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This is filed pursuant to Rule 497(e).
File Nos.: 33-18647 and 811-05398
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Class A Prospectus
ALLIANCE VARIABLE PRODUCTS
SERIES FUND, INC.
May 1, 2000
International Portfolio
This Prospectus describes the Portfolio that is available as an underlying
investment through your variable contract. For information about your
variable contract, including information about insurance-related
expenses, see the prospectus for your variable contract which
accompanies this Prospectus.
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.
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Investment Products Offered
. Are Not FDIC Insured
. May Lose Value
. Are Not Bank Guaranteed
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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RISK/RETURN SUMMARY........................................................ 4
Summary of Principal Risks............................................... 6
GLOSSARY................................................................... 7
DESCRIPTION OF THE PORTFOLIO............................................... 9
Investment Objectives and Principal Policies and Risks................... 9
Description of Additional Investment Practices........................... 10
Additional Risk Considerations........................................... 14
MANAGEMENT OF THE PORTFOLIO................................................ 17
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES................................................ 17
How The Portfolio Values Its Shares...................................... 17
How To Purchase and Sell Shares.......................................... 17
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES......................................... 17
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS....................................................... 18
APPENDIX A................................................................. 19
</TABLE>
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Alliance Variable Products Series Fund's investment adviser is Alliance Capital
Management L.P., a global investment manager providing diversified services to
institutions and individuals through a broad line of investments including more
than 100 mutual funds.
RISK/RETURN SUMMARY
The following is a summary of certain key information about Alliance Variable
Products Series Fund. You will find additional information about the Portfolio
of the Fund, including a detailed description of the risks of an investment in
the Portfolio, after this summary.
The Risk/Return Summary describes the Portfolio's objectives, principal
investment strategies and principal risks. The Portfolio's summary includes a
discussion of some of the principal risks of investing in the Portfolio. A
further discussion of these and other risks starts on page 6.
More detailed descriptions of the Portfolio, including the risks associated
with investing in the Portfolio, can be found further back in this Prospectus.
Please be sure to read this additional information BEFORE you invest.
The Risk/Return Summary includes a table for the Portfolio 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 the
Portfolio by showing:
. how the Portfolio's average annual returns for one, five, and 10 years
(or over the life of the Portfolio if the Portfolio is less than 10
years old) compare to those of a broad based securities market index;
and
. changes in the Portfolio's performance from year to year over 10 years
(or over the life of the Portfolio if the Portfolio is less than 10
years old).
If the Portfolio's returns reflected fees charged by your variable contract,
the returns shown in the table and bar chart for the Portfolio would be lower.
The Portfolio'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 Portfolio.
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International Portfolio
Objective: The Portfolio's investment objective is to seek to obtain a
total return on its assets from long-term growth of capital principally
through a broad portfolio of marketable securities of established non-U.S.
companies (i.e., companies incorporated outside the U.S.), companies
participating in foreign economies with prospects for growth, and foreign
government securities. As a secondary objective, the Portfolio attempts to
increase its current income without assuming undue risk.
Principal Investment Strategies and Risks: The Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 one or more foreign countries.
Among the principal risks of investing in the Portfolio 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 Portfolio.
Performance Information and Bar Chart
Performance Table
<TABLE>
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Since
1 Year 5 Years Inception
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<S> <C> <C> <C>
Portfolio......................................... 40.23% 14.05% 13.99%
MSCI World Index ................................. 24.94% 19.76% 17.92%
</TABLE>
The average annual total returns in the performance table are for periods ended
December 31, 1999. Since Inception return information is from December 28, 1992
for the Portfolio and December 31, 1992 for the Index.
Bar Chart
[BAR CHART]
90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
N/A N/A N/A 21.6 6.7 9.9 7.3 3.3 13.0 40.2
You should consider an investment in the Portfolio as a long-term investment.
The Portfolio's returns will fluctuate over long and short periods. For
example, during the period shown in the bar chart, the Portfolio's:
Best quarter was up 27.15%, 4th quarter, 1999; and
Worst quarter was down -17.37%, 3rd quarter, 1998.
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SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL RISKS
The value of your investment in the Portfolio will change with changes in the
values of the Portfolio's investments. Many factors can affect those values. In
this Summary, we describe the principal risks that may affect the Portfolio's
investments as a whole. The Portfolio could be subject to additional principal
risks because the types of investments made by the Portfolio 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 Additional
Investment Practices" or "Additional Risk Considerations." These sections also
include more information about the Portfolio, its investments, and related
risks.
. Market Risk This is the risk that the value of the Portfolio's
investments will fluctuate as the stock or bond markets fluctuate and
that prices overall will decline over shorter or longer-term periods.
. Foreign Risk This is the risk of investments in issuers located in
foreign countries. Because the Portfolio invests in foreign securities
it is subject to this risk. The Portfolio's investments in foreign
securities may experience more rapid and extreme changes in value than
investments in securities of U.S. companies. This is because the
securities markets of many foreign countries are relatively small, with
a limited number of companies representing a small number of
industries. Additionally, foreign securities issuers are not usually
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, political
changes, or diplomatic developments could adversely affect the
Portfolio's investments in a foreign country. In the event of
nationalization, expropriation, or other confiscation, the Portfolio
could lose its entire investment.
. Currency Risk This is the risk that fluctuations in the exchange rates
between the U.S. Dollar and foreign currencies may negatively affect
the value of the Portfolio's investments. Because the Portfolio has
foreign investments it is subject to this risk.
. 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 the Portfolio's net asset value.
. Management Risk Each Portfolio 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 Portfolio, 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 the Portfolio.
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GLOSSARY
This Prospectus uses the following terms.
Types of Securities
Bonds are fixed, floating, and variable rate debt obligations.
Convertible securities are fixed-income securities that are convertible into
common and preferred stock.
Debt securities are bonds, debentures, notes, and bills.
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 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, or governmental agencies or other 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 U.S.
Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.
Rating Agencies, Rated Securities and Indexes
Duff & Phelps is Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Company.
Fitch is Fitch IBCA, Inc.
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.
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.
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
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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.
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.
Securities Act is the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PORTFOLIO
This section of the Prospectus provides a more complete description of the
Portfolio's investment objectives, principal strategies and risks. Of course,
there can be no assurance that the Portfolio will achieve its investment
objective.
Please note that:
. Additional discussion of the Portfolio's investments, including the
risks of the investments, can be found in the discussion under
Description of Additional Investment Practices following this section.
. The description of the principal risks for the Portfolio may include
risks described in the Summary of Principal Risks above. Additional
information about the risks of investing in the Portfolio can be found
in the discussion under Additional Risk Considerations.
. Additional descriptions of the Portfolio's strategies, investments and
risks can be found in the Portfolio's Statement of Additional
Information or SAI.
. Except as noted, (i) the Portfolio's investment objectives are
"fundamental" and cannot be changed without a shareholder vote, and
(ii) the Portfolio's investment policies are not fundamental and thus
can be changed without a shareholder vote.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPAL POLICIES AND RISKS
International Portfolio
The Portfolio's investment objective is to seek to obtain a total return on its
assets from long-term growth of capital principally through a broad portfolio
of marketable securities of established non-U.S. companies (i.e., companies
incorporated outside the U.S.), companies participating in foreign economies
with prospects for growth, and foreign government securities. As a secondary
objective, the Portfolio attempts to increase its current income without
assuming undue risk. The Portfolio also invests in U.S. companies that have
their principal activities and interests outside the U.S. Normally, the
Portfolio will invest more than 80% of its assets in these types of companies.
The Portfolio 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. The Portfolio also may invest in any other type of security,
including convertible securities, preferred stocks, debt securities of foreign
issuers, or U.S. Government securities.
The Portfolio 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
Portfolio 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
which can be expected to have less stability, than those of developed
countries.
The Portfolio also may:
. purchase or sell forward foreign currency exchange contracts of up to
50% of its assets;
. invest in warrants;
. make secured loans of portfolio securities of up to 30% of its total
assets;
. invest in illiquid securities of up to 10% of its total assets; and
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. enter into repurchase agreements of up to seven days' duration for up
to 10% of the Portfolio'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 Portfolio
invests a substantial amount of its assets in a particular foreign country, an
investment in the Portfolio has the risk that market changes or other events
affecting that country, including political instability and unpredictable
economic conditions, may have a more significant effect on the Portfolio's net
asset value.
DESCRIPTION OF ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT PRACTICES
This section describes the Portfolio's investment practices and associated
risks. Unless otherwise noted, the Portfolio's use of any of these practices
was specified in the previous section.
Derivatives. The Portfolio may use derivatives to achieve its 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 Portfolio 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. The Portfolio is permitted to use derivatives
for one or more of these purposes, although the Portfolio 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
Portfolio shareholders. The Portfolio 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. The Portfolio will generally make extensive use of carefully
selected forwards and other derivatives to achieve the currency hedging that is
an integral part of its investment strategy. Alliance's use of derivatives is
subject to continuous risk assessment and control from the standpoint of its
Portfolio's investment objectives and policies.
Derivatives may be (i) standardized, exchange-traded contracts or (ii)
customized, privately-negotiated contracts. Exchange-traded derivatives tend to
be more liquid and subject to less credit risk than those that are privately
negotiated.
There are four principal types of derivative instruments--options, futures,
forwards, and swaps--from which virtually any type of derivative transaction
can be created.
. Options--An option, which may be standardized and exchange-traded, or
customized and privately negotiated, is an agreement that, for a
premium payment or fee, gives the option holder (the buyer) the right
but not the obligation to buy or sell the underlying asset (or settle
for cash an amount based on an underlying asset, rate or index) at a
specified price (the exercise price) during a period of time or on a
specified date. A call option entitles the holder to purchase, 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).
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. Futures--A futures contract is an agreement that obligates the buyer to
buy and the seller to sell a specified quantity of an underlying asset
(or settle for cash the value of a contract based on an underlying
asset, rate or index) at a specific price on the contract maturity
date. Futures contracts are standardized, exchange-traded instruments
and are fungible (i.e., considered to be perfect substitutes for each
other). This fungibility allows futures contracts to be readily offset
or cancelled through the acquisition of equal but opposite positions,
which is the primary method in which futures contracts are liquidated.
A cash-settled futures contract does not require physical delivery of
the underlying asset but instead is settled for cash equal to the
difference between the values of the contract on the date it is entered
into and its maturity date.
. Forwards--A forward contract is an obligation by one party to buy, and
the other party to sell, a specific quantity of an underlying commodity
or other tangible asset for an agreed upon price at a future date.
Forward contracts are customized, privately negotiated agreements
designed to satisfy the objectives of each party. A forward contract
usually results in the delivery of the underlying asset upon maturity
of the contract in return for the agreed upon payment.
. Swaps--A swap is a customized, privately negotiated agreement that
obligates two parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified
intervals (payment dates) based upon or calculated by reference to
changes in specified prices or rates (interest rates in the case of
interest rate swaps, currency exchange rates in the case of currency
swaps) for a specified amount of an underlying asset (the "notional"
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.
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 the Portfolio.
. 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
Portfolio's interest based on changes in the bond market generally.
. 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
Portfolio, and the ability to forecast price, interest rate, or
currency exchange rate movements correctly.
. Credit Risk--This is the risk that a loss may be sustained by the
Portfolio 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
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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 Portfolio considers the
creditworthiness of each counterparty to a privately negotiated
derivative in evaluating potential credit risk.
. Liquidity Risk--Liquidity risk exists when a particular instrument is
difficult to purchase or sell. If a derivative transaction is
particularly large or if the relevant market is illiquid (as is the
case with many privately negotiated derivatives), it may not be
possible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an
advantageous price.
. Leverage Risk--Since many derivatives have a leverage component,
adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, rate or
index can result in a loss substantially greater than the amount
invested in the derivative itself. In the case of swaps, the risk of
loss generally is related to a notional principal amount, even if the
parties have not made any initial investment. Certain derivatives have
the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial
investment.
. Other Risks--Other risks in using derivatives include the risk of
mispricing or improper valuation of derivatives and the inability of
derivatives to correlate perfectly with underlying assets, rates and
indices. Many derivatives, in particular privately negotiated
derivatives, are complex and often valued subjectively. Improper
valuations can result in increased cash payment requirements to
counterparties or a loss of value to the Portfolio. 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, the Portfolio's use of derivatives may not always be an
effective means of, and sometimes could be counterproductive to,
furthering the Portfolio's investment objective.
Derivatives Used by the Portfolio. The following describes specific
derivatives that the Portfolio may use.
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts. The Portfolio 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. The Portfolio 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 the Portfolio 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 Portfolio's securities
denominated in such foreign currency, or when the Portfolio 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, the Portfolio may, in the alternative, enter into a forward contract to
sell a different foreign currency for a fixed U.S. Dollar amount where the
Portfolio 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
Portfolio are denominated (a "cross-hedge").
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
&
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Phelps or Fitch and comparable unrated securities may share some or all of the
risks of debt securities with those ratings.
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.
The Portfolio invests in illiquid securities and may not be able to sell such
securities and may not be able to realize their full value upon sale. Alliance
will monitor the Portfolio'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.
Repurchase Agreements. A repurchase agreement arises when a buyer purchases a
security and simultaneously agrees to resell it to the vendor at an agreed-upon
future date, normally a day or a few days later. The resale price is greater
than the purchase price, reflecting an agreed-upon interest rate for the period
the buyer's money is invested in the security. Such agreements permit the
Portfolio to keep all of its assets at work while retaining "overnight"
flexibility in pursuit of investments of a longer-term nature. The Portfolio
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,
the Portfolio would suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds from the sale
of the collateral were less than the repurchase price. If a vendor goes
bankrupt, the Portfolio might be delayed in, or prevented from, selling the
collateral for its benefit.
Rights and Warrants. Warrants are option securities permitting their holders to
subscribe for other securities. Rights are similar to warrants except that they
have a substantially shorter duration. Rights and warrants do not carry with
them dividend or voting rights with respect to the underlying securities, or
any rights in the assets of the issuer. As a result, an investment in rights
and warrants may be considered more speculative than certain other types of
investments. In addition, the value of a right or a warrant does not
necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities, and a right or
a warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration
date.
Secured Loans of Portfolio Securities. The Portfolio 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 Portfolio's Custodian. 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 Portfolio any income earned from the securities. The Portfolio 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.
Future Developments. The Portfolio may, following written notice to its
shareholders, take advantage of other investment practices that are not
currently contemplated for use by the Portfolio, or are not available but may
yet be developed, to the extent such investment practices are consistent with
the Portfolio's investment objective and legally permissible for the Portfolio.
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 the Portfolio is included
in the Financial Highlights section. The Portfolio is actively managed and, in
some cases in response to market conditions, the Portfolio's
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turnover may exceed 100%. A higher rate of portfolio turnover increases
brokerage and other expenses, which must be borne by the Portfolio and its
shareholders.
Temporary Defensive Position. For temporary defensive purposes, the Portfolio
may invest in certain types of short-term, liquid, high-grade or high-quality
debt securities. These securities may include U.S. Government securities,
qualifying bank deposits, money market instruments, prime commercial paper and
other types of short-term debt securities, including notes and bonds. Such
securities may also include short-term, foreign-currency denominated securities
of the type mentioned above issued by foreign governmental entities, companies
and supranational organizations. While the Portfolio is investing for temporary
defensive purposes, it may not meet its investment objective.
ADDITIONAL RISK CONSIDERATIONS
Investment in the Portfolios involves the special risk considerations described
below. Certain of these risks may be heightened when investing in emerging
markets.
Currency Considerations. The Portfolio invests some portion of its assets in
securities denominated in, and receive revenues in, foreign currencies and
therefore, will be adversely affected by reductions in the value of those
currencies relative to the U.S. Dollar. These changes will affect the
Portfolio's net assets, distributions and income. If the value of the foreign
currencies in which the Portfolio receives income falls relative to the U.S.
Dollar between receipt of the income and the making of Portfolio distributions,
the Portfolio may be required to liquidate securities in order to make
distributions if the Portfolio has insufficient cash in U.S. Dollars to meet
the distribution requirements that the Portfolio must satisfy to qualify as a
regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes. Similarly, if an
exchange rate declines between the time the Portfolio 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, the Portfolio
may engage in certain currency hedging transactions, as described above, which
involve certain special risks.
Fixed-Income Securities. The value of the Portfolio's shares will fluctuate
with the value of its investments. The value of the Portfolio's investments
will change as the general level of interest rates fluctuates. During periods
of falling interest rates, the values of a Portfolio's securities will
generally rise, although if falling interest rates are viewed as a precursor to
a recession, the values of the Portfolio's securities may fall along with
interest rates. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, the values
of the Portfolio'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 the Portfolio'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 the Portfolio will be
unavoidable. Moreover, medium- and lower-rated securities and non-rated
securities of comparable quality may be subject to wider fluctuations in yield
and market values than higher-rated securities under certain market conditions.
Such fluctuations after a security is acquired do not affect the cash income
received from that security but will be reflected in the net asset value of the
Portfolio.
Foreign Securities. The securities markets of many foreign countries are
relatively small, with the majority of market capitalization and trading volume
concentrated in a limited number of companies representing a small number of
industries. Consequently, the Portfolio, 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 trading significant
blocks of securities, than is usual in the United States.
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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 the Portfolio. 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.
The Portfolio 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 the Portfolio to adopt special procedures or seek local
governmental approvals or other actions, any of which may involve additional
costs to the Portfolio. These factors may affect the liquidity of the
Portfolio's investments in any country and Alliance will monitor the effect of
any such factor or factors on the Portfolio'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, the Portfolio
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 Portfolio 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 any Portfolio'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
Portfolio'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.
The Portfolio may invest substantial amounts of its assets in issuers located
in the United Kingdom and Japan. Please refer to Appendix A for a discussion of
risks associated with investments in these countries.
Investment in Smaller, Emerging Companies. The foreign securities in which the
Portfolio may invest may include securities of smaller, emerging companies.
Investment in such companies involves greater risks than is customarily
associated with securities of more established companies. Companies in the
earlier stages of their development often have products and management
personnel which have not been thoroughly tested by time or the marketplace;
their financial resources may not be as substantial as those of more
established companies. The securities of smaller companies may have relatively
limited marketability and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market
movements than securities of larger companies or broad market indices. The
revenue
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<PAGE>
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 with investing
in the United States, 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 the
Portfolio's investments. In the event of certain such actions, the Portfolio
could lose its entire investment in the country involved. In addition, laws in
various foreign 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 Portfolio than
provided under U.S. laws.
U.S. and Foreign Taxes. The Portfolio's investment in foreign securities may be
subject to taxes withheld at the source on dividend or interest payments.
Foreign taxes paid by the Portfolio 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.
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MANAGEMENT OF THE PORTFOLIO
Investment Adviser
Each Portfolio's Adviser is Alliance Capital Management, L.P., 1345 Avenue of
the Americas, New York, New York 10105. Alliance is a leading international
investment manager supervising client accounts with assets as of December 31,
1999, totaling more than $368 billion (of which more than $169 billion
represented the assets of investment companies). As of December 31, 1999,
Alliance managed retirement assets for many of the largest public and private
employee benefit plans (including 31 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 53
registered investment companies managed by Alliance, comprising 119 separate
portfolios currently have more than 5 million shareholder accounts.
Alliance provides investment advisory services and order placement facilities
for the Portfolios. For these advisory services, for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1999 the Portfolios paid Alliance .69% as a percentage of average
net assets. Absent fee waivers and/or reimbursement the fee paid to Alliance by
the Portfolio as a percentage of average net assets would have been 1.00%.
Portfolio Manager
Sandra L. Yeager is the person primarily responsible for the day-to-day
management of the Portfolio and she has been primarily responsible for the
Portfolio since 1999. Ms. Yeager is a Senior Vice President of Alliance Capital
Management Corporation, the sole general partner of the Adviser, with which she
has been associated since prior to 1995.
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES
How The Portfolio Values Its Shares
The Portfolio's net asset value or NAV is calculated at 4:00 p.m., Eastern
time, each day the Exchange is open for business. To calculate NAV, the
Portfolio's assets are valued and totaled, liabilities are subtracted, and the
balance, called net assets, is divided by the number of shares outstanding. The
Portfolio values 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 Portfolio's Directors or Trustees believe
accurately reflect fair market value. The Portfolio invests in securities that
are primarily listed on foreign exchanges and trade on weekends or other days
when the fund does not price its shares. The Portfolio's NAV may change on days
when shareholders will not be able to purchase or redeem the Portfolio's
shares.
Your order for purchase or sale of shares is priced at the next NAV calculated
after your order is received by the Portfolio.
How To Purchase and Sell Shares
The Portfolio offers its shares through the separate accounts of life insurance
companies. You may only purchase and sell shares through these separate
accounts. See the prospectus of the separate account of the participating
insurance company for information on the purchase and sale of the Portfolio's
shares.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
The Portfolio declares dividends on its shares at least annually. The income
and capital gains distribution will be made in shares of the Portfolio.
See the prospectus of the separate account of the participating insurance
company for federal income tax information.
Investment income received by the Portfolio from sources within foreign
countries may be subject to foreign income taxes withheld at the source.
Provided that certain code requirements are met, the Portfolio may "pass-
through" to its shareholders credits or deductions to foreign income taxes
paid.
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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the
Portfolio's financial performance for the period of the Portfolio's operations.
Certain information reflects financial results for a single share of the
Portfolio. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor
would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Portfolio (assuming
reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). The information has been
audited by Ernst & Young LLP, the Fund's independent auditors, whose report,
along with each Portfolio's financial statements, is included in the SAI, which
is available upon request.
International Portfolio
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
-------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of
year............................. $ 16.17 $ 15.02 $ 14.89 $ 14.07 $ 12.88
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Income From Investment Operations
Net investment income(a)(b)....... .12 .17 .13 .19 .18
Net realized and unrealized gain
on investments and foreign
currency transactions............ 6.13 1.80 .39 .83 1.08
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net increase in net asset value
from operations.................. 6.25 1.97 .52 1.02 1.26
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Less: Dividends and Distributions
Dividends from net investment
income........................... (.15) (.33) (.15) (.08) (.03)
Distributions from net realized
gains............................ (.49) (.49) (.24) (.12) (.04)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total dividends and
distributions.................... (.64) (.82) (.39) (.20) (.07)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net asset value, end of year...... $ 21.78 $ 16.17 $ 15.02 $ 14.89 $ 14.07
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Total Return
Total investment return based on
net asset value(c)............... 40.23% 13.02% 3.33% 7.25% 9.86%
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of year (000's
omitted)......................... $81,370 $65,052 $60,710 $44,324 $16,542
Ratios to average net assets of:
Expenses, net of waivers and
reimbursements................. .95% .95% .95% .95% .95%
Expenses, before waivers and
reimbursements................. 1.36% 1.37% 1.42% 1.91% 2.99%
Net investment income(a)........ .69% 1.08% .87% 1.29% 1.41%
Portfolio turnover rate........... 111% 117% 134% 60% 87%
</TABLE>
- --------
Footnotes:
(a) Net of expenses reimbursed or waived by Alliance.
(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. Total investment return
calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
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APPENDIX A
GENERAL INFORMATION
ABOUT THE UNITED KINGDOM AND JAPAN
General Information About the United Kingdom
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 1.62 in 1999. On April 5, 2000 the U.S. Dollar-pound sterling exchange
rate was 1.58.
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 6930.2 at the end of 1999, up approximately 18% from the end of 1998.
The FT-SE 100 index closed at 6379.30 on April 5, 2000.
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.
General Information About Japan
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, precipitating a series of interventions by the Japanese
government in the currency market, which have succeeded in slowing the
appreciation of the Japanese yen 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, 1999 the TOPIX closed at 1722.20, up approximately 58%
from the end of 1998. On April 5, 2000 the TOPIX closed at 1695.05, down
approximately 1.6% from the end of 1999.
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<PAGE>
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 strengthened
the position of Mr. Obuchi's administration in the parliament. On April 5,
2000, following a debilitating stroke suffered by Mr. Obuchi on April 2, 2000,
the parliament elected Yoshiro Mari to replace Mr. Obuchi as prime minister.
For the past several years, Japan's banking industry 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.
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For more information about the Portfolio, the following documents are available
upon request:
Annual/Semi-annual Reports to Shareholders
The Portfolio's annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders contain
additional information on the Portfolio's investments. In the annual report,
you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies
that significantly affected the Portfolio's performance during its last fiscal
year.
Statement of Additional Information (SAI)
The Fund has an SAI, which contains more detailed information about the
Portfolio, including its operations and investment policies. The SAI is
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 shareholder inquiries of the Portfolio, 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 Commission at 1-202-942-8090 for information on the operation
of the Public Reference Room.
. Reports and other information about the Portfolio 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 fee, by
electronic request at [email protected], or by writing the Commission's
Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102.
You also may find more information about Alliance and the Portfolio on the
internet at: www.Alliancecapital.com.
File No: 811-05398
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