. Many floating rate notes have put or demand features which allow the
holder to put the note back to the issuer or the broker who sold it at
certain specified times and upon notice. Floating rate notes without such a
put or demand feature, or in which the notice period is greater than seven
days, may be considered illiquid securities.
FIXED INCOME SECURITIES
Fixed income securities include preferred and preference stocks and all types
of debt obligations of both domestic and foreign issuers (such as bonds,
debentures, notes, equipment lease certificates, equipment trust
certificates, conditional sales contracts, commercial paper, mortgage-backed
securities and obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its
agencies or instrumentalities).
Corporate debt securities may bear fixed, contingent or variable rates of
interest and may involve equity features, such as conversion or exchange
rights or warrants for the acquisition of stock of the same or a different
issuer or participation based on revenues, sales or profits or the purchase
of common stock in a unit transaction (where corporate debt securities and
common stock are offered as a unit).
RISK FACTORS OF LOWER RATED FIXED INCOME SECURITIES
Fixed income investments that have a high current yield and that are either
rated in the lower categories by NRSROs (i.e., Baa or lower by Moody's or BBB
or lower by S&P) or are unrated but of comparable quality are known as "junk
bonds" and are regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the
issuer's continuing ability to meet principal and interest payments. Because
investment in medium and lower quality bonds involves greater investment
risk, achievement of a Portfolio's investment objective will be more
dependent on Alliance's analysis than would be the case if that Portfolio
were investing in higher quality bonds. Medium and lower quality bonds may be
more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic and individual
corporate developments than would investment grade bonds. For example, a
projected economic downturn or the possibility of an increase in interest
rates could cause a decline in high yield bond prices because such an event
might lessen the ability of highly leveraged high yield issuers to meet their
principal and interest payment obligations, meet projected business goals or
obtain additional financing. In addition, the secondary trading market for
medium and lower quality bonds may be less liquid than the market for
investment grade bonds. This potential lack of liquidity may make it more
difficult for the Portfolio to value accurately certain portfolio securities.
Further, as with many corporate bonds (including investment grade issues),
there is the risk that certain high yield bonds containing redemption or call
provisions may be called by the issuers of such bonds in a declining interest
rate market, and the relevant Portfolio would then have to replace such
called bonds with lower yielding bonds, thereby decreasing the net investment
income to the Portfolio. Prepayment of mortgages underlying mortgage-backed
securities, even though these securities will generally be rated in the
higher categories of NRSROs, may also reduce their current yield and total
return. However, Alliance intends to invest in these securities only when the
potential benefits to a Portfolio are deemed to outweigh the risks.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
In repurchase agreements, a Portfolio buys securities from a seller, usually
a bank or brokerage firm, with the understanding that the seller will
repurchase the securities at a higher price at a future date. During
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the term of the repurchase agreement, the Portfolio's custodian retains the
securities subject to the repurchase agreement as collateral securing the
seller's repurchase obligation, continually monitors on a daily basis the
market value of the securities subject to the agreement and requires the
seller to deposit with the Portfolio's custodian collateral equal to any
amount by which the market value of the securities subject to the repurchase
agreement falls below the resale amount provided under the repurchase
agreement. The creditworthiness of sellers is determined by Alliance, subject
to the direction of and review by the Board of Trustees. Such transactions
afford an opportunity for the Portfolio to earn a fixed rate of return on
available cash at minimal market risk, although the Portfolio may be subject
to various delays and risks of loss if the seller is unable to meet its
obligation to repurchase. The staff of the SEC currently takes the position
that repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days are illiquid
securities. No Portfolio will enter into a repurchase agreement if as a
result more than 15% (10% in the case of the Alliance Money Market Portfolio)
of the Portfolio's net assets would be invested in "illiquid securities."
LOAN ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATIONS
The Alliance High Yield Portfolio may invest in participations and
assignments of loans to corporate, governmental, or other borrowers
originally made by institutional lenders or lending syndicates. These
investments are subject to the same risks associated with fixed income
securities generally. For example, loans to foreign governments will involve
a risk that the governmental entities responsible for the repayment of the
loan may be unable, or unwilling, to pay interest and repay principal when
due. In addition, loan participations and assignments are often not rated and
may also be less liquid than other debt interests.
Even if the loans are secured, there is no assurance that the liquidation of
collateral from a secured loan would satisfy the borrower's obligation, or
that the collateral can be liquidated. Also, if a loan is foreclosed, the
Portfolio could become part owner of any collateral, and would bear the costs
and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. In
addition, it is conceivable that under emerging legal theories of lender
liability, the Portfolio could be held liable as a co-lender.
A loan is often administered by a bank or other financial institution that
acts as agent for all holders. The agent administers the terms of the loan,
as specified in the loan agreement, and the Portfolio will generally have to
rely on the agent to apply appropriate credit remedies against a borrower.
Consequently, loan participations may also be adversely affected by the
insolvency of the lending bank or other intermediary.
FORWARD COMMITMENTS AND WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES
The Portfolios may enter into forward commitments for the purchase or sale of
securities and may purchase and sell securities on a when-issued or delayed
delivery basis. Forward commitments and when-issued or delayed delivery
transactions arise when securities are purchased or sold by a Portfolio with
payment and delivery taking place in the future in order to secure what
Alliance considers to be an advantageous price or yield to the Portfolio at
the time of entering into the transaction. However, the market value of such
securities may be more or less than the purchase price payable at settlement.
No payment or delivery is made by the Portfolio until it receives delivery or
payment from the other party to the transaction. When a Portfolio engages in
forward commitments or when-issued or delayed delivery transactions, the
Portfolio relies on the other party to consummate the transaction. Failure to
consummate the transaction may result in the Portfolio missing the
opportunity of obtaining an advantageous price or yield. Forward commitments
and when-issued and delayed delivery transactions are generally expected to
settle within four months from the date the transactions are entered into,
although the Portfolio may close out its position prior to the settlement
date. The Portfolio's custodian will maintain, in a segregated account of the
Portfolio, liquid assets having a value equal to or greater than the
Portfolio's purchase commitments; the custodian will likewise segregate
securities sold under a forward commitment or on a delayed delivery basis. A
Portfolio will sell on a forward settlement basis only securities it owns or
has the right to acquire.
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OPTIONS
The Portfolios, other than the Alliance Money Market Portfolio, may write
(sell) covered put and call options and buy put and call options, including
options relating to individual securities and securities indexes. The
Portfolios, other than the Alliance Money Market and Alliance Intermediate
Government Securities Portfolios, may also write covered put and call options
and buy put and call options on foreign currencies.
A call option is a contract that gives to the holder the right to buy a
specified amount of the underlying security at a fixed or determinable price
(called the exercise or strike price) upon exercise of the option. A put
option is a contract that gives the holder the right to sell a specified
amount of the underlying security at a fixed or determinable price upon
exercise of the option. In the case of index options, exercises are settled
through the payment of cash rather than the delivery of property. A call
option on a security will be considered covered, for example, if the
Portfolio holds the security upon which the option is written. The Portfolios
may write call options on securities or securities indexes for the purpose of
increasing their return or to provide a partial hedge against a decline in
the value of their portfolio securities or both. The Portfolios may write put
options on securities or securities indexes in order to earn additional
income or (in the case of put options written on individual securities) to
purchase the underlying security at a price below the current market price.
If a Portfolio writes an option which expires unexercised or is closed out by
the Portfolio at a profit, it will retain all or part of the premium received
for the option, which will increase its gross income. If the option is
exercised, the Portfolio will be required to sell or purchase the underlying
security at a disadvantageous price, or, in the case of index options,
deliver an amount of cash, which loss may only be partially offset by the
amount of premium received. Each of the Portfolios noted above may also
purchase put or call options on securities and securities indexes in order to
hedge against changes in interest rates or stock prices which may adversely
affect the prices of securities that the Portfolio wants to purchase at a
later date, to hedge its existing investments against a decline in value, or
to attempt to reduce the risk of missing a market or industry segment
advance. In the event that the expected changes in interest rates or stock
prices occur, the Portfolio may be able to offset the resulting adverse
effect on the Portfolio by exercising or selling the options purchased. The
premium paid for a put or call option plus any transaction costs will reduce
the benefit, if any, realized by the Portfolio upon exercise or liquidation
of the option. Unless the price of the underlying security or level of the
securities index changes by an amount in excess of the premium paid, the
option may expire without value to the Portfolio. See "Risk Factors in
Options and Futures," below.
Options purchased or written by the Portfolios may be traded on the national
securities exchanges or negotiated with a dealer. Options traded in the
over-the-counter market may not be as actively traded as those on an
exchange, so it may be more difficult to value such options. In addition, it
may be difficult to enter into closing transactions with respect to such
options. Such options, and the securities used as "cover" for such options,
may be considered illiquid securities.
In instances in which a Portfolio has entered into agreements with primary
dealers with respect to the over-the-counter options it has written, and such
agreements would enable the Portfolio to have an absolute right to repurchase
at a pre-established formula price the over-the-counter option written by it,
the Portfolio would treat as illiquid securities only the amount equal to the
formula price described above less the amount by which the option is
"in-the-money," i.e., the amount by which the price of the option exceeds the
exercise price.
The Portfolios, except the Alliance Money Market and Alliance Intermediate
Government Securities Portfolios, may purchase put and call options and write
covered put and call options on foreign currencies for the purpose of
protecting against declines in the dollar value of portfolio securities and
against increases in the dollar cost of securities to be acquired. Such
investment strategies will be used as a hedge and not for speculation. As in
the case of other types of options, however, the writing of an option on
foreign currency will constitute only a partial hedge, up to the amount of
the premium received, and the Portfolio could be required to purchase or sell
foreign currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby incurring
losses. The purchase of an option on foreign currency may constitute an
effective hedge against fluctuations in exchange rates although, in the event
of rate movements adverse to the Portfolio's
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<PAGE>
position, it may forfeit the entire amount of the premium plus related
transaction costs. Options on foreign currencies may be traded on the
national securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter market. As described
above, options traded in the over-the-counter market may not be as actively
traded as those on an exchange, so it may be more difficult to value such
options. In addition, it may be difficult to enter into closing transactions
with respect to options traded over-the-counter.
FUTURES
The Alliance High Yield, Alliance Global, Alliance Conservative Investors,
Alliance Growth Investors, Alliance Intermediate Government Securities and
Alliance Balanced Portfolios may each purchase and sell futures contracts and
related options on debt securities and on indexes of debt securities to hedge
against anticipated changes in interest rates that might otherwise have an
adverse effect on the value of their assets or assets they intend to acquire.
In addition, each Portfolio listed above (except the Alliance Intermediate
Government Securities Portfolio) as well as the Alliance Common Stock,
Alliance Aggressive Stock and Alliance Growth and Income Portfolios may
purchase and sell stock index futures contracts and related options to hedge
the equity portion of its assets or equity assets it intends to acquire with
regard to market risk (as distinguished from stock-specific risk). As
described below under "Foreign Securities and Currencies," the Alliance High
Yield, Alliance Global, Alliance Conservative Investors, Alliance Growth
Investors, Alliance Balanced, Alliance Common Stock, Alliance Aggressive
Stock, and Alliance Growth and Income Portfolios may each enter into futures
contracts and related options on foreign currencies in order to limit its
exchange rate risk. All futures contracts and related options will be traded
on exchanges that are licensed and regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission ("CFTC"). All of the Portfolios, except the Alliance Money Market
Portfolio, may enter into futures contracts and buy and sell related options
without limitation, except as noted below. Pursuant to regulations of the
CFTC which provide an exemption from registration as a commodity pool
operator, a Portfolio will not purchase or sell futures contracts or options
on futures contracts unless either (i) the futures contracts or options
thereon are for "bona fide hedging" purposes (as that term is defined under
the CFTC regulations) or (ii) the sum of amounts of initial margin deposits
and premiums required to establish non-hedging positions would not exceed 5%
of the Portfolio's liquidation value. When a Portfolio purchases or sells a
futures contract or writes a put or call option on a futures contract, the
Portfolio will segregate with its custodian liquid assets (less any related
margin deposits) equal to the cost of the futures contract it intends to sell
or purchase to insure that such futures positions are not leveraged, or may
otherwise cover such positions.
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS
All the Portfolios, except the Alliance Money Market and Alliance
Intermediate Government Securities Portfolios, may enter into contracts for
the purchase or sale of a specific currency at a future date at a price set
at the time of the contract.
Generally, such forward contracts will be for a period of less than three
months. The Portfolios will enter into forward contracts for hedging purposes
only. These transactions will include forward purchases or sales of foreign
currencies for the purpose of protecting the U.S. dollar value of securities
denominated in a foreign currency or protecting the U.S. dollar equivalent of
interest or dividends to be paid on such securities. Forward contracts are
traded in the inter-bank market, and not on organized commodities or
securities exchanges.
RISK FACTORS IN OPTIONS AND FUTURES
To the extent a hedging transaction is effective, it will protect the value
of the securities or currencies which are hedged but may reduce or eliminate
the potential for gain. The effectiveness of a hedge depends, among other
things, on the correlation between the price movements of the hedging vehicle
and the hedged items, but these correlations generally are imperfect. A
hedging transaction may produce a loss as a result of such imperfect
correlations or for other reasons. The risks of trading futures contracts
also include the risks of inability to effect closing transactions or to do
so at favorable prices; consequently, losses from investing in futures
contracts are potentially unlimited. The risks of option trading include
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<PAGE>
possible loss of the entire premium on purchased options and inability to
effect closing transactions at favorable prices. The extent to which a
Portfolio can benefit from investments involving options and futures
contracts may also be limited by various tax rules. Favorable results from
options and futures transactions may depend on the investment adviser's
ability to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest
rates and other economic factors.
FOREIGN SECURITIES AND CURRENCIES
All of the Portfolios, except the Alliance Intermediate Government Securities
Portfolio, may invest in foreign securities. Investments in foreign
securities may involve a higher degree of risk because of limited publicly
available information, non-uniform accounting, auditing and financial
standards, reduced levels of government regulation of foreign securities
markets, difficulties and delays in transaction settlements, lower liquidity
and greater volatility, withholding or confiscatory taxes, changes in
currency exchange rates, currency exchange control regulations and
restrictions on and the costs associated with the exchange of currencies and
expropriation, nationalization or other adverse political or economic
developments. It may also be more difficult to obtain and enforce a judgment
against a foreign issuer or enterprise and there may be difficulties in
effecting the repatriation of capital invested abroad. In addition, banking,
securities and other business operations abroad may not be subject to
regulation as rigorous as that applicable to similar activities in the United
States. Further, there may be restrictions on foreign investment in some
countries. Special tax considerations apply to foreign securities, and
foreign brokerage commissions and other fees are generally higher than in the
United States.
The Portfolios may buy and sell foreign currencies principally for the
purpose of preserving the value of foreign securities or in anticipation of
purchasing foreign securities.
SECURITIES LENDING
For purposes of realizing additional income, each Portfolio may lend
securities with a value of up to 50% of its total assets to broker-dealers
approved by the Board of Trustees. In addition, the Alliance High Yield and
Alliance Intermediate Government Securities Portfolios may each make secured
loans of its portfolio securities without restriction. Any such loan of
portfolio securities will be continuously secured by collateral at least
equal to the value of the security loaned. Such collateral will be in the
form of cash, marketable securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government or its agencies, or a standby letter of credit issued by qualified
banks. The risks in lending portfolio securities, as with other extensions of
secured credit, consist of possible delay in receiving additional collateral
or in the recovery of the securities or possible loss of rights in the
collateral should the borrower fail financially. Loans will only be made to
firms deemed by Alliance to be of good standing and will not be made unless,
in the judgment of Alliance, the consideration to be earned from such loans
would justify the risk.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
Portfolio turnover rates are set forth under "Financial Highlights." These
rates of portfolio turnover may be 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 Portfolio.
CERTAIN INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The following restrictions apply to all of the Portfolios, unless otherwise
stated, and are fundamental. Unless permitted by law, they will not be
changed for any Portfolio without a vote of that Portfolio's shareholders.
Additional investment restrictions appear in the SAI.
The Alliance High Yield and Alliance Intermediate Government Securities
Portfolios may make secured loans of portfolio securities or cash without
limitation. None of the other Portfolios will make loans, except that each
such Portfolio may make loans of portfolio securities not exceeding 50% of
the value of that Portfolio's total assets. This restriction does not prevent
a Portfolio from purchasing debt obligations in which a Portfolio may invest
consistent with its investment policies, or from buying government
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obligations, short-term commercial paper or publicly traded debt, including
bonds, notes, debentures, certificates of deposit, and equipment trust
certificates, nor does this restriction apply to loans made under insurance
policies or through entry into repurchase agreements to the extent they may
be viewed as loans.
Each Portfolio, except as noted below, elects not to "concentrate"
investments in an industry, as that concept is defined under applicable
federal securities laws. In general, this means that no Portfolio will make
an investment in an industry if that investment would make the Portfolio's
holdings in that industry exceed 25% of the Portfolio's total assets.
However, this restriction does not apply to investments by the Alliance Money
Market Portfolio in certificates of deposit or securities issued and
guaranteed by domestic banks. Furthermore, the U.S. Government, its agencies
and instrumentalities are not considered members of any industry for purposes
of this restriction.
Each Portfolio intends to be "diversified," as that term is defined under
applicable federal securities laws. In general, this means that no Portfolio
will make an investment unless, when considering all its other investments,
75% of the value of the Portfolio's assets would consist of cash, cash items,
U.S. Government securities, securities of other investment companies and
other securities. For the purposes of this restriction, "other securities"
are limited for any one issuer to not more than 5% of the value of the
Portfolio's total assets and to not more than 10% of the issuer's outstanding
voting securities.
As a matter of operating policy, except as noted below, the Alliance Money
Market Portfolio will invest no more than 5% of the value of its total
assets, at the time of acquisition, in the securities of any one issuer,
other than obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies and
instrumentalities. However, the Alliance Money Market Portfolio may invest up
to 25% of the value of its total assets in First Tier Securities (as defined
in Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940) of a single issuer for
a period of up to three business days after the purchase of such securities.
The Alliance Money Market Portfolio will also not (i) invest more than 5% of
the value of its total assets, at time of acquisition, in Second Tier
Securities (as defined in Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940)
or (ii) invest more than the greater of 1% of the value of the Portfolio's
total assets or $1,000,000, at the time of acquisition, in Second Tier
Securities of a single issuer.
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the management of the business and
affairs of the Trust as provided in the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-laws.
THE INVESTMENT ADVISER
Alliance, the main office of which is located at 1345 Avenue of the Americas,
New York, New York 10105, serves as investment adviser to the Trust pursuant
to an investment advisory agreement, relating to each of the Portfolios,
between the Trust and Alliance. Alliance, a publicly traded limited
partnership, is indirectly majority-owned by Equitable.
Alliance is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers
Act of 1940 (the "Advisers Act"). Alliance, a leading international
investment adviser, acts as an investment adviser to various separate
accounts and general accounts of Equitable and other affiliated insurance
companies. Alliance also provides investment advisory and management services
to other investment companies and to endowment funds, insurance companies,
foreign entities, qualified and non-tax qualified corporate funds, public and
private pension and profit-sharing plans, foundations and tax-exempt
organizations.
Alliance manages the day-to-day investment operations of the Trust and
exercises responsibility for the investment and reinvestment of the Trust's
assets. Alliance provides, without charge, personnel to the Trust to render
such clerical, administrative and other services, other than investor
services or accounting services, as the Trust may request.
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The advisory fee payable by the Trust is at the following annual percentages
of the value of each Portfolio's daily average net assets:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FIRST NEXT NEXT NEXT
$750 MILLION $750 MILLION $1 BILLION $2.5 BILLION THEREAFTER
-------------- -------------- ------------ -------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alliance Global............................. 0.675% 0.600% 0.550% 0.530% 0.520%
Alliance Aggressive Stock................... 0.625% 0.575% 0.525% 0.500% 0.475%
Alliance Common Stock....................... 0.475% 0.425% 0.375% 0.355% 0.345%*
Alliance Growth and Income.................. 0.550% 0.525% 0.500% 0.480% 0.470%
Alliance Growth Investors................... 0.550% 0.500% 0.450% 0.425% 0.400%
Alliance Balanced........................... 0.450% 0.400% 0.350% 0.325% 0.300%
Alliance Conservative Investors............. 0.475% 0.425% 0.375% 0.350% 0.325%
Alliance High Yield......................... 0.600% 0.575% 0.550% 0.530% 0.520%
Alliance Intermediate Government
Securities................................. 0.500% 0.475% 0.450% 0.430% 0.420%
Alliance Money Market....................... 0.350% 0.325% 0.300% 0.280% 0.270%
</TABLE>
* On assets in excess of $10 billion, the management fee for the Alliance
Common Stock Portfolio is reduced to 0.335% of average daily net assets.
THE PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
THE ASSET ALLOCATION SERIES
- ---------------------------
ALLIANCE CONSERVATIVE INVESTORS, ALLIANCE BALANCED AND ALLIANCE GROWTH
INVESTORS PORTFOLIOS
Robert G. Heisterberg has been the person principally responsible for the
Alliance Conservative Investors, Alliance Balanced and Alliance Growth
Investors Portfolios' investment programs since February 12, 1996. Mr.
Heisterberg, a Senior Vice President of Alliance and Global Economic Policy
Analysis, has been associated with Alliance since 1977.
THE EQUITY SERIES
- -----------------
ALLIANCE GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO
Paul Rissman and W. Theodore Kuck have been the persons principally
responsible for the Alliance Growth and Income Portfolio's investment
program, Mr. Rissman since February 12, 1996 and Mr. Kuck since the
Portfolio's inception. Mr. Rissman, a Vice President of Alliance, has been
associated with Alliance since 1989. Mr. Kuck, a Vice President of Alliance,
has been associated with Alliance since 1971.*
ALLIANCE COMMON STOCK PORTFOLIO
Tyler J. Smith has been the person principally responsible for the Alliance
Common Stock Portfolio's investment program since 1977. Mr. Smith, a Senior
Vice President of Alliance, has been associated with Alliance since 1970.*
ALLIANCE GLOBAL PORTFOLIO
Ronald L. Simcoe has been the person principally responsible for the Alliance
Global Portfolio's investment program since 1988. Mr. Simcoe, a Vice
President of Alliance, has been associated with Alliance since 1978.*
ALLIANCE AGGRESSIVE STOCK PORTFOLIO
Alden M. Stewart and Randall E. Haase have been the persons principally
responsible for the Alliance Aggressive Stock Portfolio's investment program
since 1993. Mr. Stewart, an Executive Vice President of Alliance, has been
associated with Alliance since 1970.* Mr. Haase, a Vice President of
Alliance, has been associated with Alliance since 1988.*
29
<PAGE>
THE FIXED INCOME SERIES
- -----------------------
ALLIANCE MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
Raymond J. Papera has been the person principally responsible for the
Alliance Money Market Portfolio's investment program since 1990. Mr. Papera,
a Vice President of Alliance, has been associated with Alliance since 1990.*
ALLIANCE INTERMEDIATE GOVERNMENT SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
Patricia J. Young and Jeffrey S. Phlegar have been the persons principally
responsible for the Alliance Intermediate Government Securities Portfolio's
investment program, Ms. Young since 1995 and Mr. Phlegar since 1997. Ms.
Young, a Senior Vice President of Alliance, has been associated with Alliance
since 1992. Mr. Phlegar, a Vice President of Alliance, has been associated
with Alliance since 1988.
ALLIANCE HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO
Wayne C. Tappe has been the person principally responsible for the Alliance
High Yield Portfolio's investment program since 1995. Mr. Tappe, a Vice
President of Alliance, has been associated with Alliance since 1987.*
- ----------------
* Prior to July 22, 1993, with Equitable Capital Management Corporation
("Equitable Capital"). On that date Alliance acquired the business and
substantially all of the assets of Equitable Capital and became the
investment adviser to the Trust.
THE TRUST'S EXPENSES
The Trust pays all of its operating expenses not specifically assumed by
Alliance. The expenses borne by the Trust include or could include taxes;
brokerage commissions; interest charges; securities lending fees; fees and
expenses of the registration or qualification of a Portfolio's securities
under federal or state securities laws; fees of the Portfolio's custodian,
transfer agent, independent accountants and legal counsel; all expenses of
shareholders' and trustees' meetings; all expenses of the preparation,
typesetting, printing and mailing to existing shareholders of prospectuses,
prospectus supplements, statements of additional information, proxy
statements, and annual and semi-annual reports; any proxy solicitor's fees
and expenses; costs of fidelity bonds and Trustees' liability insurance
premiums as well as extraordinary expenses such as indemnification payments
or damages awarded in litigation or settlements made; any membership fees of
the Investment Company Institute and similar organizations; costs of
maintaining the Trust's corporate existence and the compensation of Trustees
who are not directors, officers, or employees of Alliance or its affiliates.
The following table, reflecting the Trust's estimated expenses, is based on
information for the year ended December 31, 1996 and has been restated to
reflect (i) the fees that would have been paid to Alliance if the present
advisory agreement had been in effect as of January 1, 1996 and (ii)
estimated accounting expenses for the year ended December 31, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE
ALLIANCE ALLIANCE GROWTH ALLIANCE
CONSERVATIVE ALLIANCE GROWTH AND COMMON
INVESTORS BALANCED INVESTORS INCOME STOCK
TYPE OF EXPENSE PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO
- ------------------------- -------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Investment Advisory Fees 0.48% 0.42% 0.53% 0.55% 0.38%
Other Expenses ........... 0.07% 0.05% 0.06% 0.05% 0.03%
-------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total Expenses ........... 0.55% 0.47% 0.59% 0.60% 0.41%
============== =========== =========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
30
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE
ALLIANCE ALLIANCE INTERMEDIATE ALLIANCE
ALLIANCE AGGRESSIVE MONEY GOVERNMENT HIGH
GLOBAL STOCK MARKET SECURITIES YIELD
TYPE OF EXPENSE PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO
- ------------------------- ----------- ------------ ----------- -------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% 0.55% 0.35% 0.50% 0.60%
Other Expenses ........... 0.08% 0.03% 0.04% 0.09% 0.06%
----------- ------------ ----------- -------------- -----------
Total Expenses ........... 0.73% 0.58% 0.39% 0.59% 0.66%
=========== ============ =========== ============== ===========
</TABLE>
Actual investment advisory fees, other expenses and total expenses for the
year ended December 31, 1996 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE
ALLIANCE ALLIANCE GROWTH ALLIANCE
CONSERVATIVE ALLIANCE GROWTH AND COMMON
INVESTORS BALANCED INVESTORS INCOME STOCK
TYPE OF EXPENSE PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO
- ----------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------- ---------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Investment Advisory Fees .... 0.55% 0.37% 0.52% 0.55% 0.36%
Other Expenses ............... 0.06% 0.04% 0.05% 0.03% 0.02%
---------------- -------------- ------------- ---------------- -------------
Total Expenses ............... 0.61% 0.41% 0.57% 0.58% 0.38%
================ ============== ============= ================ =============
ALLIANCE
ALLIANCE ALLIANCE INTERMEDIATE ALLIANCE
ALLIANCE AGGRESSIVE MONEY GOVERNMENT HIGH
GLOBAL STOCK MARKET SECURITIES YIELD
TYPE OF EXPENSE PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO
- ----------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------- ---------------- -------------
Investment Advisory Fees .... 0.53% 0.46% 0.40% 0.50% 0.55%
Other Expenses ............... 0.07% 0.02% 0.03% 0.06% 0.04%
---------------- -------------- ------------- ---------------- -------------
Total Expenses ............... 0.60% 0.48% 0.43% 0.56% 0.59%
================ ============== ============= ================ =============
</TABLE>
TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
In December 1984, Equitable acquired Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Inc.
("DLJ"). A DLJ subsidiary, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
Corporation, is one of the nation's largest investment banking and securities
firms. Another DLJ subsidiary, Autranet, Inc., is a securities broker that
markets independently originated research to institutions. Through the
Pershing Division of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, DLJ
supplies security execution and clearance services to financial
intermediaries including broker-dealers and banks. To the extent permitted by
law, the Trust may engage in securities and other transactions with the above
entities or may invest in shares of the investment companies with which those
entities have affiliations. The Investment Company Act generally prohibits
the Trust from engaging in securities transactions with DLJ or its
affiliates, as principal, unless pursuant to an exemptive order from the SEC.
The Trust may apply for such exemptive relief. The Trust has adopted
procedures, prescribed by Section 17(e)(2)(A) of the Investment Company Act
and Rule 17e-1 thereunder, which are reasonably designed to provide that any
commissions it pays to DLJ or its affiliates do not exceed the usual and
customary broker's commission. In addition, the Trust will adhere to Section
11(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any applicable rules
thereunder governing floor trading. The Trust has adopted procedures
permitting it to purchase securities, under certain restrictions prescribed
by an SEC rule, in a public offering in which DLJ or an affiliate is an
underwriter.
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST'S SHARES
CHARACTERISTICS
The Board of Trustees has authority to issue an unlimited number of shares of
beneficial interest, without par value. The Trust is divided into fourteen
portfolios, each of which has Class IA and Class IB shares. The Board of
Trustees may establish additional Portfolios and additional classes of
shares. Each share of each class of a Portfolio shall be entitled to one vote
(or fraction thereof in respect of a fractional share) on matters on which
such shares (or class of shares) shall be entitled to vote. Shareholders of
each Portfolio vote together on any matter, except to the extent otherwise
required by the Investment
31
<PAGE>
Company Act, or when the Board of Trustees of the Trust have determined that
the matter affects only the interest of shareholders of one or more classes,
in which case only the shareholders of such class or classes shall be
entitled to vote thereon. Any matter shall be deemed to have been effectively
acted upon with respect to each Portfolio if acted upon as provided in Rule
18f-2 under the Investment Company Act, or any successor rule, and in the
Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust. The Trust is not required to hold
annual shareholder meetings, but special meetings may be called for purposes
such as electing or removing trustees, changing fundamental policies or
approving an investment advisory agreement.
Under the Trust's multi-class system, shares of each class of a Portfolio
represent equal pro rata interests in the assets of that Portfolio and,
generally, shall have identical voting, dividend, liquidation, and other
rights, preferences, powers, restrictions, limitations, qualifications and
terms and conditions, except that: (1) each class shall have a different
designation; (2) each class of shares shall bear its "Class Expenses"; (3)
each class shall have exclusive voting rights on any matter submitted to
shareholders that relates solely to its distribution arrangements; (4) each
class shall have separate voting rights on any matter submitted to
shareholders in which the interests of one class differ from the interests of
any other class; (5) each class may have separate exchange privileges,
although exchange privileges are not currently contemplated; and (6) each
class may have different conversion features, although a conversion feature
is not currently contemplated. Expenses currently designated as "Class
Expenses" by the Trust's Board of Trustees under the plan pursuant to Rule
18f-3 are currently limited to payments to the Distributor pursuant to the
Distribution Plan for Class IB shares.
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION
EQ Financial Consultants, Inc., formerly Equico Securities, Inc. ("EQ
Financial"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Equitable, is the principal
underwriter of the Class IA shares of the Trust. EQ Financial's address is
1755 Broadway, New York, New York 10019. The Trust will offer and sell its
shares without a sales charge, at each Portfolio's net asset value per share.
The price at which a purchase is effected is based on the next calculation of
net asset value after an order is placed by an insurance company investing in
the Trust. Net asset value per share is calculated for purchases and
redemption of shares of each Portfolio by dividing the value of total
Portfolio assets, less liabilities (including Trust expenses, which are
accrued daily), by the total number of shares of that Portfolio outstanding.
The net asset value per share of each Portfolio is determined each business
day at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. Values are not calculated on national business
holidays.
All shares may be redeemed in accordance with the Trust's Agreement and
Declaration of Trust and By-Laws. Shares will be redeemed at their net asset
value. Sales and redemptions of shares of the same class by the same
shareholder on the same day will be netted. All redemption requests will be
processed and payment with respect thereto will be made within seven days
after tenders.
The Trust may also suspend redemption, if permitted by the Investment Company
Act, for any period during which the New York Stock Exchange is closed or
during which trading is restricted by the SEC or the SEC declares that an
emergency exists. Redemption may also be suspended during other periods
permitted by the SEC for the protection of the Trust's shareholders.
HOW ASSETS ARE VALUED
Values are determined according to accepted accounting practices and all laws
and regulations that apply. The assets of each Portfolio are generally valued
as follows, as further described in the SAI:
o Stocks and debt securities which mature in more than 60 days are valued
on the basis of market quotations.
o Foreign securities not traded directly, or in American Depositary
Receipt or similar form, in the United States are valued at
representative quoted prices in the currency of the country of origin.
Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the bid
price last quoted by a composite list of major U.S. banks.
32
<PAGE>
o Short-term debt securities in the Portfolios other than the Alliance
Money Market Portfolio which mature in 60 days or less are valued at
amortized cost, which approximates market value. Securities held in the
Alliance Money Market Portfolio are valued at prices based on equivalent
yields or yield spreads.
o Other securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily
available or for which valuation cannot be provided are valued in good
faith by the Valuation Committee of the Board of Trustees using its best
judgment.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
Under current federal income tax law, the Trust believes that each Portfolio
is entitled, and the Trust intends that each Portfolio shall qualify each
year and elect, to be treated as a regulated investment company under
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Internal
Revenue Code"). As a regulated investment company, a Portfolio will not be
subject to federal tax on its net investment income and net realized capital
gains to the extent such income and gains are timely distributed to its
insurance company shareholders. Accordingly, each Portfolio intends to
distribute all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains to
its shareholders. An insurance company which is a shareholder of a Portfolio
will generally not be taxed on distributions from that Portfolio. All
dividend distributions will be reinvested in full and fractional shares of
the Portfolio to which they relate.
Although the Trust intends that it and the Portfolios will be operated so
that they will have no federal income or excise tax liability, if any such
liability is nevertheless incurred, the investment performance of the
Portfolio or Portfolios incurring such liability will be adversely affected.
In addition, Portfolios investing in foreign securities and currencies may be
subject to foreign taxes which could reduce the investment performance of
such Portfolios.
In addition to meeting investment diversification rules applicable to
regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue
Code, because the Trust funds certain types of Contracts, each Portfolio is
also subject to the investment diversification requirements of Subchapter L
of the Internal Revenue Code. Were any Portfolio to fail to comply with those
requirements, owners of Contracts (other than "pension plan contracts")
funded through the Trust would be taxed immediately on the accumulated
investment earnings under their Contracts and would thereby lose any benefit
of tax deferral. Compliance is therefore carefully monitored by the
investment adviser.
Certain additional tax information appears in the SAI.
For more information regarding the tax implications for owners of Contracts
investing in the Trust, refer to the prospectuses for those products.
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
Each Portfolio may illustrate in advertisements or sales materials its
average annual total return, which is the rate of growth of the Portfolio
that would be necessary to achieve the ending value of an investment kept in
the Portfolio for the period specified and is based on the following
assumptions: (1) all dividends and distributions by the Portfolio are
reinvested in shares of the Portfolio at net asset value, and (2) all
recurring fees are included for applicable periods.
Each Portfolio may also illustrate in advertisements or sales materials its
cumulative total return for several time periods throughout the Portfolio's
life based on an assumed initial investment of $1,000. Any such cumulative
total return for each Portfolio will assume the reinvestment of all income
dividends and capital gains distributions for the indicated periods and will
include all recurring fees.
The Alliance Money Market Portfolio may illustrate in advertisements or sales
materials its yield and effective yield. The Portfolio's yield refers to
income generated by an investment in the Portfolio over a 7-day period,
expressed as an annual percentage rate. The Alliance Money Market Portfolio's
effective yield is calculated similarly but assumes that income earned from
the investment is reinvested. The Portfolio's effective yield will be
slightly higher than its yield because of the compounding effect of this
assumed reinvestment.
33
<PAGE>
The Alliance Intermediate Government Securities and Alliance High Yield
Portfolios each may illustrate in advertisements or sales materials its yield
based on a recent 30-day period, which reflects the income per share earned
by that Portfolio's investments. The yield is calculated by dividing that
Portfolio's net investment income per share during that period by the net
asset value on the last day of that period and annualizing the result.
These performance figures are based on historical earnings and are not
intended to indicate future performance. Nor do they reflect fees and charges
imposed under the Contracts, which fees and charges will reduce such
performance figures; therefore, these figures may be of limited use for
comparative purposes. No Portfolio will use information concerning its
investment performance in advertisements or sales materials unless
appropriate information concerning the relevant separate account is also
included.
34
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
DESCRIPTION OF BOND RATINGS
Bonds are considered to be "investment grade" if they are in one of the top
four ratings.
S&P's ratings are as follows:
o Bonds rated AAA have the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to
pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
o Bonds rated AA have a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal and differ from the higher rated issues only in small degree.
o Bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal although they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse
effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than bonds
in higher rated categories.
o Bonds rated BBB are regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay
interest and repay principal. Whereas they normally exhibit 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 bonds in this category than in higher
rated categories.
o Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC or C is regarded, on balance, as
predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay
interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the
obligation. While such debt will likely have some quality and
protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties
or major risk exposures to adverse debt conditions.
o The rating C1 is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is
being paid.
o Debt rated D is in default and payment of interest and/or repayment of
principal is in arrears.
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.
Moody's ratings are as follows:
o 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-edged." 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.
o 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 in Aaa securities.
o 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.
o Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations,
i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest
payments 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.
A-1
<PAGE>
o 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.
o 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.
o 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.
o Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative to
a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked
shortcomings.
o Bonds which are rated C are the lowest class of bonds and issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever
attaining any real investment standing.
Moody's applies modifiers to each rating classification from Aa through B to
indicate relative ranking within its rating categories. The modifier "1"
indicates that a security ranks in the higher end of its 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 rating category.
A-2
