<PAGE>
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on October 29, 1999
File No. 33-12988
811-05088
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Pre-Effective Amendment No.
Post-Effective Amendment No. 37
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
Amendment No. 39
THE ALLIANCE PORTFOLIOS
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10105
(800) 221-5672
(Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code)
EDMUND P. BERGAN, JR.
Alliance Capital Management L.P.
1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10105
(Name and address of Agent for Service)
Copies of communications to:
J.B. Kittredge
Ropes & Gray
One International Place
Boston, MA 02116
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check
appropriate box)
immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
X on November 1, 1999 pursuant to paragraph (b)
60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.
<PAGE>
This Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 relates solely to Alliance
Short Term U.S. Government Fund. No information contained in the
Registrant's Registration Statement relating to Alliance
Conservative Investors Fund, Alliance Growth Investors Fund or
Alliance Growth Fund is amended or superseded hereby.
<PAGE>
THE ALLIANCE STOCK FUNDS
The Alliance Stock Funds provide a broad selection of investment alternatives
to investors seeking capital growth or high total return.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these
securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation
to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Prospectus and Application
November 1, 1999
DOMESTIC STOCK FUNDS
o Alliance Premier Growth Fund
o Alliance Health Care Fund
o Alliance Growth Fund
o Alliance Technology Fund
o Alliance Quasar Fund
o The Alliance Fund
TOTAL RETURN FUNDS
o Alliance Growth & Income Fund
o Alliance Balanced Shares
o Alliance Utility Income Fund
o Alliance Real Estate
Investment Fund
GLOBAL STOCK FUNDS
o Alliance New Europe Fund
o Alliance Worldwide
Privatization Fund
o Alliance International
Premier Growth Fund
o Alliance Global Small Cap Fund
o Alliance International Fund
o Alliance Greater China '97 Fund
o Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund
o Alliance Global Environment Fund
AllianceCapital [logo]
1
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS OFFERED
o ARE NOT FDIC INSURED
o MAY LOSE VALUE
o ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page
RISK/RETURN SUMMARY 3
Domestic Stock Funds 4
Total Return Funds 10
Global Stock Funds 14
Summary of Principal Risks 22
Principal Risks by Fund 23
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUNDS 24
GLOSSARY 27
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS 28
Investment Objectives and Policies 28
Description of Investment Practices 41
Additional Risk Considerations 48
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS 53
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES 56
How The Funds Value Their Shares 56
How To Buy Shares 57
How to Exchange Shares 57
How To Sell Shares 57
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES 58
DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS 58
GENERAL INFORMATION 59
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 61
APPENDIX A--ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT
THE UNITED KINGDOM, JAPAN, AND GREATER CHINA COUNTRIES 73
The Funds' investment adviser is Alliance Capital Management L.P., a global
investment manager providing diversified services to institutions and
individuals through a broad line of investments including more than 100 mutual
funds.
RISK/RETURN SUMMARY
The following is a summary of certain key information about the Alliance Stock
Funds. You will find additional information about each Fund, including a
detailed description of the risks of an investment in each Fund, after this
Summary.
The Risk/Return Summary describes the Funds' objectives, principal investment
strategies, principal risks and fees. Each Fund's Summary page includes a short
discussion of some of the principal risks of investing in that Fund. A further
discussion of these and other risks begins on page 22.
More detailed descriptions of the Funds, including the risks associated with
investing in the Funds, can be found further back in this Prospectus. Please be
sure to read this additional information BEFORE you invest. Each of the Funds
may at times use certain types of investment derivatives such as options,
futures, forwards and swaps. The use of these techniques involves special risks
that are discussed in this Prospectus.
The Risk/Return Summary includes a table for each Fund showing its average
annual returns and a bar chart showing its annual returns. The table and bar
chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an investment in each
Fund by showing:
. how the Fund's average annual returns for one, five, and 10 years (or over
the life of the Fund if the Fund is less than 10 years old) compare to those of
a broad based securities market index; and
. changes in the Fund's performance from year to year over 10 years (or over
the life of the Fund if the Fund is less than 10 years old).
A Fund's past performance, of course, does not necessarily indicate how it will
perform in the future. As with all investments, you may lose money by investing
in the Funds.
3
DOMESTIC STOCK FUNDS
The Domestic Stock Funds offer investors seeking capital appreciation a range
of alternative approaches to investing primarily in U.S. equity markets.
ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS LONG-TERM GROWTH OF CAPITAL BY INVESTING
PREDOMINANTLY IN EQUITY SECURITIES OF A LIMITED NUMBER OF LARGE, CAREFULLY
SELECTED, HIGH-QUALITY U.S. COMPANIES THAT ARE JUDGED LIKELY TO ACHIEVE
SUPERIOR EARNINGS GROWTH.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of U.S. companies. Unlike most
equity funds, the Fund focuses on a relatively small number of intensively
researched companies. Alliance selects the Fund's investments from a research
universe of more than 600 companies that have strong management, superior
industry positions, excellent balance sheets and superior earnings growth
prospects.
Normally, the Fund invests in about 40-60 companies, with the 25 most highly
regarded of these companies usually constituting approximately 70% of the
Fund's net assets. During market declines, while adding to positions in favored
stocks, the Fund becomes somewhat more aggressive, gradually reducing the
number of companies represented in its portfolio. Conversely, in rising
markets, while reducing or eliminating fully valued positions, the Fund becomes
somewhat more conservative, gradually increasing the number of companies
represented in its portfolio. Through this approach, Alliance seeks to gain
positive returns in good markets while providing some measure of protection in
poor markets. The Fund also may invest up to 20% of its net assets in
convertible securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund is market risk. Because the
Fund invests in a smaller number of securities than many other equity funds,
your investment has the risk that changes in the value of a single security may
have a more significant effect, either negative or positive, on the Fund's net
asset value.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SINCE
1 YEAR 5 YEARS INCEPTION
CLASS A 42.97% 26.65% 24.38%
CLASS B 44.33% 26.95% 24.48%
CLASS C 47.31% 26.97% 24.48%
RUSSELL 1000 GROWTH INDEX 38.71% 25.70% 21.94%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998 and
reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or contingent deferred sales
charges as well as conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after the
applicable period. Inception date of Class A and Class B shares is 9/28/92.
Index returns are from month-end of applicable class inception date.
Performance information for periods prior to the inception of Class C shares
(5/3/93) is the performance of the Fund's Class A shares adjusted to reflect
the higher expense ratio of Class C shares. The average annual total return for
Class C since its actual inception date was 26.35%. Index return for the
comparable period was 23.66%.
BAR CHART
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Class A
shares was 7.07%.
n/a n/a n/a n/a 9.98 -5.80 46.87 24.14 32.67 49.31
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Calendar Year End
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 31.05%, 4TH QUARTER, 1998; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -12.10%, 3RD QUARTER, 1998.
4
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS CAPITAL APPRECIATION AND, SECONDARILY,
CURRENT INCOME.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
Under normal circumstances the Fund invests at least 65%, and normally
substantially all, of the value of its total assets in securities issued by
companies principally engaged in health care and health care-related industries
("Health Care Industries") (companies principally engaged in the discovery,
development, provision, production or distribution of products and services
that relate to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases or other
medical disorders). Although the payment of dividends will be a factor
considered in the selection of investments for the Fund, the Fund seeks
primarily to take advantage of capital appreciation opportunities identified by
Alliance in emerging technologies and services in Health Care Industries by
investing in companies which are expected to profit from the development of new
products and services for these industries. Under normal circumstances the Fund
invests primarily in the equity securities of U.S. companies. The Fund may
invest up to 40% of its total assets in securities of non-U.S. companies and
other foreign securities. The Fund may invest in new, smaller or less-seasoned
companies as well as in larger, established companies in Health Care Industries.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk and sector
risk. Unlike many other equity funds, the Fund invests in the securities of
companies principally engaged in Health Care Industries. As a result, certain
economic conditions and market changes that affect those industries may have a
more significant effect on the Fund's net asset value than on the value of a
more broadly diversified fund. For example, the Fund's share price could be
affected by changes in competition, legislation or government regulation,
government funding, product liability and other litigation, the obsolescence or
development of products, or other factors specific to the health care and
health sciences industries. The Fund's investments in foreign securities have
foreign risk and currency risk. The Fund's investment in small- to
mid-capitalization companies have capitalization risk. These investments may be
more volatile than investments in large-cap companies.
BAR CHART AND PERFORMANCE TABLE:
There is no bar chart or performance table for the Fund because it has not
completed a full calendar year of operations.
5
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS LONG-TERM GROWTH OF CAPITAL. CURRENT INCOME
IS INCIDENTAL TO THE FUND'S OBJECTIVE.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of companies with favorable
earnings outlooks and whose long-term growth rates are expected to exceed that
of the U.S. economy over time. The Fund emphasizes investments in large- and
mid-cap companies. The Fund also may invest up to 25% of its total assets in
lower-rated fixed-income securities and convertible bonds and generally up to
15% of its total assets in foreign securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund is market risk. Investments
in mid-cap companies may be more volatile than investments in large-cap
companies. To the extent the Fund invests in lower-rated fixed-income
securities and convertible bonds, your investment may have interest rate or
credit risk. The Fund's investments in foreign securities have foreign risk and
currency risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
CLASS A 22.71% 19.72% 21.54%
CLASS B 23.23% 19.93% 20.91%
CLASS C 26.25% 19.92% 20.91%
S&P 500 INDEX 28.60% 24.05% 19.19%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998 and
reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or contingent deferred sales
charges as well as conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after the
applicable period. Index returns are from 12/31/88.
Performance information for periods prior to the inception of Class A shares
(9/4/90) and Class C shares (8/2/93) is the performance of the Fund's Class B
shares adjusted, in the case of Class A shares, to reflect the lower expense
ratio of Class A shares. The average annual total returns for Class A and Class
C shares since their actual inception dates were 23.34% and 20.22%,
respectively. Index returns for the comparable periods (which date from
month-end following applicable Class inception date) were 21.37% and 22.76%,
respectively.
BAR CHART
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class B shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Class B
shares was 2.42%.
27.94 -7.96 62.39 9.81 28.21 -1.84 28.65 22.32 26.22 27.23
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Calendar Year End
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 29.47%, 1ST QUARTER, 1991; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -20.45%, 3RD QUARTER, 1990.
6
ALLIANCE TECHNOLOGY FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS GROWTH OF CAPITAL. CURRENT INCOME IS
INCIDENTAL TO THE FUND'S OBJECTIVE.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in securities of companies that use technology
extensively in the development of new or improved products or processes. Within
this framework, the Fund may invest in any company and industry and in any type
of security with potential for capital appreciation. It invests in well-known,
established companies or in new or unseasoned companies. The Fund also may
invest in debt securities and up to 10% of its total assets in foreign
securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund is market risk. In addition,
technology stocks, especially those of smaller, less-seasoned companies, tend
to be more volatile than the overall stock market. To the extent the Fund
invests in debt and foreign securities, your investment has interest rate risk,
credit risk, currency risk and foreign risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
CLASS A 56.22% 29.58% 23.32%
CLASS B 57.98% 29.81% 23.38%
CLASS C 60.94% 29.81% 23.21%
S&P 500 INDEX 28.60% 24.05% 19.19%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998 and
reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or contingent deferred sales
charges as well as conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after the
applicable period. Index returns are from 12/31/88.
Performance information for periods prior to the inception of Class B and Class
C shares (5/3/93) is the performance of the Fund's Class A shares adjusted to
reflect the higher expense ratio of Class B and Class C shares. The average
annual total returns for Class B and Class C since their actual inception dates
were 30.89% and 30.88%, respectively. Index returns for the comparable periods
(which date from month-end following applicable Class inception date) were
22.38%.
BAR CHART
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Class A
shares was 18.82%.
6.00 -3.08 54.24 15.50 21.63 28.51 45.80 19.41 4.54 63.14
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 39.86%, 4TH QUARTER, 1998; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -33.21%, 3RD QUARTER, 1990.
7
ALLIANCE QUASAR FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS GROWTH OF CAPITAL BY PURSUING AGGRESSIVE
INVESTMENT POLICIES. CURRENT INCOME IS INCIDENTAL TO THE FUND'S OBJECTIVE.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund generally invests in a widely diversified portfolio of equity
securities spread among many industries that offer the possibility of
above-average earnings growth. The Fund currently emphasizes investment in
small-cap companies. The Fund invests in well-known and established companies
and in new and unseasoned companies. The Fund can invest in the equity
securities of any company and industry and in any type of security with
potential for capital appreciation. When selecting securities, Alliance
considers the economic and political outlook, the values of specific securities
relative to other investments, trends in the determinants of corporate profits,
and management capabilities and practices. The Fund also may invest in
non-convertible bonds, preferred stocks, and foreign securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund is market risk. Investments
in smaller companies tend to be more volatile than investments in large-cap or
mid-cap companies. To the extent the Fund invests in non-convertible bonds,
preferred stocks, and foreign stocks, your investment has interest rate risk,
credit risk, foreign risk and currency risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
CLASS A -8.64% 14.23% 11.84%
CLASS B -8.90% 14.35% 11.70%
CLASS C -6.19% 14.36% 11.55%
RUSSELL 2000 INDEX -2.55% 11.87% 12.92%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998 and
reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or contingent deferred sales charge
as well as conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after the applicable
period. Index returns are from 12/31/88.
Performance information for periods prior to the inception of Class B shares
(9/17/90) and Class C shares (5/3/93) is the performance of the Fund's Class A
shares adjusted to reflect the higher expense ratio of Class B and Class C
shares. The average annual total returns for Class B and Class C since their
actual inception dates were 13.66% and 15.96%, respectively. Index returns for
the comparable periods (which date from month-end following applicable Class
inception date) were 17.50% and 12.86%, respectively.
BAR CHART
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Class A
shares was -4.64%.
28.20 -23.44 34.27 2.81 16.16 -7.27 47.64 32.62 17.24 -4.56
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 23.10%, 1ST QUARTER, 1991; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -28.46%, 3RD QUARTER, 1998.
8
THE ALLIANCE FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS LONG-TERM GROWTH OF CAPITAL AND INCOME
PRIMARILY THROUGH INVESTMENTS IN COMMON STOCKS.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund normally invests substantially all of its assets in high-quality
common stocks that Alliance expects to increase in value. The Fund may invest
in a broad range of companies, from large to small, but tends to emphasize
attractive opportunities in mid-cap companies. While the Fund's diversified and
high-quality investments cannot prevent fluctuations in market values, they
tend to limit investment risk and contribute to achieving the Fund's objective.
The Fund also may invest in convertible securities, U.S. Government securities,
and foreign securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund is market risk. Investments
in mid-cap companies may be more volatile than investments in large-cap
companies. To the extent the Fund invests in convertible securities and U.S.
Government securities, your investment may have interest rate or credit risk.
The Fund's investments in foreign securities have foreign risk and currency
risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
CLASS A -6.90% 14.39% 15.02%
CLASS B -7.00% 14.43% 14.87%
CLASS C -4.62% 14.35% 14.85%
S&P MIDCAP 400 INDEX 19.11% 18.84% 19.29%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998 and
reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or contingent deferred sales
charges as well as conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after the
applicable period. Index returns are from 12/31/88.
Performance information for periods prior to the inception of Class B shares
(3/4/91) and Class C shares (5/3/93) is the performance of the Fund's Class A
shares adjusted to reflect the higher expense ratio of Class B and Class C
shares. The average annual total returns for Class B and Class C since their
actual inception dates were 14.38% and 15.19%, respectively. Index returns for
the comparable periods (which date from month-end following applicable Class
inception date) were 18.35% and 18.39%, respectively.
BAR CHART
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Class A
shares was 5.92%.
23.42 -4.36 33.91 14.70 14.26 -2.51 34.84 17.54 36.01 -2.72
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 23.72%, 4TH QUARTER, 1998; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -24.32%, 3RD QUARTER, 1998.
9
TOTAL RETURN FUNDS
The Total Return Funds offer investors seeking both growth of capital and
current income a range of investment alternatives.
ALLIANCE GROWTH & INCOME FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS APPRECIATION THROUGH INVESTMENTS PRIMARILY
IN DIVIDEND-PAYING COMMON STOCKS OF GOOD QUALITY, ALTHOUGH THE FUND ALSO MAY
INVEST IN FIXED-INCOME AND CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in dividend-paying common stocks of large,
well-established "blue-chip" companies. The Fund also may invest in
fixed-income and convertible securities and in securities of foreign issuers.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, interest
rate risk and credit risk. The Fund's investments in foreign securities have
currency risk and foreign risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
CLASS A 16.14% 19.62% 16.03%
CLASS B 16.24% 19.73% 15.80%
CLASS C 19.59% 19.79% 15.64%
RUSSELL 1000 VALUE INDEX 15.63% 20.85% 17.39%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998 and
reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or contingent deferred sales
charges as well as conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after the
applicable period. Index returns are from 12/31/88.
Performance information for periods prior to the inception of Class B shares
(2/8/91) and Class C shares (5/3/93) is the performance of the Fund's Class A
shares adjusted to reflect the higher expense ratio of Class B and Class C
shares. The average annual total returns for Class B and Class C since their
actual inception dates were 15.76% and 18.76%, respectively. Index returns for
the comparable periods (which date from month-end following applicable Class
inception date) were 18.86% and 19.90%, respectively.
BAR CHART
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Class A
shares was 3.15%.
25.56 -1.69 27.08 4.52 9.96 -4.20 37.86 24.13 28.86 21.23
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 23.25%, 4TH QUARTER, 1998; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -13.82%, 3RD QUARTER, 1998.
10
ALLIANCE BALANCED SHARES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS HIGH RETURN THROUGH A COMBINATION OF CURRENT
INCOME AND CAPITAL APPRECIATION.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests in a diversified portfolio of equity and fixed-income
securities. The percentage of the Fund's assets invested in each type of
security will vary, but the Fund will not purchase a security if as a result
less than 25% of the Fund's total assets will be invested in fixed-income
senior securities. The Fund invests in common and preferred stocks, U.S.
Government and agency securities, bonds and senior debt securities. The Fund's
investments in each type of security depends on current economic conditions and
market outlooks. The Fund also may invest up to 15% of its total assets in
foreign equity and fixed-income securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, interest
rate risk, allocation risk and credit risk. To the extent the Fund invests in
foreign securities, your investment has currency risk and foreign risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
CLASS A 10.84% 12.95% 11.25%
CLASS B 10.78% 13.04% 11.11%
CLASS C 13.89% 13.08% 10.96%
S&P 500 INDEX 28.60% 24.05% 19.19%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998 and
reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or contingent deferred sales
charges as well as conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after the
applicable period. Index returns are from 12/31/88.
Performance information for periods prior to the inception of Class B shares
(2/4/91) and Class C shares (5/3/93) is the performance of the Fund's Class A
shares adjusted to reflect the higher expense ratio of Class B and Class C
shares. The average annual total returns for Class B and Class C since their
actual inception dates were 11.87% and 12.75%, respectively. Index returns for
the comparable periods (which date from month-end following applicable Class
inception date) were 19.56% and 22.38%, respectively.
BAR CHART
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Class A
shares was -0.17%.
14.12 -2.20 20.47 6.81 9.93 -5.79 26.64 9.36 27.13 15.75
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 13.45%, 4TH QUARTER, 1998; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -8.21%, 3RD QUARTER, 1990.
11
ALLIANCE UTILITY INCOME FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS CURRENT INCOME AND CAPITAL APPRECIATION BY
INVESTING PRIMARILY IN EQUITY AND FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES OF COMPANIES IN THE
UTILITIES INDUSTRY.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in income-producing equity securities. The Fund
invests in securities of utility companies in the electric, telecommunications,
gas, and water utility industries. The Fund may invest in both U.S. and foreign
utility companies, although the Fund will limit its investments in issuers in
any one foreign country to no more than 15% of its total assets. The Fund may
maintain up to 35% of its net assets in lower-rated securities and up to 30% of
its net assets in convertible securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, interest
rate risk and credit risk. Because the Fund invests a substantial portion of
its assets in companies in a specific industry, there is the risk that factors
affecting utility companies will have a significant effect on the value of the
Fund's investments. To the extent the Fund invests in lower-rated securities,
your investment is subject to more credit risk than a fund that invests in
higher-rated securities.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SINCE
1 YEAR 5 YEARS INCEPTION
CLASS A 19.09% 13.02% 13.44%
CLASS B 19.46% 13.23% 13.56%
CLASS C 22.42% 13.25% 13.65%
NYSE UTILITIES INDEX 33.04% 14.17% 12.58%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998 and
reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or contingent deferred sales
charges as well as conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after the
applicable period. Inception dates are 10/18/93 for Class A shares and Class B
shares and 10/27/93 for Class C shares. Index return is from 10/31/93.
BAR CHART
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do
not reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less
than those shown. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for
Class A shares was 7.69%.
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a -10.94 22.93 8.28 30.65 24.38
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 15.65%, 4TH QUARTER, 1997; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -7.50%, 1ST QUARTER, 1994.
12
ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS TOTAL RETURN FROM LONG-TERM GROWTH OF
CAPITAL AND INCOME PRINCIPALLY THROUGH INVESTING IN EQUITY SECURITIES OF
COMPANIES THAT ARE PRIMARILY ENGAGED IN OR RELATED TO THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of real estate investment
trusts or "REITs" and other real estate industry companies. The Fund invests in
real estate companies that Alliance believes have strong property fundamentals
and management teams. The Fund seeks to invest in real estate companies whose
underlying portfolios are diversified geographically and by property type. The
Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in mortgage-backed securities,
which are securities that directly or indirectly represent participations in,
or are collateralized by and payable from, mortgage loans secured by real
property.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, interest
rate risk and credit risk. Because the Fund invests a substantial portion of
its assets in the real estate market, it has many of the same risks as direct
ownership of real estate including the risk that the value of real estate could
decline due to a variety of factors affecting the real estate market. In
addition, REITs are dependent on the capability of their managers, may have
limited diversification, and could be significantly affected by changes in tax
laws. Because the Fund invests in mortgage-backed securities, it is subject to
the risk that mortgage loans will be prepaid when interest rates decline,
forcing the Fund to reinvest in securities with lower interest rates. For this
and other reasons, mortgage-backed securities may have significantly greater
price and yield volatility than traditional debt securities.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SINCE
1 YEAR INCEPTION
CLASS A -23.59% 5.43%
CLASS B -23.85% 5.91%
CLASS C -21.52% 6.77%
S&P 500 INDEX 28.60% 31.37%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998 and
reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or contingent deferred sales
charges as well as conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after the
applicable period. Inception dates are 10/1/96 for Class A, Class B and Class C
shares. Index return is from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Class A
shares was -5.26%.
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 22.98 -20.22
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 14.55%, 3RD QUARTER, 1997; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -12.33%, 3RD QUARTER, 1998.
13
GLOBAL STOCK FUNDS
The Global Stock Funds offer investors seeking long-term capital appreciation a
range of alternative approaches to investing in foreign securities.
ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS LONG-TERM CAPITAL APPRECIATION THROUGH
INVESTMENTS PRIMARILY IN THE EQUITY SECURITIES OF COMPANIES BASED IN EUROPE.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of European companies. The Fund
diversifies its investments among a number of European countries and normally
invests in companies based in at least three of these countries, although it
may invest 25% or more of its assets in issuers in a single country. The Fund
may invest up to 35% of its total assets in high-quality U.S. Dollar or foreign
currency denominated fixed-income securities issued or guaranteed by European
governmental entities, European or multinational companies, or supranational
organizations. At December 31, 1998, the Fund had approximately 26% of its
assets invested in securities of United Kingdom issuers.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk. In addition, the Fund's investments in U.S. Dollar or
foreign currency denominated fixed-income securities have interest rate and
credit risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SINCE
1 YEAR 5 YEARS INCEPTION
CLASS A 19.67% 15.92% 11.28%
CLASS B 20.12% 16.10% 11.43%
CLASS C 23.10% 16.11% 11.26%
MSCI EUROPE INDEX 28.91% 19.53% 15.40%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998 and
reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or contingent deferred sales
charges as well as conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after the
applicable period. Inception date of Class A shares is 4/2/90. Index returns
are from month-end of applicable class inception date.
Performance information for periods prior to the inception of Class B shares
(3/5/91) and Class C shares (5/3/93) is the performance of the Fund's Class A
shares adjusted to reflect the higher expense ratio of Class B and Class C
shares. The average annual total returns for Class B and Class C since their
actual inception dates were 13.28% and 17.74%, respectively. Index returns for
the comparable periods were 16.58% and 20.78%, respectively.
BAR CHART
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Class A
shares was 1.03%.
n/a n/a 3.30 -0.53 34.57 4.64 18.63 20.58 16.83 24.99
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 22.41%, 1ST QUARTER, 1998; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -19.73%, 3RD QUARTER, 1998.
14
ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE PRIVATIZATION FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS LONG-TERM CAPITAL APPRECIATION.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of companies that are
undergoing, or have undergone, privatization. The Fund also invests in
securities of companies that will benefit from privatizations. The Fund takes
advantage of investment opportunities, historically inaccessible to U.S.
individual investors, that result from the privatization of state enterprises
in both established and developing economies. Because privatizations are
integral to a country's economic restructuring, securities sold in initial
public offerings often are attractively priced to secure the issuer's
transition to private sector ownership. In addition, these enterprises often
dominate their local markets and have the potential for significant managerial
and operational efficiency gains.
The Fund diversifies its investments among a number of countries and normally
invests in issuers based in four, and usually considerably more, countries. The
Fund may invest up to 30% of its total assets in any one of France, Germany,
Great Britain, Italy, and Japan and may invest all of its assets in a single
world region. The Fund also may invest up to 35% of its total assets in debt
securities and convertible debt securities of privatized companies.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk. Investments in companies that are undergoing, or have
undergone, privatization could have more risk because they have no operating
history as a private company. In addition, the Fund's investments in U.S.
Dollar or foreign currency denominated fixed-income securities have interest
rate and credit risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SINCE
1 YEAR INCEPTION
CLASS A 4.25% 9.61%
CLASS B 4.55% 9.88%
CLASS C 7.22% 9.88%
MSCI WORLD INDEX (MINUS THE U.S.) 19.11% 8.72%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998 and
reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or contingent deferred sales
charges as well as conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after the
applicable period. Inception date of Class A and Class B shares is 6/2/94.
Index returns are from month-end of applicable class inception date.
Performance information for periods prior to the inception of Class C shares
(2/8/95) is the performance of the Fund's Class A shares adjusted to reflect
the higher expense ratio of Class C shares. The average annual total return for
Class C since its actual inception date was 13.11%. Index return for the
comparable period was 11.60%.
BAR CHART
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Class A
shares was 16.54%.
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 4.91 23.14 13.18 8.92
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 16.49%, 1ST QUARTER, 1998; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -17.44%, 3RD QUARTER, 1998.
15
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL PREMIER GROWTH FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS LONG-TERM GROWTH OF CAPITAL BY INVESTING
PREDOMINANTLY IN EQUITY SECURITIES OF A LIMITED NUMBER OF CAREFULLY SELECTED
NON-U.S. COMPANIES THAT ARE JUDGED LIKELY TO ACHIEVE SUPERIOR EARNINGS GROWTH.
CURRENT INCOME IS INCIDENTAL TO THE FUND'S OBJECTIVE.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of comparatively large,
high-quality, non-U.S. companies. The Fund invests in at least four, and
usually considerably more, countries. Normally, the Fund invests no more than
15% of its total assets in issuers of any one foreign country, but may invest
up to 25% of its total assets in each of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan,
The Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Unlike more typical
international equity funds, the Fund focuses on a relatively small number of
intensively researched companies. Alliance selects the Fund's investments from
a research universe of approximately 900 companies.
Normally, the Fund invests in about 40 companies, with the 30 most highly
regarded of these companies usually constituting approximately 70%, and often
more, of the Fund's net assets. The Fund invests in companies with market
values generally in excess of $10 billion. Alliance may take advantage of
market volatility to adjust the Fund's portfolio positions. To the extent
consistent with local market liquidity considerations, the Fund strives to
capitalize on apparently unwarranted price fluctuations, both to purchase or
increase positions on weakness and to sell or reduce overpriced holdings. The
Fund invests primarily in equity securities and also may invest in convertible
securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk. In addition, since the Fund invests in a smaller number
of securities than many other international equity funds, changes in the value
of a single security may have a more significant effect, either negative or
positive, on the Fund's net asset value.
BAR CHART AND PERFORMANCE TABLE:
There is no bar chart or performance table for the Fund because it has not
completed a full calendar year of operations.
16
ALLIANCE GLOBAL SMALL CAP FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS LONG-TERM GROWTH OF CAPITAL THROUGH
INVESTMENT IN A GLOBAL PORTFOLIO OF EQUITY SECURITIES OF SELECTED COMPANIES
WITH RELATIVELY SMALL MARKET CAPITALIZATIONS.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of global companies, both
domestic and foreign, with relatively small market capitalizations. The Fund's
investments emphasize companies that are in the smallest 20% of the U.S. stock
market (or less than approximately $1.5 billion). Although these companies are
small by U.S. standards, they may be among the largest companies in their own
countries. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in securities of
companies whose market capitalizations exceed the Fund's size standard. The
Fund invests in at least three countries, including the U.S.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk. Investments in smaller companies tend to be more
volatile than investments in large-cap or mid-cap companies.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
CLASS A -0.85% 9.19% 7.59%
CLASS B -0.86% 9.37% 7.46%
CLASS C 1.86% 9.37% 7.30%
MSCI WORLD INDEX 24.80% 16.19% 11.21%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998 and
reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or contingent deferred sales charge
as well as conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after the applicable
period. Index returns are from 12/31/88.
Performance information for periods prior to the inception of Class B shares
(9/17/90) and Class C shares (5/3/93) is the performance of the Fund's Class A
shares adjusted to reflect the higher expense ratio of Class B and Class C
shares. The average annual total returns for Class B and Class C since their
actual inception dates were 8.99% and 10.97%, respectively. Index returns for
the comparable periods (which date from month-end following applicable class
inception date) were 15.35% and 15.52%, respectively.
BAR CHART
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Class A
shares was 11.16%.
24.60 -24.89 25.29 -4.89 20.04 -4.55 27.18 19.37 8.08 3.56
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 18.10%, 1ST QUARTER, 1991; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -26.77%, 3RD QUARTER, 1990.
17
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS TOTAL RETURN FROM LONG-TERM GROWTH OF
CAPITAL AND INCOME PRIMARILY THROUGH INVESTMENT IN A BROAD PORTFOLIO OF
MARKETABLE SECURITIES OF ESTABLISHED NON-U.S. COMPANIES, COMPANIES
PARTICIPATING IN FOREIGN ECONOMIES WITH PROSPECTS FOR GROWTH, INCLUDING U.S.
COMPANIES HAVING THEIR PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS OUTSIDE THE U.S. AND
IN FOREIGN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of established non-U.S.
companies, companies participating in foreign economies with prospects for
growth, including U.S. companies having their principal activities and
interests outside the U.S., and foreign government securities. The Fund
diversifies its investments broadly among countries and normally invests in
companies in at least three foreign countries, although it may invest a
substantial portion of its assets in companies in one or more foreign countries.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
CLASS A 5.00% 5.84% 5.81%
CLASS B 4.90% 5.91% 5.60%
CLASS C 7.81% 5.88% 5.51%
MSCI EAFE INDEX 20.33% 9.50% 5.85%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998 and
reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or contingent deferred sales
charges as well as conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after the
applicable period. Index returns are from 12/31/88.
Performance information for periods prior to the inception of Class B shares
(9/17/90) and Class C shares (5/3/93) is the performance of the Fund's Class A
shares adjusted to reflect the higher expense ratio of Class B and Class C
shares. The average annual total returns for Class B and Class C since their
actual inception dates were 5.47% and 6.76%, respectively. Index returns for
the comparable periods (which date from month-end following applicable class
inception date) were 10.60% and 9.60%, respectively.
BAR CHART
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Class A
shares was 6.97%.
29.62 -20.95 7.72 -5.86 27.51 5.68 10.10 7.20 1.41 9.64
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 15.69%, 4TH QUARTER, 1998; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -22.29%, 3RD QUARTER, 1990.
18
ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97 FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS LONG-TERM CAPITAL APPRECIATION THROUGH
INVESTMENT OF AT LEAST 80% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN EQUITY SECURITIES OF GREATER
CHINA COMPANIES.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests in equity securities of Greater China companies, which are
companies in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Of these countries, the Fund expects
to invest a significant portion of its assets, which may be greater than 50%,
in Hong Kong companies and may invest all of its assets in Hong Kong companies
or companies of either of the other Greater China countries. The Fund also may
invest in convertible securities and equity-linked debt securities issued or
guaranteed by Greater China companies or Greater China Governments, their
agencies, or instrumentalities. As of December 31, 1998, the Fund had
approximately 75% of its assets invested in securities of Hong Kong companies.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk. Because it invests in Greater China companies, the
Fund's returns will be significantly more volatile and differ substantially
from U.S. markets generally. Your investment also has the risk that market
changes or other events affecting the Greater China countries, including
political instability and unpredictable economic conditions, may have a more
significant effect on the Fund's net asset value. In addition, the Fund is
"non-diversified," meaning that it invests its assets in a smaller number of
companies than many other international funds. As a result, changes in the
value of a single security may have a more significant effect, either negative
or positive, on the Fund's net asset value. The Fund's investments in debt
securities have interest rate and credit risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SINCE
1 YEAR INCEPTION
CLASS A -11.98% -29.28%
CLASS B -12.36% -29.07%
CLASS C -9.89% -27.52%
MSCI CHINA FREE INDEX -43.83% -54.48%
MSCI HONG KONG INDEX -2.92% -25.58%
MSCI TAIWAN INDEX -20.64% -30.14%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998 and
reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or contingent deferred sales charge
as well as conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after the applicable
period. Inception dates are 9/3/97 for Class A, Class B, and Class C shares.
Index returns are from 9/30/97.
BAR CHART
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Class A
shares was 22.48%.
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a -8.02
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 27.48%, 4TH QUARTER, 1998; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -26.95%, 2ND QUARTER, 1998.
19
ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS LONG-TERM CAPITAL APPRECIATION.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund primarily invests in securities of various types of companies based in
Asia. The Fund invests in equity securities, preferred stocks, and
equity-linked debt securities issued by Asian companies and may invest more
than 50% of its total assets in equity securities of Japanese issuers. The Fund
also may invest up to 35% of its total assets in debt securities issued or
guaranteed by Asian companies or by Asian governments, their agencies or
instrumentalities, and may invest up to 25% of its net assets in convertible
securities. At December 31, 1998, the Fund had approximately 60% of its total
assets invested in securities of Japanese companies.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk. Because it invests in Asian and Pacific region
countries and emerging markets, the Fund's returns will be significantly more
volatile and may differ substantially from the overall U.S. market generally.
Your investment has the risk that market changes or other factors affecting
Asian and Pacific region countries and other emerging markets, including
political instability and unpredictable economic conditions, may have a more
significant effect on the Fund's net asset value. To the extent that the Fund
invests a substantial amount of its assets in Japanese companies, your
investment has the risk that market changes or other events affecting that
country may have a more significant effect on the Fund's net asset value. In
addition, the Fund's investments in debt securities have interest rate and
credit risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SINCE
1 YEAR INCEPTION
CLASS A -16.07% -10.73%
CLASS B -16.63% -10.41%
CLASS C -13.74% -10.34%
MSCI ALL COUNTRY ASIA PACIFIC INDEX 2.03% -8.49%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998 and
reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or contingent deferred sales
charges as well as conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after the
applicable period. Inception dates are 11/28/94 for Class A, Class B, and Class
C shares. Index return is from 11/30/94.
BAR CHART
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do
not reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less
than those shown. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for
Class A shares was 57.59%.
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 10.21 4.58 -35.10 -12.34
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 13.67%, 4TH QUARTER, 1998; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -18.81%, 4TH QUARTER, 1997.
20
ALLIANCE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS LONG-TERM CAPITAL APPRECIATION THROUGH
INVESTMENT OF SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF ITS ASSETS IN EQUITY SECURITIES OF COMPANIES
THAT ARE EXPECTED TO BENEFIT FROM ADVANCES OR IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCTS,
PROCESSES OR SERVICES INTENDED TO FOSTER THE PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in environmental companies, which are companies
whose principal business involves the sale of environmental protection systems
or services. The Fund also invests in companies whose principal business lies
outside the environmental sector but who anticipate environmental regulations
or consumer preferences through the development of new products or services
that would contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment. The Fund will
invest substantially all of its assets in these two types of companies. The
Fund invests in securities of companies in at least three, and normally
considerably more, countries. At December 31, 1998, the Fund had approximately
82% invested in equity securities of U.S. companies.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk. Because it invests in non-U.S. companies and in
specific types of companies that provide environmental services, the Fund's
returns will be more volatile and differ, sometimes substantially, from the
overall U.S. market generally. The Fund's investments also have the risk that
government regulations or other action could negatively affect the business of
environmental companies.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SINCE
1 YEAR 5 YEARS INCEPTION
CLASS A -7.60% 11.03% 4.29%
CLASS B -6.16% 11.83% 4.46%
CLASS C -4.72% 11.83% 4.44%
S&P 500 INDEX 28.60% 24.05% 18.61%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998 and
reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or contingent deferred sales
charges as well as conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after the
applicable period. Inception date of Class A shares is 6/1/90. Index returns
are from month-end of applicable class inception date.
Performance information for periods prior to the inception of Class B shares
(10/6/97) and Class C shares (11/5/97) is the performance of the Fund's Class A
shares adjusted to reflect the higher expense ratio of Class B and Class C
shares. The average annual total returns for Class B and Class C since their
actual inception dates were -7.39%, and -4.28%, respectively. Index returns for
the comparable periods were 30.76% and 28.23%, respectively.
BAR CHART
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do
not reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less
than those shown. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for
Class A shares was 1.40%.
n/a n/a 5.99 -15.18 -0.44 -2.12 19.30 29.95 20.28 -3.49
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Calendar Year Ended
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 13.50%, 2ND QUARTER, 1996; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -19.87%, 3RD QUARTER, 1998.
21
SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL RISKS
The value of your investment in a Fund will change with changes in the values
of that Fund's investments. Many factors can affect those values. In this
Summary, we describe the principal risks that may affect a Fund's portfolio as
a whole. These risks and the Funds particularly subject to these risks appear
in a chart at the end of the section. All Funds could be subject to additional
principal risks because the types of investments made by each Fund can change
over time. This Prospectus has additional descriptions of the types of
investments that appear in bold type in the discussions under "Description of
Investment Practices" or "Additional Risk Considerations." These sections also
include more information about the Funds, their investments, and related risks.
MARKET RISK
This is the risk that the value of a Fund's investments will fluctuate as the
stock or bond markets fluctuate and that prices overall will decline over
short- or long-term periods. All of the Alliance Stock Funds are subject to
market risk.
SECTOR RISK
This is the risk of investments in a particular industry sector. Market or
economic factors affecting that industry sector could have a major effect on
the value of a Fund's investments. Funds particularly subject to this risk are
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND, ALLIANCE TECHNOLOGY FUND, ALLIANCE UTILITY INCOME
FUND, ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FUND, ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE PRIVATIZATION
FUND and ALLIANCE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FUND. This risk may be greater for
ALLIANCE TECHNOLOGY FUND because technology stocks, especially those of
smaller, less-seasoned companies, tend to be more volatile than the overall
market.
CAPITALIZATION RISK
This is the risk of investments in small- to mid-capitalization companies.
Investments in mid-cap companies may be more volatile than investments in
large-cap companies. ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND and THE ALLIANCE FUND are
particularly subject to this risk. Investments in small-cap companies tend to
be more volatile than investments in large-cap or mid-cap companies. A Fund's
investments in smaller capitalization stocks may have additional risks because
these companies often have limited product lines, markets, or financial
resources. ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND, ALLIANCE QUASAR FUND and ALLIANCE GLOBAL
SMALL CAP FUND are particularly subject to this risk.
INTEREST RATE RISK
This is the risk that changes in interest rates will affect the value of a
Fund's investments in income-producing, fixed-income (i.e., debt) securities.
Increases in interest rates may cause the value of a Fund's investments to
decline and this decrease in value may not be offset by the higher interest
rate income. Interest rate risk is particularly applicable to Funds that invest
in fixed-income securities and is greater for those Alliance Stock Funds that
invest a substantial portion of their assets in fixed-income securities, such
as ALLIANCE GROWTH AND INCOME FUND, ALLIANCE BALANCED SHARES and ALLIANCE
UTILITY INCOME FUND. Interest rate risk is greater for those Funds that invest
in LOWER-RATED SECURITIES or comparable unrated securities ("junk bonds") such
as ALLIANCE UTILITY INCOME FUND. ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FUND also has
more exposure to interest rate risk because it invests in real estate industry
companies and in mortgage-backed securities.
CREDIT RISK
This is the risk that the issuer of a security or the other party to an
over-the-counter transaction will be unable or unwilling to make timely
payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The
degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its CREDIT RATING.
Credit risk is applicable to Funds that invest in fixed-income securities and
is greater for those Alliance Stock Funds that invest a substantial portion of
their assets in LOWER-RATED SECURITIES, such as ALLIANCE UTILITY INCOME FUND.
FOREIGN RISK
This is the risk of investments in issuers located in foreign countries. All
Alliance Stock Funds with FOREIGN SECURITIES are subject to this risk,
including, in particular, ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND, ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE FUND,
ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE PRIVATIZATION FUND, ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL PREMIER GROWTH
FUND, ALLIANCE GLOBAL SMALL CAP FUND, ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND, ALLIANCE
GREATER CHINA '97 FUND, ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND and ALLIANCE GLOBAL
ENVIRONMENT FUND. Funds investing in foreign securities may experience more
rapid and extreme changes in value than Funds with investments solely in
securities of U.S. companies. This is because the securities markets of many
foreign countries are relatively small, with a limited number of companies
representing a small number of industries. Additionally, foreign securities
issuers are usually not subject to the same degree of regulation as U.S.
issuers. Reporting, accounting, and auditing standards of foreign countries
differ, in some cases significantly, from U.S. standards. Also,
nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, currency blockage, or
political changes or diplomatic developments could adversely affect a Fund's
investments in a foreign country. In the event of nationalization,
expropriation, or other confiscation, a Fund could lose its entire investment.
COUNTRY OR GEOGRAPHIC RISK
This is the risk of investments in issuers located in a particular country or
geographic region. Market changes or other factors affecting that country or
region, including political instability and unpredictable economic conditions,
may have a particularly significant effect on a Fund's net asset value. The
Funds particularly subject to this risk are ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE FUND, ALLIANCE
WORLDWIDE PRIVATIZATION FUND, ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND, ALLIANCE GREATER
CHINA '97 FUND and ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND.
22
CURRENCY RISK
This is the risk that fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S.
Dollar and foreign currencies may negatively affect the value of a Fund's
investments. Funds with FOREIGN SECURITIES are subject to this risk, including,
in particular, ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND, ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE FUND, ALLIANCE
WORLDWIDE PRIVATIZATION FUND, ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL PREMIER GROWTH FUND,
ALLIANCE GLOBAL SMALL CAP FUND, ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND, ALLIANCE GREATER
CHINA '97 FUND, ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND and ALLIANCE GLOBAL
ENVIRONMENT FUND.
MANAGEMENT RISK
Each Alliance Stock Fund is subject to management risk because it is an
actively managed investment portfolio. Alliance will apply its investment
techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Funds, but
there is no guarantee that its decisions will produce the intended result.
FOCUSED PORTFOLIO RISK
Funds, such as ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND and ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL PREMIER
GROWTH FUND, that invest in a limited number of companies, may have more risk
because changes in the value of a single security may have a more significant
effect, either negative or positive, on the Fund's net asset value. Similarly,
ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97 FUND may have more risk because it is
"non-diversified," meaning that it can invest more of its assets in a smaller
number of companies than many other international funds.
ALLOCATION RISK
ALLIANCE BALANCED SHARES has the risk that the allocation of its investments
between equity and debt securities may have a more significant effect on the
Fund's net asset value when one of these asset classes is performing more
poorly than the other.
PRINCIPAL RISKS BY FUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following chart summarizes the principal risks of each Fund. Risks not
marked for a particular Fund may, however, still apply to some extent to that
Fund at various times.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAPITAL- INTEREST COUNTRY OR FOCUSED
MARKET SECTOR IZATION RATE CREDIT FOREIGN GEOGRAPHIC CURRENCY MANAGE- PORTFOLIO ALLOCATION
FUND RISK RISK RISK RISK RISK RISK RISK RISK MENT RISK RISK RISK
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ALLIANCE PREMIER
GROWTH FUND o o o
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE HEALTH
CARE FUND o o o o o o
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND o o o o o o o
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE TECHNOLOGY FUND o o o
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE QUASAR FUND o o o
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE ALLIANCE FUND o o o
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE GROWTH AND
INCOME FUND o o o o
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE BALANCED SHARES o o o o o
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE UTILITY INCOME FUND o o o o o
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE
INVESTMENT FUND o o o o o
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE FUND o o o o o
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE
PRIVATIZATION FUND o o o o o o
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL
PREMIER GROWTH FUND o o o o o
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE GLOBAL
SMALL CAP FUND o o o o o
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND o o o o o
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE GREATER
CHINA '97 FUND o o o o o o
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA
INVESTMENT FUND o o o o o
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE GLOBAL
ENVIRONMENT FUND o o o o o
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUNDS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and
hold shares of the Funds.
SHAREHOLDER FEES (fees paid directly from your investment)
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES
-------------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
(as a percentage of offering price) 4.25% None None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) None 4.0%* 1.0%*
(as a percentage of original purchase
price or redemption proceeds,
whichever is lower)
Exchange Fee None None None
</TABLE>
* Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares after 8 years. The
CDSC decreases over time. For Class B shares the CDSC DECREASES 1.00% ANNUALLY
TO 0% AFTER THE 4TH YEAR. For Class C shares the CDSC IS 0% after the first
year.
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)
and EXAMPLES
The Examples are to help you compare the cost of investing in the Funds with
the cost of investing in other funds. They assume that you invest $10,000 in
each Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at
the end of those periods. They also assume that your investment has a 5% return
each year, that the Fund's operating expenses stay the same and that all
dividends and distributions are reinvested. Your actual costs may be higher or
lower.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPERATING EXPENSES EXAMPLES
- -------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ALLIANCE PREMIER
GROWTH FUND CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- --------
Management fees 1.00% 1.00% 1.00% After 1 year $ 580 $ 631 $ 231 $ 331 $ 231
Distribution (12b-1) fees .33% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $ 906 $ 912 $ 712 $ 712 $ 712
Other expenses .26% .28% .28% After 5 years $1,254 $1,220 $1,220 $1,220 $1,220
---- ---- ---- After 10 years $2,234 $2,442(b) $2,442(b) $2,615 $2,615
Total fund
operating expenses 1.59% 2.28% 2.28%
==== ==== ====
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- --------
Management fees .95% .95% .95% After 1 year $ 667 $ 723 $ 323 $ 423 $ 323
Distribution (12b-1) fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years(c) $1,199 $1,215 $1,015 $1,015 $1,015
Other expenses 1.40% 1.40% 1.40% After 5 years(c) $1,756 $1,731 $1,731 $1,731 $1,731
---- ---- ---- After 10 years(c) $3,271 $3,472(b) $3,472(b) $3,630 $3,630
Total fund
operating expenses 2.65% 3.35% 3.35%
==== ==== ====
Fee waiver and/or expense
reimbursement (a) (.15)% (.15)% (.15)%
Net expenses 2.50% 3.20% 3.20%
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees .70% .70% .70% After 1 year $ 544 $ 597 $ 197 $ 296 $ 196
Distribution (12b-1) fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $ 796 $ 809 $ 609 $ 606 $ 606
Other expenses .22% .24% .23% After 5 years $1,067 $1,047 $1,047 $1,042 $1,042
---- ---- ---- After 10 years $1,840 $2,078(b) $2,078(b) $2,254 $2,254
Total fund
operating expenses 1.22% 1.94% 1.93%
==== ==== ====
ALLIANCE TECHNOLOGY FUND CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees 1.02% 1.02% 1.02% After 1 year $ 587 $ 642 $ 242 $ 343 $ 243
Distribution (12b-1) fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $ 926 $ 945 $ 745 $ 748 $ 748
Other expenses .34% .37% .38% After 5 years $1,289 $1,275 $1,275 $1,280 $1,280
---- ---- ---- After 10 years $2,307 $2,545(b) $2,545(b) $2,736 $2,736
Total fund
operating expenses 1.66% 2.39% 2.40%
==== ==== ====
</TABLE>
PLEASE REFER TO THE FOOTNOTES ON PAGE 26.
24
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Operating Expenses Examples
- -------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ALLIANCE QUASAR FUND CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees 1.04% 1.04% 1.04% After 1 year $ 582 $ 642 $ 242 $ 341 $ 241
Distribution (12b-1) fees .26% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $ 911 $ 945 $ 745 $ 742 $ 742
Other expenses .31% .35% .34% After 5 years $1,264 $1,275 $1,275 $1,270 $1,270
---- ---- ---- After 10 years $2,255 $2,533(b) $2,533(b) $2,716 $2,716
Total fund
operating expenses 1.61% 2.39% 2.38%
==== ==== ====
THE ALLIANCE FUND CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees .67% .67% .67% After 1 year $ 526 $ 587 $ 187 $ 287 $ 187
Distribution (12b-1) fees .20% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $ 739 $ 779 $ 579 $ 579 $ 579
Other expenses .16% .17% .17% After 5 years $ 969 $ 995 $ 995 $ 995 $ 995
---- ---- ---- After 10 years $1,631 $1,946(b) $1,946(b) $2,159 $2,159
Total fund
operating expenses 1.03% 1.84% 1.84%
==== ==== ====
ALLIANCE GROWTH AND
INCOME FUND CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees .48% .48% .48% After 1 year $ 516 $ 575 $ 175 $ 275 $ 175
Distribution (12b-1) fees .23% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $ 709 $ 742 $ 542 $ 542 $ 542
Other expenses .22% .24% .24% After 5 years $ 918 $ 933 $ 933 $ 933 $ 933
---- ---- ---- After 10 years $1,519 $1,821(b) $1,821(b) $2,030 $2,030
Total fund
operating expenses .93% 1.72% 1.72%
==== ==== ====
ALLIANCE BALANCED SHARES CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees .59% .59% .59% After 1 year $ 544 $ 600 $ 200 $ 299 $ 199
Distribution (12b-1) fees .25% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $ 796 $ 818 $ 618 $ 615 $ 615
Other expenses .38% .38% .37% After 5 years $1,067 $1,062 $1,062 $1,057 $1,057
---- ---- ---- After 10 years $1,840 $2,102(b) $2,102(b) $2,285 $2,285
Total fund
operating expenses 1.22% 1.97% 1.96%
==== ==== ====
ALLIANCE UTILITY
INCOME FUND CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees .75% .75% .75% After 1 year $ 571 $ 623 $ 223 $ 323 $ 223
Distribution (12b-1) fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years(c) $1,075 $1,095 $ 895 $ 897 $ 897
Other expenses 1.43% 1.46% 1.47% After 5 years(c) $1,605 $1,591 $1,591 $1,595 $1,595
---- ---- ---- After 10 years(c) $3,051 $3,275(b) $3,275(b) $3,452 $3,452
Total fund
operating expenses 2.48% 3.21% 3.22%
==== ==== ====
Waiver and/or expense
reimbursement (a) (.98)% (1.01)% (1.02)%
Net expenses 1.50% 2.20% 2.20%
==== ==== ====
ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE
INVESTMENT FUND CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees .90% .90% .90% After 1 year $ 579 $ 634 $ 234 $ 333 $ 233
Distribution (12b-1) fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $ 903 $ 921 $ 721 $ 718 $ 718
Other expenses .38% .41% .40% After 5 years $1,249 $1,235 $1,235 $1,230 $1,230
---- ---- ---- After 10 years $2,223 $2,463(b) $2,463(b) $2,636 $2,636
Total fund
operating expenses 1.58% 2.31% 2.30%
==== ==== ====
ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE FUND CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees .95% .95% .95% After 1 year $ 600 $ 653 $ 253 $ 353 $ 253
Distribution (12b-1) fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $ 967 $ 979 $ 779 $ 779 $ 779
Other expenses .55% .55% .55% After 5 years $1,358 $1,331 $1,331 $1,331 $1,331
---- ---- ---- After 10 years $2,451 $2,664(b) $2,664(b) $2,836 $2,836
Total fund
operating expenses 1.80% 2.50% 2.50%
==== ==== ====
ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE
PRIVATIZATION FUND CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees 1.00% 1.00% 1.00% After 1 year $ 612 $ 666 $ 266 $ 366 $ 266
Distribution (12b-1) fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $1,002 $1,017 $ 817 $ 817 $ 817
Other expenses .62% .63% .63% After 5 years $1,418 $1,395 $1,395 $1,395 $1,395
---- ---- ---- After 10 years $2,573 $2,792(b) $2,792(b) $2,964 $2,964
Total fund
operating expenses 1.92% 2.63% 2.63%
==== ==== ====
</TABLE>
PLEASE REFER TO THE FOOTNOTES ON PAGE 26.
25
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Operating Expenses Examples
- -------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL
PREMIER GROWTH FUND CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees 1.00% 1.00% 1.00% After 1 year $ 667 $ 723 $ 323 $ 423 $ 323
Distribution (12b-1) fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years (c) $1,684 $1,759 $1,559 $1,532 $1,532
Other expenses 3.89% 4.14% 4.00% After 5 years (c) $2,697 $2,767 $2,767 $2,718 $2,718
---- ---- ---- After 10 years (c) $5,213 $5,501(b) $5,501(b) $5,579 $5,579
Total fund
operating expenses 5.19% 6.14% 6.00%
==== ==== ====
Waiver and/or expense
reimbursement (a) (2.69)% (2.94)% (2.80)%
Net expenses 2.50% 3.20% 3.20%
==== ==== ====
ALLIANCE GLOBAL
SMALL CAP FUND CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees 1.00% 1.00% 1.00% After 1 year $ 655 $ 717 $ 317 $ 418 $ 318
Distribution (12b-1) fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $1,133 $1,169 $ 969 $ 971 $ 971
Other expenses 1.07% 1.14% 1.15% After 5 years $1,637 $1,645 $1,645 $1,649 $1,649
---- ---- ---- After 10 years $3,016 $3,271(b) $3,271(b) $3,457 $3,457
Total fund
operating expenses 2.37% 3.14% 3.15%
==== ==== ====
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees .95% .95% .95% After 1 year $ 600 $ 664 $ 264 $ 364 $ 264
Distribution (12b-1) fees .23% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years (c) $ 989 $1,037 $ 837 $ 839 $ 839
Other expenses .73% .79% .80% After 5 years (c) $1,402 $1,436 $1,436 $1,440 $1,440
---- ---- ---- After 10 years (c) $2,552 $2,858(b) $2,858(b) $3,066 $3,066
Total fund
operating expenses 1.91% 2.74% 2.75%
==== ==== ====
Waiver and/or expense
reimbursement (a) (.11)% (.13)% (.14)%
Net expenses 1.80% 2.61% 2.61%
==== ==== ====
ALLIANCE GREATER
CHINA '97 FUND CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees 1.00% 1.00% 1.00% After 1 year $ 669 $ 725 $ 325 $ 425 $ 325
Distribution (12b-1) fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years (c) $3,430 $3,452 $3,252 $3,266 $3,266
Other expenses 18.38% 18.22% 18.41% After 5 years (c) $5,439 $5,355 $5,355 $5,371 $5,371
---- ---- ---- After 10 years (c) $8,386 $8,357(b) $8,357(b) $8,372 $8,372
Total fund
operating expenses 19.68% 20.22% 20.41%
Waiver and/or expense
reimbursement (a) (17.16)% (17.00)% (17.19)%
Net expenses 2.52% 3.22% 3.22%
==== ==== ====
ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA
INVESTMENT FUND CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees 1.00% 1.00% 1.00% After 1 year $ 715 $ 772 $ 372 $ 472 $ 372
Distribution (12b-1) fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years (c) $1,623 $1,660 $1,460 $1,466 $1,466
Other expenses After 5 years (c) $2,537 $2,539 $2,539 $2,550 $2,550
Administration fees .15% .15% .15% After 10 years (c) $4,853 $5,059(b) $5,059(b) $5,221 $5,221
Other operating expenses 3.18% 3.24% 3.27%
Total other expenses 3.33% 3.39% 3.42%
Total fund
operating expenses 4.63% 5.39% 5.42%
Waiver and/or expense
reimbursement (a) (1.63)% (1.69)% (1.72)%
Net expenses 3.00% 3.70% 3.70%
==== ==== ====
ALLIANCE GLOBAL
ENVIRONMENT FUND CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS A CLASS B+ CLASS B++ CLASS C+ CLASS C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Management fees 1.10% 1.10% 1.10% After 1 year $ 899 $ 974 $ 574 $ 661 $ 561
Distribution (12b-1) fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 years $1,848 $1,908 $1,708 $1,673 $1,673
Other expenses 3.55% 3.66% 3.53% After 5 years $2,798 $2,826 $2,826 $2,771 $2,771
---- ---- ---- After 10 years $5,176 $5,402(b) $5,402(b) $5,456 $5,456
Total fund
operating expenses 4.95% 5.76% 5.63%
==== ==== ====
</TABLE>
+ ASSUMES REDEMPTION AT END OF PERIOD.
++ ASSUMES NO REDEMPTION AT END OF PERIOD.
(A) REFLECTS ALLIANCE'S CONTRACTUAL WAIVER OF A PORTION OF ITS ADVISORY FEE
AND/OR REIMBURSEMENT OF A PORTION OF THE FUND'S OPERATING EXPENSES. THIS WAIVER
EXTENDS THROUGH THE FUND'S CURRENT FISCAL YEAR AND MAY BE EXTENDED BY ALLIANCE
FOR ADDITIONAL ONE-YEAR TERMS.
(B) ASSUMES CLASS B SHARES CONVERT TO CLASS A SHARES AFTER EIGHT YEARS.
(C) THESE EXAMPLES ASSUME THAT ALLIANCE'S AGREEMENT TO WAIVE MANAGEMENT FEES
AND/OR BEAR FUND EXPENSES IS NOT EXTENDED BEYOND ITS INITIAL PERIOD.
26
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GLOSSARY
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Prospectus uses the following terms.
TYPES OF SECURITIES
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES are fixed-income securities that are convertible into
common stock.
DEBT SECURITIES are bonds, debentures, notes, bills, loans, other direct debt
instruments, and other fixed, floating and variable rate debt obligations, but
do not include convertible securities.
DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS include American Depositary Receipts ("ADRS"), Global
Depositary Receipts ("GDRS") and other types of depositary receipts.
EQUITY SECURITIES include (i) common stocks, partnership interests, business
trust shares and other equity or ownership interests in business enterprises
and (ii) securities convertible into, and rights and warrants to subscribe for
the purchase of, such stocks, shares and interests.
FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES are debt securities and dividend-paying preferred
stocks, including floating rate and variable rate instruments.
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES are securities issued or guaranteed, as to
payment of principal and interest, by foreign governments, quasi-governmental
entities, governmental agencies or other governmental entities.
QUALIFYING BANK DEPOSITS are certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and
interest-bearing savings deposits of banks that have total assets of more than
$1 billion and are members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
RULE 144A SECURITIES are securities that may be resold under Rule 144A of the
Securities Act.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES are securities issued or guaranteed by the United
States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.
TYPES OF COMPANIES
ASIAN COMPANY is an entity that (i) is organized under the laws of an Asian
country and conducts business in an Asian country, (ii) derives 50% or more of
its total revenues from business in Asian countries, or (iii) issues equity or
debt securities that are traded principally on a stock exchange in an Asian
country.
ASIAN COUNTRIES are Australia, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka,
the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
(Hong Kong), the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Japan, the Kingdom of Thailand,
Malaysia, Negara Brunei Darussalam (Brunei), New Zealand, the People's Republic
of China, the People's Republic of Kampuchea (Cambodia), the Republic of China
(Taiwan), the Republic of India, the Republic of Indonesia, the Republic of
Korea (South Korea), the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of
Singapore, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Union of Myanmar.
BENEFICIARY COMPANIES are Eligible Companies whose principal businesses lie
outside the environmental sector but nevertheless anticipate environmental
regulations or consumer preferences through the development of new products,
processes or services that are intended to contribute to a cleaner and
healthier environment, such as companies that anticipate the demand for plastic
substitutes, aerosol substitutes, alternative fuels and processes that generate
less hazardous waste.
ELIGIBLE COMPANIES are companies expected to benefit from advances or
improvements in products, processes or services intended to foster the
protection of the environment.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPANIES are Eligible Companies that have a principal business
involving the sale of systems or services intended to foster environmental
protection, such as waste treatment and disposal, remediation, air pollution
control and recycling.
EUROPEAN COMPANY is a company (i) organized under the laws of a European
country that issues equity or debt securities that are traded principally on a
European stock exchange, or (ii) a company that derives 50% or more of its
total revenues or profits from businesses in Europe.
GREATER CHINA COMPANY is an entity that (i) is organized under the laws of a
Greater China country and conducts business in a Greater China country, (ii)
derives 50% or more of its total revenues from businesses in Greater China
countries, or (iii) issues equity or debt securities that are traded
principally on a stock exchange in a Greater China country. A company of a
particular Greater China country is a company that meets any of these criteria
with respect to that country.
HEALTH CARE INDUSTRIES include the health care and health care-related
(including health sciences) industries. These industries are principally
engaged in the discovery, development, provision, production or distribution of
products and services that relate to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of
diseases or other medical disorders. Companies in these fields include, but are
not limited to, pharmaceutical firms; companies that design, manufacture or
sell medical supplies, equipment and support services; companies that operate
hospitals and other health care facilities; and companies engaged in medical,
diagnostic, biochemical, biotechnological or other health sciences research and
development.
GREATER CHINA COUNTRIES are the People's Republic of China ("China"), the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China ("Hong
Kong") and the Republic of China ("Taiwan").
NON-U.S. COMPANY is an entity that (i) is organized under the laws of a foreign
country and conducts business in a foreign country, (ii) derives 50% or more of
its total revenues from business in foreign countries, or (iii) issues equity
or debt
27
securities that are traded principally on a stock exchange in a foreign country.
RATING AGENCIES, RATED SECURITIES AND INDEXES
DUFF & PHELPS is Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co.
EAFE INDEX is Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far
East ("EAFE") Index.
FITCH is Fitch IBCA, Inc.
INVESTMENT GRADE SECURITIES are fixed-income securities rated Baa and above by
Moody's or BBB and above by S&P, Duff & Phelps or Fitch, or determined by
Alliance to be of equivalent quality.
LOWER-RATED SECURITIES are fixed-income securities rated Ba or below by Moody's
or BB or below by S&P, Duff & Phelps or Fitch, or determined by Alliance to be
of equivalent quality, and are commonly referred to as "JUNK BONDS."
MOODY'S is Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
PRIME COMMERCIAL PAPER is commercial paper rated Prime 1 by Moody's or A-1 or
higher by S&P or, if not rated, issued by companies that have an outstanding
debt issue rated Aa or higher by Moody's or AA or higher by S&P.
S&P is Standard & Poor's Ratings Services.
S&P 500 INDEX is S&P's 500 Composite Stock Price Index, a widely recognized
unmanaged index of market activity.
OTHER
1940 ACT is the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
CODE is the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
COMMISSION is the Securities and Exchange Commission.
EXCHANGE is the New York Stock Exchange.
SECURITIES ACT is the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This section of the Prospectus provides a more complete description of each
Fund's investment objectives, principal strategies and risks. Of course, there
can be no assurance that any Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Please note that:
. Additional discussion of the Funds' investments, including the risks of the
investments, can be found in the discussion under DESCRIPTION OF INVESTMENT
PRACTICES following this section.
. The description of the principal risks for a Fund may include risks
described in the SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL RISKS above. Additional information about
the risks of investing in a Fund can be found in the discussion under
ADDITIONAL RISK CONSIDERATIONS.
. Additional descriptions of each Fund's strategies, investments and risks can
be found in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information or SAI.
. Except as noted, (i) the Funds' investment objectives are "fundamental" and
cannot be changed without a shareholder vote, and (ii) the Funds' investment
policies are not fundamental and thus can be changed without a shareholder vote.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
DOMESTIC STOCK FUNDS
The Domestic Stock Funds offer investors seeking capital appreciation a range
of alternative approaches to investing in the U.S. equity markets.
ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND
ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND seeks long-term growth of capital by investing
predominantly in the equity securities of a limited number of large, carefully
selected, high-quality U.S. companies that are judged likely to achieve
superior earnings growth. As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund normally
invests at least 85% of its total assets in the equity securities of U.S.
companies. A U.S. company is a company that is organized under United States
law, has its principal office in the United States and issues equity securities
that are traded principally in the United States. Normally, about 40-60
companies will be represented in the Fund's portfolio, with the 25 most highly
regarded of these companies usually constituting approximately 70% of the
Fund's net assets. The Fund is thus atypical from most equity mutual funds in
its focus on a relatively small number of intensively researched companies. The
Fund is designed for those seeking to accumulate capital over time with less
volatility than that associated with investment in smaller companies.
Alliance's investment strategy for the Fund emphasizes stock selection and
investment in the securities of a limited number of issuers. Alliance relies
heavily upon the fundamental analysis and research of its large internal
research staff, which generally follows a primary research universe of more
than 500 companies that have strong management, superior industry positions,
excellent balance sheets and superior earnings growth prospects. An emphasis is
placed on identifying companies whose substantially above average prospective
earnings growth is not fully reflected in current market valuations.
In managing the Fund, Alliance seeks to utilize market volatility judiciously
(assuming no change in company fundamentals), striving to capitalize on
apparently unwarranted price fluctuations, both to purchase or increase
positions on weakness and to sell or reduce overpriced holdings. The Fund
normally remains nearly fully invested and does not take significant cash
positions for market timing purposes. During market declines, while adding to
positions in favored stocks, the Fund becomes somewhat more aggressive,
gradually reducing the number of companies represented in its portfolio.
28
Conversely, in rising markets, while reducing or eliminating fully valued
positions, the Fund becomes somewhat more conservative, gradually increasing
the number of companies represented in its portfolio. Alliance thus seeks to
gain positive returns in good markets while providing some measure of
protection in poor markets.
Alliance expects the average market capitalization of companies represented in
the Fund's portfolio normally to be in the range, or in excess, of the average
market capitalization of companies included in the S&P 500 Index.
The Fund also may:
. invest up to 20% of its net assets in CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES;
. invest up to 5% of its net assets in RIGHTS OR WARRANTS;
. invest up to 15% of its total assets in FOREIGN SECURITIES;
. purchase and sell exchange-traded index OPTIONS and stock index FUTURES
CONTRACTS; and
. write covered exchange-traded call OPTIONS on its securities of up to 15% of
its total assets, and purchase and sell exchange-traded call and put options on
common stocks written by others of up to, for all options, 10% of its total
assets.
Because the Fund invests in a smaller number of securities than many other
equity funds, your investment has the risk that changes in the value of a
single security may have a more significant effect, either negative or
positive, on the Fund's net asset value.
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND seeks capital appreciation and, secondarily, current
income. In seeking to achieve its investment objective, under normal
circumstances the Fund invests at least 65%, and normally substantially all, of
the value of its total assets in securities issued by companies principally
engaged in Health Care Industries.
The Fund seeks investments in both new, smaller and less seasoned companies and
well-known, larger and established companies. Whenever possible, investments in
new, smaller or less seasoned companies will be made with a view to benefiting
from the development and growth of new products and markets in Health Care
Industries. Investments in these companies may offer more reward but may also
entail more risk than is generally true of larger, established companies.
While the Fund anticipates that a substantial portion of its portfolio will be
invested in the securities of U.S. companies, the Fund is not limited to
investing in such securities. Many companies in the forefront of world medical
technology are located outside the United States, primarily in Japan and
Europe. Accordingly, the Fund may invest up to 40% of the value of its total
assets in foreign securities, including up to 25% in issuers located in any one
foreign country. However, no more than 5% of the value of the Fund's total net
assets may be invested in securities of issuers located in emerging market
countries. All percentage limitations are applied at the time of investment.
Although the payment of dividends will be a factor considered in the selection
of investments for the Fund, the Fund seeks primarily to take advantage of
capital appreciation opportunities identified by Alliance in emerging
technologies and services in Health Care Industries by investing in companies
that are expected to profit from the development of new products and services
for these industries. Examples of such emerging technologies and services
include:
. New methods for administering drugs to a patient, such as surgical implants
and skin patches that enhance the effectiveness of the drugs and may reduce
patient side effects by delivering the drugs in precise quantities over a
prolonged time period or by evading natural body defense mechanisms which delay
the effect of the drugs;
. Developments in medical imaging such as the application of computer
technology to the output of conventional x-ray systems that allow for
cross-sectional images of soft tissue and organs (CT scanning) and continuous
imaging (digital radiography) as well as more advanced nuclear medicine,
ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI);
. Advances in minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as angioplasty and
related technologies for diseased blood vessels and laser beams for the eye,
general and cardiovascular surgery, which provide greater effectiveness, lower
cost and improved patient safety than more traditional surgical techniques;
. New therapeutic pharmaceutical compounds that control or alleviate disease,
including prescription and non-prescription drugs and treatment regimes for
conditions not controlled, alleviated or treatable by existing medications or
treatments and chemical or biological pharmaceuticals for use in diagnostic
testing;
. Advances in molecular biology such as signal transduction, cell adhesion and
cell to cell communication which have facilitated a rapid increase in new
classes of drugs. These have included monoclonal antibodies, bio-engineered
proteins and small molecules from novel synthesis and screening techniques;
. Genomics, which allows scientists to better understand the causes of human
diseases, and in some cases has led to the manufacture of proteins for use as
therapeutic drugs;
. Gene chips and other equipment that provides for the screening, diagnosis
and treatment of diseases;
. The introduction of large scale business efficiencies to the management of
nursing homes, acute and specialty hospitals as well as free-standing
outpatient facilities, surgical centers and rehabilitation centers;
. Adaptations of microprocessors for use by pharmaceutical manufacturers,
hospitals, doctors and others in Health Care Industries to increase
distribution efficiency;
29
. Health care delivery organizations that combine cost effectiveness with high
quality medical care and help address the rising cost of health care; and
. The sale of prescription drugs and other pharmaceuticals to consumers via
the Internet.
The Fund's portfolio may also include companies that provide traditional
products and services currently in use in Health Care Industries and that are
likely to benefit from any increases in the general demand for such products
and services. The following are examples of the products and services that may
be offered by companies in Health Care Industries:
. DRUGS OR PHARMACEUTICALS, including both ethical and proprietary drugs, drug
administration products and pharmaceutical components used in diagnostic
testing;
. MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, including equipment and supplies used by
health service companies and individual practitioners, such as electronic
equipment used for diagnosis and treatment, surgical and medical instruments
and other products designed especially for Health Care Industries;
. HEALTH CARE SERVICES, including the services of clinical testing
laboratories, hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, centers for convalescence and
rehabilitation, and products and services for home health care; and
. MEDICAL RESEARCH, including scientific research to develop drugs, processes
or technologies with possible commercial application in Health Care Industries.
The Fund also may:
. purchase or sell FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS;
. enter into FORWARD COMMITMENTS for the purchase or sale of securities;
. make SECURED LOANS OF SECURITIES of up to 20% of its total assets; and
. enter into REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS.
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND seeks long-term growth of capital. Current income is only
an incidental consideration. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by
investing primarily in equity securities of companies with favorable earnings
outlooks and long-term growth rates that are expected to exceed that of the
U.S. economy over time. The Fund's investment objective is not fundamental.
The Fund also may invest up to 25% of its total assets in lower-rated
fixed-income securities and convertible bonds. The Fund generally will not
invest in securities rated at the time of purchase below Caa- by Moody's and
CCC- by S&P, Duff & Phelps or Fitch or in securities judged by Alliance to be
of comparable investment quality. From time to time, however, the Fund may
invest in securities rated in the lowest grades (i.e., C by Moody's or D or
equivalent by S&P, Duff & Phelps or Fitch) or securities of comparable
investment quality if there are prospects for an upgrade or a favorable
conversion into equity securities. If the credit rating of a security held by
the Fund falls below its rating at the time of purchase (or Alliance determines
that the credit quality of the security has deteriorated), the Fund may
continue to hold the security if such investment is considered appropriate
under the circumstances.
The Fund also may:
. invest in ZERO-COUPON and PAYMENT-IN-KIND BONDS;
. invest in FOREIGN SECURITIES although not generally in excess of 15% of its
total assets;
. buy or sell foreign currencies, OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES, and FOREIGN
CURRENCY FUTURES CONTRACTS (and related options) and deal in FORWARD FOREIGN
CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS;
. enter into FORWARD COMMITMENTS;
. buy and sell stock index FUTURES CONTRACTS and OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS
and on stock indices;
. purchase and sell FUTURES CONTRACTS and OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS and
U.S. Treasury securities;
. write covered call and put OPTIONS;
. purchase and sell put and call OPTIONS;
. make LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES of up to 25% of its total assets; and
. enter into REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS of up to 25% of its total assets.
ALLIANCE TECHNOLOGY FUND
ALLIANCE TECHNOLOGY FUND emphasizes growth of capital and invests for capital
appreciation. Current income is only an incidental consideration. The Fund may
seek income by writing listed call options. The Fund invests primarily in
securities of companies expected to benefit from technological advances and
improvements (i.e., companies that use technology extensively in the
development of new or improved products or processes). The Fund normally will
have at least 80% of its assets invested in the securities of these companies.
The Fund normally will have substantially all its assets invested in equity
securities, but it also invests in debt securities offering an opportunity for
price appreciation. The Fund will invest in listed and unlisted securities, in
U.S. securities and up to 10% of its total assets in foreign securities.
The Fund's policy is to invest in any company and industry and in any type of
security with potential for capital appreciation. It invests in well-known and
established companies and in new and unseasoned companies.
The Fund also may:
. write covered call OPTIONS on its securities of up to 15% of its total
assets and purchase exchange-listed call and put options, including
exchange-traded index put options of up to, for all options, 10% of its total
assets;
. invest up to 10% of its total assets in WARRANTS; and
30
. make LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES of up to 30% of its total assets.
Because the Fund invests primarily in technology companies, factors affecting
those types of companies could have a significant effect on the Fund's net
asset value. In addition, the Fund's investments in technology stocks,
especially those of smaller, less seasoned companies, tend to be more volatile
than the overall market. The Fund's investments in debt and foreign securities
have credit risk and foreign risk.
ALLIANCE QUASAR FUND
ALLIANCE QUASAR FUND seeks growth of capital by pursuing aggressive investment
policies. The Fund invests for capital appreciation and only incidentally for
current income. The Fund's practice of selecting securities based on the
possibility of appreciation cannot, of course, ensure against a loss in value.
Moreover, because the Fund's investment policies are aggressive, an investment
in the Fund is risky and investors who want assured income or preservation of
capital should not invest in the Fund.
The Fund invests in any company and industry and in any type of security with
potential for capital appreciation. It invests in well-known and established
companies and in new and unseasoned companies. When selecting securities for
the Fund, Alliance considers the economic and political outlook, the values of
specific securities relative to other investments, trends in the determinants
of corporate profits and management capability and practices.
The Fund invests principally in equity securities, but it also invests to a
limited degree in non-convertible bonds and preferred stocks. The Fund invests
in listed and unlisted U.S. and foreign securities. The Fund can periodically
invest in the securities of companies that are expected to appreciate due to a
development particularly or uniquely applicable to that company regardless of
general business conditions or movements of the market as a whole.
The Fund also may:
. make SHORT SALES OF SECURITIES AGAINST THE BOX but not more than 15% of its
net assets may be deposited on short sales; and
. write covered call OPTIONS of up to 15% of its total assets and purchase and
sell put and call options written by others of up to, for all options, 10% of
its total assets.
Investments in smaller companies may have more risk because they tend to be
more volatile than the overall stock market. The Fund's investments in
non-convertible bonds, preferred stocks and foreign stocks may have credit risk
and foreign risk.
THE ALLIANCE FUND
THE ALLIANCE FUND seeks long-term growth of capital and income primarily
through investment in common stocks. The Fund normally invests substantially
all of its assets in common stocks that Alliance believes will appreciate in
value. The Fund also may invest in other types of securities such as
convertible securities, investment grade instruments, U.S. Government
securities and high quality, short-term obligations such as repurchase
agreements, bankers' acceptances and domestic certificates of deposit. The Fund
may invest without limit in foreign securities. The Fund generally does not
effect portfolio transactions in order to realize short-term trading profits or
exercise control.
The Fund also may:
. write exchange-traded covered call OPTIONS on up to 25% of its total assets;
. make SECURED LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES of up to 25% of its total assets;
and
. enter into REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS of up to seven days' duration with
commercial banks, but only if those agreements together with any restricted
securities and any securities which do not have readily available market
quotations do not exceed 10% of its net assets.
While the diversification and generally high quality of the Fund's investments
cannot prevent fluctuations in market values, they tend to limit investment
risk and contribute to achieving the Fund's objective.
TOTAL RETURN FUNDS
The Total Return Funds provide a range of investment alternatives to investors
seeking both growth of capital and current income.
ALLIANCE GROWTH AND INCOME FUND
ALLIANCE GROWTH AND INCOME FUND seeks appreciation through investments
primarily in dividend-paying common stocks of good quality. The Fund also may
invest in fixed-income securities and convertible securities.
The Fund also may try to realize income by writing covered call options listed
on domestic securities exchanges. The Fund also invests in foreign securities.
Since the purchase of foreign securities entails certain political and economic
risks, the Fund restricts its investments in these securities to issues of high
quality. The Fund also may purchase and sell financial forward and futures
contracts and options on these securities for hedging purposes.
ALLIANCE BALANCED SHARES
ALLIANCE BALANCED SHARES seeks a high return through a combination of current
income and capital appreciation. Although the Fund's investment objective is
not fundamental, the Fund is a "balanced" fund as a matter of fundamental
policy. The Fund invests in equity securities of high-quality, financially
strong, dividend-paying companies. Normally, the Fund's investments will
consist of about 60% in stocks, but stocks may make up to 75% of its
investments. The Fund will not purchase a security if as a result less than 25%
of its total assets will be in fixed income senior securities. These
investments may include short- and long-term debt securities, preferred stocks,
convertible debt securities and convertible preferred stocks to the extent that
their values are attributable to their fixed-income characteristics. Other than
this restriction,
31
the percentage of the Fund's assets invested in each type of security will vary.
The Fund invests in U.S. Government securities, bonds, senior debt securities,
and preferred and common stocks in such proportions and of such type as
Alliance deems best adapted to the current economic and market outlooks. The
Fund may invest up to 15% of the value of its total assets in foreign equity
and fixed-income securities eligible for purchase by the Fund under its
investment policies described above.
The Fund also may:
. enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of foreign
currencies;
. purchase and write put and call OPTIONS on foreign currencies and enter into
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS for hedging purposes; and
. subject to market conditions, write covered call OPTIONS listed on a
domestic exchange to realize income.
As a balanced fund, the Fund has the risk that the allocation of its
investments between equity and debt securities may have a more significant
effect on the Fund's net asset value when one of these asset classes is
performing more poorly than the other.
ALLIANCE UTILITY INCOME FUND
ALLIANCE UTILITY INCOME FUND seeks current income and capital appreciation by
investing primarily in equity and fixed-income securities of companies in the
utilities industry. As a fundamental policy, the Fund normally invests at least
65% of its total assets in securities of companies in the utilities industry.
The Fund seeks to take advantage of the characteristics and historical
performance of securities of utility companies, many of which pay regular
dividends and increase their common stock dividends over time. The Fund
considers a company to be in the utilities industry if, during the most recent
twelve-month period, at least 50% of the company's gross revenues, on a
consolidated basis, were derived from its utilities activities.
The Fund may invest in securities of both U.S. and foreign issuers, although
the Fund will invest no more than 15% of its total assets in issuers in any one
foreign country. The Fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in
income-producing securities, but there is otherwise no limit on the allocation
of the Fund's investments between equity securities and fixed-income
securities. The Fund may maintain up to 35% of its net assets in lower-rated
securities. The Fund will not retain a security that is downgraded below B or
determined by Alliance to have undergone similar credit quality deterioration
following purchase.
The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in equity and fixed-income
securities of domestic and foreign corporate and governmental issuers other
than utility companies. These securities include U.S. Government securities and
repurchase agreements for those securities, foreign government securities,
corporate fixed-income securities of domestic issuers, corporate fixed-income
securities of foreign issuers denominated in foreign currencies or in U.S.
Dollars (in each case including fixed-income securities of an issuer in one
country denominated in the currency of another country), qualifying bank
deposits, and prime commercial paper.
The Fund also may:
. invest up to 30% of its net assets in CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES;
. invest up to 5% of its net assets in RIGHTS OR WARRANTS;
. invest in DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS, securities of supranational entities
denominated in the currency of any country, securities denominated in European
Currency Units, and "semi-governmental securities";
. write covered call and put OPTIONS, purchase call and put options on
securities of the types in which it is permitted to invest that are
exchange-traded and over-the-counter, and write uncovered call options for
cross-hedging purposes;
. purchase and sell exchange-traded OPTIONS on any securities index composed
of the types of securities in which it may invest;
. enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of
fixed-income securities or foreign currencies, or contracts based on financial
indices, including an index of U.S. Government securities, foreign government
securities, corporate fixed-income securities, or common stock, and may
purchase and write options on futures contracts;
. purchase and write call and put OPTIONS on foreign currencies traded on U.S.
and foreign exchanges or over-the-counter for hedging purposes;
. purchase or sell FORWARD CONTRACTS;
. enter into INTEREST RATE SWAPS and purchase or sell INTEREST RATE CAPS and
FLOORS;
. enter into FORWARD COMMITMENTS;
. enter into STANDBY COMMITMENT AGREEMENTS;
. make SHORT SALES of securities or maintain a short position;
. make SECURED LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES of up to 20% of its total assets;
and
. enter into REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS for U.S. Government securities.
The Fund's principal risks include those that arise from its investing
primarily in electric utility companies. Factors affecting that industry sector
can have a significant effect on the Fund's net asset value. The U.S. utilities
industry has experienced significant changes in recent years. Electric utility
companies in general have been favorably affected by lower fuel costs, the full
or near completion of major construction programs and lower financing costs. In
addition, many utility companies have generated cash flows in excess of current
operating expenses and construction expenditures, permitting some degree of
diversification into unregulated businesses. Regulatory changes, however, could
increase costs or impair the ability of nuclear and conventionally fueled
generating facilities to operate their
32
facilities and reduce their ability to make dividend payments on their
securities. Rates of return of utility companies generally are subject to
review and limitation by state public utilities commissions and tend to
fluctuate with marginal financing costs. Rate changes ordinarily lag behind
changes in financing costs and can favorably or unfavorably affect the earnings
or dividend pay-outs of utilities stocks depending upon whether the rates and
costs are declining or rising.
Utility companies historically have been subject to the risks of increases in
fuel and other operating costs, high interest costs, costs associated with
compliance with environmental and nuclear safety regulations, service
interruptions, economic slowdowns, surplus capacity, competition, and
regulatory changes. There also can be no assurance that regulatory policies or
accounting standards changes will not negatively affect utility companies'
earnings or dividends. Utility companies are subject to regulation by various
authorities and may be affected by the imposition of special tariffs and
changes in tax laws. To the extent that rates are established or reviewed by
governmental authorities, utility companies are subject to the risk that such
authorities will not authorize increased rates. Because of the Fund's policy of
concentrating its investments in utility companies, the Fund is more
susceptible than most other mutual funds to economic, political or regulatory
occurrences affecting the utilities industry.
Foreign utility companies, like those in the U.S., are generally subject to
regulation, although the regulation may or may not be comparable to domestic
regulations. Foreign utility companies in certain countries may be more heavily
regulated by their respective governments than utility companies located in the
U.S. As in the U.S., foreign utility companies generally are required to seek
government approval for rate increases. In addition, many foreign utility
companies use fuels that cause more pollution than those used in the U.S. and
may yet be required to invest in pollution control equipment. Foreign utility
regulatory systems vary from country to country and may evolve in ways
different from regulation in the U.S. The percentage of the Fund's assets
invested in issuers of particular countries will vary.
Increases in interest rates may cause the value of the Fund's investments to
decline and the decrease in value may not be offset by higher interest rate
income. The Fund's investments in lower-rated securities may be subject to more
credit risk than a fund that invests in higher-rated securities.
ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FUND
ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FUND seeks a total return from long-term growth
of capital and from income principally through investing in a portfolio of
equity securities of issuers that are primarily engaged in or related to the
real estate industry.
The Fund normally invests at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities
of real estate investment trusts, or REITs, and other real estate industry
companies. A "real estate industry company" is a company that derives at least
50% of its gross revenues or net profits from the ownership, development,
construction, financing, management, or sale of commercial, industrial, or
residential real estate or interests in these properties. The Fund invests in
equity securities that include common stock, shares of beneficial interest of
REITs, and securities with common stock characteristics, such as preferred
stock or convertible securities ("Real Estate Equity Securities").
The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in (a) securities that
directly or indirectly represent participations in, or are collateralized by
and payable from, mortgage loans secured by real property ("Mortgage-Backed
Securities"), such as mortgage pass-through certificates, real estate mortgage
investment conduit certificates ("REMICs") and collateralized mortgage
obligations ("CMOs") and (b) short-term investments. These securities are
described below.
In selecting Real Estate Equity Securities, Alliance's analysis will focus on
determining the degree to which the company involved can achieve sustainable
growth in cash flow and dividend paying capability. Alliance believes that the
primary determinant of this capability is the economic viability of property
markets in which the company operates and that the secondary determinant of
this capability is the ability of management to add value through strategic
focus and operating expertise. The Fund will purchase Real Estate Equity
Securities when, in the judgment of Alliance, their market price does not
adequately reflect this potential. In making this determination, Alliance will
take into account fundamental trends in underlying property markets as
determined by proprietary models, site visits conducted by individuals
knowledgeable in local real estate markets, price-earnings ratios (as defined
for real estate companies), cash flow growth and stability, the relationship
between asset value and market price of the securities, dividend payment
history, and such other factors that Alliance may determine from time to time
to be relevant. Alliance will attempt to purchase for the Fund Real Estate
Equity Securities of companies whose underlying portfolios are diversified
geographically and by property type.
The Fund may invest without limitation in shares of REITs. REITs are pooled
investment vehicles that invest primarily in income producing real estate or
real estate related loans or interests. REITs are generally classified as
equity REITs, mortgage REITs, or a combination of equity and mortgage REITs.
Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and
derive income primarily from the collection of rents. Equity REITs can also
realize capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated in value.
Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and
derive income from the collection of interest payments. Similar to investment
companies such as the Fund, REITs are not taxed on income distributed to
shareholders provided they comply with several requirements of the Code. The
Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of expenses incurred by REITs
in which the Fund invests in addition to the expenses incurred directly by the
Fund.
The Fund's investment strategy with respect to Real Estate Equity Securities is
based on the premise that property market fundamentals are the primary
determinant of growth underlying the performance of Real Estate Equity
Securities. Value and
33
management further distinguishes the most attractive Real
Estate Equity Securities. The Fund's research and investment process is
designed to identify those companies with strong property fundamentals and
strong management teams. This process is comprised of real estate market
research, specific property inspection, and securities analysis. Alliance
believes that this process will result in a portfolio that will consist of Real
Estate Equity Securities of companies that own assets in the most desirable
markets across the country, diversified geographically and by property type.
To implement the Fund's research and investment process, Alliance has retained
the consulting services of CB Richard Ellis, Inc. ("CBRE"), a publicly held
company and the largest real estate services company in the United States.
CBRE's business includes real estate brokerage, property and facilities
management, and real estate finance and investment advisory activities. The
universe of property-owning real estate industry firms consists of
approximately 142 companies of sufficient size and quality to merit
consideration for investment by the Fund. As consultant to Alliance, CBRE
provides access to its proprietary model, REIT-Score, which analyzes the
approximately 18,000 properties owned by these 142 companies. Using proprietary
databases and algorithms, CBRE analyzes local market rent, expenses, occupancy
trends, market specific transaction pricing, demographic and economic trends,
and leading indicators of real estate supply such as building permits. Over
1,000 asset-type specific geographic markets are analyzed and ranked on a
relative scale by CBRE in compiling its REIT-Score database. The relative
attractiveness of these real estate industry companies is similarly ranked
based on the composite rankings of the properties they own.
Once the universe of real estate industry companies has been distilled through
the market research process, CBRE's local market presence provides the
capability to perform site specific inspections of key properties. This
analysis examines specific location, condition, and sub-market trends. CBRE's
use of locally based real estate professionals provides Alliance with a window
on the operations of the portfolio companies as information can immediately be
put in the context of local market events. Only those companies whose specific
property portfolios reflect the promise of their general markets will be
considered for investment by the Fund.
Alliance further screens the universe of real estate industry companies by
using rigorous financial models and by engaging in regular contact with
management of targeted companies. Each management's strategic plan and ability
to execute the plan are determined and analyzed. Alliance makes extensive use
of CBRE's network of industry analysts in order to assess trends in tenant
industries. This information is then used to further evaluate management's
strategic plans. Financial ratio analysis is used to isolate those companies
with the ability to make value-added acquisitions. This information is combined
with property market trends and used to project future earnings potential.
The Fund may invest in short-term investments including: corporate commercial
paper and other short-term commercial obligations, in each case rated or issued
by companies with similar securities outstanding that are rated Prime-1, Aa or
better by Moody's or A-1, AA or better by S&P; obligations (including
certificates of deposit, time deposits, demand deposits and bankers'
acceptances) of banks with securities outstanding that are rated Prime-1, Aa or
better by Moody's or A-1, AA or better by S&P; and obligations issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities with
remaining maturities not exceeding 18 months.
The Fund may invest in debt securities rated BBB or higher by S&P or Baa or
higher by Moody's or, if not rated, of equivalent credit quality as determined
by Alliance. The Fund expects that it will not retain a debt security that is
downgraded below BBB or Baa or, if unrated, determined by Alliance to have
undergone similar credit quality deterioration, subsequent to purchase by the
Fund.
The Fund also may:
. invest up to 15% of its net assets in CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES;
. enter into FORWARD COMMITMENTS;
. enter into STANDBY COMMITMENT AGREEMENTS;
. make SHORT SALES of securities or maintain a short position but only if at
all times when a short position is open not more than 25% of the Fund's net
assets is held as collateral for such sales;
. invest up to 10% of its net assets in RIGHTS OR WARRANTS;
. make LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES of up to 25% of its total assets; and
. enter into REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS of up to seven days' duration.
Because the Fund invests a substantial portion of its assets in the real estate
market, it is subject to many of the same risks involved in direct ownership of
real estate. For example, the value of real estate could decline due to a
variety of factors affecting the real estate market generally, such as
overbuilding, increases in interest rates, or declines in rental rates. In
addition, REITs are dependent on the capability of their managers, may have
limited diversification, and could be significantly affected by changes in tax
laws.
The Fund's investments in mortgage-backed securities have prepayment risk,
which is the risk that mortgage loans will be prepaid when interest rates
decline and the Fund will have to reinvest in securities with lower interest
rates. This risk causes mortgage-backed securities to have significantly
greater price and yield volatility than traditional fixed-income securities.
The Fund's investments in REMICs, CMOs and other types of mortgage-backed
securities may be subject to special risks that are described under
"Description of Investment Practices."
GLOBAL STOCK FUNDS
The Global Stock Funds offer investors the opportunity to participate in the
potential for long-term capital appreciation available from investment in
foreign securities.
34
ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE FUND
ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE FUND seeks long-term capital appreciation through
investment primarily in the equity securities of companies based in Europe. The
Fund intends to invest substantially all of its assets in the equity securities
of European companies and has a fundamental policy of normally investing at
least 65% of its total assets in these securities. The Fund may invest up to
35% of its total assets in high-quality U.S. Dollar or foreign currency
denominated fixed-income securities issued or guaranteed by European
governmental entities, or by European or multinational companies or
supranational organizations.
The Fund expects that it will invest primarily in the more established and
liquid markets in Europe. However, the Fund may also invest in the
lesser-developed markets in Europe including those countries in Southern and
Eastern Europe, as well as the former communist countries in the Soviet Union.
The Fund does not expect to invest more than 20% of its total assets in these
developing markets under normal circumstances or more than 10% of its total
assets in issuers based in any one of these developing countries.
In managing the Fund, Alliance utilizes a disciplined approach to invest on a
bottom-up basis in those companies exhibiting the best available combination of
sustainable fundamental growth at a reasonable price. Alliance's approach
emphasizes proprietary qualitative and quantitative inputs provided by its
in-house analysts. Internal analysis focuses primarily on large to upper-medium
capitalization stocks (those with a market value of $3 billion and above).
Country and industry exposures are by-products of the stock selection process.
Alliance does not actively manage currency exposures for this Fund but may
hedge underlying exposures back to US Dollars when conditions are perceived to
be extreme.
Stock selection focuses on companies in growth industries that exhibit
above-average growth based on a competitive or sustainable advantage based on
brand, technology, or market share. A stock is typically sold when its relative
fundamentals are no longer as attractive as other investment opportunities
available to the Fund. This may be a function of the stock having achieved its
fair market value, deterioration in fundamentals relative to Alliance's
expectations, or because the management team looses confidence in company
management.
The Fund diversifies its investments among a number of European countries and
normally invests in companies based in at least three of these countries. The
Fund's investment policies do not require that the Fund concentrate its
investments in any single country. However, these policies also do not prevent
the Fund from concentrating its investments in a single country and in recent
years the Fund has invested more than 25% of its total assets in the United
Kingdom. The Fund may invest without limit in any single European country.
During such times, the Fund would be subject to a correspondingly greater risk
of loss due to adverse political or regulatory developments, or an economic
downturn, within that country.
The Fund also may:
. invest up to 20% of its total assets in RIGHTS OR WARRANTS;
. invest in DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS or other securities convertible into
securities of companies based in European countries, debt securities of
supranational entities denominated in the Euro or the currency of any European
country, debt securities denominated in the Euro of an issuer in a European
country (including supranational issuers), and "semi-governmental securities";
. purchase and sell FORWARD CONTRACTS;
. write covered call or put OPTIONS and sell and purchase exchange-traded put
and call options, including exchange-traded index options;
. enter into financial FUTURES CONTRACTS, including contracts for the purchase
or sale for future delivery of foreign currencies and futures contracts based
on stock indices, and purchase and write options on futures contracts;
. purchase and write put options on foreign currencies traded on securities
exchanges or boards of trade or over-the-counter;
. enter into FORWARD COMMITMENTS;
. enter into STANDBY COMMITMENT AGREEMENTS; and
. make SECURED LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES of up to 30% of its total assets.
The Fund's investments in non-U.S. countries and smaller countries may have
more risk because they tend to be more volatile than the overall stock market.
To the extent the Fund invests a substantial amount of its assets in a
particular European country, your investment is subject to the risk that market
changes or other events affecting that country may have a more significant
effect on the Fund's net asset value. The Fund's investments in U.S. Dollar- or
foreign currency-denominated fixed-income securities have interest rate and
credit risk.
ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE PRIVATIZATION FUND
ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE PRIVATIZATION FUND seeks long-term capital appreciation. As
a fundamental policy, the Fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in
equity securities issued by enterprises that are undergoing, or have undergone,
privatization (as described below), although normally significantly more of its
assets will be invested in such securities. The balance of its investments will
include securities of companies believed by Alliance to be beneficiaries of
privatizations. The Fund is designed for investors desiring to take advantage
of investment opportunities, historically inaccessible to U.S. individual
investors, that are created by privatizations of state enterprises in both
established and developing economies. These companies include those in Western
Europe and Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Asia, Eastern
and Central Europe and, to a lesser degree, Canada and the United States.
The Fund's investments in enterprises undergoing privatization may comprise
three distinct situations. First, the Fund may
35
invest in the initial offering of publicly traded equity securities (an
"initial equity offering") of a government- or state-owned or controlled
company or enterprise (a "state enterprise"). Secondly, the Fund may
purchase securities of a current or former state enterprise following its
initial equity offering. Finally, the Fund may make privately negotiated
purchases of stock or other equity interests in a state enterprise that has not
yet conducted an initial equity offering. Alliance believes that substantial
potential for capital appreciation exists as privatizing enterprises
rationalize their management structures, operations and business strategies in
order to compete efficiently in a market economy and the Fund will thus
emphasize investments in such enterprises.
Privatization is a process through which the ownership and control of companies
or assets changes in whole or in part from the public sector to the private
sector. Through privatization a government or state divests or transfers all or
a portion of its interest in a state enterprise to some form of private
ownership. Governments and states with established economies, including France,
Great Britain, Germany, and Italy, and those with developing economies,
including Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Indonesia, Malaysia, Poland, and Hungary,
are engaged in privatizations. The Fund will invest in any country believed to
present attractive investment opportunities.
A major premise of the Fund's approach is that the equity securities of
privatized companies offer opportunities for significant capital appreciation.
In particular, because privatizations are integral to a country's economic
restructuring, securities sold in initial equity offerings often are priced
attractively to secure the issuer's successful transition to private sector
ownership. Additionally, these enterprises often dominate their local markets
and typically have the potential for significant managerial and operational
efficiency gains.
The Fund diversifies its investments among a number of countries and normally
invests in issuers based in at least four, and usually considerably more,
countries. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its total assets in issuers in any
one foreign country, except that the Fund may invest up to 30% of its total
assets in issuers in any one of France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and
Japan. The Fund may invest all of its assets within a single region of the
world.
The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in debt securities and
convertible debt securities. The Fund may maintain no more than 5% of its net
assets in lower-rated securities. The Fund will not retain a non-convertible
security that is downgraded below C or determined by Alliance to have undergone
similar credit quality deterioration following purchase.
The Fund also may:
. invest up to 20% of its total assets in RIGHTS OR WARRANTS;
. write covered call and put OPTIONS, purchase put and call options on
securities of the types in which it is permitted to invest and on
exchange-traded index options, and write uncovered options for cross-hedging
purposes;
. enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of
fixed-income securities or foreign currencies, or contracts based on financial
indices, including any index of U.S. Government securities, foreign government
securities, or common stock, and may purchase and write options on future
contracts;
. purchase and write put and call OPTIONS on foreign currencies for hedging
purposes;
. purchase or sell FORWARD CONTRACTS;
. enter into FORWARD COMMITMENTS;
. enter into STANDBY COMMITMENT AGREEMENTS;
. enter into CURRENCY SWAPS for hedging purposes;
. make SHORT SALES of securities or maintain a short position;
. make SECURED LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES of up to 30% of its total assets;
and
. enter into REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS for U.S. Government securities.
Investments in non-U.S. companies and smaller companies may have more risk
because they tend to be more volatile than the overall stock market. The Fund's
investments in debt securities and convertible securities have interest risk
and credit risk.
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL PREMIER GROWTH FUND
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL PREMIER GROWTH FUND seeks long-term capital appreciation
by investing predominately in the equity securities of a limited number of
carefully selected non-U.S. companies that are judged likely to achieve
superior earnings growth. As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund will
invest under normal circumstances at least 85% of its total assets in equity
securities. The Fund makes investments based upon their potential for capital
appreciation. Current income is incidental to that objective.
In the main, the Fund's investments will be in comparatively large,
high-quality companies. Normally, about 40 companies will be represented in the
Fund's portfolio, and the 30 most highly regarded of these companies usually
will constitute approximately 70%, and often more, of the Fund's net assets.
The Fund thus differs from more typical international equity mutual funds by
focusing on a relatively small number of intensively researched companies. The
Fund is designed for investors seeking to accumulate capital over time. Because
of market risks inherent in any investment, the selection of securities on the
basis of their appreciation possibilities cannot ensure against possible loss
in value. There is, of course, no assurance that the Fund's investment
objective will be met.
Alliance expects the market capitalization of the companies represented in the
Fund's portfolio will generally be in excess of $10 billion.
Within the investment framework of the Fund, Alliance's Large Cap Growth Group,
headed by Alfred Harrison, Alliance's Vice Chairman, has responsibility for
managing the Fund's portfolio. As discussed below, in selecting the Fund's
portfolio
36
investments Alliance's Large Cap Growth Group will follow a
structured, disciplined research and investment process that is
essentially similar to that which it employs in managing the PREMIER GROWTH
FUND.
In managing the Fund's assets, Alliance's investment strategy will emphasize
stock selection and investment in the securities of a limited number of
issuers. Alliance depends heavily upon the fundamental analysis and research of
its large global equity research team situated in numerous locations around the
world. Its global equity analysts follow a research universe of approximately
900 companies. As one of the largest multinational investment management firms,
Alliance has access to considerable information concerning the companies in its
research universe, an in-depth understanding of the products, services, markets
and competition of these companies, and a good knowledge of their management.
Research emphasis is placed on the identification of companies whose superior
prospective earnings growth is not fully reflected in current market valuations.
Alliance constantly adds to and deletes from this universe as fundamentals and
valuations change. Alliance's global equity analysts rate companies in three
categories. The performance of each analyst's ratings is an important
determinant of his or her incentive compensation. The equity securities of
"one-rated" companies are expected to significantly outperform the local market
in local currency terms. All equity securities purchased for the Fund's
portfolio will be selected from the universe of approximately 100 "one-rated"
companies. As noted above, the Fund usually invests approximately 70% of its
net assets in the approximately 30 of the most highly regarded of these
companies. The Fund's portfolio emphasis upon particular industries or sectors
will be a by-product of the stock selection process rather than the result of
assigned targets or ranges.
The Fund diversifies its investments among at least four, and usually
considerably more, countries. No more than 15% of the Fund's total assets will
be invested in issuers in any one foreign country, except that the Fund may
invest up to 25% of its total assets in issuers in each of Canada, France,
Germany, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Within these limits, geographic distribution of the Fund's investments among
countries or regions also will be a product of the stock selection process
rather than a predetermined allocation. To the extent that the Fund
concentrates its assets within one region, the Fund may be subject to any
special risks associated with that region. While the Fund may engage in
currency hedging programs in periods in which Alliance perceives extreme
exchange rate risk, the Fund normally will not make significant use of currency
hedging strategies.
In the management of the Fund's investment portfolio, Alliance will seek to
utilize market volatility judiciously (assuming no change in company
fundamentals) to adjust the Fund's portfolio positions. To the extent
consistent with local market liquidity considerations, the Fund will strive to
capitalize on apparently unwarranted price fluctuations, both to purchase or
increase positions on weakness and to sell or reduce overpriced holdings. Under
normal circumstances, the Fund will remain substantially fully invested in
equity securities and will not take significant cash positions for market
timing purposes. Rather, through "buying into declines" and "selling into
strength," Alliance seeks superior relative returns over time.
The Fund also may:
. invest up to 20% of its total assets in CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES;
. invest up to 20% of its total assets in RIGHTS OR WARRANTS;
. write covered call and put OPTIONS, purchase put and call options on
securities of the types in which it is permitted to invest and on
exchange-traded index options, and write uncovered options for cross hedging
purposes;
. enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of
fixed-income securities or foreign currencies, or contracts based on financial
indices, including any index of U.S. Government securities, foreign government
securities, or common stock and may purchase and write options on such future
contracts;
. purchase and write put and call OPTIONS on foreign currencies for hedging
purposes;
. purchase or sell FORWARD CONTRACTS;
. enter into STANDBY COMMITMENT AGREEMENTS;
. enter into FORWARD COMMITMENTS;
. enter into CURRENCY SWAPS for hedging purposes;
. make SHORT SALES of securities or maintain short positions of no more than
5% of its net assets as collateral for short sales;
. make SECURED LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES of up to 30% of its total assets;
and
. enter into REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS for U.S. Government securities.
Because the Fund invests in a smaller number of securities than many other
equity funds, your investment also has the risk that changes in the value of a
single security may have a more significant effect, either negative or
positive, on the Fund's net asset value.
ALLIANCE GLOBAL SMALL CAP FUND
ALLIANCE GLOBAL SMALL CAP FUND seeks long-term growth of capital through
investment in a global portfolio of the equity securities of selected companies
with relatively small market capitalization. The Fund's portfolio emphasizes
companies with market capitalizations that would have placed them (when
purchased) in about the smallest 20% by market capitalization of actively
traded U.S. companies, or market capitalizations of up to about $1.5 billion.
Because the Fund applies the U.S. size standard on a global basis, its foreign
investments might rank above the lowest 20%, and, in fact, might in some
countries rank among the largest, by market capitalization in local markets.
Normally, the Fund invests at least 65% of its assets in equity securities of
these smaller capitalization companies. These companies are located in at least
three countries, one of
37
which may be the U.S. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in
securities of companies whose market capitalizations exceed the Fund's size
standard. The Fund's portfolio securities may be listed on a U.S. or
foreign exchange or traded over-the-counter.
The Fund also may:
. invest up to 20% of its total assets in WARRANTS to purchase equity
securities;
. invest in DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS or other securities representing securities of
companies based in countries other than the U.S.;
. purchase or sell FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS;
. write covered call OPTIONS on its securities of up to 15% of its total
assets, and purchase exchange-traded call and put options, including put
options on market indices of up to, for all options, 10% of its total assets;
and
. make SECURED LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES of up to 30% of its total assets.
One of the Fund's principal risks is its investments in smaller capitalization
companies. Alliance believes that smaller capitalization companies often have
sales and earnings growth rates exceeding those of larger companies and that
these growth rates tend to cause more rapid share price appreciation. Investing
in smaller capitalization stocks, however, involves greater risk than is
associated with larger, more established companies. For example, smaller
capitalization companies often have limited product lines, markets, or
financial resources. They may be dependent for management on one or a few key
persons and can be more susceptible to losses and risks of bankruptcy. Their
securities may be thinly traded (and therefore have to be sold at a discount
from current market prices or sold in small lots over an extended period of
time), may be followed by fewer investment research analysts, and may be
subject to wider price swings. For these reasons, the Fund's investments may
have a greater chance of loss than investments in securities of larger
capitalization companies. In addition, transaction costs in small
capitalization stocks may be higher than in those of larger capitalization
companies.
The Fund's investments in non-U.S. companies and in smaller companies will be
more volatile and may differ substantially from the overall U.S. market.
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND seeks a total return on its assets from long-term
growth of capital and from income primarily through a broad portfolio of
marketable securities of established non-U.S. companies, companies
participating in foreign economies with prospects for growth, including U.S.
companies having their principal activities and interests outside the U.S., and
foreign government securities. Normally, the Fund will invest more than 80% of
its assets in these types of companies.
The Fund expects to invest primarily in common stocks of established non-U.S.
companies that Alliance believes have potential for capital appreciation or
income or both, but the Fund is not required to invest exclusively in common
stocks or other equity securities. The Fund may invest in any other type of
investment grade security, including convertible securities, as well as in
warrants, or obligations of the U.S. or foreign governments and their political
subdivisions.
The Fund intends to diversify its investments broadly among countries and
normally invests in at least three foreign countries, although it may invest a
substantial portion of its assets in one or more of these countries. The Fund
may invest in companies, wherever organized, that Alliance judges have their
principal activities and interests outside the U.S. These companies may be
located in developing countries, which involves exposure to economic structures
that are generally less diverse and mature, and to political systems that can
be expected to have less stability than those of developed countries. The Fund
currently does not intend to invest more than 10% of its total assets in
companies in, or governments of, developing countries.
The Fund also may:
. purchase or sell FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS;
. write covered call or put OPTIONS, sell and purchase U.S. or foreign
exchange-listed put and call options, including exchange-traded index options;
. enter into FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS, including contracts for the purchase
or sale for future delivery of foreign currencies and stock index futures, and
purchase and write put and call options on futures contracts traded on U.S. or
foreign exchanges or over-the-counter;
. purchase and write put OPTIONS on foreign currencies traded on securities
exchanges or boards of trade or over-the-counter;
. make LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES of up to 30% of its total assets; and
. enter into REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS of up to seven days' duration for up to 10%
of the Fund's total assets.
Investments in non-U.S. countries may have more risk because they tend to be
more volatile than the U.S. stock market. To the extent that the Fund invests a
substantial amount of its assets in a particular foreign country, an investment
in the Fund has the risk that market changes or other events affecting that
country may have a more significant effect, either negative or positive, on the
Fund's net asset value.
ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97 FUND
ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97 FUND is a non-diversified investment company that
seeks long-term capital appreciation through investment of at least 80% of its
total assets in equity securities issued by Greater China companies. The Fund
expects to invest a significant portion, which may be greater than 50%, of its
assets in equity securities of Hong Kong companies and may invest, from time to
time, all of its assets
38
in Hong Kong companies or companies of either of the other Greater China
countries.
In recent years, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan have each experienced a high
level of real economic growth, although growth is expected to slow in 1999.
This growth has resulted from advantageous economic conditions, including
favorable demographics, competitive wage rates, and rising per capita income
and consumer demand. Significantly, the growth has also been fueled by an
easing by both China and Taiwan of government restrictions and an increased
receptivity to foreign investment. This expanded, if not yet complete, openness
to foreign investment extends as well to the securities markets of both
countries. Hong Kong's free-market economy has historically included
securities markets completely open to foreign investments. All three
countries have regulated stock exchanges upon which shares of an increasing
number of Greater China companies are traded.
With its population estimated at more than 1.2 billion as a driving force, and
notwithstanding its continuing political rigidity, China's economic growth has
been coupled with significantly reduced government economic intervention and
basic economic structural change. Recent years have seen large increases in
industrial production with a significant decline in the state sector share of
industrial output, and increased involvement of local governmental units and
the private sector in establishing new business enterprises.
With China's growth has come an increasing direct and indirect economic
involvement of all three Greater China countries. For some time, Hong Kong, a
world financial and trade center in its own right, with a large stock exchange
and offices of many of the world's multinational companies, has been the
gateway to trade with and foreign investment in China. With the transfer on
July 1, 1997 of the sovereignty of Hong Kong from Great Britain to China, not
only the political but the economic ties between China and Hong Kong are
expected to continue to intensify, with the continuation of Hong Kong's
economic system as provided for in the law governing its sovereignty.
Notwithstanding the, at times considerable, political tension between the two
countries, it is generally recognized that substantially increased trade and
investment with China has been generated from Taiwan, in many cases through
Hong Kong. Along with this increased interaction with China, Taiwan is becoming
a regional technological and telecommunication center, while continuing the
process of opening its economy up to foreign investment. Although
geographically limited, Taiwan boasts an economy among the world's 20 largest
and its foreign exchange reserves are the third largest in the world measured
in U.S. dollars. As China's economy continues to expand, it is expected that
Taiwan's economic interaction with China will likewise increase.
Alliance believes that over the long term conditions are favorable for
continuing and expanding economic growth in all three Greater China countries.
It is this potential which the Fund hopes to take advantage of by investing
both in established and new and emerging companies. Appendix A has additional
information about the Greater China countries.
In addition to investing in equity securities of Greater China companies, the
Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in (i) debt securities issued or
guaranteed by Greater China companies or by Greater China governments, their
agencies or instrumentalities and (ii) equity or debt securities issued by
issuers other than Greater China companies. The Fund will invest only in
investment grade securities. The Fund will normally sell a security that is
downgraded below investment grade or is determined by Alliance to have
undergone a similar credit quality deterioration.
The Fund also may:
. invest up to 25% of its net assets in the CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES;
. invest up to 20% of its net assets in RIGHTS OR WARRANTS;
. invest in DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS, instruments of supranational entities
denominated in the currency of any country, securities of multinational
companies and "semi-governmental securities";
. invest up to 25% of its net assets in EQUITY-LINKED DEBT SECURITIES with the
objective of realizing capital appreciation;
. invest up to 20% of its net assets in LOANS AND OTHER DIRECT DEBT SECURITIES;
. write covered call and put OPTIONS, sell or purchase exchange-traded index
options, and write uncovered options for cross-hedging purposes;
. enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of
fixed-income securities or foreign currencies, or contracts based on financial
indices, including any index of U.S. Government securities, securities issued
by foreign government entities, or common stock, and may purchase and write
options on future contracts;
. purchase and write put and call OPTIONS on foreign currencies for hedging
purposes;
. purchase or sell FORWARD CONTRACTS;
. enter into INTEREST RATE SWAPS and purchase or sell INTEREST RATE CAPS and
FLOORS;
. enter into FORWARD COMMITMENTS;
. enter into STANDBY COMMITMENT AGREEMENTS;
. enter into CURRENCY SWAPS for hedging purposes;
. make SHORT SALES of securities or maintain a short position, in each case
only if AGAINST THE BOX;
. make SECURED LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES of up to 30% of its total assets;
and
. enter into REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS for U.S. Government securities.
All or some of the policies and practices listed above may not be available to
the Fund in the Greater China countries and the Fund will utilize these
policies only to the extent permissible.
39
The Fund's investments in Greater China companies will be significantly more
volatile and will differ from the overall U.S. market. Your investment also has
the risk that market changes or other events affecting the Greater China
countries may have a more significant effect on the Fund's net asset value. In
addition, the Fund is "non-diversified," meaning that it invests its assets in
a smaller number of companies than many other international funds. As a result,
changes in the value of a single security may have a more significant effect,
either negative or positive, on the Fund's net asset value.
ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND
ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND'S investment objective is long-term capital
appreciation. The Fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in equity
securities (for the purposes of this investment policy, rights, warrants, and
options to purchase common stocks are not deemed to be equity securities),
preferred stocks and equity-linked debt securities issued by Asian companies.
The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in debt securities issued or
guaranteed by Asian companies or by Asian governments, their agencies or
instrumentalities. The Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in
Asian companies and Asian debt securities, but also may invest in securities
issued by non-Asian issuers. The Fund expects to invest, from time to time, a
significant portion, which may be in excess of 50%, of its assets in equity
securities of Japanese companies.
In the past decade, Asian countries generally have experienced a high level of
real economic growth due to political and economic changes, including foreign
investment and reduced government intervention in the economy. Alliance
believes that certain conditions exist in Asian countries that create the
potential for continued rapid economic growth. These conditions include
favorable demographics and competitive wage rates, increasing levels of foreign
direct investment, rising per capita incomes and consumer demand, a high
savings rate, and numerous privatization programs. Asian countries also are
becoming more industrialized and are increasing their intra-Asian exports while
reducing their dependence on Western export demand. Alliance believes that
these conditions are important to the long-term economic growth of Asian
countries.
As the economies of many Asian countries move through the "emerging market"
stage, thus increasing the supply of goods, services and capital available to
less developed Asian markets and helping to spur economic growth in those
markets, the potential is created for many Asian companies to experience rapid
growth. In addition, many Asian companies that have securities listed on
exchanges in more developed Asian countries will be participants in the rapid
economic growth of the less-developed countries. These companies generally
offer the advantages of more experienced management and more developed market
regulation.
As their economies have grown, the securities markets in Asian countries have
also expanded. New exchanges have been created and the number of listed
companies, annual trading volume, and overall market capitalization have
increased significantly. Additionally, new markets continue to open to foreign
investments. The Fund also offers investors the opportunity to access
relatively restricted markets. Alliance believes that investment opportunities
in Asian countries will continue to expand.
The Fund will invest in companies believed to possess rapid growth potential.
Thus, the Fund will invest in smaller, emerging companies, but will also invest
in larger, more established companies in such growing economic sectors as
capital goods, telecommunications, and consumer services.
The Fund will invest primarily in investment grade debt securities, but may
maintain not more than 5% of its net assets in lower-rated securities,
lower-rated loans, and other lower-rated direct debt instruments. The Fund will
not retain a security that is downgraded below C or determined by Alliance to
have undergone similar credit quality deterioration following purchase.
The Fund also may:
. invest up to 25% of its net assets in the CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES;
. invest up to 20% of its net assets in RIGHTS OR WARRANTS;
. invest in DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS, instruments of supranational entities
denominated in the currency of any country, securities of multinational
companies and "semi-governmental securities";
. invest up to 25% of its net assets in EQUITY-LINKED DEBT SECURITIES with the
objective of realizing capital appreciation;
. invest up to 25% of its net assets in LOANS AND OTHER DIRECT DEBT
INSTRUMENTS;
. write covered call and put OPTIONS, sell or purchase exchange-traded index
options, and write uncovered options for cross-hedging purposes;
. enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of
fixed-income securities or foreign currencies, or contracts based on financial
indices, including any index of U.S. Government securities, securities issued
by foreign government entities, or common stock and may purchase and write
options on future contracts;
. purchase and write put and call OPTIONS on foreign currencies for hedging
purposes;
. purchase or sell FORWARD CONTRACTS;
. enter into INTEREST RATE SWAPS and purchase or sell INTEREST RATE CAPS and
FLOORS;
. enter into FORWARD COMMITMENTS;
. enter into STANDBY COMMITMENT AGREEMENTS;
. enter into CURRENCY SWAPS for hedging purposes;
. make SHORT SALES of securities or maintain a short position, in each case
only if AGAINST THE BOX;
. make SECURED LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES of up to 30% of its total assets;
and
40
. enter into REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS for U.S. Government securities.
The Fund's investments in Asian and Pacific region countries will be
significantly more volatile and may differ significantly from the overall U.S.
market. To the extent the Fund invests a substantial amount of its assets in
Japanese companies, your investment has the risk that market changes or other
events affecting that country may have a more significant effect on the Fund's
net asset value. The Fund's investments in debt securities have interest rate
and credit risk.
ALLIANCE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FUND
ALLIANCE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FUND is a non-diversified investment company that
seeks long-term capital appreciation through investment in equity securities of
Eligible Companies. For purposes of the Fund's investment objective and
investment policies, "equity securities" are common stocks (but not preferred
stocks), rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase common stocks, and
preferred stocks or debt securities that are convertible into common stocks
without the payment of any further consideration.
The Fund invests in two categories of Eligible Companies--Environmental
Companies and Beneficiary Companies. The Fund may invest in a company with a
broadly diversified business only a part of which provides such products,
processes, or services, when Alliance believes that these products, processes
or services will yield a competitive advantage that significantly enhances the
issuer's growth prospects. As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund will,
under normal circumstances, invest substantially all of its total assets in
equity securities of Eligible Companies.
A major premise of the Fund's investment approach is that environmental
concerns will be a significant source of future growth opportunities, and that
Environmental Companies will see an increased demand for their systems and
services. Environmental Companies operate in the areas of pollution control,
clean energy, solid waste management, hazardous waste treatment and disposal,
pulp and paper recycling, waste-to-energy alternatives, biodegradable cartons,
packages, plastics and other products, remedial projects and emergency cleanup
efforts, manufacture of environmental supplies and equipment, the achievement
of purer air, groundwater and foods, and the detection, evaluation and
treatment of both existing and potential environmental problems including,
among others, air pollution and acid rain.
The environmental services industry generally is positively affected by
increasing governmental action intended to foster environmental protection. As
environmental regulations are developed and enforced, Environmental Companies
providing the means of compliance with such regulations are afforded
substantial opportunities for growth. Beneficiary Companies may also derive an
advantage to the extent that they have anticipated environmental regulation and
are therefore at a competitive advantage.
In the view of Alliance, increasing public and political awareness of
environmental concerns and resultant environmental regulations are long-term
phenomena that are driven by an emerging global consensus that environmental
protection is a vital and increasingly immediate priority. Alliance believes
that Eligible Companies based in the United States and other economically
developed countries will have increasing opportunities for earnings growth
resulting not only from an increased demand for their existing products or
services but also from innovative responses to changing regulations and
priorities and enforcement policies. Such opportunities will arise, in the
opinion of Alliance, not only within developed countries but also within many
economically developing countries, such as those of Eastern Europe and the
Pacific Rim. These countries lag well behind developed countries in the
conservation and efficient use of natural resources and in their implementation
of policies that protect the environment.
Alliance believes that global investing offers opportunities for superior
investment returns. The Fund spreads investment risk among the capital markets
of a number of countries and invests in equity securities of companies based in
at least three, and normally considerably more, such countries. The percentage
of the Fund's assets invested in securities of companies in a particular
country or denominated in a particular currency will vary in accordance with
Alliance's assessment of the appreciation potential of such securities and the
strength of that currency.
The Fund also may:
. invest up to 20% of its total assets in WARRANTS to purchase equity
securities;
. invest in DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS;
. purchase and write put and call OPTIONS on foreign currencies for hedging
purposes;
. enter into FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS for hedging purposes;
. invest in CURRENCY FUTURES and options on such futures for hedging purposes;
and
. make SECURED LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES of up to 30% of its total assets.
The Fund's investments in non-U.S. companies and in specific types of companies
that provide environmental services will be more volatile and may differ
substantially from the overall U.S. market. The Fund's investments also have
the risk that government regulations or other action could negatively affect
the business of environmental companies.
DESCRIPTION OF INVESTMENT PRACTICES
This section describes the Funds' investment practices and associated risks.
Unless otherwise noted, a Fund's use of any of these practices was specified in
the previous section.
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES. Asset-backed securities (unrelated to first mortgage
loans) represent fractional interests in pools of leases, retail installment
loans, revolving credit receivables, and other payment obligations, both
secured and unsecured. These assets are generally held by a trust and payments
of principal
41
and interest or interest only are passed through monthly or quarterly to
certificate holders and may be guaranteed up to certain amounts by letters of
credit issued by a financial institution affiliated or unaffiliated with the
trustee or originator of the trust.
Like mortgages underlying mortgage-backed securities, underlying automobile
sales contracts or credit card receivables are subject to prepayment, which may
reduce the overall return to certificate holders. Certificate holders may also
experience delays in payment on the certificates if the full amounts due on
underlying sales contracts or receivables are not realized by the trust because
of unanticipated legal or administrative costs of enforcing the contracts or
because of depreciation or damage to the collateral (usually automobiles)
securing certain contracts, or other factors.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. Prior to conversion, convertible securities have the
same general characteristics as non-convertible debt securities, which
generally provide a stable stream of income with yields that are generally
higher than those of equity securities of the same or similar issuers. The
price of a convertible security will normally vary with changes in the price of
the underlying equity security, although the higher yield tends to make the
convertible security less volatile than the underlying equity security. As with
debt securities, the market value of convertible securities tends to decrease
as interest rates rise and increase as interest rates decline. While
convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than
non-convertible debt securities of similar quality, they offer investors the
potential to benefit from increases in the market price of the underlying
common stock. Convertible debt securities that are rated Baa or lower by
Moody's or BBB or lower by S&P, Duff & Phelps or Fitch and comparable unrated
securities as determined by Alliance may share some or all of the risks of
non-convertible debt securities with those ratings.
CURRENCY SWAPS. Currency swaps involve the individually negotiated exchange by
a Fund with another party of a series of payments in specified currencies. A
currency swap may involve the delivery at the end of the exchange period of a
substantial amount of one designated currency in exchange for the other
designated currency. Therefore, the entire principal value of a currency swap
is subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its
contractual delivery obligations. A Fund will not enter into any currency swap
unless the credit quality of the unsecured senior debt or the claims-paying
ability of the counterparty is rated in the highest rating category of at least
one nationally recognized rating organization at the time of entering into the
transaction. If there is a default by the counterparty to the transaction, the
Fund will have contractual remedies under the transaction agreements.
DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS AND SECURITIES OF SUPRANATIONAL ENTITIES. Depositary
receipts may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the
underlying securities into which they may be converted. In addition, the
issuers of the stock of unsponsored depositary receipts are not obligated to
disclose material information in the United States and, therefore, there may
not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the
depositary receipts. ADRs are depositary receipts typically issued by an U.S.
bank or trust company that evidence ownership of underlying securities issued
by a foreign corporation. GDRs and other types of depositary receipts are
typically issued by foreign banks or trust companies and evidence ownership of
underlying securities issued by either a foreign or an U.S. company. Generally,
depositary receipts in registered form are designed for use in the U.S.
securities markets, and depositary receipts in bearer form are designed for use
in foreign securities markets. For purposes of determining the country of
issuance, investments in depositary receipts of either type are deemed to be
investments in the underlying securities, except with respect to ALLIANCE
GROWTH FUND, where investments in ADRs are deemed to be investments in
securities issued by U.S. issuers and those in GDRs and other types of
depositary receipts are deemed to be investments in the underlying securities.
A supranational entity is an entity designated or supported by the national
government of one or more countries to promote economic reconstruction or
development. Examples of supranational entities include, among others, the
World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development) and the
European Investment Bank. A European Currency Unit is a basket of specified
amounts of the currencies of the member states of the European Economic
Community. "Semi-governmental securities" are securities issued by entities
owned by either a national, state or equivalent government or are obligations
of one of such government jurisdictions that are not backed by its full faith
and credit and general taxing powers.
EQUITY-LINKED DEBT SECURITIES. Equity-linked debt securities are securities on
which the issuer is obligated to pay interest and/or principal that is linked
to the performance of a specified index of equity securities. The interest or
principal payments may be significantly greater or less than payment
obligations for other types of debt securities. Adverse changes in equity
securities indices and other adverse changes in the securities markets may
reduce payments made under, and/or the principal of, equity-linked debt
securities held by a Fund. As with any debt securities, the values of
equity-linked debt securities will generally vary inversely with changes in
interest rates. A Fund's ability to dispose of equity-linked debt securities
will depend on the availability of liquid markets for such securities.
Investment in equity-linked debt securities may be considered to be speculative.
FORWARD COMMITMENTS. Forward commitments for the purchase or sale of securities
may include purchases on a "when-issued" basis or purchases or sales on a
"delayed delivery" basis. In some cases, a forward commitment may be
conditioned upon the occurrence of a subsequent event, such as approval and
consummation of a merger, corporate reorganization or debt restructuring (i.e.,
a "when, as and if issued" trade).
When forward commitment transactions are negotiated, the price is fixed at the
time the commitment is made, but delivery and payment for the securities take
place at a later date. Normally, the settlement date occurs within two months
after the transaction, but a Fund may negotiate settlements beyond
42
two months. Securities purchased or sold under a forward commitment are subject
to market fluctuations and no interest or dividends accrue to the purchaser
prior to the settlement date.
The use of forward commitments enables a Fund to protect against anticipated
changes in interest rates and prices. For instance, in periods of rising
interest rates and falling bond prices, a Fund might sell securities in its
portfolio on a forward commitment basis to limit its exposure to falling
prices. In periods of falling interest rates and rising bond prices, a Fund
might sell a security in its portfolio and purchase the same or a similar
security on a when-issued or forward commitment basis to obtain the benefit of
currently higher cash yields. If, however, Alliance were to forecast
incorrectly the direction of interest rate movements, a Fund might be required
to complete such when-issued or forward transactions at prices inferior to the
then current market values. When-issued securities and forward commitments may
be sold prior to the settlement date, but a Fund enters into when-issued and
forward commitments only with the intention of actually receiving securities or
delivering them, as the case may be. If a Fund chooses to dispose of the right
to acquire a when-issued security prior to its acquisition or dispose of its
right to deliver or receive against a forward commitment, it may incur a gain
or loss. Any significant commitment of Fund assets to the purchase of
securities on a "when, as and if issued" basis may increase the volatility of
the Fund's net asset value. No forward commitments will be made by ALLIANCE
HEALTH CARE FUND, ALLIANCE UTILITY INCOME FUND, ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT
FUND, ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE FUND, ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE PRIVATIZATION FUND, ALLIANCE
INTERNATIONAL PREMIER GROWTH FUND, ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97 FUND or ALLIANCE
ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND if, as a result, the Fund's aggregate commitments
under the transactions would be more than 30% of its total assets. In the event
the other party to a forward commitment transaction were to default, a Fund
might lose the opportunity to invest money at favorable rates or to dispose of
securities at favorable prices.
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS. A Fund may purchase or sell
forward foreign currency exchange contracts to minimize the risk of adverse
changes in the relationship between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies. A
forward contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for
an agreed price at a future date, and is individually negotiated and privately
traded.
A Fund may enter into a forward contract, for example, when it enters into a
contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign
currency in order to "lock in" the U.S. Dollar price of the security
("transaction hedge"). A Fund will not engage in transaction hedges with
respect to the currency of a particular country to an extent greater than the
aggregate amount of the Fund's transactions in that currency. When a Fund
believes that a foreign currency may suffer a substantial decline against the
U.S. Dollar, it may enter into a forward sale contract to sell an amount of
that foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of the Fund's
portfolio securities denominated in such foreign currency, or when the Fund
believes that the U.S. Dollar may suffer a substantial decline against a
foreign currency, it may enter into a forward purchase contract to buy that
foreign currency for a fixed dollar amount ("position hedge"). A Fund will not
position hedge with respect to a particular currency to an extent greater than
the aggregate market value (at the time of making such sale) of the securities
held in its portfolio denominated or quoted in that currency. Instead of
entering into a position hedge, a Fund may, in the alternative, enter into a
forward contract to sell a different foreign currency for a fixed U.S. dollar
amount where the Fund believes that the U.S. Dollar value of the currency to be
sold pursuant to the forward contract will fall whenever there is a decline in
the U.S. Dollar value of the currency in which portfolio securities of the Fund
are denominated ("cross-hedge"). Unanticipated changes in currency prices may
result in poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not entered
into such forward contracts.
Hedging against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate
fluctuations in the prices of portfolio securities or prevent losses if the
prices of such securities decline. Such transactions also preclude the
opportunity for gain if the value of the hedged currency should rise. Moreover,
it may not be possible for a Fund to hedge against a devaluation that is so
generally anticipated that the Fund is not able to contract to sell the
currency at a price above the devaluation level it anticipates. ALLIANCE NEW
EUROPE FUND, ALLIANCE GLOBAL SMALL CAP FUND and ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND
will not enter into a forward contract with a term of more than one year or if,
as a result, more than 50% of its total assets would be committed to such
contracts. ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE FUND'S, ALLIANCE GLOBAL SMALL CAP FUND'S and
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND'S investments in forward contracts will be limited
to hedging involving either specific transactions or portfolio positions.
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND also may purchase and sell foreign currency on a spot
basis.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. The Funds will limit their investments in illiquid
securities to no more than 15% of their net assets, except that the limit is
10% for ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND, ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND, ALLIANCE
TECHNOLOGY FUND, ALLIANCE QUASAR FUND, ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE FUND, and ALLIANCE
GLOBAL SMALL CAP FUND and 5% for THE ALLIANCE FUND and ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND.
Illiquid securities generally include: (i) direct placements or other
securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale or
for which there is no readily available market (e.g., when trading in the
security is suspended or, in the case of unlisted securities, when market
makers do not exist or will not entertain bids or offers), including many
individually negotiated currency swaps and any assets used to cover currency
swaps and most privately negotiated investments in state enterprises that have
not yet conducted an initial equity offering, (ii) over-the-counter options and
assets used to cover over-the-counter options, and (iii) repurchase agreements
not terminable within seven days.
Because of the absence of a trading market for illiquid securities, a Fund may
not be able to realize their full value upon sale. Alliance will monitor the
liquidity of a Fund's investments in illiquid securities. Except with respect
to
43
ALLIANCE QUASAR FUND, Rule 144A securities will not be treated as "illiquid"
for purposes of this limit on investments.
A Fund that invests in securities for which there is no ready market may not be
able to readily sell such securities. Such securities are unlike securities
that are traded in the open market and can be expected to be sold immediately
if the market is adequate. The sale price of illiquid securities may be lower
or higher than Alliance's most recent estimate of their fair value. Generally,
less public information is available about the issuers of such securities than
about companies whose securities are traded on an exchange. To the extent that
these securities are foreign securities, there is no law in many of the
countries in which a Fund may invest similar to the Securities Act requiring an
issuer to register the sale of securities with a governmental agency or
imposing legal restrictions on resales of securities, either as to length of
time the securities may be held or manner of resale. However, there may be
contractual restrictions on resales of non-publicly traded foreign securities.
INTEREST RATE TRANSACTIONS (SWAPS, CAPS, AND FLOORS). Each Fund that may enter
into interest rate transactions expects to do so primarily to preserve a return
or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio or to protect
against any increase in the price of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing
at a later date. The Funds do not intend to use these transactions in a
speculative manner.
Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of their
respective commitments to pay or receive interest (e.g., an exchange of
floating rate payments for fixed rate payments). Interest rate swaps are
entered on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the
Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two
payments). With respect to ALLIANCE UTILITY INCOME FUND, ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA
'97 FUND and ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND, the exchange commitments can
involve payments in the same currency or in different currencies. The purchase
of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified
index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on
a contractually-based principal amount from the party selling such interest
rate cap. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the
extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to
receive payments of interest on an agreed principal amount from the party
selling the interest rate floor.
A Fund may enter into interest rate swaps, caps, and floors on either an
asset-based or liability-based basis, depending upon whether it is hedging its
assets or liabilities. A Fund will not enter into an interest rate swap, cap,
or floor transaction unless the unsecured senior debt or the claims-paying
ability of the other party is rated in the highest rating category of at least
one nationally recognized rating organization. Alliance will monitor the
creditworthiness of counterparties on an ongoing basis. The swap market has
grown substantially in recent years, with a large number of banks and
investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing
standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has become
relatively liquid. Caps and floors are more recent innovations for which
standardized documentation has not yet been developed and, accordingly, they
are less liquid than swaps.
The use of interest rate transactions is a highly specialized activity that
involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with
ordinary portfolio securities transactions. If Alliance were to incorrectly
forecast market values, interest rates and other applicable factors, the
investment performance of a Fund would be adversely affected by the use of
these investment techniques. Moreover, even if Alliance is correct in its
forecasts, there is a risk that the transaction position may correlate
imperfectly with the price of the asset or liability being hedged. There is no
limit on the amount of interest rate transactions that may be entered into by a
Fund that is permitted to enter into such transactions. These transactions do
not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets or principal.
Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to interest rate transactions is
limited to the net amount of interest payments that a Fund is contractually
obligated to make. If the counterparty to an interest rate transaction
defaults, a Fund's risk of loss consists of the net amount of interest payments
that the Fund contractually is entitled to receive.
LOANS AND OTHER DIRECT DEBT INSTRUMENTS. Loans and other direct debt
instruments are interests in amounts owed by a corporate, governmental or other
borrower to another party. They may represent amounts owed to lenders or
lending syndicates (loans and loan participations), to suppliers of goods or
services (trade claims or other receivables), or to other creditors. Direct
debt instruments involve the risk of loss in case of default or insolvency of
the borrower and may offer less legal protection to a Fund in the event of
fraud or misrepresentation than debt securities. In addition, loan
participations involve a risk of insolvency of the lending bank or other
financial intermediary. Direct debt instruments may also include standby
financing commitments that obligate a Fund to supply additional cash to the
borrower on demand. Loans and other direct debt instruments are generally
illiquid and may be transferred only through individually negotiated private
transactions.
Purchasers of loans and other forms of direct indebtedness depend primarily
upon the creditworthiness of the borrower for payment of principal and
interest. Direct debt instruments may not be rated by any nationally recognized
rating service. Failure to receive scheduled interest or principal payments on
these types of investments could adversely affect a Fund's net asset value and
yield. Loans that are fully secured offer a Fund more protection than unsecured
loans in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal. However,
there is no assurance that the liquidation of collateral from a secured loan
would satisfy the borrower's obligation, or that the collateral can be
liquidated. Making loans to borrowers whose creditworthiness is poor may
involve substantial risks and may be highly speculative.
Borrowers that are in bankruptcy or restructuring may never pay off their
indebtedness, or may pay only a small fraction of the amount owed. Direct
indebtedness of government issuers will
44
also involve a risk that the governmental entities responsible for the
repayment of the debt may be unable, or unwilling, to pay interest and repay
principal when due.
Investments in loans through direct assignment of a financial institution's
interests with respect to a loan may involve additional risks to a Fund. For
example, if a loan is foreclosed, a Fund could become part owner of any
collateral and would bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and
disposing of the collateral. Direct debt instruments may also involve a risk of
insolvency of the lending bank or other intermediary.
A loan is often administered by a bank or other financial institution that acts
as agent for all holders. The agent administers the terms of the loan, as
specified on the loan agreement. Unless, under the terms of the loan or other
indebtedness, a Fund has direct recourse against the borrower, it may have to
rely on the agent to apply appropriate credit remedies against a borrower. If
assets held by the agent for the benefit of a Fund were determined to be
subject to the claims of the agent's general creditors, the Fund might incur
certain costs and delays in realizing payment on the loan or loan participation
and could suffer a loss of principal or interest.
Direct indebtedness purchased by a Fund may include letters of credit,
revolving credit facilities, or other standby financing commitments obligating
a Fund to pay additional cash on demand. These commitments may have the effect
of requiring a Fund to increase its investment in a borrower at a time when it
would not otherwise have done so, even if the borrower's condition makes it
unlikely that the amount will ever be repaid.
LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. The risk in lending portfolio securities, as
with other extensions of credit, consists of the possible loss of rights in the
collateral should the borrower fail financially. In determining whether to lend
securities to a particular borrower, Alliance will consider all relevant facts
and circumstances, including the creditworthiness of the borrower. While
securities are on loan, the borrower will pay the Fund any income from the
securities. The Fund may invest any cash collateral in portfolio securities and
earn additional income or receive an agreed-upon amount of income from a
borrower who has delivered equivalent collateral. Each Fund will have the right
to regain record ownership of loaned securities or equivalent securities in
order to exercise ownership rights such as voting rights, subscription rights
and rights to dividends, interest, or distributions. A Fund may pay reasonable
finders', administrative, and custodial fees in connection with a loan.
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES AND ASSOCIATED RISKS. Interest and principal
payments (including prepayments) on the mortgages underlying mortgage-backed
securities are passed through to the holders of the securities. As a result of
the pass-through of prepayments of principal on the underlying securities,
mortgage-backed securities are often subject to more rapid prepayment of
principal than their stated maturity would indicate. Prepayments occur when the
mortgagor on a mortgage prepays the remaining principal before the mortgage's
scheduled maturity date. Because the prepayment characteristics of the
underlying mortgages vary, it is impossible to predict accurately the realized
yield or average life of a particular issue of pass-through certificates.
Prepayments are important because of their effect on the yield and price of the
mortgage-backed securities. During periods of declining interest rates,
prepayments can be expected to accelerate and a Fund that invests in these
securities would be required to reinvest the proceeds at the lower interest
rates then available. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, a
reduction in prepayments may increase the effective maturity of the securities,
subjecting them to a greater risk of decline in market value in response to
rising interest rates. In addition, prepayments of mortgages underlying
securities purchased at a premium could result in capital losses.
Mortgage-Backed Securities include mortgage pass-through certificates and
multiple-class pass-through securities, such as REMIC pass-through
certificates, CMOs and stripped mortgage-backed securities ("SMBS"), and other
types of Mortgage-Backed Securities that may be available in the future.
GUARANTEED MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES. ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT
FUND may invest in guaranteed mortgage pass-through securities which represent
participation interests in pools of residential mortgage loans and are issued
by U.S. governmental or private lenders and guaranteed by the U.S. Government
or one of its agencies or instrumentalities, including but not limited to the
Government National Mortgage Association ("Ginnie Mae"), the Federal National
Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae") and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation ("Freddie Mac"). Ginnie Mae certificates are guaranteed by the full
faith and credit of the United States Government for timely payment of
principal and interest on the certificates. Fannie Mae certificates are
guaranteed by Fannie Mae, a federally chartered and privately-owned
corporation, for full and timely payment of principal and interest on the
certificates. Freddie Mac certificates are guaranteed by Freddie Mac, a
corporate instrumentality of the United States Government, for timely payment
of interest and the ultimate collection of all principal of the related
mortgage loans.
MULTIPLE-CLASS PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES AND COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS.
Mortgage-Backed Securities also include CMOs and REMIC pass-through or
participation certificates that may be issued by, among others, U.S. Government
agencies and instrumentalities as well as private lenders. CMOs and REMIC
certificates are issued in multiple classes and the principal of and interest
on the mortgage assets may be allocated among the several classes of CMOs or
REMIC certificates in various ways. Each class of CMOs or REMIC certificates,
often referred to as a "tranche," is issued at a specific adjustable or fixed
interest rate and must be fully retired no later than its final distribution
date. Generally, interest is paid or accrues on all classes of CMOs or REMIC
certificates on a monthly basis. ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FUND will not
invest in the lowest tranche of CMOs and REMIC certificates.
Typically, CMOs are collateralized by Ginnie Mae or Freddie Mac certificates
but also may be collateralized by other mortgage assets such as whole loans or
private mortgage pass-through securities. Debt service on CMOs is provided from
payments of
45
principal and interest on collateral of mortgaged assets and any reinvestment
income.
A REMIC is a CMO that qualifies for special tax treatment under the Code and
invests in certain mortgages primarily secured by interests in real property
and other permitted investments. Investors may purchase "regular" and
"residual" interest shares of beneficial interest in REMIC trusts, although
ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FUND does not intend to invest in residual
interests.
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES. An option gives the purchaser of the option, upon
payment of a premium, the right to deliver to (in the case of a put) or receive
from (in the case of a call) the writer a specified amount of a security on or
before a fixed date at a predetermined price. A call option written by a Fund
is "covered" if the Fund owns the underlying security, has an absolute and
immediate right to acquire that security upon conversion or exchange of another
security it holds, or holds a call option on the underlying security with an
exercise price equal to or less than that of the call option it has written. A
put option written by a Fund is covered if the Fund holds a put option on the
underlying securities with an exercise price equal to or greater than that of
the put option it has written.
A call option is for cross-hedging purposes if a Fund does not own the
underlying security, and is designed to provide a hedge against a decline in
value in another security which the Fund owns or has the right to acquire. A
Fund would write a call option for cross-hedging purposes, instead of writing a
covered call option, when the premium to be received from the cross-hedge
transaction would exceed that which would be received from writing a covered
call option, while at the same time achieving the desired hedge.
In purchasing an option, a Fund would be in a position to realize a gain if,
during the option period, the price of the underlying security increased (in
the case of a call) or decreased (in the case of a put) by an amount in excess
of the premium paid; otherwise the Fund would experience a loss equal to the
premium paid for the option.
If an option written by a Fund were exercised, the Fund would be obligated to
purchase (in the case of a put) or sell (in the case of a call) the underlying
security at the exercise price. The risk involved in writing an option is that,
if the option were exercised, the underlying security would then be purchased
or sold by the Fund at a disadvantageous price. Entering into a closing
transaction (i.e., by disposing of the option prior to its exercise) could
reduce these risks. A Fund retains the premium received from writing a put or
call option whether or not the option is exercised. The writing of covered call
options could result in increases in a Fund's portfolio turnover rate,
especially during periods when market prices of the underlying securities
appreciate.
ALLIANCE TECHNOLOGY FUND and ALLIANCE GLOBAL SMALL CAP FUND will not write a
call option if the premium to be received by the Fund would not produce an
annualized return of at least 15% of the then current market value of the
securities subject to the option (without giving effect to commissions, stock
transfer taxes and other expenses that are deducted from premium receipts).
Options purchased or written by a Fund in negotiated transactions are illiquid
and it may not be possible for the Fund to effect a closing transaction at an
advantageous time.
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES INDICES. An option on a securities index is similar to an
option on a security except that, rather than the right to take or make
delivery of a security at a specified price, an option on a securities index
gives the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount
of cash if the closing level of the chosen index is greater than (in the case
of a call) or less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option.
OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES. As in the case of other kinds of options, the
writing of an option on a foreign currency constitutes only a partial hedge, up
to the amount of the premium received, and a Fund could be required to purchase
or sell foreign currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates and incur losses.
The purchase of an option on a foreign currency may constitute an effective
hedge against fluctuations in exchange rates although, in the event of rate
movements adverse to a Fund's position, it may forfeit the entire amount of the
premium plus related transaction costs. For Funds that may invest in options on
foreign currencies, see the Fund's SAI for further discussion of the use,
risks, and costs of options on foreign currencies.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS. A "sale" of a futures
contract means the acquisition of a contractual obligation to deliver the
securities or foreign currencies or other commodity called for by the contract
at a specified price on a specified date. A "purchase" of a futures contract
means the incurring of an obligation to acquire the securities, foreign
currencies or other commodity called for by the contract at a specified price
on a specified date. The purchaser of a futures contract on an index agrees to
take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to the difference between a
specified dollar multiple of the value of the index on the expiration date of
the contract ("current contract value") and the price at which the contract was
originally struck. No physical delivery of the securities underlying the index
is made.
A Fund may purchase options on futures contracts written or purchased by a
Fund that are traded on U.S. or foreign exchanges or over-the-counter. These
investment techniques will be used only to hedge against anticipated future
changes in market conditions and interest or exchange rates which otherwise
might either adversely affect the value of the Fund's portfolio securities or
adversely affect the prices of securities which the Fund intends to purchase at
a later date.
No Fund will enter into any futures contracts or options on futures contracts
if immediately thereafter the market values of the outstanding futures
contracts of the Fund and the currencies and futures contracts subject to
outstanding options written by the Fund would exceed 50% of its total assets,
or in the case of ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL PREMIER GROWTH FUND 100% of its total
assets. ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND and ALLIANCE GROWTH AND
46
INCOME FUND may not purchase or sell a stock index future if immediately
thereafter more than 30% of its total assets would be hedged by stock index
futures. ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND and ALLIANCE GROWTH AND INCOME FUND may
not purchase or sell a stock index future if, immediately thereafter, the sum
of the amount of margin deposits on the Fund's existing futures positions would
exceed 5% of the market value of the Fund's total assets.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. A repurchase agreement arises when a buyer purchases a
security and simultaneously agrees to resell it to the vendor at an agreed-upon
future date, normally a day or a few days later. The resale price is greater
than the purchase price, reflecting an agreed-upon interest rate for the period
the buyer's money is invested in the security. Such agreements permit a Fund to
keep all of its assets at work while retaining "overnight" flexibility in
pursuit of investments of a longer-term nature. If a vendor defaults on its
repurchase obligation, a Fund would suffer a loss to the extent that the
proceeds from the sale of the collateral were less than the repurchase price.
If a vendor goes bankrupt, a Fund might be delayed in, or prevented from,
selling the collateral for its benefit. Alliance monitors the creditworthiness
of the vendors with which the Fund enters into repurchase agreements.
RIGHTS AND WARRANTS. A Fund will invest in rights or warrants only if Alliance
deems the underlying equity securities themselves appropriate for inclusion in
the Fund's portfolio. Rights and warrants entitle the holder to buy equity
securities at a specific price for a specific period of time. Rights are
similar to warrants except that they have a substantially shorter duration.
Rights and warrants may be considered more speculative than certain other types
of investments in that they do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting
rights with respect to the underlying securities nor do they represent any
rights in the assets of the issuing company. The value of a right or warrant
does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying security, although
the value of a right or warrant may decline because of a decrease in the value
of the underlying security, the passage of time or a change in perception as to
the potential of the underlying security, or any combination of these factors.
If the market price of the underlying security is below the exercise price of
the warrant on the expiration date, the warrant will expire worthless.
Moreover, a right or warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior
to the expiration date.
SHORT SALES. A short sale is effected by selling a security that a Fund does
not own, or, if the Fund does own such security, it is not to be delivered upon
consummation of the sale. A short sale is "against the box" to the extent that
a Fund contemporaneously owns or has the right to obtain securities identical
to those sold short without payment. ALLIANCE UTILITY INCOME FUND, ALLIANCE
WORLDWIDE PRIVATIZATION FUND, ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97 FUND and ALLIANCE
ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND, each may make short sales of securities or maintain
short positions only for the purpose of deferring realization of gain or loss
for U.S. federal income tax purposes, provided that at all times when a short
position is open the Fund owns an equal amount of securities of the same issue
as, and equal in amount to, the securities sold short. In addition, each of
those Funds may not make a short sale if as a result more than 10% of the
Fund's net assets would be held as collateral for short sales, except that
ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FUND, ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97 FUND and
ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND may not make a short sale if as a result more
than 25% of the Fund's net assets would be held as collateral for short sales.
If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short
sale and the time a Fund replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will incur a
loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain.
STANDBY COMMITMENT AGREEMENTS. Standby commitment agreements commit a Fund, for
a stated period of time, to purchase a stated amount of a security that may be
issued and sold to the Fund at the option of the issuer. The price and coupon
of the security are fixed at the time of the commitment. At the time of
entering into the agreement, the Fund is paid a commitment fee, regardless of
whether the security ultimately is issued, typically equal to approximately
0.5% of the aggregate purchase price of the security the Fund has committed to
purchase. A Fund will enter into such agreements only for the purpose of
investing in the security underlying the commitment at a yield and price
considered advantageous to the Fund and unavailable on a firm commitment basis.
Investments in standby commitments will be limited so that the aggregate
purchase price of the securities subject to the commitments will not exceed 25%
with respect to ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FUND and ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE
FUND, 50% with respect to ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE PRIVATIZATION FUND, ALLIANCE
INTERNATIONAL PREMIER GROWTH FUND, ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97 FUND and ALLIANCE
ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND and 20% with respect to ALLIANCE UTILITY INCOME FUND,
of the Fund's assets at the time of making the commitment.
There is no guarantee that a security subject to a standby commitment will be
issued and the value of the security, if issued, on the delivery date may be
more or less than its purchase price. Since the issuance of the security
underlying the commitment is at the option of the issuer, a Fund will bear the
risk of capital loss in the event the value of the security declines and may
not benefit from an appreciation in the value of the security during the
commitment period if the issuer decides not to issue and sell the security to
the Fund.
ZERO-COUPON AND PAYMENT-IN-KIND BONDS. Zero-coupon bonds are issued at a
significant discount from their principal amount in lieu of paying interest
periodically. Payment-in-kind bonds allow the issuer to make current interest
payments on the bonds in additional bonds. Because zero-coupon bonds and
payment-in-kind bonds do not pay current interest in cash, their value is
generally subject to greater fluctuation in response to changes in market
interest rates than bonds that pay interest in cash currently. Both zero-coupon
and payment-in-kind bonds allow an issuer to avoid the need to generate cash to
meet current interest payments. These bonds may involve greater credit risks
than bonds paying interest currently. Although these bonds do not pay current
interest in cash, a Fund is nonetheless required to accrue interest income on
such
47
investments and to distribute such amounts at least annually to shareholders.
Thus, a Fund could be required at times to liquidate other investments in order
to satisfy its dividend requirements.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS. A Fund may, following written notice to its shareholders,
take advantage of other investment practices that are not currently
contemplated for use by the Fund, or are not available but may yet be
developed, to the extent such investment practices are consistent with the
Fund's investment objective and legally permissible for the Fund. Such
investment practices, if they arise, may involve risks that exceed those
involved in the activities described above.
GENERAL. The successful use of the investment practices described above draws
upon Alliance's special skills and experience and usually depends on Alliance's
ability to forecast price movements, interest rates, or currency exchange rate
movements correctly. Should interest rates, prices or exchange rates move
unexpectedly, a Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the
transactions or may realize losses and thus be in a worse position than if such
strategies had not been used. Unlike many exchange-traded futures contracts and
options on futures contracts, there are no daily price fluctuation limits for
certain options and forward contracts, and adverse market movements could
therefore continue to an unlimited extent over a period of time. In addition,
the correlation between movements in the prices of futures contracts, options
and forward contracts and movements in the prices of the securities and
currencies hedged or used for cover will not be perfect and could produce
unanticipated losses.
A Fund's ability to dispose of its position in futures contracts, options, and
forward contracts depends on the availability of liquid markets in such
instruments. Markets in options and futures with respect to a number of types
of securities and currencies are relatively new and still developing, and there
is no public market for forward contracts. It is impossible to predict the
amount of trading interest that may exist in various types of futures
contracts, options, and forward contracts. If a secondary market does not exist
for an option purchased or written by a Fund, it might not be possible to
effect a closing transaction in the option (i.e., dispose of the option), with
the result that (i) an option purchased by the Fund would have to be exercised
in order for the Fund to realize any profit and (ii) the Fund may not be able
to sell currencies or portfolio securities covering an option written by the
Fund until the option expires or it delivers the underlying security, futures
contract or currency upon exercise. Therefore, no assurance can be given that
the Funds will be able to utilize these instruments effectively. In addition, a
Fund's ability to engage in options and futures transactions may be limited by
tax considerations and the use of certain hedging techniques may adversely
impact the characterization of income to a Fund for U.S. federal income tax
purposes.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER. The portfolio turnover rate for each Fund is included in
the FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS section. The Funds are actively managed and, in some
cases in response to market conditions, a Fund's portfolio turnover may exceed
100%. A higher rate of portfolio turnover increases brokerage and other
expenses, which must be borne by the Fund and its shareholders. High portfolio
turnover also may result in the realization of substantial net short-term
capital gains, which, when distributed, are taxable to shareholders.
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POSITION. For temporary defensive purposes, each Fund may
reduce its position in equity securities and invest in, without limit, certain
types of short-term, liquid, high grade or high quality (depending on the Fund)
debt securities. These securities may include U.S. Government securities,
qualifying bank deposits, money market instruments, prime commercial paper and
other types of short-term debt securities including notes and bonds. For Funds
that may invest in foreign countries, such securities also may include
short-term, foreign-currency denominated securities of the type mentioned above
issued by foreign governmental entities, companies, and supranational
organizations. While the Funds are investing for temporary defensive purposes,
they may not meet their investment objectives.
ADDITIONAL RISK CONSIDERATIONS
Investment in certain of the Funds involves the special risk considerations
described below. Certain of these risks may be heightened when investing in
emerging markets.
CURRENCY CONSIDERATIONS. Substantially all of the assets of ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE
FUND, ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE PRIVATIZATION FUND, ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL PREMIER
GROWTH FUND, ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND, ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97 FUND and
ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND, and a substantial portion of the assets of
ALLIANCE GLOBAL SMALL CAP FUND and ALLIANCE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FUND are
invested in securities denominated in foreign currencies. The Funds receive a
corresponding portion of their revenues in foreign currencies. Therefore, the
dollar equivalent of their net assets, distributions, and income will be
adversely affected by reductions in the value of certain foreign currencies
relative to the U.S. Dollar. If the value of the foreign currencies in which a
Fund receives its income falls relative to the U.S. Dollar between receipt of
the income and the making of Fund distributions, the Fund may be required to
liquidate securities in order to make distributions if it has insufficient cash
in U.S. Dollars to meet distribution requirements that the Fund must satisfy to
qualify as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes.
Similarly, if an exchange rate declines between the time a Fund incurs expenses
in U.S. Dollars and the time cash expenses are paid, the amount of the currency
required to be converted into U.S. Dollars in order to pay expenses in U.S.
Dollars could be greater than the equivalent amount of such expenses in the
currency at the time they were incurred. In light of these risks, a Fund may
engage in currency hedging transactions, as described above, which involve
certain special risks.
FOREIGN SECURITIES. The securities markets of many foreign countries are
relatively small, with the majority of market capitalization and trading volume
concentrated in a limited number of companies representing a small number of
industries. Consequently, a Fund whose investment portfolio
48
includes foreign securities may experience greater price volatility and
significantly lower liquidity than a portfolio invested solely in equity
securities of U.S. companies. These markets may be subject to greater influence
by adverse events generally affecting the market, and by large investors
trading significant blocks of securities, than is usual in the United States.
Securities settlements may in some instances be subject to delays and related
administrative uncertainties.
Certain foreign countries require governmental approval prior to investments by
foreign persons or limit investment by foreign persons to only a specified
percentage of an issuer's outstanding securities or a specific class of
securities that may have less advantageous terms (including price) than
securities of the company available for purchase by nationals. These
restrictions or controls may at times limit or preclude investment in certain
securities and may increase the costs and expenses of a Fund. In addition, the
repatriation of investment income, capital, or the proceeds of sales of
securities from certain countries is controlled under regulations, including in
some cases the need for certain advance government notification or authority.
If a deterioration occurs in a country's balance of payments, the country could
impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances.
A Fund also could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant,
any required governmental approval for repatriation, as well as by the
application of other restrictions on investment. Investing in local markets may
require a Fund to adopt special procedures that may involve additional costs to
a Fund. These factors may affect the liquidity of a Fund's investments in any
country and Alliance will monitor the effect of any such factor or factors on a
Fund's investments. Furthermore, transaction costs including brokerage
commissions for transactions both on and off the securities exchanges in many
foreign countries are generally higher than in the United States.
Issuers of securities in foreign jurisdictions are generally not subject to the
same degree of regulation as are U.S. issuers with respect to such matters as
insider trading rules, restrictions on market manipulation, shareholder proxy
requirements, and timely disclosure of information. The reporting, accounting
and auditing standards of foreign countries may differ, in some cases
significantly, from U.S. standards in important respects and less information
may be available to investors in foreign securities than to investors in U.S.
securities. Substantially less information is publicly available about certain
non-U.S. issuers than is available about U.S. issuers.
The economies of individual foreign countries may differ favorably or
unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic
product or gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment,
resource self-sufficiency, and balance of payments position. Nationalization,
expropriation or confiscatory taxation, currency blockage, political changes,
government regulation, political or social instability, or diplomatic
developments could affect adversely the economy of a foreign country and the
Fund's investments. In the event of expropriation, nationalization or other
confiscation, a Fund could lose its entire investment in the country involved.
In addition, laws in foreign countries governing business organizations,
bankruptcy and insolvency may provide less protection to security holders such
as the Fund than that provided by U.S. laws.
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND, ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE FUND, ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA
'97 FUND and ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND may invest substantial amounts
of their assets in United Kingdom issuers, Japanese issuers, and/or Greater
China issuers. Please refer to Appendix A for a discussion of risks associated
with investments in these countries.
INVESTMENT IN PRIVATIZED ENTERPRISES BY ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE PRIVATIZATION FUND.
In certain jurisdictions, the ability of foreign entities, such as the Fund, to
participate in privatizations may be limited by local law, or the price or
terms on which the Fund may be able to participate may be less advantageous
than for local investors. Moreover, there can be no assurance that governments
that have embarked on privatization programs will continue to divest their
ownership of state enterprises, that proposed privatizations will be successful
or that governments will not re-nationalize enterprises that have been
privatized. Furthermore, in the case of certain of the enterprises in which the
Fund may invest, large blocks of the stock of those enterprises may be held by
a small group of stockholders, even after the initial equity offerings by those
enterprises. The sale of some portion or all of those blocks could have an
adverse effect on the price of the stock of any such enterprise.
Most state enterprises or former state enterprises go through an internal
reorganization of management prior to conducting an initial equity offering in
an attempt to better enable these enterprises to compete in the private sector.
However, certain reorganizations could result in a management team that does
not function as well as the enterprise's prior management and may have a
negative effect on such enterprise. After making an initial equity offering,
enterprises that may have enjoyed preferential treatment from the respective
state or government that owned or controlled them may no longer receive such
preferential treatment and may become subject to market competition from which
they were previously protected. Some of these enterprises may not be able to
effectively operate in a competitive market and may suffer losses or experience
bankruptcy due to such competition. In addition, the privatization of an
enterprise by its government may occur over a number of years, with the
government continuing to hold a controlling position in the enterprise even
after the initial equity offering for the enterprise.
INVESTMENT IN SMALLER, EMERGING COMPANIES. The Funds may invest in smaller,
emerging companies. ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE FUND and ALLIANCE GLOBAL SMALL CAP FUND
will emphasize investment in, and ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND, ALLIANCE
GREATER CHINA '97 FUND and ALLIANCE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FUND may emphasize
investment in, smaller, emerging companies. Investment in such companies
involves greater risks than is customarily associated with securities of more
established
49
companies. Companies in the earlier stages of their development often
have products and management personnel which have not been thoroughly
tested by time or the marketplace; their financial resources may not
be as substantial as those of more established companies. The securities of
smaller companies may have relatively limited marketability and may be subject
to more abrupt or erratic market movements than securities of larger companies
or broad market indices. The revenue flow of such companies may be erratic and
their results of operations may fluctuate widely and may also contribute to
stock price volatility.
EXTREME GOVERNMENTAL ACTION; LESS PROTECTIVE LAWS. In contrast to investing in
the U.S., foreign investment may involve in certain situations greater risk of
nationalization, expropriation, confiscatory taxation, currency blockage or
other extreme governmental action which could adversely impact a Fund's
investments. In the event of certain such actions, a Fund could lose its entire
investment in the country involved. In addition, laws in various foreign
countries, including in certain respects each of the Greater China countries,
governing, among other subjects, business organization and practices,
securities and securities trading, bankruptcy and insolvency may provide less
protection to investors such as the Fund than provided under United States laws.
INVESTMENTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL COMPANIES BY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FUND.
Governmental regulations or other action can inhibit an Environmental Company's
performance, and it may take years to translate environmental legislation into
sales and profits. Environmental Companies generally face competition in fields
often characterized by relatively short product cycles and competitive pricing
policies. Losses may result from large product development or expansion costs,
unprotected marketing or distribution systems, erratic revenue flows and low
profit margins. Additional risks that Environmental Companies may face include
difficulty in financing the high cost of technological development,
uncertainties due to changing governmental regulation or rapid technological
advances, potential liabilities associated with hazardous components and
operations, and difficulty in finding experienced employees.
THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY. Although ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FUND does
not invest directly in real estate, it invests primarily in Real Estate Equity
Securities and has a policy of concentration of its investments in the real
estate industry. Therefore, an investment in the Fund is subject to certain
risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate and with the real
estate industry in general. These risks include, among others: possible
declines in the value of real estate; risks related to general and local
economic conditions; possible lack of availability of mortgage funds;
overbuilding; extended vacancies of properties; increases in competition,
property taxes and operating expenses; changes in zoning laws; costs resulting
from the clean-up of, and liability to third parties for damages resulting
from, environmental problems; casualty or condemnation losses; uninsured
damages from floods, earthquakes or other natural disasters; limitations on and
variations in rents; and changes in interest rates. To the extent that assets
underlying the Fund's investments are concentrated geographically, by property
type or in certain other respects, the Fund may be subject to certain of the
foregoing risks to a greater extent.
In addition, if ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FUND receives rental income or
income from the disposition of real property acquired as a result of a default
on securities the Fund owns, the receipt of such income may adversely affect
the Fund's ability to retain its tax status as a regulated investment company.
Investments by the Fund in securities of companies providing mortgage servicing
will be subject to the risks associated with refinancings and their impact on
servicing rights.
REITS. Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks in addition to those
risks associated with investing in the real estate industry in general. Equity
REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned
by the REITs, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit
extended. REITs are dependent upon management skills, are not diversified, and
are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers and
self-liquidation. REITs are also subject to the possibilities of failing to
qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Code and failing to
maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act.
REITs (especially mortgage REITs) also are subject to interest rate risks. When
interest rates decline, the value of a REIT's investment in fixed rate
obligations can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the
value of a REIT's investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to
decline. In contrast, as interest rates on adjustable rate mortgage loans are
reset periodically, yields on a REIT's investments in such loans will gradually
align themselves to reflect changes in market interest rates, causing the value
of such investments to fluctuate less dramatically in response to interest rate
fluctuations than would investments in fixed rate obligations.
Investing in REITs involves risks similar to those associated with investing in
small capitalization companies. REITs may have limited financial resources, may
trade less frequently and in a limited volume and may be subject to more abrupt
or erratic price movements than larger company securities. Historically, small
capitalization stocks, such as REITs, have been more volatile in price than the
larger capitalization stocks included in the S&P 500 Index.
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES. Investing in Mortgage-Backed Securities involves
certain unique risks in addition to those risks associated with investment in
the real estate industry in general. These risks include the failure of a
counterparty to meet its commitments, adverse interest rate changes and the
effects of prepayments on mortgage cash flows. When interest rates decline, the
value of an investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to rise.
Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of an investment in fixed rate
obligations can be expected to decline. In contrast, as interest rates on
adjustable rate mortgage loans are reset periodically, yields on investments in
such loans will gradually align themselves to
50
reflect changes in market interest rates, causing the value of such
investments to fluctuate less dramatically in response to interest rate
fluctuations than would investments in fixed rate obligations.
Further, the yield characteristics of Mortgage-Backed Securities, such as those
in which ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FUND may invest, differ from those of
traditional fixed-income securities. The major differences typically include
more frequent interest and principal payments (usually monthly), the
adjustability of interest rates, and the possibility that prepayments of
principal may be made substantially earlier than their final distribution dates.
Prepayment rates are influenced by changes in current interest rates and a
variety of economic, geographic, social, and other factors, and cannot be
predicted with certainty. Both adjustable rate mortgage loans and fixed rate
mortgage loans may be subject to a greater rate of principal prepayments in a
declining interest rate environment and to a lesser rate of principal
prepayments in an increasing interest rate environment. Early payment
associated with Mortgage-Backed Securities causes these securities to
experience significantly greater price and yield volatility than that
experienced by traditional fixed-income securities. Under certain interest rate
and prepayment rate scenarios, the Fund may fail to recoup fully its investment
in Mortgage-Backed Securities notwithstanding any direct or indirect
governmental or agency guarantee. When the Fund reinvests amounts representing
payments and unscheduled prepayments of principal, it may receive a rate of
interest that is lower than the rate on existing adjustable rate mortgage
pass-through securities. Thus, Mortgage-Backed Securities, and adjustable rate
mortgage pass-through securities in particular, may be less effective than
other types of U.S. Government securities as a means of "locking in" interest
rates.
U.S. AND FOREIGN TAXES. A Fund's investment in foreign securities may be
subject to taxes withheld at the source on dividend or interest payments.
Foreign taxes paid by a Fund may be creditable or deductible by U.S.
shareholders for U.S. income tax purposes. No assurance can be given that
applicable tax laws and interpretations will not change in the future.
Moreover, non-U.S. investors may not be able to credit or deduct such foreign
taxes.
FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES. The value of each Fund's shares will fluctuate with
the value of its investments. The value of each Fund's investments in
fixed-income securities will change as the general level of interest rates
fluctuates. During periods of falling interest rates, the values of
fixed-income securities generally rise. Conversely, during periods of rising
interest rates, the values of fixed-income securities generally decline.
Under normal market conditions, the average dollar-weighted maturity of a
Fund's portfolio of debt or other fixed-income securities is expected to vary
between five and 30 years in the case of ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND,
between five and 25 years in the case of ALLIANCE UTILITY INCOME FUND, and
between one year or less and 30 years in the case of all other Funds that
invest in such securities. In periods of increasing interest rates, each of the
Funds may, to the extent it holds mortgage-backed securities, be subject to the
risk that the average dollar-weighted maturity of the Fund's portfolio of debt
or other fixed-income securities may be extended as a result of lower than
anticipated prepayment rates.
INVESTMENT IN LOWER-RATED FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES. Lower-rated securities,
i.e., those rated Ba and lower by Moody's or BB and lower by S&P, Duff & Phelps
or Fitch, are subject to greater credit risk or loss of principal and interest
than higher-rated securities. They also are generally considered to be subject
to greater market risk than higher-rated securities. The capacity of issuers of
lower-rated securities to pay interest and repay principal is more likely to
weaken than is that of issuers of higher-rated securities in times of
deteriorating economic conditions or rising interest rates. In addition,
lower-rated securities may be more susceptible to real or perceived adverse
economic conditions than investment grade securities.
The market for lower-rated securities may be thinner and less active than that
for higher-rated securities, which can adversely affect the prices at which
these securities can be sold. To the extent that there is no established
secondary market for lower-rated securities, a Fund may experience difficulty
in valuing the securities for the purpose of computing a Fund's net asset
value. In addition, adverse publicity and investor perceptions about
lower-rated securities, whether or not factual, may tend to impair their market
value and liquidity.
Alliance will try to reduce the risk inherent in investment in lower-rated
securities through credit analysis, diversification and attention to current
developments and trends in interest rates and economic and political
conditions. However, there can be no assurance that losses will not occur.
Since the risk of default is higher for lower-rated securities, Alliance's
research and credit analysis are a correspondingly more important aspect of its
program for managing a Fund's securities than would be the case if a Fund did
not invest in lower-rated securities.
In seeking to achieve a Fund's investment objective, there will be times, such
as during periods of rising interest rates, when depreciation and realization
of capital losses on securities in a Fund's portfolio will be unavoidable.
Moreover, medium- and lower-rated securities and non-rated securities of
comparable quality may be subject to wider fluctuations in yield and market
values than higher-rated securities under certain market conditions. Such
fluctuations after a security is acquired do not affect the cash income
received from that security but are reflected in the net asset value of a Fund.
Certain lower-rated securities may contain call or buy-back features that
permit the issuers thereof to call or repurchase such securities. Such
securities may present risks based on prepayment expectations. If an issuer
exercises such a provision, a Fund may have to replace the called security with
a lower-yielding security, resulting in a decreased rate of return to the Fund.
YEAR 2000. Many computer systems and applications that process transactions use
two-digit date fields for the year of a transaction, rather than the full four
digits. If these systems are not modified or replaced, transactions occurring
after 1999
51
could be processed as the year "1900," which could result in processing
inaccuracies and inoperability at or after the year 2000. The Funds and their
major service providers, including Alliance, utilize a number of computer
systems and applications that have been either developed internally or licensed
from third party suppliers. In addition, the Funds and their major service
providers, including Alliance, are dependent on third party suppliers for
certain systems applications and for electronic receipt of information critical
to their business. Should any of the computer systems employed by the Funds or
their major service providers, including Alliance, fail to process Year 2000
related information properly, that could have a significant negative impact on
the Funds' operations and the services that are provided to the Funds'
shareholders. To the extent that the operations of issuers of securities held
by the Funds are impaired by the Year 2000 problem, the value of the Fund's
shares may be materially affected. In addition, for the Funds' investments in
foreign markets, it is possible that foreign companies and markets will not be
as prepared for Year 2000 as domestic companies and markets.
The Year 2000 issue is a high priority for the Funds and Alliance. During 1997,
Alliance began a formal Year 2000 initiative which established a structured and
coordinated process to deal with the Year 2000 issue. As part of its
initiative, Alliance established a Year 2000 project office to manage the Year
2000 initiative, focusing on both information technology and non-information
technology systems. The Year 2000 project office meets periodically with the
audit committee of the board of directors of Alliance Capital Management
Corporation, Alliance's general partner, and with Alliance's executive
management to review the status of the Year 2000 efforts. Alliance has also
retained the services of a number of consulting firms which have expertise in
advising and assisting with regard to Year 2000 issues. Alliance reports that
by June 30, 1998 it had completed its inventory and assessment of its domestic
and international computer systems and applications, identified mission
critical systems (those systems where loss of their function would result in
immediate stoppage or significant impairment to core business units) and
nonmission critical systems and determined which of these systems were not Year
2000 compliant. All third party suppliers of mission critical computer systems
and applications and nonmission critical systems have been contacted to verify
whether their systems and applications will be Year 2000 compliant and their
responses are being evaluated. Substantially all of those contacted have
responded and approximately 90% have informed Alliance that their systems and
applications are or will be Year 2000 compliant. All mission critical and
nonmission critical systems supplied by third parties have been tested with the
exception of those third parties not able to comply with Alliance's testing
schedule. Alliance reports that it expects that all testing will be completed
before the end of 1999.
Alliance has remediated, replaced or retired all of its non-compliant mission
critical systems and applications that can affect the Funds. All nonmission
critical systems have been remediated. After each system has been remediated,
it is tested with 19XX dates to determine if it still performs its intended
business function correctly. Next, each system undergoes a simulation test
using dates occurring after December 31, 1999. Inclusive of the replacement and
retirement of some of its systems, Alliance has completed these testing phases
for approximately 98% of mission critical systems and 100% of nonmission
critical systems. Integrated systems tests were conducted to verify that the
systems would continue to work together. Full integration testing of all
mission critical and nonmission critical systems is complete. Testing of
interfaces with third-party suppliers has begun and will continue throughout
1999. Alliance reports that it has completed an inventory of its facilities and
related technology applications and has begun to evaluate and test these
systems. Alliance reports that it anticipates that these systems will be fully
operable in the year 2000. Alliance has deferred certain other planned
information technology projects until after the Year 2000 initiative is
completed. Such delay is not expected to have a material adverse effect on
Alliance's financial condition or results of operations. Alliance, with the
assistance of a consulting firm, is developing Year 2000 specific contingency
plans with emphasis on mission critical functions. These plans seek to provide
alternative methods of processing in the event of a failure that is outside
Alliance's control.
The estimated current cost to Alliance of the Year 2000 initiative ranges from
approximately $40 million to $45 million. These costs consist principally of
modification and testing and costs to develop formal Year 2000 specific
contingency plans. These costs, which will generally be expensed as incurred,
will be funded from Alliance's operations and the issuance of debt. Through
June 30, 1999, Alliance had incurred approximately $36.0 million of costs
related to the Year 2000 initiative. At this time, management of Alliance
believes that the costs associated with resolving the Year 2000 issue will not
have a material adverse effect on Alliance's results of operations, liquidity
or capital resources.
There are many risks associated with Year 2000 issues, including the risks that
the computer systems and applications used by the Funds and their major service
providers will not operate as intended and that the systems and applications of
third-party providers to the Funds and their service providers will not be Year
2000 compliant. Likewise there can be no assurance the compliance schedules
outlined above will be met or that the actual cost incurred will not exceed
current cost estimates. Should the significant computer systems and
applications used by the Funds or their major service providers, or the systems
of their important third-party suppliers, be unable to process date-sensitive
information accurately after 1999, the Funds and their service providers may be
unable to conduct their normal business operations and to provide shareholders
with required services. In addition, the Funds and their service providers may
incur unanticipated expenses, regulatory actions and legal liabilities. The
Funds and Alliance cannot determine which risks, if any, are most reasonably
likely to occur or the effects of any particular failure to be Year 2000
compliant. Certain statements provided by Alliance in this section entitled
"Year 2000", as such statements relate to Alliance, are "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning
52
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. To the fullest extent
permitted by law, the foregoing Year 2000 discussion is a "Year 2000 Readiness
Disclosure" within the meaning of the Year 2000 Information and Readiness
Disclosure Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1 (1998).
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Each Fund's Adviser is Alliance Capital Management, L.P., 1345 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, NY 10105. Alliance is a leading international investment
adviser supervising client accounts with assets as of September 30, 1999
totaling more than $317 billion (of which more than $143 billion represented
assets of investment companies). As of September 30, 1999, Alliance managed
retirement assets for many of the largest public and private employee benefit
plans (including 28 of the nation's FORTUNE 100 companies), for public employee
retirement funds in 31 states, for investment companies, and for foundations,
endowments, banks and insurance companies worldwide. The 52 registered
investment companies managed by Alliance, comprising 118 separate investment
portfolios, currently have more than 4.8 million shareholder accounts.
Alliance provides investment advisory services and order placement facilities
for the Funds. For these advisory services, the Funds paid Alliance as a
percentage of average daily net assets:
FEE AS A PERCENTAGE OF FISCAL
FUND AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS* YEAR ENDING
Alliance Premier Growth Fund 1.00% 11/30/98
Alliance Health Care Fund .95** 6/30/00
Alliance Growth Fund .70 10/31/98
Alliance Technology Fund 1.02 11/30/98
Alliance Quasar Fund 1.04 9/30/98
The Alliance Fund .67 11/30/98
Alliance Growth and Income Fund .48 10/31/98
Alliance Balanced Shares Fund .586 7/31/99
Alliance Utility Income Fund -0- 11/30/98
Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund .90 8/31/99
Alliance New Europe Fund .95 7/31/99
Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund 1.00 6/30/99
Alliance International Premier Growth Fund -0- 11/30/98
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund 1.00 7/31/99
Alliance International Fund .81 6/30/99
Alliance Greater China '97 Fund -0- 7/31/99
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund .24 10/31/98
Alliance Global Environment Fund 1.10 10/31/98
* FEES ARE STATED NET OF ANY WAIVERS AND/OR REIMBURSEMENTS. SEE THE "FEE
TABLE" AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PROSPECTUS FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FEE
WAIVERS.
** PRIOR TO ANY WAIVER BY ALLIANCE. SEE "FEE TABLE" AT THE BEGINNING OF THE
PROSPECTUS.
In connection with providing advisory services to ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97
FUND, Alliance has, at its expense, retained as a consultant New Alliance, a
joint venture company headquartered in Hong Kong, which was formed in 1997 by
Alliance and Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited. New Alliance provides Alliance
with ongoing, current, and comprehensive information and analysis of conditions
and developments in Greater China countries.
In connection with investments in real estate securities, Alliance has, at its
expense, retained as a consultant CB Richard Ellis, Inc. ("CBRE"). CBRE is a
publicly held company and the largest real estate services company in the
United States, comprised of real estate brokerage, property and facilities
management, real estate finance, and investment advisory services.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
The following table lists the person or persons who are primarily responsible
for the day-to-day management of each Fund's portfolio, the length of time that
each person has been primarily responsible for the Fund, and each person's
principal occupation during the past five years.
Principal Occupation
During the Past
Fund Employee; Year; Title Five (5) Years*]
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Premier Alfred Harrison; since Associated with
Growth Fund inception--Vice Chairman Alliance
of Alliance Capital
Management Corporation
(ACMC)**
Alliance Health Care Norman Fidel; since inception Associated with
Fund --Senior Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
Alliance Growth Tyler Smith; since inception Associated with
Fund --Senior Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
Alliance Technology Peter Anastos; since 1992 Associated with
Fund --Senior Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
Gerald T. Malone; since 1992 Associated with
--Senior Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
Alliance Quasar Alden M. Stewart; since 1994 Associated with
Fund --Executive Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
53
Principal Occupation
During the Past
Fund Employee; Year; Title Five (5) Years*
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Randall E. Haase; since 1994 Associated with
--Senior Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
The Alliance Fund Alden M. Stewart; since 1997 (see above)
--(see above)
Randall E. Haase; since 1997 (see above)
--(see above)
Alliance Growth and Paul Rissman; since 1994 Associated with
Income Fund --Senior Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
Alliance Balanced Paul Rissman; since 1997 (see above)
Shares --(see above)
Alliance Utility Paul Rissman; since 1996 (see above)
Income Fund --(see above)
Alliance Real Estate Daniel G. Pine; since 1996 Associated with
Investment Fund --Senior Vice President Alliance since 1996;
of ACMC prior thereto; Senior
Vice President of
Desai Capital
Management
David Kruth; since 1997 Associated with
--Vice President of ACMC Alliance since 1997;
prior thereto; Senior
Vice President of
Yarmouth Group
Alliance New Steven Beinhacker; since 1997 Associated with
Europe Fund --Senior Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
Alliance Worldwide Mark H. Breedon; since Associated with
Privatization Fund inception Vice Alliance
President of ACMC and
Director and Senior Vice
President of Alliance Capital
Limited***
Alliance International Alfred Harrison; since 1998 (see above)
Premier Growth --(see above)
Fund
Thomas Kamp; since 1998 Associated with
--Senior Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
Alliance Global Alden M. Stewart; since 1994 (see above)
Small Cap Fund --(see above)
Randall E. Haase; since 1994 (see above)
--(see above)
Mark H. Breedon; since 1998 (see above)
--(see above)
Alliance Nicholas D.P. Carn; Associated with
International Fund since 1998 Alliance since 1995:
--Senior Vice President prior thereto; Chief
of ACMC Investment Officer of
Draycott Partners, Ltd.
Alliance Greater Matthew W.S. Lee; since 1997 Associated with
China '97 Fund --Vice President of ACMC Alliance since 1997;
prior thereto;
associated with
National Mutual Funds
Management (Asia) and
James Capel and Co.
since prior to 1994
Alliance All-Asia Hiroshi Motoki; since 1998 Associated with
Investment Fund --Senior Vice President Alliance since 1994;
of ACMC and director of prior thereto;
Japanese/Asian Equity associated with
research Ford Motor Company
Alliance Global Linda Bolton Weiser; Associated with
Environment Fund since 1998--Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
* UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE, PERSONS ASSOCIATED WITH ALLIANCE HAVE BEEN
EMPLOYED IN A PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT, RESEARCH OR INVESTMENT CAPACITY.
** THE SOLE GENERAL PARTNER OF ALLIANCE.
*** AN INDIRECT WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF ALLIANCE.
PERFORMANCE OF SIMILARLY MANAGED PORTFOLIOS. In addition to managing the assets
of ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND, Mr. Harrison has ultimate responsibility for
the management of discretionary tax-exempt accounts of institutional clients
managed as described below without significant client-imposed restrictions
("Historical Portfolios"). These accounts have substantially the same
investment objectives and policies and are managed in accordance with
essentially the same investment strategies and techniques as those for ALLIANCE
PREMIER GROWTH FUND, except for the ability of ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND to
use futures and options as hedging tools and to invest in warrants. The
Historical Portfolios also are not subject to certain limitations,
diversification requirements and other restrictions imposed under the 1940 Act
and the Code to which ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND, as a registered investment
company, is subject and which, if applicable to the Historical Portfolios, may
have adversely affected the performance results of the Historical Portfolios.
Set forth below is performance data provided by Alliance relating to the
Historical Portfolios for each of the twenty full calendar years during which
Mr. Harrison has managed the Historical Portfolios as an employee of Alliance
and cumulatively through September 30, 1999. As of September 30, 1999, the
assets in the Historical Portfolios totaled approximately $14.3 billion and the
average size of an institutional account in the Historical Portfolio was $492
million. Each Historical Portfolio has a nearly identical composition of
investment holdings and related percentage weightings.
The performance data is net of all fees (including brokerage commissions)
charged to those accounts. The performance data is computed in accordance with
standards formulated by the Association of Investment Management and Research
and has not been adjusted to reflect any fees that will be payable by ALLIANCE
PREMIER GROWTH FUND, which are higher than the fees imposed on the Historical
Portfolio and will result in a higher expense ratio and lower returns for
ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND. Expenses associated with the distribution of
Class A, Class B, and Class C shares of ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND in
accordance with the plan adopted by ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND's Board of
Directors under Commission Rule 12b-1 are also excluded. The performance
data has also not been adjusted for corporate or individual taxes,
if any, payable by the account owners.
54
Alliance has calculated the investment performance of the Historical Portfolios
on a trade-date basis. Dividends have been accrued at the end of the month and
cash flows weighted daily. Composite investment performance for all portfolios
has been determined on an asset weighted basis. New accounts are included in
the composite investment performance computations at the beginning of the
quarter following the initial contribution. The total returns set forth below
are calculated using a method that links the monthly return amounts for the
disclosed periods, resulting in a time-weighted rate of return.
As reflected below, the Historical Portfolios have over time performed
favorably when compared with the performance of recognized performance indices.
The S&P 500 Index is a widely recognized, unmanaged index of market activity
based upon the aggregate performance of a selected portfolio of publicly traded
common stocks, including monthly adjustments to reflect the reinvestment of
dividends and other distributions. The S&P 500 Index reflects the total return
of securities comprising the Index, including changes in market prices as well
as accrued investment income, which is presumed to be reinvested. The Russell
1000 universe of securities is compiled by Frank Russell Company and is
segmented into two style indices, based on the capitalization-weighted median
book-to-price ratio of each of the securities. At each reconstitution, the
Russell 1000 constituents are ranked by their book-to-price ratio. Once so
ranked, the breakpoint for the two styles is determined by the median market
capitalization of the Russell 1000. Thus, those securities falling within the
top fifty percent of the cumulative market capitalization (as ranked by
descending book-to-price) become members of the Russell Price-Driven Indices.
The Russell 1000 Growth Index is, accordingly, designed to include those
Russell 1000 securities with a greater-than-average growth orientation. In
contrast with the securities in the Russell Price-Driven Indices, companies in
the Growth Index tend to exhibit higher price-to-book and price-earnings
ratios, lower dividend yield and higher forecasted growth values.
To the extent ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND does not invest in U.S. common
stocks or utilizes investment techniques such as futures or options, the S&P
500 Index and Russell 1000 Growth Index may not be substantially comparable to
ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND. The S&P 500 Index and Russell 1000 Growth Index
are included to illustrate material economic and market factors that existed
during the time period shown. The S&P 500 Index and Russell 1000 Growth Index
do not reflect the deduction of any fees. If ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND were
to purchase a portfolio of securities substantially identical to the securities
comprising the S&P 500 Index or the Russell 1000 Growth Index, ALLIANCE PREMIER
GROWTH FUND's performance relative to the index would be reduced by ALLIANCE
PREMIER GROWTH FUND's expenses, including brokerage commissions, advisory fees,
distribution fees, custodial fees, transfer agency costs and other
administrative expenses, as well as by the impact on ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH
FUND's shareholders of sales charges and income taxes.
The Lipper Large Cap Growth Fund Index is prepared by Lipper, Inc. and
represents a composite index of the investment performance for the 30 largest
large capitalization growth mutual funds. The composite investment performance
of the Lipper Large Cap Growth Fund Index reflects investment management and
administrative fees and other operating expenses paid by these mutual funds and
reinvested income dividends and capital gain distributions, but excludes the
impact of any income taxes and sales charges.
The following performance data is provided solely to illustrate Mr. Harrison's
performance in managing the Historical Portfolios and the ALLIANCE PREMIER
GROWTH FUND as measured against certain broad based market indices and against
the composite performance of other open-end growth mutual funds. Investors
should not rely on the following performance data of the Historical Portfolios
as an indication of future performance of ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND. The
composite investment performance for the periods presented may not be
indicative of future rates of return. Other methods of computing investment
performance may produce different results, and the results for different
periods may vary.
SCHEDULE OF COMPOSITE INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE--HISTORICAL PORTFOLIOS*
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LIPPER
RUSSELL LARGE CAP
PREMIER HISTORICAL S&P 500 1000 GROWTH
GROWTH PORTFOLIOS INDEX GROWTH INDEX FUND INDEX
FUND TOTAL RETURN** TOTAL RETURN TOTAL RETURN TOTAL RETURN
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1/1/99-
9/30/99*** 2.53% 7.35% 5.37% 6.40% 7.39%
Year ended December:
1998*** 42.97 52.16 28.60 38.71 36.47
1997*** 27.05 34.64 33.36 30.49 27.59
1996*** 18.84 22.06 22.96 23.12 20.56
1995*** 40.66 39.83 37.58 37.19 34.92
1994 (9.78) (4.82) 1.32 2.66 (0.82)
1993 5.35 10.54 10.08 2.90 10.66
1992 -- 12.18 7.62 5.00 6.89
1991 -- 38.91 30.47 41.16 37.34
1990 -- (1.57) (3.10) (0.26) (1.82)
1989 -- 38.80 31.69 35.92 32.30
1988 -- 10.88 16.61 11.27 10.84
1987 -- 8.49 5.25 5.31 3.33
1986 -- 27.40 18.67 15.36 16.75
1985 -- 37.41 31.73 32.85 32.85
1984 -- (3.31) 6.27 (.95) (4.25)
1983 -- 20.80 22.56 15.98 22.63
1982 -- 28.02 21.55 20.46 28.91
1981 -- (1.09) (4.92) (11.31) (0.06)
1980 -- 50.73 32.50 39.57 47.73
1979 -- 30.76 18.61 23.91 29.90
Cumulative total
return for
the period
January 1, 1979 to
September 30,
1999 -- 5061% 2665% 2532% 3182%
</TABLE>
* TOTAL RETURN IS A MEASURE OF INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE THAT IS BASED UPON THE
CHANGE IN VALUE OF AN INVESTMENT FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END OF A SPECIFIED
PERIOD AND ASSUMES REINVESTMENT OF ALL DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS. THE
BASIS OF PREPARATION OF THIS DATA IS DESCRIBED IN THE PRECEDING DISCUSSION.
TOTAL RETURNS FOR ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND ARE FOR CLASS A SHARES, WITH
IMPOSITION OF THE MAXIMUM 4.25% SALES CHARGE.
** ASSUMES IMPOSITION OF THE MAXIMUM ADVISORY FEE CHARGED BY ALLIANCE FOR
ANY HISTORICAL PORTFOLIO FOR THE PERIOD INVOLVED.
55
*** DURING THIS PERIOD, THE HISTORICAL PORTFOLIOS DIFFERED FROM ALLIANCE
PREMIER GROWTH FUND IN THAT ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND INVESTED A PORTION OF
ITS NET ASSETS IN WARRANTS ON EQUITY SECURITIES IN WHICH THE HISTORICAL
PORTFOLIOS WERE UNABLE, BY THEIR INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS, TO PURCHASE. IN LIEU
OF WARRANTS, THE HISTORICAL PORTFOLIOS ACQUIRED THE COMMON STOCK UPON WHICH THE
WARRANTS WERE BASED.
The average annual total returns presented below are based upon the cumulative
total return as of September 30, 1999 and, for more than one year, assume a
steady compounded rate of return and are not year-by-year results, which
fluctuated over the periods as shown.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
LIPPER
RUSSELL
LARGE CAP
PREMIER HISTORICAL S&P 500 1000
GROWTH
GROWTH PORTFOLIOS INDEX GROWTH INDEX
FUND INDEX
One year 34.34% 41.47% 27.79% 34.85%
35.60%
Three years 31.81 35.08 25.09 26.87
25.27
Five years 29.25 29.85 25.03 26.79
24.80
Ten years 22.71+ 19.80 16.80 17.96
16.98
Since January 1,
1979 -- 20.93 17.35 17.07
18.32
+ SINCE INCEPTION ON 9/28/92
PERFORMANCE OF A SIMILARLY MANAGED FUND. Alliance is the investment adviser of
an investment company organized and operated under the laws of the Grand Duchy
of Luxembourg, ACM International Health Care Fund (the "ACM Fund"), that has
substantially the same investment objective and policies as those of ALLIANCE
HEALTH CARE FUND. The ACM Fund has been managed in accordance with
substantially the same investment strategies and techniques as are employed
with respect to the ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND.
Norman Fidel, the portfolio manager of ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND, is also the
person who has been primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the
ACM Fund since 1988. Mr. Fidel manages approximately $1.1 billion of Health
Care Industries assets, including approximately $320 million of assets in the
ACM Fund as of September 30, 1999.
The ACM Fund is not subject to certain limitations, diversification
requirements and other restrictions imposed under the 1940 Act and the Code to
which ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND, as a registered investment company, is subject
and which, if applicable to the ACM Fund, may have adversely affected the
performance results of the ACM Fund.
Set forth below are performance data provided by Alliance relating to the Class
AX shares of the ACM Fund since 1988, when Mr. Fidel began managing that fund.
Performance data are shown annually and cumulatively through September 30, 1999.
The performance data are net of all fees imposed by the ACM Fund. The
performance data have not been adjusted to reflect the fees that are payable by
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND, which, at comparable asset levels, may be lower than
the fees imposed on the ACM Fund and may result in a lower expense ratio for
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND. Expenses associated with the distribution of Class
A, Class B and Class C shares of ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND in accordance with
the plan adopted by ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND'S Board of Directors under
Commission to Rule 12b-1 also are not reflected in the data below relating to
the ACM Fund. See "Fees and Expenses of the Funds." The performance data have
also not been adjusted for corporate or individual taxes, if any, payable by
the ACM Fund shareholders.
The following performance data are provided solely to illustrate Mr. Fidel's
performance in managing the ACM Fund. Investors should not rely on the
following performance data of the ACM Fund as an indication of future
performance of the ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND. The investment performance for
the periods presented may not be indicative of future rates of return.
ACM INTERNATIONAL HEALTH CARE FUND
TOTAL RETURNS
1988 21.82%
1989 46.75%
1990 25.96%
1991 83.07%
1992 -10.46%
1993 -1.38%
1994 13.84%
1995 46.49%
1996 2.18%
1997 23.07%
1998 24.29%
1999* -11.82%
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
(FOR PERIODS ENDED 9/30/99)
One year 2.69%
Five years 15.38%
Ten years 16.92%
Cumulative Total Return of the ACM Fund from
12/31/87 to 9/30/99: 736.69%
* THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 (UNANNUALIZED)
The Funds' SAIs have more detailed information about Alliance and other Fund
service providers.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW THE FUNDS VALUE THEIR SHARES
The Funds' net asset value or NAV is calculated at 4 p.m. Eastern time each day
the Exchange is open for business. To calculate NAV, a Fund's assets are valued
and totaled, liabilities are subtracted, and the balance, called net assets, is
divided by the number of shares outstanding. The Funds value their securities
at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations, or,
if such quotations are not readily available, such other methods as the
Funds' directors believe accurately reflect fair market value.
56
Your order for purchase, sale, or exchange of shares is priced at the next NAV
calculated after your order is received in proper form by the Fund. Your
purchase of Fund shares may be subject to an initial sales charge. Sales of
Fund shares may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge or CDSC. See
the next section of this Prospectus, Distribution Arrangements, for details.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
You may purchase a Fund's shares through broker-dealers, banks, or other
financial intermediaries. You also may purchase shares directly from the Funds'
principal underwriter, Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc., or AFD.
Minimum investment amounts are:
- --Initial: $250
- --Subsequent: $ 50
- --Automatic Investment Program: $ 25
If you are an existing Fund shareholder, you may purchase shares by electronic
funds transfer in amounts not exceeding $500,000 if you have completed the
appropriate section of the Shareholder Application. Call 800-221-5672 to
arrange a transfer from your bank account.
A Fund is required to withhold 31% of taxable dividends, capital gains
distributions, and redemptions paid to shareholders who have not provided the
Fund with their certified taxpayer identification number. To avoid this, you
must provide your correct Tax Identification Number (Social Security Number for
most investors) on your account application.
A Fund may refuse any order to purchase shares. In particular, the Funds
reserve the right to restrict purchases of shares (including through exchanges)
when they appear to evidence a pattern of frequent purchases and sales made in
response to short-term considerations.
HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES
You may exchange your Fund shares for shares of the same class of other
Alliance Mutual Funds (including AFD Exchange Reserves, a money market fund
managed by Alliance). Exchanges of shares are made at the next determined NAV,
without sales or service charges. You may request an exchange by mail or
telephone. You must call by 4:00 p.m. Eastern time to receive that day's NAV.
The Funds may change, suspend, or terminate the exchange service on 60 days'
written notice.
HOW TO SELL SHARES
You may "redeem" your shares (i.e., sell your shares to a Fund) on any day the
Exchange is open, either directly or through your financial intermediary. Your
sales price will be the next-determined NAV, less any applicable CDSC, after
the Fund receives your sales request in proper form. Normally, proceeds will be
sent to you within 7 days. If you recently purchased your shares by check or
electronic funds transfer, your redemption payment may be delayed until the
Fund is reasonably satisfied that the check or electronic funds transfer has
been collected (which may take up to 15 days).
. SELLING SHARES THROUGH YOUR BROKER
Your broker must receive your sales request by 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, and
submit it to the Fund by 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, for you to receive that day's
NAV, less any applicable CDSC. Your broker is responsible for submitting all
necessary documentation to the Fund and may charge you for this service.
. SELLING SHARES DIRECTLY TO THE FUND
BY MAIL:
- -- Send a signed letter of instruction or stock power, along with certificates,
to:
Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 1520
Secaucus, N.J. 07906-1520
800-221-5672
- -- For your protection, a bank, a member firm of a national stock exchange, or
other eligible guarantor institution, must guarantee signatures. Stock power
forms are available from your financial intermediary, AFS, and many commercial
banks. Additional documentation is required for the sale of shares by
corporations, intermediaries, fiduciaries, and surviving joint owners. If you
have any questions about these procedures, contact AFS.
BY TELEPHONE:
- -- You may redeem your shares for which no stock certificates have been issued
by telephone request. Call AFS at 800-221-5672 with instructions on how you
wish to receive your sale proceeds.
- -- A telephone redemption request must be received by 4:00 p.m. Eastern time
for you to receive that day's NAV, less any applicable CDSC.
- -- If you have selected electronic funds transfer in your Shareholder
Application, the redemption proceeds will be sent directly to your bank.
Otherwise, the proceeds will be mailed to you.
- -- Redemption requests by electronic funds transfer may not exceed $100,000 per
day and redemption requests by check cannot exceed $50,000 per day.
- -- Telephone redemption is not available for shares held in nominee or "street
name" accounts, retirement plan accounts, or shares held by a shareholder who
has changed his or her address of record within the previous 30 calendar days.
57
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each Fund's income dividends and capital gains distributions, if any, declared
by a Fund on its outstanding shares will, at the election of each shareholder,
be paid in cash or in additional shares of the same class of shares of that
Fund. If paid in additional shares, the shares will have an aggregate net asset
value as of the close of business on the day following the declaration date of
the dividend or distribution equal to the cash amount of the dividend or
distribution. You may make an election to receive dividends and distributions
in cash or in shares at the time you purchase shares. Your election can be
changed at any time prior to a record date for a dividend. There is no sales or
other charge in connection with the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions. Cash dividends may be paid in check, or at your election,
electronically via the ACH network. There is no sales or other charge on the
reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions.
If you receive an income dividend or capital gains distribution in cash you
may, within 120 days following the date of its payment, reinvest the dividend
or distribution in additional shares of that Fund without charge by returning
to Alliance, with appropriate instructions, the check representing the dividend
or distribution. Thereafter, unless you otherwise specify, you will be deemed
to have elected to reinvest all subsequent dividends and distributions in
shares of that Fund.
For federal income tax purposes, the Fund's dividend distributions of net
income (or short-term taxable gains) will be taxable to you as ordinary income.
Distributions of long-term capital gains generally will be taxable to you as
long-term capital gains. A Fund's distributions also may be subject to certain
state and local taxes.
While it is the intention of each Fund to distribute to its shareholders
substantially all of each fiscal year's net income and net realized capital
gains, if any, the amount and time of any dividend or distribution will depend
on the realization by the Fund of income and capital gains from investments.
There is no fixed dividend rate and there can be no assurance that a Fund will
pay any dividends or realize any capital gains. Since REITs pay distributions
based on cash flow, without regard to depreciation and amortization, it is
likely that a portion of the distributions paid to ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE
INVESTMENT FUND and subsequently distributed to shareholders may be a
nontaxable return of capital. The final determination of the amount of a Fund's
return of capital distributions for the period will be made after the end of
each calendar year.
Investment income received by a Fund from sources within foreign countries may
be subject to foreign income taxes withheld at the source. To the extent that
any Fund is liable for foreign income taxes withheld at the source, each Fund
intends, if possible, to operate so as to meet the requirements of the Code to
"pass through" to the Fund's shareholders credits for foreign income taxes paid
(or to permit shareholders to claim a deduction for such foreign taxes), but
there can be no assurance that any Fund will be able to do so. Furthermore, a
shareholder's ability to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction for foreign
taxes paid by a Fund may be subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code,
as a result of which a shareholder may not be permitted to claim a credit or
deduction for all or a portion of the amount of such taxes.
Under certain circumstances, if a Fund realizes losses (e.g., from fluctuations
in currency exchange rates) after paying a dividend, all or a portion of the
dividend may subsequently be characterized as a return of capital. Returns of
capital are generally nontaxable, but will reduce a shareholder's basis in
shares of a Fund. If that basis is reduced to zero (which could happen if the
shareholder does not reinvest distributions and returns of capital are
significant), any further returns of capital will be taxable as capital gain.
See the Fund's SAI for a further explanation of these tax issues.
If you buy shares just before a Fund deducts a distribution from its net asset
value, you will pay the full price for the shares and then receive a portion of
the price back as a taxable distribution.
The sale or exchange of Fund shares is a taxable transaction for Federal income
tax purposes.
Each year shortly after December 31, the Funds will send you tax information
stating the amount and type of all its distributions for the year. Consult your
tax adviser about the federal, state, and local tax consequences in your
particular circumstances.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHARE CLASSES. The Funds offer three classes of shares.
CLASS A SHARES--INITIAL SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVE
You can purchase Class A shares at NAV with an initial sales charge as follows:
INITIAL SALES CHARGE
AS % OF AS % OF COMMISSION
NET AMOUNT OFFERING TO DEALER/
INVESTED PRICE AGENT AS
% OF
OFFERING
AMOUNT PURCHASED PRICE
Up to $100,000 4.44% 4.25% 4.00%
$100,000 up to $250,000 3.36 3.25 3.00
$250,000 up to $500,000 2.30 2.25 2.00
$500,000 up to $1,000,000 1.78 1.75 1.50
You pay no initial sales charge on purchases of Class A Shares in the amount of
$1,000,000 or more, but may pay a 1% CDSC if you redeem your shares within 1
year. Alliance may pay the dealer or agent a fee of up to 1% of the dollar
amount purchased. Certain purchases of Class A shares may qualify for reduced
or eliminated sales charges under a Fund's Combined Purchase Privilege,
Cumulative Quantity Discount, Statement of Intention, Privilege for Certain
Retirement Plans, Reinstatement
58
Privilege and Sales at Net Asset Value Programs. Consult the Subscription
Application and a Fund's SAI for additional information about these options.
CLASS B SHARES--DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVE
You can purchase Class B Shares at NAV without an initial sales charge. A Fund
will thus receive the full amount of your purchase. Your investment, however,
will be subject to a CDSC if you redeem shares within 4 years of purchase. The
CDSC varies depending on the number of years you hold the shares. The CDSC
amounts are:
YEARS SINCE PURCHASE CDSC
First 4.0%
Second 3.0%
Third 2.0%
Fourth 1.0%
Fifth None
If you exchange your shares for the Class B shares of another Alliance Mutual
Fund, the CDSC also will apply to those Class B shares. The CDSC period begins
with the date of your original purchase, not the date of exchange for the other
Class B shares.
The Fund's Class B shares purchased for cash automatically convert to Class A
shares eight years after the end of the month of your purchase. If you purchase
shares by exchange for the Class B shares of another Alliance Mutual Fund, the
conversion period runs from the date of your original purchase.
CLASS C SHARES--ASSET-BASED SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVE
You can purchase shares at NAV without an initial sales charge. A Fund will
thus receive the full amount of your purchase. Your investment, however, will
be subject to a 1% CDSC if you redeem your shares within 1 year. If you
exchange your shares for the Class C shares of another Alliance Mutual Fund,
the 1% CDSC also will apply to those Class C shares. The 1-year period for the
CDSC begins with the date of your original purchase, not the date of the
exchange for the other Class C shares.
Class C shares do not convert to any other class of shares of the Fund.
ASSET-BASED SALES CHARGE OR RULE 12B-1 FEES. Each Fund has adopted a plan under
Commission Rule 12b-1 that allows the Fund to pay asset-based sales charges or
distribution and service fees for the distribution and sale of its shares. The
amount of these fees for each class of the Fund's shares is:
RULE 12B-1 FEE (AS A PERCENTAGE OF
AGGREGATE AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS)
Class A .30%*
Class B 1.00%
Class C 1.00%
* THE FEE UNDER THE RULE 12B-1 PLAN FOR THE CLASS A SHARES OF ALLIANCE
GROWTH FUND AND ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND IS .50% OF THE AGGREGATE AVERAGE
DAILY NET ASSETS. THE DIRECTORS OF ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND CURRENTLY LIMIT THE
PAYMENTS TO .30%. THE DIRECTORS OF ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND LIMIT PAYMENTS
FOR CLASS A SHARES PURCHASED AFTER NOVEMBER 1993 TO .30% OF AGGREGATE AVERAGE
DAILY NET ASSETS.
Because these fees are paid out of the Fund's assets on an on-going basis, over
time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more
than paying other types of sales fees. Class B and Class C shares are subject
to higher distribution fees than Class A shares (Class B shares are subject to
these higher fees for a period of eight years, after which they convert to
Class A shares). The higher fees mean a higher expense ratio, so Class B and
Class C shares pay correspondingly lower dividends and may have a lower net
asset value than Class A shares.
CHOOSING A CLASS OF SHARES. The decision as to which class of shares is more
beneficial to you depends on the amount and intended length of your investment.
If you are making a large investment, thus qualifying for a reduced sales
charge, you might consider purchasing Class A shares. If you are making a
smaller investment, you might consider purchasing Class B shares because 100%
of your purchase is invested immediately. If you are unsure of the length of
your investment, you might consider Class C shares because there is no initial
sales charge and no CDSC as long as the shares are held for one year or more.
Dealers and agents may receive differing compensation for selling Class A,
Class B, or Class C shares. There is no size limit on purchases of Class A
shares. The maximum purchase of Class B shares is $250,000. The maximum
purchase of Class C shares is $1,000,000.
You should consult your financial agent to assist in choosing a class of Fund
shares.
APPLICATION OF THE CDSC. The CDSC is applied to the lesser of the original cost
of shares being redeemed or NAV at the time of redemption (or, as to Fund
shares acquired through an exchange, the cost of the Alliance Mutual Fund
shares originally purchased for cash). Shares obtained from dividend or
distribution reinvestment are not subject to the CDSC. The Fund may waive the
CDSC on redemptions of shares following the death or disability of a
shareholder, to meet the requirements of certain qualified retirement plans, or
under a monthly, bimonthly, or quarterly systematic withdrawal plan. See the
Fund's SAI for further information about CDSC waivers.
OTHER. A transaction, service, administrative or other similar fee may be
charged by your broker-dealer, agent, financial intermediary, or other
financial representative with respect to the purchase, sale, or exchange of
Class A, Class B, or Class C shares made through your financial representative.
The financial intermediaries also may impose requirements on the purchase,
sale, or exchange of shares that are different from, or in addition to, those
imposed by a Fund, including requirements as to the minimum initial and
subsequent investment amounts.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL INFORMATION
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under unusual circumstances, a Fund may suspend redemptions or postpone payment
for up to seven days or
59
longer, as permitted by federal securities law. The Funds reserve the right to
close an account that through redemption has remained below $200 for 90 days.
Shareholders will receive 60 days' written notice to increase the account value
before the account is closed.
During drastic economic or market developments, you might have difficulty in
reaching AFS by telephone, in which event you should issue written instructions
to AFS. AFS is not responsible for the authenticity of telephone requests to
purchase, sell, or exchange shares. AFS will employ reasonable procedures to
verify that telephone requests are genuine, and could be liable for losses
resulting from unauthorized transactions if it failed to do so. Dealers and
agents may charge a commission for handling telephone requests. The telephone
service may be suspended or terminated at any time without notice.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES. AFS offers a variety of shareholder services. For more
information about these services or your account, call AFS's toll-free number,
800-221-5672. Some services are described in the attached Subscription
Application. You also may request a shareholder's manual explaining all
available services by calling 800-227-4618.
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. Certain employee benefit plans, including
employer-sponsored tax-qualified 401(k) plans and other defined contribution
retirement plans ("Employee Benefit Plans"), may establish requirements as to
the purchase, sale or exchange of shares, including maximum and minimum initial
investment requirements, that are different from those described in this
Prospectus. Employee Benefit Plans also may not offer all classes of shares of
the Funds. In order to enable participants investing through Employee Benefit
Plans to purchase shares of the Funds, the maximum and minimum investment
amounts may be different for shares purchased through Employee Benefit Plans
from those described in this Prospectus. In addition, the Class A, Class B, and
Class C CDSC may be waived for investments made through Employee Benefit Plans.
60
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand each Fund's
financial performance for the past 5 years (or, if shorter, the period of the
Fund's operations). Certain information reflects financial results for a single
share of each Fund. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an
investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming
reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). Except as otherwise
indicated, this information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the
independent accountants for THE ALLIANCE FUND, ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND, ALLIANCE
PREMIER GROWTH FUND, ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL PREMIER GROWTH FUND, ALLIANCE
BALANCED SHARES, ALLIANCE UTILITY INCOME FUND, ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE PRIVATIZATION
FUND, and ALLIANCE GROWTH AND INCOME FUND, and by Ernst & Young LLP, the
independent accountants for ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND, ALLIANCE
TECHNOLOGY FUND, ALLIANCE QUASAR FUND, ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND, ALLIANCE
NEW EUROPE FUND, ALLIANCE GLOBAL SMALL CAP FUND, ALLIANCE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT
FUND, ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97 FUND and ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FUND,
whose reports, along with each Fund's financial statements, are included in the
SAI, which is available upon request.
61
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS LESS DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------
NET GAINS
NET ASSET OR LOSSES ON DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTIONS
VALUE, SECURITIES TOTAL FROM FROM NET IN EXCESS OF DISTRIBUTIONS
BEGINNING NET INVESTMENT (BOTH REALIZED INVESTMENT INVESTMENT NET INVESTMENT FROM
FISCAL YEAR OR PERIOD OF PERIOD INCOME (LOSS) AND UNREALIZED) OPERATIONS INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
- --------------------- --------- -------------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ALLIANCE PREMIER
GROWTH FUND
CLASS A
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $27.50 $ (.13)(b) $ 4.57 $ 4.44 $0.00 $0.00 $ (.61)
Year ended 11/30/98 22.00 (.15)(b) 7.11 6.96 0.00 0.00 (1.46)
Year ended 11/30/97 17.98 (.10)(b) 5.20 5.10 0.00 0.00 (1.08)
Year ended 11/30/96 16.09 (.04)(b) 3.20 3.16 0.00 0.00 (1.27)
Year ended 11/30/95 11.41 (.03) 5.38 5.35 0.00 0.00 (.67)
Year ended 11/30/94 11.78 (.09) (.28) (.37) 0.00 0.00 0.00
CLASS B
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $26.33 $ (.22)(b) $ 4.38 $ 4.16 $0.00 $0.00 $ (.61)
Year ended 11/30/98 21.26 (.30)(b) 6.83 6.53 0.00 0.00 (1.46)
Year ended 11/30/97 17.52 (.23)(b) 5.05 4.82 0.00 0.00 (1.08)
Year ended 11/30/96 15.81 (.14)(b) 3.12 2.98 0.00 0.00 (1.27)
Year ended 11/30/95 11.29 (.11) 5.30 5.19 0.00 0.00 (.67)
Year ended 11/30/94 11.72 (.15) (.28) (.43) 0.00 0.00 0.00
CLASS C
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $26.36 $ (.22)(b) $ 4.39 $ 4.17 $0.00 $0.00 $ (.61)
Year ended 11/30/98 21.29 (.31)(b) 6.84 6.53 0.00 0.00 (1.46)
Year ended 11/30/97 17.54 (.24)(b) 5.07 4.83 0.00 0.00 (1.08)
Year ended 11/30/96 15.82 (.14)(b) 3.13 2.99 0.00 0.00 (1.27)
Year ended 11/30/95 11.30 (.08) 5.27 5.19 0.00 0.00 (.67)
Year ended 11/30/94 11.72 (.09) (.33) (.42) 0.00 0.00 0.00
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
CLASS A
11/1/98 to 4/30/99+++ $47.17 $ (.06)(b) $ 10.80 $ 10.74 $0.00 $0.00 $ (3.71)
Year ended 10/31/98 43.95 (.05)(b) 6.18 6.13 0.00 0.00 (2.91)
Year ended 10/31/97 34.91 (.10)(b) 10.17 10.07 0.00 0.00 (1.03)
Year ended 10/31/96 29.48 .05 6.20 6.25 (.19) 0.00 (.63)
Year ended 10/31/95 25.08 .12 4.80 4.92 (.11) 0.00 (.41)
5/1/94 to 10/31/94** 23.89 .09 1.10 1.19 0.00 0.00 0.00
Year ended 4/30/94 22.67 (.01)(c) 3.55 3.54 0.00 0.00 (2.32)
CLASS B
11/1/98 to 4/30/99+++ $38.15 $ (.20)(b) $ 8.63 $ 8.43 $0.00 $0.00 $ (3.71)
Year ended 10/31/98 36.31 (.31)(b) 5.06 4.75 0.00 0.00 (2.91)
Year ended 10/31/97 29.21 (.31)(b) 8.44 8.13 0.00 0.00 (1.03)
Year ended 10/31/96 24.78 (.12) 5.18 5.06 0.00 0.00 (.63)
Year ended 10/31/95 21.21 (.02) 4.01 3.99 (.01) 0.00 (.41)
5/1/94 to 10/31/94** 20.27 .01 .93 .94 0.00 0.00 0.00
Year ended 4/30/94 19.68 (.07)(c) 2.98 2.91 0.00 0.00 (2.32)
CLASS C
11/1/98 to 4/30/99+++ $38.17 $ (.20)(b) $ 8.64 $ 8.44 $0.00 $0.00 $ (3.71)
Year ended 10/31/98 36.33 (.31)(b) 5.06 4.75 0.00 0.00 (2.91)
Year ended 10/31/97 29.22 (.31)(b) 8.45 8.14 0.00 0.00 (1.03)
Year ended 10/31/96 24.79 (.12) 5.18 5.06 0.00 0.00 (.63)
Year ended 10/31/95 21.22 (.03) 4.02 3.99 (.01) 0.00 (.41)
5/1/94 to 10/31/94** 20.28 .01 .93 .94 0.00 0.00 0.00
8/2/93++ to 4/30/94 21.47 (.02)(c) 1.15 1.13 0.00 0.00 (2.32)
ALLIANCE TECHNOLOGY FUND
CLASS A
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $68.60 $ (.37)(b) $ 18.72 $ 18.35 $0.00 $0.00 $ (5.17)
Year ended 11/30/98 54.44 (.68)(b) 15.42 14.74 0.00 0.00 (.58)
Year ended 11/30/97 51.15 (.51)(b) 4.22 3.71 0.00 0.00 (.42)
Year ended 11/30/96 46.64 (.39)(b) 7.28 6.89 0.00 0.00 (2.38)
Year ended 11/30/95 31.98 (.30)(b) 18.13 17.83 0.00 0.00 (3.17)
1/1/94 to 11/30/94** 26.12 (.32) 6.18 5.86 0.00 0.00 0.00
CLASS B
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $65.75 $ (.63)(b) $ 17.90 $ 17.27 $0.00 $0.00 $ (5.17)
Year ended 11/30/98 52.58 (1.08)(b) 14.83 13.75 0.00 0.00 (.58)
Year ended 11/30/97 49.76 (.88)(b) 4.12 3.24 0.00 0.00 (.42)
Year ended 11/30/96 45.76 (.70)(b) 7.08 6.38 0.00 0.00 (2.38)
Year ended 11/30/95 31.61 (.60)(b) 17.92 17.32 0.00 0.00 (3.17)
1/1/94 to 11/30/94** 25.98 (.23) 5.86 5.63 0.00 0.00 0.00
CLASS C
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $65.74 $ (.62)(b) $ 17.88 $ 17.26 $0.00 $0.00 $ (5.17)
Year ended 11/30/98 52.57 (1.08)(b) 14.83 13.75 0.00 0.00 (.58)
Year ended 11/30/97 49.76 (.88)(b) 4.11 3.23 0.00 0.00 (.42)
Year ended 11/30/96 45.77 (.70)(b) 7.07 6.37 0.00 0.00 (2.38)
Year ended 11/30/95 31.61 (.58)(b) 17.91 17.33 0.00 0.00 (3.17)
1/1/94 to 11/30/94** 25.98 (.24) 5.87 5.63 0.00 0.00 0.00
</TABLE>
PLEASE REFER TO THE FOOTNOTES ON PAGE 72.
62
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
---------------- ---------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL NET ASSET RATIO OF RATIO OF NET
DIVIDENDS VALUE, NET ASSETS, EXPENSES INCOME (LOSS)
AND END OF TOTAL END OF PERIOD TO AVERAGE TO AVERAGE PORTFOLIO
FISCAL YEAR OR PERIOD DISTRIBUTIONS PERIOD RETURN(A) (000'S OMITTED) NET ASSETS NET ASSETS TURNOVER RATE
- --------------------- ------------- ------------- -------- -------------- ----------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ALLIANCE PREMIER
GROWTH FUND
CLASS A
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $ (.61) $31.33 16.44% $2,900,593 1.48%* (.79)%* 39%
Year ended 11/30/98 (1.46) 27.50 33.94 1,418,262 1.59(f) (.59) 82
Year ended 11/30/97 (1.08) 22.00 30.46 373,099 1.57 (.52) 76
Year ended 11/30/96 (1.27) 17.98 21.52 172,870 1.65 (.27) 95
Year ended 11/30/95 (.67) 16.09 49.95 72,366 1.75 (.28) 114
Year ended 11/30/94 0.00 11.41 (3.14) 35,146 1.96 (.67) 98
CLASS B
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $ (.61) $29.88 16.10% $5,737,435 2.16%* (1.47)%* 39%
Year ended 11/30/98 (1.46) 26.33 33.04 2,799,288 2.28(f) (1.27) 82
Year ended 11/30/97 (1.08) 21.26 29.62 858,449 2.25 (1.20) 76
Year ended 11/30/96 (1.27) 17.52 20.70 404,137 2.32 (.94) 95
Year ended 11/30/95 (.67) 15.81 49.01 238,088 2.43 (.95) 114
Year ended 11/30/94 0.00 11.29 (3.67) 139,988 2.47 (1.19) 98
CLASS C
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $ (.61) $29.92 16.12% $2,061,862 2.16%* (1.47)%* 39%
Year ended 11/30/98 (1.46) 26.36 32.99 862,193 2.28(f) (1.30) 82
Year ended 11/30/97 (1.08) 21.29 29.64 177,923 2.24 (1.22) 76
Year ended 11/30/96 (1.27) 17.54 20.76 60,194 2.32 (.94) 95
Year ended 11/30/95 (.67) 15.82 48.96 20,679 2.42 (.97) 114
Year ended 11/30/94 0.00 11.30 (3.58) 7,332 2.47 (1.16) 98
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
CLASS A
11/1/98 to 4/30/99+++ $ (3.71) $54.20 23.84% $1,284,500 1.18%* (.24)%* 35%
Year ended 10/31/98 (2.91) 47.17 14.56 1,008,093 1.22(f) (.11) 61
Year ended 10/31/97 (1.03) 43.95 29.54 783,110 1.26(f) (.25) 48
Year ended 10/31/96 (.82) 34.91 21.65 499,459 1.30 .15 46
Year ended 10/31/95 (.52) 29.48 20.18 285,161 1.35 .56 61
5/1/94 to 10/31/94** 0.00 25.08 4.98 167,800 1.35* .86* 24
Year ended 4/30/94 (2.32) 23.89 15.66 102,406 1.40(d) .32 87
CLASS B
11/1/98 to 4/30/99+++ $ (3.71) $42.87 23.39% $5,158,813 1.90%* (.97)%* 35%
Year ended 10/31/98 (2.91) 38.15 13.78 4,230,756 1.94(f) (.83) 61
Year ended 10/31/97 (1.03) 36.31 28.64 3,578,806 1.96(f) (.94) 48
Year ended 10/31/96 (.63) 29.21 20.82 2,498,097 1.99 (.54) 46
Year ended 10/31/95 (.42) 24.78 19.33 1,052,020 2.05 (.15) 61
5/1/94 to 10/31/94** 0.00 21.21 4.64 751,521 2.05* .16* 24
Year ended 4/30/94 (2.32) 20.27 14.79 394,227 2.10(d) (.36) 87
CLASS C
11/1/98 to 4/30/99+++ $ (3.71) $42.90 23.41% $ 880,100 1.89%* (.96)%* 35%
Year ended 10/31/98 (2.91) 38.17 13.76 718,688 1.93(f) (.83) 61
Year ended 10/31/97 (1.03) 36.33 28.66 599,449 1.97(f) (.95) 48
Year ended 10/31/96 (.63) 29.22 20.81 403,478 2.00 (.55) 46
Year ended 10/31/95 (.42) 24.79 19.32 226,662 2.05 (.15) 61
5/1/94 to 10/31/94** 0.00 21.22 4.64 114,455 2.05* .16* 24
8/2/93++ to 4/30/94 (2.32) 20.28 5.27 64,030 2.10*(d) (.31)* 87
ALLIANCE TECHNOLOGY FUND
CLASS A
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $ (5.17) $81.78 28.16% $1,307,309 1.57%* (.90)%* 27%
Year ended 11/30/98 (.58) 68.60 27.36 824,636 1.66(f) (1.13) 67
Year ended 11/30/97 (.42) 54.44 7.32 624,716 1.67(f) (.97) 51
Year ended 11/30/96 (2.38) 51.15 16.05 594,861 1.74 (.87) 30
Year ended 11/30/95 (3.17) 46.64 61.93 398,262 1.75 (.77) 55
1/1/94 to 11/30/94** 0.00 31.98 22.43 202,929 1.66* (1.22)* 55
CLASS B
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $ (5.17) $77.85 27.70% $2,377,311 2.29%* (1.62)%* 27%
Year ended 11/30/98 (.58) 65.75 26.44 1,490,578 2.39(f) (1.86) 67
Year ended 11/30/97 (.42) 52.58 6.57 1,053,436 2.38(f) (1.70) 51
Year ended 11/30/96 (2.38) 49.76 15.20 660,921 2.44 (1.61) 30
Year ended 11/30/95 (3.17) 45.76 60.95 277,111 2.48 (1.47) 55
1/1/94 to 11/30/94** 0.00 31.61 21.67 18,397 2.43* (1.95)* 55
CLASS C
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $ (5.17) $77.83 27.69% $ 521,911 2.28%* (1.61)%* 27%
Year ended 11/30/98 (.58) 65.74 26.44 271,320 2.40(f) (1.87) 67
Year ended 11/30/97 (.42) 52.57 6.55 184,194 2.38(f) (1.70) 51
Year ended 11/30/96 (2.38) 49.76 15.17 108,488 2.44 (1.60) 30
Year ended 11/30/95 (3.17) 45.77 60.98 43,161 2.48 (1.47) 55
1/1/94 to 11/30/94** 0.00 31.61 21.67 7,470 2.41* (1.94)* 55
</TABLE>
63
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS LESS DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------
NET GAINS
NET ASSET OR LOSSES ON DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTIONS
VALUE, SECURITIES TOTAL FROM FROM NET IN EXCESS OF DISTRIBUTIONS
BEGINNING NET INVESTMENT (BOTH REALIZED INVESTMENT INVESTMENT NET INVESTMENT FROM
FISCAL YEAR OR PERIOD OF PERIOD INCOME (LOSS) AND UNREALIZED) OPERATIONS INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
- --------------------- --------- -------------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ALLIANCE QUASAR FUND
CLASS A
10/1/98 to 3/31/99+++ $22.27 $(.08)(b) $ 2.06 $ 1.98 $0.00 $0.00 $ (1.01)
Year ended 9/30/98 30.37 (.17)(b) (6.70) (6.87) 0.00 0.00 (1.23)
Year ended 9/30/97 27.92 (.24)(b) 6.80 6.56 0.00 0.00 (4.11)
Year ended 9/30/96 24.16 (.25) 8.82 8.57 0.00 0.00 (4.81)
Year ended 9/30/95 22.65 (.22)(b) 5.59 5.37 0.00 0.00 (3.86)
Year ended 9/30/94 24.43 (.60) (.36) (.96) 0.00 0.00 (.82)
CLASS B
10/1/98 to 3/31/99+++ $20.17 $(.15)(b) $ 1.86 $ 1.71 $0.00 $0.00 $ (1.01)
Year ended 9/30/98 27.83 (.36)(b) (6.07) (6.43) 0.00 0.00 (1.23)
Year ended 9/30/97 26.13 (.42)(b) 6.23 5.81 0.00 0.00 (4.11)
Year ended 9/30/96 23.03 (.20) 8.11 7.91 0.00 0.00 (4.81)
Year ended 9/30/95 21.92 (.37)(b) 5.34 4.97 0.00 0.00 (3.86)
Year ended 9/30/94 23.88 (.53) (.61) (1.14) 0.00 0.00 (.82)
CLASS C
10/1/98 to 3/31/99+++ $20.18 $(.15)(b) $ 1.87 $ 1.72 $0.00 $0.00 $ (1.01)
Year ended 9/30/98 27.85 (.35)(b) (6.09) (6.44) 0.00 0.00 (1.23)
Year ended 9/30/97 26.14 (.42)(b) 6.24 5.82 0.00 0.00 (4.11)
Year ended 9/30/96 23.05 (.20) 8.10 7.90 0.00 0.00 (4.81)
Year ended 9/30/95 21.92 (.37)(b) 5.36 4.99 0.00 0.00 (3.86)
Year ended 9/30/94 23.88 (.36) (.78) (1.14) 0.00 0.00 (.82)
THE ALLIANCE FUND
CLASS A
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $ 5.97 $(.01)(b) $ 1.40 $ 1.39 $0.00 $0.00 $ (.39)
Year ended 11/30/98 8.70 (.02)(b) (.54) (.56) 0.00 0.00 (2.17)
Year ended 11/30/97 7.71 (.02)(b) 2.09 2.07 (.02) 0.00 (1.06)
Year ended 11/30/96 7.72 .02 1.06 1.08 (.02) 0.00 (1.07)
Year ended 11/30/95 6.63 .02(b) 2.08 2.10 (.01) 0.00 (1.00)
1/1/94 to 11/30/94** 6.85 .01 (.23) (.22) 0.00 0.00 0.00
CLASS B
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $ 5.51 $(.04)(b) $ 1.29 $ 1.25 $0.00 $0.00 $ (.39)
Year ended 11/30/98 8.25 (.07)(b) (.50) (.57) 0.00 0.00 (2.17)
Year ended 11/30/97 7.40 (.08)(b) 1.99 1.91 0.00 0.00 (1.06)
Year ended 11/30/96 7.49 (.01) .99 .98 0.00 0.00 (1.07)
Year ended 11/30/95 6.50 (.03)b) 2.02 1.99 0.00 0.00 (1.00)
1/1/94 to 11/30/94** 6.76 (.03) (.23) (.26) 0.00 0.00 0.00
CLASS C
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $ 5.50 $(.03)(b) $ 1.28 $ 1.25 $0.00 $0.00 $ (.39)
Year ended 11/30/98 8.26 (.07)(b) (.52) (.59) 0.00 0.00 (2.17)
Year ended 11/30/97 7.41 (.08)(b) 1.99 1.91 0.00 0.00 (1.06)
Year ended 11/30/96 7.50 (.02) 1.00 .98 0.00 0.00 (1.07)
Year ended 11/30/95 6.50 (.03)(b) 2.03 2.00 0.00 0.00 (1.00)
1/1/94 to 11/30/94** 6.77 (.03) (.24) (.27) 0.00 0.00 0.00
5/3/93++ to 12/31/93 6.67 (.02) .88 .86 0.00 0.00 (.76)
ALLIANCE GROWTH AND
INCOME FUND
CLASS A
11/1/98 to 4/30/99+++ $ 3.44 $ .02(b) $ .71 $ .73 $ (.02) $0.00 $ (.35)
Year ended 10/31/98 3.48 .03(b) .43 .46 (.04) 0.00 (.46)
Year ended 10/31/97 3.00 .04(b) .87 .91 (.05) 0.00 (.38)
Year ended 10/31/96 2.71 .05 .50 .55 (.05) 0.00 (.21)
Year ended 10/31/95 2.35 .02 .52 .54 (.06) 0.00 (.12)
Year ended 10/31/94 2.61 .06 (.08) (.02) (.06) 0.00 (.18)
CLASS B
11/1/98 to 4/30/99+++ $ 3.41 $ .00(b) $ .71 $ .71 $ (.01) $0.00 $ (.35)
Year ended 10/31/98 3.45 .01(b) .43 .44 (.02) 0.00 (.46)
Year ended 10/31/97 2.99 .02(b) .85 .87 (.03) 0.00 (.38)
Year ended 10/31/96 2.69 .03 .51 .54 (.03) 0.00 (.21)
Year ended 10/31/95 2.34 .01 .49 .50 (.03) 0.00 (.12)
Year ended 10/31/94 2.60 .04 (.08) (.04) (.04) 0.00 (.18)
CLASS C
11/1/98 to 4/30/99+++ $ 3.41 $ .00(b) $ .71 $ .71 $ (.01) $0.00 $ (.35)
Year ended 10/31/98 3.45 .01(b) .43 .44 (.02) 0.00 (.46)
Year ended 10/31/97 2.99 .02(b) .85 .87 (.03) 0.00 (.38)
Year ended 10/31/96 2.70 .03 .50 .53 (.03) 0.00 (.21)
Year ended 10/31/95 2.34 .01 .50 .51 (.03) 0.00 (.12)
Year ended 10/31/94 2.60 .04 (.08) (.04) (.04) 0.00 (.18)
</TABLE>
PLEASE REFER TO THE FOOTNOTES ON PAGE 72.
64
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
---------------- ---------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL NET ASSET RATIO OF RATIO OF NET
DIVIDENDS VALUE, NET ASSETS, EXPENSES INCOME (LOSS)
AND END OF TOTAL END OF PERIOD TO AVERAGE TO AVERAGE PORTFOLIO
FISCAL YEAR OR PERIOD DISTRIBUTIONS PERIOD RETURN(A) (000'S OMITTED) NET ASSETS NET ASSETS TURNOVER RATE
- --------------------- ------------- ------------- -------- -------------- ----------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ALLIANCE QUASAR FUND
CLASS A
10/1/98 to 3/31/99+++ $(1.01) $ 23.24 9.07% $ 540,632 1.67%* (.69)%* 49%
Year ended 9/30/98 (1.23) 22.27 (23.45) 495,070 1.61(f) (.59) 109
Year ended 9/30/97 (4.11) 30.37 27.81 402,081 1.67 (.91) 135
Year ended 9/30/96 (4.81) 27.92 42.42 229,798 1.79 (1.11) 168
Year ended 9/30/95 (3.86) 24.16 30.73 146,663 1.83 (1.06) 160
Year ended 9/30/94 (.82) 22.65 (4.05) 155,470 1.67 (1.15) 110
CLASS B
10/1/98 to 3/31/99+++ $(1.01) $ 20.87 8.67% $ 629,718 2.44%* (1.47)%* 49%
Year ended 9/30/98 (1.23) 20.17 (24.03) 625,147 2.39(f) (1.36) 109
Year ended 9/30/97 (4.11) 27.83 26.70 503,037 2.51 (1.73) 135
Year ended 9/30/96 (4.81) 26.13 41.48 112,490 2.62 (1.96) 168
Year ended 9/30/95 (3.86) 23.03 29.78 16,604 2.65 (1.88) 160
Year ended 9/30/94 (.82) 21.92 (4.92) 13,901 2.50 (1.98) 110
CLASS C
10/1/98 to 3/31/99+++ $(1.01) $ 20.89 8.71% $ 185,632 2.43%* (1.45)%* 49%
Year ended 9/30/98 (1.23) 20.18 (24.05) 182,110 2.38(f) (1.35) 109
Year ended 9/30/97 (4.11) 27.85 26.74 145,494 2.50 (1.72) 135
Year ended 9/30/96 (4.81) 26.14 41.46 28,541 2.61 (1.94) 168
Year ended 9/30/95 (3.86) 23.05 29.87 1,611 2.64 (1.76) 160
Year ended 9/30/94 (.82) 21.92 (4.92) 1,220 2.48 (1.96) 110
THE ALLIANCE FUND
CLASS A
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $ (.39) $ 6.97 24.97% $1,075,099 1.08%* (.40)%* 53%
Year ended 11/30/98 (2.17) 5.97 (8.48) 953,181 1.03 (.36) 106
Year ended 11/30/97 (1.08) 8.70 31.82 1,201,435 1.03 (.29) 158
Year ended 11/30/96 (1.09) 7.71 16.49 999,067 1.04 .30 80
Year ended 11/30/95 (1.01) 7.72 37.87 945,309 1.08 .31 81
1/1/94 to 11/30/94** 0.00 6.63 (3.21) 760,679 1.05* .21* 63
CLASS B
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $ (.39) $ 6.37 24.47% $ 94,466 1.90%* (1.22)%* 53%
Year ended 11/30/98 (2.17) 5.51 (9.27) 85,456 1.84 (1.17) 106
Year ended 11/30/97 (1.06) 8.25 30.74 70,461 1.85 (1.12) 158
Year ended 11/30/96 (1.07) 7.40 15.47 44,450 1.87 (.53) 80
Year ended 11/30/95 (1.00) 7.49 36.61 31,738 1.90 (.53) 81
1/1/94 to 11/30/94** 0.00 6.50 (3.85) 18,138 1.89* (.60)* 63
CLASS C
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $ (.39) $ 6.36 24.52% $ 31,427 1.87%* (1.21)%* 53%
Year ended 11/30/98 (2.17) 5.50 (9.58) 21,231 1.84 (1.18) 106
Year ended 11/30/97 (1.06) 8.26 30.72 18,871 1.83 (1.10) 158
Year ended 11/30/96 (1.07) 7.41 15.48 13,899 1.86 (.51) 80
Year ended 11/30/95 (1.00) 7.50 36.79 10,078 1.89 (.51) 81
1/1/94 to 11/30/94** 0.00 6.50 (3.99) 6,230 1.87* (.59)* 63
5/3/93++ to 12/31/93 (.76) 6.77 13.95 4,006 1.94* (.74)* 66
ALLIANCE GROWTH AND
INCOME FUND
CLASS A
11/1/98 to 4/30/99+++ $ (.37) $ 3.80 23.08% $1,283,362 .95%* .91%* 29%
Year ended 10/31/98 (.50) 3.44 14.70 988,965 .93(f) .96 89
Year ended 10/31/97 (.43) 3.48 33.28 787,566 .92(f) 1.39 88
Year ended 10/31/96 (.26) 3.00 21.51 553,151 .97 1.73 88
Year ended 10/31/95 (.18) 2.71 24.21 458,158 1.05 1.88 142
Year ended 10/31/94 (.24) 2.35 (.67) 414,386 1.03 2.36 68
CLASS B
11/1/98 to 4/30/99+++ $ (.36) $ 3.76 22.56% $1,231,085 1.73%* .14%* 29%
Year ended 10/31/98 (.48) 3.41 14.07 787,730 1.72(f) .17 89
Year ended 10/31/97 (.41) 3.45 31.83 456,399 1.72(f) .56 88
Year ended 10/31/96 (.24) 2.99 21.20 235,263 1.78 .91 88
Year ended 10/31/95 (.15) 2.69 22.84 136,758 1.86 1.05 142
Year ended 10/31/94 (.22) 2.34 (1.50) 102,546 1.85 1.56 68
CLASS C
11/1/98 to 4/30/99+++ $ (.36) $ 3.76 22.56% $ 299,123 1.71%* .16%* 29%
Year ended 10/31/98 (.48) 3.41 14.07 179,487 1.72(f) .18 89
Year ended 10/31/97 (.41) 3.45 31.83 106,526 1.71(f) .58 88
Year ended 10/31/96 (.24) 2.99 20.72 61,356 1.76 .93 88
Year ended 10/31/95 (.15) 2.70 23.30 35,835 1.84 1.04 142
Year ended 10/31/94 (.22) 2.34 (1.50) 19,395 1.84 1.61 68
</TABLE>
65
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS LESS DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------
NET GAINS
NET ASSET OR LOSSES ON DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTIONS
VALUE, SECURITIES TOTAL FROM FROM NET IN EXCESS OF DISTRIBUTIONS
BEGINNING NET INVESTMENT (BOTH REALIZED INVESTMENT INVESTMENT NET INVESTMENT FROM
FISCAL YEAR OR PERIOD OF PERIOD INCOME (LOSS) AND UNREALIZED) OPERATIONS INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
- --------------------- --------- -------------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ALLIANCE BALANCED SHARES
CLASS A
Year ended 7/31/99 $15.97 $ .36(b) $ 1.29 $ 1.65 $ (.34) $0.00 $(1.65)
Year ended 7/31/98 16.17 .33(b) 1.86 2.19 (.32) 0.00 (2.07)
Year ended 7/31/97 14.01 .31(b) 3.97 4.28 (.32) 0.00 (1.80)
Year ended 7/31/96 15.08 .37 .45 .82 (.41) 0.00 (1.48)
Year ended 7/31/95 13.38 .46 1.62 2.08 (.36) 0.00 (.02)
CLASS B
Year ended 7/31/99 $15.54 $ .23(b) $ 1.25 $ 1.48 $ (.26) $0.00 $(1.65)
Year ended 7/31/98 15.83 .21(b) 1.81 2.02 (.24) 0.00 (2.07)
Year ended 7/31/97 13.79 .19(b) 3.89 4.08 (.24) 0.00 (1.80)
Year ended 7/31/96 14.88 .28 .42 .70 (.31) 0.00 (1.48)
Year ended 7/31/95 13.23 .30 1.65 1.95 (.28) 0.00 (.02)
CLASS C
Year ended 7/31/99 $15.57 $ .24(b) $ 1.25 $ 1.49 $ (.26) $0.00 $(1.65)
Year ended 7/31/98 15.86 .21(b) 1.81 2.02 (.24) 0.00 (2.07)
Year ended 7/31/97 13.81 .20(b) 3.89 4.09 (.24) 0.00 (1.80)
Year ended 7/31/96 14.89 .26 .45 .71 (.31) 0.00 (1.48)
Year ended 7/31/95 13.24 .30 1.65 1.95 (.28) 0.00 (.02)
ALLIANCE UTILITY INCOME FUND
CLASS A
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $14.68 $ .17(b)(c) $ 2.37 $ 2.54 $ (.16) $0.00 $ (.34)
Year ended 11/30/98 12.48 .30(b)(c) 2.69 2.99 (.32) 0.00 (.47)
Year ended 11/30/97 10.59 .32(b)(c) 2.04 2.36 (.34) 0.00 (.13)
Year ended 11/30/96 10.22 .18(b)(c) .65 .83 (.46) 0.00 0.00
Year ended 11/30/95 8.97 .27(c) 1.43 1.70 (.45) 0.00 0.00
Year ended 11/30/94 9.92 .42(c) (.89) (.47) (.48) 0.00 0.00
CLASS B
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $14.62 $ .12(b)(c) $ 2.36 $ 2.48 $ (.12) $0.00 $ (.34)
Year ended 11/30/98 12.46 .21(b)(c) 2.67 2.88 (.25) 0.00 (.47)
Year ended 11/30/97 10.57 .25(b)(c) 2.04 2.29 (.27) 0.00 (.13)
Year ended 11/30/96 10.20 .10(b)(c) .67 .77 (.40) 0.00 0.00
Year ended 11/30/95 8.96 .18(c) 1.45 1.63 (.39) 0.00 0.00
Year ended 11/30/94 9.91 .37(c) (.91) (.54) (.41) 0.00 0.00
CLASS C
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $14.65 $ .12(b)(c) $ 2.35 $ 2.47 $ (.12) $0.00 $ (.34)
Year ended 11/30/98 12.47 .21(b)(c) 2.69 2.90 (.25) 0.00 (.47)
Year ended 11/30/97 10.59 .25(b)(c) 2.03 2.28 (.27) 0.00 (.13)
Year ended 11/30/96 10.22 .11(b)(c) .66 .77 (.40) 0.00 0.00
Year ended 11/30/95 8.97 .18(c) 1.46 1.64 (.39) 0.00 0.00
Year ended 11/30/94 9.92 .39(c) (.93) (.54) (.41) 0.00 0.00
ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE
INVESTMENT FUND
CLASS A
Year ended 8/31/99 $10.47 $ .46(b) $ (.06) $ .40 $ (.48)(g) $ .10 $ (.10)
Year ended 8/31/98 12.80 .52(b) (2.33) (1.81) (.51) 0.00 (.01)
10/1/96+ to 8/31/97 10.00 .30(b) 2.88 3.18 (.38)(g) 0.00 0.00
CLASS B
Year ended 8/31/99 $10.44 $ .38(b) $ (.05) $ .33 $ (.40)(g) $ .10 $ (.10)
Year ended 8/31/98 12.79 .42(b) (2.33) (1.91) (.43) 0.00 (.01)
10/1/96+ to 8/31/97 10.00 .23(b) 2.89 3.12 (.33)(g) 0.00 0.00
CLASS C
Year ended 8/31/99 $10.44 $ .38(b) $ (.05) $ .33 $ (.40)(g) $ .10 $ (.10)
Year ended 8/31/98 12.79 .42(b) (2.33) (1.91) (.43) 0.00 (.01)
10/1/96+ to 8/31/97 10.00 .23(b) 2.89 3.12 (.33)(g) 0.00 0.00
ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE FUND
CLASS A
Year ended 7/31/99 $21.85 $ .07(b) $ (.79) $ (.72) $0.00 $0.00 $(2.56)
Year ended 7/31/98 18.61 .05(b) 5.28 5.33 0.00 (.04) (2.05)
Year ended 7/31/97 15.84 .07(b) 4.20 4.27 (.15) (.03) (1.32)
Year ended 7/31/96 15.11 .18 1.02 1.20 0.00 0.00 (.47)
Year ended 7/31/95 12.66 .04 2.50 2.54 (.09) 0.00 0.00
CLASS B
Year ended 7/31/99 $20.76 $(.06)(b) $ (.75) $ (.81) $0.00 $0.00 $(2.56)
Year ended 7/31/98 17.87 (.08)(b) 5.02 4.94 0.00 0.00 (2.05)
Year ended 7/31/97 15.31 (.04)(b) 4.02 3.98 0.00 (.10) (1.32)
Year ended 7/31/96 14.71 .08 .99 1.07 0.00 0.00 (.47)
Year ended 7/31/95 12.41 (.05) 2.44 2.39 (.09) 0.00 0.00
CLASS C
Year ended 7/31/99 $20.77 $(.05)(b) $ (.75) $ (.80) $0.00 $0.00 $(2.56)
Year ended 7/31/98 17.89 (.08)(b) 5.01 4.93 0.00 0.00 (2.05)
Year ended 7/31/97 15.33 (.04)(b) 4.02 3.98 0.00 (.10) (1.32)
Year ended 7/31/96 14.72 .08 1.00 1.08 0.00 0.00 (.47)
Year ended 7/31/95 12.42 (.07) 2.46 2.39 (.09) 0.00 0.00
</TABLE>
PLEASE REFER TO THE FOOTNOTES ON PAGE 72.
66
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
---------------- ---------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL NET ASSET RATIO OF RATIO OF NET
DIVIDENDS VALUE, NET ASSETS, EXPENSES INCOME (LOSS)
AND END OF TOTAL END OF PERIOD TO AVERAGE TO AVERAGE PORTFOLIO
FISCAL YEAR OR PERIOD DISTRIBUTIONS PERIOD RETURN(A) (000'S OMITTED) NET ASSETS NET ASSETS TURNOVER RATE
- --------------------- ------------- ------------- -------- -------------- ----------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ALLIANCE BALANCED SHARES
CLASS A
Year ended 7/31/99 $(1.99) $15.63 11.44% $ 189,953 1.22%(f) 2.31% 105%
Year ended 7/31/98 (2.39) 15.97 14.99 123,623 1.30(f) 2.07 145
Year ended 7/31/97 (2.12) 16.17 33.46 115,500 1.47(f) 2.11 207
Year ended 7/31/96 (1.89) 14.01 5.23 102,567 1.38 2.41 227
Year ended 7/31/95 (.38) 15.08 15.99 122,033 1.32 3.12 179
CLASS B
Year ended 7/31/99 $(1.91) $15.11 10.56% $ 136,384 1.97%(f) 1.56% 105%
Year ended 7/31/98 (2.31) 15.54 14.13 47,728 2.06(f) 1.34 145
Year ended 7/31/97 (2.04) 15.83 32.34 24,192 2.25(f) 1.32 207
Year ended 7/31/96 (1.79) 13.79 4.45 18,393 2.16 1.61 227
Year ended 7/31/95 (.30) 14.88 15.07 15,080 2.11 2.30 179
CLASS C
Year ended 7/31/99 $(1.91) $15.15 10.60% $ 63,517 1.96%(f) 1.57% 105%
Year ended 7/31/98 (2.31) 15.57 14.09 10,855 2.05(f) 1.36 145
Year ended 7/31/97 (2.04) 15.86 32.37 5,510 2.23(f) 1.37 207
Year ended 7/31/96 (1.79) 13.81 4.52 6,096 2.15 1.63 227
Year ended 7/31/95 (.30) 14.89 15.06 5,108 2.09 2.32 179
ALLIANCE UTILITY INCOME FUND
CLASS A
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $ (.50) $16.72 17.77% $ 17,414 1.51%* 2.23%* 4%
Year ended 11/30/98 (.79) 14.68 24.99 9,793 1.50(d) 2.23 16
Year ended 11/30/97 (.47) 12.48 23.10 4,117 1.50(d) 2.89 37
Year ended 11/30/96 (.46) 10.59 8.47 3,294 1.50(d) 1.67 98
Year ended 11/30/95 (.45) 10.22 19.58 2,748 1.50(d) 2.48 162
Year ended 11/30/94 (.48) 8.97 (4.86) 1,068 1.50(d) 4.13 30
CLASS B
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $ (.46) $16.64 17.42% $ 59,339 2.21%* 1.53%* 4%
Year ended 11/30/98 (.72) 14.62 24.02 35,550 2.20(d) 1.56 16
Year ended 11/30/97 (.40) 12.46 22.35 14,782 2.20(d) 2.27 37
Year ended 11/30/96 (.40) 10.57 7.82 13,561 2.20(d) .95 98
Year ended 11/30/95 (.39) 10.20 18.66 10,988 2.20(d) 1.60 162
Year ended 11/30/94 (.41) 8.96 (5.59) 2,353 2.20(d) 3.53 30
CLASS C
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $ (.46) $16.66 17.32% $ 13,631 2.21%* 1.55%* 4%
Year ended 11/30/98 (.72) 14.65 24.16 7,298 2.20(d) 1.54 16
Year ended 11/30/97 (.40) 12.47 22.21 3,413 2.20(d) 2.27 37
Year ended 11/30/96 (.40) 10.59 7.81 3,376 2.20(d) .94 98
Year ended 11/30/95 (.39) 10.22 18.76 3,500 2.20(d) 1.88 162
Year ended 11/30/94 (.41) 8.97 (5.58) 2,651 2.20(d) 3.60 30
ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE
INVESTMENT FUND
CLASS A
Year ended 8/31/99 $ (.68) $10.19 3.86% $ 35,299 1.58% 4.57% 29%
Year ended 8/31/98 (.52) 10.47 (14.90) 51,214 1.55 3.87 23
10/1/96+ to 8/31/97 (.38) 12.80 32.24 37,638 1.77*(f) 2.73* 20
CLASS B
Year ended 8/31/99 $ (.60) $10.17 3.20% $ 168,741 2.31% 3.82% 29%
Year ended 8/31/98 (.44) 10.44 (15.56) 268,856 2.26 3.16 23
10/1/96+ to 8/31/97 (.33) 12.79 31.49 186,802 2.44*(f) 2.08* 20
CLASS C
Year ended 8/31/99 $ (.60) $10.17 3.20% $ 44,739 2.30% 3.77% 29%
Year ended 8/31/98 (.44) 10.44 (15.56) 69,575 2.26 3.15 23
10/1/96+ to 8/31/97 (.33) 12.79 31.49 42,719 2.43*(f) 2.06* 20
ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE FUND
CLASS A
Year ended 7/31/99 $(2.56) $18.57 (2.87)% $ 125,729 1.80%(f) .39% 89%
Year ended 7/31/98 (2.09) 21.85 32.21 130,777 1.85(f) .25 99
Year ended 7/31/97 (1.50) 18.61 28.78 78,578 2.05(f) .40 89
Year ended 7/31/96 (.47) 15.84 8.20 74,026 2.14 1.10 69
Year ended 7/31/95 (.09) 15.11 20.22 86,112 2.09 .37 74
CLASS B
Year ended 7/31/99 $(2.56) $17.39 (3.52)% $ 144,570 2.50%(f) (.34)% 89%
Year ended 7/31/98 (2.05) 20.76 31.22 137,425 2.56(f) (.40) 99
Year ended 7/31/97 (1.42) 17.87 27.76 66,032 2.75(f) (.23) 89
Year ended 7/31/96 (.47) 15.31 7.53 42,662 2.86 .59 69
Year ended 7/31/95 (.09) 14.71 19.42 34,527 2.79 (.33) 74
CLASS C
Year ended 7/31/99 $(2.56) $17.41 (3.46)% $ 45,845 2.50%(f) (.28)% 89%
Year ended 7/31/98 (2.05) 20.77 31.13 39,618 2.56(f) (.41) 99
Year ended 7/31/97 (1.42) 17.89 27.73 16,907 2.74(f) (.23) 89
Year ended 7/31/96 (.47) 15.33 7.59 10,141 2.87 .58 69
Year ended 7/31/95 (.09) 14.72 19.40 7,802 2.78 (.33) 74
</TABLE>
67
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS LESS DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------
NET GAINS
NET ASSET OR LOSSES ON DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTIONS
VALUE, SECURITIES TOTAL FROM FROM NET IN EXCESS OF DISTRIBUTIONS
BEGINNING NET INVESTMENT (BOTH REALIZED INVESTMENT INVESTMENT NET INVESTMENT FROM
FISCAL YEAR OR PERIOD OF PERIOD INCOME (LOSS) AND UNREALIZED) OPERATIONS INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
- --------------------- --------- -------------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE
PRIVATIZATION FUND
CLASS A
Year ended 6/30/99 $12.67 $ .00 (b) $ .93 $ .93 $ (.12) $0.00 $(1.64)
Year ended 6/30/98 13.26 .10 (b) .85 .95 (.18) 0.00 (1.36)
Year ended 6/30/97 12.13 .15 (b) 2.55 2.70 (.15) 0.00 (1.42)
Year ended 6/30/96 10.18 .10 (b) 1.85 1.95 0.00 0.00 0.00
Year ended 6/30/95 9.75 .06 .37 .43 0.00 0.00 0.00
CLASS B
Year ended 6/30/99 $12.37 $.(08)(b) $ .89 $ .81 $ (.04) $0.00 $(1.64)
Year ended 6/30/98 13.04 .02(b) .82 .84 (.15) 0.00 (1.36)
Year ended 6/30/97 11.96 .08(b) 2.50 2.58 (.08) 0.00 (1.42)
Year ended 6/30/96 10.10 (.02)(b) 1.88 1.86 0.00 0.00 0.00
Year ended 6/30/95 9.74 .02 .34 .36 0.00 0.00 0.00
CLASS C
Year ended 6/30/99 $12.37 $.(08)(b) $ .89 $ .81 $ (.04) $0.00 $(1.64)
Year ended 6/30/98 13.04 .05 (b) .79 .84 (.15) 0.00 (1.36)
Year ended 6/30/97 11.96 .12 (b) 2.46 2.58 (.08) 0.00 (1.42)
Year ended 6/30/96 10.10 .03(b) 1.83 1.86 0.00 0.00 0.00
2/8/95++ to 6/30/95 9.53 .05 .52 .57 0.00 0.00 0.00
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL
PREMIER GROWTH
CLASS A
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $ 9.63 $(.06)(b)(c) $ .69 $ .63 $0.00 $0.00 $ 0.00
3/3/98+ to 11/30/98 10.00 (.08)(b)(c) (.29) (.37) 0.00 0.00 0.00
CLASS B
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $ 9.58 $(.09)(b)(c) $ .68 $ .59 $0.00 $0.00 $ 0.00
3/3/98+ to 11/30/98 10.00 (.13)(b)(c) (.29) (.42) 0.00 0.00 0.00
CLASS C
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $ 9.57 $(.09)(b)(c) $ .68 $ .59 $0.00 $0.00 $ 0.00
3/3/98+ to 11/30/98 10.00 (.15)(b)(c) (.28) (.43) 0.00 0.00 0.00
ALLIANCE GLOBAL
SMALL CAP FUND
CLASS A
Year ended 7/31/99 $12.14 $(.08)(b) $ .76 $ .68 $0.00 $0.00 $(1.16)
Year ended 7/31/98 12.87 (.11)(b) .37 .26 0.00 0.00 (.99)
Year ended 7/31/97 11.61 (.15)(b) 2.97 2.82 0.00 0.00 (1.56)
Year ended 7/31/96 10.38 (.14)(b) 1.90 1.76 0.00 0.00 (.53)
Year ended 7/31/95 11.08 (.09) 1.50 1.41 0.00 0.00 (2.11)(e)
CLASS B
Year ended 7/31/99 $11.20 $(.15)(b) $ .68 $ .53 $0.00 $0.00 $(1.16)
Year ended 7/31/98 12.03 (.18)(b) .34 .16 0.00 0.00 (.99)
Year ended 7/31/97 11.03 (.21)(b) 2.77 2.56 0.00 0.00 (1.56)
Year ended 7/31/96 9.95 (.20)(b) 1.81 1.61 0.00 0.00 (.53)
Year ended 7/31/95 10.78 (.12) 1.40 1.28 0.00 0.00 (2.11)(e)
CLASS C
Year ended 7/31/99 $11.22 $(.16)(b) $ .69 $ .53 $0.00 $0.00 $(1.16)
Year ended 7/31/98 12.05 (.19)(b) .35 .16 0.00 0.00 (.99)
Year ended 7/31/97 11.05 (.22)(b) 2.78 2.56 0.00 0.00 (1.56)
Year ended 7/31/96 9.96 (.20)(b) 1.82 1.62 0.00 0.00 (.53)
Year ended 7/31/95 10.79 (.17) 1.45 1.28 0.00 0.00 (2.11)(e)
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND
CLASS A
Year ended 6/30/99 $18.55 $(.04)(b)(c) $ (.75) $ (.79) $0.00 $(.48) $(1.04)
Year ended 6/30/98 18.69 (.01)(b)(c) 1.13 1.12 0.00 (.05) (1.21)
Year ended 6/30/97 18.32 .06 (b) 1.51 1.57 (.12) 0.00 (1.08)
Year ended 6/30/96 16.81 .05 (b) 2.51 2.56 0.00 0.00 (1.05)
Year ended 6/30/95 18.38 .04 .01 .05 0.00 0.00 (1.62)
CLASS B
Year ended 6/30/99 $17.41 $(.16)(b)(c) $ (.68) $ (.84) $0.00 $(.34) $(1.04)
Year ended 6/30/98 17.71 (.16)(b)(c) 1.07 .91 0.00 0.00 (1.21)
Year ended 6/30/97 17.45 (.09)(b) 1.43 1.34 0.00 0.00 (1.08)
Year ended 6/30/96 16.19 (.07)(b) 2.38 2.31 0.00 0.00 (1.05)
Year ended 6/30/95 17.90 (.01) (.08) (.09) 0.00 0.00 (1.62)
CLASS C
Year ended 6/30/99 $17.42 $(.16)(b)(c) $ (.69) $ (.85) $0.00 $(.34) $(1.04)
Year ended 6/30/98 17.73 (.15)(b)(c) 1.05 .90 0.00 0.00 (1.21)
Year ended 6/30/97 17.46 (.09)(b) 1.44 1.35 0.00 0.00 (1.08)
Year ended 6/30/96 16.20 (.07)(b) 2.38 2.31 0.00 0.00 (1.05)
Year ended 6/30/95 17.91 (.14) .05 (.09) 0.00 0.00 (1.62)
</TABLE>
PLEASE REFER TO THE FOOTNOTES ON PAGE 72.
68
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
---------------- ---------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL NET ASSET RATIO OF RATIO OF NET
DIVIDENDS VALUE, NET ASSETS, EXPENSES INCOME (LOSS)
AND END OF TOTAL END OF PERIOD TO AVERAGE TO AVERAGE PORTFOLIO
FISCAL YEAR OR PERIOD DISTRIBUTIONS PERIOD RETURN(A) (000'S OMITTED) NET ASSETS NET ASSETS TURNOVER RATE
- --------------------- ------------- ------------- -------- -------------- ----------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE
PRIVATIZATION FUND
CLASS A
Year ended 6/30/99 $(1.76) $11.84 9.86% $ 340,194 1.92%(f) (.01)% 58%
Year ended 6/30/98 (1.54) 12.67 9.11 467,960 1.73 .80 53
Year ended 6/30/97 (1.57) 13.26 25.16 561,793 1.72 1.27 48
Year ended 6/30/96 0.00 12.13 19.16 672,732 1.87 .95 28
Year ended 6/30/95 0.00 10.18 4.41 13,535 2.56 .66 36
CLASS B
Year ended 6/30/99 $(1.68) $11.50 8.91% $ 117,420 2.63%(f) (1.43)% 58%
Year ended 6/30/98 (1.51) 12.37 8.34 156,348 2.45 .20 53
Year ended 6/30/97 (1.50) 13.04 24.34 121,173 2.43 .66 48
Year ended 6/30/96 0.00 11.96 18.42 83,050 2.83 (.20) 28
Year ended 6/30/95 0.00 10.10 3.70 79,359 3.27 .01 36
CLASS C
Year ended 6/30/99 $(1.68) $11.50 8.91% $ 20,397 2.63%(f) (1.44)% 58%
Year ended 6/30/98 (1.51) 12.37 8.34 26,635 2.44 .38 53
Year ended 6/30/97 (1.50) 13.04 24.33 12,929 2.42 1.06 48
Year ended 6/30/96 0.00 11.96 18.42 2,383 2.57 .63 28
2/8/95++ to 6/30/95 0.00 10.10 5.98 338 1.03* 1.04* 36
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL
PREMIER GROWTH
CLASS A
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $ 0.00 $10.26 6.54% $ 10,256 2.52%(d) (1.09)% 121%
3/3/98+ to 11/30/98 0.00 9.63 (3.70) 7,255 2.50*(d) (.90)* 151
CLASS B
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $ 0.00 $10.17 6.16% $ 14,807 3.22%(d) (1.80)% 121%
3/3/98+ to 11/30/98 0.00 9.58 (4.20) 11,710 3.20*(d) (1.41)* 151
CLASS C
12/1/98 to 5/31/99+++ $ 0.00 $10.16 6.16% $ 4,721 3.22%(d) (1.76)% 121%
3/3/98+ to 11/30/98 0.00 9.57 (4.30) 3,120 3.20*(d) (1.69)* 151
ALLIANCE GLOBAL
SMALL CAP FUND
CLASS A
Year ended 7/31/99 $(1.16) $11.66 7.51% $ 77,164 2.37%(f) (.79)% 120%
Year ended 7/31/98 (.99) 12.14 2.49 82,843 2.16(f) (.88) 113
Year ended 7/31/97 (1.56) 12.87 26.47 85,217 2.41(f) (1.25) 129
Year ended 7/31/96 (.53) 11.61 17.46 68,623 2.51 (1.22) 139
Year ended 7/31/95 (2.11) 10.38 16.62 60,057 2.54(d) (1.17) 128
CLASS B
Year ended 7/31/99 $(1.16) $10.57 6.74% $ 30,205 3.14%(f) (1.59)% 120%
Year ended 7/31/98 (.99) 11.20 1.80 38,827 2.88(f) (1.58) 113
Year ended 7/31/97 (1.56) 12.03 25.42 31,946 3.11(f) (1.92) 129
Year ended 7/31/96 (.53) 11.03 16.69 14,247 3.21 (1.88) 139
Year ended 7/31/95 (2.11) 9.95 15.77 5,164 3.20(d) (1.92) 128
CLASS C
Year ended 7/31/99 $(1.16) $10.59 6.72% $ 7,058 3.15%(f) (1.61)% 120%
Year ended 7/31/98 (.99) 11.22 1.79 9,471 2.88(f) (1.59) 113
Year ended 7/31/97 (1.56) 12.05 25.37 8,718 3.10(f) (1.93) 129
Year ended 7/31/96 (.53) 11.05 16.77 4,119 3.19 (1.85) 139
Year ended 7/31/95 (2.11) 9.96 15.75 1,407 3.25(d) (2.10) 128
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND
CLASS A
Year ended 6/30/99 $(1.52) $16.24 (3.95)% $ 78,303 1.80%(d)(f) (.25)%(c) 178%
Year ended 6/30/98 (1.26) 18.55 6.79 131,565 1.65(d) (.05)(c) 121
Year ended 6/30/97 (1.20) 18.69 9.30 190,173 1.74(f) .31 94
Year ended 6/30/96 (1.05) 18.32 15.83 196,261 1.72 .31 78
Year ended 6/30/95 (1.62) 16.81 .59 165,584 1.73 .26 119
CLASS B
Year ended 6/30/99 $(1.38) $15.19 (4.56)% $ 55,724 2.61%(d)(f) (1.02)%(c) 178%
Year ended 6/30/98 (1.21) 17.41 5.92 71,370 2.49(d) (.90)(c) 121
Year ended 6/30/97 (1.08) 17.71 8.37 77,725 2.58(f) (.51) 94
Year ended 6/30/96 (1.05) 17.45 14.87 72,470 2.55% (.46) 78
Year ended 6/30/95 (1.62) 16.19 (.22) 48,998 2.57 (.62) 119
CLASS C
Year ended 6/30/99 $(1.38) $15.19 (4.62)% $ 16,876 2.61%(d)(f) (1.02)%(c) 178%
Year ended 6/30/98 (1.21) 17.42 5.85 20,428 2.48(d) (.90)(c) 121
Year ended 6/30/97 (1.08) 17.73 8.42 23,268 2.56(f) (.51) 94
Year ended 6/30/96 (1.05) 17.46 14.85 26,965 2.53 (.47) 78
Year ended 6/30/95 (1.62) 16.20 (.22) 19,395 2.54 (.88) 119
</TABLE>
69
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS LESS DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------
NET GAINS
NET ASSET OR LOSSES ON DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTIONS
VALUE, SECURITIES TOTAL FROM FROM NET IN EXCESS OF DISTRIBUTIONS
BEGINNING NET INVESTMENT (BOTH REALIZED INVESTMENT INVESTMENT NET INVESTMENT FROM
FISCAL YEAR OR PERIOD OF PERIOD INCOME (LOSS) AND UNREALIZED) OPERATIONS INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
- --------------------- --------- -------------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ALLIANCE GREATER
CHINA '97 FUND
CLASS A
Year ended 7/31/99 $ 4.84 $ .02(b)(c) $ 3.34 $ 3.36 $0.00 $0.00 $ 0.00
9/3/97+ to 7/31/98 10.00 .08(b)(c) (5.18) (5.10) (.06) 0.00 0.00
CLASS B
Year ended 7/31/99 $ 4.82 $(.01)(b)(c) $ 3.31 $ 3.30 $0.00 $0.00 $ 0.00
9/3/97+ to 7/31/98 10.00 .03(b)(c) (5.17) (5.14) (.03) (.01) 0.00
CLASS C
Year ended 7/31/99 $ 4.82 $(.03)(b)(c) $ 3.32 $ 3.29 $0.00 $0.00 $ 0.00
9/3/97+ to 7/31/98 10.00 .03(b)(c) (5.17) (5.14) (.03) (.01) 0.00
ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA
INVESTMENT FUND
CLASS A
11/1/98 to 4/30/99+++ $ 5.86 $(.07)(b)(c) $ 1.88 $ 1.81 $0.00 $0.00 $ 0.00
Year ended 10/31/98 7.54 (.10)(b)(c) (1.58) (1.68) 0.00 0.00 0.00
Year ended 10/31/97 11.04 (.21)(b)(c) (2.95) (3.16) 0.00 0.00 (.34)
Year ended 10/31/96 10.45 (.21)(b)(c) .88 .67 0.00 0.00 (.08)
11/28/94+ to 10/31/95 10.00 (.19)(c)(b) .64 .45 0.00 0.00 0.00
CLASS B
11/1/98 to 4/30/99+++ $ 5.71 $(.09)(b)(c) $ 1.82 $ 1.73 $0.00 $0.00 $ 0.00
Year ended 10/31/98 7.39 (.14)(b)(c) (1.54) (1.68) 0.00 0.00 0.00
Year ended 10/31/97 10.90 (.28)(b)(c) (2.89) (3.17) 0.00 0.00 (.34)
Year ended 10/31/96 10.41 (.28)(b)(c) .85 .57 0.00 0.00 (.08)
11/28/94+ to 10/31/95 10.00 (.25)(b)(c) .66 .41 0.00 0.00 0.00
CLASS C
11/1/98 to 4/30/99+++ $ 5.72 $(.09)(b)(c) $ 1.83 $ 1.74 $0.00 $0.00 $ 0.00
Year ended 10/31/98 7.40 (.14)(b)(c) (1.54) (1.68) 0.00 0.00 0.00
Year ended 10/31/97 10.91 (.27)(b)(c) (2.90) (3.17) 0.00 0.00 (.34)
Year ended 10/31/96 10.41 (.28)(b)(c) .86 .58 0.00 0.00 (.08)
11/28/94+ to 10/31/95 10.00 (.35)(b)(c) .76 .41 0.00 0.00 0.00
ALLIANCE GLOBAL
ENVIRONMENT FUND (H)
CLASS A
11/1/98 to 4/30/99+++ $ 8.34 $(.11)(b)(c) $ 1.44 $ 1.33 $0.00 $0.00 $(3.10)
Year ended 10/31/98 18.77 (.24)(b) (1.12) (1.36) 0.00 0.00 (9.07)
Year ended 10/31/97 16.48 (.23)(b) 3.65 3.42 0.00 0.00 (1.13)
Year ended 10/31/96 12.37 (.13)(b) 4.26 4.13 (.02) 0.00 0.00
Year ended 10/31/95 11.74 .03 .60 .63 0.00 0.00 0.00
Year ended 10/31/94 10.97 0.00 .77 .77 0.00 0.00 0.00
CLASS B
11/1/98 to 4/30/99+++ $ 8.30 $(.13)(b)(c) $ 1.43 $ 1.30 $0.00 $0.00 $(3.10)
Year ended 10/31/98 18.76 (.27)(b) (1.12) (1.39) 0.00 0.00 (9.07)
10/3/97++ to 10/31/97 19.92 (.20)(b) (.96) (1.16) 0.00 0.00 0.00
CLASS C
11/1/98 to 4/30/99+++ $ 8.27 $(.12)(b)(c) $ 1.41 $ 1.29 $0.00 $0.00 $(3.10)
11/5/97++ to 10/31/98 19.15 (.27)(b) (1.54) (1.81) 0.00 0.00 (9.07)
</TABLE>
PLEASE REFER TO THE FOOTNOTES ON PAGE 72.
70
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
---------------- ---------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL NET ASSET RATIO OF RATIO OF NET
DIVIDENDS VALUE, NET ASSETS, EXPENSES INCOME (LOSS)
AND END OF TOTAL END OF PERIOD TO AVERAGE TO AVERAGE PORTFOLIO
FISCAL YEAR OR PERIOD DISTRIBUTIONS PERIOD RETURN(A) (000'S OMITTED) NET ASSETS NET ASSETS TURNOVER RATE
- --------------------- ------------- ------------- -------- -------------- ----------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ALLIANCE GREATER
CHINA '97 FUND
CLASS A
Year ended 7/31/99 $ 0.00 $ 8.20 69.42% $ 1,011 2.52%(d)(f) .36% 94%
9/3/97+ to 7/31/98 (.06) 4.84 (51.20) 445 2.52(d)(f)* 1.20* 58
CLASS B
Year ended 7/31/99 $ 0.00 $ 8.12 68.46% $ 1,902 3.22%(d)(f) (.22)% 94%
9/3/97+ to 7/31/98 (.04) 4.82 (51.53) 1,551 3.22(d)(f)* .53* 58
CLASS C
Year ended 7/31/99 $ 0.00 $ 8.11 68.26% $ 162 3.22%(d)(f) (.49)% 94%
9/3/97+ to 7/31/98 (.04) 4.82 (51.53) 102 3.22(d)(f)* .50* 58
ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA
INVESTMENT FUND
CLASS A
11/1/98 to 4/30/99+++ $ 0.00 $ 7.67 30.89% $ 6,878 3.03%* (2.24)%* 210%
Year ended 10/31/98 0.00 5.86 (22.28) 3,778 3.74(d)(f) (1.50) 93
Year ended 10/31/97 (.34) 7.54 (29.61) 5,916 3.45(d) (1.97) 70
Year ended 10/31/96 (.08) 11.04 6.43 12,284 3.37*(d) (1.75) 66
11/28/94+ to 10/31/95 0.00 10.45 4.50 2,870 4.42*(d) (1.87)* 90
CLASS B
11/1/98 to 4/30/99+++ $ 0.00 $ 7.44 30.30% $ 13,042 3.73%* (2.94)%* 210%
Year ended 10/31/98 0.00 5.71 (22.73) 8,844 4.49(d)(f) (2.22) 93
Year ended 10/31/97 (.34) 7.39 (30.09) 11,439 4.15(d) (2.67) 70
Year ended 10/31/96 (.08) 10.90 5.49 23,784 4.07(d) (2.44) 66
11/28/94+ to 10/31/95 0.00 10.41 4.10 5,170 5.20*(d) (2.64)* 90
CLASS C
11/1/98 to 4/30/99+++ $ 0.00 $ 7.46 30.42% $ 3,262 3.73%* (2.95)%* 210%
Year ended 10/31/98 0.00 5.72 (22.70) 1,717 4.48(d)(f) (2.20) 93
Year ended 10/31/97 (.34) 7.40 (30.06) 1,859 4.15(d) (2.66) 70
Year ended 10/31/96 (.08) 10.91 5.59 4,228 4.07(d) (2.42) 66
11/28/94+ to 10/31/95 0.00 10.41 4.10 597 5.84*(d) (3.41)* 90
ALLIANCE GLOBAL
ENVIRONMENT FUND (H)
CLASS A
11/1/98 to 4/30/99+++ $(3.10) $ 6.57 25.60% $ 10,500 4.12%* (3.56)%* 86%
Year ended 10/31/98 (9.07) 8.34 (10.51) 13,295 2.80(f) (2.27) 205
Year ended 10/31/97 (1.13) 18.77 23.51 52,378 2.39 (1.35) 145
Year ended 10/31/96 (.02) 16.48 33.48 100,271 1.60 (.85) 268
Year ended 10/31/95 0.00 12.37 5.37 85,416 1.57 .21 109
Year ended 10/31/94 0.00 11.74 7.02 81,102 1.67 (.04) 42
CLASS B
11/1/98 to 4/30/99+++ $(3.10) $ 6.50 25.22% $ 220 4.78%* (4.22)%* 86%
Year ended 10/31/98 (9.07) 8.30 (10.79) 152 3.52(f) (2.93) 205
10/3/97++ to 10/31/97 0.00 18.76 (5.82) 235 20.84* (1.03)* 145
CLASS C
11/1/98 to 4/30/99+++ $(3.10) $ 6.46 25.18% $ 39 4.61%* (4.07)%* 86%
11/5/97++ to 10/31/98 (9.07) 8.27 (12.88) 31 3.39(f)* (2.75)* 205
</TABLE>
71
+ COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS.
++ COMMENCEMENT OF DISTRIBUTION.
+++ UNAUDITED.
* ANNUALIZED.
** REFLECTS A CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR END.
(A) TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN IS CALCULATED ASSUMING AN INITIAL INVESTMENT MADE
AT THE NET ASSET VALUE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD, REINVESTMENT OF ALL
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS AT THE NET ASSET VALUE DURING THE PERIOD, AND A
REDEMPTION ON THE LAST DAY OF THE PERIOD. INITIAL SALES CHARGES OR CONTINGENT
DEFERRED SALES CHARGES ARE NOT REFLECTED IN THE CALCULATION OF TOTAL INVESTMENT
RETURN. TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURNS CALCULATED FOR PERIODS OF LESS THAN ONE YEAR
ARE NOT ANNUALIZED.
(B) BASED ON AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING.
(C) NET OF FEE WAIVER AND EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT.
(D) NET OF EXPENSES ASSUMED AND/OR WAIVED/REIMBURSED. IF THE FOLLOWING FUNDS
HAD BORNE ALL EXPENSES IN THEIR MOST RECENT FIVE FISCAL YEARS, THEIR EXPENSE
RATIOS, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE EXPENSE OFFSET ARRANGEMENT DESCRIBED IN
(F) BELOW, WOULD HAVE BEEN AS FOLLOWS:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA
INVESTMENT FUND
CLASS A - 10.57%* 3.61% 3.57% 4.63% -
CLASS B - 11.32%* 4.33% 4.27% 5.39% -
CLASS C - 11.38%* 4.30% 4.27% 5.42% -
ALLIANCE GROWTH
FUND
CLASS A 1.46% - - - - -
CLASS B 2.13% - - - - -
CLASS C 2.13%* - - - - -
ALLIANCE GLOBAL
SMALL CAP FUND
CLASS A - 2.61% - - - -
CLASS B - 3.27% - - - -
CLASS C - 3.31% - - - -
ALLIANCE UTILITY
INCOME FUND
CLASS A 13.72% 4.86%* 3.38% 3.55% 2.48% -
CLASS B 14.42% 5.34%* 4.08% 4.28% 3.21% -
CLASS C 14.42% 5.99%* 4.07% 4.28% 3.22% -
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL
FUND
CLASS A - - - - 1.80% 1.91%
CLASS B - - - - 2.64% 2.74%
CLASS C - - - - 2.63% 2.75%
ALLIANCE GREATER
CHINA '97 FUND
CLASS A - - - - 18.27%* 19.68%
CLASS B - - - - 19.18%* 20.22%
CLASS C - - - - 19.37%* 20.41%
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL
PREMIER GROWTH FUND
CLASS A - - - - 5.19% 3.75%
CLASS B - - - - 6.14% 4.43%
CLASS C - - - - 6.00% 4.44%
</TABLE>
FOR THE EXPENSE RATIOS OF THE FUNDS IN YEARS PRIOR TO FISCAL YEAR 1994,
ASSUMING THE FUNDS HAD BORNE ALL EXPENSES, PLEASE SEE THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
IN EACH FUND'S STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
(E) "DISTRIBUTIONS FROM NET REALIZED GAINS" INCLUDES A RETURN OF CAPITAL OF
$(.12).
(F) AMOUNTS DO NOT REFLECT THE IMPACT OF EXPENSE OFFSET ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE
TRANSFER AGENT. TAKING INTO ACCOUNT SUCH EXPENSE OFFSET ARRANGEMENTS, THE RATIO
OF EXPENSES TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS, ASSUMING THE ASSUMPTION AND/OR
WAIVER/REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES DESCRIBED IN (D) ABOVE, WOULD HAVE BEEN AS
FOLLOWS:
ALLIANCE BALANCED
SHARES 1997 1998 1999
CLASS A 1.46% 1.29% 1.21%
CLASS B 2.24% 2.05% 1.96%
CLASS C 2.22% 2.04% 1.94%
ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE
INVESTMENT FUND 1997 1998 1999
CLASS A 1.77% -
CLASS B 2.43% -
CLASS C 2.42% -
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND 1997 1998 1999
CLASS A 1.25% 1.21% -
CLASS B 1.95% 1.93% -
CLASS C 1.95% 1.92% -
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL
FUND 1997 1998 1999
CLASS A 1.73% - 1.78%
CLASS B 2.58% - 2.59%
CLASS C 2.56% - 2.59%
ALLIANCE GLOBAL
SMALL CAP FUND 1997 1998 1999
CLASS A 2.38% 2.14% 2.33%
CLASS B 3.08% 2.86% 3.11%
CLASS C 3.08% 2.85% 3.12%
ALLIANCE TECHNOLOGY
FUND 1997 1998 1999
CLASS A 1.66% 1.65% -
CLASS B 2.36% 2.38% -
CLASS C 2.37% 2.38% -
ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE
PRIVATIZATION FUND 1997 1998 1999
CLASS A - - 1.91%
CLASS B - - 2.62%
CLASS C - - 2.61%
ALLIANCE GREATER
CHINA '97 FUND 1997 1998 1999
CLASS A - 2.50% 2.50%
CLASS B - 3.20% 3.20%
CLASS C - 3.20% 3.20%
ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE
FUND 1997 1998 1999
CLASS A 2.04% 1.84% 1.78%
CLASS B 2.74% 2.54% 2.49%
CLASS C 2.73% 2.54% 2.49%
ALLIANCE GROWTH AND
INCOME FUND 1997 1998 1999
CLASS A .91% .92% -
CLASS B 1.71% 1.71% -
CLASS C 1.70% 1.71% -
ALLIANCE QUASAR FUND 1997 1998 1999
CLASS A - 1.60% -
CLASS B - 2.38% -
CLASS C - 2.37% -
ALLIANCE PREMIER
GROWTH FUND 1997 1998 1999
CLASS A - 1.58% -
CLASS B - 2.27% -
CLASS C - 2.27% -
ALLIANCE GLOBAL
ENVIRONMENT 1997 1998 1999
CLASS A - 2.79% -
CLASS B - 3.51% -
CLASS C - 3.38% -
ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA 1997 1998 1999
CLASS A - 3.70% -
CLASS B - 4.44% -
CLASS C - 4.44% -
(G) DISTRIBUTIONS FROM NET INVESTMENT INCOME FOR THE YEARS ENDED 1999 AND 1997
INCLUDE A TAX RETURN OF CAPITAL OF $.02 AND $.08 FOR CLASS A SHARES, $.02 AND
$.09 FOR CLASS B SHARES AND $.02 AND $.08 FOR CLASS C SHARES, RESPECTIVELY.
(H) ALLIANCE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FUND OPERATED AS A CLOSED-END INVESTMENT
COMPANY THROUGH OCTOBER 3, 1997, WHEN IT CONVERTED TO AN OPEN-END INVESTMENT
COMPANY AND ALL SHARES OF ITS COMMON STOCK THEN OUTSTANDING WERE RECLASSIFIED
AS CLASS A SHARES.
72
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPENDIX A
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following is additional information about the United Kingdom, Japan and
Greater China countries.
INVESTMENT IN UNITED KINGDOM ISSUERS. Investment in securities of United
Kingdom issuers involves certain considerations not present with investment in
securities of U.S. issuers. As with any investment not denominated in the U.S.
Dollar, the U.S. dollar value of the Fund's investment denominated in the
British pound sterling will fluctuate with pound sterling-dollar exchange rate
movements. Between 1972, when the pound sterling was allowed to float against
other currencies, and the end of 1992, the pound sterling generally depreciated
against most major currencies, including the U.S. Dollar. Between September and
December 1992, after the United Kingdom's exit from the Exchange Rate Mechanism
of the European Monetary System, the value of the pound sterling fell by almost
20% against the U.S. Dollar. The pound sterling has since recovered due to
interest rate cuts throughout Europe and an upturn in the economy of the United
Kingdom. The average exchange rate of the U.S. Dollar to the pound sterling was
1.50 in 1993 and 1.66 in 1998. On October 25, 1999 the U.S. Dollar-pound
sterling exchange rate was 1.66.
The United Kingdom's largest stock exchange is the London Stock Exchange, which
is the third largest exchange in the world. As measured by the FT-SE 100 index,
the performance of the 100 largest companies in the United Kingdom reached
5,882.6 at the end of 1998, up approximately 15% from the end of 1997. The
FT-SE 100 index closed at 6009.40 on October 25, 1999.
The Economic and Monetary Union ("EMU") became effective on January 1, 1999.
When fully implemented in 2002, the EMU will establish a common currency for
European countries that meet the eligibility criteria and choose to
participate. Although the United Kingdom meets the eligibility criteria, the
government has not taken any action to join the EMU.
From 1979 until 1997 the Conservative Party controlled Parliament. In the May
1, 1997 general elections, however, the Labour Party, led by Tony Blair, won a
majority in Parliament, gaining 418 of 659 seats in the House of Commons. Mr.
Blair, who was appointed Prime Minister, has launched a number of reform
initiatives, including an overhaul of the monetary policy framework intended to
protect monetary policy from political forces by vesting responsibility for
setting interest rates in a new Monetary Policy Committee headed by the
Governor of the Bank of England, as opposed to the Treasury. Prime Minister
Blair has also undertaken a comprehensive restructuring of the regulation of
the financial services industry. For further information regarding the United
Kingdom, see the SAI of New Europe Fund.
INVESTMENT IN JAPANESE ISSUERS. Investment in securities of Japanese issuers
involves certain considerations not present with investment in securities of
U.S. issuers. As with any investment not denominated in the U.S. Dollar, the
U.S. dollar value of each Fund's investments denominated in the Japanese yen
will fluctuate with yen-dollar exchange rate movements. Between 1985 and 1995,
the Japanese yen generally appreciated against the U.S. dollar. Thereafter, the
Japanese yen generally depreciated against the U.S. Dollar until mid-1998, when
it began to appreciate. In September 1999 the Japanese yen reached a 43-month
high against the U.S. Dollar.
Japan's largest stock exchange is the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the First Section
of which is reserved for larger, established companies. As measured by the
TOPIX, a capitalization-weighted composite index of all common stocks listed in
the First Section, the performance of the First Section reached a peak in 1989.
Thereafter, the TOPIX declined approximately 50% through the end of 1997. On
December 31, 1998 the TOPIX closed at 1086.99, down approximately 7% from the
end of 1997. On October 25, 1999 the TOPIX closed at 1534.27 up approximately
41% from the end of 1998.
Since the early 1980s, Japan has consistently recorded large current account
trade surpluses with the U.S. that have caused difficulties in the relations
between the two countries. On October 1, 1994, the U.S. and Japan reached an
agreement that was expected to more open Japanese markets with respect to trade
in certain goods and services. Since then, the two countries have agreed in
principle to increase Japanese imports of American automobiles and automotive
parts, as well as other goods and services. Nevertheless, the surpluses have
persisted and it is expected that continuing the friction between the U.S. and
Japan with respect to trade issues will continue for the foreseeable future.
Each Fund's investments in Japanese issuers will be subject to uncertainty
resulting from the instability of recent Japanese ruling coalitions. From 1955
to 1993, Japan's government was controlled by a single political party. Between
August 1993 and October 1996, Japan was ruled by a series of four coalition
governments. As the result of a general election on October 20, 1996, however,
Japan returned to a single-party government led by Ryutaro Hashimoto, a member
of the Liberal Democratic Party ("LDP"). While the LDP does not control a
majority of the seats in the parliament, subsequent to the 1996 elections it
established a majority in the House of Representatives as individual members
joined the ruling party. The popularity of the LDP declined, however, due to
the dissatisfaction with Mr. Hashimoto's leadership. In the July 1998 House of
Councillors election, the LDP's representation fell to 103 seats from 120
seats. As a result of the LDP's defeat, Mr. Hashimoto resigned as prime
minister and leader of the LDP. Mr. Hashimoto was replaced by Keizo Obuchi. On
January 14, 1999, the LDP formed a coalition government with a major opposition
party. As a result, Mr. Obuchi's administration strengthened its position in
the parliament, where it increased its majority in the House of Representatives
and reduced its shortfall in the House of Councillors. The LDP formed a new
three-party coalition government on October 5, 1999 that further strengthens
the position of Mr. Obuchi's administration in the parliament. For the past
several years, Japan's banking industry has been
73
weakened by a significant amount of problem loans. Japan's banks also have had
significant exposure to the recent financial turmoil in other Asian markets.
Following the insolvency of one of Japan's largest banks in November 1997, the
government proposed several plans designed to strengthen the weakened banking
sector. In October 1998, the Japanese parliament approved several new laws that
made $508 billion in public funds available to increase the capital of Japanese
banks, to guarantee depositors' accounts and to nationalize the weakest banks.
It is unclear whether these laws will achieve their intended effect. For
further information regarding Japan, see the SAIs of ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL
FUND and ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND.
INVESTMENT IN GREATER CHINA ISSUERS. China, in particular, but Hong Kong and
Taiwan, as well, in significant measure because of their existing and
increasing economic, and now in the case of Hong Kong, direct political ties
with China, may be subject to a greater degree of economic, political and
social instability than is the case in the United States.
China's economy is very much in transition. While the government still controls
production and pricing in major economic sectors, significant steps have been
taken toward capitalism and China's economy has become increasingly market
oriented. China's strong economic growth and ability to attract significant
foreign investment in recent years stem from the economic liberalization
initiated by Deng Xiaoping, who assumed power in the late 1970s. The economic
growth, however, has not been smooth and has been marked by extremes in many
respects of inordinate growth, which has not been tightly controlled, followed
by rigid measures of austerity.
The rapidity and erratic nature of the growth have resulted in inefficiencies
and dislocations, including at times high rates of inflation.
China's economic development has occurred notwithstanding the continuation of
the power of China's Communist Party and China's authoritarian government
control, not only of centrally planned economic decisions, but of many aspects
of the social structure. While a significant portion of China's population has
benefited from China's economic growth, the conditions of many leave much room
for improvement. Notwithstanding restrictions on freedom of expression and the
absence of a free press, and notwithstanding the extreme manner in which past
unrest has been dealt with, the 1989 Tianamen Square uprising being a recent
reminder, the potential for renewed popular unrest associated with demands for
improved social, political and economic conditions cannot be dismissed.
Following the death of Deng Xiaoping in February 1997, Jiang Zemin became the
leader of China's Communist Party. The transfer of political power has
progressed smoothly and Jiang's popularity and credibility have gradually
increased. Jiang continues to consolidate his power, but as of yet does not
appear to have the same degree of control as did Deng Xiaoping. Jiang has
continued the market-oriented policies of Deng. Currently, China's major
economic challenge centers on reforming or eliminating inefficient state-owned
enterprises without creating an unacceptable level of unemployment. Recent
capitalistic policies have in many respects effectively outdated the Communist
Party and the governmental structure, but both remain entrenched. The Communist
Party still controls access to governmental positions and closely monitors
governmental action.
In addition to the economic impact of China's internal political uncertainties,
the potential effect of China's actions, not only on China Itself, but on Hong
Kong and Taiwan as well, could also be significant.
China is heavily dependent on foreign trade, particularly with Hong Kong,
Japan, the U.S., South Korea and Taiwan. Political developments adverse to its
trading partners, as well as political and social repression, could cause the
U.S. and others to alter their trading policy towards China. For example, in
the U.S. the continued extension of normal trade relations (formerly known
as most favored nation trading status) with China, which is reviewed regularly
and was reviewed in 1999, is an issue of significant controversy. Loss of that
status would clearly hurt China's economy by reducing its exports. With much of
China's trading activity being funneled through Hong Kong and with trade
through Taiwan becoming increasingly significant, any sizable reduction in
demand for goods from China would have negative implications for both
countries. China is believed to be the largest investor in Hong Kong and its
markets and an economic downturn in China would be expected to reverberate
through Hong Kong's markets as well.
China has committed by treaty to preserve Hong Kong's autonomy and its
economic, political and social freedoms for fifty years from the July 1, 1997
transfer of sovereignty from Great Britain to China. Hong Kong is headed by a
chief executive, appointed by the central government of China, whose power is
checked by both the government of China and a Legislative Council. Although
Hong Kong voters voted overwhelmingly for pro-democracy candidates in the
recent election, it remains possible that China could exert its authority so as
to alter the economic structure, political structure or existing social policy
of Hong Kong. Investor and business confidence in Hong Kong can be
significantly affected by such developments, which in turn can affect markets
and business performance. In this connection, it is noted that a substantial
portion of the companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange are involved in
real estate-related activities.
The securities markets of China and to a lesser extent Taiwan, are relatively
small, with the majority of market capitalization and trading volume
concentrated in a limited number of companies representing a small number of
industries. Consequently, ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97 FUND may experience
greater price volatility and significantly lower liquidity than a portfolio
invested solely in equity securities of U.S. companies. These markets may be
subject to greater influence by adverse events generally affecting the market,
and by large investors trading significant blocks of securities, than is usual
in the U.S. Securities settlements may in some instances be subject to delays
and related administrative uncertainties.
74
Foreign investment in the securities markets of China and Taiwan is restricted
or controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions or controls, which apply
to the ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97 FUND, may at times limit or preclude
investment in certain securities and may increase the cost and expenses of the
Fund. China and Taiwan require governmental approval prior to investments by
foreign persons or limit investment by foreign persons to only a specified
percentage of an issuer's outstanding securities or a specific class of
securities which may have less advantageous terms (including price) than
securities of the company available for purchase by nationals. In addition, the
repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of
securities from China and Taiwan is controlled under regulations, including in
some cases the need for certain advance government notification or authority,
and if a deterioration occurs in a country's balance of payments, the country
could impose restrictions on foreign capital remittances.
ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97 FUND could be adversely affected by delays in, or a
refusal to grant, any required governmental approval for repatriation, as well
as by the application to it of other restrictions on investment. The liquidity
of the Fund's investments in any country in which any of these factors exists
could be affected by any such factor or factors on the Fund's investments. The
limited liquidity in certain Greater China markets is a factor to be taken into
account in the Fund's valuation of portfolio securities in this category and
may affect the Fund's ability to dispose of securities in order to meet
redemption requests at the price and time it wishes to do so. It is also
anticipated that transaction costs, including brokerage commissions for
transactions both on and off the securities exchanges in Greater China
countries, will be higher than in the U.S.
Issuers of securities in Greater China countries are generally not subject to
the same degree of regulation as are U.S. issuers with respect to such matters
as timely disclosure of information, insider trading rules, restrictions on
market manipulation and shareholder proxy requirements. Reporting, accounting
and auditing standards of Greater China countries may differ, in some cases
significantly, from U.S. standards in important respects, and less information
may be available to investors in securities of Greater China country issuers
than to investors in securities of U.S. issuers.
Investment in Greater China companies that are in the initial stages of their
development involves greater risk than is customarily associated with
securities of more established companies. The securities of such companies may
have relatively limited marketability and may be subject to more abrupt or
erratic market movements than securities of established companies or broad
market indices.
75
For more information about the Funds, the following documents are available
upon request:
. ANNUAL/SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS
The Funds' annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders contain additional
information on the Funds' investments. In the annual report, you will find a
discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that
significantly affected a Fund's performance during its last fiscal year.
. STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI)
Each Fund has an SAI, which contains more detailed information about the Fund,
including its operations and investment policies. The Funds' SAIs are
incorporated by reference into (and are legally part of) this prospectus.
You may request a free copy of the current annual/semi-annual report or the
SAI, or make inquiries concerning the Funds, by contacting your broker or other
financial intermediary, or by contacting Alliance:
BY MAIL: c/o Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 1520
Secaucus, NJ 07096-1520
BY PHONE: For Information: (800) 221-5672
For Literature: (800) 227-4618
Or you may view or obtain these documents from the Commission:
. Call the SEC at 1-202-942-8090 for information on the operation of the
Public Reference Room.
. Reports and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR
Database on the Commission's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov
. Copies of the information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee,
by electronic request at [email protected], or by writing the Commission's
Public Reference Section, Wash. DC 20549-0102
ON THE INTERNET: www.sec.gov
Your also may find more information about Alliance and the Funds on the
Internet at: www.Alliancecapital.com
Fund SEC File No.
Alliance Premier Growth Fund 811-06730
Alliance Health Care Fund 811-09329
Alliance Growth Fund 811-05088
Alliance Technology Fund 811-03131
Alliance Quasar Fund 811-01716
The Alliance Fund 811-00204
Alliance Growth & Income 811-00126
Alliance Balanced Shares 811-00134
Alliance Utility Income Fund 811-07916
Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund 811-07707
Alliance New Europe Fund 811-06028
Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund 811-08426
Alliance International Premier Growth Fund 811-08527
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund 811-01415
Alliance International Fund 811-03130
Alliance Greater China '97 Fund 811-08201
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund 811-08776
Alliance Global Environment Fund 811-05993
76
<PAGE>
THE ALLIANCE STOCK FUNDS
The Alliance Stock Funds provide a broad selection of investment alternatives
to investors seeking capital growth or high total return.
Advisor Class Prospectus and Application
November 1, 1999
DOMESTIC STOCK FUNDS
> Alliance Premier Growth Fund
> Alliance Health Care Fund
> Alliance Growth Fund
> Alliance Technology Fund
> Alliance Quasar Fund
> The Alliance Fund
TOTAL RETURN FUNDS
> Alliance Growth & Income Fund
> Alliance Balanced Shares
> Alliance Utility Income Fund
> Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund
GLOBAL STOCK FUNDS
> Alliance New Europe Fund
> Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund
> Alliance International Premier Growth Fund
> Alliance Global Small Cap Fund
> Alliance International Fund
> Alliance Greater China '97 Fund
> Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund
> Alliance Global Environment Fund
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these
securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation
to the contrary is a criminal offense.
ALLIANCE CAPITAL
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS OFFERED
> ARE NOT FDIC INSURED
> MAY LOSE VALUE
> ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
RISK/RETURN SUMMARY 3
Domestic Stock Funds 4
Total Return Funds 10
Global Stock Funds 14
Summary of Principal Risks 22
Principal Risks by Fund 23
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUNDS 24
GLOSSARY 27
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS 28
Investment Objectives and Policies 28
Description of Investment Practices 41
Additional Risk Considerations 48
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS 53
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES 56
How The Funds Value Their Shares 56
How To Buy Shares 57
How to Exchange Shares 57
How To Sell Shares 57
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES 58
CONVERSION FEATURE 59
GENERAL INFORMATION 59
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 61
APPENDIX A--ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ABOUT THE UNITED KINGDOM, JAPAN, AND
GREATER CHINA COUNTRIES 67
The Funds' investment adviser is Alliance Capital Management L.P., a global
investment manager providing diversified services to institutions and
individuals through a broad line of investments including more than 100 mutual
funds.
RISK/RETURN SUMMARY
The following is a summary of certain key information about the Alliance Stock
Funds. You will find additional information about each Fund, including a
detailed description of the risks of an investment in each Fund, after this
Summary.
The Risk/Return Summary describes the Funds' objectives, principal investment
strategies, principal risks and fees. Each Fund's Summary page includes a short
discussion of some of the principal risks of investing in that Fund. A further
discussion of these and other risks begins on page 22.
More detailed descriptions of the Funds, including the risks associated with
investing in the Funds, can be found further back in this Prospectus. Please be
sure to read this additional information BEFORE you invest. Each of the Funds
also may at times use certain types of investment derivatives such as options,
futures, forwards, and swaps. The use of these techniques involves special
risks that are discussed in this Prospectus.
The Summary includes a table for each Fund showing its average annual returns
and a bar chart showing its annual returns. The table and bar chart provide an
indication of the historical risk of an investment in each Fund by showing:
- how the Fund's average annual returns for one, five, and 10 years (or over
the life of the Fund if the Fund is less than 10 years old) compare to those of
a broad based securities market index; and
- changes in the Fund's performance from year to year over 10 years (or over
the life of the Fund if the Fund is less than 10 years old).
A Fund's past performance, of course, does not necessarily indicate how it will
perform in the future. As with all investments you may lose money by investing
in the Funds.
3
DOMESTIC STOCK FUNDS
The Domestic Stock Funds offer investors seeking capital appreciation a range
of alternative approaches to investing primarily in U.S. equity markets.
ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS LONG-TERM GROWTH OF CAPITAL BY INVESTING
PREDOMINANTLY IN EQUITY SECURITIES OF A LIMITED NUMBER OF LARGE, CAREFULLY
SELECTED, HIGH-QUALITY U.S. COMPANIES THAT ARE JUDGED LIKELY TO ACHIEVE
SUPERIOR EARNINGS GROWTH.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of U.S. companies. Unlike most
equity funds, the Fund focuses on a relatively small number of intensively
researched companies. Alliance selects the Fund's investments from a research
universe of more than 600 companies that have strong management, superior
industry positions, excellent balance sheets and superior earnings growth
prospects.
Normally, the Fund invests in about 40-60 companies, with the 25 most highly
regarded of these companies usually constituting approximately 70% of the
Fund's net assets. During market declines, while adding to positions in favored
stocks, the Fund becomes somewhat more aggressive, gradually reducing the
number of companies represented in its portfolio. Conversely, in rising
markets, while reducing or eliminating fully-valued positions, the Fund becomes
somewhat more conservative, gradually increasing the number of companies
represented in its portfolio. Through this approach, Alliance seeks to gain
positive returns in good markets while providing some measure of protection in
poor markets. The Fund also may invest up to 20% of its net assets in
convertible securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund is market risk. Because the
Fund invests in a smaller number of securities than many other equity funds,
your investment has the risk that changes in the value of a single security may
have a more significant effect, either negative or positive, on the Fund's net
asset value.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
SINCE
1 YEAR INCEPTION
- ----------------------------------------------------
ADVISOR CLASS 49.85% 42.97%
RUSSELL 1000 GROWTH INDEX 38.71% 34.67%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998.
Advisor Class shares inception date is 10/1/96. Index return is from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Advisor
Class shares was 7.37%.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 33.11 49.85
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 31.15%, 4TH QUARTER, 1998; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -12.02%, 3RD QUARTER, 1998.
4
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS CAPITAL APPRECIATION AND, SECONDARILY,
CURRENT INCOME.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
Under normal circumstances the Fund invests at least 65%, and normally
substantially all, of the value of its total assets in securities issued by
companies principally engaged in health care and health care-related industries
("Health Care Industries") (companies principally engaged in the discovery,
development, provision, production or distribution of products and services
that relate to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases or other
medical disorders). Although the payment of dividends will be a factor
considered in the selection of investments for the Fund, the Fund seeks
primarily to take advantage of capital appreciation opportunities identified by
Alliance in emerging technologies and services in Health Care Industries by
investing in companies which are expected to profit from the development of new
products and services for these industries. Under normal circumstances the Fund
invests primarily in the equity securities of U.S. companies. The Fund may
invest up to 40% of its total assets in securities of non-U.S. companies and
other foreign securities. The Fund may invest in new, smaller or less-seasoned
companies as well as in larger, established companies in the Health Care
Industries.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk and sector
risk. Unlike many other equity funds, the Fund invests in the securities of
companies principally engaged in Health Care Industries. As a result, certain
economic conditions and market changes that affect those industries may have a
more significant effect on the Fund's net asset value than on the value of a
more broadly diversified fund. For example, the Fund's share price could be
affected by changes in competition, legislation or government regulation,
government funding, product liability and other litigation, the obsolescence or
development of products, or other factors specific to the health care and
health sciences industries. The Fund's investments in foreign securities have
foreign risk and currency risk. The Fund's investment in small- to
mid-capitalization companies have capitalization risk. These investments may
be more volatile than investments in large-cap companies.
BAR CHART AND PERFORMANCE TABLE:
There is no bar chart or performance table for the Fund because it has not
completed a full calendar year of operations.
5
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS LONG-TERM GROWTH OF CAPITAL. CURRENT INCOME
IS INCIDENTAL TO THE FUND'S OBJECTIVE.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of companies with favorable
earnings outlooks and whose long-term growth rates are expected to exceed that
of the U.S. economy over time. The Fund emphasizes investments in large- and
mid-cap companies. The Fund also may invest up to 25% of its total assets in
lower-rated fixed-income securities and convertible bonds and generally up to
15% of its total assets in foreign securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund is market risk. Investments
in mid-cap companies may be more volatile than investments in large-cap
companies. To the extent the Fund invests in lower-rated fixed-income
securities and convertible bonds, your investment may have interest rate or
credit risk. The Fund's investments in foreign securities have foreign risk and
currency risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
SINCE
1 YEAR INCEPTION
- ----------------------------------------------------
ADVISOR CLASS 28.55% 29.34%
S&P 500 INDEX 28.60% 31.37%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998.
Advisor Class shares inception date is 10/1/96. Index return is from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Advisor
Class shares was 3.19%.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 27.46 28.55
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 28.97%, 4TH QUARTER, 1998; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -16.20%, 3RD QUARTER, 1998.
6
ALLIANCE TECHNOLOGY FUND
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS GROWTH OF CAPITAL. CURRENT INCOME IS
INCIDENTAL TO THE FUND'S OBJECTIVE.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in securities of companies that use technology
extensively in the development of new or improved products or processes. Within
this framework, the Fund may invest in any company and industry and in any type
of security with potential for capital appreciation. It invests in well-known,
established companies or in new or unseasoned companies. The Fund also may
invest in debt securities and up to 10% of its total assets in foreign
securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund is market risk. In addition,
technology stocks, especially those of smaller, less-seasoned companies, tend
to be more volatile than the overall stock market. To the extent the Fund
invests in debt and foreign securities, your investment has interest rate risk,
credit risk, currency risk and foreign risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
SINCE
1 YEAR INCEPTION
- -----------------------------------------------------
ADVISOR CLASS 63.68% 30.01%
S&P 500 INDEX 28.60% 31.37%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998.
Advisor Class shares inception date is 10/1/96. Index return is from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Advisor
Class shares was 19.09%.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 4.84 63.68
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 39.98%, 4TH QUARTER, 1998; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -16.43%, 4TH QUARTER, 1997.
7
ALLIANCE QUASAR FUND
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS GROWTH OF CAPITAL BY PURSUING AGGRESSIVE
INVESTMENT POLICIES. CURRENT INCOME IS INCIDENTAL TO THE FUND'S OBJECTIVE.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund generally invests in a widely-diversified portfolio of equity
securities spread among many industries that offer the possibility of
above-average earnings growth. The Fund currently emphasizes investment in
small cap companies. The Fund invests in well-known and established companies
and in new and unseasoned companies. The Fund can invest in the equity
securities of any company and industry and in any type of security with
potential for capital appreciation. When selecting securities, Alliance
considers the economic and political outlook, the values of specific securities
relative to other investments, trends in the determinants of corporate profits,
and management capabilities and practices. The Fund also may invest in
non-convertible bonds, preferred stocks, and foreign securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund is market risk. Investments
in smaller companies tend to be more volatile than investments in large-cap or
mid-cap companies. To the extent the Fund invests in non-convertible bonds,
preferred stocks, and foreign stocks, your investment has interest rate risk,
credit risk, foreign risks and currency risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
SINCE
1 YEAR INCEPTION
- -----------------------------------------------------
ADVISOR CLASS -4.30% 6.74%
RUSSELL 2000 INDEX -2.55% 11.81%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998.
Advisor Class shares inception date is 10/1/96. Index return is from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Advisor
Class shares was -4.49%.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 17.48 -4.30
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 17.44%, 4TH QUARTER, 1998; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -28.39%, 3RD QUARTER, 1998.
8
THE ALLIANCE FUND
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS LONG-TERM GROWTH OF CAPITAL AND INCOME
PRIMARILY THROUGH INVESTMENTS IN COMMON STOCKS.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund normally invests substantially all of its assets in high-quality
common stocks that Alliance expects to increase in value. The Fund may invest
in a broad range of companies, from large to small, but tends to emphasize
attractive opportunities in mid-cap companies. While the Fund's diversified and
high-quality investments cannot prevent fluctuations in market values, they
tend to limit investment risk and contribute to achieving the Fund's objective.
The Fund also may invest in convertible securities, U.S. Government securities,
and foreign securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund is market risk. Investments
in mid-cap companies may be more volatile than investments in large-cap
companies. To the extent the Fund invests in convertible securities and U.S.
Government securities, your investment may have interest rate or credit risk.
The Fund's investments in foreign securities have currency risk and foreign
risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
SINCE
1 YEAR INCEPTION
- -----------------------------------------------------
ADVISOR CLASS -2.41% 18.30%
S&P 400 MID-CAP INDEX 19.11% 26.51%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998.
Advisor Class shares inception date is 10/1/96. Index return is from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Advisor
Class shares was 6.07%.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 36.27 -2.41
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 23.88%, 4TH QUARTER, 1998; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -24.17%, 3RD QUARTER, 1998.
9
TOTAL RETURN FUNDS
The Total Return Funds offer investors seeking both growth of capital and
current income a range of investment alternatives.
ALLIANCE GROWTH & INCOME FUND
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS APPRECIATION THROUGH INVESTMENTS PRIMARILY
IN DIVIDEND-PAYING COMMON STOCKS OF GOOD QUALITY, ALTHOUGH THE FUND ALSO MAY
INVEST IN FIXED-INCOME AND CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in dividend-paying common stocks of large,
well-established "blue-chip" companies. The Fund also may invest in
fixed-income and convertible securities and in securities of foreign issuers.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, interest
rate risk and credit risk. The Fund's investments in foreign securities have
foreign risk and currency risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
SINCE
1 YEAR INCEPTION
- -----------------------------------------------------
ADVISOR CLASS 21.48% 27.57%
RUSSELL 1000 VALUE INDEX 15.63% 26.14%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998.
Advisor Class shares inception date is 10/1/96. Index return is from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Advisor
Class shares was 3.32%.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 29.57 21.48
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 23.28%, 4TH QUARTER, 1998; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -13.76%, 3RD QUARTER, 1998.
10
ALLIANCE BALANCED SHARES
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS HIGH RETURN THROUGH A COMBINATION OF CURRENT
INCOME AND CAPITAL APPRECIATION.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests in a diversified portfolio of equity and fixed-income
securities. The percentage of the Fund's assets invested in each type of
security will vary, but the Fund will not purchase a security if as a result
less than 25% of the Fund's total assets will be invested in fixed-income
senior securities. The Fund invests in common and preferred stocks, U.S.
Government and agency securities, bonds and senior debt securities. The Fund's
investments in each type of security depends on current economic conditions and
market outlooks. The Fund also may invest up to 15% of its total assets in
foreign equity and fixed-income securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, interest
rate risk, allocation risk and credit risk. To the extent the Fund invests in
foreign securities, your investment has currency risk and foreign risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
SINCE
1 YEAR INCEPTION
- -----------------------------------------------------
ADVISOR CLASS 16.03% 21.61%
S&P 500 INDEX 28.60% 31.37%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998.
Advisor Class shares inception date is 10/1/96. Index return is from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Advisor
Class shares was 0.07%.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 27.43 16.03
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 13.52%, 4TH QUARTER, 1998; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -6.36%, 3RD QUARTER, 1998.
11
ALLIANCE UTILITY INCOME FUND
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS CURRENT INCOME AND CAPITAL APPRECIATION BY
INVESTING PRIMARILY IN EQUITY AND FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES OF COMPANIES IN THE
UTILITIES INDUSTRY.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in income-producing equity securities. The Fund
invests in securities of utility companies in the electric, telecommunications,
gas, and water utility industries. The Fund may invest in both U.S. and foreign
utility companies, although the Fund will limit its investments in issuers in
any one foreign country to no more than 15% of its total assets. The Fund may
maintain up to 35% of its net assets in lower-rated securities and up to 30% of
its net assets in convertible securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, interest
rate risk and credit risk. Because the Fund invests a substantial portion of
its assets in companies in a specific industry, there is the risk that factors
affecting utility companies will have a significant effect on the value of the
Fund's investments. To the extent the Fund invests in lower-rated securities,
your investment is subject to more credit risk than a fund that invests in
higher rated securities.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
SINCE
1 YEAR INCEPTION
- -----------------------------------------------------
ADVISOR CLASS 24.83% 28.57%
NYSE UTILITY 33.04% 30.08%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998.
Advisor Class shares inception date is 10/1/96. Index return is from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Advisor
Class shares was 7.97%.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 31.16 24.83
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 15.63%, 4TH QUARTER, 1997; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -3.01%, 1ST QUARTER, 1997.
12
ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FUND
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS TOTAL RETURN FROM LONG-TERM GROWTH OF
CAPITAL AND INCOME PRINCIPALLY THROUGH INVESTING IN EQUITY SECURITIES OF
COMPANIES THAT ARE PRIMARILY ENGAGED IN OR RELATED TO THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of real estate investment
trusts or "REITs" and other real estate industry companies. The Fund invests in
real estate companies that Alliance believes have strong property fundamentals
and management teams. The Fund seeks to invest in real estate companies whose
underlying portfolios are diversified geographically and by property type. The
Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in mortgage-backed securities,
which are securities that directly or indirectly represent participations in,
or are collateralized by and payable from, mortgage loans secured by real
property.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, interest
rate risk and credit risk. Because the Fund invests a substantial portion of
its assets in the real estate market, it has many of the same risks as direct
ownership of real estate including the risk that the value of real estate could
decline due to a variety of factors affecting the real estate market. In
addition, REITs are dependent on the capability of their managers, may have
limited diversification, and could be significantly affected by changes in tax
laws. Because the Fund invests in mortgage-backed securities, it is subject to
the risk that mortgage loans will be prepaid when interest rates decline,
forcing the Fund to reinvest in securities with lower interest rates. For this
and other reasons, mortgage-backed securities may have significantly greater
price and yield volatility than traditional debt securities.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
SINCE
1 YEAR INCEPTION
- -----------------------------------------------------
ADVISOR CLASS -20.05% 7.79%
S&P 500 INDEX 28.60% 31.37%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998.
Advisor Class shares inception date is 10/1/96. Index return is from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Advisor
Class shares was -5.04%.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 23.27 -20.05
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 14.51%, 3RD QUARTER, 1997; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -12.33%, 3RD QUARTER, 1998.
13
GLOBAL STOCK FUNDS
The Global Stock Funds offer investors seeking long-term capital appreciation a
range of alternative approaches to investing in foreign securities.
ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE FUND
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS LONG-TERM CAPITAL APPRECIATION THROUGH
INVESTMENTS PRIMARILY IN THE EQUITY SECURITIES OF COMPANIES BASED IN EUROPE.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of European companies. The Fund
diversifies its investments among a number of European countries and normally
invests in companies based in at least three of these countries, although it
may invest 25% or more of its assets in issuers in a single country. The Fund
may invest up to 35% of its total assets in high-quality U.S. Dollar or foreign
currency denominated fixed-income securities issued or guaranteed by European
governmental entities, European or multinational companies, or supranational
organizations. At December 31, 1998, the Fund had approximately 26% of its
assets invested in securities of United Kingdom issuers.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk. In addition, the Fund's investments in U.S. Dollar or
foreign currency denominated fixed-income securities have interest rate and
credit risks.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
SINCE
1 YEAR INCEPTION
- -----------------------------------------------------
ADVISOR CLASS 25.39% 23.61%
MSCI EUROPE INDEX 28.91% 28.25%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998.
Advisor Class shares inception date is 10/1/96. Index return is from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Advisor
Class shares was 1.30%.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 17.08 25.39
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 22.56%, 1ST QUARTER, 1998; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -19.61%, 3RD QUARTER, 1998.
14
ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE PRIVATIZATION FUND
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS LONG-TERM CAPITAL APPRECIATION.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of companies that are
undergoing, or have undergone, privatization. The Fund also invests in
securities of companies that will benefit from privatizations. The Fund takes
advantage of investment opportunities, historically inaccessible to U.S.
individual investors, that result from the privatization of state enterprises
in both established and developing economies. Because privatizations are
integral to a country's economic restructuring, securities sold in initial
public offerings often are attractively priced to secure the issuer's
transition to private sector ownership. In addition, these enterprises often
dominate their local markets and have the potential for significant managerial
and operational efficiency gains.
The Fund diversifies its investments among a number of countries and normally
invests in issuers based in four, and usually considerably more, countries. The
Fund may invest up to 30% of its total assets in any one of France, Germany,
Great Britain, Italy, and Japan and may invest all of its assets in a single
world region. The Fund also may invest up to 35% of its total assets in debt
securities and convertible debt securities of privatized companies.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk. Investments in companies that are undergoing, or have
undergone, privatization could have more risk because they have no operating
history as a private company. In addition, the Fund's investments in U.S.
Dollar or foreign currency denominated fixed-income securities have interest
rate and credit risks.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
SINCE
1 YEAR INCEPTION
- -----------------------------------------------------
ADVISOR CLASS 9.33% 13.04%
MSCI WORLD INDEX
(MINUS THE U.S.) 19.11% 11.03%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998.
Advisor Class shares inception date is 10/1/96. Index return is from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Advisor
Class shares was 16.65%.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 13.45 9.33
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 16.58%, 1ST QUARTER, 1998; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -17.42%, 3RD QUARTER, 1998.
15
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL PREMIER GROWTH FUND
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS LONG-TERM GROWTH OF CAPITAL BY INVESTING
PREDOMINANTLY IN EQUITY SECURITIES OF A LIMITED NUMBER OF CAREFULLY SELECTED
NON-U.S. COMPANIES THAT ARE JUDGED LIKELY TO ACHIEVE SUPERIOR EARNINGS GROWTH.
CURRENT INCOME IS INCIDENTAL TO THE FUND'S OBJECTIVE.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of comparatively large,
high-quality, non-U.S. companies. The Fund invests in at least four, and
usually considerably more, countries. Normally, the Fund invests no more than
15% of its total assets in issuers of any one foreign country, but may invest
up to 25% of its total assets in each of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan,
The Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Unlike more typical
international equity funds, the Fund focuses on a relatively small number of
intensively researched companies. Alliance selects the Fund's investments from
a research universe of approximately 900 companies.
Normally, the Fund invests in about 40 companies, with the 30 most highly
regarded of these companies usually constituting approximately 70%, and often
more, of the Fund's net assets. The Fund invests in companies with market
values generally in excess of $10 billion. Alliance may take advantage of
market volatility to adjust the Fund's portfolio positions. To the extent
consistent with local market liquidity considerations, the Fund strives to
capitalize on apparently unwarranted price fluctuations, both to purchase or
increase positions on weakness and to sell or reduce overpriced holdings. The
Fund invests primarily in equity securities and also may invest in convertible
securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk. In addition, since the Fund invests in a smaller number
of securities than many other international equity funds, changes in the value
of a single security may have a more significant effect, either negative or
positive, on the Fund's net asset value.
BAR CHART AND PERFORMANCE TABLE:
There is no bar chart or performance table for the Fund because it has not
completed a full calendar year of operations.
16
ALLIANCE GLOBAL SMALL CAP FUND
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS LONG-TERM GROWTH OF CAPITAL THROUGH
INVESTMENT IN A GLOBAL PORTFOLIO OF EQUITY SECURITIES OF SELECTED COMPANIES
WITH RELATIVELY SMALL MARKET CAPITALIZATIONS.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of global companies, both
domestic and foreign, with relatively small market capitalizations. The Fund's
investments emphasize companies that are in the smallest 20% of the U.S. stock
market (or less than approximately $1.5 billion). Although these companies are
small by U.S. standards, they may be among the largest companies in their own
countries. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in securities of
companies whose market capitalizations exceed the Fund's size standard. The
Fund invests in at least three countries including the U.S.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk. Investments in smaller companies tend to be more
volatile than investments in large-cap or mid-cap companies.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
SINCE
1 YEAR INCEPTION
- -----------------------------------------------------
ADVISOR CLASS 3.81% 6.59%
MSCI WORLD INDEX 24.80% 20.83%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998.
Advisor Class shares inception date is 10/1/96. Index return is from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Advisor
Class shares was 11.19%.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 8.44 3.81
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 17.82%, 4TH QUARTER, 1998; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -22.96%, 3RD QUARTER, 1998.
17
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS TOTAL RETURN FROM LONG-TERM GROWTH OF
CAPITAL AND INCOME PRIMARILY THROUGH INVESTMENT IN A BROAD PORTFOLIO OF
MARKETABLE SECURITIES OF ESTABLISHED NON-U.S. COMPANIES, COMPANIES
PARTICIPATING IN FOREIGN ECONOMIES WITH PROSPECTS FOR GROWTH, INCLUDING U.S.
COMPANIES HAVING THEIR PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS OUTSIDE THE U.S. AND
IN FOREIGN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of established non-U.S.
companies, companies participating in foreign economies with prospects for
growth, including U.S. companies having their principal activities and
interests outside the U.S., and foreign government securities. The Fund
diversifies its investments broadly among countries and normally invests in
companies in at least three foreign countries, although it may invest a
substantial portion of its assets in companies in one or more foreign countries.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
SINCE
1 YEAR INCEPTION
- -----------------------------------------------------
ADVISOR CLASS 9.96% 5.85%
MSCI EAFE INDEX 20.33% 11.28%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998.
Advisor Class shares inception date is 10/1/96. Index return is from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Advisor
Class shares was 7.17%.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1.59 9.96
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 15.81%, 4TH QUARTER, 1998; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -17.80%, 3RD QUARTER, 1998.
18
ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97 FUND
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is long-term capital appreciation through
investment of at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities of Greater
China companies.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests in equity securities of Greater China companies, which are
companies in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Of these countries, the Fund expects
to invest a significant portion of its assets, which may be greater than 50%,
in Hong Kong companies and may invest all of its assets in Hong Kong companies
or companies of either of the other Greater China countries. The Fund also may
invest in convertible securities and equity-linked debt securities issued or
guaranteed by Greater China companies or Greater China Governments, their
agencies, or instrumentalities. As of December 31, 1998 the Fund had
approximately 75% of its assets invested in securities of Hong Kong companies.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency rate risk. Because it invests in Greater China companies, the
Fund's returns will be significantly more volatile and differ substantially
from U.S. markets generally. Your investment also has the risk that market
changes or other events affecting the Greater China countries, including
political instability and unpredictable economic conditions, may have a more
significant effect on the Fund's net asset value. In addition, the Fund is
"non-diversified," meaning that it invests its assets in a smaller number of
companies than many other international funds. As a result, changes in the
value of a single security may have a more significant effect, either negative
or positive, on the Fund's net asset value. The Fund's investments in debt
securities have interest rate and credit risks.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
SINCE
1 YEAR INCEPTION
- -----------------------------------------------------
ADVISOR CLASS -7.87% -26.74%
MSCI CHINA FREE INDEX -43.83% -54.48%
MSCI HONG KONG INDEX -2.92% -25.58%
MSCI TAIWAN INDEX -20.64% -30.14%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998.
Advisor Class shares inception date is 9/3/97. Index returns are from 9/30/97.
BAR CHART
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Advisor
Class shares was 22.71%.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a -7.87
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 27.38%, 4TH QUARTER, 1998; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -26.92%, 2ND QUARTER, 1998.
19
ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS LONG-TERM CAPITAL APPRECIATION.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund primarily invests in securities of various types of companies based in
Asia. The Fund invests in equity securities, preferred stocks, and
equity-linked debt securities issued by Asian companies and may invest more
than 50% of its total assets in equity securities of Japanese issuers. The Fund
also may invest up to 35% of its total assets in debt securities issued or
guaranteed by Asian companies or by Asian governments, their agencies or
instrumentalities, and may invest up to 25% of its net assets in convertible
securities. At December 31, 1998, the Fund had approximately 60% of its total
assets invested in securities of Japanese companies.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk. Because it invests in Asian and Pacific region
countries and emerging markets, the Fund's returns will be significantly more
volatile and may differ substantially from the overall U.S. market generally.
Your investment has the risk that market changes or other factors affecting
Asian and Pacific region countries and other emerging markets, including
political instability and unpredictable economic conditions, may have a more
significant effect on the Fund's net asset value. To the extent that the Fund
invests a substantial amount of its assets in Japanese companies, your
investment has the risk that market changes or other events affecting that
country may have a more significant effect on the Fund's net asset value. In
addition, the Fund's investments in debt securities have interest rate and
credit risks.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
SINCE
1 YEAR INCEPTION
- -----------------------------------------------------
ADVISOR CLASS -12.15% -22.56%
MSCI ALL COUNTRY ASIA
PACIFIC INDEX 2.03% -13.47%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998.
Advisor Class shares inception date is 10/1/96. Index return is from 10/31/96.
BAR CHART
The following chart shows the annual returns for the Advisor Class shares since
inception. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Advisor
Class shares was 57.86%.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a -34.83 -12.15
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 13.57%, 4TH QUARTER, 1998; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -18.65%, 4TH QUARTER, 1997.
20
ALLIANCE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FUND
OBJECTIVE:
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS LONG-TERM CAPITAL APPRECIATION THROUGH
INVESTMENT OF SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF ITS ASSETS IN EQUITY SECURITIES OF COMPANIES
THAT ARE EXPECTED TO BENEFIT FROM ADVANCES OR IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCTS,
PROCESSES OR SERVICES INTENDED TO FOSTER THE PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in environmental companies, which are companies
whose principal business involves the sale of environmental protection systems
or services. The Fund also invests in companies whose principal business lies
outside the environmental sector but who anticipate environmental regulations
or consumer preferences through the development of new products or services
that would contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment. The Fund will
invest substantially all of its assets in these two types of companies. The
Fund invests in securities of companies in at least three, and normally
considerably more, countries. At December 31, 1998, the Fund had approximately
82% invested in equity securities of U.S. companies.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are market risk, foreign
risk and currency risk. Because it invests in non-U.S. companies and in
specific types of companies that provide environmental services, the Fund's
returns will be more volatile and differ, sometimes substantially, from the
overall U.S. market generally. The Fund's investments also have the risk that
government regulations or other action could negatively affect the business of
environmental companies.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
SINCE
1 YEAR INCEPTION
- -----------------------------------------------------
ADVISOR CLASS -2.99% 0.09%
S&P 500 INDEX 28.60% 28.60%
Average annual total returns are for the periods ended December 31, 1998.
Advisor Class shares inception date is 12/29/97. Index return is from 12/31/97.
BAR CHART
The following chart shows the annual return for the Advisor Class shares since
inception. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Advisor
Class shares was 1.74%.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a -2.99
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
BEST QUARTER WAS UP 15.74%, 1ST QUARTER, 1998; AND WORST QUARTER WAS DOWN
- -19.83%, 3RD QUARTER, 1998.
21
SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL RISKS
The value of your investment in a Fund will change with changes in the values
of that Fund's investments. Many factors can affect those values. In this
Summary, we describe the principal risks that may affect a Fund's portfolio as
a whole. These risks and the Funds particularly subject to these risks appear
in a chart at the end of the section. All Funds could be subject to additional
principal risks because the types of investments made by each Fund can change
over time. This Prospectus has additional descriptions of the types of
investments that appear in bold type in the discussions under "Description of
Investment Practices" or "Additional Risk Considerations." These sections also
include more information about the Funds, their investments, and related risks.
MARKET RISK
This is the risk that the value of a Fund's investments will fluctuate as the
stock or bond markets fluctuate and that prices overall will decline over
short- or long-term periods. All of the Alliance Stock Funds are subject to
market risk.
SECTOR RISK
This is the risk of investments in a particular industry sector. Market or
economic factors affecting that industry sector could have a major effect on
the value of a Fund's investments. Funds particularly subject to this risk are
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND, ALLIANCE TECHNOLOGY FUND, ALLIANCE UTILITY INCOME
FUND, ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FUND, ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE PRIVATIZATION
FUND and ALLIANCE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FUND. This risk may be greater for
ALLIANCE TECHNOLOGY FUND because technology stocks, especially those of
smaller, less-seasoned companies, tend to be more volatile than the overall
market.
CAPITALIZATION RISK
This is the risk of investments in small- to mid-capitalization companies.
Investments in mid-cap companies may be more volatile than investments in
large-cap companies. ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND and THE ALLIANCE FUND are
particularly subject to this risk. Investments in small-cap companies tend to
be more volatile than investments in large-cap or mid-cap companies. A Fund's
investments in smaller capitalization stocks may have additional risks because
these companies often have limited product lines, markets or financial
resources. ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND, ALLIANCE QUASAR FUND and ALLIANCE GLOBAL
SMALL CAP FUND are particularly subject to this risk.
INTEREST RATE RISK
This is the risk that changes in interest rates will affect the value of a
Fund's investments in income-producing, fixed-income (I.E., debt) securities.
Increases in interest rates may cause the value of a Fund's investments to
decline and this decrease in value may not be offset by the higher interest
rate income. Interest rate risk is particularly applicable to Funds that invest
in fixed-income securities and is greater for those Alliance StockFunds that
invest a substantial portion of their assets in fixed-income securities, such
as ALLIANCE GROWTH AND INCOME FUND, ALLIANCE BALANCED SHARES and ALLIANCE
UTILITY INCOME FUND. Interest rate risk is greater for those Funds that invest
in LOWER-RATED SECURITIES or comparable unrated securities ("junk bonds") such
as ALLIANCE UTILITY INCOME FUND. ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FUND also has
more exposure to interest rate risk because it invests in real estate industry
companies and in mortgage-backed securities.
CREDIT RISK
This is the risk that the issuer of a security, or the other party to an
over-the-counter transaction, will be unable or unwilling to make timely
payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The
degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its CREDIT RATING.
Credit risk is applicable to Funds that invest in fixed-income securities and
is greater for those Alliance Stock Funds that invest a substantial portion of
their assets in LOWER-RATED SECURITIES, such as ALLIANCE UTILITY INCOME FUND.
FOREIGN RISK
This is the risk of investments in issuers located in foreign countries. All
Alliance Stock Funds with FOREIGN SECURITIES are subject to this risk,
including, in particular, ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND, ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE FUND,
ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE PRIVATIZATION FUND, ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL PREMIER GROWTH
FUND, ALLIANCE GLOBAL SMALL CAP FUND, ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND, ALLIANCE
GREATER CHINA '97 FUND, ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND and ALLIANCE GLOBAL
ENVIRONMENT FUND. Funds investing in foreign securities may experience more
rapid and extreme changes in value than Funds with investments solely in
securities of U.S. companies. This is because the securities markets of many
foreign countries are relatively small, with a limited number of companies
representing a small number of industries. Additionally, foreign securities
issuers are usually not subject to the same degree of regulation as U.S.
issuers. Reporting, accounting, and auditing standards of foreign countries
differ, in some cases significantly, from U.S. standards. Also,
nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, currency blockage, or
political changes or diplomatic developments could adversely affect a Fund's
investments in a foreign country. In the event of nationalization,
expropriation, or other confiscation, a Fund could lose its entire investment.
COUNTRY OR GEOGRAPHIC RISK
This is the risk of investments in issuers located in a particular country or
geographic region. Market changes or other factors affecting that country or
region, including political instability and unpredictable economic conditions,
may have a particularly significant effect on a Fund's net asset value. The
Funds particularly subject to this risk are ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE FUND,
22
ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE PRIVATIZATION FUND, ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND, ALLIANCE
GREATER CHINA '97 FUND and ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND.
CURRENCY RISK
This is the risk that fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S.
Dollar and foreign currencies may negatively affect the value of a Fund's
investments. Funds with FOREIGN SECURITIES are subject to this risk, including,
in particular, ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND, ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE FUND, ALLIANCE
WORLDWIDE PRIVATIZATION FUND, ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL PREMIER GROWTH FUND,
ALLIANCE GLOBAL SMALL CAP FUND, ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND, ALLIANCE GREATER
CHINA '97 FUND, ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND and ALLIANCE GLOBAL
ENVIRONMENT FUND.
MANAGEMENT RISK
Each Alliance Stock Fund is subject to management risk because it is an
actively managed investment portfolio. Alliance will apply its investment
techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Funds, but
there is no guarantee that its decisions will produce the intended result.
FOCUSED PORTFOLIO RISK
Funds, such as ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND and ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL PREMIER
GROWTH FUND, that invest in a limited number of companies, may have more risk
because changes in the value of a single security may have a more significant
effect, either negative or positive, on the Fund's net asset value. Similarly,
ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97 FUND may have more risk because it is
"non-diversified," meaning that it can invest more of its assets in a smaller
number of companies than many other international funds.
ALLOCATION RISK
ALLIANCE BALANCED SHARES has the risk that the allocation of its investments
between equity and debt securities may have a more significant effect on the
Fund's net asset value when one of these asset classes is performing more
poorly than the other.
PRINCIPAL RISKS BY FUND
The following chart summarizes the principal risks of each Fund. Risks not
marked for a particular Fund may, however, still apply to some extent to that
Fund at various times.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CAPITAL- INTEREST COUNTRY OR FOCUSED
MARKET SECTOR IZATION RATE CREDIT FOREIGN GEOGRAPHIC CURRENCY MANAGE- PORTFOLIO ALLOCATION
FUND RISK RISK RISK RISK RISK RISK RISK RISK MENT RISK RISK RISK
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ALLIANCE PREMIER
GROWTH FUND x x x
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE HEALTH
CARE FUND x x x x x x
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND x x x x x x
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE TECHNOLOGY
FUND x x x
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE QUASAR FUND x x x
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE ALLIANCE FUND x x x
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE GROWTH AND
INCOME FUND x x x x
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE BALANCED
SHARES x x x x x
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE UTILITY
INCOME FUND x x x x x
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE
INVESTMENT FUND x x x x x
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE
FUND x x x x x
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE
PRIVATIZATION FUND x x x x x
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL
PREMIER GROWTH FUND x x x x x
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE GLOBAL
SMALL CAP FUND x x x x x
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL
FUND x x x x x
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE GREATER
CHINA '97 FUND x x x x x x
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA
INVESTMENT FUND x x x x x
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE GLOBAL
ENVIRONMENT FUND x x x x x
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
23
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUNDS
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold
shares of the Funds.
SHAREHOLDER FEES (fees paid directly from your investment)
ADVISOR CLASS SHARE
Maximum Front-end or Deferred Sales Charge (Load) None
(as a percentage of original purchase
price or redemption proceeds,
whichever is lower)
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)
and EXAMPLES
The Examples are to help you compare the cost of investing in the Funds with
the cost of investing in other funds. They assume that you invest $10,000 in
each Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at
the end of those periods. They also assume that your investment has a 5% return
each year, that the Fund's operating expenses stay the same and that all
dividends and distributions are reinvested. Your actual costs may be higher or
lower.
OPERATING EXPENSES EXAMPLES
- -------------------------------------------- --------------------------
ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND
Management fees 1.00% After 1 year $ 128
Distribution (12b-1) fees None After 3 years $ 400
Other expenses .26% After 5 years $ 692
Total fund operating expenses 1.26% After 10 years $1,523
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND
Management fees .95% After 1 year $ 223
Distribution (12b-1) fees None After 3 years (b) $ 718
Other expenses 1.40% After 5 years (b) $1,240
Total fund operating expenses 2.35% After 10 years (b) $2,675
Waiver and/or expense
reimbursement (a) (.15%)
Net expenses 2.20%
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
Management fees .70% After 1 year $ 95
Distribution (12b-1) fees None After 3 years $ 296
Other expenses .23% After 5 years $ 515
Total fund operating expenses 0.93% After 10 years $1,143
ALLIANCE TECHNOLOGY FUND
Management fees 1.02% After 1 year $ 139
Distribution (12b-1) fees None After 3 years $ 434
Other expenses .35% After 5 years $ 750
Total fund operating expenses 1.37% After 10 years $1,646
ALLIANCE QUASAR FUND
Management fees 1.04% After 1 year $ 140
Distribution (12b-1) fees None After 3 years $ 437
Other expenses .34% After 5 years $ 755
Total fund operating expenses 1.38% After 10 years $1,657
THE ALLIANCE FUND
Management fees .67% After 1 year $ 85
Distribution (12b-1) fees None After 3 years $ 265
Other expenses .16% After 5 years $ 460
Total fund operating expenses 0.83% After 10 years $1,025
PLEASE REFER TO FOOTNOTES ON PAGE 26.
24
OPERATING EXPENSES EXAMPLES
- -------------------------------------------- --------------------------
ALLIANCE GROWTH AND
INCOME FUND
Management fees .48% After 1 year $ 78
Distribution (12b-1) fees None After 3 years $ 243
Other expenses .28% After 5 years $ 422
Total fund operating expenses 0.76% After 10 years $ 942
ALLIANCE BALANCED SHARES FUND
Management fees .59% After 1 year $ 99
Distribution (12b-1) fees None After 3 years $ 309
Other expenses .38% After 5 years $ 536
Total fund operating expenses .97% After 10 years $1,190
ALLIANCE UTILITY INCOME FUND
Management fees .75% After 1 year $ 122
Distribution (12b-1) fees None After 3 years (b) $ 594
Other expenses 1.46% After 5 years (b) $1,092
Total fund operating expenses 2.21% After 10 years (b) $2,465
Waiver and/or expense
reimbursement (a) (1.01)%
Net expenses 1.20%
ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE
INVESTMENT FUND
Management fees .90% After 1 year $ 132
Distribution (12b-1) fees None After 3 years $ 412
Other expenses .40% After 5 years $ 713
Total fund operating expenses 1.30% After 10 years $1,568
ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE FUND
Management fees .95% After 1 year $ 154
Distribution (12b-1) fees None After 3 years $ 477
Other expenses .56% After 5 years $ 824
Total fund operating expenses 1.51% After 10 years $1,802
ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE
PRIVATIZATION FUND
Management fees 1.00% After 1 year $ 165
Distribution (12b-1) fees None After 3 years $ 511
Other expenses .62% After 5 years $ 881
Total fund operating expenses 1.62% After 10 years $1,922
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL
PREMIER GROWTH FUND
Management fees 1.00% After 1 year $ 223
Distribution (12b-1) fees None After 3 years (b) $1,498
Other expenses 5.28% After 5 years (b) $2,740
Total fund operating expenses 6.28% After 10 years (b) $5,709
Waiver and/or expense
reimbursement (a) (4.08)%
Net expenses 2.20%
ALLIANCE GLOBAL
SMALL CAP FUND
Management Fees 1.00% After 1 year $ 216
Distribution (12b-1) Fees None After 3 years $ 667
Other Expenses 1.13% After 5 years $1,144
Total fund operating expenses 2.13% After 10 years $2,462
PLEASE REFER TO FOOTNOTES ON PAGE 26.
25
OPERATING EXPENSES EXAMPLES
- -------------------------------------------- --------------------------
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND
Management fees .95% After 1 year $ 160
Distribution (12b-1) fees None After 3 years (b) $ 523
Other expenses .75% After 5 years (b) $ 910
Total fund operating expenses 1.70% After 10 years (b) $1,996
Waiver and/or expense
reimbursement (a) (.13)%
Net expenses 1.57%
ALLIANCE GREATER
CHINA '97 FUND
Management fees 1.00% After 1 year $ 225
Distribution (12b-1) fees None After 3 years (b) $3,588
Other expenses 18.01% After 5 years (b) $6,075
Total fund operating expenses 19.01% After 10 years (b) $9,815
Waiver and/or expense
reimbursement (a) (16.79)%
Net expenses 2.22%
ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA
INVESTMENT FUND
Management fees 1.00% After 1 year $ 273
Distribution (12b-1) fees None After 3 years (b) $1,177
Administration fees .15% After 5 years (b) $2,092
Other operating expenses 3.24% After 10 years (b) $4,428
Total fund operating expenses 4.39%
Waiver and/or expense
reimbursement (a) (1.69)%
Net Expenses 2.70%
ALLIANCE GLOBAL
ENVIRONMENT FUND
Management Fees 1.10% After 1 year $ 472
Distribution (12b-1) Fees None After 3 years $1,419
Other Expenses 3.61% After 5 years $2,372
Total fund operating expenses 4.71% After 10 years $4,779
(A) REFLECTS ALLIANCE'S CONTRACTUAL WAIVER OF A PORTION OF ITS ADVISORY FEE
AND/OR REIMBURSEMENT OF A PORTION OF THE FUND'S OPERATING EXPENSES. THIS WAIVER
EXTENDS THROUGH THE END OF THE FUND'S CURRENT FISCAL YEAR AND MAY BE EXTENDED
BY ALLIANCE FOR ADDITIONAL ONE YEAR TERMS.
(B) THESE EXAMPLES ASSUME THAT ALLIANCE'S AGREEMENT TO WAIVE MANAGEMENT FEES
AND/OR REIMBURSE FUND EXPENSES IS NOT EXTENDED BEYOND ITS INITIAL PERIOD.
26
GLOSSARY
This Prospectus uses the following terms.
TYPES OF SECURITIES
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES are fixed-income securities that are convertible into
common stock.
DEBT SECURITIES are bonds, debentures, notes, bills, loans, other direct debt
instruments, and other fixed, floating and variable rate debt obligations, but
do not include convertible securities.
DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS include American Depositary Receipts ("ADRS"), Global
Depositary Receipts ("GDRS") and other types of depositary receipts.
EQUITY SECURITIES include (i) common stocks, partnership interests, business
trust shares and other equity or ownership interests in business enterprises
and (ii) securities convertible into, and rights and warrants to subscribe for
the purchase of, such stocks, shares and interests.
FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES are debt securities and dividend-paying preferred
stocks, including floating rate and variable rate instruments.
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES are securities issued or guaranteed, as to
payment of principal and interest, by foreign governments, quasi-governmental
entities, governmental agencies or other governmental entities.
QUALIFYING BANK DEPOSITS are certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and
interest-bearing savings deposits of banks that have total assets of more than
$1 billion and are members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
RULE 144A SECURITIES are securities that may be resold under Rule 144A of the
Securities Act.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES are securities issued or guaranteed by the United
States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.
TYPES OF COMPANIES
ASIAN COMPANY is an entity that (i) is organized under the laws of an Asian
country and conducts business in an Asian country, (ii) derives 50% or more of
its total revenues from business in Asian countries, or (iii) issues equity or
debt securities that are traded principally on a stock exchange in an Asian
country.
ASIAN COUNTRIES are Australia, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka,
the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
(Hong Kong), the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Japan, the Kingdom of Thailand,
Malaysia, Negara Brunei Darussalam (Brunei), New Zealand, the People's Republic
of China, the People's Republic of Kampuchea (Cambodia), the Republic of China
(Taiwan), the Republic of India, the Republic of Indonesia, the Republic of
Korea (South Korea), the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of
Singapore, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Union of Myanmar.
BENEFICIARY COMPANIES are Eligible Companies whose principal businesses lie
outside the environmental sector but nevertheless anticipate environmental
regulations or consumer preferences through the development of new products,
processes or services that are intended to contribute to a cleaner and
healthier environment, such as companies that anticipate the demand for plastic
substitutes, aerosol substitutes, alternative fuels and processes that generate
less hazardous waste.
ELIGIBLE COMPANIES are companies expected to benefit from advances or
improvements in products, processes or services intended to foster the
protection of the environment.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPANIES are Eligible Companies that have a principal business
involving the sale of systems or services intended to foster environmental
protection, such as waste treatment and disposal, remediation, air pollution
control and recycling.
EUROPEAN COMPANY is a company (i) organized under the laws of a European
country that issues equity or debt securities that are traded principally on a
European stock exchange, or (ii) a company that derives 50% or more of its
total revenues or profits from businesses in Europe.
GREATER CHINA COMPANY is an entity that (i) is organized under the laws of a
Greater China country and conducts business in a Greater China country, (ii)
derives 50% or more of its total revenues from businesses in Greater China
countries, or (iii) issues equity or debt securities that are traded
principally on a stock exchange in a Greater China country. A company of a
particular Greater China country is a company that meets any of these criteria
with respect to that country.
HEALTH CARE INDUSTRIES include the health care and health care-related
(including health sciences) industries. These industries are principally
engaged in the discovery, development, provision, production or distribution of
products and services that relate to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of
diseases or other medical disorders. Companies in these fields include, but are
not limited to, pharmaceutical firms; companies that design, manufacture or
sell medical supplies, equipment and support services; companies that operate
hospitals and other health care facilities; and companies engaged in medical,
diagnostic, biochemical, biotechnological or other health sciences research and
development.
GREATER CHINA COUNTRIES are the People's Republic of China ("China"), the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China ("Hong
Kong") and the Republic of China ("Taiwan").
NON-U.S. COMPANY is an entity that (i) is organized under the laws of a foreign
country and conducts business in a foreign country, (ii) derives 50% or more of
its total revenues from business in foreign countries, or (iii) issues equity
or debt securities that are traded principally on a stock exchange in a foreign
country.
27
RATING AGENCIES, RATED SECURITIES AND INDEXES
DUFF & PHELPS is Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co.
EAFE INDEX is Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far
East ("EAFE") Index.
FITCH is Fitch IBCA, Inc.
INVESTMENT GRADE SECURITIES are fixed-income securities rated Baa and above by
Moody's or BBB and above by S&P, Duff & Phelps or Fitch, or determined by
Alliance to be of equivalent quality.
LOWER-RATED SECURITIES are fixed-income securities rated Ba or below by Moody's
or BB or below by S&P, Duff & Phelps or Fitch, or determined by Alliance to be
of equivalent quality, and are commonly referred to as "JUNK BONDS."
MOODY'S is Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
PRIME COMMERCIAL PAPER is commercial paper rated Prime 1 by Moody's or A-1 or
higher by S&P or, if not rated, issued by companies that have an outstanding
debt issue rated Aa or higher by Moody's or AA or higher by S&P.
S&P is Standard & Poor's Ratings Services.
S&P 500 INDEX is S&P's 500 Composite Stock Price Index, a widely recognized
unmanaged index of market activity.
OTHER
1940 ACT is the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
CODE is the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
COMMISSION is the Securities and Exchange Commission.
EXCHANGE is the New York Stock Exchange.
SECURITIES ACT is the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS
This section of the Prospectus provides a more complete description of the
Funds' investment objectives, principal strategies and risks. Of course, there
can be no assurance that any Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Please note that:
- - Additional discussion of the Funds' investments, including the risks of
the investments, can be found in the discussion under DESCRIPTION OF INVESTMENT
PRACTICES following this section.
- - The description of the principal risks for a Fund may include risks
described in the SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL RISKS above. Additional information about
the risks of investing in a Fund can be found in the discussion under
ADDITIONAL RISK CONSIDERATIONS.
- - Additional descriptions of each Fund's strategies, investments and risks
can be found in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information or SAI.
- - Except as noted, (i) the Funds' investment objectives are "fundamental"
and cannot be changed without a shareholder vote, and (ii) the Funds'
investment policies are not fundamental and thus can be changed without a
shareholder vote.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
DOMESTIC STOCK FUNDS
The Domestic Stock Funds offer investors seeking capital appreciation a range
of alternative approaches to investing in the U.S. equity markets.
ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND
ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND seeks long-term growth of capital by investing
predominantly in the equity securities of a limited number of large, carefully
selected, high-quality U.S. companies that are judged likely to achieve
superior earnings growth. As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund normally
invests at least 85% of its total assets in the equity securities of U.S.
companies. A U.S. company is a company that is organized under United States
law, has its principal office in the United States and issues equity securities
that are traded principally in the United States. Normally, about 40-60
companies will be represented in the Fund's portfolio, with the 25 most highly
regarded of these companies usually constituting approximately 70% of the
Fund's net assets. The Fund is thus atypical from most equity mutual funds in
its focus on a relatively small number of intensively researched companies. The
Fund is designed for those seeking to accumulate capital over time with less
volatility than that associated with investment in smaller companies.
Alliance's investment strategy for the Fund emphasizes stock selection and
investment in the securities of a limited number of issuers. Alliance relies
heavily upon the fundamental analysis and research of its large internal
research staff, which generally follows a primary research universe of more
than 500 companies that have strong management, superior industry positions,
excellent balance sheets and superior earnings growth prospects. An emphasis is
placed on identifying companies whose substantially above average prospective
earnings growth is not fully reflected in current market valuations.
In managing the Fund, Alliance seeks to utilize market volatility judiciously
(assuming no change in company fundamentals), striving to capitalize on
apparently unwarranted price fluctuations, both to purchase or increase
positions on weakness and to sell or reduce overpriced holdings. The Fund
normally remains nearly fully invested and does not take significant cash
positions for market timing purposes. During market declines, while adding to
positions in favored stocks, the Fund becomes somewhat more aggressive,
gradually reducing the number of companies represented in its portfolio.
Conversely, in rising markets, while reducing or eliminating fully valued
positions, the Fund becomes somewhat more
28
conservative, gradually increasing the number of companies represented in its
portfolio. Alliance thus seeks to gain positive returns in good markets while
providing some measure of protection in poor markets.
Alliance expects the average market capitalization of companies represented in
the Fund's portfolio normally to be in the range, or in excess, of the average
market capitalization of companies included in the S&P 500 Index.
The Fund also may:
- - invest up to 20% of its net assets in CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES;
- - invest up to 5% of its net assets in RIGHTS OR WARRANTS;
- - invest up to 15% of its total assets in FOREIGN SECURITIES;
- - purchase and sell exchange-traded index OPTIONS and stock index FUTURES
CONTRACTS; and
- - write covered exchange-traded call OPTIONS on its securities of up to 15%
of its total assets, and purchase and sell exchange-traded call and put options
on common stocks written by others of up to, for all options, 10% of its total
assets.
Because the Fund invests in a smaller number of securities than many other
equity funds, your investment has the risk that changes in the value of a
single security may have a more significant effect, either negative or
positive, on the Fund's net asset value.
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND seeks capital appreciation and, secondarily, current
income. In seeking to achieve its investment objective, under normal
circumstances the Fund invests at least 65%, and normally substantially all, of
the value of its total assets in securities issued by companies principally
engaged in Health Care Industries.
The Fund seeks investments in both new, smaller and less seasoned companies and
well-known, larger and established companies. Whenever possible, investments in
new, smaller or less seasoned companies will be made with a view to benefiting
from the development and growth of new products and markets in Health Care
Industries. Investments in these companies may offer more reward but may also
entail more risk than is generally true of larger, established companies.
While the Fund anticipates that a substantial portion of its portfolio will be
invested in the securities of U.S. companies, the Fund is not limited to
investing in such securities. Many companies in the forefront of world medical
technology are located outside the United States, primarily in Japan and
Europe. Accordingly, the Fund may invest up to 40% of the value of its total
assets in foreign securities, including up to 25% in issuers located in any one
foreign country. However, no more than 5% of the value of the Fund's total net
assets may be invested in securities of issuers located in emerging market
countries. All percentage limitations are applied at the time of investment.
Although the payment of dividends will be a factor considered in the selection
of investments for the Fund, the Fund seeks primarily to take advantage of
capital appreciation opportunities identified by Alliance in emerging
technologies and services in Health Care Industries by investing in companies
that are expected to profit from the development of new products and services
for these industries. Examples of such emerging technologies and services
include:
- - New methods for administering drugs to a patient, such as surgical
implants and skin patches that enhance the effectiveness of the drugs and may
reduce patient side effects by delivering the drugs in precise quantities over
a prolonged time period or by evading natural body defense mechanisms which
delay the effect of the drugs;
- - Developments in medical imaging such as the application of computer
technology to the output of conventional x-ray systems that allow for
cross-sectional images of soft tissue and organs (CT scanning) and continuous
imaging (digital radiography) as well as more advanced nuclear medicine,
ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI);
- - Advances in minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as angioplasty
and related technologies for diseased blood vessels and laser beams for the
eye, general and cardiovascular surgery, which provide greater effectiveness,
lower cost and improved patient safety than more traditional surgical
techniques;
- - New therapeutic pharmaceutical compounds that control or alleviate
disease, including prescription and non-prescription drugs and treatment
regimes for conditions not controlled, alleviated or treatable by existing
medications or treatments and chemical or biological pharmaceuticals for use in
diagnostic testing;
- - Advances in molecular biology such as signal transduction, cell adhesion
and cell to cell communication which have facilitated a rapid increase in new
classes of drugs. These have included monoclonal antibodies, bio-engineered
proteins and small molecules from novel synthesis and screening techniques;
- - Genomics, which allows scientists to better understand the causes of human
diseases, and in some cases has led to the manufacture of proteins for use as
therapeutic drugs;
- - Gene chips and other equipment that provide for the screening, diagnosis
and treatment of diseases;
- - The introduction of large scale business efficiencies to the management of
nursing homes, acute and specialty hospitals, as well as free-standing
outpatient facilities, surgical centers and rehabilitation centers;
- - Adaptations of microprocessors for use by pharmaceutical manufacturers,
hospitals, doctors and others in Health Care Industries to increase
distribution efficiency;
- - Health care delivery organizations that combine cost effectiveness with
high quality medical care and help address the rising cost of health care; and
29
- - The sale of prescription drugs and pharmaceuticals to consumers via the
Internet.
The Fund's portfolio may also include companies that provide traditional
products and services currently in use in Health Care Industries and that are
likely to benefit from any increases in the general demand for such products
and services. The following are examples of the products and services that may
be offered by companies in Health Care Industries:
- - DRUGS OR PHARMACEUTICALS, including both ethical and proprietary drugs,
drug administration products and pharmaceutical components used in diagnostic
testing;
- - MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, including equipment and supplies used by
health service companies and individual practitioners, such as electronic
equipment used for diagnosis and treatment, surgical and medical instruments
and other products designed especially for Health Care Industries;
- - HEALTH CARE SERVICES, including the services of clinical testing
laboratories, hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, centers for convalescence and
rehabilitation, and products and services for home health care; and
- - MEDICAL RESEARCH, including scientific research to develop drugs,
processes or technologies with possible commercial application in Health Care
Industries.
The Fund also may:
- - purchase or sell FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS;
- - enter into FORWARD COMMITMENTS for the purchase or sale of securities;
- - make SECURED LOANS OF SECURITIES of up to 20% of its total assets; and
- - enter into REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS.
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND seeks long-term growth of capital. Current income is only
an incidental consideration. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by
investing primarily in equity securities of companies with favorable earnings
outlooks and long-term growth rates that are expected to exceed that of the
U.S. economy over time. The Fund's investment objective is not fundamental.
The Fund also may invest up to 25% of its total assets in lower-rated
fixed-income securities and convertible bonds. The Fund generally will not
invest in securities rated at the time of purchase below Caa- by Moody's and
CCC- by S&P, Duff & Phelps or Fitch or in securities judged by Alliance to be
of comparable investment quality. From time to time, however, the Fund may
invest in securities rated in the lowest grades (i.e., C by Moody's or D or
equivalent by S&P, Duff & Phelps or Fitch) or securities of comparable
investment quality if there are prospects for an upgrade or a favorable
conversion into equity securities. If the credit rating of a security held by
the Fund falls below its rating at the time of purchase (or Alliance determines
that the credit quality of the security has deteriorated), the Fund may
continue to hold the security if such investment is considered appropriate
under the circumstances.
The Fund also may:
- - invest in ZERO-COUPON and PAYMENT-IN-KIND BONDS;
- - invest in FOREIGN SECURITIES although not generally in excess of 15% of
its total assets;
- - buy or sell foreign currencies, OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES, and FOREIGN
CURRENCY FUTURES CONTRACTS (and related options) and deal in FORWARD FOREIGN
CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS;
- - enter into FORWARD COMMITMENTS;
- - buy and sell stock index FUTURES CONTRACTS and OPTIONS ON FUTURE CONTRACTS
and on stock indices;
- - purchase and sell FUTURES CONTRACTS and OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS and
U.S. Treasury securities;
- - write covered call and put OPTIONS;
- - purchase and sell put and call OPTIONS;
- - make LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES of up to 25% of its total assets; and
- - enter into REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS of up to 25% of its total assets;
ALLIANCE TECHNOLOGY FUND
ALLIANCE TECHNOLOGY FUND emphasizes growth of capital and invests for capital
appreciation. Current income is only an incidental consideration. The Fund may
seek income by writing listed call options. The Fund invests primarily in
securities of companies expected to benefit from technological advances and
improvements (i.e., companies that use technology extensively in the
development of new or improved products or processes). The Fund normally will
have at least 80% of its assets invested in the securities of these companies.
The Fund normally will have substantially all its assets invested in equity
securities, but it also invests in debt securities offering an opportunity for
price appreciation. The Fund will invest in listed and unlisted securities, in
U.S. securities, and up to 10% of its total assets in foreign securities.
The Fund's policy is to invest in any company and industry and in any type of
security with potential for capital appreciation. It invests in well-known and
established companies and in new and unseasoned companies.
The Fund also may:
- - write covered call OPTIONS on its securities of up to 15% of its total
assets and purchase exchange-listed call and put options, including
exchange-traded index put options of up to, for all options, 10% of its total
assets;
- - invest up to 10% of its total assets in WARRANTS; and
- - make LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES of up to 30% of its total assets.
30
Because the Fund invests primarily in technology companies, factors affecting
those types of companies could have a significant effect on the Fund's net
asset value. In addition, the Fund's investments in technology stocks,
especially those of smaller, less seasoned companies, tend to be more volatile
than the overall market. The Fund's investments in debt and foreign securities
have credit risk and foreign risk.
ALLIANCE QUASAR FUND
ALLIANCE QUASAR FUND seeks growth of capital by pursuing aggressive investment
policies. The Fund invests for capital appreciation and only incidentally for
current income. The Fund's practice of selecting securities based on the
possibility of appreciation cannot, of course, ensure against a loss in value.
Moreover, because the Fund's investment policies are aggressive, an investment
in the Fund is risky and investors who want assured income or preservation of
capital should not invest in the Fund.
The Fund invests in any company and industry and in any type of security with
potential for capital appreciation. It invests in well-known and established
companies and in new and unseasoned companies. When selecting securities for
the Fund, Alliance considers the economic and political outlook, the values of
specific securities relative to other investments, trends in the determinants
of corporate profits, and management capability and practices.
The Fund invests principally in equity securities, but it also invests to a
limited degree in non-convertible bonds and preferred stocks. The Fund invests
in listed and unlisted U.S. and foreign securities. The Fund can periodically
invest in the securities of companies that are expected to appreciate due to a
development particularly or uniquely applicable to a company regardless of
general business conditions or movements of the market as a whole.
The Fund also may:
- - make SHORT SALES OF SECURITIES AGAINST THE BOX but not more than 15% of
its net assets may be deposited on short sales; and
- - write covered call OPTIONS of up to 15% of its total assets and purchase
and sell put and call options written by others of up to, for all options, 10%
of its total assets.
Investments in smaller companies may have more risk because they tend to be
more volatile than the overall stock market. The Fund's investments in
non-convertible bonds, preferred stocks and foreign stocks may have credit risk
and foreign risk.
THE ALLIANCE FUND
THE ALLIANCE FUND seeks long-term growth of capital and income primarily
through investment in common stocks. The Fund normally invests substantially
all of its assets in common stocks that Alliance believes will appreciate in
value. The Fund also may invest in other types of securities such as
convertible securities, investment grade instruments, U.S. Government
securities and high quality, short-term obligations such as repurchase
agreements, bankers' acceptances and domestic certificates of deposit. The Fund
may invest without limit in foreign securities. The Fund generally does not
effect portfolio transactions in order to realize short-term trading profits or
exercise control.
The Fund also may:
- - write exchange-traded covered call OPTIONS on up to 25% of its total
assets;
- - make SECURED LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES of up to 25% of its total
assets; and
- - enter into REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS of up to seven days' duration with
commercial banks, but only if those agreements together with any restricted
securities and any securities which do not have readily available market
quotations do not exceed 10% of its net assets.
While the diversification and generally high quality of the Fund's investments
cannot prevent fluctuations in market values, they tend to limit investment
risk and contribute to achieving the Fund's objective.
TOTAL RETURN FUNDS
The Total Return Funds provide a range of investment alternatives to investors
seeking both growth of capital and current income.
ALLIANCE GROWTH AND INCOME FUND
ALLIANCE GROWTH AND INCOME FUND seeks appreciation through investments
primarily in dividend-paying common stocks of good quality. The Fund also may
invest in fixed-income securities and convertible securities.
The Fund also may try to realize income by writing covered call options listed
on domestic securities exchanges. The Fund also invests in foreign securities.
Since the purchase of foreign securities entails certain political and economic
risks, the Fund restricts its investments in these securities to issues of high
quality. The Fund also may purchase and sell financial forward and futures
contracts and options on these securities for hedging purposes.
ALLIANCE BALANCED SHARES
ALLIANCE BALANCED SHARES seeks a high return through a combination of current
income and capital appreciation. Although the Fund's investment objective is
not fundamental, the Fund is a "balanced" fund as a matter of fundamental
policy. The Fund invests in equity securities of high-quality, financially
strong, dividend-paying companies. Normally, the Fund's investments will
consist of about 60% in stocks, but stocks may make up to 75% of its
investments. The Fund will not purchase a security if as a result less than 25%
of its total assets will be in fixed income senior securities. These
investments may include short- and long-term debt securities, preferred stocks,
convertible debt securities and convertible preferred stocks to the extent that
their values are attributable to their fixed-income characteristics. Other than
this restriction, the percentage of the Fund's assets invested in each type of
security will vary.
The Fund invests in U.S. Government securities, bonds, senior debt securities,
and preferred and common stocks in such
31
proportions and of such type as Alliance deems best adapted to the current
economic and market outlooks. The Fund may invest up to 15% of the value of its
total assets in foreign equity and fixed-income securities eligible for
purchase by the Fund under its investment policies described above.
The Fund also may:
- - enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of
foreign currencies;
- - purchase and write put and call OPTIONS on foreign currencies and enter
into FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS for hedging purposes; and
- - subject to market conditions, write covered call OPTIONS listed on a
domestic exchange to realize income.
As a balanced fund, the Fund has the risk that the allocation of its
investments between equity and debt securities may have a more significant
effect on the Fund's net asset value when one of these asset classes is
performing more poorly than the other.
ALLIANCE UTILITY INCOME FUND
ALLIANCE UTILITY INCOME FUND seeks current income and capital appreciation by
investing primarily in equity and fixed-income securities of companies in the
utilities industry. As a fundamental policy, the Fund normally invests at least
65% of its total assets in securities of companies in the utilities industry.
The Fund seeks to take advantage of the characteristics and historical
performance of securities of utility companies, many of which pay regular
dividends and increase their common stock dividends over time. The Fund
considers a company to be in the utilities industry if, during the most recent
twelve-month period, at least 50% of the company's gross revenues, on a
consolidated basis, were derived from its utilities activities.
The Fund may invest in securities of both U.S. and foreign issuers, although
the Fund will invest no more than 15% of its total assets in issuers in any one
foreign country. The Fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in
income-producing securities, but there is otherwise no limit on the allocation
of the Fund's investments between equity securities and fixed-income
securities. The Fund may maintain up to 35% of its net assets in lower-rated
securities. The Fund will not retain a security that is downgraded below B or
determined by Alliance to have undergone similar credit quality deterioration
following purchase.
The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in equity and fixed-income
securities of domestic and foreign corporate and governmental issuers other
than utility companies. These securities include U.S. Government securities and
repurchase agreements for those securities, foreign government securities,
corporate fixed-income securities of domestic issuers, corporate fixed-income
securities of foreign issuers denominated in foreign currencies or in U.S.
Dollars (in each case including fixed-income securities of an issuer in one
country denominated in the currency of another country), qualifying bank
deposits, and prime commercial paper.
The Fund also may:
- - invest up to 30% of its net assets in CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES;
- - invest up to 5% of its net assets in RIGHTS OR WARRANTS;
- - invest in DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS, securities of supranational entities
denominated in the currency of any country, securities denominated in European
Currency Units, and "semi-governmental securities";
- - write covered call and put OPTIONS, purchase call and put options on
securities of the types in which it is permitted to invest that are
exchange-traded and over-the-counter, and write uncovered call options for
cross-hedging purposes;
- - purchase and sell exchange-traded OPTIONS on any securities index composed
of the types of securities in which it may invest;
- - enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of
fixed-income securities or foreign currencies, or contracts based on financial
indices, including an index of U.S. Government securities, foreign government
securities, corporate fixed-income securities, or common stock, and may
purchase and write options on futures contracts;
- - purchase and write call and put OPTIONS on foreign currencies traded on
U.S. and foreign exchanges or over-the-counter for hedging purposes;
- - purchase or sell FORWARD CONTRACTS;
- - enter into INTEREST RATE SWAPS and purchase or sell INTEREST RATE CAPS and
FLOORS;
- - enter into FORWARD COMMITMENTS;
- - enter into STANDBY COMMITMENT AGREEMENTS;
- - enter into REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS for U.S. Government securities;
- - make SHORT SALES of securities or maintain a short position; and
- - make SECURED LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES of up to 20% of its total
assets.
The Fund's principal risks include those that arise from its investing
primarily in electric utility companies. Factors affecting that industry sector
can have a significant effect on the Fund's net asset value. The U.S. utilities
industry has experienced significant changes in recent years. Electric utility
companies in general have been favorably affected by lower fuel costs, the full
or near completion of major construction programs and lower financing costs. In
addition, many utility companies have generated cash flows in excess of current
operating expenses and construction expenditures, permitting some degree of
diversification into unregulated businesses. Regulatory changes, however, could
increase costs or impair the ability of nuclear and conventionally fueled
generating facilities to operate their facilities and reduce their ability to
make dividend payments on their securities. Rates of return of utility
companies generally are subject to review and limitation by state public
utilities
32
commissions and tend to fluctuate with marginal financing costs. Rate changes
ordinarily lag behind changes in financing costs and can favorably or
unfavorably affect the earnings or dividend pay-outs of utilities stocks
depending upon whether the rates and costs are declining or rising.
Utility companies historically have been subject to the risks of increases in
fuel and other operating costs, high interest costs, costs associated with
compliance with environmental and nuclear safety regulations, service
interruptions, economic slowdowns, surplus capacity, competition, and
regulatory changes. There also can be no assurance that regulatory policies or
accounting standards changes will not negatively affect utility companies'
earnings or dividends. Utility companies are subject to regulation by various
authorities and may be affected by the imposition of special tariffs and
changes in tax laws. To the extent that rates are established or reviewed by
governmental authorities, utility companies are subject to the risk that such
authorities will not authorize increased rates. Because of the Fund's policy of
concentrating its investments in utility companies, the Fund is more
susceptible than most other mutual funds to economic, political or regulatory
occurrences affecting the utilities industry.
Foreign utility companies, like those in the U.S., are generally subject to
regulation, although the regulation may or may not be comparable to domestic
regulations. Foreign utility companies in certain countries may be more heavily
regulated by their respective governments than utility companies located in the
U.S. As in the U.S., foreign utility companies generally are required to seek
government approval for rate increases. In addition, many foreign utility
companies use fuels that cause more pollution than those used in the U.S. and
may yet be required to invest in pollution control equipment. Foreign utility
regulatory systems vary from country to country and may evolve in ways
different from regulation in the U.S. The percentage of the Fund's assets
invested in issuers of particular countries will vary.
Increases in interest rates may cause the value of the Fund's investments to
decline and the decrease in value may not be offset by higher interest rate
income. The Fund's investments in lower-rated securities may be subject to more
credit risk than a fund that invests in higher-rated securities.
ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FUND
ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FUND seeks a total return from long-term growth
of capital and from income principally through investing in a portfolio of
equity securities of issuers that are primarily engaged in or related to the
real estate industry.
The Fund normally invests at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities
of real estate investment trusts, or REITs, and other real estate industry
companies. A "real estate industry company" is a company that derives at least
50% of its gross revenues or net profits from the ownership, development,
construction, financing, management, or sale of commercial, industrial, or
residential real estate or interests in these properties. The Fund invests in
equity securities that include common stock, shares of beneficial interest of
REITs, and securities with common stock characteristics, such as preferred
stock or convertible securities ("Real Estate Equity Securities").
The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in (a) securities that
directly or indirectly represent participations in, or are collateralized by
and payable from, mortgage loans secured by real property ("Mortgage-Backed
Securities"), such as mortgage pass-through certificates, real estate mortgage
investment conduit certificates ("REMICs") and collateralized mortgage
obligations ("CMOs") and (b) short-term investments. These securities are
described below.
In selecting Real Estate Equity Securities, Alliance's analysis will focus on
determining the degree to which the company involved can achieve sustainable
growth in cash flow and dividend paying capability. Alliance believes that the
primary determinant of this capability is the economic viability of property
markets in which the company operates and that the secondary determinant of
this capability is the ability of management to add value through strategic
focus and operating expertise. The Fund will purchase Real Estate Equity
Securities when, in the judgment of Alliance, their market price does not
adequately reflect this potential. In making this determination, Alliance will
take into account fundamental trends in underlying property markets as
determined by proprietary models, site visits conducted by individuals
knowledgeable in local real estate markets, price-earnings ratios (as defined
for real estate companies), cash flow growth and stability, the relationship
between asset value and market price of the securities, dividend payment
history, and such other factors that Alliance may determine from time to time
to be relevant. Alliance will attempt to purchase for the Fund Real Estate
Equity Securities of companies whose underlying portfolios are diversified
geographically and by property type.
The Fund may invest without limitation in shares of REITs. REITs are pooled
investment vehicles that invest primarily in income producing real estate or
real estate related loans or interests. REITs are generally classified as
equity REITs, mortgage REITs, or a combination of equity and mortgage REITs.
Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and
derive income primarily from the collection of rents. Equity REITs can also
realize capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated in value.
Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and
derive income from the collection of interest payments. Similar to investment
companies such as the Fund, REITs are not taxed on income distributed to
shareholders provided they comply with several requirements of the Code. The
Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of expenses incurred by REITs
in which the Fund invests in addition to the expenses incurred directly by the
Fund.
The Fund's investment strategy with respect to Real Estate Equity Securities is
based on the premise that property market fundamentals are the primary
determinant of growth underlying the performance of Real Estate Equity
Securities. Value and management further distinguishes the most attractive Real
Estate Equity Securities. The Fund's research and investment process is
designed to identify those companies with strong
33
property fundamentals and strong management teams. This process is comprised of
real estate market research, specific property inspection, and securities
analysis. Alliance believes that this process will result in a portfolio that
will consist of Real Estate Equity Securities of companies that own assets in
the most desirable markets across the country, diversified geographically and
by property type.
To implement the Fund's research and investment process, Alliance has retained
the consulting services of CB Richard Ellis, Inc. ("CBRE"), a publicly held
company and the largest real estate services company in the United States.
CBRE's business includes real estate brokerage, property and facilities
management, and real estate finance and investment advisory activities. The
universe of property-owning real estate industry firms consists of
approximately 142 companies of sufficient size and quality to merit
consideration for investment by the Fund. As consultant to Alliance, CBRE
provides access to its proprietary model, REIT-Score, which analyzes the
approximately 18,000 properties owned by these 142 companies. Using proprietary
databases and algorithms, CBRE analyzes local market rent, expenses, occupancy
trends, market specific transaction pricing, demographic and economic trends,
and leading indicators of real estate supply such as building permits. Over
1,000 asset-type specific geographic markets are analyzed and ranked on a
relative scale by CBRE in compiling its REIT-Score database. The relative
attractiveness of these real estate industry companies is similarly ranked
based on the composite rankings of the properties they own.
Once the universe of real estate industry companies has been distilled through
the market research process, CBRE's local market presence provides the
capability to perform site specific inspections of key properties. This
analysis examines specific location, condition, and sub-market trends. CBRE's
use of locally based real estate professionals provides Alliance with a window
on the operations of the portfolio companies as information can immediately be
put in the context of local market events. Only those companies whose specific
property portfolios reflect the promise of their general markets will be
considered for investment by the Fund.
Alliance further screens the universe of real estate industry companies by
using rigorous financial models and by engaging in regular contact with
management of targeted companies. Each management's strategic plan and ability
to execute the plan are determined and analyzed. Alliance makes extensive use
of CBRE's network of industry analysts in order to assess trends in tenant
industries. This information is then used to further evaluate management's
strategic plans. Financial ratio analysis is used to isolate those companies
with the ability to make value-added acquisitions. This information is combined
with property market trends and used to project future earnings potential.
The Fund may invest in short-term investments including: corporate commercial
paper and other short-term commercial obligations, in each case rated or issued
by companies with similar securities outstanding that are rated Prime-1, Aa or
better by Moody's or A-1, AA or better by S&P; obligations (including
certificates of deposit, time deposits, demand deposits and bankers'
acceptances) of banks with securities outstanding that are rated Prime-1, Aa or
better by Moody's or A-1, AA or better by S&P; and obligations issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities with
remaining maturities not exceeding 18 months.
The Fund may invest in debt securities rated BBB or higher by S&P or Baa or
higher by Moody's or, if not rated, of equivalent credit quality as determined
by Alliance. The Fund expects that it will not retain a debt security that is
downgraded below BBB or Baa or, if unrated, determined by Alliance to have
undergone similar credit quality deterioration, subsequent to purchase by the
Fund.
The Fund also may:
- - invest up to 15% of its net assets in CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES;
- - enter into FORWARD COMMITMENTS;
- - enter into STANDBY COMMITMENT AGREEMENTS;
- - make SHORT SALES of securities or maintain a short position but only if at
all times when a short position is open not more than 25% of the Fund's net
assets is held as collateral for such sales;
- - invest up to 10% of its net assets in RIGHTS OR WARRANTS;
- - make LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES of up to 25% of its total assets; and
- - enter into REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS of up to seven days' duration.
Because the Fund invests a substantial portion of its assets in the real estate
market, it is subject to many of the same risks involved in direct ownership of
real estate. For example, the value of real estate could decline due to a
variety of factors affecting the real estate market generally, such as
overbuilding, increases in interest rates, or declines in rental rates. In
addition, REITs are dependent on the capability of their managers, may have
limited diversification, and could be significantly affected by changes in tax
laws.
The Fund's investments in mortgage-backed securities have prepayment risk,
which is the risk that mortgage loans will be prepaid when interest rates
decline and the Fund will have to reinvest in securities with lower interest
rates. This risk causes mortgage-backed securities to have significantly
greater price and yield volatility than traditional fixed-income securities.
The Fund's investments in REMICs, CMOs and other types of mortgage-backed
securities may be subject to special risks that are described under
"Description of Investment Practices."
GLOBAL STOCK FUNDS
The Global Stock Funds offer investors the opportunity to participate in the
potential for long-term capital appreciation available from investment in
foreign securities.
ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE FUND
ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE FUND seeks long-term capital appreciation through
investment primarily in the equity securities of
34
companies based in Europe. The Fund intends to invest substantially all of its
assets in the equity securities of European companies and has a fundamental
policy of normally investing at least 65% of its total assets in these
securities. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in high-quality
U.S. Dollar or foreign currency denominated fixed-income securities issued or
guaranteed by European governmental entities, or by European or multinational
companies or supranational organizations.
The Fund expects that it will invest primarily in the more established and
liquid markets in Europe. However, the Fund may also invest in the
lesser-developed markets in Europe including those countries in Southern and
Eastern Europe, as well as the former communist countries in the Soviet Union.
The Fund does not expect to invest more than 20% of its total assets in these
developing markets under normal circumstances or more than 10% of its total
assets in issuers based in any one of these developing countries.
In managing the Fund, Alliance utilizes a disciplined approach to invest on a
bottom-up basis in those companies exhibiting the best available combination of
sustainable fundamental growth at a reasonable price. Alliance's approach
emphasizes proprietary qualitative and quantitative inputs provided by its
in-house analysts. Internal analysis focuses primarily on large to upper-medium
capitalization stocks (those with a market value of $3 billion and above).
Country and industry exposures are by-products of the stock selection process.
Alliance does not actively manage currency exposures for this Fund but may
hedge underlying exposures back to US Dollars when conditions are perceived to
be extreme.
Stock selection focuses on companies in growth industries that exhibit
above-average growth based on a competitive or sustainable advantage based on
brand, technology, or market share. A stock is typically sold when its relative
fundamentals are no longer as attractive as other investment opportunities
available to the Fund. This may be a function of the stock having achieved its
fair market value, deterioration in fundamentals relative to Alliance's
expectations, or because the management team loses confidence in company
management.
The Fund diversifies its investments among a number of European countries and
normally invests in companies based in at least three of these countries. The
Fund's investment policies do not require that the Fund concentrate its
investments in any single country. However, these policies also do not prevent
the Fund from concentrating its investments in a single country and in recent
years the Fund has invested more than 25% of its total assets in the United
Kingdom. The Fund may invest without limit in any single European country.
During such times, the Fund would be subject to a correspondingly greater risk
of loss due to adverse political or regulatory developments, or an economic
downturn, within that country.
The Fund also may:
- - invest up to 20% of its total assets in RIGHTS OR WARRANTS;
- - invest in DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS or other securities convertible into
securities of companies based in European countries, debt securities of
supranational entities denominated in the Euro or the currency of any European
country, debt securities denominated in the Euro of an issuer in a European
country (including supranational issuers), and "semi-governmental securities";
- - purchase and sell FORWARD CONTRACTS;
- - write covered call or put OPTIONS and sell and purchase exchange-traded
put and call options, including exchange-traded index options;
- - enter into financial FUTURES CONTRACTS, including contracts for the
purchase or sale for future delivery of foreign currencies and futures
contracts based on stock indices, and purchase and write options on futures
contracts;
- - purchase and write put options on foreign currencies traded on securities
exchanges or boards of trade or over-the-counter;
- - enter into STANDBY COMMITMENT AGREEMENTS;
- - make SECURED LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES of up to 30% of its total
assets; and
- - enter into FORWARD COMMITMENTS.
The Fund's investments in non-U.S. countries and smaller countries may have
more risk because they tend to be more volatile than the overall stock market.
To the extent the Fund invests a substantial amount of its assets in a
particular European country, your investment is subject to the risk that market
changes or other events affecting that country may have a more significant
effect on the Fund's net asset value. The Fund's investments in U.S. Dollar- or
foreign currency-denominated fixed-income securities have interest rate and
credit risk.
ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE PRIVATIZATION FUND
ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE PRIVATIZATION FUND seeks long-term capital appreciation. As
a fundamental policy, the Fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in
equity securities issued by enterprises that are undergoing, or have undergone,
privatization (as described below), although normally significantly more of its
assets will be invested in such securities. The balance of its investments will
include securities of companies believed by Alliance to be beneficiaries of
privatizations. The Fund is designed for investors desiring to take advantage
of investment opportunities, historically inaccessible to U.S. individual
investors, that are created by privatizations of state enterprises in both
established and developing economies. These companies include those in Western
Europe and Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Asia, Eastern
and Central Europe and, to a lesser degree, Canada and the United States.
The Fund's investments in enterprises undergoing privatization may comprise
three distinct situations. First, the Fund may invest in the initial offering
of publicly traded equity securities (an "initial equity offering") of a
government- or state-owned or controlled company or enterprise (a "state
enterprise"). Secondly, the Fund may purchase securities of a current or
35
former state enterprise following its initial equity offering. Finally, the
Fund may make privately negotiated purchases of stock or other equity interests
in a state enterprise that has not yet conducted an initial equity offering.
Alliance believes that substantial potential for capital appreciation exists as
privatizing enterprises rationalize their management structures, operations and
business strategies in order to compete efficiently in a market economy and the
Fund will thus emphasize investments in such enterprises.
Privatization is a process through which the ownership and control of companies
or assets changes in whole or in part from the public sector to the private
sector. Through privatization a government or state divests or transfers all or
a portion of its interest in a state enterprise to some form of private
ownership. Governments and states with established economies, including France,
Great Britain, Germany, and Italy, and those with developing economies,
including Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Indonesia, Malaysia, Poland, and Hungary,
are engaged in privatizations. The Fund will invest in any country believed to
present attractive investment opportunities.
A major premise of the Fund's approach is that the equity securities of
privatized companies offer opportunities for significant capital appreciation.
In particular, because privatizations are integral to a country's economic
restructuring, securities sold in initial equity offerings often are priced
attractively to secure the issuer's successful transition to private sector
ownership. Additionally, these enterprises often dominate their local markets
and typically have the potential for significant managerial and operational
efficiency gains.
The Fund diversifies its investments among a number of countries and normally
invests in issuers based in at least four, and usually considerably more,
countries. The Fund may maintain no more than 15% of its total assets in
issuers in any one foreign country, except that the Fund may invest up to 30%
of its total assets in issuers in any one of France, Germany, Great Britain,
Italy and Japan. The Fund may invest all of its assets within a single region
of the world.
The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in debt securities and
convertible debt securities. The Fund may invest up to 5% of its net assets in
lower-rated securities. The Fund will not retain a non-convertible security
that is downgraded below C or determined by Alliance to have undergone similar
credit quality deterioration following purchase.
The Fund also may:
- - invest up to 20% of its total assets in RIGHTS OR WARRANTS;
- - write covered call and put OPTIONS, purchase put and call options on
securities of the types in which it is permitted to invest and on
exchange-traded index options, and write uncovered options for cross-hedging
purposes;
- - enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of
fixed-income securities or foreign currencies, or contracts based on financial
indices, including any index of U.S. Government securities, foreign government
securities, or common stock, and may purchase and write options on future
contracts;
- - purchase and write put and call OPTIONS on foreign currencies for hedging
purposes;
- - purchase or sell FORWARD CONTRACTS;
- - enter into FORWARD COMMITMENTS;
- - enter into STANDBY COMMITMENT AGREEMENTS;
- - enter into CURRENCY SWAPS for hedging purposes;
- - make SHORT SALES of securities or maintain a short position;
- - make SECURED LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES of up to 30% of its total
assets; and
- - enter into REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS for U.S. Government securities.
Investments in non-U.S. companies and smaller companies may have more risk
because they tend to be more volatile than the overall stock market. The Fund's
investments in debt securities and convertible securities have interest risk
and credit risk.
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL PREMIER GROWTH FUND
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL PREMIER GROWTH FUND seeks long-term capital appreciation
by investing predominately in the equity securities of a limited number of
carefully selected non-U.S. companies that are judged likely to achieve
superior earnings growth. As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund will
invest under normal circumstances at least 85% of its total assets in equity
securities. The Fund makes investments based upon their potential for capital
appreciation. Current income is incidental to that objective.
In the main, the Fund's investments will be in comparatively large,
high-quality companies. Normally, about 40 companies will be represented in the
Fund's portfolio, and the 30 most highly regarded of these companies usually
will constitute approximately 70%, and often more, of the Fund's net assets.
The Fund thus differs from more typical international equity mutual funds by
focusing on a relatively small number of intensively researched companies. The
Fund is designed for investors seeking to accumulate capital over time. Because
of market risks inherent in any investment, the selection of securities on the
basis of their appreciation possibilities cannot ensure against possible loss
in value. There is, of course, no assurance that the Fund's investment
objective will be met.
Alliance expects the market capitalization of the companies represented in the
Fund's portfolio will generally be in excess of $10 billion.
Within the investment framework of the Fund, Alliance's Large Cap Growth Group,
headed by Alfred Harrison, Alliance's Vice Chairman, has responsibility for
managing the Fund's portfolio. As discussed below, in selecting the Fund's
portfolio investments, Alliance's Large Cap Growth Group will follow a
structured, disciplined research and investment process that is essentially
similar to that which it employs in managing the PREMIER GROWTH FUND.
36
In managing the Fund's assets, Alliance's investment strategy will emphasize
stock selection and investment in the securities of a limited number of
issuers. Alliance depends heavily upon the fundamental analysis and research of
its large global equity research team situated in numerous locations around the
world. Its global equity analysts follow a research universe of approximately
900 companies. As one of the largest multinational investment management firms,
Alliance has access to considerable information concerning the companies in its
research universe, an in-depth understanding of the products, services, markets
and competition of these companies, and a good knowledge of their management.
Research emphasis is placed on the identification of companies whose superior
prospective earnings growth is not fully reflected in current market valuations.
Alliance constantly adds to and deletes from this universe as fundamentals and
valuations change. Alliance's global equity analysts rate companies in three
categories. The performance of each analyst's ratings is an important
determinant of his or her incentive compensation. The equity securities of
"one-rated" companies are expected to significantly outperform the local market
in local currency terms. All equity securities purchased for the Fund's
portfolio will be selected from the universe of approximately 100 "one-rated"
companies. As noted above, the Fund usually invests approximately 70% of its
net assets in approximately 30 of the most highly regarded of these companies.
The Fund's portfolio emphasis upon particular industries or sectors will be a
by-product of the stock selection process rather than the result of assigned
targets or ranges.
The Fund diversifies its investments among at least four, and usually
considerably more, countries. No more than 15% of the Fund's total assets will
be invested in issuers in any one foreign country, except that the Fund may
invest up to 25% of its total assets in issuers in each of Canada, France,
Germany, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Within these limits, geographic distribution of the Fund's investments among
countries or regions also will be a product of the stock selection process
rather than a predetermined allocation. To the extent that the Fund
concentrates its assets within one region, the Fund may be subject to any
special risks associated with that region. While the Fund may engage in
currency hedging programs in periods in which Alliance perceives extreme
exchange rate risk, the Fund normally will not make significant use of currency
hedging strategies.
In the management of the Fund's investment portfolio, Alliance will seek to
utilize market volatility judiciously (assuming no change in company
fundamentals) to adjust the Fund's portfolio positions. To the extent
consistent with local market liquidity considerations, the Fund will strive to
capitalize on apparently unwarranted price fluctuations, both to purchase or
increase positions on weakness and to sell or reduce overpriced holdings. Under
normal circumstances, the Fund will remain substantially fully invested in
equity securities and will not take significant cash positions for market
timing purposes. Rather, through "buying into declines" and "selling into
strength," Alliance seeks superior relative returns over time.
The Fund also may:
- - invest up to 20% of its total assets in CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES;
- - invest up to 20% of its total assets in RIGHTS OR WARRANTS;
- - write covered call and put OPTIONS, purchase put and call options on
securities of the types in which it is permitted to invest and on
exchange-traded index options, and write uncovered options for cross hedging
purposes;
- - enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of
fixed-income securities or foreign currencies, or contracts based on financial
indices, including any index of U.S. Government securities, foreign government
securities, or common stock and may purchase and write options on such future
contracts;
- - purchase and write put and call OPTIONS on foreign currencies for hedging
purposes;
- - purchase or sell FORWARD CONTRACTS;
- - enter into STANDBY COMMITMENT AGREEMENTS;
- - enter into FORWARD COMMITMENTS;
- - enter into CURRENCY SWAPS for hedging purposes;
- - make SHORT SALES of securities or maintain short positions of no more than
5% of its net assets as collateral for short sales;
- - make SECURED LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES of up to 30% of its total
assets; and
- - enter into REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS for U.S. Government securities.
Because the Fund invests in a smaller number of securities than many other
equity funds, your investment also has the risk that changes in the value of a
single security may have a more significant effect, either negative or
positive, on the Fund's net asset value.
ALLIANCE GLOBAL SMALL CAP FUND
ALLIANCE GLOBAL SMALL CAP FUND seeks long-term growth of capital through
investment in a global portfolio of the equity securities of selected companies
with relatively small market capitalization. The Fund's portfolio emphasizes
companies with market capitalizations that would have placed them (when
purchased) in about the smallest 20% by market capitalization of actively
traded U.S. companies, or market capitalizations of up to about $1.5 billion.
Because the Fund applies the U.S. size standard on a global basis, its foreign
investments might rank above the lowest 20%, and, in fact, might in some
countries rank among the largest, by market capitalization in local markets.
Normally, the Fund invests at least 65% of its assets in equity securities of
these smaller capitalization companies. These companies are located in at least
three countries, one of which may be the U.S. The Fund may invest up to 35% of
its total assets in securities of companies whose market capitalizations exceed
the Fund's size standard. The Fund's
37
portfolio securities may be listed on a U.S. or foreign exchange or traded
over-the-counter.
The Fund also may:
- - invest up to 20% of its total assets in WARRANTS to purchase equity
securities;
- - invest in DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS or other securities representing securities
of companies based in countries other than the U.S.;
- - purchase or sell FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS;
- - write covered call OPTIONS on its securities of up to 15% of its total
assets, and purchase exchange-traded call and put options, including put
options on market indices of up to, for all options, 10% of its total assets;
and
- - make SECURED LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES of up to 30% of its total
assets.
One of the Fund's principal risks is its investments in smaller capitalization
companies. Alliance believes that smaller capitalization companies often have
sales and earnings growth rates exceeding those of larger companies and that
these growth rates tend to cause more rapid share price appreciation. Investing
in smaller capitalization stocks, however, involves greater risk than is
associated with larger, more established companies. For example, smaller
capitalization companies often have limited product lines, markets, or
financial resources. They may be dependent for management on one or a few key
persons and can be more susceptible to losses and risks of bankruptcy. Their
securities may be thinly traded (and therefore have to be sold at a discount
from current market prices or sold in small lots over an extended period of
time), may be followed by fewer investment research analysts, and may be
subject to wider price swings. For these reasons, the Fund's investments may
have a greater chance of loss than investments in securities of larger
capitalization companies. In addition, transaction costs in small
capitalization stocks may be higher than in those of larger capitalization
companies.
The Fund's investments in non-U.S. companies and in smaller companies will be
more volatile and may differ substantially from the overall U.S. market.
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND seeks a total return on its assets from long-term
growth of capital and from income primarily through a broad portfolio of
marketable securities of established non-U.S. companies, companies
participating in foreign economies with prospects for growth, including U.S.
companies having their principal activities and interests outside the U.S. and
foreign government securities. Normally, the Fund will invest more than 80% of
its assets in these types of companies.
The Fund expects to invest primarily in common stocks of established non-U.S.
companies that Alliance believes have potential for capital appreciation or
income or both, but the Fund is not required to invest exclusively in common
stocks or other equity securities. The Fund may invest in any other type of
investment grade security, including convertible securities, as well as in
warrants, or obligations of the U.S. or foreign governments and their political
subdivisions.
The Fund intends to diversify its investments broadly among countries and
normally invests in at least three foreign countries, although it may invest a
substantial portion of its assets in one or more of these countries. The Fund
may invest in companies, wherever organized, that Alliance judges have their
principal activities and interests outside the U.S. These companies may be
located in developing countries, which involves exposure to economic structures
that are generally less diverse and mature and to political systems that can be
expected to have less stability than those of developed countries. The Fund
currently does not intend to invest more than 10% of its total assets in
companies in, or governments of, developing countries.
The Fund also may:
- - purchase or sell FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS;
- - write covered call or put OPTIONS, sell and purchase U.S. or foreign
exchange-listed put and call options, including exchange-traded index options;
- - enter into FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS, including contracts for the
purchase or sale for future delivery of foreign currencies and stock index
futures, and purchase and write put and call options on futures contracts
traded on U.S. or foreign exchanges or over-the-counter;
- - purchase and write put OPTIONS on foreign currencies traded on securities
exchanges or boards of trade or over-the-counter;
- - make LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES of up to 30% of its total assets; and
- - enter into REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS of up to seven days' duration for up to
10% of the Fund's total assets.
Investments in non-U.S. countries may have more risk because they tend to be
more volatile than the U.S. stock market. To the extent that the Fund invests a
substantial amount of its assets in a particular foreign country, an investment
in the Fund has the risk that market changes or other events affecting that
country may have a more significant effect, either negative or positive, on the
Fund's net asset value.
ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97 FUND
ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97 FUND is a non-diversified investment company that
seeks long-term capital appreciation through investment of at least 80% of its
total assets in equity securities issued by Greater China companies. The Fund
expects to invest a significant portion, which may be greater than 50%, of its
assets in equity securities of Hong Kong companies and may invest, from time to
time, all of its assets in Hong Kong companies or companies of either of the
other Greater China countries.
38
In recent years, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan have each experienced a high level
of real economic growth, although growth is expected to slow in 1999. This
growth has resulted from advantageous economic conditions, including favorable
demographics, competitive wage rates, and rising per capita income and consumer
demand. Significantly, the growth has also been fueled by an easing by both
China and Taiwan of government restrictions and an increased receptivity to
foreign investment. This expanded, if not yet complete, openness to foreign
investment extends as well to the securities markets of both countries. Hong
Kong's free-market economy has historically included securities markets
completely open to foreign investments. All three countries have regulated
stock exchanges upon which shares of an increasing number of Greater China
companies are traded.
With its population estimated at more than 1.2 billion as a driving force, and
notwithstanding its continuing political rigidity, China's economic growth has
been coupled with significantly reduced government economic intervention and
basic economic structural change. Recent years have seen large increases in
industrial production with a significant decline in the state sector share of
industrial output, and increased involvement of local governmental units and
the private sector in establishing new business enterprises.
With China's growth has come an increasing direct and indirect economic
involvement of all three Greater China countries. For some time, Hong Kong, a
world financial and trade center in its own right, with a large stock exchange
and offices of many of the world's multinational companies, has been the
gateway to trade with and foreign investment in China. With the transfer on
July 1, 1997 of the sovereignty of Hong Kong from Great Britain to China, not
only the political but the economic ties between China and Hong Kong are
expected to continue to intensify, with the continuation of Hong Kong's
economic system as provided for in the law governing its sovereignty.
Notwithstanding the, at times considerable, political tension between the two
countries, it is generally recognized that substantially increased trade and
investment with China has been generated from Taiwan, in many cases through
Hong Kong. Along with this increased interaction with China, Taiwan is becoming
a regional technological and telecommunication center, while continuing the
process of opening its economy up to foreign investment. Although
geographically limited, Taiwan boasts an economy among the world's 20 largest
and its foreign exchange reserves are the third largest in the world measured
in U.S. dollars. As China's economy continues to expand, it is expected that
Taiwan's economic interaction with China will likewise increase.
Alliance believes that over the long term conditions are favorable for
continuing and expanding economic growth in all three Greater China countries.
It is this potential which the Fund hopes to take advantage of by investing
both in established and new and emerging companies. Appendix A has additional
information about the Greater China countries.
In addition to investing in equity securities of Greater China companies, the
Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in (i) debt securities issued or
guaranteed by Greater China companies or by Greater China governments, their
agencies or instrumentalities, and (ii) equity or debt securities issued by
issuers other than Greater China companies. The Fund will invest only in
investment grade securities. The Fund will sell a security that is downgraded
below investment grade or is determined by Alliance to have undergone a similar
credit quality deterioration, the Fund will sell of that security.
The Fund also may:
- - invest up to 25% of its net assets in the CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES;
- - invest up to 20% of its net assets in RIGHTS OR WARRANTS;
- - invest in DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS, instruments of supranational entities
denominated in the currency of any country, securities of multinational
companies and "semi-governmental securities";
- - invest up to 25% of its net assets in EQUITY-LINKED DEBT SECURITIES with
the objective of realizing capital appreciation;
- - invest up to 20% of its net assets in LOANS AND OTHER DIRECT DEBT
SECURITIES;
- - write covered call and put OPTIONS, sell or purchase exchange-traded index
options, and write uncovered options for cross-hedging purposes;
- - enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of
fixed-income securities or foreign currencies, or contracts based on financial
indices, including any index of U.S. Government securities, securities issued
by foreign government entities, or common stock, and may purchase and write
options on future contracts;
- - purchase and write put and call OPTIONS on foreign currencies for hedging
purposes;
- - purchase or sell FORWARD CONTRACTS;
- - enter into INTEREST RATE SWAPS and purchase or sell INTEREST RATE CAPS and
FLOORS;
- - enter into FORWARD COMMITMENTS;
- - enter into STANDBY COMMITMENT AGREEMENTS;
- - enter into CURRENCY SWAPS for hedging purposes;
- - make SHORT SALES of securities or maintain a short position, in each case
only if AGAINST THE BOX;
- - make SECURED LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES of up to 30% of its total
assets; and
- - enter into REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS for U.S. Government securities.
All or some of the policies and practices listed above may not be available to
the Fund in the Greater China countries and the Fund will utilize these
policies only to the extent permissible.
39
The Fund's investments in Greater China companies will be significantly more
volatile and will differ from the overall U.S. market. Your investment also has
the risk that market changes or other events affecting the Greater China
countries may have a more significant effect on the Fund's net asset value. In
addition, the Fund is "non-diversified," meaning that it invests its assets in
a smaller number of companies than many other international funds. As a result,
changes in the value of a single security may have a more significant effect,
either negative or positive, on the Fund's net asset value.
ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND
ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND'S investment objective is long-term capital
appreciation. The Fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in equity
securities (for the purposes of this investment policy, rights, warrants, and
options to purchase common stocks are not deemed to be equity securities),
preferred stocks and equity-linked debt securities issued by Asian companies.
The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in debt securities issued or
guaranteed by Asian companies or by Asian governments, their agencies or
instrumentalities. The Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in
Asian companies and Asian debt securities, but also may invest in securities
issued by non-Asian issuers. The Fund expects to invest, from time to time, a
significant portion, which may be in excess of 50%, of its assets in equity
securities of Japanese companies.
In the past decade, Asian countries generally have experienced a high level of
real economic growth due to political and economic changes, including foreign
investment and reduced government intervention in the economy. Alliance
believes that certain conditions exist in Asian countries that create the
potential for continued rapid economic growth. These conditions include
favorable demographics and competitive wage rates, increasing levels of foreign
direct investment, rising per capita incomes and consumer demand, a high
savings rate, and numerous privatization programs. Asian countries also are
becoming more industrialized and are increasing their intra-Asian exports while
reducing their dependence on Western export demand. Alliance believes that
these conditions are important to the long-term economic growth of Asian
countries.
As the economies of many Asian countries move through the "emerging market"
stage, thus increasing the supply of goods, services and capital available to
less developed Asian markets and helping to spur economic growth in those
markets, the potential is created for many Asian companies to experience rapid
growth. In addition, many Asian companies that have securities listed on
exchanges in more developed Asian countries will be participants in the rapid
economic growth of the lesser-developed countries. These companies generally
offer the advantages of more experienced management and more developed market
regulation.
As their economies have grown, the securities markets in Asian countries have
also expanded. New exchanges have been created and the number of listed
companies, annual trading volume, and overall market capitalization have
increased significantly. Additionally, new markets continue to open to foreign
investments. The Fund also offers investors the opportunity to access
relatively restricted markets. Alliance believes that investment opportunities
in Asian countries will continue to expand.
The Fund will invest in companies believed to possess rapid growth potential.
Thus, the Fund will invest in smaller, emerging companies, but will also invest
in larger, more established companies in such growing economic sectors as
capital goods, telecommunications, and consumer services.
The Fund will primarily invest in investment grade debt securities, but may
maintain no more than 5% of its net assets in lower-rated securities,
lower-rated loans, and other lower-rated direct debt instruments. The Fund will
not retain a security that is downgraded below C or determined by Alliance to
have undergone similar credit quality deterioration following purchase.
The Fund also may:
- - invest up to 25% of its net assets in the CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES;
- - invest up to 20% of its net assets in RIGHTS OR WARRANTS;
- - invest in DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS, instruments of supranational entities
denominated in the currency of any country, securities of multinational
companies and "semi-governmental securities";
- - invest up to 25% of its net assets in EQUITY-LINKED DEBT SECURITIES with
the objective of realizing capital appreciation;
- - invest up to 25% of its net assets in LOANS AND OTHER DIRECT DEBT
INSTRUMENTS;
- - write covered call and put OPTIONS, sell or purchase exchange-traded index
options, and write uncovered options for cross-hedging purposes;
- - enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of
fixed-income securities or foreign currencies, or contracts based on financial
indices, including any index of U.S. Government securities, securities issued
by foreign government entities, or common stock and may purchase and write
options on future contracts;
- - purchase and write put and call OPTIONS on foreign currencies for hedging
purposes;
- - purchase or sell FORWARD CONTRACTS;
- - enter into INTEREST RATE SWAPS and purchase or sell INTEREST RATE CAPS and
FLOORS;
- - enter into FORWARD COMMITMENTS;
- - enter into STANDBY COMMITMENT AGREEMENTS;
- - enter into CURRENCY SWAPS for hedging purposes;
- - make SHORT SALES of securities or maintain a short position, in each case
only if AGAINST THE BOX;
- - make SECURED LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES of up to 30% of its total
assets; and
40
- - enter into REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS for U.S. Government securities.
The Fund's investments in Asian and Pacific region countries will be
significantly more volatile and may differ significantly from the overall U.S.
market. To the extent the Fund invests a substantial amount of its assets in
Japanese companies, your investment has the risk that market changes or other
events affecting that country may have a more significant effect on the Fund's
net asset value. The Fund's investments in debt securities have interest rate
and credit risk.
ALLIANCE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FUND
ALLIANCE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FUND is a non-diversified investment company that
seeks long-term capital appreciation through investment in equity securities of
Eligible Companies. For purposes of the Fund's investment objective and
investment policies, "equity securities" are common stocks (but not preferred
stocks), rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase common stocks, and
preferred stocks or debt securities that are convertible into common stocks
without the payment of any further consideration.
The Fund invests in two categories of Eligible Companies--Environmental
Companies and Beneficiary Companies. The Fund may invest in a company with a
broadly diversified business only a part of which provides such products,
processes, or services, when Alliance believes that these products, processes
or services will yield a competitive advantage that significantly enhances the
issuer's growth prospects. As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund will,
under normal circumstances, invest substantially all of its total assets in
equity securities of Eligible Companies.
A major premise of the Fund's investment approach is that environmental
concerns will be a significant source of future growth opportunities, and that
Environmental Companies will see an increased demand for their systems and
services. Environmental Companies operate in the areas of pollution control,
clean energy, solid waste management, hazardous waste treatment and disposal,
pulp and paper recycling, waste-to-energy alternatives, biodegradable cartons,
packages, plastics and other products, remedial projects and emergency cleanup
efforts, manufacture of environmental supplies and equipment, the achievement
of purer air, groundwater and foods, and the detection, evaluation and
treatment of both existing and potential environmental problems including,
among others, air pollution and acid rain.
The environmental services industry generally is positively affected by
increasing governmental action intended to foster environmental protection. As
environmental regulations are developed and enforced, Environmental Companies
providing the means of compliance with such regulations are afforded
substantial opportunities for growth. Beneficiary Companies may also derive an
advantage to the extent that they have anticipated environmental regulation and
are therefore at a competitive advantage.
In the view of Alliance, increasing public and political awareness of
environmental concerns and resultant environmental regulations are long-term
phenomena that are driven by an emerging global consensus that environmental
protection is a vital and increasingly immediate priority. Alliance believes
that Eligible Companies based in the United States and other economically
developed countries will have increasing opportunities for earnings growth
resulting not only from an increased demand for their existing products or
services but also from innovative responses to changing regulations and
priorities and enforcement policies. Such opportunities will arise, in the
opinion of Alliance, not only within developed countries but also within many
economically developing countries, such as those of Eastern Europe and the
Pacific Rim. These countries lag well behind developed countries in the
conservation and efficient use of natural resources and in their implementation
of policies that protect the environment.
Alliance believes that global investing offers opportunities for superior
investment returns. The Fund spreads investment risk among the capital markets
of a number of countries and invests in equity securities of companies based in
at least three, and normally considerably more, such countries. The percentage
of the Fund's assets invested in securities of companies in a particular
country or denominated in a particular currency will vary in accordance with
Alliance's assessment of the appreciation potential of such securities and the
strength of that currency.
The Fund also may:
- - invest up to 20% of its total assets in WARRANTS to purchase equity
securities;
- - invest in DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS;
- - purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies for hedging
purposes;
- - enter into FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS for hedging purposes;
- - invest in CURRENCY FUTURES and options on such futures for hedging
purposes; and
- - make SECURED LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES of up to 30% of its total
assets.
The Fund's investments in non-U.S. companies and in specific types of companies
that provide environmental services will be more volatile and may differ
substantially from the overall market. The Fund's investments also have the
risk that government regulations or other action could negatively affect the
business of environmental companies.
DESCRIPTION OF INVESTMENT PRACTICES
This section describes the Funds' investment practices and associated risks.
Unless otherwise noted, a Fund's use of any of these practices was specified in
the previous section.
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES. Asset-backed securities (unrelated to first mortgage
loans) represent fractional interests in pools of leases, retail installment
loans, revolving credit receivables, and other payment obligations, both
secured and unsecured. These assets are generally held by a trust and payments
of principal
41
and interest or interest only are passed through monthly or quarterly to
certificate holders and may be guaranteed up to certain amounts by letters of
credit issued by a financial institution affiliated or unaffiliated with the
trustee or originator of the trust.
Like mortgages underlying mortgage-backed securities, underlying automobile
sales contracts or credit card receivables are subject to prepayment, which may
reduce the overall return to certificate holders. Certificate holders may also
experience delays in payment on the certificates if the full amounts due on
underlying sales contracts or receivables are not realized by the trust because
of unanticipated legal or administrative costs of enforcing the contracts or
because of depreciation or damage to the collateral (usually automobiles)
securing certain contracts, or other factors.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. Prior to conversion, convertible securities have the
same general characteristics as non-convertible debt securities, which
generally provide a stable stream of income with yields that are generally
higher than those of equity securities of the same or similar issuers. The
price of a convertible security will normally vary with changes in the price of
the underlying equity security, although the higher yield tends to make the
convertible security less volatile than the underlying equity security. As with
debt securities, the market value of convertible securities tends to decrease
as interest rates rise and increase as interest rates decline. While
convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than
non-convertible debt securities of similar quality, they offer investors the
potential to benefit from increases in the market price of the underlying
common stock. Convertible debt securities that are rated Baa or lower by
Moody's or BBB or lower by S&P, Duff & Phelps or Fitch and comparable unrated
securities as determined by Alliance may share some or all of the risks of
non-convertible debt securities with those ratings.
CURRENCY SWAPS. Currency swaps involve the individually negotiated exchange by
a Fund with another party of a series of payments in specified currencies. A
currency swap may involve the delivery at the end of the exchange period of a
substantial amount of one designated currency in exchange for the other
designated currency. Therefore, the entire principal value of a currency swap
is subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its
contractual delivery obligations. A Fund will not enter into any currency swap
unless the credit quality of the unsecured senior debt or the claims-paying
ability of the counterparty is rated in the highest rating category of at least
one nationally recognized rating organization at the time of entering into the
transaction. If there is a default by the counterparty to the transaction, the
Fund will have contractual remedies under the transaction agreements.
DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS AND SECURITIES OF SUPRANATIONAL ENTITIES. Depositary
receipts may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the
underlying securities into which they may be converted. In addition, the
issuers of the stock of unsponsored depositary receipts are not obligated to
disclose material information in the United States and, therefore, there may
not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the
depositary receipts. ADRs are depositary receipts typically issued by an U.S.
bank or trust company that evidence ownership of underlying securities issued
by a foreign corporation. GDRs and other types of depositary receipts are
typically issued by foreign banks or trust companies and evidence ownership of
underlying securities issued by either a foreign or an U.S. company. Generally,
depositary receipts in registered form are designed for use in the U.S.
securities markets, and depositary receipts in bearer form are designed for use
in foreign securities markets. For purposes of determining the country of
issuance, investments in depositary receipts of either type are deemed to be
investments in the underlying securities, except with respect to ALLIANCE
GROWTH FUND, where investments in ADRs are deemed to be investments in
securities issued by U.S. issuers and those in GDRs and other types of
depositary receipts are deemed to be investments in the underlying securities.
A supranational entity is an entity designated or supported by the national
government of one or more countries to promote economic reconstruction or
development. Examples of supranational entities include, among others, the
World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development) and the
European Investment Bank. A European Currency Unit is a basket of specified
amounts of the currencies of the member states of the European Economic
Community. "Semi-governmental securities" are securities issued by entities
owned by either a national, state or equivalent government or are obligations
of one of such government jurisdictions that are not backed by its full faith
and credit and general taxing powers.
EQUITY-LINKED DEBT SECURITIES. Equity-linked debt securities are securities on
which the issuer is obligated to pay interest and/or principal that is linked
to the performance of a specified index of equity securities. The interest or
principal payments may be significantly greater or less than payment
obligations for other types of debt securities. Adverse changes in equity
securities indices and other adverse changes in the securities markets may
reduce payments made under, and/or the principal of, equity-linked debt
securities held by a Fund. As with any debt securities, the values of
equity-linked debt securities will generally vary inversely with changes in
interest rates. A Fund's ability to dispose of equity-linked debt securities
will depend on the availability of liquid markets for such securities.
Investment in equity-linked debt securities may be considered to be speculative.
FORWARD COMMITMENTS. Forward commitments for the purchase or sale of securities
may include purchases on a "when-issued" basis or purchases or sales on a
"delayed delivery" basis. In some cases, a forward commitment may be
conditioned upon the occurrence of a subsequent event, such as approval and
consummation of a merger, corporate reorganization or debt restructuring (i.e.,
a "when, as and if issued" trade).
When forward commitment transactions are negotiated, the price is fixed at the
time the commitment is made, but delivery and payment for the securities take
place at a later date. Normally, the settlement date occurs within two months
after the transaction, but a Fund may negotiate settlements beyond
42
two months. Securities purchased or sold under a forward commitment are subject
to market fluctuations and no interest or dividends accrue to the purchaser
prior to the settlement date.
The use of forward commitments enables a Fund to protect against anticipated
changes in interest rates and prices. For instance, in periods of rising
interest rates and falling bond prices, a Fund might sell securities in its
portfolio on a forward commitment basis to limit its exposure to falling
prices. In periods of falling interest rates and rising bond prices, a Fund
might sell a security in its portfolio and purchase the same or a similar
security on a when-issued or forward commitment basis to obtain the benefit of
currently higher cash yields. If, however, Alliance were to forecast
incorrectly the direction of interest rate movements, a Fund might be required
to complete such when-issued or forward transactions at prices inferior to the
then current market values. When-issued securities and forward commitments may
be sold prior to the settlement date, but a Fund enters into when-issued and
forward commitments only with the intention of actually receiving securities or
delivering them, as the case may be. If a Fund chooses to dispose of the right
to acquire a when-issued security prior to its acquisition or dispose of its
right to deliver or receive against a forward commitment, it may incur a gain
or loss. Any significant commitment of Fund assets to the purchase of
securities on a "when, as and if issued" basis may increase the volatility of
the Fund's net asset value. No forward commitments will be made by ALLIANCE
HEALTH CARE FUND, ALLIANCE UTILITY INCOME FUND, ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT
FUND, ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE FUND, ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE PRIVATIZATION FUND, ALLIANCE
INTERNATIONAL PREMIER GROWTH FUND, ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97 FUND or ALLIANCE
ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND if, as a result, the Fund's aggregate commitments
under the transactions would be more than 30% of its total assets. In the event
the other party to a forward commitment transaction were to default, a Fund
might lose the opportunity to invest money at favorable rates or to dispose of
securities at favorable prices.
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS. A Fund may purchase or sell
forward foreign currency exchange contracts to minimize the risk of adverse
changes in the relationship between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies. A
forward contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for
an agreed price at a future date, and is individually negotiated and privately
traded.
A Fund may enter into a forward contract, for example, when it enters into a
contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign
currency in order to "lock in" the U.S. Dollar price of the security
("transaction hedge"). A Fund will not engage in transaction hedges with
respect to the currency of a particular country to an extent greater than the
aggregate amount of the Fund's transactions in that currency. When a Fund
believes that a foreign currency may suffer a substantial decline against the
U.S. Dollar, it may enter into a forward sale contract to sell an amount of
that foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of the Fund's
portfolio securities denominated in such foreign currency, or when the Fund
believes that the U.S. Dollar may suffer a substantial decline against a
foreign currency, it may enter into a forward purchase contract to buy that
foreign currency for a fixed dollar amount ("position hedge"). A Fund will not
position hedge with respect to a particular currency to an extent greater than
the aggregate market value (at the time of making such sale) of the securities
held in its portfolio denominated or quoted in that currency. Instead of
entering into a position hedge, a Fund may, in the alternative, enter into a
forward contract to sell a different foreign currency for a fixed U.S. dollar
amount where the Fund believes that the U.S. Dollar value of the currency to be
sold pursuant to the forward contract will fall whenever there is a decline in
the U.S. Dollar value of the currency in which portfolio securities of the Fund
are denominated ("cross-hedge"). Unanticipated changes in currency prices may
result in poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not entered
into such forward contracts.
Hedging against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate
fluctuations in the prices of portfolio securities or prevent losses if the
prices of such securities decline. Such transactions also preclude the
opportunity for gain if the value of the hedged currency should rise. Moreover,
it may not be possible for a Fund to hedge against a devaluation that is so
generally anticipated that the Fund is not able to contract to sell the
currency at a price above the devaluation level it anticipates. ALLIANCE NEW
EUROPE FUND, ALLIANCE GLOBAL SMALL CAP FUND and ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND
will not enter into a forward contract with a term of more than one year or if,
as a result, more than 50% of its total assets would be committed to such
contracts. ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE FUND'S, ALLIANCE GLOBAL SMALL CAP FUND'S and
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND'S investments in forward contracts will be limited
to hedging involving either specific transactions or portfolio positions.
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND also may purchase and sell foreign currency on a spot
basis.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. The Funds will limit their investments in illiquid
securities to no more than 15% of their net assets, except the limit is 10% for
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND, ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND, ALLIANCE TECHNOLOGY
FUND, ALLIANCE QUASAR FUND, ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE FUND, and ALLIANCE GLOBAL SMALL
CAP FUND and 5% for THE ALLIANCE FUND and ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND. Illiquid
securities generally include: (i) direct placements or other securities that
are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale or for which there
is no readily available market (E.G., when trading in the security is suspended
or, in the case of unlisted securities, when market makers do not exist or will
not entertain bids or offers), including many individually negotiated currency
swaps and any assets used to cover currency swaps and most privately negotiated
investments in state enterprises that have not yet conducted an initial equity
offering, (ii) over-the-counter options and assets used to cover
over-the-counter options, and (iii) repurchase agreements not terminable within
seven days.
Because of the absence of a trading market for illiquid securities, a Fund may
not be able to realize their full value upon sale. Alliance will monitor the
liquidity of a Fund's investments in illiquid securities. Except with respect
to ALLIANCE
43
QUASAR FUND, Rule 144A securities will not be treated as "illiquid" for
purposes of this limit on investments.
A Fund that invests in securities for which there is no ready market may not be
able to readily sell such securities. Such securities are unlike securities
that are traded in the open market and can be expected to be sold immediately
if the market is adequate. The sale price of illiquid securities may be lower
or higher than Alliance's most recent estimate of their fair value. Generally,
less public information is available about the issuers of such securities than
about companies whose securities are traded on an exchange. To the extent that
these securities are foreign securities, there is no law in many of the
countries in which a Fund may invest similar to the Securities Act requiring an
issuer to register the sale of securities with a governmental agency or
imposing legal restrictions on resales of securities, either as to length of
time the securities may be held or manner of resale. However, there may be
contractual restrictions on resales of non-publicly traded foreign securities.
INTEREST RATE TRANSACTIONS (SWAPS, CAPS, AND FLOORS). Each Fund that may enter
into interest rate transactions expects to do so primarily to preserve a return
or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio or to protect
against any increase in the price of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing
at a later date. The Funds do not intend to use these transactions in a
speculative manner.
Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of their
respective commitments to pay or receive interest (E.G., an exchange of
floating rate payments for fixed rate payments). Interest rate swaps are
entered on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the
Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two
payments). With respect to ALLIANCE UTILITY INCOME FUND, ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA
'97 FUND and ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND, the exchange commitments can
involve payments in the same currency or in different currencies. The purchase
of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified
index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on
a contractually-based principal amount from the party selling such interest
rate cap. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the
extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to
receive payments of interest on an agreed principal amount from the party
selling the interest rate floor.
A Fund may enter into interest rate swaps, caps, and floors on either an
asset-based or liability-based basis, depending upon whether it is hedging its
assets or liabilities. A Fund will not enter into an interest rate swap, cap,
or floor transaction unless the unsecured senior debt or the claims-paying
ability of the other party is rated in the highest rating category of at least
one nationally recognized rating organization. Alliance will monitor the
creditworthiness of counterparties on an ongoing basis. The swap market has
grown substantially in recent years, with a large number of banks and
investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing
standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has become
relatively liquid. Caps and floors are more recent innovations for which
standardized documentation has not yet been developed and, accordingly, they
are less liquid than swaps.
The use of interest rate transactions is a highly specialized activity that
involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with
ordinary portfolio securities transactions. If Alliance were to incorrectly
forecast market values, interest rates and other applicable factors, the
investment performance of a Fund would be adversely affected by the use of
these investment techniques. Moreover, even if Alliance is correct in its
forecasts, there is a risk that the transaction position may correlate
imperfectly with the price of the asset or liability being hedged. There is no
limit on the amount of interest rate transactions that may be entered into by a
Fund that is permitted to enter into such transactions. These transactions do
not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets or principal.
Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to interest rate transactions is
limited to the net amount of interest payments that a Fund is contractually
obligated to make. If the counterparty to an interest rate transaction
defaults, a Fund's risk of loss consists of the net amount of interest payments
that the Fund contractually is entitled to receive.
LOANS AND OTHER DIRECT DEBT INSTRUMENTS. Loans and other direct debt
instruments are interests in amounts owed by a corporate, governmental or other
borrower to another party. They may represent amounts owed to lenders or
lending syndicates (loans and loan participations), to suppliers of goods or
services (trade claims or other receivables), or to other creditors. Direct
debt instruments involve the risk of loss in case of default or insolvency of
the borrower and may offer less legal protection to a Fund in the event of
fraud or misrepresentation than debt securities. In addition, loan
participations involve a risk of insolvency of the lending bank or other
financial intermediary. Direct debt instruments may also include standby
financing commitments that obligate a Fund to supply additional cash to the
borrower on demand. Loans and other direct debt instruments are generally
illiquid and may be transferred only through individually negotiated private
transactions.
Purchasers of loans and other forms of direct indebtedness depend primarily
upon the creditworthiness of the borrower for payment of principal and
interest. Direct debt instruments may not be rated by any nationally recognized
rating service. Failure to receive scheduled interest or principal payments on
these types of investments could adversely affect a Fund's net asset value and
yield. Loans that are fully secured offer a Fund more protection than unsecured
loans in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal. However,
there is no assurance that the liquidation of collateral from a secured loan
would satisfy the borrower's obligation, or that the collateral can be
liquidated. Making loans to borrowers whose creditworthiness is poor may
involve substantial risks and may be highly speculative.
Borrowers that are in bankruptcy or restructuring may never pay off their
indebtedness, or may pay only a small fraction of the amount owed. Direct
indebtedness of government issuers will
44
also involve a risk that the governmental entities responsible for the
repayment of the debt may be unable, or unwilling, to pay interest and repay
principal when due.
Investments in loans through direct assignment of a financial institution's
interests with respect to a loan may involve additional risks to a Fund. For
example, if a loan is foreclosed, a Fund could become part owner of any
collateral and would bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and
disposing of the collateral. Direct debt instruments may also involve a risk of
insolvency of the lending bank or other intermediary.
A loan is often administered by a bank or other financial institution that acts
as agent for all holders. The agent administers the terms of the loan, as
specified on the loan agreement. Unless, under the terms of the loan or other
indebtedness, a Fund has direct recourse against the borrower, it may have to
rely on the agent to apply appropriate credit remedies against a borrower. If
assets held by the agent for the benefit of a Fund were determined to be
subject to the claims of the agent's general creditors, the Fund might incur
certain costs and delays in realizing payment on the loan or loan participation
and could suffer a loss of principal or interest.
Direct indebtedness purchased by a Fund may include letters of credit,
revolving credit facilities, or other standby financing commitments obligating
a Fund to pay additional cash on demand. These commitments may have the effect
of requiring a Fund to increase its investment in a borrower at a time when it
would not otherwise have done so, even if the borrower's condition makes it
unlikely that the amount will ever be repaid.
LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. The risk in lending portfolio securities, as
with other extensions of credit, consists of the possible loss of rights in the
collateral should the borrower fail financially. In determining whether to lend
securities to a particular borrower, Alliance will consider all relevant facts
and circumstances, including the creditworthiness of the borrower. While
securities are on loan, the borrower will pay the Fund any income from the
securities. The Fund may invest any cash collateral in portfolio securities and
earn additional income or receive an agreed-upon amount of income from a
borrower who has delivered equivalent collateral. Each Fund will have the right
to regain record ownership of loaned securities or equivalent securities in
order to exercise ownership rights such as voting rights, subscription rights
and rights to dividends, interest, or distributions. A Fund may pay reasonable
finders', administrative, and custodial fees in connection with a loan.
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES AND ASSOCIATED RISKS. Interest and principal
payments (including prepayments) on the mortgages underlying mortgage-backed
securities are passed through to the holders of the securities. As a result of
the pass-through of prepayments of principal on the underlying securities,
mortgage-backed securities are often subject to more rapid prepayment of
principal than their stated maturity would indicate. Prepayments occur when the
mortgagor on a mortgage prepays the remaining principal before the mortgage's
scheduled maturity date. Because the prepayment characteristics of the
underlying mortgages vary, it is impossible to predict accurately the realized
yield or average life of a particular issue of pass-through certificates.
Prepayments are important because of their effect on the yield and price of the
mortgage-backed securities. During periods of declining interest rates,
prepayments can be expected to accelerate and a Fund that invests in these
securities would be required to reinvest the proceeds at the lower interest
rates then available. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, a
reduction in prepayments may increase the effective maturity of the securities,
subjecting them to a greater risk of decline in market value in response to
rising interest rates. In addition, prepayments of mortgages underlying
securities purchased at a premium could result in capital losses.
Mortgage-Backed Securities include mortgage pass-through certificates and
multiple-class pass-through securities, such as REMIC pass-through
certificates, CMOs and stripped mortgage-backed securities ("SMBS"), and other
types of Mortgage-Backed Securities that may be available in the future.
GUARANTEED MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES. ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT
FUND may invest in guaranteed mortgage pass-through securities which represent
participation interests in pools of residential mortgage loans and are issued
by U.S. governmental or private lenders and guaranteed by the U.S. Government
or one of its agencies or instrumentalities, including but not limited to the
Government National Mortgage Association ("Ginnie Mae"), the Federal National
Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae") and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation ("Freddie Mac"). Ginnie Mae certificates are guaranteed by the full
faith and credit of the United States Government for timely payment of
principal and interest on the certificates. Fannie Mae certificates are
guaranteed by Fannie Mae, a federally chartered and privately-owned
corporation, for full and timely payment of principal and interest on the
certificates. Freddie Mac certificates are guaranteed by Freddie Mac, a
corporate instrumentality of the United States Government, for timely payment
of interest and the ultimate collection of all principal of the related
mortgage loans.
MULTIPLE-CLASS PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES AND COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS.
Mortgage-Backed Securities also include CMOs and REMIC pass-through or
participation certificates that may be issued by, among others, U.S. Government
agencies and instrumentalities as well as private lenders. CMOs and REMIC
certificates are issued in multiple classes and the principal of and interest
on the mortgage assets may be allocated among the several classes of CMOs or
REMIC certificates in various ways. Each class of CMOs or REMIC certificates,
often referred to as a "tranche," is issued at a specific adjustable or fixed
interest rate and must be fully retired no later than its final distribution
date. Generally, interest is paid or accrues on all classes of CMOs or REMIC
certificates on a monthly basis. ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FUND will not
invest in the lowest tranche of CMOs and REMIC certificates.
Typically, CMOs are collateralized by Ginnie Mae or Freddie Mac certificates
but also may be collateralized by other mortgage assets such as whole loans or
private mortgage pass-through securities. Debt service on CMOs is provided from
payments of
45
principal and interest on collateral of mortgaged assets and any reinvestment
income.
A REMIC is a CMO that qualifies for special tax treatment under the Code and
invests in certain mortgages primarily secured by interests in real property
and other permitted investments. Investors may purchase "regular" and
"residual" interest shares of beneficial interest in REMIC trusts, although
ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FUND does not intend to invest in residual
interests.
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES. An option gives the purchaser of the option, upon
payment of a premium, the right to deliver to (in the case of a put) or receive
from (in the case of a call) the writer a specified amount of a security on or
before a fixed date at a predetermined price. A call option written by a Fund
is "covered" if the Fund owns the underlying security, has an absolute and
immediate right to acquire that security upon conversion or exchange of another
security it holds, or holds a call option on the underlying security with an
exercise price equal to or less than that of the call option it has written. A
put option written by a Fund is covered if the Fund holds a put option on the
underlying securities with an exercise price equal to or greater than that of
the put option it has written.
A call option is for cross-hedging purposes if a Fund does not own the
underlying security, and is designed to provide a hedge against a decline in
value in another security which the Fund owns or has the right to acquire. A
Fund would write a call option for cross-hedging purposes, instead of writing a
covered call option, when the premium to be received from the cross-hedge
transaction would exceed that which would be received from writing a covered
call option, while at the same time achieving the desired hedge.
In purchasing an option, a Fund would be in a position to realize a gain if,
during the option period, the price of the underlying security increased (in
the case of a call) or decreased (in the case of a put) by an amount in excess
of the premium paid; otherwise the Fund would experience a loss equal to the
premium paid for the option.
If an option written by a Fund were exercised, the Fund would be obligated to
purchase (in the case of a put) or sell (in the case of a call) the underlying
security at the exercise price. The risk involved in writing an option is that,
if the option were exercised, the underlying security would then be purchased
or sold by the Fund at a disadvantageous price. Entering into a closing
transaction (i.e., by disposing of the option prior to its exercise) could
reduce these risks. A Fund retains the premium received from writing a put or
call option whether or not the option is exercised. The writing of covered call
options could result in increases in a Fund's portfolio turnover rate,
especially during periods when market prices of the underlying securities
appreciate.
ALLIANCE TECHNOLOGY FUND and ALLIANCE GLOBAL SMALL CAP FUND will not write a
call option if the premium to be received by the Fund would not produce an
annualized return of at least 15% of the then current market value of the
securities subject to the option (without giving effect to commissions, stock
transfer taxes and other expenses that are deducted from premium receipts).
Options purchased or written by a Fund in negotiated transactions are illiquid
and it may not be possible for the Fund to effect a closing transaction at an
advantageous time.
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES INDICES. An option on a securities index is similar to an
option on a security except that, rather than the right to take or make
delivery of a security at a specified price, an option on a securities index
gives the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount
of cash if the closing level of the chosen index is greater than (in the case
of a call) or less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option.
OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES. As in the case of other kinds of options, the
writing of an option on a foreign currency constitutes only a partial hedge, up
to the amount of the premium received, and a Fund could be required to purchase
or sell foreign currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates and incur losses.
The purchase of an option on a foreign currency may constitute an effective
hedge against fluctuations in exchange rates although, in the event of rate
movements adverse to a Fund's position, it may forfeit the entire amount of the
premium plus related transaction costs. For Funds that may invest in options on
foreign currencies, see the Fund's SAI for further discussion of the use,
risks, and costs of options on foreign currencies.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS. A "sale" of a futures
contract means the acquisition of a contractual obligation to deliver the
securities or foreign currencies or other commodity called for by the contract
at a specified price on a specified date. A "purchase" of a futures contract
means the incurring of an obligation to acquire the securities, foreign
currencies or other commodity called for by the contract at a specified price
on a specified date. The purchaser of a futures contract on an index agrees to
take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to the difference between a
specified dollar multiple of the value of the index on the expiration date of
the contract ("current contract value") and the price at which the contract was
originally struck. No physical delivery of the securities underlying the index
is made.
A Fund will purchase options on futures contracts written or purchased by a
Fund that are traded on U.S. or foreign exchanges or over-the-counter. These
investment techniques will be used only to hedge against anticipated future
changes in market conditions and interest or exchange rates which otherwise
might either adversely affect the value of the Fund's portfolio securities or
adversely affect the prices of securities which the Fund intends to purchase at
a later date.
No Fund will enter into any futures contracts or options on futures contracts
if immediately thereafter the market values of the outstanding futures
contracts of the Fund and the currencies and futures contracts subject to
outstanding options written by the Fund would exceed 50% of its total assets,
or in the case of ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL PREMIER GROWTH FUND 100% of its total
assets. ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND and ALLIANCE GROWTH AND
46
INCOME FUND may not purchase or sell a stock index future if immediately
thereafter more than 30% of its total assets would be hedged by stock index
futures. ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND and ALLIANCE GROWTH AND INCOME FUND may
not purchase or sell a stock index future if, immediately thereafter, the sum
of the amount of margin deposits on the Fund's existing futures positions would
exceed 5% of the market value of the Fund's total assets.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. A repurchase agreement arises when a buyer purchases a
security and simultaneously agrees to resell it to the vendor at an agreed-upon
future date, normally a day or a few days later. The resale price is greater
than the purchase price, reflecting an agreed-upon interest rate for the period
the buyer's money is invested in the security. Such agreements permit a Fund to
keep all of its assets at work while retaining "overnight" flexibility in
pursuit of investments of a longer-term nature. If a vendor defaults on its
repurchase obligation, a Fund would suffer a loss to the extent that the
proceeds from the sale of the collateral were less than the repurchase price.
If a vendor goes bankrupt, a Fund might be delayed in, or prevented from,
selling the collateral for its benefit. Alliance monitors the creditworthiness
of the vendors with which the Fund enters into repurchase agreements.
RIGHTS AND WARRANTS. A Fund will invest in rights or warrants only if Alliance
deems the underlying equity securities themselves appropriate for inclusion in
the Fund's portfolio. Rights and warrants entitle the holder to buy equity
securities at a specific price for a specific period of time. Rights are
similar to warrants except that they have a substantially shorter duration.
Rights and warrants may be considered more speculative than certain other types
of investments in that they do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting
rights with respect to the underlying securities nor do they represent any
rights in the assets of the issuing company. The value of a right or warrant
does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying security, although
the value of a right or warrant may decline because of a decrease in the value
of the underlying security, the passage of time or a change in perception as to
the potential of the underlying security, or any combination of these factors.
If the market price of the underlying security is below the exercise price of
the warrant on the expiration date, the warrant will expire worthless.
Moreover, a right or warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior
to the expiration date.
SHORT SALES. A short sale is effected by selling a security that a Fund does
not own, or, if the Fund does own such security, it is not to be delivered upon
consummation of the sale. A short sale is "against the box" to the extent that
a Fund contemporaneously owns or has the right to obtain securities identical
to those sold short without payment. ALLIANCE UTILITY INCOME FUND, ALLIANCE
WORLDWIDE PRIVATIZATION FUND, ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97 FUND and ALLIANCE
ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND, each may make short sales of securities or maintain
short positions only for the purpose of deferring realization of gain or loss
for U.S. federal income tax purposes, provided that at all times when a short
position is open the Fund owns an equal amount of securities of the same issue
as, and equal in amount to, the securities sold short. In addition, each of
those Funds may not make a short sale if as a result more than 10% of the
Fund's net assets would be held as collateral for short sales, except that
ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FUND, ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97 FUND and
ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND may not make a short sale if as a result more
than 25% of the Fund's net assets would be held as collateral for short sales.
If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short
sale and the time a Fund replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will incur a
loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain.
STANDBY COMMITMENT AGREEMENTS. Standby commitment agreements commit a Fund, for
a stated period of time, to purchase a stated amount of a security that may be
issued and sold to the Fund at the option of the issuer. The price and coupon
of the security are fixed at the time of the commitment. At the time of
entering into the agreement, the Fund is paid a commitment fee, regardless of
whether the security ultimately is issued, typically equal to approximately
0.5% of the aggregate purchase price of the security the Fund has committed to
purchase. A Fund will enter into such agreements only for the purpose of
investing in the security underlying the commitment at a yield and price
considered advantageous to the Fund and unavailable on a firm commitment basis.
Investments in standby commitments will be limited so that the aggregate
purchase price of the securities subject to the commitments will not exceed 25%
with respect to ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FUND and ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE
FUND, 50% with respect to ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE PRIVATIZATION FUND, ALLIANCE
INTERNATIONAL PREMIER GROWTH FUND, ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97 FUND and ALLIANCE
ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND and 20% with respect to ALLIANCE UTILITY INCOME FUND,
of the Fund's assets at the time of making the commitment.
There is no guarantee that a security subject to a standby commitment will be
issued and the value of the security, if issued, on the delivery date may be
more or less than its purchase price. Since the issuance of the security
underlying the commitment is at the option of the issuer, a Fund will bear the
risk of capital loss in the event the value of the security declines and may
not benefit from an appreciation in the value of the security during the
commitment period if the issuer decides not to issue and sell the security to
the Fund.
ZERO-COUPON AND PAYMENT-IN-KIND BONDS. Zero-coupon bonds are issued at a
significant discount from their principal amount in lieu of paying interest
periodically. Payment-in-kind bonds allow the issuer to make current interest
payments on the bonds in additional bonds. Because zero-coupon bonds and
payment-in-kind bonds do not pay current interest in cash, their value is
generally subject to greater fluctuation in response to changes in market
interest rates than bonds that pay interest in cash currently. Both zero-coupon
and payment-in-kind bonds allow an issuer to avoid the need to generate cash to
meet current interest payments. These bonds may involve greater credit risks
than bonds paying interest currently. Although these bonds do not pay current
interest in cash, a Fund is nonetheless required to accrue interest income on
such
47
investments and to distribute such amounts at least annually to shareholders.
Thus, a Fund could be required at times to liquidate other investments in order
to satisfy its dividend requirements.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS. A Fund may, following written notice to its shareholders,
take advantage of other investment practices that are not currently
contemplated for use by the Fund, or are not available but may yet be
developed, to the extent such investment practices are consistent with the
Fund's investment objective and legally permissible for the Fund. Such
investment practices, if they arise, may involve risks that exceed those
involved in the activities described above.
GENERAL. The successful use of the investment practices described above draws
upon Alliance's special skills and experience and usually depends on Alliance's
ability to forecast price movements, interest rates, or currency exchange rate
movements correctly. Should interest rates, prices or exchange rates move
unexpectedly, a Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the
transactions or may realize losses and thus be in a worse position than if such
strategies had not been used. Unlike many exchange-traded futures contracts and
options on futures contracts, there are no daily price fluctuation limits for
certain options and forward contracts, and adverse market movements could
therefore continue to an unlimited extent over a period of time. In addition,
the correlation between movements in the prices of futures contracts, options
and forward contracts and movements in the prices of the securities and
currencies hedged or used for cover will not be perfect and could produce
unanticipated losses.
A Fund's ability to dispose of its position in futures contracts, options, and
forward contracts depends on the availability of liquid markets in such
instruments. Markets in options and futures with respect to a number of types
of securities and currencies are relatively new and still developing, and there
is no public market for forward contracts. It is impossible to predict the
amount of trading interest that may exist in various types of futures
contracts, options, and forward contracts. If a secondary market does not exist
for an option purchased or written by a Fund, it might not be possible to
effect a closing transaction in the option (i.e., dispose of the option), with
the result that (i) an option purchased by the Fund would have to be exercised
in order for the Fund to realize any profit and (ii) the Fund may not be able
to sell currencies or portfolio securities covering an option written by the
Fund until the option expires or it delivers the underlying security, futures
contract or currency upon exercise. Therefore, no assurance can be given that
the Funds will be able to utilize these instruments effectively. In addition, a
Fund's ability to engage in options and futures transactions may be limited by
tax considerations and the use of certain hedging techniques may adversely
impact the characterization of income to a Fund for U.S. federal income tax
purposes.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER. The portfolio turnover rate for each Fund is included in
the FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS section. The Funds are actively managed and, in some
cases in response to market conditions, a Fund's portfolio turnover may exceed
100%. A higher rate of portfolio turnover increases brokerage and other
expenses, which must be borne by the Fund and its shareholders. High portfolio
turnover also may result in the realization of substantial net short-term
capital gains, which, when distributed, are taxable to shareholders.
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POSITION. For temporary defensive purposes, each Fund may
reduce its position in equity securities and invest in, without limit, certain
types of short-term, liquid, high grade or high quality (depending on the Fund)
debt securities. These securities may include U.S. Government securities,
qualifying bank deposits, money market instruments, prime commercial paper and
other types of short-term debt securities including notes and bonds. For Funds
that may invest in foreign countries, such securities also may include
short-term, foreign-currency denominated securities of the type mentioned above
issued by foreign governmental entities, companies, and supranational
organizations. While the Funds are investing for temporary defensive purposes,
they may not achieve their investment objectives.
ADDITIONAL RISK CONSIDERATIONS
Investment in certain of the Funds involves the special risk considerations
described below. These risks may be heightened when investing in emerging
markets.
CURRENCY CONSIDERATIONS. Substantially all of the assets of ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE
FUND, ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE PRIVATIZATION FUND, ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL PREMIER
GROWTH FUND, ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND, ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97 FUND and
ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND, and a substantial portion of the assets of
ALLIANCE GLOBAL SMALL CAP FUND and ALLIANCE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FUND are
invested in securities denominated in foreign currencies. The Funds receive a
corresponding portion of their revenues in foreign currencies. Therefore, the
dollar equivalent of their net assets, distributions, and income will be
adversely affected by reductions in the value of certain foreign currencies
relative to the U.S. Dollar. If the value of the foreign currencies in which a
Fund receives its income falls relative to the U.S. Dollar between receipt of
the income and the making of Fund distributions, the Fund may be required to
liquidate securities in order to make distributions if it has insufficient cash
in U.S. Dollars to meet distribution requirements that the Fund must satisfy to
qualify as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes.
Similarly, if an exchange rate declines between the time a Fund incurs expenses
in U.S. Dollars and the time cash expenses are paid, the amount of the currency
required to be converted into U.S. Dollars in order to pay expenses in U.S.
Dollars could be greater than the equivalent amount of such expenses in the
currency at the time they were incurred. In light of these risks, a Fund may
engage in currency hedging transactions, as described above, which involve
certain special risks.
FOREIGN SECURITIES. The securities markets of many foreign countries are
relatively small, with the majority of market capitalization and trading volume
concentrated in a limited number of companies representing a small number of
industries. Consequently, a Fund whose investment portfolio
48
includes foreign securities may experience greater price volatility and
significantly lower liquidity than a portfolio invested solely in equity
securities of U.S. companies. These markets may be subject to greater influence
by adverse events generally affecting the market, and by large investors
trading significant blocks of securities, than is usual in the United States.
Securities settlements may in some instances be subject to delays and related
administrative uncertainties.
Certain foreign countries require governmental approval prior to investments by
foreign persons or limit investment by foreign persons to only a specified
percentage of an issuer's outstanding securities or a specific class of
securities that may have less advantageous terms (including price) than
securities of the company available for purchase by nationals. These
restrictions or controls may at times limit or preclude investment in certain
securities and may increase the costs and expenses of a Fund. In addition, the
repatriation of investment income, capital, or the proceeds of sales of
securities from certain countries is controlled under regulations, including in
some cases the need for certain advance government notification or authority.
If a deterioration occurs in a country's balance of payments, the country could
impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances.
A Fund also could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant,
any required governmental approval for repatriation, as well as by the
application of other restrictions on investment. Investing in local markets may
require a Fund to adopt special procedures that may involve additional costs to
a Fund. These factors may affect the liquidity of a Fund's investments in any
country and Alliance will monitor the effect of any such factor or factors on a
Fund's investments. Furthermore, transaction costs including brokerage
commissions for transactions both on and off the securities exchanges in many
foreign countries are generally higher than in the United States.
Issuers of securities in foreign jurisdictions are generally not subject to the
same degree of regulation as are U.S. issuers with respect to such matters as
insider trading rules, restrictions on market manipulation, shareholder proxy
requirements, and timely disclosure of information. The reporting, accounting
and auditing standards of foreign countries may differ, in some cases
significantly, from U.S. standards in important respects and less information
may be available to investors in foreign securities than to investors in U.S.
securities. Substantially less information is publicly available about certain
non-U.S. issuers than is available about U.S. issuers.
The economies of individual foreign countries may differ favorably or
unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic
product or gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment,
resource self-sufficiency, and balance of payments position. Nationalization,
expropriation or confiscatory taxation, currency blockage, political changes,
government regulation, political or social instability, or diplomatic
developments could affect adversely the economy of a foreign country and the
Fund's investments. In the event of expropriation, nationalization or other
confiscation, a Fund could lose its entire investment in the country involved.
In addition, laws in foreign countries governing business organizations,
bankruptcy and insolvency may provide less protection to security holders such
as the Fund than that provided by U.S. laws.
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND, ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE FUND, ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA
'97 FUND and ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND may invest substantial amounts
of their assets in United Kingdom issuers, Japanese issuers, and/or Greater
China issuers. Please refer to Appendix A for a discussion of risks associated
with investments in these countries.
INVESTMENT IN PRIVATIZED ENTERPRISES BY ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE PRIVATIZATION FUND.
In certain jurisdictions, the ability of foreign entities, such as the Fund, to
participate in privatizations may be limited by local law, or the price or
terms on which the Fund may be able to participate may be less advantageous
than for local investors. Moreover, there can be no assurance that governments
that have embarked on privatization programs will continue to divest their
ownership of state enterprises, that proposed privatizations will be successful
or that governments will not re-nationalize enterprises that have been
privatized. Furthermore, in the case of certain of the enterprises in which the
Fund may invest, large blocks of the stock of those enterprises may be held by
a small group of stockholders, even after the initial equity offerings by those
enterprises. The sale of some portion or all of those blocks could have an
adverse effect on the price of the stock of any such enterprise.
Most state enterprises or former state enterprises go through an internal
reorganization of management prior to conducting an initial equity offering in
an attempt to better enable these enterprises to compete in the private sector.
However, certain reorganizations could result in a management team that does
not function as well as the enterprise's prior management and may have a
negative effect on such enterprise. After making an initial equity offering,
enterprises that may have enjoyed preferential treatment from the respective
state or government that owned or controlled them may no longer receive such
preferential treatment and may become subject to market competition from which
they were previously protected. Some of these enterprises may not be able to
effectively operate in a competitive market and may suffer losses or experience
bankruptcy due to such competition. In addition, the privatization of an
enterprise by its government may occur over a number of years, with the
government continuing to hold a controlling position in the enterprise even
after the initial equity offering for the enterprise.
INVESTMENT IN SMALLER, EMERGING COMPANIES. The Funds may invest in smaller,
emerging companies. ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE FUND and ALLIANCE GLOBAL SMALL CAP FUND
will emphasize investment in, and ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND, ALLIANCE
GREATER CHINA '97 FUND and ALLIANCE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FUND may emphasize
investment in, smaller, emerging companies. Investment in such companies
involves greater risks than is customarily associated with securities of more
established companies. Companies in the earlier stages of their
49
development often have products and management personnel which have not been
thoroughly tested by time or the marketplace; their financial resources may not
be as substantial as those of more established companies. The securities of
smaller companies may have relatively limited marketability and may be subject
to more abrupt or erratic market movements than securities of larger companies
or broad market indices. The revenue flow of such companies may be erratic and
their results of operations may fluctuate widely and may also contribute to
stock price volatility.
EXTREME GOVERNMENTAL ACTION; LESS PROTECTIVE LAWS. In contrast to investing in
the U.S., foreign investment may involve in certain situations greater risk of
nationalization, expropriation, confiscatory taxation, currency blockage or
other extreme governmental action which could adversely impact a Fund's
investments. In the event of certain such actions, a Fund could lose its entire
investment in the country involved. In addition, laws in various foreign
countries, including in certain respects each of the Greater China countries,
governing, among other subjects, business organization and practices,
securities and securities trading, bankruptcy and insolvency may provide less
protection to investors such as the Fund than provided under United States laws.
INVESTMENTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL COMPANIES BY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FUND.
Governmental regulations or other action can inhibit an Environmental Company's
performance, and it may take years to translate environmental legislation into
sales and profits. Environmental Companies generally face competition in fields
often characterized by relatively short product cycles and competitive pricing
policies. Losses may result from large product development or expansion costs,
unprotected marketing or distribution systems, erratic revenue flows and low
profit margins. Additional risks that Environmental Companies may face include
difficulty in financing the high cost of technological development,
uncertainties due to changing governmental regulation or rapid technological
advances, potential liabilities associated with hazardous components and
operations, and difficulty in finding experienced employees.
THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY. Although ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FUND does
not invest directly in real estate, it invests primarily in Real Estate Equity
Securities and has a policy of concentration of its investments in the real
estate industry. Therefore, an investment in the Fund is subject to certain
risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate and with the real
estate industry in general. These risks include, among others: possible
declines in the value of real estate; risks related to general and local
economic conditions; possible lack of availability of mortgage funds;
overbuilding; extended vacancies of properties; increases in competition,
property taxes and operating expenses; changes in zoning laws; costs resulting
from the clean-up of, and liability to third parties for damages resulting
from, environmental problems; casualty or condemnation losses; uninsured
damages from floods, earthquakes or other natural disasters; limitations on and
variations in rents; and changes in interest rates. To the extent that assets
underlying the Fund's investments are concentrated geographically, by property
type or in certain other respects, the Fund may be subject to certain of the
foregoing risks to a greater extent.
In addition, if ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FUND receives rental income or
income from the disposition of real property acquired as a result of a default
on securities the Fund owns, the receipt of such income may adversely affect
the Fund's ability to retain its tax status as a regulated investment company.
Investments by the Fund in securities of companies providing mortgage servicing
will be subject to the risks associated with refinancings and their impact on
servicing rights.
REITS. Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks in addition to those
risks associated with investing in the real estate industry in general. Equity
REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned
by the REITs, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit
extended. REITs are dependent upon management skills, are not diversified, and
are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers and
self-liquidation. REITs are also subject to the possibilities of failing to
qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Code and failing to
maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act.
REITs (especially mortgage REITs) also are subject to interest rate risks. When
interest rates decline, the value of a REIT's investment in fixed rate
obligations can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the
value of a REIT's investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to
decline. In contrast, as interest rates on adjustable rate mortgage loans are
reset periodically, yields on a REIT's investments in such loans will gradually
align themselves to reflect changes in market interest rates, causing the value
of such investments to fluctuate less dramatically in response to interest rate
fluctuations than would investments in fixed rate obligations.
Investing in REITs involves risks similar to those associated with investing in
small capitalization companies. REITs may have limited financial resources, may
trade less frequently and in a limited volume and may be subject to more abrupt
or erratic price movements than larger company securities. Historically, small
capitalization stocks, such as REITs, have been more volatile in price than the
larger capitalization stocks included in the S&P 500 Index.
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES. Investing in Mortgage-Backed Securities involves
certain unique risks in addition to those risks associated with investment in
the real estate industry in general. These risks include the failure of a
counterparty to meet its commitments, adverse interest rate changes and the
effects of prepayments on mortgage cash flows. When interest rates decline, the
value of an investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to rise.
Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of an investment in fixed rate
obligations can be expected to decline. In contrast, as interest rates on
adjustable rate mortgage loans are reset periodically, yields on investments in
such loans will gradually align themselves to reflect changes in market
interest rates, causing the value of
50
such investments to fluctuate less dramatically in response to interest rate
fluctuations than would investments in fixed rate obligations.
Further, the yield characteristics of Mortgage-Backed Securities, such as those
in which ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FUND may invest, differ from those of
traditional fixed-income securities. The major differences typically include
more frequent interest and principal payments (usually monthly), the
adjustability of interest rates, and the possibility that prepayments of
principal may be made substantially earlier than their final distribution dates.
Prepayment rates are influenced by changes in current interest rates and a
variety of economic, geographic, social, and other factors, and cannot be
predicted with certainty. Both adjustable rate mortgage loans and fixed rate
mortgage loans may be subject to a greater rate of principal prepayments in a
declining interest rate environment and to a lesser rate of principal
prepayments in an increasing interest rate environment. Early payment
associated with Mortgage-Backed Securities causes these securities to
experience significantly greater price and yield volatility than that
experienced by traditional fixed-income securities. Under certain interest rate
and prepayment rate scenarios, the Fund may fail to recoup fully its investment
in Mortgage-Backed Securities notwithstanding any direct or indirect
governmental or agency guarantee. When the Fund reinvests amounts representing
payments and unscheduled prepayments of principal, it may receive a rate of
interest that is lower than the rate on existing adjustable rate mortgage
pass-through securities. Thus, Mortgage-Backed Securities, and adjustable rate
mortgage pass-through securities in particular, may be less effective than
other types of U.S. Government securities as a means of "locking in" interest
rates.
U.S. AND FOREIGN TAXES. A Fund's investment in foreign securities may be
subject to taxes withheld at the source on dividend or interest payments.
Foreign taxes paid by a Fund may be creditable or deductible by U.S.
shareholders for U.S. income tax purposes. No assurance can be given that
applicable tax laws and interpretations will not change in the future.
Moreover, non-U.S. investors may not be able to credit or deduct such foreign
taxes.
FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES. The value of each Fund's shares will fluctuate with
the value of its investments. The value of each Fund's investments in
fixed-income securities will change as the general level of interest rates
fluctuates. During periods of falling interest rates, the values of
fixed-income securities generally rise. Conversely, during periods of rising
interest rates, the values of fixed-income securities generally decline.
Under normal market conditions, the average dollar-weighted maturity of a
Fund's portfolio of debt or other fixed-income securities is expected to vary
between five and 30 years in the case of ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND,
between five and 25 years in the case of ALLIANCE UTILITY INCOME FUND, and
between one year or less and 30 years in the case of all other Funds that
invest in such securities. In periods of increasing interest rates, each of the
Funds may, to the extent it holds mortgage-backed securities, be subject to the
risk that the average dollar-weighted maturity of the Fund's portfolio of debt
or other fixed-income securities may be extended as a result of lower than
anticipated prepayment rates.
INVESTMENT IN LOWER-RATED FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES. Lower-rated securities,
i.e., those rated Ba and lower by Moody's or BB and lower by S&P, Duff & Phelps
or Fitch, are subject to greater credit risk or loss of principal and interest
than higher-rated securities. They also are generally considered to be subject
to greater market risk than higher-rated securities. The capacity of issuers of
lower-rated securities to pay interest and repay principal is more likely to
weaken than is that of issuers of higher-rated securities in times of
deteriorating economic conditions or rising interest rates. In addition,
lower-rated securities may be more susceptible to real or perceived adverse
economic conditions than investment grade securities.
The market for lower-rated securities may be thinner and less active than that
for higher-rated securities, which can adversely affect the prices at which
these securities can be sold. To the extent that there is no established
secondary market for lower-rated securities, a Fund may experience difficulty
in valuing the securities for the purpose of computing a Fund's net asset
value. In addition, adverse publicity and investor perceptions about
lower-rated securities, whether or not factual, may tend to impair their market
value and liquidity.
Alliance will try to reduce the risk inherent in investment in lower-rated
securities through credit analysis, diversification and attention to current
developments and trends in interest rates and economic and political
conditions. However, there can be no assurance that losses will not occur.
Since the risk of default is higher for lower-rated securities, Alliance's
research and credit analysis are a correspondingly more important aspect of its
program for managing a Fund's securities than would be the case if a Fund did
not invest in lower-rated securities.
In seeking to achieve a Fund's investment objective, there will be times, such
as during periods of rising interest rates, when depreciation and realization
of capital losses on securities in a Fund's portfolio will be unavoidable.
Moreover, medium- and lower-rated securities and non-rated securities of
comparable quality may be subject to wider fluctuations in yield and market
values than higher-rated securities under certain market conditions. Such
fluctuations after a security is acquired do not affect the cash income
received from that security but are reflected in the net asset value of a Fund.
Certain lower-rated securities may contain call or buy-back features that
permit the issuers thereof to call or repurchase such securities. Such
securities may present risks based on prepayment expectations. If an issuer
exercises such a provision, a Fund may have to replace the called security with
a lower-yielding security, resulting in a decreased rate of return to the Fund.
YEAR 2000: Many computer systems and applications that process transactions use
two-digit date fields for the year of a transaction, rather than the full four
digits. If these systems are not modified or replaced, transactions occurring
after 1999
51
could be processed as the year "1900," which could result in processing
inaccuracies and inoperability at or after the year 2000. The Funds and its
major service providers, including Alliance, utilize a number of computer
systems and applications that have been either developed internally or licensed
from third-party suppliers. In addition, the Funds and its major service
providers, including Alliance, are dependent on third-party suppliers for
certain systems applications and for electronic receipt of information critical
to their business. Should any of the computer systems employed by the Funds or
their major service providers, including Alliance, fail to process Year 2000
related information properly, that could have a significant negative impact on
the Funds' operations and the services that are provided to the Funds'
shareholders. To the extent that the operations of issuers of securities held
by the Funds are impaired by the Year 2000 problem, the value of the Funds'
shares may be materially affected. In addition, for the Funds' investments in
foreign markets, it is possible that foreign companies and markets will not be
as prepared for Year 2000 as domestic companies and markets.
The Year 2000 issue is a high priority for the Funds and Alliance. During 1997,
Alliance began a formal Year 2000 initiative which established a structured and
coordinated process to deal with the Year 2000 issue. As part of its
initiative, Alliance established a Year 2000 project office to manage the Year
2000 initiative, focusing on both information technology and non-information
technology systems. The Year 2000 project office meets periodically with the
audit committee of the board of directors of Alliance Capital Management
Corporation, Alliance's general partner, and with Alliance's executive
management to review the status of the Year 2000 efforts. Alliance has also
retained the services of a number of consulting firms which have expertise in
advising and assisting with regard to Year 2000 issues. Alliance reports that
by June 30, 1998 it had completed its inventory and assessment of its domestic
and international computer systems and applications, identified mission
critical systems (those systems where loss of their function would result in
immediate stoppage or significant impairment to core business units) and
nonmission critical systems and determined which of these systems were not Year
2000 compliant. All third-party suppliers of mission critical computer systems
and nonmission critical systems applications have been contacted to verify
whether their systems and applications will be Year 2000 compliant and their
responses are being evaluated. Substantially all of those contacted have
responded and approximately 90% have informed Alliance that their systems and
applications are or will be Year 2000 compliant. All mission and nonmission
critical systems supplied by third parties have been tested with the exception
of those third parties not able to comply with Alliance's testing schedule.
Alliance reports that it expects that all testing will be completed before the
end of 1999.
Alliance has remediated, replaced or retired all of its non-compliant mission
critical systems and applications that can affect the Funds. All nonmission
critical systems have been remediated. After each system has been remediated,
it is tested with 19XX dates to determine if it still performs its intended
business function correctly. Next, each system undergoes a simulation test
using dates occurring after December 31, 1999. Inclusive of the replacement and
retirement of some of its systems, Alliance has completed these testing phases
for 98% of mission critical systems and 100% of nonmission critical systems.
Integrated systems tests were conducted to verify that the systems would
continue to work together. Full integration testing of all mission critical and
nonmission critical systems is complete. Testing of interfaces with third-party
suppliers has begun and will continue throughout 1999. Alliance reports that it
has completed an inventory of its facilities and related technology
applications and has begun to evaluate and test these systems. Alliance reports
that it anticipates that these systems will be fully operable in the year 2000.
Alliance has deferred certain other planned information technology projects
until after the Year 2000 initiative is completed. Such delay is not expected
to have a material adverse effect on Alliance's financial condition or results
of operations. Alliance, with the assistance of a consulting firm, is
developing Year 2000 specific contingency plans with emphasis on mission
critical functions. These plans seek to provide alternative methods of
processing in the event of a failure that is outside Alliance's control.
The estimated current cost to Alliance of the Year 2000 initiative ranges from
approximately $40 million to $45 million. These costs consist principally of
modification and testing and costs to develop formal Year 2000 specific
contingency plans. These costs, which will generally be expensed as incurred,
will be funded from Alliance's operations and the issuance of debt. Through
June 30, 1999, Alliance had incurred approximately $36.0 million of costs
related to the Year 2000 initiative. At this time, management of Alliance
believes that the costs associated with resolving the Year 2000 issue will not
have a material adverse effect on Alliance's results of operations, liquidity
or capital resources.
There are many risks associated with Year 2000 issues, including the risks that
the computer systems and applications used by the Funds and their major service
providers will not operate as intended and that the systems and applications of
third-party suppliers to the Funds and their service providers will not be Year
2000 compliant. Likewise there can be no assurance the compliance schedules
outlined above will be met or that the actual cost incurred will not exceed
current cost estimates. Should the significant computer systems and
applications used by the Funds or their major service providers, or the systems
of their important third-party suppliers, be unable to process date-sensitive
information accurately after 1999, the Funds and their service providers may be
unable to conduct their normal business operations and to provide shareholders
with required services. In addition, the Funds and their service providers may
incur unanticipated expenses, regulatory actions and legal liabilities. The
Funds and Alliance cannot determine which risks, if any, are most reasonably
likely to occur or the effects of any particular failure to be Year 2000
compliant. Certain statements provided by Alliance in this section entitled
"Year 2000", as such statements relate to Alliance, are "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning
52
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. To the fullest extent
permitted by law, the foregoing Year 2000 discussion is a "Year 2000 Readiness
Disclosure" within the meaning of the Year 2000 Information and Readiness
Disclosure Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1 (1998).
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Each Fund's Adviser is Alliance Capital Management, L.P., 1345 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, NY 10105. Alliance is a leading international investment
adviser supervising client accounts with assets as of September 30, 1999
totaling more than $317 billion (of which more than $143 billion represented
assets of investment companies). As of September 30, 1999, Alliance managed
retirement assets for many of the largest public and private employee benefit
plans (including 28 of the nation's FORTUNE 100 companies), for public employee
retirement funds in 31 states, for investment companies, and for foundations,
endowments, banks and insurance companies worldwide. The 52 registered
investment companies managed by Alliance, comprising 118 separate investment
portfolios, currently have more than 4.8 million shareholder accounts.
Alliance provides investment advisory services and order placement facilities
for the Funds. For these advisory services, the Funds paid Alliance as a
percentage of average daily net assets:
FEE AS A PERCENTAGE OF FISCAL
FUND AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS* YEAR ENDING
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Premier Growth
Fund 1.00% 11/30/98
Alliance Health Care
Fund .95** 6/30/00
Alliance Growth Fund .70 10/31/98
Alliance Technology Fund 1.02 11/30/98
Alliance Quasar Fund 1.04 9/30/98
The Alliance Fund .67 11/30/98
Alliance Growth and Income
Fund .48 10/31/98
Alliance Balanced Shares
Fund .586 7/31/99
Alliance Utility Income
Fund -0- 11/30/98
Alliance Real Estate
Investment Fund .90 8/31/99
Alliance New Europe
Fund .95 7/31/99
Alliance Worldwide
Privatization Fund 1.00 6/30/99
Alliance International
Premier Growth Fund -0- 11/30/98
Alliance Global Small
Cap Fund 1.00% 7/31/99
Alliance International
Fund .81 6/30/99
Alliance Greater China
'97 Fund -0- 7/31/99
Alliance All-Asia Investment
Fund .24 10/31/98
Alliance Global Environment
Fund 1.10 10/31/98
* FEES ARE STATED NET OF ANY WAIVERS AND/OR REIMBURSEMENTS. SEE THE "FEE
TABLE" AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PROSPECTUS FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FEE
WAIVERS.
** PRIOR TO ANY WAIVER BY ALLIANCE. SEE "FEE TABLE" AT THE BEGINNING OF THE
PROSPECTUS.
In connection with providing advisory services to ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97
FUND, Alliance has, at its expense, retained as a consultant New Alliance, a
joint venture company headquartered in Hong Kong, which was formed in 1997 by
Alliance and Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited. New Alliance provides Alliance
with ongoing, current, and comprehensive information and analysis of conditions
and developments in Greater China countries.
In connection with investments in real estate securities, Alliance has, at its
expense, retained as a consultant CB Richard Ellis, Inc. ("CBRE"). CBRE is a
publicly held company and the largest real estate services company in the
United States, comprised of real estate brokerage, property, and facilities
management, and real estate finance, and investment advisory services.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
The following table lists the person or persons who are primarily responsible
for the day-to-day management of each Fund's portfolio, the length of time that
each person has been primarily responsible for the Fund, and each person's
principal occupation during the past five years.
Principal Occupation
During the Past
Fund Employee; Year; Title Five (5) Years*
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Premier Alfred Harrison; since Associated with
Growth Fund inception--Vice Chairman Alliance
of Alliance Capital
Management Corporation
(ACMC)**
Alliance Health Norman Fidel; since inception Associated with
Care Fund --Senior Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
Alliance Growth Tyler Smith; since inception Associated with
Fund --Senior Vice President Alliance
Alliance Technology Peter Anastos; since 1992 Associated with
Fund --Senior Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
Gerald T. Malone; since 1992 Associated with
--Senior Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
53
Principal Occupation
During the Past
Fund Employee; Year; Title Five (5) Years*
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Quasar Alden M. Stewart; since 1994 Associated with
Fund --Executive Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
Randall E. Haase; since 1994 Associated with
--Senior Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
The Alliance Fund Alden M. Stewart; since 1997 (see above)
--(see above)
Randall E. Haase; since 1997 (see above)
--(see above)
Alliance Growth and Paul Rissman; since 1994 Associated with
Income Fund --Senior Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
Alliance Balanced Paul Rissman; since 1997 (see above)
Shares Fund --(see above)
Alliance Utility Paul Rissman; since 1996 (see above)
Income Fund --(see above)
Alliance Real Estate Daniel G. Pine; since 1996 Associated with
Investment Fund --Senior Vice President Alliance since 1996;
of ACMC prior thereto; Senior
Vice President of
Desai Capital
Management
David Kruth; since 1997 Associated with
--Vice President of ACMC Alliance since 1997;
prior thereto; Senior
Vice President of
Yarmouth Group
Alliance New Europe Steven Beinhacker; since 1997 Associated with
Fund --Senior Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
Alliance Worldwide Mark H. Breedon; since Associated with
Privatization Fund inception Vice President Alliance
of ACMC and Director
and Senior Vice President
of Alliance Capital Limited***
Alliance International Alfred Harrison; since 1998 (see above)
Premier Growth Fund --(see above)
Thomas Kamp; since 1998 Associated with
--Senior Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
Alliance Global Alden M. Stewart; since 1994 (see above)
Small Cap Fund --(see above)
Randall E. Haase; since 1994 (see above)
--(see above)
Mark D. Breedon; since 1998 (see above)
--(see above)
Alliance Nicholas D.P.Carn; since 1998 Associated with
International Fund --Senior Vice President Alliance since 1995;
of ACMC prior thereto, Chief
Investment Officer of
Draycott Partners, Ltd.
Alliance Greater Matthew W.S. Lee; since 1997 Associated with
China '97 Fund --Vice President of ACMC Alliance since 1997;
prior thereto;
associated with
National Mutual Funds
Management (Asia) and
James Capel and Co.
since prior to 1994
Alliance All-Asia Hiroshi Motoki; since 1998 Associated with
Investment Fund --Senior Vice President Alliance since 1994;
of ACMC and director of prior thereto;
Japanese/Asian Equity associated with
research Ford Motor Company
Alliance Global Linda Bolton Weiser; Associated with
Environment Fund since 1998--Vice President Alliance
of ACMC
* UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE, PERSONS ASSOCIATED WITH ALLIANCE HAVE BEEN
EMPLOYED IN A PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT, RESEARCH OR INVESTMENT CAPACITY.
** THE SOLE GENERAL PARTNER OF ALLIANCE.
*** AN INDIRECT WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF ALLIANCE.
PERFORMANCE OF SIMILARLY MANAGED PORTFOLIOS. In addition to managing the assets
of ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND, Mr. Harrison has ultimate responsibility for
the management of discretionary tax-exempt accounts of institutional clients
managed as described below without significant client-imposed restrictions
("Historical Portfolios"). These accounts have substantially the same
investment objectives and policies and are managed in accordance with
essentially the same investment strategies and techniques as those for ALLIANCE
PREMIER GROWTH FUND, except for the ability of ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND to
use futures and options as hedging tools and to invest in warrants. The
Historical Portfolios also are not subject to certain limitations,
diversification requirements and other restrictions imposed under the 1940 Act
and the Code to which ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND, as a registered investment
company, is subject and which, if applicable to the Historical Portfolios, may
have adversely affected the performance results of the Historical Portfolios.
Set forth below is performance data provided by Alliance relating to the
Historical Portfolios for each of the twenty full calendar years during which
Mr. Harrison has managed the Historical Portfolios as an employee of Alliance
and cumulatively through September 30, 1999. As of September 30, 1999, the
assets in the Historical Portfolios totaled approximately $14.3 billion and the
average size of an institutional account in the Historical Portfolio was $492
million. Each Historical Portfolio has a nearly identical composition of
investment holdings and related percentage weightings.
The performance data is net of all fees (including brokerage commissions)
charged to those accounts. The performance data is computed in accordance with
standards formulated by the Association of Investment Management and Research
and has not been adjusted to reflect any fees that will be payable by ALLIANCE
PREMIER GROWTH FUND, which are higher than the fees imposed on the Historical
Portfolio and will result in a higher expense ratio and lower returns for
ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND. Expenses associated with the distribution of
Class A, Class B, and Class C shares of ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND in
accordance with the plan adopted by ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND's Board of
Directors under Commission Rule 12b-1 are also excluded. The
54
performance data has also not been adjusted for corporate or individual taxes,
if any, payable by the account owners.
Alliance has calculated the investment performance of the Historical Portfolios
on a trade-date basis. Dividends have been accrued at the end of the month and
cash flows weighted daily. Composite investment performance for all portfolios
has been determined on an asset weighted basis. New accounts are included in
the composite investment performance computations at the beginning of the
quarter following the initial contribution. The total returns set forth below
are calculated using a method that links the monthly return amounts for the
disclosed periods, resulting in a time-weighted rate of return.
As reflected below, the Historical Portfolios have over time performed
favorably when compared with the performance of recognized performance indices.
The S&P 500 Index is a widely recognized, unmanaged index of market activity
based upon the aggregate performance of a selected portfolio of publicly traded
common stocks, including monthly adjustments to reflect the reinvestment of
dividends and other distributions. The S&P 500 Index reflects the total return
of securities comprising the Index, including changes in market prices as well
as accrued investment income, which is presumed to be reinvested. The Russell
1000 universe of securities is compiled by Frank Russell Company and is
segmented into two style indices, based on the capitalization-weighted median
book-to-price ratio of each of the securities. At each reconstitution, the
Russell 1000 constituents are ranked by their book-to-price ratio. Once so
ranked, the breakpoint for the two styles is determined by the median market
capitalization of the Russell 1000. Thus, those securities falling within the
top fifty percent of the cumulative market capitalization (as ranked by
descending book-to-price) become members of the Russell Price-Driven Indices.
The Russell 1000 Growth Index is, accordingly, designed to include those
Russell 1000 securities with a greater-than-average growth orientation. In
contrast with the securities in the Russell Price-Driven Indices, companies in
the Growth Index tend to exhibit higher price-to-book and price-earnings
ratios, lower dividend yield and higher forecasted growth values.
To the extent ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND does not invest in U.S. common
stocks or utilizes investment techniques such as futures or options, the S&P
500 Index and Russell 1000 Growth Index may not be substantially comparable to
ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND. The S&P 500 Index and Russell 1000 Growth Index
are included to illustrate material economic and market factors that existed
during the time period shown. The S&P 500 Index and Russell 1000 Growth Index
do not reflect the deduction of any fees. If ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND were
to purchase a portfolio of securities substantially identical to the securities
comprising the S&P 500 Index or the Russell 1000 Growth Index, ALLIANCE PREMIER
GROWTH FUND's performance relative to the index would be reduced by ALLIANCE
PREMIER GROWTH FUND's expenses, including brokerage commissions, advisory fees,
distribution fees, custodial fees, transfer agency costs and other
administrative expenses, as well as by the impact on ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH
FUND's shareholders of sales charges and income taxes.
The Lipper Large Cap Growth Fund Index is prepared by Lipper, Inc. and
represents a composite index of the investment performance for the 30 largest
large capitalization growth mutual funds. The composite investment performance
of the Lipper Large Cap Growth Fund Index reflects investment management and
administrative fees and other operating expenses paid by these mutual funds and
reinvested income dividends and capital gain distributions, but excludes the
impact of any income taxes and sales charges.
The following performance data is provided solely to illustrate Mr. Harrison's
performance in managing the Historical Portfolios and the ALLIANCE PREMIER
GROWTH FUND as measured against certain broad based market indices and against
the composite performance of other open-end growth mutual funds. Investors
should not rely on the following performance data of the Historical Portfolios
as an indication of future performance of ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND. The
composite investment performance for the periods presented may not be
indicative of future rates of return. Other methods of computing investment
performance may produce different results, and the results for different
periods may vary.
SCHEDULE OF COMPOSITE INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE--HISTORICAL PORTFOLIOS*
LIPPER
RUSSELL LARGE CAP
1000 GROWTH
HISTORICAL S&P500 GROWTH FUND
PREMIER PORTFOLIOS INDEX INDEX INDEX
GROWTH TOTAL TOTAL TOTAL TOTAL
FUND RETURN** RETURN RETURN RETURN
1/1/99-
9/30/99*** 2.53% 7.35 5.37% 6.40% 7.39%
Year ended December:
1998*** 42.97 52.16% 28.60 38.71 36.47
1997*** 27.05 34.64 33.36 30.49 27.59
1996*** 18.84 22.06 22.96 23.12 20.56
1995*** 40.66 39.83 37.58 37.19 34.92
1994 (9.78) (4.82) 1.32 2.66 (0.82)
1993 5.35 10.54 10.08 2.90 10.66
1992 -- 12.18 7.62 5.00 6.89
1991 -- 38.91 30.47 41.16 37.34
1990 -- (1.57) (3.10) (0.26) (1.82)
1989 -- 38.80 31.69 35.92 32.30
1988 -- 10.88 16.61 11.27 10.84
1987 -- 8.49 5.25 5.31 3.33
1986 -- 27.40 18.67 15.36 16.75
1985 -- 37.41 31.73 32.85 32.85
1984 -- (3.31) 6.27 (.95) (4.25)
1983 -- 20.80 22.56 15.98 22.63
1982 -- 28.02 21.55 20.46 28.91
1981 -- (1.09) (4.92) (11.31) (0.06)
1980 -- 50.73 32.50 39.57 47.73
1979 -- 30.76 18.61 23.91 29.90
Cumulative total
return for
the period
January 1, 1979 to
September 30, 1999 -- 5061% 2665% 2532% 3182%
* TOTAL RETURN IS A MEASURE OF INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE THAT IS BASED UPON THE
CHANGE IN VALUE OF AN INVESTMENT FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END OF A SPECIFIED
PERIOD AND ASSUMES REINVESTMENT OF ALL DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS. THE
BASIS OF PREPARATION OF THIS DATA IS DESCRIBED IN THE PRECEDING DISCUSSION.
TOTAL RETURNS FOR ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND ARE FOR CLASS A SHARES, WITH
IMPOSITION OF THE MAXIMUM 4.25% SALES CHARGE.
55
** ASSUMES IMPOSITION OF THE MAXIMUM ADVISORY FEE CHARGED BY ALLIANCE FOR ANY
HISTORICAL PORTFOLIO FOR THE PERIOD INVOLVED.
*** DURING THIS PERIOD, THE HISTORICAL PORTFOLIOS DIFFERED FROM ALLIANCE
PREMIER GROWTH FUND IN THAT ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND INVESTED A PORTION OF
ITS NET ASSETS IN WARRANTS ON EQUITY SECURITIES IN WHICH THE HISTORICAL
PORTFOLIOS WERE UNABLE, BY THEIR INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS, TO PURCHASE. IN LIEU
OF WARRANTS, THE HISTORICAL PORTFOLIOS ACQUIRED THE COMMON STOCK UPON WHICH THE
WARRANTS WERE BASED.
The average annual total returns presented below are based upon the cumulative
total return as of September 30, 1999 and, for more than one year, assume a
steady compounded rate of return and are not year-by-year results, which
fluctuated over the periods as shown.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
LIPPER
RUSSELL LARGE CAP
1000 GROWTH
PREMIER HISTORICAL S&P 500 GROWTH FUND
GROWTH PORTFOLIOS INDEX INDEX INDEX
One year 34.34% 41.47% 27.79% 34.85% 35.60%
Three years 31.81 35.08 25.09 26.87 25.27
Five years 29.25 29.85 25.03 26.79 24.80
Ten years 22.71+ 19.80 16.80 17.96 16.98
Since January 1,
1979 -- 20.93 17.35 17.07 18.32
+ SINCE INCEPTION ON 9/28/92
PERFORMANCE OF A SIMILARLY MANAGED FUND. Alliance is the investment adviser of
an investment company organized and operated under the laws of the Grand Duchy
of Luxembourg, ACM International Health Care Fund (the "ACM Fund"), that has
substantially the same investment objective and policies as those of ALLIANCE
HEALTH CARE FUND. The ACM Fund has been managed in accordance with
substantially the same investment strategies and techniques as are employed
with respect to ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND.
Norman Fidel, the portfolio manager of ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND, is also the
person who has been primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the
ACM Fund since 1988. Mr. Fidel manages approximately $1.1 billion of Health
Care Industries assets, including approximately $320 million of assets in the
ACM Fund as of September 30, 1999.
The ACM Fund is not subject to certain limitations, diversification
requirements and other restrictions imposed under the 1940 Act and the Code to
which ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND, as a registered investment company, is subject
and which, if applicable to the ACM Fund, may have adversely affected the
performance results of the ACM Fund.
Set forth below are performance data provided by Alliance relating to the Class
AX shares of the ACM Fund since 1998, when Mr. Fidel began managing that fund.
Performance data are shown annually and cumulatively through September 30, 1999.
The performance data are net of all fees imposed by the ACM Fund. The
performance data have not been adjusted to reflect the fees that are payable by
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND, which, at comparable asset levels, may be lower than
the fees imposed on the ACM Fund and may result in a lower expense ratio for
ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND. Expenses associated with the distribution of Class
A, Class B and Class C shares of ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND in accordance with
the plan adopted by ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND's Board of Directors under
Commission Rule 12b-1 also are not reflected in the data below relating
to the ACM Fund. See "Fees and Expenses of the Funds." The performance data
have also not been adjusted for corporate or individual taxes, if any, payable
by the ACM Fund shareholders.
The following performance data are provided solely to illustrate Mr. Fidel's
performance in managing the ACM Fund. Investors should not rely on the
following performance data of the ACM Fund as an indication of future
performance of the ALLIANCE HEALTH CARE FUND. The investment performance for
the periods presented may not be indicative of future rates of return.
ACM INTERNATIONAL HEALTH CARE FUND
----------------------------------
TOTAL RETURNS
1988 21.82%
1989 46.75%
1990 25.96%
1991 83.07%
1992 -10.46%
1993 -1.38%
1994 13.84%
1995 46.49%
1996 2.18%
1997 23.07%
1998 24.29%
1999* -11.82%
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
(FOR PERIODS ENDED 9/30/99)
----------------------------
One year 2.69%
Five years 15.38%
Ten years 16.92%
Cumulative Total Return of the ACM Fund from
12/31/87 to 9/30/99: 736.69%
* THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 (UNANNUALIZED)
The Funds' SAIs have more detailed information about Alliance and other Fund
service providers.
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES
HOW THE FUNDS VALUE THEIR SHARES
The Funds' net asset value or NAV is calculated at 4 p.m. Eastern time each day
the Exchange is open for business. To calculate NAV, a Fund's assets are valued
and totaled, liabilities are subtracted, and the balance, called net assets, is
divided by the number of shares outstanding. The Funds value their securities
at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations, or,
if such quotations are not readily
56
available, such other methods as the Funds' directors believe accurately
reflect fair market value.
Your order for purchase, sale, or exchange of shares is priced at the next NAV
calculated after your order is received in proper form by the Fund.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
You may purchase Advisor Class shares through your financial representative at
NAV. Advisor Class shares are not subject to any initial or contingent sales
charges or distribution expenses. You may purchase and hold shares solely:
- - through accounts established under a fee-based program, sponsored and
maintained by a registered broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and
approved by the Fund's principal underwriter, Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc.
or AFD;
- - through a self-directed defined contribution employee benefit plan (e.g.,
a 401(k) plan) that has at least 1,000 participants or $25 million in assets;
- - by investment advisory clients of, and certain other persons associated
with, Alliance and its affiliates or the Funds; and
- - through registered investment advisers or other financial intermediaries
who charge a management, consulting or other fee for their services and who
purchase shares through a broker or agent approved by AFD and clients of such
registered investment advisers or financial intermediaries whose accounts are
linked to the master account of such investment adviser or financial
intermediary on the books of such approved broker or agent.
Generally, a fee-based program must charge an asset-based or other similar fee
and must invest at least $250,000 in Advisor Class shares to be approved by AFD
for investment in Advisor Class shares. The Fund's Statement of Additional
Information has more detailed information about who may purchase and hold
Advisor Class shares.
A Fund may refuse any order to purchase Advisor Class shares. In particular,
the Funds reserve the right to restrict purchases of Advisor Class shares
(including through exchanges) when there appears to be evidence of a pattern of
frequent purchases and sales made in response to short-term considerations.
HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES
You may exchange your Advisor Class shares for Advisor Class shares of other
Alliance Mutual Funds. Exchanges of Advisor Class shares are made at the
next-determined NAV, without any sales or service charge. You may request an
exchange by mail or telephone. You must call by 4:00 p.m. Eastern time to
receive that day's NAV. The Funds may change, suspend, or terminate the
exchange service on 60 days' written notice.
HOW TO SELL SHARES
You may "redeem" your shares (i.e., sell your shares to a Fund) on any day the
Exchange is open, either directly or through your financial intermediary. Your
sales price will be the next-determined NAV after the Fund receives your sales
request in proper form. Normally, proceeds will be sent to you within 7 days.
If you recently purchased your shares by check or electronic funds transfer,
your redemption payment may be delayed until the Fund is reasonably satisfied
that the check or electronic funds transfer has been collected (which may take
up to 15 days). If you are in doubt about what procedures or documents are
required by your fee-based program or employee benefit plan to sell your
shares, you should contact your financial representative.
- - SELLING SHARES THROUGH YOUR FINANCIAL REPRESENTATIVE
Your financial representative must receive your sales request by 4:00 p.m.,
Eastern time, and submit it to the Fund by 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, for you to
receive that day's NAV. Your financial representative is responsible for
submitting all necessary documentation to the Fund and may charge you for this
service.
- - SELLING SHARES DIRECTLY TO THE FUND
BY MAIL:
-- Send a signed letter of instruction or stock power, along with
certificates, to:
Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 1520
Secaucus, N.J. 07906-1520
800-221-5672
-- For your protection, a bank, a member firm of a national stock exchange,
or other eligible guarantor institution, must guarantee signatures. Stock power
forms are available from your financial intermediary, AFS, and many commercial
banks. Additional documentation is required for the sale of shares by
corporations, intermediaries, fiduciaries, and surviving joint owners. If you
have any questions about these procedures, contact AFS.
BY TELEPHONE:
-- You may redeem your shares for which no stock certificates have been
issued by telephone request. Call AFS at 800-221-5672 with instructions on how
you wish to receive your sale proceeds.
-- A telephone redemption request must be received by 4:00 p.m. Eastern time
for you to receive that day's NAV.
-- If you have selected electronic funds transfer in your Shareholder
Application, the redemption proceeds will be sent directly to your bank.
Otherwise, the proceeds will be mailed to you.
-- Redemption requests by electronic funds transfer may not exceed $100,000
per day and redemption requests by check cannot exceed $50,000 per day.
-- Telephone redemption is not available for shares held in nominee or
"street name" accounts, retirement plan accounts, or shares held by a
shareholder who has changed his or her address of record within the previous 30
calendar days.
OTHER
If you are a Fund shareholder through an account established under a fee-based
program, your fee-based program may impose
57
requirements with respect to the purchase, sale, or exchange of Advisor Class
shares of a Fund that are different from those described in this prospectus. A
transaction, service, administrative or other similar fee may be charged by
your broker-dealer, agent, financial intermediary or other financial
representative with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of Advisor Class
shares made through such financial representative. Such financial
intermediaries may also impose requirements with respect to the purchase, sale
or exchange of shares that are different from, or in addition to, those imposed
by a Fund, including requirements as to the minimum initial and subsequent
investment amounts.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
Each Fund's income dividends and capital gains distributions, if any, declared
by a Fund on its outstanding shares will, at the election of each shareholder,
be paid in cash or in additional shares of the same class of shares of that
Fund. If paid in additional shares, the shares will have an aggregate NAV as of
the close of business on the day following the declaration date of the dividend
or distribution equal to the cash amount of the dividend or distribution. You
may make an election to receive dividends and distributions in cash or in
shares at the time you purchase shares. Your election can be changed at any
time prior to a record date for a dividend. There is no sales or other charge
in connection with the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions. Cash dividends may be paid in check, or at your election,
electronically via the ACH network. There is no sales or other charge on the
reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions.
If you receive an income dividend or capital gains distribution in cash you
may, within 120 days following the date of its payment, reinvest the dividend
or distribution in additional shares of that Fund without charge by returning
to Alliance, with appropriate instructions, the check representing the dividend
or distribution. Thereafter, unless you otherwise specify, you will be deemed
to have elected to reinvest all subsequent dividends and distributions in
shares of that Fund.
For federal income tax purposes, the Fund's dividend distributions of net
income (or short-term taxable gains) will be taxable to you as ordinary income.
Distributions of long-term capital gains generally will be taxable to you
as long-term capital gains. A Fund's distributions also may be subject to
certain state and local taxes.
While it is the intention of each Fund to distribute to its shareholders
substantially all of each fiscal year's net income and net realized capital
gains, if any, the amount and time of any dividend or distribution will depend
on the realization by the Fund of income and capital gains from investments.
There is no fixed dividend rate and there can be no assurance that a Fund will
pay any dividends or realize any capital gains. Since REITs pay distributions
based on cash flow, without regard to depreciation and amortization, it is
likely that a portion of the distributions paid to ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE
INVESTMENT FUND and subsequently distributed to shareholders may be a
nontaxable return of capital. The final determination of the amount of a Fund's
return of capital distributions for the period will be made after the end of
each calendar year.
Investment income received by a Fund from sources within foreign countries may
be subject to foreign income taxes withheld at the source. To the extent that
any Fund is liable for foreign income taxes withheld at the source, each Fund
intends, if possible, to operate so as to meet the requirements of the Code to
"pass through" to the Fund's shareholders credits for foreign income taxes paid
(or to permit shareholders to claim a deduction for such foreign taxes), but
there can be no assurance that any Fund will be able to do so. Furthermore, a
shareholder's ability to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction for foreign
taxes paid by a Fund may be subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code,
as a result of which a shareholder may not be permitted to claim a credit or
deduction for all or a portion of the amount of such taxes.
Under certain circumstances, if a Fund realizes losses (e.g., from fluctuations
in currency exchange rates) after paying a dividend, all or a portion of the
dividend may subsequently be characterized as a return of capital. Returns of
capital are generally nontaxable, but will reduce a shareholder's basis in
shares of a Fund. If that basis is reduced to zero (which could happen if the
shareholder does not reinvest distributions and returns of capital are
significant), any further returns of capital will be taxable as capital gain.
See the Fund's SAI for a further explanation of these tax issues.
If you buy shares just before a Fund deducts a distribution from its NAV, you
will pay the full price for the shares and then receive a portion of the price
back as a taxable distribution.
The sale or exchange of Fund shares is a taxable transaction for Federal income
tax purposes.
Each year shortly after December 31, the Funds will send you tax information
stating the amount and type of all its distributions for the year. Consult your
tax adviser about the federal, state, and local tax consequences in your
particular circumstances.
58
CONVERSION FEATURE
CONVERSION
As described above, Advisor Class shares may be held solely through certain
fee-based program accounts, employee benefit plans and registered investment
advisory or other financial intermediary relationships, and by investment
advisory clients of, and certain persons associated with, Alliance and its
affiliates or the Funds. If a holder of Advisor Class shares (i) ceases to
participate in the fee-based program or plan, or to be associated with an
eligible investment advisor or financial intermediary or (ii) is otherwise no
longer eligible to purchase Advisor Class shares (each a "Conversion Event"),
then all Advisor Class shares held by the shareholder will convert
automatically to Class A shares of the same Fund. The Fund will provide the
shareholder with at least 30 days advance notice of such conversion. The
failure of a shareholder or a fee-based program to satisfy the minimum
investment requirements to purchase Advisor Class shares will not constitute a
Conversion Event. The conversion would occur on the basis of the relative NAV
of the two classes and without the imposition of any sales load, fee or other
charge.
DESCRIPTION OF CLASS A SHARES
The Class A shares of each Fund have a distribution fee of .30% under the
Fund's Rule 12b-1 plan that allows the Fund to pay distribution and service
fees for the distribution and sale of its shares. Because this fee is paid out
of the Fund's assets, Class A shares have a higher expense ratio and may pay
lower dividends and may have a lower NAV than Advisor Class shares.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Under unusual circumstances, a Fund may suspend redemptions or postpone payment
for up to seven days or longer, as permitted by federal securities law. The
Funds reserve the right to close an account that through redemption has
remained below $200 for 90 days. Shareholders will receive 60 days' written
notice to increase the account value before the account is closed.
During drastic economic or market developments, you might have difficulty in
reaching AFS by telephone, in which event you should issue written instructions
to AFS. AFS is not responsible for the authenticity of telephone requests to
purchase, sell, or exchange shares. AFS will employ reasonable procedures to
verify that telephone requests are genuine, and could be liable for losses
resulting from unauthorized transactions if it failed to do so. Dealers and
agents may charge a commission for handling telephone requests. The telephone
service may be suspended or terminated at any time without notice.
59
60
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand each Fund's
financial performance for the past 5 years (or, if shorter, the period of the
Fund's operations). Certain information reflects financial results for a single
share of each Fund. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an
investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming
reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). Except as otherwise
indicated, this information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the
independent accountants for THE ALLIANCE FUND, ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND, ALLIANCE
PREMIER GROWTH FUND, ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL PREMIER GROWTH FUND, ALLIANCE
BALANCED SHARES, ALLIANCE UTILITY INCOME FUND, ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE PRIVATIZATION
FUND, and ALLIANCE GROWTH AND INCOME FUND, and by Ernst & Young LLP, the
independent accountants for ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND, ALLIANCE
TECHNOLOGY FUND, ALLIANCE QUASAR FUND, ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND, ALLIANCE
NEW EUROPE FUND, ALLIANCE GLOBAL SMALL CAP FUND, ALLIANCE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT
FUND, ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97 FUND and ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FUND,
whose reports, along with each Fund's financial statements, are included in the
SAI, which is available upon request.
61
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS LESS DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
-------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
NET GAINS
OR LOSSES ON
SECURITIES DISTRIBUTIONS
NET ASSET NET (BOTH DIVIDENDS IN EXCESS DISTRIBUTIONS
VALUE, INVESTMENT REALIZED TOTAL FROM FROM NET OF NET FROM
BEGINNING INCOME AND INVESTMENT INVESTMENT INVESTMENT CAPITAL
FISCAL YEAR OR PERIOD OF PERIOD (LOSS) UNREALIZED) OPERATIONS INCOME INCOME GAINS
- ---------------------------- ---------- --------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND
12/1/98 to 5/31/99++ $27.71 $ (.07)(b) $ 4.62 $ 4.55 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.61)
Year ended 11/30/98 22.10 (.07)(b) 7.14 7.07 0.00 0.00 (1.46)
Year ended 11/30/97 17.99 (.06)(b) 5.25 5.19 0.00 0.00 (1.08)
10/2/96+ to 11/30/96 15.94 (.01)(b) 2.06 2.05 0.00 0.00 0.00
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
11/1/98 to 4/30/99++ $47.47 $ .01(b) $10.87 $10.88 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (3.71)
Year ended 10/31/98 44.08 .08(b) 6.22 6.30 0.00 0.00 (2.91)
Year ended 10/31/97 34.91 (.05)(b) 10.25 10.20 0.00 0.00 (1.03)
10/2/96+ to 10/31/96 34.14 0.00(b) .77 .77 0.00 0.00 0.00
ALLIANCE TECHNOLOGY FUND
12/1/98 to 5/31/99++ $69.04 $ (.25)(b) $18.86 $18.61 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (5.17)
Year ended 11/30/98 54.63 (.50)(b) 15.49 14.99 0.00 0.00 (.58)
Year ended 11/30/97 51.17 (.45)(b) 4.33 3.88 0.00 0.00 (.42)
10/2/96+ to 11/30/96 47.32 (.05)(b) 3.90 3.85 0.00 0.00 0.00
ALLIANCE QUASAR FUND
10/1/98 to 3/31/99++ $22.37 $ (.05)(b) $ 2.07 $ 2.02 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (1.01)
Year ended 9/30/98 30.42 (.09)(b) (6.73) (6.82) 0.00 0.00 (1.23)
10/2/96+ TO 9/30/97 27.82 (.17)(b) 6.88 6.71 0.00 0.00 (4.11)
THE ALLIANCE FUND
12/1/98 to 5/31/99++ $ 5.98 $ (.01)(b) $ 1.42 $ 1.41 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.39)
Year ended 11/30/98 8.69 (.01)(b) (.53) (.54) 0.00 0.00 (2.17)
Year ended 11/30/97 7.71 (.02)(b) 2.10 2.08 (.04) 0.00 (1.06)
10/2/96+ to 11/30/96 6.99 0.00 .72 .72 0.00 0.00 0.00
ALLIANCE GROWTH AND
INCOME FUND
11/1/98 to 4/30/99++ $ 3.44 $ .02(b) $ .72 $ .74 $ (.02) $ 0.00 $ (.35)
Year ended 10/31/98 3.48 .04(b) .43 .47 (.05) 0.00 (.46)
Year ended 10/31/97 3.00 .05(b) .87 .92 (0.06) 0.00 (.38)
10/2/96+ to 10/31/96 2.97 0.00 .03 .03 0.00 0.00 0.00
ALLIANCE BALANCED SHARES
Year ended 7/31/99 $15.98 $ .39(b) $ 1.29 $ 1.68 $ (.37) $ 0.00 $(1.65)
Year ended 7/31/98 16.17 .37(b) 1.87 2.24 (.36) 0.00 (2.07)
10/2/96+ to 7/31/97 14.79 .23(b) 3.22 3.45 (.27) 0.00 (1.80)
ALLIANCE UTILITY INCOME FUND
12/1/98 to 5/31/99++ $14.70 $ .20(b)(c) $ 2.36 $ 2.56 $ (.17) $ 0.00 $ (.34)
Year ended 11/30/98 12.49 .37(b)(c) 2.66 3.03 (.35) 0.00 (.47)
Year ended 11/30/97 10.59 .36(b)(c) 2.04 2.40 (.37) 0.00 (.13)
10/2/96+ to 11/30/96 9.95 .03(b)(c) .61 .64 0.00 0.00 0.00
ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE
INVESTMENT FUND
Year ended 8/31/99 $10.48 $ .48(b) $ (.05) $ .43 $ (.50)(f) $ (.11) $ (.10)
Year ended 8/31/98 12.82 .55(b) (2.34) (1.79) (.54) 0.00 (.01)
10/1/96+ to 8/31/97 10.00 .35(b) 2.88 3.23 (.41)(f) 0.00 0.00
ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE FUND
Year ended 7/31/99 $21.79 $ .13(b) $ (.78) $ (.65) $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (2.56)
Year ended 7/31/98 18.57 .08(b) 5.28 5.36 0.00 (.09) (2.05)
10/2/96+ to 7/31/97 16.25 .11(b) 3.76 3.87 (.09) (.14) (1.32)
ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE
PRIVATIZATION FUND
Year ended 6/30/99 $12.63 $ .02(b) $ .93 $ .95 $ (.17) $ 0.00 $ (1.64)
Year ended 6/30/98 13.23 .19(b) .80 .99 (.23) 0.00 (1.36)
10/2/96+ to 6/30/97 12.14 .18(b) 2.52 2.70 (.19) 0.00 (1.42)
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL
PREMIER GROWTH FUND
12/1/98 to 5/31/99++ $ 9.64 $ (.04)(b)(c) $ .68 $ .64 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
3/3/98+ to 11/30/98 10.00 .01(b)(c) (.37) (.36) 0.00 0.00 0.00
ALLIANCE GLOBAL
SMALL CAP FUND
Year ended 7/31/99 $12.20 $ (.07)(b) $ .77 $ .70 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (1.16)
Year ended 7/31/98 12.89 (.07)(b) .37 .30 0.00 0.00 (.99)
10/2/96+ to 7/31/97 12.56 (.08)(b) 1.97 1.89 0.00 0.00 (1.56)
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND
Year ended 6/30/99 $18.54 $ .01(b)(c) $ (.75) $ (.74) $ (.01) $ (.51) $ (1.04)
Year ended 6/30/98 18.67 .02(b)(c) 1.13 1.15 (.02) (.05) (1.21)
10/2/96+ to 6/30/97 17.96 .16(b) 1.78 1.94 (.15) 0.00 (1.08)
ALLIANCE GREATER
CHINA '97 FUND
Year ended 7/31/99 $ 4.85 $ .04(b)(c) $ 3.35 $ 3.39 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
9/3/97+ to 7/31/98 10.00 .10(b)(c) (5.18) (5.08) (.07) 0.00 0.00
<CAPTION>
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
------------------ ------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSETS, RATIO OF
TOTAL NET ASSET END OF RATIO OF NET INCOME
DIVIDENDS VALUE, PERIOD EXPENSES (LOSS) TO PORTFOLIO
AND END OF TOTAL (000'S TO AVERAGE AVERAGE TURNOVER
DISTRIBUTIONS PERIOD RETURN (A) OMITTED) NET ASSETS NET ASSETS RATE
---------- --------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- -------------
<C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ (.61) $31.65 16.72% $427,542 1.15%* (.46)%* 39%
(1.46) 27.71 34.31 271,661 1.26(e) (.28) 82
(1.08) 22.10 30.98 53,459 1.25 (.28) 76
0.00 17.99 12.86 1,922 1.50 (.48) 95
$(3.71) $54.64 24.00% $212,589 .88%* .06%* 35%
(2.91) 47.47 14.92 174,745 .93(e) .17 61
(1.03) 44.08 29.92 101,205 .98(e) (.12) 48
0.00 34.91 2.26 946 1.26* 0.50 46
$(5.17) $82.48 28.36% $279,264 1.27%* (.62)%* 27%
(.58) 69.04 27.73 230,295 1.37(e) (.84) 67
(.42) 54.63 7.65 167,120 1.39(e) (.81) 51
0.00 51.17 8.14 566 1.75* (1.21)* 30
$(1.01) $23.38 9.22% $215,234 1.40%* (.41)%* 49%
(1.23) 22.37 (23.24) 175,037 1.38(e) (.32) 109
(4.11) 30.42 28.47 62,455 1.58* (.74)* 135
$ (.39) $ 7.00 25.28% $ 11,642 .87%* (.19)%* 53%
(2.17) 5.98 (8.19) 11,305 .83 (.16) 106
(1.10) 8.69 32.00 10,275 .83 (.21) 158
0.00 7.71 10.30 1,083 .89* 0.38* 80
$ (.37) $ 3.81 23.50% $ 33,920 .71%* 1.16%* 29%
(.51) 3.44 14.96 22,786 .76(e) 1.14 89
(.44) 3.48 33.61 3,207 .71(e) 1.42 88
0.00 3.00 1.01 87 0.37* 3.40* 88
$(2.02) $15.64 11.71% $ 2,627 .97%(e) 2.56% 105%
(2.43) 15.98 15.32 2,079 1.06(e) 2.33 145
(2.07) 16.17 25.96 1,565 1.30*(e) 2.15* 207
$ (.51) $16.75 17.94% $ 1,327 1.21%* 2.55% 4%
(.82) 14.70 25.34 523 1.20(d) 2.83 16
(.50) 12.49 23.57 42 1.20(d) 3.28 37
0.00 10.59 6.33 33 1.20(d) 4.02 98
$ (.71) $10.20 4.18% $ 2,270 1.30% 4.75% 29%
(.55) 10.48 (14.74) 2,899 1.25 4.08 23
(.41) 12.82 32.72 2,313 1.45*(d)(e) 3.07* 20
$(2.56) $18.58 (2.54)% $ 4,778 1.51%(e) .68% 89%
(2.14) 21.79 32.55 3,143 1.56(e) .39 99
(1.55) 18.57 25.76 4,130 1.71* .77* 89
$(1.81) $11.77 10.12% $ 1,610 1.62%(e) .37% 58%
(1.59) 12.63 9.48 1,716 1.45 1.48 53
(1.61) 13.23 25.24 374 1.96* 2.97* 48
$ 0.00 $10.28 6.64% $ 1,583 2.22%* (.83)%* 121%
0.00 $ 9.64 (3.60) 1,386 2.20(d)* .13* 151
$(1.16) $11.74 7.63% $ 189 2.13(e) (.63)% 120%
(.99) 12.20 2.82 392 1.87(e) (.57) 113
(1.56) 12.89 17.08 333 2.05*(e) (.84)* 129
$(1.56) $16.24 (3.62)% $ 33,949 1.57%(e) .04%(c) 178%
(1.28) 18.54 6.98 47,154 1.47(d) .13 121
(1.23) 18.67 11.57 8,697 1.69(d)* 1.47* 94
$ 0.00 $ 8.24 69.90% $ 161 2.22%(d)(e) .58% 94%
(.07) 4.85 (51.06) 60 2.22(d)(e)* 1.51* 58
</TABLE>
PLEASE REFER TO FOOTNOTES ON PAGE 64.
62
63
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS LESS DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
-------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
NET GAINS
OR LOSSES ON
SECURITIES DISTRIBUTIONS
NET ASSET NET (BOTH DIVIDENDS IN EXCESS DISTRIBUTIONS
VALUE, INVESTMENT REALIZED TOTAL FROM FROM NET OF NET FROM
BEGINNING INCOME AND INVESTMENT INVESTMENT INVESTMENT CAPITAL
FISCAL YEAR OR PERIOD OF PERIOD (LOSS) UNREALIZED) OPERATIONS INCOME INCOME GAINS
- ---------------------------- ---------- --------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA
INVESTMENT FUND
11/1/98 to 4/30/99++ $ 5.90 $ (.06)(b)(c)$ 1.89 $ 1.83 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Year ended 10/31/98 7.56 (.08)(b)(c) (1.58) (1.66) 0.00 0.00 0.00
Year ended 10/31/97 11.04 (.15)(b)(c) (2.99) (3.14) 0.00 0.00 (.34)
10/2/96+ to 10/31/96 11.65 0.00(c) (.61) (.61) 0.00 0.00 0.00
ALLIANCE GLOBAL
ENVIRONMENT FUND
11/1/98 to 4/30/99++ $ 8.37 $ (.10)(b)(c)$ 1.46 $ 1.36 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (3.10)
12/29/97+ to 10/31/98 9.15 (.20) (.58) (.78) 0.00 0.00 0.00
<CAPTION>
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
------------------ ------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSETS, RATIO OF
TOTAL NET ASSET END OF RATIO OF NET INCOME
DIVIDENDS VALUE, PERIOD EXPENSES (LOSS) TO PORTFOLIO
AND END OF TOTAL (000'S TO AVERAGE AVERAGE TURNOVER
DISTRIBUTIONS PERIOD RETURN (A) OMITTED) NET ASSETS NET ASSETS RATE
---------- --------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- -------------
<C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 0.00 $ 7.73 31.02% $ 2,200 2.74%* (1.93)% 210%
0.00 5.90 (21.96) 2,012 3.46(d)(e) 1.22 93
(.34) 7.56 (29.42) 1,338 3.21(d) (1.51) 70
0.00 11.04 (5.24) 27 4.97*(d) 1.63 66
$(3.10) $ 6.63 25.94% $ 6 3.73%* (3.16)% 86%
0.00 8.37 (8.52) 5 3.04*(e) (2.39)* 205
</TABLE>
+ COMMENCEMENT OF DISTRIBUTION.
++ UNAUDITED
* ANNUALIZED.
(A) TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN IS CALCULATED ASSUMING AN INITIAL INVESTMENT MADE
AT THE NET ASSET VALUE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD, REINVESTMENT OF ALL
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS AT THE NET ASSET VALUE DURING THE PERIOD, AND A
REDEMPTION ON THE LAST DAY OF THE PERIOD. INITIAL SALES CHARGES OR CONTINGENT
DEFERRED SALES CHARGES ARE NOT REFLECTED IN THE CALCULATION OF TOTAL INVESTMENT
RETURN. TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURNS CALCULATED FOR PERIODS OF LESS THAN ONE YEAR
ARE NOT ANNUALIZED.
(B) BASED ON AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING.
(C) NET OF FEE WAIVER AND EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT.
(D) NET OF EXPENSES ASSUMED AND/OR WAIVED/REIMBURSED. IF THE FOLLOWING FUNDS
HAD BORNE ALL EXPENSES IN THEIR MOST RECENT FIVE FISCAL YEARS, THEIR EXPENSE
RATIOS, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE EXPENSE OFFSET ARRANGEMENT DESCRIBED IN
(E) BELOW, WOULD HAVE BEEN AS FOLLOWS:
1996 1997 1998 1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA
INVESTMENT FUND
ADVISOR CLASS 5.54%* 3.43% 4.39% --
ALLIANCE UTILITY
INCOME FUND
ADVISOR CLASS 3.48%* 3.29% 2.21% --
ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE
INVESTMENT FUND
ADVISOR CLASS -- 1.47%* -- --
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL
PREMIER GROWTH FUND
ADVISOR CLASS -- -- 6.28% 3.48%*
1997 1998 1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND
ADVISOR CLASS -- 1.62% 1.70%
ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97 FUND
ADVISOR CLASS -- 18.13%* 19.01%
(E) AMOUNTS DO NOT REFLECT THE IMPACT OF EXPENSE OFFSET ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE
TRANSFER AGENT. TAKING INTO ACCOUNT SUCH EXPENSE OFFSET ARRANGEMENTS, THE RATE
OF EXPENSES TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS ASSUMING THE ASSUMPTION AND/OR WAIVED
REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES DESCRIBED IN NOTE (D) ABOVE WOULD HAVE BEEN AS
FOLLOWS:
1997 1998 1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND
ADVISOR CLASS 1.69%* -- 1.55%
ALLIANCE GLOBAL SMALL CAP FUND
ADVISOR CLASS 2.04%* 1.84% 2.10%
ALLIANCE NEW EUROPE FUND
ADVISOR CLASS 1.71%* 1.54% 1.50%
ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND
ADVISOR CLASS -- 3.41% --
ALLIANCE BALANCED SHARES
ADVISOR CLASS 1.29%* 1.05% .96%
ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE PRIVATIZATION FUND
ADVISOR CLASS -- -- 1.61%
ALLIANCE QUASAR FUND
ADVISOR CLASS -- 1.37% --
ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT
FUND
ADVISOR CLASS 1.44%* -- --
ALLIANCE GROWTH AND INCOME
FUND
ADVISOR CLASS .70% .75% --
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
ADVISOR CLASS .96% .92% --
ALLIANCE TECHNOLOGY FUND
ADVISOR CLASS 1.38% 1.36% --
ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97 FUND
ADVISOR CLASS -- 2.20%* 2.20%
ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND
ADVISOR CLASS -- 1.25% --
ALLIANCE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FUND
ADVISOR CLASS -- 3.03% --
(F) DISTRIBUTIONS FROM NET INVESTMENT INCOME FOR THE YEARS ENDED 1999 AND
1997 INCLUDE A TAX RETURN OF CAPITAL OF $.02 AND $.03 RESPECTIVELY.
64
65
66
APPENDIX A
The following is additional information about the United Kingdom, Japan and
Greater China countries.
INVESTMENT IN UNITED KINGDOM ISSUERS. Investment in securities of United
Kingdom issuers involves certain considerations not present with investment in
securities of U.S. issuers. As with any investment not denominated in the U.S.
Dollar, the U.S. dollar value of the Fund's investment denominated in the
British pound sterling will fluctuate with pound sterling-dollar exchange rate
movements. Between 1972, when the pound sterling was allowed to float against
other currencies, and the end of 1992, the pound sterling generally depreciated
against most major currencies, including the U.S. Dollar. Between September and
December 1992, after the United Kingdom's exit from the Exchange Rate Mechanism
of the European Monetary System, the value of the pound sterling fell by almost
20% against the U.S. Dollar. The pound sterling has since recovered due to
interest rate cuts throughout Europe and an upturn in the economy of the United
Kingdom. The average exchange rate of the U.S. Dollar to the pound sterling was
1.50 in 1993 and 1.66 in 1998. On October 25, 1999 the U.S. dollar-pound
sterling exchange rate was 1.66.
The United Kingdom's largest stock exchange is the London Stock Exchange, which
is the third largest exchange in the world. As measured by the FT-SE 100 index,
the performance of the 100 largest companies in the United Kingdom reached
5,882.6 at the end of 1998, up approximately 15% from the end of 1997. The
FT-SE 100 index closed at 6009.40 on October 25, 1999.
The Economic and Monetary Union ("EMU") became effective on January 1, 1999.
When fully implemented in 2002, the EMU will establish a common currency for
European countries that meet the eligibility criteria and choose to
participate. Although the United Kingdom meets the eligibility criteria, the
government has not taken any action to join the EMU.
From 1979 until 1997 the Conservative Party controlled Parliament. In the May
1, 1997 general elections, however, the Labour Party, led by Tony Blair, won a
majority in Parliament, gaining 418 of 659 seats in the House of Commons. Mr.
Blair, who was appointed Prime Minister, has launched a number of reform
initiatives, including an overhaul of the monetary policy framework intended to
protect monetary policy from political forces by vesting responsibility for
setting interest rates in a new Monetary Policy Committee headed by the
Governor of the Bank of England, as opposed to the Treasury. Prime Minister
Blair has also undertaken a comprehensive restructuring of the regulation of
the financial services industry. For further information regarding the United
Kingdom, see the SAI of New Europe Fund.
INVESTMENT IN JAPANESE ISSUERS. Investment in securities of Japanese issuers
involves certain considerations not present with investment in securities of
U.S. issuers. As with any investment not denominated in the U.S. Dollar, the
U.S. Dollar value of each Fund's investments denominated in the Japanese yen
will fluctuate with yen-dollar exchange rate movements. Between 1985 and 1995,
the Japanese yen generally appreciated against the U.S. dollar. Thereafter, the
Japanese yen generally depreciated against the U.S. Dollar until mid-1998, when
it began to appreciate. In September 1999 the Japanese yen reached a 43-month
high against the U.S. Dollar.
Japan's largest stock exchange is the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the First Section
of which is reserved for larger, established companies. As measured by the
TOPIX, a capitalization-weighted composite index of all common stocks listed in
the First Section, the performance of the First Section reached a peak in 1989.
Thereafter, the TOPIX declined approximately 50% through the end of 1997. On
December 31, 1998 the TOPIX closed at 1086.99, down approximately 7% from the
end of 1997. On October 25, 1999 the TOPIX closed at 1534.27 up approximately
41% from the end of 1998.
Since the early 1980s, Japan has consistently recorded large current account
trade surpluses with the U.S. that have caused difficulties in the relations
between the two countries. On October 1, 1994, the U.S. and Japan reached an
agreement that was expected to to more open Japanese markets with respect to
trade in certain goods and services. Since then, the two countries have agreed
in principle to increase Japanese imports of American automobiles and
automotive parts, as well as other goods and services. Nevertheless, the
surpluses have persisted and it is expected that the friction between the U.S.
and Japan with respect to trade issues will continue for the foreseeable future.
Each Fund's investments in Japanese issuers will be subject to uncertainty
resulting from the instability of recent Japanese ruling coalitions. From 1955
to 1993, Japan's government was controlled by a single political party. Between
August 1993 and October 1996, Japan was ruled by a series of four coalition
governments. As the result of a general election on October 20, 1996, however,
Japan returned to a single-party government led by Ryutaro Hashimoto, a member
of the Liberal Democratic Party ("LDP"). While the LDP does not control a
majority of the seats in the parliament, subsequent to the 1996 elections it
established a majority in the House of Representatives as individual members
joined the ruling party. The popularity of the LDP declined, however, due to
the dissatisfaction with Mr. Hashimoto's leadership. In the July 1998 House of
Councillors election, the LDP's representation fell to 103 seats from 120
seats. As a result of the LDP's defeat, Mr. Hashimoto resigned as prime
minister and leader of the LDP. Mr. Hashimoto was replaced by Keizo Obuchi. On
January 14, 1999, the LDP formed a coalition government with a major opposition
party. As a result, Mr. Obuchi's administration strengthened its position in
the parliament, where it increased its majority in the House of Representatives
and reduced its shortfall in the House of Councillors. The LDP formed a new
three-party coalition government on October 5, 1999 that further strengthens
the position of Mr. Obuchi's administration in the parliament. For the past
several years, Japan's banking industry
67
has been weakened by a significant amount of problem loans. Japan's banks also
have had significant exposure to the recent financial turmoil in other Asian
markets. Following the insolvency of one of Japan's largest banks in November
1997, the government proposed several plans designed to strengthen the weakened
banking sector. In October 1998, the Japanese parliament approved several new
laws that made $508 billion in public funds available to increase the capital
of Japanese banks, to guarantee depositors' accounts and to nationalize the
weakest banks. It is unclear whether these laws will achieve their intended
effect. For further information regarding Japan, see the SAIs of ALLIANCE
INTERNATIONAL FUND and ALLIANCE ALL-ASIA INVESTMENT FUND.
INVESTMENT IN GREATER CHINA ISSUERS. China, in particular, but Hong Kong and
Taiwan, as well, in significant measure because of their existing and
increasing economic, and now in the case of Hong Kong, direct political ties
with China, may be subject to a greater degree of economic, political and
social instability than is the case in the United States.
China's economy is very much in transition. While the government still controls
production and pricing in major economic sectors, significant steps have been
taken toward capitalism and China's economy has become increasingly market
oriented. China's strong economic growth and ability to attract significant
foreign investment in recent years stem from the economic liberalization
initiated by Deng Xiaoping, who assumed power in the late 1970s. The economic
growth, however, has not been smooth and has been marked by extremes in many
respects of inordinate growth, which has not been tightly controlled, followed
by rigid measures of austerity.
The rapidity and erratic nature of the growth have resulted in inefficiencies
and dislocations, including at times high rates of inflation.
China's economic development has occurred notwithstanding the continuation of
the power of China's Communist Party and China's authoritarian government
control, not only of centrally planned economic decisions, but of many aspects
of the social structure. While a significant portion of China's population has
benefited from China's economic growth, the conditions of many leave much room
for improvement. Notwithstanding restrictions on freedom of expression and the
absence of a free press, and notwithstanding the extreme manner in which past
unrest has been dealt with, the 1989 Tianamen Square uprising being a recent
reminder, the potential for renewed popular unrest associated with demands for
improved social, political and economic conditions cannot be dismissed.
Following the death of Deng Xiaoping in February 1997, Jiang Zemin became the
leader of China's Communist Party. The transfer of political power has
progressed smoothly and Jiang's popularity and credibility have gradually
increased. Jiang continues to consolidate his power, but as of yet does not
appear to have the same degree of control as did Deng Xiaoping. Jiang has
continued the market-oriented policies of Deng. Currently, China's major
economic challenge centers on reforming or eliminating inefficient state-owned
enterprises without creating an unacceptable level of unemployment. Recent
capitalistic policies have in many respects effectively outdated the Communist
Party and the governmental structure, but both remain entrenched. The Communist
Party still controls access to governmental positions and closely monitors
governmental action.
In addition to the economic impact of China's internal political uncertainties,
the potential effect of China's actions, not only on China Itself, but on Hong
Kong and Taiwan as well, could also be significant.
China is heavily dependent on foreign trade, particularly with Hong Kong,
Japan, the U.S., South Korea and Taiwan. Political developments adverse to its
trading partners, as well as political and social repression, could cause the
U.S. and others to alter their trading policy towards China. For example, in
the U.S. the continued extension of normal trade relations (formerly known as
most favored nation trading status) with China, which is reviewed regularly and
was reviewed in 1999, is an issue of significant controversy. Loss of that
status would clearly hurt China's economy by reducing its exports. With much of
China's trading activity being funneled through Hong Kong and with trade
through Taiwan becoming increasingly significant, any sizable reduction in
demand for goods from China would have negative implications for both
countries. China is believed to be the largest investor in Hong Kong and its
markets and an economic downturn in China would be expected to reverberate
through Hong Kong's markets as well.
China has committed by treaty to preserve Hong Kong's autonomy and its
economic, political and social freedoms for fifty years from the July 1, 1997
transfer of sovereignty from Great Britain to China. Hong Kong is headed by a
chief executive, appointed by the central government of China, whose power is
checked by both the government of China and a Legislative Council. Although
Hong Kong voters voted overwhelmingly for pro-democracy candidates in the
recent election, it remains possible that China could exert its authority so as
to alter the economic structure, political structure or existing social policy
of Hong Kong. Investor and business confidence in Hong Kong can be
significantly affected by such developments, which in turn can affect markets
and business performance. In this connection, it is noted that a substantial
portion of the companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange are involved in
real estate-related activities. The securities markets of China and to a lesser
extent Taiwan, are relatively small, with the majority of market capitalization
and trading volume concentrated in a limited number of companies representing a
small number of industries. Consequently, ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97 FUND may
experience greater price volatility and significantly lower liquidity than a
portfolio invested solely in equity securities of U.S. companies. These markets
may be subject to greater influence by adverse events generally affecting the
market, and by large investors trading significant blocks of securities, than
is usual in the U.S. Securities settlements may in some instances be subject to
delays and related administrative uncertainties.
68
Foreign investment in the securities markets of China and Taiwan is restricted
or controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions or controls, which apply
to the ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97 FUND, may at times limit or preclude
investment in certain securities and may increase the cost and expenses of the
Fund. China and Taiwan require governmental approval prior to investments by
foreign persons or limit investment by foreign persons to only a specified
percentage of an issuer's outstanding securities or a specific class of
securities which may have less advantageous terms (including price) than
securities of the company available for purchase by nationals. In addition, the
repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of
securities from China and Taiwan is controlled under regulations, including in
some cases the need for certain advance government notification or authority,
and if a deterioration occurs in a country's balance of payments, the country
could impose restrictions on foreign capital remittances.
ALLIANCE GREATER CHINA '97 FUND could be adversely affected by delays in, or a
refusal to grant, any required governmental approval for repatriation, as well
as by the application to it of other restrictions on investment. The liquidity
of the Fund's investments in any country in which any of these factors exists
could be affected by any such factor or factors on the Fund's investments. The
limited liquidity in certain Greater China markets is a factor to be taken into
account in the Fund's valuation of portfolio securities in this category and
may affect the Fund's ability to dispose of securities in order to meet
redemption requests at the price and time it wishes to do so. It is also
anticipated that transaction costs, including brokerage commissions for
transactions both on and off the securities exchanges in Greater China
countries, will be higher than in the U.S.
Issuers of securities in Greater China countries are generally not subject to
the same degree of regulation as are U.S. issuers with respect to such matters
as timely disclosure of information, insider trading rules, restrictions on
market manipulation and shareholder proxy requirements. Reporting, accounting
and auditing standards of Greater China countries may differ, in some cases
significantly, from U.S. standards in important respects, and less information
may be available to investors in securities of Greater China country issuers
than to investors in securities of U.S. issuers.
Investment in Greater China companies that are in the initial stages of their
development involves greater risk than is customarily associated with
securities of more established companies. The securities of such companies may
have relatively limited marketability and may be subject to more abrupt or
erratic market movements than securities of established companies or broad
market indices.
69
For more information about the Funds, the following documents are available
upon request:
- - ANNUAL/SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS
The Funds' annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders contain additional
information on the Funds' investments. In the annual report, you will find a
discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that
significantly affected a Fund's performance during its last fiscal year.
- - STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI)
Each Fund has an SAI, which contains more detailed information about the Fund,
including its operations and investment policies. The Funds' SAIs are
incorporated by reference into (and are legally part of) this prospectus.
You may request a free copy of the current annual/semi-annual report or the
SAI, or make inquiries concerning the Funds, by contacting your broker or other
financial intermediary, or by contacting Alliance:
BY MAIL: c/o Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 1520
Secaucus, N.J. 07096-1520
BY PHONE: For Information: (800) 221-5672
For Literature: (800) 227-4618
Or you may view or obtain these documents from the Commission:
o Call the SEC at 1-202-942-8090 for information on the operation of the
Public Reference Room.
o Reports and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR
Database on the Commission's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov
o Copies of the information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee,
by electronic request at [email protected], or by writing the
Commission's Public Reference Section, Wash. DC 20549-0102
You also may find more information about Alliance and the Funds on the internet
at www.Alliancecapital.com
Fund SEC File No.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Premier Growth Fund 811-06730
Alliance Health Care Fund 811-09329
Alliance Growth Fund 811-05088
Alliance Technology Fund 811-03131
Alliance Quasar Fund 811-01716
The Alliance Fund 811-00204
Alliance Growth & Income 811-00126
Alliance Balanced Shares 811-00134
Alliance Utility Income Fund 811-07916
Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund 811-07707
Alliance New Europe Fund 811-06028
Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund 811-08426
Alliance International Premier Growth Fund 811-08527
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund 811-01415
Alliance International Fund 811-03130
Alliance Greater China '97 Fund 811-08201
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund 811-08776
Alliance Global Environment Fund 811-05993
70
71
72
<PAGE>
[LOGO] THE ALLIANCE PORTFOLIOS
Alliance Growth Fund
________________________________________________________________
c/o Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 1520, Secaucus, New Jersey 07096-1520
Toll Free (800) 221-5672
For Literature Toll Free (800) 227-4618
________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
February 1, 1999
(as amended November 1, 1999)
________________________________________________________________
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus and
should be read in conjunction with the Fund's Prospectus that
offers Class A, Class B and Class C shares and the Fund's current
Prospectus that offers the Advisor Class shares (the "Advisor
Class Prospectus" and, together with the Fund's Prospectus that
offers the Class A, Class B and Class C shares, the
"Prospectus"). A copy of the Fund's Prospectus may be obtained
by contacting Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the address or
telephone numbers shown above.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS......................
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES OF THE FUND .............
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS...................................
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND....................................
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS....................................
EXPENSES OF THE FUND......................................
PURCHASE OF SHARES........................................
REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE OF SHARES.......................
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES......................................
NET ASSET VALUE...........................................
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES........................
GENERAL INFORMATION.......................................
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND REPORT OF INDEPENDENT
ACCOUNTANTS...............................................
APPENDIX A: DESCRIPTION OF CORPORATE BOND RATINGS........ A-1
APPENDIX B: CERTAIN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS............... B-1
__________________________________
(R): This registered service mark used under license from the
owner, Alliance Capital Management L.P.
<PAGE>
______________________________________________________________
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS
______________________________________________________________
The Alliance Portfolios (the "Trust") is a diversified,
open-end investment company. The following investment policies
and restrictions supplement and should be read in conjunction
with the information set forth in the Prospectus of the Alliance
Growth Fund (the "Fund"), a series of the Trust.
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE FUND
GENERAL. The Fund invests primarily in common stocks and
securities convertible into common stocks, such as convertible
bonds, convertible preferred stocks and warrants convertible into
common stocks. Because the values of fixed-income securities are
expected to vary inversely with changes in interest rates
generally, when Alliance Capital Management L.P. (the "Adviser")
expects a general decline in interest rates the Fund may also
invest for capital growth in fixed-income securities. The Fund
may invest up to 25% of its total assets in fixed-income
securities rated at the time of purchase below investment grade,
that is, securities rated Ba or lower by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or BB or lower by Standard & Poor's
("S&P"), Fitch IBCA, Inc. ("Fitch") or Duff & Phelps Credit
Rating Co. ("Duff & Phelps") or in unrated fixed-income
securities determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality.
For a description of the ratings referred to above, see
Appendix A to this Statement of Additional Information. For
temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may invest in money market
instruments.
HIGH-YIELD SECURITIES. The Fund may invest in high-
yield, high-risk, fixed-income and convertible securities rated
at the time of purchase Ba or lower by Moody's or BB or lower by
S&P, or, if unrated, judged by the Adviser to be of comparable
quality ("High-Yield Securities"). The Fund will generally invest
in securities with a minimum rating of Caa- by Moody's or CCC- by
S&P or Fitch or CCC by Duff & Phelps or in unrated securities
judged by the Adviser to be of comparable quality. However, from
time to time, the Fund may invest in securities rated in the
lowest grades of Moody's (C), S&P (D), Fitch (D) or Duff & Phelps
(DD) or in unrated securities judged by the Adviser to be of
comparable quality, if the Fund's management determines that
there are prospects for an upgrade or a favorable conversion into
equity securities (in the case of convertible securities).
Securities rated Ba or BB or lower (and comparable unrated
securities) are commonly referred to as "junk bonds." Securities
rated D by S&P or Fitch and DD by Duff & Phelps are in default.
2
<PAGE>
During the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998, the Fund did not
invest in any High-Yield Securities.
As with other fixed-income securities, High-Yield
Securities are subject to credit risk and market risk and their
yields may fluctuate. Market risk relates to changes in a
security's value as a result of changes in interest rates. Credit
risk relates to the ability of the issuer to make payments of
principal and interest. High-Yield Securities are subject to
greater credit risk (and potentially greater incidences of
default) than comparable higher-rated securities because issuers
are more vulnerable to economic downturns, higher interest rates
or adverse issuer-specific developments. In addition, the prices
of High-Yield Securities are generally subject to greater market
risk and therefore react more sharply to changes in interest
rates. The value and liquidity of High-Yield Securities may be
diminished by adverse publicity and investor perceptions.
Because High-Yield Securities are frequently traded only
in markets where the number of potential purchasers and sellers,
if any, is limited, the ability of the Fund to sell High-Yield
Securities at their fair value either to meet redemption requests
or to respond to changes in the financial markets may be limited.
Thinly traded High-Yield Securities may be more difficult to
value accurately for the purpose of determining the Fund's net
asset value. Also, because the market for certain High-Yield
Securities is relatively new, that market may be particularly
sensitive to an economic downturn or a general increase in
interest rates. In addition, under such circumstances the values
of such securities may be more volatile.
Some High-Yield Securities in which the Fund may invest
may be subject to redemption or call provisions. Such provisions
may limit increases in market value that might otherwise result
from lower interest rates while increasing the risk that the Fund
may be required to reinvest redemption or call proceeds during a
period of relatively low interest rates.
The credit ratings issued by Moody's, S&P, Fitch and
Duff & Phelps, a description of which is included as Appendix A
to this Statement of Additional Information, are subject to
various limitations. For example, while such ratings evaluate
credit risk, they ordinarily do not evaluate the market risk of
High-Yield Securities. In certain circumstances, the ratings may
not reflect in a timely fashion adverse developments affecting an
issuer. For these reasons, the Adviser conducts its own
independent credit analysis of High-Yield Securities. When the
Fund invests in securities in the lower rating categories, the
achievement of the Fund's goals is more dependent on the
Adviser's ability than would be the case if the Fund were
investing in higher-rated securities.
3
<PAGE>
In the event that the credit rating of a High-Yield
Security held by the Fund falls below its rating at the time of
purchase (or, in the case of unrated securities, the Adviser
determines that the quality of such security has deteriorated
since purchased by the Fund), the Fund will not be obligated to
dispose of such security and may continue to hold the obligation
if, in the opinion of the Adviser, such investment is appropriate
in the circumstances.
Securities rated Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P, Fitch, or
Duff & Phelps or judged by the Adviser to be of comparable
quality share some of the speculative characteristics of High-
Yield Securities described above.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. The Fund may invest in
convertible securities. These 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 conversion feature.
Also, the price of the convertible security will normally vary to
some degree with changes in the price of the underlying stock,
although under some market conditions the higher yield of the
convertible security tends to make it less volatile than the
underlying common stock. In addition, the price of the
convertible security will generally also vary inversely to some
degree with interest rates. Convertible debt securities that are
rated below BBB by S&P, Fitch, or Duff & Phelps, or Baa by
Moody's or comparable unrated securities as determined by the
Adviser may share some or all of the risks of High-Yield
Securities. For a description of these risks, see "High-Yield
Securities" above.
ZERO-COUPON AND PAYMENT-IN-KIND BONDS. The Fund may at
times invest in so-called "zero-coupon" bonds and "payment-in-
kind" bonds. Zero-coupon bonds are issued at a significant
discount from their principal amount in lieu of paying interest
periodically. Payment-in-kind bonds allow the issuer, at its
option, to make current interest payments on the bonds either in
cash or in additional bonds. Because zero-coupon bonds do not
pay current interest, their value is generally subject to greater
fluctuation in response to changes in market interest rates than
bonds which pay interest currently. Both zero-coupon and
payment-in-kind bonds allow an issuer to avoid the need to
generate cash to meet current interest payments. Accordingly,
such bonds may involve greater credit risks than bonds paying
interest currently. Even though such bonds do not pay current
interest in cash, the Fund is nonetheless required to accrue
interest income on such investments and to distribute such
amounts at least annually to shareholders. Thus, the Fund could
be required to liquidate other investments in order to satisfy
its dividend requirements at times when the Adviser would not
otherwise deem it advisable to do so.
4
<PAGE>
FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE TRANSACTIONS. The Fund may
engage in foreign currency exchange transactions to protect
against uncertainty in the level of future currency exchange
rates. The Adviser expects to engage in foreign currency
exchange transactions in connection with the purchase and sale of
portfolio securities ("transaction hedging") and to protect
against changes in the value of specific portfolio
positions("position hedging").
The Fund may engage in transaction hedging to protect
against a change in foreign currency exchange rates between the
date on which the Fund contracted to purchase or sell a security
and the settlement date, or to "lock in" the U.S. dollar
equivalent of a dividend or interest payment in a foreign
currency. The Fund may purchase or sell a foreign currency on a
spot (or cash) basis at the prevailing spot rate in connection
with the settlement of transactions in portfolio securities
denominated in that foreign currency.
If conditions warrant, the Fund may also enter into
contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies at a future date
("forward contracts"), and may purchase and sell foreign currency
futures contracts, as a hedge against changes in foreign currency
exchange rates between the trade and settlement dates on
particular transactions and not for speculation. A foreign
currency forward contract is a negotiated agreement higher or
lower than the spot rate. Foreign currency futures contracts are
standardized exchange-traded contracts and have margin
requirements.
For transaction hedging purposes, the Fund may also
purchase and sell call and put options on foreign currency
futures contracts and on foreign currencies.
The Fund may engage in position hedging to protect
against a decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar of the
currencies in which its portfolio securities are denominated or
quoted (or an increase in value of a currency in which securities
the Fund intends to buy are denominated, when the Fund holds cash
or short-term investments). For position hedging purposes, the
Fund may purchase or sell foreign currency futures contracts,
foreign currency forward contracts, and options on foreign
currency futures contracts and on foreign currencies. In
connection with position hedging, the Fund may also purchase or
sell foreign currency on a spot basis.
The Fund's currency hedging transactions may call for
the delivery of one foreign currency in exchange for another
foreign currency and may at times not involve currencies in which
its portfolio securities are then denominated. The Adviser will
engage in such "cross hedging" activities when it believes that
5
<PAGE>
such transactions provide significant hedging opportunities for
the Fund.
______________________________________________________________
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES OF THE FUND
______________________________________________________________
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The repurchase agreements referred to in the Fund's
Prospectus are agreements by which the Fund purchases a security
and obtains a simultaneous commitment from the seller to
repurchase the security at an agreed upon price and date. The
resale price is in excess of the purchase price and reflects an
agreed upon market rate unrelated to the coupon rate on the
purchased security. The purchased security serves as collateral
for the obligation of the seller to repurchase the security. The
value of the purchased security is initially greater than or
equal to the amount of the repurchase obligation, and the seller
is required to furnish additional collateral on a daily basis in
order to maintain with the purchaser securities with a value
greater than or equal to the amount of the repurchase obligation.
Such transactions afford the Fund the opportunity to earn a
return on temporarily available cash. While at times the
underlying security may be a bill, certificate of indebtedness,
note, or bond issued by an agency, authority or instrumentality
of the U.S. Government, the obligation of the seller is not
guaranteed by the U.S. Government and there is a risk that the
seller may fail to repurchase the underlying security, whether
because of the seller's bankruptcy or otherwise. In such event,
the Fund would attempt to exercise its rights with respect to the
underlying security, including possible disposition in the
market. However, the Fund may incur various expenses in the
attempted enforcement and may be subject to various delays and
risks of loss, including (a) possible declines in the value of
the underlying security, (b) possible reduced levels of income
and lack of access to income and (c) possible inability to
enforce its rights.
NON-PUBLICLY TRADED SECURITIES
The Fund may invest in securities that are not publicly
traded, including securities sold pursuant to Rule 144A under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Rule 144A Securities"). The
sale of these securities is usually restricted under federal
securities laws, and market quotations may not be readily
available. As a result, the Fund may not be able to sell these
securities (other than Rule 144A Securities) unless they are
registered under applicable federal and state securities laws, or
may have to sell such securities at less than fair market value.
6
<PAGE>
Investment in these securities is restricted to 5% of the Fund's
total assets (excluding, to the extent permitted by applicable
law, Rule 144A Securities) and is also subject to the restriction
against investing more than 15% of total assets in "illiquid"
securities. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Rule 144A
Securities will not be treated as "illiquid" for purposes of the
foregoing restriction so long as such securities meet the
liquidity guidelines established by the Trust's Board of
Trustees. Pursuant to these guidelines, the Adviser will monitor
the liquidity of the Fund's investment in Rule 144A Securities.
FOREIGN SECURITIES
The Fund may invest without limit in securities of
foreign issuers which are not publicly traded in the United
States, although the Fund generally will not invest more than 15%
of its total assets in such securities. Investment in foreign
issuers or securities principally traded outside the United
States may involve certain special risks due to foreign economic,
political, diplomatic and legal developments, including favorable
or unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates, exchange
control regulations (including currency blockage), expropriation
or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, imposition
of withholding taxes on dividend or interest payments, and
possible difficulty in obtaining and enforcing judgments against
foreign entities. Furthermore, issuers of foreign securities are
subject to different, often less comprehensive, accounting,
reporting and disclosure requirements than domestic issuers. The
securities of some foreign companies and foreign securities
markets are less liquid and at times more volatile than
securities of comparable U.S. companies and U.S. securities
markets, and foreign securities markets may be subject to less
regulation than U.S. securities markets. The laws of some
foreign countries may limit the Fund's ability to invest in
securities of certain issuers located in these countries. Foreign
brokerage commissions and other fees are also generally higher
than in the United States. There are also special tax
considerations which apply to securities of foreign issuers and
securities principally traded overseas. Foreign settlement
procedures and trade regulations may involve certain risks (such
as delay in payment or delivery of securities or in the abroad)
and expenses not present in the settlement of domestic
investments. The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in
developing countries or in countries with new or developing
capital markets. The risks noted above are generally increased
with respect to these investments. These countries may have
relatively unstable governments, economies based on only a few
industries or securities markets that trade in limited volume.
Securities of issuers located in these countries tend to have
volatile prices and may offer significant potential for loss.
7
<PAGE>
The value of foreign investments measured in U.S.
dollars will rise or fall because of decreases or increases,
respectively, in the value of the U.S. dollar in comparison to
the value of the currency in which the foreign investment is
denominated. The Fund may buy or sell foreign currencies, options
on foreign currencies, foreign currency futures contracts (and
related options) and deal in forward foreign currency exchange
contracts in connection with the purchase and sale of foreign
investments.
DESCRIPTIONS OF CERTAIN MONEY MARKET SECURITIES IN
WHICH THE FUND MAY INVEST
CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT, BANKERS' ACCEPTANCES AND BANK
TIME DEPOSITS. Certificates of deposit are receipts issued by a
bank in exchange for the deposit of funds. The issuer agrees to
pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the
receipt on the date specified on the certificate. The
certificate usually can be traded in the secondary market prior
to maturity.
Bankers' acceptances typically arise from short-term
credit arrangements designed to enable businesses to obtain funds
to finance commercial transactions. Generally, an acceptance is
a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter or an importer to
obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific merchandise.
The draft is then "accepted" by another bank that, in effect,
unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the
instrument on its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held
by the accepting bank as an earning asset or it may be sold in
the secondary market at the going rate of discount for a specific
maturity. Although maturities for acceptances can be as long as
270 days, most maturities are six months or less.
Bank time deposits are funds kept on deposit with a bank
for a stated period of time in an interest-bearing account. At
present, bank time deposits maturing in more than seven days are
not considered by the Adviser to be readily marketable.
COMMERCIAL PAPER. Commercial paper consists of short-
term (usually from 1 to 270 days) unsecured promissory notes
issued in order to finance current operations.
VARIABLE NOTES. Variable amount master demand notes and
variable amount floating rate notes are obligations that permit
the investment of fluctuating amounts by the Fund at varying
rates of interest pursuant to direct arrangements between the
Fund, as lender, and the borrower. Master demand notes permit
daily fluctuations in the interest rate while the interest rate
under variable amount floating rate notes fluctuates on a weekly
basis. These notes permit daily changes in the amounts borrowed.
8
<PAGE>
The Fund has the right to increase the amount under these notes
at any time up to the full amount provided by the note agreement,
or to decrease the amount, and the borrower may repay up to the
full amount of the note without penalty. Because these types of
notes are direct lending arrangements between the lender and the
borrower, it is not generally contemplated that such instruments
will be traded and there is no secondary market for these notes.
Master demand notes are redeemable (and, thus, immediately
repayable by the borrower) at face value, plus accrued interest,
at any time. Variable amount floating rate notes are subject to
next-day redemption 14 days after the initial investment therein.
With both types of notes, therefore, the Fund's right to redeem
depends on the ability of the borrower to pay principal and
interest on demand. In connection with both types of note
arrangements, the Fund considers earning power, cash flow and
other liquidity ratios of the issuer. These notes, as such, are
not typically rated by credit rating agencies. Unless they are
so rated, the Fund may invest in them only if at the time of an
investment the issuer has an outstanding issue of unsecured debt
rated Aa or better by Moody's or AA or better by S&P, Fitch, or
Duff & Phelps.
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
The Fund may invest in asset-backed securities
(unrelated to first mortgage loans) which represent fractional
interests in pools of retail installment loans, leases or
revolving credit receivables, both secured (such as certificates
for automobile receivables or "CARS") and unsecured (such as
credit card receivable securities or "CARDS"). These assets are
generally held by a trust and payments of principal and interest
or interest only are passed through monthly or quarterly to
certificate holders and may be guaranteed up to certain amounts
by letters of credit issued by a financial institution affiliated
or unaffiliated with the trustee or originator of the trust.
Like mortgages underlying mortgage-backed securities,
underlying automobile sales contracts or credit card receivables
are subject to prepayment, which may reduce the overall return to
certificate holders. Certificate holders may also experience
delays in payment if the full amounts due on underlying sales
contracts or receivables are not realized by the trust holding
the obligations because of unanticipated legal or administrative
costs of enforcing the contracts or because of depreciation or
damage to the collateral (usually automobiles) securing certain
contracts, or other factors. If consistent with its investment
objectives and policies, the Fund may invest in other types of
asset-backed securities that may be developed in the future.
The staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") is of the view that certain asset-backed securities may
9
<PAGE>
constitute investment companies under the Investment Company Act
of 1940 (the "1940 Act"). The Fund intends to conduct its
operations in a manner consistent with this view; therefore, the
Fund generally may not invest more than 10% of its total assets
in such securities without obtaining appropriate regulatory
relief.
LENDING OF SECURITIES
The Fund may seek to increase income by lending
portfolio securities. Under present regulatory policies,
including those of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System and the SEC, such loans may be made only to member firms
of the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange") and would be
required to be secured continuously by collateral in cash, cash
equivalents, or U.S. Treasury Bills maintained on a current basis
at an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities
loaned. The Fund would have the right to call a loan and obtain
the securities loaned at any time on five days' notice. During
the existence of a loan, the Fund would continue to receive the
equivalent of the interest or dividends paid by the issuer on the
securities loaned and would also receive compensation based on
investment of the collateral. The Fund would not, however, have
the right to vote any securities having voting rights during the
existence of the loan but would call the loan in anticipation of
an important vote to be taken among holders of the securities or
of the giving or withholding of its consent on a material matter
affecting the investment. As with other extensions of credit
there are risks of delay in recovery or even loss of rights in
the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail
financially. However, the loans would be made only to firms
deemed by the Adviser to be of good standing, and when, in the
judgment of the Adviser, the consideration that can be earned
currently from securities loans of this type justifies the
attendant risk. The value of the securities loaned will not
exceed 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets at the time
any such loan is made.
FORWARD COMMITMENTS AND WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED
DELIVERY SECURITIES
The Fund may enter into forward commitments for the
purchase of securities and may purchase securities on a "when-
issued" or "delayed delivery" basis. Agreements for such
purchases might be entered into, for example, when the Fund
anticipates a decline in interest rates and is able to obtain a
more advantageous yield by committing currently to purchase
securities to be issued later. When the Fund purchases
securities on a forward commitment, "when-issued" or "delayed
delivery" basis, it does not pay for the securities until they
are received, and the Fund is required to create a segregated
10
<PAGE>
account with the Trust's custodian and to maintain in that
account liquid assets in an amount equal to or greater than, on a
daily basis, the amount of the Fund's forward, "when-issued" or
"delayed delivery" commitments. At the time the Fund intends to
enter into a forward commitment, it will record the transaction
and thereafter reflect the value of the security purchased or, if
a sale, the proceeds to be received, in determining its net asset
value. Any unrealized appreciation or depreciation reflected in
such valuation of a "when, as and if issued" security would be
canceled in the event that the required conditions did not occur
and the trade was canceled.
The Fund will enter into forward commitments and make
commitments to purchase securities on a "when-issued" or "delayed
delivery" basis only with the intention of actually acquiring the
securities. However, the Fund may sell these securities before
the settlement date if, in the opinion of the Adviser, it is
advisable as a matter of investment strategy.
Although the Fund does not intend to make such purchases
for speculative purposes, and the Fund intends to adhere to the
provisions of SEC policies, purchases of securities on such bases
may involve more risk than other types of purchases. For
example, by committing to purchase securities in the future, the
Fund subjects itself to a risk of loss on such commitments as
well as on its portfolio securities. Also, the Fund may have to
sell assets which have been set aside in order to meet
redemptions. In addition, if the Fund determines it is advisable
as a matter of investment strategy to sell the forward commitment
or "when-issued" or "delayed delivery" securities before
delivery, that Fund may incur a gain or loss because of market
fluctuations since the time the commitment to purchase such
securities was made. Any such gain or loss would be treated as a
capital gain or loss and would be treated for tax purposes as
such. When the time comes to pay for the securities to be
purchased under a forward commitment or on a "when-issued" or
"delayed delivery" basis, the Fund will meet its obligations from
the then-available cash flow or the sale of securities, or,
although it would not normally expect to do so, from the sale of
the forward commitment or "when-issued" or "delayed delivery"
securities themselves (which may have a value greater or less
than the Fund's payment obligation).
OPTIONS
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES. The Fund may write call and put
options and may purchase call and put options on securities. The
Fund intends to write only covered options. In addition to the
methods of "cover" described in the Prospectus, this means that
so long as the Fund is obligated as the writer of a call option,
it will own the underlying securities subject to the option or
11
<PAGE>
securities convertible into such securities without additional
consideration (or for additional cash consideration held in a
segregated account by the custodian). In the case of call options
on U.S. Treasury Bills, the Fund might own U.S. Treasury Bills of
a different series from those underlying the call option, but
with a principal amount and value corresponding to the option
contract amount and a maturity date no later than that of the
securities deliverable under the call option. The Fund will be
considered "covered" with respect to a put option it writes, if,
so long as it is obligated as the writer of a put option, it
deposits and maintains with its custodian in a segregated account
liquid assets having a value equal to or greater than the
exercise price of the option.
Effecting a closing transaction in the case of a written
call option will permit the Fund to write another call option on
the underlying security with either a different exercise price or
expiration date or both, or in the case of a written put option
will permit the Fund to write another put option to the extent
that the exercise price thereof is secured by deposited cash or
short-term securities. Such transactions permit the Fund to
generate additional premium income, which will partially offset
declines in the value of portfolio securities or increases in the
cost of securities to be acquired. Also, effecting a closing
transaction will permit the cash or proceeds from the concurrent
sale of any securities subject to the option to be used for other
investments by the Fund, provided that another option on such
security is not written. If the Fund desires to sell a
particular security from its portfolio on which it has written a
call option, it will effect a closing transaction in connection
with the option prior to or concurrent with the sale of the
security.
The Fund will realize a profit from a closing
transaction if the premium paid in connection with the closing of
an option written by the Fund is less than the premium received
from writing the option, or if the premium received in connection
with the closing of an option purchased by the Fund is more than
the premium paid for the original purchase. Conversely, the Fund
will suffer a loss if the premium paid or received in connection
with a closing transaction is more or less, respectively, than
the premium received or paid in establishing the option position.
The Fund may purchase a security and then write a call
option against that security or may purchase a security and
concurrently write an option on it. The exercise price of the
call the Fund determines to write will depend upon the expected
price movement of the underlying security. The exercise price of
a call option may be below ("in-the-money"), equal to ("at-the-
money") or above ("out-of-the-money") the current value of the
12
<PAGE>
underlying security at the time the option is written. In-the-
money call options may be used when it is expected that the price
of the underlying security will decline moderately during the
option period. Out-of-the-money call options may be written when
it is expected that the premiums received from writing the call
option plus the appreciation in the market price of the
underlying security up to the exercise price will be greater than
the appreciation in the price of the underlying security alone.
If the call options are exercised in such transactions, the
Fund's maximum gain will be the premium received by it for
writing the option, adjusted by the difference between the Fund's
purchase price of the security and the exercise price. If the
options are not exercised and the price of the underlying
security declines, the amount of such decline will be offset in
part, or entirely, by the premium received.
The writing of covered put options is similar in terms
of risk/return characteristics to buy-and-write transactions. If
the market price of the underlying security rises or otherwise is
above the exercise price, the put option will expire worthless
and the Fund's gain will be limited to the premium received. If
the market price of the underlying security declines or otherwise
is below the exercise price, the Fund may elect to close the
position or retain the option until it is exercised, at which
time the Fund will be required to take delivery of the security
at the exercise price; the Fund's return will be the premium
received from the put option minus the amount by which the market
price of the security is below the exercise price, which could
result in a loss. Out-of-the-money put options may be written
when it is expected that the price of the underlying security
will decline moderately during the option period. In-the-money
put options may be used when it is expected that the premiums
received from writing the put option plus the appreciation in the
market price of the underlying security up to the exercise price
will be greater than the appreciation in the price of the
underlying security alone.
The Fund may also write combinations of put and call
options on the same security, known as "straddles," with the same
exercise and expiration date. By writing a straddle, the Fund
undertakes a simultaneous obligation to sell and purchase the
same security in the event that one of the options is exercised.
If the price of the security subsequently rises above the
exercise price, the call will likely be exercised and the Fund
will be required to sell the underlying security at a below
market price. This loss may be offset, however, in whole or
part, by the premiums received on the writing of the two options.
Conversely, if the price of the security declines by a sufficient
amount, the put will likely be exercised. The writing of
straddles will likely be effective, therefore, only where the
price of the security remains stable and neither the call nor the
13
<PAGE>
put is exercised. In those instances where one of the options is
exercised, the loss on the purchase or sale of the underlying
security may exceed the amount of the premiums received.
By writing a call option, the Fund limits its
opportunity to profit from any increase in the market value of
the underlying security above the exercise price of the option.
By writing a put option, the Fund assumes the risk that it may be
required to purchase the underlying security for an exercise
price above its then current market value, resulting in a capital
loss unless the security subsequently appreciates in value.
Where options are written for hedging purposes, such transactions
constitute only a partial hedge against declines in the value of
portfolio securities or against increases in the value of
securities to be acquired, up to the amount of the premium.
The Fund may purchase put options to hedge against a
decline in the value of portfolio securities. If such decline
occurs, the put options will permit the Fund to sell the
securities at the exercise price or to close out the options at a
profit. By using put options in this way, the Fund will reduce
any profit it might otherwise have realized on the underlying
security by the amount of the premium paid for the put option and
by transaction costs.
The Fund may purchase call options to hedge against an
increase in the price of securities that the Fund anticipates
purchasing in the future. If such increase occurs, the call
option will permit the Fund to purchase the securities at the
exercise price, or to close out the options at a profit. The
premium paid for the call option plus any transaction costs will
reduce the benefit, if any, realized by the Fund upon exercise of
the option, and, unless the price of the underlying security
rises sufficiently, the option may expire worthless to the Fund
and the Fund will suffer a loss on the transaction to the extent
of the premium paid.
The Fund may purchase or write options on securities of
the types in which it is permitted to invest in privately
negotiated (i.e., over-the-counter) transactions. The Fund will
effect such transactions only with investment dealers and other
financial institutions (such as commercial banks or savings and
loan institutions) deemed creditworthy by the Adviser, and the
Adviser has adopted procedures for monitoring the
creditworthiness of such entities.
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES INDEXES. The Fund may write (sell)
covered call and put options on securities indexes and purchase
call and put options on securities indexes. A call option on a
securities index is considered covered if, so long as the Fund is
obligated as the writer of the call option, the Fund holds in its
14
<PAGE>
portfolio securities the price changes of which are expected by
the Adviser to replicate substantially the movement of the index
or indexes upon which the options written by the Fund are based.
A put option on a securities index written by the Fund will be
considered covered if, so long as it is obligated as the writer
of the put option, the Fund maintains with its custodian in a
segregated account liquid assets having a value equal to or
greater than the exercise price of the option.
The Fund may purchase put options on securities indexes
to hedge against a decline in the value of portfolio securities.
By purchasing a put option on a securities index, the Fund will
seek to offset a decline in the value of securities it owns
through appreciation of the put option. If the value of the
Fund's investments does not decline as anticipated, or if the
value of the option does not increase, the Fund's loss will be
limited to the premium paid for the option. The success of this
strategy will largely depend on the accuracy of the correlation
between the changes in value of the index and the changes in
value of the Fund's security holdings.
The Fund may purchase call options on securities indexes
to attempt to reduce the risk of missing a broad market advance,
or an advance in an industry or market segment, at a time when
the Fund holds uninvested cash or short-term debt securities
awaiting investment. When purchasing call options for this
purpose, the Fund will also bear the risk of losing all or a
portion of the premium paid if the value of the index does not
rise. The purchase of call options on stock indexes when the
Fund is substantially fully invested is a form of leverage, up to
the amount of the premium and related transaction costs, and
involves risks of loss and of increased volatility similar to
those involved in purchasing call options on securities the Fund
owns.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS
FUTURES CONTRACTS. The Fund may enter into interest rate
futures contracts, index futures contracts and foreign currency
futures contracts. (Unless otherwise specified, interest rate
futures contracts, index futures contracts and foreign currency
futures contracts are collectively referred to as "Futures
Contracts.") Such investment strategies will be used as a hedge
and not for speculation.
Purchases or sales of stock or bond index futures
contracts are used for hedging purposes to attempt to protect the
Fund's current or intended investments from broad fluctuations in
stock or bond prices. For example, the Fund may sell stock or
bond index futures contracts in anticipation of or during a
market decline to attempt to offset the decrease in market value
15
<PAGE>
of the Fund's portfolio securities that might otherwise result.
If such decline occurs, the loss in value of portfolio securities
may be offset, in whole or part, by gains on the futures
position. When the Fund is not fully invested in the securities
market and anticipates a significant market advance, it may
purchase stock or bond index futures contracts in order to gain
rapid market exposure that may, in whole or in part, offset
increases in the cost of securities that the Fund intends to
purchase. As such purchases are made, the corresponding
positions in stock or bond index futures contracts will be closed
out.
Interest rates futures contracts are purchased or sold
for hedging purposes to attempt to protect against the effects of
interest rate changes on the Fund's current or intended
investments in fixed-income securities. For example, if the Fund
owned long-term bonds and interest rates were expected to
increase, the Fund might sell interest rate futures contracts.
Such a sale would have much the same effect as selling some of
the long-term bonds in the Fund's portfolio. However, since the
futures market is more liquid than the cash market, the use of
interest rate futures contracts as a hedging technique allows the
Fund to hedge its interest rate risk without having to sell its
portfolio securities. If interest rates were to increase, the
value of the debt securities in the portfolio would decline, but
the value of the Fund's interest rate futures contracts would be
expected to increase at approximately the same rate, thereby
keeping the net asset value of the Fund from declining as much as
it otherwise would have. On the other hand, if interest rates
were expected to decline, interest rate futures contracts could
be purchased to hedge in anticipation of subsequent purchases of
long-term bonds at higher prices. Because the fluctuations in
the value of the interest rate futures contracts should be
similar to those of long-term bonds, the Fund could protect
itself against the effects of the anticipated rise in the value
of long-term bonds without actually buying them until the
necessary cash became available or the market had stabilized. At
that time, the interest rate futures contracts could be
liquidated and that Fund's cash reserves could then be used to
buy long-term bonds on the cash market.
The Fund may purchase and sell foreign currency futures
contracts for hedging purposes in order to protect against
fluctuations in currency exchange rates. Such fluctuations could
reduce the dollar value of portfolio securities denominated in
foreign currencies, or increase the cost of foreign-denominated
securities to be acquired, even if the value of such securities
in the currencies in which they are denominated remains constant.
The Fund may sell futures contracts on a foreign currency, for
example, when they hold securities denominated in such currency
and it anticipates a decline in the value of such currency
16
<PAGE>
relative to the dollar. If such a decline were to occur, the
resulting adverse effect on the value of foreign-denominated
securities may be offset, in whole or in part, by gains on the
futures contracts. However, if the value of the foreign currency
increases relative to the dollar, the Fund's loss on the foreign
currency futures contract may or may not be offset by an increase
in the value of the securities because a decline in the price of
the security stated in terms of the foreign currency may be
greater than the increase in value as a result of the change in
exchange rates.
Conversely, the Fund could protect against a rise in the
dollar cost of foreign-denominated securities to be acquired by
purchasing futures contracts on the relevant currency, which
could offset, in whole or in part, the increased cost of such
securities resulting from a rise in the dollar value of the
underlying currencies. When the Fund purchases futures contracts
under such circumstances, however, and the price of securities to
be acquired instead declines as a result of appreciation of the
dollar, the Fund will sustain losses on its futures position
which could reduce or eliminate the benefits of the reduced cost
of portfolio securities to be acquired.
The Fund may also engage in currency "cross hedging"
when, in the opinion of the Adviser, the historical relationship
among foreign currencies suggests that the Fund may achieve
protection against fluctuations in currency exchange rates
similar to that described above at a reduced cost through the use
of a futures contract relating to a currency other than the U.S.
dollar or the currency in which the foreign security is
denominated. Such "cross hedging" is subject to the same risks
as those described above with respect to an unanticipated
increase or decline in the value of the subject currency relative
to the dollar.
OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS. The writing of a call
option on a Futures Contract constitutes a partial hedge against
declining prices of the securities in the Fund's portfolio. If
the futures price at expiration of the option is below the
exercise price, the Fund will retain the full amount of the
option premium, which provides a partial hedge against any
decline that may have occurred in the Fund's portfolio holdings.
The writing of a put option on a Futures Contract constitutes a
partial hedge against increasing prices of the securities or
other instruments required to be delivered under the terms of the
Futures Contract. If the futures price at expiration of the put
option is higher than the exercise price, the Fund will retain
the full amount of the option premium, in the price of securities
which the Fund intends to purchase. If a put or call option the
Fund has written is exercised, the Fund will incur a loss which
will be reduced by the amount of the premium it receives.
17
<PAGE>
Depending on the degree of correlation between changes in the
value of its portfolio securities and changes in the value of its
options on futures positions, the Fund's losses from exercised
options on futures may to some extent be reduced or increased by
changes in the value of portfolio securities.
The Fund may purchase options on Futures Contracts for
hedging purposes instead of purchasing or selling the underlying
Futures Contracts. For example, where a decrease in the value of
portfolio securities is anticipated as a result of a projected
market-wide decline or changes in interest or exchange rates, the
Fund could, in lieu of selling Futures Contracts, purchase put
options thereon. In the event that such decrease were to occur,
it may be offset, in whole or part, by a profit on the option. If
the market decline were not to occur, the Fund will suffer a loss
equal to the price of the put. Where it is projected that the
value of securities to be acquired by the Fund will increase
prior to acquisition, due to a market advance or changes in
interest or exchange rates, the Fund could purchase call options
on Futures Contracts, rather than purchasing the underlying
Futures Contracts. If the market advances, the increased cost of
securities to be purchased may be offset by a profit on the call.
However, if the market declines, the Fund will suffer a loss
equal to the price of the call, but the securities which the Fund
intends to purchase may be less expensive.
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS
The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency
exchange contracts ("Forward Contracts") to attempt to minimize
the risk to the Fund from adverse changes in the relationship
between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies. The Fund intends
to enter into Forward Contracts for hedging purposes similar to
those described above in connection with its transactions in
foreign currency futures contracts. In particular, a Forward
Contract to sell a currency may be entered into in lieu of the
sale of a foreign currency futures contract where the Fund seeks
to protect against an anticipated increase in the exchange rate
for a specific currency which could reduce the dollar value of
portfolio securities denominated in such currency. Conversely,
the Fund may enter into a Forward Contract to purchase a given
currency to protect against a projected increase in the dollar
value of securities denominated in such currency which the Fund
intends to acquire. The Fund also may enter into a Forward
Contract in order to assure itself of a predetermined exchange
rate in connection with a security denominated in a foreign
currency. The Fund may engage in currency "cross hedging" when,
in the opinion of the Adviser, the historical relationship among
foreign currencies suggests that the Fund may achieve the same
protection for a foreign security at a reduced cost through the
use of a Forward Contract relating to a currency other than the
18
<PAGE>
U.S. dollar or the foreign currency in which the security is
denominated.
If a hedging transaction in Forward Contracts is
successful, the decline in the value of portfolio securities or
the increase in the cost of securities to be acquired may be
offset, at least in part, by profits on the Forward Contract.
Nevertheless, by entering into such Forward Contracts, the Fund
may be required to forego all or a portion of the benefits which
otherwise could have been obtained from favorable movements in
exchange rates.
The Fund has established procedures consistent with SEC
policies concerning purchases of foreign currency through Forward
Contracts. Since those policies currently recommend that an
amount of the Fund's assets equal to the amount of the purchase
be held aside or segregated to be used to pay for the commitment,
the Fund will always have liquid assets available sufficient to
cover any commitments under these contracts or to limit any
potential risk.
OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES
The Fund may purchase and write options on foreign
currencies for hedging purposes. For example, a decline in the
dollar value of a foreign currency in which portfolio securities
are denominated will reduce the dollar value of such securities,
even if their value in the foreign currency remains constant. In
order to protect against such diminutions in the value of
portfolio securities, the Fund may purchase put options on the
foreign currency. If the value of the currency does decline, the
Fund will have the right to sell such currency for a fixed amount
in dollars and will thereby offset, in whole or in part, the
adverse effect on its portfolio which otherwise would have
resulted.
Conversely, where a rise in the dollar value of a
currency in which securities to be acquired are denominated is
projected, thereby increasing the cost of such securities, the
Fund may purchase call options thereon. The purchase of such
options could offset, at least partially, the effects of the
adverse movements in exchange rates. As in the case of other
types of options, however, the benefit to the Fund derived from
purchases of foreign currency options will be reduced by the
amount of the premium and related transaction costs. In
addition, where currency exchange rates do not move in the
direction or to the extent anticipated, the Fund could sustain
losses on transactions in foreign currency options which would
require it to forego a portion or all of the benefits of
advantageous changes in such rates.
19
<PAGE>
The Fund may write options on foreign currencies for the
same types of hedging purposes or to increase return. For
example, where the Fund anticipates a decline in the dollar value
of foreign-denominated securities due to adverse fluctuations in
exchange rates it could, instead of purchasing a put option,
write a call option on the relevant currency. If the expected
decline occurs, the option will most likely not be exercised, and
the diminution in value of portfolio securities will be offset by
the amount of the premium received.
Similarly, instead of purchasing a call option to hedge
against an anticipated increase in the dollar cost of securities
to be acquired, the Fund could write a put option on the relevant
currency, which, if rates move in the manner projected, will
expire unexercised and allow the Fund to hedge such increased
cost up to the amount of the premium. As in the case of other
types of options, however, the writing of a foreign currency
option will constitute only a partial hedge up to the amount of
the premium, and only if rates move in the expected direction. If
this does not occur, the option may be exercised and the Fund
will be required to purchase or sell the underlying currency at a
loss which may not be offset by the amount of the premium.
Through the writing of options on foreign currencies, the Fund
also may be required to forego all or a portion of the benefits
which might otherwise have been obtained from favorable movements
in exchange rates.
RISK FACTORS IN OPTIONS, FUTURES AND FORWARD TRANSACTIONS
RISK OF IMPERFECT CORRELATION OF HEDGING INSTRUMENTS
WITH THE FUND'S PORTFOLIO. The Fund's ability effectively to
hedge all or a portion of its portfolio through transactions in
options, Futures Contracts, options on Futures Contracts, Forward
Contracts and options on foreign currencies depend on the degree
to which price movements in the underlying index or instrument
correlate with price movements in the securities that are the
subject of the hedge. In the case of futures and options based
on an index, the portfolio will not duplicate the components of
the index, and in the case of futures and options on are being
hedged may not be the same as those underlying such contract. As
a result, the correlation, to the extent it exists, probably will
not be exact.
It should be noted that stock index futures contracts or
options based upon a narrower index of securities, such as those
of a particular industry group, may present greater risk than
options or futures based on a broad market index. This is
because a narrower index is more susceptible to rapid and extreme
fluctuations as a result of changes in the value of a small
number of securities.
20
<PAGE>
The trading of futures and options entails the
additional risk of imperfect correlation between movements in the
futures or option price and the price of the underlying index or
instrument. The anticipated spread between the prices may be
distorted due to the differences in the nature of the markets,
such as differences in margin requirements, the liquidity of such
markets and the participation of speculators in the futures
market. In this regard, trading by speculators in futures and
options has in the past occasionally resulted in market
distortions, which may be difficult or impossible to predict,
particularly near the expiration of such contracts.
The trading of options on Futures Contracts also entails
the risk that changes in the value of the underlying Futures
Contract will not be fully reflected in the value of the option.
Further, with respect to options on securities, options
on foreign currencies, options on stock indexes and options on
Futures Contracts, the Fund is subject to the risk of market
movements between the time that the option is exercised and the
time of performance thereunder. This could increase the extent
of any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with such
transactions.
If the Fund purchases futures or options in order to
hedge against a possible increase in the price of securities
before the Fund is able to invest its cash in such securities,
the Fund faces the risk that the market may instead decline. If
the Fund does not then invest in such securities because of
concern as to possible further market declines or for other
reasons, the Fund may realize a loss on the futures or option
contract that is not offset by a reduction in the price of
securities purchased.
In writing a call option on a security, foreign
currency, index or Futures Contract, the Fund also incurs the
risk that changes in the value of the assets used to cover the
position will not correlate closely with changes in the value of
the option or underlying index or instrument. For example, when
the Fund writes a call option on a stock index, the securities
used as "cover" may not match the composition of the index, and
the Fund may not be fully covered. As a result, the Fund could
suffer a loss on the call which is not entirely offset or not
offset at all by an increase in the value of the Fund's portfolio
securities.
The writing of options on securities, options on stock
indexes or options on Futures Contracts constitutes only a
partial hedge against fluctuations in the value of the Fund's
portfolio. When the Fund writes an option, it will receive
premium income in return for the holder's purchase of the right
21
<PAGE>
to acquire or dispose of the underlying security or future or, in
the case of index options, cash. In the event that the price of
such obligation does not rise sufficiently above the exercise
price of the option, in the case of a call, or fall below the
exercise price, in the case of a put, the option will not be
exercised and the Fund will retain the amount of the premium,
which will constitute a partial hedge against any decline that
may have occurred in the Fund's portfolio holdings, or against
the increase in the cost of the instruments to be acquired.
When the price of the underlying obligation moves
sufficiently in favor of the holder to warrant exercise of the
option, however, and the option is exercised, the Fund will incur
a loss which may only be partially offset by the amount of the
premium the Fund received. Moreover, by writing an option, the
Fund may be required to forego the benefits which might otherwise
have been obtained from an increase in the value of portfolio
securities or a decline in the value of securities to be
acquired.
In the event of the occurrence of any of the foregoing
adverse market events, the Fund's overall return may be lower
than if it had not engaged in the transactions described above.
With respect to the writing of straddles on securities,
the Fund incurs the risk that the price of the underlying
security will not remain stable, that one of the options written
will be exercised and that the resulting loss will not be offset
by the amount of the premiums received. Such transactions,
therefore, while creating an opportunity for increased return by
providing the Fund with two simultaneous premiums on the same
security, nonetheless involve additional risk, because the Fund
may have an option exercised against it regardless of whether the
price of the security increases or decreases.
If any of the foregoing adverse market events occurs,
the Fund's overall return may be lower than if it had not engaged
in the transactions described above.
POTENTIAL LACK OF A LIQUID SECONDARY MARKET. Prior to
exercise or expiration, a futures or option position can be
terminated only by entering into a closing transaction. This
requires a secondary market for such instruments on the exchange,
if any, on which the initial transaction was entered into. There
can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for
any particular contracts at any specific time. In that event, it
may not be possible to close out a position held by the Fund, and
the Fund could be required to purchases or sells the instrument
underlying an option, make or receive a cash settlement or meet
ongoing variation margin requirements. Under such circumstances,
if the Fund has insufficient cash available to meet margin
22
<PAGE>
requirements, it may be necessary to liquidate portfolio
securities at a time when, in the opinion of the Adviser, it is
disadvantageous to do so. The inability to close out options and
futures positions, therefore, could have an adverse impact on the
Fund's ability to effectively hedge its portfolio, and could
result in trading losses.
The liquidity of a secondary market in a Futures
Contract or option thereon may be adversely affected by "daily
price fluctuation limits," established by exchanges, which limit
the amount of fluctuation in the price of a contract during a
single trading day. Once the daily limit has been reached in the
contract, no trades may be entered into at a price beyond the
limit, thus preventing the liquidation of open futures or option
positions and requiring traders to make additional margin
deposits. Prices of some Futures Contracts have in the past
moved to the daily limit on a number of consecutive trading days.
The trading of Futures Contracts and options (including
options on Futures Contracts) is also subject to the risk of
trading halts, suspensions, exchange or clearing house equipment
failures, government intervention, insolvency of a brokerage firm
or clearing house or other disruptions of normal trading
activity, which could at times make it difficult or impossible to
liquidate existing positions or to recover excess variation
margin payments.
The staff of the SEC has taken the position that over-
the-counter options and the assets used as cover for over-the-
counter options are illiquid securities, unless certain
arrangements are made with the other party to the option
contract, permitting the prompt liquidation of the option
position. The Fund will enter into those special arrangements
only with primary U.S. Government securities dealers recognized
by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York ("primary dealers").
Under these special arrangements, the Trust will enter into
contracts with primary dealers which provide that the Fund has
the absolute right to repurchase an option it writes at any time
at a repurchase price which represents fair market value, as
determined in good faith through negotiation between the parties,
but which in no event will exceed a price determined pursuant to
a formula contained in the contract. Although the specific
details of the formula may vary between contracts with different
primary dealers, the formula will generally be based on a
multiple of the premium received by the Fund for writing the
option, plus the amount, if any, by which the option is "in-the-
money." The formula will also include a factor to account for
the difference between the price of the security and the strike
price of the option if the option is written "out-of-the-money."
Under such circumstances, the Fund only needs to treat as
illiquid that amount of the "cover" assets equal to the amount by
23
<PAGE>
which (i) the formula price exceeds (ii) any amount by which the
market value of the security subject to the option exceeds the
exercise price of the option (the amount by which the option is
"in-the-money"). Although each agreement will provide that the
Fund's repurchase price shall be determined in good faith (and
that it shall not exceed the maximum determined pursuant to the
formula), the formula price will not necessarily reflect the
market value of the option written; therefore, the Fund might pay
more to repurchase the option contract than the Fund would pay to
close out a similar exchange-traded option.
MARGIN. Because of low initial margin deposits made
upon the opening of a futures position and the writing of an
option, such transactions involve substantial leverage. As a
result, relatively small movements in the price of the contract
can result in substantial unrealized gains or losses. However,
to the extent the Fund purchases or sells Futures Contracts and
options on Futures Contracts and purchases or writes options on
securities and securities indexes for hedging purposes, any
losses incurred in connection therewith should, if the hedging
strategy is successful, be offset, in whole or in part, by
increases in the value of securities held by the Fund or
decreases in the prices of securities the Fund intends to
acquire. When the Fund writes options on securities or options
on stock indexes for other than hedging purposes, the margin
requirements associated with such transactions could expose the
Fund to greater risk.
TRADING AND POSITION LIMITS. The exchanges on which
futures and options are traded may impose limitations governing
the maximum number of positions on the same side of the market
and involving the same underlying instrument which may be held by
a single investor, whether acting alone or in concert with others
(regardless of whether such contracts are held on the same or
different exchanges or held or written in one or more accounts or
through one or more brokers). In addition, the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission (the "CFTC") and the various contract markets
have established limits referred to as "speculative position
limits" on the maximum net long or net short position which any
person may hold or control in a particular futures or option
contract. An exchange may order the liquidation of positions
found to be in violation of these limits and may impose other
sanctions or restrictions.
RISKS OF OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS. The amount of
risk the Fund assumes when it purchases an option on a Futures
Contract is the premium paid for the option, plus related
transaction costs. In order to profit from an option purchased,
however, it may be necessary to exercise the option and to
liquidate the underlying Futures Contract, subject to the risks
of the availability of a liquid offset market described herein.
24
<PAGE>
The writer of an option on a Futures Contract is subject to the
risks of commodity futures trading, including the requirement of
initial and variation margin payments, as well as the additional
risk that movements in the price of the option may not correlate
with movements in the price of the underlying security, index,
currency or Futures Contract.
RISKS OF FORWARD CONTRACTS, FOREIGN CURRENCY FUTURES
CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS THEREON, OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES AND
OVER-THE-COUNTER OPTIONS ON SECURITIES. Transactions in Forward
Contracts, as well as futures and options on foreign currencies,
are subject to all of the correlation, liquidity and other risks
outlined above. In addition, however, such transactions are
subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in
or the prices of currencies underlying such contracts, which
could restrict or eliminate trading and could have a substantial
adverse effect on the value of positions held by the Fund. In
addition, the value of such positions could be adversely affected
by a number of other complex political and economic factors
applicable to the countries issuing the underlying currencies.
Further, unlike trading in most other types of
instruments, there is no systematic reporting of last sale
information with respect to the foreign currencies underlying
contracts thereon. As a result, the available information on
which trading decisions will be based may not be as complete as
the comparable data on which the Fund makes investment and
trading decisions in connection with other transactions.
Moreover, because the foreign currency market is a global,
twenty-four hour market, events could occur on that market which
will not be reflected in the forward, futures or options markets
until the following day, thereby preventing the Fund from
responding to such events in a timely manner.
Settlements of exercises of over-the-counter Forward
Contracts or foreign currency options generally must occur within
the country issuing the underlying currency, which in turn
requires traders to accept or make delivery of such currencies in
conformity with any U.S. or foreign restrictions and regulations
regarding the maintenance of foreign banking relationships and
fees, taxes or other charges.
Unlike transactions entered into by the Fund in Futures
Contracts and exchange-traded options, options on foreign
currencies, Forward Contracts and over-the-counter options on
securities and securities indexes are not traded on contract
markets regulated by the CFTC or (with the exception of certain
foreign currency options) the SEC. Such instruments are instead
traded through financial institutions acting as market-makers,
although foreign currency options are also traded on certain
national securities exchanges, such as the Philadelphia Stock
25
<PAGE>
Exchange and the Chicago Board Options Exchange, subject to SEC
regulation. In an over-the-counter trading environment, many of
the protections afforded to exchange participants will not be
available. For example, there are no daily price fluctuation
limits, and adverse market movements could therefore continue to
an unlimited extent over a period of time. Although the
purchaser of an option cannot lose more than the amount of the
premium plus related transaction costs, this entire amount could
be lost. Moreover, the option writer could lose amounts
substantially in excess of the initial investment, due to the
margin and collateral requirements associated with such
positions.
In addition, over-the-counter transactions can be
entered into only with a financial institution willing to take
the opposite side, as principal, of the Fund's position unless
the institution acts as broker and is able to find another
counterparty willing to enter into the transaction with the Fund.
Where no such counterparty is available, it will not be possible
to enter into a desired transaction. There also may be no liquid
secondary market in the trading of over-the-counter contracts,
and the Fund could be required to retain options purchased or
written, or Forward Contracts entered into, until exercise,
expiration or maturity. This in turn could limit the Fund's
ability to profit from open positions or to reduce losses
experienced, and could result in greater losses.
Further, over-the-counter transactions are not subject
to the guarantee of an exchange clearing house, and the Fund will
therefore be subject to the risk of default by, or the bankruptcy
of, the financial institution serving as its counterparty. The
Fund will enter into an over-the-counter transaction only with
parties whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and found
satisfactory by the Adviser.
Transactions in over-the-counter options on foreign
currencies are subject to a number of conditions regarding the
commercial purpose of the purchaser of such option. The Fund is
not able to determine at this time whether or to what extent
additional restrictions on the trading of over-the-counter
options on foreign currencies may be imposed at some point in the
future, or the effect that any such restrictions may have on the
hedging strategies to be implemented by them.
As discussed below, CFTC regulations require that the
Fund not enter into transactions in commodity futures contracts
or commodity option contracts for other than "bona fide" hedging
purposes, unless the aggregate initial margin and premiums do not
exceed 5% of the fair market value of the Fund's total assets.
Premiums paid to purchase over-the-counter options on foreign
currencies, and margins paid in connection with the writing of
26
<PAGE>
such options, are required to be included in determining
compliance with this requirement, which could, depending upon the
existing positions in Futures Contracts and options on Futures
Contracts already entered into by the Fund, limit the Fund's
ability to purchase or write options on foreign currencies.
Conversely, the existence of open positions in options on foreign
currencies could limit the ability of the Fund to enter into
desired transactions in other options or futures contracts.
While Forward Contracts are not presently subject to
regulation by the CFTC, the CFTC may in the future assert or be
granted authority to regulate such instruments. In such event,
the Fund's ability to utilize Forward Contracts in the manner set
forth above could be restricted.
Options on foreign currencies traded on national
securities exchanges are within the jurisdiction of the SEC, as
are other securities traded on such exchanges. As a result, many
of the protections provided to traders on organized exchanges
will be available with respect to such transactions. In
particular, all foreign currency option positions entered into on
a national securities exchange are cleared and guaranteed by the
Options Clearing Corporation ("OCC"), thereby reducing the risk
of counterparty default. Further, a liquid secondary market in
options traded on a national securities exchange may be more
readily available than in the over-the-counter market,
potentially permitting the Fund to liquidate open positions at a
profit prior to exercise or expiration, or to limit losses in the
event of adverse market movements.
The purchase and sale of exchange-traded foreign
currency options, however, is subject to the risks of the
availability of a liquid secondary market described above, as
well as the risks regarding adverse market movements, the
margining of options written, the nature of the foreign currency
market, possible intervention by governmental authorities and the
effects of other political and economic events. In addition,
exchange-traded options on foreign currencies involve certain
risks not presented by the over-the-counter market. For example,
exercise and settlement of such options must be made exclusively
through the OCC, which has established banking relationships in
applicable foreign countries for this purpose. As a result, if
the OCC determines that foreign governmental restrictions or
taxes would prevent the orderly settlement of foreign currency
option exercises, or would result in undue burdens on the OCC or
its clearing member, the OCC may impose special procedures on
exercise and settlement, such as technical changes in the
mechanics of delivery of currency, the fixing of dollar
settlement prices or prohibitions on exercise.
27
<PAGE>
RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF FUTURES AND OPTION CONTRACTS
Under applicable regulations, when the Fund enters into
transactions in Futures Contracts and options on Futures
Contracts other than for bona fide hedging purposes, the Fund is
required to maintain with its custodian in a segregated account
cash, short-term U.S. Government securities or high-quality U.S.
dollar-denominated money market instruments, which, together with
any initial margin deposits, are equal to the aggregate market
value of the Futures Contracts and options on Futures Contracts
that it purchases. In addition, the Fund may not purchase or
sell such instruments for other than bona fide hedging purposes
if, immediately thereafter, the sum of the amount of initial
margin deposits on such futures and options positions and
premiums paid for options purchased would exceed 5% of the market
value of the Fund's total assets.
The Fund has adopted the additional restriction that it
will not enter into a Futures Contract if, immediately
thereafter, the value of securities and other obligations
underlying all such Futures Contracts would exceed 50% of the
value of the Fund's total assets. Moreover, the Fund will not
purchase put and call options if as a result more than 10% of its
total assets would be invested in such options.
ECONOMIC EFFECTS AND LIMITATIONS
Income earned by the Fund from its hedging activities
will be treated as capital gain and, if not offset by net
realized capital losses incurred by the Fund, will be distributed
to shareholders in taxable distributions. Although gain from
such transactions may hedge against a decline in the value of the
Fund's portfolio securities, that gain, to the extent not offset
by losses, will be distributed in light of certain tax
considerations and will constitute a distribution of that portion
of the value preserved against decline.
The Fund will not "over-hedge," that is, the Fund will
not maintain open short positions in futures or options contracts
if, in the aggregate, the market value of its open positions
exceeds the current market value of its securities portfolio plus
or minus the unrealized gain or loss on such open positions,
adjusted for the historical volatility relationship between the
portfolio and futures and options contracts.
The Fund's ability to employ the options and futures
strategies described above will depend in part on the
availability of liquid markets in such instruments. Markets in
financial futures and related options are still developing. It
is impossible to predict the amount of trading interest that may
hereafter exist in various types of options or futures. Therefore
28
<PAGE>
no assurance can be given that the Fund will be able to use these
instruments effectively for the purposes set forth above.
The Fund's ability to use options, futures and forward
contracts may be limited by tax considerations. In particular,
tax rules might accelerate or adversely affect the character of
the income earned on such contracts. In addition, differences
between the Fund's book income (upon the basis of which
distributions are generally made) and taxable income arising from
its hedging activities may result in return of capital
distributions, and in some circumstances, distributions in excess
of the Fund's book income may be required to be made in order to
meet tax requirements.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
The foregoing discussion relates to the Fund's proposed
use of Futures Contracts, Forward Contracts, options and options
on Futures Contracts currently available. As noted above, the
relevant markets and related regulations are evolving. In the
event of future regulatory or market developments, the Fund may
also use additional types of futures contracts or options and
other investment techniques for the purposes set forth above.
________________________________________________________________
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
________________________________________________________________
Except as described below and except as otherwise
specifically stated in the Fund's Prospectus or this Statement of
Additional Information, the investment policies of the Fund set
forth in the Prospectus and in this Statement of Additional
Information are not fundamental and may be changed without
shareholder approval.
The following is a description of the fundamental
restrictions on the investments that may be made by the Fund,
which restrictions may not be changed without the approval of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
The Fund will not:
(1) Borrow money in excess of 10% of the value
(taken at the lower of cost or current value) of its total assets
(not including the amount borrowed) at the time the borrowing is
made, and then only from banks as a temporary measure to
facilitate the meeting of redemption requests (not for leverage)
which might otherwise require the untimely disposition of
portfolio investments or pending settlement of securities
transactions or for extraordinary or emergency purposes.
29
<PAGE>
(2) Underwrite securities issued by other persons
except to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of
its portfolio investments, it may be deemed to be an underwriter
under certain federal securities laws.
(3) Purchase or retain real estate or interests in
real estate, although the Fund may purchase securities which are
secured by real estate and securities of companies which invest
in or deal in real estate.
(4) Make loans to other persons except by the
purchase of obligations in which the Fund may invest consistent
with its investment policies and by entering into repurchase
agreements, or by lending its portfolio securities representing
not more than 25% of its total assets.
(5) Issue any senior security (as that term is
defined in the 1940 Act), if such issuance is specifically
prohibited by the 1940 Act or the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder. For the purposes of this restriction,
collateral arrangements with respect to options, Futures
Contracts and options on Futures Contracts and collateral
arrangements with respect to initial and variation margins are
not deemed to be the issuance of a senior security. (There is no
intention to issue senior securities except as set forth in
paragraph 1 above.)
The Fund may not: (i) invest more than 5% of its total
assets in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S.
Government securities and repurchase agreements relating
thereto), although up to 25% of the Fund's total assets may be
invested without regard to this restriction; or (ii) invest 25%
or more of its total assets in the securities of any one
industry.
It is also the fundamental policy of the Fund that it
may purchase and sell Futures Contracts and related options.
In addition, the following is a description of operating
policies which the Trust has adopted on behalf of the Fund but
which are not fundamental and are subject to change without
shareholder approval.
The Fund will not:
(a) Pledge, mortgage, hypothecate or otherwise encumber
an amount of its assets taken at current value in
excess of 15% of its total assets (taken at the
lower of cost or current value) and then only to
secure borrowings permitted by restriction (1)
above. For the purpose of this restriction, the
30
<PAGE>
deposit of securities and other collateral
arrangements with respect to reverse repurchase
agreements, options, Futures Contracts, Forward
Contracts and options on foreign currencies, and
payments of initial and variation margin in
connection therewith are not considered pledges or
other encumbrances.
(b) Purchase securities on margin, except that the Fund
may obtain such short-term credits as may be
necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales
of securities, and except that the Fund may make
margin payments in connection with Futures
Contracts, options on Futures Contracts, options,
Forward Contracts or options on foreign currencies.
(c) Make short sales of securities or maintain a short
position for the account of the Fund unless at all
times when a short position is open it owns an
equal amount of such securities or unless by virtue
of its ownership of other securities it has at all
such times a right to obtain securities (without
payment of further consideration) equivalent in
kind and amount to the securities sold, provided
that if such right is conditional the sale is made
upon equivalent conditions and further provided
that no Fund will make such short sales with
respect to securities having a value in excess of
5% of its total assets.
(d) Write, purchase or sell any put or call option or
any combination thereof, provided that this shall
not prevent the Fund from writing, purchasing and
selling puts, calls or combinations thereof with
respect to securities, indexes of securities or
foreign currencies, and with respect to Futures
Contracts.
(e) Purchase voting securities of any issuer if such
purchase, at the time thereof, would cause more
than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of
such issuer to be held by the Fund; or purchase
securities of any issuer if such purchase at the
time thereof would cause more than 10% of any class
of securities of such issuer to be held by the
Fund. For this purpose all indebtedness of an
issuer shall be deemed a single class and all
preferred stock of an issuer shall be deemed a
single class.
31
<PAGE>
(f) Invest in securities of any issuer if, to the
knowledge of the Trust, the officers and Trustees
of the Trust and the officers and directors of the
Adviser who beneficially own more than 0.5% of the
shares of securities of that issuer together own
more than 5%.
(g) Purchase securities issued by any other registered
open-end investment company or investment trust
except (A) by purchase in the open market where no
commission or profit to a sponsor or dealer results
from such purchase other than the customary
broker's commission, or (B) where no commission or
profit to a sponsor or dealer results from such
purchase, or (C) when such purchase, though not
made in the open market, is part of a plan of
merger or consolidation; provided, however, that
the Fund will not purchase such securities if such
purchase at the time thereof would cause more than
5% of its total assets (taken at market value) to
be invested in the securities of such issuers; and,
provided further, that the Fund's purchases of
securities issued by such open-end investment
company will be consistent with the provisions of
the 1940 Act.
(h) Make investments for the purpose of exercising
control or management.
(i) Participate on a joint or joint and several basis
in any trading account in securities.
(j) Invest in interests in oil, gas, or other mineral
exploration or development programs, although the
Fund may purchase securities which are secured by
such interests and may purchase securities of
issuers which invest in or deal in oil, gas or
other mineral exploration or development programs.
(k) Purchase warrants, if, as a result, the Fund would
have more than 5% of its total assets invested in
warrants or more than 2% of its total assets
invested in warrants which are not listed on the
Exchange or the American Stock Exchange.
(l) Purchase commodities or commodity contracts,
provided that this shall not prevent the Fund from
entering into interest rate futures contracts,
securities index futures contracts, foreign
currency futures contracts, forward foreign
currency exchange contracts and options (including
32
<PAGE>
options on any of the foregoing) to the extent such
action is consistent with the Fund's investment
objective and policies.
(m) Purchase additional securities in excess of 5% of
the value of its total assets until all of the
Fund's outstanding borrowings (as permitted and
described in Restriction No. 1 above) have been
repaid.
Whenever any investment restriction states a maximum
percentage of the Fund's assets which may be invested in any
security or other asset, it is intended that such maximum
percentage limitation be determined immediately after and as a
result of the Fund's acquisition of such securities or other
assets. Accordingly, any later increase or decrease beyond the
specified limitation resulting from a change in value or net
asset value will not be considered a violation of such percentage
limitation.
______________________________________________________________
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
______________________________________________________________
ADVISER
Alliance Capital Management L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership with principal offices at 1345 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, New York 10105, has been retained under an
investment advisory agreement (the "Investment Advisory
Contract") to provide investment advice and, in general, to
conduct the management and investment program of the Trust under
the supervision of the Trust's Board of Trustees (see "Management
of the Fund" in the Prospectus).
The Adviser is a leading international adviser managing
client accounts with assets as of September 30, 1999 totaling
more than $317 billion (of which more than $143 billion
represented assets of investment companies). As of September 30,
1999, the Adviser managed retirement assets for many of the
largest public and private employee benefit plans (including 28
of the nation's FORTUNE 100 companies), for public employee
retirement funds in 31 states, for investment companies, and for
foundations, endowments, banks and insurance companies worldwide.
The 52 registered investment companies managed by the Adviser,
comprising 118 separate investment portfolios, currently have
approximately 4.8 million shareholder accounts.
Alliance Capital Management Corporation ("ACMC"), is the
general partner of the Adviser. As of September 30, 1999, The
Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States
33
<PAGE>
("Equitable"), ACMC, Inc. and Equitable Capital Management
Corporation ("ECMC") were the beneficial owners of approximately
56% of the outstanding Units of the Adviser. ACMC, ECMC and
ACMC, Inc. are wholly owned subsidiaries of Equitable, one of the
largest life insurance companies in the United States. ECMC is a
registered investment adviser and ACMC, Inc. is a holding company
for Units of the Adviser. Equitable is a wholly owned subsidiary
of AXA Financial, Inc. ("AXA Financial"), a Delaware corporation
whose shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange. AXA
Financial serves as a holding company for the Adviser, Equitable
and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Inc., a broker-dealer holding
company. As of September 30, 1999, AXA, a French insurance
holding company, owned approximately 56% of the issued and
outstanding shares of the common stock of AXA Financial.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY CONTRACT AND EXPENSES
The Adviser serves as investment manager and adviser of
the Fund, continuously furnishes an investment program for the
Fund and manages, supervises and conducts the affairs of the
Fund. The Investment Advisory Contract also provides that the
Adviser will furnish or pay the expenses of the Trust for office
space, facilities and equipment, services of executive and other
personnel of the Trust and certain administrative services. The
Adviser is compensated for its services to the Fund at an annual
rate of 0.75% of the first $3 billion of the Fund's average daily
net assets, 0.70% of the next $1 billion of such assets, 0.65% of
the next $1 billion of such assets, and 0.60% of such average net
assets in excess of $5 billion.
The Adviser is, under the Investment Advisory Contract,
responsible for certain expenses incurred by the Fund, including,
for example, office facilities and certain administrative
services, and any expenses incurred in promoting the sale of Fund
shares (other than the portion of the promotional expenses borne
by the Fund in accordance with an effective plan pursuant to Rule
12b-1 under the 1940 Act, and the costs of printing Fund
prospectuses and other reports to shareholders and fees related
to registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission and
with state regulatory authorities).
For the fiscal years ended October 31, 1998, 1997 and
1996, the Adviser earned $41,033,553, $31,680,829 and $20,263,705
in management fees from the Fund (none of which was waived).
The Investment Advisory Contract provides that it will
continue in effect for two years from its date of execution and
thereafter from year to year if its continuance is approved at
least annually (i) by the Board of Trustees or by vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the relevant
Fund, and (ii) by vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not
34
<PAGE>
interested persons of the Adviser cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval. Any amendment
to the Investment Advisory Contract must be approved by vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the relevant
Fund and by vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not such
interested persons, cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on such approval. The Investment Advisory
Contract may be terminated without penalty by the Adviser, by
vote of the Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the relevant Fund upon sixty days' written
notice, and it terminates automatically in the event of its
assignment. The Adviser controls the word "Alliance" in the
names of the Trust and the Fund, and if Alliance should cease to
be the investment manager of any Fund, the Trust and the Fund may
be required to change its name and delete the word "Alliance"
from its name.
The Investment Advisory Contract provides that the
Adviser shall not be subject to any liability in connection with
the performance of its services thereunder in the absence of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of its obligations and duties.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The Trustees are responsible for generally overseeing
the conduct of Fund business. In accordance with the Fund's
investment objectives, policies, restrictions and such policies
as the Trustee may determine from time to time, the Adviser
furnishes a continuing investment program for the Fund and makes
investment decisions on its behalf. Subject to the control of
the Trustees, the Adviser also manages the Fund's other affairs
and business. The Trustees and principal officers of the Trust,
their ages as of the date of this Statement of Additional
Information and their primary occupations during the past five
years are set forth below.
TRUSTEES
John D. Carifa,* 54, Chairman of the Board, is the
President, Chief Operating Officer, and a Director of ACMC, with
which he has been associated since prior to 1994. His address is
1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105.
Ruth Block, 68, was formerly an Executive Vice President
and the Chief Insurance Officer of Equitable. She is a Director
of Ecolab Incorporated (specialty chemicals) and BP Amoco
____________________
* An "interested person" of the Trust, as defined by the
1940 Act.
35
<PAGE>
Corporation (oil and gas). Her address is P.O. Box 4623,
Stamford, Connecticut 06903.
David H. Dievler, 70, is an independent consultant. He
was formerly a Senior Vice President of ACMC until December 1994.
His address is P.O. Box 167, Spring Lake, New Jersey 97762.
John H. Dobkin, 57, has been the President of Historic
Hudson Valley (historic preservation) since prior to 1994.
Previously, he was Director of the National Academy of Design.
His address is 150 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, New York 10591.
William H. Foulk, Jr., 67, is an Investment Adviser and
an independent consultant. He was formerly Senior Manager of
Barrett Associates, Inc., a registered investment adviser, with
which he had been associated since prior to 1994. His address is
Room 100, 2 Greenwich Plaza, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830.
Brenton W. Harries, 71, is a Director of Enhance
Reinsurance Co. and was formerly the President and Chief
Executive of Global Electronic Markets Company. His address is
14 Point Road, Wilson Point, South Norwalk, Connecticut 06854.
Dr. James M. Hester, 75, has been President of the Harry
Frank Guggenheim Foundation, with which he has been associated
since prior to 1994. He was formerly President of New York
University, the New York Botanical Garden and Rector of the
United Nations University. His address is 25 Cleveland Lane,
Princeton, New Jersey 08540.
Clifford L. Michel, 60, is a member of the law firm of
Cahill Gordon & Reindel, with which he has been associated since
prior to 1994. He is President and Chief Executive Officer of
Wenonah Development Company (investments) and a Director of
Placer Dome, Inc. (mining). His address is St. Bernard's Road,
Gladstone, New Jersey 07934.
Donald J. Robinson, 65, is Senior Counsel to the law
firm of Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe and was formerly a
senior partner and a member of the Executive Committee of that
firm. He was also a Trustee of the Museum of the City of New
York from 1977 to 1995. His address is 98 Hell's Peak Road,
Weston, Vermont 05161.
OFFICERS
John D. Carifa, President, see biography above.
Edmund P. Bergan, Jr., 49, Clerk, is a Senior Vice
President and the General Counsel of Alliance Fund Distributors,
Inc. ("AFD") and Alliance Fund Services, Inc. ("AFS"), with which
36
<PAGE>
he has been associated since prior to 1994. His address is 1345
Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105.
Mark D. Gersten, 49, Treasurer and Chief Financial
Officer, is a Senior Vice President of AFS and a Vice President
of AFD, with which he has been associated since prior to 1994.
His address is 500 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, New Jersey 07094.
Vincent S. Noto, 34, Controller and Chief Accounting
Officer, is a Vice President of AFS, with which he has been
associated since prior to 1994. His address is 500 Plaza Drive,
Secaucus, New Jersey 07094.
Bruce W. Calvert, 52, Senior Vice President, is the Vice
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and a Director of ACMC, with
which he has been associated since prior to 1994. His address is
1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York 10105.
Kathleen A. Corbet, 39, Senior Vice President, is an
Executive Vice President of ACMC, with which she has been
associated since prior to 1994. Her address is 1345 Avenue of
the Americas, New York, New York 10105.
Wayne D. Lyski, 58, Senior Vice President, is an
Executive Vice President of ACMC, with which he has been
associated since prior to 1994. His address is 1345 Avenue of
the Americas, New York, New York 10105.
Tyler J. Smith, 61, Vice President, is a Senior Vice
President of ACMC, with which he has been associated since prior
to 1994. His address is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York,
New York 10105.
Andrew L. Gangolf, 45, Assistant Clerk, is a Vice
President and Assistant General Counsel of AFD, with which he has
been associated since December 1994. Prior thereto, he was Vice
President and Assistant Secretary of Delaware Management Co.,
Inc. His address is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New
York 10105.
Domenick Pugliese, 38, Assistant Clerk, is a Vice
President and Assistant General Counsel of AFD, with which he has
been associated since May 1995. Prior thereto, he was Vice
President and General Counsel of Concorde Holding Corporation
since prior to 1994. His address is 1345 Avenue of the Americas,
New York, New York 10105.
Emilie D. Wrapp, 43, Assistant Clerk, is a Vice
President and Assistant General Counsel of AFD, with which she
has been associated since prior to 1994. Her address is 1345
Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105.
37
<PAGE>
The aggregate compensation paid to each of the Trustees
by the Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998, the
aggregate compensation paid to each of the Trustees during
calendar year 1998 by all of the registered investment companies
to which the Adviser provides investment advisory services
(collectively, those "Alliance Fund Complex"), and the total
number of registered investment companies (and separate
investment portfolios within the companies)in the Alliance Fund
Complex with respect to which each Trustee serves as a director
or trustee, are set forth below. Neither the Fund nor any other
registered investment company in the Alliance Fund Complex
provides compensation in the form of pension or retirement
benefits to any of its directors or trustees. Each of the
Trustees is a director or trustee of one or more other registered
investment companies in the Alliance Fund Complex.
Total Number
of Investment
Total Number Portfolios
of Investment Within the
Companies in Alliance Fund
Total Com- the Alliance Complex,
pensation Fund Complex, Including
From the Including the the Fund,
Alliance Fund, as to as to which
Compensa- Fund which the the Trustee
tion from Complex, Trustee is is a
Growth Including a Director Director
Name of Trustee Fund the Fund or Trustee or Trustee*
_______________ ________ _________ ____________ _____________
John D. Carifa $-0- $-0- 50 114
Ruth Block $4,199 180,763 37 77
Richard W. Couper $5,500 90,500 2 18
David H. Dievler $-0- 216,288 44 86
John H. Dobkin $-0- 185,363 42 97
William H. Foulk, Jr. $4,199 241,003 45 109
Brenton W. Harries $5,400 92,000 2 18
James M. Hester $-0- 172,913 38 80
Clifford L. Michel $-0- 187,763 39 96
Donald J. Robinson $4,199 193,709 41 103
As of October 8, 1999, the Trustees and officers of the
Fund as a group owned less than 1% of the shares of the Fund.
The Trust undertakes to provide assistance to
shareholders in communications concerning the removal of any
Trustee of the Trust in accordance with Section 16 of the 1940
Act.
38
<PAGE>
______________________________________________________________
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
______________________________________________________________
Under the general supervision of the Board of Trustees,
the Adviser makes the Fund's portfolio decisions and determines
the broker to be used in each specific transaction with the
objective of negotiating a combination of the most favorable
commission and the best price obtainable on each transaction
(generally defined as best execution). When consistent with the
objective of obtaining best execution, brokerage may be directed
to persons or firms supplying investment information to the
Adviser. Neither the Fund nor the Adviser has entered into
agreements or understandings with any brokers regarding the
placement of securities transactions because of research services
they provide. To the extent that such persons or firms supply
investment information to the Adviser for use in rendering
investment advice to the Fund, such information may be supplied
at no cost to the Adviser and, therefore, may have the effect of
reducing the expenses of the Adviser in rendering advice to the
Fund. While it is impossible to place an actual dollar value on
such investment information, the Adviser believes its receipt
probably does not reduce the overall expenses of the Adviser to
any material extent.
The investment information provided to the Adviser is of
the type described in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, and is designed to augment the Adviser's
own internal research and investment strategy capabilities.
Research services furnished by brokers through which the Fund
effects securities transactions are used by the Adviser in
carrying out its investment management responsibilities with
respect to all its clients' accounts. There may be occasions
where the transaction cost charged by a broker may be greater
than that which another broker may charge if it is determined in
good faith that the amount of such transaction cost is reasonable
in relation to the value of brokerage and research services
provided by the executing broker.
The Fund may deal in some instances in securities which
are not listed on a national securities exchange but are traded
in the over-the-counter market. They may also purchase listed
securities through the third market. Where transactions are
executed in the over-the-counter market or third market, the Fund
will seek to deal with the primary market makers; but when
necessary in order to obtain best execution, they will utilize
the services of others.
Aggregate securities transactions for the Fund during
the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998 were $7,641,224,689 and,
39
<PAGE>
in connection therewith, brokerage commissions of $2,452,664
(39%) were allocated to persons or firms supplying research
information.
For the fiscal years ended October 31, 1998, 1997 and
1996, the Fund paid aggregate brokerage commissions of
$6,415,603, $3,231,153 and $3,395,225, respectively.
The extent to which commissions that will be charged by
broker-dealers selected by the Fund may reflect an element of
value for research cannot presently be determined. To the extent
that research services of value are provided by broker-dealers
with or through whom the Fund place portfolio transactions, the
Adviser may be relieved of expenses which it might otherwise
bear. Research services furnished by broker-dealers could be
useful and of value to the Adviser in servicing its other clients
as well as the Fund; on the other hand, certain research services
obtained by the Adviser as a result of the placement of portfolio
brokerage of other clients could be useful and of value to it in
servicing the Fund. Consistent with the Conduct Rules of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") and
subject to seeking best execution, the Fund may consider sales of
shares of the Fund or other investment companies managed by the
Adviser as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute
portfolio transactions for the Fund.
The Fund may from time to time place orders for the
purchase or sale of securities (including listed call options)
with Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation ("DLJ")
and with brokers which may have their transactions cleared or
settled, or both, by the Pershing Division of DLJ, for which DLJ
may receive a portion of the brokerage commissions. In such
instances, the placement of orders with such brokers would be
consistent with the Fund's objective of obtaining the best
execution and would not be dependent upon the fact that DLJ is an
affiliate of the Adviser. With respect to orders placed with DLJ
for execution on a national securities exchange, commissions
received must conform to Section 17(e)(2)(A) of the 1940 Act and
Rule 17e-1 thereunder, which permit an affiliated person of a
registered investment company (such as the Trust), or any
affiliated person of such person, to receive a brokerage
commission from such registered investment company provided that
such commission is reasonable and fair compared to the
commissions received by other brokers in connection with
comparable transactions involving similar securities during a
comparable period of time.
The brokerage transactions engaged in by the Fund with
DLJ and its affiliates during the fiscal year ended October 31,
1998 are set forth below:
40
<PAGE>
% of Fund's
% of Fund's Aggregate
Amount of Aggregate Dollar
Brokerage Brokerage Amount of
Commissions Commissions Transactions
___________ ___________ ____________
$30,458 0.47% 0.00%
______________________________________________________________
EXPENSES OF THE FUND
______________________________________________________________
In addition to the payments to the Adviser under the
Investment Advisory Contract described above, the Trust pays
certain other costs including (a) brokerage and commission
expenses, (b) federal, state and local taxes, including issue and
transfer taxes incurred by or levied on the Fund, (c) interest
charges on borrowing, (d) fees and expenses of registering the
shares of the Fund under the appropriate federal securities laws
and of qualifying shares of the Fund under applicable state
securities laws including expenses attendant upon renewing and
increasing such registrations and qualifications, (e) expenses of
printing and distributing the Fund's prospectuses and other
reports to shareholders, (f) costs of proxy solicitations,
(g) transfer agency fees described below, (h) charges and
expenses of the Trust's custodian, (i) compensation of the
Trust's officers, Trustees and employees who do not devote any
part of their time to the affairs of the Adviser or its
affiliates, (j) costs of stationery and supplies, and (k) such
promotional expenses as may be contemplated by the Distribution
Services Agreement described below.
DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS
Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act permits an investment
company to directly or indirectly pay expenses associated with
the distribution of its shares in accordance with a duly adopted
and approved plan. The Trust has adopted a plan for each class
of shares of the Fund (except the Advisor Class) pursuant to Rule
12b-1 (each a "Plan" and collectively the "Plans"). Pursuant to
the Plans, the Fund pays AFD (the "Principal Underwriter") a Rule
12b-1 distribution services fee which may not exceed an annual
rate of .50% of the Fund's aggregate average daily net assets
attributable to the Class A shares, 1.00% of the Fund's aggregate
average daily net assets attributable to the Class B shares and
1.00% of the Fund's aggregate average daily net assets
attributable to the Class C shares to compensate the Principal
Underwriter for distribution expenses. The Trustees currently
41
<PAGE>
limit payments under the Class A Plan to 0.30% of the Fund's
aggregate average daily net assets attributable to the Class A
shares. The Plans provide that a portion of the distribution
services fee in an amount not to exceed 0.25% of the aggregate
average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to the
Class A, Class B and Class C shares constitutes a service fee
that the Principal Underwriter will use for personal service
and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. The Plans also
provide that the Adviser may use its own resources, which may
include management fees received by the Adviser from the Trust or
other investment companies which it manages and the Adviser's
past profits, to finance the distribution of the Fund's shares.
In approving the Agreement, the Trustees of the Fund
determined that there was a reasonable likelihood that the
Agreement would benefit the Fund and its shareholders. The
distribution services fee of a particular class will not be used
to subsidize the provision of distribution services with respect
to any other class.
Each Plan may be terminated with respect to the class of
shares of any Fund to which the Plan relates by vote of a
majority of the Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the
Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in
the operation of the Plans or in any agreement related to the
Plans (the "Qualified Trustees"), or by vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of that class. Each Plan may be
amended by vote of the Trustees, including a majority of the
Qualified Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for that
purpose. Any change in a Plan that would materially increase the
distribution costs to the class of shares of any Fund to which
the Plan relates requires approval by the affected class of
shareholders of that Fund. The Trustees review quarterly a
written report of such distribution costs and the purposes for
which such costs have been incurred with respect to the Fund's
Class A, Class B and Class C shares. For so long as the Plans
are in effect, selection and nomination of those Trustees who are
not interested persons of the Trust shall be committed to the
discretion of such disinterested persons.
The Plans may be terminated with respect to any Fund or
class of shares thereof at any time on 60 days' written notice
without payment of any penalty by the Principal Underwriter or by
vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of that
Fund or that class (as appropriate) or by vote of a majority of
the Qualified Trustees. Each plan is of a type known as a
"compensation plan", which means that it compensates the
distributor regardless of its expenses.
The Plans will continue in effect with respect to the
Fund and each class of shares thereof for successive one-year
42
<PAGE>
periods, provided that each such continuance is specifically
approved (i) by the vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees
and (ii) by the vote of a majority of the entire Board of
Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose.
In the event that the Rule 12b-1 Plan is terminated or
not continued with respect to Class A shares, Class B shares or
Class C shares of the Fund, (i) no distribution services fees
(other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be
owed by the Fund to the Principal Underwriter with respect to
that class and (ii) the Fund would not be obligated to pay the
Principal Underwriter for any amounts expended under the
Agreement not previously recovered by the Principal Underwriter
from distribution services fees in respect of shares of such
class or through deferred sales charges.
The Principal Underwriter has informed the Trust that
expenses incurred by it and costs allocated to it in connection
with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of
Class A, Class B, and Class C shares, respectively, were as
follows for the periods indicated:
43
<PAGE>
Amount of Expense and Allocated Cost
___________________________________
Class A Shares Class B Shares Class C Shares
(For the Fiscal (For the Fiscal (For the Fiscal
year ended year ended year ended
October 31, October 31, October 31,
Category of Expense 1998) 1998) 1998)
___________________ ______________ _______________ _______________
Advertising/Marketing $161,149 $624,678 $128,098
Printing and Mailing
of Prospectuses and
Semi-Annual and
Annual Reports to
Other than Current
Shareholders $59,193 $225,606 $46,252
Compensation to
Underwriters $368,041 $1,380,543 $285,576
Compensation to
Dealers $2,745,622 $35,007,508 $6,637,598
Compensation to Sales
Personnel $418,308 $603,563 $125,444
Interest, Carrying or
Other Financing
Charges $0 $4,724,237 $794,396
Other (includes
personnel costs
of those home office
employees involved
in the distribution
effort and the
travel-related
expenses incurred
by the marketing
personnel conducting
seminars) $1,005,306 $1,927,442 $399,548
$4,757,619 $44,493,577 $8,416,912
========== =========== ==========
The Glass-Steagall Act and other applicable laws may
limit the ability of a bank or other depository institution to
44
<PAGE>
become an underwriter or distributor of securities. However, in
the opinion of the Fund's management, based on the advice of
counsel, these laws do not prohibit such depository institutions
from providing services for investment companies such as the
administrative, accounting and other services referred to in the
relevant dealer agreement. In the event that a change in these
laws prevented a bank from providing such services, it is
expected that other services arrangements would be made and that
shareholders would not be adversely affected.
CUSTODIAL ARRANGEMENTS
State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"),
225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA, 02110 acts as the Trust's
custodian, but plays no part in deciding the purchase or sale of
portfolio securities. Subject to the supervision of the Fund's
Trustees, State Street may enter into subcustodial agreements for
the holding of the Fund's securities outside of the United
States.
TRANSFER AGENCY ARRANGEMENTS
Alliance Fund Services, Inc., an indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Adviser, located at 500 Plaza Drive, Secaucus,
New Jersey 07094, receives a transfer agency fee per account
holder of the Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares
of the Trust, plus reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses. The
transfer agency fee with respect to the Class B and Class C
shares is higher than the transfer agency fee with respect to the
Class A and Advisor Class shares. For the fiscal year ended
October 31, 1998, the Fund paid AFS $5,809,132 for transfer
agency services.
________________________________________________________________
PURCHASE OF SHARES
________________________________________________________________
The following information supplements that set forth in
the Fund's Prospectus under the heading "Purchase and Sale of
Shares--How To Buy Shares."
GENERAL
Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuous basis at
a price equal to its net asset value plus an initial sales charge
at the time of purchase (the "Class A shares"), with a contingent
deferred sales charge (the "Class B shares"), without any initial
sales charge and, as long as the shares are held for one year or
more, without any contingent deferred sales charge ("Class C
shares"), or, to investors eligible to purchase Advisor Class
45
<PAGE>
shares, without any initial, contingent deferred or asset-based
sales charge ("Advisor Class Shares"), in each case as described
below. Shares of the Fund that are offered subject to a sales
charge are offered through (i) investment dealers that are
members of the NASD and have entered into selected dealer
agreements with the Principal Underwriter ("selected dealers"),
(ii) depository institutions and other financial intermediaries
or their affiliates, that have entered into selected agent
agreements with the Principal Underwriter ("selected agents"),
and (iii) the Principal Underwriter.
Advisor Class shares of the Fund may be purchased and
held solely (i) through accounts established under fee-based
programs, sponsored and maintained by registered broker-dealers
or other financial intermediaries and approved by the Principal
Underwriter, (ii) through self-directed defined contribution
employee benefit plans (e.g., 401(k) plans) that have at least
1,000 participants or $25 million in assets, or (iii) by the
categories of investors described in clauses (i) through (iv)
below under "--Sales at Net Asset Value" (other than officers,
directors and present and full-time employees of selected dealers
or agents, or relatives of such person, or any trust, individual
retirement account or retirement plan account for the benefit of
such relative, none of whom is eligible on the basis solely of
such status to purchase and hold Advisor Class shares), or (iv)
by directors and present or retired full-time employees of CB
Richard Ellis, Inc. Generally, a fee-based program must charge
an asset-based or other similar fee and must invest at least
$250,000 in Advisor Class shares of the Fund in order to be
approved by the Principal Underwriter for investment in Advisor
Class shares.
Investors may purchase shares of the Fund either through
selected broker-dealers, agents, financial intermediaries or
other financial representatives, or directly through the
Principal Underwriter. A transaction, service, administrative or
other similar fee may be charged by your broker-dealer, agent,
financial intermediary or other financial representative with
respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of Class A, Class B,
Class C or Advisor Class shares made through such financial
representative. Such financial representative may also impose
requirements with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of
shares that are different from, or in addition to, those imposed
by the Fund, including requirements as to the minimum initial and
subsequent investment amounts. Sales personnel of selected
dealers and agents distributing the Fund's shares may receive
differing compensation for selling Class A, Class B, Class C or
Advisor Class shares.
The Fund may refuse any order for the purchase of
shares. The Fund reserve the right to suspend the sale of its
46
<PAGE>
shares to the public in response to conditions in the securities
markets or for other reasons.
The public offering price of shares of the Fund is its
net asset value, plus, in the case of Class A shares, a sales
charge which will vary depending on the amount of the purchase
alternative chosen by the investor, as shown in the table below
under "Class A Shares." On each Fund business day on which a
purchase or redemption order is received by the Fund and trading
in the types of securities in which the Fund invests might
materially affect the value of Fund shares, the per share net
asset value is computed in accordance with the Trust's Agreement
and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws as of the next close of
regular trading on the Exchange (currently 4:00 p.m. Eastern
time) by dividing the value of the total assets attributable to a
class, less its liabilities, by the total number of its shares
then outstanding. The Fund business day is any day on which the
Exchange is open for trading.
The respective per share net asset values of the
Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares are expected
to be substantially the same. Under certain circumstances,
however, the per share net asset values of the Class B and
Class C shares may be lower than the per share net asset values
of the Class A and Advisor Class shares, as a result of the
differential daily expense accruals of the distribution and
transfer agency fees applicable with respect to those classes of
shares. Even under those circumstances, the per share net asset
values of the four classes eventually will tend to converge
immediately after the payment of dividends, which will differ by
approximately the amount of the expense accrual differential
among the classes.
The Fund will accept unconditional orders for its shares
to be executed at the public offering price equal to its net
asset value next determined (plus applicable Class A sales
charges), as described below. Orders received by the Principal
Underwriter prior to the close of regular trading on the Exchange
on each day the Exchange is open for trading are priced at the
net asset value computed as of the close of regular trading on
the Exchange on that day (plus applicable Class A sales charges).
In the case of orders for purchase of shares placed through
selected dealers, agents or financial representatives, as
applicable, the applicable public offering price will be the net
asset value as so determined, but only if the selected dealer,
agent or financial representative receives the order prior to the
close of regular trading on the Exchange and transmits it to the
Principal Underwriter prior to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. The
selected dealer, agent or financial representative, as
applicable, is responsible for transmitting such orders by
5:00 p.m. Eastern time (certain selected dealers, agents or
47
<PAGE>
financial representatives may enter into operating agreements
permitting them to transmit purchase information to the Principal
Underwriter after 5:00 p.m. Eastern time and receive that day's
net asset value). If the selected dealer, agent or financial
representative, as applicable, fails to do so, the investor's
right to purchase shares at that day's closing price must be
settled between the investor and the selected dealer, agent or
financial representative, as applicable. If the selected dealer,
agent or financial representative, as applicable, receives the
order after the close of regular trading on the Exchange, the
price will be based on the net asset value determined as of the
close of regular trading on the Exchange on the next day it is
open for trading.
Following the initial purchase of Fund shares, a
shareholder may place orders to purchase additional shares by
telephone if the shareholder has completed the appropriate
portion of the Subscription Application or an "Autobuy"
application, both of which may be obtained by calling the "For
Literature" telephone number shown on the cover of this Statement
of Additional Information. Except with respect to certain
omnibus accounts, telephone purchase orders may not exceed
$500,000. Payment for shares purchased by telephone can be made
only by Electronic Funds Transfer from a bank account maintained
by the shareholder at a bank that is a member of the National
Automated Clearing House Association ("NACHA"). If a
shareholder's telephone purchase request is received before
3:00 p.m. Eastern time on a Fund business day, the order to
purchase shares is automatically placed the following Fund
business day, and the applicable public offering price will be
the public offering price determined as of the close of business
on such following business day.
Full and fractional shares are credited to a
subscriber's account in the amount of his or her subscription. As
a convenience to the subscriber, and to avoid unnecessary expense
to the Fund, share certificates representing shares of the Fund
are not issued except upon written request to the Fund by the
shareholder or his or her authorized selected dealer or agent.
This facilitates later redemption and relieves the shareholder of
the responsibility for and inconvenience of lost or stolen
certificates. No certificates are issued for fractional shares,
although such shares remain in the shareholder's account on the
books of the Fund.
The Distributor may make payments to brokers (and, with
respect to servicing fees only, to certain banks and other
financial intermediaries) of up to %, % and % of
the average daily net assets attributable to Class A, Class B and
Class C shares held in the accounts of their customers or
clients.
48
<PAGE>
In addition to the discount or commission paid to
dealers or agents, the Principal Underwriter from time to time
pays additional cash or other incentives to dealers or agents, in
connection with the sale of shares of the Fund. Such additional
amounts may be utilized, in whole or in part, to provide
additional compensation to registered representatives who sell
shares of the Fund. On some occasions, such cash or other
incentives may take the form of payment for attendance at
seminars, meals, sporting events or theater performances, or
payment incurred in connection with travel, lodging and
entertainment incurred in connection with travel taken by persons
associated with a dealer or agent to locations within or outside
the United States. Such dealer or agent may elect to receive
cash incentives of equivalent amount in lieu of such payments.
Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares of
the Fund each represent an interest in the same portfolio of
investments of the Fund, have the same rights and are identical
in all respects, except that (i) Class A shares bear the expense
of the initial sales charge (or contingent deferred sales charge,
when applicable) and Class B and Class C generally shares bear
the expense of the deferred sales charge, (ii) Class B shares and
Class C shares each bear the expense of a higher distribution
services fee than that borne by Class A shares, and Advisor Class
shares do not bear such a fee, (iii) Class B and Class C shares
bear higher transfer agency costs than those borne by Class A and
Advisor Class shares, (iv) Class A, Class B and Class C shares
have exclusive voting rights with respect to provisions of the
Plan pursuant to which its distribution services fee is paid and
other matters for which separate class voting is appropriate
under applicable law, provided that, if the Fund submits to a
vote of the Class A shareholders an amendment to the Plan that
would materially increase the amount to be paid thereunder with
respect to the Class A shares, then such amendment will also be
submitted to the Class B and Advisor Class shareholders, and the
Class A shareholders, the Class B shareholders and the Advisor
Class shareholders will vote separately by class and (v) Class B
and Advisor Class shares are subject to a conversion feature.
Each class has different exchange privileges and certain
different shareholder service options available.
The Trustees of the Trust have determined that currently
no conflict of interest exists between or among the Class A,
Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares. On an ongoing basis,
the Trustees of the Trust, pursuant to their fiduciary duties
under the 1940 Act and state law, will seek to ensure that no
such conflict arises.
49
<PAGE>
ALTERNATIVE RETAIL PURCHASE ARRANGEMENTS --
CLASS A, CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES**
The alternative purchase arrangements available with
respect to Class A, Class B and Class C shares permit an investor
to choose the method of purchasing shares that is most beneficial
given the amount of the purchase, the length of time the investor
expects to hold the shares, and other circumstances. Investors
should consider whether, during the anticipated life of their
investment in the Fund, the accumulated distribution services fee
and contingent deferred sales charges on Class B shares prior to
conversion, or the accumulated distribution services fee and
contingent deferred sales charges on Class C shares, would be
less than the initial sales charge and accumulated distribution
services fee on Class A shares purchased at the same time, and to
what extent such differential would be offset by the higher
return of Class A shares. Class A shares will normally be more
beneficial than Class B shares to the investor who qualifies for
reduced initial sales charges on Class A shares, as described
below. In this regard, the Principal Underwriter will reject any
order (except orders from certain retirement plans and certain
employee benefit plans) for more than $250,000 for Class B
shares. (See Appendix B for information concerning the
eligibility of certain employee benefit plans to purchase Class B
shares at net asset value without being subject to a contingent
deferred sales charge and the ineligibility of certain such plans
to purchase Class A shares.) Class C shares will normally not be
suitable for the investor who qualifies to purchase Class A
shares at net asset value. For this reason, the Principal
Underwriter will reject any order for more than $1,000,000 for
Class C shares.
Class A shares are subject to a lower distribution
services fee and, accordingly, pay correspondingly higher
dividends per share than Class B shares or Class C shares.
However, because initial sales charges are deducted at the time
of purchase, investors purchasing Class A shares would not have
all their funds invested initially and, therefore, would
initially own fewer shares. Investors qualifying for reduced
initial sales charges who expect to maintain their investment for
an extended period of time might consider purchasing Class A
shares because the accumulated continuing distribution charges on
Class B shares or Class C shares may exceed the initial sales
charge on Class A shares during the life of the investment.
Again, however, such investors must weigh this consideration
against the fact that, because of such initial sales charges, not
all their funds will be invested initially.
____________________
** Advisor Class shares are sold only to investors described
above in this section under "--General."
50
<PAGE>
Other investors might determine that it would be more
advantageous to purchase Class B shares or Class C shares in
order to have all their funds invested initially, although
remaining subject to higher continuing distribution charges and
being subject to a contingent deferred sales charge for a four-
year and one-year period, respectively. For example, based on
current fees and expenses, an investor subject to the 4.25%
initial sales charge on Class A shares would have to hold his or
her investment approximately seven years for the Class C
distribution services fee to exceed the initial sales charge plus
the accumulated distribution services fee of Class A shares. In
this example, an investor intending to maintain his or her
investment for a longer period might consider purchasing Class A
shares. This example does not take into account the time value
of money, which further reduces the impact of the Class C
distribution services fees on the investment, fluctuations in net
asset value or the effect of different performance assumptions.
Those investors who prefer to have all of their funds
invested initially but may not wish to retain Fund shares for the
four-year period during which Class B shares are subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge may find it more advantageous to
purchase Class C shares.
During the Fund's fiscal year ended October 31, 1998,
the aggregate amount of underwriting commissions payable with
respect to Class A shares of the Fund was $6,146,818 of which
$225,295, representing that portion of the sales charges paid on
Class A shares of the Fund sold during the year which was not
reallowed to selected dealers, was retained by the Principal
Underwriter. During the Fund's fiscal year ended October 31,
1998, the Principal Underwriter received $9,744 in contingent
deferred sales charges. During the Fund's fiscal year ended
October 31, 1997, the aggregate amount of underwriting
commissions payable with respect to Class A shares of the Fund
was $5,837,510, of which $216,796, representing that portion of
the sales charges paid on Class A shares of the Fund sold during
the year which was not reallowed to selected dealers, was
retained by the Principal Underwriter. During the Fund's fiscal
year ended October 31, 1997, the Principal Underwriter received
$9,882 in contingent deferred sales charges. During the Fund's
fiscal year ended October 31, 1996, the aggregate amount of
underwriting commissions payable with respect to Class A shares
of the Fund was $6,003,066, of which $231,038, representing that
portion of the sales charges paid on Class A shares of the Fund
sold during the year which was not reallowed to selected dealers,
was retained by the Principal Underwriter. During the Fund's
fiscal year ended October 31, 1996, the Principal Underwriter
received $2,632,819 in contingent deferred sales charges.
51
<PAGE>
CLASS A SHARES
The public offering price of Class A shares is the net
asset value plus a sales charge, as set forth below:.
Sales Charge
____________
Discount or
Commission
As % of to Dealers
As % of the or Agents
Net Public As % of
Amount of Amount Offering Offering
Purchase Invested Price Price
_________ ________ ________ ___________
Less than
$100,000 . . . 4.44% 4.25% 4.00%
$100,000 but
less than
$250,000 . . . 3.36 3.25 3.00
$250,000 but
less than
$500,000 . . . 2.30 2.25 2.00
$500,000 but
less than
$1,000,000*. . 1.78 1.75 1.50
____________________
* There is no initial sales charge on transactions of $1,000,000
or more.
With respect to purchases of $1,000,000 or more, Class A
shares redeemed within one year of purchase will be subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge equal to 1% of the lesser of the
cost of the shares being redeemed or their net asset value at the
time of redemption. Accordingly, no sales charge will be imposed
on increases in net asset value above the initial purchase price.
In addition, no charge will be assessed on shares derived from
reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions. In
determining the contingent deferred sales charge applicable to a
redemption of Class A shares, it will be assumed that the
redemption is, first, of any shares that are not subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge (for example, because an initial
sales charge was paid with respect to the shares, or they have
been held beyond the period during which the charge applies or
were acquired upon the reinvestment of dividends or
distributions) and second, of shares held longest during the time
they are subject to the sales charge. Proceeds from the
contingent deferred sales charge on Class A shares are paid to
52
<PAGE>
the Principal Underwriter and are used by the Principal
Underwriter to defray the expenses of the Principal Underwriter
related to providing distribution-related services to the Fund in
connection with sales of Class A shares, such as the payment of
compensation to selected dealers or agents for selling Class A
shares. With respect to purchases of $1,000,000 or more made
through selected dealers or agents, the Adviser may, pursuant to
the Distribution Services Agreement described above, pay such
dealers or agents from its own resources a fee of up to 1% of the
amount invested to compensate such dealers or agents for their
distribution assistance in connection with such purchases.
No initial sales charge is imposed on Class A shares
issued (i) pursuant to the automatic reinvestment of income
dividends or capital gains distributions, (ii) in exchange for
Class A shares of other "Alliance Mutual Funds" (as that term is
defined under "Combined Purchase Privilege" below), except that
an initial sales charge will be imposed on Class A shares issued
in exchange for Class A shares of AFD Exchange Reserves ("AFDER")
that were purchased for cash without the payment of an initial
sales charge and without being subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge or (iii) upon the automatic conversion of Class B
shares or Advisor Class shares as described below under "Class B
Shares--Conversion Feature" and "--Conversion of Advisor Class
Shares to Class A Shares." The Fund receives the entire net asset
value of its Class A shares sold to investors. The Principal
Underwriter's commission is the sales charge shown in the
Prospectus less any applicable discount or commission "reallowed"
to selected dealers and agents. The Principal Underwriter will
reallow discounts to selected dealers and agents in the amounts
indicated in the table above. In this regard, the Principal
Underwriter may elect to reallow the entire sales charge to
selected dealers and agents for all sales with respect to which
orders are placed with the Principal Underwriter. A selected
dealer who receives a reallowance in excess of 90% of such a
sales charge may be deemed to be an "underwriter" under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Investors choosing the initial sales charge alternative
may under certain circumstances be entitled to pay (i) no initial
sales charge (but be subject in most such cases to a contingent
deferred sales charge) or (ii) a reduced initial sales charge.
The circumstances under which such investors may pay a reduced
initial sales charge are described below.
COMBINED PURCHASE PRIVILEGE. Certain persons may
qualify for the sales charge reductions indicated in the schedule
of such charges shown above by combining purchases of shares of
the Fund into a single "purchase," if the resulting "purchase"
totals at least $100,000. The term "purchase" refers to: (i) a
single purchase by an individual, or two concurrent purchases,
53
<PAGE>
which in the aggregate are at least equal to the prescribed
amounts, by an individual, his or her spouse and their children
under the age of 21 years purchasing shares of the Fund for his,
her or their own account(s); (ii) a single purchase by a trustee
or other fiduciary purchasing shares for a single trust, estate
or single fiduciary account although more than one beneficiary is
involved; or (iii) a single purchase for the employee benefit
plans of a single employer. The term "purchase" also includes
purchases by any "company," as that term is defined in the 1940
Act, but does not include purchases by any such company which has
not been in existence for at least six months or which has no
purpose other than the purchase of shares of the Fund or shares
of other registered investment companies at a discount. The term
"purchase" does not include purchases by any group of individuals
whose sole organizational nexus is that the participants therein
are credit card holders of a company, policy holders of an
insurance company, customers of either a bank or broker-dealer or
clients of an investment adviser. A "purchase" may also include
shares, purchased at the same time through a single selected
dealer or agent, of any other "Alliance Mutual Fund." Currently,
the Alliance Mutual Funds include:
AFD Exchange Reserves
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund, Inc.
Alliance Balanced Shares, Inc.
Alliance Bond Fund, Inc.
-Corporate Bond Portfolio
-Quality Bond Portfolio
-U.S. Government Portfolio
Alliance Global Dollar Government Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Environment Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Strategic Income Trust, Inc.
Alliance Greater China '97 Fund, Inc.
Alliance Growth and Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance Health Care Fund, Inc.
Alliance High Yield Fund, Inc.
Alliance International Fund
Alliance International Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
Alliance Limited Maturity Government Fund, Inc.
Alliance Mortgage Securities Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust, Inc.
Alliance Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
-California Portfolio
-Insured California Portfolio
-Insured National Portfolio
-National Portfolio
-New York Portfolio
Alliance Municipal Income Fund II
-Arizona Portfolio
-Florida Portfolio
54
<PAGE>
-Massachusetts Portfolio
-Michigan Portfolio
-Minnesota Portfolio
-New Jersey Portfolio
-Ohio Portfolio
-Pennsylvania Portfolio
-Virginia Portfolio
Alliance New Europe Fund, Inc.
Alliance North American Government Income Trust, Inc.
Alliance Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
Alliance Quasar Fund, Inc.
Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc.
Alliance Technology Fund, Inc.
Alliance Utility Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund, Inc.
The Alliance Fund, Inc.
The Alliance Portfolios
-Alliance Conservative Investors Fund
-Alliance Growth Fund
-Alliance Growth Investors Fund
-Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund
Prospectuses for the Alliance Mutual Funds may be
obtained without charge by contacting AFS at the address or the
"For Literature" telephone number shown on the front cover of
this Statement of Additional Information.
CUMULATIVE QUANTITY DISCOUNT (RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION). An
investor's purchase of additional Class A shares of the Fund may
qualify for a Cumulative Quantity Discount. The applicable sales
charge will be based on the total of:
(i) the investor's current purchase;
(ii) the net asset value (at the close of
business on the previous day) of (a) all
shares of the Fund held by the investor and
(b) all shares of any other Alliance Mutual
Fund held by the investor; and
(iii) the net asset value of all shares described
in paragraph (ii) owned by another
shareholder eligible to combine his or her
purchase with that of the investor into a
single "purchase" (see above).
For example, if an investor owned shares of an Alliance
Mutual Fund worth $200,000 at their then-current net asset value,
and subsequently purchased Class A shares of the Fund worth an
additional $100,000, the sales charge for the $100,000 purchase
55
<PAGE>
would be at the 2.25% rate applicable to a single $300,000
purchase of shares of the Fund, rather than the 3.25% rate.
To qualify for the Combined Purchase Privilege or to
obtain the Cumulative Quantity Discount on a purchase through a
selected dealer or agent, the investor or selected dealer or
agent must provide the Principal Underwriter with sufficient
information to verify that each purchase qualifies for the
privilege or discount.
STATEMENT OF INTENTION. Class A investors may also
obtain the reduced sales charges shown in the table above by
means of a written Statement of Intention, which expresses the
investor's intention to invest not less than $100,000 within a
period of 13 months in Class A shares (or Class A, Class B,
Class C and/or Advisor Class shares) of the Fund or any other
Alliance Mutual Fund. Each purchase of shares under a Statement
of Intention will be made at the public offering price or prices
applicable at the time of such purchase to a single transaction
of the dollar amount indicated in the Statement of Intention. At
the investor's option, a Statement of Intention may include
purchases of shares of the Fund or any other Alliance Mutual Fund
made not more than 90 days prior to the date that the investor
signs the Statement of Intention; however, the 13-month period
during which the Statement of Intention is in effect will begin
on the date of the earliest purchase to be included.
Investors qualifying for the Combined Purchase Privilege
described above may purchase shares of the Alliance Mutual Funds
under a single Statement of Intention. For example, if at the
time an investor signs a Statement of Intention to invest at
least $100,000 in Class A shares of the Fund, the investor and
the investor's spouse each purchase shares of the Fund worth
$20,000 (for a total of $40,000), it will only be necessary to
invest a total of $60,000 during the following 13 months in
shares of the Fund or any other Alliance Mutual Fund to qualify
for the 3.25% sales charge on the total amount being invested
(the sales charge applicable to an investment of $100,000).
The Statement of Intention is not a binding obligation
upon the investor to purchase the full amount indicated. The
minimum initial investment under a Statement of Intention is 5%
of such amount. Shares purchased with the first 5% of such
amount will be held in escrow (while remaining registered in the
name of the investor) to secure payment of the higher initial
sales charge applicable to the shares actually purchased if the
full amount indicated is not purchased, and such escrowed shares
will be involuntarily redeemed to pay the additional sales
charge, if necessary. Dividends on escrowed shares, whether paid
in cash or reinvested in additional Fund shares, are not subject
to escrow. When the full amount indicated has been purchased,
56
<PAGE>
the escrow will be released. To the extent that an investor
purchases more than the dollar amount indicated on the Statement
of Intention and qualifies for a further reduced sales charge,
the sales charge will be adjusted for the entire amount purchased
at the end of the 13-month period. The difference in the sales
charge will be used to purchase additional shares of the Fund
subject to the rate of the sales charge applicable to the actual
amount of the aggregate purchases.
Investors wishing to enter into a Statement of Intention
in conjunction with their initial investment in Class A shares of
the Fund should complete the appropriate portion of the
Subscription Application found in the Prospectus while current
Class A shareholders desiring to do so can obtain a form of
Statement of Intention by contacting AFS at the address or
telephone numbers shown on the cover of this Statement of
Additional Information.
CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS. Multiple participant payroll
deduction retirement plans may also purchase shares of the Fund
or any other Alliance Mutual Fund at a reduced sales charge on a
monthly basis during the 13-month period following such a plan's
initial purchase. The sales charge applicable to such initial
purchase of shares of the Fund will be that normally applicable,
under the schedule of sales charges set forth above, to an
investment 13 times larger than such initial purchase. The sales
charge applicable to each succeeding monthly purchase will be
that normally applicable, under such schedule, to an investment
equal to the sum of (i) the total purchases previously made
during the 13-month period and (ii) the current month's purchase
multiplied by the number of months (including the current month)
remaining in the 13-month period. Sales charges previously paid
during such period will not be retroactively adjusted on the
basis of later purchases.
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE. A shareholder who has caused
any or all of his or her Class A or Class B shares of the Fund to
be redeemed or repurchased may reinvest all or any portion of the
redemption or repurchase proceeds in Class A shares of the Fund
at net asset value without any sales charge, provided that
(i) such reinvestment is made within 120 calendar days after the
redemption or repurchase date and (ii) for Class B shares, a
contingent deferred sales charge has been paid and the Principal
Underwriter has approved, at its discretion, the reinstatement of
such shares. Shares are sold to a reinvesting shareholder at the
net asset value next determined as described above. A
reinstatement pursuant to this privilege will not cancel the
redemption or repurchase transaction; therefore, any gain or loss
so realized will be recognized for federal tax purposes except
that no loss will be recognized to the extent that the proceeds
are reinvested in shares of the Fund within 30 calendar days
57
<PAGE>
after the redemption or repurchase transaction. Investors may
exercise the reinstatement privilege by written request sent to
the Fund at the address shown on the cover of this Statement of
Additional Information.
SALES AT NET ASSET VALUE. The Fund may sell its Class A
shares at net asset value (i.e., without any initial sales
charge) and without any contingent deferred sales charge to
certain categories of investors including: (i) investment
management clients of the Adviser or its affiliates;
(ii) officers and present or former Trustees of the Trust;
present or former directors and trustees of other investment
companies managed by the Adviser; present or retired full-time
employees of the Adviser, the Principal Underwriter, AFS and
their affiliates; officers and directors of ACMC, the Principal
Underwriter, AFS and their affiliates; officers, directors and
present and full-time employees of selected dealers or agents; or
the spouse, sibling, direct ancestor or direct descendant
(collectively, "relatives") of any such person; any trust,
individual retirement account or retirement plan account for the
benefit of any such person or relative; or the estate of any such
person or relative, if such shares are purchased for investment
purposes (such shares may not be resold except to the relevant
Fund); (iii) the Adviser, the Principal Underwriter, AFS and
their affiliates; certain employee benefit plans for employees of
the Adviser, the Principal Underwriter, AFS and their affiliates;
(iv) registered investment advisers or other financial
intermediaries who charge a management, consulting or other fee
for their service and who purchase shares through a broker or
agent approved by the Principal Underwriter and clients of such
registered investment advisers or financial intermediaries whose
accounts are linked to the master account of such investment
adviser or financial intermediary on the books of such approved
broker or agent; (v) persons participating in a fee-based
program, sponsored and maintained by a registered broker-
dealer or other financial intermediary and approved by the
Principal Underwriter, pursuant to which such persons pay an
asset-based fee to such broker-dealer or financial intermediary,
or its affiliate or agent, for services in the nature of
investment advisory or administrative services; (vi) persons who
establish to the Principal Underwriter's satisfaction that they
are investing in the Fund, within such time period as may be
designated by the Principal Underwriter, proceeds of redemption
of shares of such other registered investment companies as may be
designated from time to time by the Principal Underwriter; and
(vii) employer-sponsored qualified pension or profit-sharing
plans (including Section 401(k) plans), custodial accounts
maintained pursuant to Section 403(b)(7) retirement plans and
individual retirement accounts (including individual retirement
accounts to which simplified employee pension (SEP) contributions
are made), if such plans or accounts are established or
58
<PAGE>
administered under programs sponsored by administrators or other
persons that have been approved by the Principal Underwriter.
Class B Shares
Investors may purchase Class B shares at the public
offering price equal to the net asset value per share of the
Class B shares on the date of purchase without the imposition of
a sales charge at the time of purchase. The Class B shares are
sold without an initial sales charge so that the Fund will
receive the full amount of the investor's purchase payment.
Proceeds from the contingent deferred sales charge on
the Class B shares are paid to the Principal Underwriter and are
used by the Principal Underwriter to defray the expenses of the
Principal Underwriter related to providing distribution-related
services to the Fund in connection with the sale of the Class B
shares, such as the payment of compensation to selected dealers
and agents for selling Class B shares. The combination of the
contingent deferred sales charge and the distribution services
fee enables the Fund to sell Class B shares without a sales
charge being deducted at the time of purchase. The higher
distribution services fee incurred by Class B shares will cause
such shares to have a higher expense ratio and to pay lower
dividends than those related to Class A shares.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE. Class B shares that
are redeemed within four years of purchase will generally be
subject to a contingent deferred sales charge at the rates set
forth below, charged as a percentage of the dollar amount subject
thereto. The charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the
lesser of the cost of the shares being redeemed or their net
asset value at the time of redemption. Accordingly, no sales
charge will be imposed on increases in net asset value above the
initial purchase price. In addition, no charge will be assessed
on shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions.
To illustrate, assume that on or after November 19, 1993
an investor purchased 100 Class B shares at $10 per share (at a
cost of $1,000) and in the second year after purchase the net
asset value per share is $12 and, during such time, the investor
has acquired 10 additional Class B shares upon dividend
reinvestment. If at such time the investor makes his or her
first redemption of 50 Class B shares (proceeds of $600), 10
Class B shares will not be subject to charge because of dividend
reinvestment. With respect to the remaining 40 Class B shares,
the charge is applied only to the original cost of $10 per share
and not to the increase in net asset value of $2 per share.
Therefore, $400 of the $600 redemption proceeds will be charged
59
<PAGE>
at a rate of 3.0% (the applicable rate in the second year after
purchase).
The amount of the contingent deferred sales charge, if
any, will vary depending on the number of years from the time of
payment for the purchase of Class B shares until the time of
redemption of such shares.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge for the
Fund as a % of Dollar Amount
_________________________________________
Shares purchased
on or after Shares
August 2, 1993, purchased
Year Since but before on or after
Purchase November 19, 1993 November 19, 1993
__________ _________________ _________________
First 5.50% 4.00%
Second 4.50% 3.00%
Third 3.50% 2.00%
Fourth 2.50% 1.00%
Fifth 1.50 None
Sixth None None
In determining the contingent deferred sales charge
applicable to a redemption of Class B shares, it will be assumed
that the redemption is, first, of any shares that were acquired
upon the reinvestment of dividends or distributions and, second,
of shares held longest during the time they are subject to the
sales charge. When shares acquired in an exchange are redeemed,
the applicable contingent deferred sales charge and conversion
schedules will be the schedules that applied at the time of the
purchase of shares of the corresponding class of the Alliance
Mutual Fund originally purchased by the shareholder.
The contingent deferred sales charge is waived on
redemptions of shares (i) following the death or disability of a
shareholder, (ii) to the extent that the redemption represents a
minimum required distribution from an individual retirement
account or other retirement plan to a shareholder who has
attained the age of 70-1/2, (iii) that had been purchased by
present or former Trustees of the Trust, by the relative of any
such person, by any trust, individual retirement account or
retirement plan account for the benefit of any such person or
relative, or by the estate of any such person or relative, or
(iv) pursuant to a systematic withdrawal plan (see Appendix B and
"Shareholder Services--Systematic Withdrawal Plan" below).
60
<PAGE>
CONVERSION FEATURE. Class B shares purchased on or
after August 2, 1993 and held for eight years after the end of
the calendar month in which the shareholder's purchase order was
accepted will automatically convert to Class A shares. Class B
shares purchased before August 2, 1993 and held for six years
after the calendar month in which the shareholder's purchase
order was accepted will automatically convert to Class A shares
at the end of this period and such shares will no longer be
subject to a higher distribution services fee. Such conversions
will occur on the basis of the relative net asset values of the
two classes, without the imposition of any sales load, fee or
other charge. The purpose of the conversion feature is to reduce
the distribution services fee paid by holders of Class B shares
that have been outstanding long enough for the Principal
Underwriter to have been compensated for distribution expenses
incurred in the sale of such shares.
For purposes of conversion to Class A shares, Class B
shares purchased through the reinvestment of dividends and
distributions paid in respect of Class B shares in a
shareholder's account will be considered to be held in a separate
sub-account. Each time any Class B shares in the shareholder's
account (other than those in the sub-account) convert to Class A
shares, an equal pro-rata portion of the Class B shares in the
sub-account will also convert to Class A shares.
The conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares is
subject to the continuing availability of an opinion of counsel
to the effect that the conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares does not constitute a taxable event under federal income
tax law. The conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares may
be suspended if such an opinion is no longer available at the
time such conversion is to occur. In that event, no further
conversions of Class B shares would occur, and shares might
continue to be subject to the higher distribution services fee
for an indefinite period, which may extend beyond the period
ending eight years after the end of the calendar month in which
the shareholder's purchase order was accepted.
CLASS C SHARES
Investors may purchase Class C shares at the public
offering price equal to the net asset value per share of the
Class C shares on the date of purchase without the imposition of
a sales charge either at the time of purchase or, as long as the
shares are held for at least one year, upon redemption. Class C
shares are sold without an initial sales charge, so that the Fund
will receive the full amount of the investor's purchase payment
and, as long as the shares are held for one year or more, without
a contingent deferred sales charge so that the investor will
receive as proceeds upon redemption the entire net asset value of
61
<PAGE>
his or her Class C shares. The Class C distribution services fee
enables the Fund to sell Class C shares without either an initial
or contingent deferred sales charge, as long as the shares are
held for one year or more. Class C shares do not convert to any
other class of shares of the Fund and incur higher distribution
services fees and transfer agency costs than Class A shares and
Advisor Class shares, and will thus have a higher expense ratio
and pay correspondingly lower dividends than Class A shares and
Advisor Class shares.
Class C shares that are redeemed within one year of
purchase will be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of
1% of the lesser of the cost of shares being redeemed or net
asset value at the time of redemption. Accordingly, no sales
charge will be imposed on increases in net asset value above the
initial purchase price. In addition, no charge will be assessed
on shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions. The contingent deferred sales charge on Class C
shares will be waived on certain redemptions, as described above
under "--Class B Shares."
In determining the contingent deferred sales charge
applicable to a redemption of Class C shares, it will be assumed
that the redemption is, first, of any shares that are not subject
to a contingent deferred sales charge (for example, because the
shares have been held beyond the period during which the charge
applies or were acquired upon the reinvestment of dividends or
distributions) and, second, of shares held longest during the
time they are subject to the sales charge.
Proceeds from the contingent deferred sales charge are
paid to the Principal Underwriter and are used by the Principal
Underwriter to defray the expenses of the Principal Underwriter
related to providing distribution-related services to the Fund in
connection with the sale of the Class C shares, such as the
payment of compensation to selected dealers and agents for
selling Class C shares. The combination of the contingent
deferred sales charge and the distribution services fee enables
the Fund to sell the Class C shares without a sales charge being
deducted at the time of purchase. The higher distribution
services fee incurred by Class C shares will cause such shares to
have a higher expense ratio and to pay lower dividends than those
related to Class A and Advisor Class shares.
CONVERSION OF ADVISOR CLASS SHARES TO CLASS A SHARES
Advisor Class shares may be held solely through the fee-
based program accounts and employee benefit plans and registered
investment advisory or other financial intermediary relationships
described above under "Purchase of Shares-- General," and by
investment advisory clients of, and certain other persons
62
<PAGE>
associated with, the Adviser and its affiliates or the Trust. If
(i) a holder of Advisor Class shares ceases to participate in the
fee-based program or plan, or to be associated with the
investment adviser or financial intermediary that satisfies the
requirements to purchase shares set forth under "Purchase of
Shares--General" or (ii) the holder is otherwise no longer
eligible to purchase Advisor Class shares as described in the
Advisor Class Prospectus and this Statement of Additional
Information (each, a "Conversion Event"), then all Advisor Class
shares held by the shareholder will convert automatically to
Class A shares of the same Fund during the calendar month
following the month in which the Fund is informed of the
occurrence of the Conversion Event. The Fund will provide the
shareholder with at least 30 days' notice of conversion. The
failure of a shareholder or a fee-based program to satisfy the
minimum investment requirements to purchase Advisor Class shares
will not constitute a Conversion Event. The conversion would
occur on the basis of the relative net asset values of the two
classes and without the imposition of any sales load, fee or
other charge. Class A shares currently bear a .30% distribution
services fee. As a result, Class A shares have a higher expense
ratio and may pay correspondingly lower dividends and have a
lower net asset value than Advisor Class shares.
The conversion of Advisor Class shares to Class A shares
is subject to the continuing availability of an opinion of
counsel to the effect that the conversion of Advisor Class shares
to Class A shares does not constitute a taxable event under
federal income tax law. The conversion of Advisor Class shares
to Class A shares may be suspended if such an opinion is no
longer available at the time such conversion is to occur. In
that event, the Advisor Class shareholder whose Advisor Class
shares would otherwise convert to Class A shares would be
required to redeem his or her Advisor Class shares, which would
constitute a taxable event under federal income tax law.
________________________________________________________________
REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE OF SHARES
________________________________________________________________
The following information supplements that set forth in
the Fund's Prospectus under the heading "Purchase and Sale of
Shares -- How to Sell Shares." If you are an Advisor Class
shareholder through an account established under a fee-based
program, your fee-based program may impose requirements with
respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of Advisor Class shares
of the Fund that are different from those described herein. A
transaction fee may be charged by your financial representative
with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of Advisor Class
shares made through such financial representative.
63
<PAGE>
REDEMPTION
Subject only to the limitations described below, the
Fund will redeem the shares tendered to them, as described below,
at a redemption price equal to their net asset value as next
computed following the receipt of shares tendered for redemption
in proper form. Except for any contingent deferred sales charge
which may be applicable to Class A, Class B or Class C shares,
there is no redemption charge. Payment of the redemption price
will be made within seven days after the Fund's receipt of such
tender for redemption. If a shareholder is in doubt about what
documents are required by his or her fee-based program or
employee benefit plan, the shareholder should contact his or her
financial representative.
The right of redemption may not be suspended or the date
of payment upon redemption postponed for more than seven days
after shares are tendered for redemption, except for any period
during which the Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend
and holiday closings) or during which the SEC determines that
trading thereon is restricted, or for any period during which an
emergency (as determined by the SEC) exists as a result of which
disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably
practicable or as a result of which it is not reasonably
practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net
assets, or for such other periods as the SEC may by order permit
for the protection of security holders of the Fund.
Payment of the redemption price will be made in cash.
The value of a shareholder's shares on redemption or repurchase
may be more or less than the cost of such shares to the
shareholder, depending upon the market value of the Fund's
portfolio securities at the time of such redemption or
repurchase. Redemption proceeds from Class A, Class B and
Class C shares will reflect the deduction of the contingent
deferred sales charge, if any. Payment received by a shareholder
upon redemption or repurchase of his or her shares, assuming the
shares constitute capital assets in his or her hands, will result
in long-term or short-term capital gain (or loss) depending upon
the shareholder's holding period and basis in respect of the
shares redeemed.
To redeem shares of the Fund for which no share
certificates have been issued, the registered owner or owners may
forward a letter to the Fund containing a request for redemption.
The signature or signatures on the letter must be guaranteed by
an "eligible guarantor institution" as defined in Rule 17Ad-15
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
To redeem shares of the Fund represented by share
certificates, the investor should forward the appropriate share
64
<PAGE>
certificate or certificates, endorsed in blank or with blank
stock powers attached, to the Fund with the request that the
shares represented thereby, or a specified portion thereof, be
redeemed. The stock assignment form on the reverse side of each
share certificate surrendered to the Fund for redemption must be
signed by the registered owner or owners exactly as the
registered name appears on the face of the certificate or,
alternatively, a stock power signed in the same manner may be
attached to the share certificate or certificates or, where
tender is made by mail, separately mailed to the relevant Fund.
The signature or signatures on the assignment form must be
guaranteed in the manner described above.
TELEPHONE REDEMPTION BY ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER. Each
Fund shareholder is entitled to request redemption by electronic
funds transfer of shares for which no share certificates have
been issued by telephone at (800) 221-5672 by a shareholder who
has completed the appropriate portion of the Subscription
Application found in the Prospectus or, in the case of an
existing shareholder, an "Autosell" application obtained from
AFS. A telephone redemption request by electronic funds transfer
may not exceed $100,000 (except for certain omnibus accounts),
and must be made by 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on a Fund business day
as defined above. Proceeds of telephone redemptions will be sent
by electronic funds transfer to a shareholder's designated bank
account at a bank selected by the shareholder that is a member of
the NACHA.
TELEPHONE REDEMPTION BY CHECK. Each Fund shareholder is
eligible to request redemption by check of Fund shares for which
no share certificates have been issued, by telephone at
(800) 221-5672 before 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on a Fund business
day in an amount not exceeding $50,000. Proceeds of such
redemptions are remitted by check to the shareholder's address of
record. A shareholder otherwise eligible for telephone redemption
by check may cancel the privilege by written instruction to AFS,
or by checking the appropriate box on the Subscription
Application found in the Prospectus.
TELEPHONE REDEMPTIONS--GENERAL. During periods of
drastic economic or market developments, such as the market break
of October 1987, it is possible that shareholders would have
difficulty in reaching AFS by telephone (although no such
difficulty was apparent at any time in connection with the 1987
market break). If a shareholder were to experience such
difficulty, the shareholder should issue written instructions to
AFS at the address shown on the cover of this Statement of
Additional Information. The Fund reserves the right to suspend or
terminate its telephone redemption service at any time without
notice. Telephone redemption is not available with respect to
shares (i) for which certificates have been issued, (ii) held in
65
<PAGE>
nominee or "street name" accounts, (iii) held by a shareholder
who has changed his or her address of record within the preceding
30 calendar days or (iv) held in any retirement plan account.
Neither the Fund nor the Adviser, the Principal Underwriter nor
AFS will be responsible for the authenticity of telephone
requests for redemptions that the Fund reasonably believes to be
genuine. The Fund will employ reasonable procedures in order to
verify that telephone requests for redemptions are genuine,
including, among others, recording such telephone instructions
and causing written confirmations of the resulting transactions
to be sent to shareholders. If the Fund did not employ such
procedures, it could be liable for losses arising from
unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions. Selected
dealers or agents may charge a commission for handling telephone
requests for redemptions.
REPURCHASE
The Fund may repurchase shares through the Principal
Underwriter, selected financial intermediaries or selected
dealers or agents. The repurchase price will be the net asset
value next determined after the Principal Underwriter receives
the request (less the contingent deferred sales charge, if any,
with respect to the Class A, Class B and Class C shares), except
that requests placed through selected dealers or agents before
the close of regular trading on the Exchange on any day will be
executed at the net asset value determined as of the close of
regular trading on that day if received by the Principal
Underwriter prior to its close of business on that day (normally
5:00 p.m. Eastern time). The financial intermediary or selected
dealer or agent is responsible for transmitting the request to
the Principal Underwriter by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time (certain
selected dealers, agents or financial representatives may enter
into operating agreements permitting them to transmit purchase
information to the Principal Underwriter after 5:00 p.m. Eastern
time and receive that day's net asset value). If the financial
intermediary or selected dealer or agent fails to do so, the
shareholder's right to receive that day's closing price must be
settled between the shareholder and the dealer or agent. A
shareholder may offer shares of the Fund to the Principal
Underwriter either directly or through a selected dealer or
agent. Neither the Fund nor the Principal Underwriter charges a
fee or commission in connection with the repurchase of shares
(except for the contingent deferred sales charge, if any, with
respect to Class A, Class B and Class C shares). Normally, if
shares of the Fund are offered through a financial intermediary
or selected dealer or agent, the repurchase is settled by the
shareholder as an ordinary transaction with or through the
selected dealer or agent, who may charge the shareholder for this
service. The repurchase of shares of the Fund as described above
66
<PAGE>
is a voluntary service of the Fund and the Fund may suspend or
terminate this practice at any time.
GENERAL
The Fund reserve the right to close out an account that
through redemption has remained below $200 for 90 days.
Shareholders will receive 60 days' written notice to increase the
account value before the account is closed. No contingent
deferred sales charge will be deducted from the proceeds of this
redemption. In the case of a redemption or repurchase of shares
of the Fund recently purchased by check, redemption proceeds will
not be made available until the relevant Fund is reasonably
assured that the check has cleared, normally up to 15 calendar
days following the purchase date.
________________________________________________________________
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
________________________________________________________________
The following information supplements that set forth in
the Fund's Prospectus under the heading "Purchase and Sale of
Shares--Shareholder Services." The shareholder services set
forth below are applicable to Class A, Class B, Class C and
Advisor Class shares unless otherwise indicated. If you are an
Advisor Class shareholder through an account established under a
fee-based program, your fee-based program may impose requirements
with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of Advisor Class
shares of the Fund that are different from those described
herein. A transaction fee may be charged by your financial
representative with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of
Advisor Class shares made through such financial representative.
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PROGRAM
Investors may purchase shares of the Fund through an
automatic investment program utilizing electronic funds transfers
drawn on the investor's own bank account. Under such a program,
pre-authorized monthly drafts for a fixed amount (at least $25)
are used to purchase shares through the selected dealer or
selected agent designated by the investor at the public offering
price next determined after the Principal Underwriter receives
the proceeds from the investor's bank. In electronic form,
drafts can be made on or about a date each month selected by the
shareholder. Investors wishing to establish an automatic
investment program in connection with their initial investment
should complete the appropriate portion of the Subscription
Application found in the Prospectus. Current shareholders should
contact AFS at the address or telephone numbers shown on the
67
<PAGE>
cover of this Statement of Additional Information to establish an
automatic investment program.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
You may exchange your investment in the Fund for shares
of the same class of other Alliance Mutual Funds (including AFD
Exchange Reserves, a money market fund managed by the Adviser).
In addition, (i) present officers and full-time employees of the
Adviser, (ii) present directors or trustees of any Alliance
Mutual Fund and (iii) certain employee benefit plans for
employees of the Adviser, the Principal Underwriter, AFS and
their affiliates may exchange Class A shares of any Alliance
Mutual Fund for Advisor Class shares of any other Alliance Mutual
Fund, including the Fund. Exchanges of shares are made at the
net asset value next determined after receipt of a properly
completed exchange request and without sales or service charges.
Exchanges may be made by telephone or written request. Telephone
exchange requests must be received by AFS by 4:00 p.m. Eastern
time on the Fund business day in order to receive that day's net
asset value.
Shares will continue to age without regard to exchanges
for purpose of determining the CDSC, if any, upon redemption and,
in the case of Class B shares, for the purpose of conversion to
Class A shares. After an exchange, your Class B shares will
automatically convert to Class A shares in accordance with the
conversion schedule applicable to the Class B shares of the
Alliance Mutual Fund you originally purchased for cash ("original
shares"). When redemption occurs, the CDSC applicable to the
original shares is applied.
Please read the prospectus of the mutual fund into which
you are exchanging carefully before submitting the request. Call
AFS at (800) 221-5672 to exchange uncertificated shares. An
exchange is a taxable capital transaction for federal tax
purposes. The exchange service may be changed, suspended or
terminated on 60 days' written notice.
All exchanges are subject to the minimum investment
requirements and any other applicable terms set forth in the
Prospectus for the Alliance Mutual Fund whose shares are being
acquired. An exchange is effected through the redemption of the
shares tendered for exchange and the purchase of shares being
acquired at their respective net asset values as next determined
following receipt by the Alliance Mutual Fund whose shares are
being exchanged of (i) proper instructions and all necessary
supporting documents as described in the Fund's Prospectus, or
(ii) a telephone request for such exchange in accordance with the
procedures set forth in the following paragraph. Exchanges
involving the redemption of shares recently purchased by check
68
<PAGE>
will be permitted only after the Alliance Mutual Fund whose
shares have been tendered for exchange is reasonably assured that
the check has cleared, normally up to 15 calendar days following
the purchase date. Exchanges of shares of Alliance Mutual Funds
will generally result in the realization of a capital gain or
loss for federal income tax purposes.
Each Fund shareholder, and the shareholder's selected
dealer, agent or financial representative, as applicable, is
authorized to make telephone requests for exchanges unless AFS
receives written instruction to the contrary from the
shareholder, or the shareholder declines the privilege by
checking the appropriate box on the Subscription Application
found in the Prospectus. Such telephone requests cannot be
accepted with respect to shares then represented by share
certificates. Shares acquired pursuant to a telephone request
for exchange will be held under the same account registration as
the shares redeemed through such exchange.
Eligible shareholders desiring to make an exchange
should telephone AFS with their account number and other details
of the exchange at (800) 221-5672 before 4:00 p.m., Eastern time,
on the Fund business day as defined above. Telephone requests for
exchange received before 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the Fund
business day will be processed as of the close of business on
that day. During periods of drastic economic or market
developments, such as the market break of October 1987, it is
possible that shareholders would have difficulty in reaching AFS
by telephone (although no such difficulty was apparent at any
time in connection with the 1987 market break). If a shareholder
were to experience such difficulty, the shareholder should issue
written instructions to AFS at the address shown on the cover of
this Statement of Additional Information.
A shareholder may elect to initiate a monthly "Auto
Exchange" whereby a specified dollar amount's worth of his or her
Fund shares (minimum $25) is automatically exchanged for shares
of another Alliance Mutual Fund. Auto Exchange transactions
normally occur on the 12th day of each month, or the Fund
business day prior thereto if the 12th day is not a Fund business
day.
None of the Alliance Mutual Funds, the Adviser, the
Principal Underwriter or AFS will be responsible for the
authenticity of telephone requests for exchanges that the Fund
reasonably believes to be genuine. AFS will employ reasonable
procedures in order to verify that telephone requests for
exchanges are genuine, including, among others, recording such
telephone instructions and causing written confirmations of the
resulting transactions to be sent to shareholders. If AFS did
not employ such procedures, it could be liable for losses arising
69
<PAGE>
from unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions. Selected
dealers, agents or financial representatives, as applicable, may
charge a commission for handling telephone requests for
exchanges.
The exchange privilege is available only in states where
shares of the Alliance Mutual Funds being acquired may legally be
sold. Each Alliance Mutual Fund reserves the right, at any time
on 60 days' notice to its shareholders, to reject any order to
acquire its shares through exchange or otherwise to modify,
restrict or terminate the exchange privilege.
RETIREMENT PLANS
The Fund may be a suitable investment vehicle for part
or all of the assets held in various types of retirement plans,
such as those listed below. The Fund has available forms of such
plans pursuant to which investments can be made in the Fund and
other Alliance Mutual Funds. Persons desiring information
concerning these plans should contact AFS at the "For Literature"
telephone number on the cover of this Statement of Additional
Information, or write to:
Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
Retirement Plans
P.O. Box 1520
Secaucus, New Jersey 07096-1520
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS ("IRA"). Individuals who
receive compensation, including earnings from self-employment,
are entitled to establish and make contributions to an IRA.
Taxation of the income and gains paid to an IRA by the Fund is
deferred until distribution from the IRA. An individual's
eligible contributions to an IRA will be deductible if neither
the individual nor his or her spouse is an active participant in
an employer-sponsored retirement plan. If the individual or his
or her spouse is an active participant in an employer-sponsored
retirement plan, the individual's contributions to an IRA may be
deductible, in whole or in part, depending on the amount of the
adjusted gross income of the individual and his or her spouse.
EMPLOYER-SPONSORED QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS. Sole
proprietors, partnerships and corporations may sponsor qualified
money purchase pension and profit-sharing plans, including
Section 401(k) plans ("qualified plans"), under which annual tax-
deductible contributions are made within prescribed limits based
on compensation paid to participating individuals. The minimum
initial investment requirement may be waived with respect to
certain of these qualified plans.
70
<PAGE>
If the aggregate net asset value of shares of the
Alliance Mutual Funds held by a qualified plan reaches $5 million
on or before December 15th in any year, all Class B shares or
Class C shares of the Fund held by such plan can be exchanged, at
the plan's request, without any sales charge, for Class A shares
of the Fund.
SIMPLIFIED EMPLOYEE PENSION PLANS ("SEP"). Sole
proprietors, partnerships and corporations may sponsor a SEP
under which they make annual tax-deductible contributions to an
IRA established by each eligible employee within prescribed
limits based on employee compensation.
403(b)(7) RETIREMENT PLANS. Certain tax-exempt
organizations and public educational institutions may sponsor
retirement plans under which an employee may agree that monies
deducted from his or her compensation (minimum $25 per pay
period) may be contributed by the employer to a custodial account
established for the employee under the plan.
The Alliance Plans Division of Frontier Trust Company, a
subsidiary of Equitable, which serves as custodian or trustee
under the retirement plan prototype forms available from the
Fund, charges certain nominal fees for establishing an account
and for annual maintenance. A portion of these fees is remitted
to AFS as compensation for its services to the retirement plan
accounts maintained with the Fund.
Distributions from retirement plans are subject to
certain Code requirements in addition to normal redemption
procedures. For additional information please contact AFS at the
address or "For Literature" telephone number shown on the cover
of this Statement of Additional Information.
DIVIDEND DIRECTION PLAN
A shareholder who already maintains, in addition to his
or her Class A, Class B, Class C or Advisor Class Fund account, a
Class A, Class B, Class C or Advisor Class account with one or
more other Alliance Mutual Funds may direct that income dividends
and/or capital gains distributions paid on his or her Class A,
Class B, Class C or Advisor Class Fund shares be automatically
reinvested, in any amount, without the payment of any sales or
service charges, in shares of the same class of such other
Alliance Mutual Fund(s). Further information can be obtained by
contacting AFS at the address or the "For Literature" telephone
number shown on the cover of this Statement of Additional
Information. Investors wishing to establish a dividend direction
plan in connection with their initial investment should complete
the appropriate section of the Subscription Application found in
71
<PAGE>
the Prospectus. Current shareholders should contact AFS to
establish a dividend direction plan.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN
GENERAL. Any shareholder who owns or purchases shares
of the Fund having a current net asset value of at least $4,000
(for quarterly or less frequent payments), $5,000 (for bi-monthly
payments) or $10,000 (for monthly payments) may establish a
systematic withdrawal plan under which the shareholder will
periodically receive a payment in a stated amount of not less
than $50 on a selected date. Systematic withdrawal plan
participants must elect to have their dividends and distributions
from the Fund automatically reinvested in additional shares of
that Fund.
Shares of the Fund owned by a participant in the Fund's
systematic withdrawal plan will be redeemed as necessary to meet
withdrawal payments and such payments will be subject to any
taxes applicable to redemptions and, except as discussed below,
any applicable contingent deferred sales charge. Shares acquired
with reinvested dividends and distributions will be liquidated
first to provide such withdrawal payments and thereafter other
shares will be liquidated to the extent necessary, and depending
upon the amount withdrawn, the investor's principal may be
depleted. A systematic withdrawal plan may be terminated at any
time by the shareholder or the relevant Fund.
Withdrawal payments will not automatically end when a
shareholder's account reaches a certain minimum level. Therefore,
redemptions of shares under the plan may reduce or even liquidate
a shareholder's account and may subject the shareholder to the
Fund's involuntary redemption provisions. See "Redemption and
Repurchase of Shares--General." Purchases of additional shares
concurrently with withdrawals are undesirable because of sales
charges imposed when the purchases are made. While an occasional
lump-sum investment may be made by a holder of Class A shares who
is maintaining a systematic withdrawal plan, such investment
should normally be an amount at least equivalent to three times
the annual withdrawal or $5,000, whichever is less.
Payments under a systematic withdrawal plan may be made
by check or electronically via the Automated Clearing House
("ACH") network. Investors wishing to establish a systematic
withdrawal plan in conjunction with their initial investment in
shares of the Fund should complete the appropriate portion of the
Subscription Application found in the Prospectus, while current
Fund shareholders desiring to do so can obtain an application
form by contacting AFS at the address or the "For Literature"
telephone number shown on the cover of this Statement of
Additional Information.
72
<PAGE>
CDSC WAIVER FOR CLASS B SHARES AND CLASS C SHARES. Under a
systematic withdrawal plan, up to 1% monthly, 2% bi-monthly or 3%
quarterly of the value at the time of redemption of the Class B
or Class C shares in a shareholder's account may be redeemed free
of any contingent deferred sales charge.
With respect to Class B shares, the waiver applies only
with respect to shares acquired after July 1, 1995. Class B
shares that are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge
(such as shares acquired with reinvested dividends or
distributions) will be redeemed first and will count toward the
foregoing limitations. Remaining Class B shares that are held
the longest will be redeemed next. Redemptions of Class B shares
in excess of the foregoing limitations will be subject to any
otherwise applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
With respect to Class C shares, shares held the longest
will be redeemed first and will count toward the foregoing
limitations. Redemptions in excess of those limitations will be
subject to any otherwise applicable contingent deferred sales
charge.
STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
Each shareholder receives semi-annual and annual reports
which include a portfolio of investments, financial statements
and, in the case of the annual report, the report of the Trust's
independent accountants, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, as well as a
confirmation of each purchase and redemption. By contacting his
or her broker or AFS, a shareholder can arrange for copies of his
or her account statements to be sent to another person.
________________________________________________________________
NET ASSET VALUE
________________________________________________________________
The per share net asset value is computed in accordance
with the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws
at the next close of regular trading on the Exchange (ordinarily
4:00 p.m. Eastern time) following receipt of a purchase or
redemption order by the Fund on each Fund business day on which
such an order is received and on such other days as the Board of
Trustees deems appropriate or necessary in order to comply with
Rule 22c-1 under the 1940 Act. The Fund's per share net asset
value is calculated by dividing the value of the Fund's total
assets, less its liabilities, by the total number of its shares
then outstanding. A Fund business day is any weekday on which
the Exchange is open for trading.
73
<PAGE>
In accordance with applicable rules under the 1940 Act,
portfolio securities are valued at current market value or at
fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees.
The Board of Trustees has delegated to the Adviser certain of the
Board's duties with respect to the following procedures. Readily
marketable securities listed on the Exchange or on a foreign
securities exchange (other than foreign securities exchanges
whose operations are similar to those of the U.S. over-the-
counter market) are valued, except as indicted below, at the last
sale price reflected on the consolidated tape at the close of the
Exchange or, in the case of a foreign securities exchange, at the
last quoted sale price, in each case on the business day as of
which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale
on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing
bid and asked prices on such day. If no bid or asked prices are
quoted on such day, then the security is valued in good faith at
fair value by, or in accordance with procedures established by,
the Board of Trustees. Readily marketable securities not listed
on the Exchange or on a foreign securities exchange but listed on
other United States national securities exchanges or traded on
The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. are valued in like manner.
Portfolio securities traded on the Exchange and on one or more
foreign or other national securities exchanges, and portfolio
securities not traded on the Exchange but traded on one or more
foreign or other national securities exchanges are valued in
accordance with these procedures by reference to the principal
exchange on which the securities are traded.
Readily marketable securities traded in the over-the-
counter market, securities listed on a foreign securities
exchange whose operations are similar to those of U.S. over-the-
counter market, and securities listed on a U.S. national
securities exchange whose primary market is believed to be over-
the-counter (but excluding securities traded on The Nasdaq Stock
Market, Inc.), are valued at the mean of the current bid and
asked prices as reported by Nasdaq or, in the case of securities
not quoted by Nasdaq, the National Quotation Bureau or another
comparable source.
Listed put or call options purchased by the Fund are
valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that
day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on
that day.
Open futures contracts and options thereon will be
valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of
such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no
quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available
closing settlement price will be used.
74
<PAGE>
U.S. Government securities and other debt instruments
having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at
amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less, or
by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to
maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days
(unless in either case the Board of Trustees determines that this
method does not represent fair value).
Fixed-income securities may be valued on the basis of
prices provided by a pricing service when such prices are
believed to reflect the fair market value of such securities.
The prices provided by pricing services take into account many
factors, including institutional size trading in similar groups
of securities and any developments related to specific
securities.
All other assets of the Fund are valued in good faith at
fair value by, or in accordance with procedures established by,
the Board of Trustees.
Trading in securities on Far Eastern and European
securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets is normally
completed well before the close of business of the Fund business
day. In addition, trading in foreign markets may not take place
on all Fund business days. Furthermore, trading may take place
in various foreign markets on days that are not Fund business
days. The Fund's calculation of the net asset value per share,
therefore, does not always take place contemporaneously with the
most recent determination of the prices of portfolio securities
in these markets. Events affecting the values of these portfolio
securities that occur between the time their prices are
determined in accordance with the above procedures and the close
of the Exchange will not be reflected in the Fund's calculation
of net asset value unless it is believed that these prices do not
reflect current market value, in which case the securities will
be valued in good faith at fair value by, or in accordance with
procedures established by, the Board of Trustees.
The Board of Trustees may suspend the determination of
the Fund's net asset value (and the offering and sale of shares),
subject to the rules of the SEC and other governmental rules and
regulations, at a time when: (1) the Exchange is closed, other
than customary weekend and holiday closings, (2) an emergency
exists as a result of which it is not reasonably practicable for
the Fund to dispose of securities owned by it or to determine
fairly the value of its net assets, or (3) for the protection of
shareholders, the SEC by order permits a suspension of the right
of redemption or a postponement of the date of payment on
redemption.
75
<PAGE>
For purposes of determining the Fund's net asset value
per share, all assets and liabilities initially expressed in a
foreign currency will be converted into U.S. dollars at the mean
of the current bid and asked prices of such currency against the
U.S. dollar last quoted by a major bank that is a regular
participant in the relevant foreign exchange market or on the
basis of a pricing service that takes into account the quotes
provided by a number of such major banks. If such quotations are
not available as of the close of the Exchange, the rate of
exchange will be determined in good faith by, or under the
direction of, the Board of Trustees.
The assets attributable to the Class A shares, Class B
shares, Class C shares and Advisor Class shares will be invested
together in a single portfolio. The net asset value of each
class will be determined separately by subtracting the
liabilities allocated to that class from the assets belonging to
that class in conformance with the provisions of a plan adopted
by the Fund in accordance with Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act.
________________________________________________________________
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
________________________________________________________________
Dividends paid by the Fund, if any, with respect to
Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares will be
calculated in the same manner at the same time on the same day
and will be in the same amount, except that the higher
distribution services applicable to Class B and C shares, and any
incremental transfer agency costs relating to Class B and Class C
shares, will be borne exclusively by the class to which they
relate.
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION
OF DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
General. The Fund intends to qualify for tax treatment
as a "regulated investment company" under the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") for each taxable year. In
order to qualify as a regulated investment company, the Fund
must, among other things, (1) derive at least 90% of its gross
income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to
securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of
stock or securities, foreign currencies or other income
(including gains from options, futures or forward contracts)
derived with respect to its business of investing in stock,
securities or currencies and (2) diversify its holdings so that
at the end of each quarter of its taxable year, the following two
conditions are met: (i) at least 50% of the market value of the
Fund's assets is represented by cash or cash items, U.S.
76
<PAGE>
Government securities, securities of other regulated investment
companies, and other securities limited, in respect of any one
issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the
Fund's assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of
such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its
assets is invested in the securities of any one issuer (other
than U.S. Government securities or securities of other regulated
investment companies) or of two or more issuers that the Fund
controls and that are engaged in the same, similar or related
trades or businesses. These requirements may limit the range of
the Fund's investments.
If the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company,
it will not be subject to federal income tax on the part of its
income distributed to shareholders, provided the Fund distributes
during its taxable year at least (a) 90% of its taxable net
investment income (generally, dividends, interest, certain other
income, and the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gain
over net long-term capital loss) and (b) 90% of the excess of
(i) its tax-exempt interest income less (ii) certain deductions
attributable to that income. The Fund intends to make sufficient
distributions to shareholders to meet this requirement. Investors
should consult their own counsel for a complete understanding of
the requirements the Fund must meet to qualify for such
treatment.
In addition, if the Fund fails to distribute in a
calendar year substantially all of its ordinary income for such
year and substantially all of its capital gain net income for the
one-year period ending October 31 (or later if the Fund is
permitted so to elect and so elects), plus any retained amount
from the prior year, the Fund will be subject to a 4% excise tax
on the undistributed amounts. A dividend paid to shareholders by
the Fund in January of a year generally is deemed to have been
paid by the Fund on December 31 of the preceding year, if the
dividend was declared and payable to shareholders of record on a
date in October, November or December of that preceding year. The
Fund intend generally to make distributions sufficient to avoid
imposition of the 4% excise tax.
The information set forth in the Fund's Prospectus and
the following discussion relates solely to federal income taxes
on dividends and distributions by the Fund and assumes that the
Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company. Investors
should consult their own counsel for further details and for the
application of state and local tax laws to his or her particular
situation.
Dividends out of net ordinary income and distributions
of net short-term capital gains are taxable to shareholders as
ordinary income. The dividends-received deduction for
77
<PAGE>
corporations should also be applicable to the Fund's dividends of
net investment income, but only to the extent so designated by
the Fund. The amount of such dividends and distributions that
may be designated by the Fund as eligible for the dividends-
received deduction is limited to the amount of qualifying
dividends from domestic corporations received by the Fund during
the fiscal year. Furthermore, provisions of the tax law disallow
the dividends-received deduction to the extent a corporation's
investment in shares of the Fund is financed with indebtedness.
The dividends-received deduction shall also be disallowed with
respect to a dividend unless the corporate shareholder held its
shares without protection from risk of loss on the ex-dividend
date and for at least 45 more days during the 90-day period
beginning 45 days prior to the ex-dividend date.
Distributions of net capital gains designated by the
Fund as such (i.e., the excess of net long-term capital gain over
net short-term capital loss) are taxable as long-term capital
gain (generally at a 20% rate for noncorporate shareholders),
regardless of how long a shareholder has held shares in the Fund.
Capital gains distributions are not eligible for the
dividends-received deduction referred to above. Any dividend or
distribution received by a shareholder on shares of the Fund
(even if received shortly after the purchase of such shares by
such shareholder) will have the effect of reducing the net asset
value of such shares by the amount of such dividend or
distribution. A loss on the sale of shares held for six months
or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss for federal
income tax purposes to the extent of any distribution of net
capital gain made with respect to such shares.
Dividends and distributions are taxable in the manner
described above regardless of whether they are paid to the
shareholder in cash or are reinvested in additional shares of the
Fund.
A dividend or capital gains distribution with respect to
shares of the Fund held by a tax-deferred or qualified plan, such
as an IRA, 403(b)(7) retirement plan or corporate pension or
profit-sharing plan, generally will not be taxable to the plan.
Distributions from such plans will be taxable to individual
participants under applicable tax rules without regard to the
character of the income earned by the qualified plan.
Dividends and distributions on the Fund's shares are
generally subject to federal income tax as described herein to
the extent they do not exceed the Fund's realized income and
gains, even though such dividends and distributions may
economically represent a return of a particular shareholder's
investment. Such distributions are likely to occur in respect of
78
<PAGE>
shares purchased at a time when the Fund's net asset value
reflects gains that are either unrealized, or realized but not
distributed. Such realized gains may be required to be
distributed, even when the Fund's net asset value also reflects
unrealized losses.
For federal income tax purposes, when equity call
options which the Fund has written expire unexercised, the
premiums received by the Fund give rise to short-term capital
gains at the time of expiration. When a call written by the Fund
is exercised, the selling price or purchase price of stock is
increased by the amount of the premium, and the nature of the
gain or loss on the sale of stock depends upon the holding period
of the stock. There may be short-term gains or losses associated
with closing purchase transactions.
The Fund's hedging transactions, including hedging
transactions in options, futures contracts and straddles, or
other similar transactions, will subject the Fund to special tax
rules (including mark-to-market, straddle, wash sale and short
sale rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate income to
the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, cause adjustments in the
holding periods of the Fund's securities, or convert short-term
capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could
therefore affect the amount, timing and character of
distributions to shareholders. The Fund will endeavor to make
any available elections pertaining to such transactions in a
manner believed to be in the best interest of the Fund.
The Fund's investments in foreign securities may be
subject to foreign withholding taxes. In that case, the Fund's
yield on those securities would be decreased. The Fund generally
does not expect that shareholders will be able to claim a credit
or deduction with respect to foreign taxes. In addition, the
Fund's investments in foreign securities or foreign currencies
may increase or accelerate the Fund's recognition of ordinary
income and may affect the timing or amount of the Fund's
distributions.
The Fund is required to withhold and remit to the U.S.
Treasury 31% of all dividend income paid to any shareholder
account for which an incorrect or no taxpayer identification
number has been provided or where the Fund is notified that the
shareholder has under-reported income in the past (or the
shareholder fails to certify that he or she is not subject to
such withholding). In addition, the Fund will be required to
withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury 31% of the amount of the
proceeds of any redemption of shares of a shareholder account for
which an incorrect or no taxpayer identification number has been
provided.
79
<PAGE>
The foregoing discussion relates only to U.S. federal
income tax law as it affects U.S. shareholders. The effects of
federal income tax law on non-U.S. shareholders may be
substantially different. Foreign investors should consult their
counsel for further information as to the U.S. tax consequences
of investing in the Fund.
________________________________________________________________
GENERAL INFORMATION
________________________________________________________________
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
The Trust is organized as a Massachusetts business trust
under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts by an
Agreement and Declaration of Trust ("Declaration of Trust") dated
March 26, 1987, a copy of which is on file with the Secretary of
State of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Trust is a
"series" company as described in Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act,
having four separate portfolios, each of which is represented by
a separate series of shares. In addition to the Fund, the other
portfolios of the Trust are Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government
Fund, Alliance Conservative Investors Fund and Alliance Growth
Investors Fund.
The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue
an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of each series
and of each class of shares thereof. The shares of the Fund and
each class thereof do not have any preemptive rights. Upon
termination of any Fund or any class thereof, whether pursuant to
liquidation of the Trust or otherwise, shareholders of that Fund
or that class are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets of
that Fund or that class then available for distribution to such
shareholders.
The assets received by the Trust for the issue or sale
of the Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares of the
Fund and all income, earnings, profits, losses and proceeds
therefrom, subject only to the rights of creditors, are allocated
to, and constitute the underlying assets of, the appropriate
class of that Fund. The underlying assets of the Fund and each
class of shares thereof are segregated and are charged with the
expenses with respect to that Fund and that class and with a
share of the general expenses of the Trust. While the expenses
of the Trust are allocated to the separate books of account of
each series and each class of shares thereof, certain expenses
may be legally chargeable against the assets of all series or a
particular class of shares thereof.
80
<PAGE>
The Declaration of Trust provides for the perpetual
existence of the Trust. The Trust or any Fund, however, may be
terminated at any time by vote of at least a majority of the
outstanding shares of the Fund affected. The Declaration of
Trust further provides that the Trustees may also terminate the
Trust upon written notice to the shareholders.
It is anticipated that annual shareholder meetings will
not be held; shareholder meetings will be held only when required
by federal or state law. Shareholders have available certain
procedures for the removal of Trustees.
A shareholder will be entitled to share pro rata with
other holders of the same class of shares all dividends and
distributions arising from the Fund's assets and, upon redeeming
shares, will receive the then-current net asset value of the Fund
represented by the redeemed shares less any applicable contingent
deferred sales charge. The Fund is empowered to establish,
without shareholder approval, additional portfolios, which may
have different investment objectives and policies than those of
the Fund, and additional classes of shares within the Fund. If an
additional portfolio or class were established in the Fund, each
share of the portfolio or class would normally be entitled to one
vote for all purposes. Generally, shares of each portfolio and
class would vote together as a single class on matters, such as
the election of Trustees, that affect each portfolio and class in
substantially the same manner. Class A, B, C and Advisor Class
shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other
rights, except that each class bears its own transfer agency
expenses, each of Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the Fund
bears its own distribution expenses and Class B shares and
Advisor Class shares convert to Class A shares under certain
circumstances. Each class of shares of the Fund votes separately
with respect to the Fund's Rule 12b-1 distribution plan and other
matters for which separate class voting is appropriate under
applicable law. Shares are freely transferable, are entitled to
dividends as determined by the Trustees and, in liquidation of
the Fund, are entitled to receive the net assets of the Fund.
CAPITALIZATION
Except as noted below under "Shareholder and Trustee
Liability," all shares of the Fund when duly issued will be fully
paid and non-assessable.
Set forth below is certain information as to all persons
who owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of any class of
the Fund's outstanding shares on October 8, 1999:
81
<PAGE>
NAMES AND ADDRESSES NO. OF SHARES % OF CLASS
CLASS A
MLPF&S 2,582,092 10.42%
For the Sole Benefit
of Its Customers
Attn: Fund Admin. (97881)
4800 Deer Lake Dr East, 2nd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6486
CLASS B
Merrill Lynch 22,995,071 19.34%
Mutual Fund Admin. (97B83)
4800 Deer Lake Dr East, 2nd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6486
CLASS C
MLPF&S 7,300,605 35.49%
For the Sole Benefit of
Its Customers
Attn: Fund Admin. (97B84)
4800 Deer Lake Dr East, 2nd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6486
ADVISOR CLASS
Merrill Lynch 2,315,881 90.83%
Mutual Fund Admin. (97LS2)
4800 Deer Lake Dr East, 2nd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6486
TRUST FOR PROFIT SHARING PLAN 157,792 6.19%
For Employees of ALLIANCE CAPITAL
MANAGEMENT L.P. Plan R
Attn: Jill Smith 32nd Fl.
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, 10105-0302
VOTING RIGHTS
As summarized in the Prospectus, shareholders are entitled to
one vote for each full share held (with fractional votes for
fractional shares held) and will vote (to the extent provided
herein) in the election of Trustees and the termination of the
Trust or the Fund and on other matters submitted to the vote of
shareholders.
82
<PAGE>
The By-Laws of the Trust provide that the shareholders
of any particular series or class shall not be entitled to vote
on any matters as to which such series or class is not affected.
Except with respect to matters as to which the Trustees have
determined that only the interests of one or more particular
series or classes are affected or as required by law, all of the
shares of each series or class shall, on matters as to which such
series or class is entitled to vote, vote with other series or
classes so entitled as a single class. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, with respect to matters which would otherwise be voted
on by two or more series or classes as a single class, the
Trustees may, in their sole discretion, submit such matters to
the shareholders of any or all such series or classes,
separately. Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides in effect
that a series shall be deemed to be affected by a matter unless
it is clear that the interests of each series in the matter are
substantially identical or that the matter does not affect any
interest of such series. Although not governed by Rule 18f-2,
shares of each class of the Fund will vote separately with
respect to matters pertaining to the respective Distribution
Plans applicable to each class.
The terms "shareholder approval" and "majority of the
outstanding voting securities" as used in the Prospectus and this
Statement of Additional Information mean the lesser of (i) 67% or
more of the shares of the applicable Fund or applicable class
thereof represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the
outstanding shares of the Fund or such class are represented or
(ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund or such
class.
There will normally be no meetings of shareholders for
the purpose of electing Trustees, except that in accordance with
the 1940 Act (i) the Trust will hold a shareholders' meeting for
the election of Trustees at such time as less than a majority of
the Trustees holding office have been elected by shareholders,
and (ii) if, as a result of a vacancy on the Board of Trustees,
less than two-thirds of the Trustees holding office have been
elected by the shareholders, that vacancy may only be filled by a
vote of the shareholders. The Fund's shares have non-cumulative
voting rights, which means that the holders of more than 50% of
the shares voting for the election of Trustees can elect 100% of
the Trustees if they choose to do so, and in such event the
holders of the remaining less than 50% of the shares voting for
such election of Trustees will not be able to elect any person or
persons to the Board of Trustees. A special meeting of
shareholders for any purpose may be called by 10% of the Trust's
outstanding shareholders.
Except as set forth above, the Trustees shall continue
to hold office and may appoint successor Trustees.
83
<PAGE>
No amendment may be made to the Declaration of Trust
without the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding
shares of the Trust except (i) to change the Trust's name,
(ii) to establish, change or eliminate the par value of shares or
(iii) to supply any omission, cure any ambiguity or cure, correct
or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision contained
in the Declaration of Trust.
SHAREHOLDER AND TRUSTEE LIABILITY
Under Massachusetts law shareholders could, under
certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the
obligations of the Trust. However, the Declaration of Trust
disclaims shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the
Trust and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in
each agreement, obligation, or instrument entered into or
executed by the Trust or the Trustees. The Declaration of Trust
provides for indemnification out of the Fund's property for all
loss and expense of any shareholder of that Fund held liable on
account of being or having been a shareholder. Thus, the risk of
a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder
liability is limited to circumstances in which the Fund of which
he or she was a shareholder would be unable to meet its
obligations.
The Declaration of Trust further provides that the
Trustees will not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of
fact or law. However, nothing in the Declaration of Trust
protects a Trustee against any liability to which the Trustee
would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of his or her office. The By-Laws of the
Trust provide for indemnification by the Trust of the Trustees
and the officers of the Trust but no such person may be
indemnified against any liability to the Trust or the Trust's
shareholders to which he or she would otherwise be subject by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his
or her office.
COUNSEL
Legal matters in connection with the issuance of the
shares of the Fund offered hereby are passed upon by Ropes &
Gray, One International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The financial statements of the Fund for the fiscal year
ended October 31, 1998, which are included in this Statement of
Additional Information, have been audited by
84
<PAGE>
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 1177 Avenue of the Americas, New
York, New York 10036, the Trust's independent accountants for
such period, as stated in their report appearing herein, and have
been so included in reliance upon such report given upon the
authority of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time, the Fund advertises its "total
return," which is computed separately for Class A, Class B, Class
C and Advisor Class shares. Such advertisements disclose the
Fund's average annual compounded total return for the periods
prescribed by the SEC. The Fund's total return for each such
period is computed by finding, through the use of a formula
prescribed by the SEC, the average annual compounded rate of
return over the period that would equate an assumed initial
amount invested to the value of the investment at the end of the
period. For purposes of computing total return, income dividends
and capital gains distributions paid on shares of the Fund are
assumed to have been reinvested when paid and the maximum sales
charges applicable to purchases and redemptions of the Fund's
shares are assumed to have been paid.
The Fund calculates average annual total return
information in the Performance Table in the Risk/Return Summary
according to the SEC formula as described above. In accordance
with SEC guidelines, total return information is presented for
each class for the same time periods, i.e., the 1, 5 and 10 years
(or over the life of the Fund, if the Fund is less than 10 years
old) ending on the last day of the most recent calendar year.
Since different classes may have first been sold on different
dates ("Actual Inception Dates"), in some cases this can result
in return information being presented for a class for periods
prior to its Actual Inception Date. Where return information is
presented for periods prior to the Actual Inception Date of a
Class (a "Younger Class"), such information is calculated by
using the historical performance of the class with the earliest
Actual Inception Date (the "Oldest Class"). For this purpose,
the Fund calculates the difference in total annual fund operating
expenses (as a percentage of average net assets) between the
Younger Class and the Oldest Class, divides the difference by 12,
and subtracts the result from the monthly performance at net
asset value (including reinvestment of all dividends and
distributions) of the Oldest Class for each month prior to the
Younger Class's Actual Inception Date for which performance
information is to be shown. The resulting "pro forma" monthly
performance information is used to calculate the Younger Class's
average annual returns for these periods. Any conversion feature
applicable to the Younger Class is assumed to occur in accordance
with the Actual Inception Date for that class, not its
hypothetical inception date.
85
<PAGE>
Year Ended 5 Years Ended 10 Years Ended
4/30/99 4/30/99 4/30/99
_________ _____________ ______________
Class A 20.27% 23.05% 23.82%*
Class B 19.41% 22.19% 19.93%
Class C 19.43% 22.20% 20.15%*
Advisor Class 28.09% 28.09%* N/A
* Performance information for periods prior to the inception of
Class A shares (9/4/90), Class C shares (8/2/93) and Advisor
Class shares (10/1/96) is the performance of the Fund's Class
B shares adjusted, in the case of Class A shares and Advisor
Class shares, to reflect the lower expense ratios of those
classes. The average annual total returns for Class A, Class
C and Advisor Class shares since their actual inception dates
were 23.82%, 20.15% and 28.09%, respectively.
Average annual total returns shown in the table reflect
imposition of the maximmum front-end or contingent deferred sales
charges as well as conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares
after the applicable period.
The Fund's total return is computed separately for
Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares. The Fund's
total return is not fixed and will fluctuate in response to
prevailing market conditions or as a function of the type and
quality of the securities in the Fund's portfolio and the Fund's
expenses. Total return information is useful in reviewing the
Fund's performance but such information may not provide a basis
for comparison with bank deposits or other investments which pay
a fixed return for a stated period of time. An investor's
principal invested in the Fund is not fixed and will fluctuate in
response to prevailing market conditions.
Advertisements quoting performance rankings of the Fund
as measured by financial publications or by independent
organizations such as Lipper, Inc. and Morningstar, Inc., and
advertisements presenting the historical performance of the Fund,
may also from time to time be sent to investors or placed in
newspapers and magazines such as The New York Times, The Wall
Street Journal, Barron's, Investor's Daily, Money Magazine,
Changing Times, Business Week and Forbes or other media on behalf
of the Fund.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This Statement of Additional Information does not
contain all the information set forth in the Registration
Statement filed by the Trust with the SEC under the Securities
86
<PAGE>
Act of 1933. Copies of the Registration Statement may be
obtained at a reasonable charge from the SEC or may be examined,
without charge, at the offices of the SEC in Washington, D.C.
87
<PAGE>
____________________________________________________________
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
____________________________________________________________
88
<PAGE>
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
APRIL 30, 1999
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
APRIL 30, 1999 (UNAUDITED) ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
COMPANY SHARES VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMON & PREFERRED STOCKS-97.7%
TECHNOLOGY-35.3%
COMPUTER HARDWARE-5.5%
Compaq Computer
Corp. (a)(b) 855,000 $ 19,077,187
International Business
Machines Corp. (a)(b) 1,898,000 397,037,875
------------
416,115,062
COMPUTER SOFTWARE & SERVICES-6.2%
Ceridian Corp. (a)(b) 4,419,600 161,867,850
First Data Corp. 150,000 6,365,625
Ingram Micro, Inc.
Cl.A (a)(b) 2,428,500 61,926,750
Sterling Commerce, Inc. (a) 4,471,544 140,015,221
Sterling Software, Inc. (a) 4,551,000 94,148,813
------------
464,324,259
ELECTRONICS-2.1%
Koninklijke Philips
Electronics NV
(Netherlands) 457,000 39,016,375
Motorola, Inc. (a)(b) 150,000 12,018,750
SCI Systems, Inc. (a)(b) 2,597,800 98,878,762
Texas Instruments,
Inc. (a)(b) 100,000 10,212,500
------------
160,126,387
NETWORKING PRODUCTS-0.5%
Networks Associates,
Inc. (a)(b) 3,023,400 40,060,050
NETWORKING SOFTWARE-0.7%
Cisco Systems, Inc. (a)(b) 236,000 26,918,750
Equant NV (a)(b) 300,000 26,775,000
------------
53,693,750
SEMI-CONDUCTOR COMPONENTS-2.6%
Altera Corp. (a) 314,759 22,741,338
Intel Corp. (a)(b) 2,750,000 168,265,625
------------
191,006,963
TELECOMMUNICATIONS-15.4%
Colt Telecom Group Plc
(ADR) (a)
(United Kingdom) 905,000 69,119,375
Global Telesystems Group,
Inc. (a)(b) 2,551,286 168,703,787
Globalstar
Telecommunications,
Ltd. (a) 100,000 2,012,500
Intermedia Communications
of Florida, Inc. 21,814 702,138
Intermedia Communications,
Inc. pfd. Series D (a) 464,600 20,035,875
Loral Space &
Communications (a)(b) 9,498,300 185,216,850
Lucent Technologies,
Inc. (a)(b) 212,000 12,746,500
MCI WorldCom, Inc. (a)(b) 3,835,878 315,261,223
Millicom International
Cellular, SA (a)
(Luxembourg) 1,130,800 39,012,600
Nextel Communications, Inc.
Cl.A (a)(b) 4,163,600 170,447,375
Nextel Strypes Trust 360,000 12,375,000
Nextlink Communications,
Inc. 80,000 6,960,000
Nokia Corp. (ADR)
(Finland) 269,600 20,000,950
Pacific Gateway Exchange,
Inc. 289,400 11,576,000
Sprint Corp. (a)(b) 1,067,100 109,444,444
Telecomunicacoes Brasileiras,
SA (ADR) (a)(b) (Brazil) 200,000 18,253,125
------------
1,161,867,742
MISCELLANEOUS-2.3%
Sanmina Corp. (a)(b) 1,944,800 128,843,000
Solectron Corp. (a)(b) 950,000 46,075,000
------------
174,918,000
------------
2,662,112,213
5
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
COMPANY SHARES VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL SERVICES-26.8%
BANKING & CREDIT-9.3%
American Express Co. 268,000 $ 35,024,250
Automatic Common Exchange
Security Trust II 319,900 4,718,525
Chase Manhattan Corp. 1,756,604 145,358,981
First Union Corp. 963,000 53,326,125
MBNA Corp. 8,089,437 228,021,005
Morgan Stanley, Dean
Witter & Co. 325,400 32,275,613
Newcourt Credit Group, Inc.
(Canada) 5,415,600 152,990,700
Providian Financial Corp. 132,000 17,036,250
The CIT Group, Inc. 409,928 13,322,660
Wells Fargo Co. 400,000 17,275,000
------------
699,349,109
BANKING - MONEY CENTER-3.7%
Bank Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd. 2,972,500 43,472,812
BankAmerica Corp. 3,226,000 232,272,000
------------
275,744,812
BANKING - REGIONAL-0.3%
Bank One Corp. 440,800 26,007,200
INSURANCE-5.4%
20th Century Industries, Inc. 336,200 5,988,563
Acceptance Insurance
Co. (a) 86,800 1,220,625
Ace Ltd. (Bermuda) 100,000 3,025,000
American Bankers Insurance
Group, Inc. 1,135,000 59,516,563
American International Group,
Inc. 2,329,587 273,580,873
PMI Group, Inc. 400,500 22,352,906
Progressive Corp. 283,200 40,639,200
Unum Corp. 22,000 1,201,750
------------
407,525,480
REAL ESTATE-1.8%
Entertainment Properties
Trust 239,400 4,398,975
JP Realty, Inc. 755,300 15,153,206
Koger Equity, Inc. 1,762,571 25,887,762
Macerich Co. 1,051,400 26,876,412
Simon Property Group, Inc. 216,500 6,210,844
Spieker Properties, Inc. 522,200 20,496,350
Storage USA, Inc. 310,400 9,971,600
Summit Properties, Inc. 716,700 13,079,775
Sun Communities, Inc. 425,000 14,875,000
------------
136,949,924
MISCELLANEOUS-6.3%
Associates First Capital Corp.
C1.A 2,257,000 100,013,312
Citigroup, Inc. 4,039,799 303,994,875
Household International,
Inc. 1,365,500 68,701,719
------------
472,709,906
------------
2,018,286,431
CONSUMER CYCLICALS-5.9%
AIRLINES-1.7%
AMR Corp. (a) 270,000 18,849,375
Delta Air Lines, Inc. 1,208,500 76,664,219
UAL Corp. (a) 442,900 35,764,175
------------
131,277,769
AUTO & RELATED-0.2%
AutoNation, Inc. (a) 1,071,500 15,335,844
RETAILING GENERAL-4.0%
Home Depot, Inc. (a)(b) 2,315,000 138,755,312
Office Depot, Inc. (a) 270,000 5,940,000
Tandy Corp. (a)(b) 860,200 62,310,737
The Limited, Inc. (a)(b) 1,506,425 65,906,094
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. 598,000 27,508,000
------------
300,420,143
------------
447,033,756
CONSUMER NONCYCLICALS-5.7%
DRUGS-2.0%
Gensia, Inc. pfd. (a)(c)
(Canada) 68,500 1,601,256
Merck & Co., Inc. 1,552,400 109,056,100
Schering-Plough Corp. 737,000 35,606,313
------------
146,263,669
6
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
SHARES OR
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
COMPANY (000) VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOSPITAL SUPPLIES & SERVICES-1.7%
McKesson HBOC,
Inc. (a)(b) 3,229,000 $ 113,015,000
Medtronic, Inc. (a)(b) 212,800 15,308,300
------------
128,323,300
TOBACCO-2.0%
Loews Corp. 1,068,000 78,164,250
Philip Morris Cos., Inc. 2,090,400 73,294,650
------------
151,458,900
------------
426,045,869
UTILITY-5.6%
TELEPHONE-5.6%
AT & T Corp. (a)(b) 989,827 49,986,263
AT & T Corp. Liberty Media
Group CI.A (a) 5,834,473 372,676,963
------------
422,663,226
BUSINESS SERVICES-5.2%
PRINTING, PUBLISHING & BROADCASTING-5.2%
CBS Corp. (a)(b) 2,881,700 131,297,457
Comcast Corp. Cl.A 481,500 31,628,531
MediaOne Group, Inc. (a)(b) 1,632,000 133,110,000
News Corp., Ltd. (ADR)
(Australia) 1,593,400 51,984,675
Time Warner, Inc. (a)(b) 386,000 27,020,000
Viacom, Inc. Cl.B (a) 474,000 19,374,750
------------
394,415,413
ENERGY-3.7%
OIL & GAS SERVICES-3.7%
Atlantic Richfield Co. 2,419,800 203,111,963
Gulf Canada Resources, Ltd.
(Canada) 12,720,900 50,883,600
Royal Dutch Petroleum Co.
(Netherlands) 350,000 20,540,625
Total, SA (ADR) (France) 100,000 6,800,000
------------
281,336,188
CAPITAL GOODS-3.3%
MACHINERY-3.3%
Mannesmann AG (d) 1,493,000 196,519,795
(ADR) (Germany) 413,000 54,442,156
------------
250,961,951
CONSUMER SERVICES-2.1%
BUSINESS SERVICES-1.8%
Cendant Corp. (a)(b) 7,020,750 126,373,500
Convergys Corp. (a) 190,000 3,538,750
Policy Management Systems
Corp. (a) 79,200 2,489,850
------------
132,402,100
ENTERTAINMENT & LEISURE-0.3%
Carnival Corp. Cl.A 480,800 19,833,000
Starwood Hotels & Resorts 125,879 4,618,186
------------
24,451,186
------------
156,853,286
HEALTH CARE-1.8%
DRUGS-1.8%
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. 2,114,000 134,371,125
MULTI INDUSTRY COMPANIES-1.8%
Tyco International,
Ltd. (a)(b) 1,644,112 133,584,100
CONSUMER BASICS-0.5%
BEVERAGES-0.3%
Pepsi Bottling Group,
Inc. (a) 927,700 19,539,681
HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS-0.2%
Gillette Co. 330,000 17,221,875
------------
36,761,556
Total Common & Preferred
Stocks
(cost $5,251,669,064) 7,364,425,114
LONG-TERM DEBT SECURITIES-0.7%
COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT-0.7%
Global Telesystems Group, Inc.
5.75%, 7/01/10
(cost $28,134,215) $ 38,525 51,430,875
7
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
CONTRACTS (E)
OR PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
COMPANY (000) VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHORT-TERM DEBT SECURITIES-3.1%
SHORT-TERM SECURITIES-3.1%
Federal Home Loan Bank
5.29%, 5/19/99 $ 15,940 $ 15,902,063
Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corp.
4.74%, 5/17/99 25,000 24,947,333
4.75%, 6/22/99 10,000 9,931,389
4.75%, 6/30/99 50,000 49,604,167
Federal National Mortgage
Assoc.
5.20%, 5/24/99 14,800 14,755,039
5.21%, 5/24/99 25,000 24,924,291
5.21%, 6/17/99 15,785 15,687,111
Student Loan Marketing
4.80%, 5/03/99 75,800 75,779,787
------------
231,531,180
Total Short-Term Debt
Securities
(amortized cost
$231,531,180) 231,531,180
TOTAL INVESTMENTS-101.5%
(cost $5,511,334,459) 7,647,387,169
OUTSTANDING CALL OPTIONS WRITTEN-(1.5%)
AT&T Corp., Liberty Media
Group Cl. A
expiring May 1999
@ $52.70 (1,000) (1,123,000)
@ $53.13 (1,040) (1,093,040)
@ $54.74 (2,000) (1,828,000)
@ $57.50 (1,000) (670,890)
@ $72.00 (2,000) (56,000)
expiring June 1999
@ $58.35 (2,500) (1,762,500)
CBS Corp.
expiring May 1999
@ $36.13 (1,500) (1,443,000)
@ $37.88 (1,000) (778,000)
@ $40.50 (2,000) (1,062,000)
@ $43.88 (1,000) (275,000)
expiring June 1999
@ $39.75 (1,000) (678,000)
@ $44.38 (1,000) (363,000)
@ $44.50 (1,500) (544,500)
@ $45.27 (1,500) (423,000)
Cendant Corp.
expiring April 1999
@ $16.50 (2,500) (422,475)
expiring May 1999
@ $15.81 (2,500) (647,325)
@ $16.00 (1,000) (252,790)
Ceridian Corp.
expiring May 1999
@ $37.00 (2,000) (206,000)
@ $37.00 (1,000) (117,000)
Cisco Systems, Inc.
expiring June 1999
@ $111.00 (1,000) (784,000)
@ $119.00 (1,000) (489,180)
Compaq Computer Corp.
expiring June 1999
@ $22.75 (1,000) (163,210)
Equant NV
expiring May 1999
@ $77.50 (1,000) (1,178,000)
@ $78.00 (1,000) (1,136,000)
@ $78.00 (1,000) (1,149,000)
Global Telesystems Group,Inc.
expiring May 1999
@ $74.05 (1,000) (179,000)
Home Depot, Inc.
expiring May 1999
@ $64.50 (1,000) (51,556)
Ingram Micro, Inc.
expiring May 1999
@ $18.38 (1,500) (1,134,000)
@ $18.38 (1,000) (769,000)
expiring June 1999
@ $18.25 (1,500) (1,173,435)
@ $19.00 (800) (549,600)
@ $20.63 (650) (380,250)
@ $20.75 (850) (489,600)
@ $24.00 (1,000) (376,000)
@ $28.76 (700) (168,000)
8
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
COMPANY CONTRACTS (E) VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intel Corp.
expiring May 1999
@ $58.00 (1,000) $ (472,000)
@ $59.25 (2,000) (554,806)
@ $60.38 (3,000) (708,300)
@ $60.63 (1,000) (252,640)
@ $65.50 (2,000) (129,620)
@ $116.25 (2,000) (718,610)
@ $117.00 (2,000) (587,760)
expiring June 1999
@ $56.00 (1,000) (669,860)
@ $60.72 (3,000) (1,210,470)
@ $63.75 (2,000) (507,340)
International Business
Machines Corp.
expiring May 1999
@ $168.00 (1,000) (4,069,280)
@ $179.50 (1,000) (2,963,020)
Limited, Inc.
expiring May 1999
@ $36.13 (1,000) (780,000)
@ $38.38 (1,500) (832,215)
@ $39.13 (1,500) (759,000)
@ $40.50 (1,000) (395,000)
@ $42.42 (1,000) (276,000)
Loral Space &
Communications
expiring May 1999
@ $15.38 (1,000) (426,000)
@ $16.75 (1,000) (300,000)
@ $16.93 (1,000) (279,000)
@ $17.92 (1,500) (297,630)
@ $18.00 (1,000) (163,000)
@ $18.25 (1,500) (244,989)
@ $18.38 (1,500) (225,000)
@ $18.63 (2,000) (252,000)
@ $18.75 (1,500) (196,500)
expiring June 1999
@ $15.13 (1,000) (470,000)
@ $15.69 (2,500) (1,057,100)
@ $15.73 (2,000) (796,800)
@ $16.00 (2,500) (960,475)
@ $16.63 (1,500) (523,950)
@ $17.63 (2,000) (566,000)
@ $17.50 (2,500) (747,500)
Lucent Technologies, Inc.
expiring May 1999
@ $61.00 (2,000) (228,400)
MCI WorldCom, Inc.
expiring April 1999
@ $88.63 (1,000) -0-
expiring May 1999
@ $83.00 (1,000) (407,000)
@ $85.50 (1,500) (145,500)
McKesson HBOC, Inc.
expiring May 1999
@ $66.38 (2,000) (214)
@ $67.81 (2,000) -0-
@ $67.88 (800) (2,400)
@ $67.88 (200) (600)
expiring June 1999
@ $62.13 (1,000) (20,000)
@ $63.50 (1,000) (3,000)
@ $64.81 (1,000) (17,000)
@ $66.63 (1,000) -0-
@ $67.87 (500) (1,500)
@ $67.88 (500) (1,500)
MediaOne Group, Inc.
expiring May 1999
@ $57.63 (1,000) (2,396,070)
@ $58.00 (1,000) (2,370,000)
@ $61.31 (1,000) (2,032,392)
@ $61.61 (1,000) (2,005,000)
@ $61.63 (1,000) (2,002,000)
@ $64.48 (320) (554,880)
@ $66.81 (1,000) (1,511,000)
@ $67.00 (1,000) (1,530,000)
expiring June 1999
@ $66.50 (1,000) (1,604,000)
@ $67.13 (2,000) (3,102,000)
@ $68.50 (1,000) (1,357,000)
@ $79.19 (1,000) (647,000)
9
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
COMPANY CONTRACTS (E) VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medtronic, Inc.
expiring May 1999
@ $71.26 (2,000) $ (682,000)
Motorola, Inc.
expiring June 1999
@ $76.25 (1,500) (960,585)
Networks Associates, Inc.
expiring June 1999
@ $13.85 (2,500) (450,000)
Nextel Communications, Inc.
expiring May 1999
@ $30.63 (1,000) (1,030,881)
@ $31.81 (1,000) (913,381)
@ $32.00 (1,000) (901,110)
@ $32.24 (1,000) (881,850)
@ $32.25 (500) (461,985)
@ $33.50 (1,000) (772,000)
@ $36.75 (1,000) (513,000)
@ $37.94 (1,000) (435,000)
@ $38.38 (1,000) (427,000)
@ $39.63 (2,000) (674,000)
expiring June 1999
@ $37.88 (2,000) (1,044,340)
@ $38.38 (1,000) (471,000)
@ $38.85 (1,000) (528,870)
@ $38.88 (3,000) (1,358,850)
@ $39.88 (2,000) (764,000)
Sanmina Corp.
expiring May 1999
@ $61.63 (2,500) (1,253,100)
@ $65.12 (1,000) (524,440)
expiring June 1999
@ $58.38 (2,000) (2,156,000)
@ $64.13 (2,000) (1,606,000)
@ $65.12 (1,000) (632,060)
SCI Systems, Inc.
expiring May 1999
@ $37.42 (1,000) (240,820)
Solectron Corp.
expiring May 1999
@ $50.61 (2,000) (388,000)
expiring June 1999
@ $49.25 (2,000) (754,000)
@ $49.88 (2,000) (718,000)
Sprint Corp.
expiring June 1999
@ $97.63 (1,500) (1,241,370)
@ $98.00 (1,500) (1,297,500)
@ $98.50 (1,000) (811,900)
@ $98.63 (700) (599,900)
@ $99.25 (1,500) (1,160,295)
@ $101.88 (1,500) (1,029,000)
Tandy Corp.
expiring June 1999
@ $60.38 (1,000) (1,324,000)
@ $65.50 (3,000) (2,571,150)
@ $66.69 (1,500) (1,171,500)
Tele-Communications, Inc.
expiring May 1999
@ $26.50 (2,500) (1,682,350)
Telecomunicacoes Brasileiras
expiring June 1999
@ $84.50 (1,000) (1,145,000)
Telecomunicacoes
Brasileiras, SA
expiring June 1999
@ $81.50 (1,000) (1,180,980)
Texas Instruments, Inc.
expiring May 1999
@ $112.25 (1,000) (83,260)
10
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
COMPANY CONTRACTS (E) VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Time Warner, Inc.
expiring May 1999
@ $70.44 (1,000) $ (280,420)
expiring June 1999
@ $73.00 (1,000) (258,610)
Tyco International, Ltd.
expiring May 1999
@ $77.00 (1,000) (608,920)
expiring June 1999
@ $77.75 (1,000) (569,000)
Total Outstanding Call
Options Written
(premiums received
$69,306,960) (107,803,099)
TOTAL INVESTMENTS NET OF OUTSTANDING
CALL OPTIONS WRITTEN-100.0%
(cost $5,442,027,499) 7,539,584,070
Other assets less
liabilities-0.0% (3,581,470)
NET ASSETS-100% $ 7,536,002,600
(a) Non-income producing security.
(b) Security on which options are written (shares subject to call have an
aggregate market value of $3,174,697,166).
(c) Securities are exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities
Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from
registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At April 30, 1999,
these securities amounted to $1,601,256 or 0.02% of net assets.
(d) German holding.
(e) One contract relates to 100 shares.
Glossary:
ADR - American Depositary Receipt
See notes to financial statements.
11
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
APRIL 30, 1999 (UNAUDITED) ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
ASSETS
Investments in securities, at value (cost $5,511,334,459) $ 7,647,387,169
Cash 462,884
Receivable for investment securities sold 17,859,259
Receivable for shares of beneficial interest sold 9,905,848
Dividends and interest receivable 5,435,658
Total assets 7,681,050,818
LIABILITIES
Outstanding call options written, at value (premiums
received $69,306,960) 107,803,099
Payable for investment securities purchased 23,445,888
Payable for shares of beneficial interest redeemed 6,232,616
Advisory fee payable 4,187,609
Distribution fee payable 896,734
Accrued expenses 2,482,272
Total liabilities 145,048,218
NET ASSETS $ 7,536,002,600
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS
Shares of beneficial interest, at par $ 1,684
Additional paid-in capital 4,681,632,965
Accumulated net investment loss (28,504,404)
Accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions 785,414,771
Net unrealized appreciation of investments, options and
foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities 2,097,457,584
$ 7,536,002,600
CALCULATION OF MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE
CLASS A SHARES
Net asset value and redemption price per share
($1,284,500,499/23,700,135 shares of beneficial
interest issued and outstanding) $54.20
Sales charge--4.25% of public offering price 2.41
Maximum offering price $56.61
CLASS B SHARES
Net asset value and offering price per share
($5,158,812,708/120,330,045 shares of beneficial
interest issued and outstanding) $42.87
CLASS C SHARES
Net asset value and offering price per share
($880,100,027/20,516,774 shares of beneficial
interest issued and outstanding) $42.90
ADVISOR CLASS SHARES
Net asset value, redemption and offering price per share
($212,589,366/3,890,477 shares of beneficial
interest issued and outstanding) $54.64
See notes to financial statements.
12
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 1999 (UNAUDITED) ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
INVESTMENT INCOME
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld
of $261,784) $ 24,723,193
Interest 7,775,020 $ 32,498,213
EXPENSES
Advisory fee 23,894,706
Distribution fee - Class A 1,745,366
Distribution fee - Class B 23,978,569
Distribution fee - Class C 4,072,687
Transfer agency 5,729,505
Printing 957,538
Custodian 297,557
Audit and legal 103,558
Registration 58,818
Trustees' fees 12,500
Miscellaneous 95,046
Total expenses 60,945,850
Less: expense offset arrangement
(see Note B) -0-
Net expenses 60,945,850
Net investment loss (28,447,637)
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON
INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY
TRANSACTIONS
Net realized gain on investment
transactions 792,404,063
Net realized gain on written options
transactions 16,897,505
Net realized loss on foreign currency
transactions (34,251)
Net change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) of:
Investments 689,256,641
Written options (34,848,635)
Foreign currency denominated assets
and liabilities (31,227)
Net gain on investments and foreign
currency transactions 1,463,644,096
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS $ 1,435,196,459
See notes to financial statements.
13
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
SIX MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED
APRIL 30, 1999 OCTOBER 31,
(UNAUDITED) 1998
--------------- ---------------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM
OPERATIONS
Net investment loss $ (28,447,637) $ (39,676,467)
Net realized gain on investments,
options and foreign currency
transactions 809,267,317 601,623,658
Net change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) of investments,
options, and foreign currency
denominated assets and liabilities 654,376,779 138,250,143
Net increase in net assets from
operations 1,435,196,459 700,197,334
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:
Net realized gain on investments
Class A (78,504,438) (52,161,970)
Class B (410,079,550) (288,101,646)
Class C (69,316,205) (48,125,286)
Advisor Class (13,813,033) (7,005,557)
TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL
INTEREST
Net increase 540,236,330 764,910,528
Total increase 1,403,719,563 1,069,713,403
NET ASSETS
Beginning of year 6,132,283,037 5,062,569,634
End of period $ 7,536,002,600 $ 6,132,283,037
See notes to financial statements.
14
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL 30, 1999 (UNAUDITED) ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
NOTE A: SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Alliance Growth Fund (the "Fund"), a series of The Alliance Portfolios (the
"Trust"), is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a
diversified, open-end investment company. The Fund offers Class A, Class B,
Class C and Advisor Class shares. Class A shares are sold with a front-end
sales charge of up to 4.25% for purchases not exceeding $1,000,000. With
respect to purchases of $1,000,000 or more, Class A shares redeemed within one
year of purchase may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 1%.
Class B shares are currently sold with a contingent deferred sales charge which
declines from 4% to zero depending on the period of time the shares are held.
Shares purchased before August 2, 1993 and redeemed within six years of
purchase are subject to different rates than shares purchased after that date.
Class B shares purchased on or after August 2, 1993 and held for a period
ending eight years after the end of the calendar month of purchase will convert
to Class A shares. Class C shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge of 1% on redemptions made within the first year after purchase. Advisor
Class shares are sold without any initial or contingent deferred sales charge
and are not subject to ongoing distribution expenses. Advisor Class shares are
offered to investors participating in fee-based programs and to certain
retirement plan accounts. All four classes of shares have identical voting,
dividend, liquidation and other rights, except that each class bears different
distribution expenses and has exclusive voting rights with respect to its
distribution plan. The financial statements have been prepared in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make
certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets
and liabilities in the financial statements and amounts of income and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the
Fund.
1. SECURITY VALUATION
Portfolio securities traded on a national securities exchange or on a foreign
securities exchange (other than foreign securities exchanges whose operations
are similar to those of the United States over-the-counter market) are
generally valued at the last reported sale price or if no sale occurred, at the
mean of the closing bid and asked prices on that day. Readily marketable
securities traded in the over-the-counter market, securities listed on a
foreign securities exchange whose operations are similar to the U.S.
over-the-counter market, and securities listed on a national securities
exchange whose primary market is believed to be over-the-counter, are valued at
the mean of the current bid and asked prices. U.S. government and fixed income
securities which mature in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, unless
this method does not represent fair value. Securities for which current market
quotations are not readily available are valued at their fair value as
determined in good faith by, or in accordance with procedures adopted by, the
Board of Trustees. Fixed income securities may be valued on the basis of prices
obtained from a pricing service when such prices are believed to reflect the
fair market value of such securities. Listed put and call options purchased by
the Fund are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that
day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day.
Over-the-counter written options are valued using prices provided by brokers.
2. CURRENCY TRANSLATION
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under
forward exchange currency contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at the
mean of the quoted bid and asked price of such currencies against the U.S.
dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated into U.S.
dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired
or sold. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at rates of
exchange prevailing when accrued.
Net realized foreign currency gains and losses represent foreign exchange gains
and losses from sales and maturities of debt securities, currency gains and
losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on security transactions
and the difference between the amounts of dividends and interest recorded on
the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or
paid. The Fund does not isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign currency
exchange rates when determining the gain or loss upon the sale of equity
securities. Net currency gains and losses from valuing foreign currency
denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange
15
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation of
investments, options and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
3. TAXES
It is the Fund's policy to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code
applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its
investment company taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to
shareholders. Therefore, no provisions for federal income or excise taxes are
required.
4. INVESTMENT INCOME AND INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is accrued
daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date securities are
purchased or sold. The Fund accretes discounts and amortizes premiums as
adjustments to interest income. Investment gains and losses are determined on
the identified cost basis.
5. INCOME AND EXPENSES
All income earned and expenses incurred by the Fund are borne on a pro-rata
basis by each outstanding class of shares, based on the proportionate interest
in the Fund represented by the net assets of such class, except that the Fund's
Class B and Class C shares bear higher distribution and transfer agent fees
than Class A shares and the Advisor Class shares have no distribution fees.
Expenses attributable to the Fund are charged to the Fund. Expenses of the
Trust are charged to the Fund in proportion to net assets.
6. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend
date. Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in
accordance with federal tax regulations and may differ from those determined in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. To the extent these
differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital
accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences, do
not require such reclassification.
NOTE B: ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Under the terms of an investment advisory agreement, the Fund pays Alliance
Capital Management L.P. (the "Adviser") an advisory fee equal to the annualized
rate of .75% of the Fund's average daily net assets up to $3 billion, .70% of
the next $1 billion of the Fund's average daily net assets, .65% of the next $1
billion of the Fund's average daily net assets, and .60% of the Fund's average
daily net assets over $5 billion. Such fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.
The Fund compensates Alliance Fund Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of
the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and
facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Fund. Such compensation
amounted to $3,808,836 for the six months ended April 30, 1999.
For the six months ended April 30, 1999, the Fund's expenses were reduced by
$283,183 under an expense offset arrangement with Alliance Fund Sevices.
Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc., (the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Adviser, serves as the Distributor of the Fund's shares. The
Distributor received front-end sales charges of $114,803 from the sales of
Class A shares and $4,410, $1,863,291, and $84,905 in contingent deferred sales
charges imposed upon redemptions by shareholders of Class A, Class B and Class
C shares, respectively, for the six months ended April 30, 1999.
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended
April 30, 1999 amounted to $3,302,828, of which $650 was paid to Donaldson
Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corp., directly and $3,400 was paid to the
Pershing Division of Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corp., affiliates
of the Adviser.
Accrued expenses includes $151,819 owed to a trustee and a former trustee under
the Trust's deferred compensation plan.
16
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
NOTE C: DISTRIBUTION SERVICES AGREEMENT
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Services Agreement (the "Agreement")
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the
Agreement, the Fund pays a distribution fee to the Distributor at an annual
rate of up to .50% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class
A shares and 1% of the average daily net assets attributable to both Class B
and Class C shares. There is no distribution fee on the Advisor Class shares.
The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Trustees currently limit
payments under the Class A plan to .30% of the Fund's average daily net assets
attributable to Class A shares.
The Fund is not obligated under the Agreement to pay any distribution services
fee in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to
the Distributor under the Agreement is to compensate the Distributor for its
distribution services with respect to the sale of the Fund's shares. Since the
Distributor's compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of
compensation received by it under the Agreement during any year may be more or
less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Agreement is characterized
by the staff of the Commission as being of the "compensation" variety.
In the event that the Agreement is terminated or not continued, no distribution
services fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be
owed by the Fund to the Distributor with respect to the relevant class.
The Agreement also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to
finance the distribution of the Fund's shares.
NOTE D: INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments
and U.S. government securities) aggregated $2,417,738,189 and $2,383,685,562,
respectively, for the six months ended April 30, 1999. There were no purchases
and sales in U.S. government and government agency obligations for the six
months ended April 30, 1999.
At April 30, 1999, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was
$5,536,564,188. Gross unrealized appreciation of investments was $2,467,716,892
and gross unrealized depreciation of investments was $395,390,050 resulting in
net unrealized appreciation of $2,072,326,842.
1. OPTION TRANSACTIONS
For hedging and investment purposes, the Fund purchases and writes (sells) put
and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are
traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets.
The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Fund pays a premium
whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Fund bears the risk
of loss of the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not
perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in
the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired
through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The
proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased
by the premiums paid.
When the Fund writes an option, the premium received by the Fund is recorded as
a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the
option written. Premiums received from writing options which expire unexercised
are recorded by the Fund on the expiration date as realized gains from option
transactions. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid
on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions,
is also treated as a realized gain, or if the premium received is less than the
amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call
option is exercised, the premium received is added to the proceeds from the
sale of the underlying security or currency in determining whether the Fund has
realized a gain or loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium received
reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Fund. The
risk involved in writing an option is that, if the option was exercised the
underlying security could then be purchased or sold by the Fund at a
disadvantageous price.
17
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
Transactions in options written for the six months ended April 30, 1999 were as
follows:
NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS PREMIUMS
---------- --------------
Options outstanding at beginning of year 69,221 $ 28,740,532
Options written 672,700 258,388,777
Options terminated in closing purchase
transactions (104,770) (49,118,042)
Options expired (119,211) (39,616,970)
Options exercised (328,380) (129,087,337)
Options outstanding at April 30, 1999 189,560 $ 69,306,960
2. FORWARD EXCHANGE CURRENCY CONTRACTS
The Fund enters into forward exchange currency contracts in order to hedge its
exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on foreign portfolio
holdings and to hedge certain firm purchase and sale commitments denominated in
foreign currencies. A forward exchange currency contract is a commitment to
purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated forward
rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original
contracts and the closing of such contract is included in net realized gain or
loss on foreign currency transactions.
Fluctuations in the value of forward exchange currency contracts are recorded
for financial reporting purposes as unrealized gains or losses by the Fund.
The Fund's custodian will place and maintain cash not available for investment
or other liquid assets in a separate account of the Fund having a value equal
to the aggregate amount of the Fund's commitments under forward exchange
currency contracts entered into with respect to position hedges.
Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the
terms of a contract and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign
currency relative to the U.S. dollar.
At April 30, 1999, the Fund had no outstanding forward exchange currency
contracts.
18
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
NOTE E: SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
There is an unlimited number of $0.00001 par value shares of beneficial
interest authorized, divided into four classes, designated Class A, Class B,
Class C and Advisor Class shares. Transactions in shares of beneficial interest
were as follows:
SHARES AMOUNT
--------------------------- ------------------------------
SIX MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED
APRIL 30, 1999 OCTOBER 31, APRIL 30, 1999 OCTOBER 31,
(UNAUDITED) 1998 (UNAUDITED) 1998
------------ ------------ -------------- --------------
CLASS A
Shares sold 9,055,845 14,313,089 $ 464,346,209 $ 659,034,500
Shares issued in
reinvestment of
distributions 1,502,621 1,103,597 71,690,496 47,609,915
Shares converted
from Class B 89,682 1,525,332 4,673,793 70,157,128
Shares redeemed (8,318,535) (13,387,711) (428,496,879) (615,070,017)
Net increase 2,329,613 3,554,307 $ 112,213,619 $ 161,731,526
CLASS B
Shares sold 9,894,647 20,547,117 $ 404,989,137 $ 776,085,446
Shares issued in
reinvestment of
distributions 10,048,047 7,651,345 380,318,020 268,634,078
Shares converted
to Class A (112,856) (1,871,621) (4,673,793) (70,157,128)
Shares redeemed (10,389,197) (13,986,411) (426,201,324) (518,571,785)
Net increase 9,440,641 12,340,430 $ 354,432,040 $ 455,990,611
CLASS C
Shares sold 4,165,657 4,951,688 $ 170,431,050 $ 187,545,992
Shares issued in
reinvestment of
distributions 1,708,994 1,279,996 64,719,610 44,966,581
Shares redeemed (4,186,721) (3,903,263) (171,439,810) (145,672,105)
Net increase 1,687,930 2,328,421 $ 63,710,850 $ 86,840,468
ADVISOR CLASS
Shares sold 736,586 2,358,835 $ 38,589,376 $ 106,555,081
Shares issued in
reinvestment of
distributions 268,515 149,933 12,902,137 6,490,605
Shares redeemed (796,037) (1,123,061) (41,611,692) (52,697,763)
Net increase 209,064 1,385,707 $ 9,879,821 $ 60,347,923
NOTEF: BANK BORROWING
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Fund,
participate in a $750 million revolving credit facility (the "Facility")
intended to provide short-term financing if necessary, subject to certain
restrictions, in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees
related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in
miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Fund did not utilize
the Facility during the six months ended April 30, 1999.
19
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH
PERIOD
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIX MONTHS
ENDED MAY 1, 1994
APRIL 30, YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, TO YEAR ENDED
1999 ---------------------------------------------- OCTOBER 31, APRIL 30,
(UNAUDITED) 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994(A) 1994
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $47.17 $43.95 $34.91 $29.48 $25.08 $23.89 $22.67
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income (loss) (.06)(b) (.05)(b) (.10)(b) .05 .12 .09 (.01)(c)
Net realized and unrealized gain on
investments, options and foreign
currency transactions 10.80 6.18 10.17 6.20 4.80 1.10 3.55
Net increase in net asset value from
operations 10.74 6.13 10.07 6.25 4.92 1.19 3.54
LESS: DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment
income -0- -0- -0- (.19) (.11) -0- -0-
Distributions from net realized gains (3.71) (2.91) (1.03) (.63) (.41) -0- (2.32)
Total dividends and distributions (3.71) (2.91) (1.03) (.82) (.52) -0- (2.32)
Net asset value, end of period $54.20 $47.17 $43.95 $34.91 $29.48 $25.08 $23.89
TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return based on net
asset value (d) 23.84% 14.56% 29.54% 21.65% 20.18% 4.98% 15.66%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period
(000's omitted) $1,284,500 $1,008,093 $783,110 $499,459 $285,161 $167,800 $102,406
Ratios to average net assets of:
Expenses, net of waivers/
reimbursements 1.18%(e)(f) 1.22%(e) 1.26%(e) 1.30% 1.35% 1.35%(f) 1.40%
Expenses, before waivers/
reimbursements 1.18%(e)(f) 1.22%(e) 1.26%(e) 1.30% 1.35% 1.35%(f) 1.46%
Net investment income (loss) (.24)%(f) (.11)% (.25)% .15% .56% .86%(f) .32%
Portfolio turnover rate 35% 61% 48% 46% 61% 24% 87%
</TABLE>
See footnote summary on page 23.
20
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH
PERIOD
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS B
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIX MONTHS
ENDED MAY 1, 1994
APRIL 30, YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, TO YEAR ENDED
1999 ---------------------------------------------- OCTOBER 31, APRIL 30,
(UNAUDITED) 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994(A) 1994
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $38.15 $36.31 $29.21 $24.78 $21.21 $20.27 $19.68
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income (loss) (.20)(b) (.31)(b) (.31)(b) (.12) (.02) .01 (.07)(b)(c)
Net realized and unrealized gain on
investments, options and foreign
currency transactions 8.63 5.06 8.44 5.18 4.01 .93 2.98
Net increase in net asset value from
operations 8.43 4.75 8.13 5.06 3.99 .94 2.91
LESS: DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment
income -0- -0- -0- -0- (.01) -0- -0-
Distributions from net realized gains (3.71) (2.91) (1.03) (.63) (.41) -0- (2.32)
Total dividends and distributions (3.71) (2.91) (1.03) (.63) (.42) -0- (2.32)
Net asset value, end of period $42.87 $38.15 $36.31 $29.21 $24.78 $21.21 $20.27
TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return based on net
asset value (d) 23.39% 13.78% 28.64% 20.82% 19.33% 4.64% 14.79%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period
(000's omitted) $5,158,813 $4,230,756 $3,578,806 $2,498,097 $1,502,020 $751,521 $394,227
Ratios to average net assets of:
Expenses, net of waivers/
reimbursements 1.90%(e)(f) 1.94%(e) 1.96%(e) 1.99% 2.05% 2.05%(f) 2.10%
Expenses, before waivers/
reimbursements 1.90%(e)(f) 1.94%(e) 1.96%(e) 1.99% 2.05% 2.05%(f) 2.13%
Net investment income (loss) (.97)%(f) (.83)% (.94)% (.54)% (.15)% .16%(f) (.36)%
Portfolio turnover rate 35% 61% 48% 46% 61% 24% 87%
</TABLE>
See footnote summary on page 23.
21
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED) ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH
PERIOD
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS C
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIX MONTHS
ENDED MAY 1, 1994 AUGUST 2,
APRIL 30, YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, TO 1993(G) TO
1999 ---------------------------------------------- OCTOBER 31, APRIL 30,
(UNAUDITED) 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994(A) 1994
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $38.17 $36.33 $29.22 $24.79 $21.22 $20.28 $21.47
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income (loss) (.20)(b) (.31)(b) (.31)(b) (.12) (.03) .01 (.02)(c)
Net realized and unrealized gain on
investments, options and foreign
currency transactions 8.64 5.06 8.45 5.18 4.02 .93 1.15
Net increase in net asset value from
operations 8.44 4.75 8.14 5.06 3.99 .94 1.13
LESS: DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment
income -0- -0- -0- -0- (.01) -0- -0-
Distributions from net realized gains (3.71) (2.91) (1.03) (.63) (.41) -0- (2.32)
Total dividends and distributions (3.71) (2.91) (1.03) (.63) (.42) -0- (2.32)
Net asset value, end of period $42.90 $38.17 $36.33 $29.22 $24.79 $21.22 $20.28
TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return based on net
asset value (d) 23.41% 13.76% 28.66% 20.81% 19.32% 4.64% 5.27%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period
(000's omitted) $880,100 $718,688 $599,449 $403,478 $226,662 $114,455 $64,030
Ratios to average net assets of:
Expenses, net of waivers/
reimbursements 1.89%(e)(f) 1.93%(e) 1.97%(e) 2.00% 2.05% 2.05%(f) 2.10%(f)
Expenses, before waivers/
reimbursements 1.89%(e)(f) 1.93%(e) 1.97%(e) 2.00% 2.05% 2.05%(f) 2.13%(f)
Net investment income (loss) (.96)%(f) (.83)% (.95)% (.55)% (.15)% .16%(f) (.31)%(f)
Portfolio turnover rate 35% 61% 48% 46% 61% 24% 87%
</TABLE>
See footnote summary on page 23.
22
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH
PERIOD
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ADVISOR CLASS
------------------------------------------------------
SIX MONTHS
ENDED OCTOBER 2,
APRIL 30, YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1996(G) TO
1999 ------------------------ OCTOBER 31,
(UNAUDITED) 1998 1997 1996
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $47.47 $44.08 $34.91 $34.14
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income (loss) .01(b) .08(b) (.05)(b) -0-
Net realized and unrealized gain on
investments, options and foreign
currency transactions 10.87 6.22 10.25 .77
Net increase in net asset value from
operations 10.88 6.30 10.20 .77
LESS: DISTRIBUTIONS
Distributions from net realized gains (3.71) (2.91) (1.03) -0-
Net asset value, end of period $54.64 $47.47 $44.08 $34.91
TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return based on net
asset value (d) 24.00% 14.92% 29.92% 2.26%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period
(000's omitted) $212,589 $174,745 $101,205 $946
Ratios to average net assets of:
Expenses, net of waivers/
reimbursements .88%(e)(f) .93%(e) .98%(e) 1.26%(f)
Expenses, before waivers/
reimbursements .88%(e)(f) .93%(e) .98%(e) 1.26%(f)
Net investment income (loss) .06%(f) .17% (.12)% .50%(f)
Portfolio turnover rate 35% 61% 48% 46%
</TABLE>
(a) The Fund changed its fiscal year end from April 30 to October 31.
(b) Based on average shares outstanding.
(c) Net of fees waived and expenses reimbursed by the Adviser.
(d) Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made
at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all
dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and
redemption on the last day of the period. Initial sales charges or contingent
deferred sales charges are not reflected in the calculation of total investment
return. Total investment return calculated for a period of less than one year
is not annualized.
(e) Ratio reflects expenses grossed up for expense offset arrangement with the
transfer agent. For the six months ended April 30, 1999 and the years ended
October 31, 1998, and 1997 the ratios of expenses net of waiver/reimbursements
and before waiver/reimbursements were 1.21% and 1.25% for Class A shares, 1.93%
and 1.95% for Class B shares, 1.92% and 1.95% for Class C shares and .92% and
.96% for Advisor Class shares, respectively.
(f) Annualized.
(g) Commencement of distribution.
23
<PAGE>
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
ANNUAL REPORT
OCTOBER 31, 1998
ALLIANCE CAPITAL
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
OCTOBER 31, 1998 ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
COMPANY SHARES VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMON & PREFERRED STOCKS-97.7%
TECHNOLOGY-41.8%
BUSINESS SERVICES-0.1%
Reuters Group Plc (ADR) (a) 62,280 $ 3,775,725
COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT-2.6%
Global Telesystems Group, Inc. (b) 2,226,700 89,207,169
Lucent Technologies, Inc. (c) 900,000 72,168,750
--------------
161,375,919
COMPUTER HARDWARE-4.0%
Compaq Computer Corp. 800,000 25,300,000
International Business Machines Corp. 1,483,000 220,132,813
--------------
245,432,813
COMPUTER SOFTWARE & SERVICES-7.0%
Ceridian Corp. (b) 2,209,800 126,787,275
First Data Corp. 300,000 7,950,000
Ingram Micro, Inc. Cl.A (b)(c) 317,500 14,446,250
Microsoft Corp. (b) 200,000 21,175,000
Novell, Inc. (b) 750,000 11,156,250
Sterling Commerce, Inc. (b) 3,799,544 133,933,926
Sterling Software, Inc. (b) 4,301,000 112,632,437
--------------
428,081,138
ELECTRONICS-4.8%
3Com Corp. (b)(c) 227,700 8,211,431
EMC Corp. (c) 193,000 12,424,375
Philips Electronics NV 757,000 41,540,375
SCI Systems, Inc. (b)(c) 1,818,800 71,842,600
Texas Instruments, Inc. (c) 2,475,000 158,245,313
--------------
292,264,094
NETWORKING PRODUCTS-2.6%
Networks Associates, Inc. (b)(c) 3,741,400 159,009,500
NETWORKING SOFTWARE-3.4%
Cisco Systems, Inc. (c) 3,261,000 205,443,000
SEMI-CONDUCTOR COMPONENTS-1.1%
Altera Corp. (b) 398,759 16,598,343
Intel Corp. (c) 600,000 53,512,500
--------------
70,110,843
TELECOMMUNICATIONS-14.2%
ADC Telecommunications, Inc. (b) 247,500 5,692,500
Colt Telecom Group Plc (ADR) (a)(b) 1,030,000 52,916,250
Intermedia Communications,
Inc. pfd. Series D 464,600 12,602,275
Loral Space & Communications (b)(c) 5,115,000 96,865,313
MCI WorldCom, Inc. (b) 8,735,878 482,657,259
Millicom International Cellular, SA (b)(d) 1,130,800 37,740,450
Nextel Communications, Inc. Cl.A (b)(c) 2,763,600 50,090,250
Nextel Strypes Trust 360,000 6,255,000
Nokia Corp. (ADR) (e) 134,800 12,544,825
Pacific Gateway Exchange, Inc. (c) 349,400 10,088,925
Telecomunicacoes Brasileiras,
SA (ADR) (b)(c)(f) 1,184,000 89,910,000
Tellabs, Inc. (b)(c) 250,000 13,750,000
--------------
871,113,047
MISCELLANEOUS-2.0%
Sanmina Corp. (b) 969,800 39,761,800
Solectron Corp. (b)(c) 1,475,000 84,443,750
--------------
124,205,550
--------------
2,560,811,629
FINANCIAL SERVICES-22.1%
BANKING & CREDIT-7.1%
American Express Co. 455,000 40,210,625
Automatic Common Exchange
Security Trust II 337,900 5,596,469
Chase Manhattan Corp. 1,906,604 108,318,940
First Union Corp. 1,138,000 66,004,000
GreenPoint Financial Corp. 151,800 4,980,937
MBNA Corp. 6,919,837 157,858,782
6
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
COMPANY SHARES VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter & Co. 530,400 $ 34,343,400
Providian Financial Corp. (c) 188,000 14,922,500
--------------
432,235,653
BANKING - MONEY CENTER-1.1%
Bank Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd. 2,827,500 27,568,125
BankAmerica Corp. 736,000 42,274,000
--------------
69,842,125
BANKING - REGIONAL-1.3%
Newcourt Credit Group, Inc. 2,346,300 77,134,612
INSURANCE-5.6%
20th Century Industries, Inc. 913,300 22,432,931
Acceptance Insurance Co. (b) 391,800 7,689,075
American Bankers Insurance Group, Inc. 941,600 42,077,750
American International Group, Inc. (c) 2,429,587 207,122,292
PMI Group, Inc. 475,500 23,983,031
Progressive Corp. 283,200 41,701,200
--------------
345,006,279
REAL ESTATE-2.7%
Arden Realty Group, Inc. 502,700 10,870,887
Entertainment Properties Trust 289,700 4,816,262
JP Realty, Inc. 755,300 15,814,094
Koger Equity, Inc. 1,762,571 29,743,386
Macerich Co. 1,051,400 28,979,212
Prentiss Properties Trust 157,500 3,248,438
Simon DeBartolo Group, Inc. 216,500 6,481,469
Spieker Properties, Inc. 522,200 18,015,900
Starwood Hotels & Resorts 220,879 6,253,637
Storage USA, Inc. 383,700 11,678,869
Summit Properties, Inc. 716,700 12,631,837
Sun Communities, Inc. 520,000 17,387,500
--------------
165,921,491
MISCELLANEOUS-4.3%
Associates First Capital Corp. C1.A 772,000 54,426,000
Citigroup, Inc. 4,220,799 198,641,353
Household International, Inc. 307,500 11,242,969
--------------
264,310,322
--------------
1,354,450,482
BUSINESS SERVICES-9.9%
PRINTING, PUBLISHING & BROADCASTING-9.9%
CBS Corp. (c) 3,881,700 108,444,994
Comcast Corp. Cl.A 516,500 25,502,187
Cox Communications, Inc. Cl.A (b) 161,300 8,851,338
MediaOne Group, Inc. 400,000 16,925,000
News Corp., Ltd. (ADR) (g) 843,400 23,035,362
TCI Group Series A (b) 592,865 24,974,438
TCI Ventures Group Series A (b)(c) 8,728,970 162,577,066
Tele-Communications, Inc. -
Liberty Media Group Cl.A (b) 2,414,693 91,909,252
Time Warner, Inc. 243,000 22,553,438
Viacom, Inc. Cl.B (b)(c) 2,072,000 124,061,000
--------------
608,834,075
CONSUMER NONCYCLICALS-6.9%
BEVERAGES-0.1%
Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. 200,000 7,212,500
DRUGS-3.3%
Abbott Laboratories 166,600 7,819,787
Astra AB, Series A (h) 260,000 4,213,426
Boston Scientific Corp. 580,000 31,573,750
Gensia, Inc. pfd. (i)(j) 68,500 1,617,354
Merck & Co., Inc. 826,200 111,743,550
Schering-Plough Corp. 436,000 44,853,500
--------------
201,821,367
HOSPITAL SUPPLIES & SERVICES-0.3%
Medtronic, Inc. (c) 312,800 20,332,000
7
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
SHARES OR
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
COMPANY (000) VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOBACCO-3.2%
Loews Corp. 1,099,000 $103,237,312
Philip Morris Cos., Inc. (c) 1,808,400 92,454,450
-------------
195,691,762
-------------
425,057,629
CONSUMER CYCLICALS-5.0%
AIRLINES-0.8%
AMR Corp. (b) 200,000 13,400,000
Delta Air Lines, Inc. 358,400 37,833,600
-------------
51,233,600
DIVERSIFIED-0.3%
Republic Industries, Inc. (b) 1,257,600 20,200,200
RETAILING - GENERAL-3.9%
Home Depot, Inc. 2,515,000 109,402,500
Office Depot, Inc. (b) 250,000 6,250,000
Tandy Corp. (c) 1,570,900 77,857,731
The Limited, Inc. 871,425 22,330,266
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. 299,000 20,631,000
-------------
236,471,497
-------------
307,905,297
CAPITAL GOODS-3.7%
MACHINERY-3.7%
Mannesmann AG (k) 1,493,000 146,911,561
ADR (l) 770,000 75,782,938
-------------
222,694,499
ENERGY-2.2%
OIL & GAS SERVICES-2.2%
BJ Services Co. (b) 270,200 5,522,213
Gulf Canada Resources, Ltd. (f) 13,520,900 50,703,375
Halliburton Co. 2,147,800 77,186,562
Transocean Offshore, Inc. 82,100 3,032,569
-------------
136,444,719
HEALTH CARE-2.0%
DRUGS-2.0%
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. 1,107,000 122,392,687
MULTI INDUSTRY COMPANIES-1.9%
Tyco International, Ltd. (c) 1,904,112 117,935,937
CONSUMER SERVICES-1.8%
BUSINESS SERVICES-1.3%
Cendant Corp. (b) 6,602,000 75,510,375
ENTERTAINMENT & LEISURE-0.5%
Carnival Corp. Cl.A 625,800 20,260,275
Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. 441,800 12,315,175
-------------
32,575,450
-------------
108,085,825
UTILITY-0.4%
TELEPHONE-0.4%
AT&T Corp. 380,196 23,667,201
Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. 62,400 2,488,200
-------------
26,155,401
Total Common & Preferred Stocks
(cost $4,547,820,233) 5,990,768,180
LONG-TERM DEBT SECURITIES-0.6%
COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT-0.5%
Global Telesystems Group, Inc.
5.75%, 7/01/10 $37,210 29,861,025
HEALTHCARE-0.1%
Centocor, Inc.
4.75%, 2/15/05 (j) 7,960 8,467,450
Total Long-Term Debt Securities
(cost $34,480,354) 38,328,475
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS-3.2%
SHORT-TERM DEBT SECURITIES-3.2%
Federal Home Loan Bank
5.40%, 11/02/98 50,000 49,992,500
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
4.78%, 11/17/98 9,000 8,980,880
8
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
CONTRACTS (M)
OR PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
COMPANY (000) VALUE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
4.79%, 11/10/98 $25,000 $ 24,970,063
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
4.80%, 11/16/98 25,600 25,548,800
Student Loan Marketing Assn.
5.42%, 11/02/98 84,100 84,087,338
--------------
193,579,581
TIME DEPOSIT-0.0%
State Street Cayman Islands
4.75%, 11/02/98 1,776 1,776,000
Total Short-term investments
(cost $195,355,581) 195,355,581
TOTAL INVESTMENTS-101.5%
(cost $4,777,656,168) 6,224,452,236
OUTSTANDING CALL OPTIONS WRITTEN-(B)(0.5%)
3Com Corp.
expiring December 1998 @ $31.75 (1,500) (846,000)
American International Group, Inc.
expiring December 1998 @ $84.25 (1,000) (600,000)
CBS Corp.
expiring December 1998 @ $25.25 (2,500) (950,000)
Cisco Systems, Inc.
expiring November 1998
@ $59.13 (2,250) (909,000)
@ $63.00 (3,000) (579,000)
@ $66.00 (1,500) (369,000)
@ $69.63 (1,500) (19,500)
EMC Corp.
expiring December 1998 @ $62.13 (1,000) (632,000)
Ingram Micro, Inc.
expiring January 1999 @ $46.50 (2,000) (806,000)
Intel Corp.
expiring January 1999 @ $90.06 (2,000) (1,020,000)
Loral Space & Communications
expiring December 1998 @ $15.00 (2,500) (1,202,500)
Lucent Technologies, Inc.
expiring December 1998 @ $79.13 (2,000) (1,214,000)
expiring January 1999 @ $81.06 (1,000) (569,000)
Medtronic, Inc.
expiring January 1999 @ $62.38 (1,000) (566,000)
Networks Associates, Inc.
expiring November 1998 @ $39.25 (2,000) (986,000)
expiring December 1998 @ $38.75 (2,000) (1,182,000)
expiring January 1999 @ $43.00 (2,000) (764,000)
Nextel Communications, Inc.
expiring December 1998 @ $19.38 (2,500) (355,000)
Pacific Gateway Exchange, Inc.
expiring January 1999 @ $30.13 (1,600) (568,000)
Philip Morris Cos., Inc.
expiring December 1998 @ $48.75 (1,000) (359,960)
Providian Financial Corp.
expiring November 1998 @ $12.91 (1,000) (871,000)
SCI Systems, Inc.
expiring January 1999 @ $39.75 (2,500) (1,175,000)
Solectron Corp.
expiring December 1998
@ $54.63 (1,000) (572,000)
@ $58.25 (2,500) (1,027,500)
9
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
COMPANY CONTRACTS (M) VALUE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tandy Corp.
expiring December 1998
@ $44.94 (2,000) $(1,353,680)
@ $48.25 (2,000) (920,860)
expiring January 1999 @ $47.00 (1,500) (741,000)
TCI Ventures Group
Series A
expiring November 1998
@ $17.75 (1,500) (201,000)
@ $18.44 (2,000) (76,000)
Telecomunicacoes Brasileiras, SA
expiring November 1998
@ $73.37 (1,171) (721,336)
@ $73.62 (1,000) (676,000)
@ $78.13 (700) (291,900)
expiring January 1999 @ $74.50 (1,000) (808,000)
Tellabs, Inc.
expiring November 1998 @ $43.88 (1,500) (1,689,000)
expiring December 1998 @ $54.25 (1,000) (560,000)
Texas Instruments, Inc.
expiring December 1998
@ $58.75 (2,000) (1,489,720)
@ $59.75 (2,000) (1,320,320)
@ $60.63 (2,000) (1,257,760)
Tyco International, Ltd.
expiring December 1998 @ $58.63 (2,000) (1,218,000)
Viacom, Inc.
expiring December 1998
@ $58.13 (2,000) (720,000)
@ $63.38 (1,000) (201,000)
Total Outstanding Call Options Written
(premiums received $28,740,532) (32,388,036)
TOTAL INVESTMENTS NET OF OUTSTANDING CALL
OPTIONS WRITTEN -101.0%
(cost $4,748,915,636) 6,192,064,200
Other assets less liabilities-(1.0%) (59,781,163)
NET ASSETS-100% $6,132,283,037
(a) Country of origin--United Kingdom.
(b) Non-income producing security.
(c) Security on which options are written (shares subject to call have an
aggregate market value of $371,612,281).
(d) Country of origin-Luxembourg.
(e) Country of origin-Finland
(f) Country of origin-Brazil
(g) Country of origin-Australia
(h) Swedish holding.
(i) Country of origin--Canada.
(j) Securities are exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities
Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from
registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At October 31, 1998,
these securities amounted to $10,084,804 or 0.2% of net assets.
(k) German holding.
(l) Country of origin--Germany.
(m) One contract relates to 100 shares.
Glossary:
ADR - American Depositary Receipt.
See notes to financial statements.
10
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
OCTOBER 31, 1998 ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
ASSETS
Investments in securities, at value (cost $4,777,656,168) $6,224,452,236
Cash 120,799
Receivable for investment securities sold 71,438,236
Receivable for shares of beneficial interest sold 13,959,570
Dividends and interest receivable 5,020,371
Other assets 341,028
Total assets 6,315,332,240
LIABILITIES
Payable for investment securities purchased 131,274,976
Outstanding call options written, at value
(premiums received $28,740,532) 32,388,036
Payable for shares of beneficial interest redeemed 12,314,439
Advisory fee payable 3,299,673
Distribution fee payable 834,353
Accrued expenses 2,937,726
Total liabilities 183,049,203
NET ASSETS $6,132,283,037
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS
Shares of beneficial interest, at par $ 1,548
Additional paid-in capital 4,141,396,771
Accumulated net investment loss (56,767)
Accumulated net realized gain on investment transactions 547,860,680
Net unrealized appreciation of investments, options and
foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities 1,443,080,805
$6,132,283,037
CALCULATION OF MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE
CLASS A SHARES
Net asset value and redemption price per share ($1,008,093,483/
21,370,522 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding) $47.17
Sales charge--4.25% of public offering price 2.09
Maximum offering price $49.26
CLASS B SHARES
Net asset value and offering price per share ($4,230,756,113/
110,889,404 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding) $38.15
CLASS C SHARES
Net asset value and offering price per share ($718,688,176/
18,828,844 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding) $38.17
ADVISOR CLASS SHARES
Net asset value, redemption and offering price per share
($174,745,265 /3,681,413 shares of beneficial interest issued
and outstanding) $47.47
See notes to financial statements.
11
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1998 ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
INVESTMENT INCOME
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld
of $669,275) $ 55,315,657
Interest 9,546,213 $ 64,861,870
EXPENSES
Advisory fee 41,033,553
Distribution fee - Class A 2,794,078
Distribution fee - Class B 40,881,301
Distribution fee - Class C 6,870,520
Transfer agency 10,291,560
Printing 1,913,493
Custodian 556,600
Registration 361,955
Audit and legal 271,110
Trustees' fees 29,000
Miscellaneous 172,172
Total expenses 105,175,342
Less: expense offset arrangement (see Note B) (637,005)
Net expenses 104,538,337
Net investment loss (39,676,467)
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
Net realized gain on investment transactions 449,749,182
Net realized gain on written options transactions 152,319,721
Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions (445,245)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:
Investments 182,132,985
Written options (43,884,511)
Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities 1,669
Net gain on investments and foreign currency transactions 739,873,801
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS $700,197,334
See notes to financial statements.
12
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
OCTOBER 31, OCTOBER 31,
1998 1997
--------------- ---------------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
FROM OPERATIONS
Net investment loss $ (39,676,467) $ (35,548,097)
Net realized gain on investments, options
and foreign currency transactions 601,623,658 431,215,641
Net change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) of investments, options,
and foreign currency denominated assets
and liabilities 138,250,143 669,531,008
Net increase in net assets from operations 700,197,334 1,065,198,552
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:
Net realized gain on investments
Class A (52,161,970) (14,927,840)
Class B (288,101,646) (89,311,288)
Class C (48,125,286) (14,500,115)
Advisor Class (7,005,557) (20,469)
TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Net increase 764,910,528 714,151,085
Total increase 1,069,713,403 1,660,589,925
NET ASSETS
Beginning of year 5,062,569,634 3,401,979,709
End of year $6,132,283,037 $5,062,569,634
See notes to financial statements.
13
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
OCTOBER 31, 1998 ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
NOTE A: SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Alliance Growth Fund (the "Fund"), a series of The Alliance Portfolios (the
"Trust"), is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a
diversified, open-end investment company. The Fund offers Class A, Class B,
Class C and Advisor Class shares. Class A shares are sold with a front-end
sales charge of up to 4.25% for purchases not exceeding $1,000,000. With
respect to purchases of $1,000,000 or more, Class A shares redeemed within one
year of purchase will be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 1%.
Class B shares are currently sold with a contingent deferred sales charge which
declines from 4% to zero depending on the period of time the shares are held.
Shares purchased before August 2, 1993 and redeemed within six years of
purchase are subject to different rates than shares purchased after that date.
Class B shares purchased on or after August 2, 1993 and held for a period
ending eight years after the end of the calendar month of purchase will convert
to Class A shares. Class C shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge of 1% on redemptions made within the first year after purchase. Advisor
Class shares are sold without any initial or contingent deferred sales charge
and are not subject to ongoing distribution expenses. Advisor Class shares are
offered to investors participating in fee-based programs and to certain
retirement plan accounts. All four classes of shares have identical voting,
dividend, liquidation and other rights, except that each class bears different
distribution expenses and has exclusive voting rights with respect to its
distribution plan. The financial statements have been prepared in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make
certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets
and liabilities in the financial statements and amounts of income and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the
Fund.
1. SECURITY VALUATION
Portfolio securities traded on a national securities exchange or on a foreign
securities exchange (other than foreign securities exchanges whose operations
are similar to those of the United States over-the-counter market) are
generally valued at the last reported sale price or if no sale occurred, at the
mean of the closing bid and asked prices on that day. Readily marketable
securities traded in the over-the-counter market, securities listed on a
foreign securities exchange whose operations are similar to the U.S.
over-the-counter market, and securities listed on a national securities
exchange whose primary market is believed to be over-the-counter, are valued at
the mean of the current bid and asked prices. U.S. government and fixed income
securities which mature in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, unless
this method does not represent fair value. Securities for which current market
quotations are not readily available are valued at their fair value as
determined in good faith by, or in accordance with procedures adopted by, the
Board of Trustees. Fixed income securities may be valued on the basis of prices
obtained from a pricing service when such prices are believed to reflect the
fair market value of such securities. Listed put and call options purchased by
the Fund are valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that
day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on that day.
Over-the-counter written options are valued using prices provided by brokers.
2. CURRENCY TRANSLATION
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under
forward exchange currency contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at the
mean of the quoted bid and asked price of such currencies against the U.S.
dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated into U.S.
dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired
or sold. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at rates of
exchange prevailing when accrued.
Net realized foreign currency gains and losses represent foreign exchange gains
and losses from sales and maturities of debt securities, currency gains and
losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on security transactions
and the difference between the amounts of dividends and interest recorded on
the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or
paid. The Fund does not isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign currency
exchange rates when determining the gain or loss upon the sale of equity
securities. Net currency gains and losses from valuing foreign currency
denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected
as a component of net unrealized appreciation of investments, options and
foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
14
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
3. TAXES
It is the Fund's policy to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code
applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its
investment company taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to
shareholders. Therefore, no provisions for federal income or excise taxes are
required.
4. INVESTMENT INCOME AND INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is accrued
daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date securities are
purchased or sold. The Fund accretes discounts and amortizes premiums as
adjustments to interest income. Investment gains and losses are determined on
the identified cost basis.
5. INCOME AND EXPENSES
All income earned and expenses incurred by the Fund are borne on a pro-rata
basis by each outstanding class of shares, based on the proportionate interest
in the Fund represented by the net assets of such class, except that the Fund's
Class B and Class C shares bear higher distribution and transfer agent fees
than Class A shares and the Advisor Class shares have no distribution fees.
Expenses attributable to the Fund are charged to the Fund. Expenses of the
Trust are charged to the Fund in proportion to net assets.
6. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend
date. Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in
accordance with federal tax regulations and may differ from those determined in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. To the extent these
differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital
accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences, do
not require such reclassification. During the current fiscal year, permanent
differences, primarily due to net investment loss, resulted in a net decrease
in accumulated net investment loss and a corresponding decrease in accumulated
net realized gain on investment transactions. This reclassification had no
effect on net assets.
NOTE B: ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Under the terms of an investment advisory agreement, the Fund pays Alliance
Capital Management L.P. (the "Adviser") an advisory fee equal to the annualized
rate of .75% of the Fund's average daily net assets up to $3 billion, .70% of
the next $1 billion of the Fund's average daily net assets, .65% of the next $1
billion of the Fund's average daily net assets, and .60% of the Fund's average
daily net assets over $5 billion. Such fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.
The Fund compensates Alliance Fund Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of
the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and
facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Fund. Such compensation
amounted to $6,446,137 for the year ended October 31, 1998.
In addition, for the year ended October 31, 1998, the Fund's expenses were
reduced by $637,005 under an expense offset arrangement with Alliance Fund
Sevices. Transfer agency fees reported in the Statement of Operations exclude
these credits.
Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc., (the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Adviser, serves as the Distributor of the Fund's shares. The
Distributor received front-end sales charges of $225,295 from the sales of
Class A shares and $9,744, $3,874,312, and $116,331 in contingent deferred
sales charges imposed upon redemptions by shareholders of Class A, Class B and
Class C shares, respectively, for the year ended October 31, 1998.
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the year ended
October 31, 1998 amounted to $6,415,603, of which $30,458 was paid to
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corp., an affiliate of the Adviser.
Accrued expenses includes $128,126 owed to a trustee and a former trustee under
the Trust's deferred compensation plan.
15
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
NOTE C: DISTRIBUTION SERVICES AGREEMENT
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Services Agreement (the "Agreement")
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the
Agreement, the Fund pays a distribution fee to the Distributor at an annual
rate of up to .50% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class
A shares and 1% of the average daily net assets attributable to both Class B
and Class C shares. There is no distribution fee on the Advisor Class shares.
The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Trustees currently limit
payments under the Class A plan to .30% of the Fund's average daily net assets
attributable to Class A shares.
The Fund is not obligated under the Agreement to pay any distribution services
fee in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to
the Distributor under the Agreement is to compensate the Distributor for its
distribution services with respect to the sale of the Fund's shares. Since the
Distributor's compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of
compensation received by it under the Agreement during any year may be more or
less than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Agreement is characterized
by the staff of the Commission as being of the "compensation" variety.
In the event that the Agreement is terminated or not continued, no distribution
services fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be
owed by the Fund to the Distributor with respect to the relevant class.
The Agreement also provides that the Adviser may use its own resources to
finance the distribution of the Fund's shares.
NOTE D: INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments
and U.S. government securities) aggregated $4,144,330,225 and $3,481,220,194,
respectively, for the year ended October 31, 1998. There were no purchases and
sales of $15,674,270 in U.S. government and government agency obligations for
the year ended October 31, 1998.
At October 31, 1998, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes
was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Gross
unrealized appreciation of investments was $1,676,579,312 and gross unrealized
depreciation of investments was $233,430,748 resulting in net unrealized
appreciation of $1,443,148,564.
1. OPTION TRANSACTIONS
For hedging and investment purposes, the Fund purchases and writes (sells) put
and call options on U.S. and foreign securities and foreign currencies that are
traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets.
The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Fund pays a premium
whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Fund bears the risk
of loss of the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not
perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in
the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired
through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The
proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased
by the premiums paid.
When the Fund writes an option, the premium received by the Fund is recorded as
a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the
option written. Premiums received from writing options which expire unexercised
are recorded by the Fund on the expiration date as realized gains from option
transactions. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid
on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions,
is also treated as a realized gain, or if the premium received is less than the
amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call
option is exercised, the premium received is added to the proceeds from the
sale of the underlying security or currency in determining whether the Fund has
realized a gain or loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium received
reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Fund. The
risk involved in writing an option is that, if the option was exercised the
underlying security could then be purchased or sold by the Fund at a
disadvantageous price.
16
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
Transactions in options written for the year ended October 31, 1998 were as
follows:
NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS PREMIUMS
---------- -------------
Options outstanding at beginning of year 264,700 $ 88,568,875
Options written 1,162,323 333,232,266
Options terminated in closing purchase transactions (381,770) (116,092,250)
Options expired (587,477) (169,097,751)
Options exercised (388,555) (107,870,608)
Options outstanding at October 31, 1998 69,221 $ 28,740,532
2. FORWARD EXCHANGE CURRENCY CONTRACTS
The Fund enters into forward exchange currency contracts in order to hedge its
exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on foreign portfolio
holdings and to hedge certain firm purchase and sale commitments denominated in
foreign currencies. A forward exchange currency contract is a commitment to
purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated forward
rate. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original
contracts and the closing of such contract is included in net realized gain or
loss on foreign currency transactions.
Fluctuations in the value of forward exchange currency contracts are recorded
for financial reporting purposes as unrealized gains or losses by the Fund.
The Fund's custodian will place and maintain cash not available for investment
or other liquid assets in a separate account of the Fund having a value equal
to the aggregate amount of the Fund's commitments under forward exchange
currency contracts entered into with respect to position hedges.
Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the
terms of a contract and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign
currency relative to the U.S. dollar.
At October 31, 1998, the Fund had no outstanding forward exchange currency
contracts.
17
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
NOTE E: SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
There is an unlimited number of $0.00001 par value shares of beneficial
interest authorized, divided into four classes, designated Class A, Class B,
Class C and Advisor Class shares. Transactions in shares of beneficial interest
were as follows:
SHARES AMOUNT
--------------------------- ------------------------------
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
OCTOBER 31, OCTOBER 31, OCTOBER 31, OCTOBER 31,
1998 1997 1998 1997
------------- ------------ -------------- --------------
CLASS A
Shares sold 14,313,089 8,132,661 $659,034,500 $318,891,520
Shares issued in
reinvestment of
distributions 1,103,597 358,984 47,609,915 12,705,352
Shares converted
from Class B 1,525,332 1,372,219 70,157,128 54,520,447
Shares redeemed (13,387,711) (6,355,236) (615,070,017) (250,784,867)
Net increase 3,554,307 3,508,628 $161,731,526 $135,332,452
CLASS B
Shares sold 20,547,117 23,967,815 $776,085,446 $771,661,032
Shares issued in
reinvestment of
distributions 7,651,345 2,307,390 268,634,078 67,883,610
Shares converted
to Class A (1,871,621) (1,655,781) (70,157,128) (54,520,447)
Shares redeemed (13,986,411) (11,595,072) (518,571,785) (376,839,188)
Net increase 12,340,430 13,024,352 $455,990,611 $408,185,007
CLASS C
Shares sold 4,951,688 5,404,558 $187,545,992 $173,407,183
Shares issued in
reinvestment of
distributions 1,279,996 278,004 44,966,581 8,181,650
Shares redeemed (3,903,263) (2,988,645) (145,672,105) (97,513,487)
Net increase 2,328,421 2,693,917 $ 86,840,468 $ 84,075,346
ADVISOR CLASS
Shares sold 2,358,835 2,521,405 $106,555,081 $ 96,902,785
Shares issued in
reinvestment of
distributions 149,933 570 6,490,605 20,184
Shares redeemed (1,123,061) (253,380) (52,697,763) (10,364,689)
Net increase 1,385,707 2,268,595 $ 60,347,923 $ 86,558,280
NOTEF: BANK BORROWING
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Fund,
participate in a $750 million revolving credit facility (the "Facility")
intended to provide short-term financing if necessary, subject to certain
restrictions, in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees
related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in
miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Fund did not utilize
the Facility during the year ended October 31, 1998.
18
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH
PERIOD
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAY 1, 1994
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, TO YEAR ENDED
----------------------------------------------------- OCTOBER 31, APRIL 30,
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994(A) 1994
-------------- ------------ ----------- ---------- ------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $43.95 $34.91 $29.48 $25.08 $23.89 $22.67
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income (loss) (.05)(b) (.10)(b) .05 .12 .09 (.01)(c)
Net realized and unrealized gain on
investments, options and foreign
currency transactions 6.18 10.17 6.20 4.80 1.10 3.55
Net increase in net asset value from
operations 6.13 10.07 6.25 4.92 1.19 3.54
LESS: DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income -0- -0- (.19) (.11) -0- -0-
Distributions from net realized gains (2.91) (1.03) (.63) (.41) -0- (2.32)
Total dividends and distributions (2.91) (1.03) (.82) (.52) -0- (2.32)
Net asset value, end of period $47.17 $43.95 $34.91 $29.48 $25.08 $23.89
TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return based on net
asset value (d) 14.56% 29.54% 21.65% 20.18% 4.98% 15.66%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000's omitted) $1,008,093 $783,110 $499,459 $285,161 $167,800 $102,406
Ratios to average net assets of:
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements 1.22%(e) 1.26%(e) 1.30% 1.35% 1.35%(f) 1.40%
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements 1.22%(e) 1.26%(e) 1.30% 1.35% 1.35%(f) 1.46%
Net investment income (loss) (.11)% (.25)% .15% .56% .86%(f) .32%
Portfolio turnover rate 61% 48% 46% 61% 24% 87%
</TABLE>
See footnote summary on page 22.
19
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED) ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH
PERIOD
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS B
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAY 1, 1994
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, TO YEAR ENDED
----------------------------------------------------- OCTOBER 31, APRIL 30,
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994(A) 1994
-------------- ------------ ----------- ---------- ------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $36.31 $29.21 $24.78 $21.21 $20.27 $19.68
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income (loss) (.31)(b) (.31)(b) (.12) (.02) .01 (.07)(b)(c)
Net realized and unrealized gain on
investments, options and foreign
currency transactions 5.06 8.44 5.18 4.01 .93 2.98
Net increase in net asset value from
operations 4.75 8.13 5.06 3.99 .94 2.91
LESS: DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income -0- -0- -0- (.01) -0- -0-
Distributions from net realized gains (2.91) (1.03) (.63) (.41) -0- (2.32)
Total dividends and distributions (2.91) (1.03) (.63) (.42) -0- (2.32)
Net asset value, end of period $38.15 $36.31 $29.21 $24.78 $21.21 $20.27
TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return based on net
asset value (d) 13.78% 28.64% 20.82% 19.33% 4.64% 14.79%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000's omitted) $4,230,756 $3,578,806 $2,498,097 $1,502,020 $751,521 $394,227
Ratios to average net assets of:
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements 1.94%(e) 1.96%(e) 1.99% 2.05% 2.05%(f) 2.10%
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements 1.94%(e) 1.96%(e) 1.99% 2.05% 2.05%(f) 2.13%
Net investment income (loss) (.83)% (.94)% (.54)% (.15)% .16%(f) (.36)%
Portfolio turnover rate 61% 48% 46% 61% 24% 87%
</TABLE>
See footnote summary on page 22.
20
ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH
PERIOD
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS C
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAY 1, 1994 AUGUST 2,
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, TO 1993(G) TO
----------------------------------------------------- OCTOBER 31, APRIL 30,
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994(A) 1994
-------------- ------------ ----------- ---------- ------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $36.33 $29.22 $24.79 $21.22 $20.28 $21.47
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income (loss) (.31)(b) (.31)(b) (.12) (.03) .01 (.02)(c)
Net realized and unrealized gain on
investments, options and foreign
currency transactions 5.06 8.45 5.18 4.02 .93 1.15
Net increase in net asset value from
operations 4.75 8.14 5.06 3.99 .94 1.13
LESS: DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income -0- -0- -0- (.01) -0- -0-
Distributions from net realized gains (2.91) (1.03) (.63) (.41) -0- (2.32)
Total dividends and distributions (2.91) (1.03) (.63) (.42) -0- (2.32)
Net asset value, end of period $38.17 $36.33 $29.22 $24.79 $21.22 $20.28
TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return based on net
asset value (d) 13.76% 28.66% 20.81% 19.32% 4.64% 5.27%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000's omitted) $718,688 $599,449 $403,478 $226,662 $114,455 $64,030
Ratios to average net assets of:
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements 1.93%(e) 1.97%(e) 2.00% 2.05% 2.05%(f) 2.10%(f)
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements 1.93%(e) 1.97%(e) 2.00% 2.05% 2.05%(f) 2.13%(f)
Net investment income (loss) (.83)% (.95)% (.55)% (.15)% .16%(f) (.31)%(f)
Portfolio turnover rate 61% 48% 46% 61% 24% 87%
</TABLE>
See footnote summary on page 22.
21
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED) ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH
PERIOD
ADVISOR CLASS
--------------------------------------
OCT. 2,
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1996(G) TO
-------------------------- OCT. 31,
1998 1997 1996
------------ ------------ ----------
Net asset value, beginning of period $44.08 $34.91 $34.14
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income (loss) .08(b) (.05)(b) -0-
Net realized and unrealized gain on
investments, options and foreign
currency transactions 6.22 10.25 .77
Net increase in net asset value from
operations 6.30 10.20 .77
LESS: DISTRIBUTIONS
Distributions from net realized gains (2.91) (1.03) -0-
Net asset value, end of period $47.47 $44.08 $34.91
TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return based on net
asset value (d) 14.92% 29.92% 2.26%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period
(000's omitted) $174,745 $101,205 $946
Ratios to average net assets of:
Expenses, net of waivers/
reimbursements .93%(e) .98%(e) 1.26%(f)
Expenses, before waivers/
reimbursements .93%(e) .98%(e) 1.26%(f)
Net investment income (loss) .17% (.12)% .50%(f)
Portfolio turnover rate 61% 48% 46%
(a) The Fund changed its fiscal year end from April 30 to October 31.
(b) Based on average shares outstanding.
(c) Net of fees waived and expenses reimbursed by the Adviser.
(d) Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made
at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all
dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and
redemption on the last day of the period. Initial sales charges or contingent
deferred sales charges are not reflected in the calculation of total investment
return. Total investment return calculated for a period of less than one year
is not annualized.
(e) Ratio reflects expenses grossed up for expense offset arrangement with the
transfer agent. For the years ended October 31, 1998, and 1997 the ratios of
expenses net of waiver/reimbursements and before waiver/reimbursements were
1.21% and 1.25% for Class A shares, 1.93% and 1.95% for Class B shares, 1.92%
and 1.95% for Class C shares and .92% and .96% for Advisor Class shares,
respectively.
(f) Annualized.
(g) Commencement of distribution.
22
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
TO THE TRUSTEES AND SHAREHOLDERS OF ALLIANCE GROWTH FUND
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the portfolio of investments, and the related statements of operations and of
changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Alliance Growth Fund (one of the
portfolios of The Alliance Portfolios, hereafter referred to as the "Fund") at
October 31, 1998, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the
changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended
and the financial highlights for each of the periods presented, in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles. These financial statements and
financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the
responsibility of the Fund's management; our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our
audits of these financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing
the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management,
and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that
our audits, which included confirmation of securities at October 31, 1998 by
correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for
the opinion expressed above.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
December 15, 1998
<PAGE>
________________________________________________________________
APPENDIX A:
DESCRIPTION OF CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
________________________________________________________________
Description of the bond ratings of Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. are as follows:
Aaa-- Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the
best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk
and are generally referred to as "gilt edge." Interest payments
are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin,
and principal is secure. While the various protective elements
are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most
unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such
issues.
Aa-- Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high
quality by all standards. Together with the Aaa group they
comprise what are generally known as high grade bonds. They are
rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may
not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective
elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other
elements present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat
greater than the Aaa securities.
A-- Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable
investment attributes and are to be considered as upper-medium-
grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and
interest are considered adequate but elements may be present
which suggest a susceptibility to impairment some time in the
future.
Baa-- Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium
grade obligations, i.e., they are neither highly protected nor
poorly secured. Interest payment and principal security appear
adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be
lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment
characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as
well.
Ba-- Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have
speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well
assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments
may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during both
good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
A-1
<PAGE>
B-- Bonds which are rated B generally lack
characteristics of the desirable investment. Assurance of
interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms
of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa-- Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing.
Such issues may be in default or there may be present elements of
danger with respect to principal or interest.
Ca-- Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations
which are speculative to a high degree. Such issues are often in
default or have other marked shortcomings.
C-- 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 generic rating category; the modifier "2"
indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier "3" indicates
that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating
category.
Descriptions of the bond ratings of Standard & Poor's
Ratings Services ("Standard & Poor's") are as follows:
AAA-- Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by
Standard & Poor's. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal
is extremely strong.
AA-- Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay
interest and repay principal and differs from the higher rated
issues only in small degree.
A-- Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest
and repay principal although it is somewhat more susceptible to
the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic
conditions than debt in higher rated categories.
BBB-- Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate
capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas it
normally exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse
economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to
lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal
for debt in this category than for debt in higher rated
categories.
BB, B, CCC, CC, or C -- Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC or C
is regarded, on balance, as having predominantly speculative
A-2
<PAGE>
characteristics 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.
C1-- The rating C1 is reserved for income bonds on which
no interest is being paid.
D-- Debt rated D is in default and payment of interest
and/or repayment of principal is in arrears.
The ratings from AAA to CC may be modified by the
addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative
standing within the major rating categories.
Descriptions of the bond ratings of Fitch IBCA, Inc. are
as follows:
AAA-- Securities of this rating are regarded as strictly
high-grade, broadly marketable, suitable for investment by
trustees and fiduciary institutions, and liable to but slight
market fluctuation other than through changes in the money rate.
The factor last named is of importance varying with the length of
maturity. Such securities are mainly senior issues of strong
companies, and are most numerous in the railway and public
utility fields, though some industrial obligations have this
rating. The prime feature of an AAA rating is showing of
earnings several times or many times interest requirements with
such stability of applicable earnings that safety is beyond
reasonable question whatever changes occur in conditions. Other
features may enter in, such as stability of applicable earnings
conditions. Other features may enter in, such as a wide margin
of protection through collateral security or direct lien on
specific property as in the case of high class equipment
certificates or bonds that are first mortgages on valuable real
estate. Sinking funds or voluntary reduction of the debt by call
or purchase are often factors, while guarantee or assumption by
parties other than the original debtor may also influence the
rating.
AA-- Securities in this group are of safety virtually
beyond question, and as a class are readily salable while many
are highly active. Their merits are not greatly unlike those of
the AAA class, but a security so rated may be of junior though
strong lien -- in many cases directly following an AAA security -
- - or the margin of safety is less strikingly broad. The issue may
be the obligation of a small company, strongly secured but
influenced as to ratings by the lesser financial power of the
enterprise and more local type of market.
A-3
<PAGE>
A-- A securities are strong investments and in many
cases of highly active market, but are not so heavily protected
as the two upper classes or possibly are of similar security but
less quickly salable. As a class they are more sensitive in
standing and market to material changes in current earnings of
the company. With favoring conditions such securities are likely
to work into a high rating, but in occasional instances changes
cause the rating to be lowered.
BBB-- BBB rated bonds are considered to be investment
grade and of satisfactory quality. The obligor's ability to pay
interest and repay principal is considered to be adequate.
Adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances,
however, are more likely to weaken this ability than bonds with
higher ratings.
BB-- BB rated bonds are considered speculative. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal may be
affected over time by adverse economic changes. However, business
and financial alternatives can be identified which could assist
the obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements.
B-- B rated bonds are considered highly speculative.
While bonds in this class are currently meeting debt service
requirements, the probability of continued timely payment of
principal and interest reflects the obligor's limited margin of
safety and the need for reasonable business and economic activity
throughout the life of the issue.
CCC-- CCC rated bonds have certain identifiable
characteristics that, if not remedied, may lead to default. The
ability to meet obligations requires an advantageous business and
economic environment.
CC-- CC rated bonds are minimally protected. Default in
payment of interest and/or principal seems probable over time.
C-- C rated bonds are in imminent default in payment of
interest or principal.
DDD, DD and D-- These bonds are in default on interest
and/or principal payments. Such bonds are extremely speculative
and should be valued on the basis of their ultimate recovery
value in liquidation or reorganization of the obligor. "DDD"
represents the highest potential for recovery on these bonds, and
"D" represents the lowest potential for recovery.
Plus (+) and minus (-) signs are used with a rating
symbol to indicate the relative position of a credit within the
rating agency. Plus and minus signs, however, are not used in
the "AAA" and "D" categories.
A-4
<PAGE>
Descriptions of the bond ratings of Duff & Phelps Credit
Rating Co. are as follows:
AAA-- Highest credit quality. The risk factors are
negligible.
AA+, AA, AA-: High credit quality. Protection factors
are strong. Risk is modest but may vary slightly from time to
time because of economic conditions.
A+, A, A-: Protection factors are average but adequate.
However, risk factors are more variable and greater in periods of
economic stress.
BBB+, BBB, BBB-: Below average protection factors but
still considered sufficient for prudent investment. Considerable
variability in risk during economic cycles.
BB+, BB, BB-: Below investment grade but deemed likely
to meet obligations when due. Present or prospective financial
protection factors fluctuate according to industry conditions or
company fortunes. Overall quality may move up or down frequently
within this category.
B+, B, B-: Below investment grade and possessing risk
that obligations will not be met when due. Financial protection
factors will fluctuate widely according to economic cycles,
industry conditions and/or company fortunes. Potential exists
for frequent changes in the rating within this category or into a
higher or lower rating grade.
CCC: Well below investment grade securities.
Considerable uncertainty exists as to timely payment of
principal, interest or preferred dividends. Protection factors
are narrow and risk can be substantial with unfavorable
economic/industry conditions, and/or with unfavorable company
developments.
DD: Defaulted debt obligations. Issuer failed to meet
scheduled principal and/or interest payments.
A-5
<PAGE>
____________________________________________________________
APPENDIX B:
CERTAIN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
____________________________________________________________
Employee benefit plans described below which are
intended to be tax-qualified under section 401(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Tax Qualified Plans"), for
which Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated or an
affiliate thereof ("Merrill Lynch") is recordkeeper (or with
respect to which recordkeeping services are provided pursuant to
certain arrangements as described in paragraph (ii) below)
("Merrill Lynch Plans") are subject to specific requirements as
to the Fund shares which they may purchase. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Statement of
Additional Information, the following Merrill Lynch Plans are not
eligible to purchase Class A shares and are eligible to purchase
Class B shares of the Fund at net asset value without being
subject to a contingent deferred sales charge:
(i) Plans for which Merrill Lynch is the recordkeeper on a
daily valuation basis, if when the plan is established
as an active plan on Merrill Lynch's recordkeeping
system:
(a) the plan is one which is not already investing in
shares of mutual funds or interests in other
commingled investment vehicles of which Merrill
Lynch Asset Management, L.P. is investment adviser
or manager ("MLAM Funds"), and either (A) the
aggregate assets of the plan are less than $3
million or (B) the total of the sum of (x) the
employees eligible to participate in the plan and
(y) those persons, not including any such
employees, for whom a plan account having a balance
therein is maintained, is less than 500, (A) and
(B) to be determined by Merrill Lynch in the normal
course prior to the date the plan is established as
an active plan on Merrill Lynch's recordkeeping
system (an "Active Plan"); or
(b) the plan is one which is already investing in
shares of or interests in MLAM Funds and the assets
of the plan have an aggregate value of less than $5
million, as determined by Merrill Lynch as of the
date the plan becomes an Active Plan.
For purposes of applying (a) and (b), there are to be
aggregated all assets of any Tax-Qualified Plan
B-1
<PAGE>
maintained by the sponsor of the Merrill Lynch Plan (or
any of the sponsor's affiliates) (determined to be such
by Merrill Lynch) which are being invested in shares of
or interests in MLAM Funds, Alliance Mutual Funds or
other mutual funds made available pursuant to an
agreement between Merrill Lynch and the principal
underwriter thereof (or one of its affiliates) and which
are being held in a Merrill Lynch account.
(ii) Plans for which the recordkeeper is not Merrill Lynch,
but which are recordkept on a daily valuation basis by a
recordkeeper with which Merrill Lynch has a
subcontracting or other alliance arrangement for the
performance of recordkeeping services, if the plan is
determined by Merrill Lynch to be so eligible and the
assets of the plan are less than $3 million.
Class B shares of the Fund held by any of the above-
described Merrill Lynch Plans are to be replaced at Merrill
Lynch's direction through conversion, exchange or otherwise by
Class A shares of the Fund on the earlier of the date that the
value of the plan's aggregate assets first equals or exceeds $5
million or the date on which any Class B share of the Fund held
by the plan would convert to a Class A share of the Fund as
described under "Purchase of Shares" and "Redemption and
Repurchase of Shares."
Any Tax Qualified Plan, including any Merrill Lynch
Plan, which does not purchase Class B shares of the Fund without
being subject to a contingent deferred sales charge under the
above criteria is eligible to purchase Class B shares subject to
a contingent deferred sales charge as well as other classes of
shares of the Fund as set forth above under "Purchase of Shares"
and "Redemption and Repurchase of Shares."
B-2
<PAGE>
The Alliance Prospectus and Application
Bond Funds
November 1, 1999
The Alliance Bond Funds provide a U.S. Government Funds
broad selection of investment
alternatives to investors seeking o Alliance Short-Term U.S.
high current income. Government Fund
o Alliance U.S. Government
Portfolio
o Alliance Limited Maturity
Government Fund
Quality Bond Fund
o Alliance Quality Bond Portfolio
Mortgage Fund
o Alliance Mortgage Securities
Income Fund
Multi-Market Fund
o Alliance Multi-Market Strategy
Trust
Global Bond Funds
o Alliance North American
Government Income Trust
o Alliance Global Dollar
Government Fund
o Alliance Global Strategic
Income Trust
Corporate Bond Funds
o Alliance Corporate Bond
Portfolio
o Alliance High Yield Fund
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these
securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to
the contrary is a criminal offense.
Alliance Capital [LOGO](R)
<PAGE>
Investment Products Offered
- -----------------------------
o Are Not FDIC Insured
o May Lose Value
o Are Not Bank Guaranteed
- -----------------------------
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page
RISK/RETURN SUMMARY ........................................................ 3
U.S. Government Funds ...................................................... 4
Mortgage Fund .............................................................. 8
Multi-Market Fund .......................................................... 9
Global Bond Funds .......................................................... 10
Corporate Bond Funds ....................................................... 13
Summary of Principal Risks ................................................. 15
Principal Risks by Fund .................................................... 17
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUNDS ............................................. 18
GLOSSARY ................................................................... 20
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS ................................................... 21
Investment Objectives and Policies ......................................... 21
Description of Investment Practices ........................................ 28
Additional Risk Considerations ............................................. 38
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS .................................................... 43
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES ................................................ 45
How The Funds Value Their Shares ........................................... 45
How To Buy Shares .......................................................... 45
How To Exchange Shares ..................................................... 46
How To Sell Shares ......................................................... 46
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES ......................................... 46
DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS .................................................. 47
GENERAL INFORMATION ........................................................ 49
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS ....................................................... 51
APPENDIX A: BOND RATINGS ................................................... 58
APPENDIX B: GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT
CANADA, MEXICO AND ARGENTINA ............................................. 61
The Funds' investment adviser is Alliance Capital Management L.P., a global
investment manager providing diversified services to institutions and
individuals through a broad line of investments including more than 100 mutual
funds.
RISK/RETURN SUMMARY
The following is a summary of certain key information about the Alliance Bond
Funds. You will find additional information about each Fund, including a
detailed description of the risks of an investment in each Fund, after this
Summary.
The Risk/Return Summary describes the Funds' objectives, principal investment
strategies, principal risks and fees. Each Fund's Summary page includes a short
discussion of some of the principal risks of investing in that Fund. A further
discussion of these and other risks is on pages 15-17.
More detailed descriptions of the Funds, including the risks associated with
investing in the Funds, can be found further back in this Prospectus. Please be
sure to read this additional information BEFORE you invest. Each of the Funds
may at times use certain types of investment derivatives such as options,
futures, forwards, and swaps. The use of these techniques involves special risks
that are discussed in this Prospectus.
The Risk/Return Summary includes a table for each Fund showing its average
annual returns and a bar chart showing its annual returns. The table and the bar
chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an investment in each Fund
by showing:
o how the Fund's average annual returns for one, five, and 10 years (or over
the life of the Fund if the Fund is less than 10 years old) compare to
those of a broad based securities market index; and
o changes in the Fund's performance from year to year over 10 years (or over
the life of the Fund if the Fund is less than 10 years old).
A Fund's past performance, of course, does not necessarily indicate how it will
perform in the future. As with all investments, you may lose money by investing
in the Funds.
3
<PAGE>
U.S. GOVERNMENT FUNDS
The U.S. Government Funds offer a selection of alternatives to investors seeking
high current income consistent with the preservation of capital through
investments primarily in U.S. Government securities.
Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is high current income consistent with the
preservation of capital by investing primarily in a portfolio of U.S. Government
securities.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in U.S. Government securities,
including mortgage-related securities, repurchase agreements and forward
commitments relating to U.S. Government securities. The Fund also may invest a
portion of its assets in securities of non-governmental issuers. The Fund
normally maintains an average dollar-weighted maturity of not more than three
years.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are interest rate risk,
credit risk, and market risk. Because the Fund may invest in mortgage-related
securities, it is subject to the risk that mortgage loans will be prepaid when
interest rates decline, forcing the Fund to reinvest in securities with lower
interest rates. For this and other reasons, mortgage-related securities may have
significantly greater price and yield volatility than traditional debt
securities.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
1 Year 5 Years Inception
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A -0.42% 2.79% 3.74%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B 0.37% 2.97% 3.77%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C 2.24% 2.93% 3.69%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lehman Brothers
1-3 Year
Government
Bond Index 6.97% 5.96% 5.99%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table are for the periods
ended December 31, 1998 and reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or
contingent deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares after the applicable period. Since Inception returns are from inception
of Class A and Class B shares (5/4/92). Index returns are from month-end
following inception of Class A and Class B shares.
Performance information for periods prior to the inception of Class C shares
(8/2/93) is the performance of the Fund's Class A shares adjusted to reflect the
higher expense ratio of Class C shares. The average annual total return for
Class C since its actual inception date was 2.89%. The index return for the
comparable period (which dates from month-end following the Class C inception
date) was 5.86%.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Class A
shares was 2.48%.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar graph in the printed material.]
Calendar Year End
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
n/a n/a n/a n/a 6.13 -1.70 7.22 4.66 4.54 3.95
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best quarter was up 2.35%, 1st quarter, 1995; and Worst quarter was down -1.62%,
1st quarter, 1994.
4
<PAGE>
Alliance U.S. Government Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is a high level of current income that is
consistent with prudent investment risk.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in U.S. Government securities, including
mortgage-related securities, repurchase agreements and forward contracts
relating to U.S. Government securities. The Fund also may invest in non-U.S.
Government mortgage-related and asset-backed securities, and in high grade debt
securities secured by mortgages on commercial real estate or residential rental
properties. The average weighted maturity of the Fund's investments varies
between one year or less and 30 years.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are interest rate risk,
credit risk, and market risk. Because the Fund may invest in mortgage-related
and asset-backed securities, it is subject to the risk that mortgage loans or
other obligations will be prepaid when interest rates decline, forcing the Fund
to reinvest in securities with lower interest rates. For this and other reasons,
mortgage-related and asset-backed securities may have significantly greater
price and yield volatility than traditional debt securities.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A 3.94% 4.76% 7.51%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B 4.80% 4.90% 7.29%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C 6.80% 4.90% 7.29%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lehman Brothers
Government
Bond Index 9.85% 7.18% 9.17%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table are for the periods
ended December 31, 1998 and reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or
contingent deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares after the applicable period. Index returns are from 12/31/88.
Performance information for periods prior to the inception of Class B shares
(9/30/91) and Class C shares (5/3/93) is the performance of the Fund's Class A
shares adjusted to reflect the higher expense ratio of Class B and Class C
shares. The average annual total returns for Class B and Class C since their
actual inception dates were 6.38% and 5.12%, respectively. Index returns for the
comparable periods (which date from month-end following applicable Class
inception date) were 8.18% and 7.38%, respectively.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Class A
shares was -2.34%.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar graph in the printed material.]
Calendar Year End
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
12.52 7.86 15.74 6.03 9.72 -4.38 16.58 0.34 8.55 8.60
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best quarter was up 7.69%, 2nd quarter, 1989; and Worst quarter was down -3.41%,
1st quarter, 1994.
5
<PAGE>
Alliance Limited Maturity Government Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is the highest level of current income
consistent with low volatility of net asset value.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in U.S. Government securities, including
mortgage-related securities and repurchase agreements relating to U.S.
Government securities. The Fund takes advantage of a wide range of maturities of
debt securities and adjusts the dollar-weighted average maturity of its
portfolio from time to time, depending on Alliance's assessment of relative
yields on securities of different maturities and the expected effect of changes
in interest rates on the market value of the Fund's portfolio. At all times,
however, each of the Fund's securities has either a remaining maturity of not
more than 10 years or a duration not exceeding that of a ten-year Treasury note.
The Fund also may invest up to 35% of its total assets in:
o high-quality asset-backed securities, including mortgage-related
securities that are not U.S. Government securities;
o treasury securities issued by private issuers;
o certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, and interest-bearing
savings deposits of banks with assets of more than $1 billion;
o higher quality commercial paper or, if unrated, commercial paper issued by
companies that have high-quality debt issues outstanding; and
o high-quality debt securities of corporate issuers.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are interest rate risk,
credit risk, leveraging risk, liquidity risk and market risk. Because the Fund
may invest in mortgage-related and asset-backed securities, it is subject to the
risk that mortgage loans or other obligations will be prepaid when interest
rates decline, forcing the Fund to reinvest in securities with lower interest
rates. For this and other reasons, mortgage-related and asset-backed securities
may have significantly greater price and yield volatility than traditional debt
securities.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
1 Year 5 Years Inception
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A 2.17% 4.07% 4.48%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B 2.95% 4.21% 4.54%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C 4.96% 4.22% 4.43%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lehman Brothers
Government
Bond Index 9.85% 7.18% 7.94%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table are for the periods
ended December 31, 1998 and reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or
contingent deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares after the applicable period. Since Inception returns are from inception
of Class A and Class B shares (6/1/92). Index returns are from month-end of
inception of Class A and Class B shares.
Performance information for periods prior to the inception of Class C shares
(5/3/93) is the performance of the Fund's Class A shares adjusted to reflect the
higher expense ratio of Class C shares. The average annual total return for
Class C since its actual inception date was 4.21%. The index return for the
comparable period (which dates from month-end following the Class C inception
date) was 7.38%.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Class A
shares was -0.81%.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar graph in the printed material.]
Calendar Year End
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
n/a n/a n/a n/a 6.21 0.26 7.08 4.01 7.03 6.70
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best quarter was up 4.21%, 3rd quarter, 1998; and Worst quarter was down -0.65%,
4th quarter, 1994.
6
<PAGE>
QUALITY BOND FUND
The Quality Bond Fund offers investors seeking high current income the
alternative of investing in a diversified portfolio of investment grade
fixed-income securities.
Alliance Quality Bond Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is high current income consistent with
preservation of capital by investing in investment grade fixed-income
securities.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES:
The Fund invests in readily marketable securities that do not involve undue risk
of capital. The Fund normally invests all of its assets in securities that are
rated at least BBB- by S&P or, if unrated, are of comparable quality. The Fund
has the flexibility to invest in long- and short-term fixed-income securities
depending on Alliance's assessment of prospective cyclical interest rate
changes.
The Fund also may:
o use derivatives strategies;
o invest in convertible debt securities, preferred stock and dividend-paying
stocks;
o invest in U.S. Government obligations; and
o invest in foreign fixed-income securities.
The principal risks of investing in the Fund are interest rate risk, credit risk
and market risk. To the extent the Fund invests in foreign securities, it has
foreign risk and currency risk.
BAR CHART AND PERFORMANCE TABLE
There is no bar chart or performance table for the Fund because it has not
completed a full calendar year of operations.
7
<PAGE>
MORTGAGE FUND
The Mortgage Fund offers investors seeking high current income the alternative
of investing in a diversified portfolio of mortgage-related securities.
Alliance Mortgage Securities Income Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is a high level of current income to the extent
consistent with prudent investment risk.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of mortgage-related
securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations or CMOs. The Fund may
invest up to 20% of its total assets in lower-rated mortgage-related securities.
The average weighted maturity of the Fund's portfolio of debt securities is
expected to vary between two and ten years.
The Fund also may invest up to 35% of its total assets in:
o U.S. Government securities;
o qualifying bank deposits;
o prime commercial paper or, if unrated, commercial paper issued by
companies that have high-quality debt issues outstanding;
o high-grade debt securities secured by mortgages on commercial real estate
or residential rental properties; and
o high-grade asset-backed securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are interest rate risk,
credit risk, leveraging risk, derivatives risk, and market risk. Because the
Fund may invest in mortgage-related securities, it is subject to the risk that
mortgage loans will be prepaid when interest rates decline, forcing the Fund to
reinvest in securities with lower interest rates. For this and other reasons,
mortgage-related securities may have significantly greater price and yield
volatility than traditional debt securities.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A 1.36% 4.39% 7.66%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B 2.07% 4.51% 7.37%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C 4.05% 4.51% 7.37%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lehman Brothers
Mortgage-Backed
Securities Index 6.96% 7.23% 9.13%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table are for the periods
ended December 31, 1998 and reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or
contingent deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares after the applicable period. Index returns are from 12/31/88.
Performance information for periods prior to the inception of Class B shares
(1/30/92) and Class C shares (5/3/93) is the performance of the Fund's Class A
shares adjusted to reflect the higher expense ratio of Class B and Class C
shares. The average annual total returns for Class B and Class C since their
actual inception dates were 5.84% and 4.76%, respectively. Index returns for the
comparable periods (which date from month-end following applicable Class
inception date) were 9.28% and 6.95%, respectively.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Class A
shares was 0.57%.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar graph in the printed material.]
Calendar Year End
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
11.00 10.95 15.44 7.73 10.14 -6.14 15.35 4.23 8.40 5.82
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best quarter was up 5.90%, 4th quarter, 1990; and Worst quarter was down -4.30%,
1st quarter, 1994.
8
<PAGE>
MULTI-MARKET FUND
The Multi-Market Fund offers investors seeking high current income the
alternative of investing in a portfolio of securities denominated in the U.S.
Dollar and selected foreign currencies.
Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is the highest level of current income that is
available, consistent with what Alliance considers to be prudent investment
risk, from a portfolio of high-quality debt securities having remaining
maturities of not more than five years.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests in high-quality debt securities having remaining maturities of
not more than five years, with a high proportion of investments in money market
instruments. The Fund seeks investment opportunities in foreign, as well as
domestic, securities markets. Normally, at least 70% of the Fund's debt
securities will be denominated in foreign currencies. The Fund limits its
investments in a single currency other than the U.S. Dollar to 25% of its net
assets, except for the Euro in which the Fund may invest up to 50% of its net
assets.
The Fund concentrates at least 25% of its total assets in debt instruments
issued by domestic and foreign banking companies. The Fund may use significant
borrowings for leverage. The Fund also may:
o use derivatives strategies;
o invest in prime commercial paper or unrated paper of equivalent quality;
o enter into repurchase agreements; and
o invest in variable, floating, and inverse floating rate securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are interest rate risk,
credit risk, market risk, and leveraging risk. The Fund's investments in debt
securities denominated in foreign currencies have foreign risk and currency
risk. In addition, the Fund is "non-diversified" meaning that it invests more of
its assets in a smaller number of issuers than many other funds. Changes in the
value of a single security may have a more significant effect, either negative
or positive, on the Fund's net asset value.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
1 Year 5 Years Inception
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A 1.72% 3.10% 3.47%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B 2.46% 3.17% 3.41%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C 4.25% 3.15% 3.25%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Merrill Lynch
1-3 Year
Government
Bond Index 6.97% 5.99% 6.50%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table are for the periods
ended December 31, 1998 and reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or
contingent deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares after the applicable period. Since Inception returns are from inception
of Class A and Class B shares (5/29/91). Index returns are from month-end of
inception of Class A shares.
Performance information for periods prior to the inception of Class C shares
(5/3/93) is the performance of the Fund's Class A shares adjusted to reflect the
higher expense ratio of Class C shares. The average annual total return for
Class C since its actual inception date was 3.95%. The index return for the
comparable period (which dates from month-end following the Class C inception
date) was 5.86%.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Class A
shares was 2.15%.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar graph in the printed material.]
Calendar Year End
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
n/a n/a n/a -2.49 10.91 -12.77 6.00 16.19 6.71 6.17
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best quarter was up 5.46%, 2nd quarter, 1995; and Worst quarter was down -8.19%,
4th quarter, 1994.
9
<PAGE>
GLOBAL BOND FUNDS
The Global Bond Funds offer a selection of alternatives to investors seeking a
high level of current income through investments primarily in foreign government
securities.
Alliance North American Government Income Trust
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is the highest level of current income,
consistent with what Alliance considers to be prudent investment risk, that is
available from a portfolio of debt securities issued or guaranteed by the
governments of the United States, Canada, or Mexico, their political
subdivisions (including Canadian Provinces but excluding states of the United
States), agencies, instrumentalities or authorities.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund primarily invests in debt securities issued or guaranteed by: (i) the
federal governments of the United States, Canada, and Mexico; (ii)
government-related entities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico; and (iii)
the provincial governments of Canada and Mexico. The Fund also invests
significantly in debt securities issued by Argentine government entities. The
Fund also may invest in debt securities of other Central and South American
countries. These investments are investment grade securities generally
denominated in each countries' currency, but at least 25% of the Fund's assets
are in U.S. Dollar-denominated securities. The average weighted maturity of the
Fund's portfolio is expected to vary between one year or less and 30 years.
The Fund may use significant borrowings for leverage. The Fund also may:
o use derivative strategies; and
o invest in variable, floating, and inverse floating rate instruments.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are interest rate risk,
credit risk, market risk and leveraging risk. The Fund's investments in debt
securities of Canada, Mexico, and Argentina have foreign risk and currency risk.
Your investment also has the risk that market changes or other events affecting
these countries, including potential instability and unpredictable economic
conditions, may have a more significant effect on the Fund's net asset value. In
addition, the Fund is "non-diversified" meaning that it invests more of its
assets in a smaller number of issuers than many other funds. Changes in the
value of a single security may have a more significant effect, either negative
or positive, on the Fund's net asset value.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
1 Year 5 Years Inception
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A 1.99% 5.88% 7.89%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B 2.90% 5.89% 7.79%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C 4.78% 5.89% 7.70%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lehman Brothers
Aggregate Bond
Index 8.69% 7.27% 8.14%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table are for the periods
ended December 31, 1998 and reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or
contingent deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares after the applicable period. Since Inception returns are from inception
of Class A and Class B shares (3/27/92). Index returns are from month-end of
inception of Class A shares.
Performance information for periods prior to the inception of Class C shares
(5/3/93) is the performance of the Fund's Class A shares adjusted to reflect the
higher expense ratio of Class C shares. The average annual total return for
Class C since its inception date was 7.11%. The index return for the comparable
period (which dates from month-end following the Class C inception date) was
7.34%.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Class A
shares was 5.92%.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar graph in the printed material.]
Calendar Year End
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
n/a n/a n/a n/a 18.64 -30.24 31.01 24.20 14.98 6.53
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best quarter was up 17.24%, 2nd quarter, 1995; and Worst quarter was down
- -23.19%, 4th quarter, 1994.
10
<PAGE>
Alliance Global Dollar Government Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is a high level of current income and,
secondarily, capital appreciation.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund invests primarily in sovereign debt obligations, although it may
invest up to 35% of its total assets in U.S. and non-U.S. corporate debt
securities. The Fund invests substantially all of its assets in lower-rated
securities or unrated securities of equivalent quality. The Fund's investments
in sovereign debt obligations and corporate debt securities are U.S.
Dollar-denominated.
The Fund's non-U.S. investments emphasize emerging markets and developing
countries. The Fund limits its investments in the sovereign debt obligations of
any one country to less than 25% of its total assets, although the Fund may
invest up to 30% of its total assets in the sovereign debt obligations of and
corporate fixed-income securities of issuers in each of Argentina, Brazil,
Mexico, Morocco, the Philippines, Russia and Venezuela. The Fund expects that
it will not invest more than 10% of its total assets in any other single
foreign country.
The average weighted maturity of the Fund's investments ranges from nine years
to longer than 25 years, depending upon the type of securities.
The Fund may use significant borrowings and reverse repurchase agreements and
dollar rolls for leverage. The Fund also may use derivatives strategies; invest
in structured securities; invest in fixed and floating rate loans to sovereign
debt issuers; enter into repurchase agreements; and invest in variable,
floating, and inverse floating rate securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are interest rate risk,
credit risk, market risk and leveraging risk. Because the Fund invests in
lower-rated securities, it has significantly more risk than other types of bond
funds and its returns will be more volatile. The Fund's investments in foreign
securities have foreign risk and country or geographic risk. Because the Fund
invests in emerging markets and in developing countries, the Fund's returns
will be significantly more volatile and may differ substantially from returns
in the U.S. bond markets generally. Your investment also has the risk that
market changes or other factors affecting emerging markets and developing
countries, including political instability and unpredictable economic
conditions, may have a significant effect on the Fund's net asset value. In
addition, the Fund is "non-diversified" meaning that it invests more of its
assets in a smaller number of issuers than many other funds. Changes in the
value of a single security may have a more significant effect, either negative
or positive, on the Fund's net asset value.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
1 Year Inception*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A -25.37% 4.39%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B -24.77% 4.49%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C -23.37% 4.52%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J.P. Morgan Emerging
Markets Bond Index -11.04% 9.70%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table are for the periods
ended December 31, 1998 and reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or
contingent deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares after the applicable period.
* Inception Dates: 2/25/94 for Class A, Class B, and Class C shares; Index
return is from 2/28/94.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Class A
shares was 7.85%.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar graph in the printed material.]
Calendar Year End
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 25.47 39.44 9.01 -22.05
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best quarter was up 26.16%, 2nd quarter, 1995; and Worst quarter was down
- -28.68%, 3rd quarter, 1998.
11
<PAGE>
Alliance Global Strategic Income Trust
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is primarily a high level of current income and,
secondarily, capital appreciation.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund primarily invests in debt securities of U.S. and non-U.S. companies,
U.S. Government and foreign governments, and supranational entities. The Fund's
foreign investments are generally denominated in foreign currencies. The Fund,
however, generally seeks to hedge currency risk. The Fund normally invests at
least 65% of its total assets in debt securities of companies located in at
least three countries, one of which may be the United States. The Fund limits
its investments in any one foreign country to 25% of its total assets.
The Fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in investment grade
securities, but also may invest up to 35% of its total assets in lower-rated
securities. The average weighted maturity of the Fund's investments varies
between five and 30 years.
The Fund may use significant borrowings and reverse repurchase agreements and
dollar rolls for leverage. The Fund also may:
o use derivatives strategies;
o invest in structured securities;
o invest in Eurodollar instruments and foreign currencies;
o invest in asset-backed and mortgage-related securities;
o enter into repurchase agreements; and
o invest in floating, variable, and inverse floating rate securities.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are interest rate risk,
credit risk, market risk, and leveraging risk. The Fund's investments in foreign
issuers have foreign risk and currency risk. To the extent the Fund invests in
lower-rated securities, your investment is subject to more risk than a fund that
invests primarily in higher-rated securities. The Fund's use of derivatives
strategies has derivatives risk. In addition, the Fund is "non-diversified"
meaning that it invests more of its assets in a smaller number of issuers than
many other funds. Changes in the value of a single security may have a more
significant effect, either negative or positive, on the Fund's net asset value.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
1 Year Inception
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A -2.31% 11.07%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B -2.46% 11.31%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C 0.32% 11.94%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lehman Brothers
Aggregate Bond Index 8.69% 7.26%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table are for the periods
ended December 31, 1998 and reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or
contingent deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares after the applicable period. Since Inception returns are from inception
of Class A shares (1/9/96). Index returns are from month-end of inception of
Class A shares.
Performance information for periods prior to the inception of Class B shares and
Class C shares (3/21/96) is the performance of the Fund's Class A shares
adjusted to reflect the higher expense ratio of Class B and Class C shares. The
average annual total returns for Class B and Class C since their actual
inception dates were 11.60% and 12.19%, respectively. The index return for the
comparable period (which date from month-end following applicable Class
inception date) was 8.68%.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Class A
shares was 3.23%.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar graph in the printed material.]
Calendar Year End
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 14.96 1.99
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best quarter was up 6.86%, 2nd quarter, 1997; and Worst quarter was down -5.68%,
3rd quarter, 1998.
12
<PAGE>
CORPORATE BOND FUNDS
The Corporate Bond Funds offer a selection of alternatives to investors seeking
to maximize current income through investments in corporate bonds.
Alliance Corporate Bond Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is primarily to maximize income over the long
term consistent with providing reasonable safety in the value of each
shareholder's investment, and secondarily to increase its capital through
appreciation of its investments in order to preserve and, if possible, increase
the purchasing power of each shareholder's investment.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS:
The Fund primarily invests in corporate bonds. The Fund may invest up to 50% of
its total assets in foreign debt securities, primarily corporate debt securities
and sovereign debt obligations. All of the Fund's investments, whether foreign
or domestic, will be U.S. Dollar denominated. The Fund also may invest in
income-producing equity securities. While the Fund invests primarily (currently
65%) in investment grade debt securities, it also may invest a significant
amount of its total assets in lower-rated debt securities. The average weighted
maturity of the Fund's investments varies between one year or less and 30 years.
The Fund pursues a more aggressive investment strategy than other corporate bond
funds. The Fund's investments tend to have a relatively long average weighted
maturity and duration. The Fund emphasizes both foreign corporate and sovereign
debt obligations, as well as corporate bonds that are expected to benefit from
improvements in their issuers' credit fundamentals.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are interest rate risk,
credit risk, and market risk. Because the Fund emphasizes investments with a
relatively long average maturity and duration, its returns may be more volatile
than other corporate bond funds. To the extent the Fund invests in lower-rated
securities, your investment is subject to more credit risk than a fund that
invests solely in higher-rated securities. The Fund's investments in foreign
debt obligations have foreign risk and currency risk.
The table and bar chart provide an indication of the historical risk of an
investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A -4.29% 5.63% 10.65%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B -3.54% 5.82% 10.37%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C -1.63% 5.84% 10.38%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lehman Brothers
Aggregate Bond
Index 8.69% 7.27% 9.26%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table are for the periods
ended December 31, 1998 and reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or
contingent deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares after the applicable period. Index returns are from 12/31/88.
Performance information for periods prior to the inception of Class B shares
(1/8/93) and Class C shares (5/3/93) is the performance of the Fund's Class A
shares adjusted to reflect the higher expense ratio of Class B and Class C
shares. The average annual total returns for Class B and Class C since their
actual inception dates were 9.57% and 7.95%, respectively. Index returns for the
comparable periods (which date from month-end following applicable class
inception date) were 7.45% and 7.34%, respectively.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Class A
shares was -1.32%.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar graph in the printed material.]
Calendar Year End
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
13.06 5.54 18.05 13.07 31.09 -12.75 27.98 10.02 11.81 -0.03
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best quarter was up 15.61%, 2nd quarter, 1995; and Worst quarter was down
- -8.42%, 1st quarter, 1994.
13
<PAGE>
Alliance High Yield Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECTIVE:
The Fund's investment objective is to achieve a high total return by maximizing
current income and, to the extent consistent with that objective, capital
appreciation.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES:
The Fund primarily invests in high yield, below investment grade debt
securities, commonly known as "junk bonds." The Fund seeks to maximize current
income by taking advantage of market developments, yield disparities, and
variations in the creditworthiness of issuers.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Fund are interest rate risk,
credit risk, and market risk. Because the Fund invests in lower-rated
securities, it has significantly more risk than other types of bond funds and
its returns will be more volatile. The Fund's investments in foreign securities
have foreign risk and currency risk. The table and bar chart provide an
indication of the historical risk of an investment in the Fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
1 Year Inception*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A -5.83% 9.72%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B -5.80% 10.21%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class C -3.16% 11.86%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Boston
High Yield Index 0.58% 5.95%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The average annual total returns in the performance table are for the periods
ended December 31, 1998 and reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or
contingent deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares after the applicable period.
* Inception Dates: 4/22/97 for Class A, Class B, and Class C shares; Index
return is from 4/30/97.
BAR CHART
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual return in the bar chart is for the Fund's Class A shares and does not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown. Through 9/30/99, the year-to-date unannualized return for Class A
shares was -0.86%.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar graph in the printed material.]
Calendar Year End
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a -1.69
You should consider an investment in the Fund as a long-term investment. The
Fund's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For example, during
the period shown in the bar chart, the Fund's:
Best quarter was up 6.29%, 1st quarter, 1998; and Worst quarter was down -9.63%,
3rd quarter, 1998.
14
<PAGE>
SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL RISKS
The value of your investment in a Fund will change with changes in the values of
that Fund's investments. Many factors can affect those values. In this Summary,
we describe the principal risks that may affect a Fund's portfolio as a whole.
These risks and the Funds subject to the risks appear in a chart at the end of
this section. All Funds could be subject to additional principal risks because
the types of investments made by each Fund can change over time. This Prospectus
has additional descriptions of the types of investments that appear in bold type
in the discussions under "Description of Investment Practices" or "Additional
Risk Considerations." These sections also include more information about the
Funds, their investments, and related risks.
INTEREST RATE RISK
This is the risk that changes in interest rates will affect the value of a
Fund's investments in debt securities, such as bonds, notes, and asset-backed
securities, or other income-producing securities. Debt securities are
obligations of the issuer to make payments of principal and/or interest on
future dates. All of the Funds have interest rate risk. Increases in interest
rates may cause the value of a Fund's investments to decline.
Even Funds such as the Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government, Alliance U.S.
Government, Alliance Limited Maturity Government and Alliance Quality Bond, that
invest a substantial portion of their assets in the highest quality debt
securities, including U.S. Government securities, are subject to interest rate
risk. Interest rate risk generally is greater for those Funds that invest a
significant portion of their assets in lower-rated securities or comparable
unrated securities such as Alliance Global Dollar Government, Alliance Global
Strategic Income, Alliance Corporate Bond and Alliance High Yield.
Interest rate risk is generally greater for Funds that invest in debt securities
with longer maturities, such as Alliance North American Government Income,
Alliance Global Dollar Government, Alliance Global Strategic Income and Alliance
Corporate Bond. This risk is compounded for the Funds that invest a substantial
portion of their assets in mortgage-related or other asset-backed securities,
such as Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government, Alliance U.S. Government, Alliance
Mortgage Securities Income, and Alliance Quality Bond. The value of these
securities is affected more by changes in interest rates because when interest
rates rise, the maturities of these type of securities tend to lengthen and the
value of the securities decreases more significantly. In addition, these types
of securities are subject to prepayment when interest rates fall, which
generally results in lower returns because the Funds must reinvest their assets
in debt securities with lower interest rates. Increased interest rate risk also
is likely for Alliance Global Dollar Government, Alliance Global Strategic
Income, Alliance Quality Bond and Alliance Corporate Bond, which invest in debt
securities paying no current interest, such as zero coupon, principal-only, and
interest-only securities, or paying non-cash interest in the form of other debt
securities (payment-in-kind securities).
CREDIT RISK
This is the risk that the issuer or the guarantor of a debt security, or the
counterparty to a derivatives contract, will be unable or unwilling to make
timely payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations.
The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit
rating. Credit risk is greater for Funds such as Alliance Mortgage Securities
Income, Alliance Global Dollar Government, Alliance Global Strategic Income,
Alliance Corporate Bond and Alliance High Yield that invest in lower-rated
securities. These debt securities and similar unrated securities (commonly known
as "junk bonds") have speculative elements or are predominantly speculative
credit risks.
Funds such as Alliance Global Dollar Government and Alliance High Yield may be
subject to greater credit risk because they invest in debt securities issued in
connection with corporate restructurings by highly leveraged issuers and in debt
securities not current in the payment of interest or principal or are in
default. Funds such as Alliance Quality Bond, Alliance Multi-Market Strategy,
Alliance North American Government Income, and Alliance Global Dollar Government
that invest in foreign securities also are subject to increased credit risk
because of the difficulties of requiring foreign entities, including issuers of
sovereign debt obligations, to honor their contractual commitments, and because
a number of foreign governments and other issuers are already in default.
MARKET RISK
This is the risk that the value of a Fund's investments will fluctuate as the
bond markets fluctuate and that prices overall will decline over shorter or
longer-term periods. All of the Funds are subject to this risk.
FOREIGN RISK
This is the risk of investments in issuers located in foreign countries. All
Alliance Funds that invest in foreign securities are subject to this risk,
including Alliance Limited Maturity Government, Alliance Quality Bond, Alliance
Multi-Market Strategy, Alliance North American Government Income, Alliance
Global Dollar Government, Alliance Global Strategic Income, Alliance Corporate
Bond and Alliance High Yield. These Funds' investments in foreign securities may
experience more rapid and extreme changes in value than if they invested solely
in securities of U.S. companies. The securities markets of many foreign
countries are relatively small, with a limited number of companies representing
a small number of securities. In addition,
15
<PAGE>
foreign companies usually are not subject to the same degree of regulation as
U.S. companies. Reporting, accounting, and auditing standards of foreign
countries differ, in some cases significantly, from U.S. standards.
Nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, currency blockage,
political changes, or diplomatic developments could adversely affect a Fund's
investments in a foreign country. In the event of nationalization,
expropriation, or other confiscation, a Fund could lose its entire investment.
Political, social, and economic changes in a particular country could result in
increased risks for Alliance Global Dollar Government and Alliance Global
Strategic Income, which invest a substantial portion of their assets in
sovereign debt obligations, including Brady Bonds. The investments in emerging
market countries of Alliance North American Government Income and Alliance
Global Dollar Government are likely to involve significant risks. These
countries, such as Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Morocco, the Philippines, Russia,
and Venezuela, have a history of political and economic instability.
COUNTRY OR GEOGRAPHIC RISK
This is the risk of investments in issuers located in a particular country or
geographic region. Market changes or other factors affecting that country or
region, including political instability and unpredictable economic conditions,
may have a particularly significant effect on a Fund's net asset value. The
Funds particularly subject to this risk are Alliance Multi-Market Strategy and
Alliance North American Government Income.
CURRENCY RISK
This is the risk that fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar
and foreign currencies may negatively affect the value of a Fund's investments.
Funds such as Alliance Limited Maturity Government, Alliance Quality Bond,
Alliance Multi-Market Strategy, Alliance North American Government Income,
Alliance Global Strategic Income and Alliance High Yield that invest in
securities denominated in, and receiving revenues in, foreign currencies are
subject to currency risk.
DIVERSIFICATION RISK
Most analysts believe that overall risk can be reduced through diversification,
while concentration of investments in a small number of securities increases
risks. Alliance Multi-Market Strategy, Alliance North American Government
Income, Alliance Global Dollar Government, and Alliance Global Strategic Income
are not "diversified." This means they can invest more of their assets in a
relatively small number of issuers with greater concentration of risk. Factors
affecting these issuers can have a more significant effect on the Fund's net
asset value. Similarly, a Fund that concentrates its investments in a particular
industry, such as Alliance Multi-Market Strategy, which invests at least 25% of
its assets in the banking industry, could have increased risks because factors
affecting that industry could have a more significant effect on the value of the
Fund's investments.
LEVERAGING RISK
When a Fund borrows money or otherwise leverages its portfolio, the value of an
investment in that Fund will be more volatile and all other risks will tend to
be compounded. Each Fund may create leverage by using reverse repurchase
agreements, inverse floating rate instruments or derivatives, or by borrowing
money.
DERIVATIVES RISK
All Funds may use derivatives, which are financial contracts whose value depends
on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or
index. Alliance will sometimes use derivatives as part of a strategy designed to
reduce other risks. Generally, however, the Funds use derivatives as direct
investments to earn income, enhance yield, and broaden Fund diversification,
which entail greater risk than if used solely for hedging purposes. In addition
to other risks such as the credit risk of the counterparty, derivatives involve
the risk of difficulties in pricing and valuation and the risk that changes in
the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with relevant assets,
rates, or indices. Funds that invest in structured securities, such as Alliance
Global Dollar Government, Alliance Global Strategic Income and Alliance
Corporate Bond, could have increased derivatives risk.
LIQUIDITY RISK
Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or
sell, possibly preventing a Fund from selling out of these illiquid securities
at an advantageous price. All of the Funds are subject to liquidity risk because
derivatives and securities involving substantial interest rate and credit risk
tend to involve greater liquidity risk. In addition, liquidity risk tends to
increase to the extent a Fund invests in debt securities whose sale may be
restricted by law or by contract.
MANAGEMENT RISK
Each Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed
investment Fund. Alliance will apply its investment techniques and risk analyses
in making investment decisions for the Funds, but there can be no guarantee that
its decisions will produce the desired results. In some cases, derivative and
other investment techniques may be unavailable or Alliance may determine not to
use them, possibly even under market conditions where their use could benefit a
Fund.
16
<PAGE>
PRINCIPAL RISKS BY FUND
The following chart summarizes the Principal Risks of each Fund. Risks not
marked for a particular Fund may, however, still apply to some extent to that
Fund at various times.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Country or
Interest Credit Market Foreign Geographic Currency Diversifica- Leveraging Derivatives
Fund Rate Risk Risk Risk Risk Risk Risk tion Risk Risk Risk
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alliance Short-Term
U.S. Government o o o o o
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance U.S. Government o o o o
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Limited
Maturity Government o o o o o o o
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Quality Bond o o o o o o o
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Mortgage
Securities Income o o o o o
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Multi-Market
Strategy o o o o o o o o o
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance North American
Government Income o o o o o o o o o
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Global
Dollar Government o o o o o o o o
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Global
Strategic Income o o o o o o o o
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Corporate Bond o o o o o o o
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance High Yield o o o o o o o
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------
Liquidity Manage-
Fund Risk ment Risk
- ---------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Alliance Short-Term
U.S. Government o o
- ---------------------------------------------------
Alliance U.S. Government o o
- ---------------------------------------------------
Alliance Limited
Maturity Government o o
- ---------------------------------------------------
Alliance Quality Bond o o
- ---------------------------------------------------
Alliance Mortgage
Securities Income o o
- ---------------------------------------------------
Alliance Multi-Market
Strategy o o
- ---------------------------------------------------
Alliance North American
Government Income o o
- ---------------------------------------------------
Alliance Global
Dollar Government o o
- ---------------------------------------------------
Alliance Global
Strategic Income o o
- ---------------------------------------------------
Alliance Corporate Bond o o
- ---------------------------------------------------
Alliance High Yield o o
- ---------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
17
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUNDS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold
shares of the Funds.
SHAREHOLDER FEES (fees paid directly from your investment)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A Shares Class B Shares(a) Class B Shares(b) Class C Shares
-------------- ----------------- ----------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on
Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) 4.25% None None None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
(as a percentage of original purchase price or
redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) None 3.0%* 4.0%** 1.0%***
Exchange Fee None None None None
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) For all Funds except Alliance Global Strategic Income Trust and Alliance
High Yield Fund.
(b) For Alliance Global Strategic Income Trust and Alliance High Yield Fund.
* Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares after 6 years. The
CDSC decreases over time. For Class B shares the CDSC decreases 1.00%
annually to 0% after the 3rd year.
** Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares after 8 years. The
CDSC decreases over time. For Class B shares the CDSC decreases 1.00%
annually to 0% after the 4th year.
*** For Class C shares the CDSC is 0% after the first year.
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets) and
EXAMPLES
The Examples are to help you compare the cost of investing in a Fund with the
cost of investing in other funds. They assume that you invest $10,000 in a Fund
for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of
those periods. They also assume that your investment has a 5% return each year,
that the Fund's operating expenses stay the same, and that all dividends and
distributions are reinvested. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Operating Expenses Examples
- ------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alliance Short-Term U.S.
Government Fund Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
-------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Management Fees .55% .55% .55% After 1 Year $ 576 $ 528 $ 228 $ 329 $ 229
Distribution (12b-1) Fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 Years* $ 984 $ 902 $ 802 $ 799 $ 799
Interest Expense .15% .15% .16% After 5 Years* $ 1,417 $ 1,402 $ 1,402 $ 1,395 $ 1,395
Other Expenses 1.00% 1.03% 1.00% After 10 Years* $ 2,619 $ 2,689 $ 2,689 $ 3,009 $ 3,009
-------- -------- --------
Total Fund Operating Expenses 2.00% 2.73% 2.71%
======== ======== ========
Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement +++ (.45)% (.48)% (.45)%
-------- -------- --------
Net Expenses 1.55% 2.25% 2.26%
======== ======== ========
Alliance U.S. Government
Portfolio Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
-------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Management Fees .56% .56% .56% After 1 Year $ 539 $ 490 $ 190 $ 290 $ 190
Distribution (12b-1) Fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 Years $ 781 $ 688 $ 588 $ 588 $ 588
Interest Expense .09% .08% .09% After 5 Years $ 1,041 $ 1,011 $ 1,011 $ 1,011 $ 1,011
Other Expenses .22% .23% .22% After 10 Years $ 1,785 $ 1,840 $ 1,840 $ 2,190 $ 2,190
-------- -------- --------
Total Fund Operating Expenses 1.17% 1.87% 1.87%
======== ======== ========
Alliance Limited Maturity
Government Fund Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
-------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Management Fees .65% .65% .65% After 1 Year $ 741 $ 686 $ 386 $ 486 $ 386
Distribution (12b-1) Fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 Years $ 1,389 $ 1,272 $ 1,172 $ 1,172 $ 1,172
Interest Expense 1.59% 1.45% 1.46% After 5 Years $ 2,060 $ 1,976 $ 1,976 $ 1,976 $ 1,976
Other Expenses .73% .74% .73% After 10 Years $ 3,841 $ 3,837 $ 3,837 $ 4,070 $ 4,070
-------- -------- --------
Total Fund Operating Expenses 3.27% 3.84% 3.84%
======== ======== ========
Alliance Quality Bond
Portfolio Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
-------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Management Fees .55% .55% .55% After 1 Year $ 521 $ 471 $ 171 $ 271 $ 171
Distribution (12b-1) Fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 Years* $ 961 $ 872 $ 772 $ 772 $ 772
Other Expenses 1.30% 1.30% 1.30% After 5 Years* $ 1,427 $ 1,400 $ 1,400 $ 1,400 $ 1,400
-------- -------- -------- After 10 Years* $ 2,714 $ 2,770 $ 2,770 $ 3,092 $ 3,092
Total Fund Operating Expenses 2.15% 2.85% 2.85%
======== ======== ========
Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement +++ (1.17)% (1.17)% (1.17)%
-------- -------- --------
Net Expenses .98% 1.68% 1.68%
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
18
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Operating Expenses Examples
- ------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alliance Mortgage Securities
Income Fund Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
-------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Management Fees .53% .53% .53% After 1 Year $ 618 $ 571 $ 271 $ 372 $ 272
Distribution (12b-1) Fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 Years $ 1,023 $ 932 $ 832 $ 835 $ 835
Interest Expense .85% .83% .85% After 5 Years $ 1,452 $ 1,420 $ 1,420 $ 1,425 $ 1,425
Other Expenses .31% .32% .31% After 10 Years $ 2,643 $ 2,694 $ 2,694 $ 3,022 $ 3,022
-------- -------- --------
Total Fund Operating Expenses 1.99% 2.68% 2.69%
======== ======== ========
Alliance Multi-Market
Strategy Trust Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
-------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Management Fees .60% .60% .60% After 1 Year $ 594 $ 544 $ 244 $ 364 $ 264
Distribution (12b-1) Fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 Years $ 950 $ 851 $ 751 $ 811 $ 811
Other Expenses .84% .81% 1.01% After 5 Years $ 1,329 $ 1,285 $ 1,285 $ 1,385 $ 1,385
-------- -------- -------- After 10 Years $ 2,389 $ 2,429 $ 2,429 $ 2,944 $ 2,944
Total Fund Operating Expenses 1.74% 2.41% 2.61%
======== ======== ========
Alliance North American
Government Income Trust Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
-------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Management Fees** .72% .72% .72% After 1 Year $ 623 $ 578 $ 278 $ 377 $ 277
Distribution (12b-1) Fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 Years $ 1,037 $ 953 $ 853 $ 850 $ 850
Interest Expense .68% .68% .68% After 5 Years $ 1,477 $ 1,454 $ 1,454 $ 1,450 $ 1,450
Other Expenses .34% .35% .34% After 10 Years $ 2,693 $ 2,754 $ 2,754 $ 3,070 $ 3,070
-------- -------- --------
Total Fund Operating Expenses 2.04% 2.75% 2.74%
======== ======== ========
Alliance Global Dollar
Government Fund Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
-------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Management Fees .75% .75% .75% After 1 Year $ 580 $ 534 $ 234 $ 353 $ 233
Distribution (12b-1) Fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 Years $ 906 $ 821 $ 721 $ 718 $ 718
Other Expenses .54% .56% .55% After 5 Years $ 1,254 $ 1,235 $ 1,235 $ 1,230 $ 1,230
-------- -------- -------- After 10 Years $ 2,234 $ 2,301 $ 2,301 $ 2,636 $ 2,636
Total Fund Operating Expenses 1.59% 2.31% 2.30%
======== ======== ========
Alliance Global Strategic
Income Trust Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
-------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Management Fees .75% .75% .75% After 1 Year $ 609 $ 661 $ 261 $ 361 $ 261
Distribution (12b-1) Fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 Years* $ 994 $ 1,002 $ 802 $ 802 $ 802
Other Expenses 1.03% 1.01% 1.02% After 5 Years* $ 1,403 $ 1,370 $ 1,370 $ 1,370 $ 1,370
-------- -------- -------- After 10 Years* $ 2,543 $ 2,747 $ 2,747 $ 2,915 $ 2,915
Total Fund Operating Expenses 2.08% 2.76% 2.77%
======== ======== ========
Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement +++ (.19)% (.18)% (.19)%
-------- -------- --------
Net Expenses 1.89% 2.58% 2.58%
======== ======== ========
Alliance Corporate Bond
Portfolio Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
-------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Management Fees .55% .55% .55% After 1 Year $ 533 $ 485 $ 185 $ 284 $ 184
Distribution (12b-1) Fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 Years $ 763 $ 673 $ 573 $ 569 $ 569
Other Expenses .26% .27% .26% After 5 Years $ 1,011 $ 985 $ 985 $ 980 $ 980
-------- -------- -------- After 10 Years $ 1,719 $ 1,780 $ 1,780 $ 2,127 $ 2,127
Total Fund Operating Expenses 1.11% 1.82% 1.81%
======== ======== ========
Alliance High Yield Fund Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
-------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Management Fees .75% .75% .75% After 1 Year $ 553 $ 606 $ 206 $ 305 $ 205
Distribution (12b-1) Fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 Years $ 823 $ 837 $ 637 $ 634 $ 634
Other Expenses .26% .28% .27% After 5 Years $ 1,113 $ 1,093 $ 1,093 $ 1,088 $ 1,088
-------- -------- -------- After 10 Years $ 1,937 $ 2,173 $ 2,173 $ 2,348 $ 2,348
Total Fund Operating Expenses 1.31% 2.03% 2.02%
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ Assumes redemption at end of period.
++ Assumes no redemption at end of period and, with respect to shares held 10
years, conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after 6 years, and
for Alliance Global Strategic Income Trust and Alliance High Yield Fund, 8
years.
+++ Reflects Alliance's contractual waiver of a portion of its advisory fee
and/or reimbursement of a portion of the Fund's operating expenses. This
waiver extends through the end of the Fund's current fiscal year and may
be extended by Alliance for additional one-year terms.
* These examples assume that Alliance's agreement to waive management fees
and/or bear Fund expenses is not extended beyond its initial term.
** Represents .65 of 1% of the Fund's average daily adjusted total net
assets.
19
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GLOSSARY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Prospectus uses the following terms.
TYPES OF SECURITIES
Bonds are fixed, floating, and variable rate debt obligations.
Convertible securities are bonds, debentures, corporate notes, and preferred
stocks that are convertible into common and preferred stock.
Debt securities are bonds, debentures, notes, and bills.
Equity securities are common and preferred stocks, securities convertible into
common and preferred stocks, and rights and warrants to subscribe for the
purchase of common and preferred stocks.
Fixed-income securities are debt securities, convertible securities, and
preferred stocks, including floating rate and variable rate instruments.
Fixed-income securities may be rated (or, if unrated, for purposes of the Funds'
investment policies as may be determined by Alliance to be of equivalent
quality) triple-A (Aaa or AAA), high quality (Aa or AA or above), high grade (A
or above) or investment grade (Baa or BBB or above) by, as the case may be,
Moody's, S&P, Duff & Phelps or Fitch, or may be lower-rated securities, as
defined below. In the case of "split-rated" fixed-income securities (i.e.,
securities assigned non-equivalent credit quality ratings, such as Baa by
Moody's but BB by S&P or Ba by Moody's and BB by S&P but B by Fitch), a Fund
will use the rating deemed by Alliance to be the most appropriate under the
circumstances.
Foreign government securities are securities issued or guaranteed, as to payment
of principal and interest, by a foreign government or any of its political
subdivisions, authorities, agencies or instrumentalities.
Interest-only or IO securities are debt securities that receive only the
interest payments on an underlying debt that has been structured to have two
classes, one of which is the IO class and the other of which is the
principal-only or PO class, that receives only the principal payments on the
underlying debt obligation. POs are similar to, and are sometimes referred to
as, zero coupon securities, which are debt securities issued without interest
coupons.
Mortgage-related securities are pools of mortgage loans that are assembled for
sale to investors (such as mutual funds) by various governmental,
government-related, and private organizations. These securities include:
o ARMS, which are adjustable-rate mortgage securities;
o SMRS, which are stripped mortgage-related securities;
o CMOs, which are collateralized mortgage obligations;
o GNMA certificates, which are securities issued by the Government
National Mortgage Association or GNMA;
o FNMA certificates, which are securities issued by the Federal
National Mortgage Association or FNMA; and
o FHLMC certificates, which are securities issued by the Federal Home
Loan Mortgage Corporation or FHLMC.
Qualifying bank deposits are certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, and
interest-bearing savings deposits of banks that have total assets of more than
$1 billion and are members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Rule 144A securities are securities that may be resold under Rule 144A under the
Securities Act.
Sovereign debt obligations are foreign government debt securities, loan
participations between foreign governments and financial institutions, and
interests in entities organized and operated for the purpose of restructuring
the investment characteristics of foreign government securities.
U.S. Government securities are securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. These securities include
securities backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, those
supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, and those
backed only by the credit of the issuing agency itself. The first category
includes U.S. Treasury securities (which are U.S. Treasury bills, notes and
bonds) and certificates issued by GNMA. U.S. Government securities not backed by
the full faith and credit of the United States include certificates issued by
FNMA and FHLMC.
RATING AGENCIES and RATED SECURITIES
Duff & Phelps is Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Company.
Fitch is Fitch IBCA, Inc.
Higher quality commercial paper is commercial paper rated at least Prime-2 by
Moody's, A-2 by S&P, Fitch-2 by Fitch, or Duff 2 by Duff & Phelps.
Lower-rated securities are fixed-income securities rated Ba or BB or below, or
determined by Alliance to be of equivalent quality, and are commonly referred to
as "junk bonds."
Moody's is Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
NRSRO is a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.
Prime commercial paper is commercial paper rated Prime-1 or higher by Moody's,
A-1 or higher by S&P, Fitch-1 by Fitch, or Duff 1 by Duff & Phelps.
S&P is Standard & Poor's Ratings Services.
OTHER
1940 Act is the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Code is the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Commission is the Securities and Exchange Commission.
20
<PAGE>
Duration is a measure that relates the price volatility of a security to changes
in interest rates. The duration of a debt security is the weighted average term
to maturity, expressed in years, of the present value of all future cash flows,
including coupon payments and principal repayments. Thus, by definition,
duration is always less than or equal to full maturity.
Exchange is the New York Stock Exchange.
LIBOR is the London Interbank Offered Rate.
Securities Act is the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
World Bank is the commonly used name for the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This section of the Prospectus provides a more complete description of each
Fund's investment objectives and principal strategies and risks. Of course,
there can be no assurance that any Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Please note that:
o Additional discussion of the Funds' investments, including the risks of
the investments, can be found in the discussion under Description of
Investment Practices following this section.
o The description of the principal risks for a Fund may include risks
described in the Summary of Principal Risks above. Additional information
about the risks of investing in a Fund can be found in the discussion
under Additional Risk Considerations.
o Additional descriptions of each Fund's strategies, investments, and risks
can be found in a Fund's Statement of Additional Information or SAI.
o Except as noted, (i) the Funds' investment objectives are "fundamental"
and cannot be changed without a shareholder vote, and (ii) the Funds'
investment policies are not fundamental and thus can be changed without a
shareholder vote.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
U.S. GOVERNMENT FUNDS
The U.S. Government Funds offer investors high current income consistent with
preservation of capital by investing primarily in U.S. Government securities.
Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund
Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund seeks high current income consistent
with the preservation of capital by investing primarily in a portfolio of U.S.
Government securities. The Fund's investment objective is not fundamental. The
Fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in U.S. Government securities,
including mortgage-related securities, repurchase agreements and forward
commitments relating to U.S. Government securities. The Fund normally maintains
an average dollar-weighted portfolio maturity of not more than three years. In
periods of rising interest rates, the Fund may, to the extent it invests in
mortgage-related securities, be subject to the risk that its average
dollar-weighted portfolio maturity may be extended as a result of lower than
anticipated prepayment rates.
The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in securities of non-governmental
issuers. Although these investments will be of high quality at the time of
purchase, they may have higher levels of credit risk than do U.S. Government
securities. Under its policies, the Fund is not obligated to dispose of any
security whose credit quality falls below high quality.
The Fund also may:
o invest in certain SMRS;
o invest in variable, floating, and inverse floating rate instruments;
o make short sales against the box;
o enter into various hedging transactions, such as interest rate swaps,
caps, and floors;
o purchase and sell futures contracts for hedging purposes;
o purchase and sell call and put options on futures contracts or on
securities, for hedging purposes or to earn additional income;
o enter into reverse repurchase agreements;
o purchase securities for future delivery;
o make secured loans of portfolio securities; and
o enter into repurchase agreements.
Alliance U.S. Government Portfolio
Alliance U.S. Government Portfolio seeks a high level of current income that is
consistent with prudent investment risk. As a matter of fundamental policy, the
Fund pursues its objective by investing at least 65% of its total assets in U.S.
Government securities, repurchase agreements and forward contracts relating to
U.S. Government securities. The Fund may invest the remaining 35% of its total
assets in non-U.S. Government mortgage-related and asset-backed securities,
including high-grade debt securities secured by mortgages on commercial real
estate or residential rental properties.
The Fund will not invest in any security rated below BBB or Baa. The Fund may
invest in unrated securities of equivalent quality to the rated securities in
which it may invest, as determined by Alliance. The Fund expects, but is not
required, to dispose of securities that are downgraded below BBB and Baa or, if
unrated, that are determined by Alliance to have undergone similar credit
quality deterioration.
21
<PAGE>
The Fund also may:
o enter into reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls;
o enter into various hedging transactions, such as interest rate swaps,
caps, and floors;
o enter into forward contracts;
o purchase and sell futures contracts for hedging purposes;
o purchase call and put options on futures contracts or on securities for
hedging purposes; and
o enter into repurchase agreements.
Alliance Limited Maturity Government Fund
Alliance Limited Maturity Government Fund seeks the highest level of current
income, consistent with low volatility of net asset value. As a matter of
fundamental policy, the Fund normally invests at least 65% of its total assets
in U.S. Government securities, including mortgage-related securities and
repurchase agreements relating to U.S. Government securities.
In pursuing its investment objective and policies, the Fund takes advantage of a
wide range of maturities of debt securities and adjusts the dollar-weighted
average maturity of its portfolio from time to time, depending on its assessment
of relative yields on securities of different maturities and the expected effect
of future changes in interest rates on the market value of the Fund's portfolio.
At all times, however, each security held by the Fund has either a remaining
maturity of not more than ten years or a duration not exceeding that of a
ten-year Treasury note.
The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in:
o high quality asset-backed securities, including mortgage-related
securities that are not U.S. Government securities;
o treasury securities issued by private corporate issuers;
o qualifying bank deposits;
o higher quality commercial paper or, if unrated, issued by companies that
have high quality debt issues outstanding; and
o high quality debt securities of corporate issuers.
The Fund may invest up to 15% of its total assets in high-quality debt
securities denominated in U.S. Dollars or in foreign currencies and issued or
guaranteed by foreign governments or issued by foreign non-governmental issuers.
The amount of Fund investments in foreign debt securities will vary and may
include those of a number of foreign countries or, depending upon market
conditions, those of a single country.
The Fund also may:
o enter into futures contracts and purchase and write options on futures
contracts;
o enter into forward commitments;
o enter into interest rate swaps, caps, and floors;
o invest in Eurodollar instruments;
o purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies;
o invest in variable, floating, and inverse floating rate instruments;
o use reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls;
o make secured loans of its portfolio securities; and
o enter into repurchase agreements.
QUALITY BOND FUND
Alliance Quality Bond Portfolio
Alliance Quality Bond Portfolio seeks high current income consistent with
preservation of capital by investing in investment grade fixed-income
securities. In seeking to achieve its investment objective, the Fund invests in
readily marketable securities with relatively attractive yields that do not
involve undue risk of loss of capital. The Fund normally invests all of its
assets in securities that are rated at least BBB- by S&P or Baa3 by Moody's or
that are of comparable
quality. The Fund normally maintains an average aggregate quality rating of its
portfolio securities of at least A (S&P and Moody's). The Fund has the
flexibility to invest in long- and short-term fixed-income securities (including
debt securities, convertible debt securities and U.S. Government obligations)
and preferred stocks based on Alliance's assessment of prospective cyclical
interest rate changes.
In the event that the credit rating of a security held by the Fund falls below
investment grade (or, if in the case of unrated securities, Alliance determines
that the quality of a security has deteriorated below investment grade), the
Fund will not be obligated to dispose of that security and may continue to hold
the security if, in the opinion of Alliance, such investment is appropriate in
the circumstances.
The Fund also may:
o purchase and sell interest rate futures contracts and options;
o enter into interest rate swaps, caps and floors for hedging purposes;
o purchase put and call options and write covered put and call options on
securities it may purchase;
o write covered call options for cross-hedging purposes;
o invest in foreign fixed-income securities, but only up to 20% of its
total assets;
o enter into foreign currency futures contracts and related options;
o enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts and options on
foreign currencies for hedging purposes;
o invest in CMOs;
o invest in zero coupon securities and "pay-in-kind" debentures; and
o make secured loans of portfolio securities of up to 50% of its total
assets.
22
<PAGE>
MORTGAGE FUND
Alliance Mortgage Securities Income Fund
Alliance Mortgage Securities Income Fund seeks a high level of current income to
the extent consistent with prudent investment risk. The Fund maintains at least
65% of its total assets in mortgage-related securities, including CMOs. The
average weighted maturity of the Fund's portfolio of fixed-income securities is
expected to vary between two and ten years.
The Fund expects that governmental, government-related, or private entities may
create mortgage loan pools offering pass-through investments in addition to
those described in this Prospectus. The mortgages underlying these securities
may be instruments whose principal or interest payments may vary or whose terms
to maturity may differ from customary long-term fixed-rate mortgages. As new
types of mortgage-related securities are developed and offered to investors, the
Fund will consider making investments in these new types of securities. The Fund
may invest up to 20% of its total assets in lower-rated mortgage-related
securities.
The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in:
o U.S. Government securities;
o qualifying bank deposits;
o prime commercial paper or, if unrated, issued by companies that have an
outstanding high quality debt issue; and
o high-grade asset-backed securities.
The Fund also may:
o enter into forward commitments;
o purchase put and call options written by others and write covered put and
call options for hedging purposes;
o purchase high-grade debt securities secured by mortgages on commercial
real estate or residential rental properties;
o enter into interest rate swaps, caps, and floors;
o enter into interest rate futures contracts;
o invest in variable, floating, and inverse floating rate instruments;
o make loans of portfolio securities; and
o enter into repurchase agreements.
MULTI-MARKET FUND
Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust
Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust is a non-diversified investment company
that offers investors a higher yield than a money market fund and less
fluctuation in net asset value than a longer-term bond fund. The Fund seeks the
highest level of current income, consistent with what Alliance considers to be
prudent investment risk, that is available from a portfolio of high-quality debt
securities having remaining maturities of not more than five years. The Fund
invests in a portfolio of debt securities denominated in the U.S. Dollar and
selected foreign currencies. The Fund seeks investment opportunities in foreign,
as well as domestic, securities markets. The Fund normally expects to maintain
at least 70% of its assets in debt securities denominated in foreign currencies.
The Fund limits its investments in a single currency other than the U.S. Dollar
to 25% of its net assets, except for the Euro in which the Fund may invest up to
50% of its net assets.
In pursuing its investment objective, the Fund seeks to minimize credit risk and
fluctuations in net asset value by investing only in short-term debt securities.
Normally, a high proportion of the Fund's portfolio consists of money market
instruments. Alliance actively manages the Fund's portfolio in accordance with a
multi-market investment strategy, allocating the Fund's investments among
securities denominated in the U.S. Dollar and the currencies of a number of
foreign countries and, within each such country, among different types of debt
securities. Alliance adjusts the Fund's exposure to each currency so that the
percentage of assets invested in securities of a particular country or
denominated in a particular currency varies in accordance with Alliance's
assessment of the relative yield and appreciation potential of such securities
and the relative strength of a country's currency. Fundamental economic
strength, credit quality, and interest rate trends are the principal factors
considered by Alliance in determining whether to increase or decrease the
emphasis placed upon a particular type of security or industry sector within a
Fund's investment portfolio.
The returns available from short-term foreign currency-denominated debt
instruments can be adversely affected by changes in exchange rates. Alliance
believes that the use of foreign currency hedging techniques, including
"cross-hedges", can help protect against declines in the U.S. Dollar value of
income available for distribution to shareholders and declines in the net asset
value of the Fund's shares resulting from adverse changes in currency exchange
rates. The Fund invests in debt securities denominated in the currencies of
countries whose governments are considered stable by Alliance.
An issuer of debt securities purchased by the Fund may be domiciled in a country
other than the country in whose currency the instrument is denominated. In
addition, the Fund may purchase debt securities (sometimes referred to as
"linked" securities) that are denominated in one currency
23
<PAGE>
while the principal amounts of, and value of interest payments on, such
securities are determined with reference to another currency.
The Fund seeks to minimize investment risk by limiting its investments to debt
securities of high quality and invests in:
o U.S. Government securities;
o high-quality foreign government securities;
o obligations issued by supranational entities and corporate debt securities
having a high-quality rating;
o certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances issued or guaranteed by,
or time deposits maintained at, banks (including foreign branches of
foreign banks) having total assets of more than $500 million, and
determined by Alliance to be of high quality; and
o prime commercial paper or unrated commercial paper of equivalent quality
and issued by U.S. or foreign companies having outstanding high-quality
debt securities.
As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund concentrates at least 25% of its
total assets in debt instruments issued by domestic and foreign companies
engaged in the banking industry, including bank holding companies. These
investments may include certificates of deposit, time deposits, bankers'
acceptances, and obligations issued by bank holding companies, as well as
repurchase agreements entered into with banks.
The Fund also may:
o invest in indexed commercial paper;
o enter into futures contracts and purchase and write options on futures
contracts;
o purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies;
o purchase or sell forward foreign currency exchange contracts;
o enter into interest rate swaps, caps, and floors;
o invest in variable, floating, and inverse floating rate instruments;
o make secured loans of its portfolio securities; and
o enter into repurchase agreements.
GLOBAL BOND FUNDS
The Global Bond Funds are non-diversified investment companies that offer
investors a high level of current income through investments primarily in
foreign government securities.
Alliance North American Government Income Trust
Alliance North American Government Income Trust seeks the highest level of
current income, consistent with what Alliance considers to be prudent investment
risk, that is available from a portfolio of debt securities issued or guaranteed
by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, their political subdivisions
(including Canadian provinces but excluding states of the United States),
agencies, instrumentalities or authorities ("Government securities"). The Fund
invests in investment grade securities denominated in the U.S. Dollar, the
Canadian Dollar, and the Mexican Peso and expects to maintain at least 25% of
its assets in securities denominated in the U.S. Dollar. In addition, the Fund
may invest up to 25% of its total assets in debt securities issued by
governmental entities of Argentina ("Argentine Government securities").
The Fund invests at least 65%, and normally substantially more, of its assets in
Government securities and income-producing securities. The average weighted
maturity of the Fund's portfolio of fixed-income securities is expected to vary
between one year or less and 30 years. The Fund maintains borrowings of
approximately one-third of its net assets.
The Fund expects that it will not retain a debt security that is downgraded
below BBB or Baa, or, if unrated, determined by Alliance to have undergone
similar credit quality deterioration. The Fund may conclude, under certain
circumstances, such as the downgrading to below investment grade of all of the
securities of a governmental issuer in one of the countries in which the Fund
has substantial investments, that it is in the best interests of the
shareholders to retain its holdings in securities of that issuer.
Alliance believes that the increasingly integrated economic relationship among
the United States, Canada and Mexico, characterized by the reduction and
projected elimination of most barriers to free trade among the three nations and
the growing coordination of their fiscal and monetary policies, will over the
long term benefit the economic performance of all three countries and promote
greater correlation of currency fluctuation among the U.S. and Canadian Dollars
and the Mexican Peso.
Alliance will actively manage the Fund's assets in relation to market conditions
and general economic conditions and adjust the Fund's investments in an effort
to best enable the Fund to achieve its investment objective. Thus, the
percentage of the Fund's assets invested in a particular country or denominated
in a particular currency will vary in accordance with Alliance's assessment of
the relative yield and appreciation potential of such securities and the
relationship of the country's currency to the U.S. Dollar. To the extent that
its assets are not invested in Government securities, however, the Fund may
invest the balance of its total assets in investment grade debt securities
issued by, and denominated in the local currencies of, governments of countries
located in Central and South America or any of their political subdivisions,
agencies, instrumentalities or authorities, provided that such securities are
denominated in their local currencies. The Fund limits its investments in debt
securities issued by the governmental entities of any
24
<PAGE>
one country, except for Argentine Government securities, to 10% of its total
assets.
The Fund also may:
o enter into futures contracts and purchase and write options on futures
contracts for hedging purposes;
o purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies;
o purchase or sell forward foreign currency exchange contracts;
o write covered put and call options and purchase put and call options on
U.S. Government and foreign government securities traded on U.S. and
foreign securities exchanges, and write put and call options for
cross-hedging purposes;
o enter into interest rate swaps, caps, and floors;
o enter into forward commitments;
o invest in variable, floating, and inverse floating rate instruments;
o make secured loans of its portfolio securities; and
o enter into repurchase agreements.
Alliance Global Dollar Government Fund
Alliance Global Dollar Government Fund seeks primarily a high level of current
income and secondarily capital appreciation. In seeking to achieve these
objectives, the Fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in sovereign debt
obligations. The Fund's investments in sovereign debt obligations will emphasize
obligations referred to as "Brady Bonds," which are issued as part of debt
restructurings and collateralized in full as to principal due at maturity by
zero coupon U.S. Government securities.
The Fund also may invest up to 35% of its total assets in U.S. and non-U.S.
corporate fixed-income securities. The Fund will limit its investments in
sovereign debt obligations and U.S. and non-U.S. corporate fixed-income
securities to U.S. Dollar-denominated securities. Alliance expects the average
weighted maturity of the Fund's investments will be approximately:
o for U.S. fixed-income securities, nine to 15 years;
o for non-U.S. fixed-income securities, 15 to 25 years; and
o for sovereign debt obligations, longer than 25 years.
Substantially all of the Fund's assets will be invested in lower-rated
securities, which may include securities having the lowest rating for
non-subordinated debt instruments (i.e., rated C by Moody's or CCC or lower by
S&P, Duff & Phelps and Fitch) and unrated securities of equivalent investment
quality. These securities may have extremely poor prospects of ever attaining
any real investment standing and a current identifiable vulnerability to
default, be unlikely to have the capacity to pay interest and repay principal
when due in the event of adverse business, financial or economic conditions, and
be in default or not current in the payment of interest or principal.
The Fund also may invest in investment grade securities. Unrated securities will
be considered for investment by the Fund when Alliance believes that the
financial condition of the issuers of such obligations and the protection
afforded by the terms of the obligations themselves limit the risk to the Fund
to a degree comparable to that of rated securities which are consistent with the
Fund's investment objectives and policies.
As of August 31, 1999, securities ratings (or equivalent quality) of the Fund's
securities were:
o A and above .37%
o Baa or BBB 4.55%
o Ba or BB 50.00%
o B 29.35%
o CCC 9.43%
o CC 2.64%
o C 1.60%
o Unrated 2.06%
The Fund's investments in sovereign debt obligations and non-U.S. corporate
fixed-income securities emphasize countries that are considered at the time of
purchase to be emerging markets or developing countries by the World Bank. A
substantial part of the Fund's investment focus is in obligations of or
securities of issuers in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Morocco, the Philippines,
Russia and Venezuela because these countries are now, or are expected in the
future to be, the principal participants in debt restructuring programs
(including, in the case of Argentina, Mexico, the Philippines and Venezuela,
issuers of currently outstanding Brady Bonds) that, in Alliance's opinion, will
provide the most attractive investment opportunities for the Fund. Alliance
anticipates that other countries that will provide investment opportunities for
the Fund include, among others, Bolivia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic,
Ecuador, Jordan, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Poland, Thailand, Turkey and Uruguay.
The Fund limits its investments in the sovereign debt obligations of any single
foreign country to less than 25% of its total assets, although the Fund may
invest up to 30% of its total assets in the sovereign debt obligations of and
corporate fixed-income securities of issuers in each of Argentina, Brazil,
Mexico, Morocco, the Philippines, Russia and Venezuela. The Fund expects that it
will limit its investments in any other single foreign country to not more than
10% of its total assets.
The Fund also may:
o invest in structured securities;
o invest in fixed and floating rate loans that are arranged through private
negotiations between an issuer of sovereign debt obligations and one or
more financial institutions and in participations in and assignments of
these types of loans;
25
<PAGE>
o invest in other investment companies;
o invest in warrants;
o enter into interest rate swaps, caps, and floors;
o enter into forward commitments;
o enter into standby commitment agreements;
o make short sales of securities or maintain a short position;
o write put and call options on securities of the types in which it is
permitted to invest and write call options for cross-hedging purposes;
o purchase and sell exchange-traded options on any securities index of the
types of securities in which it may invest;
o invest in variable, floating, and inverse floating rate instruments;
o enter into reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls;
o make secured loans of its portfolio securities; and
o enter into repurchase agreements.
While it does not currently intend to do so, the Fund reserves the right to
borrow an amount not to exceed one-third of the Fund's net assets.
Alliance Global Strategic Income Trust
Alliance Global Strategic Income Trust seeks primarily a high level of current
income and secondarily capital appreciation. The Fund invests primarily in a
portfolio of fixed-income securities of U.S. and non-U.S. companies and U.S.
Government and foreign government securities and supranational entities,
including lower-rated securities. The Fund also may use derivative instruments
to attempt to enhance income. The Fund expects that the average weighted
maturity of its portfolio of fixed-income securities will vary between five
years and 30 years in accordance with Alliance's changing perceptions of the
relative attractiveness of various maturity ranges.
The Fund normally invests at least 65% of its total assets in fixed-income
securities of issuers located in at least three countries, one of which may be
the United States. The Fund limits its investments in the securities of any one
foreign government to 25% of its total assets. The Fund's investments in U.S.
Government securities may include mortgage-related securities and zero coupon
securities. The Fund's investments in fixed-income securities may include
preferred stock, mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities, and zero
coupon securities.
The Fund will maintain at least 65% of its total assets in investment grade
securities and may maintain not more than 35% of its total assets in lower-rated
securities. Unrated securities will be considered for investment by the Fund
when Alliance believes that the financial condition of the issuers of such
obligations and the protection afforded by the terms of the obligations limit
the risk to the Fund to a degree comparable to that of rated securities that are
consistent with the Fund's investment objectives and policies. Lower-rated
securities in which the Fund may invest include Brady Bonds and fixed-income
securities of issuers located in emerging markets.
The Fund also may:
o invest in rights and warrants;
o invest in loan participations and assignments;
o invest in foreign currencies;
o purchase and write put and call options on securities and foreign
currencies;
o purchase or sell forward foreign exchange contracts;
o invest in variable, floating, and inverse floating rate instruments;
o invest in indexed commercial paper;
o invest in structured securities;
o purchase and sell securities on a forward commitment basis;
o enter into standby commitments;
o enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of
fixed-income securities or foreign currencies, or contracts based on
financial indices, including any index of U.S. Government securities,
foreign government securities or common stock, and purchase and write
options on futures contracts;
o invest in Eurodollar instruments;
o enter into interest rate swaps, caps, and floors; and
o make short sales of securities or maintain a short position;
o enter into reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls;
o make loans of portfolio securities; and
o enter into repurchase agreements.
The Fund may borrow in order to purchase securities or make other investments,
although it currently limits its borrowings to 25% of its total assets.
CORPORATE BOND FUNDS
Alliance Corporate Bond Portfolio
Alliance Corporate Bond Portfolio seeks primarily to maximize income over the
long term consistent with providing reasonable safety in the value of each
shareholder's investment and secondarily to increase its capital through
appreciation of its investments in order to preserve and, if possible, increase
the purchasing power of each shareholder's investment. In pursuing these
objectives, the Fund's policy is to invest in readily
26
<PAGE>
marketable securities that give promise of relatively attractive yields but do
not involve substantial risk of loss of capital. The Fund invests at least 65%
of its net assets in debt securities. Although the Fund invests at least 65% of
its total assets in corporate bonds, it also may invest in securities of
non-corporate issuers. The Fund expects that the average weighted maturity of
its portfolio of fixed-income securities will vary between one year or less and
30 years.
The Fund follows an investment strategy that in certain respects can be regarded
as more aggressive than the strategies of many other funds investing primarily
in corporate bonds. The Fund's investments normally tend to have a relatively
long average maturity and duration. The Fund places significant emphasis on both
foreign corporate and sovereign debt obligations and corporate bonds that are
expected to benefit from improvement in their issuers' credit fundamentals. In
recent years the Fund frequently has had greater net asset value volatility than
most other corporate bond funds. Prospective investors in the Fund should
therefore be prepared to accept the degree of volatility associated with its
investment strategy.
The Fund's investments in fixed-income securities have no minimum rating
requirement, except the Fund expects that it will not retain a security that is
downgraded below B, or if unrated, determined to have undergone similar credit
quality deterioration after purchase. Currently, the Fund believes its
objectives and policies may best be implemented by investing at least 65% of its
total assets in fixed-income securities considered investment grade or higher.
The Fund may invest the remainder of its assets in lower-rated fixed-income
securities. As of June 30, 1999, the Fund's investments were rated (or
equivalent quality):
o A or above 9.64%
o Baa or BBB 47.40%
o Ba or BB 37.26%
o B 1.82%
o CC 3.50%
o C .38%
o Unrated 0%
The Fund may invest up to 50% of its total assets in foreign debt securities,
which will consist primarily of corporate fixed-income securities and sovereign
debt obligations. The Fund invests no more than 15% of its total assets in
sovereign debt obligations in the form of foreign government loan participations
and assignments, which may be lower rated and considered to be predominantly
speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay
principal. All of the Fund's investments, whether foreign or domestic, are U.S.
Dollar-denominated.
Within these limitations, the Fund has complete flexibility as to the types and
relative proportions of securities in which it will invest. The Fund plans to
vary the proportions of its holdings of long- and short-term fixed-income
securities and of equity securities in order to reflect its assessment of
prospective cyclical changes even if such action may adversely affect current
income. Substantially all of the Fund's investments, however, will be income
producing.
The Fund also may:
o invest in structured securities;
o invest in fixed and floating rate loans that are arranged through private
negotiations between an issuer of sovereign debt obligations and one or
more financial institutions and in participations in and assignments of
these type of loans;
o for hedging purposes, purchase put and call options written by others and
write covered put and call options;
o for hedging purposes, enter into various hedging transactions, such as
interest rate swaps, caps, and floors;
o invest in variable, floating, and inverse floating rate instruments;
o invest in zero coupon and pay-in-kind securities; and
o invest in CMOs and multi-class pass-through mortgage-related securities.
Alliance High Yield Fund
Alliance High Yield Fund seeks primarily to achieve high total return by
maximizing current income and, to the extent consistent with that objective,
capital appreciation. The Fund pursues this objective by investing primarily in
a diversified mix of high yield, below investment grade debt securities, known
as "junk bonds." These securities involve greater volatility of price and risk
of principal and income than higher quality debt securities. The Fund is managed
to maximize current income by taking advantage of market developments, yield
disparities, and variations in the creditworthiness of issuers. The Fund uses
various strategies in attempting to achieve its objective.
The Fund normally invests at least 65% of its total assets in high yield debt
securities rated below investment grade by two or more NRSROs (i.e., rated lower
than Baa by Moody's or lower than BBB by S&P) or, if unrated, of equivalent
quality. The Fund may 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 two or more NRSROs or, if unrated, of equivalent quality, 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 two or more
NRSROs or, if unrated, of equivalent quality.
As of August 31, 1999, the Fund's investments were rated (or equivalent
quality):
o A and above 7.70%
o Ba or BB 12.79%
o B 63.04%
o CCC 3.07%
o Unrated 13.30%
27
<PAGE>
The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in foreign securities. The Fund may
buy and sell foreign currencies principally for the purpose of preserving the
value of foreign securities or in anticipation of purchasing foreign securities.
The Fund also may invest in:
o U.S. Government securities;
o certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, bank notes, time deposits
and interest bearing savings deposits issued or guaranteed by certain
domestic and foreign banks;
o commercial paper (rated at least A-1 by S&P or Prime-1 by Moody's or, if
unrated, issued by domestic or foreign companies having high quality
outstanding debt securities) and participation interests in loans extended
by banks to these companies;
o corporate debt obligations with remaining maturities of less than one year
rated at least high quality as well as corporate debt obligations rated at
least high grade 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; and
o floating rate or master demand notes.
The Fund also may:
o invest in mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities;
o invest in loan participations and assignments of loans to corporate,
governmental, or other borrowers originally made by institutional lenders
or lending syndicates;
o enter into forward commitments;
o write covered put and call options on debt securities, securities indices
and foreign currencies and purchase put or call options on debt
securities, securities indices and foreign currencies;
o purchase and sell futures contracts and related options on debt securities
and on indices of debt securities;
o enter into contracts for the purchase or sale of a specific currency for
hedging purposes only;
o make secured loans of portfolio securities; and
o enter into repurchase agreements.
DESCRIPTION OF INVESTMENT PRACTICES
This section describes certain investment practices and associated risks that
are common to a number of Funds.
Derivatives. The Funds may use derivatives to achieve their investment
objectives. Derivatives are financial contracts whose value depends on, or is
derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index. These
assets, rates, and indices may include bonds, stocks, mortgages, commodities,
interest rates, currency exchange rates, bond indices, and stock indices.
Derivatives can be used to earn income or protect against risk, or both. For
example, one party with unwanted risk may agree to pass that risk to another
party who is willing to accept the risk, the second party being motivated, for
example, by the desire either to earn income in the form of a fee or premium
from the first party, or to reduce its own unwanted risk by attempting to pass
all or part of that risk to the first party.
Derivatives can be used by investors such as the Funds to earn income and
enhance returns, to hedge or adjust the risk profile of a portfolio, and either
to replace more traditional direct investments or to obtain exposure to
otherwise inaccessible markets. Each of the Funds is permitted to use
derivatives for one or more of these purposes, although most of the Funds
generally use derivatives primarily as direct investments in order to enhance
yields and broaden portfolio diversification. Each of these uses entails greater
risk than if derivatives were used solely for hedging purposes. Derivatives are
a valuable tool, which, when used properly, can provide significant benefits to
Fund shareholders. A Fund may take a significant position in those derivatives
that are within its investment policies if, in Alliance's judgment, this
represents the most effective response to current or anticipated market
conditions. Alliance Multi-Market Strategy, Alliance High Yield, and Alliance
Global Strategic Income, in particular, generally make extensive use of
carefully selected forwards and other derivatives to achieve the currency
hedging that is an integral part of their investment strategy. Alliance's use of
derivatives is subject to continuous risk assessment and control from the
standpoint of each Fund's investment objectives and policies.
Derivatives may be (i) standardized, exchange-traded contracts or (ii)
customized, privately-negotiated contracts. Exchange-traded derivatives tend to
be more liquid and subject to less credit risk than those that are privately
negotiated.
There are four principal types of derivative instruments--options, futures,
forwards, and swaps--from which virtually any type of derivative transaction can
be created.
o Options--An option, which may be standardized and exchange-traded, or
customized and privately negotiated, is an agreement that, for a premium
payment or fee, gives the option holder (the buyer) the right but not the
obligation to buy or sell the underlying asset (or settle for cash an
amount based on an underlying asset, rate or index) at a specified price
(the exercise price) during a period of time or on a specified date. A
call option entitles the holder to purchase, and a put option entitles the
holder to sell, the underlying asset (or settle for cash an amount based
on an underlying asset, rate or index). Likewise, when an option is
exercised the writer of the option is obligated to sell (in the case of a
call option) or to purchase (in the case of a put option) the underlying
asset (or settle for cash an amount based on an underlying asset, rate or
index).
28
<PAGE>
o Futures--A futures contract is an agreement that obligates the buyer to
buy and the seller to sell a specified quantity of an underlying asset (or
settle for cash the value of a contract based on an underlying asset, rate
or index) at a specific price on the contract
maturity date. Futures contracts are standardized, exchange-traded
instruments and are fungible (i.e., considered to be perfect substitutes
for each other). This fungibility allows futures contracts to be readily
offset or cancelled through the acquisition of equal but opposite
positions, which is the primary method in which futures contracts are
liquidated. A cash-settled futures contract does not require physical
delivery of the underlying asset but instead is settled for cash equal to
the difference between the values of the contract on the date it is
entered into and its maturity date.
o Forwards--A forward contract is an obligation by one party to buy, and the
other party to sell, a specific quantity of an underlying commodity or
other tangible asset for an agreed upon price at a future date. Forward
contracts are customized, privately negotiated agreements designed to
satisfy the objectives of each party. A forward contract usually results
in the delivery of the underlying asset upon maturity of the contract in
return for the agreed upon payment.
o Swaps--A swap is a customized, privately negotiated agreement that
obligates two parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified
intervals (payment dates) based upon or calculated by reference to changes
in specified prices or rates (interest rates in the case of interest rate
swaps, currency exchange rates in the case of currency swaps) for a
specified amount of an underlying asset (the "notional" principal amount).
The payment flows are netted against each other, with the difference being
paid by one party to the other. Except for currency swaps, the notional
principal amount is used solely to calculate the payment streams but is
not exchanged. With respect to currency swaps, actual principal amounts of
currencies may be exchanged by the counterparties at the initiation, and
again upon the termination, of the transaction.
Debt instruments that incorporate one or more of these building blocks for the
purpose of determining the principal amount of and/or rate of interest payable
on the debt instruments are often referred to as "structured securities." An
example of this type of structured security is indexed commercial paper. The
term is also used to describe certain securities issued in connection with the
restructuring of certain foreign obligations. The term "derivative" also is
sometimes used to describe securities involving rights to a portion of the cash
flows from an underlying pool of mortgages or other assets from which payments
are passed through to the owner of, or that collateralize, the securities. These
securities are described below under Mortgage-Related Securities and Other
Asset-Backed Securities.
While the judicious use of derivatives by highly-experienced investment managers
such as Alliance can be quite beneficial, derivatives involve risks different
from, and, in certain cases, greater than, the risks presented by more
traditional investments. The following is a general discussion of important risk
factors and issues relating to the use of derivatives that investors should
understand before investing in a Fund.
o Market Risk--This is the general risk of all investments that the value of
a particular investment will change in a way detrimental to the Fund's
interest based on changes in the bond market generally.
o Management Risk--Derivative products are highly specialized instruments
that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those
associated with stocks and bonds. The use of a derivative requires an
understanding not only of the underlying instrument but also of the
derivative itself, without the benefit of observing the performance of the
derivative under all possible market conditions. In particular, the use
and complexity of derivatives require the maintenance of adequate controls
to monitor the transactions entered into, the ability to assess the risk
that a derivative adds to a Fund's portfolio, and the ability to forecast
price, interest rate, or currency exchange rate movements correctly.
o Credit Risk--This is the risk that a loss may be sustained by a Fund as a
result of the failure of a derivative counterparty to comply with the
terms of the derivative contract. The credit risk for exchange-traded
derivatives is generally less than for privately negotiated derivatives,
since the clearing house, which is the issuer or counterparty to each
exchange-traded derivative, provides a guarantee of performance. This
guarantee is supported by a daily payment system (i.e., margin
requirements) operated by the clearing house in order to reduce overall
credit risk. For privately negotiated derivatives, there is no similar
clearing agency guarantee. Therefore, the Funds consider the
creditworthiness of each counterparty to a privately negotiated derivative
in evaluating potential credit risk.
o Liquidity Risk--Liquidity risk exists when a particular instrument is
difficult to purchase or sell. If a derivative transaction is particularly
large or if the relevant market is illiquid (as is the case with many
privately negotiated derivatives), it may not be possible to initiate a
transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous price.
o Leverage Risk--Since many derivatives have a leverage component, adverse
changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, rate or index can
result in a loss substantially greater than the amount invested in the
derivative itself. In the case of swaps, the risk of loss generally is
related to a notional principal amount, even if the parties have not made
any initial investment. Certain
29
<PAGE>
derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size
of the initial investment.
o Other Risks--Other risks in using derivatives include the risk of
mispricing or improper valuation of derivatives and the inability of
derivatives to correlate perfectly with underlying assets, rates and
indices. Many derivatives,
in particular privately negotiated derivatives, are complex and often
valued subjectively. Improper valuations can result in increased cash
payment requirements to counterparties or a loss of value to a Fund.
Derivatives do not always perfectly or even highly correlate or track the
value of the assets, rates or indices they are designed to closely track.
Consequently, a Fund's use of derivatives may not always be an effective
means of, and sometimes could be counterproductive to, furthering the
Fund's investment objective.
Derivatives Used by the Funds. The following describes specific derivatives that
one or more of the Funds may use.
Eurodollar Instruments. Eurodollar instruments are essentially U.S.
Dollar-denominated futures contracts or options that are linked to LIBOR.
Eurodollar futures contracts enable purchasers to obtain a fixed rate for the
lending of funds and sellers to obtain a fixed rate for borrowings. Alliance
Limited Maturity Government and Alliance Global Strategic Income intend to use
Eurodollar futures contracts and options thereon to hedge against changes in
LIBOR (to which many short-term borrowings and floating rate securities in which
each Fund invests are linked).
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts. A Fund purchases or sells forward
foreign currency exchange contracts ("forward contracts") to minimize the risk
from adverse changes in the relationship between the U.S. Dollar and other
currencies. A Fund may enter into a forward contract, for example, when it
enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a
foreign currency in order to "lock in" the U.S. Dollar price of the security (a
"transaction hedge"). When a Fund believes that a foreign currency may suffer a
substantial decline against the U.S. Dollar, it may enter into a forward sale
contract to sell an amount of that foreign currency approximating the value of
some or all of the Fund's portfolio securities denominated in such foreign
currency, or when the Fund believes that the U.S. Dollar may suffer a
substantial decline against a foreign currency, it may enter into a forward
purchase contract to buy that foreign currency for a fixed dollar amount (a
"position hedge"). Instead of entering into a position hedge, a Fund may, in the
alternative, enter into a forward contract to sell a different foreign currency
for a fixed U.S. Dollar amount where the Fund believes that the U.S. Dollar
value of the currency to be sold pursuant to the forward contract will fall
whenever there is a decline in the U.S. Dollar value of the currency in which
portfolio securities of the Fund are denominated (a "cross-hedge").
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. A Fund may buy and sell
futures contracts on fixed-income or other securities or foreign currencies, and
contracts based on interest rates or financial indices, including any index of
U.S. Government securities, foreign government securities or corporate debt
securities.
Options on futures contracts are options that call for the delivery of futures
contracts upon exercise. Options on futures contracts written or purchased by a
Fund will be traded on U.S. or foreign exchanges and, except for Alliance
Short-Term U.S. Government and Alliance Global Strategic Income, will be used
only for hedging purposes.
Alliance Limited Maturity Government, Alliance U.S. Government, Alliance
Multi-Market Strategy, Alliance North American Government Income and Alliance
Global Strategic Income will not enter into a futures contract or write or
purchase an option on a futures contract if immediately thereafter the market
values of the outstanding futures contracts of the Fund and the currencies and
futures contracts subject to outstanding options written by the Fund would
exceed 50% of its total assets. Alliance Mortgage Securities Income will not
write or purchase options on futures contracts. Nor will Alliance Limited
Maturity Government, Alliance U.S. Government, Alliance Mortgage Securities
Income, Alliance Multi-Market Strategy, Alliance North American Government
Income or Alliance Global Strategic Income enter into a futures contract or, if
otherwise permitted, write or purchase an option on a futures contract, if
immediately thereafter the aggregate of initial margin deposits on all the
outstanding futures contracts of the Fund and premiums paid on outstanding
options on futures contracts would exceed 5% of the market value of the total
assets of the Fund. In addition, Alliance Mortgage Securities Income and
Alliance Global Strategic Income will not enter into any futures contract (i)
other than one on fixed-income securities or based on interest rates, or (ii) if
immediately thereafter the sum of the then aggregate futures market prices of
financial instruments required to be delivered under open futures contract sales
and the aggregate futures market prices of instruments required to be delivered
under open futures contract purchases would exceed 30% of the value of the
Fund's total assets.
Interest Rate Transactions (Swaps, Caps, and Floors). Each Fund that may enter
into interest rate swap, cap, or floor transactions expects to do so primarily
for hedging purposes, which may include preserving a return or spread on a
particular investment or portion of its portfolio or protecting against an
increase in the price of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later
date. The Funds do not intend to use these transactions in a speculative manner.
Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of their
respective commitments to pay or receive interest (e.g., an exchange of floating
rate payments for fixed rate payments) computed based on a contractually-based
principal (or "notional") amount. Interest rate swaps
30
<PAGE>
are entered into on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out,
with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of
the two payments).
Interest rate caps and floors are similar to options in that the purchase of an
interest rate cap or floor entitles the
purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds (in the case of a cap)
or falls below (in the case of a floor) a predetermined interest rate, to
receive payments of interest on a notional amount from the party selling the
interest rate cap or floor. A Fund may enter into interest rate swaps, caps, and
floors on either an asset-based or liability-based basis, depending upon whether
it is hedging its assets or liabilities.
There is no limit on the amount of interest rate transactions that may be
entered into by a Fund that is permitted to enter into such transactions.
Alliance Multi-Market Strategy, Alliance North American Government Income and
Alliance Global Strategic Income may enter into interest rate swaps involving
payments in the same currency or in different currencies. Alliance Short-Term
U.S. Government, Alliance U.S. Government, Alliance Limited Maturity
Government, Alliance Quality Bond, Alliance Mortgage Securities Income,
Alliance Global Dollar Government, Alliance Global Strategic Income and
Alliance Corporate Bond will not enter into an interest rate swap, cap, or floor
transaction unless the unsecured senior long- or short-term debt or the
claims-paying ability of the other party is then rated in the highest rating
category of at least one NRSRO. Each of Alliance Multi-Market Strategy, Alliance
North American Government Income, and Alliance Global Strategic Income will
enter into interest rate swap, cap or floor transactions with its respective
custodian, and with other counterparties, but only if: (i) for transactions with
maturities under one year, such other counterparty has outstanding prime
commercial paper; or (ii) for transactions with maturities greater than one
year, the counterparty has high-quality debt securities outstanding.
The swap market has grown substantially in recent years, with a large number of
banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents
utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has
become well established and relatively liquid. Caps and floors are less liquid
than swaps. These transactions do not involve the delivery of securities or
other underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, unless there is a
counterparty default, the risk of loss to a Fund from interest rate transactions
is limited to the net amount of interest payments that the Fund is contractually
obligated to make.
Options on Foreign Currencies. A Fund invests in options on foreign currencies
that are privately negotiated or traded on U.S. or foreign exchanges for the
purpose of protecting against declines in the U.S. Dollar value of foreign
currency denominated securities held by a Fund and against increases in the U.S.
Dollar cost of securities to be acquired. The purchase of an option on a foreign
currency may constitute an effective hedge against fluctuations in exchange
rates, although if rates move adversely, a Fund may forfeit the entire amount of
the premium plus related transaction costs.
Options on Securities. In purchasing an option on securities, a Fund would be in
a position to realize a gain if, during the option period, the price of the
underlying securities increased (in the case of a call) or decreased (in the
case of a put) by an amount in excess of the premium paid; otherwise the Fund
would experience a loss not greater than the premium paid for the option. Thus,
a Fund would realize a loss if the price of the underlying security declined or
remained the same (in the case of a call) or increased or remained the same (in
the case of a put) or otherwise did not increase (in the case of a put) or
decrease (in the case of a call) by more than the amount of the premium. If a
put or call option purchased by a Fund were permitted to expire without being
sold or exercised, its premium would represent a loss to the Fund.
A Fund may write a put or call option in return for a premium, which is retained
by the Fund whether or not the option is exercised. Except with respect to
uncovered call options written for cross-hedging purposes, none of the Funds
will write uncovered call or put options on securities. A call option written by
a Fund is "covered" if the Fund owns the underlying security, has an absolute
and immediate right to acquire that security upon conversion or exchange of
another security it holds, or holds a call option on the underlying security
with an exercise price equal to or less than that of the call option it has
written. A put option written by a Fund is covered if the Fund holds a put
option on the underlying securities with an exercise price equal to or greater
than that of the put option it has written.
The risk involved in writing an uncovered call option is that there could be an
increase in the market value of the underlying security, and a Fund could be
obligated to acquire the underlying security at its current price and sell it at
a lower price. The risk of loss from writing an uncovered put option is limited
to the exercise price of the option.
A Fund may write a call option on a security that it does not own in order to
hedge against a decline in the value of a security that it owns or has the right
to acquire, a technique referred to as "cross-hedging." A Fund would write a
call option for cross-hedging purposes, instead of writing a covered call
option, when the premium to be received from the cross-hedge transaction exceeds
that to be received from writing a covered call option, while at the same time
achieving the desired hedge. The correlation risk involved in cross-hedging may
be greater than the correlation risk involved with other hedging strategies.
Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government, Alliance U.S. Government, Alliance Mortgage
Securities Income, Alliance North American Government Income, Alliance Global
Dollar Government, Alliance Global Strategic
31
<PAGE>
Income, Alliance Quality Bond, Alliance Corporate Bond, and Alliance High Yield
generally purchase or write privately negotiated options on securities. A Fund
that does so will effect such transactions only with investment dealers and
other financial institutions (such as commercial banks or savings and loan
institutions) deemed creditworthy by Alliance. Privately negotiated options
purchased or written by a Fund may be illiquid and it may not be possible for
the Fund to effect a closing transaction at an advantageous time. Alliance
Mortgage Securities Income, Alliance U.S. Government and Alliance Corporate
Bond will not purchase an option on a security if, immediately thereafter, the
aggregate cost of all outstanding options purchased by the Fund would exceed 2%
of the Fund's total assets. Nor will these Funds write an option if,
immediately thereafter, the aggregate value of the Fund's portfolio securities
subject to outstanding options would exceed 15% of the Fund's total assets.
Options on Securities Indices. An option on a securities index is similar to an
option on a security except that, rather than taking or making delivery of a
security at a specified price, an option on a securities index gives the holder
the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the
closing level of the chosen index is greater than (in the case of a call) or
less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option.
Brady Bonds. Brady Bonds are created through the exchange of existing commercial
bank loans to foreign entities for new obligations in connection with debt
restructurings under a plan introduced by former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury,
Nicholas F. Brady (the "Brady Plan"). Brady Bonds have been issued only
recently, and, accordingly, do not have a long payment history. They may be
collateralized or uncollateralized and issued in various currencies (although
most are U.S. Dollar-denominated) and they are actively traded in the
over-the-counter secondary market.
U.S. Dollar-denominated, collateralized Brady Bonds, which may be fixed-rate par
bonds or floating rate discount bonds, are generally collateralized in full as
to principal due at maturity by U.S. Treasury zero coupon obligations that have
the same maturity as the Brady Bonds. Interest payments on these Brady Bonds
generally are collateralized by cash or securities in an amount that, in the
case of fixed rate bonds, is equal to at least one year of rolling interest
payments based on the applicable interest rate at that time and is adjusted at
regular intervals thereafter. Certain Brady Bonds are entitled to "value
recovery payments" in certain circumstances, which in effect constitute
supplemental interest payments but generally are not collateralized. Brady Bonds
are often viewed as having up to four valuation components: (i) collateralized
repayment of principal at final maturity, (ii) collateralized interest payments,
(iii) uncollateralized interest payments, and (iv) any uncollateralized
repayment of principal at maturity (these uncollateralized amounts constitute
the "residual risk"). In the event of a default with respect to collateralized
Brady Bonds as a result of which the payment obligations of the issuer are
accelerated, the U.S. Treasury zero coupon obligations held as collateral for
the payment of principal will not be distributed to investors, nor will such
obligations be sold and the proceeds distributed. The collateral will be held by
the collateral agent to the scheduled maturity of the defaulted Brady Bonds,
which will continue to be outstanding, at which time the face amount of the
collateral will equal the principal payments that would have then been due on
the Brady Bonds in the normal course. In light of the residual risk of Brady
Bonds and, among other factors, the history of defaults with respect to
commercial bank loans by public and private entities of countries issuing Brady
Bonds, investments in Brady Bonds are to be viewed as speculative.
Convertible Securities. Prior to conversion, convertible securities have the
same general characteristics as non-convertible debt securities, which provide a
stable stream of income with generally higher yields than those of equity
securities of the same or similar issuers. The price of a convertible security
will normally vary with changes in the price of the underlying equity security,
although the higher yield tends to make the convertible security less volatile
than the underlying equity security. As with debt securities, the market value
of convertible securities tends to decrease as interest rates rise and increase
as interest rates decline. While convertible securities generally offer lower
interest or dividend yields than non-convertible debt securities of similar
quality, they enable investors to benefit from increases in the market price of
the underlying common stock. Convertible debt securities that are rated Baa or
lower by Moody's or BBB or lower by S&P, Duff & Phelps or Fitch and comparable
unrated securities may share some or all of the risks of debt securities with
those ratings.
Forward Commitments. Forward commitments for the purchase or sale of securities
may include purchases on a when-issued basis or purchases or sales on a delayed
delivery basis. In some cases, a forward commitment may be conditioned upon the
occurrence of a subsequent event, such as approval and consummation of a merger,
corporate reorganization or debt restructuring or approval of a proposed
financing by appropriate authorities (i.e., a "when, as and if issued" trade).
When forward commitments with respect to fixed-income securities are negotiated,
the price, which is generally expressed in yield terms, is fixed at the time the
commitment is made, but payment for and delivery of the securities take place at
a later date. Normally, the settlement date occurs within two months after the
transaction, but settlements beyond two months may be negotiated. Securities
purchased or sold under a forward commitment are subject to market fluctuation
and no interest or dividends accrues to the purchaser prior to the settlement
date.
32
<PAGE>
The use of forward commitments helps a Fund to protect against anticipated
changes in interest rates and prices. For instance, in periods of rising
interest rates and falling bond prices, a Fund might sell securities in its
portfolio on a forward commitment basis to limit its exposure to falling bond
prices. In periods of falling interest rates and rising bond prices, a Fund
might sell a security in its portfolio and purchase the same or a similar
security on a when-issued or forward commitment basis, thereby obtaining the
benefit of currently higher cash yields. No forward commitments will be made by
Alliance Limited Maturity Government, Alliance North American Government
Income, Alliance Global Dollar Government or Alliance Global Strategic Income
if, as a result, the Fund's aggregate forward commitments under such
transactions would be more than 25% of the total assets of Alliance Global
Strategic Income and 30% of the total assets of each of the other Funds.
A Fund's right to receive or deliver a security under a forward commitment may
be sold prior to the settlement date. The Funds enter into forward commitments,
however, only with the intention of actually receiving securities or delivering
them, as the case may be. If a Fund, however, chooses to dispose of the right to
acquire a when-issued security prior to its acquisition or dispose of its right
to deliver or receive against a forward commitment, it may realize a gain or
incur a loss.
Illiquid Securities. The Funds will limit their investments in illiquid
securities to 15% of their net assets, except that the limit is 10% for Alliance
Mortgage Securities Income, Alliance Multi-Market Strategy, and Alliance North
American Government Income, and 5% for Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government. As a
matter of fundamental policy, Alliance Corporate Bond cannot purchase illiquid
securities. Illiquid securities generally include (i) direct placements or other
securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale or
for which there is no readily available market (e.g., when trading in the
security is suspended or, in the case of unlisted securities, when market makers
do not exist or will not entertain bids or offers), including many currency
swaps and any assets used to cover currency swaps, (ii) over-the-counter options
and assets used to cover over-the-counter options, and (iii) repurchase
agreements not terminable within seven days.
A Fund that invests in illiquid securities may not be able to sell such
securities and may not be able to realize their full value upon sale. Alliance
will monitor each Fund's investments in illiquid securities. Rule 144A
securities will not be treated as "illiquid" for the purposes of the limit on
investments so long as the securities meet liquidity guidelines established by
the Board of Directors.
Indexed Commercial Paper. Indexed commercial paper may have its principal linked
to changes in foreign currency exchange rates whereby its principal amount is
adjusted upwards or downwards (but not below zero) at maturity to reflect
changes in the referenced exchange rate. Each Fund that invests in indexed
commercial paper may do so without limitation. A Fund will receive interest and
principal payments on such commercial paper in the currency in which such
commercial paper is denominated, but the amount of principal payable by the
issuer at maturity will change in proportion to the change (if any) in the
exchange rate between the two specified currencies between the date the
instrument is issued and the date the instrument matures. While such commercial
paper entails the risk of loss of principal, the potential for realizing gains
as a result of changes in foreign currency exchange rates enables a Fund to
hedge (or cross-hedge) against a decline in the U.S. Dollar value of investments
denominated in foreign currencies while providing an attractive money market
rate of return. A Fund will purchase such commercial paper for hedging purposes
only, not for speculation.
Investment in Other Investment Companies. Alliance Global Dollar Government may
invest in other investment companies whose investment objectives and policies
are consistent with those of the Fund. If the Fund acquires shares in investment
companies, shareholders would bear both their proportionate share of expenses in
the Fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses
of such investment companies (including management and advisory fees).
Loans of Portfolio Securities. A Fund may make secured loans of portfolio
securities to brokers, dealers and financial institutions, provided that cash,
liquid high grade debt securities or bank letters of credit equal to at least
100% of the market value of the securities loaned is deposited and maintained by
the borrower with the Fund. The risks in lending portfolio securities, as with
other secured extensions of credit, consist of possible loss of rights in the
collateral should the borrower fail financially. In determining whether to lend
securities to a particular borrower, Alliance will consider all relevant facts
and circumstances, including the creditworthiness of the borrower. While
securities are on loan, the borrower will pay the Fund any income earned from
the securities. The Fund may invest any cash collateral in portfolio securities
and earn additional income or receive an agreed-upon amount of income from a
borrower who has delivered equivalent collateral. Lending of portfolio
securities is limited to 50% of net assets for Alliance High Yield, 25% of
net assets for Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government and Alliance Global
Strategic Income, and 20% of net assets for Alliance Limited Maturity
Government, Alliance Mortgage Securities Income, Alliance Multi-Market
Strategy, Alliance North American Government Income and Alliance Global
Dollar Government, and to 50% of total assets for Alliance Quality Bond.
Loan Participations and Assignments. A Fund's investments in loans are expected
in most instances to be in the form of participations in loans and assignments
of all or a portion of loans from third parties. A Fund's investment in loan
participations typically will result in the Fund having a contractual
relationship only with the lender and not with
33
<PAGE>
the borrower. A Fund will acquire participations only if the lender
interpositioned between the Fund and the borrower is a lender having total
assets of more than $25 billion and whose senior unsecured debt is rated
investment grade or higher. When a Fund purchases a loan assignment from a
lender it will acquire direct rights against the borrower on the loan. Because
loan assignments are arranged through private negotiations between potential
assignees and potential assignors, however, the rights and obligations acquired
by a Fund as the purchaser of an assignment may differ from, and be more
limited than, those held by the assigning lender.
The assignability of certain sovereign debt obligations, with respect to
Alliance Global Dollar Government and Alliance Global Strategic Income, or
foreign government securities, with respect to Alliance Corporate Bond and
Alliance High Yield, is restricted by the governing documentation as to the
nature of the assignee such that the only way in which the Fund may acquire an
interest in a loan is through a participation and not an assignment. A Fund may
have difficulty disposing of assignments and participations because to do so it
will have to assign such securities to a third party. Because there may not be a
liquid market for such investments, they can probably be sold only to a limited
number of institutional investors. The lack of a liquid secondary market may
have an adverse effect on the value of such investments and a Fund's ability to
dispose of particular participations and assignments when necessary to meet its
liquidity needs in response to a specific economic event such as a deterioration
in the creditworthiness of the borrower. The lack of a liquid secondary market
for participations and assignments also may make it more difficult for the Fund
to assign a value to these investments for purposes of valuing the Fund's
portfolio and calculating its net asset value.
Alliance Global Dollar Government and Alliance Global Strategic Income may
invest up to 25%, and Alliance Corporate Bond may invest up to 15%, of their
total assets in loan participations and assignments.
Mortgage-Related Securities. The Funds' investments in mortgage-related
securities typically are securities representing interests in pools of mortgage
loans made to home owners. The mortgage loan pools may be assembled for sale to
investors (such as a Fund) by governmental or private organizations.
Mortgage-related securities bear interest at either a fixed rate or an
adjustable rate determined by reference to an index rate. Mortgage-related
securities frequently provide for monthly payments that consist of both interest
and principal, unlike more traditional debt securities, which normally do not
provide for periodic repayments of principal.
Securities representing interests in pools created by private issuers generally
offer a higher rate of interest than securities representing interests in pools
created by governmental issuers because there are no direct or indirect
governmental guarantees of the underlying mortgage payments. Private issuers
sometimes obtain committed loan facilities, lines of credit, letters of credit,
surety bonds or other forms of liquidity and credit enhancement to support the
timely payment of interest and principal with respect to their securities if the
borrowers on the underlying mortgages fail to make their mortgage payments. The
ratings of such non-governmental securities are generally dependent upon the
ratings of the providers of such liquidity and credit support and would be
adversely affected if the rating of such an enhancer were downgraded. A Fund may
buy mortgage-related securities without credit enhancement if the securities
meet the Fund's investment standards.
One type of mortgage-related security is of the "pass-through" variety. The
holder of a pass-through security is considered to own an undivided beneficial
interest in the underlying pool of mortgage loans and receives a pro rata share
of the monthly payments made by the borrowers on their mortgage loans, net of
any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities. Prepayments of
mortgages resulting from the sale, refinancing, or foreclosure of the underlying
properties are also paid to the holders of these securities, which, as discussed
below, frequently causes these securities to experience significantly greater
price and yield volatility than experienced by traditional fixed-income
securities. Some mortgage-related securities, such as securities issued by GNMA,
are referred to as "modified pass-through" securities. The holders of these
securities are entitled to the full and timely payment of principal and
interest, net of certain fees, regardless of whether payments are actually made
on the underlying mortgages.
Another form of mortgage-related security is a "pay-through" security, which is
a debt obligation of the issuer secured by a pool of mortgage loans pledged as
collateral that is legally required to be paid by the issuer, regardless of
whether payments are actually made on the underlying mortgages. CMOs are the
predominant type of "pay-through" mortgage-related security. In a CMO, a series
of bonds or certificates is issued in multiple classes. Each class of a CMO,
often referred to as a "tranche," is issued at a specific coupon rate and has a
stated maturity or final distribution date. Principal prepayments on collateral
underlying a CMO may cause one or more tranches of the CMO to be retired
substantially earlier than the stated maturities or final distribution dates of
the collateral. The principal and interest on the underlying mortgages may be
allocated among several classes of a series of a CMO in many ways. CMOs may be
issued by a U.S. Government instrumentality or agency or by a private issuer.
Although payment of the principal of, and interest on, the underlying collateral
securing privately issued CMOs may be guaranteed by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC, these
CMOs represent obligations solely of the private issuer and are not insured or
guaranteed by GNMA, FNMA, FHLMC, any other governmental agency or any other
person or entity.
34
<PAGE>
Another type of mortgage-related security, known as ARMS, bears interest at a
rate determined by reference to a predetermined interest rate or index. There
are two main categories of rates or indices: (i) rates based on the yield on
U.S. Treasury securities; and (ii) indices derived from a calculated measure
such as a cost of funds index or a moving average of mortgage rates. Some rates
and indices closely mirror changes in market interest rate levels, while
others tend to lag changes in market rate levels and tend to be somewhat less
volatile.
ARMS may be secured by fixed-rate mortgages or adjustable-rate mortgages. ARMS
secured by fixed-rate mortgages generally have lifetime caps on the coupon rates
of the securities. To the extent that general interest rates increase faster
than the interest rates on the ARMS, these ARMS will decline in value. The
adjustable-rate mortgages that secure ARMS will frequently have caps that limit
the maximum amount by which the interest rate or the monthly principal and
interest payments on the mortgages may increase. These payment caps can result
in negative amortization (i.e., an increase in the balance of the mortgage
loan). Since many adjustable-rate mortgages only reset on an annual basis, the
values of ARMS tend to fluctuate to the extent that changes in prevailing
interest rates are not immediately reflected in the interest rates payable on
the underlying adjustable-rate mortgages.
SMRS are mortgage-related securities that are usually structured with two
classes of securities collateralized by a pool of mortgages or a pool of
mortgage-backed bonds or pass-through securities, with each class receiving
different proportions of the principal and interest payments from the underlying
assets. A common type of SMRS has one class of interest-only securities or IOs
receiving all of the interest payments from the underlying assets; while the
other class of securities, principal-only securities or POs, receives all of the
principal payments from the underlying assets. IOs and POs are extremely
sensitive to interest rate changes and are more volatile than mortgage-related
securities that are not stripped. IOs tend to decrease in value as interest
rates decrease, while POs generally increase in value as interest rates
decrease. If prepayments of the underlying mortgages are greater than
anticipated, the amount of interest earned on the overall pool will decrease due
to the decreasing principal balance of the assets. Changes in the values of IOs
and POs can be substantial and occur quickly, such as occurred in the first half
of 1994 when the value of many POs dropped precipitously due to increases in
interest rates. For this reason, none of the Funds relies on IOs and POs as the
principal means of furthering its investment objective.
The value of mortgage-related securities is affected by a number of factors.
Unlike traditional debt securities, which have fixed maturity dates,
mortgage-related securities may be paid earlier than expected as a result of
prepayments of underlying mortgages. Such prepayments generally occur during
periods of falling mortgage interest rates. If property owners make unscheduled
prepayments of their mortgage loans, these prepayments will result in the early
payment of the applicable mortgage-related securities. In that event, a Fund may
be unable to invest the proceeds from the early payment of the mortgage-related
securities in investments that provide as high a yield as the mortgage-related
securities. Early payments associated with mortgage-related securities cause
these securities to experience significantly greater price and yield volatility
than is experienced by traditional fixed-income securities. The occurrence of
mortgage prepayments is affected by the level of general interest rates, general
economic conditions, and other social and demographic factors. During periods of
falling interest rates, the rate of mortgage prepayments tends to increase,
thereby tending to decrease the life of mortgage-related securities. Conversely,
during periods of rising interest rates, a reduction in prepayments may increase
the effective life of mortgage-related securities, subjecting them to greater
risk of decline in market value in response to rising interest rates. If the
life of a mortgage-related security is inaccurately predicted, a Fund may not be
able to realize the rate of return it expected.
Although the market for mortgage-related securities is becoming increasingly
liquid, those issued by certain private organizations may not be readily
marketable. In particular, the secondary markets for CMOs, IOs, and POs may be
more volatile and less liquid than those for other mortgage-related securities,
thereby potentially limiting a Fund's ability to buy or sell those securities at
any particular time.
As with fixed-income securities generally, the value of mortgage-related
securities also can be adversely affected by increases in general interest rates
relative to the yield provided by such securities. Such an adverse effect is
especially possible with fixed-rate mortgage securities. If the yield available
on other investments rises above the yield of the fixed-rate mortgage securities
as a result of general increases in interest rate levels, the value of the
mortgage-related securities will decline. Although the negative effect could be
lessened if the mortgage-related securities were to be paid earlier (thus
permitting a Fund to reinvest the prepayment proceeds in investments yielding
the higher current interest rate), as described above the rates of mortgage
prepayments and early payments of mortgage-related securities generally tend to
decline during a period of rising interest rates.
Although the values of ARMS may not be affected as much as the values of
fixed-rate mortgage securities by rising interest rates, ARMS may still decline
in value as a result of rising interest rates. Although, as described above, the
yields on ARMS vary with changes in the applicable interest rate or index, there
is often a lag between increases in general interest rates and increases in the
yield on ARMS as a result of relatively infrequent interest rate reset dates. In
addition, adjustable-rate mortgages and ARMS often have interest rate or payment
caps that limit the ability of the
35
<PAGE>
adjustable-rate mortgages or ARMS to fully reflect increases in the general
level of interest rates.
Other Asset-Backed Securities. The securitization techniques used to develop
mortgage-related securities are being applied to a broad range of financial
assets. Through the use of trusts and special purpose corporations, various
types of assets, including automobile loans and leases, credit card receivables,
home equity loans, equipment leases and trade receivables, are being securitized
in structures similar to the structures used in mortgage securitizations. These
asset-backed securities are subject to risks associated with changes in interest
rates and prepayment of underlying obligations similar to the risks of
investment in mortgage-related securities discussed above.
Each type of asset-backed security also entails unique risks depending on the
type of assets involved and the legal structure used. For example, credit card
receivables are generally unsecured obligations of the credit card holder and
the debtors are entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal
consumer credit laws, many of which give such debtors the right to set off
certain amounts owed on the credit cards, thereby reducing the balance due. In
some transactions, the value of the asset-backed security is dependent on the
performance of a third party acting as credit enhancer or servicer. In some
transactions (such as those involving the securitization of vehicle loans or
leases) it may be administratively burdensome to perfect the interest of the
security issuer in the underlying collateral and the underlying collateral may
become damaged or stolen.
Repurchase Agreements. A repurchase agreement arises when a buyer purchases a
security and simultaneously agrees to resell it to the vendor at an agreed-upon
future date, normally a day or a few days later. The resale price is greater
than the purchase price, reflecting an agreed-upon interest rate for the period
the buyer's money is invested in the security. Such agreements permit a Fund to
keep all of its assets at work while retaining "overnight" flexibility in
pursuit of investments of a longer-term nature. A Fund requires continual
maintenance of collateral in an amount equal to, or in excess of, the resale
price. If a vendor defaults on its repurchase obligation, a Fund would suffer a
loss to the extent that the proceeds from the sale of the collateral were less
than the repurchase price. If a vendor goes bankrupt, a Fund might be delayed
in, or prevented from, selling the collateral for its benefit.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Dollar Rolls. Reverse repurchase agreements
involve sales by a Fund of portfolio assets concurrently with an agreement by
the Fund to repurchase the same assets at a later date at a fixed price. During
the reverse repurchase agreement period, the Fund continues to receive principal
and interest payments on these securities. Generally, the effect of such a
transaction is that a Fund can recover all or most of the cash invested in the
portfolio securities involved during the term of the reverse repurchase
agreement, while it will be able to keep the interest income associated with
those portfolio securities. Such transactions are advantageous only if the
interest cost to a Fund of the reverse repurchase transaction is less than the
cost of otherwise obtaining the cash.
Dollar rolls involve sales by a Fund of securities for delivery in the current
month and the Fund's simultaneously contracting to repurchase substantially
similar (same type and coupon) securities on a specified future date. During the
roll period, a Fund forgoes principal and interest paid on the securities. A
Fund is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the
lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the "drop") as
well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale.
Reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls involve the risk that the market
value of the securities a Fund is obligated to repurchase under the agreement
may decline below the repurchase price. In the event the buyer of securities
under a reverse repurchase agreement or dollar roll files for bankruptcy or
becomes insolvent, a Fund's use of the proceeds of the agreement may be
restricted pending a determination by the other party, or its trustee or
receiver, whether to enforce the Fund's obligation to repurchase the securities.
Reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls are speculative techniques and
are considered borrowings by the Funds. Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government may
enter into reverse repurchase agreements with commercial banks and registered
broker-dealers in order to increase income, in an amount up to 33-1/3% of its
total assets. Under normal circumstances, Alliance Limited Maturity Government
and Alliance U.S. Government do not expect to engage in reverse repurchase
agreements and dollar rolls with respect to greater than 50% of their total
assets. Reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls together with any
borrowings by Alliance Global Dollar Government will not exceed 33% of its total
assets less liabilities (other than amounts borrowed). Alliance Global Strategic
Income may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with commercial banks and
registered broker-dealers in order to increase income, in an amount up to 25% of
its total assets. Reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls together with
any borrowings by Alliance Global Strategic Income will not exceed 25% of its
total assets.
Rights and Warrants. Rights and warrants are option securities permitting their
holders to subscribe for other securities. Alliance Global Dollar Government may
invest in warrants, and Alliance Global Strategic Income and Alliance Quality
Bond may invest in rights and warrants, for debt securities or for equity
securities that are acquired in connection with debt instruments. Rights are
similar to warrants except that they have a substantially shorter duration.
Rights and warrants do not carry with them
36
<PAGE>
dividend or voting rights with respect to the underlying securities, or any
rights in the assets of the issuer. As a result, an investment in rights and
warrants may be considered more speculative than certain other types of
investments. In addition, the value of a right or a warrant does not
necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities, and a right or
a warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration
date. Alliance Global Strategic Income may invest up to 20% of its total assets
in rights and warrants.
Short Sales. A short sale is effected by selling a security that a Fund does not
own, or if the Fund owns the security, is not to be delivered upon consummation
of the sale. A short sale is "against the box" if a Fund owns or has the right
to obtain without payment securities identical to those sold short. Alliance
Short-Term U.S. Government and Alliance Global Dollar Government each may make
short sales only against the box and only for the purpose of deferring
realization of a gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition,
each of these Funds may not make a short sale if, as a result, more than 10% of
net assets (taken at market value), with respect to Alliance Global Dollar
Government, and 10% of total assets, with respect to Alliance Short-Term U.S.
Government, would be held as collateral for short sales.
Alliance Global Strategic Income may make a short sale in anticipation that the
market price of that security will decline. When the Fund makes a short sale of
a security that it does not own, it must borrow from a broker-dealer the
security sold short and deliver the security to the broker-dealer upon
conclusion of the short sale. The Fund may be required to pay a fee to borrow
particular securities and is often obligated to pay over any payments received
on such borrowed securities. The Fund's obligation to replace the borrowed
security will be secured by collateral deposited with a broker-dealer qualified
as a custodian. Depending on the arrangements the Fund makes with the
broker-dealer from which it borrowed the security regarding remittance of any
payments received by the Fund on such security, the Fund may or may not receive
any payments (e.g., dividends or interest) on its collateral deposited with the
broker-dealer.
In order to defer realization of a gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, Alliance Global Strategic Income may also make short sales "against
the box" of securities which are eligible for such deferral. The Fund may not
make a short sale, if as a result, more than 25% of its total assets would be
held as collateral for short sales.
If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short
sale and the time a Fund replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will incur a
loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a short-term
capital gain. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss increased, by the
transaction costs described above. Although a Fund's gain is limited to the
price at which it sold the security short, its potential loss is theoretically
unlimited.
Standby Commitment Agreements. Standby commitment agreements are similar to put
options that commit a Fund, for a stated period of time, to purchase a stated
amount of a security that may be issued and sold to the Fund at the option of
the issuer. The price and coupon of the security are fixed at the time of the
commitment. At the time of entering into the agreement, the Fund is paid a
commitment fee regardless of whether the security ultimately is issued. The
Funds will enter into such agreements only for the purpose of investing in the
security underlying the commitment at a yield and price considered advantageous
and unavailable on a firm commitment basis. No Fund will enter into a standby
commitment with a remaining term in excess of 45 days. The Funds will limit
their investments in standby commitments so that the aggregate purchase price of
the securities subject to the commitments does not exceed 20%, or 25% with
respect to Alliance Global Strategic Income, of their assets.
There is no guarantee that the security subject to a standby commitment will be
issued. In addition, the value of the security, if issued, on the delivery date
may be more or less than its purchase price. Since the issuance of the security
is at the option of the issuer, a Fund will bear the risk of capital loss in the
event the value of the security declines and may not benefit from an
appreciation in the value of the security during the commitment period if the
issuer decides not to issue and sell the security to the Fund.
Structured Securities. Structured securities in which Alliance Global Dollar
Government, Alliance Global Strategic Income and Alliance Corporate Bond may
invest represent interests in entities organized and operated solely for the
purpose of restructuring the investment characteristics of sovereign debt
obligations, with respect to Alliance Global Dollar Government and Alliance
Global Strategic Income, or foreign government securities, with respect to
Alliance Corporate Bond. This type of restructuring involves the deposit with or
purchase by an entity, such as a corporation or trust, of specified instruments
(such as commercial bank loans or Brady Bonds) and the issuance by that entity
of one or more classes of structured securities backed by, or representing
interests in, the underlying instruments. The cash flow on the underlying
instruments may be apportioned among the newly issued structured securities to
create securities with different investment characteristics such as varying
maturities, payment priorities and interest rate provisions, and the extent of
the payments made with respect to structured securities is dependent on the
extent of the cash flow on the underlying instruments. Because structured
securities typically involve no credit enhancement, their credit risk generally
will be equivalent to that of the underlying instruments. Structured securities
of a given class may be either subordinated or unsubordinated to the right of
payment of another class. Subordinated structured securities typically have
higher yields and present greater risks than unsubordinated structured
securities. Alliance Global Dollar Government may invest up to 25% of its total
37
<PAGE>
assets, and Alliance Global Strategic Income and Alliance Corporate Bond may
invest without limit, in these types of structured securities.
Variable, Floating and Inverse Floating Rate Instruments. Fixed-income
securities may have fixed, variable or floating rates of interest. Variable and
floating rate securities pay interest at rates that are adjusted periodically,
according to a specified formula. A "variable" interest rate adjusts at
predetermined intervals (e.g., daily, weekly or monthly), while a "floating"
interest rate adjusts whenever a specified benchmark rate (such as the bank
prime lending rate) changes.
A Fund may invest in fixed-income securities that pay interest at a coupon rate
equal to a base rate, plus additional interest for a certain period of time if
short-term interest rates rise above a predetermined level or "cap." The amount
of such an additional interest payment typically is calculated under a formula
based on a short-term interest rate index multiplied by a designated factor.
Leveraged inverse floating rate debt instruments are sometimes known as inverse
floaters. The interest rate on an inverse floater resets in the opposite
direction from the market rate of interest to which the inverse floater is
indexed. An inverse floater may be considered to be leveraged to the extent that
its interest rate varies by a magnitude that exceeds the magnitude of the change
in the index rate of interest. The higher degree of leverage inherent in inverse
floaters is associated with greater volatility in market value, such that,
during periods of rising interest rates, the market values of inverse floaters
will tend to decrease more rapidly than those of fixed rate securities.
Zero Coupon and Principal-Only Securities. Zero coupon securities and
principal-only (PO) securities are debt securities that have been issued without
interest coupons or stripped of their unmatured interest coupons, and include
receipts or certificates representing interests in such stripped debt
obligations and coupons. Such a security pays no interest to its holder during
its life. Its value to an investor consists of the difference between its face
value at the time of maturity and the price for which it was acquired, which is
generally an amount significantly less than its face value. Such securities
usually trade at a deep discount from their face or par value and are subject to
greater fluctuations in market value in response to changing interest rates than
debt obligations of comparable maturities and credit quality that make current
distributions of interest. On the other hand, because there are no periodic
interest payments to be reinvested prior to maturity, these securities eliminate
reinvestment risk and "lock in" a rate of return to maturity.
Zero coupon Treasury securities are U.S. Treasury bills issued without interest
coupons. Principal-only Treasury securities are U.S. Treasury notes and bonds
that have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons, and receipts or
certificates representing interests in such stripped debt obligations. Currently
the only U.S. Treasury security issued without coupons is the Treasury bill.
Although the U.S. Treasury does not itself issue Treasury notes and bonds
without coupons, under the U.S. Treasury STRIPS program interest and principal
payments on certain long-term Treasury securities may be maintained separately
in the Federal Reserve book entry system and may be separately traded and owned.
In addition, in the last few years a number of banks and brokerage firms have
separated ("stripped") the principal portions from the coupon portions of U.S.
Treasury bonds and notes and sold them separately in the form of receipts or
certificates representing undivided interests in these instruments (which are
generally held by a bank in a custodial or trust account).
Alliance Global Strategic Income, Alliance Quality Bond and Alliance Corporate
Bond also may invest in "pay-in-kind" debentures (i.e., debt obligations the
interest on which may be paid in the form of obligations of the same type rather
than cash), which have characteristics similar to zero coupon securities.
Future Developments. A Fund may, following written notice to its shareholders,
take advantage of other investment practices that are not currently contemplated
for use by the Fund, or are not available but may yet be developed, to the
extent such investment practices are consistent with the Fund's investment
objective and legally permissible for the Fund. Such investment practices, if
they arise, may involve risks that are different from or exceed those involved
in the practices described above.
Portfolio Turnover. The portfolio turnover rate for each Fund is included in the
Financial Highlights section. The Funds are actively managed and, in some cases
in response to market conditions, a Fund's portfolio turnover may exceed 100%. A
higher rate of portfolio turnover increases brokerage and other expenses, which
must be borne by the Fund and its shareholders. High portfolio turnover also may
result in the realization of substantial net short-term capital gains, which,
when distributed, are taxable to shareholders.
Temporary Defensive Position. For temporary defensive purposes, each Fund may
invest in certain types of short-term, liquid, high grade or high quality
(depending on the Fund) debt securities. These securities may include U.S.
Government securities, qualifying bank deposits, money market instruments, prime
commercial paper and other types of short-term debt securities, including notes
and bonds. For Funds that may invest in foreign countries, such securities may
also include short-term, foreign-currency denominated securities of the type
mentioned above issued by foreign governmental entities, companies and
supranational organizations. While the Funds are investing for temporary
defensive purposes, they may not meet their investment objectives.
38
<PAGE>
ADDITIONAL RISK CONSIDERATIONS
Investment in certain of the Funds involves the special risk considerations
described below. Certain of these risks may be heightened when investing in
emerging markets.
Currency Considerations. Those Funds that invest some portion of their assets in
securities denominated in, and receive revenues in, foreign currencies will be
adversely affected by reductions in the value of those currencies relative to
the U.S. Dollar. These changes will affect a Fund's net assets, distributions
and income. If the value of the foreign currencies in which a Fund receives
income falls relative to the U.S. Dollar between receipt of the income and the
making of Fund distributions, a Fund may
be required to liquidate securities in order to make distributions if the Fund
has insufficient cash in U.S. Dollars to meet the distribution requirements that
the Fund must satisfy to qualify as a regulated investment company for federal
income tax purposes. Similarly, if an exchange rate declines between the time a
Fund incurs expenses in U.S. Dollars and the time cash expenses are paid, the
amount of the currency required to be converted into U.S. Dollars in order to
pay expenses in U.S. Dollars could be greater than the equivalent amount of such
expenses in the currency at the time they were incurred. In light of these
risks, a Fund may engage in certain currency hedging transactions, as described
above, which involve certain special risks.
Effects of Borrowing. A Fund's loan agreements provide for additional borrowings
and for repayments and reborrowings from time to time, and each Fund that may
borrow expects to effect borrowings and repayments at such times and in such
amounts as will maintain investment leverage in an amount approximately equal to
its borrowing target. The loan agreements provide for a selection of interest
rates that are based on the bank's short-term funding costs in the U.S. and
London markets.
Borrowings by a Fund result in leveraging of the Fund's shares. Utilization of
leverage, which is usually considered speculative, involves certain risks to a
Fund's shareholders. These include a higher volatility of the net asset value of
a Fund's shares and the relatively greater effect on the net asset value of the
shares. So long as a Fund is able to realize a net return on its investment
portfolio that is higher than the interest expense paid on borrowings, the
effect of leverage will be to cause the Fund's shareholders to realize a higher
current net investment income than if the Fund were not leveraged. On the other
hand, interest rates on U.S. Dollar-denominated and foreign currency-denominated
obligations change from time to time as does their relationship to each other,
depending upon such factors as supply and demand forces, monetary and tax
policies within each country and investor expectations. Changes in such factors
could cause the relationship between such rates to change so that rates on U.S.
Dollar-denominated obligations may substantially increase relative to the
foreign currency-denominated obligations of a Fund's investments. If the
interest expense on borrowings approaches the net return on a Fund's investment
portfolio, the benefit of leverage to the Fund's shareholders will be reduced.
If the interest expense on borrowings were to exceed the net return to
shareholders, a Fund's use of leverage would result in a lower rate of return.
Similarly, the effect of leverage in a declining market could be a greater
decrease in net asset value per share. In an extreme case, if a Fund's current
investment income were not sufficient to meet the interest expense on
borrowings, it could be necessary for the Fund to liquidate certain of its
investments and reduce the net asset value of a Fund's shares.
In the event of an increase in rates on U.S. Government securities or other
changed market conditions, to the point where leverage by Alliance Multi-Market
Strategy, Alliance Global Strategic Income, Alliance North American Government
Income or Alliance Quality Bond could adversely affect the Funds' shareholders,
as noted above, or in anticipation of such changes, each Fund may increase the
percentage of its investment portfolio invested in U.S. Government securities,
which would tend to offset the negative impact of leverage on Fund shareholders.
Each Fund may also reduce the degree to which it is leveraged by repaying
amounts borrowed.
Fixed-Income Securities. The value of each Fund's shares will fluctuate with the
value of its investments. The value of each Fund's investments will change as
the general level of interest rates fluctuates. During periods of falling
interest rates, the values of a Fund's securities will generally rise, although
if falling interest rates are viewed as a precursor to a recession, the values
of a Fund's securities may fall along with interest rates. Conversely, during
periods of rising interest rates, the values of a Fund's securities will
generally decline. Changes in interest rates have a greater effect on
fixed-income securities with longer maturities and durations than those with
shorter maturities and durations.
In seeking to achieve a Fund's investment objective, there will be times, such
as during periods of rising interest rates, when depreciation and realization of
capital losses on securities in a Fund's portfolio will be unavoidable.
Moreover, medium- and lower-rated securities and non-rated securities of
comparable quality may be subject to wider fluctuations in yield and market
values than higher-rated securities under certain market conditions. Such
fluctuations after a security is acquired do not affect the cash income received
from that security but will be reflected in the net asset value of a Fund.
Foreign Securities. The securities markets of many foreign countries are
relatively small, with the majority of market capitalization and trading volume
concentrated in a limited number of companies representing a small number of
industries. Consequently, a Fund whose investment portfolio includes foreign
securities may experience greater price volatility and significantly lower
liquidity than a portfolio invested solely in securities of U.S. companies.
These markets may be subject to greater influence by adverse events generally
affecting the market, and by large investors
39
<PAGE>
trading significant blocks of securities, than is usual in the United States.
Securities registration, custody and settlements may in some instances be
subject to delays and legal and administrative uncertainties. Furthermore,
foreign investment in the securities markets of certain foreign countries is
restricted or controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions or controls may
at times limit or preclude investment in certain securities and may increase the
cost and expenses of a Fund. In addition, the repatriation of investment income,
capital or the proceeds of sales of securities from certain of the countries is
controlled under regulations, including in some cases the need for certain
advance government notification or authority, and if a deterioration occurs in a
country's balance of payments, the country could impose temporary restrictions
on foreign capital remittances.
A Fund also could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any
required governmental approval for repatriation, as well as by the application
to it of other restrictions on investment. Investing in local markets may
require a Fund to adopt special procedures or seek local governmental approvals
or other actions, any of which may involve additional costs to a Fund. These
factors may affect the liquidity of a Fund's investments in any country and
Alliance will monitor the effect of any such factor or factors on a Fund's
investments. Furthermore, transaction costs including brokerage commissions for
transactions both on and off the securities exchanges in many foreign countries
are generally higher than in the U.S.
Issuers of securities in foreign jurisdictions are generally not subject to the
same degree of regulation as are U.S. issuers with respect to such matters as
insider trading rules, restrictions on market manipulation, shareholder proxy
requirements, and timely disclosure of information. The reporting, accounting,
and auditing standards of foreign countries may differ, in some cases
significantly, from U.S. standards in important respects, and less information
may be available to investors in foreign securities than to investors in U.S.
securities. Substantially less information is publicly available about certain
non-U.S. issuers than is available about most U.S. issuers.
The economies of individual foreign countries may differ favorably or
unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic
product or gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment,
resource self-sufficiency, and balance of payments position. Nationalization,
expropriation or confiscatory taxation, currency blockage, political changes,
government regulation, political or social instability, or diplomatic
developments could affect adversely the economy of a foreign country. In the
event of nationalization, expropriation or other confiscation, a Fund could lose
its entire investment in securities in the country involved. In addition, laws
in foreign countries governing business organizations, bankruptcy and insolvency
may provide less protection to security holders such as the Fund than that
provided by U.S. laws.
Alliance believes that, except for currency fluctuations between the U.S. Dollar
and the Canadian Dollar, the matters described above are not likely to have a
material adverse effect on Alliance North American Government Income's
investments in the securities of Canadian issuers or investments denominated in
Canadian Dollars. The factors described above are more likely to have a material
adverse effect on the Fund's investments in the securities of Mexican and other
non-Canadian foreign issuers, including investments in securities denominated in
Mexican Pesos or other non-Canadian foreign currencies. If not hedged, however,
currency fluctuations could affect the unrealized appreciation and depreciation
of Canadian Government securities as expressed in U.S. Dollars.
Investment in the Banking Industry. Due to its investment policies with respect
to investments in the banking industry, Alliance Multi-Market Strategy will have
greater exposure to the risk factors which are characteristic of such
investments. In particular, the value of and investment return on the Fund's
shares will be affected by economic or regulatory developments in or related to
the banking industry. Sustained increases in interest rates can adversely affect
the availability and cost of funds for a bank's lending activities, and a
deterioration in general economic conditions could increase the exposure to
credit losses. The banking industry is also subject to the effects of the
concentration of loan portfolios in particular businesses such as real estate,
energy, agriculture or high technology-related companies; competition within
those industries as well as with other types of financial institutions; and
national and local governmental regulation. In addition, the Fund's investments
in commercial banks located in several foreign countries are subject to
additional risks due to the combination in such banks of commercial banking and
diversified securities activities. As discussed above, however, the Fund will
seek to minimize their exposure to such risks by investing only in debt
securities which are determined to be of high quality.
Investment in Fixed-Income Securities Rated Baa and BBB. Securities rated Baa or
BBB are considered to have speculative characteristics and share some of the
same characteristics as lower-rated securities, as described below. Sustained
periods of deteriorating economic conditions or of rising interest rates are
more likely to lead to a weakening in the issuer's capacity to pay interest and
repay principal than in the case of higher-rated securities.
Investment in Lower-Rated Fixed-Income Securities. Lower-rated securities are
subject to greater risk of loss of principal and interest than higher-rated
securities. They are also generally considered to be subject to greater market
risk than higher-rated securities, and the capacity of issuers of lower-rated
securities to pay interest and repay principal is more likely to weaken than is
that of issuers of higher-rated securities in times of deteriorating economic
40
<PAGE>
conditions or rising interest rates. In addition, lower-rated securities may be
more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic conditions than
investment grade securities. Securities rated Ba or BB are judged to have
speculative elements or to be predominantly speculative with respect to the
issuer's ability to pay interest and repay principal. Securities rated B are
judged to have highly speculative elements or to be predominantly speculative.
Such securities may have small assurance of interest and principal payments.
Securities rated Baa by Moody's are also judged to have speculative
characteristics.
The market for lower-rated securities may be thinner and less active than that
for higher-rated securities, which can adversely affect the prices at which
these securities can be sold. To the extent that there is no established
secondary market for lower-rated securities, a Fund may experience difficulty
in valuing such securities and, in turn, the Fund's assets.
Alliance will try to reduce the risk inherent in investment in lower-rated
securities through credit analysis, diversification, and attention to current
developments and trends in interest rates and economic and political conditions.
There can be no assurance, however, that losses will not occur. Since the risk
of default is higher for lower-rated securities, Alliance's research and credit
analysis are a correspondingly more important aspect of its program for managing
a Fund's securities than would be the case if a Fund did not invest in
lower-rated securities. In considering investments for the Fund, Alliance will
attempt to identify those high-yielding securities whose financial condition is
adequate to meet future obligations, has improved, or is expected to improve in
the future. Alliance's analysis focuses on relative values based on such factors
as interest or dividend coverage, asset coverage, earnings prospects, and the
experience and managerial strength of the issuer.
Unrated Securities. Unrated securities will also be considered for investment by
Alliance North American Government Income, Alliance Global Dollar Government,
Alliance Global Strategic Income, Alliance Quality Bond, Alliance Corporate Bond
and Alliance High Yield when Alliance believes that the financial condition of
the issuers of such securities, or the protection afforded by the terms of the
securities themselves, limits the risk to the Fund to a degree comparable to
that of rated securities which are consistent with the Fund's objective and
policies.
Sovereign Debt Obligations. No established secondary markets may exist for many
of the sovereign debt obligations in which Alliance Global Dollar Government and
Alliance Global Strategic Income will invest. Reduced secondary market liquidity
may have an adverse effect on the market price and a Fund's ability to dispose
of particular instruments when necessary to meet its liquidity requirements or
in response to specific economic events such as a deterioration in the
creditworthiness of the issuer. Reduced secondary market liquidity for certain
sovereign debt obligations may also make it more difficult for a Fund to obtain
accurate market quotations for the purpose of valuing its portfolio. Market
quotations are generally available on many sovereign debt obligations only from
a limited number of dealers and may not necessarily represent firm bids of those
dealers or prices for actual sales.
By investing in sovereign debt obligations, the Funds will be exposed to the
direct or indirect consequences of political, social, and economic changes in
various countries. Political changes in a country may affect the willingness of
a foreign government to make or provide for timely payments of its obligations.
The country's economic status, as reflected in, among other things, its
inflation rate, the amount of its external debt and its gross domestic product,
will also affect the government's ability to honor its obligations.
The sovereign debt obligations in which the Funds will invest in many cases
pertain to countries that are among the world's largest debtors to commercial
banks, foreign governments, international financial organizations, and other
financial institutions. In recent years, the governments of some of these
countries have encountered difficulties in servicing their external debt
obligations, which led to defaults on certain obligations and the restructuring
of certain indebtedness. Restructuring arrangements have included, among other
things, reducing and rescheduling interest and principal payments by negotiating
new or amended credit agreements or converting outstanding principal and unpaid
interest to Brady Bonds, and obtaining new credit to finance interest payments.
Certain governments have not been able to make payments of interest on or
principal of sovereign debt obligations as those payments have come due.
Obligations arising from past restructuring agreements may affect the economic
performance and political and social stability of those issuers.
The Funds are permitted to invest in sovereign debt obligations that are not
current in the payment of interest or principal or are in default so long as
Alliance believes it to be consistent with the Funds' investment objectives. The
Funds may have limited legal recourse in the event of a default with respect to
certain sovereign debt obligations it holds. For example, remedies from defaults
on certain sovereign debt obligations, unlike those on private debt, must, in
some cases, be pursued in the courts of the defaulting party itself. Legal
recourse therefore may be significantly diminished. Bankruptcy, moratorium and
other similar laws applicable to issuers of sovereign debt obligations may be
substantially different from those applicable to issuers of private debt
obligations. The political context, expressed as the willingness of an issuer of
sovereign debt obligations to meet the terms of the debt obligation, for
example, is of considerable importance. In addition, no assurance can be given
that the holders of commercial bank debt will not contest payments to the
holders of securities issued by foreign governments in the event of default
under commercial bank loan agreements.
41
<PAGE>
U.S. Corporate Fixed-Income Securities. The U.S. corporate fixed-income
securities in which Alliance Global Dollar Government and Alliance High Yield
invest may include securities issued in connection with corporate restructurings
such as takeovers or leveraged buyouts, which may pose particular risks.
Securities issued to finance corporate restructurings may have special credit
risks due to the highly leveraged conditions of the issuer. In addition, such
issuers may lose experienced management as a result of the restructuring.
Furthermore, the market price of such securities may be more volatile to the
extent that expected benefits from the restructuring do not materialize. The
Funds may also invest in U.S. corporate fixed-income securities that are not
current in the payment of interest or principal or are in default, so long as
Alliance believes such investment is consistent with the Fund's investment
objectives. The Funds' rights with respect to defaults on such securities will
be subject to applicable U.S. bankruptcy, moratorium and other similar laws.
Year 2000: Many computer systems and applications that process transactions use
two-digit date fields for the year of a transaction, rather than the full four
digits. If these systems are not modified or replaced, transactions occurring
after 1999 could be processed as year "19XX," which could result in processing
inaccuracies and inoperability at or after the year 2000. The Funds and their
major service providers, including Alliance, utilize a number of computer
systems and applications that have been either developed internally or licensed
from third-party suppliers. In addition, the Funds and their major service
providers, including Alliance, are dependent on third-party suppliers for
certain systems applications and for electronic receipt of information critical
to their business. Should any of the computer systems employed by the Funds or
their major service providers, including Alliance, fail to process Year 2000
related information properly, that could have a significant negative impact on
the Funds' operations and the services that are provided to the Funds'
shareholders. To the extent that the operations of issuers of securities held by
the Funds are impaired by the Year 2000 problem, the value of the Funds' shares
may be materially affected. In addition, for the Funds' investments in foreign
markets, it is possible that foreign companies and markets will not be as
prepared for Year 2000 as domestic companies and markets.
The Year 2000 issue is a high priority for the Funds and Alliance. During 1997,
Alliance began a formal Year 2000 initiative which established a structured and
coordinated process to deal with the Year 2000 issue. As part of its initiative,
Alliance established a Year 2000 project office to manage the Year 2000
initiative, focusing on both information technology and non-information
technology systems. The Year 2000 project office meets periodically with the
audit committee of the board of directors of Alliance Capital Management
Corporation, Alliance's general partner, and with Alliance's executive
management to review the status of the Year 2000 efforts. Alliance has also
retained the services of a number of consulting firms which have expertise in
advising and assisting with regard to Year 2000 issues. Alliance reports that by
June 30, 1998 it had completed its inventory and assessment of its domestic and
international computer systems and applications, identified mission critical
systems (those systems where loss of their function would result in immediate
stoppage or significant impairment to core business units) and nonmission
critical systems and determined which of these systems were not Year 2000
compliant. All third-party suppliers of mission critical computer systems and
applications and nonmission critical systems have been contacted to verify
whether their systems and applications will be Year 2000 compliant and their
responses are being evaluated. Substantially all of those contacted have
responded and approximately 90% have informed Alliance that their systems and
applications are or will be Year 2000 compliant. All mission and nonmission
critical systems supplied by third parties have been tested with the exception
of those third parties not able to comply with Alliance's testing schedule.
Alliance reports that it expects that all testing will be completed before the
end of 1999.
Alliance has remediated, replaced or retired all of its non-compliant mission
critical systems and applications that can affect the Funds. All nonmission
critical systems have been remediated. After each system has been remediated, it
is tested with 19XX dates to determine if it still performs its intended
business function correctly. Next, each system undergoes a simulation test using
dates occurring after December 31, 1999. Inclusive of the replacement and
retirement of some of its systems, Alliance has completed these testing phases
for approximately 98% of mission critical systems and 100% of nonmission
critical systems. Integrated systems tests were conducted to verify that the
systems would continue to work together. Full integration testing of all mission
critical and nonmission critical systems is complete. Testing of interfaces with
third-party suppliers has begun and will continue throughout 1999. Alliance
reports that it has completed an inventory of its facilities and related
technology applications and has begun to evaluate and test these systems.
Alliance reports that it anticipates that these systems will be fully operable
in the year 2000. Alliance has deferred certain other planned information
technology projects until after the Year 2000 initiative is completed. Such
delay is not expected to have a material adverse effect on Alliance's financial
condition or results of operations. Alliance, with the assistance of a
consulting firm, is developing Year 2000 specific contingency plans with
emphasis on mission critical functions. These plans seek to provide alternative
methods of processing in the event of a failure that is outside Alliance's
control.
The estimated current cost to Alliance of the Year 2000 initiative ranges from
approximately $40 million to $45 million. These costs consist principally of
modification and testing and costs to develop formal Year 2000 specific
contingency plans. These costs, which will generally be
42
<PAGE>
expensed as incurred, will be funded from Alliance's operations and the
issuance of debt. Through June 30, 1999, Alliance had incurred approximately
$36.0 million of costs related to the Year 2000 initiative. At this time,
management of Alliance believes that the costs associated with resolving the
Year 2000 issue will not have a material adverse effect on Alliance's results
of operations, liquidity or capital resources.
There are many risks associated with Year 2000 issues, including the risks that
the computer systems and applications used by the Funds and its major service
providers will not operate as intended and that the systems and applications
of third-party suppliers to the Funds and their service providers will not be
Year 2000 compliant. Likewise there can be no assurance the compliance
schedules outlined above will be met or that the actual cost incurred will not
exceed current cost estimates. Should the significant computer systems and
applications used by the Funds or their major service providers, or the systems
of their important third-party suppliers, be unable to process date-sensitive
information accurately after 1999, the Funds and their service providers may be
unable to conduct their normal business operations and to provide shareholders
with required services. In addition, the Funds and their service providers may
incur unanticipated expenses, regulatory actions and legal liabilities. The
Funds and Alliance cannot determine which risks, if any, are most reasonably
likely to occur or the effects of any particular failure to be Year 2000
compliant. Certain statements provided by Alliance in this section entitled
"Year 2000", as such statements relate to Alliance, are "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the foregoing Year 2000
discussion is a "Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure" within the meaning of the Year
2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1 (1998).
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Each Fund's Adviser is Alliance Capital Management L.P., 1345 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, New York 10105. Alliance is a leading international
investment adviser managing client accounts with assets as of September 30,
1999, totaling more than $317 billion (of which more than $143 billion
represented assets of investment companies). As of September 30, 1999, Alliance
managed retirement assets for many of the largest public and private employee
benefit plans (including 28 of the nation's FORTUNE 100 companies), for public
employee retirement funds in 31 states, for investment companies, and for
foundations, endowments, banks and insurance companies worldwide. The 52
registered investment companies, managed by Alliance, comprising 118 separate
investment portfolios, currently have more than 4.8 million shareholder
accounts.
Alliance provides investment advisory services and order placement facilities
for the Funds. For these advisory services, the Funds paid Alliance as a
percentage of average daily net assets:
Fee as a
percentage of
average daily Fiscal
Fund net assets* Year Ending
- ---- -------------- -----------
Alliance Short-Term U.S.
Government 0 8/31/99
Alliance U.S. Government .56 6/30/99
Alliance Limited Maturity
Government .65 11/30/98
Alliance Quality Bond .55** 6/30/00
Alliance Mortgage Securities
Income .53 12/31/98
Alliance Multi-Market Strategy .60 10/31/98
Alliance North American
Government Income .72 11/30/98
Alliance Global Dollar
Government .75 8/31/99
Alliance Global Strategic
Income .75 10/31/98
Alliance Corporate Bond .55 6/30/99
Alliance High Yield .75 8/31/99
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Fees are stated net of any waivers and/or reimbursements. See the "Fee
Table" at the beginning of the Prospectus for more information about fee
waivers.
** Prior to any waiver by Alliance. See the "Fee Table" at the beginning of
the Prospectus for more information about fee waivers.
PORTFOLIO MANAGER
The following table lists the person or persons who are primarily responsible
for the day-to-day management of each Fund's portfolio, the length of time that
each person has been primarily responsible for the Fund's portfolio, and each
person's principal occupation during the past five years.
Principal occupation
Employee; time period; during the past
Fund title with ACMC five years*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short-Term U.S. Jeffrey S. Phlegar; Associated with
Government since 1997; Alliance
Senior Vice President
U.S. Government Wayne D. Lyski; Associated with
since 1983; Alliance
Executive Vice President
Jeffrey S. Phlegar; (see above)
since 1997; (see above)
Limited Maturity Jeffrey S. Phlegar; (see above)
Government since 1997; (see above)
Quality Bond Matthew Bloom; Associated with
since inception; Alliance
Senior Vice President
Mortgage Securities Jeffrey S. Phlegar; (see above)
Income since 1997; (see above)
43
<PAGE>
Principal occupation
Employee; time period; during the past
Fund title with ACMC five years*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Multi-Market Strategy Douglas J. Peebles; Associated with
since inception; Alliance
Senior Vice President
North American Wayne D. Lyski; since (see above)
Government Income inception; (see above)
Global Dollar Wayne D. Lyski; since (see above)
Government inception; (see above)
Global Strategic Wayne D. Lyski; since (see above)
Income inception; (see above)
Douglas J. Peebles; since (see above)
inception; (see above)
Corporate Bond Wayne D. Lyski; since (see above)
1987; (see above)
Paul J. DeNoon; Associated with
since January 1992; Alliance
Senior Vice President
High Yield Wayne C. Tappe; Associated with
since 1991; Alliance
Senior Vice President
Nelson Jantzen; Associated with
since 1991; Alliance
Senior Vice President
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Unless indicated otherwise, persons associated with Alliance have been
employed in a portfolio management, research or investment capacity.
PERFORMANCE OF SIMILARLY MANAGED PORTFOLIOS
Alliance is the investment adviser of a portfolio (the "Historical Portfolio")
of a registered investment company, sold only to separate accounts of insurance
companies in connection with variable life insurance contracts and variable
annuities certificates and contracts (the "Contracts"), that has substantially
the same investment objective and policies and has been managed in accordance
with essentially the same investment strategies and techniques as those of
Alliance High Yield. Alliance since July 22, 1993, and prior thereto, Equitable
Capital Management Corporation, whose advisory business Alliance acquired on
that date, have served as investment adviser to the Historical Portfolio since
its inception in 1987. Wayne C. Tappe, who together with Nelson Jantzen is
primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of Alliance High Yield, has
been the person principally responsible for the day-to-day management of the
Historical Portfolio since 1995.
The following tables set forth performance results for the Historical Portfolio
since its inception (January 2, 1987), together with those of Alliance High
Yield and the Lipper High Current Yield Mutual Funds Average as a comparative
benchmark. As of December 31, 1998, the assets in the Historical Portfolio
totalled approximately $612 million.
The performance data do not reflect account charges applicable to the Contracts
or imposed at the insurance company separate account level, which, if reflected,
would lower the performance of the Historical Portfolio. In addition, the
performance data do not reflect the Fund's higher expenses, which, if reflected,
would lower the performance of the Historical Portfolio. The performance data
have not been adjusted for corporate or individual taxes, if any, payable with
respect to the Historical Portfolio. The rates of return shown for the
Historical Portfolio are not an estimate or guarantee of future investment
performance of the Fund.
The Lipper High Current Yield Mutual Funds Average is a survey of the
performance of a large number of mutual funds the investment objective of each
of which is similar to that of the Fund. Nonetheless, the investment policies
pursued by Funds in the survey may differ from those of High Yield and the
Historical Portfolio. This survey is published by Lipper, Inc. ("Lipper"), a
firm recognized for its reporting of performance of actively managed funds.
According to Lipper, performance data are presented net of investment
management fees, operating expenses and, for funds with Rule 12b-1 plans,
asset-based sales charges.
The performance results presented below are based on percent changes in net
asset values of the Historical Portfolio with dividends and capital gains
reinvested. Cumulative rates of return reflect performance over a stated period
of time. Annualized rates of return represent the rate of growth that would have
produced the corresponding cumulative return had performance been constant over
the entire period. Rates of return for Alliance High Yield Class A shares assume
the imposition of the maximum 4.25% sales charge. The inception date for the
Historical Portfolio and Lipper data is January 2, 1987 and for Alliance High
Yield is April 22, 1997.
Annualized Rates of Return
Periods Ended December 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio/Benchmark 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years Inception
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Historical Portfolio -5.15% 11.36% 9.99% 11.17% 10.49%
Lipper High Current
Yield Mutual Funds
Average -0.44 8.21 7.37 9.34 8.97
Alliance High Yield -5.83 n/a n/a n/a 9.72
Cumulative Rates of Return
Periods Ending December 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio/Benchmark 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years Inception
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Historical Portfolio -5.15% 38.11% 61.01% 188.22% 231.11%
Lipper High Current
Yield Mutual Funds
Average -0.44 26.80 43.00 145.62 182.21
Alliance High Yield -5.83 n/a n/a n/a 17.01
Alliance is the investment adviser of a portfolio (the "Historical Fund") of a
registered investment company, sold only to separate accounts of insurance
companies in connection with variable life insurance contracts and variable
annuities certificates and contracts (the "Contracts"), that has substantially
the same investment
44
<PAGE>
objective and policies and has been managed in accordance with substantially
the same investment strategies and techniques as those of Alliance Quality
Bond. Alliance has served as investment adviser to the Historical Fund since
its inception in 1993. Matthew Bloom, who is primarily responsible for the
day-to-day management of Alliance Quality Bond, has been the person principally
responsible for the day-to-day management of the Historical Fund since 1995.
The following tables set forth performance results for the Historical Fund since
its inception on October 1, 1993, together with those of the Lipper Corporate
Debt Funds BBB Rated Average and the Lehman Aggregate Bond index as comparative
benchmarks. As of March 31, 1999, the assets in the Historical Fund totalled
approximately $333 million.
The performance data do not reflect account charges applicable to the Contracts
or imposed at the insurance company separate account level, which, if reflected,
would lower the performance of the Historical Fund. In addition, the performance
data do not reflect Alliance Quality Bond's higher expenses, which, if
reflected, would lower the performance of the Historical Fund. The performance
data have not been adjusted for corporate or individual taxes, if any, payable
with respect to the Historical Fund. The rates of return shown for the
Historical Fund are not an estimate or guarantee of future investment
performance of Alliance Quality Bond.
The Lipper Corporate Debt Funds BBB Rated Average is a survey of the performance
of a large number of mutual funds the investment objective of each of which is
similar to that of Alliance Quality Bond. Nonetheless, the investment policies
pursued by Funds in the survey may differ from those of Alliance Quality Bond
and the Historical Fund. This survey is published by Lipper, a firm recognized
for its reporting of performance of actively managed funds. According to Lipper,
performance data are presented net of investment management fees, operating
expenses and, for funds with Rule 12b-1 plans, asset-based sales charges. The
Lehman Aggregate Bond Index is an Index comprised of investment grade
fixed-income securities, including U.S. Treasury, mortgage-backed, corporate and
"Yankee bonds" (U.S. dollar-denominated bonds issued outside the United States).
The performance results presented below are based on percent changes in net
asset values of the Historical Fund with dividends and capital gains reinvested.
Cumulative rates of return reflect performance over a stated period of time.
Annualized rates of return represent the rate of growth that would have produced
the corresponding cumulative return had performance been constant over the
entire period. The inception date for the Historical Fund, the Lipper data and
the Lehman Index date is October 1, 1993.
Annualized Rates of Return
Periods Ended December 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio/Benchmark 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years Inception
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Historical Fund 8.69% 7.72% 6.78% 6.34%
Lehman Aggregate
Bond Index 8.69% 7.29% 7.27% 6.92%
Lipper Corporate Debt
Funds BBB Rated Average 6.09% 6.85% 6.99% 6.79%
Cumulative Rates of Return
Periods Ended December 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio/Benchmark 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years Inception
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Historical Fund 8.69% 24.98% 38.80% 38.10%
Lehman Aggregate
Bond Index 8.69% 23.61% 42.05% 42.14%
Lipper Corporate Debt
Funds BBB Rated Average 6.09% 22.02% 40.31% 41.30%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW THE FUNDS VALUE THEIR SHARES
The Funds' net asset value or NAV is calculated at 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, each
day the Exchange is open for business. To calculate NAV, a Fund's assets are
valued and totaled, liabilities are subtracted, and the balance, called net
assets, is divided by the number of shares outstanding. The Funds' value their
securities at their current market value determined on the basis of market
quotations or, if such quotations are not readily available, such other methods
as the Funds' Directors or Trustees believe accurately reflect fair market
value.
Your order for purchase, sale, or exchange of shares is priced at the next NAV
calculated after your order is received in proper form by the Fund. Your
purchase of Fund shares may be subject to an initial sales charge. Sales of Fund
shares may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge or CDSC. See the
Distribution Arrangements section of this Prospectus for details.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
You may purchase a Fund's shares through broker-dealers, banks, or other
financial intermediaries. You also may purchase shares directly from the Funds'
principal underwriter, Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc., or AFD.
Minimum investment amounts are:
o Initial $250
o Subsequent $50
o Automatic Investment Program $25
If you are an existing Fund shareholder, you may purchase shares by electronic
funds transfer in amounts not exceeding $500,000 if you have completed the
appropriate section of the Subscription Application or the Shareholder Options
form obtained from AFS. Call 800-221-5672 to arrange a transfer from your bank
account.
45
<PAGE>
A Fund is required to withhold 31% of taxable dividends, capital gains
distributions, and redemptions paid to shareholders who have not provided the
Fund with their certified taxpayer identification number. To avoid this, you
must provide your correct Tax Identification Number (Social Security Number for
most investors) on your account application.
The Funds may refuse any order to purchase shares. In this regard, the Funds
reserve the right to restrict purchases of Fund shares (including through
exchanges) when they appear to evidence a pattern of frequent purchases and
sales made in response to short-term considerations.
HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES
You may exchange your Fund shares for shares of the same class of other Alliance
Mutual Funds (including AFD Exchange Reserves, a money market fund managed by
Alliance). Exchanges of shares are made at next-determined NAV, without sales or
service charges. You may request an exchange by mail or telephone. You must call
by 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, to receive that day's NAV. The Funds may change,
suspend, or terminate the exchange service on 60 days' written notice.
HOW TO SELL SHARES
You may "redeem" your shares (i.e., sell your shares to the Fund) on any day the
Exchange is open, either directly or through your financial intermediary. Your
sales price will be the next-determined NAV, less any applicable CDSC, after the
Fund receives your request in proper form. Normally, proceeds will be sent to
you within seven days. If you recently purchased your shares by check or
electronic funds transfer, your redemption payment may be delayed until the Fund
is reasonably satisfied that the check or electronic funds transfer has been
collected (which may take up to 15 days).
o Selling Shares Through Your Broker
Your broker must receive your request by 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, and submit it
to the Fund by 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, for you to receive that day's NAV, less
any applicable CDSC. Your broker is responsible for furnishing all necessary
documentation to a Fund and may charge you for this service.
o Selling Shares Directly to a Fund
By Mail
-- Send a signed letter of instruction or stock power form to AFS,
along with certificates, to:
Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 1520
Secaucus, NJ 07096-1520
800-221-5672
-- For your protection, a bank, a member firm of a national stock
exchange or other eligible guarantor institution must guarantee
signatures. Stock power forms are available from your financial
intermediary, AFS, and many commercial banks. Additional
documentation is required for the sale of shares by corporations,
intermediaries, fiduciaries, and surviving joint owners.
By Telephone
-- You may redeem your shares for which no stock certificates have been
issued by telephone request. Call AFS at 800-221-5672 with
instructions on how you wish to receive your sale proceeds.
-- A telephone redemption request must be made by 4:00 p.m., Eastern
time, for you to receive that day's NAV, less any applicable CDSC
and, except for certain omnibus accounts, may be made only once per
day.
-- If you have selected electronic funds transfer in your Subscription
Application, the redemption proceeds may be sent directly to your
bank. Otherwise, the proceeds will be mailed to you.
-- Redemption requests by electronic funds transfer may not exceed
$100,000 per day and redemption requests by check cannot exceed
$50,000 per day.
-- Telephone redemption is not available for shares held in nominees or
"street name" accounts or retirement plan accounts or shares held by
a shareholder who has changed his or her address of record within
the previous 30 calendar days.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AND TAXES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Funds declare dividends on their shares each Fund business day. For
Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays dividends will be as of the previous business
day. Each Fund pays dividends on its shares after the close of business on the
twentieth day of each month or on the first day after that day if the day is not
a business day.
Each Fund's income dividends and capital gains distributions, if any, declared
by a Fund on its outstanding shares will, at the election of each shareholder,
be paid in cash or in additional shares of the same class of shares of that
Fund. If paid in additional shares, the shares will have an aggregate net asset
value as of the close of business on the day following the declaration date of
the dividend or distribution equal to the cash amount of the dividend or
distribution. You may make an election to receive dividends and distributions in
cash or in shares at the time you purchase shares. Your election can be changed
at any time prior to a record date for a dividend. There is no sales or other
charge in connection with the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions. Cash dividends may be paid in check, or at your election,
electronically via the ACH network. There is no sales or other charge on the
reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions.
46
<PAGE>
If you receive an income dividend or capital gains distribution in cash you may,
within 120 days following the date of its payment, reinvest the dividend or
distribution in additional shares of that Fund without charge by returning to
Alliance, with appropriate instructions, the check representing the dividend or
distribution. Thereafter, unless you otherwise specify, you will be deemed to
have elected to reinvest all subsequent dividends and distributions in shares of
that Fund.
While it is the intention of each Fund to distribute to its shareholders
substantially all of each fiscal year's net income and net realized capital
gains, if any, the amount and timing of any such dividend or distribution must
necessarily depend upon the realization by such Fund of income and capital gains
from investments. There is no fixed dividend rate and there can be no assurance
that a Fund will pay any dividends or realize any capital gains.
Investment income received by a Fund from sources within foreign countries may
be subject to foreign income taxes withheld at the source. To the extent that
any Fund is liable for foreign income taxes withheld at the source, each Fund
intends, if possible, to operate so as to meet the requirements of the Code to
"pass through" to the Fund's shareholders credits or deductions for foreign
income taxes paid, but there can be no assurance that any Fund will be able to
do so. Furthermore, a shareholder's ability to claim a foreign tax credit or
deduction for foreign taxes paid by a Fund may be subject to certain limitations
imposed by the Code, as a result of which a shareholder may not be permitted to
claim all or a portion of a credit or deduction for the amount of such taxes.
Under certain circumstances, if a Fund realizes losses (e.g., from fluctuations
in currency exchange rates) after paying a dividend, all or a portion of the
dividend may subsequently be characterized as a return of capital. Returns of
capital are generally nontaxable, but will reduce a shareholder's basis in
shares of a Fund. If that basis is reduced to zero (which could happen if the
shareholder does not reinvest distributions and returns of capital are
significant), any further returns of capital will be taxable as a capital gain.
For federal income tax purposes, the Fund's dividend distributions of net
income (or short-term taxable gains) will be taxable to you as ordinary
income. Distributions of long-term capital gains generally will be taxable
to you as long-term capital gains. A Fund's distributions also may be subject
to certain state and local taxes.
If you buy shares just before a Fund deducts a distribution from its NAV, you
will pay the full price for the shares and then receive a portion of the price
back as a taxable distribution.
The sale or exchange of Fund shares is a taxable transaction for Federal income
tax purposes.
Each year shortly after December 31, the Fund will send you tax information
stating the amount and type of all its distributions for the year. Consult your
tax adviser about the federal, state, and local tax consequences in your
particular circumstances.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Share Classes. The Funds offer three classes of shares.
Class A Shares--Initial Sales Charge Alternative You can purchase Class A shares
at NAV plus an initial sales charge, as follows:
Initial Sales Charge
-------------------------------------------------
As % of Commission to
Net Amount As % of Dealer/Agent as %
Amount Purchased Invested Offering Price of Offering Price
- ---------------- ------------ -------------- -----------------
Up to $100,000 ............. 4.44% 4.25% 4.00%
$100,000 up to
$250,000.................. 3.36 3.25 3.00
$250,000 up to
$500,000.................. 2.30 2.25 2.00
$500,000 up to
$1,000,000................ 1.78 1.75 1.50
You pay no initial sales charge on purchases of Class A shares in the amount of
$1,000,000, but may pay a 1% CDSC if you redeem your shares within 1 year.
Alliance may pay the dealer or agent a fee of up to 1% of the dollar amount
purchased. Certain purchases of Class A shares may qualify for reduced or
eliminated sales charges under a Fund's Combined Purchase Privilege, Cumulative
Quantity Discount, Statement of Intention, Privilege for Certain Retirement
Plans, Reinstatement Privilege, and Sales at Net Asset Value Programs. Consult
the Subscription Application and a Fund's SAI for additional information about
these options.
Class B Shares--Deferred Sales Charge Alternative
You can purchase Class B shares at NAV without an initial sales charge. A Fund
will thus receive the full amount of your purchase. Your investment, however,
will be subject to a CDSC if you redeem shares within three years (four years in
the case of Alliance Global Strategic Income and Alliance High Yield) after
purchase. The CDSC varies depending on the number of years you hold the shares.
The CDSC amounts are:
Alliance Global Strategic Income and Alliance High Yield:
Years Since Purchase CDSC
--------------------- ------
First 4.0%
Second 3.0%
Third 2.0%
Fourth 1.0%
Fifth None
47
<PAGE>
All Other Funds:
Years Since Purchase CDSC
--------------------- ------
First 3.0%
Second 2.0%
Third 1.0%
Fourth None
If you exchange your shares for the Class B shares of another Alliance Mutual
Fund, the CDSC also will apply to those Class B shares. The CDSC period begins
with the date of your original purchase, not the date of exchange for the other
Class B shares.
The Fund's Class B shares purchased for cash automatically convert to Class A
shares six years after the end of the month of your purchase (except for Class B
shares of Alliance Global Strategic Income Trust and Alliance High Yield Fund,
which automatically convert to Class A shares eight years after the end of the
month of purchase). If you purchase shares by exchange for the Class B shares of
another Alliance Mutual Fund, the conversion period runs from the date of your
original purchase.
Class C Shares--Asset-Based Sales Charge Alternative You can purchase Class C
shares at NAV without any initial sales charge. A Fund will thus receive the
full amount of your purchase. Your investment, however, will be subject to a 1%
CDSC if you redeem your shares within 1 year. If you exchange your shares for
the Class C shares of another Alliance Mutual Fund, the 1% CDSC also will apply
to those Class C shares. The 1-year period for the CDSC begins with the date of
your original purchase, not the date of the exchange for the other Class C
shares.
Class C shares do not convert to any other class of shares of the Fund.
Asset-based Sales Charge or Rule 12b-1 Fees. Each Fund has adopted a plan under
Commission Rule 12b-1 that allows the Fund to pay asset-based sales charges or
distribution and service fees for the distribution and sale of its shares. The
amount of these fees for each class of the Fund's shares is:
Rule 12b-1 Fee (as a percent of
aggregate average daily net assets)
-----------------------------------
Class A .30%*
Class B 1.00%
Class C 1.00%
- ----------
* The Rule 12b-1 plan for Class A shares of Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government
Fund provides for payments of up to .50% of aggregate average daily net assets,
although the Fund's Trustees currently limit such payments to .30% of such
assets.
Because these fees are paid out of the Fund's assets on an on-going basis, over
time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more
than paying other types of sales fees. Class B and Class C shares are subject to
higher distribution fees than Class A shares (Class B shares are subject to
these higher fees for a period of six years, after which they convert to Class A
shares except for Alliance Global Strategic Income Trust and Alliance High Yield
Fund's Class B shares which convert to Class A shares after eight years). The
higher fees mean a higher expense ratio, so Class B and Class C shares pay
correspondingly lower dividends and may have a lower net asset value than Class
A shares.
Choosing a Class of Shares. The decision as to which class of shares is more
beneficial to you depends on the amount and intended length of your investment.
If you are making a large investment, thus qualifying for a reduced sales
charge, you might consider purchasing Class A shares. If you are making a
smaller investment, you might consider purchasing Class B shares because 100% of
your purchase is invested immediately. If you are unsure of the length of your
investment, you might consider Class C shares because there is no initial sales
charge and no CDSC as long as the shares are held for one year or more. Dealers
and agents may receive differing compensation for selling Class A, Class B, or
Class C shares. There is no size limit on purchases of Class A shares. The
maximum purchase of Class B shares is $250,000. The maximum purchase of Class C
shares is $1,000,000.
You should consult your financial agent to assist in choosing a class of Fund
shares.
Application of the CDSC. The CDSC is applied to the lesser of the original cost
of shares being redeemed or NAV at the time of redemption (or, as to Fund shares
acquired through an exchange, the cost of the Alliance Fund shares originally
purchased for cash). Shares obtained from dividend or distribution reinvestment
are not subject to the CDSC. The Fund may waive the CDSC on redemptions of
shares following the death or disability of a shareholder, to meet the
requirements of certain qualified retirement plans, or under a monthly,
bi-monthly, or quarterly systematic withdrawal plan. See the Fund's SAI for
further information about CDSC waivers.
Other. A transaction, service, administrative, or other similar fee may be
charged by your broker-dealer, agent, financial intermediary, or other financial
representative with respect to the purchase, sale, or exchange of Class A, Class
B or Class C shares made through your financial representative. The financial
intermediaries also may impose requirements on the purchase, sale, or exchange
of shares that are different from, or in addition to, those imposed by a Fund,
including requirements as to the minimum initial and subsequent investment
amounts.
In addition to the discount or commission paid to dealers or agents, AFD from
time to time pays additional cash or other incentives to dealers or agents,
including EQ Financial Consultants Inc., an affiliate of AFD, in connection with
the sale of shares of the Funds. These additional amounts may be utilized, in
whole or in part, in some cases together with other revenues of such dealers or
agents, to provide additional compensation to registered representatives who
sell shares of the Funds. On some occasions, the cash or other incentives will
be conditioned upon the sale of a specified minimum dollar amount of the shares
of a Fund
48
<PAGE>
and/or other Alliance Mutual Funds during a specific period of time. The
incentives may take the form of payment for attendance at seminars, meals,
sporting events or theater performances, or payment for travel, lodging and
entertainment incurred in connection with travel by persons associated with a
dealer or agent and their immediate family members to urban or resort locations
within or outside the United States. The dealer or agent may elect to receive
cash incentives of equivalent amount in lieu of such payments.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under unusual circumstances, a Fund may suspend redemptions or postpone payment
for up to seven days or longer, as permitted by federal securities law. The
Funds reserve the right to close an account that through redemption has remained
below $200 for 90 days. Shareholders will receive 60 days' written notice to
increase the account value before the account is closed.
During drastic economic or market developments, you might have difficulty
reaching AFS by telephone, in which event you should issue written instructions
to AFS. AFS is not responsible for the authenticity of telephonic requests to
purchase, sell, or exchange shares. AFS will employ reasonable procedures to
verify that telephone requests are genuine, and could be liable for losses
resulting from unauthorized transactions if it fails to do so. Dealers and
agents may charge a commission for handling telephonic requests. The telephone
service may be suspended or terminated at any time without notice.
Shareholder Services. AFS offers a variety of shareholder services. For more
information about these services or your account, call AFS's toll-free number,
800-221-5672. Some services are described in the attached Subscription
Application. A shareholder manual explaining all available services will be
provided upon request. To request a shareholder manual, call 800-227-4618.
Employee Benefit Plans. Certain employee benefit plans, including
employer-sponsored tax-qualified 401(k) plans and other defined contribution
retirement plans ("Employee Benefit Plans"), may establish requirements as to
the purchase, sale or exchange of shares of the Funds, including maximum and
minimum initial investment requirements, that are different from those described
in this Prospectus. Employee Benefit Plans also may not offer all classes of
shares of the Funds. In order to enable participants investing through Employee
Benefit Plans to purchase shares of the Funds, the maximum and minimum
investment amounts may be different for shares purchased through Employee
Benefit Plans from those described in this Prospectus. In addition, the Class A,
Class B and Class C CDSC may be waived for investments made through Employee
Benefit Plans.
PENDING LEGAL PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME
On July 25, 1995, a Consolidated and Supplemental Class Action Complaint
("Complaint") styled In re Alliance North American Government Income Trust, Inc.
Securities Litigation was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern
District of New York ("District Court") against the Fund, Alliance, ACMC, AFD,
The Equitable Companies Incorporated ("ECI"), a parent of the Adviser, and
certain current and former officers and directors of the Fund and ACMC, alleging
violations of the federal securities laws, fraud and breach of fiduciary duty in
connection with the Fund's investments in Mexican and Argentine securities. The
Complaint sought certification of a plaintiff class of all persons who purchased
or owned Class A, Class B or Class C shares of the Fund from March 27, 1992
through December 23, 1994. Plaintiffs alleged that during 1995 the Fund's losses
exceeded $750,000,000 and sought as relief unspecified damages, costs and
attorney's fees.
On September 26, 1996, the District Court granted defendants' motion to dismiss
all counts of the Complaint ("First Decision"). On October 11, 1996, plaintiffs
filed a motion for reconsideration of the First Decision. On November 25, 1996,
the District Court denied plaintiffs' motion for reconsideration of the First
Decision. On October 29, 1997, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second
Circuit ("Court of Appeals") issued an order granting defendants' motion to
strike and dismissing plaintiffs' appeal of the First Decision.
On October 29, 1996, plaintiffs filed a motion for leave to file an amended
complaint ("Amended Complaint"). In the Amended Complaint, plaintiffs asserted
claims against the Fund, Alliance, ACMC, AFD, ECI, and certain current and
former officers of the Fund and ACMC alleging violations of the federal
securities laws, fraud and breach of fiduciary duty. The principal allegations
of the Amended Complaint related to the Fund's hedging practices, the Fund's
investments in certain mortgage-backed securities, and the risk and objectives
of the Fund as described in the Fund's marketing materials. The Amended
Complaint made similar requests for class certification and damages as made in
the Complaint. On July 15, 1997, the District Court denied plaintiffs' motion
for leave to file the Amended Complaint and dismissed the case ("Second
Decision").
On November 17, 1997, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal of the Second Decision
to the Court of Appeals. On October 15, 1998, the Court of Appeals affirmed in
part and reversed in part the Second Decision. The Court of Appeals affirmed the
District Court's denial of plaintiffs' motion for leave to file the Amended
Complaint insofar as the Amended Complaint alleged that defendants had made
misrepresentations and omissions relating to the Funds' investments in certain
mortgage-backed securities and in the Fund's marketing materials. The Court of
Appeals reversed the District Court's decision to deny plaintiffs' motions for
leave to file the Amended Complaint insofar as
49
<PAGE>
the Amended Complaint alleged that defendants had made actionable
misrepresentations and omissions relating to the Fund's hedging practices.
Discovery in the case is nearly complete and trial is scheduled to commence on
December 6, 1999. The Fund and Alliance believe that the allegations in the
Complaint and the Amended Complaint are without merit and intend to defend
vigorously against those claims.
50
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand each Fund's
financial performance for the past 5 years (or, if shorter, the period of the
Fund's operations). Certain information reflects financial results for a single
share of each Fund. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an
investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming
reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). Except as otherwise indicated,
this information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the independent
accountants for Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund, and by Ernst & Young
LLP, the independent accountants for Alliance U.S. Government Portfolio,
Alliance Limited Maturity Government Fund, Alliance Mortgage Securities Income
Fund, Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust, Alliance North American Government
Income Trust, Alliance Global Dollar Government Fund, Alliance Global Strategic
Income Trust, Alliance Corporate Bond Portfolio, and Alliance High Yield Fund,
whose reports, along with each Fund's financial statements, are included in the
SAI, which is avaliable upon request.
51
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Net Net Net
Asset Realized and Increase
Value Unrealized (Decrease) In Dividends From Distributions
Beginning Of Net Investment Gain (Loss) On Net Asset Value Net Investment From Net
Fiscal Year or Period Period Income (Loss) Investments From Operations Income Realized Gains
--------------------- ------------ -------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Short-Term U.S. Government#
Class A
Year Ended 8/31/99........ $ 9.48 $ .49(g) $ (.19) $ .30 $ (.50) $ 0.00
Year Ended 8/31/98........ 9.63 .49(g) (.11) .38 (.50) 0.00
Year Ended 8/31/97........ 9.66 .47(g) .03 .50 (.46) 0.00
Year Ended 8/31/96........ 9.70 .47 (.02) .45 (.49) 0.00
Year Ended 8/31/95........ 9.67 .42 .05 .47 (.41) 0.00
Class B
Year Ended 8/31/99........ $ 9.62 $ .43(g) $ (.21) $ .22 $ (.42) $ 0.00
Year Ended 8/31/98........ 9.74 .42(g) (.08) .34 (.43) 0.00
Year Ended 8/31/97........ 9.77 .41(g) .02 .43 (.39) 0.00
Year Ended 8/31/96........ 9.81 .41 (.03) .38 (.42) 0.00
Year Ended 8/31/95........ 9.78 .36 .04 .40 (.34) 0.00
Class C
Year Ended 8/31/99........ $ 9.61 $ .43(g) $ (.22) $ .21 $ (.42) $ 0.00
Year Ended 8/31/98........ 9.73 .42(g) (.08) .34 (.43) 0.00
Year Ended 8/31/97........ 9.76 .41(g) .02 .43 (.39) 0.00
Year Ended 8/31/96........ 9.80 .40 (.02) .38 (.42) 0.00
Year Ended 8/31/95........ 9.77 .34 .06 .40 (.34) 0.00
U.S. Government
Class A
Year Ended 6/30/99........ $ 7.57 $ .52(g) $ (.37) $ .15 $ (.52) $ 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/98........ 7.41 .54(g) .18 .72 (.54) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/97........ 7.52 .57(g) (.10) .47 (.57) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/96........ 7.96 .58 (.44) .14 (.58) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/95........ 7.84 .64 .13 .77 (.65) 0.00
Class B
Year Ended 6/30/99........ $ 7.57 $ .46(g) $ (.36) $ .10 $ (.46) $ 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/98........ 7.41 .48(g) .18 .66 (.48) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/97........ 7.52 .52(g) (.10) .42 (.52) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/96........ 7.96 .52 (.44) .08 (.52) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/95........ 7.84 .58 .13 .71 (.59) 0.00
Class C
Year Ended 6/30/99........ $ 7.57 $ .46(g) $ (.36) $ .10 $ (.46) $ 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/98........ 7.41 .48(g) .18 .66 (.48) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/97........ 7.52 .52(g) (.10) .42 (.52) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/96........ 7.96 .52 (.44) .08 (.52) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/95........ 7.83 .58 .14 .72 (.59) 0.00
Limited Maturity Government
Class A
12/1/98 to 5/31/99........ $ 9.54 $ .21(g) $ (.27) $ (.06) $ (.26) $ 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/98....... 9.44 .47(g) .17 .64 (.47) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/97....... 9.45 .51(g) .02 .53 (.52) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/96....... 9.52 .51(g) (.04) .47 (.51) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/95....... 9.51 .52(g) .02 .54 (.50) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/94....... 9.94 .42 (.32) .10 (.48) (.01)
Class B
12/1/98 to 5/31/99........ $ 9.55 $ .19(g) $ (.30) $ (.11) $ (.22) $ 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/98....... 9.44 .39(g) .19 .58 (.39) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/97....... 9.45 .45(g) .01 .46 (.45) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/96....... 9.52 .44(g) (.04) .40 (.44) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/95....... 9.52 .46(g) .01 .47 (.44) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/94....... 9.94 .39 (.35) .04 (.42) (.01)
Class C
12/1/98 to 5/31/99........ $ 9.55 $ .19(g) $ (.30) $ (.11) $ (.22) $ 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/98....... 9.44 .39(g) .19 .58 (.39) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/97....... 9.45 .45(g) .01 .46 (.45) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/96....... 9.52 .45(g) (.05) .40 (.45) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/95....... 9.52 .46(g) .01 .47 (.44) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/94....... 9.94 .37 (.33) .04 (.42) (.01)
Mortgage Securities Income
Class A
1/1/99 to 6/30/99......... $ 8.56 $ .27(g) $ (.32) $ (.05) $ (.26) $ 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/98....... 8.63 .52(g) (.03) .49 (.52) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/97....... 8.51 .54(g) .15 .69 (.54) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/96....... 8.75 .54(g) (.19) .35 (.51) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/95....... 8.13 .57(g) .64 1.21 (.57) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/94....... 9.29 .57 (1.13) (.56) (.58) 0.00
Class B
1/1/99 to 6/30/99......... $ 8.56 $ .23(g) $ (.31) $ (.08) $ (.23) $ 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/98....... 8.63 .45(g) (.02) .43 (.45) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/97....... 8.51 .48(g) .15 .63 (.48) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/96....... 8.75 .48(g) (.19) .29 (.46) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/95....... 8.13 .51(g) .64 1.15 (.51) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/94....... 9.29 .51 (1.14) (.63) (.51) 0.00
Class C
1/1/99 to 6/30/99......... $ 8.56 $ .23(g) $ (.31) $ (.08) $ (.23) $ 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/98....... 8.63 .46(g) (.03) .43 (.46) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/97....... 8.51 .48(g) .15 .63 (.48) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/96....... 8.75 .48(g) (.19) .29 (.46) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/95....... 8.13 .51(g) .64 1.15 (.51) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/94....... 9.29 .51 (1.14) (.63) (.51) 0.00
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please refer to the footnotes on page 56.
52
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Distributions Total Net Assets Ratio of Net
in Excess Total Investment At End Of Ratio Investment
of Net Return Dividends Net Asset Return Period of Expenses Income (Loss) Portfolio
Investment of and Value End Based on Net (000's To Average To Average Turnover
Income Capital Distributions of Period Asset Value (a) omitted) Net Assets Net Assets Rate
- ------------- ------- ------------- --------- --------------- ---------- ----------- ------------ --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 0.00 $ (.02) $ (.52) $ 9.26 3.18% $ 9,379 1.55%(c)(d)(f) 5.27% 209%
0.00 (.03) (.53) 9.48 4.04 5,535 1.83(c)(d)(f) 5.00 206
0.00 (.07) (.53) 9.63 5.29 3,901 1.41(c)(d) 4.90 65
0.00 0.00 (.49) 9.66 4.71 3,455 1.53(c)(d) 4.85 110
(.03)(b) 0.00 (.44) 9.70 5.14 2,997 1.40(c) 4.56 15
$ 0.00 $ (.02) $ (.44) $ 9.40 2.35% $ 20,565 2.25%(c)(d)(f) 4.47% 209%
0.00 (.03) (.46) 9.62 3.52 $ 10,827 2.56(c)(d)(f) 4.49 206
0.00 (.07) (.46) 9.74 4.45 6,458 2.11(c)(d) 4.13 65
0.00 0.00 (.42) 9.77 3.89 6,781 2.23(c)(d) 4.11 110
(.03)(b) 0.00 (.37) 9.81 4.32 6,380 2.10(c) 3.82 15
$ 0.00 $ (.02) $ (.44) $ 9.38 2.24% $ 7,377 2.26%(c)(d)(f) 4.43% 209%
0.00 (.03) (.46) 9.61 3.53 5,074 2.56(c)(d)(f) 4.48 206
0.00 (.07) (.46) 9.73 4.45 5,012 2.11(c)(d) 4.15 65
0.00 0.00 (.42) 9.76 3.90 4,850 2.22(c)(d) 4.11 110
(.03)(b) 0.00 (.37) 9.80 4.33 5,180 2.10(c) 3.80 15
$ (.01) $ 0.00 $ (.53) $ 7.19 1.83% $426,167 1.17%(d) 6.86% 320%
0.00 (.02) (.56) 7.57 10.02 352,749 1.06 7.08 153
0.00 (.01) (.58) 7.41 6.49 354,782 1.02 7.66 330
0.00 0.00 (.58) 7.52 1.74 397,894 1.01 7.38 334
0.00 0.00 (.65) 7.96 10.37 463,660 1.01 8.27 190
$ (.01) $ 0.00 $ (.47) $ 7.20 1.22% $338,310 1.87%(d) 6.13% 320%
0.00 (.02) (.50) 7.57 9.20 390,523 1.76 6.37 153
0.00 (.01) (.53) 7.41 5.69 471,889 1.73 6.95 330
0.00 0.00 (.52) 7.52 1.01 628,628 1.72 6.67 334
0.00 0.00 (.59) 7.96 9.52 774,097 1.72 7.57 190
$ (.01) $ 0.00 $ (.47) $ 7.20 1.22% $144,145 1.87%(d) 6.13% 320%
0.00 (.02) (.50) 7.57 9.21 114,392 1.76 6.38 153
0.00 (.01) (.53) 7.41 5.69 115,607 1.72 6.96 330
0.00 0.00 (.52) 7.52 1.01 166,075 1.71 6.68 334
0.00 0.00 (.59) 7.96 9.67 181,948 1.71 7.59 190
$ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.26) $ 9.22 (.69)% $ 29,452 2.75%(d)* 4.74%* 239%
(.07) 0.00 (.54) 9.54 6.94 41,493 3.27(d) 4.74 500
0.00 (.02) (.54) 9.44 5.79 16,197 2.41(d) 5.52 249
0.00 (.03) (.54) 9.45 5.11 16,248 2.22(d) 5.44 159
0.00 (.03) (.53) 9.52 5.91 27,887 2.14(d) 5.53 293
0.00 (.04) (.53) 9.51 1.03 43,173 1.34(d) 4.78 375
$ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.22) $ 9.22 (1.15)% $ 31,605 3.48%(d)* 4.05%* 239%
(.08) 0.00 (.47) 9.55 6.30 33,591 3.84(d) 4.10 500
0.00 (.02) (.47) 9.44 5.04 33,613 3.14(d) 4.80 249
0.00 (.03) (.47) 9.45 4.36 50,386 2.94(d) 4.73 159
0.00 (.03) (.47) 9.52 5.05 84,362 2.85(d) 4.83 293
0.00 (.03) (.46) 9.52 .42 136,458 2.08(d) 4.12 375
$ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.22) $ 9.22 (1.15)% $ 28,205 3.47%(d)* 4.05%* 239%
(.08) 0.00 (.47) 9.55 6.30 28,562 3.84(d) 4.11 500
0.00 (.02) (.47) 9.44 5.05 28,738 3.13(d) 4.82 249
0.00 (.02) (.47) 9.45 4.38 43,457 2.92(d) 4.75 159
0.00 (.03) (.47) 9.52 5.06 68,459 2.85(d) 4.84 293
0.00 (.03) (.46) 9.52 .42 141,838 2.04(d) 4.10 375
$ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.26) $ 8.25 (.48)% $460,810 1.71%(d)* 6.33%* 125%
(.04) 0.00 (.56) 8.56 5.82 469,750 1.99(d) 6.06 202
(.03) 0.00 (.57) 8.63 8.40 372,494 1.41(d) 6.30 184
0.00 (.08) (.59) 8.51 4.23 412,899 1.68(d) 6.38 208
0.00 (.02) (.59) 8.75 15.34 502,390 1.66(d) 6.77 285
0.00 (.02) (.60) 8.13 (6.14) 553,889 1.29(d) 6.77 438
$ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.23) $ 8.25 (.85)% $ 83,558 2.43%(d)* 5.53%* 125%
(.05) 0.00 (.50) 8.56 5.04 126,879 2.68(d) 5.33 202
(.03) 0.00 (.51) 8.63 7.60 323,916 2.14(d) 5.60 184
0.00 (.07) (.53) 8.51 3.46 477,196 2.37(d) 5.66 208
0.00 (.02) (.53) 8.75 14.48 737,593 2.37(d) 6.06 285
0.00 (.02) (.53) 8.13 (6.84) 921,418 2.00(d) 6.05 438
$ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.23) $ 8.25 (.85)% $ 21,673 2.42%(d)* 5.60%* 125%
(.04) 0.00 (.50) 8.56 5.04 23,728 2.69(d) 5.35 202
(.03) 0.00 (.51) 8.63 7.60 27,859 2.12(d) 5.61 184
0.00 (.07) (.53) 8.51 3.46 35,355 2.38(d) 5.67 208
0.00 (.02) (.53) 8.75 14.46 45,558 2.35(d) 6.07 285
0.00 (.02) (.53) 8.13 (6.84) 58,338 1.97(d) 6.06 438
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please refer to the footnotes on page 56.
53
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Net Net Net
Asset Realized and Increase
Value Unrealized (Decrease) In Dividends From Distributions
Beginning Of Net Investment Gain (Loss) On Net Asset Value Net Investment From Net
Fiscal Year or Period Period Income (Loss) Investments From Operations Income Realized Gains
--------------------- ------------ -------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Multi-Market Strategy
Class A
11/1/98 to 4/30/99........ $ 6.64 $ .20(g) $ (.02) $ .18 $ (.29) $ 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/98....... 7.11 .44(g) .02 .46 (.44) 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/97....... 7.23 .47(g) .08 .55 (.47) 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/96....... 6.83 .59(g) .48 1.07 (.67) 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/95....... 8.04 .77(g) (1.31) (.54) 0.00 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/94....... 8.94 .85 (1.08) (.23) (.09) 0.00
Class B
11/1/98 to 4/30/99........ $ 6.66 $ .18(g) $ (.03) $ .15 $ (.26) $ 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/98....... 7.11 .36(g) .05 .41 (.36) 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/97....... 7.23 .42(g) .06 .48 (.42) 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/96....... 6.83 .53(g) .47 1.00 (.60) 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/95....... 8.04 .44(g) (1.05) (.61) 0.00 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/94....... 8.94 .88 (1.18) (.30) (.08) 0.00
Class C
11/1/98 to 4/30/99........ $ 6.65 $ .18(g) $ (.02) $ .16 $ (.26) $ 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/98....... 7.11 .25(g) .16 .41 (.41) 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/97....... 7.23 .42(g) .07 .49 (.42) 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/96....... 6.83 .54(g) .47 1.01 (.61) 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/95....... 8.04 .44(g) (1.04) (.60) 0.00 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/94....... 8.94 .46 (.75) (.29) (.09) 0.00
North American Government Income
Class A
12/1/98 to 5/31/99........ $ 7.59 $ .45(g) $ (.18) $ .27 $ (.48) $ 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/98....... 8.02 .87(g) (.33) .54 (.87) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/97....... 8.01 1.03(g) (.05) .98 (.97) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/96....... 6.75 1.09(g) 1.14 2.23 (.75) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/95....... 8.13 1.18(g) (1.59) (.41) 0.00 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/94....... 10.35 1.02 (2.12) (1.10) (.91) 0.00
Class B
12/1/98 to 5/31/99........ $ 7.61 $ .42(g) $ (.17) $ .25 $ (.45) $ 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/98....... 8.02 .81(g) (.32) .49 (.81) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/97....... 8.01 .98)(g) (.07) .91 (.90) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/96....... 6.75 1.04(g) 1.12 2.16 (.69) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/95....... 8.13 1.13(g) (1.61) (.48) 0.00 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/94....... 10.35 .96 (2.13) (1.17) (.84) 0.00
Class C
12/1/98 to 5/31/99........ $ 7.61 $ .42(g) $ (.17) $ .25 $ (.45) $ 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/98....... 8.02 .82(g) (.33) .49 (.82) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/97....... 8.01 .98(g) (.07) .91 (.90) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/96....... 6.75 1.05(g) 1.11 2.16 (.69) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/95....... 8.13 1.13(g) (1.61) (.48) 0.00 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/94....... 10.34 .96 (2.12) (1.16) (.84) 0.00
Global Dollar Government
Class A
Year Ended 8/31/99........ $ 5.05 $ .71(g) $ .74 $ 1.45 $ (.74) $ 0.00
Year Ended 8/31/98........ 10.64 .73(g) (4.03) (3.30) (.73) (1.37)
Year Ended 8/31/97........ 10.01 .88(g) 1.85 2.73 (.95) (1.15)
Year Ended 8/31/96........ 8.02 .84 2.10 2.94 (.95) 0.00
Year Ended 8/31/95........ 9.14 .86 (1.10) (.24) (.88) 0.00
Class B
Year Ended 8/31/99........ $ 5.05 $ .67(g) $ .76 $ 1.43 $ (.68) $ 0.00
Year Ended 8/31/98........ 10.64 .67(g) (4.05) (3.38) (.67) (1.36)
Year Ended 8/31/97........ 10.01 .81(g) 1.84 2.65 (.87) (1.15)
Year Ended 8/31/96........ 8.02 .78 2.08 2.86 (.87) 0.00
Year Ended 8/31/95........ 9.14 .80 (1.11) (.31) (.81) 0.00
Class C
Year Ended 8/31/99........ $ 5.05 $ .67(g) $ .76 $ 1.43 $ (.68) $ 0.00
Year Ended 8/31/98........ 10.64 .67(g) (4.05) (3.38) (.67) (1.36)
Year Ended 8/31/97........ 10.01 .82(g) 1.84 2.66 (.88) (1.15)
Year Ended 8/31/96........ 8.02 .77 2.10 2.87 (.88) 0.00
Year Ended 8/31/95........ 9.14 .79 (1.10) (.31) (.81) 0.00
Global Strategic Income
Class A
11/1/98 to 4/30/99........ $10.18 $ .45(g) $ .42 $ .87 $ (.50) $ 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/98....... 11.46 .78(g) (.64) .14 (.78) (.36)
Year Ended 10/31/97....... 10.83 .74(g) 1.02 1.76 (.75) (.10)
1/9/96+ to 10/31/96....... 10.00 .69(g) .95 1.64 (.81) 0.00
Class B
11/1/98 to 4/30/99........ $10.17 $ .42(g) $ .43 $ .85 $ (.47) $ 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/98....... 11.46 .69(g) (.63 .06 (.69) (.36)
Year Ended 10/31/97....... 10.83 .66(g) 1.03 1.69 (.67) (.10)
3/25/96++ to 10/31/96..... 9.97 .41(g) 1.01 1.42 (.56) 0.00
Class C
11/1/98 to 4/30/99........ $10.17 $ .42(g) $ .43 $ .85 $ (.47) $ 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/98....... 11.46 .68(g) (.62) .06 (.68) (.36)
Year Ended 10/31/97....... 10.83 .66(g) 1.03 1.69 (.67) (.10)
3/25/96++ to 10/31/96..... 9.97 .39(g) 1.03 1.42 (.56) 0.00
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please refer to the footnotes on page 56.
54
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Distributions Total Net Assets Ratio of Net
in Excess Total Investment At End Of Ratio Investment
of Net Return Dividends Net Asset Return Period of Expenses Income (Loss) Portfolio
Investment of and Value End Based on Net (000's To Average To Average Turnover
Income Capital Distributions of Period Asset Value (b) omitted) Net Assets Net Assets Rate
- ------------- ------- ------------- --------- --------------- ---------- ----------- ------------ --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.29) $ 6.53 2.70% $ 445,904 1.34%(f)* 6.21%* 46%
(.42) (.07) (.93) 6.64 6.90 95,568 1.74(f) 6.46 240
(.20) 0.00 (.67) 7.11 7.82 96,133 1.58(f) 6.50 173
0.00 0.00 (.67) 7.23 16.37 68,776 1.64(e) 8.40 215
0.00 (.67) (.67) 6.83 (6.47) 76,837 1.60(e) 8.56 400
0.00 (.58) (.67) 8.04 (2.64) 52,385 1.41(e) 7.17 605
$ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.26) $ 6.55 2.21% $ 21,186 2.05%(f)* 5.45%* 46%
(.43) (.07) (.86) 6.66 6.24 7,217 2.41(f) 5.64 240
(.18) 0.00 (.60) 7.11 6.90 29,949 2.29(f) 5.79 173
0.00 0.00 (.60) 7.23 15.35 88,427 2.35(e) 7.69 215
0.00 (.60) (.60) 6.83 (7.31) 116,551 2.29(e) 7.53 400
0.00 (.52) (.60) 8.04 (3.35) 233,896 2.11(e) 6.44 605
$ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.26) $ 6.55 2.37% $ 19,671 2.04%(f)* 5.50%* 46%
(.42) (.04) (.87) 6.65 6.10 16,518 2.61(f) 5.28 240
(.19) 0.00 (.61) 7.11 6.92 1,203 2.28(f) 5.80 173
0.00 0.00 (.61) 7.23 15.36 1,076 2.34(e) 7.62 215
0.00 (.61) (.61) 6.83 (7.29) 786 2.29(e) 7.55 400
0.00 (.52) (.61) 8.04 (3.34) 1,252 2.08(e) 6.10 605
$ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.48) $ 7.38 3.67% $ 593,218 2.06%(e)* 11.85%* 157%
(.07) (.03) (.97) 7.59 7.14 740,066 2.04(e) 11.17 175
0.00 0.00 (.97) 8.02 12.85 511,749 2.15(e) 12.78 118
0.00 (.22) (.97) 8.01 35.22 385,784 2.34(e) 14.82 166
0.00 (.97) (.97) 6.75 (3.59) 252,608 2.62(e) 18.09 180
0.00 (.21) (1.12) 8.13 (11.32) 303,538 1.70(e) 11.22 131
$ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.45) $ 7.41 3.32% $1,213,895 2.76%(e)* 11.12%* 157%
(.06) (.03) (.90) 7.61 6.46 1,300,519 2.75(e) 10.44 175
0.00 0.00 (.90) 8.02 11.88 1,378,407 2.86(e) 12.15 118
0.00 (.21) (.90) 8.01 33.96 1,329,719 3.05(e) 14.20 166
0.00 (.90) (.90) 6.75 (4.63) 1,123,074 3.33(e) 17.31 180
0.00 (.21) (1.05) 8.13 (11.89) 1,639,602 2.41(e) 10.53 131
$ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.45) $ 7.41 3.32% $ 267,111 2.75%(e)* 11.14%* 157%
(.05) (.03) (.90) 7.61 6.46 276,073 2.74(e) 10.45 175
0.00 0.00 (.90) 8.02 11.88 283,483 2.85(e) 12.14 118
0.00 (.21) (.90) 8.01 33.96 250,676 3.04(e) 14.22 166
0.00 (.90) (.90) 6.75 (4.63) 219,009 3.33(e) 17.32 180
0.00 (.21) (1.05) 8.13 (11.89) 369,714 2.39(e) 10.46 131
$ (.04) $ (.03) $ (.81) $ 5.69 29.40% $ 50,540 1.59% 12.34% 179%
(.04) (.15) (2.29) 5.05 (38.56) 32,365 1.48 8.51 188
0.00 0.00 (2.10) 10.64 30.04 37,416 1.55 8.49 314
0.00 0.00 (.95) 10.01 38.47 23,253 1.65 9.23 315
0.00 0.00 (.88) 8.02 (1.48) 12,020 1.93 11.25 301
$ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.74) $ 5.74 28.85% $ 110,003 2.31% 11.59% 179%
(.04) (.14) (2.21) 5.05 (39.11) 79,660 2.22 7.78 188
0.00 0.00 (2.02) 10.64 29.14 93,377 2.26 7.81 314
0.00 0.00 (.87) 10.01 37.36 84,295 2.37 8.57 315
0.00 0.00 (.81) 8.02 (2.40) 62,406 2.64 10.52 301
$ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.74) $ 5.74 28.85% $ 39,024 2.30% 11.56% 179%
(.04) (.14) (2.21) 5.05 (39.09) 23,711 2.19 7.75 188
0.00 0.00 (2.03) 10.64 29.17 25,130 2.25 7.82 314
0.00 0.00 (.88) 10.01 37.40 14,511 2.35 8.52 315
0.00 0.00 (.81) 8.02 (2.36) 9,330 2.63 10.46 301
$ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.50) $ 10.55 8.70% $ 26,472 1.63%(c)* 8.73%* 237%
(.28) 0.00 (1.42) 10.18 1.00 24,576 1.89(c) 7.08 183
(.28) 0.00 (1.13) 11.46 16.83 12,954 1.90(c) 6.56 417
0.00 0.00 (.81) 10.83 17.31 2,295 1.90*(c) 8.36* 282
$ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.47) $ 10.55 8.46% $ 68,707 2.34%(c)* 7.98%* 237%
(.30) 0.00 (1.35) 10.17 .27 58,058 2.58(c) 6.41 183
(.29) 0.00 (1.06) 11.46 16.12 18,855 2.60(c) 5.86 417
0.00 0.00 (.56) 10.83 14.47 800 2.60*(c) 7.26* 282
$ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.47) $ 10.55 8.46% $ 19,215 2.33%(c)* 7.94%* 237%
(.31) 0.00 (1.35) 10.17 .27 16,067 2.58(c) 6.43 183
(.29) 0.00 (1.06) 11.46 16.12 4,388 2.60(c) 5.86 417
0.00 0.00 (.56) 10.83 14.47 750 2.60*(c) 7.03* 282
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please refer to the footnotes on page 56.
55
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Net Net Net
Asset Realized and Increase
Value Unrealized (Decrease) In Dividends From Distributions
Beginning Of Net Investment Gain (Loss) On Net Asset Value Net Investment From Net
Fiscal Year or Period Period Income (Loss) Investments From Operations Income Realized Gains
--------------------- ------------ -------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Corporate Bond
Class A
Year Ended 6/30/99........ $14.19 $ 1.06(g) $(1.64) $ (.58) $(1.07) $0.00
Year Ended 6/30/98........ 14.19 1.08(g) .12 1.20 (1.08) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/97........ 13.29 1.15(g) .97 2.12 (1.22) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/96........ 12.92 1.26 .27 1.53 (1.16) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/95........ 12.51 1.19 .36 1.55 (1.14) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/94........ 14.15 1.11 (1.36) (.25) (1.11) (.25)
Class B
Year Ended 6/30/99........ $14.19 $ .97(g) $(1.64) $ (.67) $ (.98) $0.00
Year Ended 6/30/98........ 14.19 .98(g) .13 1.11 (.98) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/97........ 13.29 1.05(g) .98 2.03 (1.13) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/96........ 12.92 1.15 .29 1.44 (1.07) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/95........ 12.50 111 .36 1.47 (1.05) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/94........ 14.15 1.02 (1.37) (.35) (1.04) (.25)
Class C
Year Ended 6/30/99........ $14.19 $ .97(g) $(1.64) $ (.67) $ (.98) $0.00
Year Ended 6/30/98........ 14.19 .99(g) .12 1.11 (.99) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/97........ 13.29 1.04(g) .99 2.03 (1.13) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/96........ 12.93 1.14 .29 1.43 (1.07) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/95........ 12.50 1.10 .38 1.48 (1.05) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/94........ 14.15 1.02 (1.37) (.35) (1.05) (.25)
High Yield
Class A
Year Ended 8/31/99........ $10.76 $ 1.02(g) $(1.08) $ (.06) $(1.02) $(.15)
Year Ended 8/31/98........ 11.17 1.03(g) (.27) .76 (1.02) (.14)
4/22/97+ to 8/31/97....... 10.00 .37(g) 1.15 1.52 (.35) 0.00
Class B
Year Ended 8/31/99........ $10.75 $ .95(g) $(1.08) $ (.13) $ (.95) $(.15)
Year Ended 8/31/98........ 11.17 .96(g) (.28) .68 (.95) (.14)
4/22/97+ to 8/31/97....... 10.00 .31(g) 1.19 1.50 (.33) 0.00
Class C
Year Ended 8/31/99........ $10.75 $ .95(g) $(1.07) $ (.12) $ (.95) $(.15)
Year Ended 8/31/98........ 11.17 .96(g) (.28) .68 (.95) (.14)
4/22/97+ to 8/31/97....... 10.00 .32(g) 1.18 1.50 (.33) 0.00
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Prior to July 22, 1993, Equitable Capital Management Corporation
("Equitable") served as the investment adviser to The Alliance Portfolios
(the "Trust"), of which Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government is a series.
On July 22, 1993, Alliance acquired the business and substantially all of
the assets of Equitable and became investment adviser to the Trust.
+ Commencement of operations.
++ Commencement of distribution.
+++ Unaudited.
* Annualized.
** Reflects newly adopted fiscal year end.
(a) Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made
at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all
dividends and distributions at the net asset value during the period, and
a redemption on the last day of the period. Initial sales charge or
contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected in the calculation of
total investment return. Total investment returns calculated for periods
of less than one year are not annualized.
(b) "Total dividends and distributions" includes dividends in excess of net
investment income and return of capital. Alliance Short-Term U.S.
Government had dividends in excess of net investment income, for the year
ended August 31, 1995, with respect to Class A shares of $(.03); with
respect to Class B shares, $(.03); and with respect to Class C shares,
$(.03).
(c) Net of expenses assumed and/or waived/reimbursed. If Alliance Short-Term
U.S. Government had borne all expenses, the expense ratios would have been
with respect to Class A shares, 2.20% (annualized) for 1993, 2.17% for the
year ended April 30, 1994, 2.95% (annualized) for the period ended August
31, 1994, 3.71% for the year ended August 31, 1995, 3.04% for the year
ended August 31, 1996, 2.42% for the year ended August 31, 1997, 2.81% for
the year ended August 31, 1998 and 2.00% for the year ended August 31,
1999; with respect to Class B shares, 4.81% (annualized) for 1993, 3.21%
for the year ended April 30, 1994, 3.60% (annualized) for the period ended
August 31, 1994, 4.33% for the year ended August 31, 1995, 3.74% for the
year ended August 31, 1996, 3.10% for the year ended August 31, 1997,
3.63% for the year ended August 31, 1998 and 2.73% for the year ended
August 31, 1999; with respect to Class C shares, 3.10% (annualized) for
the year ended April 30, 1994, 3.64% (annualized) for the period ended
August 31, 1994 (annualized), 4.23% for the year ended August 31, 1995,
3.72% for the year ended August 31, 1996, 3.09% for the year ended August
31, 1997, 3.58% for the year ended August 31, 1998 and 2.71% for the year
ended August 31, 1999. If Alliance Global Strategic Income had borne all
expenses for the respective periods January 9, 1996 to October 31, 1996,
its fiscal year ended 1997, its fiscal year ended in 1998 and 1999, the
expense ratio would have been with respect to Class A shares, 19.20%
(annualized), 4.06%, 2.08%, and 1.66% respectively; with respect to Class
B shares, 19.57% (annualized), 4.76%, and 2.37% 2.76% respectively; and
with respect to Class C shares, 19.49% (annualized), 4.77%, 2.77% and
2.36% respectively. If Alliance High Yield had borne all expenses for the
respective periods April 22, 1997 to August 31, 1997 and the fiscal year
ended August 31, 1998, the expense ratios would have been with respect to
Class A shares, 3.11% (annualized) and 1.46%, respectively; with respect
to Class B shares, 3.85% (annualized) and 2.16%, respectively; and with
respect to Class C shares, 3.84% (annualized) and 2.16%, respectively.
56
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Distributions Total Net Assets Ratio of Net
in Excess Total Investment At End Of Ratio Investment
of Net Return Dividends Net Asset Return Period of Expenses Income (Loss) Portfolio
Investment of and Value End Based on Net (000's To Average To Average Turnover
Income Capital Distributions of Period Asset Value (a) omitted) Net Assets Net Assets Rate
- ------------- ------- ------------- --------- --------------- ---------- ----------- ------------ --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ (.01) $ (.04) $(1.12) $12.49 (4.08)% $ 476,141 1.11% 8.13% 281%
(.12) 0.00 (1.20) 14.19 8.66 510,397 1.05 7.52 244
0.00 0.00 (1.22) 14.19 16.59 370,845 1.12 8.34 307
0.00 0.00 (1.16) 13.29 12.14 277,369 1.20 9.46 389
0.00 0.00 (1.14) 12.92 13.26 230,750 1.24 9.70 387
(.03) 0.00 (1.39) 12.51 (2.58) 219,182 1.30 7.76 372
$ (.01) $ (.04) $(1.03) $12.49 (4.77)% $ 630,631 1.82% 7.41% 281%
(.13) 0.00 (1.11) 14.19 7.95 672,374 1.75 6.80 244
0.00 0.00 (1.13) 14.19 15.80 480,326 1.82 7.62 307
0.00 0.00 (1.07) 13.29 11.38 338,152 1.90 8.75 389
0.00 0.00 (1.05) 12.92 12.54 241,393 1.99 9.07 387
(.01) 0.00 (1.30) 12.50 (3.27) 184,129 2.00 7.03 372
$ (.01) $ (.04) $(1.03) $12.49 (4.77)% $ 204,271 1.81% 7.37% 281%
(.12) 0.00 (1.11) 14.19 7.95 254,530 1.75 6.83 244
0.00 0.00 (1.13) 14.19 15.80 174,762 1.82 7.61 307
0.00 0.00 (1.07) 13.29 11.30 83,095 1.90 8.74 389
0.00 0.00 (1.05) 12.93 12.62 51,028 1.84 8.95 387
0.00 0.00 (1.30) 12.50 (3.27) 50,860 1.99 6.98 372
$ (.05) $ (.01) $(1.23) $ 9.47 (.58)% $ 102,400 1.31% 10.21% 182%
(.01) 0.00 (1.17) 10.76 6.42 43,960 1.43(c) 8.89 311
0.00 0.00 (.35) 11.17 15.33 5,889 1.70*(c) 8.04* 73
$ (.05) $ (.01) $(1.16) $ 9.46 (1.26)% $ 527,337 2.03% 9.52% 182%
(.01) 0.00 (1.10) 10.75 5.69 269,426 2.13(c) 8.18 311
0.00 0.00 (.33) 11.17 15.07 43,297 2.40*(c) 7.19* 73
$ (.05) $ (.01) $(1.16) $ 9.47 (1.16)% $ 99,927 2.02% 9.54% 182%
(.01) 0.00 (1.10) 10.75 5.69 48,337 2.13(c) 8.17 311
0.00 0.00 (.33) 11.17 15.07 7,575 2.40*(c) 7.24* 73
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(d) If Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government had not borne interest expenses,
the ratio of expenses (net of expenses assumed and/or waived/reimbursed
and after giving effect to an expense offset agreement with the transfer
agent) to average net assets would have been with respect to Class A
shares, 1.40% for 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999; with respect to Class B
shares, 2.10% for 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999; and with respect to Class C
shares, 2.10% for 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999. If Alliance U.S. Government
Fund had not borne interest expense, the ratio of expenses to average net
assets would have been 1.08% with respect to Class A shares, 1.79% with
respect to Class B shares, 1.78% with respect to Class C shares. If
Alliance Limited Maturity Government had not borne interest expenses, the
ratio of expenses to average net assets would have been with respect to
Class A shares, 1.20% for 1994, 1.41% for 1995, 1.58% for 1996, 1.65% for
1997, 1.68% for 1998 and 1.55% for 1999; with respect to Class B shares,
1.91% for 1994, 2.11% for 1995, 2.30% for 1996, 2.39% for 1997, 2.39% for
1998 and 2.28% for 1999; with respect to Class C shares, 1.89% for 1994,
2.10% for 1995, 2.29% for 1996, 2.37% for 1997, 2.38% for 1998 and 2.27%
for 1999. If Alliance Mortgage Securities Income Fund had not borne
interest expense the ratio of expenses to average net assets would have
been with respect to Class A shares .97% for 1994, 1.03% for 1995, 1.03%
for 1996, 1.07% for 1997, 1.14% for 1998 and 1.15% for 1999; with respect
to Class B shares, 1.68% for 1994, 1.74% for 1995, 1.74% for 1996, 1.78%
for 1997, 1.85% for 1998, and 1.87% for 1999; with respect to Class C
shares 1.69% for 1994, 1.73% for 1995, 1.73% for 1996, 1.77% for 1997,
1.84% for 1998, and 1.85% for 1999.
(e) Includes interest expenses. If Alliance Multi-Market Strategy had not
borne interest expenses or loan fees, the ratio of expenses to average net
assets would have been with respect to Class A shares, 1.30% for 1994,
1.55% for 1995, and 1.60% for 1996; with respect to Class B shares, 2.01%
for 1994, 2.22% for 1995, and 2.31% for 1996; with respect to Class C
shares, 1.99% for 1994, 2.24% for 1995, and 2.30% for 1996. If Alliance
North American Government Income had not borne interest expenses, the
ratio of expenses (net of interest expenses) to average net assets would
have been with respect to Class A shares, 1.37% for 1994, 1.51% for 1995,
1.41% for 1996, 1.38% for 1997, 1.36% for 1998 and 1.38% for 1999; with
respect to Class B shares, 2.07% for 1994, 2.22% for 1995, 2.12% for 1996,
2.09% for 1997, 2.07% for 1998 and 2.09% for 1999; and with respect to
Class C shares, 2.06% for 1994, 2.21% for 1995, 2.12% for 1996, 2.08% for
1997, 2.06% for 1998 and 2.08% for 1999.
(f) Amounts do not reflect the impact of expense offset arrangement with the
transfer agent. Taking into account such expense offset arrangements, the
ratio of expenses to average net assets, for Alliance Multi-Market
Strategy would have been with respect to Class A shares 1.57% for 1997,
1.73% for 1998 and 1.33% for 1999, with respect to Class B shares 2.28%
for 1997, 2.40% for 1998 and 2.04% for 1999 and with respect to Class C
shares 2.27% for 1997, 2.60% for 1998 and 2.03% for 1999. For Alliance
Short-Term U.S. Government the ratio of expenses to average net assets,
giving effect to the assumption and/or waiver/reimbursement of expenses,
would have been with respect to Class A shares 1.82% for 1998 and 1.55%
for 1999, with respect to Class B shares 2.55% for 1998 and 2.25% for
1999 and with respect to Class C shares 2.56% for 1998 and 2.26% for 1999.
(g) Based on average shares outstanding.
57
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPENDIX A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOND RATINGS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.
Aaa--Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry
the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt
edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally
stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements
are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to
impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa--Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards.
Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high
grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of
protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of
protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other
elements present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than
the Aaa securities.
A--Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are
to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security
to principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present
which suggest a susceptibility to impairment some time in the future.
Baa--Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade obligations, i.e.,
they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest 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.
Ba--Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered as well-assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
B--Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa--Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal
or interest.
Ca--Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked
shortcomings.
C--Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining
any real investment standing.
Absence of Rating--When no rating has been assigned or where a rating has been
suspended or withdrawn, it may be for reasons unrelated to the quality of the
issue.
Should no rating be assigned, the reason may be one of the following:
1. An application for rating was not received or accepted.
2. The issue or issuer belongs to a group of securities or companies that are
unrated as a matter of policy.
3. There is a lack of essential data pertaining to the issue or issuer.
4. The issue was privately placed, in which case the rating is not published in
Moody's publications.
Suspension or withdrawal may occur if new and material circumstances arise, the
effects of which preclude satisfactory analysis; if there is no longer available
reasonable up-to-date data to permit a judgment to be formed; if a bond is
called for redemption; or for other reasons.
Note--Moody's applies numerical modifiers, 1, 2 and 3 in each generic rating
classification from Aa through B in its corporate bond rating system. The
modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of its generic
rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier
3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating
category.
STANDARD & POOR'S RATINGS SERVICES
AAA--Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to pay
interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA--Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
and differs from the highest rated issues only in small degree.
A--Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.
BBB--Debt rated BBB normally exhibits adequate protection parameters. However,
adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead
to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for debt in this
category than in higher rated categories.
BB, B, CCC, CC, C--Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC or C is regarded as having
significant speculative characteristics. BB indicates the lowest degree of
speculation and C the highest. While such debt will likely have some quality
and
58
<PAGE>
protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or
major exposures to adverse conditions.
BB--Debt rated BB is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative debt.
However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse
business, financial or economic conditions which could lead to an inadequate
capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
B--Debt rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than debt rated BB, but there
is capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Adverse business, financial
or economic conditions will likely impair the capacity or willingness to pay
principal or repay interest.
CCC--Debt rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon
favorable business, financial and economic conditions to pay interest and
repay principal. In the event of adverse business, financial or economic
conditions, there is not likely to be capacity to pay interest or repay
principal.
CC--Debt rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.
C--The C rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has
been filed or similar action has been taken, but payments are being
continued.
D--The D rating, unlike other ratings, is not prospective; rather, it is used
only where a default has actually occurred.
Plus (+) or Minus (-)--The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the
addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major
rating categories.
NR--Not rated.
DUFF & PHELPS CREDIT RATING CO.
AAA--Highest credit quality. The risk factors are negligible, being only
slightly more than for risk-free U.S. Treasury debt.
AA+,AA, AA- --High credit quality. Protection factors are strong. Risk is modest
but may vary slightly from time to time because of economic conditions.
A+,A, A- --Protection factors are average but adequate. However, risk factors
are more variable and greater in periods of economic stress.
BBB+, BBB, BBB- --Below average protection factors but still considered
sufficient for prudent investment. Considerable variability in risk during
economic cycles.
BB+, BB, BB- --Below investment grade but deemed likely to meet obligations when
due. Present or prospective financial protection factors fluctuate according
to industry conditions or company fortunes. Overall quality may move up or
down frequently within this category.
B+,B, B- --Below investment grade and possessing risk that obligations will not
be met when due. Financial protection factors will fluctutate widely
according to economic cycles, industry conditions and/or company fortunes.
Potential exists for frequent changes in the rating within this category or
into a higher or lower rating grade.
CCC--Well below investment grade securities. Considerable uncertainty exists as
to timely payment of principal, interest or preferred dividends. Protection
factors are narrow and risk can be substantial with unfavorable
economic/industry conditions, and/or with unfavorable company developments.
DD--Defaulted debt obligations. Issuer failed to meet scheduled principal and/or
interest payments.
DP--Preferred stock with dividend arrearages.
FITCH IBCA, INC.
AAA--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit quality.
The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay interest and repay
principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably foreseeable events.
AA--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is very strong,
although not quite as strong as bonds rated AAA. Because bonds rated in the
AAA and AA categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable future
developments, short-term debt of these issuers is generally rated F- 1+.
A--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be
strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions
and circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.
BBB--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of satisfactory credit quality.
The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be
adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances, however,
are more likely to have adverse impact on these bonds, and therefore impair
timely payment. The likelihood that the ratings of these bonds will fall
below investment grade is higher than for bonds with higher ratings.
BB--Bonds are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to pay interest and
repay principal may be affected over time by adverse economic changes.
However, business and financial alternatives can be identified which could
assist the obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements.
B--Bonds are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this class are
currently meeting debt service requirements, the probability of continued
timely payment of principal and interest reflects the obligor's limited
margin of safety and the need for reasonable business and economic activity
throughout the life of the issue.
59
<PAGE>
CCC--Bonds have certain identifiable characteristics which, if not remedied, may
lead to default. The ability to meet obligations requires an advantageous
business and economic environment.
CC--Bonds are minimally protected. Default in payment of interest and/or
principal seems probable over time.
C--Bonds are in imminent default in payment of interest or principal.
DDD, DD, D--Bonds are in default on interest and/or principal payments. Such
bonds are extremely speculative and should be valued on the basis of their
ultimate recovery value in liquidation or reorganization of the obligor. DDD
represents the highest potential for recovery on these bonds, and D
represents the lowest potential for recovery.
Plus (+) Minus (-)--Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol to
indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus and
minus signs, however, are not used in the AAA, DDD, DD or D categories.
NR--Indicates that Fitch does not rate the specific issue.
60
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPENDIX B
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABOUT CANADA, MEXICO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AND ARGENTINA
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT CANADA
Canada consists of a federation of ten Provinces and three federal territories
(which generally fall under federal authority) with a constitutional division of
powers between the federal and Provincial governments. The Parliament of Canada
has jurisdiction over all areas not assigned exclusively to the Provincial
legislatures, and has jurisdiction over such matters as the federal public debt
and property, the regulation of trade and commerce, currency and coinage, banks
and banking, national defense, the postal services, navigation and shipping and
unemployment insurance.
The Canadian economy is based on the free enterprise system, with business
organizations ranging from small owner-operated businesses to large
multinational corporations. Manufacturing and resource industries are large
contributors to the country's economic output, but as in many other highly
developed countries, there has been a gradual shift from a largely
goods-producing economy to a predominantly service-based one. Agriculture and
other primary production play a small but key role in the economy. Canada is
also an exporter of energy to the United States in the form of natural gas (of
which Canada has substantial reserves) and hydroelectric power, and has
significant mineral resources.
Canadian Dollars are fully exchangeable into U.S. Dollars without foreign
exchange controls or other legal restriction. Since the major developed-country
currencies were permitted to float freely against one another, the range of
fluctuation in the U.S. Dollar/Canadian Dollar exchange rate generally has been
narrower than the range of fluctuation between the U.S. Dollar and most other
major currencies. Since 1991, Canada generally has experienced a weakening of
its currency. The Canadian Dollar reached an all-time low of 1.5770 Canadian
Dollars per U.S. Dollar on August 27, 1998. On October 25 1999, the
Canadian Dollar-U.S. Dollar exchange rate was 1.4719:1. The range of
fluctuation that has occurred in the past is not necessarily indicative of the
range of fluctuation that will occur in the future. Future rates of exchange
cannot be accurately predicted.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE UNITED MEXICAN STATES
The United Mexican States ("Mexico") is a nation formed by 31 states and a
Federal District (Mexico City). The Political Constitution of Mexico, which took
effect on May 1, 1917, established Mexico as a Federal Republic and provides for
the separation of executive, legislative and judicial branches. The President
and the members of the General Congress are elected by popular vote.
Prior to 1994, when Mexico experienced an economic crisis that led to the
devaluation of the Peso in December 1994, the Mexican economy experienced
improvement in a number of areas, including growth in gross domestic product and
a substantial reduction in the rate of inflation and in the public sector
financial deficit. Much of the past improvement in the Mexican economy was due
to a series of economic policy initiatives intended to modernize and reform the
Mexican economy, control inflation, reduce the financial deficit, increase
public revenues through the reform of the tax system, establish a competitive
and stable currency exchange rate, liberalize trade restrictions and increase
investment and productivity, while reducing the government's role in the
economy. In this regard, the Mexican government launched a program for
privatizing certain state owned enterprises, developing and modernizing the
securities markets, increasing investment in the private sector and permitting
increased levels of foreign investment.
In 1994 Mexico faced internal and external conditions that resulted in an
economic crisis that continues to affect the Mexican economy adversely. Growing
trade and current account deficits, which could no longer be financed by inflows
of foreign capital, were factors contributing to the crisis. A weakening economy
and unsettling political and social developments caused investors to lose
confidence in the Mexican economy. This resulted in a large decline in foreign
reserves followed by a sharp and rapid devaluation of the Mexican Peso. The
ensuing economic and financial crisis resulted in higher inflation and domestic
interest rates, a contraction in real gross domestic product and a liquidity
crisis.
In response to the adverse economic conditions that developed at the end of
1994, the Mexican government instituted a new economic program; and the
government and the business and labor sectors of the economy entered into a new
accord in an effort to stabilize the economy and the financial markets. To help
relieve Mexico's liquidity crisis and restore financial stability to Mexico's
economy, the Mexican government also obtained financial assistance from the
United States, other countries and certain international agencies conditioned
upon the implementation and continuation of the economic reform program.
In October 1995, and again in October 1996, the Mexican government announced new
accords designed to encourage economic growth and reduce inflation. While it
cannot be accurately predicted whether these accords will continue to achieve
their objectives, the Mexican economy has stabilized since the economic crisis
of 1994, and the high inflation and high interest rates that continued to be a
factor after 1994 have subsided as well. After declining for five consecutive
quarters beginning with the first quarter of 1995, Mexico's gross domestic
product began to grow in
61
<PAGE>
the second quarter of 1996. That growth has been sustained, resulting in
increases of 5.2%, 6.8% and 4.8% in 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively. The
growth rate for the first six months of 1999 was 2.5%. In addition, inflation
dropped from a 52% annual rate in 1995 to a 27.7% annual rate in 1996 and a
15.7% annual rate in 1997. In 1998, the inflation rate was 18.6%. Mexico's
economy is influenced by international economic conditions, particularly those
in the United States, and by world prices for oil and other commodities. The
recovery of the economy will require continued economic and fiscal discipline as
well as stable political and social conditions. In addition, there is no
assurance that Mexico's economic policy initiatives will be successful or that
succeeding administrations will continue these initiatives.
Under economic policy initiatives implemented on and after December 1987, the
Mexican government introduced a series of schedules allowing for the gradual
devaluation of the Mexican Peso against the U.S. Dollar. These gradual
devaluations continued until December 1994. On December 22, 1994, the Mexican
government announced that it would permit the Peso to float freely against other
currencies, resulting in a precipitous decline against the U.S. Dollar. By
December 31, 1996, the Peso-Dollar exchange rate had decreased approximately 40%
from that on December 22, 1994. After dropping approximately 55% from 1994
through 1996, in 1997, the average annual Peso-Dollar exchange rate decreased
approximately 4% from that in 1996. In 1998, the average annual Peso-Dollar
exchange rate was approximately 16% less than that in 1997.
Mexico has in the past imposed strict foreign exchange controls. There is no
assurance that future regulatory actions in Mexico would not affect the Fund's
ability to obtain U.S. Dollars in exchange for Mexican Pesos.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE REPUBLIC OF ARGENTINA
The Republic of Argentina ("Argentina") consists of 23 provinces and the federal
capital of Buenos Aires. Its federal constitution provides for an executive
branch headed by a President, a legislative branch and a judicial branch. Each
province has its own constitution, and elects its own governor, legislators and
judges, without the intervention of the federal government.
The military has intervened in the political process on several occasions since
1930 and has ruled the country for 22 of the past 69 years. The most recent
military government ruled the country from 1976 to 1983. Four unsuccessful
military uprisings have occurred since 1983, the most recent in December 1990.
Shortly after taking office in 1989, the country's current President adopted
market-oriented and reformist policies, including an aggressive privatization
program, a reduction in the size of the public sector and an opening of the
economy to international competition.
In the decade prior to the announcement of a new economic plan in March 1991,
the Argentine economy was characterized by low and erratic growth, declining
investment rates and rapidly worsening inflation. Despite its strengths, which
include a well-balanced natural resource base and a high literacy rate, the
Argentine economy failed to respond to a series of economic plans in the 1980's.
The 1991 economic plan represented a pronounced departure from its predecessors
in calling for raising revenues, cutting expenditures and reducing the public
deficit. The extensive privatization program commenced in 1989 was accelerated,
the domestic economy deregulated and opened up to foreign trade and the
frame-work for foreign investment reformed. As a result of the economic
stabilization reforms, inflation was brought under control and gross domestic
product has increased each year since 1991, with the exception of 1995. During
1998, gross domestic product increased 3.9% from 1997; however, it contracted by
an estimated 3.0% and 4.9% during the first and second quarters, respectively,
of 1999. The recent slowdown of economic activity has fostered a deflationary
process, evidenced by the 1.5% decrease in the consumer price index during the
first six months of 1999. Significant progress was also made between 1991 and
1994 in rescheduling Argentina's debt with both external and domestic creditors,
which improved fiscal cash flows in the medium term and allowed a return to
voluntary credit markets. There is no assurance that Argentina's economic policy
initiatives will be successful or that succeeding administrations will continue
these initiatives.
In 1995 economic policy was directed toward the effects of the Mexican currency
crisis. The Mexican currency crisis led to a run on Argentine bank deposits,
which was brought under control by a series of measures designed to strengthen
the financial system. The measures included the "dollarization" of banking
reserves, the establishment of two trust funds and strengthening bank reserve
requirements.
In 1991 the Argentine government enacted currency reforms, which required the
domestic currency to be fully backed by international reserves, in an effort to
make the Argentine Peso fully convertible into the U.S. Dollar at a rate of one
to one.
The Argentine Peso has been the Argentine currency since January 1, 1992. Since
that date, the rate of exchange from the Argentine Peso to the U.S. Dollar has
remained approximately one to one. The fixed exchange rate has been instrumental
in stabilizing the economy, but has not reduced pressures from high rates of
unemployment. It is not clear that the government will be able to resist
pressure to devalue the currency. However, the historic range is not necessarily
indicative of fluctuations that may occur in the exchange rate over time and
future rates of exchange cannot be accurately predicted. The Argentine foreign
exchange market was highly controlled until December 1989, when a free exchange
rate was established for all
62
<PAGE>
foreign currency transactions. Argentina has eliminated restrictions on foreign
direct investment and capital repatriation. In 1993, legislation was adopted
abolishing previous requirements of a three-year waiting period for capital
repatriation. Under the legislation, foreign investors are permitted to remit
profits at any time.
For more information about the Funds, the following documents are available upon
request:
Annual/Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders
The Funds' annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders contain additional
information on the Funds' investments. In the annual report, you will find a
discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly
affected a Fund's performance during its last fiscal year.
Statement of Additional Information (SAI)
Each Fund has an SAI, which contains more detailed information about the Fund,
including its operations and investment policies. The Funds' SAIs are
incorporated by reference into (and is legally part of) this Prospectus.
You may request a free copy of the current annual/semi-annual report or the SAI,
or make inquiries concerning the Funds, by contacting your broker or other
financial intermediary, or by contacting Alliance:
By mail: c/o Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 1520
Secaucus, NJ 07096-1520
By phone: For Information: (800) 221-5672
For Literature: (800) 227-4618
Or you may view or obtain these documents from the Commission:
o Call the SEC at 1-202-942-8090 for information on the operation of the
Public Reference Room.
o Reports and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR
Database on the Commission's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov
o Copies of the information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee,
by electronic request at [email protected], or by writing the
Commission's Public Reference Section, Wash. DC 20549-0102
You also may find more information about Alliance and the Funds on the Internet
at: www.Alliancecapital.com.
Fund SEC File No.
Short-Term U.S. Government 811-05088
U.S. Government 811-02383
Limited Maturity Government 811-06627
Quality Bond 811-02383
Mortgage Securities Income 811-03829
Multi-Market Strategy 811-06251
North American Government Income 811-06554
Global Dollar Government 811-08188
Global Strategic Income 811-07391
Corporate Bond 811-02383
High Yield 811-9160
63
<PAGE>
The Registrant's Advisor Class Prospectus is
<PAGE>
incorporated herein by reference to Part A of the Amendment to
the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with
the Commission on February 28, 1997.
<PAGE>
[LOGO] THE ALLIANCE PORTFOLIOS:
Alliance Short-Term
U.S. Government Fund
___________________________________________________________
c/o Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 1520, Secaucus, New Jersey 07096-1520
Toll Free (800) 221-5672
For Literature Toll Free (800)-227-4618
___________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
November 1, 1999
___________________________________________________________
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus and
should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus dated
November 1, 1999, as revised from time to time, that offers Class
A, Class B and Class C shares and, if the Fund begins to offer
Advisor Class shares, the Prospectus that offers Advisor Class
shares of the Fund (the "Advisor Class Prospectus" and, together
with any Prospectus that offers the Class A, Class B and Class C
shares, the "Prospectus"). The Fund currently does not offer
Advisor Class shares. Copies of the Fund's Prospectus may be
obtained by contacting Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the
address or the "For Literature" telephone number shown above.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES OF THE FUND
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
EXPENSES OF THE FUND
PURCHASE OF SHARES
REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE OF SHARES
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
NET ASSET VALUE
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
GENERAL INFORMATION
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
APPENDIX A: DESCRIPTION OF CORPORATE BOND RATINGS A-1
APPENDIX B: CERTAIN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS B-1
_____________________
(R): This registered service mark used under license from the
owner, Alliance Capital Management L.P.
<PAGE>
___________________________________________________________
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS
___________________________________________________________
The Alliance Portfolios (the "Trust") is a diversified,
open-end investment company. The following investment policies
and restrictions supplement and should be read in conjunction
with the information set forth in the Prospectus of the Alliance
Short-Term U.S. Government Fund (the "Fund"), a series of
Trust.
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE FUND
General. The Fund's investments may include all types of
U.S. Government securities, including those backed by the full
faith and credit of the U.S. Government, those supported by the
right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury and those
backed only by the credit of the issuing agency itself. U.S.
Government securities include, without limitation, the
following:
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.
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.
U.S. Treasury Bonds - Direct obligations of the U.S.
Treasury are issued in maturities of 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.
"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 Farmers' Home Administration or guaranteed
by the Veterans Administration. The Government National Mortgage
Association ("GNMA") guarantees the timely payment of the
principal and interest. The GNMA guarantee is backed by the full
faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
"Fannie Maes" - The Federal National Mortgage
Association ("FNMA"), a government-sponsored corporation, owned
entirely by private stockholders that purchases residential
mortgages from a list of approved seller/servicers. Pass-
2
<PAGE>
through securities issued by FNMA are guaranteed as to timely
payment of principal and interest by FNMA but are not backed by
the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
"Freddie Macs" - The Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation ("FHLMC"), a corporate instrumentality of the U.S.
Government, issues participation certificates ("PCs") which
represent 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.
Governmental Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
("CMOs") - Governmental CMOs 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. The issuer's obligation to make interest and
principal payments is secured by the underlying portfolio of
mortgages or mortgage-backed securities. CMOs are issued with a
number of classes or series which have different maturities and
which may represent interests in some or all of the interest or
principal on the underlying collateral or a combination thereof.
CMOs of different classes are generally retired in sequence as
the underlying mortgage loans in the mortgage pool are repaid.
The Fund may also invest in privately-issued CMOs only if they
are collateralized by mortgage-backed securities issued by GNMA,
FHLMC or FNMA. CMOs issued by entities other than U.S.
Government agencies or instrumentalities are not considered U.S.
Government securities for purposes of the investment policies of
the Fund even though the CMOs may be collateralized by U.S.
Government securities.
In a common structure, payments of principal, including
any principal prepayments, on the underlying mortgages are
applied to the classes of the series of a CMO in the order of
their respective stated maturities or final distribution dates,
so that no payment of principal will be made on any class of a
CMO until all other classes having an earlier stated maturity or
final distribution date have been paid in full. One or more
tranches of a CMO may have coupon rates that reset periodically,
or "float," at a specified increment over an index such as London
Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"). Floating-rate CMOs may be
backed by fixed or adjustable rate mortgages. To date, fixed-
rate mortgages have been more commonly utilized for this purpose.
Floating-rate CMOs are typically issued with lifetime caps on the
coupon rate thereon. These caps, similar to the caps on
adjustable-rate mortgages described below, represent a ceiling
beyond which the coupon rate on a floating-rate CMO may not be
increased regardless of increases in the interest rate index to
which the floating-rate CMO is tied. The collateral securing the
3
<PAGE>
CMOs may consist of a pool of mortgages, but may also consist of
mortgage-backed bonds or pass-through securities.
Ginnie Maes, Fannie Maes, Freddie Macs and CMOs are
mortgage-backed securities. Interest and principal payments
(including prepayments) on the mortgages underlying mortgage-
backed securities are passed through to the holders of the
mortgage-backed security. Prepayments occur when the mortgagor
on an individual mortgage prepays the remaining principal before
the mortgage's scheduled maturity date. As a result of the pass-
through of prepayments of principal on the underlying securities,
mortgage-backed securities are often subject to more rapid
prepayment of principal than their stated maturity would
indicate. Because the prepayment characteristics of the
underlying mortgages vary, it is not possible to predict
accurately the realized yield or average life of a particular
issue of pass-through certificates. During periods of declining
interest rates, such prepayments can be expected to accelerate
and the Fund would be required to reinvest the proceeds at the
lower interest rates then available. Conversely, during periods
of rising interest rates, a reduction in prepayments may increase
the effective maturities of the securities, subjecting them to a
greater risk of decline in market value in response to rising
interest rates. In addition, prepayments of mortgages which
underlie securities purchased at a premium could result in
capital losses. As a result of these principal payment features,
mortgage-backed securities are generally more volatile
investments than other U.S. Government Securities. Such
securities, except GNMA certificates, normally provide for
periodic payments of interest in fixed amount with principal
payments at maturity or specified call dates.
The Fund 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. The Fund may also invest in certificates
representing rights to receive payments of the interest only or
principal only of mortgage-backed U.S. Government Securities
("IO/PO Strips"). These securities tend to be more volatile than
other types of U.S. Government Securities. IO Strips involve the
additional risk of loss of the entire remaining value of the
investment if the underlying mortgages are prepaid. See
"Stripped Mortgage-Related Securities" below. Although these
stripped securities are purchased and sold by institutional
investors through several investment banking firms acting as
brokers or dealers, these securities were only recently
developed. As a result, established trading markets have not yet
developed and, accordingly, these securities may be illiquid.
4
<PAGE>
Guarantees of the Fund's securities by the U.S.
Government or its agencies or instrumentalities guarantee only
the payment of principal and interest on the guaranteed
securities, and do not guarantee the securities' yield or value
or the yield or value of the Fund's shares.
The yields of U.S. Government Securities are generally
lower than the yields available from corporate debt
securities.
Because U.S. Government Securities with shorter
maturities generally have a lower yield to maturity, the Fund's
current return and net asset value will generally be lower than
it would have been had such action not been taken. Alliance
Capital Management L.P. (the "Adviser") may shorten the average
maturity of the U.S. Government Securities in the Fund's
portfolio in anticipation of rising interest rates.
In addition to investing in U.S. Government securities,
the Fund may invest in bank certificates of deposit, corporate
debt obligations, high quality money market instruments and CMOs,
IO/PO Strips and asset-backed securities of non-governmental
issuers. The Fund's investments in fixed-income securities will
be of high quality, i.e., rated at the time of purchase at least
AA by Standard & Poor's ("S&P") or Aa by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. ("Moodys"), or if unrated will be of comparable
quality as determined by the Adviser.
Stripped Mortgage-Related Securities. The Fund may
invest in stripped mortgage-related securities ("SMRS"). SMRS
are derivative multi-class mortgage-related securities. SMRS may
be issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities, or by private originators of, or investors in,
mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage
banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose
subsidiaries of the foregoing.
SMRS are usually structured with two classes that
receive different proportions of the interest and principal
distributions on a pool of GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC certificates,
whole loans or private pass-through mortgage-related securities
("Mortgage Assets"). The yield to maturity on an interest-only
or "IO" class is extremely sensitive to the rate of principal
payments (including prepayments) on the related underlying
Mortgage Assets, and a rapid rate of principal prepayments may
have a material adverse effect on the yield to maturity of the IO
class. The rate of principal prepayment will change as the
general level of interest rates fluctuates. If the underlying
Mortgage Assets experience greater than anticipated principal
prepayments, the Fund may fail to fully recoup its initial
5
<PAGE>
investment in these securities.
Although SMRS are purchased and sold by institutional
investors through several investment banking firms acting as
brokers or dealers, these securities were only recently
developed. As a result, established trading markets have not yet
developed and, accordingly, these securities may be illiquid.
Short Sales Against-the-Box. The Fund may make certain
short sales against-the-box for the purpose of deferring
realization of gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes. A
short sale "against-the-box" is a short sale in which the Fund
owns an equal amount of the securities sold short or securities
convertible into or exchangeable, without payment of any further
consideration, for securities of the same issue as, and equal in
amount to, the securities sold short. The Fund may engage in
such short sales only to the extent that not more than 10% of the
Fund's total assets (determined at the time of the short sale) is
held as collateral for such sales. Some short sales may cause the
Fund to recognize gain under tax rules pertaining to constructive
sales.
Adjustable Rate Securities. The Fund may invest in
adjustable rate securities, which may be U.S. Government
Securities or securities of other issuers. Adjustable rate
securities are securities that have interest rates that are reset
at periodic intervals, usually by reference to some interest rate
index or market interest rate. Some adjustable rate securities
are backed by pools of mortgage loans. Although the rate
adjustment feature may act as a buffer to reduce sharp changes in
the value of adjustable rate securities, these securities are
still subject to changes in value based on changes in market
interest rates or changes in the relevant issuer's
creditworthiness. Because the interest rate is reset only
periodically, changes in the interest rate on adjustable rate
securities may lag behind changes in prevailing market interest
rates. Also, some adjustable rate securities (or the underlying
mortgages) are subject to caps or floors that limit the maximum
change in interest rate during a specified period or over the
life of the security.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements. In order to increase
income, the Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements
with commercial banks and registered broker-dealers in an amount
up to 33-1/3% of the Fund's total assets. During the reverse
repurchase agreement period, the Fund continues to receive
principal and interest payments on these securities. Reverse
repurchase agreements are considered borrowings by the Fund and
require the segregation of liquid assets with the Fund's
6
<PAGE>
custodian in amount equal to the Fund's obligation pending
completion of such transactions.
Options on certain U.S. Government securities are traded
in significant volume on securities exchanges. However, other
options which the Fund may purchase or sell are traded in the
"over-the-counter" market rather than on an exchange. This means
that the Fund will enter into such option contracts with
particular securities dealers who make markets in these options.
The Fund's ability to terminate option positions in the over-the-
counter market may be more limited than for exchange-traded
options and may also involve the risk that securities dealers
participating in such transactions might fail to meet their
obligations to the Fund.
Borrowing. The Fund may borrow for temporary purposes
(including the purposes mentioned in the preceding sentence) in
an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of the assets of the
Fund. Borrowings for temporary purposes are not subject to the
300% asset average limit described above.
Securities Ratings. The ratings of fixed-income
securities by S&P, Moody's, Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co.
("Duff & Phelps") and Fitch IBCA, Inc. ("Fitch") are a generally
accepted barometer of credit risk. They are, however, subject to
certain limitations from an investor's standpoint. The rating of
an issuer is heavily weighted by past developments and does not
necessarily reflect probable future conditions. There is
frequently a lag between the time a rating is assigned and the
time it is updated. In addition, there may be varying degrees of
difference in credit risk of securities within each rating
category.
1940 ACT RESTRICTIONS
Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to borrow
unless immediately after such borrowing there is "asset
coverage," as that term is defined and used in the 1940 Act, of
at least 300% for all borrowings of the Fund. In addition, under
the 1940 Act, in the event asset coverage falls below 300%, the
Fund must within three days reduce the amount of its borrowing to
such an extent that the asset coverage of its borrowings is at
least 300%. Assuming, for example, outstanding borrowings
representing not more than one-third of the Fund's total assets
less liabilities (other than such borrowings), the asset coverage
of the Fund's portfolio would be 300%; while outstanding
borrowings representing 25% of the total assets less liabilities
(other than such borrowings), the asset coverage of the Fund's
portfolio would be 400%. The Fund will maintain asset coverage
of outstanding borrowings of at least 300% and if necessary will,
to the extent possible, reduce the amounts borrowed by making
7
<PAGE>
repayments from time to time in order to do so.
Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest not more than
10% of its total assets in securities of other investment
companies. In addition, under the 1940 Act the Fund may not own
more than 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of any
investment company and not more than 5% of the value of the
Fund's total assets may be invested in the securities of any
investment company.
___________________________________________________________
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES OF THE FUND
___________________________________________________________
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The repurchase agreements referred to in the Fund's
Prospectus are agreements by which the Fund purchases a security
and obtains a simultaneous commitment from the seller to
repurchase the security at an agreed upon price and date. The
resale price is in excess of the purchase price and reflects an
agreed upon market rate unrelated to the coupon rate on the
purchased security. The purchased security serves as collateral
for the obligation of the seller to repurchase the security. The
value of the purchased security is initially greater than or
equal to the amount of the repurchase obligation and the seller
is required to furnish additional collateral on a daily basis in
order to maintain with the purchaser securities with a value
greater than or equal to the amount of the repurchase obligation.
Such transactions afford the Fund the opportunity to earn a
return on temporarily available cash. While at times the
underlying security may be a bill, certificate of indebtedness,
note, or bond issued by an agency, authority or instrumentality
of the U.S. Government, the obligation of the seller is not
guaranteed by the U.S. Government and there is a risk that the
seller may fail to repurchase the underlying security, whether
because of the seller's bankruptcy or otherwise. In such event,
the Fund would attempt to exercise its rights with respect to the
underlying security, including possible disposition in the
market. However, the Fund may be subject to various delays and
risks of loss, including (a) possible declines in the value of
the underlying security during the period while the Fund seeks to
enforce its rights thereto, (b) possible reduced levels of income
and lack of access to income during this period and (c) inability
to enforce rights and the expenses involved in the attempted
enforcement. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with
member banks of the Federal Reserve System or "primary dealers"
(as designated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York).
8
<PAGE>
NON-PUBLICLY TRADED SECURITIES
The Fund may invest in securities that are not publicly
traded, including securities sold pursuant to Rule 144A under the
Securities Act of 1933 ("Rule 144A Securities"). The sale of
these securities is usually restricted under Federal securities
laws, and market quotations may not be readily available. As a
result, the Fund may not be able to sell these securities (other
than Rule 144A Securities) unless they are registered under
applicable Federal and state securities laws, or may have to sell
such securities at less than fair market value. Investment in
these securities is restricted to 5% of the Fund's total assets
(excluding, to the extent permitted by applicable law, Rule 144A
Securities) and is also subject to the restriction against
investing more than 15% of total assets in "illiquid" securities.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, Rule 144A Securities
will not be treated as "illiquid" for purposes of the foregoing
restriction so long as such securities meet the liquidity
guidelines established by the Trust's Board of Trustees.
Pursuant to these guidelines, the Adviser will monitor the
liquidity of the Fund's investment in Rule 144A Securities.
DESCRIPTIONS OF CERTAIN MONEY MARKET SECURITIES IN WHICH THE FUND
MAY INVEST
Certificates of Deposit, Bankers' Acceptances and Bank
Time Deposits. Certificates of deposit are receipts issued by a
bank in exchange for the deposit of funds. The issuer agrees to
pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the
receipt on the date specified on the certificate. The
certificate usually can be traded in the secondary market prior
to maturity.
Bankers' acceptances typically arise from short-term
credit arrangements designed to enable businesses to obtain funds
to finance commercial transactions. Generally, an acceptance is
a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter or an importer to
obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific merchandise.
The draft is then "accepted" by another bank that, in effect,
unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the
instrument on its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held
by the accepting bank as an earning asset or it may be sold in
the secondary market at the going rate of discount for a specific
maturity. Although maturities for acceptances can be as long as
270 days, most maturities are six months or less.
Bank time deposits are funds kept on deposit with a bank
for a stated period of time in an interest bearing account. At
present, bank time deposits maturing in more than seven days are
not considered by the Adviser to be readily marketable.
9
<PAGE>
Commercial Paper. Commercial paper consists of short
term (usually from 1 to 270 days) unsecured promissory notes
issued in order to finance their current operations.
Variable Notes. Variable amount master demand notes and
variable amount floating rate notes are obligations that permit
the investment of fluctuating amounts by the Fund at varying
rates of interest pursuant to direct arrangements between the
Fund, as lender, and the borrower. Master demand notes permit
daily fluctuations in the interest rate while the interest rate
under variable amount floating rate notes fluctuates on a weekly
basis. These notes permit daily changes in the amounts borrowed.
The Fund has the right to increase the amount under these notes
at any time up to the full amount provided by the note agreement,
or to decrease the amount, and the borrower may repay up to the
full amount of the note without penalty. Because these types of
notes are direct lending arrangements between the lender and the
borrower, it is not generally contemplated that such instruments
will be traded and there is no secondary market for these notes.
Master demand notes are redeemable (and, thus, immediately
repayable by the borrower) at face value, plus accrued interest,
at any time. Variable amount floating rate notes are subject to
next day redemption 14 days after the initial investment therein.
With both types of notes, therefore, the Fund's right to redeem
depends on the ability of the borrower to pay principal and
interest on demand. In connection with both types of note
arrangements, the Fund considers earning power, cash flow and
other liquidity ratios of the issuer. These notes, as such, are
not typically rated by credit rating agencies. Unless they are
so rated, the Fund may invest in these notes only if at the time
of an investment the issuer has an outstanding issue of unsecured
debt rated Aa or better by Moody's or AA or better by S&P.
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
The Fund may invest in asset-backed securities
(unrelated to first mortgage loans) which represent fractional
interests in pools of retail installment loans, leases or
revolving credit receivables, both secured (such as certificates
for automobile receivables or "CARS") and unsecured (such as
credit card receivable securities or "CARDS"). These assets are
generally held by a trust and payments of principal and interest
or interest only are passed through monthly or quarterly to
certificate holders and may be guaranteed up to certain amounts
by letters of credit issued by a financial institution affiliated
or unaffiliated with the trustee or originator of the trust.
Like mortgages underlying mortgage-backed securities,
underlying automobile sales contracts or credit card receivables
are subject to prepayment, which may reduce the overall return to
certificate holders. Certificate holders may also experience
10
<PAGE>
delays in payment if the full amounts due on underlying sales
contracts or receivables are not realized by the trust holding
the obligations because of unanticipated legal or administrative
costs of enforcing the contracts or because of depreciation or
damage to the collateral (usually automobiles) securing certain
contracts, or other factors. If consistent with its investment
objectives and policies, the Fund may invest in other types of
asset-backed securities that may be developed in the future.
The staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") is of the view that certain asset backed securities may
constitute investment companies under the Investment Company Act
of 1940 (the "1940 Act"). The Fund intends to conduct its
operations in a manner consistent with this view; therefore, the
Fund generally may not invest more than 10% of its total assets
in such securities without obtaining appropriate regulatory
relief.
LENDING OF SECURITIES
The Fund may seek to increase its income by lending
portfolio securities. Under present regulatory policies,
including those of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System and the SEC, such loans may be made only to member firms
of the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange") and would be
required to be secured continuously by collateral in cash, cash
equivalents, or U.S. Treasury Bills maintained on a current basis
at an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities
loaned. The Fund would have the right to call a loan and obtain
the securities loaned at any time on five days' notice. During
the existence of a loan, the Fund would continue to receive the
equivalent of the interest or dividends paid by the issuer on the
securities loaned and would also receive compensation based on
investment of the collateral. The Fund would not, however, have
the right to vote any securities having voting rights during the
existence of the loan, but would call the loan in anticipation of
an important vote to be taken among holders of the securities or
of the giving or withholding of their consent on a material
matter affecting the investment. The Fund will have the right to
regain record ownership of loaned securities or equivalent
securities in order to execute ownership rights such as voting
rights, subscription rights and rights to dividends, interest or
distributions. The Fund may pay reasonable finders',
administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan.
As with other extensions of credit, there are risks of
delay in recovery or even loss of rights in the collateral should
the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, the
loans would be made only to firms deemed by the Adviser to be of
good standing, and when, in the judgment of the Adviser, the
consideration that can be earned currently from securities loans
11
<PAGE>
of this type justifies the attendant risk. The value of the
securities loaned will not exceed 25% of the value of the Fund's
total assets at the time any such loan is made.
FORWARD COMMITMENTS AND WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY
SECURITIES
The Fund may enter into forward commitments for the
purchase of securities and may purchase securities on a "when
issued" or "delayed delivery" basis. Agreements for such
purchases might be entered into when, for example, the Fund
anticipates a decline in interest rates and is able to obtain a
more advantageous yield by committing currently to purchase
securities to be issued later. When the Fund purchases
securities on a forward commitment, "when issued" or "delayed
delivery" basis, it does not pay for the securities until they
are received, and the Fund is required to create a segregated
account with the Trust's custodian and to maintain in that
account liquid assets in an amount equal to or greater than, on a
daily basis, the amount of the Fund's forward commitments and
"when issued" or "delayed delivery" commitments.
The Fund will enter into forward commitments and make
commitments to purchase securities on a "when issued" or "delayed
delivery" basis only with the intention of actually acquiring the
securities. However, the Fund may sell these securities before
the settlement date if, in the opinion of the Adviser it is
deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy.
At the time the Fund enters into a forward commitment,
it records the transaction and thereafter reflects the value of
the security purchased or, if a sale, the proceeds to be
received, in determining its net asset value. Any unrealized
appreciation or depreciation reflected in such valuation would be
canceled if the required conditions did not occur and the trade
were canceled.
Although the Fund does not intend to make such purchases
for speculative purposes and does intend to adhere to the
provisions of SEC policies, purchases of securities on such bases
may involve more risk than other types of purchases. For
example, by committing to purchase securities in the future, the
Fund subjects itself to a risk of loss on such commitments as
well as on its portfolio securities. Also, the Fund may have to
sell assets which have been set aside in order to meet
redemptions. In addition, if the Fund determines it is advisable
as a matter of investment strategy to sell the forward commitment
or "when issued" or "delayed delivery" securities before
delivery, the Fund may incur a gain or loss because of market
fluctuations since the time the commitment to purchase such
securities was made. Any such gain or loss would be treated as a
12
<PAGE>
capital gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes. When the
time comes to pay for the securities to be purchased under a
forward commitment or on a "when issued" or "delayed delivery"
basis, the Fund will meet its obligations from the then available
cash flow or the sale of securities, or, although it would not
normally expect to do so, from the sale of the forward commitment
or "when issued" or "delayed delivery" securities themselves
(which may have a value greater or less than the Fund's payment
obligation).
OPTIONS
Options on Securities. In addition to the methods of
"cover" described in the Prospectus, the Fund may write call and
put options and may purchase call and put options on securities.
The Fund intends to write only covered options. This means that
so long as the Fund is obligated as the writer of a call option,
it will own the underlying securities subject to the option or
securities convertible into such securities without additional
consideration (or for additional cash consideration held in a
segregated account by the custodian). In the case of call
options on U.S. Treasury Bills, the Fund might own U.S. Treasury
Bills of a different series from those underlying the call
option, but with a principal amount and value corresponding to
the option contract amount and a maturity date no later than that
of the securities deliverable under the call option. The Fund
will be considered "covered" with respect to a put option it
writes if, so long as it is obligated as the writer of a put
option, it deposits and maintains with its custodian in a
segregated account liquid assets having a value equal to or
greater than the exercise price of the option.
Effecting a closing transaction in the case of a written
call option will permit the Fund to write another call option on
the underlying security with either a different exercise price or
expiration date or both, or in the case of a written put option
will permit the Fund to write another put option to the extent
that the exercise price thereof is secured by deposited liquid
assets. Such transactions permit the Fund to generate additional
premium income, which will partially offset declines in the value
of portfolio securities or increases in the cost of securities to
be acquired. Also, effecting a closing transaction will permit
the cash or proceeds from the concurrent sale of any securities
subject to the option to be used for other investments by the
Fund, provided that another option on such security is not
written. If the Fund desires to sell a particular security from
its portfolio on which it has written a call option, it will
effect a closing transaction in connection with the option prior
to or concurrent with the sale of the security.
13
<PAGE>
The Fund will realize a profit from a closing
transaction if the premium paid in connection with the closing of
an option written by the Fund is less than the premium received
from writing the option, or if the premium received in connection
with the closing of an option purchased by the Fund is more than
the premium paid for the original purchase. Conversely, the Fund
will suffer a loss if the premium paid or received in connection
with a closing transaction is more or less, respectively, than
the premium received or paid in establishing the option
position.
The Fund may purchase a security and then write a call
option against that security or may purchase a security and
concurrently write an option on it. The exercise price of the
call option the Fund determines to write will depend upon the
expected price movement of the underlying security. The exercise
price of a call option may be below ("in-the-money"), equal to
("at-the-money") or above ("out-of-the-money") the current value
of the underlying security at the time the option is written.
In-the-money call options may be used when it is expected that
the price of the underlying security will decline moderately
during the option period. Out-of-the-money call options may be
written when it is expected that the premiums received from
writing the call option plus the appreciation in the market price
of the underlying security up to the exercise price will be
greater than the appreciation in the price of the underlying
security alone. If the call options are exercised in such
transactions, the Fund's maximum gain will be the premium
received by it for writing the option, adjusted by the difference
between the Fund's purchase price of the security and the
exercise price. If the options are not exercised and the price
of the underlying security declines, the amount of such decline
will be offset in part, or entirely, by the premium received.
The writing of covered put options is similar in terms
of risk/return characteristics to buy-and-write transactions. If
the market price of the underlying security rises or is otherwise
is above the exercise price, the put option will expire worthless
and the Fund's gain will be limited to the premium received. If
the market price of the underlying security declines or is
otherwise is below the exercise price, the Fund may elect to
close the position or retain the option until it is exercised, at
which time the Fund will be required to take delivery of the
security at the exercise price; the Fund's return will be the
premium received from the put option minus the amount by which
the market price of the security is below the exercise price,
which could result in a loss. Out-of-the money put options may
be written when it is expected that the price of the underlying
security will decline moderately during the option period. In-
the-money put options may be used when it is expected that the
premiums received from writing the put option plus the
14
<PAGE>
appreciation in the market price of the underlying security up to
the exercise price will be greater than the appreciation in the
price of the underlying security alone.
The Fund may also write combinations of put and call
options on the same security, known as "straddles," with the same
exercise and expiration date. By writing a straddle, the Fund
undertakes a simultaneous obligation to sell and purchase the
same security in the event that one of the options is exercised.
If the price of the security subsequently rises above the
exercise price, the call will likely be exercised and the Fund
will be required to sell the underlying security at a below
market price. This loss may be offset, however, in whole or
part, by the premiums received on the writing of the two options.
Conversely, if the price of the security declines by a sufficient
amount, the put will likely be exercised. The writing of
straddles will likely be effective, therefore, only where the
price of the security remains stable and neither the call nor the
put is exercised. In those instances where one of the options is
exercised, the loss on the purchase or sale of the underlying
security may exceed the amount of the premiums received.
By writing a call option, the Fund limits its
opportunity to profit from any increase in the market value of
the underlying security above the exercise price of the option.
By writing a put option, the Fund assumes the risk that it may be
required to purchase the underlying security for an exercise
price above its then current market value, resulting in a capital
loss unless the security subsequently appreciates in value.
Where options are written for hedging purposes, such transactions
constitute only a partial hedge against declines in the value of
portfolio securities or against increases in the value of
securities to be acquired, up to the amount of the premium.
The Fund may purchase put options to hedge against a
decline in the value of portfolio securities. If such decline
occurs, the put options will permit the Fund to sell the
securities at the exercise price or to close out the options at a
profit. By using put options in this way, the Fund will reduce
any profit it might otherwise have realized on the underlying
security by the amount of the premium paid for the put option and
by transaction costs.
The Fund may purchase call options to hedge against an
increase in the price of securities that the Fund anticipates
purchasing in the future. If such increase occurs, the call
option will permit the Fund to purchase the securities at the
exercise price, or to close out the options at a profit. The
premium paid for the call option plus any transaction costs will
reduce the benefit, if any, realized by a Fund upon exercise of
the option, and, unless the price of the underlying security
15
<PAGE>
rises sufficiently, the option may expire worthless to the Fund
and the Fund will suffer a loss on the transaction to the extent
of the premium paid.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS
Futures Contracts. The Fund may enter into interest
rate futures contracts ("Futures Contracts"). Such investment
strategies will be used as a hedge and not for speculation.
Interest rate futures contracts are purchased or sold
for hedging purposes to attempt to protect against the effects of
interest rate changes on the Fund's current or intended
investments in fixed income securities. For example, if the Fund
owned long-term bonds and interest rates were expected to
increase, the Fund might sell interest rate futures contracts.
Such a sale would have much the same effect as selling some of
the long-term bonds in the Fund's portfolio. However, since the
futures market is more liquid than the cash market, the use of
interest rate futures contracts as a hedging technique allows the
Fund to hedge its interest rate risk without having to sell its
portfolio securities. If interest rates did increase, the value
of the debt securities in the Fund's portfolio would decline, but
the value of the Fund's interest rate futures contracts would be
expected to increase at approximately the same rate, thereby
keeping the net asset value of the Fund from declining as much as
it otherwise would have. On the other hand, if interest rates
were expected to decline, interest rate futures contracts could
be purchased to hedge in anticipation of subsequent purchases of
long-term bonds at higher prices. Because the fluctuations in
the value of the interest rate futures contracts should be
similar to those of long-term bonds, the Fund could protect
itself against the effects of the anticipated rise in the value
of long-term bonds without actually buying them until the
necessary cash became available or the market had stabilized. At
that time, the interest rate futures contracts could be
liquidated and the Fund's cash reserves could then be used to buy
long-term bonds on the cash market.
Options on Futures Contracts. The Fund may purchase and
write options on Futures Contracts. The writing of a call option
on a Futures Contract constitutes a partial hedge against
declining prices of the securities in the Fund's portfolio. If
the futures price at expiration of the option is below the
exercise price, the Fund will retain the full amount of the
option premium, which provides a partial hedge against any
decline that may have occurred in the Fund's portfolio holdings.
The writing of a put option on a Futures Contract constitutes a
partial hedge against increasing prices of the securities or
other instruments required to be delivered under the terms of the
Futures Contract. If the futures price at expiration of the put
16
<PAGE>
option is higher than the exercise price, the Fund will retain
the full amount of the option premium, which provides a partial
hedge against any increase in the price of securities which the
Fund intends to purchase. If a put or call option the Fund has
written is exercised, the Fund will incur a loss which will be
reduced by the amount of the premium it receives. Depending on
the degree of correlation between changes in the value of its
portfolio securities and changes in the value of its options on
futures positions, the Fund's losses from exercised options on
futures may to some extent be reduced or increased by changes in
the value of portfolio securities.
The Fund may purchase options on Futures Contracts for
hedging purposes instead of purchasing or selling the underlying
Futures Contracts. For example, where a decrease in the value of
portfolio securities is anticipated as a result of a projected
market-wide decline or changes in interest or exchange rates, a
Fund could, in lieu of selling Futures Contracts, purchase put
options thereon. In the event that such decrease occurs, it may
be offset, in whole or part, by a profit on the option. If the
market decline does not occur, the Fund will suffer a loss equal
to the price of the put. Where it is projected that the value of
securities to be acquired by the Fund will increase prior to
acquisition, due to a market advance or changes in interest or
exchange rates, the Fund could purchase call options on Futures
Contracts, rather than purchasing the underlying Futures
Contracts. If the market advances, the increased cost of
securities to be purchased may be offset by a profit on the call.
However, if the market declines, the Fund will suffer a loss
equal to the price of the call, although the securities which the
Fund intends to purchase may be less expensive.
RISK FACTORS IN OPTIONS AND FUTURES
Risk of Imperfect Correlation of Hedging Instruments
With a Fund's Portfolio. The Fund's ability effectively to hedge
all or a portion of its portfolio through transactions in
options, Futures Contracts and options on Futures Contracts,
depends on the degree to which price movements in the underlying
instrument correlate with price movements in the relevant portion
of the Fund's portfolio or securities the Fund intends to
purchase. In the case of futures and options on fixed-income
securities, the portfolio securities which are being hedged may
not be the same type of obligation underlying such contract. As
a result, the correlation, to the extent it exists, probably will
not be exact. Consequently, the Fund bears the risk that the
price of the portfolio securities being hedged will not move by
the same amount or in the same direction as the underlying
obligation.
17
<PAGE>
The trading of futures and options entails the
additional risk of imperfect correlation between movements in the
futures or option price and the price of the underlying
obligation. The anticipated spread between the prices may be
distorted due to the differences in the nature of the markets,
such as differences in margin requirements, the liquidity of such
markets and the participation of speculators in the futures
market. In this regard, trading by speculators in futures and
options has in the past occasionally resulted in market
distortions, which may be difficult or impossible to predict,
particularly near the expiration of such contracts.
The trading of options on Futures Contracts also entails
the risk that changes in the value of the underlying Futures
Contract will not be fully reflected in the value of the option.
Further, with respect to options on securities and
options on Futures Contracts, the Fund is subject to the risk of
market movements between the time that the option is exercised
and the time of performance thereunder. This could increase the
extent of any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with such
transactions.
If the Fund purchases futures or options in order to
hedge against a possible increase in the price of securities the
Fund intends to purchase before the Fund is able to invest its
cash in such securities, the Fund faces the risk that the prices
of such securities may instead decline. If the Fund does not
then invest in such securities because of concern as to possible
further market declines or for other reasons, the Fund may
realize a loss on the futures or option contract that is not
offset by a reduction in the price of securities purchased.
In writing a call option on a security or Futures
Contract, the Fund also incurs the risk that changes in the value
of the assets used to cover the position will not correlate
closely with changes in the value of the option or underlying
instrument. As a result, the Fund could suffer a loss on the
call which is not entirely offset or offset at all by an increase
in the value of the Fund's portfolio securities.
The writing of options on securities or options on
Futures Contracts constitutes only a partial hedge against
fluctuations in the value of the Fund's portfolio. When the Fund
writes an option, it will receive premium income in return for
the holder's purchase of the right to acquire or dispose of the
underlying security or future. In the event that the price of
such obligation does not rise sufficiently above the exercise
price of the option, in the case of a call, or fall below the
exercise price, in the case of a put, the option will not be
exercised and the Fund will retain the amount of the premium,
18
<PAGE>
which will constitute a partial hedge against any decline that
may have occurred in the Fund's portfolio holdings, or against
the increase in the cost of the instruments to be acquired.
When the price of the underlying obligation moves
sufficiently in favor of the holder to warrant exercise of the
option, however, and the option is exercised, the Fund will incur
a loss which may only be partially offset by the amount of the
premium the Fund received. Moreover, by writing an option, the
Fund may be required to forgo the benefits which might otherwise
have been obtained from an increase in the value of portfolio
securities or a decline in the value of securities to be
acquired.
With respect to the writing of straddles on securities,
the Fund incurs the risk that the price of the underlying
security will not remain stable, that one of the options written
will be exercised and that the resulting loss will not be offset
by the amount of the premiums received. Such transactions,
therefore, while creating an opportunity for increased return by
providing the Fund with two simultaneous premiums on the same
security, nonetheless involve additional risk, because the Fund
may have an option exercised against it regardless of whether the
price of the security increases or decreases.
In the event of the occurrence of any of the foregoing
adverse market events, the Fund's overall return may be lower
than if it had not engaged in the transactions described above.
Potential Lack of a Liquid Secondary Market. Prior to
exercise or expiration, a futures or option position can be
terminated only by entering into a closing purchase or sale
transaction. This requires a secondary market for such
instruments on the exchange, if any, on which the initial
transaction was entered into. There can be no assurance that a
liquid secondary market will exist for any particular contracts
at any specific time. In that event, it may not be possible to
close out a position held by the Fund, and the Fund could be
required to purchase or sell the instrument underlying an option,
make or receive a cash settlement or meet ongoing variation
margin requirements. Under such circumstances, if the Fund has
insufficient cash available to meet margin requirements, it may
be necessary to liquidate portfolio securities at a time when it
is disadvantageous to do so. The inability to close out options
and futures positions, therefore, could have an adverse impact on
the Fund's ability to effectively hedge its portfolio, and could
result in trading losses.
The liquidity of a secondary market in a Futures
Contract or option thereon may be adversely affected by "daily
price fluctuation limits," established by exchanges, which limit
19
<PAGE>
the amount of fluctuation in the price of a contract during a
single trading day. Once the daily limit has been reached in the
contract, no trades may be entered into at a price beyond the
limit, thus preventing the liquidation of open futures or option
positions and requiring traders to make additional margin
deposits. Prices have in the past moved to the daily limit on a
number of consecutive trading days.
The trading of Futures Contracts and options (including
options on Futures Contracts) is also subject to the risk of
trading halts, suspensions, exchange or clearing house equipment
failures, government intervention, insolvency of a brokerage firm
or clearing house or other disruptions of normal trading
activity, which could at times make it difficult or impossible to
liquidate existing positions or to recover excess variation
margin payments.
The staff of the SEC has taken the position that over-
the-counter options and the assets used as cover for over-the-
counter options are illiquid securities, unless certain
arrangements are made with the other party to the option
contract, permitting the prompt liquidation of the option
position. The Fund will enter into those special arrangements
only with primary U.S. Government securities dealers recognized
by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York ("primary dealers").
Under these special arrangements, the Trust will enter into
contracts with primary dealers which provide that the Fund has
the absolute right to repurchase an option it writes at any time
at a repurchase price which represents fair market value, as
determined in good faith through negotiation between the parties,
but which in no event will exceed a price determined pursuant to
a formula contained in the contract. Although the specific
details of the formula may vary between contracts with different
primary dealers, the formula will generally be based on a
multiple of the premium received by the Fund for writing the
option, plus the amount, if any, by which the option is "in-the-
money." The formula will also include a factor to account for
the difference between the price of the security and the strike
price of the option if the option is written out-of-the-money.
Under such circumstances the Fund only needs to treat as illiquid
that amount of the "cover" assets equal to the amount by which
(i) the formula price exceeds (ii) any amount by which the market
value of the security subject to the option exceeds the exercise
price of the option (the amount by which the option is "in-the-
money"). Although each agreement will provide that the Fund's
repurchase price shall be determined in good faith (and that it
shall not exceed the maximum determined pursuant to the formula),
the formula price will not necessarily reflect the market value
of the option written; therefore, the Fund might pay more to
repurchase the option contract than the Fund would pay to close
out a similar exchange-traded option.
20
<PAGE>
Margin. Because of low initial margin deposits made
upon the opening of a futures position and the writing of an
option, such transactions involve substantial leverage. As a
result, relatively small movements in the price of the contract
can result in substantial unrealized gains or losses. However,
to the extent the Fund purchases or sells Futures Contracts and
options on Futures Contracts and purchases or writes options on
securities for hedging purposes, any losses incurred in
connection therewith should, if the hedging strategy is
successful, be offset, in whole or in part, by increases in the
value of securities held by the Fund or decreases in the prices
of securities the Fund intends to acquire. When the Fund writes
options on securities for other than hedging purposes, the
limited margin requirements associated with such transactions
could expose the Fund to greater risk.
Trading and Position Limits. The exchanges on which
futures and options are traded may impose limitations governing
the maximum number of positions on the same side of the market
and involving the same underlying instrument which may be held by
a single investor, whether acting alone or in concert with others
(regardless of whether such contracts are held on the same or
different exchanges or held or written in one or more accounts or
through one or more brokers). In addition, the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission (the "CFTC") and the various contract markets
have established limits referred to as speculative position
limits on the maximum net long or net short position which any
person may hold or control in a particular futures or option
contract. An exchange may order the liquidation of positions
found to be in violation of these limits and may impose other
sanctions or restrictions.
Risks of Options on Futures Contracts. The amount of
risk the Fund assumes when it purchases an option on a Futures
Contract is the premium paid for the option, plus related
transaction costs. In order to profit from an option purchased,
however, it may be necessary to exercise the option and to
liquidate the underlying Futures Contract, subject to the risks
of the availability of a liquid secondary market described
herein. The writer of an option on a Futures Contract is subject
to the risks of commodity futures trading, including the
requirement of initial and variation margin payments, as well as
the additional risk that movements in the price of the option may
not correlate with movements in the price of the underlying
security or Futures Contract.
Risks of Over-the-Counter Options on Securities. Unlike
transactions entered into by the Fund in Futures Contracts and
exchange-traded options, over-the-counter options on securities
are not traded on contract markets regulated by the CFTC or (with
the exception of certain foreign currency options) the SEC. Such
21
<PAGE>
instruments are instead traded through financial institutions
acting as market-makers, although foreign currency options are
also traded on certain national securities exchanges, such as the
Philadelphia Stock Exchange and the Chicago Board Options
Exchange, subject to SEC regulation. In an over-the-counter
trading environment, many of the protections afforded to exchange
participants will not be available. For example, there are no
daily price fluctuation limits, and adverse market movements
could therefore continue to an unlimited extent over a period of
time. Although the purchaser of an option cannot lose more than
the amount of the premium plus related transaction costs, this
entire amount could be lost. Moreover, the option writer could
lose amounts substantially in excess of the initial investment,
due to the margin and collateral requirements associated with
such positions.
In addition, over-the-counter transactions can be
entered into only with a financial institution willing to take
the opposite side, as principal, of the Fund's position unless
the institution acts as broker and is able to find another
counterparty willing to enter into the transaction with the Fund.
Where no such counterparty is available, it will not be possible
to enter into a desired transaction. There also may be no liquid
secondary market in the trading of over-the-counter contracts,
and the Fund could be required to retain options purchased or
written until exercise, expiration or maturity. This in turn
could limit the Fund's ability to profit from open positions or
to reduce losses experienced, and could result in greater losses.
Further, over-the-counter transactions are not subject
to the guarantee of an exchange clearinghouse, and the Fund will
therefore be subject to the risk of default by, or the bankruptcy
of, the financial institution serving as its counterparty. The
Fund will enter into an over-the-counter transaction only with
parties whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and found
satisfactory by the Adviser.
RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF FUTURES AND OPTION CONTRACTS
Under applicable regulations, when the Fund enters into
transactions in Futures Contracts and options on Futures
Contracts other than for bona fide hedging purposes, the Fund
maintains with its custodian in a segregated account liquid
assets, which together with any initial margin deposits, are
equal to the aggregate market value of the Futures Contracts and
options on Futures Contracts that it purchases. In addition, the
Fund may not purchase or sell such instruments for other than
bona fide hedging purposes if, immediately thereafter, the sum of
the amount of initial margin deposits on such futures and options
positions and premiums paid for options purchased would exceed 5%
of the market value of the Fund's total assets.
22
<PAGE>
The Fund has adopted the additional restriction that it
will not enter into a Futures Contract if, immediately
thereafter, the value of securities and other obligations
underlying all such Futures Contracts would exceed 50% of the
value of the Fund's total assets. Moreover, the Fund will not
purchase put and call options if as a result more than 10% of its
total assets would be invested in such options.
ECONOMIC EFFECTS AND LIMITATIONS
Income earned by the Fund from its hedging activities
will be treated as capital gain and, if not offset by net
realized capital losses incurred by the Fund, will be distributed
to shareholders in taxable distributions. Although gain from
futures and options transactions may hedge against a decline in
the value of the Fund's portfolio securities, that gain, to the
extent not offset by losses, will be distributed in light of
certain tax considerations and will constitute a distribution of
that portion of the value preserved against decline.
The Fund will not "over-hedge," that is, the Fund will
not maintain open short positions in futures or options contracts
if, in the aggregate, the market value of its open positions
exceeds the current market value of its securities portfolio plus
or minus the unrealized gain or loss on such open positions,
adjusted for the historical volatility relationship between the
portfolio and futures and options contracts.
The Fund's ability to employ the options and futures
strategies described above will depend on the availability of
liquid markets in such instruments. Markets in financial futures
and related options are still developing. It is impossible to
predict the amount of trading interest that may hereafter exist
in various types of options or futures. Therefore no assurance
can be given that the Fund will be able to use these instruments
effectively for the purposes set forth above.
The Fund's ability to use options and futures may be
limited by tax considerations. In particular, tax rules might
accelerate or adversely affect the character of the income earned
on such contracts. In addition, differences between the Fund's
book income (upon the basis of which distributions are generally
made) and taxable income arising from its hedging activities may
result in return of capital distributions, and in some
circumstances, distributions in excess of the Fund's book income
may be required in order to meet tax requirements.
23
<PAGE>
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
The above discussion relates to the Fund's proposed use
of Futures Contracts, options and options on Futures Contracts
currently available. As noted above, the relevant markets and
related regulations are still developing. In the event of future
regulatory or market developments, the Fund may also use
additional types of Futures Contracts or options and other
investment techniques for the purposes set forth above.
______________________________________________________________
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
______________________________________________________________
Except as described below and except as otherwise
specifically stated in the Fund's Prospectus or this Statement of
Additional Information, the investment policies of the Fund set
forth in the Prospectus and in this Statement of Additional
Information are not fundamental and may be changed without
shareholder approval.
The following is a description of restrictions on the
investments to be made by the Fund, which restrictions may not be
changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund.
The Fund will not:
(1) Invest more than 5% of its total assets in the
securities of any one issuer (other than U.S.
Government securities and repurchase agreements
relating thereto), although up to 25% of the Fund's
total assets may be invested without regard to this
restriction.
(2) Invest 25% or more of its total assets in the
securities of any one industry.
(3) Borrow money in excess of 10% of the value (taken
at the lower of cost or current value) of its total
assets (not including the amount borrowed) at the
time the borrowing is made, and then only from
banks as a temporary measure to facilitate the
meeting of redemption requests (not for leverage)
which might otherwise require the untimely
disposition of portfolio investments or pending
settlement of securities transactions or for
extraordinary or emergency purposes, except that
the Fund may enter into reverse repurchase
agreements to the maximum extent permitted by law.
24
<PAGE>
(4) Underwrite securities issued by other persons
except to the extent that, in connection with the
disposition of its portfolio investments, it may be
deemed to be an underwriter under certain federal
securities laws.
(5) Purchase or retain real estate or interests in real
estate, although the Fund may purchase securities
which are secured by real estate and securities of
companies which invest in or deal in real estate.
(6) Make loans to other persons except by the purchase
of obligations in which the Fund may invest
consistent with its investment policies and by
entering into repurchase agreements, or by lending
its portfolio securities representing not more than
25% of its total assets.
(7) Issue any senior security (as that term is defined
in the 1940 Act), if such issuance is specifically
prohibited by the 1940 Act or the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder. For the
purposes of this restriction, collateral
arrangements with respect to options, Futures
Contracts and options on Futures Contracts and
collateral arrangements with respect to initial and
variation margins are not deemed to be the issuance
of a senior security. (There is no intention to
issue senior securities except as set forth in
paragraph 1 above.)
It is also a fundamental policy of the Fund that it may
purchase and sell futures contracts and related options and it is
a fundamental policy of the Fund that it may enter into reverse
repurchase agreements and interest rate swaps to the maximum
extent permitted by law.
In addition, the following is a description of operating
policies which the Trust has adopted on behalf of the Fund but
which are not fundamental and are subject to change without
shareholder approval.
The Fund will not:
(a) Pledge, mortgage, hypothecate or otherwise encumber
an amount of its assets taken at current value in
excess of 15% of its total assets (taken at the
lower of cost or current value) and then only to
secure borrowings permitted by Restriction No. 1
above. For the purpose of this restriction, the
deposit of securities and other collateral
25
<PAGE>
arrangements with respect to reverse repurchase
agreements, options, Futures Contracts, and
payments of initial and variation margin in
connection therewith are not considered pledges or
other encumbrances.
(b) Purchase securities on margin, except that the Fund
may obtain such short-term credits as may be
necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales
of securities, and except that the Fund may make
margin payments in connection with Futures
Contracts, options on Futures Contracts or options.
(c) Make short sales of securities or maintain a short
position for the account of the Fund unless at all
times when a short position is open it owns an
equal amount of such securities or unless by virtue
of its ownership of other securities it has at all
such times a right to obtain securities (without
payment of further consideration) equivalent in
kind and amount to the securities sold, provided
that if such right is conditional the sale is made
upon equivalent conditions.
(d) Write, purchase or sell any put or call option or
any combination thereof, provided that this shall
not prevent the Fund from writing, purchasing and
selling puts, calls or combinations thereof with
respect to securities and with respect to Futures
Contracts.
(e) Purchase voting securities of any issuer if such
purchase, at the time thereof, would cause more
than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of
such issuer to be held by the Fund; or purchase
securities of any issuer if such purchase at the
time thereof would cause more than 10% of any class
of securities of such issuer to be held by the
Fund. For this purpose all indebtedness of an
issuer shall be deemed a single class and all
preferred stock of an issuer shall be deemed a
single class.
(f) Invest in securities of any issuer if, to the
knowledge of the Trust, officers and Trustees of
the Trust and officers and directors of the Adviser
who beneficially own more than 0.5% of the shares
of securities of that issuer together own more than
5%.
26
<PAGE>
(g) Purchase securities issued by any other registered
open-end investment company or investment trust
except (A) by purchase in the open market where no
commission or profit to a sponsor or dealer results
from such purchase other than the customary
broker's commission, or (B) where no commission or
profit to a sponsor or dealer results from such
purchase, or (C) when such purchase, though not
made in the open market, is part of a plan of
merger or consolidation; provided, however, that
the Fund will not purchase such securities if such
purchase at the time thereof would cause more than
5% of its total assets (taken at market value) to
be invested in the securities of such issuers; and,
provided further, that the Fund's purchases of
securities issued by such open-end investment
company will be consistent with the provisions of
the 1940 Act.
(h) Make investments for the purpose of exercising
control or management.
(i) Participate on a joint or joint and several basis
in any trading account in securities.
(j) Invest in interests in oil, gas, or other mineral
exploration or development programs, although each
Fund may purchase securities which are secured by
such interests and may purchase securities of
issuers which invest in or deal in oil, gas or
other mineral exploration or development programs.
(k) Purchase warrants, if, as a result, the Fund would
have more than 5% of its total assets invested in
warrants or more than 2% of its total assets
invested in warrants which are not listed on the
New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock
Exchange.
(l) Purchase commodities or commodity contracts,
provided that this shall not prevent the Fund from
entering into interest rate futures contracts,
securities index futures contracts, foreign
currency futures contracts, forward foreign
currency exchange contracts and options (including
options on any of the foregoing) to the extent such
action is consistent with such Funds investment
objective and policies.
(m) Purchase additional securities in excess of 5% of
the value of its total assets until all of the
27
<PAGE>
Fund's outstanding borrowings (as permitted and
described in Restriction No. 1 above) have been
repaid.
Whenever any investment restriction states a maximum
percentage of the Fund's assets which may be invested in any
security or other asset, it is intended that such maximum
percentage limitation be determined immediately after and as a
result of the Fund's acquisition of such securities or other
assets. Accordingly, any later increase or decrease beyond the
specified limitation resulting from a change in value or net
asset value will not be considered a violation of such percentage
limitation.
___________________________________________________________
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
___________________________________________________________
ADVISER
Alliance Capital Management L.P. a Delaware limited
partnership (the "Adviser"), with principal offices at 1345
Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105, has been
retained under an investment advisory agreement (the "Investment
Advisory Contract") to provide investment advice and, in general,
to conduct the management and investment program of the Trust
under the "Management of the Fund" in the Prospectus).
The Adviser is a leading international adviser managing
client accounts with assets as of September 30, 1999 totaling
more than $317 billion (of which more than $143 billion
represented assets of investment companies). As of September 30,
1999, the Adviser managed retirement assets for many of the
largest public and private employee benefit plans (including 28
of the nation's FORTUNE 100 companies), for public employee
retirement funds in 31 states, for investment companies, and for
foundations, endowments, banks and insurance companies worldwide.
The 52 registered investment companies managed by the Adviser,
comprising 118 separate investment portfolios, currently have
approximately 4.8 million shareholder accounts.
Alliance Capital Management Corporation ("ACMC"), is the
general partner of the Adviser. As of September 30, 1999, The
Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States
("Equitable"), ACMC, Inc. and Equitable Capital Management
Corporation ("ECMC") were the beneficial owners of approximately
56% of the outstanding Units of the Adviser. ACMC, ECMC and
ACMC, Inc. are wholly owned subsidiaries of Equitable, one of the
largest life insurance companies in the United States. ECMC is a
registered investment adviser and ACMC, Inc. is a holding company
28
<PAGE>
for Units of the Adviser. Equitable is a wholly owned subsidiary
of AXA Financial, Inc. ("AXA Financial"), a Delaware corporation
whose shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange. AXA
Financial serves as a holding company for the Adviser, Equitable
and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Inc., a broker-dealer holding
company. As of September 30, 1999, AXA, a French insurance
holding company, owned approximately 56% of the issued and
outstanding shares of the common stock of AXA Financial.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY CONTRACT AND EXPENSES
The Adviser serves as investment manager and adviser of
the Fund, continuously furnishes an investment program for the
Fund and manages, supervises and conducts the affairs of the
Fund. The Investment Advisory Contract also provides that the
Adviser will furnish or pay the expenses of the Trust for office
space, facilities and equipment, services of executive and other
personnel of the Trust and certain administrative services. The
Adviser is compensated for its services to the Fund at an annual
rate equal to .55% of the Fund's average daily net assets. The
Adviser has undertaken until further notice to waive its fees in
respect of the Fund, and has agreed to bear certain expenses of
the Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the Fund, to the
extent that expenses exceed an annual rate of 1.40% for Class A
shares and 2.10% for Class B shares and Class C shares.
The Investment Advisory Contract became effective on
July 23, 1993. The Investment Advisory Contract replaced two
earlier agreements (collectively, the "First Investment Advisory
Contract") between the Trust and Equitable Capital Management
Corporation ("Equitable Capital") or Equitable, as the case may
be, with respect to the Fund. The First Investment Advisory
Contract terminated because of its technical assignment in
connection with the transfer of substantially all of the assets
comprising Equitable Capital's business to the Adviser and
certain of its subsidiaries in exchange for newly issued limited
partnership interests in the Adviser and the assumption by the
Adviser and such subsidiaries of certain liabilities of Equitable
Capital. Equitable Capital was compensated for its services as
investment manager of the Fund at the same rate as is currently
paid by the Fund to the Adviser.
In anticipation of the assignment of the First
Investment Advisory Contract, the Investment Advisory Contract
was approved by the vote of the Trust's Trustees, including the
Trustees who are not parties to the Investment Advisory Contract
or interested persons of any such party, at meetings called for
the purpose and held on February 16, 1993 and March 31, 1993. At
a meeting held on April 8, 1993, a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund approved the Investment Advisory
Contract. Most recently, the continuance of the Investment
29
<PAGE>
Advisory Contract until July 31, 2000 was approved by a vote,
cast in person, of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of
the Trustees who are not parties to the Investment Advisory
Contract or interested persons of any such party, at their
Regular Meeting held on July 14, 1999.
During the fiscal year ended August 31, 1999, the
Adviser earned $162,331 in advisory fees from the Fund (of which
$136,331 in expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser). During the
fiscal year ended August 31, 1998, the Adviser earned $89,353 in
advisory fees from the Fund (all of which was waived, and an
additional $78,479 in expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser).
During the fiscal year ended August 31, 1997, the Adviser earned
$91,527 in advisory fees from the Fund (all of which was waived,
and an additional $73,336 in expenses were reimbursed by the
Adviser).
The Adviser is, under the Investment Advisory Contract,
responsible for certain expenses incurred by the Fund, including,
for example, office facilities and certain administrative
services, and any expenses incurred in promoting the sale of Fund
shares (other than the portion of the promotional expenses borne
by the Fund in accordance with an effective plan pursuant to Rule
12b-1 under the 1940 Act, and the costs of printing Fund
prospectuses and other reports to shareholders and fees related
to registration with the SEC and with state regulatory
authorities).
The Investment Advisory Contract provides that it will
continue in effect for two years from its date of execution and
thereafter from year to year if its continuance is approved at
least annually (i) by the Board of Trustees or by vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and
(ii) by vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not interested
persons of the Adviser cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on such approval. Any amendment to the
Investment Advisory Contract must be approved by vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the relevant
Fund and by vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not such
interested persons, cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on such approval. The Investment Advisory
Contract may be terminated without penalty by the Adviser, by
vote of the Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund upon sixty days' written notice,
and it terminates automatically in the event of its assignment.
The Adviser controls the word "Alliance" in the names of the
Trust and the Fund, and if Alliance should cease to be the
investment manager of the Fund, the Trust and the Fund may be
required to change its name and delete the word "Alliance" from
their names.
30
<PAGE>
The Investment Advisory Contract provides that the
Adviser shall not be subject to any liability in connection with
the performance of its services thereunder in the absence of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of its obligations and duties.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The Trustees are responsible for generally overseeing
the conduct of Fund business. Subject to such policies as the
Trustee may determine, the Adviser furnishes a continuing
investment program for the Fund and makes investment decisions on
its behalf. Subject to the control of the Trustees, the Adviser
also manages the Fund's other affairs and business. The Trustees
and principal officers of the Trust, their ages as of the date of
this Statement of Additional Information and their primary
occupations during the past five years are set forth below.
TRUSTEES
John D. Carifa,*** 54, Chairman of the Board and
President, is the President, Chief Operating Officer, and a
Director of ACMC, with which he has been associated since prior
to 1994. His address is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York,
New York 10105.
Ruth Block, 68, was formerly an Executive Vice President
and the Chief Insurance Officer of The Equitable Life Assurance
Society of the United States. She is a Director of Ecolab
Incorporated (specialty chemicals) and BP Amoco Corporation (oil
and gas). Her address is P.O. Box 4623, Stamford, Connecticut
06903.
David H. Dievler, 70, is an independent consultant. He
was formerly a Senior Vice President of ACMC until December 1994.
His address is P.O. Box 167, Spring Lake, New Jersey 97762.
John H. Dobkin, 57, has been the President of Historic
Hudson Valley (historic preservation) since prior to 1994.
Previously, he was Director of the National Academy of Design.
His address is 150 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, New York 10591.
William H. Foulk, Jr., 67, is an Investment Adviser and
an independent consultant. He was formerly Senior Manager of
Barrett Associates, Inc., a registered investment adviser, with
which he had been associated since prior to 1994. His address is
Room 100, 2 Greenwich Plaza, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830.
____________________
*** An "interested person" of the Trust, as defined by the
1940 Act.
31
<PAGE>
Brenton W. Harries, 71, is a Director of Enhance
Reinsurance Co. and was formerly the President and Chief
Executive Officer of Global Electronic Markets Company. His
address is 14 Point Road, Wilson Point, South Norwalk,
Connecticut 06854.
Dr. James M. Hester, 75, has been President of the Harry
Frank Guggenheim Foundation, with which he has been associated
since prior to 1994. He was formerly President of New York
University, the New York Botanical Garden and Rector of the
United Nations University. His address is 25 Cleveland Lane,
Princeton, New Jersey 08540.
Clifford L. Michel, 60, is a member of the law firm of
Cahill Gordon & Reindel, with which he has been associated since
prior to 1994. He is President and Chief Executive Officer of
Wenonah Development Company (investments) and a Director of
Placer Dome, Inc. (mining). His address is St. Bernard's Road,
Gladstone, New Jersey 07934.
Donald J. Robinson, 65, is Senior Counsel to the law
firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe and was formerly a senior
partner and a member of the Executive Committee of that firm. He
was also a Trustee of the Museum of the City of New York from
1977 to 1995. His address is 98 Hell's Peak Road, Weston,
Vermont 05161.
OFFICERS
*John D. Carifa, President, see biography above.
Edmund P. Bergan, Jr., 49, Clerk, is a Senior Vice
President and the General Counsel of Alliance Fund Distributors,
Inc. ("AFD") and Alliance Fund Services, Inc. ("AFS"), with which
he has been associated since prior to 1994. His address is 1345
Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105.
Mark D. Gersten, 49, Treasurer and Chief Financial
Officer, is a Senior Vice President of AFS and a Vice President
of AFD, with which he has been associated since prior to 1994.
His address is 500 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, New Jersey 07094.
Vincent S. Noto, 34, Controller and Chief Accounting
Officer, is a Vice President of AFS, with which he has been
associated since prior to 1994. His address is 500 Plaza Drive,
Secaucus, New Jersey 07094.
Bruce W. Calvert, 52, Senior Vice President, is the Vice
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and a Director of ACMC, with
which he has been associated since prior to 1994. His address is
1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105.
32
<PAGE>
Kathleen A. Corbet, 39, Senior Vice President, is an
Executive Vice President of ACMC, with which she has been
associated since prior to 1994. Her address is 1345 Avenue of
the Americas, New York, New York 10105.
Wayne D. Lyski, 58, Senior Vice President, is an
Executive Vice President of ACMC, with which he has been
associated since prior to 1994. His address is 1345 Avenue of
the Americas, New York, New York 10105.
Jeffrey S. Phlegar, Vice President, 33, is a Senior Vice
President of ACMC with which he has been associated since prior
to 1999.
Andrew L. Gangolf, 45, Assistant Clerk, is a Vice
President and Assistant General Counsel of AFD, with which he has
been associated since December 1994. Prior thereto, he was Vice
President and Assistant Secretary of Delaware Management Co.,
Inc. His address is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New
York 10105.
Domenick Pugliese, 38, Assistant Clerk, is a Vice
President and Assistant General Counsel of AFD, with which he has
been associated since May 1995. Prior thereto, he was Vice
President and Counsel of Concorde Holding Corporation since prior
to 1994. His address is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York,
New York 10105.
Emilie D. Wrapp, 43, Assistant Clerk, is a Vice
President and Assistant General Counsel of AFD, with which she
has been associated since prior to 1994. Her address is 1345
Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105.
The aggregate compensation paid to each of the Trustees
by the Fund during the fiscal year ended August 31, 1999, and the
aggregate compensation paid to each of the Trustees during
calendar year 1998 by by all of the registered investment
companies to which the Adviser provides investment advisory
services (collectively, the "Alliance Fund Complex"), and the
total number of registered investment companies (separate
investment portfolios within those companies) in the Alliance
Fund Complex with respect to which each Trustee serves as a
director or trustee, are set forth below. Neither the registered
investment company nor any fund in the Alliance Fund Complex
provides compensation in the form of pension or retirement
benefits to any of its trustees or directors. Each of the
Trustees is a trustee or director of one or more other registered
investment companies in the Alliance Fund Complex.
33
<PAGE>
Total Number
Total Number of Investment
of Investment Portfolios
Companies in Within the
Com- the Alliance Funds
pensation Fund Complex, Including
from the Including the the Fund,
Alliance Fund, as to as to which
Aggregate Fund which the the Director
Compensa- Complex, Director is is a
tion from Including a Director Director
Name of Trustee the Fund the Fund or Trustee or Trustee
_______________ _________ _________ ____________ _____________
John D. Carifa $ -0- $ -0- 50 116
Ruth Block $2,927 $180,763 37 79
Richard W. Couper $1,200 $90,500 2 18
David H. Dievler $ 206 $216,288 44 86
John H. Dobkin $ 206 $185,363 42 97
William H. Foulk, Jr. $3,807 $241,003 45 111
Brenton W. Harries $6,250 $ 92,000 2 18
James M. Hester $ 206 $172,913 38 80
Clifford L. Michel $ 206 $187,763 39 96
Donald J. Robinson $ 993 $193,709 41 105
As of October 8, 1999, the Trustees and officers of the
Fund as a group owned less than 1% of the shares of the Fund.
The Trust undertakes to provide assistance to
shareholders in communications concerning the removal of any
Trustee of the Trust in accordance with Section 16 of the 1940
Act.
________________________________________________________________
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
________________________________________________________________
Subject to the general supervision of the Board of
Trustees of the Trust, the Adviser is responsible for the
investment decisions and the placing of the orders for portfolio
transactions for the Fund. The Fund's portfolio transactions
occur primarily with issuers, underwriters or major dealers
acting as principals. Such transactions are normally on a net
basis which do not involve payment of brokerage commissions. The
cost of securities purchased from an underwriter usually includes
a commission paid by the issuer to the underwriter; transactions
with dealers normally reflect the spread between bid and asked
prices. Premiums are paid with respect to options purchased by
34
<PAGE>
the Fund, and brokerage commissions are payable with respect to
transactions in exchange-traded interest rate futures contracts.
The Adviser makes the decisions for the Fund and
determines the broker or dealer to be used in each specific
transaction. Most transactions for the Fund, including
transactions in listed securities, are executed in the over-the-
counter market by approximately fifteen (15) principal market
maker dealers with whom the Adviser maintains regular contact.
Most transactions made by the Fund will be principal transactions
at net prices. Where possible, securities will be purchased
directly from the issuer or from an underwriter or market maker
for the securities unless the Adviser believes a better price and
execution is available elsewhere. Purchases from underwriters of
newly-issued securities for inclusion in the Fund usually will
include a concession paid to the underwriter by the issuer and
purchases from dealers serving as market makers will include the
spread between the bid and asked price.
The Fund has no obligation to enter into transactions in
portfolio securities with any broker, dealer, issuer, underwriter
or other entity. In placing orders, it is the policy of the Fund
to obtain the best price and execution for its transactions.
Where best price and execution may be obtained from more than one
broker or dealer, the Adviser may, in its discretion, purchase
and sell securities through brokers and dealers who provide
research, statistical and other information to the Adviser. Such
services may be used by the Adviser for all of its investment
advisory accounts and, accordingly, not all such services may be
used by the Adviser in connection with the Fund. There may be
occasions where the transaction cost charged by a broker may be
greater than that which another broker may charge if the Adviser
determines in good faith that the amount of such transaction cost
is reasonable in relationship to the value of the brokerage and
research and statistical services provided by the executing
broker. Consistent with the Conduct Rules of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., and subject to seeking
best price and execution, the Trust may consider sales of its
shares as a factor in the selection of dealers to enter into
portfolio transactions with the Trust.
No transactions for the Fund are executed through any
broker or dealer affiliated with the Fund's Adviser, or with
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, an affiliate
of the Adviser. During the fiscal years ended August 31, 1997,
1998 and 1999, the Fund incurred no brokerage commissions.
35
<PAGE>
______________________________________________________________
EXPENSES OF THE FUND
______________________________________________________________
In addition to the payments to the Adviser under the
Investment Advisory Contract described above, the Trust pays
certain other costs including (a) brokerage and commission
expenses, (b) federal, state and local taxes, including issue and
transfer taxes incurred by or levied on Fund, (c) interest
charges on borrowing, (d) fees and expenses of registering the
shares of the Fund under the appropriate federal securities laws
and of qualifying shares of the Fund under applicable state
securities laws including expenses attendant upon renewing and
increasing such registrations and qualifications, (e) expenses of
printing and distributing the Fund's prospectus and other reports
to shareholders, (f) costs of proxy solicitations, (g) transfer
agency fees described below, (h) charges and expenses of the
Trust's custodian, (i) compensation of the Trust's officers,
Trustees and employees who do not devote any part of their time
to the affairs of the Adviser or its affiliates, (j) costs of
stationery and supplies, and (k) such promotional expenses as may
be contemplated by the Distribution Services Agreement described
below.
Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. ("AFD" or the
"Principal Underwriter") is the principal underwriter of the
Fund's securities. The Fund continually offers its shares as
discussed in the Prospectus. AFD is under no obligation to sell
a particular number or amount of Fund shares. AFD and the
Adviser are affiliates within the meaning of the 1940 Act.
DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS
Rule 12b-1 adopted by the SEC under the 1940 Act permits
an investment company to directly or indirectly pay expenses
associated with the distribution of its shares in accordance with
a duly adopted and approved plan. The Trust has adopted a plan
for each class of shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (each
a "Plan" and collectively the "Plans"). Pursuant to the Plans,
the Fund pays AFD (the "Principal Underwriter") a Rule 12b-1
distribution services fee which may not exceed an annual rate of
.50% of the Fund's aggregate average daily net assets
attributable to the Class A shares, 1.00% of the Fund's aggregate
average daily net assets attributable to the Class B shares and
1.00% of the Fund's aggregate average daily net assets
attributable to the Class C shares to compensate the Principal
Underwriter for distribution expenses. The Trustees currently
limit payments under the Class A Plan to .30% of the Fund's
aggregate average daily net assets attributable to the Class A
shares. The Plans provide that a portion of the distribution
36
<PAGE>
services fee in an amount not to exceed .25% of the aggregate
average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to each of the
Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares constitutes a
service fee that the Principal Underwriter will use for personal
service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. The
Plans also provide that the Adviser may use its own resources,
which may include management fees received by the Adviser from
the Trust or other investment companies which it manages and the
Adviser's past profits, to finance the distribution of the Fund's
shares.
Each Plan may be terminated with respect to the class of
shares of the Fund to which the Plan relates by vote of a
majority of the Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the
Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in
the operation of the Plans or in any agreement related to the
Plans (the "Qualified Trustees"), or by vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of that class. Each Plan may be
amended by vote of the Trustees, including a majority of the
Qualified Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for that
purpose. Any change in a Plan that would materially increase the
distribution costs to the class of shares of the Fund to which
the Plan relates requires approval by the affected class of
shareholders of the Fund. The Trustees review quarterly a
written report of such distribution costs and the purposes for
which such costs have been incurred. For so long as the Plans are
in effect, selection and nomination of those Trustees who are not
interested persons of the Trust shall be committed to the
discretion of such disinterested persons.
The Plans may be terminated with respect to the Fund or
any class of shares thereof at any time on 60 days' written
notice without payment of any penalty by the Principal
Underwriter or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund or that class (as appropriate) or by vote
of a majority of the Qualified Trustees.
The Plans will continue in effect with respect to the
Fund and each class of shares thereof for successive one-year
periods, provided that each such continuance is specifically
approved (i) by the vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees
and (ii) by the vote of a majority of the entire Board of
Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose.
For services rendered by the Principal Underwriter in
connection with the distribution of Class A shares, the Principal
Underwriter received $21,679 in 12b-1 fees, pursuant to the Plan
applicable to such shares, and $2 in sales charges with respect
to the Class A shares of the Fund for the fiscal year ended
August 31, 1999.
37
<PAGE>
For services rendered by the Principal Underwriter in
connection with the distribution of Class B shares the Principal
Underwriter received $154,210 in 12b-1 fees, pursuant to the Plan
applicable to such shares, and $64,527 in contingent deferred
sales charges with respect to the Class B shares of the Fund for
the fiscal year ended August 31, 1999.
For services rendered by the Principal Underwriter in
connection with the distribution of Class C shares the Principal
Underwriter received $68,676 in 12b-1 fees, pursuant to the Plan
applicable to such shares, and $13,757 in contingent deferred
sales charges with respect to the Class C shares of the Fund for
the fiscal year ended August 31, 1999.
The Principal Underwriter has informed the Trust that
expenses incurred by it and costs allocated to it in connection
with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of
Class A, Class B, and Class C shares, respectively, were as
follows for the period indicated:
38
<PAGE>
AMOUNT OF EXPENSE AND ALLOCATED COST
Class A Shares Class B Shares Class C Shares
(For the Fiscal (For the Fiscal (For the Fiscal
year ended year ended year ended
August 31, August 31, August 31,
Category of Expense 1999) 1999) 1999)
___________________ ______________ _______________ _______________
Advertising/
Marketing $38,433 $26,180 $26,977
Printing and
Mailing of
Prospectuses
and Semi-Annual
and Annual Reports
to Other than
Current
Shareholders $747 $3,449 $3,431
Compensation
to Underwriters $98,886 $74,718 $68,640
Compensation
to Dealers $76,481 $176,468 $109,218
Compensation
to Sales
Personnel $33,353 $16,486 $12,069
Interest,
Carrying or
Other
Financing
Charges $0 $9,394 $2,750
Other
(includes
personnel
costs of those
home office
employees
involved in
the distribution
effort and the
travel-related
expenses incurred
by the marketing
personnel
conducting
seminars) $187,966 $120,509 $107,668
________ _______ _______
$435,866 $427,204 $330,753
========== ========= ========
39
<PAGE>
The Glass-Steagall Act and other applicable laws may
limit the ability of a bank or other depository institution to
become an underwriter or distributor of securities. However, in
the opinion of the Trust's management, based on the advice of
counsel, these laws do not prohibit such depository institutions
from providing services for investment companies such as the
administrative, accounting and other services referred to in the
relevant dealer agreement. In the event that a change in these
laws prevented a bank from providing such services, it is
expected that other service arrangements would be made and that
shareholders would not be adversely affected.
CUSTODIAL ARRANGEMENTS
State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street
Bank"), 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA, 02110 acts as the
Trust's custodian, but plays no part in deciding the purchase or
sale of portfolio securities. Subject to the supervision of the
Fund's Trustees, State Street Bank may enter into subcustodial
agreements for the holding of the Fund's securities outside the
United States.
TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT
Alliance Fund Services, Inc., an indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Adviser, located at 500 Plaza Drive, Secaucus,
New Jersey 07094, acts as the Fund's registrar, transfer agent
and dividend-disbursing agent for a fee based upon the number of
account holders of each of the Class A, Class B, Class C shares
and Advisor Class shares of the Fund, plus reimbursement for out-
of-pocket expenses. The transfer agency fee with respect to the
Class B and Class C shares is higher than the transfer agency fee
with respect to the Class A shares, reflecting the additional
cash associated with the Class B and Class C contingent deferred
sales charges. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1999, the
Fund paid Alliance Fund Services, Inc. $31,637 for transfer
agency services.
_______________________________________________________________
PURCHASE OF SHARES
_______________________________________________________________
The following information supplements that set forth in
the Prospectus under "Purchase and Sale of Shares -- How To Buy
Shares."
40
<PAGE>
GENERAL
Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuous basis at
a price equal to their net asset value plus an initial sales
charge at the time of purchase ("Class A shares"), with a
contingent deferred sales charge ("Class B shares"), without any
initial sales charge and, as long as the shares are held for one
year or more, without any contingent deferred sales charge
("Class C shares"), or, to investors eligible to purchase Advisor
Class shares, without any initial, contingent deferred or asset-
based sales charge ("Advisor Class Shares"), in each case, as
described below. Shares of the Fund that are offered subject to
a sales charge are offered through (i) investment dealers that
are members of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. and have entered into selected dealer agreements with the
Principal Underwriter ("selected dealers"), (ii) depository
institutions and other financial intermediaries or their
affiliates that have entered into selected agent agreements with
the Principal Underwriter ("selected agents"), and (iii) the
Principal Underwriter.
Advisor Class shares of the Fund may be purchased and
held solely (i) through accounts established under fee-based
programs, sponsored and maintained by registered broker-dealers
or other financial intermediaries and approved by the Principal
Underwriter, (ii) through self-directed defined contribution
employee benefit plans (e.g., 401(k) plans) that have at least
1,000 participants or $25 million in assets, (iii) by the
categories of investors described in clauses (i) through (iv)
below under "--Sales at Net Asset Value" (other than officers,
directors and present and full-time employees of selected dealers
or agents, or relatives of such person, or any trust, individual
retirement account or retirement plan account for the benefit of
such relative, none of whom is eligible on the basis solely of
such status to purchase and hold Advisor Class shares) or (iv) by
directors and present or retired full-time employees of CB
Richard Ellis, Inc. Generally, a fee-based program must charge
an asset-based or other similar fee and must invest at least
$250,000 in Advisor Class shares of the Fund in order to be
approved by the Principal Underwriter for investment in Advisor
Class shares.
Investors may purchase shares of the Fund either through
selected broker-dealers, agents, financial intermediaries or
other financial representatives, or directly through the
Principal Underwriter. A transaction, service, administrative or
other similar fee may be charged by your broker-dealer, agent,
financial intermediary or other financial representative with
respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of Class A, Class B,
Class C or Advisor Class shares made through such financial
representative. Such financial representative may also impose
41
<PAGE>
requirements with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of
shares that are different from, or in addition to, those imposed
by the Fund, including requirements as to the minimum initial and
subsequent investment amounts. Sales personnel of selected
dealers and agents distributing the Fund's shares may receive
differing compensation for selling Class A, Class B, Class C or
Advisor Class shares.
The Fund may refuse any order for the purchase of
shares. The Fund reserves the right to suspend the sale of its
shares to the public in response to conditions in the securities
markets or for other reasons.
The public offering price of shares of the Fund is their
net asset value, plus, in the case of Class A shares, a sales
charge which will vary depending on the purchase alternative
chosen by the investor, as shown in the table below under
"Class A Shares." On each Fund business day on which a purchase
or redemption order is received by the Fund and trading in the
types of securities in which the Fund invests might materially
affect the value of Fund shares, the per share net
asset value is computed in accordance with the Trust's Agreement
and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws as of the next close of
regular trading on the Exchange (currently 4:00 p.m. Eastern
time) by dividing the value of the Fund's total assets, less its
liabilities, by the total number of its shares then outstanding.
A Fund business day is any day on which the Exchange is open for
trading.
The respective per share net asset values of the
Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares are expected
to be substantially the same. Under certain circumstances,
however, the per share net asset values of the Class B shares and
Class C shares may be lower than the per share net asset values
of the Class A and Advisor Class shares as a result of the
differential daily expense accruals of the distribution and
transfer agency fees applicable with respect to those classes of
shares. Even under those circumstances, the per share net asset
values of the four classes eventually will tend to converge
immediately after the payment of dividends, which will differ by
approximately the amount of the expense accrual differential
among the classes.
The Fund will accept unconditional orders for its shares
to be executed at the public offering price equal to their net
asset value next determined (plus applicable Class A sales
charges), as described below. Orders received by the Principal
Underwriter prior to the close of regular trading on the Exchange
on each day the Exchange is open for trading are priced at the
net asset value computed as of the close of regular trading on
the Exchange on that day (plus applicable Class A sales charges).
42
<PAGE>
In the case of orders for purchase of shares placed through
selected dealers, agents or financial representatives, as
applicable, the applicable public offering price will be the net
asset value as so determined, but only if the selected dealer,
agent or financial representative receives the order prior to the
close of regular trading on the Exchange and transmits it to the
Principal Underwriter prior to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. The
selected dealer, agent or financial representative, as
applicable, is responsible for transmitting such orders by
5:00 p.m. Eastern time (certain selected dealers, agents or
financial representatives may enter into operating agreements
permitting them to transmit purchase information to the Principal
Underwriter after 5:00 p.m. Eastern time and receive that day's
net asset value). If the selected dealer, agent or financial
representative fails to do so, the investor's right to that day's
closing price must be settled between the investor and the
selected dealer, agent or financial representative, as
applicable. If the selected dealer, agent or financial
representative, as applicable, receives the order after the close
of regular trading on the Exchange, the price will be based on
the net asset value determined as of the close of regular trading
on the Exchange on the next day it is open for trading.
Following the initial purchase of Fund shares, a
shareholder may place orders to purchase additional shares by
telephone if the shareholder has completed the appropriate
portion of the Subscription Application or an "Autobuy"
application both of which may be obtained by calling the "For
Literature" telephone number shown on the cover of this Statement
of Additional Information. Except with respect to certain
omnibus accounts, telephone purchase orders may not exceed
$500,000. Payment for shares purchased by telephone can be made
only by Electronic Funds Transfer from a bank account maintained
by the shareholder at a bank that is a member of the National
Automated Clearing House Association ("NACHA"). If a
shareholder's telephone purchase request is received before
3:00 p.m. Eastern time on a Fund business day, the order to
purchase shares is automatically placed the following Fund
business day, and the applicable public offering price will be
the public offering price determined as of the close of business
on such following business day.
Full and fractional shares are credited to a
subscriber's account in the amount of his or her subscription.
As a convenience to the subscriber, and to avoid unnecessary
expense to the Fund, share certificates representing shares of
the Fund are not issued except upon written request to the Fund
by the shareholder or his or her authorized selected dealer or
agent. This facilitates later redemption and relieves the
shareholder of the responsibility for and inconvenience of lost
or stolen certificates. No certificates are issued for
43
<PAGE>
fractional shares, although such shares remain in the
shareholder's account on the books of the Fund.
In addition to the discount or commission amount paid to
dealers or agents, the Principal Underwriter from time to time
pays additional cash or other incentives to dealers or agents, in
connection with the sale of shares of the Fund. Such additional
amounts may be utilized, in whole or in part, to provide
additional compensation to registered representatives who sell
shares of the Fund. On some occasions, such cash or other
incentives may take the form of payment for attendance at
seminars, meals, sporting events or theater performances, or
payment for travel, lodging and entertainment incurred in
connection with travel taken by persons associated with a dealer
or agent to locations within or outside the United States. Such
dealer or agent may elect to receive cash incentives of
equivalent amount in lieu of such payments.
Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares of
the Fund each represents an interest in the same portfolio of
investments, have the same rights and are identical in all
respects, except that (i) Class A shares bear the expense of the
initial sales charge (or contingent deferred sales charge, when
applicable) and Class B and Class C shares bear the expense of
the deferred sales charge, (ii) Class B shares and Class C shares
each bear the expense of a higher distribution services fee than
that borne by Class A shares, and Advisor Class shares do not
bear such a fee, (iii) Class B and Class C shares bear higher
transfer agency costs than those borne by Class A and Advisor
Class shares, (iv) each of Class A, Class B and Class C shares
has exclusive voting rights with respect to provisions of the
Rule 12b-1 Plan pursuant to which its distribution services fee
is paid and other matters for which separate class voting is
appropriate under applicable law, provided that, if the Fund
submits to a vote of the Class A shareholders an amendment to the
Rule 12b-1 Plan that would materially increase the amount to be
paid thereunder with respect to the Class A shares, then such
amendment will also be submitted to the Class B and Advisor Class
shareholders, and the Class A, the Class B and the Advisor Class
shareholders will vote separately by class and (v) Class B and
Advisor Class shares are subject to a conversion feature. Each
class has different exchange privileges and certain different
shareholder service options available.
The Trustees of the Fund have determined that currently
no conflict of interest exists between or among the Class A,
Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares. On an ongoing basis,
the Trustees of the Fund, pursuant to their fiduciary duties
under the 1940 Act and state law, will seek to ensure that no
such conflict arises.
44
<PAGE>
ALTERNATIVE RETAIL PURCHASE ARRANGEMENTS - CLASS A, CLASS B AND
CLASS C SHARES****
The alternative purchase arrangements available with
respect to Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares
permit an investor to choose the method of purchasing shares that
is most beneficial given the amount of the purchase, the length
of time the investor expects to hold the shares, and other
circumstances. Investors should consider whether, during the
anticipated life of their investment in the Fund, the accumulated
distribution services fee and contingent deferred sales charges
on Class B shares prior to conversion, or the accumulated
distribution services fee and contingent deferred sales charge on
Class C shares, would be less than the initial sales charge and
accumulated distribution services fee on Class A shares purchased
at the same time, and to what extent such differential would be
offset by the higher return of Class A shares. Class A shares
will normally be more beneficial than Class B shares to the
investor who qualifies for reduced initial sales charges on
Class A shares, as described below. In this regard, the
Principal Underwriter will reject any order (except orders from
certain retirement plans and certain employee benefit plans) for
more than $250,000 for Class B shares. (See Appendix B for
information concerning the eligibility of certain employee
benefit plans to purchase Class B shares at net asset value
without being subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and
the ineligibility of certain such plans to purchase Class A
shares.) Class C shares will normally not be suitable for the
investor who qualifies to purchase Class A shares at net asset
value. For this reason, the Principal Underwriter will reject
any order for more than $1,000,000 for Class C shares.
Class A shares are subject to a lower distribution
services fee and, accordingly, pay correspondingly higher
dividends per share than Class B shares or Class C shares.
However, because initial sales charges are deducted at the time
of purchase, investors purchasing Class A shares would not have
all their funds invested initially and, therefore, would
initially own fewer shares. Investors qualifying for reduced
initial sales charges who expect to maintain their investment for
an extended period of time might consider purchasing Class A
shares because the accumulated continuing distribution charges on
Class B shares or Class C shares may exceed the initial sales
charge on Class A shares during the life of the investment.
Again, however, such investors must weigh this consideration
against the fact that, because of such initial sales charges, not
all their funds will be invested initially.
____________________
**** Advisor Class Shares are sold only to investors described
above in this section under "--General."
45
<PAGE>
Other investors might determine, however, that it would
be more advantageous to purchase Class B shares or Class C shares
in order to have all their funds invested initially, although
remaining subject to higher continuing distribution charges and
being subject to a contingent deferred sales charge for a three-
year period and one-year period, respectively. For example,
based on current fees and expenses, an investor subject to the
4.25% initial sales charge on Class A shares would have to hold
his or her investment approximately seven years for the Class C
distribution services fee to exceed the initial sales charge plus
the accumulated distribution services fee of Class A shares. In
this example, an investor intending to maintain his or her
investment for a longer period might consider purchasing Class A
shares. This example does not take into account the time value
of money, which further reduces the impact of the Class C
distribution services fees on the investment, fluctuations in net
asset value or the effect of different performance
assumptions.
Those investors who prefer to have all of their funds
invested initially but may not wish to retain Fund shares for the
three-year period during which Class B shares are subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge may find it more advantageous to
purchase Class C shares.
CLASS A SHARES
The public offering price of Class A shares is the net
asset value plus a sales charge, as set forth below:
46
<PAGE>
SALES CHARGE
Discount or
Commission
As % of to Dealers
As % of the or Agents
Net Public As % of
Amount of Amount Offering Offering
Purchase Invested Price Price
_________ ________ ________ ___________
Less than
$100,000. . . 4.44% 4.25% 4.00%
$100,000 but
less than
$250,000. . . 3.36 3.25 3.00
$250,000 but
less than
$500,000. . . 2.30 2.25 2.00
$500,000 but
less than
$1,000,000*. . 1.78 1.75 1.50
________________
* There is no initial sales charge on transactions of $1,000,000
or more.
With respect to purchases of $1,000,000 or more, Class A
shares redeemed within one year of purchase will be subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge equal to 1% of the lesser of the
cost of the shares being redeemed or their net asset value at the
time of redemption. Accordingly, no sales charge will be imposed
on increases in net asset value above the initial purchase price.
In addition, no charge will be assessed on shares derived from
reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions. The
contingent deferred sales charge on Class A shares will be waived
on certain redemptions, as described below under "--Class B
Shares." In determining the contingent deferred sales charge
applicable to a redemption of Class A shares, it will be assumed
that the redemption is, first, of any shares that are not subject
to a contingent deferred sales charge (for example, because an
initial sales charge was paid with respect to the shares, or they
have been held beyond the period during which the charge applies
or were acquired upon the reinvestment of dividends or
distributions) and, second, of shares held longest during the
time they are subject to the sales charge. Proceeds from the
contingent deferred sales charge on Class A shares are paid to
the Principal Underwriter and are used by the Principal
Underwriter to defray the expenses of the Principal Underwriter
related to providing distribution-related services to the Fund in
connection with sales of Class A shares, such as the payment of
47
<PAGE>
compensation to selected dealers or agents for selling Class A
shares. With respect to purchases of $1,000,000 or more made
through selected dealers or agents, the Adviser may, pursuant to
the Distribution Services Agreement described above, pay such
dealers or agents from its own resources a fee of up to 1% of the
amount invested to compensate such dealers or agents for their
distribution assistance in connection with such purchases.
No initial sales charge is imposed on Class A shares
issued (i) pursuant to the automatic reinvestment of income
dividends or capital gains distributions, (ii) in exchange for
Class A shares of other "Alliance Mutual Funds" (as that term is
defined under "Combined Purchase Privilege" below), except that
an initial sales charge will be imposed on Class A shares issued
in exchange for Class A shares of AFD Exchange Reserves ("AFDER")
that were purchased for cash without the payment of an initial
sales charge and without being subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge or (iii) upon the automatic conversion of Class B
shares or Advisor Class shares as described below under "-
- -Class B Shares--Conversion Feature" and "--Conversion of Advisor
Class Shares to Class A Shares." The Fund receives the entire
net asset value of its Class A shares sold to investors. The
Principal Underwriter's commission is the sales charge shown
above less any applicable discount or commission "reallowed" to
selected dealers and agents. The Principal Underwriter will
reallow discounts to selected dealers and agents in the amounts
indicated in the table above. In this regard, the Principal
Underwriter may elect to reallow the entire sales charge to
selected dealers and agents for all sales with respect to which
orders are placed with the Principal Underwriter. A selected
dealer who receives a reallowance in excess of 90% of such a
sales charge may be deemed to be an "underwriter" under the
Securities Act, as amended.
Investors choosing the initial sales charge alternative
may under certain circumstances be entitled to pay (i) no initial
sales charge (but be subject in most such cases to a contingent
deferred sales charge) or (ii) a reduced initial sales charge.
The circumstances under which such investors may pay a reduced
initial sales charge are described below.
Combined Purchase Privilege. Certain persons may
qualify for the sales charge reductions indicated in the schedule
of such charges shown above by combining purchases of shares of
the Fund into a single "purchase," if the resulting "purchase"
totals at least $100,000. The term "purchase" refers to: (i) a
single purchase by an individual, or two concurrent purchases,
which in the aggregate are at least equal to the prescribed
amounts, by an individual, his or her spouse and their children
under the age of 21 years purchasing shares of a Fund for his,
her or their own account(s); (ii) a single purchase by a trustee
48
<PAGE>
or other fiduciary purchasing shares for a single trust, estate
or single fiduciary account although more than one beneficiary is
involved; or (iii) a single purchase for the employee benefit
plans of a single employer. The term "purchase" also includes
purchases by any "company", as the term is defined in the 1940
Act, but does not include purchases by any such company which has
not been in existence for at least six months or which has no
purpose other than the purchase of shares of the Fund or shares
of other registered investment companies at a discount. The term
"purchase" does not include purchases by any group of individuals
whose sole organizational nexus is that the participants therein
are credit card holders of a company, policy holders of an
insurance company, customers of either a bank or broker-dealer or
clients of an investment adviser. A "purchase" may also include
shares, purchased at the same time through a single selected
dealer or agent, of any other "Alliance Mutual Fund." Currently,
the Alliance Mutual Funds include:
AFD Exchange Reserves
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund, Inc.
Alliance Balanced Shares, Inc.
Alliance Bond Fund, Inc.
-Corporate Bond Portfolio
-Quality Bond Portfolio
-U.S. Government Portfolio
Alliance Global Dollar Government Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Environment Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Strategic Income Trust, Inc.
Alliance Greater China 97 Fund, Inc.
Alliance Growth and Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance Health Care Fund, Inc.
Alliance High Yield Fund, Inc.
Alliance International Fund
Alliance International Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
Alliance Limited Maturity Government Fund, Inc.
Alliance Mortgage Securities Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust, Inc.
Alliance Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
-California Portfolio
-Insured California Portfolio
-Insured National Portfolio
-National Portfolio
-New York Portfolio
Alliance Municipal Income Fund II
-Arizona Portfolio
-Florida Portfolio
-Massachusetts Portfolio
-Michigan Portfolio
-Minnesota Portfolio
-New Jersey Portfolio
49
<PAGE>
-Ohio Portfolio
-Pennsylvania Portfolio
-Virginia Portfolio
Alliance New Europe Fund, Inc.
Alliance North American Government Income Trust, Inc.
Alliance Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
Alliance Quasar Fund, Inc.
Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc.
Alliance Technology Fund, Inc.
Alliance Utility Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund, Inc.
The Alliance Fund, Inc.
The Alliance Portfolios
-Alliance Conservative Investors Fund
-Alliance Growth Investors Fund
-Alliance Growth Fund
-Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund
Prospectuses for the Alliance Mutual Funds may be
obtained without charge by contacting AFS at the address or the
"For Literature" telephone number shown on the front cover of
this Statement of Additional Information.
Cumulative Quantity Discount (Right of Accumulation).
An investor's purchase of additional Class A shares of the Fund
may qualify for a Cumulative Quantity Discount. The applicable
sales charge will be based on the total of:
(i) the investor's current purchase;
(ii) the net asset value (at the close of business on
the previous day) of (a) all shares of the Fund
held by the investor and (b) all shares of any
other Alliance Mutual Fund held by the investor;
and
(iii) the net asset value of all shares described in
paragraph (ii) owned by another shareholder
eligible to combine his or her purchase with that
of the investor into a single "purchase" (see
above).
For example, if an investor owned shares of an Alliance
Mutual Fund worth $200,000 at their then current net asset value
and, subsequently, purchased Class A shares of the Fund worth an
additional $100,000, the sales charge for the $100,000 purchase
would be at the 2.25% rate applicable to a single $300,000
purchase of shares of the Fund, rather than the 3.25% rate.
To qualify for the Combined Purchase Privilege or to
obtain the Cumulative Quantity Discount on a purchase through a
50
<PAGE>
selected dealer or agent, the investor or selected dealer or
agent must provide the Principal Underwriter with sufficient
information to verify that each purchase qualifies for the
privilege or discount.
Statement of Intention. Class A investors may also
obtain the reduced sales charge shown in the table above by means
of a written Statement of Intention, which expresses the
investor's intention to invest not less than $100,000 within a
period of 13 months in Class A shares (or Class A, Class B,
Class C and/or Advisor Class shares) of the Fund or any other
Alliance Mutual Fund. Each purchase of shares under a Statement
of Intention will be made at the public offering price or prices
applicable at the time of such purchase to a single transaction
of the dollar amount indicated in the Statement of Intention. At
the investor's option, a Statement of Intention may include
purchases of shares of the Fund or any other Alliance Mutual Fund
made not more than 90 days prior to the date that the investor
signs the Statement of Intention; however, the 13-month period
during which the Statement of Intention is in effect will begin
on the date of the earliest purchase to be included.
Investors qualifying for the Combined Purchase Privilege
described above may purchase shares of the Alliance Mutual Funds
under a single Statement of Intention. For example, if at the
time an investor signs a Statement of Intention to invest at
least $100,000 in Class A shares of the Fund, the investor and
the investor's spouse each purchase shares of the Fund worth
$20,000 (for a total of $40,000), it will only be necessary to
invest a total of $60,000 during the following 13 months in
shares of the Fund or any other Alliance Mutual Fund, to qualify
for the 3.25 % sales charge on the total amount being invested
(the sales charge applicable to an investment of $100,000).
The Statement of Intention is not a binding obligation
upon the investor to purchase the full amount indicated. The
minimum initial investment under a Statement of Intention is 5%
of such amount. Shares purchased with the first 5% of such
amount will be held in escrow (while remaining registered in the
name of the investor) to secure payment of the higher initial
sales charge applicable to the shares actually purchased if the
full amount indicated is not purchased, and such escrowed shares
will be involuntarily redeemed to pay the additional sales
charge, if necessary. Dividends on escrowed shares, whether paid
in cash or reinvested in additional Fund shares, are not subject
to escrow. When the full amount indicated has been purchased,
the escrow will be released. To the extent that an investor
purchases more than the dollar amount indicated on the Statement
of Intention and qualifies for a further reduced sales charge,
the sales charge will be adjusted for the entire amount purchased
at the end of the 13-month period. The difference in the sales
51
<PAGE>
charge will be used to purchase additional shares of the Fund
subject to the rate of the sales charge applicable to the actual
amount of the aggregate purchases.
Investors wishing to enter into a Statement of Intention
in conjunction with their initial investment in Class A shares of
a Fund should complete the appropriate portion of the
Subscription Application found in the Prospectus while current
Class A shareholders desiring to do so can obtain a form of
Statement of Intention by contacting AFS at the address or the
telephone numbers shown on the cover of this Statement of
Additional Information.
Certain Retirement Plans. Multiple participant payroll
deduction retirement plans may also purchase shares of the Fund
or any other Alliance Mutual Fund at a reduced sales charge on a
monthly basis during the 13-month period following such a plan's
initial purchase. The sales charge applicable to such initial
purchase of shares of a Fund will be that normally applicable,
under the schedule of the sales charges set forth in this
Statement of Additional Information, to an investment 13 times
larger than such initial purchase. The sales charge applicable
to each succeeding monthly purchase will be that normally
applicable, under such schedule, to an investment equal to the
sum of (i) the total purchases previously made during the 13-
month period and (ii) the current month's purchase multiplied by
the number of months (including the current month) remaining in
the 13-month period. Sales charges previously paid during such
period will not be retroactively adjusted on the basis of later
purchases.
Reinstatement Privilege. A shareholder who has caused
any or all of his or her Class A or Class B shares of the Fund to
be redeemed or repurchased may reinvest all or any portion of the
redemption or repurchase proceeds in Class A shares of the Fund
at net asset value without any sales charge, provided that
(i) such reinvestment is made within 120 calendar days after the
redemption or repurchase date and (ii) for Class B shares, a
contingent deferred sales charge has been paid and the Principal
Underwriter has approved, at its discretion, the reinvestment of
such shares. Shares are sold to a reinvesting shareholder at the
net asset value next determined as described above. A
reinstatement pursuant to this privilege will not cancel the
redemption or repurchase transaction; therefore, any gain or loss
so realized will be recognized for federal income tax purposes
except that no loss will be recognized to the extent that the
proceeds are reinvested in shares of the Fund within 30 calendar
days after the redemption or repurchase transaction. Investors
may exercise the reinstatement privilege by written request sent
to the Fund at the address shown on the cover of this Statement
of Additional Information.
52
<PAGE>
Sales at Net Asset Value. The Fund may sell its Class A
shares at net asset value (i.e., without any initial sales
charge) and without a contingent deferred sales charge to certain
categories of investors including: (i) investment management
clients of the Adviser or its affiliates; (ii) officers and
present or former Trustees of the Trust; present or former
directors and trustees of other investment companies managed by
the Adviser; present or retired full-time employees of the
Adviser, the Principal Underwriter, AFS and their affiliates;
officers and directors of ACMC, the Principal Underwriter,
AFS and their affiliates; officers, directors and present and
full-time employees of selected dealers or agents; the spouse,
sibling, direct ancestor or direct descendant (collectively,
"relatives") of any such person; or any trust, individual
retirement account or retirement plan account for the benefit of
any such person or relative; or the estate of any such person or
relative, if such shares are purchased for investment purposes
(such shares may not be resold except to the Fund); (iii) the
Adviser, the Principal Underwriter, AFS and their affiliates;
certain employee benefit plans for employees of the Adviser, the
Principal Underwriter, AFS and their affiliates; (iv) registered
investment advisers or other financial intermediaries who charge
a management, consulting or other fee for their service and who
purchase shares through a broker or agent approved by the
Principal Underwriter and clients of such registered investment
advisers or financial intermediaries whose accounts are linked to
the master account of such investment adviser or financial
intermediary on the books of such approved broker or agent;
(v) persons participating in a fee-based program, sponsored and
maintained by a registered broker-dealer or other financial
intermediary and approved by the Principal Underwriter, pursuant
to which such persons pay an asset-based fee to such broker-
dealer or financial intermediary, or its affiliate or agent, for
services in the nature of investment advisory or administrative
services; (vi) persons who establish to the Principal
Underwriter's satisfaction that they are investing, within such
time period as may be designated by the Principal Underwriter,
proceeds of redemption of shares of such other registered
investment companies as may be designated from time to time by
the Principal Underwriter; and (vii) employer-sponsored qualified
pension or profit-sharing plans (including Section 401(k) plans),
custodial accounts maintained pursuant to Section 403(b)(7),
retirement plans and individual retirement accounts (including
individual retirement accounts to which simplified employee
pension (SEP) contributions are made), if such plans or accounts
are established or administered under programs sponsored by
administrators or other persons that have been approved by the
Principal Underwriter.
53
<PAGE>
CLASS B SHARES
Investors may purchase Class B shares at the public
offering price equal to the net asset value per share of the
Class B shares on the date of purchase without the imposition of
a sales charge at the time of purchase. The Class B shares are
sold without an initial sales charge so that the Fund will
receive the full amount of the investor's purchase payment.
Proceeds from the contingent deferred sales charge on
the Class B shares are paid to the Principal Underwriter and are
used by the Principal Underwriter to defray the expenses of the
Principal Underwriter related to providing distribution-related
services to the Fund in connection with the sale of the Class B
shares, such as the payment of compensation to selected dealers
and agents for selling Class B shares. The combination of the
contingent deferred sales charge and the distribution services
fee enables the Fund to sell Class B shares without a sales
charge being deducted at the time of purchase. The higher
distribution services fee incurred by Class B shares will cause
such shares to have a higher expense ratio and to pay lower
dividends than those related to Class A shares.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. Class B shares that
are redeemed within three years of purchase will generally be
subject to a contingent deferred sales charge at the rates set
forth below charged as a percentage of the dollar amount subject
thereto. The charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the
lesser of the cost of the shares being redeemed or their net
asset value at the time of redemption. Accordingly, no sales
charge will be imposed on increases in net asset value above the
initial purchase price. In addition, no charge will be assessed
on shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions.
To illustrate, assume that an investor purchased 100
Class B shares at $10 per share (at a cost of $1,000) and in the
second year after purchase the net asset value per share is $12
and, during such time, the investor has acquired 10 additional
Class B shares upon dividend reinvestment. If at such time the
investor makes his or her first redemption of 50 Class B shares
(proceeds of $600), 10 Class B shares will not be subject to
charge because of dividend reinvestment. With respect to the
remaining 40 Class B shares, the charge is applied only to the
original cost of $10 per share and not to the increase in net
asset value of $2 per share. Therefore, $400 of the $600
redemption proceeds will be charged at a rate of 3.0% (the
applicable rate in the second year after purchase, as set forth
below).
54
<PAGE>
The amount of the contingent deferred sales charge, if
any, will vary depending on the number of years from the time of
payment for the purchase of Class B shares until the time of
redemption of such shares.
YEAR CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE AS A %
SINCE PURCHASE OF DOLLAR AMOUNT SUBJECT TO CHARGE
First 3.00%
Second 2.00%
Third 1.00%
Fourth None
In determining the contingent deferred sales charge
applicable to a redemption of Class B shares, it will be assumed
that the redemption is, first, of any shares that were acquired
upon the reinvestment of dividends or distributions and, second,
of shares held longest during the time they are subject to the
sales charge. When shares acquired in an exchange are redeemed,
the applicable contingent deferred sales charge and conversion
schedules will be the schedules that applied at the time of
purchase of shares of the corresponding class of the Alliance
Mutual Fund originally purchased by the shareholder.
The contingent deferred sales charge is waived on
redemptions of shares (i) following the death or disability, of a
shareholder, (ii) to the extent that the redemption represents a
minimum required distribution from an individual retirement
account or other retirement plan to a shareholder who has
attained the age of 70-1/2, (iii) that had been purchased by
present or former Trustees of the Trust, by the relative of any
such person, by any trust, individual retirement account or
retirement plan account for the benefit of any such person or
relative, or by the estate of any such person or relative, (iv)
pursuant to a systematic withdrawal plan (see Appendix B and
"Shareholder Services--Systematic Withdrawal Plan" below).
Conversion Feature. Six years after the end of the
calendar month in which the shareholders purchase order was
accepted, Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A
shares and will no longer be subject to a higher distribution
services fee. Such conversions will occur on the basis of the
relative net asset values of the two classes, without the
imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge. The purpose
of the conversion feature is to reduce the distribution services
fee paid by holders of Class B shares that have been outstanding
long enough for the Principal Underwriter to have been
compensated for distribution expenses incurred in the sale of
such shares.
55
<PAGE>
For purposes of conversion to Class A shares, Class B
shares purchased through the reinvestment of dividends and
distributions paid in respect of Class B shares in a
shareholder's account will be considered to be held in a separate
sub-account. Each time any Class B shares in the shareholder's
account (other than those in the sub-account) convert to Class A
shares, an equal pro-rata portion of the Class B shares in the
sub-account will also convert to Class A shares.
The conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares is
subject to the continuing availability of an opinion of counsel
to the effect that the conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares does not constitute a taxable event under federal income
tax law. The conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares may
be suspended if such an opinion is no longer available at the
time such conversion is to occur. In that event, no further
conversions of Class B shares would occur, and shares might
continue to be subject to the higher distribution services fee
for an indefinite period which may extend beyond the period
ending six years after the end of the calendar month in which the
shareholder's purchase order was accepted.
CLASS C SHARES
Investors may purchase Class C shares at the public
offering price equal to the net asset value per share of the
Class C shares on the date of purchase without the imposition of
a sales charge either at the time of purchase or, as long as the
shares are held for one year or more, upon redemption. Class C
shares are sold without an initial sales charge so that the Fund
will receive the full amount of the investor's purchase payment
and, as long as the shares are held for one year or more, without
a contingent deferred sales charge so that the investor will
receive as proceeds upon redemption the entire net asset value of
his or her Class C shares. Class C distribution services fee
enables the Fund to sell Class C shares without either an initial
or contingent deferred sales charge, as long as the shares are
held for one year or more. Class C shares do not convert to any
other class of shares of the Fund and incur higher distribution
services fees and transfer agency costs than Class A shares and
Advisor Class shares, and will thus have a higher expense ratio
and pay correspondingly lower dividends than Class A shares and
Advisor Class shares.
Class C shares that are redeemed within one year of
purchase will be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of
1%, charged as a percentage of the dollar amount subject thereto.
The charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of
the cost of the shares being redeemed or their net asset value at
the time of redemption. Accordingly, no sales charge will be
imposed on increases in net asset value above the initial
56
<PAGE>
purchase price. In addition, no charge will be assessed on
shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions. The contingent deferred sales charge on Class C
shares will be waived on certain redemptions, as described above
under "--Class B Shares". In determining the contingent deferred
sales charge applicable to a redemption of Class C shares, it
will be assumed that the redemption is, first, of any shares that
are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (for
example, because the shares have been held beyond the period
during which the charge applies or were acquired upon the
reinvestment of dividends or distributions) and, second, of
shares held longest during the time they are subject to the sales
charge.
Proceeds from the contingent deferred sales charge are
paid to the Principal Underwriter and are used by the Principal
Underwriter to defray the expenses of the Principal Underwriter
related to providing distribution-related services to the Fund in
connection with the sale of the Class C shares, such as the
payment of compensation to selected dealers and agents for
selling Class C shares. The combination of the contingent
deferred sales charge and the distribution services fee enables
the Fund to sell the Class C shares without a sales charge being
deducted at the time of purchase. The higher distribution
services fee incurred by Class C shares will cause such shares to
have a higher expense ratio and to pay lower dividends than those
related to Class A and Advisor Class shares.
CONVERSION OF ADVISOR CLASS SHARES TO CLASS A SHARES
Advisor Class shares may be held solely through the fee-
based program accounts and employee benefit plans and registered
investment advisory or other financial intermediary
relationships, described above under "Purchase of Shares-
- -General," and by investment advisory clients of, and certain
other persons associated with, the Adviser and its affiliates or
the Fund. If (i) a holder of Advisor Class shares ceases to
participate in a fee-based program or plan, or to be associated
with the investment adviser or financial intermediary, in each
case that satisfies the requirements to purchase shares set forth
under "Purchase of Shares--General" or (ii) the holder is
otherwise no longer eligible to purchase Advisor Class shares as
described in the Advisor Class Prospectus and this Statement of
Additional Information (each, a "Conversion Event"), then all
Advisor Class shares held by the shareholder will convert
automatically to Class A shares of same the Fund during the
calendar month following the month in which the Fund is informed
of the occurrence of the Conversion Event. The Advisor Class
shares do not have any distribution services fees. The failure
of a shareholder or a fee-based program to satisfy the minimum
investment requirements to purchase Advisor Class shares will not
57
<PAGE>
constitute a Conversion Event. The conversion would occur on the
basis of the relative net asset values of the two classes and
without the imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge.
Class A shares currently bear a .30% distribution services fee.
The Fund will provide the shareholder with at least 30 days'
notice of the conversion. As a result, Class A shares have a
higher expense ratio and may pay correspondingly lower dividends
and have a lower net asset value than Advisor Class shares.
The conversion of Advisor Class shares to Class A shares
is subject to the continuing availability of an opinion of
counsel to the effect that the conversion of Advisor Class shares
to Class A shares does not constitute a taxable event under
federal income tax law. The conversion of Advisor Class shares
to Class A shares may be suspended if such an opinion is no
longer available at the time such conversion is to occur. In
that event, the Advisor Class shareholders whose Adviser Class
shares would otherwise convert to Class A shares would be
required to redeem their Advisor Class shares, which would
constitute a taxable event under federal income tax law.
________________________________________________________________
REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE OF SHARES
________________________________________________________________
The following information supplements that set forth in
the Fund's Prospectus under the heading "Purchase and Sale of
Shares -- How to Sell Shares." If you are an Advisor Class
shareholder through an account established under a fee-based
program, your fee-based program may impose requirements with
respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of Advisor Class shares
of the Fund that are different from those described herein. A
transaction fee may be charged by your financial representative
with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of Advisor Class
shares made through such financial representative.
REDEMPTION
Subject only to the limitations described below, the
Fund will redeem the shares tendered to it, as described below,
at a redemption price equal to its net asset value as next
computed following the receipt of shares tendered for redemption
in proper form. Except for any contingent deferred sales charge
which may be applicable to Class A, Class B or Class C shares,
there is no redemption charge. Payment of the redemption price
will be made within seven days after the Fund's receipt of such
tender for redemption. If a shareholder is in doubt about what
documents are required by his or her fee-based program or
employee benefit plan, the shareholder should contact his or her
financial representative.
58
<PAGE>
The right of redemption may not be suspended or the date
of payment upon redemption postponed for more than seven days
after shares are tendered for redemption, except for any period
during which the Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend
and holiday closings) or during which the SEC determines that
trading thereon is restricted, or for any period during which an
emergency (as determined by the SEC) exists as a result of which
disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably
practicable or as a result of which it is not reasonably
practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net
assets, or for such other periods as the SEC may by order permit
for the protection of security holders of the Fund.
Payment of the redemption price will be made in cash.
The value of a shareholder's shares on redemption or repurchase
may be more or less than the cost of such shares to the
shareholder, depending upon the market value of the Fund's
portfolio securities at the time of such redemption or
repurchase. Redemption proceeds from Class A, Class B and Class C
shares will reflect the deduction of the contingent deferred
sales charge, if any. Payment received by a shareholder upon
redemption or repurchase of his or her shares, assuming the
shares constitute capital assets in his or her hands, will result
in long-term or short-term capital gains (or loss) depending upon
the shareholder's holding period and basis in respect of the
shares redeemed.
To redeem shares of the Fund for which no share
certificates have been issued, the registered owner or owners may
forward a letter to the Fund containing a request for redemption.
The signature or signatures on the letter must be guaranteed by
an "eligible guarantor institution" as defined in Rule 17Ad-15
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
To redeem shares of the Fund represented by share
certificates, the investor should forward the appropriate share
certificate or certificates, endorsed in blank or with blank
stock powers attached, to the Fund with the request that the
shares represented thereby, or a specified portion thereof, be
redeemed. The share assignment form on the reverse side of each
share certificate surrendered to the Fund for redemption must be
signed by the registered owner or owners exactly as the
registered name appears on the face of the certificate or,
alternatively, a stock power signed in the same manner may be
attached to the share certificate or certificates or, where
tender is made by mail, separately mailed to the Fund. The
signature or signatures on the assignment form must be guaranteed
in the manner described above.
Telephone Redemption by Electronic Funds Transfer. Each
Fund shareholder is entitled to request redemption by electronic
59
<PAGE>
funds transfer of shares for which no share certificates have
been issued by telephone at (800) 221-5672 by a shareholder who
has completed the appropriate portion of the Subscription
Application found in the Prospectus or, in the case of an
existing shareholder, an "Autosell" application obtained from
AFS. A telephone redemption request by electronic funds transfer
may not exceed $100,000 (except for certain omnibus accounts),
and must be made by 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on a Fund business day
as defined above. Proceeds of telephone redemptions will be sent
by electronic funds transfer to a shareholder's designated bank
account at a bank selected by the shareholder that is a member of
the NACHA.
Telephone Redemption By Check. Each Fund shareholder is
eligible to request redemption by check of Fund shares for which
no share certificates have been issued by telephone at
(800) 221-5672 before 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on a Fund business
day in an amount not exceeding $50,000. Proceeds of such
redemptions are remitted by check to the shareholder's address of
record. A shareholder otherwise eligible for telephone redemption
by check may cancel the privilege by written instruction to AFS,
or by checking the appropriate box on the Subscription
Application found in the Prospectus.
Telephone Redemptions--General. During periods of
drastic economic or market developments, such as the market break
of October 1987, it is possible that shareholders would have
difficulty in reaching AFS by telephone (although no such
difficulty was apparent at any time in connection with the 1987
market break). If a shareholder were to experience such
difficulty, the shareholder should issue written instructions to
AFS at the address shown on the cover of this Statement of
Additional Information. The Fund reserves the right to suspend
or terminate their telephone redemption service at any time
without notice. Telephone redemption is not available with
respect to shares (i) for which certificates have been issued,
(ii) held in nominee or "street name" accounts, (iii) held by a
shareholder who has changed his or her address of record within
the preceding 30 calendar days or (iv) held in any retirement
plan account. Neither the Fund nor the Adviser, the Principal
Underwriter nor AFS will be responsible for the authenticity of
telephone requests for redemptions that the Fund reasonably
believes to be genuine. The Fund will employ reasonable
procedures in order to verify that telephone requests for
redemptions are genuine, including, among others, recording such
telephone instructions and causing written confirmations of the
resulting transactions to be sent to shareholders. If the Fund
did not employ such procedures, it could be liable for losses
arising from unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions.
Selected dealers or agents may charge a commission for handling
telephone requests for redemptions.
60
<PAGE>
REPURCHASE
The Fund may repurchase shares through the Principal
Underwriter, selected financial intermediaries or selected
dealers or agents. The repurchase price will be the net asset
value next determined after the Principal Underwriter receives
the request (less the contingent deferred sales charge, if any,
with respect to the Class A, Class B and Class C shares), except
that requests placed through selected dealers or agents before
the close of regular trading on the Exchange on any day will be
executed at the net asset value determined as of the close of
regular trading on that day if received by the Principal
Underwriter prior to its close of business on that day (normally
5:00 p.m. Eastern time). The financial intermediary or selected
dealer or agent is responsible for transmitting the request to
the Principal Underwriter by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time (certain
selected dealers, agents or financial representatives may enter
into operating agreements permitting them to transmit purchase
information to the Principal Underwriter after 5:00 p.m. Eastern
time and receive that day's net asset value). If the financial
intermediary or selected dealer or agent fails to do so, the
shareholder's right to receive that day's closing price must be
settled between the shareholder and the dealer or agent. A
shareholder may offer shares of the Fund to the Principal
Underwriter either directly or through a selected dealer or
agent. Neither the Fund nor the Principal Underwriter charges a
fee or commission in connection with the repurchase of shares
(except for the contingent deferred sales charge, if any, with
respect to Class A, Class B and Class C shares). Normally, if
shares of the Fund are offered through a financial intermediary
or selected dealer or agent, the repurchase is settled by the
shareholder as an ordinary transaction with or through the
selected dealer or agent, who may charge the shareholder for this
service. The repurchase of shares of the Fund as described above
is a voluntary service of the Fund and the Fund may suspend or
terminate this practice at any time.
GENERAL
The Fund reserves the right to close out an account that
through redemption has remained below $200 for 90 days.
Shareholders will receive 60 days' written notice to increase the
account value before the account is closed. No contingent
deferred sales charge will be deducted from the proceeds of this
redemption. In the case of a redemption or repurchase of shares
of the Fund recently purchased by check, redemption proceeds will
not be made available until the Fund is reasonably assured that
the check has cleared, normally up to 15 calendar days following
the purchase date.
61
<PAGE>
___________________________________________________________
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
___________________________________________________________
The following information supplements that set forth in
the Fund's Prospectus under the heading "Purchase and Sale of
Shares--Shareholder Services." The shareholder services set
forth below are applicable to Class A, Class B, Class C and
Advisor Class shares unless otherwise indicated. If you are an
Advisor Class shareholder through an account established under a
fee-based program, your fee-based program may impose requirements
with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of Advisor Class
shares of the Fund that are different from those described
herein. A transaction fee may be charged by your financial
representative with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of
Advisor Class shares made through such financial representative.
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PROGRAM
Investors may purchase shares of the Fund through an
automatic investment program utilizing electronic funds transfer
drawn on the investor's own bank account. Under such a program,
pre-authorized monthly drafts for a fixed amount (at least $25)
are used to purchase shares through the selected dealer or
selected agent designated by the investor at the public offering
price next determined after the Principal Underwriter receives
the proceeds from the investor's bank. In electronic form,
drafts can be made on or about a date each month selected by the
shareholder. Investors wishing to establish an automatic
investment program in connection with their initial investment
should complete the appropriate portion of the Subscription
Application found in the Prospectus. Current shareholders should
contact AFS at the address or telephone numbers shown on the
cover of this Statement of Additional Information to establish an
automatic investment program.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
You may exchange your investment in the Fund for shares
of the same class of other Alliance Mutual Funds (including AFD
Exchange Reserves, a money market fund managed by the Adviser).
In addition, (i) present officers and full-time employees of the
Adviser, (ii) present Directors or Trustees of any Alliance
Mutual Fund and (iii) certain employee benefit plans for
employees of the Adviser, the Principal Underwriter, AFS and
their affiliates may, on a tax-free basis, exchange Class A
shares of the Fund for Advisor Class shares of the Fund.
Exchanges of shares are made at the net asset value next
determined and without sales or service charges. Exchanges may
be made by telephone or written request. Telephone exchange
62
<PAGE>
requests must be received by AFS by 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on a
Fund business day in order to receive that day's net asset value.
Shares will continue to age without regard to exchanges
for purpose of determining the CDSC, if any, upon redemption and,
in the case of Class B shares, for the purpose of conversion to
Class A shares. After an exchange, your Class B shares will
automatically convert to Class A shares in accordance with the
conversion schedule applicable to the Class B shares of the
Alliance Mutual Fund you originally purchased for cash ("original
shares"). When redemption occurs, the CDSC applicable to the
original shares is applied.
Please read carefully the prospectus of the Alliance
Mutual Fund into which you are exchanging before submitting the
request. Call AFS at (800) 221-5672 to exchange uncertificated
shares. An exchange is a are taxable capital transactions for
federal income tax purposes. The exchange service may be
changed, suspended or terminated on 60 days' written notice.
All exchanges are subject to the minimum investment
requirements and any other applicable terms set forth in the
Prospectus for the Alliance Mutual Fund whose shares are being
acquired. An exchange is effected through the redemption of the
shares tendered for exchange and the purchase of shares being
acquired at their respective net asset values as next determined
following receipt by the Alliance Mutual Fund whose shares are
being exchanged of (i) proper instructions and all necessary
supporting documents as described in such fund's Prospectus, or
(ii) a telephone request for such exchange in accordance with the
procedures set forth in the following paragraph. Exchanges
involving the redemption of shares recently purchased by check
will be permitted only after the Alliance Mutual Fund whose
shares have been tendered for exchange is reasonably assured that
the check has cleared, normally up to 15 calendar days following
the purchase date. Exchanges of shares of Alliance Mutual Funds
will generally result in the realization of a capital gain or
loss for federal income tax purposes.
Each Fund shareholder, and the shareholder's selected
dealer, agent or financial representative, as applicable, is
authorized to make telephone requests for exchanges unless
AFS receives written instruction to the contrary from the
shareholder, or the shareholder declines the privilege by
checking the appropriate box on the Subscription Application
found in the Prospectus. Such telephone requests cannot be
accepted with respect to shares then represented by share
certificates. Shares acquired pursuant to a telephone request
for exchange will be held under the same account registration as
the shares redeemed through such exchange.
63
<PAGE>
Eligible shareholders desiring to make an exchange
should telephone AFS with their account number and other details
of the exchange at (800) 221-5672 before 4:00 p.m., Eastern time,
on a Fund business day as defined above. Telephone requests for
exchange received before 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on a Fund
business day will be processed as of the close of business on
that day. During periods of drastic economic or market
developments, such as the market break of October 1987, it is
possible that shareholders would have difficulty in reaching
AFS by telephone (although no such difficulty was apparent at any
time in connection with the 1987 market break). If a shareholder
were to experience such difficulty, the shareholder should issue
written instructions to AFS at the address shown on the cover of
this Statement of Additional Information.
A shareholder may elect to initiate a monthly "Auto
Exchange" whereby a specified dollar amounts worth of his or her
Fund shares (minimum $25) is automatically exchanged for shares
of another Alliance Mutual Fund. Auto Exchange transactions
normally occur on the 12th day of each month, or the Fund
business day prior thereto, if the 12th day is not a Fund
business day.
None of the Alliance Mutual Funds, the Adviser, the
Principal Underwriter or AFS will be responsible for the
authenticity of telephone requests for exchanges that the Fund
reasonably believes to be genuine. The Fund will employ
reasonable procedures in order to verify that telephone requests
for exchanges are genuine, including, among others, recording
such telephone instructions and causing written confirmations of
the resulting transactions to be sent to shareholders. If the
Fund did not employ such procedures, it could be liable for
losses arising from unauthorized or fraudulent telephone
instructions. Selected dealers, agents or financial
representatives, as applicable, may charge a commission for
handling telephone requests for exchanges.
The exchange privilege is available only in states where
shares of the Alliance Mutual Fund being acquired may legally be
sold. Each Alliance Mutual Fund reserves the right, at any time
on 60 days' notice to its shareholders, to reject any order to
acquire its shares through exchange or otherwise to modify,
restrict or terminate the exchange privilege.
RETIREMENT PLANS
The Fund may be a suitable investment vehicle for part
or all of the assets held in various types of retirement plans,
such as those listed below. The Fund has available forms of such
plans pursuant to which investments can be made in the Fund and
other Alliance Mutual Funds. Persons desiring information
64
<PAGE>
concerning these plans should contact AFS at the "For Literature"
telephone number on the cover of this Statement of Additional
Information, or write to:
Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
Retirement Plans
P.O. Box 1520
Secaucus, New Jersey 07096-1520
Individual Retirement Account ("IRA"). Individuals who
receive compensation, including earnings from self-employment,
are entitled to establish and make contributions to an IRA.
Taxation of the income and gains paid to an IRA by the Fund is
deferred until distribution from the IRA. An individual's
eligible contribution to an IRA will be deductible if neither the
individual nor his or her spouse is an active participant in an
employer-sponsored retirement plan. If the individual or his or
her spouse is an active participant in an employer-sponsored
retirement plan, the individual's contributions to an IRA may be
deductible, in whole or in part, depending on the amount of the
adjusted gross income of the individual and his or her spouse.
Employer-Sponsored Qualified Retirement Plans. Sole
proprietors, partnerships and corporations may sponsor qualified
money purchase pension and profit-sharing plans, including
Section 401(k) plans ("qualified plans"), under which annual tax-
deductible contributions are made within prescribed limits based
on compensation paid to participating individuals. The minimum
initial investment requirement may be waived with respect to
certain of these qualified plans.
If the aggregate net asset value of shares of the
Alliance Mutual Funds held by a qualified plan reaches $5 million
on or before December 15th in any year, all Class B or Class C
shares of the Fund held by the plan can be exchanged at the
plan's request, without any sales charge, for Class A shares of
the Fund.
Simplified Employee Pension Plan ("SEP"). Sole
proprietors, partnerships and corporations may sponsor a SEP
under which they make annual tax-deductible contributions to an
IRA established by each eligible employee within prescribed
limits based on employee compensation.
403(b)(7) Retirement Plan. Certain tax-exempt
organizations and public educational institutions may sponsor
retirement plans under which an employee may agree that monies
deducted from his or her compensation (minimum $25 per pay
period) may be contributed by the employer to a custodial account
established for the employee under the plan.
65
<PAGE>
The Alliance Plans Division of Frontier Trust Company, a
subsidiary of Equitable, which serves as custodian or trustee
under the retirement plan prototype forms available from the
Fund, charges certain nominal fees for establishing an account
and for annual maintenance. A portion of these fees is remitted
to AFS as compensation for its services to the retirement plan
accounts maintained with the Fund.
Distributions from retirement plans are subject to
certain Code requirements in addition to normal redemption
procedures. For additional information please contact AFS at the
address or "For Literature" telephone number shown on the cover
of this Statement of Additional Information.
DIVIDEND DIRECTION PLAN
A shareholder who already maintains, in addition to his
or her Class A, Class B, Class C or Advisor Class Fund account, a
Class A, Class B, Class C or Advisor Class account with one or
more other Alliance Mutual Funds may direct that income dividends
and/or capital gains distributions paid on his or her Class A,
Class B, Class C or Advisor Class Fund shares be automatically
reinvested, in any amount, without the payment of any sales or
service charges, in shares of the same class of such other
Alliance Mutual Fund(s). Further information can be obtained by
contacting AFS at the address or the "For Literature" telephone
number shown on the cover of this Statement of Additional
Information. Investors wishing to establish a dividend direction
plan in connection with their initial investment should complete
the appropriate section of the Subscription Application found in
the Prospectus. Current shareholders should contact AFS to
establish a dividend direction plan.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN
GENERAL. Any shareholder who owns or purchases shares
of the Fund having a current net asset value of at least $4,000
(for quarterly or less frequent payments), $5,000 (for bi-monthly
payments) or $10,000 (for monthly payments) may establish a
systematic withdrawal plan under which the shareholder will
periodically receive a payment in a stated amount of not less
than $50 on a selected date. Systematic withdrawal plan
participants must elect to have their dividends and distributions
from the Fund automatically reinvested in additional shares of
the Fund.
Shares of the Fund owned by a participant in the Fund's
systematic withdrawal plan will be redeemed as necessary to meet
withdrawal payments and such payments will be subject to any
taxes applicable to redemptions and, except as discussed below,
any applicable contingent deferred sales charge. Shares acquired
66
<PAGE>
with reinvested dividends and distributions will be liquidated
first to provide such withdrawal payments and thereafter other
shares will be liquidated to the extent necessary, and depending
upon the amount withdrawn, the investors principal may be
depleted. A systematic withdrawal plan may be terminated at any
time by the shareholder or the relevant Fund.
Withdrawal payments will not automatically end when a
shareholder's account reaches a certain minimum level. Therefore,
redemptions of shares under the plan may reduce or even liquidate
a shareholder's account and may subject the shareholder to the
Fund's involuntary redemption provisions. See "Redemption and
Repurchase of Shares--General." Purchases of additional shares
concurrently with withdrawals are undesirable because of sales
charges when the purchases are made. While an occasional lump-
sum investment may be made by a holder of Class A shares who is
maintaining a systematic withdrawal plan, such investment should
normally be an amount at least equivalent to three times the
annual withdrawal or $5,000, whichever is less.
Payments under a systematic withdrawal plan may be made
by check or electronically via the Automated Clearing House
("ACH") network. Investors wishing to establish a systematic
withdrawal plan in conjunction with their initial investment in
shares of the Fund should complete the appropriate portion of the
Subscription Application found in the Prospectus, while current
Fund shareholders desiring to do so can obtain an application
form by contacting AFS at the address or the "For Literature"
telephone number shown on the cover of this Statement of
Additional Information.
CDSC WAIVER FOR CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES. Under a
systematic withdrawal plan, up to 1% monthly, 2% bi-monthly or 3%
quarterly of the value at the time of redemption of the Class B
or Class C shares in a shareholder's account may be redeemed free
of any contingent deferred sales charge.
With respect to Class B shares, the waiver applies only
with respect to shares acquired after July 1, 1995. Class B
shares that are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge
(such as shares acquired with reinvested dividends or
distributions) will be redeemed first and will count toward the
foregoing limitations. Remaining Class B shares that are held
the longest will be redeemed next. Redemptions of Class B shares
in excess of the foregoing limitations will be subject to any
otherwise applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
With respect to Class C shares, shares held the longest
will be redeemed first and will count toward the foregoing
limitations. Redemptions in excess of those limitations will be
67
<PAGE>
subject to any otherwise applicable contingent deferred sales
charge.
STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
Each shareholder receives semi-annual and annual reports
which include a portfolio of investments, financial statements
and, in the case of the annual report, the report of the Trust's
independent accountants, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, as well as a
confirmation of each purchase and redemption. By contacting his
or her broker or AFS, a shareholder can arrange for copies of his
or her account statements to be sent to another person.
CHECKWRITING
A new Class A or Class C investor may fill out the
Signature Card which is included in the Prospectus to authorize
the Fund to arrange for a checkwriting service through State
Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Bank") to draw against
Class A or Class C shares of the Fund redeemed from the
investor's account. Under this service, checks may be made
payable to any payee in any amount not less than $500 and not
more than 90% of the net asset value of the Class A or Class C
shares in the investor's account (excluding for this purpose the
current month's accumulated dividends and shares for which
certificates have been issued). A Class A or Class C shareholder
wishing to establish this checkwriting service subsequent to the
opening of his or her Fund account should contact the Fund by
telephone or mail. Corporations, fiduciaries and institutional
investors are required to furnish a certified resolution or other
evidence of authorization. This checkwriting service will be
subject to the Bank's customary rules and regulations governing
checking accounts, and the Fund and the Bank each reserve the
right to change or suspend the checkwriting service. There is no
charge to the shareholder for the initiation and maintenance of
this service or for the clearance of any checks .
When a check is presented to the Bank for payment, the
Bank, as the shareholder's agent, causes the Fund to redeem, at
the net asset value next determined, a sufficient number of full
and fractional shares of the Fund in the shareholder's account to
cover the check. Because the level of net assets in a
shareholder's account constantly changes due, among various
factors, to market fluctuations, a shareholder should not attempt
to close his or her account by use of a check. In this regard,
the Bank has the right to return checks (marked "insufficient
funds") unpaid to the presenting bank if the amount of the check
exceeds 90% of the assets in the account. Canceled (paid) checks
are returned to the shareholder. The checkwriting service
enables the shareholder to receive the daily dividends declared
68
<PAGE>
on the shares to be redeemed until the day that the check is
presented to the Bank for payment.
_______________________________________________________________
NET ASSET VALUE
_______________________________________________________________
The per share net asset value is computed in accordance
with the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws
at the next close of regular trading on the Exchange (ordinarily
4:00 p.m. Eastern time) following receipt of a purchase or
redemption order by the Fund on each Fund business day on which
such an order is received and on such other days as the Board of
Trustees deems appropriate or necessary in order to comply with
Rule 22c-1 under the 1940 Act. The Fund's per share net asset
value is calculated by dividing the value of the Fund's total
assets, less its liabilities, by the total number of its shares
then outstanding. A Fund business day is any weekday on which
the Exchange is open for trading.
In accordance with applicable rules under the 1940 Act,
portfolio securities are valued at current market value or at
fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees.
The Board of Trustees has delegated to the Adviser certain of the
Board's duties with respect to the following procedures. Readily
marketable securities listed on the Exchange or on a foreign
securities exchange (other than foreign securities exchanges
whose operations are similar to those of the U.S. over-the-
counter market) are valued, except as indicted below, at the last
sale price reflected on the consolidated tape at the close of the
Exchange or, in the case of a foreign securities exchange, at the
last quoted sale price, in each case on the business day as of
which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale
on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing
bid and asked prices on such day. If no bid or asked prices are
quoted on such day, then the security is valued in good faith at
fair value by, or in accordance with procedures established by,
the Board of Trustees. Readily marketable securities not listed
on the Exchange or on a foreign securities exchange but listed on
other United States national securities exchanges or traded on
The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. are valued in like manner.
Portfolio securities traded on the Exchange and on one or more
foreign or other national securities exchanges, and portfolio
securities not traded on the Exchange but traded on one or more
foreign or other national securities exchanges are valued in
accordance with these procedures by reference to the principal
exchange on which the securities are traded.
Readily marketable securities traded in the over-the-
counter market, securities listed on a foreign securities
69
<PAGE>
exchange whose operations are similar to those of the U.S. over-
the-counter market, and securities listed on a U.S. national
securities exchange whose primary market is believed to be over-
the-counter (but excluding securities traded on The Nasdaq Stock
Market, Inc.), are valued at the mean of the current bid and
asked prices as reported by Nasdaq or, in the case of securities
not quoted by Nasdaq, the National Quotation Bureau or another
comparable source.
Listed put or call options purchased by the Fund are
valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that
day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on
that day.
Open futures contracts and options thereon will be
valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of
such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no
quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available
closing settlement price will be used.
U.S. Government Securities and other debt instruments
having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at
amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less, or
by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to
maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days
(unless in either case the Board of Trustees determines that this
method does not represent fair value).
Fixed-income securities may be valued on the basis of
prices provided by a pricing service when such prices are
believed to reflect the fair market value of such securities.
The prices provided by pricing service take into account many
factors, including institutional size trading in similar groups
of securities and any developments related to specific
securities. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities may be
valued at prices obtained from a bond pricing service or at a
price obtained from one or more of the major broker/dealers in
such securities. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are
obtained, the Adviser may establish procedures whereby changes in
market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a
recently obtained quoted bid price on a security.
All other assets of the Fund are valued in good faith at
fair value by, or in accordance with procedures established by,
the Board of Trustees.
Trading in securities on Far Eastern and European
securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets is normally
completed well before the close of business of each Fund business
day. In addition, trading in foreign markets may not take place
on all Fund business days. Furthermore, trading may take place
70
<PAGE>
in various foreign markets on days that are not Fund business
days. The Fund's calculation of the net asset value per share,
therefore, does not always take place contemporaneously with the
most recent determination of the prices of portfolio securities
in these markets. Events affecting the values of these portfolio
securities that occur between the time their prices are
determined in accordance with the above procedures and the close
of the Exchange will not be reflected in the Fund's calculation
of net asset value unless these prices do not reflect current
market value, in which case the securities will be valued in good
faith at fair value by, or in accordance with procedures
established by, the Board of Trustees.
The Board of Trustees may suspend the determination of
the Fund's net asset value (and the offering and sale of shares),
subject to the rules of the SEC and other governmental rules and
regulations, at a time when: (1) the Exchange is closed, other
than customary weekend and holiday closings, (2) an emergency
exists as a result of which it is not reasonably practicable for
the Fund to dispose of securities owned by it or to determine
fairly the value of its net assets, or (3) for the protection of
shareholders, the SEC by order permits a suspension of the right
of redemption or a postponement of the date of payment on
redemption.
For purposes of determining the Fund's net asset value
per share, all assets and liabilities initially expressed in a
foreign currency will be converted into U.S. dollars at the mean
of the current bid and asked prices of such currency against the
U.S. dollar last quoted by a major bank that is a regular
participant in the relevant foreign exchange market or on the
basis of a pricing service that takes into account the quotes
provided by a number of such major banks. If such quotations are
not available as of the close of the Exchange, the rate of
exchange will be determined in good faith by, or under the
direction of, the Board of Trustees.
The assets attributable to the Class A shares, Class B
shares, Class C shares and Advisor Class shares will be invested
together in a single portfolio. The net asset value of each
class will be determined separately by subtracting the
liabilities allocated to that class from the assets belonging to
that class in conformance with the provisions of a plan adopted
by the Fund in accordance with Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act.
71
<PAGE>
_______________________________________________________________
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
_______________________________________________________________
The Fund intends to qualify for tax treatment as a
"regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") for each taxable
year. In order to qualify as a regulated investment company, the
Fund must, among other things, (1) derive at least 90% of its
gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to
securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of
stock or securities, foreign currencies or other income
(including gains from options, futures or forward contracts)
derived with respect to its business of investing in stock,
securities or currencies and (2) diversify its holdings so that
at the end of each quarter of its taxable year, the following two
conditions are met: (i) at least 50% of the market value of the
Fund's assets is represented by cash or cash items, U.S.
Government Securities, securities of other regulated investment
companies, and other securities limited, in respect of any one
issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the
Fund's assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of
such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its
assets is invested in the securities of any one issuer (other
than U.S. Government Securities or the securities of other
regulated investment companies) or of two or more issuers that
the Fund controls and that are engaged in the same, similar, or
related trades or businesses. These requirements may limit the
range of the Fund's investments.
If the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company,
it will not be subject to federal income tax on the part of its
income distributed to shareholders, provided the Fund distributes
during its taxable year at least (a) 90% of its taxable net
investment income (generally, dividends, interest, certain other
income, and the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gain
over net long-term capital loss) and (b) 90% of the excess of
(i) its tax-exempt interest income over (ii) certain deductions
attributable to that income. The Fund intends to make sufficient
distributions to shareholders to meet this requirement.
Investors should consult their own counsel for a complete
understanding of the requirements the Fund must meet to qualify
for such treatment.
In addition, if the Fund fails to distribute in a
calendar year substantially all of its ordinary income for such
year and substantially all of its capital gain net income for the
one-year period ending October 31, plus any retained amount from
the prior year, the Fund will be subject to a 4% excise tax on
the undistributed amounts. A dividend paid to shareholders by
72
<PAGE>
the Fund in January of a year generally is deemed to have been
paid by the Fund on December 31 of the preceding year, if the
dividend was declared and payable to shareholders of record on a
date in October, November or December of that preceding year.
The Fund intends generally to make distributions sufficient to
avoid imposition of the 4% excise tax.
The information set forth in the Prospectus and the
following discussion relates solely to Federal income taxes on
dividends and distributions by the Fund and assumes that the Fund
qualifies as a regulated investment company. Investors should
consult their own counsel for further details and for the
application of state and local tax laws to his or her particular
situation.
Dividends out of net ordinary income and distributions
of net short-term capital gains are taxable to shareholders as
ordinary income. Distributions of net long-term capital gain
designated by the Fund as such (i.e., the excess of net long-term
capital gain over net short-term capital loss) are taxable as
long-term capital gain (generally at a 20% rate for noncorporate
shareholders), regardless of how long a shareholder has held
shares in the Fund. The investment objective of the Fund is such
that only a small portion, if any, of the Fund's distributions is
expected to qualify for the dividends-received deduction for
corporate shareholders.
Dividends and distributions on a Fund's shares are
generally subject to federal income tax as described herein to
the extent they do not exceed the Fund's realized income and
gains, even though such dividends and distributions may
economically represent a return of a particular shareholder's
investment. Such distributions are likely to occur in respect of
shares purchased at a time when a Fund's net asset value reflects
gains that are either unrealized, or realized but not
distributed. Such realized gains may be required to be
distributed, even when a Fund's net asset value also reflects
unrealized losses. A loss on the sale of shares held for six
months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss for
Federal income tax purposes to the extent of any distribution of
net capital gain made with respect to such shares.
Dividends and distributions are taxable in the manner
described above regardless of whether they are paid to the
shareholder in cash or are reinvested in additional shares of the
Fund.
A dividend or capital gains distribution with respect to
shares of the Fund held by a tax-deferred or qualified plan, such
as an individual retirement account, 403(b)(7) retirement plan or
corporate pension or profit-sharing plan, generally will not be
73
<PAGE>
taxable to the plan. Distributions from such plans will be
taxable to individual participants under applicable tax rules
without regard to the character of the income earned by the
qualified plan.
Under current federal tax law, the Fund will receive net
investment income in the form of interest by virtue of holding
Treasury bills, notes and bonds, and will recognize interest
attributable to it under the original issue discount rules of the
Code from holding zero coupon Treasury securities. Current
federal tax law requires that a holder (such as the Fund) of a
zero coupon security accrue a portion of the discount at which
the security was purchased as income each year even though the
Fund receives no interest payment in cash on the security during
the year. Accordingly, the Fund may be required to pay out as an
income distribution each year an amount which is greater than the
total amount of cash interest the Fund actually received. Such
distributions will be made from the cash assets of the Fund or by
liquidation of portfolio securities, if necessary. If a
distribution of cash necessitates the liquidation of portfolio
securities, the Adviser will select which securities to sell.
The Fund may realize a gain or loss from such sales. In the
event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions,
its shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution,
if any, than they would have in the absence of such transactions.
The Fund's hedging transactions, including hedging
transactions in options, futures contracts and straddles, or
other similar transactions, including short sales against-the-
box, will subject the Fund to special tax rules (including mark-
to-market, straddle, wash sale, short sale and constructive sales
rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the
Fund, defer losses to the Fund, cause adjustments in the holding
periods of the Fund's securities, or convert short-term capital
losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could
therefore affect the amount, timing and character of
distributions to shareholders. The Fund will endeavor to make
any available elections pertaining to such transactions in a
manner believed to be in the best interest of the Fund.
The Fund is required to withhold and remit to the U.S.
Treasury 31% of all dividend income paid to any shareholder
account for which an incorrect or no taxpayer identification
number has been provided or where the Fund is notified that the
shareholder has under-reported income in the past (or the
shareholder fails to certify that he or she is not subject to
such withholding). In addition, the Fund will be required to
withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury 31% of the amount of the
proceeds of any redemption of shares of a shareholder account for
which an incorrect or no taxpayer identification number has been
provided.
74
<PAGE>
The foregoing discussion relates only to U.S. Federal
income tax law as it affects U.S. shareholders. The effects of
Federal income tax law on non-U.S. shareholders may be
substantially different. Foreign investors should consult their
counsel for further information as to the U.S. tax consequences
of investing in the Fund.
____________________________________________________________
GENERAL INFORMATION
____________________________________________________________
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
The Trust is organized as a Massachusetts business trust
under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts by an
Agreement and Declaration of Trust ("Declaration of Trust") dated
March 26, 1987, a copy of which is on file with the Secretary of
State of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Trust is a
"series" company as described in Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act,
having four separate portfolios, each of which is represented by
a separate series of shares. In addition to the Fund, the other
portfolios of the Trust are Alliance Growth Fund, Alliance
Conservative Investors Fund and Alliance Growth Investors
Fund.
The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue
an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of each series
and of each class of shares thereof. The shares of the Fund and
each class thereof do not have any preemptive rights. Upon
termination of the Fund or any class thereof, whether pursuant to
liquidation of the Trust or otherwise, shareholders of the Fund
or that class are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets of
the Fund or that class then available for distribution to such
shareholders.
The assets received by the Trust for the issue or sale
of the Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares of the
Fund and all income, earnings, profits, losses and proceeds
therefrom, subject only to the rights of creditors, are allocated
to, and constitute the underlying assets of, the appropriate
class of that Fund. The underlying assets of the Fund and each
class of shares thereof are segregated and are charged with the
expenses with respect to the Fund and that class and with a share
of the general expenses of the Trust. While the expenses of the
Trust are allocated to the separate books of account of each
series and each class of shares thereof, certain expenses may be
legally chargeable against the assets of all series or a
particular class of shares thereof.
The Declaration of Trust provides for the perpetual
existence of the Trust. The Trust or Fund, however, may be
75
<PAGE>
terminated at any time by vote of at least a majority of the
outstanding shares of the Fund affected. The Declaration of
Trust further provides that the Trustees may also terminate the
Trust upon written notice to the shareholders.
CAPITALIZATION
Except as noted below under "Shareholder and Trustee
Liability", all shares of the Fund when duly issued will be fully
paid and non-assessable.
Set forth below is certain information as to all persons
who owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of any class of
the Fund's outstanding shares at October 8, 1999:
Names and Addresses % of Class
CLASS A
MLPF&S 285,693 25.64%
For the Sole Benefit of its
Customers
Attn: Fund Admin (97B72)
4800 Deer Lake Drive East
2nd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
CLASS B
MLPF&S 1,132,049 48.30%
For the Sole Benefit of its
Customers
Attn: Fund Admin (97B72)
4800 Deer Lake Drive East
2nd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
CLASS C
MLPF&S 533,308 54.16%
For the Sole Benefit of its
Customers
Attn: Fund Admin (97B74)
4800 Deer Lake Drive East
2nd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
76
<PAGE>
VOTING RIGHTS
As summarized in the Prospectus, shareholders are
entitled to one vote for each full share held (with fractional
votes for fractional shares held) and will vote (to the extent
provided herein) in the election of Trustees and the termination
of the Trust or the Fund and on other matters submitted to the
vote of shareholders.
The By-Laws of the Trust provide that the shareholders
of any particular series or class shall not be entitled to vote
on any matters as to which such series or class is not affected.
Except with respect to matters as to which the Trustees have
determined that only the interests of one or more particular
series or classes are affected or as required by law, all of the
shares of each series or class shall, on matters as to which such
series or class is entitled to vote, vote with other series or
classes so entitled as a single class. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, with respect to matters which would otherwise be voted
on by two or more series or classes as a single class, the
Trustees may, in their sole discretion, submit such matters to
the shareholders of any or all such series or classes,
separately. Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides in effect
that a series shall be deemed to be affected by a matter unless
it is clear that the interests of each series in the matter are
substantially identical or that the matter does not affect any
interest of such series. Although not governed by Rule 18f-2,
shares of each class of the Fund will vote separately with
respect to matters pertaining to the respective Distribution
Plans applicable to each class.
The terms "shareholder approval" and "majority of the
outstanding voting securities" as used in the Prospectus and this
Statement of Additional Information mean the lesser of (i) 67% or
more of the shares of the applicable Fund or the applicable class
thereof represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the
outstanding shares of the Fund or such class are represented or
(ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund or such
class.
There will normally be no meetings of shareholders for
the purpose of electing Trustees, except that in accordance with
the 1940 Act (i) the Trust will hold a shareholders' meeting for
the election of Trustees at such time as less than a majority of
the Trustees holding office have been elected by shareholders,
and (ii) if, as a result of a vacancy on the Board of Trustees,
less than two-thirds of the Trustees holding office have been
elected by the shareholders, that vacancy may only be filled by a
vote of the shareholders. The Fund's shares have non-cumulative
voting rights, which means that the holders of more than 50% of
the shares voting for the election of Trustees can elect 100% of
77
<PAGE>
the Trustees if they choose to do so, and in such event the
holders of the remaining less than 50% of the shares voting for
such election of Trustees will not be able to elect any person or
persons to the Board of Trustees. A special meeting of
shareholders for any purpose may be called by 10% of the Trust's
outstanding shareholders.
Except as set forth above, the Trustees shall continue
to hold office and may appoint successor Trustees.
No amendment may be made to the Declaration of Trust
without the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding
shares of the Trust except (i) to change the Trust's name,
(ii) to establish, change or eliminate the par value of shares or
(iii) to supply any omission, cure any ambiguity or cure, correct
or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision contained
in the Declaration of Trust.
SHAREHOLDER AND TRUSTEE LIABILITY
Under Massachusetts law shareholders could, under
certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the
obligations of the Trust. However, the Declaration of Trust
disclaims shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the
Trust and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in
each agreement, obligation, or instrument entered into or
executed by the Trust or the Trustees. The Declaration of Trust
provides for indemnification out of the Fund's property for all
loss and expense of any shareholder of the Fund held liable on
account of being or having been a shareholder. Thus, the risk of
a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder
liability is limited to circumstances in which the Fund of which
he or she was a shareholder would be unable to meet its
obligations.
The Declaration of Trust further provides that the
Trustees will not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of
fact or law. However, nothing in the Declaration of Trust
protects a Trustee against any liability to which the Trustee
would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of his or her office. The By-Laws of the
Trust provide for indemnification by the Trust of the Trustees
and the officers of the Trust but no such person may be
indemnified against any liability to the Trust or the Trust's
shareholders to which he or she would otherwise be subject by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his
or her office.
78
<PAGE>
COUNSEL
Legal matters in connection with the issuance of the
shares of the Fund offered hereby are passed upon by Ropes &
Gray, One International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The financial statements of the Fund for the fiscal year
ended August 31, 1999 which are included in this Statement of
Additional Information, have been audited by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 1177 Avenue of the Americas, New
York, New York 10036, the Trust's independent accountants for
such period, as stated in the annual report appearing herein, and
have been so included in reliance upon such report given upon the
authority of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
TOTAL RETURN AND YIELD QUOTATIONS
From time to time, the Fund advertises its "yield" and
"total return," which are computed separately for Class A, Class
B and Class C shares. The Fund's yield for any 30-day (or one-
month) period is computed by dividing the net investment income
per share earned during such period by the maximum public
offering price per share on the last day of the period, and then
annualizing such 30-day (or one-month) yield in accordance with a
formula prescribed by the SEC which provides for compounding on a
semi-annual basis. The Fund may also state in sales literature
an "actual distribution rate" for each class which is computed in
the same manner as yield except that actual income dividends
declared per share during the period in question are substituted
for net investment income per share. The actual distribution
rate is computed separately for Class A, Class B and Class C
shares. Advertisements of the Fund's total return disclose its
average annual compounded total return for the periods prescribed
by the SEC. The Fund's total return for each such period is
computed by finding, through the use of a formula prescribed by
the SEC, the average annual compounded rate of return over the
period that would equate an assumed initial amount invested to
the value of the investment at the end of the period. For
purpose of computing total return, income dividends and capital
gains distributions paid on shares of the Fund are assumed to
have been reinvested when paid and the maximum sales charges
applicable to purchases and redemptions of the Fund's shares are
assumed to have been paid.
The Fund calculates average annual total return
information in the Performance Table in the Risk/Return Summary
according to the Commission formula as described above. In
accordance with Commission guidelines, total return information
is presented for each class for the same time periods, i.e., the
79
<PAGE>
1, 5 and 10 years (or over the life of the Fund, if the Fund is
less than 10 years old) ending on the last day of the most recent
calendar year. Since different classes may have first been sold
on different dates ("Actual Inception Dates"), in some cases this
can result in return information being presented for a class for
periods prior to its Actual Inception Date. Where return
information is presented for periods prior to the Actual
Inception Date of a Class (a "Younger Class"), such information
is calculated by using the historical performance of the class
with the earliest Actual Inception Date (the "Oldest Class").
For this purpose, the Fund calculates the difference in total
annual fund operating expenses (as a percentage of average net
assets) between the Younger Class and the Oldest Class for the
most recent fiscal year ended prior to October 31, 1999, divides
the difference by 12, and subtracts the result from the monthly
performance at net asset value (including reinvestment of all
dividends and distributions) of the Oldest Class for each month
prior to the Younger Class's Actual Inception Date for which
performance information is to be shown. The resulting "pro
forma" monthly performance information is used to calculate the
Younger Class's average annual returns for these periods. Any
conversion feature applicable to the Younger Class is assumed to
occur in accordance with the Actual Inception Date for that
class, not its hypothetical inception date.
The yield of Class A shares of the Short-Term U.S.
Government Fund was 4.87% for the 30-day period ended August 31,
1999. The yield of Class B shares of the Short-Term U.S.
Government Fund was 4.37% for the 30-day period ended August 31,
1999. The yield of Class C shares of the Short-Term U.S.
Government Fund was 4.36% for the 30-day period ended August 31,
1999.
The average annual total return based on net asset value
for each class of shares for the one- and five- year periods
ended August 31, 1999 (and since inception through that date, as
noted) was as follows:
80
<PAGE>
12 Months Since Inception
Ended 5 Years Ended through
8/31/99 8/31/99 8/31/99
_________ _____________ ______________
Class A 3.18% 4.47% 4.29%*
Class B 2.35% 3.70% 3.67%*
Class C 2.24% 3.69% 2.80%*
*Inception Dates: Class A - May 4, 1992
Class B - May 4, 1992
Class C - August 2, 1993
The Fund's total return is not fixed and will fluctuate
in response to prevailing market conditions or as a function of
the type and quality of the securities in the Fund's portfolio
and the Fund's expenses. Total return information is useful in
reviewing the Fund's performance but such information may not
provide a basis for comparison with bank deposits or other
investments which pay a fixed return for a stated period of time.
An investor's principal invested in the Fund is not fixed and
will fluctuate in response to prevailing market conditions.
Advertisements quoting performance rankings of the Fund
as measured by financial publications or by independent
organizations such as Lipper, Inc. and Morningstar, Inc. (or
comparing the Fund's performance to that of various indices), and
advertisements presenting the historical performance of the Fund,
may also from time to time be sent to investors or placed in
newspapers and magazines, such as The New York Times, The Wall
Street Journal, Barrons, Investor's Daily, Money Magazine,
Changing Times, Business Week and Forbes or other media on behalf
of the Fund.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This Statement of Additional Information does not
contain all the information set forth in the Registration
Statement filed by the Trust with the SEC under the Securities
Act of 1933. Copies of the Registration Statement may be
obtained at a reasonable charge from the SEC or may be examined,
without charge, at the offices of the SEC in Washington, D.C.
81
<PAGE>
____________________________________________________________
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
____________________________________________________________
82
<PAGE>
ALLIANCE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHORT-TERM
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. GOVERNMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Report
August 31, 1999
Alliance Capital [LOGO](R)
<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
August 31, 1999 Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund
================================================================================
Principal
Amount
(000) Value
- -----------------------------------------------------
MORTGAGE-RELATED
SECURITIES - 74.0%
COLLATERALIZED
MORTGAGE
OBLIGATIONS - 48.3%
FIXED RATE - 34.4%
Federal Home Loan Banks
0.00%, 8/04/17.......... $ 6,500 $ 1,519,375
4.91%, 1/28/00.......... 1,500 1,493,906
Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corp.
Series 1361 Cl. 1361 D
6.00%, 11/15/05......... 1,422 1,416,562
Series 1997-80 Cl. DA
6.50%, 3/18/24.......... 1,335 1,311,071
Series 2047 Cl. WA
6.80%, 8/15/26.......... 783 762,995
Series 2012 Cl. A
6.90%, 4/15/26.......... 638 628,455
Series 1445 Cl. J
7.00%, 9/15/06.......... 1,500 1,506,570
Series 1923 Cl. B
7.00%, 1/15/23.......... 174 173,763
Series 1933 Cl. C
7.00%, 3/15/25.......... 1,013 1,017,071
Series 2058 Cl. A
7.00%, 1/17/25.......... 559 548,356
Series 2072 Cl. CA
7.50%, 10/15/27......... 371 369,761
12.00%, 10/01/09-6/01/10 582 639,871
Federal National Mortgage
Association
Series 1996-68 Cl. B
6.50%, 5/18/17.......... 235 234,797
Series 1997-24 Cl. C
7.00%, 9/18/22.......... 987 988,808
Series 1997-80 Cl. DA
7.00%, 3/18/24.......... 182 182,410
ICI Funding Corp.
Series 1997-1 Cl. A2
9.00%, 3/25/28.......... 31 31,515
-----------
12,825,286
-----------
ADJUSTABLE RATE - 13.9%
Commercial Loan Funding
Trust
Series I Cl. A
5.65%, 8/15/05 (a) (b).. 88 88,004
Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corp.
Series 1928 Cl. F
5.81%, 12/15/24 (a)..... 144 144,333
Federal National Mortgage
Association
Series 1993-639 Cl. F
5.69%, 8/25/16 (a)...... 275 275,467
Series 1992-204 Cl. FA
6.09%, 10/25/22 (a)..... 335 338,004
Federal National Mortgage
Association Remic
Series 1993-95 Cl. FA
6.09%, 6/25/08 (a)...... 1,042 1,054,349
Imperial CMB Trust
Series 1997-2 Cl. M1
5.88%, 12/25/27 (a)..... 263 261,563
Mall Asset Realty Trust
Series 1999-1A Cl. A
5.61%, 6/13/08 (a) (b).. 900 899,856
Merrill Lynch Mortgage
Investors, Inc.
Series 1998-ASP1 Cl. B
6.01%, 10/01/03 (a) (b). 900 900,000
Salomon Brothers Mortgage
Securities VII, Inc.
Series 1996-AFF1 Cl. A1
5.84%, 1/25/26 (a)...... 236 236,146
Series 1999-NCY Cl. A
5.74%, 9/25/29 (a)...... 1,000 1,000,000
-----------
5,197,722
-----------
Total Collateralized
Mortgage Obligations
(cost $18,307,835)...... 18,023,008
-----------
--
5
--
<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued) Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund
================================================================================
Principal
Amount
(000) Value
- -----------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL NATIONAL
MORTGAGE
ASSOCIATION - 20.6%
6.65%, 5/01/27 (a)...... $ 63 $ 63,630
6.71%, 7/01/25 (a)...... 647 661,320
6.89%, 9/01/27 (a)...... 174 177,962
6.97%, 6/01/26 (a)...... 193 197,823
7.00%, 11/01/07-8/01/14. 2,331 2,309,432
7.14%, 11/01/26 (a)..... 227 232,488
8.00%, 12/01/29......... 4,000 4,052,480
-----------
Total Federal National
Mortgage Association
(cost $7,732,915)....... 7,695,135
-----------
GOVERNMENT NATIONAL
MORTGAGE
ASSOCIATION - 3.5%
6.13%, 11/20/26-12/20/26
(cost $1,304,071)....... 1,287 1,292,559
-----------
FEDERAL HOME LOAN
MORTGAGE CORP. - 1.6%
6.94%, 2/01/26 (a)...... 437 446,104
12.00%, 2/01/14......... 143 159,998
-----------
Total Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corp.
(cost $616,058)......... 606,102
-----------
Total Mortgage-Related
Securities
(cost $27,960,879)...... 27,616,804
-----------
ASSET BACKED
SECURITIES - 28.6%
Aames Mortgage Trust
Series 1999-1 Cl. AV
5.67%, 7/15/29 (a)...... 995 994,739
Access Financial Mortgage
Loan Trust
Series 1997-3 Cl. A7
5.52%, 10/18/27 (a)..... 192 189,717
Advanta Credit Card Master
Trust
Series 1996-C Cl. A
5.27%, 11/15/03 (a)..... 350 349,657
Advanta Mortgage Loan
Trust
Series 1981-1 Cl. A7
5.55%, 3/25/28 (a)...... 481 479,533
Amresco Residential
Securities Mortgage
Loan Trust
Series 1998-3 Cl. A7
5.58%, 7/25/28 (a)...... 610 607,166
Bear Stearns Mortgage
Securities, Inc.
Series 1999-1 Cl. A1
5.54%, 4/25/29 (a)...... 1,175 1,174,187
Contimortgage Home
Equity Loan Trust
Series 1998-2 Cl. A3
6.13%, 3/15/13.......... 1,000 995,630
Series 1998-2 Cl. A2A
6.15%, 3/15/13.......... 219 218,735
Countrywide Home Equity
Loan Trust
Series 1998-Cl. CTFS
5.45%, 10/15/24 (a)..... 322 320,305
IMC Home Equity Loan
Trust
Series 1998-3 Cl. A3
6.16%, 5/20/14.......... 700 696,941
ITT Federal Bank, FSB
Series 1994-P1 Cl. A1
6.81%, 6/25/24 (a) (b).. 108 107,679
Ocwen Mortgage Loan
Certificates
Series 1998-OFS3 Cl. A
5.65%, 10/25/29 (a)..... 831 830,808
- --
6
- --
<PAGE>
Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund
================================================================================
Principal
Amount
(000) Value
- -----------------------------------------------------
Onyx Acceptance Owner
Trust
Series 1999 -Cl. A1
5.65%, 9/15/00.......... $ 900 $ 900,000
Peco Energy Transition
Trust
Series 1999-A Cl. A5
5.26%, 3/01/09 (a)...... 800 795,376
Residential Accredit Loan,
Inc.
Series 1997-QS10 Cl. A1
7.25%, 10/25/27......... 1,196 1,198,419
Residential Funding
Mortgage Securities I
Series 1997-HS2 Cl. A
5.45%, 9/20/22 (a)...... 408 405,168
Saxon Asset Securities Trust
Series 1998-2 Cl. AV1
5.50%, 2/25/28 (a)...... 412 410,351
-----------
Total Asset Backed
Securities
(cost $10,694,293)...... 10,674,411
-----------
REPURCHASE
AGREEMENTS - 9.3%
Lehman Brothers, Inc.
5.45%, dated 8/31/99,
$1,720,260 due 9/01/99,
collateralized by
$1,709,509, FHLMC,
6.73%, 6/15/35.......... 1,720 1,720,000
State Street Bank and
Trust Co.
5.45%, dated 8/31/99,
$1,750,265 due 9/01/99,
collateralized by
$1,780,000, FNMA,
5.51%, 5/29/01.......... 1,750 1,750,000
-----------
Total Repurchase
Agreements
(cost $3,470,000)....... 3,470,000
-----------
U.S. GOVERNMENT
OBLIGATION - 5.6%
U.S. Treasury Notes
5.50%, 7/31/01 (c)
(cost $2,097,072)....... 2,100 2,090,151
-----------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 117.5%
(cost $44,222,244)...... 43,851,366
Other assets less
liabilities - (17.5%)... (6,531,059)
-----------
NET ASSETS - 100%.......... $37,320,307
===========
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Adjustable rate mortgages; stated interest rate in effect at August 31,
1999.
(b) Securities are exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities
Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from
registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At August 31,
1999, these securities amounted to $1,995,539 or 5.3% of net assets.
(c) Security with an aggregate market value of $2,099,961 has been segregated
to collateralize reverse repurchase agreement.
See notes to financial statements.
--
7
--
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
August 31, 1999 Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ASSETS
Investments in securities, at value (cost $40,752,244) .................................. $ 40,381,366
Repurchase agreements (cost $3,470,000) ................................................. 3,470,000
Cash .................................................................................... 16,391
Receivable for investment securities sold ............................................... 5,137,337
Receivable for shares of beneficial interest sold ....................................... 422,206
Interest receivable ..................................................................... 267,454
Initial margin deposit on futures contracts .. 22,500
Variation margin receivable on futures contracts ........................................ 2,109
------------
Total assets ............................................................................ 49,719,363
------------
LIABILITIES
Payable for investment securities purchased ............................................. 10,000,126
Reverse repurchase agreement ............................................................ 2,103,232
Payable for shares of beneficial interest redeemed ...................................... 117,228
Dividends payable ....................................................................... 50,984
Distribution fee payable ................................................................ 25,223
Management fee payable .................................................................. 7,950
Accrued expenses ........................................................................ 94,313
------------
Total liabilities ....................................................................... 12,399,056
------------
NET ASSETS ................................................................................. $ 37,320,307
============
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS
Shares of beneficial interest, at par ................................................... $ 40
Additional paid-in capital .............................................................. 38,856,102
Distributions in excess of net investment income ........................................ (68,608)
Accumulated net realized loss on investments and futures transactions ................... (1,116,030)
Net unrealized depreciation of investments, futures transactions, and other liabilities . (351,197)
------------
$ 37,320,307
============
CALCULATION OF MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE
Class A Shares
Net asset value and redemption price per share
($9,378,763 / 1,013,282 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding) ......... $9.26
Sales charge--4.25% of public offering price ............................................ .41
-----
Maximum offering price .................................................................. $9.67
=====
Class B Shares
Net asset value and offering price per share
($20,564,920 / 2,187,877 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding) ........ $9.40
=====
Class C Shares
Net asset value and offering price per share
($7,376,624 / 786,147 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding) ........... $9.38
=====
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See notes to financial statements.
- --
8
- --
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended August 31, 1999 Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME
Interest............................................................. $ 1,988,978
EXPENSES
Advisory fee......................................................... $ 162,331
Distribution fee - Class A........................................... 21,679
Distribution fee - Class B........................................... 154,210
Distribution fee - Class C........................................... 68,676
Custodian............................................................ 107,689
Transfer agency...................................................... 57,753
Audit and legal...................................................... 45,758
Registration......................................................... 39,919
Printing............................................................. 28,356
Trustees' fees....................................................... 15,278
Miscellaneous........................................................ 3,910
--------------
Total expenses................................... 705,559
Less: expenses waived by Adviser (See Note B)........................ (136,331)
--------------
Net expenses......................................................... 569,228
Interest expense..................................................... 45,677
--------------
Total expenses including interest expense............................ 614,905
--------------
Net investment income................................................ 1,374,073
--------------
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
Net realized loss on investment transactions......................... (345,384)
Net realized loss on futures transactions............................ (20,011)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of :
Investments........................................................ (346,951)
Futures transactions............................................... 29,194
Other liabilities.................................................. (2,993)
--------------
Net loss on investments.............................................. (686,145)
--------------
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS.............................. $ 687,928
==============
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See notes to financial statements.
--
9
--
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended Year Ended
August 31, August 31,
1999 1998
---------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS
Net investment income................................................ $ 1,374,073 $ 756,194
Net realized loss on investment and futures transactions............. (365,395) (133,830)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments,
futures transactions, and other liabilities........................ (320,750) (28,689)
-------------- --------------
Net increase in net assets from operations........................... 687,928 593,675
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:
Net investment income
Class A............................................................ (380,166) (274,620)
Class B............................................................ (687,009) (281,947)
Class C............................................................ (306,898) (199,627)
Tax return of capital
Class A............................................................ (16,138) (18,747)
Class B............................................................ (29,164) (19,247)
Class C............................................................ (13,028) (13,628)
TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Net increase......................................................... 16,628,915 6,278,281
-------------- --------------
Total increase....................................................... 15,884,440 6,064,140
NET ASSETS
Beginning of year.................................................... 21,435,867 15,371,727
-------------- --------------
End of year.......................................................... $ 37,320,307 $ 21,435,867
============== ==============
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See notes to financial statements.
- --
10
- --
<PAGE>
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
August 31, 1999 Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund
================================================================================
NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies
Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund (the "Fund"), a series of The Alliance
Portfolios (the "Trust"), organized as a Massachusetts Business Trust on March
29, 1987, is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a
diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund offers Class A,
Class B and Class C shares. Class A shares are sold with a front-end sales
charge of up to 4.25% for purchases not exceeding $1,000,000. With respect to
purchases of $1,000,000 or more, Class A shares redeemed within one year of
purchase may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 1%. Class B
shares are currently sold with a contingent deferred sales charge which declines
from 3% to zero depending on the period of time the shares are held. Class B
shares will automatically convert to Class A shares six years after the end of
the calendar month of purchase. Class C shares are subject to a contingent
deferred sales charge of 1% on redemptions made within the first year after
purchase. All three classes of shares have identical voting, dividend,
liquidation and other rights, except that each class bears different
distribution expenses and has exclusive voting rights with respect to its
distribution plan. The financial statements have been prepared in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make
certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities in the financial statements and amounts of income and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the
Fund.
1. Security Valuation
Portfolio securities traded on a national securities exchange are valued at the
last sale price on such exchange on the day of valuation or, if there was no
sale on such day, the mean of the bid and asked prices on that day's closing.
Securities traded on the over-the-counter market are valued at the mean of the
current bid and asked prices reported by NASDAQ, the National Quotation Bureau
or other comparable sources deemed appropriate to reflect the fair market value
thereof. U.S. government securities and other debt securities which mature in 60
days or less are valued at amortized cost unless this method does not represent
fair value. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available are
valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees. Fixed income
securities may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service
when such prices are believed to reflect the fair market value of such
securities.
Mortgage backed and asset backed securities may be valued at prices obtained
from a bond pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major
broker/dealers in such securities. In cases where broker/dealer quotes are
obtained, the Adviser may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields
or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted bid
price on a security.
2. Taxes
It is the Fund's policy to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code
applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its
investment company taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to
shareholders. Therefore, no provisions for federal income or excise taxes are
required.
3. Investment Income and Investment Transactions
Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on
the date securities are purchased or sold. The Fund accretes discount as an
adjustment to interest income. Investment gains and losses are determined on the
identified cost basis.
4. Income and Expenses
All income earned and expenses incurred by the Fund are borne on a pro-rata
basis by each settled class of shares, based on the proportionate interest in
the Fund represented by the shares of such class, except that the Fund's Class B
and Class C shares bear higher distribution fees and, in the case of Class B
shares, higher transfer agent fees than Class A shares. Expenses of the Trust
are charged to each Fund in proportion to settled shares.
5. Dividends and Distributions
Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend
date.
Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance
with federal tax regulations and may differ from those determined in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles. To the extent these differences
are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based
on their federal
--
11
--
<PAGE>
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont.) Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund
================================================================================
tax basis treatment; temporary differences, do not require such
reclassification. During the current fiscal year, permanent differences,
primarily due to a tax return of capital resulted in a net decrease in
distributions in excess of net investment income and a corresponding decrease in
additional paid-in capital. This reclassification had no effect on net assets.
6. Repurchase Agreement
The Fund's custodian takes possession of collateral pledged for investments in
repurchase agreements, the market value of which is required to be at least
equal to the resale amount at the time of purchase. The value of the
collateral is marked-to-market on a daily basis and additional collateral is
requested from the counterparty, as necessary, to ensure that its value is at
least equal at all times to the total amount of the repurchase obligation,
including interest. If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral
declines or if bankruptcy proceedings commence with the respect to the seller
of the security, realization of the collateral by the Fund may be delayed or
limited.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE B: Advisory Fee and Other Transactions With Affiliates
Under the terms of an investment advisory agreement, the Fund pays Alliance
Capital Management L.P. (the "Adviser"), an advisory fee at an annual rate of
.55 of 1% of the Fund's average daily net assets. Such fee is accrued daily and
paid monthly. The Adviser has agreed to waive its fees and bear certain expenses
to the extent necessary to limit total operating expenses on an annual basis to
1.40%, 2.10% and 2.10% of the daily average net assets for the Class A, Class B
and Class C shares, respectively. For the year ended August 31, 1999, such
waiver amounted to $136,331.
The Fund compensates Alliance Fund Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of
the Adviser, under a Transfer Agency Agreement for providing personnel and
facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Fund. Such compensation
amounted to $31,637 for the year ended August 31, 1999.
For the year ended August 31, 1999, the Fund's expenses were reduced by $2,042
under an expense offset arrangement with Alliance Fund Services.
Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc., (the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary
of the Adviser, serves as the Distributor of the Fund's shares. The Distributor
has advised the Fund that it has received $64,527, and $13,757 in contingent
deferred sales charges imposed upon redemptions by shareholders of Class B and
Class C shares, respectively, for the year ended August 31, 1999.
Accrued expenses includes $17,624 owed to a Trustee under the Trust's deferred
compensation plan.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE C: Distribution Plans
The Trust has adopted a plan of distribution for each class of shares of the
Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (each a
"Plan" and collectively the "Plans"). Under the Plans, the Fund pays a
distribution fee to the Distributor at an annual rate of up to .50 of 1% of the
Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares and 1% of the
average daily net assets attributable to both Class B and Class C shares. The
Trustees currently limit payments under the Class A plan to .30 of 1% of the
Fund's aggregate average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares. The
Plan provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for
distribution assistance and promotional activities.
The Fund is not obligated under the Plans to pay any distribution services fee
in excess of the amounts set forth above. The purpose of the payments to the
Distributor under the Plans is to compensate the Distributor for its
distribution services with respect to the sale of the Fund's shares. Since the
Distributor's compensation is not directly tied to its expenses, the amount of
compensation received by it under the Plan during any year may be more or less
than its actual expenses. For this reason, the Plans are characterized by the
staff of the Securities
- --
12
- --
<PAGE>
Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund
================================================================================
and Exchange Commission as being of the "compensation" variety.
In the event that a Plan is terminated or not continued, no distribution
services fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be
owed by the Fund to the Distributor with respect to the relevant class.
The Plans also provide that the Adviser may use its own resources to finance the
distribution of the Fund's shares.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE D: Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments
and U.S. government securities) aggregated $26,107,737 and $12,025,009,
respectively, for the year ended August 31, 1999. There were purchases of
$75,195,373 and sales of $51,867,019 of U.S. government and government agency
obligations for the year ended August 31, 1999.
At August 31, 1999, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was
the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross
unrealized appreciation of investments was $14,597 and gross unrealized
depreciation of investments was $385,475 resulting in net unrealized
depreciation of $370,878.
At August 31, 1999, the Fund had net capital loss carryforward of $741,247 of
which $44,111 expires in the fiscal year ending 2001, $36,136 expires in the
fiscal year ending 2002, $522,417 expires in the fiscal year ending 2003,
$14,141 expires in the fiscal year ending 2004, $14,331 expires in the fiscal
year ending 2006 and $110,111 expires in the fiscal year ending 2007. To the
extent that this loss carryforward is used to offset future capital gains, it is
probable that the gains so offset will not be distributed to shareholders to the
extent provided by the regulations.
Capital losses incurred after October 31, within the Fund's fiscal year are
deemed to arise on the first business day of the following fiscal year. The Fund
incurred and elected to defer post October losses of $345,589 for the year ended
August 31, 1999.
Financial Futures Contracts
The Fund may buy or sell financial futures contracts for the purpose of hedging
its portfolio against adverse affects of anticipated movements in the market.
The Fund bears the market risk that arises from changes in the value of these
financial instruments.
At the time the Fund enters into a futures contract, the Fund deposits and
maintains as collateral an initial margin as required by the exchange on which
the transaction is effected. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to
receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily
fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as
variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses.
When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to
the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and
the time it was closed. At August 31, 1999, the Fund had outstanding futures
contracts, as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Expiration Original Value at Unrealized
Type Contracts Position Month Value August 31, 1999 Appreciation
- --------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
U.S. Treasury
Note 2 Yr Future 45 Short December 1999 $9,344,194 $9,315,000 $29,194
</TABLE>
--
13
--
<PAGE>
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont.) Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund
================================================================================
NOTE E: Shares of Beneficial Interest
There are an unlimited number of $0.00001 par value shares of beneficial
interest authorized, divided into three classes, designated Class A, Class B and
Class C shares. Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
----------------------------------- ----------------------------------
SHARES AMOUNT
----------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended
August 31, August 31, August 31, August 31,
1999 1998 1999 1998
---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Class A
Shares sold....................... 3,659,787 2,479,220 $ 34,303,722 $ 23,780,868
Shares issued in reinvestment of
dividends and distributions.... 32,432 19,158 304,354 183,032
Shares converted from Class B..... 33,384 28,866 313,617 275,890
Shares redeemed................... (3,296,064) (2,348,787) (30,889,860) (22,525,423)
-------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Net increase...................... 429,539 178,457 $ 4,031,833 $ 1,714,367
============== ============== ============== ==============
Class B
Shares sold....................... 3,739,933 1,141,000 $ 35,665,911 $ 11,027,623
Shares issued in reinvestment of
dividends and distributions.... 56,923 22,555 542,390 218,460
Shares converted to Class A....... (32,876) (28,483) (313,617) (275,890)
Shares redeemed................... (2,701,167) (673,074) (25,765,478) (6,524,245)
-------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Net increase...................... 1,062,813 461,998 $ 10,129,206 $ 4,445,948
============== ============== ============== ==============
Class C
Shares sold....................... 1,506,231 408,212 $ 14,351,027 $ 3,945,097
Shares issued in reinvestment of
dividends and distributions.... 26,480 19,127 252,113 185,026
Shares redeemed................... (1,274,620) (414,401) (12,135,264) (4,012,157)
-------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Net increase...................... 258,091 12,938 $ 2,467,876 $ 117,966
============== ============== ============== ==============
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE F: Reverse Repurchase Agreements
Under a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund sells securities and agrees to
repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price. At the time the Fund
enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it will establish a segregated
account with the custodian containing cash, cash equivalents or liquid
high-grade debt securities having a value at least equal to the repurchase
price.
As of August 31, 1999, the Fund had entered into the following reverse
repurchase agreements:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Date Entered Amount Broker Interest Rate Maturity
- -------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
August 30, 1999 $2,102,625 Paine Webber, Inc. 5.20% September 7, 1999
</TABLE>
For the year ended August 31, 1999, the maximum amount of reverse repurchase
agreements was $5,055,000, the average amount outstanding was approximately
$930,360, and the daily weighted average interest rate was 4.842%.
- --
14
- --
<PAGE>
Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund
================================================================================
NOTE G: Bank Borrowing
A number of open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Fund,
participate in a $750 million revolving credit facility (the "Facility")
intended to provide short-term financing if necessary, subject to certain
restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees
related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in
the miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Fund did not
utilize the Facility during the year ended August 31, 1999.
--
15
--
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund
================================================================================
Selected Data For A Share of Beneficial Interest Outstanding Throughout Each
Year
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
---------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A
---------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended August 31,
---------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year .................. $ 9.48 $ 9.63 $ 9.66 $ 9.70 $ 9.67
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Income From Investment Operations
Net investment income (a) ........................... .49(b) .49(b) .47(b) .47 .42
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment
transactions ..................................... (.19) (.11) .03 (.02) .05
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Net increase in net asset value from operations ..... .30 .38 .50 .45 .47
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Less: Dividends and Distributions
Dividends from net investment income ................ (.50) (.50) (.46) (.49) (.41)
Dividends in excess of net investment income ........ -0- -0- -0- -0- (.03)
Tax return of capital ............................... (.02) (.03) (.07) -0- -0-
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total dividends and distributions ................... (.52) (.53) (.53) (.49) (.44)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Net asset value, end of year ........................ $ 9.26 $ 9.48 $ 9.63 $ 9.66 $ 9.70
====== ====== ====== ====== ======
Total Return
Total investment return based on net asset value (c) 3.18% 4.04% 5.29% 4.71% 5.14%
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of year (000's omitted) ............. $9,379 $5,535 $3,901 $3,455 $2,997
Ratios to average net assets of:
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements .......... 1.40% 1.41%(d) 1.40% 1.40% 1.40%
Interest expense on reverse repurchase
agreements .................................... .15% .42% .01% .13% -0-
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements .......... 2.00% 2.81% 2.42% 3.04% 3.71%
Net investment income ............................ 5.27% 5.00% 4.90% 4.85% 4.56%
Portfolio turnover rate ............................. 209% 206% 65% 110% 15%
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See footnotes on page 18.
- --
16
- --
<PAGE>
Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund
================================================================================
Selected Data For A Share of Beneficial Interest Outstanding Throughout Each
Year
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
--------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS B
--------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended August 31,
--------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year .................. $ 9.62 $ 9.74 $ 9.77 $ 9.81 $ 9.78
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Income From Investment Operations
Net investment income (a) ........................... .43(b) .42(b) .41(b) .41 .36
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment
transactions ..................................... (.21) (.08) .02 (.03) .04
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net increase in net asset value from operations ..... .22 .34 .43 .38 .40
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Less: Dividends and Distributions
Dividends from net investment income ................ (.42) (.43) (.39) (.42) (.34)
Dividends in excess of net investment income ........ -0- -0- -0- -0- (.03)
Tax return of capital ............................... (.02) (.03) (.07) -0- -0-
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total dividends and distributions ................... (.44) (.46) (.46) (.42) (.37)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net asset value, end of year ........................ $ 9.40 $ 9.62 $ 9.74 $ 9.77 $ 9.81
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Total Return
Total investment return based on net asset value (c) 2.35% 3.52% 4.45% 3.89% 4.32%
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of year (000's omitted) ............. $20,565 $10,827 $ 6,458 $ 6,781 $ 6,380
Ratios to average net assets of:
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements .......... 2.10% 2.11%(d) 2.10% 2.10% 2.10%
Interest expense on reverse repurchase
agreements .................................... .15% .45% .01% .13% -0-
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements .......... 2.73% 3.63% 3.10% 3.74% 4.33%
Net investment income ............................ 4.47% 4.49% 4.13% 4.11% 3.82%
Portfolio turnover rate ............................. 209% 206% 65% 110% 15%
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See footnotes on page 18.
--
17
--
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued) Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund
================================================================================
Selected Data For A Share of Beneficial Interest Outstanding Throughout Each
Year
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
---------------------------------------------------------
CLASS C
---------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended August 31,
---------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year .................. $ 9.61 $ 9.73 $ 9.76 $ 9.80 $ 9.77
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Income From Investment Operations
Net investment income (a) ........................... .43(b) .42(b) .41(b) .40 .34
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment
transactions ..................................... (.22) (.08) .02 (.02) .06
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Net increase in net asset value from operations ..... .21 .34 .43 .38 .40
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Less: Dividends and Distributions
Dividends from net investment income ................ (.42) (.43) (.39) (.42) (.34)
Dividends in excess of net investment income ........ -0- -0- -0- -0- (.03)
Tax return of capital ............................... (.02) (.03) (.07) -0- -0-
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total dividends and distributions ................... (.44) (.46) (.46) (.42) (.37)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Net asset value, end of year ........................ $ 9.38 $ 9.61 $ 9.73 $ 9.76 $ 9.80
====== ====== ====== ====== ======
Total Return
Total investment return based on net asset value (c) 2.24% 3.53% 4.45% 3.90% 4.33%
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of year (000's omitted) ............. $7,377 $5,074 $5,012 $4,850 $5,180
Ratios to average net assets of:
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements .......... 2.10% 2.11%(d) 2.10% 2.10% 2.10%
Interest expense on reverse repurchase
agreements .................................... .16% .45% .01% .12% -0-
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements .......... 2.71% 3.58% 3.09% 3.72% 4.23%
Net investment income ............................ 4.43% 4.48% 4.15% 4.11% 3.80%
Portfolio turnover rate ............................. 209% 206% 65% 110% 15%
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Net of fees waived and expenses reimbursed by Adviser.
(b) Based on average shares outstanding.
(c) Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made
at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all
dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and
redemption on the last day of the period. Initial sales charges or
contingent deferred sales charges are not reflected in the calculation of
total investment return.
(d) Ratio reflects expenses grossed up for expense offset arrangement with the
transfer agent. For the year ended August 31, 1998, the ratio of expenses
net of waivers and reimbursements would have been 1.40%, 2.10%, and 2.10%
for Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively.
- --
18
- --
<PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund
================================================================================
To the Trustees and Shareholders of
Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the portfolio of investments, and the related statements of operations and of
changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government
Fund (one of the portfolios of The Alliance Portfolios, hereafter referred to as
the "Fund") at August 31, 1999, the results of its operations for the year then
ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period
then ended and the financial highlights for each of the periods presented, in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. These financial
statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial
statements") are the responsibility of the Fund's management; our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We
conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing
the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits, which included confirmation of securities at August 31, 1999 by
correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for
the opinion expressed above.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
October 22, 1999
--
19
--
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
________________________________________________________________
APPENDIX A:
DESCRIPTION OF CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
________________________________________________________________
Description of the bond ratings of Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. are as follows:
Aaa-- Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the
best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk
and are generally referred to as "gilt edge." Interest payments
are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin,
and principal is secure. While the various protective elements
are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most
unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such
issues.
Aa-- Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high
quality by all standards. Together with the Aaa group they
comprise what are generally known as high grade bonds. They are
rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may
not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective
elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other
elements present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat
greater than the Aaa securities.
A-- Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable
investment attributes and are to be considered as upper-medium-
grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and
interest are considered adequate but elements may be present
which suggest a susceptibility to impairment some time in the
future.
Baa-- Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium
grade obligations, i.e., they are neither highly protected nor
poorly secured. Interest payment and principal security appear
adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be
lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment
characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as
well.
Ba-- Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have
speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well
assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments
may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during both
good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
A-1
<PAGE>
B-- Bonds which are rated B generally lack
characteristics of the desirable investment. Assurance of
interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms
of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa-- Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing.
Such issues may be in default or there may be present elements of
danger with respect to principal or interest.
Ca-- Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations
which are speculative to a high degree. Such issues are often in
default or have other marked shortcomings.
C-- 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 generic rating category; the modifier "2"
indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier "3" indicates
that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating
category.
Descriptions of the bond ratings of Standard & Poor's
Ratings Services ("Standard & Poor's") are as follows:
AAA-- Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by
Standard & Poor's. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal
is extremely strong.
AA-- Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay
interest and repay principal and differs from the higher rated
issues only in small degree.
A-- Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest
and repay principal although it is somewhat more susceptible to
the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic
conditions than debt in higher rated categories.
BBB-- Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate
capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas it
normally exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse
economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to
lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal
for debt in this category than for debt in higher rated
categories.
BB, B, CCC, CC, or C -- Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC or C
is regarded, on balance, as having predominantly speculative
A-2
<PAGE>
characteristics 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.
C1-- The rating C1 is reserved for income bonds on which
no interest is being paid.
D-- Debt rated D is in default and payment of interest
and/or repayment of principal is in arrears.
The ratings from AAA to CC may be modified by the
addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative
standing within the major rating categories.
Descriptions of the bond ratings of Fitch IBCA, Inc. are
as follows:
AAA-- Securities of this rating are regarded as strictly
high-grade, broadly marketable, suitable for investment by
trustees and fiduciary institutions, and liable to but slight
market fluctuation other than through changes in the money rate.
The factor last named is of importance varying with the length of
maturity. Such securities are mainly senior issues of strong
companies, and are most numerous in the railway and public
utility fields, though some industrial obligations have this
rating. The prime feature of an AAA rating is showing of
earnings several times or many times interest requirements with
such stability of applicable earnings that safety is beyond
reasonable question whatever changes occur in conditions. Other
features may enter in, such as stability of applicable earnings
conditions. Other features may enter in, such as a wide margin
of protection through collateral security or direct lien on
specific property as in the case of high class equipment
certificates or bonds that are first mortgages on valuable real
estate. Sinking funds or voluntary reduction of the debt by call
or purchase are often factors, while guarantee or assumption by
parties other than the original debtor may also influence the
rating.
AA-- Securities in this group are of safety virtually
beyond question, and as a class are readily salable while many
are highly active. Their merits are not greatly unlike those of
the AAA class, but a security so rated may be of junior though
strong lien -- in many cases directly following an AAA security -
- - or the margin of safety is less strikingly broad. The issue may
be the obligation of a small company, strongly secured but
influenced as to ratings by the lesser financial power of the
enterprise and more local type of market.
A-3
<PAGE>
A-- A securities are strong investments and in many
cases of highly active market, but are not so heavily protected
as the two upper classes or possibly are of similar security but
less quickly salable. As a class they are more sensitive in
standing and market to material changes in current earnings of
the company. With favoring conditions such securities are likely
to work into a high rating, but in occasional instances changes
cause the rating to be lowered.
BBB-- BBB rated bonds are considered to be investment
grade and of satisfactory quality. The obligor's ability to pay
interest and repay principal is considered to be adequate.
Adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances,
however, are more likely to weaken this ability than bonds with
higher ratings.
BB-- BB rated bonds are considered speculative. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal may be
affected over time by adverse economic changes. However, business
and financial alternatives can be identified which could assist
the obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements.
B-- B rated bonds are considered highly speculative.
While bonds in this class are currently meeting debt service
requirements, the probability of continued timely payment of
principal and interest reflects the obligor's limited margin of
safety and the need for reasonable business and economic activity
throughout the life of the issue.
CCC-- CCC rated bonds have certain identifiable
characteristics that, if not remedied, may lead to default. The
ability to meet obligations requires an advantageous business and
economic environment.
CC-- CC rated bonds are minimally protected. Default in
payment of interest and/or principal seems probable over time.
C-- C rated bonds are in imminent default in payment of
interest or principal.
DDD, DD and D-- These bonds are in default on interest
and/or principal payments. Such bonds are extremely speculative
and should be valued on the basis of their ultimate recovery
value in liquidation or reorganization of the obligor. "DDD"
represents the highest potential for recovery on these bonds, and
"D" represents the lowest potential for recovery.
Plus (+) and minus (-) signs are used with a rating
symbol to indicate the relative position of a credit within the
rating agency. Plus and minus signs, however, are not used in
the "AAA" and "D" categories.
A-4
<PAGE>
Descriptions of the bond ratings of Duff & Phelps Credit
Rating Co. are as follows:
AAA-- Highest credit quality. The risk factors are
negligible.
AA+, AA, AA-: High credit quality. Protection factors
are strong. Risk is modest but may vary slightly from time to
time because of economic conditions.
A+, A, A-: Protection factors are average but adequate.
However, risk factors are more variable and greater in periods of
economic stress.
BBB+, BBB, BBB-: Below average protection factors but
still considered sufficient for prudent investment. Considerable
variability in risk during economic cycles.
BB+, BB, BB-: Below investment grade but deemed likely
to meet obligations when due. Present or prospective financial
protection factors fluctuate according to industry conditions or
company fortunes. Overall quality may move up or down frequently
within this category.
B+, B, B-: Below investment grade and possessing risk
that obligations will not be met when due. Financial protection
factors will fluctuate widely according to economic cycles,
industry conditions and/or company fortunes. Potential exists
for frequent changes in the rating within this category or into a
higher or lower rating grade.
CCC: Well below investment grade securities.
Considerable uncertainty exists as to timely payment of
principal, interest or preferred dividends. Protection factors
are narrow and risk can be substantial with unfavorable
economic/industry conditions, and/or with unfavorable company
developments.
DD: Defaulted debt obligations. Issuer failed to meet
scheduled principal and/or interest payments.
A-5
<PAGE>
___________________________________________________________
APPENDIX B:
CERTAIN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
____________________________________________________________
Employee benefit plans described below which are
intended to be tax-qualified under section 401(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Tax Qualified Plans"), for
which Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated or an
affiliate thereof ("Merrill Lynch") is recordkeeper (or with
respect to which recordkeeping services are provided pursuant to
certain arrangements as described in paragraph (ii) below)
("Merrill Lynch Plans") are subject to specific requirements as
to the Fund shares which they may purchase. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Statement of
Additional Information, the following Merrill Lynch Plans are not
eligible to purchase Class A shares and are eligible to purchase
Class B shares of the Fund at net asset value without being
subject to a contingent deferred sales charge:
(i) Plans for which Merrill Lynch is the recordkeeper on a
daily valuation basis, if when the plan is established as
an active plan on Merrill Lynch's recordkeeping system:
(a) the plan is one which is not already investing in
shares of mutual funds or interests in other
commingled investment vehicles of which Merrill Lynch
Asset Management, L.P. is investment adviser or
manager ("MLAM Funds"), and either (A) the aggregate
assets of the plan are less than $3 million or (B) the
total of the sum of (x) the employees eligible to
participate in the plan and (y) those persons, not
including any such employees, for whom a plan account
having a balance therein is maintained, is less than
500, each of (A) and (B) to be determined by Merrill
Lynch in the normal course prior to the date the plan
is established as an active plan on Merrill Lynch's
recordkeeping system (an "Active Plan"); or
(b) the plan is one which is already investing in shares
of or interests in MLAM Funds and the assets of the
plan have an aggregate value of less than $5 million,
as determined by Merrill Lynch as of the date the plan
becomes an Active Plan.
For purposes of applying (a) and (b), there are to be
aggregated all assets of any Tax-Qualified Plan
maintained by the sponsor of the Merrill Lynch Plan
(or any of the sponsor's affiliates) (determined to be
B-1
<PAGE>
such by Merrill Lynch) which are being invested in
shares of or interests in MLAM Funds, Alliance Mutual
Funds or other mutual funds made available pursuant to
an agreement between Merrill Lynch and the principal
underwriter thereof (or one of its affiliates) and
which are being held in a Merrill Lynch account.
(ii) Plans for which the recordkeeper is not Merrill Lynch, but
which are recordkept on a daily valuation basis by a
recordkeeper with which Merrill Lynch has a subcontracting
or other alliance arrangement for the performance of
recordkeeping services, if the plan is determined by
Merrill Lynch to be so eligible and the assets of the plan
are less than $3 million.
Class B shares of the Fund held by any of the above-
described Merrill Lynch Plans are to be replaced at Merrill
Lynch's direction through conversion, exchange or otherwise by
Class A shares of the Fund on the earlier of the date that the
value of the plan's aggregate assets first equals or exceeds $5
million or the date on which any Class B share of the Fund held
by the plan would convert to a Class A share of the Fund as
described under "Purchase of Shares" and "Redemption and
Repurchase of Shares."
Any Tax Qualified Plan, including any Merrill Lynch
Plan, which does not purchase Class B shares of the Fund without
being subject to a contingent deferred sales charge under the
above criteria is eligible to purchase Class B shares subject to
a contingent deferred sales charge as well as other classes of
shares of the Fund as set forth above under "Purchase of Shares"
and "Redemption and Repurchase of Shares."
2
<PAGE>
C-1
<PAGE>
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 23. Exhibits:
(a) (1) Declaration of Trust (previously filed with Post-
Effective Amendment No. 28 to the Registrant's
Registration Statement on January 30, 1998).
(2) Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Declaration of
Trust (previously filed with Post-Effective
Amendment No. 28 to the Registrant's Registration
Statement on January 30, 1998).
(3) Amendment No. 2 to Agreement and Declaration of
Trust (previously filed with Post-Effective
Amendment No. 28 to the Registrant's Registration
Statement on January 30, 1998).
(b) (1) By-Laws (previously filed with Post-Effective
Amendment No. 26 to the Registrant's Registration
Statement on August 28, 1997).
(2) Amendment to By-Laws dated October 16, 1991
(previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment
No. 26 to the Registrant's Registration Statement
on August 28, 1997).
(c) Portions of the Registrant's Agreement and Declaration
of Trust and By-Laws pertaining to shareholders' rights
(previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 11
to the Registrant's Registration Statement on June 28,
1993).
(d) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant
and Alliance Capital Management L.P. (previously filed
with Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to the
Registrant's Registration Statement on August 28,
1997).
(e) (1) Distribution Services Agreement between the
Registrant and Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc.,
dated August 2, 1993, as amended through July 17,
1996 (previously filed with Post-Effective
Amendment No. 25 to the Registrant's Registration
Statement on February 3, 1997).
(2) Form of Selected Dealers Agreement between
Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. and dealers
offering shares of the Registrant (previously
filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to the
C-2
<PAGE>
Registrant's Registration Statement on August 28,
1997).
(3) Form of Selected Agents Agreement between Alliance
Fund Distributors, Inc. and selected agents making
available shares of the Registrant (previously
filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to the
Registrant's Registration Statement on August 28,
1997).
(f) Not applicable.
(g) Custodian Agreement between the Registrant and State
Street Bank and Trust Company dated July 25, 1988, as
amended through July 17, 1996 (previously filed with
Post-Effective Amendment No. 21 to the Registrant's
Registration Statement on September 1, 1996).
(h) (1) Transfer Agent Agreement between the Registrant
and State Street Bank and Trust Company
(previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment
No. 17 to the Registrant's Registration Statement
on August 30, 1995).
(2) Accounting Agreement between Equitable Capital
Management Corporation and State Street Bank and
Trust Company (previously filed with Post-
Effective Amendment No. 28 to the Registrant's
Registration Statement on October 31, 1997).
(3) Expense Limitation Undertaking by Alliance Capital
Management L.P. - Filed herewith.
(i) Opinion of Ropes & Gray (previously filed with Post-
Effective Amendment No. 28 to the Registrant's
Registration Statement on January 30, 1998).
(j) Consents of Independent Auditors - Filed herewith.
(k) Not applicable.
(l) Investment Letter of The Equitable Life Assurance
Society of the United States dated October 19, 1987
(previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 26
to the Registrant's Registration Statement on
August 28, 1997).
(m) (1) Amended and Restated Distribution and Servicing
Plan for Class A Shares adopted by the Trust on
August 2, 1993 (previously filed with Post-
C-3
<PAGE>
Effective Amendment No. 35 to the Registrant's
Registration Statement on January 1, 1999).
(2) Amended and Restated Distribution and Servicing
Plan for Class B Shares adopted by the Trust on
August 2, 1993 (previously filed with Post-
Effective Amendment No. 35 to the Registrant's
Registration Statement on January 1, 1999).
(3) Distribution and Servicing Plan for Class C Shares
adopted by the Trust on August 2, 1993 (previously
filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 35 to the
Registrant's Registration Statement on January 1,
1999).
(n) Financial Data Schedules - Filed herewith.
(o) Rule 18f-3 Plan (previously filed with Post-Effective
Amendment No. 19 to the Registrant's Registration
Statement on January 31, 1996).
Other Exhibits - Powers of Attorney of John D. Carifa,
Ruth Block, William H. Foulk, Jr., Brenton W. Harries
and Donald J. Robinson - Filed herewith.
ITEM 24. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH
REGISTRANT.
As of August 31, 1999, the Registrant, The Alliance
Portfolios, believes that no person is directly or
indirectly controlled by or under common control with
the Registrant.
ITEM 25. INDEMNIFICATION.
Paragraph (n) of Section 3, Article IV of the
Registrant's Agreement and Declaration of Trust
provides in relevant part that the Trustees of the
Trust have the power:
"(n) To purchase and pay for entirely out of
Trust property such insurance as they may deem
necessary or appropriate for the conduct of the
business, including without limitation, insurance
policies insuring the assets of the Trust and
payment of distributions and principal on its
portfolio investments, and insurance policies
insuring the Shareholders, Trustees, officers,
employees, agents, investment advisers or
managers, principal underwriters, or independent
contractors of the Trust individually against all
C-4
<PAGE>
claims and liabilities of every nature arising by
reason of holding, being or having held any such
office or position, or by reason of any action
alleged to have been taken or omitted by any such
person as Shareholder, Trustee, officer, employee,
agent, investment adviser or manager, principal
underwriter, or independent contractor, including
any action taken or omitted that may be determined
to constitute negligence, whether or not the Trust
would have the power to indemnify such person
against such liability;"
Section 2 of Article VII of the Registrant's Agreement and
Declaration of Trust provides in relevant part:
"Limitation of Liability
Section 2. The Trustees shall not be responsible or
liable in any event for any neglect or wrongdoing of
any officer, agent, employee, manager or principal
underwriter of the Trust, nor shall any Trustee be
responsible for the act or omission of any other
Trustee, but nothing herein contained shall protect any
Trustee against any liability to which he or she would
otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance,
bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of
the duties involved in the conduct of his or her
office."
Article VIII of the Registrant's Agreement and Declaration of
Trust provides in relevant part:
ARTICLE VIII
Indemnification
"Section 1. The Trust shall indemnify each of its
Trustees and officers (including persons who serve at
the Trust's request as directors, officers or trustees
of another organization in which the Trust has any
interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise)
(hereinafter referred to as a "Covered Person") against
all liabilities and expenses, including but not limited
to amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in
compromise or as fines and penalties, and counsel fees
reasonably incurred by any Covered Person in connection
with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or
other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any
court or administrative or legislative body, in which
such Covered Person may be or may have been involved as
a party or otherwise or with which such Covered Person
may be or may have been threatened, while in office or
C-5
<PAGE>
thereafter, by reason of being or having been such a
Covered Person except with respect to any matter as to
which such Covered Person shall have been finally
adjudicated in any such action, suit or other
proceeding to be liable to the Trust or its
Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the
duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person's
office. Expenses, including counsel fees so incurred
by any such Covered Person (but excluding amounts paid
in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines
or penalties), shall be paid from time to time by the
Trust in advance of the final disposition of any such
action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an
undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered Person to
repay amounts so paid to the Trust if it is ultimately
determined that indemnification of such expenses is not
authorized under this Article, provided, however, that
either (a) such Covered Person shall have provided
appropriate security for such undertaking, (b) the
Trust shall be insured against losses arising from any
such advance payments or (c) either a majority of the
disinterested Trustees acting on the matter (provided
that a majority of the disinterested Trustees then in
office act on the matter), or independent legal counsel
in a written opinion, shall have determined, based upon
a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a
full trial type inquiry) that there is reason to
believe that such Covered Person will be found entitled
to indemnification under this Article.
"Section 2. As to any matter disposed of (whether by a
compromise payment, pursuant to a consent decree or
otherwise) without an adjudication by a court, or by
any other body before which the proceeding was brought,
that such Covered Person is liable to the Trust or its
Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the
duties involved in the conduct of his or her office,
indemnification shall be provided if (a) approved as in
the best interests of the Trust, after notice that it
involves such indemnification, by at least a majority
of the disinterested Trustees acting on the matter
(provided that a majority of the disinterested Trustees
then in office act on the matter) upon a determination,
based upon a review of readily available facts (as
opposed to a full trial type inquiry) that such Covered
Person is not liable to the Trust or its Shareholders
by reason or willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved
in the conduct of his or her office, or (b) there has
C-6
<PAGE>
been obtained an opinion in writing of independent
legal counsel, based upon a review of readily available
facts (as opposed to a full trial type inquiry) to the
effect that such indemnification would not protect such
Person against any liability to the Trust to which he
would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his
office. Any approval pursuant to this Section shall
not prevent the recovery from any Covered Person in
accordance with this Section as indemnification if such
Covered Person is subsequently adjudicated by a Court
of competent jurisdiction to have been liable to the
Trust or its Shareholders by reason or willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such
Covered Person's office.
Section 3. The right of indemnification hereby
provided shall not be exclusive of or affect any other
rights to which such Covered Person may be entitled. As
used in this Article VIII, the term "Covered Person"
shall include such person's heirs, executors and
administrators and a "disinterested Trustee" is a
Trustee who is not an "interested person" of the Trust
as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, (or who has been
exempted from being an "interested person" by any rule,
regulation or order of the Commission) and against whom
none of such actions, suits or other proceedings or
another action, suit or proceeding on the same or
similar grounds is then or has been pending. Nothing
contained in this Article shall affect any rights to
indemnification to which personnel of the Trust, other
than Trustees or officers, and other persons may be
entitled by contract or otherwise under law, nor the
power of the Trust to purchase and maintain liability
insurance on behalf of any such person.
Section 2 of Article IX of the Registrant's Agreement
and Declaration of Trust provides in relevant part:
"TRUSTEE'S GOOD FAITH ACTION, EXPERT ADVICE, NO BOND OR
SURETY
Section 2. The exercise by the Trustees of their
powers and discretions hereunder shall be binding upon
everyone interested. A Trustee shall be liable for his
or her own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved
in the conduct of the office of Trustee, and for
C-7
<PAGE>
nothing else, and shall not be liable for errors of
judgment or mistakes of fact or law. The Trustees may
take advice of counsel or other experts with respect to
the meaning and operation of this Declaration of Trust,
and shall be under no liability for any act or omission
in accordance with such advice or for failing to follow
such advice. The Trustees shall not be required to
give any bond as such, nor any surety if a bond is
required."
The Investment Advisory Agreement between the
Registrant and Alliance Capital Management L.P.
provides that Alliance Capital Management L.P. will not
be liable under such agreement for any mistake of
judgment or in any event whatsoever except for lack of
good faith and that nothing therein shall be deemed to
protect, or purport to protect, Alliance Capital
Management L.P. against any liability to the Registrant
or its shareholders to which it would otherwise be
subject by reason or willful misfeasance, bad faith or
gross negligence in the performance of its duties
thereunder, or by reason or reckless disregard of its
obligations or duties thereunder.
The Distribution Services Agreement between the
Registrant and Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc.
provides that the Registrant will indemnify, defend and
hold Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc., and any person
who controls it within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, free and harmless from
and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities
and expenses which Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. or
any controlling person may incur arising out of or
based upon any alleged untrue statement of a material
fact contained in Registrant's Registration Statement,
Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information or
arising out of, or based upon, any alleged omission to
state a material fact required to be stated in any one
of the foregoing or necessary to make the statements in
any one of the foregoing not misleading, provided that
nothing therein shall be so construed as to protect
Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. against any liability
to Registrant or its security holders to which it would
otherwise be subject by reason or willful misfeasance,
bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its
duties thereunder, or by reason of reckless disregard
of its obligations or duties thereunder.
The foregoing summaries are qualified by the entire
text of Registrant's Agreement and Declaration of
Trust, the Advisory Agreement between the Registrant
C-8
<PAGE>
and Alliance Capital Management L.P. and the
Distribution Services Agreement between the Registrant
and Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc.
The Registrant participates in a joint directors and
officers liability policy for the benefit of its
Trustees and officers.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising
under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act") may be
permitted to Trustees, Officers and controlling persons
of the Trust pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the
opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act, and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the
event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the Trust of
expenses incurred or paid by a Trustee, Officer or
controlling person of the Trust in the successful
defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted
by such Trustee, Officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the
Trust will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against
public policy as expressed in the Act and will be
governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
ITEM 26. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF ADVISER.
The descriptions of Alliance Capital Management L.P.
under the captions "Management of the Fund" in the
Prospectuses and in the Statements of Additional
Information constituting Parts A and B, respectively,
of this Registration Statement are incorporated by
reference herein.
The information as to the directors and executive
officers of Alliance Capital Management Corporation,
the general partner of Alliance Capital Management
L.P., set forth in Alliance Capital Management L.P.'s
Form ADV filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on April 21, 1988 (File No. 801-32361) and
amended through the date hereof, is incorporated by
reference herein.
C-9
<PAGE>
ITEM 27. Principal Underwriters.
(a) Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc., the Registrant's
Principal Underwriter in connection with the sale of
shares of the Registrant. Alliance Fund Distributors,
Inc. acts as Principal Underwriter or Distributor for
the following investment companies:
AFD Exchange Reserves
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund, Inc.
Alliance Balanced Shares, Inc.
Alliance Bond Fund, Inc.
Alliance Capital Reserves
Alliance Global Dollar Government Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Environment Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Strategic Income Trust, Inc.
Alliance Government Reserves
Alliance Greater China '97 Fund, Inc.
Alliance Growth and Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance Health Care Fund, Inc.
Alliance High Yield Fund, Inc.
Alliance Institutional Funds, Inc.
Alliance Institutional Reserves, Inc.
Alliance International Fund
Alliance International Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
Alliance Limited Maturity Government Fund, Inc.
Alliance Money Market Fund
Alliance Mortgage Securities Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust, Inc.
Alliance Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance Municipal Income Fund II
Alliance Municipal Trust
Alliance New Europe Fund, Inc.
Alliance North American Government Income Trust, Inc.
Alliance Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
Alliance Quasar Fund, Inc.
Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc.
Alliance Select Investor Series, Inc.
Alliance Technology Fund, Inc.
Alliance Utility Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.
Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund, Inc.
The Alliance Fund, Inc.
The Alliance Portfolios
(b) The following are the Directors and Officers of Alliance
Fund Distributors, Inc., the principal place of business
of which is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New
York, 10105.
C-10
<PAGE>
POSITIONS AND POSITIONS AND
OFFICES WITH OFFICES WITH
NAME UNDERWRITER REGISTRANT
Michael J. Laughlin Director and Chairman
John D. Carifa Director
Robert L. Errico Director and President
Geoffrey L. Hyde Director and Senior
Vice President
Dave H. Williams Director
David Conine Executive Vice President
Richard K. Saccullo Executive Vice President
Edmund P. Bergan, Jr. Senior Vice President, ClerkSecretar
y
General Counsel and
Secretary
Richard A. Davies Senior Vice President
and Managing Director
Robert H. Joseph, Jr. Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
Anne S. Drennan Senior Vice President
and Treasurer
Benji A. Baer Senior Vice President
Karen J. Bullot Senior Vice President
John R. Carl Senior Vice President
James S. Comforti Senior Vice President
James L. Cronin Senior Vice President
Daniel J. Dart Senior Vice President
Byron M. Davis Senior Vice President
Mark J. Dunbar Senior Vice President
Donald N. Fritts Senior Vice President
C-11
<PAGE>
Bradley F. Hanson Senior Vice President
George H. Keith Senior Vice President
Richard E. Khaleel Senior Vice President
Stephen R. Laut Senior Vice President
Susan L. Matteson-King Senior Vice President
Daniel D. McGinley Senior Vice President
Antonios G. Poleondakis Senior Vice President
Robert E. Powers Senior Vice President
Kevin A. Rowell Senior Vice President
Raymond S. Sclafani Senior Vice President
Gregory K. Shannahan Senior Vice President
Joseph F. Sumanski Senior Vice President
Peter J. Szabo Senior Vice President
William C. White Senior Vice President
Nicholas K. Willett Senior Vice President
Richard A. Winge Senior Vice President
Gerard J. Friscia Vice President and
Controller
Ricardo Arreola Vice President
Kenneth F. Barkoff Vice President
Charles M. Barrett Vice President
Gregory P. Best Vice President
Casimir F. Bolanowski Vice President
Robert F. Brendli Vice President
Christopher L. Butts Vice President
Timothy W. Call Vice President
C-12
<PAGE>
Jonathan W. Cangalosi Vice President
Kevin T. Cannon Vice President
William W. Collins, Jr. Vice President
Leo H. Cook Vice President
Russell R. Corby Vice President
John W. Cronin Vice President
William J. Crouch Vice President
Robert J. Cruz Vice President
Richard W. Dabney Vice President
Stephen J. Demetrovits Vice President
John F. Dolan Vice President
Richard P. Dyson Vice President
John C. Endahl Vice President
John E. English Vice President
Sohaila S. Farsheed Vice President
Duff C. Ferguson Vice President
Daniel J. Frank Vice President
Shawn C. Gage Vice President
Joseph C. Gallagher Vice President
Andrew L. Gangolf Vice President and Assistant
Assistant General ClerkSecretar
y
Counsel
Alex G. Garcia Vice President
Michael J. Germain Vice President
Mark D. Gersten Vice President Treasurer and
Chief
Financial
Officer
C-13
<PAGE>
John Grambone Vice President
Charles M. Greenberg Vice President
Alan Halfenger Vice President
William B. Hanigan Vice President
Michael S. Hart Vice President
Scott F. Heyer Vice President
Timothy A. Hill Vice President
Brian R. Hoegee Vice President
George R. Hrabovsky Vice President
Valerie J. Hugo Vice President
Michael J. Hutten Vice President
Scott Hutton Vice President
Oscar J. Isoba Vice President
Richard D. Keppler Vice President
Richard D. Kozlowski Vice President
Daniel W. Krause Vice President
Donna M. Lamback Vice President
P. Dean Lampe Vice President
Nicholas J. Lapi Vice President
Henry Michael Lesmeister Vice President
Eric L. Levinson Vice President
James M. Liptrot Vice President
James P. Luisi Vice President
Jerry W. Lynn Vice President
Michael F. Mahoney Vice President
Shawn P. McClain Vice President
C-14
<PAGE>
David L. McGuire Vice President
Jeffrey P. Mellas Vice President
Michael V. Miller Vice President
Thomas F. Monnerat Vice President
Timothy S. Mulloy Vice President
Joanna D. Murray Vice President
Michael F. Nash, Jr. Vice President
Nicole Nolan-Koester Vice President
Daniel A. Notto Vice President
Peter J. O'Brien Vice President
John C. O'Connell Vice President
John J. O'Connor Vice President
Christopher W. Olson Vice President
Richard J. Olszewski Vice President
Catherine N. Peterson Vice President
James J. Posch Vice President
Domenick Pugliese Vice President and Assistant
Assistant General ClerkSecretar
y
Counsel
Bruce W. Reitz Vice President
Karen C. Satterberg Vice President
John P. Schmidt Vice President
Robert C. Schultz Vice President
Richard J. Sidell Vice President
Clara Sierra Vice President
Teris A. Sinclair Vice President
C-15
<PAGE>
Scott C. Sipple Vice President
Martine H. Stansbery, Jr. Vice President
Vincent T. Strangio Vice President
Andrew D. Strauss Vice President
Michael J. Tobin Vice President
Joseph T. Tocyloski Vice President
Benjamin H. Travers Vice President
David R. Turnbough Vice President
Martha D. Volcker Vice President
Patrick E. Walsh Vice President
Mark E. Westmoreland Vice President
David E. Willis Vice President
Stephen P. Wood Vice President
Emilie D. Wrapp Vice President and Assistant
Assistant General ClerkSecretar
y
Counsel
Michael W. Alexander Assistant Vice
President
Richard J. Appaluccio Assistant Vice
President
Paul G. Bishop Assistant Vice
President
Mark S. Burns Assistant Vice
President
John M. Capeci Assistant Vice
President
Maria L. Carreras Assistant Vice
President
C-16
<PAGE>
John P. Chase Assistant Vice
President
William P. Condon Assistant Vice
President
Jean A. Coomber Assistant Vice
President
Terri J. Daly Assistant Vice
President
Ralph A. DiMeglio Assistant Vice
President
Faith C. Deutsch Assistant Vice
President
Timothy J. Donegan Assistant Vice
President
Adam E. Engelhardt Assistant Vice
President
Michele Grossman Assistant Vice
President
Arthur F. Hoyt, Jr. Assistant Vice
President
Theresa Iosca Assistant Vice
President
Erik A. Jorgensen Assistant Vice
President
Eric G. Kalender Assistant Vice
President
Edward W. Kelly Assistant Vice
President
Victor Kopelakis Assistant Vice
President
Evamarie C. Lombardo Assistant Vice
President
C-17
<PAGE>
Kristine J. Luisi Assistant Vice
President
Kathryn Austin Masters Assistant Vice
President
Richard F. Meier Assistant Vice
President
Rizwan A. Raja Assistant Vice
President
Carol H. Rappa Assistant Vice
President
Mark V. Spina Assistant Vice
President
Gayle S. Stamer Assistant Vice
President
Eileen Stauber Assistant Vice
President
Margaret M. Tompkins Assistant Vice
President
Marie R. Vogel Assistant Vice Assistant
President Clerk
John Wilkens Assistant Vice
President
Wesley S. Williams Assistant Vice
President
Matthew Witschel Assistant Vice
President
David M. Wolf Assistant Vice
President
Christopher J. Zingaro Assistant Vice
President
Mark R. Manley Assistant Secretary
(c) Not applicable.
C-18
<PAGE>
ITEM 28. Location of Accounts and Records.
The accounts, books and other documents required to be
maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company
Act of 1940 and the Rules thereunder are maintained as
follows: journals, ledgers, securities records and
other original records are maintained principally at
the offices of Alliance Fund Services, Inc., 500 Plaza
Drive, Secaucus, New Jersey 07094 and at the offices
of State Street Bank and Trust Company, the
Registrant's Custodian, 225 Franklin Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110. All other records so required to
be maintained are maintained at the offices of Alliance
Capital Management L.P., 1345 Avenue of the Americas,
New York, New York 10105.
ITEM 29. MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 30. UNDERTAKINGS.
The Registrant undertakes to furnish each person to
whom a prospectus is delivered with a copy of the
Registrant's latest annual report to shareholders, upon
request and without charge.
C-19
<PAGE>
********************
NOTICE
A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of The
Alliance Portfolios (the "Trust") is on file with the Secretary
of State of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and notice is
hereby given that this Registration Statement has been executed
on behalf of the Trust by an officer of the Trust as an officer
and by its Trustees as trustees and not individually and the
obligations of or arising out of this Registration Statement are
not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders
individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of
the Trust.
C-20
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the
requirements for effectiveness of this Amendment to its
Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the
Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Amendment to its
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York
and State of New York, on the 27th day of October, 1999.
THE ALLIANCE PORTFOLIOS
By /s/John D. Carifa
______________________________
John D. Carifa
President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of
l933, as amended, this Amendment to the Registration Statement
has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities
and on the dates indicated:
Signature Title Date
1) Principal Executive Officer
/s/ John D. Carifa Chairman October 27, 1999
_______________________ and President
John D. Carifa
2) Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer
/s/ Mark D. Gersten Treasurer October 27, 1999
________________________ and Chief
Mark D. Gersten Financial
Officer
C-21
<PAGE>
All of the Trustees
Ruth Block
John D. Carifa
David h. Dievler
John H. Dobkin
William H. Foulk, Jr.
Brenton W. Harries
James M. Hester
Clifford L. Michel
Donald J. Robinson
by /s/ Edmund P. Bergan, Jr. October 27, 1999
________________________
(Attorney-in-Fact)
Edmund P. Bergan, Jr.
C-22
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
No. Description
(h)(3) Expense Limitation Undertaking
(j) Consents of Independent Auditors
(n) Financial Data Schedules
C-23
00250184.BJ8
<PAGE>
EXPENSE LIMITATION UNDERTAKING
ALLIANCE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT L.P.
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
February 1, 1999
ALLIANCE SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND, INC.
1345 Avenue Of The Americas
New York, New York 10105
Dear Sirs:
Alliance Capital Management L.P. herewith undertakes
that for the Expense Limitation Period, as defined below, we
shall cause the aggregate operating expenses of every character
incurred by your Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund, Inc.
(the "Fund") to be limited to 140%, 210% and 210% of your
aggregate average daily net assets for Classes A, B and C,
respectively (the "Limitation"). To determine the amount of the
Portfolio's expenses in excess of the Limitation, the amount of
allowable fiscal-year-to-date expenses shall be computed daily by
prorating the Limitation based on the number of days elapsed
within the fiscal year of the Portfolio (the "Prorated
Limitation"). The Prorated Limitation shall be compared to the
expenses of the Portfolio recorded through the current day in
order to produce the allowable expenses to be recorded and
accrued for the Portfolio current day (the "Allowable Expenses").
If the expenses of the Portfolio for the current day exceed the
Allowable Expenses, we shall be responsible for such excess and
will for the current day (i) reduce our advisory fees and/or (ii)
reimburse the Fund accordingly.
For purposes of this Undertaking, the Expense Limitation
Period shall mean the period commencing on the date hereof and
terminating at the close of the Portfolio's fiscal year. The
Expense Limitation Period and the Undertaking given hereunder
will automatically be extended for additional one-year terms
unless we provide you with at least 60 days' notice prior to the
end of any Expense Limitation Period, of our determination not to
extend this Undertaking beyond its then current term.
We understand and intend that you will rely on this
Undertaking in preparing and filing a Registration Statement for
the Portfolio on Form N-1A with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, in accruing the Portfolio's expenses for purposes of
<PAGE>
calculating its net asset value per share and for other purposes
and expressly permit you to do so.
Very truly yours,
ALLIANCE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT L.P.
By: Alliance Capital Management
Corporation, its general
partner
By: /s/Edmund P. Bergan, Jr.
____________________________
Edmund P. Bergan, Jr.
2
00250184.BL1
<PAGE>
Consent of Independent Accountants
We hereby consent to the use in the Statement of Additional
Information constituting part of this Post-Effective Amendment
No. 37 to the registration statement on Form N-1A (the
"Registration Statement") of our report dated December 15, 1998,
relating to the financial statements and financial highlights of
Alliance Growth Fund (the "Fund"), which appears in such
Statement of Additional Information, and to the incorporation by
reference of our report into the Prospectus relating to Class A,
Class B and Class C shares of the Fund (the "Prospectus") and
the Prospectus relating to the Advisor Class shares of the Fund
(the "Advisor Class Prospectus") which constitute parts of this
Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to us
under the headings "Shareholder Services - Statements and
Reports" and "General Information - Independent Accountants" in
such Statement of Additional Information and to the references to
us under the heading "Financial Highlights" in the Prospectus and
the Advisor Class Prospectus.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
October 22, 1999
00250184.BL3
<PAGE>
Consent of Independent Accountants
We hereby consent to the use in the Statement of Additional
Information constituting part of this Post-Effective Amendment
No. 37 to the registration statement on Form N-1A (the
"Registration Statement") of our report dated October 22, 1999,
relating to the financial statements and financial highlights of
Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund (the "Fund"), which
appears in such Statement of Additional Information, and to the
incorporation by reference of our report into the Prospectus
relating to Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the Fund (the
"Prospectus") which constitutes part of this Registration
Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the
headings "Shareholder Services - Statements and Reports" and
"General Information - Independent Accountants" in such Statement
of Additional Information and to the reference to us under the
heading "Financial Highlights" in the Prospectus.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York
October 22, 1999
00250184.BL5
<PAGE>
[ARTICLE] 6
[CIK] 0000812015
[NAME] THE ALLIANCE PORTFOLIOS
[SERIES]
[NUMBER] 021
[NAME] SHORT TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
[PERIOD-TYPE] 12-MOS
[FISCAL-YEAR-END] AUG-31-1999
[PERIOD-START] SEP-01-1998
[PERIOD-END] AUG-31-1999
[INVESTMENTS-AT-COST] 44,222,244
[INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE] 43,851,366
[RECEIVABLES] 5,826,997
[ASSETS-OTHER] 41,000
[OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS] 0
[TOTAL-ASSETS] 49,719,363
[PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES] 10,000,126
[SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT] 0
[OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES] 2,398,930
[TOTAL-LIABILITIES] 12,399,056
[SENIOR-EQUITY] 40
[PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON] 38,856,102
[SHARES-COMMON-STOCK] 1,013,282
[SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR] 583,743
[ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT] 0
[OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII] (68,608)
[ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS] 0
[OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS] (1,116,030)
[ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC] (351,197)
[NET-ASSETS] 37,320,307
[DIVIDEND-INCOME] 0
[INTEREST-INCOME] 1,988,978
[OTHER-INCOME] 0
[EXPENSES-NET] (614,905)
[NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME] 1,374,073
[REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT] (365,395)
[APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT] (320,750)
[NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS] 687,928
[EQUALIZATION] 0
[DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME] (396,304)
[DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS] 0
[DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER] 0
[NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD] 3,693,171
[NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED] (3,296,064)
[SHARES-REINVESTED] 32,432
[NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS] 15,884,440
[ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR] 0
[ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR] 0
[OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR] (42,209)
<PAGE>
[OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR] (750,635)
[GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES] 162,000
[INTEREST-EXPENSE] 46,000
[GROSS-EXPENSE] 751,000
[AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS] 7,226,201
[PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN] 9.48
[PER-SHARE-NII] 0.49
[PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC] (0.19)
[PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND] (0.50)
[PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS] 0.00
[RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL] 0.02
[PER-SHARE-NAV-END] 9.26
[EXPENSE-RATIO] 1.40
[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING] 0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE] 0
</TABLE>
00250184.BK4
<PAGE>
[ARTICLE] 6
[CIK] 0000812015
[NAME] THE ALLIANCE PORTFOLIOS
[SERIES]
[NUMBER] 022
[NAME] SHORT TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
[PERIOD-TYPE] 12-MOS
[FISCAL-YEAR-END] AUG-31-1999
[PERIOD-START] SEP-01-1998
[PERIOD-END] AUG-31-1999
[INVESTMENTS-AT-COST] 44,222,244
[INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE] 43,851,366
[RECEIVABLES] 5,826,997
[ASSETS-OTHER] 41,000
[OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS] 0
[TOTAL-ASSETS] 49,719,363
[PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES] 10,000,126
[SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT] 0
[OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES] 2,398,930
[TOTAL-LIABILITIES] 12,399,056
[SENIOR-EQUITY] 40
[PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON] 38,856,102
[SHARES-COMMON-STOCK] 2,187,877
[SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR] 1,125,064
[ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT] 0
[OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII] (68,608)
[ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS] 0
[OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS] (1,116,030)
[ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC] (351,197)
[NET-ASSETS] 37,320,307
[DIVIDEND-INCOME] 0
[INTEREST-INCOME] 1,988,978
[OTHER-INCOME] 0
[EXPENSES-NET] (614,905)
[NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME] 1,374,073
[REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT] (365,395)
[APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT] (320,750)
[NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS] 687,928
[EQUALIZATION] 0
[DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME] (716,173)
[DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS] 0
[DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER] 0
[NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD] 3,739,933
[NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED] (2,734,043)
[SHARES-REINVESTED] 56,923
[NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS] 15,884,440
[ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR] 0
[ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR] 0
[OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR] (42,209)
<PAGE>
[OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR] (750,635)
[GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES] 162,000
[INTEREST-EXPENSE] 46,000
[GROSS-EXPENSE] 751,000
[AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS] 15,421,003
[PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN] 9.62
[PER-SHARE-NII] 0.43
[PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC] (0.21)
[PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND] (0.42)
[PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS] 0.00
[RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL] 0.02
[PER-SHARE-NAV-END] 9.40
[EXPENSE-RATIO] 2.10
[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING] 0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE] 0
</TABLE>
00250184.BK5
<PAGE>
[ARTICLE] 6
[CIK] 0000812015
[NAME] THE ALLIANCE PORTFOLIOS
[SERIES]
[NUMBER] 023
[NAME] SHORT TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
[PERIOD-TYPE] 12-MOS
[FISCAL-YEAR-END] AUG-31-1999
[PERIOD-START] SEP-01-1998
[PERIOD-END] AUG-31-1999
[INVESTMENTS-AT-COST] 44,222,244
[INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE] 43,851,366
[RECEIVABLES] 5,826,997
[ASSETS-OTHER] 41,000
[OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS] 0
[TOTAL-ASSETS] 49,719,363
[PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES] 10,000,126
[SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT] 0
[OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES] 2,398,930
[TOTAL-LIABILITIES] 12,399,056
[SENIOR-EQUITY] 40
[PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON] 38,856,102
[SHARES-COMMON-STOCK] 786,147
[SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR] 528,056
[ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT] 0
[OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII] (68,608)
[ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS] 0
[OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS] (1,116,030)
[ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC] (351,197)
[NET-ASSETS] 37,320,307
[DIVIDEND-INCOME] 0
[INTEREST-INCOME] 1,988,978
[OTHER-INCOME] 0
[EXPENSES-NET] (614,905)
[NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME] 1,374,073
[REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT] (365,395)
[APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT] (320,750)
[NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS] 687,928
[EQUALIZATION] 0
[DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME] (319,926)
[DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS] 0
[DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER] 0
[NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD] 1,506,231
[NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED] (1,274,620)
[SHARES-REINVESTED] 26,480
[NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS] 15,884,440
[ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR] 0
[ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR] 0
[OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR] (42,209)
<PAGE>
[OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR] (750,635)
[GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES] 162,000
[INTEREST-EXPENSE] 46,000
[GROSS-EXPENSE] 751,000
[AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS] 6,867,578
[PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN] 9.61
[PER-SHARE-NII] 0.43
[PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC] (0.22)
[PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND] (0.42)
[PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS] 0.00
[RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL] 0.02
[PER-SHARE-NAV-END] 9.38
[EXPENSE-RATIO] 2.10
[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING] 0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE] 0
</TABLE>
00250184.BK6
<PAGE>
[ARTICLE] 6
[CIK] 0000812015
[NAME] THE ALLIANCE PORTFOLIOS
[SERIES]
[NUMBER] 011
[NAME] GROWTH FUND
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
[PERIOD-TYPE] 6-MOS
[FISCAL-YEAR-END] OCT-31-1999
[PERIOD-START] NOV-01-1998
[PERIOD-END] APR-30-1999
[INVESTMENTS-AT-COST] 5,511,334,459
[INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE] 7,647,387,169
[RECEIVABLES] 33,200,765
[ASSETS-OTHER] 462,884
[OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS] 0
[TOTAL-ASSETS] 7,681,050,818
[PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES] 23,445,888
[SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT] 0
[OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES] 121,602,330
[TOTAL-LIABILITIES] 145,048,218
[SENIOR-EQUITY] 1,684
[PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON] 4,681,632,965
[SHARES-COMMON-STOCK] 23,700,135
[SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR] 21,370,522
[ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT] (28,504,404)
[OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII] 0
[ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS] 785,414,771
[OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS] 0
[ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC] 2,097,457,584
[NET-ASSETS] 7,536,002,600
[DIVIDEND-INCOME] 24,723,193
[INTEREST-INCOME] 7,775,020
[OTHER-INCOME] 0
[EXPENSES-NET] (60,945,850)
[NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME] (28,447,637)
[REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT] 809,267,317
[APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT] 654,376,779
[NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS] 1,435,196,459
[EQUALIZATION] 0
[DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME] 0
[DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS] (78,504,438)
[DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER] 0
[NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD] 9,145,527
[NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED] (8,318,535)
[SHARES-REINVESTED] 1,502,621
[NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS] 1,403,719,563
[ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR] 0
[ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR] 547,860,680
[OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR] 0
<PAGE>
[OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR] 0
[GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES] 23,895,000
[INTEREST-EXPENSE] 0
[GROSS-EXPENSE] 60,946,000
[AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS] 1,173,220,009
[PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN] 47.17
[PER-SHARE-NII] (0.06)
[PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC] 10.80
[PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND] 0.00
[PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS] (3.71)
[RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL] 0.00
[PER-SHARE-NAV-END] 54.20
[EXPENSE-RATIO] 1.18
[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING] 0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE] 0
</TABLE>
00250184.BK7
<PAGE>
[ARTICLE] 6
[CIK] 0000812015
[NAME] THE ALLIANCE PORTFOLIOS
[SERIES]
[NUMBER] 012
[NAME] GROWTH FUND
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
[PERIOD-TYPE] 6-MOS
[FISCAL-YEAR-END] OCT-31-1999
[PERIOD-START] NOV-01-1998
[PERIOD-END] APR-30-1999
[INVESTMENTS-AT-COST] 5,511,334,459
[INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE] 7,647,387,169
[RECEIVABLES] 33,200,765
[ASSETS-OTHER] 462,884
[OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS] 0
[TOTAL-ASSETS] 7,681,050,818
[PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES] 23,445,888
[SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT] 0
[OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES] 121,602,330
[TOTAL-LIABILITIES] 145,048,218
[SENIOR-EQUITY] 1,684
[PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON] 4,681,632,965
[SHARES-COMMON-STOCK] 120,330,045
[SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR] 110,889,404
[ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT] (28,504,404)
[OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII] 0
[ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS] 785,414,771
[OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS] 0
[ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC] 2,097,457,584
[NET-ASSETS] 7,536,002,600
[DIVIDEND-INCOME] 24,723,193
[INTEREST-INCOME] 7,775,020
[OTHER-INCOME] 0
[EXPENSES-NET] (60,945,850)
[NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME] (28,447,637)
[REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT] 809,267,317
[APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT] 654,376,779
[NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS] 1,435,196,459
[EQUALIZATION] 0
[DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME] 0
[DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS] (410,079,550)
[DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER] 0
[NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD] 9,894,647
[NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED] (10,502,053)
[SHARES-REINVESTED] 10,048,047
[NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS] 1,403,719,563
[ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR] 0
[ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR] 547,860,680
[OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR] 0
<PAGE>
[OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR] 0
[GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES] 23,895,000
[INTEREST-EXPENSE] 0
[GROSS-EXPENSE] 60,946,000
[AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS] 4,835,457,283
[PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN] 38.15
[PER-SHARE-NII] (0.20)
[PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC] 8.63
[PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND] 0.00
[PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS] (3.71)
[RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL] 0.00
[PER-SHARE-NAV-END] 42.87
[EXPENSE-RATIO] 1.90
[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING] 0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE] 0
</TABLE>
00250184.BK8
<PAGE>
[ARTICLE] 6
[CIK] 0000812015
[NAME] THE ALLIANCE PORTFOLIOS
[SERIES]
[NUMBER] 013
[NAME] GROWTH FUND
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
[PERIOD-TYPE] 6-MOS
[FISCAL-YEAR-END] OCT-31-1999
[PERIOD-START] NOV-01-1998
[PERIOD-END] APR-30-1999
[INVESTMENTS-AT-COST] 5,511,334,459
[INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE] 7,647,387,169
[RECEIVABLES] 33,200,765
[ASSETS-OTHER] 462,884
[OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS] 0
[TOTAL-ASSETS] 7,681,050,818
[PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES] 23,445,888
[SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT] 0
[OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES] 121,602,330
[TOTAL-LIABILITIES] 145,048,218
[SENIOR-EQUITY] 1,684
[PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON] 4,681,632,965
[SHARES-COMMON-STOCK] 20,516,774
[SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR] 18,828,844
[ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT] (28,504,404)
[OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII] 0
[ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS] 785,414,771
[OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS] 0
[ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC] 2,097,457,584
[NET-ASSETS] 7,536,002,600
[DIVIDEND-INCOME] 24,723,193
[INTEREST-INCOME] 7,775,020
[OTHER-INCOME] 0
[EXPENSES-NET] (60,945,850)
[NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME] (28,447,637)
[REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT] 809,267,317
[APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT] 654,376,779
[NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS] 1,435,196,459
[EQUALIZATION] 0
[DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME] 0
[DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS] (69,316,205)
[DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER] 0
[NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD] 4,165,657
[NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED] (4,186,721)
[SHARES-REINVESTED] 1,708,994
[NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS] 1,403,719,563
[ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR] 0
[ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR] 547,860,680
[OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR] 0
<PAGE>
[OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR] 0
[GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES] 23,895,000
[INTEREST-EXPENSE] 0
[GROSS-EXPENSE] 60,946,000
[AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS] 821,287,660
[PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN] 38.17
[PER-SHARE-NII] (0.20)
[PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC] 8.64
[PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND] 0.00
[PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS] (3.71)
[RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL] 0.00
[PER-SHARE-NAV-END] 42.90
[EXPENSE-RATIO] 1.89
[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING] 0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE] 0
</TABLE>
00250184.BK9
<PAGE>
[ARTICLE] 6
[CIK] 0000812015
[NAME] THE ALLIANCE PORTFOLIOS
[SERIES]
[NUMBER] 014
[NAME] GROWTH FUND
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
[PERIOD-TYPE] 6-MOS
[FISCAL-YEAR-END] OCT-31-1999
[PERIOD-START] NOV-01-1998
[PERIOD-END] APR-30-1999
[INVESTMENTS-AT-COST] 5,511,334,459
[INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE] 7,647,387,169
[RECEIVABLES] 33,200,765
[ASSETS-OTHER] 462,884
[OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS] 0
[TOTAL-ASSETS] 7,681,050,818
[PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES] 23,445,888
[SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT] 0
[OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES] 121,602,330
[TOTAL-LIABILITIES] 145,048,218
[SENIOR-EQUITY] 1,684
[PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON] 4,681,632,965
[SHARES-COMMON-STOCK] 3,890,477
[SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR] 3,681,413
[ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT] (28,504,404)
[OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII] 0
[ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS] 785,414,771
[OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS] 0
[ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC] 2,097,457,584
[NET-ASSETS] 7,536,002,600
[DIVIDEND-INCOME] 24,723,193
[INTEREST-INCOME] 7,775,020
[OTHER-INCOME] 0
[EXPENSES-NET] (60,945,850)
[NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME] (28,447,637)
[REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT] 809,267,317
[APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT] 654,376,779
[NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS] 1,435,196,459
[EQUALIZATION] 0
[DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME] 0
[DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS] (13,813,033)
[DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER] 0
[NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD] 736,586
[NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED] (796,037)
[SHARES-REINVESTED] 268,515
[NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS] 1,403,719,563
[ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR] 0
[ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR] 547,860,680
[OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR] 0
<PAGE>
[OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR] 0
[GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES] 23,895,000
[INTEREST-EXPENSE] 0
[GROSS-EXPENSE] 60,946,000
[AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS] 200,944,656
[PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN] 47.47
[PER-SHARE-NII] 0.01
[PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC] 10.87
[PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND] 0.00
[PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS] (3.71)
[RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL] 0.00
[PER-SHARE-NAV-END] 54.64
[EXPENSE-RATIO] 0.88
[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING] 0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE] 0
</TABLE>
00250184.BL0
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person
whose signature appears below hereby revokes all prior
powers granted by the undersigned to the extent inconsistent
herewith and constitutes and appoints John D. Carifa, Edmund
P. Bergan, Jr., Domenick Pugliese, Andrew L. Gangolf and
Emilie D. Wrapp and each of them, to act severally as
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned in any and all
capacities, solely for the purpose of signing the respective
Registration Statements, and any amendments thereto, on Form
N-1A of AFD Exchange Reserves, Alliance Balanced Shares,
Inc., Alliance Bond Fund, Inc., Alliance Global Dollar
Government Fund, Inc., Alliance Global Small Cap Fund, Inc.,
Alliance Global Strategic Income Trust, Inc., Alliance
Growth and Income Fund, Inc., Alliance Health Care Fund,
Inc., Alliance High Yield Fund, Inc., Alliance Institutional
Funds, Inc., Alliance Institutional Reserves, Inc., Alliance
International Premier Growth Fund, Inc., Alliance Limited
Maturity Government Fund, Inc., Alliance Mortgage Securities
Income Fund, Inc., Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust,
Inc., Alliance Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Alliance
Municipal Income Fund II, Alliance North American Government
Income Trust, Inc., Alliance Premier Growth Fund, Inc.,
Alliance Quasar Fund, Inc., Alliance Real Estate Investment
Fund, Inc., Alliance Select Investor Series, Inc., Alliance
Utility Income Fund, Inc., Alliance Variable Products Series
Fund, Inc., Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund, Inc., The
Alliance Fund, Inc. and The Alliance Portfolios, and filing
the same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact, or their substitute or substitutes, may
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ Ruth Block
____________________
Ruth Block
Dated: August 18, 1999
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person
whose signature appears below hereby revokes all prior
powers granted by the undersigned to the extent inconsistent
herewith and constitutes and appoints John D. Carifa, Edmund
P. Bergan, Jr., Domenick Pugliese, Andrew L. Gangolf and
Emilie D. Wrapp and each of them, to act severally as
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned in any and all
capacities, solely for the purpose of signing the respective
Registration Statements, and any amendments thereto, on Form
N-1A of AFD Exchange Reserves, Alliance All-Asia Investment
Fund, Inc., Alliance Balanced Shares, Inc., Alliance Bond
Fund, Inc., Alliance Capital Reserves, Alliance Global
Dollar Government Fund, Inc., Alliance Global Environment
Fund, Inc., Alliance Global Small Cap Fund, Inc., Alliance
Global Strategic Income Trust, Inc., Alliance Government
Reserves, Alliance Greater China '97 Fund, Inc., Alliance
Growth and Income Fund, Inc., Alliance Health Care Fund,
Inc., Alliance High Yield Fund, Inc., Alliance Institutional
Funds, Inc., Alliance Institutional Reserves, Inc., Alliance
International Fund, Alliance International Premier Growth
Fund, Inc., Alliance Limited Maturity Government Fund, Inc.,
Alliance Money Market Fund, Alliance Mortgage Securities
Income Fund, Inc., Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust,
Inc., Alliance Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Alliance
Municipal Income Fund II, Alliance Municipal Trust, Alliance
New Europe Fund, Inc., Alliance North American Government
Income Trust, Inc., Alliance Premier Growth Fund, Inc.,
Alliance Quasar Fund, Inc., Alliance Real Estate Investment
Fund, Inc., Alliance Select Investor Series, Inc., Alliance
Technology Fund, Inc., Alliance Utility Income Fund, Inc.,
Alliance Variable Products Series Fund, Inc., Alliance
Worldwide Privatization Fund, Inc., The Alliance Fund, Inc.,
The Alliance Portfolios, and The Hudson River Trust, and
filing the same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents
in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact, or their substitute or substitutes, may
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ John D. Carifa
_______________________
John D. Carifa
Dated: August 18, 1999
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person
whose signature appears below hereby revokes all prior
powers granted by the undersigned to the extent inconsistent
herewith and constitutes and appoints John D. Carifa, Edmund
P. Bergan, Jr., Domenick Pugliese, Andrew L. Gangolf and
Emilie D. Wrapp and each of them, to act severally as
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned in any and all
capacities, solely for the purpose of signing the respective
Registration Statements, and any amendments thereto, on Form
N-1A of AFD Exchange Reserves, Alliance All-Asia Investment
Fund, Inc., Alliance Balanced Shares, Inc., Alliance Bond
Fund, Inc., Alliance Global Dollar Government Fund, Inc.,
Alliance Global Environment Fund, Inc., Alliance Global
Small Cap Fund, Inc., Alliance Global Strategic Income
Trust, Inc., Alliance Greater China '97 Fund, Inc., Alliance
Growth and Income Fund, Inc., Alliance Health Care Fund,
Inc., Alliance High Yield Fund, Inc., Alliance Institutional
Funds, Inc., Alliance Institutional Reserves, Inc., Alliance
International Fund, Alliance International Premier Growth
Fund, Inc., Alliance Limited Maturity Government Fund, Inc.,
Alliance Mortgage Securities Income Fund, Inc., Alliance
Multi-Market Strategy Trust, Inc., Alliance Municipal Income
Fund, Inc., Alliance Municipal Income Fund II, Alliance New
Europe Fund, Inc., Alliance North American Government Income
Trust, Inc., Alliance Premier Growth Fund, Inc., Alliance
Quasar Fund, Inc., Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund,
Inc., Alliance Select Investor Series, Inc., Alliance
Technology Fund, Inc., Alliance Utility Income Fund, Inc.,
Alliance Variable Products Series Fund, Inc., Alliance
Worldwide Privatization Fund, Inc., The Alliance Fund, Inc.,
and The Alliance Portfolios, and filing the same, with
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-
fact, or their substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to
be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ David H. Dievler
______________________
David H. Dievler
Dated: August 18, 1999
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person
whose signature appears below hereby revokes all prior
powers granted by the undersigned to the extent inconsistent
herewith and constitutes and appoints John D. Carifa, Edmund
P. Bergan, Jr., Domenick Pugliese, Andrew L. Gangolf and
Emilie D. Wrapp and each of them, to act severally as
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned in any and all
capacities, solely for the purpose of signing the respective
Registration Statements, and any amendments thereto, on Form
N-1A of AFD Exchange Reserves, Alliance All-Asia Investment
Fund, Inc., Alliance Balanced Shares, Inc., Alliance Bond
Fund, Inc., Alliance Global Dollar Government Fund, Inc.,
Alliance Global Environment Fund, Inc., Alliance Global
Small Cap Fund, Inc., Alliance Global Strategic Income
Trust, Inc., Alliance Growth and Income Fund, Inc., Alliance
Health Care Fund, Inc., Alliance High Yield Fund, Inc.,
Alliance Institutional Funds, Inc., Alliance Institutional
Reserves, Inc., Alliance International Fund, Alliance
International Premier Growth Fund, Inc., Alliance Limited
Maturity Government Fund, Inc., Alliance Mortgage Securities
Income Fund, Inc., Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust,
Inc., Alliance Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Alliance
Municipal Income Fund II, Alliance New Europe Fund, Inc.,
Alliance North American Government Income Trust, Inc.,
Alliance Premier Growth Fund, Inc., Alliance Quasar Fund,
Inc., Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc., Alliance
Select Investor Series, Inc., Alliance Utility Income Fund,
Inc., Alliance Variable Products Series Fund, Inc., Alliance
Worldwide Privatization Fund, Inc., The Alliance Fund, Inc.,
The Alliance Portfolios, and The Hudson River Trust, and
filing the same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents
in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact, or their substitute or substitutes, may
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ John H. Dobkin
_______________________
John H. Dobkin
Dated: August 18, 1999
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person
whose signature appears below hereby revokes all prior
powers granted by the undersigned to the extent inconsistent
herewith and constitutes and appoints John D. Carifa, Edmund
P. Bergan, Jr., Domenick Pugliese, Andrew L. Gangolf and
Emilie D. Wrapp and each of them, to act severally as
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned in any and all
capacities, solely for the purpose of signing the respective
Registration Statements, and any amendments thereto, on Form
N-1A of AFD Exchange Reserves, Alliance Bond Fund, Inc.,
Alliance Balanced Shares, Inc., Alliance Capital Reserves,
Alliance Global Dollar Government Fund, Inc., Alliance
Global Small Cap Fund, Inc., Alliance Global Strategic
Income Trust, Inc., Alliance Government Reserves, Alliance
Greater China '97 Fund, Inc., Alliance Growth and Income
Fund, Inc., Alliance Health Care Fund, Inc., Alliance High
Yield Fund, Inc., Alliance Institutional Funds, Inc.,
Alliance Institutional Reserves, Inc., Alliance
International Premier Growth Fund, Inc., Alliance Limited
Maturity Government Fund, Inc., Alliance Money Market Fund,
Alliance Mortgage Securities Income Fund, Inc., Alliance
Multi-Market Strategy Trust, Inc., Alliance Municipal Income
Fund, Inc., Alliance Municipal Income Fund II, Alliance
Municipal Trust, Alliance North American Government Income
Trust, Inc., Alliance Premier Growth Fund, Inc., Alliance
Quasar Fund, Inc., Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund,
Inc., Alliance Select Investor Series, Inc., Alliance
Technology Fund, Inc., Alliance Utility Income Fund, Inc.,
Alliance Variable Products Series Fund, Inc., Alliance
Worldwide Privatization Fund, Inc., The Alliance Fund, Inc.,
The Alliance Portfolios and The Hudson River Trust, and
filing the same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents
in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact, or their substitute or substitutes, may
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ William H. Foulk, Jr.
__________________________
William H. Foulk, Jr.
Dated: August 18, 1999
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person
whose signature appears below hereby revokes all prior
powers granted by the undersigned to the extent inconsistent
herewith and constitutes and appoints John D. Carifa, Edmund
P. Bergan, Jr., Domenick Pugliese, Andrew L. Gangolf and
Emilie D. Wrapp and each of them, to act severally as
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned in any and all
capacities, solely for the purpose of signing the respective
Registration Statements, and any amendments thereto, on Form
N-1A of The Alliance Portfolios, and The Hudson River Trust,
and filing the same, with exhibits thereto, and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorneys-in-fact, or their substitute or
substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ Brenton W. Harries
___________________________
Brenton W. Harries
Dated: October 8, 1998
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person
whose signature appears below hereby revokes all prior
powers granted by the undersigned to the extent inconsistent
herewith and constitutes and appoints John D. Carifa, Edmund
P. Bergan, Jr., Domenick Pugliese, Andrew L. Gangolf and
Emilie D. Wrapp and each of them, to act severally as
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned in any and all
capacities, solely for the purpose of signing the respective
Registration Statements, and any amendments thereto, on Form
N-1A of AFD Exchange Reserves, Alliance Balanced Shares,
Inc., Alliance Bond Fund, Inc., Alliance Global Dollar
Government Fund, Inc., Alliance Global Small Cap Fund, Inc.,
Alliance Global Strategic Income Trust, Inc., Alliance
Growth and Income Fund, Inc., Alliance Health Care Fund,
Inc., Alliance High Yield Fund, Inc., Alliance Institutional
Funds, Inc., Alliance Institutional Reserves, Inc., Alliance
International Premier Growth Fund, Inc., Alliance Limited
Maturity Government Fund, Inc., Alliance Mortgage Securities
Income Fund, Inc., Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust,
Inc., Alliance Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Alliance
Municipal Income Fund II, Alliance North American Government
Income Trust, Inc., Alliance Premier Growth Fund, Inc.,
Alliance Quasar Fund, Inc., Alliance Real Estate Investment
Fund, Inc., Alliance Select Investor Series, Inc., Alliance
Utility Income Fund, Inc., Alliance Variable Products Series
Fund, Inc., Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund, Inc., The
Alliance Fund, Inc., and The Alliance Portfolios and filing
the same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact, or their substitute or substitutes, may
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ Dr. James M. Hester
_______________________
Dr. James M. Hester
Dated: August 18, 1999
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person
whose signature appears below hereby revokes all prior
powers granted by the undersigned to the extent inconsistent
herewith and constitutes and appoints John D. Carifa, Edmund
P. Bergan, Jr., Domenick Pugliese, Andrew L. Gangolf and
Emilie D. Wrapp and each of them, to act severally as
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned in any and all
capacities, solely for the purpose of signing the respective
Registration Statements, and any amendments thereto, on Form
N-1A of AFD Exchange Reserves, Alliance Balanced Shares,
Inc., Alliance Bond Fund, Inc., Alliance Global Dollar
Government Fund, Inc., Alliance Global Small Cap Fund, Inc.,
Alliance Global Strategic Income Trust, Inc., Alliance
Growth and Income Fund, Inc., Alliance Health Care Fund,
Inc., Alliance High Yield Fund, Inc., Alliance Institutional
Funds, Inc., Alliance Institutional Reserves, Inc., Alliance
International Premier Growth Fund, Inc., Alliance Limited
Maturity Government Fund, Inc., Alliance Money Market Fund,
Alliance Mortgage Securities Income Fund, Inc., Alliance
Multi-Market Strategy Trust, Inc., Alliance Municipal Income
Fund, Inc., Alliance Municipal Income Fund II, Alliance
North American Government Income Trust, Inc., Alliance
Premier Growth Fund, Inc., Alliance Quasar Fund, Inc.,
Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc., Alliance Select
Investor Series, Inc., Alliance Utility Income Fund, Inc.,
Alliance Variable Products Series Fund, Inc., Alliance
Worldwide Privatization Fund, Inc., The Alliance Fund, Inc.,
The Alliance Portfolios and The Hudson River Trust, and
filing the same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents
in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact, or their substitute or substitutes, may
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ Clifford J. Michel
______________________
Clifford L. Michel
Dated: August 18, 1999
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person
whose signature appears below hereby revokes all prior
powers granted by the undersigned to the extent inconsistent
herewith and constitutes and appoints John D. Carifa, Edmund
P. Bergan, Jr., Domenick Pugliese, Andrew L. Gangolf and
Emilie D. Wrapp and each of them, to act severally as
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with power of substitution and
resubstitution, for the undersigned in any and all
capacities, solely for the purpose of signing the respective
Registration Statements, and any amendments thereto, on Form
N-1A of AFD Exchange Reserves, Alliance Balanced Shares,
Inc., Alliance Bond Fund, Inc., Alliance Capital Reserves,
Alliance Global Dollar Government Fund, Inc., Alliance
Global Small Cap Fund, Inc., Alliance Global Strategic
Income Trust, Inc., Alliance Government Reserves, Alliance
Growth and Income Fund, Inc., Alliance Health Care Fund,
Inc., Alliance High Yield Fund, Inc., Alliance Institutional
Funds, Inc., Alliance Institutional Reserves, Inc., Alliance
International Premier Growth Fund, Inc., Alliance Limited
Maturity Government Fund, Inc., Alliance Mortgage Securities
Income Fund, Inc., Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust,
Inc., Alliance Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Alliance
Municipal Income Fund II, Alliance Municipal Trust, Alliance
North American Government Income Trust, Inc., Alliance
Premier Growth Fund, Inc., Alliance Quasar Fund, Inc.,
Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc., Alliance Select
Investor Series, Inc., Alliance Utility Income Fund, Inc.,
Alliance Variable Products Series Fund, Inc., Alliance
Worldwide Privatization Fund, Inc., The Alliance Fund, Inc.,
The Alliance Portfolios and The Hudson River Trust, and
filing the same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents
in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact, or their substitute or substitutes, may
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ Donald J. Robinson
______________________
Donald J. Robinson
Dated: August 18, 1999
00250184.BL4
