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This is filed pursuant to Rule 497(c).
File Nos. 33-39350 and 811-06251.
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The Alliance Prospectus and Application
Bond Funds
March 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. Government
high current income. Fund
o Alliance U.S. Government Portfolio
o Alliance Limited Maturity Government
Fund
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]
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Table Of Contents
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Page
RISK/RETURN SUMMARY ....................................................... 3
U.S. Government Funds ..................................................... 4
Mortgage Fund ............................................................. 7
Multi-Market Fund ......................................................... 8
Global Bond Funds ......................................................... 9
Corporate Bond Funds ...................................................... 12
Summary of Principal Risks ................................................ 14
Principal Risks by Fund ................................................... 16
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUNDS ............................................ 17
GLOSSARY .................................................................. 19
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS .................................................. 20
Investment Objectives and Policies ........................................ 20
Description of Investment Practices ....................................... 26
Additional Risk Considerations ............................................ 37
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS ................................................... 41
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES ............................................... 42
How The Funds Value Their Shares .......................................... 42
How To Buy Shares ......................................................... 42
How To Exchange Shares .................................................... 43
How To Sell Shares ........................................................ 43
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES ........................................ 43
DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS ................................................. 44
GENERAL INFORMATION ....................................................... 46
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS ...................................................... 47
APPENDIX A: BOND RATINGS .................................................. 54
APPENDIX B: GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT
CANADA, MEXICO AND ARGENTINA ............................................ 57
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 14-16.
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.
Other important things for you to note:
o You may lose money by investing in the Funds.
o An investment in the Funds is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured
or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other
government agency.
3
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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
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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
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Since
1 Year 5 Years Inception
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Class A -0.42% 2.79% 3.74%
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Class B 0.37% 2.97% 3.77%
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Class C 2.24% 2.93% 3.69%
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Lehman Brothers
1-3 Year
Government
Bond Index 6.97% 5.96% 5.99%
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The average annual total returns in the performance table for the periods ended
December 31, 1998 reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or contingent
deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after
the applicable period. 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
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The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar 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
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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. 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
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1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
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Class A 3.94% 4.76% 7.51%
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Class B 4.80% 4.90% 7.29%
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Class C 6.80% 4.90% 7.29%
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Lehman Brothers
Government
Bond Index 9.85% 7.18% 9.17%
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The average annual total returns in the performance table for the periods ended
December 31, 1998 reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or contingent
deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after
the applicable period. 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
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The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar graph in the printed material.]
Calendar Year End
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
12.52 7.88 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
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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
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Since
1 Year 5 Years Inception
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A 2.17% 4.07% 4.48%
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Class B 2.95% 4.21% 4.54%
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Class C 4.96% 4.22% 4.43%
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Lehman Brothers
Government
Bond Index 9.85% 7.18% 7.94%
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The average annual total returns in the performance table for the periods ended
December 31, 1998 reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or contingent
deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after
the applicable period. 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.
[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>
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
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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 CMO's. 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%
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Class C 4.05% 4.51% 7.37%
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Lehman Brothers
Mortgage-Backed
Securities Index 6.96% 7.23% 9.13%
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The average annual total returns in the performance table for the periods ended
December 31, 1998 reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or contingent
deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after
the applicable period. 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
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The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar 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.
7
<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
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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
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Since
1 Year 5 Years Inception
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A 1.72% 3.10% 3.47%
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Class B 2.46% 3.17% 3.41%
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Class C 4.25% 3.15% 3.25%
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Merrill Lynch
1-3 Year
Government
Bond Index 6.97% 5.99% 6.50%
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The average annual total returns in the performance table for the periods ended
December 31, 1998 reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or contingent
deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after
the applicable period. 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
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The annual returns in the bar chart are for the Fund's Class A shares and do not
reflect sales loads. If sales loads were reflected, returns would be less than
those shown.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[The following table was depicted as a bar 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.
8
<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
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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 for the periods ended
December 31, 1998 reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or contingent
deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after
the applicable period. 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.
[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.
9
<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 primarily invests in sovereign debt obligations. The Fund invests
substantially all of its assets in lower-rated securities or unrated securities
of equivalent quality. The Fund limits its investments in sovereign debt
obligations of any one country to less than 25% of its total assets.
The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in U.S. and non-U.S. corporate
debt securities. All of the Fund's investments in sovereign and other debt
securities will be U.S. Dollar-denominated. The Fund also may invest up to 30%
of its total assets in emerging markets or developing countries, including
Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Morocco, the Philippines, Russia, and Venezuela.
The average weighted maturity of the Fund's investments ranges from nine
years to longer than 25 years, depending upon the type of security.
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, currency 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 for the periods ended
December 31, 1998 reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or contingent
deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after
the applicable period.
* Inception Dates: 2/25/94 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.
[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.
10
<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 for the periods ended
December 31, 1998 reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or contingent
deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after
the applicable period. 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.
[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.
11
<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 for the periods ended
December 31, 1998 reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or contingent
deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after
the applicable period. 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.
[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.
12
<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 for the periods ended
December 31, 1998 reflect imposition of the maximum front-end or contingent
deferred sales charges and conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after
the applicable period.
* Inception Dates: 4/22/97 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.
[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.
13
<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 and Alliance Limited Maturity Government, 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 and
Alliance Mortgage Securities Income. 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 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 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 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, foreign companies usually are not subject to the same
degree of regulation as U.S. companies.
14
<PAGE>
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 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.
15
<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
Fund Rate Risk Risk Risk Risk Risk Risk tion Risk Risk
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alliance Short-Term
U.S. Government o o o o
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance U.S. Government o o o
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Limited
Maturity Government o o o o o o
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Mortgage
Securities Income o o o o
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Multi-Market
Strategy o o o o o o o o
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance North American
Government Income o o o o o o o o
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Global
Dollar Government o o o o o o o
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Global
Strategic Income o o o o o o o
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Corporate Bond o o o o o o
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance High Yield o o o o o o
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Derivatives Liquidity Manage-
Fund Risk Risk ment Risk
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Alliance Short-Term
U.S. Government o o o
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance U.S. Government o o o
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Limited
Maturity Government o o o
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Mortgage
Securities Income o o o
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Multi-Market
Strategy o o o
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance North American
Government Income Trust o o o
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Global
Dollar Government o o o
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Global
Strategic Income o o o
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Corporate Bond o o o
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance High Yield o o o
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
16
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUNDS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold
shares of the Funds.
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES (fees paid directly from your investment)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A Shares Class B Shares(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% during 4.0% during 1.0% during
the 1st year, the 1st year, the 1st year,
decreasing 1.0% decreasing 1.0% 0% thereafter
annually to 0% annually to 0%
after the 3rd after the 4th
year* year**
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.
** Class B Shares automatically convert to Class A Shares after 8 years.
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets) and
EXAMPLES
The Examples are to help you compare the cost of investing in 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
- ----------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Short-Term U.S.
Government Fund Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Management Fees .55% .55% .55% After 1 Year $ 603 $ 559 $ 259 $ 359 $ 259
Rule 12b-1 Fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 Years $ 976 $ 896 $ 796 $ 796 $ 796
Interest Expense .42 .45 .45 After 5 Years $1,373 $1,360 $1,360 $1,360 $1,360
Other Expenses 1.54% 1.63% 1.58% After 10 Years $2,482 $2,554 $2,554 $2,895 $2,895
---- ---- ----
Total Fund Operating Expenses 2.81% 3.63% 3.58%
==== ==== ====
Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement +++ (.98)% (1.07)% (1.02)%
---- ---- ----
Net Expenses 1.83% 2.56% 2.56%
==== ==== ====
Alliance U.S. Government
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 $ 528 $ 479 $ 179 $ 279 $ 179
Rule 12b-1 Fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 Years $ 748 $ 654 $ 554 $ 554 $ 554
Other Expenses .21% .21% .21% After 5 Years $ 985 $ 954 $ 954 $ 954 $ 954
---- ---- ----
Total Fund Operating Expenses 1.06% 1.76% 1.76% After 10 Years $1,664 $1,719 $1,719 $2,073 $2,073
==== ==== ====
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
Rule 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 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
Rule 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%
==== ==== ====
</TABLE>
17
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Operating Expenses Examples
- ----------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Multi-Market
Strategy Trust Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B+ Class B++ Class C+ Class C++
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Management Fees .60% .60% .60% After 1 Year $ 594 $ 544 $ 244 $ 364 $ 264
Rule 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
---- ---- ----
Total Fund Operating Expenses 1.74% 2.41% 2.61% After 10 Years $2,389 $2,429 $2,429 $2,944 $2,944
==== ==== ====
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
Rule 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 $ 569 $ 525 $ 225 $ 322 $ 222
Rule 12b-1 Fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 Years $ 873 $ 794 $ 694 $ 685 $ 685
Other Expenses .43% .47% .44% After 5 Years $1,199 $1,190 $1,190 $1,175 $1,175
---- ---- ----
Total Fund Operating Expenses 1.48% 2.22% 2.19% After 10 Years $2,118 $2,196 $2,196 $2,524 $2,524
==== ==== ====
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
Rule 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
---- ---- ----
Total Fund Operating Expenses 2.08% 2.76% 2.77% After 10 Years $2,543 $2,747 $2,747 $2,915 $2,915
==== ==== ====
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 $ 528 $ 478 $ 178 $ 278 $ 178
Rule 12b-1 Fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 Years $ 745 $ 651 $ 551 $ 551 $ 551
Other Expenses .20% .20% .20% After 5 Years $ 980 $ 949 $ 949 $ 949 $ 949
---- ---- ----
Total Fund Operating Expenses 1.05% 1.75% 1.75% After 10 Years $1,653 $1,708 $1,708 $2,062 $2,062
==== ==== ====
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 $ 564 $ 616 $ 216 $ 316 $ 218
Rule 12b-1 Fees .30% 1.00% 1.00% After 3 Years $ 858 $ 867 $ 667 $ 667 $ 667
Other Expenses .41% .41% .41% After 5 Years $1,173 $1,144 $1,144 $1,144 $1,144
---- ---- ----
Total Fund Operating Expenses 1.46% 2.16% 2.16% After 10 Years $2,065 $2,284 $ 2,284 $2,462 $2,462
==== ==== ====
Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement +++ (.03)% (.03)% (.03)%
---- ---- ----
Net Expenses 1.43% 2.13% 2.13%
==== ==== ====
</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.
18
<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.
19
<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.
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.
The Fund also may:
o enter into reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls;
20
<PAGE>
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.
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;
o high-grade debt securities secured by mortgages on commercial real estate
or residential rental properties; 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 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.
21
<PAGE>
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 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.
22
<PAGE>
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 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
23
<PAGE>
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 December 31, 1998, securities ratings (or equivalent quality) of the
Fund's securities were:
o A and above .52%
o Baa or BBB 10.64%
o Ba or BB 48.50%
o B 36.21%
o CCC 1.18%
o C 2.95%
o Unrated 0%
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. The
Fund may invest up to 30% of its total assets in securities of issuers in or
obligations of any one of Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Morocco, the Philippines,
Russia and Venezuela. Alliance expects that these countries are now, or are
expected at a future date to be, the principal participants in debt
restructuring programs (including, in the case of Argentina, Mexico, the
Philippines and Venezuela, issuers of currently outstanding Brady Bonds) that,
in Alliance's opinion, will provide the most attractive investment
opportunities for the Fund. The Fund expects that it will limit investments
in the sovereign debt obligations of each country (or of any other single
foreign country) to less than 25% of its total assets.
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 will limit its investments in the sovereign debt
obligations and corporate fixed-income securities of issuers 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;
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 debt 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
24
<PAGE>
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 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 December 31, 1998, the Fund's investments were rated (or
equivalent quality):
o A or above 32.21%
o Baa or BBB 46.79%
o Ba or BB 18.22%
o B 2.05%
o CC .28%
o C .45%
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
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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 December 31, 1998, the Fund's investments were rated (or equivalent
quality):
o A and above 9.11%
o Ba or BB 4.23%
o B 72.64%
O CCC 1.62%
o Unrated 12.40%
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
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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).
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.
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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 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").
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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 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 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 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
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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 Income, 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
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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.
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
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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% for
Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government and Alliance Global Strategic Income, and
20% for Alliance Limited Maturity Government, Alliance Mortgage Securities
Income, Alliance Multi-Market Strategy, Alliance North American Government
Income and Alliance Global Dollar Government.
Loan Participations and Assignments. A Fund's investments in loans are expected
in most instances to be in the form of participations in loans and assignments
of all or a portion of loans from third parties. A Fund's investment in loan
participations typically will result in the Fund having a contractual
relationship only with the lender and not with the borrower. A Fund will acquire
participations only if the lender interpositioned between the Fund and the
borrower is a lender having total assets of more than $25 billion and whose
senior unsecured debt is rated investment grade or higher. When a Fund purchases
a loan assignment from a lender it will acquire direct rights against the
borrower on the loan. Because loan assignments are arranged through private
negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, however, the
rights and obligations acquired by a Fund as the purchaser of an assignment may
differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning lender.
The assignability of certain sovereign debt obligations, with respect to
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
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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.
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
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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 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.
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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 may invest in rights
and warrants, for debt securities or for equity securities that are acquired in
connection with debt instruments. Rights are similar to warrants except that
they have a substantially shorter duration. Rights and warrants do not carry
with them dividend or voting rights with respect to the underlying securities,
or any rights in the assets of the issuer. As a result, an investment in rights
and warrants may be considered more speculative than certain other types of
investments. In addition, the value of a right or a warrant does not necessarily
change with the value of the underlying securities, and a right or a warrant
ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date.
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.
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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
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
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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 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.
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.
37
<PAGE>
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 or Alliance North American Government
Income could adversely affect the Funds' shareholders, as noted above, or in
anticipation of such changes, each Fund may increase the percentage of its
investment portfolio invested in U.S. Government securities, which would tend to
offset the negative impact of leverage on Fund shareholders. Each Fund may also
reduce the degree to which it is leveraged by repaying amounts borrowed.
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 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,
38
<PAGE>
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
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 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
39
<PAGE>
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.
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 in use today process
transactions using two-digit date fields for the year of the transaction, rather
than the full four digits. If these systems are not modified or replaced,
transactions occurring after 1999 could be processed as year "1900", which could
result in processing inaccuracies and computer system failures. This is commonly
known as the Year 2000 problem. Should any of the computer systems employed by
the Funds' major service providers fail to process Year 2000 related information
properly, that could have a significant negative impact on the Funds' operations
and the services that are provided to the Funds' shareholders. In addition, to
the extent that the operations of issuers of securities held by the Funds are
impaired by the Year 2000 problem, or prices of securities held by the Funds
decline as a result of real or perceived problems relating to the Year 2000, the
value of the Funds' shares may be materially affected.
With respect to the Year 2000, the Funds have been advised that Alliance, each
Fund's investment adviser, Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. ("AFD"), each Fund's
principal underwriter, and Alliance Fund Services, Inc. ("AFS"), each Fund's
registrar, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent, (collectively,
"Alliance"), began to address the Year 2000 issue several years ago in
connection with the replacement or upgrading of certain computer systems and
applications. During 1997, Alliance began a formal Year 2000 initiative, which
established a structured and coordinated process to deal with the Year 2000
issue. Alliance reports that it has completed its assessment of the Year 2000
issues on its domestic and international computer systems and applications.
Currently, management of Alliance expects that the required modifications for
the majority of its significant systems and applications that will be in use on
January 1, 2000, will be completed and tested in early 1999. Full integration
testing of these systems and testing of interfaces with third-party suppliers
will continue through 1999. At this time, management of Alliance believes that
the costs associated with resolving this issue will not have a material adverse
effect on its operations or on its ability to provide the level of services it
currently provides to the Funds.
The Funds and Alliance have been advised by the Funds' Custodians that they are
also in the process of reviewing their systems with the same goals. As of the
date of this prospectus, the Funds and Alliance have no reason to believe that
the Custodians will be unable to achieve these goals.
40
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 manager supervising client accounts with assets as of December 31,
1998, totaling more than $286 billion (of which approximately $118 billion
represented the assets of investment companies). Alliance's clients are
primarily major corporate employee benefit funds, public employee retirement
systems, investment companies, foundations, and endowment funds. The 54
registered investment companies, with more than 118 separate portfolios, managed
by Alliance currently have over 3.6 million shareholder accounts. As of December
31, 1998, Alliance was retained as an investment manager for employee benefit
plan assets of 35 of the FORTUNE 100 companies.
Alliance provides investment advisory services and order placement facilities
for the Funds. For these advisory services, the Funds paid Alliance as a
percentage of average daily net assets:
Fee as a
percentage of
average daily Fiscal
Fund net assets* Year Ending
- ---- ----------- ---------
Alliance Short-Term U.S.
Government 0 8/31/98
Alliance U.S. Government
Portfolio .55 6/30/98
Alliance Limited Maturity
Government .65 11/30/98
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 8/31/98
Alliance Global Strategic
Income .75 10/31/98
Alliance Corporate Bond .55 6/30/98
Alliance High Yield .75 8/31/98
- ----------
* 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.
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)
Mortgage Securities Jeffrey S. Phlegar; (see above)
Income since 1997; (see above)
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 A SIMILARLY MANAGED PORTFOLIO
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.
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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 Analytical Services,
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
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 accepted by the Fund. Your purchase of Fund
shares may be subject to an initial sales charge. Sales of Fund shares may be
subject to a contingent deferred sales charge or CDSC. See the 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.
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
42
<PAGE>
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 dividend and capital gains distribution, 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.
43
<PAGE>
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 a full credit or deduction for the amount of such taxes.
Under certain circumstances, if a Fund realizes losses (e.g., from fluctuations
in currency exchange rates) after paying a dividend, all or a portion of the
dividend may subsequently be characterized as a return of capital. Returns of
capital are generally nontaxable, but will reduce a shareholder's basis in
shares of a Fund. If that basis is reduced to zero (which could happen if the
shareholder does not reinvest distributions and returns of capital are
significant), any further returns of capital will be taxable as a capital gain.
The Funds expect that distributions will consist either of net income (or
short-term capital gains) or long-term capital gains. For federal income tax
purposes, the Fund's dividend distributions of net income (or short-term taxable
gains) will be taxable to you as ordinary income. Any capital gains
distributions may be taxable to you as 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
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
44
<PAGE>
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 Alliance Global Strategic Income Trust and Alliance High Yield which
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 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 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.
45
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under unusual circumstances, a Fund may suspend redemptions or postpone payment
for up to seven days or longer, as permitted by federal securities law. The
Funds reserve the right to close an account that through redemption has remained
below $200 for 90 days. Shareholders will receive 60 days' written notice to
increase the account value before the account is closed.
During drastic economic or market developments, you might have difficulty
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 the Amended Complaint alleged
that defendants had made actionable misrepresentations and omissions relating to
the Fund's hedging practices. 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.
46
<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). The 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.
47
<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 8/31/98 ....... $ 9.63 $ .49(h) $ (.11) $ .38 $ (.50) $ 0.00
Year Ended 8/31/97 ....... 9.66 .47(h) .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
Period Ended 8/31/94** ... 9.77 .14 (.09) .05 (.12) 0.00
Year Ended 4/30/94 ....... 10.22 .35 (.29) .06 (.42) 0.00
Class B
Year Ended 8/31/98 ....... $ 9.74 $ .42(h) $ (.08) $ .34 $ (.43) $ 0.00
Year Ended 8/31/97 ....... 9.77 .41(h) .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
Period Ended 8/31/94** ... 9.88 .10 (.07) .03 (.11) 0.00
Year Ended 4/30/94 ....... 10.31 .40 (.39) .01 (.35) 0.00
Class C
Year Ended 8/31/98 ....... $ 9.73 $ .42(h) $ (.08) $ .34 $ (.43) $ 0.00
Year Ended 8/31/97 ....... 9.76 .41(h) .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
Period Ended 8/31/94** ... 9.87 .10 (.07) .03 (.11) 0.00
8/2/93++ to 4/30/94 ...... 10.34 .26 (.42) (.16) (.25) 0.00
U.S. Government
Class A
7/1/98 to 12/31/98+++..... $ 7.57 $ .26(h) $ .12 $ .38 $ (.28) $ 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/98 ....... 7.41 .54(h) .18 .72 (.54) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/97 ....... 7.52 .57(h) (.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
Year Ended 6/30/94 ....... 8.64 .65 (.80) (.15) (.65) 0.00
Class B
7/1/98 to 12/31/98+++..... $ 7.57 $ .24(h) $ .11 $ .35 $ (.25) $ 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/98 ....... 7.41 .48(h) .18 .66 (.48) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/97 ....... 7.52 .52(h) (.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
Year Ended 6/30/94 ....... 8.64 .59 (.80) (.21) (.59) 0.00
Class C
7/1/98 to 12/31/98+++..... $ 7.57 $ .24(h) $ .11 $ .35 $ (.25) $ 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/98 ....... 7.41 .48(h) .18 .66 (.48) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/97 ....... 7.52 .52(h) (.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
Year Ended 6/30/94 ....... 8.64 .59 (.81) (.22) (.59) 0.00
Limited Maturity Government
Class A
Year Ended 11/30/98 ...... $ 9.44 $ .47(h) $ .17 $ .64 $ (.47) $ 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/97 ...... 9.45 .51(h) .02 .53 (.52) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/96 ...... 9.52 .51(h) (.04) .47 (.51) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/95 ...... 9.51 .52(h) .02 .54 (.50) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/94 ...... 9.94 .42 (.32) .10 (.48) (.01)
Class B
Year Ended 11/30/98 ...... $ 9.44 $ .39(h) $ .19 $ .58 $ (.39) $ 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/97 ...... 9.45 .45(h) .01 .46 (.45) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/96 ...... 9.52 .44(h) (.04) .40 (.44) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/95 ...... 9.52 .46(h) .01 .47 (.44) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/94 ...... 9.94 .39 (.35) .04 (.42) (.01)
Class C
Year Ended 11/30/98 ...... $ 9.44 $ .39(h) $ .19 $ .58 $ (.39) $ 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/97 ...... 9.45 .45(h) .01 .46 (.45) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/96 ...... 9.52 .45(h) (.05) .40 (.45) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/95 ...... 9.52 .46(h) .01 .47 (.44) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/94 ...... 9.94 .37 (.33) .04 (.42) (.01)
Mortgage Securities Income
Class A
Year Ended 12/31/98 ...... $ 8.63 $ .52(h) $ (.03) $ .49 $ (.52) $ 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/97 ...... 8.51 .54(h) .15 .69 (.54) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/96 ...... 8.75 .54(h) (.19) .35 (.51) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/95 ...... 8.13 .57(h) .64 1.21 (.57) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/94 ...... 9.29 .57 (1.13) (.56) (.58) 0.00
Class B
Year Ended 12/31/98 ...... $ 8.63 $ .45(h) $ (.02) $ .43 $ (.45) $ 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/97 ...... 8.51 .48(h) .15 .63 (.48) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/96 ...... 8.75 .48(h) (.19) .29 (.46) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/95 ...... 8.13 .51(h) .64 1.15 (.51) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/94 ...... 9.29 .51 (1.14) (.63) (.51) 0.00
Class C
Year Ended 12/31/98 ...... $ 8.63 $ .46(h) $ (.03) $ .43 $ (.46) $ 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/97 ...... 8.51 .48(h) .15 .63 (.48) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/96 ...... 8.75 .48(h) (.19) .29 (.46) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/95 ...... 8.13 .51(h) .64 1.15 (.51) 0.00
Year Ended 12/31/94 ...... 9.29 .51 (1.14) (.63) (.51) 0.00
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please refer to the footnotes on page 52.
48
<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>
$ 0.00 $ (.03) $ (.53) $ 9.48 4.04% $ 5,535 1.83%(d)(e)(g) 5.00% 206%
0.00 (.07) (.53) 9.63 5.29 3,901 1.41(d)(e) 4.90 65
0.00 0.00 (.49) 9.66 4.71 3,455 1.53(d)(e) 4.85 110
(.03) 0.00 (.44) 9.70 5.14 2,997 1.40(d) 4.56 15
(.03)(a) 0.00 (.15)(c) 9.67 .53 2,272 1.40*(d) 3.98* 144
(.09)(a) 0.00 (.51)(c) 9.77 .52 2,003 1.27(d) 4.41 55
$ 0.00 $ (.03) $ (.46) $ 9.62 3.52% $ 10,827 2.56%(d)(e)(g) 4.49% 206%
0.00 (.07) (.46) 9.74 4.45 6,458 2.11(d)(e) 4.13 65
0.00 0.00 (.42) 9.77 3.89 6,781 2.23(d)(e) 4.11 110
(.03) 0.00 (.37) 9.81 4.32 6,380 2.10(d) 3.82 15
(.02)(a) 0.00 (.13)(c) 9.78 .28 6,281 2.10*(d) 3.22* 144
(.09)(a) 0.00 (.44)(c) 9.88 .03 7,184 2.05(d) 3.12 55
$ 0.00 $ (.03) $ (.46) $ 9.61 3.53% $ 5,074 2.56%(d)(e)(g) 4.48% 206%
0.00 (.07) (.46) 9.73 4.45 5,012 2.11(d)(e) 4.15 65
0.00 0.00 (.42) 9.76 3.90 4,850 2.22(d)(e) 4.11 110
(.03) 0.00 (.37) 9.80 4.33 5,180 2.10(d) 3.80 15
(.02)(a) 0.00 (.13)(c) 9.77 .28 7,128 2.10*(d) 3.26* 144
(.06)(a) 0.00 (.31)(c) 9.87 (1.56) 8,763 2.10*(d) 2.60* 55
$ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.28) $ 7.67 4.87% $396,102 1.07%* 6.82%* 97%
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
0.00 0.00 (.65) 7.84 (1.93) 482,595 1.02 7.76 188
$ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.25) $ 7.67 4.49% $425,326 1.78%* 6.10%* 97%
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
0.00 0.00 (.59) 7.84 (2.63) 756,282 1.72 7.04 188
$ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.25) $ 7.67 4.49% $143,824 1.77%* 6.09%* 97%
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 (.59) 7.83 (2.75) 231,859 1.70 6.97 188
$ (.07) $ 0.00 $ (.54) $ 9.54 6.94% $ 41,493 3.27%(e) 4.74% 500%
0.00 (.02) (.54) 9.44 5.79 16,197 2.41(e) 5.52 249
0.00 (.03) (.54) 9.45 5.11 16,248 2.22(e) 5.44 159
0.00 (.03) (.53) 9.52 5.91 27,887 2.14(e) 5.53 293
0.00 (.04) (.53) 9.51 1.03 43,173 1.34(e) 4.78 375
$ (.08) $ 0.00 $ (.47) $ 9.55 6.30% $ 33,591 3.84%(e) 4.10% 500%
0.00 (.02) (.47) 9.44 5.04 33,613 3.14(e) 4.80 249
0.00 (.03) (.47) 9.45 4.36 50,386 2.94(e) 4.73 159
0.00 (.03) (.47) 9.52 5.05 84,362 2.85(e) 4.83 293
0.00 (.03) (.46) 9.52 .42 136,458 2.08(e) 4.12 375
$ (.08) $ 0.00 $ (.47) $ 9.55 6.30% $ 28,562 3.84%(e) 4.11% 500%
0.00 (.02) (.47) 9.44 5.05 28,738 3.13(e) 4.82 249
0.00 (.02) (.47) 9.45 4.38 43,457 2.92(e) 4.75 159
0.00 (.03) (.47) 9.52 5.06 68,459 2.85(e) 4.84 293
0.00 (.03) (.46) 9.52 .42 141,838 2.04(e) 4.10 375
$ (.04) $ 0.00 $ (.56) $ 8.56 5.82% $469,750 1.99%(e) 6.06% 202%
(.03) 0.00 (.57) 8.63 8.40 372,494 1.41(e) 6.30 184
0.00 (.08) (.59) 8.51 4.23 412,899 1.68(e) 6.38 208
0.00 (.02) (.59) 8.75 15.34 502,390 1.66(e) 6.77 285
0.00 (.02) (.60) 8.13 (6.14) 553,889 1.29(e) 6.77 438
$ (.05) $ 0.00 $ (.50) $ 8.56 5.04% $126,879 2.68%(e) 5.33% 202%
(.03) 0.00 (.51) 8.63 7.60 323,916 2.14(e) 5.60 184
0.00 (.07) (.53) 8.51 3.46 477,196 2.37(e) 5.66 208
0.00 (.02) (.53) 8.75 14.48 737,593 2.37(e) 6.06 285
0.00 (.02) (.53) 8.13 (6.84) 921,418 2.00(e) 6.05 438
$ (.04) $ 0.00 $ (.50) $ 8.56 5.04% $ 23,728 2.69%(e) 5.35% 202%
(.03) 0.00 (.51) 8.63 7.60 27,859 2.12(e) 5.61 184
0.00 (.07) (.53) 8.51 3.46 35,355 2.38(e) 5.67 208
0.00 (.02) (.53) 8.75 14.46 45,558 2.35(e) 6.07 285
0.00 (.02) (.53) 8.13 (6.84) 58,338 1.97(e) 6.06 438
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please refer to the footnotes on page 52.
49
<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
Year Ended 10/31/98 ...... $ 7.11 $ .44(h) $ .02 $ .46 $ (.44) $ 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/97 ...... 7.23 .47(h) .08 .55 (.47) 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/96 ...... 6.83 .59(h) .48 1.07 (.67) 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/95 ...... 8.04 .77(h) (1.31) (.54) 0.00 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/94 ...... 8.94 .85 (1.08) (.23) (.09) 0.00
Class B
Year Ended 10/31/98 ...... $ 7.11 $ .36(h) $ .05 $ .41 $ (.36) $ 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/97 ...... 7.23 .42(h) .06 .48 (.42) 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/96 ...... 6.83 .53(h) .47 1.00 (.60) 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/95 ...... 8.04 .44(h) (1.05) (.61) 0.00 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/94 ...... 8.94 .88 (1.18) (.30) (.08) 0.00
Class C
Year Ended 10/31/98 ...... $ 7.11 $ .25(h) $ .16 $ .41 $ (.41) $ 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/97 ...... 7.23 .42(h) .07 .49 (.42) 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/96 ...... 6.83 .54(h) .47 1.01 (.61) 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/95 ...... 8.04 .44(h) (1.04) (.60) 0.00 0.00
Year Ended 10/31/94 ...... 8.94 .46 (.75) (.29) (.09) 0.00
North American Government Income
Class A
Year Ended 11/30/98 ...... $ 8.02 $ .87(h) $ (.33) $ .54 $ (.87) $ 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/97 ...... 8.01 1.03(h) (.05) .98 (.97) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/96 ...... 6.75 1.09(h) 1.14 2.23 (.75) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/95 ...... 8.13 1.18(h) (1.59) (.41) 0.00 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/94 ...... 10.35 1.02 (2.12) (1.10) (.91) 0.00
Class B
Year Ended 11/30/98 ...... $ 8.02 $ .81(h) $ (.32) $ .49 $ (.81) $ 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/97 ...... 8.01 .98(h) (.07) .91 (.90) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/96 ...... 6.75 1.04(h) 1.12 2.16 (.69) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/95 ...... 8.13 1.13(h) (1.61) (.48) 0.00 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/94 ...... 10.35 .96 (2.13) (1.17) (.84) 0.00
Class C
Year Ended 11/30/98 ...... $ 8.02 $ .82(h) $ (.33) $ .49 $ (.82) $ 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/97 ...... 8.01 .98(h) (.07) .91 (.90) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/96 ...... 6.75 1.05(h) 1.11 2.16 (.69) 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/95 ...... 8.13 1.13(h) (1.61) (.48) 0.00 0.00
Year Ended 11/30/94 ...... 10.34 .96 (2.12) (1.16) (.84) 0.00
Global Dollar Government
Class A
Year Ended 8/31/98 ....... $10.64 $ .73(h) $(4.03) $(3.30) $ (.73) $(1.37)
Year Ended 8/31/97 ....... 10.01 .88(h) 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
2/25/94+ to 8/31/94 ...... 10.00 .45 (.86) (.41) (.45) 0.00
Class B
Year Ended 8/31/98 ....... $10.64 $ .67(h) $(4.05) $(3.38) $ (.67) $(1.36)
Year Ended 8/31/97 ....... 10.01 .81(h) 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
2/25/94+ to 8/31/94 ...... 10.00 .42 (.86) (.44) (.42) 0.00
Class C
Year Ended 8/31/98 ....... $10.64 $ .67(h) $(4.05) $(3.38) $ (.67) $(1.36)
Year Ended 8/31/97 ....... 10.01 .82(h) 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
2/25/94+ to 8/31/94 ...... 10.00 .42 (.86) (.44) (.42)
0.00
Global Strategic Income
Class A
Year Ended 10/31/98 ...... $11.46 $ .78(h) $ (.64) $ .14 $ (.78) $ (.36)
Year Ended 10/31/97 ...... 10.83 .74(h) 1.02 1.76 (.75) (.10)
1/9/96+ to 10/31/96 ...... 10.00 .69(h) .95 1.64 (.81) 0.00
Class B
Year Ended 10/31/98 ...... $11.46 $ .69(h) $ (.63) $ .06 $ (.69) $ (.36)
Year Ended 10/31/97 ...... 10.83 .66(h) 1.03 1.69 (.67) (.10)
3/25/96++ to 10/31/96 .... 9.97 .41(h) 1.01 1.42 (.56) 0.00
Class C
Year Ended 10/31/98 ...... $11.46 $ .68(h) $ (.62) $ .06 $ (.68) $ (.36)
Year Ended 10/31/97 ...... 10.83 .66(h) 1.03 1.69 (.67) (.10)
3/25/96++ to 10/31/96 .... 9.97 .39(h) 1.03 1.42 (.56) 0.00
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please refer to the footnotes on page 52.
50
<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>
$ (.42) $ (.07) $ (.93) $ 6.64 6.90% $ 95,568 1.74%(g) 6.46% 24%
(.20) 0.00 (.67) 7.11 7.82 96,133 1.58(g) 6.50 173
0.00 0.00 (.67) 7.23 16.37 68,776 1.64(f) 8.40 215
0.00 (.67) (.67) 6.83 (6.47) 76,837 1.60(f) 8.56 400
0.00 (.58) (.67) 8.04 (2.64) 52,385 1.41(f) 7.17 605
$ (.43) $ (.07) $ (.86) $ 6.66 6.24% $ 7,217 2.41%(g) 5.64% 24%
(.18) 0.00 (.60) 7.11 6.90 29,949 2.29(g) 5.79 173
0.00 0.00 (.60) 7.23 15.35 88,427 2.35(f) 7.69 215
0.00 (.60) (.60) 6.83 (7.31) 116,551 2.29(f) 7.53 400
0.00 (.52) (.60) 8.04 (3.35) 233,896 2.11(f) 6.44 605
$ (.42) $ (.04) $ (.87) $ 6.65 6.10% $ 16,518 2.61%(g) 5.28% 24%
(.19) 0.00 (.61) 7.11 6.92 1,203 2.28(g) 5.80 173
0.00 0.00 (.61) 7.23 15.36 1,076 2.34(f) 7.62 215
0.00 (.61) (.61) 6.83 (7.29) 786 2.29(f) 7.55 400
0.00 (.52) (.61) 8.04 (3.34) 1,252 2.08(f) 6.10 605
$ (.07) $ (.03) $ (.97) $ 7.59 7.14% $740,066 2.04%(f) 11.17% 175%
0.00 0.00 (.97) 8.02 12.85 511,749 2.15(f) 12.78 118
0.00 (.22) (.97) 8.01 35.22 385,784 2.34(f) 14.82 166
0.00 (.97) (.97) 6.75 (3.59) 252,608 2.62(f) 18.09 180
0.00 (.21) (1.12) 8.13 (11.32) 303,538 1.70(f) 11.22 131
$ (.06) $ (.03) $ (.90) $ 7.61 6.46% $1,300,519 2.75%(f) 10.44% 175%
0.00 0.00 (.90) 8.02 11.88 1,378,407 2.86(f) 12.15 118
0.00 (.21) (.90) 8.01 33.96 1,329,719 3.05(f) 14.20 166
0.00 (.90) (.90) 6.75 (4.63) 1,123,074 3.33(f) 17.31 180
0.00 (.21) (1.05) 8.13 (11.89) 1,639,602 2.41(f) 10.53 131
$ (.05) $ (.03) $ (.90) $ 7.61 6.46% $276,073 2.74%(f) 10.45% 175%
0.00 0.00 (.90) 8.02 11.88 283,483 2.85(f) 12.14 118
0.00 (.21) (.90) 8.01 33.96 250,676 3.04(f) 14.22 166
0.00 (.90) (.90) 6.75 (4.63) 219,009 3.33(f) 17.32 180
0.00 (.21) (1.05) 8.13 (11.89) 369,714 2.39(f) 10.46 131
$ (.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 (.45) 9.14 (3.77) 10,995 .75*(d) 9.82* 100
$ (.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 (.42) 9.14 (4.17) 47,030 1.45*(d) 9.11* 100
$ (.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 (.42) 9.14 (4.16) 10,404 1.45*(d) 9.05* 100
$ (.28) $ 0.00 $(1.42) $10.18 1.00% $ 24,576 1.89%(d) 7.08% 183%
(.28) 0.00 (1.13) 11.46 16.83 12,954 1.90(d) 6.56 417
0.00 0.00 (.81) 10.83 17.31 2,295 1.90*(d) 8.36* 282
$ (.30) $ 0.00 $(1.35) $10.17 .27% $ 58,058 2.58%(d) 6.41% 183%
(.29) 0.00 (1.06) 11.46 16.12 18,855 2.60(d) 5.86 417
0.00 0.00 (.56) 10.83 14.47 800 2.60*(d) 7.26* 282
$ (.31) $ 0.00 $(1.35) $10.17 .27% $ 16,067 2.58%(d) 6.43% 183%
(.29) 0.00 (1.06) 11.46 16.12 4,388 2.60(d) 5.86 417
0.00 0.00 (.56) 10.83 14.47 750 2.60*(d) 7.03* 282
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please refer to the footnotes on page 52.
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>
Corporate Bond
Class A
7/1/98 to 12/31/98 ....... $14.19 $ .54(h) $ (.92) $ (.38) $ (.61) $ 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/98 ....... 14.19 1.08(h) .12 1.20 (1.08) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/97 ....... 13.29 1.15(h) .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
7/1/98 to 12/31/98 ....... $14.19 $ .49(h) $ (.93) $ (.44) $ (.56) $ 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/98 ....... 14.19 .98(h) .13 1.11 (.98) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/97 ....... 13.29 1.05(h) .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 1.11 .36 1.47 (1.05) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/94 ....... 14.15 1.02 (1.37) (.35) (1.04) (.25)
Class C
7/1/98 to 12/31/98 ....... $14.19 $ .48(h) $ (.91) $ (.43) $ (.56) $ 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/98 ....... 14.19 .99(h) .12 1.11 (.99) 0.00
Year Ended 6/30/97 ....... 13.29 1.04(h) .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 8/31/98 ....... $11.17 $ 1.03(h) $ (.27) $ .76 $(1.02) $ (.14)
4/22/97+ to 8/31/97 ...... 10.00 .37(h) 1.15 1.52 (.35) 0.00
Class B
Year Ended 8/31/98 ....... $11.17 $ .96(h) $ (.28) $ .68 $ (.95) $ (.14)
4/22/97+ to 8/31/97 ...... 10.00 .31(h) 1.19 1.50 (.33) 0.00
Class C
Year Ended 8/31/98 ....... $11.17 $ .96(h) $ (.28) $ .68 $ (.95) $ (.14)
4/22/97+ to 8/31/97 ...... 10.00 .32(h) 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) Includes with respect to Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government a return of
capital for the year ended April 30, 1994 of $(0.08) for Class A, $(0.08)
for Class B and $(0.05) for Class C and for the period ended August 31,
1994 of $(0.03) for Class A and $(0.02) for Class B and Class C.
(b) Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made
at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all
dividends and distributions at the net asset value during the period, and
a redemption on the last day of the period. Initial sales charge or
contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected in the calculation of
total investment return. Total investment returns calculated for periods
of less than one year are not annualized.
(c) "Total dividends and distributions" includes dividends in excess of net
investment income and return of capital. Alliance Short-Term U.S.
Government had dividends in excess of net investment income, for the year
ended April 30, 1994, with respect to Class A shares of $(.01); with
respect to Class B shares, $(.01); and with respect to Class C shares,
$(.01).
(d) Net of expenses assumed and/or waived/reimbursed. If 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 and 2.81%
for the year ended August 31, 1998; 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 and 3.63% for the year ended August 31,
1998; 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 and
3.58% for the year ended August 31, 1998. If Alliance Global Dollar
Government had borne all expenses for the period February 25, 1994 to
August 31, 1994, the expense ratios would have been with respect to Class
A shares, 1.91% (annualized); with respect to Class B shares, 2.63%
(annualized); and with respect to Class C shares, 2.59% (annualized). If
Alliance Global Strategic Income had borne all expenses for the respective
periods January 9, 1996 to October 31, 1996, its fiscal year ended 1997,
and its fiscal year ended in 1998, the expense ratio would have been with
respect to Class A shares, 19.20% (annualized), 4.06%, and 2.08%
respectively; with respect to Class B shares, 19.57% (annualized), 4.76%,
and 2.76% respectively; and with respect to Class C shares, 19.49%
(annualized), 4.77%, and 2.77% 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.
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 (b) omitted) Net Assets Net Assets Rate
------ ------- ------------- --------- --------------- -------- ---------- ---------- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.61) $13.20 (2.82)% $496,701 1.10% 8.13% 118%
(.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
$ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.56) $13.19 (3.24)% $678,422 1.80% 7.42% 118%
(.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
$ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (.56) $13.20 (3.17)% $247,791 1.80% 7.40% 118%
(.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
$ (.01) $ 0.00 $(1.17) $10.76 6.42% $ 43,960 1.43%(d) 8.89% 311%
0.00 0.00 (.35) 11.17 15.33 5,889 1.70*(d) 8.04* 73
$ (.01) $ 0.00 $(1.10) $10.75 5.69% $269,426 2.13%(d) 8.18% 311%
0.00 0.00 (.33) 11.17 15.07 43,297 2.40*(d) 7.19* 73
$ (.01) $ 0.00 $(1.10) $10.75 5.69% $ 48,337 2.13%(d) 8.17% 311%
0.00 0.00 (.33) 11.17 15.07 7,575 2.40*(d) 7.24* 73
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(e) 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, and 1998; with respect to Class B shares,
2.10% for 1996, 1997, and 1998; and with respect to Class C shares, 2.10%
for 1996, 1997, and 1998. 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, and 1.68% for 1998; with respect to
Class B shares, 1.91% for 1994, 2.11% for 1995, 2.30% for 1996, 2.39% for
1997, and 2.39% for 1998; with respect to Class C shares, 1.89% for
1994, 2.10% for 1995, 2.29% for 1996, 2.37% for 1997, and 2.38% for 1998.
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, and 1.14% for 1998; with respect to Class B shares, 1.68%
for 1994, 1.74% for 1995, 1.74% for 1996, 1.78% for 1997, and 1.85% for
1998; with respect to Class C shares 1.69% for 1994, 1.73% for 1995,
1.73% for 1996, 1.77% for 1997, and 1.84% for 1998.
(f) 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, and 1.36% for 1998; with respect to Class
B shares, 2.07% for 1994, 2.22% for 1995, 2.12% for 1996, 2.09% for 1997,
and 2.07% for 1998; and with respect to Class C shares, 2.06% for 1994,
2.21% for 1995, 2.12% for 1996, 2.08% for 1997, and 2.06% for 1998.
(g) 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
and 1.73% for 1998, with respect to Class B shares 2.28% for 1997 and
2.40% for 1998 and with respect to Class C shares 2.27% for 1997 and
2.60% for 1998. 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, with respect to Class B shares 2.55% for 1998 and
with respect to Class C shares 2.55% for 1998.
(h) Based on average shares outstanding.
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
54
<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.
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<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.
56
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPENDIX B
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABOUT CANADA, MEXICO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AND ARGENTINA
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT CANADA
Canada consists of a federation of ten Provinces and two federal territories
(which generally fall under federal authority) with a constitutional division of
powers between the federal and Provincial governments. The Parliament of Canada
has jurisdiction over all areas not assigned exclusively to the Provincial
legislatures, and has jurisdiction over such matters as the federal public debt
and property, the regulation of trade and commerce, currency and coinage, banks
and banking, national defense, the postal services, navigation and shipping and
unemployment insurance.
The Canadian economy is based on the free enterprise system, with business
organizations ranging from small owner-operated businesses to large
multinational corporations. Manufacturing and resource industries are large
contributors to the country's economic output, but as in many other highly
developed countries, there has been a gradual shift from a largely
goods-producing economy to a predominantly service-based one. Agriculture and
other primary production play a small but key role in the economy. Canada is
also an exporter of energy to the United States in the form of natural gas (of
which Canada has substantial reserves) and hydroelectric power, and has
significant mineral resources.
Canadian Dollars are fully exchangeable into U.S. Dollars without foreign
exchange controls or other legal restriction. Since the major developed-country
currencies were permitted to float freely against one another, the range of
fluctuation in the U.S. Dollar/Canadian Dollar exchange rate 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 February 22, 1999, the Canadian
Dollar-U.S. Dollar exchange rate was 1.4968:1. 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 the second quarter of 1996. That growth was sustained
in
57
<PAGE>
1996 and 1997, resulting in increases of 5.2% and 7.0%, respectively. The growth
rate for 1998 was 4.8%. 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 68 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, gross domestic product has increased each year since
1991, with the exception of 1995. During 1998, gross domestic product increased
an estimated 4.7% from 1997. The rate of inflation is generally viewed to be
under control. 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 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.
58
<PAGE>
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,
by contacting your broker or other financial intermediary, or by contacting
Alliance:
By mail: c/o Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 1520
Secaucus, NJ 07096-1520
By phone: For Information: (800) 221-5672
For Literature: (800) 227-4618
Or you may view or obtain these documents from the Commission:
In person: at the Commission's Public Reference
Room in Washington, D.C.
By phone: 1-800-SEC-0330
By mail: Public Reference Section
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, DC 20549-6009
(duplicating fee required)
On the Internet: www.sec.gov
You also may find more information about Alliance and the Funds on the Internet
at: www.Alliancecapital.com.
59
ALLIANCE BOND FUNDS SUBSCRIPTION APPLICATION
_______________________________________________________________________________
SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND
U.S. GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT FUND
MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME FUND
MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY TRUST
NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST
GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT FUND
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME TRUST
CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO
HIGH YIELD FUND
TO OPEN YOUR NEW ALLIANCE ACCOUNT...
Please complete the application and mail it to:
ALLIANCE FUND SERVICES, INC.
P.O. BOX 1520
SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY 07096-1520
For certified or overnight deliveries, send to:
ALLIANCE FUND SERVICES, INC.
500 PLAZA DRIVE
SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY 07094
SECTION 1 YOUR ACCOUNT REGISTRATION (REQUIRED)
Complete one of the available choices. To ensure proper tax reporting to the
IRS:
* Individuals, Joint Tenants, Transfer on Death and Gift/Transfer to a Minor:
. Indicate your name(s) exactly as it appears on your social security
card.
* Transfer on Death:
. Ensure that your state participates
* Trust/Other:
. Indicate the name of the entity exactly as it appeared on the notice
you received from the IRS when your Employer Identification number
was assigned.
SECTION 2 YOUR ADDRESS (REQUIRED) Complete in full.
* Non-Resident Alien:
. Indicate your permanent country of residence.
SECTION 3 YOUR INITIAL INVESTMENT (REQUIRED)
For each Fund in which you are investing: 1 Write the three digit Fund number
in the column titled 'INDICATE THREE DIGIT FUND NUMBER LOCATED BELOW'.
2 Write the dollar amount of your initial purchase in the column titled
'INDICATE DOLLAR AMOUNT'. (If you are eligible for a reduced sales charge,
you must also complete Section 4F). 3 Check off a distribution option for
your dividends. 4 Check off a distribution option for your capital gains.
All distributions (dividends and capital gains) will be reinvested into
your fund account unless you direct otherwise. If you want distributions
sent directly to your bank account, then you must complete Section 4D and
attach a preprinted, voided check for that account. If you want your
distributions sent to a third party you must complete Section 4E.
SECTION 4 YOUR SHAREHOLDER OPTIONS (COMPLETE ONLY THOSE OPTIONS YOU WANT)
A. AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLANS (AIP) - You can make periodic investments into
any of your Alliance Funds in one of three ways. First, by a periodic
withdrawal ($25 minimum) directly from your bank account and invested into an
Alliance Fund. Second, you can direct your distributions (dividends and
capital gains) from one Alliance Fund into another Fund. Or third, you can
automatically exchange monthly ($25 minimum) shares of one Alliance Fund for
shares of another Fund. To elect one of these options, complete the
appropriate portion of Section 4A & 4D. If more than one dividend direction
or monthly exchange is desired, please call our Literature Center to obtain a
Shareholder Account Services Options Form for completion.
B. TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS VIA EFT - Complete this option if you would like to
be able to transact via telephone between your fund account and your bank
account.
C. SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLANS (SWP) - Complete this option if you wish to
periodically redeem dollars from one of your fund accounts. Payments can be
made via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to your bank account or by check.
D. BANK INFORMATION - If you have elected any options that involve
transactions between your bank account and your fund account or have elected
cash distribution options and would like the payments sent to your bank
account, please tape a preprinted, voided check of the account you wish to use
to this section of the application.
E. THIRD PARTY PAYMENT DETAILS - If you have chosen cash distributions and/or
a Systematic Withdrawal Plan and would like the payments sent to a person
and/or address other than those provided in section 1 or 2, complete this
option. Medallion Signature Guarantee is required if your account is not
maintained by a broker dealer.
F. REDUCED CHARGES (CLASS A ONLY) - Complete if you would like to link fund
accounts that have combined balances that might exceed $100,000 so that future
purchases will receive discounts. Complete if you intend to purchase over
$100,000 within 13 months.
SECTION 5 SHAREHOLDER AUTHORIZATION (REQUIRED) All owners must sign. If it
is a custodial, corporate, or trust account, the custodian, an authorized
officer, or the trustee respectively must sign.
IF WE CAN ASSIST YOU IN ANY WAY, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL US AT: (800)
221-5672.
FOR LITERATURE CALL: (800) 227-4618
THE ALLIANCE BOND FUNDS SUBSCRIPTION APPLICATION
_______________________________________________________________________________
1. YOUR ACCOUNT REGISTRATION (Please Print in Capital Letters and Mark Check
Boxes Where Applicable)
__ Individual Account { __ Male __ Female } - or - __ Joint Account - or -
__ Transfer On Death { __ Male __ Female } - or - __ Gift/Transfer to a Minor
___________________________________________ ____ ____________________________
Owner or Custodian (First Name) (MI) (Last Name)
________________________________________________________________________
(First Name) Joint Owner*, Transfer On Death Beneficiary or Minor
____ ______________________________
(MI) (Last Name)
______________-____-_________________
Social Security Number of Owner or Minor (required to open account)
If Uniform Gift/Transfer to Minor Account: ________ Minor's State of Residence
If Joint Tenants Account: * The Account will be registered "Joint Tenants with
right of Survivorship" unless you indicate otherwise below:
__ In Common __ By Entirety __ Community Property
__ Trust - or - __ Corporation - or - Other________________________________
___________________________________________ ____ ____________________________
Name of Trustee if applicable (First Name) (MI) (Last Name)
_______________________________________________________________________________
Name of Trust or Corporation or Other Entity
_______________________________________________________________________________
Name of Trust or Corporation or Other Entity continued
_________________________
Trust Dated (MM,DD,YYYY)
________________________________________
Tax ID Number (required to open account)
__ Employer ID Number - OR - __ Social Security Number
2. YOUR ADDRESS
__________________________ ___________________________________________________
Street Number Street Name
_______________________________________________ ______ ______________________
City State Zip code
____________________________ ________-________-____________
If Non-U.S., Specify Country Daytime Phone Number
__ U.S. Citizen __ Resident Alien __ Non-Resident Alien
90231GEN-TABFAPP-P1
1
3. YOUR INITIAL INVESTMENT
The minimum investment is $250 per fund.
The maximum investment in Class B is $250,000; Class C is $1,000,000.
I hereby subscribe for shares of the following Alliance Bond Fund(s) and elect
distribution options as indicated.
BROKER/DEALER USE ONLY: WIRE CONFIRM # _________________________
DIVIDEND AND CAPITAL GAIN DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS:
R REINVEST DISTRIBUTIONS into my fund account.
C SEND MY DISTRIBUTIONS IN CASH to the address I have provided in Section 2.
(Complete Section 4D for direct deposit to your bank account. Complete Section
4E for payment to a third party)
D DIRECT MY DISTRIBUTIONS TO ANOTHER ALLIANCE FUND. Complete the appropriate
portion of Section 4A to direct your distributions (dividends and capital
gains) to another Alliance Fund (the $250 minimum investment requirement
applies to Funds into which distributions are directed).
Indicate three digit Fund Indicate Dollar Distributions Options *Check One*
number located below Amount Dividends Capital Gains
- ------------------------- --------------- ---------------- ---------------
_______________ $______________ R C D R C D
_______________ $______________ R C D R C D
_______________ $______________ R C D R C D
TOTAL INVESTMENT $______________
MAKE ALL CHECKS PAYABLE TO: ALLIANCE FUNDS
ALLIANCE BOND FUND NAMES AND NUMBERS
_______________________________________________________________________________
For checkwriting privileges, please send the enclosed signature card with
your application. Checkwriting is offered on Class A and Class C shares
only, and is not offered on Corporate Bond Portfolio and High Yield Fund.
A Medallion Signature Guarantee is required if your account is not maintained
by a broker/dealer. For Class C shares, checkwriting may result in the
imposition of a contingent deferred sales charge against your account. The
minimum amount for checkwriting is $500.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Initial Sales Contingent Deferred Asset-Based
Charge Sales Charge Sales Charge
A B C
------------- ------------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
U.S. GOVERNMENT FUNDS
SHORT-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND 37 51 337
U.S. GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO 46 76 346
LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT FUND 88 89 388
MORTGAGE FUND
MORTGAGE SECURITIES INCOME FUND 52 63 352
MULTI-MARKET FUND
MULTI-MARKET STRATEGY TRUST 22 23 322
GLOBAL BOND FUNDS
NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST 55 56 355
GLOBAL DOLLAR GOVERNMENT FUND 166 266 366
GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME TRUST 124 224 324
CORPORATE BOND FUNDS
CORPORATE BOND PORTFOLIO 95 295 395
HIGH YIELD FUND 103 203 303
</TABLE>
90231GEN-TABFAPP-P2
2
4. YOUR SHAREHOLDER OPTIONS
A. AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLANS (AIP)
__ WITHDRAW FROM MY BANK ACCOUNT VIA EFT*
I authorize Alliance to draw on my bank account for investment in my fund
account(s) as indicated below (Complete Section 4D also for the bank account
you wish to use).
1- ___________ ______________________ ______ , _________.00 __
Fund Number Beginning Date (MM,DD) Amount ($25 minimum) Frequency
2- ___________ ______________________ ______ , _________.00 __
Fund Number Beginning Date (MM,DD) Amount ($25 minimum) Frequency
3- ___________ ______________________ ______ , _________.00 __
Fund Number Beginning Date (MM,DD) Amount ($25 minimum) Frequency
Frequency:
M = monthly
Q = quarterly
A = Annually
* ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER. YOUR BANK MUST BE A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL
AUTOMATED CLEARING HOUSE ASSOCIATION (NACHA)
__ DIRECT MY DISTRIBUTIONS
As indicated in Section 3, I would like my dividends and/or capital gains
directed to the same class of shares of another Alliance Fund.
FROM: ___________ ______________________________ - __
Fund Number Account Number (If existing)
TO: ___________ ______________________________ - __
Fund Number Account Number (If existing)
__ EXCHANGE MY SHARES MONTHLY
I authorize Alliance to transact monthly exchanges, within the same class of
shares, between my fund accounts as listed below.
FROM: ___________ ______________________________ - __
Fund Number Account Number (If existing)
______ ,___________.00 ________
Amount ($25 minimum) Day of Exchange**
TO: ___________ ______________________________ - __
Fund Number Account Number (If existing)
** SHARES EXCHANGED WILL BE REDEEMED AT THE NET ASSET VALUE ON THE "DAY OF
EXCHANGE" (IF THE "DAY OF EXCHANGE" IS NOT A FUND BUSINESS DAY, THE EXCHANGE
TRANSACTION WILL BE PROCESSED ON THE NEXT FUND BUSINESS DAY). THE EXCHANGE
PRIVILEGE IS NOT AVAILABLE IF SHOCK CERTIFICATES HAVE BEEN ISSUED.
B. PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS VIA EFT
You can call our toll-free number 1-800-221-5672 and instruct Alliance Fund
Services, Inc. in a recorded conversation to purchase, redeem or exchange
shares for your account. Purchase and redemption requests will be processed
via electronic funds transfer (EFT) to and from your bank account.
INSTRUCTIONS:
* Review the information in the Prospectus about telephone transaction
services.
* If you select the telephone purchase or redemption privilege, you must write
"VOID" across the face of a check from the bank account you wish to use and
attach it to Section 4D of this application.
__ PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS VIA EFT
I hereby authorize Alliance Fund Services, Inc. to effect the purchase and/or
redemption of Fund shares for my account according to my telephone instructions
or telephone instructions from my Broker/Agent, and to withdraw money or credit
money for such shares via EFT from the bank account I have selected. The
maximum redemption amount is $100,000 per day.
For shares recently purchased by check or electronic funds transfer,
redemption proceeds will not be made available until the Fund is reasonably
assured the check or electronic funds transfer has been collected, normally
for 15 calendar days after the purchase date.
90231GEN-TABFAPP-P3
3
4. YOUR SHAREHOLDER OPTIONS (CONTINUED)
C. SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLANS (SWP)
In order to establish a SWP, you must reinvest all dividends and capital gains.
__ I authorize Alliance to transact periodic redemptions from my fund account
and send the proceeds to me as indicated below.
1- ___________ ______________________ ______ , _________.00 __
Fund Number Beginning Date (MM,DD) Amount ($25 minimum) Frequency
2- ___________ ______________________ ______ , _________.00 __
Fund Number Beginning Date (MM,DD) Amount ($25 minimum) Frequency
3- ___________ ______________________ ______ , _________.00 __
Fund Number Beginning Date (MM,DD) Amount ($25 minimum) Frequency
Frequency:
M = monthly
Q = quarterly
A = Annually
PLEASE SEND MY SWP PROCEEDS TO:
__ My Address of Record (via check)
__ My checking account-via EFT (complete section 4D)
Your bank must be a member of the National Automated Clearing House Association
(NACHA) in order for you to receive SWP proceeds directly into your bank
account. Otherwise payment will be made by check
__ The Payee and address specified in section 4E (via check)
(Medallion Signature Guarantee required)
D. BANK INFORMATION This bank account information will be used for:
__ Distributions (Section 3)
__ Telephone Transactions (Section 4B)
__ Automatic Investments (Section 4A)
__ Withdrawals (Section 4C)
PLEASE TAPE A PRE-PRINTED VOIDED CHECK HERE*
* THE ABOVE SERVICES CANNOT BE ESTABLISHED WITHOUT A PRE-PRINTED VOIDED CHECK.
FOR EFT TRANSACTIONS, THE FUND REQUIRES SIGNATURES OF BANK ACCOUNT OWNERS
EXACTLY AS THEY APPEAR ON BANK RECORDS. IF THE REGISTRATION AT THE BANK
DIFFERS FROM THAT ON THE ALLIANCE MUTUAL FUND, ALL PARTIES MUST SIGN IN SECTION
5.
VOID
ABA Routing Number
Check Number
Bank Account Number
______________________________
Your Bank's ABA Routing Number
______________________________________________
Your Bank Account Number
__ Checking Account __ Savings Account
90231GEN-TABFAPP-P4
4
4. YOUR SHAREHOLDER OPTIONS (CONTINUED)
E. THIRD PARTY PAYMENT DETAILS Your signature(s) in Section 5 must be
Medallion Signature Guaranteed if your account is not maintained by a
broker/dealer. This third party payee information will be used for:
__ Distributions (section 3) __ Systematic Withdrawals (section 4C)
_________________________________ _____ _____________________________________
Name (First Name) (MI) (Last Name)
___________________________ __________________________________________________
Street Number Street Name
______________________________________________ _____ ________________________
City State Zip code
F. REDUCED CHARGES (CLASS A ONLY) If you, your spouse or minor children
own shares in other Alliance Funds, you may be eligible for a reduced sales
charge. Please complete the Right of Accumulation section or the Statement
of Intent section.
__ A. RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION
Please link the tax identification numbers or account numbers listed below for
Right of Accumulation privileges, so that this and future purchases will
receive any discount for which they are eligible.
_________________________ _________________________ _________________________
Tax ID or Account Number Tax ID or Account Number Tax ID or Account Number
__ B. STATEMENT OF INTENT
I want to reduce my sales charge by agreeing to invest the following amount
over a 13-month period:
__ $100,000 __ $250,000 __ $500,000 __ $1,000,000
If the full amount indicated is not purchased within 13 months, I understand
that an additional sales charge must be paid from my account.
DEALER/AGENT AUTHORIZATION - FOR SELECTED DEALERS OR AGENTS ONLY.
We hereby authorize Alliance Fund Services, Inc. to act as our agent in
connection with transactions under this authorization form; and we guarantee
the signature(s) set forth in Section 5, as well as the legal capacity of the
shareholder.
_________________________________________ ____________________________________
Dealer/Agent Firm Authorized Signature
____________________________________ ____ ___________________________________
Representative First Name MI Last Name
_________________________________________ ____________________________________
Dealer/Agent Firm Number Representative Number
_________________________________________ ____________________________________
Branch Number Branch Telephone Number
_______________________________________________________________________________
Branch Office Address
_______________________________________________ _____ _______________________
City State Zip Code
90231GEN-TABFAPP-P5
5
5. SHAREHOLDER AUTHORIZATION -- THIS SECTION MUST BE COMPLETED
TELEPHONE EXCHANGES AND REDEMPTIONS BY CHECK
Unless I have checked one or both boxes below, these privileges will
automatically apply, and by signing this application, I hereby authorize
Alliance Fund Services, Inc. to act on my telephone instructions, or on
telephone instructions from any person representing himself to be an authorized
employee of an investment dealer or agent requesting a redemption or exchange
on my behalf. (NOTE: Telephone exchanges may only be processed between
accounts that have identical registrations.) Telephone redemption checks will
only be mailed to the name and address of record; and the address must not have
changed within the last 30 days. The maximum telephone redemption amount is
$50,000. This service can be enacted once every 30 days.
__ I do not elect the telephone exchange service
__ I do not elect the telephone redemption by check service
By selecting any of the above telephone privileges, I agree that neither the
Fund nor Alliance, Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc., Alliance Fund Services,
Inc. or other Fund Agent will be liable for any loss, injury, damage or expense
as a result of acting upon telephone instructions purporting to be on my
behalf, that the Fund reasonably believes to be genuine, and that neither the
Fund nor any such party will be responsible for the authenticity of such
telephone instructions. I understand that any or all of these privileges may
be discontinued by me or the Fund at any time. I understand and agree that the
Fund reserves the right to refuse any telephone instructions and that my
investment dealer or agent reserves the right to refuse to issue any telephone
instructions I may request.
For non-residents only: Under penalties of perjury, I certify that to the best
of my knowledge and belief, I qualify as a foreign person as indicated in
Section 2.
I am of legal age and capacity and have received and read the Prospectus and
agree to its terms.
I CERTIFY UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY THAT THE NUMBER SHOWN IN SECTION 1 OF THIS
FORM IS MY CORRECT TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER OR I AM WAITING FOR A NUMBER TO BE
ISSUED TO ME AND THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED THAT THIS ACCOUNT IS SUBJECT TO
BACKUP WITHHOLDING.
THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE DOES NOT REQUIRE YOUR CONSENT TO ANY PROVISION
OF THIS DOCUMENT OTHER THAN THE CERTIFICATION REQUIRED TO AVOID BACKUP
WITHHOLDING.
______________________________________________________ _______________________
Signature Date
______________________________________________________ _______________________
Signature Date
Medallion Signature Guarantee required if completing Section 4E and your mutual
fund is not maintained by a broker dealer
90231GEN-TABFAPP-P6
6
SIGNATURE CARD
Dealer/Bank Name: _______________________________________
FUND ACCT. NO.:* ________________________________________
FUND NAME:* _____________________________________________
*Information Necessary to Complete Request
ACCOUNT NAME(S) AS REGISTERED:
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
SHAREHOLDER ADDRESS:
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
SOCIAL SECURITY OR TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER:*
_________________________________________________________
AUTHORIZED SIGNATURES:
1. _________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________
Joint Accounts check one:
__ Either owner is authorized to sign Redemption Checks
__ All owners are required to sign Redemption Checks
(If no box is checked, only one signature will be required.)
Checkbooks are not transferable to other accounts. If you change account
numbers, change funds or change of ownership you must reapply for check-writing.
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY Subject to conditions on reverse side.
SIGNATURE CARD
The payment of funds is authorized by the signature(s) appearing on the reverse
side. Each signatory guarantees the genuineness of the other signatures.
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY (the "Bank") is hereby appointed agent by
the person(s) signing this card (the "Depositor(s)") and, as agent, is
authorized and directed, upon presentment of checks to the Bank.
(1) IF PERTAINING TO AN ALLIANCE DEPOSIT ACCOUNT (THE "ACCOUNT") - to direct
Alliance, which as the Depositor's agent and nominee maintains such Account on
the Depositors behalf at one or more depository institutions, to withdraw funds
from the Account in the amounts of such checks for deposit in this checking
account. Alliance hereby appointed the Depositor's agent and, where
appropriate, messenger for the purpose of effecting such withdrawals.
(2) IF PERTAINING TO AN ALLIANCE MUTUAL FUND (THE "FUND") - to transmit such
checks to the Fund or its transfer agent as requests to redeem shares
registered in the name of the Depositor(s) in the amounts of such checks for
deposit in this checking account.
This checking arrangement is subject to the applicable terms and restrictions,
including charges, set forth in the current Prospectus or Statement of
Additional Information for each Alliance mutual fund or deposit account as to
which the Depositor has arranged to redeem shares or withdraw funds by
check-writing. The Bank is further authorized to effect withdrawals or
redemptions to defray the Bank's charges relating to this checking arrangement.
The Depositor(s) agrees that he shall be subject to the rules and regulations
of the Bank pertaining to this checking arrangement as amended from time to
time, that the Bank has the right not to honor checks which do not meet the
Banks normal standards for checks presented to it, that the Bank and Alliance
have the right to change, modify or terminate this check-writing service at
any time; and that the Bank shall be liable only for its own negligence.
MEDALLION SIGNATURE GUARANTEE - Signatures must be guaranteed by an institution
that is an "eligible guarantor" as defined in Rule 17 Ad-15 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. This would include such institutions such as banks and
brokerage firms.
Send this card with any necessary authorizing documentation to:
ALLIANCE FUND SERVICES
ATTN: CHECKWRITING DEPARTMENT
P.O. BOX 1520
SECAUCUS, NJ 07096-1520
MEDALLION SIGNATURE GUARANTEE (see reverse)
<PAGE>
This is filed pursuant to Rule 497(c).
File Nos. 33-39350 and 811-06251.
<PAGE>
[LOGO] ALLIANCE MULTI-MARKET
STRATEGY TRUST, INC.
_________________________________________________________________
c/o Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 1520, Secaucus, New Jersey 07096-1520
Toll Free (800) 221-5672
For Literature: Toll Free (800) 227-4681
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
March 1, 1999
_________________________________________________________________
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus but
supplements and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus
dated March 1, 1999 for Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust,
Inc. (the "Fund") that offers Class A, Class B and Class C shares
of the Fund, and if the Fund begins to offer Advisor Class
shares, the Prospectus that offers the 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(es)"). The Fund currently does not offer Advisor
Class shares. Copies of the Prospectus(es) of the Fund may be
obtained by contacting Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the
address or the "For Literature" telephone number shown above.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
Description of the Fund..............................
Management of the Fund...............................
Expenses of the Fund.................................
Purchase of Shares...................................
Redemption and Repurchase of Shares..................
Shareholder Services.................................
Net Asset Value......................................
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes...................
Portfolio Transactions...............................
General Information..................................
Report of Independent Auditors and
Financial Statements...............................
Appendix A (Description of Obligations
of U.S. Government Agencies or
Instrumentalities)................................. A-1
Appendix B (Bond and Commercial Paper
Ratings)........................................... B-1
Appendix C (Futures Contracts and Options
On Futures Contracts and Foreign Currencies)....... C-1
<PAGE>
Appendix D (Additional Information About
The United Mexican States)......................... D-1
Appendix E (Certain Employee Benefit Plans).......... E-1
______________________
(R): This registered service mark used under license from
the owner, Alliance Capital Management L.P.
<PAGE>
_________________________________________________________________
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND
_________________________________________________________________
Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust, Inc. (the "Fund")
is a non-diversified, open-end investment company. The Fund's
investment objective is to seek the highest level of current
income, consistent with what Alliance Capital Management L.P.,
the Fund's investment adviser (the "Adviser"), 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 seeks high current yields by
investing in a portfolio of debt securities denominated in the
U.S. Dollar and selected foreign currencies. Accordingly, the
Fund will seek investment opportunities in foreign, as well as
domestic, securities markets. Normally, the Fund expects to
maintain at least 70% of its assets in debt securities
denominated in foreign currencies, but not more than 25% of the
Fund's net assets may be invested in debt securities denominated
in a single currency other than the U.S. Dollar except for the
euro, in which the Fund may invest not more than 50% of its net
assets. The Fund is designed for the investor who seeks a higher
yield than a money market fund or certificate of deposit and less
fluctuation in net asset value than a longer-term bond fund.
Certificates of deposit are insured and generally have fixed
interest rates while yields for the Fund will fluctuate with
changes in interest rates and other market conditions.
The following investment policies and restrictions
supplement, and should be read in conjunction with, the
information set forth in the Fund's Prospectus under the heading
"Description of the Fund." Except as otherwise indicated, the
Fund's investment policies are not designated "fundamental
policies" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") and may, therefore, be changed
by the Fund's Board of Directors without a shareholder vote.
However, the Fund will not change its investment policies without
contemporaneous written notice to shareholders. The Fund's
investment objective may not be changed without shareholder
approval. There can be, of course, no assurance that the Fund
will achieve its investment objective.
HOW THE FUND PURSUES ITS OBJECTIVES
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 (i.e., five years or
less). Normally, a high proportion of the Fund's portfolio
consists of money market instruments. The Adviser actively
manages the Fund's portfolio in accordance with a multi-market
2
<PAGE>
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. The Adviser adjusts the
Fund's exposure to each currency based on its perception of the
most favorable markets and issuers. In this regard, the
percentage of assets invested in securities of a particular
country or denominated in a particular currency will vary in
accordance with the Adviser's assessment of the relative yield
and appreciation potential of such securities and the
relationship of a country's currency to the U.S. Dollar.
Fundamental economic strength, credit quality and interest rate
trends are the principal factors considered by the Adviser in
determining whether to increase or decrease the emphasis placed
upon a particular type of security or industry sector within the
Fund's investment portfolio. The Fund will not invest more than
25% of its net assets in debt securities denominated in a single
currency other than the U.S. Dollar.
The attractive returns currently available from short-
term foreign currency-denominated debt instruments can be
adversely affected by changes in exchange rates. The Adviser
believes that the use of foreign currency hedging techniques,
including "cross-hedges" (see "Additional Investment Policies and
Practices-Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts," below),
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. For example, the return
available from securities denominated in a particular foreign
currency would diminish in the event the value of the U.S. Dollar
increased against such currency. Such a decline could be
partially or completely offset by an increase in value of a
cross-hedge involving a forward exchange contract to sell a
different foreign currency, where such contract is available on
terms more advantageous to the Fund than a contract to sell the
currency in which the position being hedged is denominated. It
is the Adviser's belief that cross-hedges can therefore provide
significant protection of net asset value in the event of a
general rise in the U.S. Dollar against foreign currencies.
However, a cross-hedge cannot protect against exchange rate risks
perfectly, and if the Adviser is incorrect in its judgment of
future exchange rate relationships, the Fund could be in a less
advantageous position than if such a hedge had not been
established.
The Fund invests in debt securities denominated in the
currencies of countries whose governments are considered stable
by the Adviser. In addition to the U.S. Dollar, such currencies
include, among others, the Australian Dollar, Austrian Schilling,
British Pound Sterling, Canadian Dollar, Danish Krone, Dutch
3
<PAGE>
Guilder, European Currency Unit ("ECU"), French Franc, Irish
Pound, Italian Lira, Japanese Yen, New Zealand Dollar, Norwegian
Krone, Spanish Peseta, Swedish Krona, Swiss Franc and German
Mark.
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 denominated in one currency the
principal amounts of which and value of interest payments on
which are determined with reference (or "linked") to another
currency. The value of these investments may fluctuate inversely
in correlation with changes in the Peso-Dollar exchange rate and
with the general level of interest rates in Mexico. For a
general description of Mexico, see Appendix D.
The Fund seeks to minimize investment risk by limiting
its portfolio investments to debt securities of high quality.
Accordingly, the Fund's portfolio consists only of: (i) debt
securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its
agencies or instrumentalities ("U.S. Government Securities");
(ii) obligations issued or guaranteed by a foreign government or
any of its political subdivisions, authorities, agencies, or
instrumentalities, or by supranational entities, all of which are
rated AAA or AA by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services ("S&P") or
Aaa or Aa by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. ("Moody's") ("High
Quality Ratings") or, if unrated, determined by the Adviser to be
of equivalent quality; (iii) corporate debt securities having at
least one High Quality Rating or, if unrated, determined by the
Adviser to be of equivalent quality; (iv) certificates of deposit
and bankers' acceptances issued or guaranteed by, or time
deposits maintained at, banks (including foreign branches of U.S.
banks or U.S. or foreign branches of foreign banks) having total
assets of more than $500 million and determined by the Adviser to
be of high quality; and (v) commercial paper rated A-1 by S&P,
Prime-1 by Moody's, Fitch-1 by Fitch IBCA, Inc. ("Fitch") or
Duff 1 by Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. ("Duff & Phelps") or,
if not rated, issued by U.S. or foreign companies having
outstanding debt securities rated AAA or AA by S&P, or Aaa or Aa
by Moody's and determined by the Adviser to be of high quality.
The Fund may invest without limitation in commercial
paper which is indexed to certain specific foreign currency
exchange rates. The terms of such commercial paper provide that
its principal amount is adjusted upwards or downwards (but not
below zero) at maturity to reflect changes in the exchange rate
between two currencies while the obligation is outstanding. The
Fund will purchase such commercial paper with the currency in
which it is denominated and, at maturity, will receive interest
and principal payments thereon in that currency, but the amount
of principal payable by the issuer at maturity will change in
4
<PAGE>
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 the 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. The Fund will purchase such
commercial paper for hedging purposes only, not for speculation.
Under normal circumstances, and 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. Such investments may include certificates of deposit,
time deposits, bankers' acceptances, and obligations issued by
bank holding companies, as well as repurchase agreements entered
into with banks (as distinct from non-bank dealers) in accordance
with the policies set forth in "Additional Investment Policies
and Practices-Repurchase Agreements" below. However, when
business or financial conditions warrant the Fund may, for
temporary defensive purposes, vary from its policy of investing
at least 25% of its total assets in the banking industry. For
example, the Fund may reduce its position in debt instruments
issued by domestic and foreign banks and bank holding companies
and increase its position in U.S. Government Securities or cash
equivalents.
Due to the Fund's investment policy with respect to
investments in the banking industry, the Fund 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; national and local regulation;
and competition within those industries as well as with other
types of financial institutions. 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 its exposure to such risks by investing only in debt
securities which are determined to be of high quality.
5
<PAGE>
The Fund may invest in debt securities issued by
supranational organizations such as: the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (the "World Bank"), which was
chartered to finance development projects in developing member
countries; the European Union, which is a fifteen-nation
organization engaged in cooperative economic activities; the
European Coal and Steel Community, which is an economic union of
various European nations' steel and coal industries; and the
Asian Development Bank, which is an international development
bank established to lend funds, promote investment and provide
technical assistance to member nations in the Asian and Pacific
regions.
The Fund may invest in debt securities denominated in
the ECU, which is a "basket" consisting of specified amounts of
the currencies of certain of the fifteen member states of the
European Union. The specific amounts of currencies comprising
the ECU may be adjusted by the Council of Ministers of the
European Union to reflect changes in relative values of the
underlying currencies. The Adviser does not believe that such
adjustments will adversely affect holders of ECU-denominated
obligations or the marketability of such securities. European
governments and supranationals, in particular, issue ECU-
denominated obligations.
Investing in securities issued by foreign governments
and corporations involves considerations and possible risks not
typically associated with investing in obligations issued by the
U.S. government and domestic corporations. The values of foreign
investments are affected by changes in currency rates or exchange
control regulations, application of foreign tax laws, including
withholding taxes, changes in governmental administration or
economic or monetary policy (in this country or abroad) or
changed circumstances in dealings between nations. Costs are
incurred in connection with conversions between various
currencies. In addition, foreign brokerage commissions are
generally higher than in the United States, and foreign
securities markets may be less liquid, more volatile and less
subject to governmental supervision than in the United States.
Investments in foreign countries could be affected by other
factors not present in the United States, including
expropriation, confiscatory taxation, lack of uniform accounting
and auditing standards and potential difficulties in enforcing
contractual obligations and could be subject to extended
settlement periods.
The ability of governments to make timely payments on
their obligations is likely to be influenced strongly by the
issuer's balance of payments, including export performance, and
its access to international credits and investments. To the
extent that a country receives payment for its exports in
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currencies other than dollars, its ability to make debt payments
denominated in dollars could be adversely affected. To the
extent that a country develops a trade deficit, it will need to
depend on continuing loans from foreign governments, multi-
lateral organizations or private commercial banks, aid payments
from foreign governments and on inflows of foreign investment.
The access of a country to these forms of external funding may
not be certain, and a withdrawal of external funding could
adversely affect the capacity of a government to make payments on
its obligations. In addition, the cost of servicing debt
obligations can be affected by a change in international interest
rates since the majority of these obligations carry interest
rates that are adjusted periodically based upon international
rates.
Securities Ratings. The ratings of fixed-income
securities by S&P, Moody's, Duff & Phelps and Fitch are a
generally accepted barometer of credit risk. They are, however,
subject to certain limitations from an investor's standpoint.
The rating of an issuer is heavily weighted by past developments
and does not necessarily reflect probable future conditions.
There is frequently a lag between the time a rating is assigned
and the time it is updated. In addition, there may be varying
degrees of difference in credit risk of securities within each
rating category.
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES
The following additional investment policies supplement
those set forth in the Prospectus.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. The Fund has adopted the following
investment policy which may be changed by the vote of the Board
of Directors. The Fund will not invest in illiquid securities if
immediately after such investment more than 10% of the Fund's
total assets (taken at market value) would be invested in such
securities. In addition, the Fund will not maintain more than
15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. For this purpose,
illiquid securities include, among others, (a) direct placements
or other securities which are subject to legal or contractual
restrictions on resale or for which there is no readily available
market (e.g., trading in the security is suspended or, in the
case of unlisted securities, market makers do not exist or will
not entertain bids or offers), (b) options purchased by the Fund
over-the-counter and the cover for options written by the Fund
over-the-counter, and (c) repurchase agreements not terminable
within seven days.
Historically, illiquid securities have included
securities subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale
because they have not been registered under the Securities Act of
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1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), securities which are
otherwise not readily marketable and repurchase agreements having
a maturity of longer than seven days. Securities which have not
been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as
private placements or restricted securities and are purchased
directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. Mutual
funds do not typically hold a significant amount of these
restricted or other illiquid securities because of the potential
for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations
on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of
portfolio securities and a mutual fund might be unable to dispose
of restricted or other illiquid securities promptly or at
reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty
satisfying redemptions within seven days. A mutual fund might
also have to register such restricted securities in order to
dispose of them resulting in additional expense and delay.
Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of
securities.
In recent years, however, a large institutional market
has developed for certain securities that are not registered
under the Securities Act including repurchase agreements,
commercial paper, foreign securities, municipal securities and
corporate bonds and notes. Institutional investors depend on an
efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security
can be readily resold or on an issuer's ability to honor a demand
for repayment. The fact that there are contractual or legal
restrictions on resale to the general public or to certain
institutions may not be indicative of the liquidity of such
investments.
The Fund may invest up to 5% of its total assets (taken
at market value) in restricted securities issued under Section
4(2) of the Securities Act, which exempts from registration
"transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering."
Section 4(2) instruments are restricted in the sense that they
can only be resold through the issuing dealer to institutional
investors and in private transactions; they cannot be resold to
the general public without registration.
Rule 144A under the Securities Act allows a broader
institutional trading market for securities otherwise subject to
restriction on resale to the general public. Rule 144A
establishes a "safe harbor" from the registration requirements of
the Securities Act for resales of certain securities to qualified
institutional buyers. An insufficient number of qualified
institutional buyers interested in purchasing certain restricted
securities held by the Fund, however, could affect adversely the
marketability of such portfolio securities and the Fund might be
unable to dispose of such securities promptly or at reasonable
prices. Rule 144A has already produced enhanced liquidity for
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many restricted securities, and market liquidity for such
securities may continue to expand as a result of this regulation
and the consequent inception of the PORTAL System, an automated
system for the trading, clearance and settlement of unregistered
securities of domestic and foreign issuers which is sponsored by
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., ("NASD").
The Fund's investment in Rule 144A eligible securities are not
subject to the limitations described above on securities issued
under Section 4(2).
The Adviser, under the supervision of the Board of
Directors, will monitor the liquidity of restricted securities in
the Fund's portfolio that are eligible for resale pursuant to
Rule 144A. In reaching liquidity decisions, the Adviser will
consider, among others, the following factors: (1) the frequency
of trades and quotes for the security; (2) the number of dealers
making quotations to purchase or sell the security; (3) the
number of other potential purchasers of the security; (4) the
number of dealers undertaking to make a market in the security;
(5) the nature of the security (including its unregistered
nature) and the nature of the marketplace for the security (e.g.,
the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of
soliciting offers and the mechanics of the transfer); and (6) any
applicable Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission")
interpretation or position with respect to such type of security.
NET ASSET VALUE FLUCTUATIONS. The net asset value of
the Fund's shares will change as the general levels of interest
rates fluctuate. When interest rates decline, the value of a
portfolio primarily invested in debt securities can be expected
to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of a
portfolio primarily invested in debt securities can be expected
to decline. However, a shorter average maturity is generally
associated with a lower level of market value volatility and,
accordingly, it is expected that the net asset value of the
Fund's shares normally will fluctuate less than that of a longer-
term bond fund.
NON-DIVERSIFIED FUND. The Fund is a "non-diversified"
investment company, which means the Fund is not limited in the
proportion of its assets that may be invested in the securities
of a single issuer. However, the Fund intends to conduct its
operations so as to qualify to be taxed as a "regulated
investment company" for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"), which will relieve the Fund of any
liability for federal income tax to the extent its earnings are
distributed to shareholders. See "Dividends, Distributions and
Taxes". To so qualify, among other requirements, the Fund will
limit its investment so that, at the close of each quarter of the
taxable year, (i) not more than 25% of the Fund's total assets
will be invested in the securities of a single issuer, and
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(ii) with respect to 50% of its total assets, not more than 5% of
its total assets will be invested in the securities of a single
issuer and the Fund will not own more than 10% of the outstanding
voting securities of a single issuer. The Fund's investments in
U.S. Government securities are not subject to these limitations.
Because the Fund is a non-diversified investment
company, it may invest in a smaller number of individual issuer
than a diversified investment company, and an investment in such
Fund may, under certain circumstances, present greater risk to an
investor than an investment in a diversified investment company.
Foreign government securities are not treated like U.S.
Government securities for purposes of the diversification tests
described in the preceding paragraph, but instead are subject to
these tests in the same manner as the securities of non-
governmental issuer. In this regard, sovereign debt obligations
issued by different issuers located in the same country are often
treated as issued by a single issuer for purposes of these
diversification tests. Certain issuers of structured securities
and loan participations may be treated as separate issuers for
the purposes of these tests.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. U.S. Government securities
may be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States,
supported only by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S.
Treasury or backed only by the credit of the issuing agency
itself. These securities include: (i) the following U.S.
Treasury securities, which are backed by the full faith and
credit of the United States and differ only in their interest
rates, maturities and times of issuance: U.S. Treasury bills
(maturities of one year or less with no interest paid and hence
issued at a discount and repaid at full face value upon
maturity), U.S. Treasury notes (maturities of one to ten years
with interest payable every six months) and U.S. Treasury bonds
(generally maturities of greater than ten years with interest
payable every six months); (ii) obligations issued or guaranteed
by U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities that are
supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government,
such as securities issued by Government National Mortgage
Association ("GNMA"), the Farmers Home Administration, the
Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Export-Import
Bank, the General Services Administration and the Small Business
Administration; and (iii) obligations issued or guaranteed by
U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities that are not
supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government,
such as securities issued by Federal National Mortgage
Association ("FNMA") and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
("FHLMC"), and governmental collateralized mortgage obligations
("CMOs"). The maturities of the U.S. Government securities
listed in paragraphs (i) and (ii) above usually range from three
months to 30 years. Such securities, except GNMA certificates,
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normally provide for periodic payments of interest in fixed
amount with principal payments at maturity or specified call
dates.
U.S. Government securities also include zero coupon
securities and principal-only securities and certain stripped
mortgage related securities ("SMRS"). In addition, other U.S.
Government agencies and instrumentalities have issued stripped
securities that are similar to SMRS. Such securities include
those that are issued with an interest only ("IO") class and a
principal only ("PO") Class. Although these stripped securities
are purchased and sold by institutional investors through several
investment banking firms acting as brokers or dealers, these
securities were only recently developed. As a result,
established trading markets have not yet developed and,
accordingly, these securities may be illiquid. Guarantees of
securities by the U.S. Government or its agencies or
instrumentalities guarantee only the payment of principal and
interest on the securities, and do not guarantee the securities'
yield or value or the yield or value of the shares of the Fund
that holds the securities.
U.S. Government securities are considered among the
safest of fixed-income investments. As a result, however, their
yields are generally lower than the yields available from other
fixed-income securities. For a further description of
obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government Securities,
see Appendix A.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS. The
Fund may 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 corporate
debt securities ("futures contracts") and may purchase and write
put and call options to buy or sell futures contracts ("options
on futures contracts"). A "sale" of a futures contract means the
acquisition of a contractual obligation to deliver the securities
or foreign currencies called for by the contract at a specified
price on a specified date. A "purchase" of a futures contract
means the incurring of a contractual obligation to acquire the
securities or foreign currencies 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
fixed-income securities underlying the index is made. Options on
futures contracts to be written or purchased by the Fund will be
traded on U.S. or foreign exchanges or over-the-counter.
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The Fund will not enter into any futures contracts or
options on futures contracts if the aggregate of the market value
of the outstanding futures contracts of the Fund and the market
value of the currencies and futures contracts subject to
outstanding options written by the Fund would exceed 50% of the
market value of the total assets of the Fund.
See Appendix C for further discussion of the use, risks
and costs of futures contracts and options on futures contracts.
OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES. The Fund may purchase
and write put and call options on foreign currencies for the
purpose of protecting against declines in the U.S. Dollar value
of foreign currency-denominated portfolio securities and against
increases in the U.S. Dollar cost of such securities to be
acquired. As in the case of other kinds of options, however, the
writing of an option on a foreign currency constitutes only a
partial hedge, up to the amount of the premium received, and the
Fund could be required to purchase or sell foreign currencies at
disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby incurring 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 the Fund's position, it
may forfeit the entire amount of the premium plus related
transaction costs. Options on foreign currencies to be written
or purchased by the Fund are traded on U.S. and foreign exchanges
or over-the-counter. There is no specific percentage limitation
on the Fund's investments in options on foreign currencies.
See Appendix C for further discussion of the use, risks
and costs of options on foreign currencies.
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS. The Fund
may purchase or sell forward foreign currency exchange contracts
("forward contracts") to attempt to minimize the risk to the Fund
of adverse changes in the relationship between the U.S. Dollar
and foreign currencies. A forward contract is an obligation to
purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed price at a
future date which is individually negotiated and privately traded
by currency traders and their customers. The 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"). The Fund may 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. Additionally, for example,
when the 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
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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"). In this situation the 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").
To the extent required by applicable law, the Fund's Custodian
will place liquid assets in a separate account of the Fund having
a value equal to the aggregate amount of the Fund's commitments
under forward contracts entered into with respect to position
hedges and cross-hedges. If the value of the assets placed in a
separate account declines, additional liquid assets will be
placed in the account on a daily basis so that the value of the
account will equal the amount of the Fund's commitments with
respect to such contracts. As an alternative to maintaining all
or part of the separate account, the Fund may purchase a call
option permitting the Fund to purchase the amount of foreign
currency being hedged by a forward sale contract at a price no
higher than the forward contract price or the Fund may purchase a
put option permitting the Fund to sell the amount of foreign
currency subject to a forward purchase contract at a price as
high or higher than the forward contract price. In addition, the
Fund may use such other methods of "cover" as are permitted by
applicable law. Unanticipated changes in currency prices may
result in poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had
not entered into such contracts.
While these contracts are not presently regulated by the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the "CFTC"), the CFTC may
in the future assert authority to regulate forward contracts. In
such event the Fund's ability to utilize forward contracts in the
manner set forth in the Prospectus may be restricted. Forward
contracts will reduce the potential gain from a positive change
in the relationship between the U.S. Dollar and foreign
currencies. Unanticipated changes in currency prices may result
in poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not
entered into such contracts. The use of foreign currency forward
contracts will not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying U.S.
Dollar equivalent value of the prices of or rates of return on
the Fund's foreign currency-denominated portfolio securities and
the use of such techniques will subject the Fund to certain
risks.
The matching of the increase in value of a forward
contract and the decline in the U.S. Dollar equivalent value of
the foreign currency-denominated asset that is the subject of the
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hedge generally will not be precise. In addition, the Fund may
not always be able to enter into foreign currency forward
contracts at attractive prices and this will limit the Fund's
ability to use such contract to hedge or cross-hedge its assets.
Also, with regard to the Fund's use of cross-hedges, there can be
no assurance that historical correlations between the movement of
certain foreign currencies relative to the U.S. Dollar will
continue. Thus, at any time poor correlation may exist between
movements in the exchange rates of the foreign currencies
underlying the Fund's cross-hedges and the movements in the
exchange rates of the foreign currencies in which the Fund's
assets that are the subject of such cross-hedges are denominated.
INTEREST RATE TRANSACTIONS. In order to attempt to
protect the value of the Fund's investments from interest rate or
currency cross-rate fluctuations, the Fund may enter into various
hedging transactions, such as interest rate swaps and the
purchase or sale of interest rate caps and floors. The Fund
expects to enter into these transactions primarily to preserve a
return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its
portfolio. The Fund may also enter into these transactions to
protect against any increase in the price of securities the Fund
anticipates purchasing at a later date. The Fund intends to use
these transactions as a hedge and not as a speculative
investment. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund
and another party of their respective commitments to pay or
receive interest, e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for
fixed rate payments. The exchange commitments can involve
payments to be made 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 on a notional
principal amount from the party selling such interest rate cap.
The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to
the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined
interest rate to receive payments on a notional principal amount
from the party selling such interest rate floor.
The Fund may enter into interest rate swaps, caps and
floors on either an asset-based or liability-based basis
depending on whether it is hedging its assets or its liabilities,
and will usually be 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. Inasmuch as these hedging transactions are entered
into for good faith hedging purposes, the Adviser and the Fund
believe such obligations do not constitute senior securities and,
accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to its
borrowing restrictions. The net amount of the excess, if any, of
the Fund's obligations over its entitlements with respect to each
interest rate swap will be accrued on a daily basis and an amount
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of cash or liquid securities having an aggregate net asset value
at least equal to the accrued excess will be maintained in a
segregated account by the Fund's Custodian. The Fund will enter
into interest rate swap, cap or floor transactions with its
Custodian, and with other counterparties, but only if (i) for
transactions with maturities under one year, such other
counterparty has outstanding short-term paper rated at least A-1
by S&P or Prime-1 by Moody's or (ii) for transactions with
maturities greater than one year, the counterparty has
outstanding debt securities rated at least AA by S&P or Aa by
Moody's. If there is a default by the other party to such a
transaction, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to
the agreements related to the transaction. The swap market has
grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks
and investment banking firms acting both as principals and agents
utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap
market has become well established and provides a degree of
liquidity. Caps and floors are more recent innovations for which
documentation is not as standardized and, accordingly, they are
less liquid than swaps.
GENERAL. The successful use of the foregoing investment
practices draws upon the Adviser's special skills and experience
with respect to such instruments and usually depends on the
Adviser's ability to forecast interest rate and currency exchange
rate movements correctly. Should interest or exchange rates move
in an unexpected manner, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated
benefits of futures contracts, options or forward contracts 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 with respect to options on
currencies 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 such instruments and movements in the price of the
securities and currencies hedged or used for cover will not be
perfect and could produce unanticipated losses.
The Fund's ability to dispose of its positions in
futures contracts, options and forward contracts will depend on
the availability of liquid markets in such instruments. Markets
in options and futures with respect to a number of fixed-income
securities and currencies are relatively new and still
developing. 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 with respect to an option purchased or written by the Fund
over-the-counter, 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
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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 futures contract or
currency upon exercise. Therefore, no assurance can be given that
the Fund will be able to utilize these instruments effectively
for the purposes set forth above.
LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. The Fund may make
secured loans of its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and
financial institutions provided that cash, U.S. Government
Securities, other liquid high-quality debt securities, or bank
letters of credit equal to at least 100% of the market value of
the securities loaned is deposited and maintained by the borrower
with the Fund. The risks in lending portfolio securities, as
with other extensions of credit, consist of possible loss of
rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially.
In determining whether to lend securities to a particular
borrower, the Adviser (subject to review by the Board of
Directors) will consider all relevant facts and circumstances,
including the creditworthiness of the borrower. While securities
are on loan, the borrower will pay the Fund any income earned
thereon and the Fund may invest any cash collateral in portfolio
securities, thereby earning additional income, or receive an
agreed upon amount of income from a borrower who has delivered
equivalent collateral. The 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 other
distributions. The Fund may pay reasonable finders,
administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan. The
Fund will not lend portfolio securities in excess of 20% of the
value of its total assets, nor will the Fund lend its portfolio
securities to any officer, director, employee or affiliate of the
Fund or the Adviser. The Board of Directors will monitor the
Fund's lending of portfolio securities.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. The Fund may enter into
"repurchase agreements," pertaining to the types of securities in
which it invests, with member banks of the Federal Reserve System
or "primary dealers" (as designated by the Federal Reserve Bank
of New York) in such securities. There is no percentage
restriction on the Fund's ability to enter into repurchase
agreements. Currently the Fund enters into repurchase agreements
only with its Custodian and such primary dealers. The Fund
currently enters into repurchase agreements only with its
custodians and such primary dealers. A repurchase agreement
arises when a buyer such as the Fund purchases a security and
simultaneously agrees to resell it to the vendor at an agreed-
upon future date, normally one day or a few days later. The
resale price is greater than the purchase price, reflecting an
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agreed-upon interest rate which is effective for the period of
time the buyer's money is invested in the security and which is
related to the current market rate rather than the coupon rate on
the purchased security. Such agreements permit the Fund to keep
all of its assets at work while retaining "overnight" flexibility
in pursuit of investments of a longer-term nature. The Fund
requires continual maintenance by its Custodian for its account
in the Federal Reserve/Treasury Book Entry System of collateral
in an amount equal to, or in excess of, the market value of the
securities which are the subject of the agreement. In the event
a vendor defaulted on its repurchase obligation, the Fund might
suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds from the sale of
the collateral were less than the repurchase price. In the event
of a vendor's bankruptcy, the Fund might be delayed in, or
prevented from, selling the collateral for the Fund's benefit.
The Fund's Board of Directors has established procedures, which
are periodically reviewed by the Board, pursuant to which the
Adviser monitors the creditworthiness of the dealers with which
the Fund enters into repurchase agreement transactions. The Fund
may also borrow through the use of reverse repurchase agreements.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER. The Fund may engage in active
short-term trading to benefit from yield disparities among
different issues of securities, to seek short-term profits during
periods of fluctuating interest rates, or for other reasons.
Such trading will increase the Fund's rate of turnover and the
incidence of short-term capital gain taxable as ordinary income.
The Adviser anticipates that the annual turnover in the Fund will
not be in excess of 400%. An annual turnover rate of 400%
occurs, for example, when all of the securities in the Fund's
portfolio are replaced four times in a period of one year. A
high rate of portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater
expenses than a lower rate, which expenses must be borne by the
Fund and its shareholders. See "Dividends, Distributions and
Taxes" and "General Information--Portfolio Transactions."
SPECIAL BORROWING CONSIDERATIONS
EFFECTS OF BORROWING. The Fund maintains borrowings
from a syndicate of banks, none of which is affiliated with the
Fund or the Adviser, in an amount representing approximately 25%
of the Fund's total assets less liabilities (other than the
amount borrowed). The Fund's loan agreement provides for
additional borrowings and for repayments and reborrowings from
time to time, and the Fund 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 25%
target. The loan agreement provides for a selection of interest
rates that are based on the lending banks' short-term funding
costs in the U.S. and London markets. The Fund may borrow to
repurchase its shares or to meet redemption requests.
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Borrowings by the Fund result in leveraging of the
Fund's shares of common stock. The proceeds of such borrowings
are invested in high-quality, short-term debt securities in
accordance with the Fund's investment objective and policies.
The Adviser anticipates that short-term, high-quality debt
securities denominated in a number of foreign currencies will
continue to produce yields higher than U.S. Dollar-denominated
debt obligations of comparable maturity and quality, and that the
difference between the interest expense paid by the Fund on
borrowings and the rates received by the Fund from its
investments in short-term debt securities denominated in foreign
currencies will provide shareholders of the Fund with a
potentially higher yield.
Utilization of leverage, which is usually considered
speculative, however, involves certain risks to the Fund's
shareholders. These include a higher volatility of the net asset
value of the Fund's shares of common stock and the relatively
greater effect on the net asset value of the shares caused by
favorable or adverse changes in currency exchange rates. So long
as the 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 higher current net investment income than
if the Fund were not leveraged. On the other hand, interest
rates on U.S. Dollar-denominated and foreign currency-denominated
obligations change from time to time as does their relationship
to each other, depending upon such factors as supply and demand
forces, monetary and tax policies within each country and
investor expectations. Changes in such factors could cause the
relationship between such rates to change so that rates on U.S.
Dollar-denominated obligations may substantially increase
relative to the foreign currency-denominated obligations in which
the Fund may be invested. To the extent that the interest
expense on borrowings approaches the net return on the Fund's
investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to the Fund's
shareholders will be reduced, and if the interest expense on
borrowings were to exceed the net return to shareholders, the
Fund's use of leverage would result in a lower rate of return
than if the Fund were not leveraged. Similarly, the effect of
leverage in a declining market could be a greater decrease in net
asset value per share than if the Fund were not leveraged. In an
extreme case, if the Fund's current investment income were not
sufficient to meet the interest expense on borrowings, it could
be necessary for the Fund to liquidate certain of its
investments, thereby reducing the net asset value of the Fund's
shares.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS. In the
event of an increase in short-term rates on U.S. Dollar-
denominated obligations, or other changed market conditions, to
18
<PAGE>
the point where the Fund's leverage could adversely affect the
Fund's shareholders, as noted above, or in anticipation of such
changes, the Fund may attempt to increase the percentage of its
investment portfolio invested in U.S. Dollar-denominated debt
securities, which would tend to offset the negative impact of
leverage on Fund shareholders. The Fund may also attempt to
reduce the degree to which it is leveraged by repaying amounts
borrowed.
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 Fund's 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 repayments from time to time in order to do
so. Such repayments could require the Fund to sell portfolio
securities at times considered disadvantageous by the Adviser and
such sales could cause the Fund to incur related transaction
costs and to realize taxable gains.
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.
OTHER BORROWINGS. The Fund may also borrow to
repurchase its shares or to meet redemption requests. In
addition, 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 total assets of the Fund.
Borrowings for temporary purposes are not subject to the 300%
asset coverage limit described above. See "Certain Fundamental
Investment Policies."
19
<PAGE>
CERTAIN FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
The following restrictions, which supplement those set
forth in the Fund's Prospectus, may not be changed without
shareholder approval, which means the affirmative vote of the
holders of (i) 67% or more of the shares represented at a meeting
at which more than 50% of the outstanding shares are represented,
or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares, whichever is
less.
The Fund may not:
1. Make loans except through (i) the purchase of debt
obligations in accordance with its investment objectives and
policies; (ii) the lending of portfolio securities; or (iii) the
use of repurchase agreements;
2. Participate on a joint or joint and several basis
in any securities trading account;
3. Invest in companies for the purpose of exercising
control;
4. Make short sales of securities or maintain a short
position, unless at all times when a short position is open it
owns an equal amount of such securities or securities convertible
into or exchangeable for, without payment of any further
consideration, securities of the same issue as, and equal in
amount of the securities sold short ("short sales against the
box"), and unless not more than 10% of the Fund's net assets
(taken at market value) is held as collateral for such sales at
any one time (it is the Fund's present intention to make such
sales only for the purpose of deferring realization of gain or
loss for Federal income tax purposes);
5. Purchase a security if, as a result (unless the
security is acquired pursuant to a plan of reorganization or an
offer of exchange), the Fund would own any securities of an open-
end investment company or more than 3% of the total outstanding
voting stock of any closed-end investment company or more than 5%
of the value of the Fund's total assets would be invested in
securities of any one or more closed-end investment companies; or
6. (i) Purchase or sell real estate, except that it
may purchase and sell securities of companies which deal in real
estate or purchase and sell securities of companies which deal in
real estate or interests therein; (ii) purchase or sell
commodities or commodity contracts (except currencies, futures
contracts on currencies and related options, forward contracts or
contracts for the future acquisition or delivery of fixed-income
securities and related options, futures contracts and options on
20
<PAGE>
futures contracts and other similar contracts); (iii) invest in
interests in oil, gas, or other mineral exploration or
development programs; (iv) purchase securities on margin, except
for such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance
of transactions; and (v) act as an underwriter of securities,
except that the Fund may acquire restricted securities under
circumstances in which, if such securities were sold, the Fund
might be deemed to be an underwriter for purposes of the
Securities Act.
To maintain portfolio diversification and reduce
investment risk, as a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund may
not: (a) invest 25% or more of its total assets in securities of
companies engaged principally in any one industry other than the
banking industry, except that this restriction does not apply to
U.S. Government Securities; (b) borrow money, except the Fund
may, in accordance with provisions of the 1940 Act, (i) borrow
from a bank, if after such borrowing, there is asset coverage of
at least 300% as defined in the 1940 Act and (ii) borrow for
temporary or emergency purposes in an amount not exceeding 5% of
the value of the total assets of the Fund; or (c) pledge,
hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise encumber its assets, except to
secure permitted borrowings.
In addition to the restrictions set forth above, in
connection with the qualification of its shares for sale in
certain states, the Fund may not invest in (1) warrants if, such
warrants valued at the lower cost or market, would exceed 5% of
the value of the Fund's net assets. Included within such amount,
but not to exceed 2% of the Fund's net assets may be warrants
which are not listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the
American Stock Exchange. Warrants acquired by the Fund in units
or attached to securities may be deemed to be without value;
(2) real estate limited partnerships and (3) mineral leases.
In addition, the Fund may not borrow for temporary
purposes (including the purposes mentioned in "1940 Act
Restrictions") in an amount exceeding 5% of the value of the
assets of the Fund. Borrowings for temporary purposes are not
subject to the 300% asset average limit described above. See
"1940 Act Restrictions."
Whenever any investment policy or restriction states a
minimum or maximum percentage of the Fund's assets which may be
invested in any security or other asset, it is intended that such
minimum or maximum percentage limitation be determined
immediately after and as a result of the Fund's acquisition of
such security or other asset. Accordingly, any later increase or
decrease in percentage beyond the specified limitations resulting
from a change in value or net assets will not be considered a
violation of any such maximum.
21
<PAGE>
______________________________________________________________
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
______________________________________________________________
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The Directors and officers of the Fund, their ages and
their principal occupations during the past five years are set
forth below. Each such Director and officer is also a trustee,
director or officer of other registered investment companies
sponsored by the Adviser. Unless otherwise specified, the
address of each of the following persons is 1345 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, New York 10105.
DIRECTORS
JOHN D. CARIFA,* 53, Chairman of the Board, is the
President, Chief Operating Officer and a Director of Alliance
Capital Management Corporation ("ACMC"), with which he has been
associated since prior to 1994.
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, 69, is an independent consultant. He
was formerly a Senior Vice President of ACMC until December 1994.
His address is P.O. Box 167, Spring Lake, New Jersey 07762.
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., 66, is an Investment Adviser and
an independent consultant. He was formerly Senior Manager of
Barrett Associates, Inc., a registered investment adviser, with
which he had been associated since prior to 1994. His address is
Room 100, 2 Greenwich Plaza, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830.
DR. JAMES M. HESTER, 74, is President of the Harry Frank
Guggenheim Foundation, with which he has been associated since
prior to 1994. He was formerly President of New York University,
____________________
* An "interested person" of the Fund as defined in the 1940
Act.
22
<PAGE>
the New York Botanical Garden and Rector of the United Nations
University. His address is 25 Cleveland Lane, Princeton, New
Jersey 08540.
CLIFFORD L. MICHEL, 59, is a member of the law firm of
Cahill Gordon & Reindel, with which he has been associated since
prior to 1994. He is President and Chief Executive Officer of
Wenonah Development Company (investments) and a Director of
Placer Dome, Inc. (mining). His address is St. Bernard's Road,
Gladstone, New Jersey 07934.
DONALD J. ROBINSON, 64, is Senior Counsel to the law
firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe and was formerly a senior
partner and a member of the Executive Committee of that firm. He
was also a Trustee of the Museum of the City of New York from
1977 to 1995. His address is 98 Hell's Peak Road, Weston,
Vermont 05161.
OFFICERS
JOHN D. CARIFA, Chairman and President, see biography,
under "Directors" section above.
KATHLEEN A. CORBET, 39, Senior Vice President, is an
Executive Vice President of ACMC, with which she has been
associated since prior to 1994.
WAYNE D. LYSKI, 57, Senior Vice President, is an
Executive Vice President of ACMC, with which he has been
associated since prior to 1994.
DOUGLAS J. PEEBLES, 33, Vice President, is a Senior Vice
President of ACMC, with which he has been associated since prior
to 1994.
EDMUND P. BERGAN, JR., 48, Secretary, 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.
ANDREW L. GANGOLF, 44, Assistant Secretary, is a Vice
President and Assistant General Counsel of AFD, with which he has
been associated since December 1994. Prior thereto, he was a
Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Delaware Management
Company, Inc. since prior to 1994.
DOMENICK PUGLIESE, 37, Assistant Secretary, is a Vice
President and Assistant General Counsel of AFD, with which he has
been associated since May 1995. Previously, he was a Vice
President and Counsel of Concord Holding Corporation since prior
to 1994.
23
<PAGE>
EMILIE D. WRAPP, 43, Assistant Secretary, is a Vice
President and Assistant General Counsel of AFD, with which she
has been associated since prior to 1994.
MARK D. GERSTEN, 48, Treasurer and Chief Financial
Officer, is a Senior Vice President of AFS, with which he has
been associated since prior to 1994.
JUAN J. RODRIGUEZ, 41, Controller, is a Vice President
of AFS, with which he has been associated since prior to 1994.
The aggregate compensation paid by the Fund to each of
the Directors during its fiscal year ended October 31, 1998, the
aggregate compensation paid to each of the Directors during
calendar year 1998 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 (and separate investment
portfolios within those companies) in the Alliance Fund Complex
with respect to which each of the Directors serves as a director
or trustee, are set forth below. Neither the Fund nor any
registered investment company in the Alliance Fund Complex
provides compensation in the form of pension or retirement
benefits to any of its directors or trustees. Each of the
Directors is a director or trustee of one or more other
registered investment companies in the Alliance Fund Complex.
Total Number
of Investment
Companies Total Number
in of Investment
the Alliance Portfolios Within
Total Fund Complex, the Alliance
Compensation Including the Fund Complex,
from the Fund, as to Including the
Alliance Fund which the Fund, as to which
Aggregate Complex, Director is the Director is
Compensation Including a Director a Director or
Name of Director From the Fund the Fund or Trustee Trustee
John D. Carifa $-0- $-0- 50 114
Ruth Block $4,601 $180,763 37 77
David H. Dievler $4,602 $216,288 43 80
John H. Dobkin $4,568 $185,363 41 91
William H. Foulk, Jr. $4,598 $241,003 45 109
Dr. James M. Hester $4,605 $172,913 37 74
Clifford L. Michel $4,605 $187,763 38 90
Donald J. Robinson $4,601 $193,709 41 103
As of February 1, 1999, the Directors and officers of
the Fund as a group owned less than 1% of the shares of the Fund.
24
<PAGE>
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 "Advisory Agreement") to
provide investment advice and, in general, to conduct the
management and investment program of the Fund under the
supervision of the Fund's Board of Directors (see "Management of
the Fund" in the Prospectus).
The Adviser is a leading international investment
manager supervising client accounts with assets as of
December 31, 1998, totaling more than $286 billion (of which more
than $118 billion represented the assets of investment
companies). The Adviser's clients are primarily major corporate
employee benefit funds, public employee retirement systems,
investment companies, foundations and endowment funds. The 54
registered investment companies managed by the Adviser,
comprising 118 separate investment portfolios, currently have
more than 3.6 million shareholder accounts. As of December 31,
1998, the Adviser and its subsidiaries employed over more than
2,000 employees who operate out of domestic offices and the
offices of subsidiaries in Bahrain, Bangalore, Cairo, Chennai,
Hong Kong, Istanbul, Johannesburg, London, Luxembourg, Madrid,
Moscow, Mumbai, New Delhi, Paris, Pune, Sao Paolo, Seoul,
Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, Vienna and Warsaw. As of
December 31, 1998, the Adviser was retained as an investment
manager for employee benefit plan assets of 35 of the FORTUNE 100
companies.
Alliance Capital Management Corporation ("ACMC"), the
sole general partner of, and the owner of a 1% general
partnership interest in the Adviser, is an indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United
States ("Equitable"), one of the largest life insurance companies
in the United States and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Equitable Companies Incorporated ("ECI"). ECI is a holding
company controlled by AXA a French insurance holding company
which at March 1, 1998, beneficially owned approximately 59% of
the outstanding voting shares of ECI. As of June 30, 1998, ACMC,
Inc. and Equitable Capital Management Corporation, each a wholly-
owned direct or indirect subsidiary of Equitable, together with
Equitable, owned in the aggregate approximately 57% of the issued
and outstanding units representing assignments of beneficial
ownership of limited partnership interests in the Adviser.
AXA is a holding company for an international group of
insurance and related financial services companies. AXA's
insurance operations include activities in life insurance,
25
<PAGE>
property and casualty insurance and reinsurance. The insurance
operations are diverse geographically, with activities
principally in Western Europe, North America and the Asia/Pacific
area. AXA is also engaged in asset management, investment
banking, securities trading, brokerage, real estate and other
financial services activities principally in the United States,
as well as in Western Europe and the Asia/Pacific area.
Based on information provided by AXA, as of March 31,
1998, more than 30% of the voting power of AXA was controlled
directly and indirectly by FINAXA, a French holding company. As
of March 31, 1998 approximately 74% of the voting power of FINAXA
was controlled directly and indirectly by four French mutual
insurance companies (the "Mutuelles AXA"), one of which, AXA
Assurances I.A.R.D. Mutuelle, itself controlled directly and
indirectly more than 42% of the voting power of FINAXA. Acting
as a group, the Mutuelles AXA control AXA and FINAXA.
Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser provides
investment advisory services and other placement facilities for
the Fund and pays all compensation of Directors and officers of
the Fund who are affiliated persons of the Adviser. The Adviser
or its affiliates also furnishes the Fund, without charge,
management supervision and assistance and office facilities and
provides persons satisfactory to the Fund's Board of Directors to
serve as the Fund's officers.
The Adviser is, under the Advisory Agreement,
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).
The Fund has, under the Advisory Agreement, assumed the
obligation for payment of all of its other expenses. As to the
obtaining of services other than those specifically provided to
the Fund by the Adviser, the Fund may utilize personnel employed
by the Adviser or by other subsidiaries of Equitable. The Fund
may employ its own personnel or contract for services to be
performed by third parties. In such event, the services will be
provided to the Fund at cost and the payments specifically
approved by the Fund's Board of Directors. The Fund paid to the
Adviser a total of $128,543 in respect of such services during
the fiscal year of the Fund ended in 1998.
26
<PAGE>
The Advisory Agreement is terminable without penalty by
a vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities
or by a vote of a majority of the Fund's Directors on 60 days'
written notice, or by the Adviser on 60 days' written notice, and
will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. The
Advisory Agreement provides that in the absence of willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the
Adviser, or of reckless disregard of its obligations thereunder,
the Adviser shall not be liable for any action or failure to act
in accordance with its duties thereunder.
The Advisory Agreement became effective on July 22,
1992. The Advisory Agreement was approved by the unanimous vote,
cast in person, of the Fund's Directors (including the Directors
who are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or interested
persons as defined in the 1940 Act, of any such party) at a
meeting called for the purpose and held on September 10, 1991.
At a meeting held on June 11, 1992, a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund approved the Advisory Agreement.
The Advisory Agreement remains in effect for successive
twelve month periods computed from each November 1, provided that
such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a
vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities or
by the Fund's Board of Directors, including in either case
approval by a majority of the Directors who are not parties to
the Advisory Agreement or interested persons of any such party as
defined by the 1940 Act. Most recently, continuance of the
Agreement was approved for the period ending October 31, 1999 by
the Board of Directors, including a majority of the Directors who
are not "interested persons" as defined in the 1940 Act, at their
regular meeting held on October 15, 1998.
For the services rendered by the Adviser under the
Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser at the annual rate
of .60 of 1% of the average daily value of the Fund's adjusted
total assets (i.e., the average daily value of the initial assets
of the Fund, minus the sum of accrued liabilities of the Fund,
other than the principal amount of money borrowed). For the
fiscal years ended October 31, 1998, October 31, 1997 and
October 31, 1996 the Adviser received from the Fund advisory fees
of $681,090, $861,400 and $1,030,962, respectively.
Certain other clients of the Adviser may have investment
objectives and policies similar to those of the Fund. The Adviser
may, from time to time, make recommendations which result in the
purchase or sale of a particular security by its other clients
simultaneously with the Fund. If transactions on behalf of more
than one client during the same period increase the demand for
securities being purchased or the supply of securities being
sold, there may be an adverse effect on price or quantity. It is
27
<PAGE>
the policy of the Adviser to allocate advisory recommendations
and the placing of orders in a manner which is deemed equitable
by the Adviser to the accounts involved, including the Fund.
When two or more of the clients of the Adviser (including the
Fund) are purchasing or selling the same security on a given day
from the same broker-dealer, such transactions may be averaged as
to price.
The Adviser may act as an investment adviser to other
persons, firms or corporations, including investment companies,
and is investment adviser to AFD Exchange Reserves, Alliance All-
Asia Investment Fund, Inc., Alliance Balanced Shares, Inc.,
Alliance Bond Fund, Inc., Alliance Capital Reserves, Alliance
Global Dollar Government Fund, Inc., Alliance Global Environment
Fund, Inc., Alliance Global Small Cap Fund, Inc., Alliance Global
Strategic Income Trust, Inc., Alliance Government Reserves,
Alliance Greater China '97 Fund, Inc., Alliance Growth and Income
Fund, Inc., Alliance High Yield Fund, Inc., Alliance
Institutional Funds, Inc., Alliance 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 Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Alliance
Municipal Income Fund II, Alliance Municipal Trust, Alliance New
Europe Fund, Inc., Alliance North American Government Income
Trust, Inc., Alliance Premier Growth Fund, Inc., Alliance Quasar
Fund, Inc., Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc.,
Alliance/Regent Sector Opportunity Fund, Inc., Alliance Select
Investor Series, Inc., Alliance Technology Fund, Inc., Alliance
Utility Income Fund, Inc., Alliance Variable Products Series
Fund, Inc., Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund, Inc., The
Alliance Fund, Inc., The Alliance Portfolios and The Hudson River
Trust, all registered open-end investment companies; and to ACM
Government Income Fund, Inc., ACM Government Securities Fund,
Inc., ACM Government Spectrum Fund, Inc., ACM Government
Opportunity Fund, Inc., ACM Managed Income Fund, Inc., ACM
Managed Dollar Income Fund, Inc., ACM Municipal Securities Income
Fund, Inc., Alliance All-Market Advantage Fund, Inc., Alliance
World Dollar Government Fund, Inc., Alliance World Dollar
Government Fund II, Inc., The Austria Fund, Inc., The Korean
Investment Fund, Inc., The Southern Africa Fund, Inc. and The
Spain Fund, Inc., all registered closed-end investment companies.
28
<PAGE>
_________________________________________________________________
EXPENSES OF THE FUND
_________________________________________________________________
DISTRIBUTION SERVICES AGREEMENT
The Fund has entered into a Distribution Services
Agreement (the "Agreement") with AFD, the Fund's principal
underwriter (the "Principal Underwriter"), to permit the
Principal Underwriter to distribute the Fund's shares and to
permit the Fund to pay distribution services fees to defray
expenses associated with the distribution of its Class A shares,
Class B shares and Class C shares in accordance with a plan of
distribution which is included in the Agreement and has been duly
adopted and approved in accordance with Rule 12b-1 adopted by the
Commission under the 1940 Act (the "Rule 12b-1 Plan").
During the Fund's fiscal year ended October 31, 1998,
the Fund paid distribution services fees for expenditures under
the Agreement with respect to Class A shares, in amounts
aggregating $297,398 which constituted .30 of 1%, annualized, of
the Fund's aggregate average daily net assets attributable to
Class A shares during such fiscal year, and the Adviser made
payments from its own resources as described above, aggregating
$313,425. Of the $610,823 paid by the Fund and the Adviser under
the Plan with respect to Class A shares, $50,927 was spent on
advertising, $4,505 on the printing and mailing of prospectuses
for persons other than current shareholders, $393,270 for
compensation to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries
(including, $111,555 to the Fund's Principal Underwriter),
$10,991 for compensation to sales personnel and $151,130 was
spent on the printing of sales literature, travel, entertainment,
due diligence and other promotional expenses.
During the Fund's fiscal year ended October 31, 1998,
the Fund paid distribution services fees for expenditures under
the Agreement, with respect to Class B shares, in amounts
aggregating $128,290, which constituted 1.00% of the Fund's
aggregate average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares
during such fiscal year, and the Adviser made payments from its
own resources as described above, aggregating $242,374. Of the
$370,664 paid by the Fund and the Adviser under the Plan with
respect to Class B shares, $39,051 was spent on advertising,
$2,965 on the printing and mailing of prospectuses for persons
other than current shareholders, $190,502 for compensation to
broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries (including,
$88,590 to the Fund's Principal Underwriter), $3,589 for
compensation to sales personnel, $120,345 was spent on the
printing of sales literature, travel, entertainment, due
29
<PAGE>
diligence and other promotional expenses, and $14,212 on interest
on Class B shares financing.
During the Fund's fiscal year ended October 31, 1998,
the Fund paid distribution services fees for expenditures under
the Agreement, with respect to Class C shares, in amounts
aggregating $15,774 which constituted 1.00% of the Fund's
aggregate average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares
during such fiscal year, and the Adviser made payments from its
own resources as described above aggregating $65,888. Of the
$81,662 paid by the Fund and the Adviser under the Plan with
respect to Class C shares, $7,967 was spent on advertising,
$1,035 on the printing and mailing of prospectuses for persons
other than current shareholders, $42,069 for compensation to
broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries (including,
$19,757 to the Fund's Principal Underwriter), $1,090 for
compensation to sales personnel, $26,842 was spent on the
printing of sales literature, travel, entertainment, due
diligence and other promotional expenses, and $2,659 on interest
on Class C shares financing.
Distribution services fees are accrued daily and paid
monthly and are charged as expenses of the Fund as accrued. The
distribution services fees attributable to the Class B shares and
Class C shares are designed to permit an investor to purchase
such shares through broker-dealers without the assessment of an
initial sales charge, and at the same time to permit the
Principal Underwriter to compensate broker-dealers in connection
with the sale of such shares. In this regard, the purpose and
function of the combined contingent deferred sales charges and
distribution services fees on the Class B shares and Class C
shares are the same as those of the initial sales charge and
distribution services fee with respect to the Class A shares in
that in each case the sales charge and distribution services fee
provide for the financing of the distribution of the relevant
class of the Fund's shares.
With respect to Class A shares of the Fund, distribution
expenses accrued by AFD in one fiscal year may not be paid from
distribution services fees received from the Fund in subsequent
fiscal years. AFD's compensation with respect to Class B and
Class C shares under the Rule 12b-1 Plan is directly tied to the
expenses incurred by AFD. Actual distribution expenses for Class
B and Class C shares for any given year, however, will probably
exceed the distribution services fee payable under the Rule 12b-1
Plan with respect to the class involved and, in the case of Class
B and Class C shares, payments received from contingent deferred
sales charges ("CDSCs"). The excess will be carried forward by
AFD and reimbursed from distribution services fees payable under
the Rule 12b-1 Plan with respect to the class involved and, in
the case of Class B and Class C shares, payments subsequently
30
<PAGE>
received through CDSCs, so long as the Rule 12b-1 Plan is in
effect.
Unreimbursed distribution expenses incurred as of the
end of the Fund's most recently completed fiscal year, and
carried over of reimbursement in future years in respect of the
Class B and Class C shares of the Fund were, respectively,
$9,716,694 (134.64% of the net assets of Class B) and $619,498
(3.75% of the net assets of Class C).
The Rule 12b-1 Plan is in compliance with rules of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. which
effectively limit the annual asset-based sales charges and
service fees that a mutual fund may pay on a class of shares to
.75% and .25%, respectively, of the average annual net assets
attributable to that class. The rules also limit the aggregate
of all front-end, deferred and asset-based sales charges imposed
with respect to a class of shares by a mutual fund that also
charges a service fee to 6.25% of cumulative gross sales of
shares of that class, plus interest at the prime rate plus 1% per
annum.
In approving the Rule 12b-1 Plan, the Directors of the
Fund determined that there was a reasonable likelihood that the
Agreement would benefit the Fund and its shareholders. The
distribution services fee of a particular class will not be used
to subsidize the provision of distribution services with respect
to any other class.
The Adviser may from time to time and from its own funds
or such other resources as may be permitted by rules of the
Commission make payments for distribution services to the
Principal Underwriter; the latter may in turn pay part or all of
such compensation to brokers or other persons for their
distribution assistance.
The Agreement will continue in effect for successive
twelve-month periods (computed from each November 1), provided,
however, that such continuance is specifically approved at least
annually by the Directors of the Fund, or by vote of the holders
of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities (as
defined in the 1940 Act) of that class, and, in either case,
approval by a majority of the Directors of the Fund who are not
parties to the Agreement or interested persons, as defined in the
1940 Act, of any such party (other than as directors of the Fund)
and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the
operation of the Rule 12b-1 Plan or any agreement related
thereto. Most recently, continuance of the Agreement was
approved for the period ending October 31, 1999 by the Board of
Directors, including a majority of the Directors who are not
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<PAGE>
interested persons, as defined in the 1940 Act, at their Regular
Meeting held on October 15, 1998.
In the event that the Rule 12b-1 Plan is terminated or
not continued with respect to the Class A shares, Class B shares
or Class C shares, (i) no distribution services fees (other than
current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the
Fund to the Principal Underwriter with respect to that class, and
(ii) the Fund would not be obligated to pay the Principal
Underwriter for any amounts expended under the Agreement not
previously recovered by the Principal Underwriter from
distribution services fees in respect of shares of such class or
through deferred sales charges.
The Glass-Steagall Act and other applicable laws may
limit the ability of a bank or other depository institution to
become an underwriter or distributor of securities. However, in
the opinion of the Fund's management, based on the advice of
counsel, these laws do not prohibit such depository institutions
from providing services for investment companies such as the
administrative, accounting and other services referred to in the
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.
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 each Fund's registrar, transfer agency
and dividend-disbursing agent for a fee based upon the number of
account holders of each of the Class A shares, Class B shares,
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 and
Advisor Class shares, reflecting the additional costs associated
with the Class B and Class C contingent deferred sales charges.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998, the Fund paid AFS
$194,021 pursuant to the Transfer Agency Agreement.
_________________________________________________________________
PURCHASE OF SHARES
_________________________________________________________________
The following information supplements that set forth in
the Prospectus(es) under the heading "Purchase and Sale of
Shares--How to Buy Shares."
32
<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, 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 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 AFD 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
33
<PAGE>
by the Fund, including requirements as to the minimum initial and
subsequent investment amounts. Sales personnel of selected
dealers and agents distributing the Funds shares may receive
differing compensation for selling Class A, Class B, Class C or
Advisor Class shares.
The Fund may refuse any order for the purchase of
shares. The Fund reserves the right to suspend the sale of its
shares to the public in response to conditions in the securities
markets or for other reasons.
The public offering price of shares of the Fund is their
net asset value, plus, in the case of Class A shares, a sales
charge which will vary depending on the purchase alternative
chosen by the investor, as shown in the table below under
"Class A Shares." On each Fund business day on which a purchase
or redemption order is received by the Fund and trading in the
types of securities in which the Fund invests might materially
affect the value of Fund shares, the per share net asset value is
computed in accordance with the Fund's Articles of Incorporation
and By-Laws as of the next close of regular trading on the New
York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange") (currently 4:00 p.m. Eastern
time) by dividing the value of the Fund's total assets, less its
liabilities, by the total number of its shares then outstanding.
A Fund business day is any day on which the Exchange is open for
trading.
The respective per share net asset values of the
Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares are expected
to be substantially the same. Under certain circumstances,
however, the per share net asset values of the Class B and
Class C shares may be lower than the per share net asset values
of the Class A and Advisor Class shares as a result of the
differential daily expense accruals of the distribution and
transfer agency fees applicable with respect to those classes of
shares. Even under those circumstances, the per share net asset
values of the four classes eventually will tend to converge
immediately after the payment of dividends, which will differ by
approximately the amount of the expense accrual differential
among the classes.
The Fund will accept unconditional orders for its shares
to be executed at the public offering price equal to their net
asset value next determined (plus applicable Class A sales
charges), as described below. Orders received by the Principal
Underwriter prior to the close of regular trading on the Exchange
on each day the Exchange is open for trading are priced at the
net asset value computed as of the close of regular trading on
the Exchange on that day (plus applicable Class A sales charges).
In the case of orders for purchase of shares placed through
selected dealers, agents or financial representatives, as
34
<PAGE>
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 (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 asset value). The selected dealer,
agent or financial representative, as applicable, is responsible
for transmitting such orders by 5:00 p.m. If the selected
dealer, agent or financial representative fails to do so, the
investor's right to that day's closing price must be settled
between the investor and the selected dealer, agent or financial
representative, as applicable. If the selected dealer, agent or
financial representative, as applicable, receives the order after
the close of regular trading on the Exchange, the price will be
based on the net asset value determined as of the close of
regular trading on the Exchange on the next day it is open for
trading.
Following the initial purchase of Fund shares, a
shareholder may place orders to purchase additional shares by
telephone if the shareholder has completed the appropriate
portion of the Subscription Application or an "Autobuy"
application obtained by calling the "For Literature" telephone
number shown on the cover of this Statement of Additional
Information. Except with respect to certain omnibus accounts,
telephone purchase orders may not exceed $500,000. Payment for
shares purchased by telephone can be made only by Electronic
Funds Transfer from a bank account maintained by the shareholder
at a bank that is a member of the National Automated Clearing
House Association ("NACHA"). If a shareholder's telephone
purchase request is received before 3:00 p.m. Eastern time on a
Fund business day, the order to purchase shares is automatically
placed the following Fund business day, and the applicable public
offering price will be the public offering price determined as of
the close of business on such following business day.
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.
35
<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, cash or other incentives
will be conditioned upon the sale of a specified minimum dollar
amount of the shares of the Fund and/or other Alliance Mutual
Funds, as defined below, during a specific period of time. On
some occasions, such cash or other incentives may take the form
of payment for attendance at seminars, meals, sporting events or
theater performances, or payment for travel, lodging and
entertainment incurred in connection with travel taken by persons
associated with a dealer or agent to urban or resort locations
within or outside the United States. Such dealer or agent may
elect to receive cash incentives of equivalent amount in lieu of
such payments.
Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares each
represent an interest in the same portfolio of investments of the
Fund, have the same rights and are identical in all respects,
except that (i) Class A shares bear the expense of the initial
sales charge (or contingent deferred sales charge, when
applicable) and Class B and Class C shares bear the expense of
the deferred sales charge, (ii) Class B shares and Class C shares
each bear the expense of a higher distribution services fee than
that borne by Class A shares, and Advisor Class shares do not
bear such a fee, (iii) Class B shares and Class C shares bear
higher transfer agency costs than those borne by Class A shares
and Advisor Class shares, (iv) each of Class A, Class B and
Class C 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 shareholders and Advisor Class shareholders and
the Class A, Class B and Advisor Class shareholders will vote
separately by class, and (v) Class B shares and Advisor Class
shares are subject to a conversion feature. Each class has
different exchange privileges and certain different shareholder
service options available.
The Directors of the Fund have determined that currently
no conflict of interest exists between or among the Class A,
Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares. On an ongoing basis,
the Directors of the Fund, pursuant to their fiduciary duties
36
<PAGE>
under the 1940 Act and state law, will seek to ensure that no
such conflict arises.
Alternative Retail Purchase Arrangements -- Class A, Class B
and Class C Shares**
The alternative purchase arrangements available with
respect to Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares
permit an investor to choose the method of purchasing shares that
is most beneficial given the amount of the purchase, the length
of time the investor expects to hold the shares, and other
circumstances. Investors should consider whether, during the
anticipated life of their investment in the Fund, the accumulated
distribution services fee and contingent deferred sales charge on
Class B shares prior to conversion, or the accumulated
distribution services fee and contingent deferred sales charge on
Class C shares, would be less than the initial sales charge and
accumulated distribution services fee on Class A shares purchased
at the same time, and to what extent such differential would be
offset by the higher return of Class A shares. Class A shares
will normally be more beneficial than Class B shares to the
investor who qualifies for reduced initial sales charges on
Class A shares, as described below. In this regard, the
Principal Underwriter will reject any order (except orders from
certain retirement plans and certain employee benefit plans) for
more than $250,000 for Class B shares. (See Appendix E 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 not qualifying for reduced
initial sales charges who expect to maintain their investment for
an extended period of time might consider purchasing Class A
shares because the accumulated continuing distribution charges on
Class B shares or Class C shares may exceed the initial sales
charge on Class A shares during the life of the investment.
____________________
** Advisor Class shares are sold only to investors described
above in this section under "--General."
37
<PAGE>
Again, however, such investors must weigh this consideration
against the fact that, because of such initial sales charges, not
all their funds will be invested initially.
Other investors might determine, however, that it would
be more advantageous to purchase Class B shares or Class C shares
in order to have all their funds invested initially, although
remaining subject to higher continuing distribution charges and
being subject to a contingent deferred sales charge for a three-
year and one-year period, respectively. For example, based on
current fees and expenses, an investor subject to the 4.25%
initial sales charge 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.
During the fiscal years ended October 31, 1998,
October 31, 1997 and October 31, 1996 the aggregate amount of
underwriting commission payable with respect to shares of the
Fund were $58,630, $106,736 and $35,922, respectively. Of such
amounts, the Fund's Principal Underwriter received $2,987, $6,149
and $2,744, respectively, representing that portion of the sales
charges paid on shares of the Fund sold during the year which was
not reallowed to selected dealers (and was, accordingly, retained
by the Principal Underwriter). During the Fund's fiscal years
ended in 1998, 1997 and 1996, the Principal Underwriter received
contingent deferred sales charges of $12,234, $14,872 and
$16,503, respectively, on Class B shares, and $1,638, $1,764 and
$-0-, respectively, on Class C shares.
CLASS A SHARES
The public offering price of Class A shares is the net
asset value plus a sales charge, as set forth below.
38
<PAGE>
SALES CHARGE
Discount or
Commission
As % of As % of to Dealers or
Amount of Net Amount the Public Agents As % of
Purchase Invested Offering Price Offering Price
Less than
$100,000. . . 4.44% 4.25% 4.00%
$100,000 but
less than
$250,000. . . 3.36 3.25 3.00
$250,000 but
less than
$500,000. . . 2.30 2.25 2.00
$500,000 but
less than
$1,000,000*. . . 1.78 1.75 1.50
* There is no initial sales charge on transactions of $1,000,000
or more.
With respect to purchases of $1,000,000 or more, Class A
shares redeemed within one year of purchase will be subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge equal to 1% of the lesser of the
cost of the shares being redeemed or their net asset value at the
time of redemption. Accordingly, no sales charge will be imposed
on increases in net asset value above the initial purchase price.
In addition, no charge will be assessed on shares derived from
reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions. The
contingent deferred sales charge on Class A shares will be waived
on certain redemptions, as described below under "--Class B
shares." In determining the contingent deferred sales charge
applicable to a redemption of Class A shares, it will be assumed
that the redemption is, first, of any shares that are not subject
to a contingent deferred sales charge (for example, because an
initial sales charge was paid with respect to the shares, or they
have been held beyond the period during which the charge applies
or were acquired upon the reinvestment of dividends or
distributions) and, second, of shares held longest during the
time they are subject to the sales charge. Proceeds from the
contingent deferred sales charge on Class A shares are paid to
the Principal Underwriter and are used by the Principal
Underwriter to defray the expenses of the Principal Underwriter
related to providing distribution-related services to the Fund in
connection with the sales of Class A shares, such as the payment
of compensation to selected dealers and agents for selling
Class A shares. With respect to purchases of $1,000,000 or more
made through selected dealers or agents, the Adviser may,
39
<PAGE>
pursuant to the Distribution Services Agreement described above,
pay such dealers or agents from its own resources a fee of up to
1% of the amount invested to compensate such dealers or agents
for their distribution assistance in connection with such
purchases.
No initial sales charge is imposed on Class A shares
issued (i) pursuant to the automatic reinvestment of income
dividends or capital gains distributions, (ii) in exchange for
Class A shares of other "Alliance Mutual Funds" (as that term is
defined under "Combined Purchase Privilege" below), except that
an initial sales charge will be imposed on Class A shares issued
in exchange for Class A shares of AFD Exchange Reserves ("AFDER")
that were purchased for cash without the payment of an initial
sales charge and without being subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge or (iii) upon the automatic conversion of Class B
shares or Advisor Class shares as described below under
"--Class B Shares--Conversion Feature" and "--Conversion of
Advisor Class Shares to Class A Shares." The Fund receives the
entire net asset value of its Class A shares sold to investors.
The Principal Underwriter's commission is the sales charge shown
above less any applicable discount or commission "reallowed" to
selected dealers and agents. The Principal Underwriter will
reallow discounts to selected dealers and agents in the amounts
indicated in the table above. In this regard, the Principal
Underwriter may elect to reallow the entire sales charge to
selected dealers and agents for all sales with respect to which
orders are placed with the Principal Underwriter. A selected
dealer who receives reallowance in excess of 90% of such a sales
charge may be deemed to be an "underwriter" under the Securities
Act.
Investors choosing the initial sales charge alternative
may under certain circumstances be entitled to pay (i) no initial
sales charge (but may be subject in most such cases to a
contingent deferred sales charge) or (ii) a reduced initial sales
charge. The circumstances under which such investors may pay a
reduced initial sales charge are described below.
COMBINED PURCHASE PRIVILEGE. Certain persons may
qualify for the sales charge reductions indicated in the schedule
of such charges above by combining purchases of shares of the
Fund into a single "purchase," if the resulting "purchase" totals
at least $100,000. The term "purchase" refers to: (i) a single
purchase by an individual, or to concurrent purchases, which in
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;
40
<PAGE>
or (iii) a single purchase for the employee benefit plans of a
single employer. The term "purchase" also includes purchases by
any "company," as the term is defined in the 1940 Act, but does
not include purchases by any such company which has not been in
existence for at least six months or which has no purpose other
than the purchase of shares of the Fund or shares of other
registered investment companies at a discount. The term
"purchase" does not include purchases by any group of individuals
whose sole organizational nexus is that the participants therein
are credit card holders of a company, policy holders of an
insurance company, customers of either a bank or broker-dealer or
clients of an investment adviser. A "purchase" may also include
shares, purchased at the same time through a single selected
dealer or agent, of any other "Alliance Mutual Fund." Currently,
the Alliance Mutual Funds include:
AFD Exchange Reserves
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund, Inc.
Alliance Balanced Shares, Inc.
Alliance Bond Fund, Inc.
-Corporate Bond Portfolio
-U.S. Government Portfolio
Alliance Global Dollar Government Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Environment Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Strategic Income Trust, Inc.
Alliance Greater China '97 Fund, Inc.
Alliance Growth and Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance High Yield Fund, Inc.
Alliance International Fund
Alliance International Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
Alliance Limited Maturity Government Fund, Inc.
Alliance Mortgage Securities Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust, Inc.
Alliance Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
-California Portfolio
-Insured California Portfolio
-Insured National Portfolio
-National Portfolio
-New York Portfolio
Alliance Municipal Income Fund II
-Arizona Portfolio
-Florida Portfolio
-Massachusetts Portfolio
-Michigan Portfolio
-Minnesota Portfolio
-New Jersey Portfolio
-Ohio Portfolio
-Pennsylvania Portfolio
-Virginia Portfolio
Alliance New Europe Fund, Inc.
41
<PAGE>
Alliance North American Government Income Trust, Inc.
Alliance Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
Alliance Quasar Fund, Inc.
Alliance Real Estate Investment Fund, Inc.
Alliance Technology Fund, Inc.
Alliance Utility Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund, Inc.
The Alliance Fund, Inc.
The Alliance Portfolios
-Alliance Growth Fund
-Alliance Conservative Investors Fund
-Alliance Growth Investors Fund
-Alliance Short-Term U.S. Government Fund
Prospectuses for the Alliance Mutual Funds may be
obtained without charge by contacting Alliance Fund Services,
Inc. at the address or the "For Literature" telephone number
shown on the front cover of this Statement of Additional
Information.
CUMULATIVE QUANTITY DISCOUNT (RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION).
An investor's purchase of additional Class A shares of the Fund
may qualify for a Cumulative Quantity Discount. The applicable
sales charge will be based on the total of:
(i) the investor's current purchase;
(ii) the net asset value (at the close of business on
the previous day) of (a) all shares of the Fund held by the
investor and (b) all shares of any other Alliance Mutual Fund
held by the investor; and
(iii) the net asset value of all shares described in
paragraph (ii) owned by another shareholder eligible to combine
his or her purchase with that of the investor into a single
"purchase" (see above).
For example, if an investor owned shares of an Alliance
Mutual Fund worth $200,000 at their then current net asset value
and, subsequently, purchased Class A shares of the Fund worth an
additional $100,000, the 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
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.
42
<PAGE>
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 a Statement of Intention; however, the 13-month period
during which a Statement of Intention is in effect will begin on
the date of the earliest purchase to be included.
Investors qualifying for the Combined Purchase Privilege
described above may purchase shares of the Alliance Mutual Funds
under a single Statement of Intention. For example, if at the
time an investor signs a Statement of Intention to invest at
least $100,000 in Class A shares of the Fund, the investor and
the investor's spouse each purchase shares of the Fund worth
$20,000 (for a total of $40,000), it will only be necessary to
invest a total of $60,000 during the following 13 months in
shares of the Fund or any other Alliance Mutual Fund, to qualify
for the 3.25% sales charge on the total amount being invested
(the sales charge applicable to an investment of $100,000).
The Statement of Intention is not a binding obligation
upon the investor to purchase the full amount indicated. The
minimum initial investment under a Statement of Intention is 5%
of such amount. Shares purchased with the first 5% of such
amount will be held in escrow (while remaining registered in the
name of the investor) to secure payment of the higher sales
charge applicable to the shares actually purchased if the full
amount indicated is not purchased, and such escrowed shares will
be involuntarily redeemed to pay the additional sales charge, if
necessary. Dividends on escrowed shares, whether paid in cash or
reinvested in additional Fund shares, are not subject to escrow.
When the full amount indicated has been purchased, the escrow
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.
43
<PAGE>
Investors wishing to enter into a Statement of Intention
in conjunction with their initial investment in Class A shares of
the Fund should complete the appropriate portion of the
Subscription Application found in the Prospectus while current
Class A shareholders desiring to do so can obtain a form of
Statement of Intention by contacting Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
at the address or telephone numbers shown on the cover of this
Statement of Additional Information.
CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS. Multiple participant payroll
deduction retirement plans may also purchase shares of the Fund
or any other Alliance Mutual Fund at a reduced sales charge on a
monthly basis during the 13-month period following such a plan's
initial purchase. The sales charge applicable to such initial
purchase of shares of the Fund will be that normally applicable,
under the schedule of sales charges set forth in this Statement
of Additional Information, to an investment 13 times larger than
such initial purchase. The sales charge applicable to each
succeeding monthly purchase will be that normally applicable,
under such schedule, to an investment equal to the sum of (i) the
total purchase previously made during the 13-month period and
(ii) the current month's purchase multiplied by the number of
months (including the current month) remaining in the 13-month
period. Sales charges previously paid during such period will
not be retroactively adjusted on the basis of later purchases.
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE. A shareholder who has caused
any or all of his or her Class A or Class B shares of the Fund to
be redeemed or repurchased may reinvest all or any portion of the
redemption or repurchase proceeds in Class A shares of the Fund
at net asset value without any sales charge, provided that
(i) such reinvestment is made within 120 calendar days after the
redemption or repurchase date, and (ii) for Class B shares, a
contingent deferred sales charge has been paid and the Principal
Underwriter has approved, at its discretion, the reinvestment of
such shares. Shares are sold to a reinvesting shareholder at the
net asset value next determined as described above. A
reinstatement pursuant to this privilege will not cancel the
redemption or repurchase transaction; therefore, any gain or loss
so realized will be recognized for Federal income tax purposes
except that no loss will be recognized to the extent that the
proceeds are reinvested in shares of the Fund within 30 calendar
days after the redemption or repurchase transaction. Investors
may exercise the reinstatement privilege by written request sent
to the Fund at the address shown on the cover of this Statement
of Additional Information.
SALES AT NET ASSET VALUE. The Fund may sell its Class A
shares at net asset value (i.e., without an initial sales charge)
and without a contingent deferred sales charge to certain
categories of investors including: (i) investment management
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clients of the Adviser or its affiliates; (ii) officers and
present or former Directors of the Fund; present or former
directors and trustees of other investment companies managed by
the Adviser; present or retired full-time employees of the
Adviser, the Principal Underwriter, Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
and their affiliates; officers and directors of ACMC, the
Principal Underwriter, Alliance Fund Services, Inc. and their
affiliates; officers, directors and present and full-time
employees of selected dealers or agents; or the spouse, sibling,
direct ancestor or direct descendant (collectively "relatives")
of any such person; or any trust, individual retirement account
or retirement plan account for the benefit of any such person or
relative; or the estate of any such person or relative, if such
shares are purchased for investment purposes (such shares may not
be resold except to the Fund); (iii) the Adviser, the Principal
Underwriter; Alliance Fund Services, Inc. and their affiliates;
and certain employee benefit plans for employees of the Adviser,
the Principal Underwriter, Alliance Fund Services, Inc. and their
affiliates; (iv) registered investment advisers or other
financial intermediaries who charge a management, consulting or
other fee for their services and who purchase shares through a
broker or agent approved by the Principal Underwriter and clients
of such registered investment advisers or financial
intermediaries whose accounts are linked to the master account of
such investment adviser or financial intermediary on the books of
such approved broker or agent; (v) persons participating in a
fee-based program, sponsored and maintained by a registered
broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and approved by the
Principal Underwriter, pursuant to which such persons pay an
asset-based fee to such broker-dealer or financial intermediary,
or its affiliates or agents, for services in the nature of
investment 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.
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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
Class B shares are paid to the Principal Underwriter and are used
by the Principal Underwriter to defray the expenses of the
Principal Underwriter related to providing distribution-related
services to the Fund in connection with the sale of the Class B
shares, such as the payment of compensation to selected dealers
and agents for selling Class B shares. The combination of the
contingent deferred sales charge and the distribution services
fee enables the Fund to sell the Class B shares without a sales
charge being deducted at the time of purchase. The higher
distribution services fee incurred by Class B shares will cause
such shares to have a higher expense ratio and to pay lower
dividends than those related to Class A shares.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE. Class B shares that
are redeemed within three years of purchase will be subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge at the rates set forth below
charged as a percentage of the dollar amount subject thereto.
The charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of
the cost of the shares being redeemed or their net asset value at
the time of redemption. Accordingly, no sales charge will be
imposed on increases in net asset value above the initial
purchase price. In addition, no charge will be assessed on
shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions.
To illustrate, assume that an investor purchased 100
Class B shares at $10 per share (at a cost of $1,000) and in the
second year after purchase, the net asset value per share is $12
and, during such time, the investor has acquired 10 additional
Class B shares upon dividend reinvestment. If at such time the
investor makes his or her first redemption of 50 Class B shares
(proceeds of $600), 10 Class B shares will not be subject to
charge because of dividend reinvestment. With respect to the
remaining 40 Class B shares, the charge is applied only to the
original cost of $10 per share and not to the increase in net
asset value of $2 per share. Therefore, $400 of the $600
redemption proceeds will be charged at a rate of 2.0% (the
applicable rate in the second year after purchase, as set forth
below).
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The amount of the contingent deferred sales charge, if
any, will vary depending on the number of years from the time of
payment for the purchase of Class B shares until the time of
redemption of such shares.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge as a
Year Since Purchase % of Dollar Amount Subject to Charge
First 3%
Second 2%
Third 1%
Fourth and thereafter None
In determining the contingent deferred sales charge
applicable to a redemption of Class B shares, it will be assumed
that the redemption is, first, of any shares that were acquired
upon the reinvestment of dividends or distributions and, second,
of shares held longest during the time they are subject to the
sales charge. When shares acquired in an exchange are redeemed,
the applicable contingent deferred sales charge and conversion
schedules will be the schedules that applied at the time of the
purchase of shares of the corresponding class of the Alliance
Mutual Fund originally purchased by the shareholder.
The contingent deferred sales charge is waived on
redemptions of shares (i) following the death or disability, as
defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), of a shareholder, (ii) to the extent that the redemption
represents a minimum required distribution from an individual
retirement account or other retirement plan to a shareholder who
has attained the age of 70-1/2, (iii) that had been purchased by
present or former Directors of the Fund, by the relative of any
such person, by any trust, individual retirement account or
retirement plan account for the benefit of any such person or
relative, or by the estate of any such person or relative, or
(iv) pursuant to a systematic withdrawal plan (see "Shareholder
Services--Systematic Withdrawal Plan" below).
CONVERSION FEATURE. Six years after the end of the
calendar month in which the shareholder's purchase order was
accepted, Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A
shares and will no longer be subject to a higher distribution
services fee. Such conversion will occur on the basis of the
relative net asset values of the two classes, without the
imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge. The purpose
of the conversion feature is to reduce the distribution services
fee paid by holders of Class B shares that have been outstanding
long enough for the Principal Underwriter to have been
compensated for distribution expenses incurred in the sale of
such shares.
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For purposes of conversion to Class A, Class B shares
purchased through the reinvestment of dividends and distributions
paid in respect of Class B shares in a shareholder's account will
be considered to be held in a separate sub-account. Each time
any Class B shares in the shareholder's account (other than those
in the sub-account) convert to Class A, an equal pro-rata portion
of the Class B shares in the sub-account will also convert to
Class A.
The conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares is
subject to the continuing availability of an opinion of counsel
to the effect that the conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares does not constitute a taxable event under federal income
tax law. The conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares may
be suspended if such an opinion is no longer available at the
time such conversion is to occur. In that event, no further
conversions of Class B shares would occur, and shares might
continue to be subject to the higher distribution services fee
for an indefinite period which may extend beyond the period
ending six years after the end of the calendar month in which the
shareholder's purchase order was accepted.
CLASS C SHARES
Investors may purchase Class C shares at the public
offering price equal to the net asset value per share of the
Class C shares on the date of purchase without the imposition of
a sales charge either at the time of purchase or, as long as the
shares are held for one year or more, upon redemption. Class C
shares are sold without an initial sales charge so that the Fund
will receive the full amount of the investor's purchase payment
and, as long as the shares are held for one year or more, without
a contingent deferred sales charge so that the investor will
receive as proceeds upon redemption the entire net asset value of
his or her Class C shares. The Class C distribution services fee
enables the Fund to sell Class C shares without either an initial
or contingent deferred sales charge, as long as the shares are
held for one year or more. Class C shares do not convert to any
other class of shares of the Fund and incur higher distribution
services fees and transfer agency costs than Class A 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
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purchase price. In addition, no charge will be assessed on
shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions. The contingent deferred sales charge on Class C
shares will be waived on certain redemptions, as described above
under "--Class B Shares." In determining the contingent deferred
sales charge applicable to a redemption of Class C shares, it
will be assumed that the redemption is, first, of any shares that
are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (for
example, because the shares have been held beyond the period
during which the charge applies or were acquired upon the
reinvestment of dividends or distributions) and, second, of
shares held longest during the time they are subject to the sales
charge.
Proceeds from the contingent deferred sales charge are
paid to the Principal Underwriter and are used by the Principal
Underwriter to defray the expenses of the Principal Underwriter
related to providing distribution-related services to the Fund in
connection with the sale of the Class C shares, such as the
payment of compensation to selected dealers and agents for
selling Class C shares. The combination of the contingent
deferred sales charge and the distribution services fee enables
the Fund to sell the Class C shares without a sales charge being
deducted at the time of purchase. The higher distribution
services fee incurred by Class C shares will cause such shares to
have a higher expense ratio and to pay lower dividends than those
related to Class A shares and Advisor Class shares.
Conversion of Advisor Class Shares to Class A Shares
Advisor Class shares may be held solely through the fee-
based program accounts, employee benefit plans and registered
investment advisory or other financial intermediary relationships
described above under "Purchase of Shares--General," and by
investment advisory clients of, and by certain other persons
associated with, the Adviser and its affiliates or the Fund. If
(i) a holder of Advisor Class shares ceases to participate in the
fee-based program or plan, 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 and
without notice to the shareholder, other than the notice
contained in the Advisor Class Prospectus and this Statement of
Additional Information, to Class A shares of the Fund during the
calendar month following the month in which the Fund is informed
of the occurrence of the Conversion Event. The failure of a
shareholder of a fee-based program to satisfy the minimum
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<PAGE>
investment requirements to purchase Advisor Class shares will not
constitute a Conversion Event. The conversion would occur on the
basis of the relative net asset values of the two classes and
without the imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge.
Class A shares currently bear a .30% distribution services fee
and have a higher expense ratio than Advisor Class shares. As a
result, Class A shares may pay correspondingly lower dividends
and have a lower net asset value than Advisor Class shares.
The conversion of Advisor Class shares to Class A shares
is subject to the continuing availability of an opinion of
counsel to the effect that the conversion of Advisor Class shares
to Class A shares does not constitute a taxable event under
federal income tax law. The conversion of Advisor Class shares
to Class A shares may be suspended if such an opinion is no
longer available at the time such conversion is to occur. In
that event, the Advisor Class shareholder would be required to
redeem his Advisor Class shares, which would constitute a taxable
event under federal income tax law.
_________________________________________________________________
REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE OF SHARES
_________________________________________________________________
The following information supplements that set forth in
the Fund's Prospectus(es) 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's Articles of Incorporation require that the Fund redeem the
shares tendered to it, as described below, at a redemption price
equal to their net asset value as next computed following the
receipt of shares tendered for redemption in proper form. Except
for any contingent deferred sales charge which may be applicable
to Class A, Class B or Class C shares, there is no redemption
charge. Payment of the redemption price will be made within
seven days after the Fund's receipt of such tender for
redemption. If a shareholder is in doubt about what documents are
required by his or her fee-based program or employee benefit
plan, the shareholder should contact his or her financial
representative.
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The right of redemption may not be suspended or the date
of payment upon redemption postponed for more than seven days
after shares are tendered for redemption, except for any period
during which the Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend
and holiday closings) or during which the Commission determines
that trading thereon is restricted, or for any period during
which an emergency (as determined by the Commission) exists as a
result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is
not reasonably practicable or as a result of which it is not
reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value
of its net assets, or for such other periods as the Commission
may by order permit for the protection of security holders of the
Fund.
Payment of the redemption price will be made in cash.
The value of a shareholder's shares on redemption or repurchase
may be more or less than the cost of such shares to the
shareholder, depending upon the market value of the Fund's
portfolio securities at the time of such redemption or
repurchase. Redemption proceeds on Class A, Class B and Class C
shares will reflect the deduction of the contingent deferred
sales charge, if any. Payment received by a shareholder upon
redemption or repurchase of his shares, assuming the shares
constitute capital assets in his hands, will result in long-term
or short-term capital gains (or loss) depending upon the
shareholder's holding period and basis in respect of the shares
redeemed.
To redeem shares of the Fund for which no share
certificates have been issued, the registered owner or owners
should forward a letter to the Fund containing a request for
redemption. The signature or signatures on the letter must be
guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" as defined in
Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
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 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 Fund. The
signature or signatures on the assignment form must be guaranteed
in the manner described above.
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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 or, in the case of an existing shareholder, an
"Autosell" application obtained from Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
A telephone redemption request by electronic funds transfer may
not exceed $100,000 (except for certain omnibus accounts), and
must be made by 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on a Fund business day as
defined above. Proceeds of telephone redemptions will be sent by
electronic funds transfer to a shareholder's designated bank
account at a bank selected by the shareholder that is a member of
the NACHA.
TELEPHONE REDEMPTION BY CHECK. Each Fund shareholder is
eligible to request redemption by check of Fund shares for which
no 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 Alliance Fund Services, Inc., or by checking the
appropriate box on the Subscription Application found in the
Prospectus.
TELEPHONE REDEMPTION -- GENERAL. During periods of
drastic economic or market developments, such as the market break
of October 1987, it is possible that shareholders would have
difficulty in reaching Alliance Fund Services, Inc. by telephone
(although no such difficulty was apparent at any time in
connection with the 1987 market break). If a shareholder were to
experience such difficulty, the shareholder should issue written
instructions to Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the address shown
on the cover of this Statement of Additional Information. The
Fund reserves the right to suspend or terminate its telephone
redemption service at any time without notice. Telephone
redemption by check is not available with respect to shares
(i) for which certificates have been issued, (ii) held in nominee
or "street name" accounts, (iii) held by a shareholder who has
changed his or her address of record within the preceding 30
calendar days or (iv) held in any retirement plan account.
Neither the Fund, nor the Adviser, the Principal Underwriter or
Alliance Fund Services, Inc. will be responsible for the
authenticity of telephone requests for redemptions that the Fund
reasonably believes to be genuine. The Fund will employ
reasonable procedures in order to verify that telephone requests
for redemptions are genuine, including, among others, recording
such telephone instructions and causing written confirmations of
the resulting transactions to be sent to shareholders. If the
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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 Class A, Class B and Class C shares), except that
requests placed through selected dealers or agents before the
close of regular trading on the Exchange on any day will be
executed at the net asset value determined as of such close of
regular trading on that day if received by the Principal
Underwriter prior to its close of business on that day (normally
5:00 p.m. Eastern time). The financial intermediary or selected
dealer or agent is responsible for transmitting the request to
the Principal Underwriter by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time (certain
selected dealers, agents or financial representatives may enter
into operating agreements permitting them to transmit purchase
information to the Principal Underwriter after 5:00 p.m. Eastern
time and receive that day's 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
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<PAGE>
not be made available until the Fund is reasonably assured that
the check has cleared, normally up to 15 calendar days following
the purchase date.
_________________________________________________________________
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
_________________________________________________________________
The following information supplements that set forth in
the Fund's Prospectus(es) 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
"pre-authorized check" drawn on the investor's own bank account.
Under such a program, pre-authorized monthly drafts for a fixed
amount (at least $25) are used to purchase shares through the
selected dealer or selected agent designated by the investor at
the public offering price next determined after the Principal
Underwriter receives the proceeds from the investor's bank. In
electronic form, drafts can be made on or about a date each month
selected by the shareholder. Investors wishing to establish an
automatic investment program in connection with their initial
investment should complete the appropriate portion of the
Subscription Application found in the Prospectus. Current
shareholders should contact Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the
address or telephone numbers shown on the cover of this Statement
of Additional Information to establish an automatic investment
program.
Exchange Privilege
You may exchange your investment in the Fund for shares
of the same class of other Alliance Mutual Funds (including AFD
Exchange Reserves, a money market fund managed by 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, Alliance
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<PAGE>
Fund Services, Inc. and their affiliates may, on a tax-free
basis, exchange Class A shares of the Fund for Advisor Class
shares of the Fund. Exchanges of shares are made at the net
asset value next determined and without sales or service charges.
Exchanges may be made by telephone or written request. Telephone
exchange requests must be received by Alliance Fund Services,
Inc. by 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on a Fund business day in order to
receive that day's net asset value.
Shares will continue to age without regard to exchanges
for purpose of determining the CDSC, if any, upon redemption and,
in the case of Class B shares, for the purpose of conversion to
Class A shares. After an exchange, your Class B shares will
automatically convert to Class A shares in accordance with the
conversion schedule applicable to the Class B shares of the
Alliance Mutual Fund you originally purchased for cash ("original
shares"). When redemption occurs, the CDSC applicable to the
original shares is applied.
Please read carefully the prospectus of the mutual fund
into which you are exchanging before submitting the request.
Call Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at (800) 221-5672 to exchange
uncertificated shares. Except with respect to exchanges of
Class A shares of the Fund for Advisor Class shares of the Fund,
exchanges of shares as described above in this section are
taxable transactions for federal income tax purposes. The
exchange service may be changed, suspended, or terminated on 60
days' written notice.
All exchanges are subject to the minimum investment
requirements and any other applicable terms set forth in the
Prospectus for the Alliance Mutual Fund whose shares are being
acquired. An exchange is effected through the redemption of the
shares tendered for exchange and the purchase of shares being
acquired at their respective net asset values as next determined
following receipt by the Alliance Mutual Fund whose shares are
being exchanged if (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, are
authorized to make telephone requests for exchanges unless
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<PAGE>
Alliance Fund Services, Inc. receives written instruction to the
contrary from the shareholder, or the shareholder declines the
privilege by checking the appropriate box on the Subscription
Application found in the Prospectus. Such telephone requests
cannot be accepted with respect to shares then represented by
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 Alliance Fund Services, Inc. with their account
number and other details of the exchange, at (800) 221-5672
before 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on a Fund business day as defined
above. Telephone requests for exchanges received before
4:00 p.m. Eastern time on a Fund business day will be processed
as of the close of business on that day. During periods of
drastic economic or market developments, such as the market break
of October 1987, it is possible that shareholders would have
difficulty in reaching Alliance Fund Services, Inc. by telephone
(although no such difficulty was apparent at any time in
connection with the 1987 market break). If a shareholder were to
experience such difficulty, the shareholder should issue written
instructions to Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the address shown
on the cover of this Statement of Additional Information.
A shareholder may elect to initiate a monthly "Auto
Exchange" whereby a specified dollar amount's worth of his or her
Fund shares (minimum $25) is automatically exchanged for shares
of another Alliance Mutual Fund. Auto Exchange transactions
normally occur on the 12th day of each month or the Fund business
day prior thereto.
None of the Alliance Mutual Funds, the Adviser, the
Principal Underwriter or Alliance Fund Services, Inc. will be
responsible for the authenticity of telephone requests for
exchanges that the Fund reasonably believes to be genuine. The
Fund will employ reasonable procedures in order to verify that
telephone requests for exchanges are genuine, including, among
others, recording such telephone instructions and causing written
confirmations of the resulting transactions to be sent to
shareholders. If the Fund did not employ such procedures, it
could be liable for losses arising from unauthorized or
fraudulent telephone instructions. Selected dealers, agents or
financial representatives, as applicable, may charge a commission
for handling telephone requests for exchanges.
The exchange privilege is available only in states where
shares of the Alliance Mutual Funds being acquired may be legally
sold. Each Alliance Mutual Fund reserves the right, at any time
on 60 days' notice to its shareholders, to reject any order to
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<PAGE>
acquire its shares through exchange or otherwise to modify,
restrict or terminate the exchange privilege.
RETIREMENT PLANS
The Fund may be a suitable investment vehicle for part
or all of the assets held in various types of retirement plans,
such as those listed below. The Fund has available forms of such
plans pursuant to which investments can be made in the Fund and
other Alliance Mutual Funds. Persons desiring information
concerning these plans should contact Alliance Fund Services,
Inc. at the "For Literature" telephone number on the cover of
this Statement of Additional Information, or write to:
Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
Retirement Plans
P.O. Box 1520
Secaucus, New Jersey 07096-1520
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT ("IRA"). Individuals who
receive compensation, including earnings from self-employment,
are entitled to establish and make contributions to an IRA.
Taxation of the income and gains paid to an IRA by the Fund is
deferred until distribution from the IRA. An individual's
eligible contribution to an IRA will be deductible if neither the
individual nor his or her spouse is an active participant in an
employer-sponsored retirement plan. If the individual or his or
her spouse is an active participant in an employer-sponsored
retirement plan, the individual's contributions to an IRA may be
deductible, in whole or in part, depending on the amount of the
adjusted gross income of the individual and his or her spouse.
EMPLOYER-SPONSORED QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS. Sole
proprietors, partnerships and corporations may sponsor qualified
money purchase pension and profit-sharing plans, including
Section 401(k) plans ("qualified plans"), under which annual tax-
deductible contributions are made within prescribed limits based
on compensation paid to participating individuals. The minimum
initial investment requirement may be waived with respect to
certain of these qualified plans.
If the aggregate net asset value of shares of the
Alliance Mutual Funds held by a qualified plan reaches $1 million
on or before December 15 in any year, all Class B or Class C
shares of the Fund held by the plan can be exchanged at the
plan's request, without any sales charge, for Class A shares of
the Fund.
SIMPLIFIED EMPLOYEE PENSION PLAN ("SEP"). Sole
proprietors, partnerships and corporations may sponsor a SEP
under which they make annual tax-deductible contributions to an
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IRA established by each eligible employee within prescribed
limits based on employee compensation.
403(B)(7) RETIREMENT PLAN. Certain tax-exempt
organizations and public educational institutions may sponsor
retirement plans under which an employee may agree that monies
deducted from his or her compensation (minimum $25 per pay
period) may be contributed by the employer to a custodial account
established for the employee under the plan.
The Alliance Plans Division of Frontier Trust Company, a
subsidiary of Equitable, which serves as custodian or trustee
under the retirement plan prototype forms available from the
Fund, charges certain nominal fees for establishing an account
and for annual maintenance. A portion of these fees is remitted
to Alliance Fund Services, Inc. as compensation for its services
to the retirement plan accounts maintained with the Fund.
Distributions from retirement plans are subject to
certain Code requirements in addition to normal redemption
procedures. For additional information please contact Alliance
Fund Services, Inc.
DIVIDEND DIRECTION PLAN
A shareholder who already maintains, in addition to his
or her Class A, Class B, Class C or Advisor Class Fund account, a
Class A, Class B, Class C or Advisor Class account with one or
more other Alliance Mutual Funds may direct that income dividends
and/or capital gains paid on the shareholder's Class A, Class B,
Class C or Advisor Class Fund shares be automatically reinvested,
in any amount, without the payment of any sales or service
charges, in shares of the same class of such other Alliance
Mutual Fund(s). Further information can be obtained by
contacting Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the address or the
"For Literature" telephone number shown on the cover of this
Statement of Additional Information. Investors wishing to
establish a dividend direction plan in connection with their
initial investment should complete the appropriate section of the
Subscription Application found in the Prospectus. Current
shareholders should contact Alliance Fund Services, Inc. to
establish a dividend direction plan.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN
General. Any shareholder who owns or purchases shares
of the Fund having a current net asset value of at least $4,000
(for quarterly or less frequent payments), $5,000 (for bi-monthly
payments) or $10,000 (for monthly payments) may establish a
systematic withdrawal plan under which the shareholder will
periodically receive a payment in a stated amount of not less
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than $50 on a selected date. Systematic withdrawal plan
participants must elect to have their dividends and distributions
from the Fund automatically reinvested in additional shares of
the Fund.
Shares of the Fund owned by a participant in the Fund's
systematic withdrawal plan will be redeemed as necessary to meet
withdrawal payments and such payments will be subject to any
taxes applicable to redemptions and, except as discussed below,
any applicable contingent deferred sales charge. Shares acquired
with reinvested dividends and distributions will be liquidated
first to provide such withdrawal payments and thereafter other
shares will be liquidated to the extent necessary, and depending
upon the amount withdrawn, the investor's principal may be
depleted. A systematic withdrawal plan may be terminated at any
time by the shareholder or the Fund.
Withdrawal payments will not automatically end when a
shareholder's account reaches a certain minimum level.
Therefore, redemptions of shares under the plan may reduce or
even liquidate a shareholder's account and may subject the
shareholder to the Fund's involuntary redemption provisions. See
"Redemption and Repurchase of Shares--General." Purchases of
additional shares concurrently with withdrawals are undesirable
because of sales charges when purchases are made. While an
occasional lump-sum investment may be made by a holder of Class A
shares who is maintaining a systematic withdrawal plan, such
investment should normally be an amount equivalent to three times
the annual withdrawal or $5,000, whichever is less.
Payments under a systematic withdrawal plan may be made
by check or electronically via the Automated Clearing House
("ACH") network. Investors wishing to establish a systematic
withdrawal plan in conjunction with their initial investment in
shares of the Fund should complete the appropriate portion of the
Subscription Application found in the Prospectus, while current
Fund shareholders desiring to do so can obtain an application
form by contacting Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the address or
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
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distributions) will be redeemed first and will count toward the
foregoing limitations. Remaining Class B shares that are held
the longest will be redeemed next. Redemptions of Class B shares
in excess of the foregoing limitations will be subject to any
otherwise applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
With respect to Class C shares, shares held the longest
will be redeemed first and will count toward the foregoing
limitations. Redemptions in excess of those limitations will be
subject to any otherwise applicable contingent deferred sales
charge.
STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
Each shareholder of the Fund receives semi-annual and
annual reports which include a portfolio of investments,
financial statements and, in the case of the annual report, the
report of the Fund's independent auditors, Ernst & Young LLP, as
well as a confirmation of each purchase and redemption. By
contacting his or her broker or Alliance Fund Services, Inc., a
shareholder can arrange for copies of his or her account
statements to be sent to another person.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES APPLICABLE TO
CLASS A AND CLASS C SHAREHOLDERS ONLY
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 the shareholder's 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.
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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 in the shareholder's account to cover the
check. Because the level of net assets in a shareholder's
account constantly changes, due, among various factors, to market
fluctuations, a shareholder should not attempt to close his or
her account by use of a check. In this regard, the Bank has the
right to return checks (marked "insufficient funds") unpaid to
the presenting bank if the amount of the check exceeds 90% of the
assets in the account. Canceled (paid) checks are returned to
the shareholder. The checkwriting service enables the
shareholder to receive the daily dividends declared on the shares
to be redeemed until the day that the check is presented to the
Bank for payment.
_________________________________________________________________
NET ASSET VALUE
_________________________________________________________________
The per share net asset value is computed in
accordance with the Fund's Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws
at the next close of regular trading on the Exchange (ordinarily
4:00 p.m. Eastern time) following receipt of a purchase or
redemption order by the Fund on each Fund business day on which
such an order is received and on such other days as the Board of
Directors of the Fund 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 Directors.
The Board of Directors has delegated to the Adviser certain of
the Boards duties with respect to the following procedures.
Readily marketable securities listed on the Exchange or on a
foreign securities exchange (other than foreign securities
exchanges whose operations are similar to those of the United
States over-the-counter market) are valued, except as indicated
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 quoted bid prices on such day. If no bid prices are
quoted on such day, then the security is valued at the mean of
the bid and asked prices at the close of the Exchange on such day
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as obtained from one or more dealers regularly making a market in
such security. Where a bid and asked price can be obtained from
only one such dealer, such security is valued at the mean of the
bid and asked price obtained from such dealer unless it is
determined that such price does not represent current market
value, in which case the security shall be valued in good faith
at fair value by, or pursuant to procedures established by, the
Board of Directors. Securities for which no bid and asked price
quotations are readily available are valued in good faith at fair
value by, or in accordance with procedures established by, the
Board of Directors. Readily marketable securities not listed on
the Exchange or on a foreign securities exchange are valued in
like manner. Portfolio securities traded on the Exchange and on
one or more other 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 only in the over-
the-counter market, securities listed on a foreign securities
exchange whose operations are similar to those of the United
States over-the-counter market, and debt securities listed on a
U.S. national securities exchange whose primary market is
believed to be over-the-counter, are valued at the mean of the
bid and asked prices at the close of the Exchange on such day as
obtained from two or more dealers regularly making a market in
such security. Where a bid and asked price can be obtained from
only one such dealer, such security is valued at the mean of the
bid and asked price obtained from such dealer unless it is
determined that such price does not represent current market
value, in which case the security shall be valued in good faith
at fair value by, or in accordance with procedures established
by, the Board of Directors.
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.
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 valuations, the last
available closing settlement price will be used.
U.S. Government Securities and other debt instruments
having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at
amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less, or
by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to
maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days
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(unless in either case the Board of Directors determines that
this method does not represent fair value).
Fixed-income securities may be valued on the basis of
prices provided by a pricing service when such prices are
believed to reflect the fair market value of such securities.
The prices provided by a 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 Directors.
Trading in securities on Far Eastern and European
securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets is normally
completed well before the close of business of each Fund business
day. In addition, trading in foreign markets may not take place
on all Fund business days. Furthermore, trading may take place
in various foreign markets on days that are not Fund business
days. The Funds 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 Directors.
The Board of Directors may suspend the determination of
the Funds net asset value (and the offering and sales of shares),
subject to the rules of the Commission and other governmental
rules and regulations, at a time when: (1) the Exchange is
closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings, (2) an
emergency exists as a result of which it is not reasonably
practicable for the Fund to dispose of securities owned by it or
to determine fairly the value of its net assets, or (3) for the
protection of shareholders, the Commission by order permits a
suspension of the right of redemption or a postponement of the
date of payment on redemption.
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For purposes of determining the Funds net asset value
per share, all assets and liabilities initially expressed in a
foreign currency will be converted into U.S. Dollars at the mean
of the current bid and asked prices of such currency against the
U.S. Dollar last quoted by a major bank that is a regular
participant in the relevant foreign exchange market or on the
basis of a pricing service that takes into account the quotes
provided by a number of such major banks. If such quotations are
not available as of the close of the Exchange, the rate of
exchange will be determined in good faith by, or under the
direction of, the Board of Directors.
The assets attributable to the Class A shares, Class B
shares, Class C shares and Advisor Class shares will be invested
together in a single portfolio. The net asset value of each
class will be determined separately by subtracting the
liabilities allocated to that class from the assets belonging to
that class in conformance with the provisions of a plan adopted
by the Fund in accordance with Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act.
_________________________________________________________________
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
_________________________________________________________________
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
The Fund intends for each taxable year to qualify to be
taxed as a "regulated investment company" under the Code. So
long as the Fund distributes 90% of its income, qualification as
a regulated investment company relieves the Fund of Federal
income tax liability on the part of its net ordinary income and
net realized capital gains which it pays out to its shareholders.
Such qualification does not, of course, involve governmental
supervision of management or investment practices or policies.
Investors should consult their own counsel for a complete
understanding of the requirements the Fund must meet to qualify
for such treatment. The information set forth in the Prospectus
and the following discussion relate solely to the U.S. 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, including their possible entitlement to foreign tax
credits that might be "passed through" to them under the rules
described below, and the application of state and local tax laws
to his or her particular situation.
In order to qualify as a regulated investment company
for any taxable year, the Fund must, among other things,
(i) derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends,
interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans and
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gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or
foreign currency, or certain other income (including, but not
limited to, gains from options, futures and forward contracts)
derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock,
securities or currency; and (ii) diversify its holdings so that,
at the end of each quarter of its taxable year, the following two
conditions are met: (a) at least 50% of the value of the Fund's
assets is represented by cash, cash items, U.S. Government
Securities, securities of other regulated investment companies
and other securities with respect to which the Fund's investment
is limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not
greater than 5% of the Fund's total assets and 10% of the
outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (b) not more
than 25% of the value of the Fund's assets is invested in
securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government
Securities or securities of other regulated investment
companies).
The Fund intends to declare and distribute dividends in
the amounts and at the times necessary to avoid the application
of the 4% Federal excise tax imposed on certain undistributed
income of regulated investment companies. The Fund will be
required to pay the 4% excise tax to the extent it does not
distribute to its shareholders during any calendar year an amount
equal to at least the sum of 98% of its ordinary taxable income
for the calendar year plus 98% of its capital gain net income and
foreign currency gains for the twelve months ended October 31 of
such year plus any ordinary income or capital gain net income
from the preceding calendar year that was not distributed during
such year. Certain distributions of the Fund which are paid in
January of a given year but are declared in the prior October,
November or December to shareholders of record as of a specified
date during such a month may be treated as having been
distributed in December and will be taxable to shareholders as if
received in December.
Dividends of net ordinary income and distributions of
any net realized short-term capital gain are taxable to
shareholders as ordinary income. Since the Fund expects to
derive substantially all of its gross income (exclusive of
capital gains) from sources other than dividends, it is expected
that none of the Fund's dividends or distributions will qualify
for the dividends-received deduction for corporations.
Distributions of net capital gain (i.e., the excess of
net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) are
taxable as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long a
shareholder has held shares in the Fund. Any dividend or
distribution received by a shareholder on shares of the Fund will
have the effect of reducing the net asset value of such shares by
the amount of such dividend or distribution. Furthermore, a
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dividend or distribution made shortly after the purchase of such
shares by a shareholder, although in effect a return of capital
to that particular shareholder, would be taxable to him or her as
described above. If a shareholder has held shares in the Fund
for six months or less and during that period has received a
distribution of net capital gain, any loss recognized by the
shareholder on the sale of those shares during the six-month
period will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent
of the distribution.
A dividend or capital gains distribution with respect to
shares of the Fund held by a tax-deferred or qualified plan, such
as an individual retirement account, 403(b)(7) retirement plan or
corporate pension or profit-sharing plan, generally will not be
taxable to the plan. Distributions from such plans will be
taxable to individual participants under applicable tax rules
without regard to the character of the income earned by the
qualified plan.
Dividends and distributions are taxable in the manner
discussed regardless of whether they are paid to the shareholder
in cash or are reinvested in additional shares of the Fund's
Common Stock.
The Fund may be required to withhold federal income tax
at the rate of 31% of all taxable distributions payable to
shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct
taxpayer identification numbers or to make required
certifications, or who have been notified by the Internal Revenue
Service that they are subject to backup withholding. Corporate
shareholders and certain other shareholders specified in the Code
are exempt from such backup withholding. Backup withholding is
not an additional tax; any amounts so withheld may be credited
against a shareholder's federal income tax liability or refunded.
FOREIGN INCOME TAXES
Income received by the Fund may also be subject to
foreign income taxes, including withholding taxes. The United
States has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries
which entitle the Fund to a reduced rate of such taxes or
exemption from taxes on such income. It is impossible to
determine the effective rate of foreign tax in advance since the
amount of the Fund's assets to be invested within various
countries is not known. If more than 50% of the value of the
Fund's total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of
stocks or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund will be
eligible and intends to file an election with the Internal
Revenue Service to pass through to its shareholders the amount of
foreign taxes paid by the Fund. However, there can be no
assurance that the Fund will be able to do so. Pursuant to this
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election a shareholder will be required to (i) include in gross
income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) his
pro rata share of foreign taxes paid by the Fund, (ii) treat his
pro rata share of such foreign taxes as having been paid by him,
and (iii) either deduct such pro rata share of foreign taxes in
computing his taxable income or treat such foreign taxes as a
credit against United States federal income taxes. Shareholders
who are not liable for federal income taxes, such as retirement
plans qualified under section 401 of the Code, will not be
affected by any such pass through of taxes by the Fund. No
deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed by an individual
shareholder who does not itemize deductions. In addition,
certain shareholders may be subject to rules which limit or
reduce their ability to fully deduct, or claim a credit for,
their pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund. A
shareholder's foreign tax credit with respect to a dividend
received from the Fund will be disallowed unless the shareholder
holds shares in the Fund on the ex-dividend date and for at least
15 other days during the 30-day period beginning 15 days prior to
the ex-dividend date. Each shareholder will be notified within
60 days after the close of the Fund's taxable year whether the
foreign taxes paid by the Fund will pass through for that year
and, if so, such notification will designate (i) the
shareholder's portion of the foreign taxes paid to each such
country and (ii) the portion of dividends that represents income
derived from sources within each such country.
The federal income tax status of each year's
distributions by the Fund will be reported to shareholders and to
the Internal Revenue Service. The foregoing is only a general
description of the treatment of foreign taxes under the United
States federal income tax laws. Because the availability of a
foreign tax credit or deduction will depend on the particular
circumstances of each shareholder, potential investors are
advised to consult their own tax advisers.
CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS--"SECTION 988" GAINS OR LOSSES
Under the Code, gains or losses attributable to
fluctuations in exchange rates which occur between the time the
Fund accrues interest or other receivables or accrues expenses or
other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time
the Fund actually collects such receivables or pays such
liabilities are treated as ordinary income or ordinary loss.
Similarly, gains or losses from the disposition of foreign
currencies, from the disposition of debt securities denominated
in a foreign currency, or from the disposition of a forward
contract denominated in a foreign currency which are attributable
to fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency between the
date of acquisition of the asset and the date of disposition also
are treated as ordinary gain or loss. These gains or losses,
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referred to under the Code as "section 988" gains or losses,
increase or decrease the amount of the Fund's investment company
taxable income available to be distributed to its shareholders as
ordinary income, rather than increasing or decreasing the amount
of the Fund's net capital gain. Because section 988 losses
reduce the amount of ordinary dividends the Fund will be allowed
to distribute for a taxable year, such section 988 losses may
result in all or a portion of prior dividend distributions for
such year being recharacterized as a non-taxable return of
capital to shareholders, rather than as an ordinary dividend,
reducing each shareholder's basis in his Fund shares. To the
extent that such distributions exceed such shareholder's basis,
each distribution will be treated as a gain from the sale of
shares.
OPTIONS, FUTURES AND FORWARD CONTRACTS
Certain listed options, regulated futures contracts, and
forward foreign currency contracts are considered "section 1256
contracts" for federal income tax purposes. Section 1256
contracts held by the Fund at the end of each taxable year will
be "marked to market" and treated for federal income tax purposes
as though sold for fair market value on the last business day of
such taxable year, although the Fund may elect to have the gain
or loss it realizes on certain contracts taxed as "section 988"
gain or loss. Gain or loss realized by the Fund on section 1256
contracts other than forward foreign currency contracts generally
will be considered 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gain
or loss. Gain or loss realized by the Fund on forward foreign
currency contracts will be treated as section 988 gain or loss
and will therefore be characterized as ordinary income or loss
and will increase or decrease the amount of the Fund's net
investment income available to be distributed to shareholders as
ordinary income, as described above. The Fund can elect to
exempt its section 1256 contracts which are part of a "mixed
straddle" (as described below) from the application of section
1256.
The Treasury Department has the authority to issue
regulations that would permit or require the Fund either to
integrate a foreign currency hedging transaction with the
investment that is hedged and treat the two as a single
transaction, or otherwise to treat the hedging transaction in a
manner that is consistent with the hedged investment. The
regulations issued under this authority generally should not
apply to the type of hedging transactions in which the Fund
intends to engage.
With respect to equity options or options traded over-
the-counter or on certain foreign exchanges, gain or loss
realized by the Fund upon the lapse or sale of such options held
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by the Fund will be either long-term or short-term capital gain
or loss depending upon the Fund's holding period with respect to
such option. However, gain or loss realized upon the lapse or
closing out of such options that are written by the Fund will be
treated as short-term capital gain or loss. In general, if the
Fund exercises an option, or an option that the Fund has written
is exercised, gain or loss on the option will not be separately
recognized but the premium received or paid will be included in
the calculation of gain or loss upon disposition of the property
underlying the option.
Gain or loss realized by the Fund on the lapse or sale
of put and call options on foreign currencies which are traded
over-the-counter or on certain foreign exchanges will be treated
as section 988 gain or loss and will therefore be characterized
as ordinary income or loss and will increase or decrease the
amount of the Fund's net investment income available to be
distributed to shareholders as ordinary income, as described
above. The amount of such gain or loss shall be determined by
subtracting the amount paid, if any, for or with respect to the
option (including any amount paid by the Fund upon termination of
an option written by the Fund) from the amount received, if any,
for or with respect to the option (including any amount received
by the Fund upon termination of an option held by the Fund). In
general, if the Fund exercises such an option on a foreign
currency, or such an option that the Fund has written is
exercised, gain or loss on the option will be recognized in the
same manner as if the Fund had sold the option (or paid another
person to assume the Fund's obligation to make delivery under the
option) on the date on which the option is exercised, for the
fair market value of the option. The foregoing rules will also
apply to other put and call options which have as their
underlying property foreign currency and which are traded over-
the-counter or on certain foreign exchanges to the extent gain or
loss with respect to such options is attributable to fluctuations
in foreign currency exchange rates.
TAX STRADDLES
Any option, futures contract, currency swap, forward
foreign currency contract, or other position entered into or held
by the Fund in conjunction with any other position held by the
Fund may constitute a "straddle" for federal income tax purposes.
A straddle of which at least one, but not all, the positions are
section 1256 contracts may constitute a "mixed straddle." In
general, straddles are subject to certain rules that may affect
the character and timing of the Fund's gains and losses with
respect to straddle positions by requiring, among other things,
that (i) loss realized on disposition of one position of a
straddle not be recognized to the extent that the Fund has
unrealized gains with respect to the other position in such
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straddle; (ii) the Fund's holding period in straddle positions be
suspended while the straddle exists (possibly resulting in gain
being treated as short-term capital gain rather than long-term
capital gain); (iii) losses recognized with respect to certain
straddle positions which are part of a mixed straddle and which
are non-section 1256 positions be treated as 60% long-term and
40% short-term capital loss; (iv) losses recognized with respect
to certain straddle positions which would otherwise constitute
short-term capital losses be treated as long-term capital losses;
and (v) the deduction of interest and carrying charges
attributable to certain straddle positions may be deferred. The
Treasury Department is authorized to issue regulations providing
for the proper treatment of a mixed straddle where at least one
position is ordinary and at least one position is capital. No
such regulations have yet been issued. Various elections are
available to the Fund which may mitigate the effects of the
straddle rules, particularly with respect to mixed straddles. In
general, the straddle rules described above do not apply to any
straddles held by the Fund all of the offsetting positions of
which consist of section 1256 contracts.
TAXATION OF FOREIGN STOCKHOLDERS
The foregoing discussion relates only to U.S. Federal
income tax law as it affects shareholders who are U.S. residents
or U.S. corporations. The effects of Federal income tax law on
shareholders who are non-resident aliens or foreign corporations
may be substantially different. Foreign investors should consult
their counsel for further information as to the U.S. tax
consequences of receipt of income from the Fund.
_________________________________________________________________
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
_________________________________________________________________
Subject to the general supervision of the Board of
Directors of the Fund, 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 underwriters; transactions
with dealers normally reflect the spread between bid and asked
prices. Premiums are paid with respect to options purchased by
the Fund and brokerage commissions are payable with respect to
transactions in exchange-traded futures contracts.
70
<PAGE>
The Fund has no obligation to enter into transactions in
portfolio securities with any 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
dealer, the Adviser may, in its discretion, purchase and sell
securities through 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. The supplemental information received
from a dealer is in addition to the services required to be
performed by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, and the
expenses of the Adviser will not necessarily be reduced as a
result of the receipt of such information. Portfolio securities
will not be purchased from or sold to Donaldson, Lufkin &
Jenrette Securities Corporation ("DLJ"), an affiliate of the
Adviser, or any other subsidiary or affiliate of Equitable.
Consistent with the Conduct Rules of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., and subject to seeking
best price and execution, the Fund may consider sales of its
shares as a factor in the selection of dealers to enter into
portfolio transactions with the Fund.
_________________________________________________________________
GENERAL INFORMATION
_________________________________________________________________
CAPITALIZATION
The Fund is a Maryland Corporation organized in 1991.
The authorized capital stock of the Fund currently consists of
3,000,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, $.001 par value,
3,000,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, $.001 par value,
3,000,000,000 shares of Class C Common Stock, $.001 par value and
3,000,000,000 shares of Advisor Class Common Stock, $.001 par
value. All shares of the Fund, when issued, are fully paid and
non-assessable. Any issuance of shares of another series would
be governed by the 1940 Act and the law of the State of Maryland.
A shareholder will be entitled to share pro rata with
other holders of the same class of shares all dividends and
distributions arising from the Fund's assets and, upon redeeming
shares, will receive the then current net asset value of the Fund
represented by the redeemed shares less any applicable CDSC. The
Fund is empowered to establish, without shareholder approval,
additional portfolios, which may have different investment
objectives and policies than those of the Fund, and additional
classes of shares within the Fund. If an additional portfolio or
71
<PAGE>
class were established in the Fund, each share of the portfolio
or class would normally be entitled to one vote for all purposes.
Generally, shares of each portfolio and class would vote together
as a single class on matters, such as the election of Directors,
that affect each portfolio and class in substantially the same
manner. As to matters affecting each portfolio differently, such
as approval of the Advisory Agreement and changes in investment
policy, shares of each portfolio would vote as separate series.
Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the Fund have identical
voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights, except that each
class bears its own distribution and transfer agency expenses.
Each class of shares of the Fund votes separately with respect to
the Fund's Rule 12b-1 distribution plan and other matters for
which separate class voting is appropriate under applicable law.
Shares are freely transferable, are entitled to dividends as
determined by the Directors and, in liquidation of a Fund, are
entitled to receive the net assets of the Fund. Certain
additional matters relating to the Fund's organization are
discussed in this Statement of Additional Information.
It is anticipated that annual shareholder meetings will
not be held; shareholder meetings will be held only when required
by federal or state law. Shareholders have available certain
procedures for the removal of Directors.
Procedures for calling a shareholders meeting for the
removal of Directors of the Fund, similar to those set forth in
Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act, are available to shareholders of
the Fund. Meetings of shareholders may be called by 10% of the
Fund's outstanding shareholders. The rights of the holders of
shares of a series may not be modified except by the vote of a
majority of the outstanding shares of such series.
As of the close of business on February 1, 1999, there
were 77,376,427 shares of common stock of the Fund outstanding,
including 70,940,761 Class A shares, 3,398,189 Class B shares,
3,037,477 Class C shares and no Advisor Class shares. To the
knowledge of the Fund, the following persons owned of record or
beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund as
of February 1, 1999.
72
<PAGE>
No. of Shares
Name and Address of Class % of Class
Class A Shares
MLPF&S
For the Sole Benefit of
Its Customers
Attn: Fund Admin (977L4)
4800 Deer Lake Dr. East 2nd Fl.
Jacksonville, FL 32246 16,574,171 23.36%
Class B Shares
MLPF&S For the Sole Benefit
of Its Customers
Attn: Fund Admin (977L5)
4800 Deer Lake Dr. East 2nd Fl.
Jacksonville, FL 32246 656,761 19.33%
Class C Shares
Donaldson Lufkin Jenrette
Securities Corporation Inc.
P.O. Box 2052
Jersey City, NJ 07303-2052 380,901 12.54%
CUSTODIAN
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., 40 Water Street, Boston,
Massachusetts, 02109 will act as custodian for the assets of the
Fund, but plays no part in deciding on the purchase or sale of
portfolio securities. Subject to the supervision of the Fund's
Directors, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. may enter into sub-
custodial agreements for the holding of the Fund's foreign
securities.
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc., an indirect wholly-
owned subsidiary of the Adviser, located at 1345 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, New York 10105, the principal underwriter of
shares of the Fund, and as such may solicit orders from the
public to purchase shares of the Fund. Under the Distribution
Services Agreement, the Fund has agreed to indemnify the
Principal Underwriter, in the absence of its willful misfeasance,
bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its
obligations thereunder, against certain civil liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act.
73
<PAGE>
COUNSEL
Legal matters in connection with the issuance of the
shares of Common Stock offered hereby are passed upon by Seward &
Kissel LLP, New York, New York. Seward & Kissel LLP has relied
upon the opinion of Venable, Baetjer and Howard, LLP, Baltimore,
Maryland, for matters relating to Maryland law.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Ernst & Young LLP, New York, New York, has been
appointed as independent auditors for the Fund.
YIELD AND TOTAL RETURN 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 Commission 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 Commission. The Fund's total return
for each such period is computed by finding, through the use of a
formula prescribed by the Commission, the average annual
compounded rate of return over the period that would equate an
assumed initial amount invested to the value of the investment at
the end of the period. For 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
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
74
<PAGE>
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 March 1, 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 Fund's yields for the month ended October 31, 1998
were 4.14%, 3.56% and 3.38% for Class A shares, Class B shares
and Class C shares, respectively. The Fund's actual distribution
rates for the month ended October 31, 1998 were 9.63%, 9.08% and
9.11% for Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares,
respectively. The Fund's total return for the one year ended
October 31, 1998 was 6.90%, 6.24% and 6.10% for Class A, Class B
and Class C shares, respectively.
The Fund's average total return is computed separately
for Class A, Class B and Class C. The average annual total
return based on net asset value for each class of shares for the
one-, five- and ten-year periods ended October 31, 1998 (or since
inception through that date, as noted) was as follows:
12 Months
Ended 5 Years Ended 10 Years Ended
10/31/98 10/31/98 10/31/98
Class A 6.90% 4.08% 4.04%*
Class B 6.24% 3.25% 3.38%*
Class C 6.10% 3.24% 3.94%*
* Inception Dates: Class A - May 29, 1991
Class B - May 29, 1991
Class C - May 3, 1993
75
<PAGE>
Yield and total return are computed separately for each
class of shares. Yield and total return are not fixed and will
fluctuate in response to prevailing market conditions or as a
function of the type, and quality of the securities in the Fund's
portfolio, the Fund's average portfolio maturity and its
expenses. Quotations of yield and total return do not include
any provision for the effect of individual income taxes. An
investor's principal invested in the Fund is not fixed and will
fluctuate in response to prevailing market conditions. The Fund
may advertise the fluctuation of its net asset value over certain
time periods and compare its performance to that available from
other investments, including money market funds and certificates
of deposit, the later of which, unlike the Fund, are insured and
have fixed rates of return.
Advertisements quoting performance rankings of the Fund
as measured by financial publications or by independent
organizations such as Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. and
Morningstar, Inc. (or compare the Fund's performance to various
indicies), and advertisements presenting the historical record of
payments of income dividends by the Fund may also from time to
time be sent to investors or placed in newspapers and magazines
such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Barrons,
Investor's Daily, Money Magazine, Changing Times, Business Week
and Forbes or other media on behalf of the Fund. The Fund is
ranked by Lipper in the category known as "Short World Multi-
Market Income Funds."
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Any shareholder inquiries may be directed to the
shareholder's broker or to Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the
address or telephone numbers shown on the front cover of this
Statement of Additional Information. This Statement of
Additional Information does not contain all the information set
forth in the Registration Statement filed by the Fund with the
Commission. Copies of the Registration Statement may be obtained
at a reasonable charge from the Commission or may be examined,
without charge, at the offices of the Commission in Washington,
D.C.
76
<PAGE>
____________________________________________________________
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
___________________________________________________________
77
<PAGE>
ALLIANCE
----------------------
MULTI-MARKET
----------------------
STRATEGY
----------------------
TRUST
----------------------
Annual Report
October 31, 1998
Alliance Capital [LOGO](R)
<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
October 31, 1998 Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust
================================================================================
Principal
Amount
(000) U.S. $ Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------
AUSTRALIA-7.7%
DEBT OBLIGATIONS-7.7%
Deutsche Bank AG
6.00%, 7/05/00 (a)....... AU$ 8,000 $ 5,092,036
State Bank of South Wales
8.63%, 8/20/01 (a)....... 6,000 4,104,141
-------------
Total Australian Securities
(cost $10,486,171)....... 9,196,177
-------------
CANADA-4.4%
GOVERNMENT
OBLIGATION-4.4%
Government of Canada
5.25%, 9/01/03 (a)
(cost $5,348,888)........ CA$ 8,000 5,294,621
-------------
DENMARK-7.3%
GOVERNMENT
OBLIGATION-7.3%
Kingdom of Denmark
9.00%, 11/15/00 (a)
(cost $9,941,782)........ DKK 50,000 8,684,854
-------------
FRANCE-9.3%
GOVERNMENT
OBLIGATIONS-9.3%
Government of France
4.50%, 7/12/03 (a)....... FRF 31,000 5,743,633
7.75%, 4/12/00 (a)....... 28,000 5,341,492
-------------
Total French Securities
(cost $10,464,535)....... 11,085,125
-------------
GERMANY-18.5%
DEBT OBLIGATIONS-13.5%
Bayerische Landesbank
Girozentrale
5.75%, 2/28/01 (a)....... US$ 5,000 5,072,245
Bayerische Vereinsbank
Finansiering
5.25%, 5/17/01 (a)....... DEM 7,400 4,642,033
Deutsche Hypothekenbank
5.75%, 10/02/01 (a)...... 10,000 6,375,657
-------------
16,089,935
-------------
GOVERNMENT
OBLIGATION-5.0%
Government of Germany
8.00%, 7/22/02 (a)....... DEM 8,500 5,909,406
-------------
Total German Securities
(cost $21,848,162)....... 21,999,341
-------------
ITALY-13.4%
GOVERNMENT
OBLIGATIONS-13.4%
Republic of Italy
6.00%, 2/15/00 (a)....... ITL 10,400,000 6,530,561
6.25%, 5/15/02 (a)....... 14,400,000 9,479,095
-------------
Total Italian Securities
(cost $14,070,634)....... 16,009,656
-------------
MEXICO-6.1%
GOVERNMENT
OBLIGATION-6.1%
Mexican Treasury Bill
21.93%, 6/03/99 (a)(b)
(cost $8,926,727)........ MXP 89,121 7,295,934
-------------
NORWAY-4.5%
GOVERNMENT
OBLIGATION-4.5%
Kingdom of Norway
7.00%, 5/31/01 (a)
(cost $6,198,983)........ NOK 38,000 5,312,612
-------------
SWEDEN-4.5%
GOVERNMENT
OBLIGATION-4.5%
Kingdom of Sweden
10.25%, 5/05/03 (a)
(cost $5,374,100)........ SEK 34,000 5,407,546
-------------
UNITED STATES-22.7%
DEBT OBLIGATION-3.5%
Morgan Guaranty Trust Co.
6.38%, 3/26/01 (a)....... US$ 4,000 4,136,008
-------------
GOVERNMENT AGENCY
OBLIGATION-3.6%
FNMA Global
7.25%, 6/20/02 (a)....... NZ$ 7,850 4,296,226
-------------
GOVERNMENT
OBLIGATION-6.7%
U.S. Treasury Bill
Zero coupon, 6/24/99..... US$ 8,250 8,038,033
-------------
6
<PAGE>
Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust
================================================================================
Principal
Amount
(000) U.S. $ Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------
TIME DEPOSITS-8.9%
Dresdner Bank
5.56%, 11/02/98.......... US$ 3,600 $ 3,600,000
Rabo Bank
5.69%, 11/02/98.......... 3,500 3,500,000
Republic National Bank of
New York
5.50%, 11/02/98.......... 3,500 3,500,000
-------------
10,600,000
-------------
Total United States
Securities
(cost $27,996,555)....... 27,070,267
-------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS-98.4%
(cost $120,656,537) ..... $ 117,356,133
Other assets less
liabilities-1.6%......... 1,946,714
-------------
NET ASSETS-100%............. $ 119,302,847
=============
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Securities, or portion thereof, with an aggregate market value of
$92,151,759 have been segregated to collateralize forward exchange
currency contracts.
(b) Annualized yield to maturity at purchase date.
Glossary:
FNMA - Federal National Mortgage Association
See notes to financial statements.
7
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
October 31, 1998 Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ASSETS
Investments in securities, at value (cost $120,656,537)................................ $ 117,356,133
Cash ................................................................................. 76,678
Interest receivable.................................................................... 2,452,092
Unrealized appreciation of forward exchange currency contracts......................... 363,999
Receivable for capital stock sold...................................................... 162,929
-------------
Total assets........................................................................... 120,411,831
-------------
LIABILITIES
Dividend payable....................................................................... 333,160
Payable for capital stock redeemed..................................................... 275,026
Advisory fee payable................................................................... 60,443
Distribution fee payable............................................................... 41,606
Accrued expenses and other liabilities................................................. 398,749
-------------
Total liabilities...................................................................... 1,108,984
-------------
NET ASSETS................................................................................ $ 119,302,847
=============
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS
Capital stock, at par.................................................................. $ 17,966
Additional paid-in capital............................................................. 148,892,245
Distributions in excess of net investment income....................................... (3,327,129)
Accumulated net realized loss on investments and foreign currency transactions......... (23,443,984)
Net unrealized depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets
and liabilities..................................................................... (2,836,251)
-------------
$ 119,302,847
=============
CALCULATION OF MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE
Class A Shares
Net asset value and redemption price per share ($95,568,374 / 14,398,527 shares of
capital stock issued and outstanding)............................................... $6.64
Sales Charge--4.25% of public offering price........................................... .29
-----
Maximum offering price................................................................. $6.93
=====
Class B Shares
Net asset value and offering price per share ($7,216,950 / 1,084,367 shares of
capital stock issued and outstanding)............................................... $6.66
=====
Class C Shares
Net asset value and offering price per share ($16,517,523 / 2,483,284 shares of
capital stock issued and outstanding)............................................... $6.65
=====
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See notes to financial statements.
8
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended October 31, 1998 Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME
Interest.................................................... $ 9,272,305
EXPENSES
Advisory fee................................................ $ 681,090
Distribution fee - Class A.................................. 297,398
Distribution fee - Class B.................................. 128,290
Distribution fee - Class C.................................. 15,774
Transfer agency............................................. 359,292
Custodian................................................... 218,126
Administrative.............................................. 128,543
Audit and legal............................................. 108,519
Printing.................................................... 52,587
Registration................................................ 40,880
Directors' fees............................................. 32,039
Miscellaneous............................................... 13,882
-----------
Total expenses.............................................. 2,076,420
Less: expense offset arrangement (see Note B)............... (14,591)
-----------
Net expenses................................................ 2,061,829
------------
Net investment income....................................... 7,210,476
------------
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
Net realized gain on investment transactions................ 204,548
Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions.......... (2,348,178)
Net change in unrealized depreciation of:
Investments.............................................. 1,054,695
Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities...... 1,228,633
------------
Net gain on investments and foreign currency transactions... 139,698
------------
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS..................... $ 7,350,174
============
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See notes to financial statements.
9
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended Year Ended
October 31, October 31,
1998 1997
------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS
Net investment income....................................................... $ 7,210,476 $ 8,855,944
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions... (2,143,630) 8,391,096
Net change in unrealized depreciation of investments and foreign
currency denominated assets and liabilities.............................. 2,283,328 (6,614,322)
------------- -------------
Net increase in net assets from operations.................................. 7,350,174 10,632,718
DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:
Net investment income
Class A.................................................................. (6,215,407) (4,899,179)
Class B.................................................................. (912,135) (3,883,236)
Class C.................................................................. (82,934) (73,529)
Distributions in excess of net investment income
Class A.................................................................. (6,230,346) (2,095,730)
Class B.................................................................. (914,327) (1,692,062)
Class C.................................................................. (83,132) (32,833)
Tax return of capital
Class A.................................................................. (942,328) -0-
Class B.................................................................. (138,290) -0-
Class C.................................................................. (12,574) -0-
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS
Net increase (decrease)..................................................... 199,282 (28,950,404)
------------- -------------
Total decrease.............................................................. (7,982,017) (30,994,255)
NET ASSETS
Beginning of year........................................................... 127,284,864 158,279,119
------------- -------------
End of year (including undistributed net investment income of
$6,044,326 at October 31, 1997).......................................... $ 119,302,847 $ 127,284,864
============= =============
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See notes to financial statements.
10
<PAGE>
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 1998 Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust
================================================================================
NOTE A: Significant Accounting Policies
Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust, Inc. (the "Fund"), was incorporated in the
State of Maryland as a non-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 will be subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge of 1%. Class B shares are sold with a contingent deferred sales
charge which declines from 3.0% 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 1.0% on redemptions made within
the first year after purchase. All three classes of shares have identical
voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights and the same terms and
conditions, 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 there was no sale on such day, the
last bid price quoted on such day. If no bid prices are quoted, then the
security is valued at the mean of the bid and asked prices as obtained on that
day from one or more dealers regularly making a market in that security.
Securities traded on the over-the-counter market, securities listed on a foreign
securities exchange whose operations are similar to the United States
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 closing bid and asked prices provided by two or more dealers regularly
making a market in such securities. 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, or in accordance with procedures approved by, the Board of
Directors. 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.
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 at the rates of
exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired or sold. Income and
expenses are translated at rates of exchange prevailing when accrued.
Net realized gains or losses on foreign currency transactions represent foreign
exchange gains and losses from sales and maturities of securities and forward
exchange currency contracts, holdings of foreign currencies, exchange gains and
losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on investment
transactions, and the difference between the amounts of interest recorded on the
Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid.
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of foreign currency
denominated assets and liabilities represents net currency gains and losses from
valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end
exchange rates.
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.
11
<PAGE>
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont.) Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust
================================================================================
4. Investment Income and Investment Transactions
Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on
the date the securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are
determined on the identified cost basis. The Fund accretes discounts as an
adjustment to interest income.
5. 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 and transfer agent fees than Class A
shares.
6. Dividends and Distributions
Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend
date.
Income 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 foreign currency losses and a tax return of capital, resulted
in a net increase in distributions in excess of net investment income and a
corresponding decrease in additional paid-in capital and in accumulated net
realized loss on investments and in foreign currency 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 at an annual rate of .60
of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. Such fee is accrued daily and
paid monthly.
Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Fund paid $128,543 to the Adviser
representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the
Fund by the Adviser for the year ended October 31, 1998.
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 $194,021 for the year ended October 31, 1998.
In addition, for the year ended October 31, 1998, the Fund's expenses were
reduced by $14,591 under an expense offset arrangement with Alliance Fund
Services. Transfer Agency fees reported in this statement of operations exclude
these credits.
Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser)
serves as the Distributor of the Fund's shares. The Distributor received
front-end sales charges of $2,987 from the sale of Class A shares and $12,234,
and $1,638 in contingent deferred sales charges imposed upon redemptions by
shareholders of Class B and Class C shares, respectively, for the year ended
October 31, 1998.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE C: Distribution Services Agreement
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Services Agreement (the "Agreement")
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the
Agreement, the Fund pays a distribution fee to the Distributor at an annual rate
of up to .30 of 1% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Class A
shares and 1% of the average daily net assets attributable to both Class B and
Class C shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Agreement
provides that the Distributor will use such payments in their entirety for
distribution assistance and promotional activities. The Distributor has incurred
expenses in excess of the distribution costs reimbursed by the Fund in the
amount of $9,716,694 and $619,498 for Class B and C shares, respectively. Such
costs may be recovered from the Fund in future periods so long as the agreement
is in effect. In accordance with the Agreement, there is no provision for
recovery of
12
<PAGE>
Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust
================================================================================
unreimbursed distribution costs, incurred by the Distributor, beyond the current
fiscal year for Class A shares. The Agreement also provides that the Adviser may
use its own resources to finance the distribution of the Fund's shares.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE D: Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments
and U.S. government obligations) aggregated $15,943,351 and $29,110,616,
respectively for the year ended October 31, 1998. There were purchases of
$5,689,922 and sales of $5,876,406 of 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.
Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation of investments was $3,295,313 and
gross unrealized depreciation of investments was $6,595,717 resulting in net
unrealized depreciation of $3,300,404 (excluding foreign currency transactions).
At October 31, 1998, the Fund had a capital loss carryforward of $27,690,413 of
which $1,283,783 expires in the year 2000, $4,570,679 expires in the year 2001,
$11,533,613 expires in the year 2002, $10,215,734 expires in the year 2003,
$80,140 expires in the year 2004, and $6,464 expires in the year 2005.
1. Forward Exchange Currency Contracts
The Fund enters into forward exchange currency contracts to hedge its exposure
to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on its foreign portfolio holdings,
to hedge certain firm purchase and sales commitments denominated in foreign
currencies, and for investment purposes. A forward exchange currency contract is
a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency on 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 contracts is included in realized
gains or losses from 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 the 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. The face or contract amount, in U.S.
dollars, as reflected in the following table, reflects the total exposure of the
Fund in that particular currency contract.
At October 31, 1998, the Fund had outstanding forward exchange currency
contracts, as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
U.S. $
Contract Value on U.S. $ Unrealized
Amount Origination Current Appreciation
(000) Date Value (Depreciation)
----------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Forward Exchange Currency
Buy Contracts
Deutsche Marks,
settling 11/27/98-12/18/98........... 20,518 $ 12,474,954 $ 12,411,237 $ (63,717)
Japanese Yen,
settling 11/19/98.................... 408,800 3,470,289 3,515,795 45,506
Forward Exchange Currency
Sale Contracts
Australian Dollars,
settling 1/13/99..................... 17,127 10,579,860 10,720,921 (141,061)
</TABLE>
13
<PAGE>
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont.) Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
U.S. $
Contract Value on U.S. $ Unrealized
Amount Origination Current Appreciation
(000) Date Value (Depreciation)
------------------- ------------------- ------------------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Canadian Dollars,
settling 11/23/98.................... 8,313 $ 5,376,519 $ 5,387,191 $ (10,672)
Danish Krona,
settling 11/30/98.................... 55,000 8,745,707 8,738,623 7,084
Deutsche Marks,
settling 12/18/98.................... 83,630 51,149,837 50,602,954 546,883
French Francs,
settling 12/18/98.................... 26,444 4,889,282 4,769,786 119,496
Italian Lira,
settling 11/25/98.................... 12,660,183 7,781,305 7,727,119 54,186
Japanese Yen,
settling 11/19/98.................... 408,800 3,514,745 3,515,795 (1,050)
New Zealand Dollars,
settling 11/17/98.................... 7,880 4,065,028 4,174,460 (109,432)
Swedish Krona,
settling 11/19/98.................... 30,671 3,848,282 3,931,506 (83,224)
-----------
$ 363,999
===========
</TABLE>
2. Option Transactions
For hedging and investment purposes, the Fund purchases and writes (sells) put
and call options on U.S. and foreign government 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 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 written options which expire unexercised
are recorded by the Fund on the expiration date as realized gains from options
written. The difference between the premium and the amount paid on effecting a
closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated
as a realized gain, or if the premium is less than the amount paid for the
closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is exercised,
the premium is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security or
currency in determining whether the Fund has realized a gain or loss. If a put
option is exercised, the premium reduces the cost basis of the security or
currency purchased by the Fund.
In writing an option, the Fund bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in
the price of the security or currency underlying the written option. Exercise of
an option written by the Fund could result in the Fund selling or buying a
security or currency at a price different from the current market value. There
were no transactions in written options for the year ended October 31, 1998.
3. Interest Rate Swap Agreements
The Fund enters into currency and interest rate swaps to protect itself from
foreign currency and interest rate fluctuations on the underlying debt
instruments. A swap is an agreement that obligates two parties to exchange a
series of cash flows at specified intervals based upon or calculated by
reference to changes in specified prices or rates for a specified amount of an
underlying asset. The pay-ment flows are usually netted against each other,
with the difference being paid by one party to the other.
14
<PAGE>
Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust
================================================================================
Risks may arise as a result of the failure of the counterparty to the swap
contract to comply with the terms of the swap contract. The loss incurred by the
failure of a counterparty is generally limited to the net interest payment to be
received by the Fund, and/or the termination value at the end of the contract.
Therefore, the Fund considers the creditworthiness of each counterparty to a
swap contract in evaluating potential credit risk. Additionally, risks may arise
from unanticipated movements in interest rates or in the value of the foreign
securities or currencies.
The Fund records a net receivable or payable on a daily basis for the net
interest income or expense expected to be received or paid in the interest
period. Net interest received or paid on these contracts is recorded as interest
income (or as an offset to interest income). Fluctuations in the value of
investments are recorded for financial statement purposes as unrealized
appreciation or depreciation of investments. Realized gains and losses from
terminated swaps are included in net realized gains on investment transactions.
There were no outstanding currency or interest rate swap contracts at October
31, 1998.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE E: Capital Stock
There are 9,000,000,000 shares of $0.001 par value capital stock authorized,
divided into three classes, designated Class A, Class B and Class C shares. Each
class consists of 3,000,000,000 authorized shares. Transactions in capital stock
were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
----------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
SHARES AMOUNT
----------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended
October 31, October 31, October 31, October 31,
1998 1997 1998 1997
------------------- ------------------- ------------------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Class A
Shares sold............................. 530,311 516,722 $ 3,571,273 $ 3,728,611
Shares issued in reinvestment of
dividends............................ 449,493 211,609 3,054,490 1,529,106
Shares converted from Class B........... 3,186,541 5,542,644 21,941,497 39,662,519
Shares redeemed......................... (3,289,006) (2,268,565) (22,364,893) (16,382,016)
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Net increase............................ 877,339 4,002,410 $ 6,202,367 $ 28,538,220
================= ================= ================= =================
Class B
Shares sold............................. 626,552 509,209 $ 4,228,522 $ 3,686,703
Shares issued in reinvestment of
dividends............................ 97,710 176,547 668,814 1,277,395
Shares converted to Class A............. (3,186,541) (5,542,644) (21,941,497) (39,662,519)
Shares redeemed......................... (665,735) (3,169,143) (4,572,168) (22,944,703)
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Net decrease............................ (3,128,014) (8,026,031) $ (21,616,329) $ (57,643,124)
================= ================= ================= =================
Class C
Shares sold............................. 214,001 114,774 $ 1,435,335 $ 838,047
Shares issued in reinvestment of
dividends............................ 9,006 7,279 61,303 52,557
Shares issued in connection with
the acquisition of World Income
Trust................................ 2,285,690 -0- 15,429,617 -0-
Shares redeemed......................... (194,644) (101,777) (1,313,011) (736,104)
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Net increase............................ 2,314,053 20,276 $ 15,613,244 $ 154,500
================= ================= ================= =================
</TABLE>
15
<PAGE>
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont.) Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust
================================================================================
NOTE F: 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") 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 expense in the statement of operations. The Fund did not utilize
the Facility during the year ended October 31, 1998.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE G: Acquisition of World Income Trust
On October 16, 1998 the Fund acquired all of the assets of World Income Trust
pursuant to the plan of reorganization approved by World Income Trust
shareholders on October 12, 1998. The acquisition was accomplished by a tax-free
exchange of 2,285,690 shares of the fund for 9,587,483 shares of World Income
Trust on October 16, 1998. The aggregate net assets of the Fund and World Income
Trust immediately before the acquisition were $103,915,311 and $15,130,026.
Immediately after the acquisition the combined net assets of the Fund amounted
to $119,045,337.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE H: Subsequent Event
On November 13, 1998 the Fund acquired all of the assets of Alliance Short-Term
Multi-Market Trust pursuant to the plan of reorganization approved by Short-Term
Multi-Market Trust shareholders on November 9, 1998. The acquisition was
accomplished by a tax-free exchange of 62,472,861 shares of the Fund for
55,807,704 shares of Short-Term Multi Market Trust on November 13, 1998. The
aggregate net assets of the Fund and Short-Term Multi-Market Trust immediately
before the acquisition were $118,348,530 and $413,049,483. Immediately after the
acquisition the combined net assets of the Fund amounted to $531,398,013.
16
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust
================================================================================
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Year
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended October 31,
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year ................... $ 7.11 $ 7.23 $ 6.83 $ 8.04 $ 8.94
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Income From Investment Operations
Net investment income ................................ .44(a) .47(a) .59(a) .77(a) .85
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
and foreign currency transactions ................. .02 .08 .48 (1.31) (1.08)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
operations ........................................ .46 .55 1.07 (.54) (.23)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Less: Dividends and Distributions
Dividends from net investment income ................. (.44) (.47) (.67) -0- (.09)
Distributions in excess of net investment income ..... (.42) (.20) -0- -0- -0-
Tax return of capital ................................ (.07) -0- -0- (.67) (.58)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total dividends and distributions .................... (.93) (.67) (.67) (.67) (.67)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net asset value, end of year ......................... $ 6.64 $ 7.11 $ 7.23 $ 6.83 $ 8.04
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Total Return
Total investment return based on net asset value (b) . 6.90% 7.82% 16.37% (6.47)% (2.64)%
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of year (000's omitted) .............. $95,568 $96,133 $68,776 $76,837 $52,385
Ratio to average net assets of:
Expenses .......................................... 1.74%(c) 1.58%(c) 1.64% 1.60% 1.41%
Expenses, excluding interest expense .............. 1.74% 1.58% 1.60%(d) 1.55%(d) 1.30%(d)
Net investment income ............................. 6.46% 6.50% 8.40% 8.56% 7.17%
Portfolio turnover rate .............................. 24% 173% 215% 400% 605%
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See footnote summary on page 19.
17
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued) Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust
================================================================================
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Year
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS B
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended October 31,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year ................... $ 7.11 $ 7.23 $ 6.83 $ 8.04 $ 8.94
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income From Investment Operations
Net investment income ................................ .36(a) .42(a) .53(a) .44(a) .88
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
and foreign currency transactions ................. .05 .06 .47 (1.05) (1.18)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
operations ........................................ .41 .48 1.00 (.61) (.30)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Less: Dividends and Distributions
Dividends from net investment income ................. (.36) (.42) (.60) -0- (.08)
Distributions in excess of net investment income ..... (.43) (.18) -0- -0- -0-
Tax return of capital ................................ (.07) -0- -0- (.60) (.52)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total dividends and distributions .................... (.86) (.60) (.60) (.60) (.60)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net asset value, end of year ......................... $ 6.66 $ 7.11 $ 7.23 $ 6.83 $ 8.04
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Total Return
Total investment return based on net asset value (b) . 6.24% 6.90% 15.35% (7.31)% (3.35)%
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of year (000's omitted) .............. $ 7,217 $ 29,949 $ 88,427 $116,551 $233,896
Ratio to average net assets of:
Expenses .......................................... 2.41%(c) 2.29%(c) 2.35% 2.29% 2.11%
Expenses, excluding interest expense .............. 2.41% 2.29% 2.31%(d) 2.22%(d) 2.01%(d)
Net investment income ............................. 5.64% 5.79% 7.69% 7.53% 6.44%
Portfolio turnover rate .............................. 24% 173% 215% 400% 605%
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See footnote summary on page 19.
18
<PAGE>
Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust
================================================================================
Selected Data For A Share Of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Year
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
-----------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS C
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended October 31,
-----------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year ................... $ 7.11 $ 7.23 $ 6.83 $ 8.04 $ 8.94
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Income From Investment Operations
Net investment income ................................ .25(a) .42(a) .54(a) .44(a) .46
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
and foreign currency transactions ................. .16 .07 .47 (1.04) (.75)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
operations ........................................ .41 .49 1.01 (.60) (.29)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Less: Dividends and Distributions
Dividends from net investment income ................. (.41) (.42) (.61) -0- (.09)
Distributions in excess of net investment income ..... (.42) (.19) -0- -0- -0-
Tax return of capital ................................ (.04) -0- -0- (.61) (.52)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total dividends and distributions .................... (.87) (.61) (.61) (.61) (.61)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net asset value, end of year ......................... $ 6.65 $ 7.11 $ 7.23 $ 6.83 $ 8.04
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Total Return
Total investment return based on net asset value (b) . 6.10% 6.92% 15.36% (7.29)% (3.34)%
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of year (000's omitted) .............. $16,518 $ 1,203 $ 1,076 $ 786 $ 1,252
Ratio to average net assets of:
Expenses .......................................... 2.61%(c) 2.28%(c) 2.34% 2.29% 2.08%
Expenses, excluding interest expense .............. 2.61% 2.28% 2.30%(d) 2.24%(d) 1.99%(d)
Net investment income ............................. 5.28% 5.80% 7.62% 7.55% 6.10%
Portfolio turnover rate .............................. 240% 173% 215% 400% 605%
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Based on average shares outstanding.
(b) Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made
at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all
dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and
redemption on the last day of the period. Initial sales charge or
contingent deferred sales charge is not reflected in the calculation of
the total investment return.
(c) Ratio reflects expense offset arrangement with the Transfer Agent. For the
year ended October 31, 1998 and October 31, 1997, the net expense ratios
were 1.73% and 1.57% for Class A, 2.40% and 2.28% for Class B and 2.60%
and 2.27% for Class C shares, respectively.
(d) Interest expense includes commitment fees paid.
19
<PAGE>
REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust
================================================================================
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Alliance
Multi-Market Strategy Trust, Inc. (the "Fund"), including the portfolio of
investments, as of October 31, 1998, and the related statement of operations for
the year then ended, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two
years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the
periods indicated therein. These financial statements and financial highlights
are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based
on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of
October 31, 1998, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to
above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
Alliance Multi-Market Strategy Trust, Inc. 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 indicated periods, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
/s/ Ernst Young LLP
New York, New York
December 2, 1998
20
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
_____________________________________________________________
APPENDIX A
DESCRIPTION OF OBLIGATIONS ISSUED
OR GUARANTEED BY U.S. GOVERNMENT
AGENCIES OR INSTRUMENTALITIES
_____________________________________________________________
FEDERAL FARM CREDIT SYSTEM NOTES AND BONDS--are bonds
issued by a cooperatively owned nationwide system of banks and
associations supervised by the Farm Credit Administration, an
independent agency of the U.S. Government. These bonds are not
guaranteed by the U.S. Government.
FHA DEBENTURES--are debentures issued by the Federal
Housing Administration of the U.S. Government and are guaranteed
by the U.S. Government.
GNMA CERTIFICATES--are mortgage-backed securities which
represent a partial ownership interest in a pool of mortgage
loans issued by lenders such as mortgage bankers, commercial
banks and savings and loan associations. Each mortgage loan
included in the pool is either insured by the Federal Housing
Administration or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration.
FHLMC BONDS--are bonds issued and guaranteed by the
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.
FNMA BONDS--are bonds issued and guaranteed by the
Federal National Mortgage Association.
FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK NOTES AND BONDS--are notes and
bonds issued by the Federal Home Loan Bank System and are not
guaranteed by the U.S. Government.
STUDENT LOAN MARKETING ASSOCIATION ("SALLIE MAE") NOTES
AND BONDS--are notes and bonds issued by the Student Loan
Marketing Association.
Although this list includes a description of the primary
types of U.S. Government agency or instrumentality obligations in
which the Fund intends to invest, the Fund may invest in
obligations of U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities
other than those listed above.
A-1
<PAGE>
_____________________________________________________________
APPENDIX B
BOND AND COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
_____________________________________________________________
STANDARD & POOR's BOND RATINGS
A Standard & Poor's corporate debt rating is a current
assessment of the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to
a specific obligation. Debt rated "AAA" has the highest rating
assigned by Standard & Poor's. Capacity to pay interest and
repay principal is extremely strong. Debt rated "AA" has a very
strong capacity to pay interest and to repay principal and
differs from the highest rated issues only in small degree. 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
a debt of a higher rated category.
The ratings from "AA" and "A" may be modified by the
addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within
the major rating categories.
MOODY'S BOND RATINGS
Excerpts from Moody's description of its corporate bond
ratings: Aaa - judged to be the best quality, carry the smallest
degree of investment risk; Aa - judged to be of high quality by
all standards; A - possess many favorable investment attributes
and are to be considered as higher medium grade obligations; Baa
- - considered as medium grade obligations, i.e., they are neither
highly protected nor poorly secured.
FITCH IBCA, INC. BOND RATINGS
AAA. Securities of this rating are regarded as strictly
high-grade, broadly marketable, suitable for investment by
Directors 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 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
B-1
<PAGE>
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 through
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. 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.
STANDARD & POOR's COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
A is the highest commercial paper rating category
utilized by S&P, which uses the numbers 1+, 1, 2, and 3 to denote
relative strengths within its A classification. Commercial paper
issues rated A by S&P have the following characteristics:
Liquidity ratios are better than industry average. Long-term
debt rating is A or better. The issuer has access to at least
two additional channels of borrowing. Basic earnings and cash
flow are in an upward trend. Typically, the issuer is a strong
company in a well-established industry and has superior
management.
MOODY'S COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
Issuers rated Prime-1 (or related supporting
institutions) have a superior capacity for repayment of short-
term promissory obligations. Prime-1 repayment capacity will
normally be evidenced by the following characteristics: Leading
market positions in well established industries; high rates of
return on funds employed; conservative capitalization structures
with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection; broad
margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high
internal cash generation; well established access to a range of
financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.
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Issuers rated Prime-2 (or related supporting
institutions) have a strong capacity for repayment of short-term
promissory obligations. This will normally be evidenced by many
of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree.
Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will be more
subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while
still appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions.
Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.
Issuers rated Prime-3 (or related supporting
institutions) have an acceptable capacity for repayment of short-
term promissory obligations. The effect of industry
characteristics and market composition may be more pronounced.
Variability in earnings and profitability may result in changes
in the level of debt protection measurements and the requirement
for relatively high financial leverage. Adequate alternate
liquidity is maintained.
FITCH-1, FITCH-2, DUFF 1 AND
DUFF 2 COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
Commercial paper rated "Fitch-1" is considered to be the
highest grade paper and is regarded as having the strongest
degree of assurance for timely payments. "Fitch-2" is considered
very good grade paper and reflects an assurance of timely payment
only slightly less in degree than the strongest issue.
Commercial paper issues rated "Duff 1" by Duff & Phelps,
Inc. have the following characteristics: very high certainty of
timely payment, excellent liquidity factors supported by strong
fundamental protection factors, and risk factors which are very
small. Issues rated "Duff 2" have a good certainty of timely
payment, sound liquidity factors and company fundamentals, small
risk factors, and good access to capital markets.
B-3
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_____________________________________________________________
APPENDIX C
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCIES
_____________________________________________________________
FUTURES CONTRACTS
The Fund may 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 corporate debt securities. U.S. futures contracts
have been designed by exchanges which have been designated
"contracts markets" by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
("CFTC"), and must be executed through a futures commission
merchant, or brokerage firm, which is a member of the relevant
contract market. Futures contracts trade on a number of exchange
markets, and, through their clearing corporations, the exchanges
guarantee performance of the contracts as between the clearing
members of the exchange. The Fund will enter into futures
contracts which are based on debt securities that are backed by
the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, such as long-
term U.S. Treasury Bonds, Treasury Notes, Government National
U.S. Treasury Bonds, Government National Mortgage Association
modified pass-through mortgage-backed securities and three-month
U.S. Treasury Bills. The Fund may also enter into futures
contracts which are based on bonds issued by entities other than
the U.S. government.
At the same time a futures contract is purchased or
sold, the Fund must allocate cash or securities as a deposit
payment ("initial deposit"). It is expected that the initial
deposit would be approximately 1 1/2%-5% of a contract's face
value. Daily thereafter, the futures contract is valued and the
payment of "variation margin" may be required, since each day the
Fund would provide or receive cash that reflects any decline or
increase in the contract's value.
At the time of delivery of securities pursuant to such a
contract, adjustments are made to recognize differences in value
arising from the delivery of securities with a different interest
rate from that specified in the contract. In some (but not many)
cases, securities called for by a futures contract may not have
been issued when the contract was written.
Although futures contracts by their terms call for the
actual delivery or acquisition of securities, in most cases the
contractual obligation is fulfilled before the date of the
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contract without having to make or take delivery of the
securities. The offsetting of a contractual obligation is
accomplished by buying (or selling, as the case may be) on a
commodities exchange an identical futures contract calling for
delivery in the same month. Such a transaction, which is
effected through a member of an exchange, cancels the obligation
to make or take delivery of the securities. Since all
transactions in the futures market are made, offset or fulfilled
through a clearinghouse associated with the exchange on which the
contracts are traded, the Fund will incur brokerage fees when it
purchases or sells futures contracts.
The purpose of the acquisition or sale of a futures
contract, in the case of a portfolio, such as the portfolio of
the Fund, which holds or intends to acquire fixed-income
securities, is to attempt to protect the Fund from fluctuations
in interest or foreign exchange rates without actually buying or
selling fixed-income securities or foreign currency. For
example, if interest rates were expected to increase, the Fund
might enter into futures contracts for the sale of debt
securities. Such a sale would have much the same effect as
selling an equivalent value of the debt securities owned by the
Fund. If interest rates did increase, the value of the debt
securities in the portfolio would decline, but the value of the
futures contracts to the Fund would increase at approximately the
same rate, thereby keeping the net asset value of the Fund from
declining as much as it otherwise would have. The Fund could
accomplish similar results by selling debt securities and
investing in bonds with short maturities when interest rates are
expected to increase. However, since the futures market is more
liquid than the cash market, the use of futures contracts as an
investment technique allows the Fund to maintain a defensive
position without having to sell its portfolio securities.
Similarly, when it is expected that interest rates may
decline, futures contracts may be purchased to attempt to hedge
against anticipated purchases of debt securities at higher
prices. Since the fluctuations in the value of futures contracts
should be similar to those of debt securities, the Fund could
take advantage of the anticipated rise in the value of debt
securities without actually buying them until the market had
stabilized. At that time, the futures contracts could be
liquidated and the Fund could then buy debt securities on the
cash market. To the extent the Fund enters into futures
contracts for this purpose, the assets in the segregated asset
account maintained to cover the Fund's obligations with respect
to such futures contracts will consist of cash, cash equivalents
or high quality liquid debt securities from its portfolio in an
amount equal to the difference between the fluctuating market
value of such futures contracts and the aggregate value of the
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initial and variation margin payments made by the Fund with
respect to such futures contracts.
The ordinary spreads between prices in the cash and
futures markets, due to differences in the nature of those
markets, are subject to distortions. First, all participants in
the futures market are subject to initial deposit and variation
margin requirements. Rather than meeting additional variation
margin requirements, investors may close futures contracts
through offsetting transactions which could distort the normal
relationship between the cash and futures markets. Second, the
liquidity of the futures market depends on participants entering
into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking
delivery. To the extent participants decide to make or take
delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced, thus
producing distortion. Third, from the point of view of
speculators, the margin deposit requirements in the futures
market are less onerous than margin requirements in the
securities market. Therefore, increased participation by
speculators in the futures market may cause temporary price
distortions. Due to the possibility of distortion, a correct
forecast of general interest rate trends by the Adviser may still
not result in a successful transaction.
In addition, futures contracts entail risks. Although
the Fund believes that use of such contracts will benefit the
Fund, if the Adviser's investment judgment about the general
direction of interest rates is incorrect, the Fund's overall
performance would be poorer than if it had not entered into any
such contract. For example, if the Fund has hedged against the
possibility of an increase in interest rates which would
adversely affect the price of debt securities held in its
portfolio and interest rates decrease instead, the Fund will lose
part or all of the benefit of the increased value of its debt
securities which it has hedged because it will have offsetting
losses in its futures positions. In addition, in such
situations, if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to
sell debt securities from its portfolio to meet daily variation
margin requirements. Such sales of bonds may be, but will not
necessarily be, at increased prices which reflect the rising
market. The Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it
may be disadvantageous to do so.
OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS
The Fund intends to purchase and write options on
futures contracts for hedging purposes. The purchase of a call
option on a futures contract is similar in some respects to the
purchase of a call option on an individual security. Depending
on the pricing of the option compared to either the price of the
futures contract upon which it is based or the price of the
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underlying debt securities, it may or may not be less risky than
ownership of the futures contract or underlying debt securities.
As with the purchase of futures contracts, when the Fund is not
fully invested it may purchase a call option on a futures
contract to hedge against a market advance due to declining
interest rates.
The writing of a call option on a futures contract
constitutes a partial hedge against declining prices of the
security or foreign currency which is deliverable upon exercise
of the futures contract. 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 security or foreign currency which is deliverable upon
exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price at
expiration of the option is higher than the exercise price, the
Fund will retain the full amount of the option premium which
provides as 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 futures positions, the Fund's losses from existing options
on futures may to some extent be reduced or increased by changes
in the value of portfolio securities.
The purchase of a put option on a futures contract is
similar in some respects to the purchase of protective put
options on portfolio securities. For example, the Fund may
purchase a put option on a futures contract to hedge the Fund's
portfolio against the risk of rising interest rates.
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 addition to the correlation
risks discussed above, the purchase of an option 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 purchased.
OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES
The Fund may purchase and write options on foreign
currencies for hedging purposes in a manner similar to that in
which futures contracts on foreign currencies, or forward
contracts, will be utilized. 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,
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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 deriving 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.
The Fund may write options on foreign currencies for the
same types of hedging purposes. For example, where the Fund
anticipates a decline in the dollar value of foreign currency
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
would 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.
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The Fund intends to write covered call options on
foreign currencies. A call option written on a foreign currency
by the Fund is "covered" if the Fund owns the underlying foreign
currency covered by the call or has an absolute and immediate
right to acquire that foreign currency without additional cash
consideration (or for additional cash consideration held in a
segregated account by its Custodian) upon conversion or exchange
of other foreign currency held in its portfolio. A call option
is also covered if the Fund has a call on the same foreign
currency and in the same principal amount as the call written
where the exercise price of the call held (a) is equal to or less
than the exercise price of the call written or (b) is greater
than the exercise price of the call written if the difference is
maintained by the Fund in cash, U.S. Government Securities or
other high-grade liquid debt securities in a segregated account
with its Custodian.
The Fund also intends to write call options on foreign
currencies that are not covered for cross-hedging purposes. A
call option on a foreign currency is for cross-hedging purposes
if it is not covered, but is designed to provide a hedge against
a decline in the U.S. dollar value of a security which the Fund
owns or has the right to acquire and which is denominated in the
currency underlying the option due to an adverse change in the
exchange rate. In such circumstances, the Fund collateralizes
the option by maintaining in a segregated account with the Fund's
Custodian, cash or U.S. Government Securities or other high grade
liquid debt securities in an amount not less than the value of
the underlying foreign currency in U.S. dollars marked to market
daily.
ADDITIONAL RISKS OF OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS,
FORWARD CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES
Unlike transactions entered into by the Fund in futures
contracts, options on foreign currencies and forward contracts
are not traded on contract markets regulated by the CFTC or (with
the exception of certain foreign currency options) by the SEC. To
the contrary, such instruments are 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. Similarly, options
on currencies may be traded over-the-counter. 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 purchase 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
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writer and a trader of forward contracts could lose amounts
substantially in excess of their initial investments, due to the
margin and collateral requirements associated with such
positions.
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, 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, the
OCC may, if it 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, 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.
In addition, futures contracts, options on futures
contracts, forward contracts and options on foreign currencies
may be traded on foreign exchanges. Such transactions are
subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in
or the prices of foreign currencies or securities. The value of
such positions also could be adversely affected by (i) other
complex foreign political and economic factors, (ii) lesser
availability than in the United States of data on which to make
trading decisions, (iii) delays in the Fund's ability to act upon
economic events occurring in foreign markets during nonbusiness
hours in the United States, (iv) the imposition of different
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exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin
requirements than in the United States, and (v) lesser trading
volume.
C-8
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_________________________________________________________________
APPENDIX D: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT
THE UNITED MEXICAN STATES
_________________________________________________________________
Territory and Population
The United Mexican States ("Mexico") occupies a
territory of approximately 1.97 million square kilometers (759
thousand square miles). To the north, Mexico shares a border
with the United States of America, and to the south it has
borders with Guatemala and Belize. Its coastline is along both
the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean. Mexico comprises 31
states and a Federal District (Mexico City). It is the second
most populous nation in Latin America, with an estimated
population of 91.1 million, as reported by the National Institute
of Statistics, Geography and Informatics in 1995.
Mexico's three largest cities are Mexico City,
Guadalajara and Monterrey, with estimated populations in 1995 of
16.4 million, 3.3 million and 2.9 million, respectively. In the
1980s, Government efforts concerning family planning and birth
control, together with declining birth rates among women under 35
and those living in urban areas, have resulted in a reduction of
the population growth rate to a projected 1.6% in 1997.
Government
The present form of government was established by the
Constitution, which took effect on May 1, 1917. The Constitution
establishes Mexico as a Federal Republic and provides for the
separation of the executive, legislative and judicial branches.
The President and the members of Congress are elected by popular
vote of Mexican citizens over 18 years of age.
Executive authority is vested in the President, who is
elected for a single six-year term. The executive branch
consists of 17 ministries, the office of the Federal Attorney
General, the Federal District Department and the office of the
Attorney General of the Federal District.
Federal Legislative authority is vested in the Congress,
which is composed of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.
Senators serve a six-year term. Deputies serve a three-year
term, and neither Senators nor Deputies may serve consecutive
terms in the same Chamber. The Senate has 128 members, four from
each state and four from the Federal District. The Chamber of
Deputies has 500 members, of whom 300 are elected by direct vote
from the electoral districts and 200 are elected by a system of
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proportional representation. The Constitution provides that the
President may veto bills and that Congress may override such
vetoes with a two-thirds majority of each Chamber.
Federal Judicial authority is vested in the Supreme
Court of Justice, the Circuit and District courts, and the
Federal Judicial Board. The Supreme Court has 11 members who are
selected by the Senate from a pool of candidates nominated by the
President. Its members serve for 15 year terms, except for the
current members of the Court, whose appointments range from eight
to 20 years.
Mexico has diplomatic relations with approximately 176
countries. It is a charter member of the United Nations and a
founding member of the Organization of American States, the
International Monetary Fund (the "IMF"), the World Bank, the
International Finance Corporation, the Inter-American Development
Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Mexico became a member of the Organization for Economic
Corporation and Development (the "OECD") on April 14, 1994 and
the World Trade Organization ("WTO") on January 1, 1995 (the date
on which the WTO superseded the General Agreement on Trade and
Tariffs ("GATT")).
Politics
The Partido Revolucionario Institucional ("PRI") has
long been the dominant political party in Mexico, although its
dominance has been weakened in recent years. Since 1929 the PRI
has won all presidential elections and, until the 1997
Congressional elections, held a majority in Congress. Until 1989
it had also won all of the state governorships. The oldest
opposition party in Mexico is the Partido Accion Nacional
("PAN"). The third major party in Mexico is the Partido de la
Revolucion Democratica ("PRD").
On August 21, 1994, elections were held to select a new
President of Mexico for a six-year term beginning on December 1,
1994. In addition, elections were held for three-quarters of the
Senate and the entire Chamber of Deputies. The candidate of the
PRI, Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon, won the Presidential election
with 48.77% of the votes, the candidate of the PAN was second
with 25.94% of the votes and the PRD candidate was third with
16.6% of the votes. With respect to the Congressional elections,
the PRI maintained its majority in both chambers, with 93 seats
in the Senate and 298 seats in the Chamber of Deputies. The PAN
had the second largest representation with 25 seats in the Senate
and 118 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and the PRD had the
third largest representation with 10 seats in the Senate and 70
seats in the Chamber of Deputies. The PRI won two additional
seats pursuant to proportional representation and the PAN and the
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PRD each won one seat in extraordinary elections held on
April 30, 1995. In the mid-term Congressional elections on
July 6, 1997, the PRI lost its majority in the Chamber of
Deputies and now holds 239 of its 500 seats. In the Senate, the
PRI retained its overall majority but lost the two-thirds
majority important in constitutional amendments. The PRI also
failed to win the election for mayor of Mexico City. The PRI was
successful, however, in 7 of the 10 state governorship elections
held in 1998. The next general elections are required by law to
occur in 2000 (congressional and presidential).
At the beginning of 1994 armed insurgents attacked (and
in some cases temporarily seized control of) several villages in
the southern state of Chiapas. While the Government responded by
providing support to the local authorities and publicly offering
to negotiate a peaceful resolution that would address the
underlying concerns of the local population, the conflict
remained a source of debate and uncertainty for the remainder of
the year. Negotiations with the insurgents continued through the
spring of 1994, but subsequently were broken off. In December of
1994, the Congress approved the creation of a Congressional peace
commission, to be formed by members of both chambers of Congress,
which would be responsible for mediating the negotiations between
the Government and the insurgents. By the end of 1994, however,
the insurgents had not agreed to resume negotiations and there
were additional incidents of civil unrest.
In the Spring of 1995, the Government renewed its
efforts to resolve its differences with the insurgents in the
Chiapas region by facilitating their participation in the
political process. On March 9, 1995, Congress approved a law
granting temporary amnesty to insurgents who participate in peace
talks with the Government, and on March 13, 1995, the law
establishing the framework for these peace talks took effect. On
September 11, 1995, the Government and the insurgents reached an
agreement pursuant to which both sides accepted a common
political agenda and procedural rules, and agreed to the creation
of a working committee regarding the rights of indigenous
peoples. This agreement was expected to represent a first step
toward a comprehensive peace agreement between the parties. The
working committee began negotiations on October 17, 1995 and
concluded a second round of meetings on November 19, 1995 having
made significant progress in laying out the framework for a
plenary session that took place from January 10 through
January 19, 1996. The attendees at the plenary session drafted
an agreement on a series of measures aimed at enhancing and
guaranteeing the rights of the indigenous population. The
agreement was signed on February 16, 1996, but further
negotiations between the government and the insurgents were
unsuccessful.
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On August 28, 1996, a newly formed group calling itself
the Popular Revolutionary Army attacked military and police
targets in small cities of some southern states of Mexico. It is
generally believed that this group does not enjoy popular
support, and its terrorists attacks have been condemned by both
Government and nongovernment representatives. The Government has
announced the apprehension of several alleged members of the
group.
On December 22, 1997, a violent incident occurred in the
municipality of Chenalho, Chiapas that resulted in the death of
45 civilians, mostly women and children. This incident
strengthened the resolve of the Government to negotiate peace in
Chiapas and toward that end the Government adopted a new peace
plan. The goals of the new peace plan include (a) reinitiating
an intense dialogue among the federal and state governments,
political parties and insurgent groups, (b) formulating a legal
framework that respects Mexico's multicultural heritage and
includes the indigenous population in the social and economic
development of Mexico, (c) achieving the disarmament of all non-
governmental groups, (d) continuing the investigation of the
Chenalho incident, and (e) restructuring the Chiapas state
police. It is unclear whether the government's new peace plan
will achieve its desired effect. On October 4, 1998 there were
elections in the State of Chiapas that, unlike recent elections,
were without violence and were relatively free of controversy.
In addition to the civil unrest in Chiapas, certain
national developments have led to disillusionment among the
electorate with the institutions of government. These events
include the assassination of Luis Donaldo Colosio, the likely
successor to former President Salinas and the murder of Mr. Jose
Francisco Ruiz Massieu, a high-ranking PRI official. Links
between Mexico's drug cartels and high Government and military
officials have also been discovered. These links could
jeopardize Mexico's status as an ally of the U.S. in the war
against narcotics smuggling. While Mexico is currently certified
by the President of the United States as an ally, there is no
assurance that the certification will be maintained. A loss of
certification could result in the termination of U.S. economic
assistance to Mexico.
On July 25, 1996, the Mexican Government announced
certain proposed constitutional amendments aimed at reforming the
electoral law that were ratified on August 22, 1996. The
amendments, which had been agreed to by the President and the
leaders of the four major political parties represented in
Congress, among other things, exclude the President from the
Federal Electoral Institute, an autonomous agency charged with
organizing elections; eliminate the Electoral Committee of the
Chamber of Deputies, which had been responsible for determining
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the validity of presidential elections; impose limits on
expenditures on political campaigns and controls on the source of
and uses of funds contributed to a political party; grant voting
rights to Mexican citizens residing abroad; reduce from 315 to
300 the maximum number of congressional representatives who may
belong to a single party, and establish an electoral procedure
intended to result in a more proportional representation in the
Senate. The Mexican Supreme Court is empowered to determine the
constitutionality of electoral laws and the Mexican Federal
Electoral Court, which had been part of the executive branch, is
now part of the judicial branch.
Money and Banking
Banco de Mexico, chartered in 1925, is the central bank
of Mexico. It is the Federal Government's primary authority for
the execution of monetary policy and the regulation of currency
and credit. It is authorized by law to regulate interest rates
payable on time deposits, to establish minimum reserve
requirements for credit institutions and to provide discount
facilities for certain types of bank loans. The currency unit of
Mexico is the Peso. Mexico repealed its exchange control rules
in 1991 and now maintains only a market exchange rate.
A constitutional amendment relating to Banco de Mexico's
activities and role within the Mexican economy became effective
on August 23, 1993. The amendment's purpose was to reinforce the
independence of Banco de Mexico, which may in the future act as a
counterbalance to the executive and legislative branches in
monetary policy matters. The amendment significantly strengthens
Banco de Mexico's authority with respect to monetary policy,
foreign exchange and related activities and the regulation of the
financial services industry. On April 1, 1994, a new law
governing the activities of Banco de Mexico became effective.
The new law was intended to put into effect the greater degree of
autonomy granted to Banco de Mexico under the constitutional
amendment described above and also established a Foreign Exchange
Commission charged with determining the nation's exchange rate
policies.
Trade Reform
Mexico became a member of the GATT in 1986 and has been
a member of the WTO since January 1, 1995, the date on which the
WTO superseded the GATT. Mexico has also entered into NAFTA with
the United States and Canada. In addition, Mexico signed an
agreement providing for a framework for a free trade agreement in
1992 with Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and
Nicaragua as a step toward establishing a free-trade area.
Mexico entered into definitive free trade agreements with Costa
Rica in April 1994 and Nicaragua in December 1997. A free trade
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agreement between Mexico and Chile went into effect on January 1,
1992. A free trade agreement with Colombia and Venezuela was
signed in June 1994 and a similar agreement with Bolivia was
signed in September 1994; both agreements entered into force in
January 1995. In addition, Mexico began trade negotiations in
July 1998 with the European Union for a trade agreement; a second
round of talks occurred in January 1999. In connection with the
implementation of NAFTA, amendments to several laws relating to
financial services (including the Banking Law and the Securities
Market Law) became effective on January 1, 1994. These measures
permit non-Mexican financial groups and financial intermediaries,
through Mexican subsidiaries, to engage in various activities in
the Mexican financial system, including banking and securities
activities. In December 1998, Mexico lifted all remaining
restrictions on foreign ownership of its largest banks, which had
been excluded from the liberalization measures that became
effective in 1994.
Economic Information Regarding Mexico
During the period from World War II through the mid-
1970's, Mexico experienced sustained economic growth. During the
mid 1970's, Mexico experienced high inflation and, as a result,
the government embarked on a high-growth strategy based on oil
exports and external borrowing. The steep decline in oil prices
in 1981 and 1982, together with high international interest rates
and the credit markets' unwillingness to refinance maturing
external Mexican credits, led in 1982 to record inflation,
successive devaluations of the peso by almost 500% in total, a
pubic sector deficit of 16.9% of GDP and, in August 1982, a
liquidity crisis that precipitated subsequent restructurings of a
large portion of the country's external debt. Through much of
the 1980's, the Mexican economy continued to experience high
inflation and large foreign indebtedness. In February 1990,
Mexico became the first Latin American country to reach an
agreement with external creditor banks and multi-national
agencies under the U.S. Treasury's approach to debt reduction
known as the "Brady Plan."
The value of the peso has been central to the
performance of the Mexican economy. From late 1982 until
November 11, 1991, Mexico maintained a dual foreign exchange rate
system, with a "controlled" rate and a "free market" rate. The
controlled exchange rate applied to certain imports and exports
of goods, advances and payments of registered foreign debt and
funds used in connection with the in-bond industry (the industry
is comprised of companies which import raw materials without
paying a duty), and payments of royalties and technical
assistance under registered agreements requiring such payments.
The free market rate was used for all other types of
transactions. The dual system assisted in controlling the value
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of the Mexican Peso, particularly from 1983 to 1985. In later
years the difference between the two rates was not significant.
Mexico has since repealed the controlled rate.
A fixed exchange rate was maintained from February to
December 1988. Thereafter, under a Government implemented
devaluation schedule, the intended annual rate of devaluation was
gradually lowered from 16.7% in 1989 to 11.4% in 1990, 4.5% in
1991 and 2.4% in 1992. From October 1992 through December 20,
1994, the peso/dollar exchange rate was allowed to fluctuate
within a band that widened daily. The ceiling of the band, which
was the maximum selling rate, depreciated at a daily rate of
0.0004 pesos (equal to approximately 4.5% per year), while the
floor of the band, i.e., the minimum buying rate, remained fixed.
Banco de Mexico agreed to intervene in the foreign exchange
market to the extent that the peso/dollar exchange rate reached
either the floor or the ceiling of the band.
Beginning on January 1, 1994, volatility in the
peso/dollar exchange rate began to increase, with the value of
the peso relative to the dollar declining at one point to an
exchange rate of 3.375 pesos to the U.S. Dollar, a decline of
approximately 8.69% from the high of 3.1050 pesos reached in
early February. This increased volatility was attributed to a
number of political and economic factors, including a growing
current account deficit, the relative overvaluation of the peso,
investor reactions to the increase in U.S. interest rates, lower
than expected economic growth in Mexico in 1993, uncertainty
concerning the Mexican Presidential elections in August 1994 and
certain related developments.
On December 20, 1994, increased pressure on the
peso/dollar exchange rate led Mexico to increase the ceiling of
the Banco de Mexico intervention band. That action proved
insufficient to address the concerns of foreign investors, and
the demand for foreign currency continued. On December 22, the
Government adopted a free exchange rate policy, eliminating the
intervention band and allowing the peso to float freely against
the dollar. The value of the peso continued to weaken relative
to the dollar in the following days. There was substantial
volatility in the peso/dollar exchange during the first quarter
of 1995, with the peso/dollar exchange rate falling to a low
point of 7.588 pesos to the U.S. Dollar on March 13, 1995. By
the end of April and through September 1995, the exchange rate
began to stabilize; however, the exchange rate began to show
signs of renewed volatility in October and November 1995. The
peso/dollar exchange rate fell to a low for the year of 8.14
pesos to the U.S. Dollar on November 13, 1995.
In order to address the adverse economic situation that
developed at the end of 1994, the Government announced in January
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1995 a new economic program and a new accord among the Government
and the business and labor sectors of the economy, which,
together with a subsequent program announced in March 1995 and
the international support package described below, formed the
basis of Mexico's 1995 economic plan (the "1995 Economic Plan").
The objectives of the 1995 Economic Plan were to stabilize the
financial markets, lay the foundation for a return to lower
inflation rates over the medium-term, preserve Mexico's
international competitiveness, maintain the solvency of the
banking system and attempt to reassure long-term investors of the
strong underlying fundamentals of the Mexican economy.
The central elements of the 1995 Economic Plan were
fiscal reform, aimed at increasing public revenues through price
and tax adjustments and reducing public sector expenditures;
restrictive monetary policy, characterized by limited credit
expansion; stabilization of the exchange rate while maintaining
the current floating exchange rate policy; reduction of the
current account deficit; introduction of certain financial
mechanisms to enhance the stability of the banking sector; and
maintenance and enhancement of certain social programs, to ease
the transition for the poorest segments of society.
In addition to the actions described above, in the
beginning of 1995, the Government engaged in a series of
discussions with the IMF, the World Bank, the Inter-American
Development Bank and the U.S. and Canadian Governments in order
to obtain the international financial support necessary to
relieve Mexico's liquidity crisis and aid in restoring financial
stability to Mexico's economy. The proceeds of the loans and
other financial support were used to refinance public sector
short-term debt, primarily Tesobonos, to restore the country's
international reserves and to support the banking sector. The
largest component of the international support package was up to
$20 billion in support from the United States pursuant to four
related agreements entered into on February 21, 1995. During
1995, the U.S. Government and the Canadian Government disbursed
$13.7 billion of proceeds to Mexico under these agreements and
the North American Framework Agreement ("NAFA"), the proceeds of
which were used by Mexico to refinance maturing short-term debt,
including Tesobonos and $1 billion of short-term swaps under the
NAFA. In a series of repayments and prepayments beginning in
October 1995 and ending in January 1997, Mexico repaid all of its
borrowings under the agreements.
Using resources made available through the international
support package as well as operations by Banco de Mexico, in 1995
Mexico altered its debt profile significantly. The outstanding
balance of Tesobonos (which are dollar denominated) was reduced
from $29.2 billion at December 31, 1994 to $16.2 billion at the
end of the first quarter of 1995, $10.0 billion at the end of the
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<PAGE>
second quarter, $2.5 billion at the end of the third quarter and
$246 million at the end of the fourth quarter. By February 16,
1996, Mexico had no Tesobonos outstanding, and has not issued
Tesobonos since that date. As of December 31, 1996, 100% of
Mexico's net internal debt was denominated and payable in pesos,
as compared with only 44.3% of such debt at the end of 1994.
On May 31, 1995, the Government announced the Plan
Nacional de Desarrollo 1995-2000 (1995-2000 National Development
Plan, or the "Development Plan"). The Development Plan covers
five topics: sovereignty; the rule of law; democratic
development; social development; and economic growth. The
fundamental strategic objective of the Development Plan is to
promote vigorous and sustainable economic growth. Among other
things, the Development Plan calls for steps to increase domestic
savings, preferences for channeling foreign investment into
direct productive investment, the elimination of unnecessary
regulatory obstacles to foreign participation in productive
activities and further deregulation of the economy.
On October 26, 1996, the Government announced the
establishment of another accord among the Government and the
business, labor and agricultural sectors of the economy known as
the Alianza para el Crecimiento Economico (Alliance for Economic
Growth or "ACE"). The chief objectives of the ACE are to foster
sustainable economic growth by emphasizing (i) the export sector,
particularly through domestic and foreign investment, (ii) public
investment, particularly in the hydrocarbon, electricity,
transportation and water sectors and (iii) fiscal and monetary
discipline in order to encourage an environment of greater price
stability and lower interest rates.
On December 31, 1997, the ACE expired. On February 24,
1998, the Government and representatives of the labor,
agriculture and business sectors signed the Acuerdo de
Cooperacion y Consulta (Cooperation and Consultation Accord or
"ACC"). In the ACC, the Government and the three economic
sectors agreed to increase productivity and competitiveness to
prepare Mexico for the globalization of the world economy. The
accord is based on the following commitments: (i) a pledge by
the Government and the three economic sectors to periodically
examine the development of the Mexican economy and to create
subcommissions or working groups to analyze specific economic
problems; (ii) to allow the unimpeded negotiation of collective
bargaining agreements and to foster a cooperative environment to
achieve productivity and competitiveness goals, as well as the
equitable distribution of any resulting benefits; (iii) to set as
a priority workforce education and job training to increase
productivity and to facilitate worker transition to changing
production technology; and (iv) to catalyze capital investment,
infrastructure development and labor retraining in rural areas,
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<PAGE>
in order to increase productivity, competitiveness and the
standards of living in such areas.
On June 3, 1997, the Government announced the Programa
Nacional de Financiamiento del Desarrollo 1997-2000 (National
Development Financing Program 1997-2000, or "PRONAFIDE"). The
PRONAFIDE's goals are to: (i) achieve, on average, real GDP
growth of 5% per year, (ii) generate more than one million jobs
per year, (iii) increase real wages and salaries, (iv) strengthen
the capacity of the Government to respond to social needs and
(v) avoid economic crises of the types suffered by Mexico during
the past 20 years.
The effects of the devaluation of the peso, as well as
the Government's response to that and related events, were
apparent in the performance of the Mexican economy during 1995
and 1996. Mexico's trade deficit decreased during 1995, the
value of imports decreasing by 8.7% between 1994 and 1995, to
$72.5 billion in 1995. Although the value of imports in 1996
increased approximately 23.4% from 1995, to $89.5 billion,
exports increased by almost the same amount. During 1995, Mexico
registered a $7.089 billion trade surplus, its first annual trade
surplus since 1989. Mexico continued to register a trade surplus
in 1996 and 1997 but the surplus decreased by approximately 7.9%
to $6.531 billion in 1996 and 90% to $624 million in 1997. In
1998, Mexico registered a $7.7 billion deficit in its trade
balance. During 1996 and 1997, Mexico's current account balance
registered a deficit of $1.923 billion and $7.450 billion,
respectively, as compared with a deficit of $1.576 billion in
1995. In the first three quarters of 1998, Mexico's current
account balance registered a deficit of $4.70 billion.
Banco de Mexico is currently disclosing reserve figures
on a weekly basis. On December 31, 1997, Mexico's international
reserves amounted to $28 billion, as compared to $17.5 billion at
December 31, 1996, $15.7 billion at December 31, 1995, $6.1
billion at December 31, 1994 and $24.5 billion at December 31,
1993. On December 31, 1998, Mexico's international reserves
amounted to $30.1 billion.
During 1995 real GDP decreased by 6.9%, as compared with
an increase on July 31, 1998, Mexico's international reserves
amounted to $30.7 billion of 3.5% during 1994. This downward
trend continued into the first quarter of 1996, but turned around
in the second quarter of 1996. The real GDP has continued to
grow since that time, resulting in an overall GDP growth rate of
5.2% for 1996 and 7.0% for 1997. During 1998, real GDP grew
4.8%, according to preliminary data. The Government has
predicted a growth rate of 3% in 1999. Although the Mexican
economy has stabilized, there can be no assurance that the
government's plan will lead to a full recovery.
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Statistical and Related Information
Concerning Mexico
The following provides certain statistical and related
information regarding historical rates of exchange between the
U.S. Dollar and the Mexican Peso, information concerning
inflation rates, historical information regarding the Mexican GDP
and information concerning interest rates on certain Mexican
Government Securities. Historical information is not necessarily
indicative of future fluctuations or exchange rates. In 1982,
Mexico imposed strict foreign exchange controls which shortly
thereafter were relaxed and were eliminated in 1991.
CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES. There is no assurance that
future regulatory actions in Mexico will not affect the Fund's
ability to obtain U.S. Dollars in exchange for Mexican Pesos.
The following table sets forth the exchange rates of the
Mexican Peso to the U.S. Dollar with respect to each year from
1981 to 1998.
Free Market Rate Controlled Rate
________________ _______________
End of End of
Period Average Period Average
______ ________ _______ _______
1981. . . . . . . 26 24 -- --
1982. . . . . . . 148 57 96 57
1983. . . . . . . 161 150 143 120
1984. . . . . . . 210 185 192 167
1985. . . . . . . 447 310 371 256
1986. . . . . . . 915 637 923 611
1987. . . . . . . 2.209 1.378 2.198 1.366
1988. . . . . . . 2.281 2.273 2.257 2.250
1989. . . . . . . 2.681 2.483 2.637 2.453
1990. . . . . . . 2.943 2.838 2.939 2.807
1991. . . . . . . 3.075 3.016 3.065* 3.007*
1992. . . . . . . 3.119 3.094 -- --
1993. . . . . . . 3.192 3.155 -- --
1994. . . . . . . 5.325 3.222 -- --
1995. . . . . . . 7.643 6.419 -- --
1996. . . . . . . 7.851 7.598 -- --
1997. . . . . . . 8.083 7.918 -- --
1998. . . . . . . 9.901 9.152 -- --
* Through November 10, 1991.
Source: Banco de Mexico; Federal Reserve Statistical Releases.
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INFLATION AND CONSUMER PRICES. Through much of the
1980's, the Mexican economy continued to be affected by high
inflation, low growth and high levels of domestic and foreign
indebtedness. The annual inflation rate, as measured by the
consumer price index, rose from 28.7% in December 1981 to 159.2%
in December 1987. In December 1987, the Mexican Government
agreed with labor and business to curb the economy's inflationary
pressures by freezing wages and prices (the "1987 accord"). The
1987 accord included the implementation of restrictive fiscal and
monetary policies, the elimination of trade barriers and the
reduction of import tariffs. After substantive increases in
public sector prices and utility rates, price controls were
introduced.
The 1987 accord was succeeded by a series of additional
accords, each of which continued to stress the moderation of
inflation, fiscal discipline and, in the case of accords entered
into prior to 1995, a gradual devaluation of the peso. There
was a gradual reduction in the number of goods and services whose
prices were covered by such accords. The two most recent of
these accords also incorporated a reduction in the income tax
rate applicable to corporations and certain self-employed
individuals from 35% to 34% and a reduction in the withholding
tax applicable to interest payments on publicly issued external
debt and external debt payable to certain financial institutions
from 15% to 4.9%. These policies lowered the consumer inflation
rate from 159.2% in 1987 to 7.1% in 1994.
Over the medium-term, the Government is committed to
reversing the decline in real wages experienced in the last
decade through control of inflation, a controlled gradual upward
adjustment of wages and a reduction in income taxes for the lower
income brackets. Nonetheless, the effect of the devaluation of
the peso and the Government's response to that event and related
developments caused a significant increase in inflation, as well
a decline in real wages for much of the population, during 1995,
when the inflation rate increased to 52.0%. Subsequent fiscal
and monetary policies succeeded in lowering inflation during 1996
and 1997 (as measured by the increase in the National Consumer
Price Index), to 27.7% and 15.7%, respectively. In 1998,
however, inflation rose to 18.6%, well over the Government's
target of 12%.
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX. The following table sets forth
the changes in the Mexican consumer price index for the year
ended December 31 for the years 1981 through 1998.
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Annual
Increases in
National Consumer
Price Index
_________________
1981............................. 28.7%
1982............................. 98.9
1983............................. 80.8
1984............................. 59.2
1985............................. 63.7
1986............................. 105.7
1987............................. 159.2
1988............................. 51.7
1989............................. 19.7
1990............................. 29.9
1991............................. 18.8
1992............................. 11.9
1993............................. 8.0
1994............................. 7.1
1995............................. 52.0
1996............................. 27.7
1997............................. 15.7
1998............................. 18.6
Source: Banco de Mexico.
MEXICAN GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT. The following table
sets forth certain information concerning Mexico's GDP for the
years 1990 through 1998 at current and constant prices.
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Gross Gross Change
Domestic Domestic from Prior
Product Product at Year at
at Current Constant Constant
Prices 1993 Prices(1) Prices
__________ ___________ __________
(millions of Argentine Pesos) (percent)
1991. . . . 949,148 1,189,017 4.2
1992. . . . 1,125,334 1,232,162 3.6
1993. . . . 1,256,196 1,256,196 2.0
1994. . . . 1,423,364 1,312,200 4.5
1995. . . . 1,840,431 1,230,608 (6.2)
1996. . . . 2,508,147 1,294,152 5.2
1997(2) . . 3,187,441 1,384,825 7.0
1998(2) . . 3,798,000 N/A 4.8
(1) Constant peso with purchasing power at December 31, 1993,
expressed in pesos.
(2) Preliminary.
Source: Banco de Mexico; Mexico's National Statistics, Geography
and Informatics Institute (INEGI).
INTEREST RATES. The following table sets forth the
average interest rates per annum on 28-day and 91-day CETES,
which are peso-denominated Treasury bills, the average weighted
cost of term deposits for commercial banks ("CPP"), the average
interest rate ("TIIP") and the equilibrium interest rate ("TIIE")
for the periods listed below. The government announced plans in
late 1997 to issue medium-term CETES for the first time in 1998.
Average CETES and Interest Rates
_________________________________
28-Day 91-Day
CETES CETES CPP TIIP TIIE
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____
1990:
Jan.-June 41.2 40.7 43.2% _____ _____
July-Dec. 28.3 29.4 31.0 _____ _____
1991:
Jan.-June 21.2 21.7 24.3 _____ _____
July-Dec. 17.3 18.0 20.8 _____ _____
1992:
Jan.-June 13.8 13.8 16.9 _____ _____
July-Dec. 17.4 18.0 20.7 _____ _____
1993:
Jan.-June 16.4 17.3 20.9 20.4(1) _____
July-Dec. 13.5 13.6 16.2 16.1 _____
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1994:
Jan.-June 13.0 13.5 14.2 15.3 _____
July-Dec. 15.2 15.7 16.8 20.4 _____
1995:
Jan.-June 55.0 54.3 49.6 63.6 71.2(2)
July-Dec. 41.9 42.2 40.7 44.5 44.5
1996:
Jan.-June 35.4 37.2 34.5 37.3 37.2
July-Dec. 27.4 28.6 26.9 30.2 30.1
1997:
Jan.-June 20.8 22.2 20.8 23.2 23.2
July-Dec. 18.8 20.3 17.4 20.5 20.6
1998:
Jan.-June 18.8 19.8 17.2 20.6 20.6
July-Dec. 30.7 32.5 25.0 32.9 33.1
(1) February-June average.
(2) Average for the last two weeks of March.
Source: Banco de Mexico.
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____________________________________________________________
APPENDIX E:
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.
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For purposes of applying (a) and (b), there
are to be aggregated all assets of any Tax-
Qualified Plan maintained by the sponsor of
the Merrill Lynch Plan (or any of the
sponsor's affiliates) (determined to be such
by Merrill Lynch) which are being invested
in shares of or interests in MLAM Funds,
Alliance Mutual Funds or other mutual funds
made available pursuant to an agreement
between Merrill Lynch and the principal
underwriter thereof (or one of its
affiliates) and which are being held in a
Merrill Lynch account.
(ii) Plans for which the recordkeeper is not Merrill Lynch,
but which are recordkept on a daily valuation basis by
a recordkeeper with which Merrill Lynch has a
subcontracting or other alliance arrangement for the
performance of recordkeeping services, if the plan is
determined by Merrill Lynch to be so eligible and the
assets of the plan are less than $3 million.
Class B shares of the Fund held by any of the above-
described Merrill Lynch Plans are to be replaced at Merrill
Lynch's direction through conversion, exchange or otherwise by
Class A shares of the Fund on the earlier of the date that the
value of the plan's aggregate assets first equals or exceeds $5
million or the date on which any Class B share of the Fund held
by the plan would convert to a Class A share of the Fund as
described under "Purchase of Shares" and "Redemption and
Repurchase of Shares."
Any Tax Qualified Plan, including any Merrill Lynch
Plan, which does not purchase Class B shares of the Fund without
being subject to a contingent deferred sales charge under the
above criteria is eligible to purchase Class B shares subject to
a contingent deferred sales charge as well as other classes of
shares of the Fund as set forth above under "Purchase of Shares"
and "Redemption and Repurchase of Shares."
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00250182.AY6
