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This is filed pursuant to Rule 497(e).
File Nos. 33-45328 and 811-06554.
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[LOGO] ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND, INC.
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c/o Alliance Fund Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 1520, Secaucus, New Jersey 07096-1520
Toll Free (800) 221-5672
For Literature: Toll Free (800) 227-4618
___________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
February 1, 2000
___________________________________________________________
This Statement of Additional Information is not a
prospectus but supplements and should be read in conjunction with
the current Prospectus, dated February 1, 2000, for Alliance
Premier Growth Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") that offers Class A,
Class B and Class C shares of the Fund and the current
Prospectus, dated February 1, 2000, for the Fund that offers the
Advisor Class shares of the Fund (the "Advisor Class Prospectus"
and, together with the Prospectus for the Fund that offers the
Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the Fund, the
"Prospectus"). Copies of either Prospectus may be obtained by
contacting Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the address or the
"For Literature" telephone numbers 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 ACCOUNTANTS AND FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS...............................................
APPENDIX A................................................. A-1
APPENDIX B: CERTAIN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS................. B-1
__________________________
(R) This registered service mark used under license from the
owner, Alliance Capital Management, L.P.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND
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Alliance Premier Growth Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") is a
diversified, open-end investment company. Except as otherwise
indicated, the investment policies of the Fund are not
"fundamental policies" and may, therefore, be changed by the
Board of Directors without a shareholder vote. However, the Fund
will not change its investment policies without contemporaneous
written notice to its shareholders. In addition, 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.
Investment Objective
The Fund's investment objective is to seek long-term
growth of capital by investing predominantly in the equity
securities (common stocks, securities convertible into common
stocks and rights and warrants to subscribe for or purchase
common stocks) of a limited number of large, carefully selected,
high-quality American companies that, in the judgment of Alliance
Capital Management L.P., the Fund's adviser (the "Adviser"), are
likely to achieve superior earnings growth.
How the Fund Pursues its Objective
As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund will, under
normal circumstances, invest at least 85% of the value of its
total assets in the equity securities of American companies
(except when in a temporarily defensive position).
Within the investment framework described herein, Alfred
Harrison, who heads the Adviser's "Large Cap Growth Group," is
ultimately responsible for the investment decisions for the Fund.
In managing the Fund's assets, the Adviser's investment strategy
emphasizes stock selection and investment in the securities of a
limited number of issuers. The Adviser depends heavily upon the
fundamental analysis and research of its large internal research
staff in making investment decisions for the Fund. The research
staff generally follows a primary research universe of
approximately 600 companies which are considered by the Adviser
to have strong management, superior industry positions, excellent
balance sheets and the ability to demonstrate superior earnings
growth. As one of the largest multi-national investment firms,
the Adviser has access to considerable information concerning all
of the companies followed, an in-depth understanding of the
products, services, markets and competition of these companies
and a good knowledge of the managements of most of the companies
in its research universe.
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The Adviser's analysts prepare their own earnings
estimates and financial models for each company followed. While
each analyst has responsibility for following companies in one or
more identified sectors and/or industries, the lateral structure
of the Adviser's research organization and constant communication
among the analysts result in decision-making based on the
relative attractiveness of stocks among industry sectors. The
focus during this process is on the early recognition of change
on the premise that value is created through the dynamics of
changing company, industry and economic fundamentals. Research
emphasis is placed on the identification of companies whose
substantially above average prospective earnings growth is not
fully reflected in current market valuations.
The Adviser continually reviews its primary research
universe of approximately 600 companies to maintain a list of
favored securities, the "Alliance 100," considered by the Adviser
to have the most clearly superior earnings potential and
valuation attraction. The Adviser's concentration on a limited
universe of companies allows it to devote its extensive resources
to constant intensive research of these companies. Companies are
constantly added to and deleted from the Alliance 100 as
fundamentals and valuations change. The Adviser's Large Cap
Growth Group, in turn, further refines, on a weekly basis, the
selection process for the Fund with each portfolio manager in the
Group selecting 25 such companies which appear to the manager
most attractive at current prices. These individual ratings are
then aggregated and ranked to produce a composite list of the 25
most highly regarded stocks, the "Favored 25." Approximately 70%
of the Fund's net assets will usually be invested in the Favored
25 with the balance of the Fund's investment portfolio consisting
principally of other stocks in the Alliance 100. Portfolio
emphasis upon particular industries or sectors is a by-product of
the stock selection process rather than the result of assigned
targets or ranges.
In the management of the Fund's investment portfolio,
the Adviser will seek to utilize market volatility judiciously
(assuming no change in company fundamentals) to adjust the Fund's
portfolio positions. The Fund will strive to capitalize on
apparently unwarranted price fluctuations, both to purchase or
increase positions on weakness and to sell or reduce overpriced
holdings. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will remain
substantially fully invested in equity securities and will not
take significant cash positions for market timing purposes.
Rather, during a market decline, while adding to positions in
favored stocks, the Fund will tend to become somewhat more
aggressive, gradually reducing somewhat the number of companies
represented in the Fund's portfolio. Conversely, in rising
markets, while reducing or eliminating fully valued positions,
the Fund will tend to become somewhat more conservative,
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gradually increasing somewhat the number of companies represented
in the Fund's portfolio. Through this "buying into declines" and
"selling into strength," the Adviser seeks to gain positive
returns in good markets while providing some measure of
protection in poor markets.
The Adviser expects the average weighted market
capitalization of companies represented in the Fund's portfolio
(i.e., the number of a company's shares outstanding multiplied by
the price per share) to normally be in the range of or exceed the
average weighted market capitalization of companies comprising
the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index, a widely
recognized unmanaged index of market activity based upon the
aggregate performance of a selected portfolio of publicly traded
stocks, including monthly adjustments to reflect the reinvestment
of dividends and distributions. Investments will be made upon
their potential for capital appreciation. Because of the market
risks inherent in any investment, the selection of securities on
the basis of their appreciation possibilities cannot ensure
against possible loss in value, and there is, of course, no
assurance that the Fund's investment objective will be met.
Additional Investment Policies and Practices
The following investment policies and restrictions
supplement those set forth above and in the Prospectus. Except
as otherwise noted, the Fund's investment policies described
below are not designated "fundamental policies" within the
meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"1940 Act") and may be changed by the Directors of the Fund
without shareholder approval. However, the Fund will not change
its investment policies without contemporaneous written notice to
shareholders.
Convertible Securities. The Fund may invest in
convertible securities which include bonds, debentures, corporate
notes and preferred stocks that are convertible at a stated
exchange rate into common stock. Prior to their 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. As with all debt
securities, the market value of convertible securities tends to
decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase
as interest rates decline. While convertible securities
generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-
convertible debt securities of similar quality, they do enable
the investor to benefit from increases in the market price of the
underlying common stock. When the market price of the common
stock underlying a convertible security increases, the price of
the convertible security increasingly reflects the value of the
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underlying common stock and may rise accordingly. As the market
price of the underlying common stock declines, the convertible
security tends to trade increasingly on a yield basis, and thus
may not depreciate to the same extent as the underlying common
stock. Convertible securities rank senior to common stocks on an
issuer's capital structure. They are consequently of higher
quality and entail less risk than the issuer's common stock,
although the extent to which such risk is reduced depends in
large measure upon the degree to which the convertible security
sells above its value as a fixed income security. The Fund may
invest up to 20% of its net assets in the convertible securities
of companies whose common stocks are eligible for purchase by the
Fund under the investment policies described above.
Rights and Warrants. The Fund may invest up to 5% of
its net assets in rights or warrants which entitle the holder to
buy equity securities at a specific price for a specific period
of time, but will do so only if the equity securities themselves
are deemed appropriate by the Adviser for inclusion in the Fund's
portfolio. Rights and warrants may be considered more
speculative than certain other types of investments in that they
do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with
respect to the securities which may be purchased nor do they
represent any rights in the assets of the issuing company. Also,
the value of a right or warrant does not necessarily change with
the value of the underlying securities and a right or warrant
ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to the
expiration date.
Foreign Securities. The Fund may invest up to 15% of
the value of its total assets in securities of foreign issuers
whose common stocks are eligible for purchase by the Fund under
the investment policies described above. Foreign securities
investments are affected by exchange control regulations as well
as by changes in governmental administration, economic or
monetary policy (in the United States and abroad) and changed
circumstances in dealings between nations. Currency exchange
rate movements will increase or reduce the U.S. dollar value of
the Fund's net assets and income attributable to foreign
securities. Costs are incurred in connection with the conversion
of currencies held by the Fund. There may be less publicly
available information about foreign issuers than about domestic
issuers, and foreign issuers may not be subject to accounting,
auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements
comparable to those of domestic issuers. Securities of some
foreign issuers are less liquid and more volatile than securities
of comparable domestic issuers, and foreign brokerage commissions
are generally higher than in the United States. Foreign
securities markets may also be less liquid, more volatile and
less subject to governmental supervision than in the United
States. Investments in foreign countries could be affected by
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other factors not present in the United States, including
expropriation, confiscatory taxation and potential difficulties
in enforcing contractual obligations.
Illiquid Securities. The Fund will not maintain more
than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. For this
purpose, illiquid securities include, among others, 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).
Historically, illiquid securities have included
securities subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale
because they have not been registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and securities which are
otherwise not readily marketable. 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 foreign securities.
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 net assets (taken at
market value) in restricted securities (excluding Rule 144A
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 dealers to institutional investors and in private
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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
many restricted securities, and market liquidity for such
securities may continue to expand as a result of this regulation
and the consequent inception of the PORTAL System, which is an
automated system for the trading, clearance and settlement of
unregistered securities of domestic and foreign issuers sponsored
by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
The Fund's Adviser, acting under the supervision of the
Board of Directors, will monitor the liquidity of restricted
securities in the Fund's portfolio that are eligible for resale
pursuant to Rule 144A. In reaching liquidity decisions, the
Fund's 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 interpretation or position with respect to such type
of securities.
General. When business or financial conditions warrant,
the Fund may assume a temporary defensive position and invest in
high-grade, short-term, fixed-income securities, which may
include U.S. Government securities, or hold its assets in cash.
Other Investment Practices
While the Fund does not anticipate utilizing them on a
regular basis, the Fund may from time to time employ the
following investment practices.
Puts and Calls. The Fund may write exchange-traded call
options on common stocks, for which it will receive a purchase
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premium from the buyer, and may purchase and sell exchange-traded
call and put options on common stocks written by others or
combinations thereof. The Fund will not write put options.
Writing, purchasing and selling call options are highly
specialized activities and entail greater than ordinary
investment risks. A call option gives the purchaser of the
option, in exchange for paying the writer a premium, the right to
call upon the writer to deliver a specified number of shares of a
specified stock on or before a fixed date, at a predetermined
price. A put option gives the buyer of the option, in exchange
for paying the writer a premium, the right to deliver a specified
number of shares of a stock to the writer of the option on or
before a fixed date at a predetermined price.
The writing of call options will, therefore, involve a
potential loss of opportunity to sell securities at higher
prices. In exchange for the premium received, the writer of a
fully collateralized call option assumes the full downside risk
of the securities subject to such option. In addition, the
writer of the call gives up the gain possibility of the stock
protecting the call. Generally, the opportunity for profit from
the writing of options is higher, and consequently the risks are
greater when the stocks involved are lower priced or volatile, or
both. While an option that has been written is in force, the
maximum profit that may be derived from the optioned stock is the
premium less brokerage commissions and fees. The Fund will not
sell a call written by it unless the Fund at all times during the
option period owns either (a) the optioned securities or has an
absolute and immediate right to acquire that security without
additional cash consideration (or for additional cash
consideration held in a segregated account by its custodian) upon
conversion or exchange of other securities held in its portfolio
or (b) a call option on the same security and in the same
principal amount as the call written where the exercise price of
the call held (i) is equal to or less than the exercise price of
the call written or (ii) is greater than the exercise price of
the call written if the difference is maintained by the Fund in
liquid assets in a segregated account with its Custodian.
Premiums received by the Fund in connection with writing
call options will vary widely depending primarily on supply and
demand. Commissions, stock transfer taxes and other expenses of
the Fund must be deducted from such premium receipts. Calls
written by the Fund will ordinarily be sold either on a national
securities exchange or through put and call dealers, most, if not
all, of whom are members of a national securities exchange on
which options are traded, and will in such cases be endorsed or
guaranteed by a member of a national securities exchange or
qualified broker-dealer, which may be Donaldson, Lufkin &
Jenrette Securities Corporation, an affiliate of the Adviser.
The endorsing or guaranteeing firm requires that the option
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writer (in this case the Fund) maintain a margin account
containing either corresponding stock or other equity as required
by the endorsing or guaranteeing firm.
The Fund will not sell a call option written by it if,
as a result of the sale, the aggregate of the Fund's portfolio
securities subject to outstanding call options (valued at the
lower of the option price or market value of such securities)
would exceed 15% of the Fund's total assets.
The Fund may purchase or write options on securities of
the types in which it is permitted to invest in privately
negotiated (i.e., over-the-counter) transactions. The Fund will
effect such transactions only with investment dealers and other
financial institutions (such as commercial banks or savings and
loan institutions) deemed creditworthy by the Adviser, and the
Adviser has adopted procedures for monitoring the
creditworthiness of such entities.
In buying a call, the Fund would be in a position to
realize a gain if, during the option period, the price of the
shares increased by an amount in excess of the premium paid and
commissions payable on exercise. It would realize a loss if the
price of the security declined or remained the same or did not
increase during the period by more than the amount of the premium
and commissions payable on exercise. By buying a put, the Fund
would be in a position to realize a gain if, during the option
period, the price of the shares declined by an amount in excess
of the premium paid and commissions payable on exercise. It
would realize a loss if the price of the security increased or
remained the same or did not decrease during that period by more
than the amount of the premium and commissions payable on
exercise. In addition, the Fund could realize a gain or loss on
such options by selling them.
As noted above, the Fund may also purchase and sell call
and put options written by others or combinations thereof, but
the aggregate cost of all outstanding options purchased and held
by the Fund, including options on market indices as described
below, will at no time exceed 10% of the Fund's total assets. If
an option is not sold and expires without being exercised, the
Fund would suffer a loss in the amount of the premium paid by the
Fund for the option.
Options on Market Indices. The Fund may purchase and
sell exchange-traded index options. An option on a securities
index is similar to an option on a security except that, rather
than the right to take or make delivery of a security at a
specified price, an option on a securities index gives the holder
the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of
cash if the closing level of the chosen index is greater than (in
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the case of a call) or less than (in the case of a put) the
exercise price of the option.
Through the purchase of listed index options, the Fund
could achieve many of the same objectives as through the use of
options on individual securities. Price movements in the Fund's
portfolio securities probably will not correlate perfectly with
movements in the level of the index and, therefore, the Fund
would bear a risk of loss on index options purchased by it if
favorable price movements of the hedged portfolio securities do
not equal or exceed losses on the options or if adverse price
movements of the hedged portfolio securities are greater than
gains realized from the options.
Stock Index Futures. The Fund may purchase and sell
stock index futures contracts. A stock index assigns relative
values to the common stocks comprising the index. A stock index
futures contract is a bilateral agreement pursuant to which two
parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of liquid
assets equal to a specified dollar amount multiplied by the
difference between the stock index value at the close of the last
trading day of the contract and the price at which the futures
contract is originally struck. No physical delivery of the
underlying stocks in the index is made. The Fund will not
purchase and sell options on stock index futures contracts.
The Fund may not purchase or sell a stock index future
if, immediately thereafter, more than 30% of its total assets
would be hedged by stock index futures. In connection with its
purchase of stock index futures contracts the Fund will deposit
in a segregated account with the Fund's custodian an amount of
liquid assets equal to the market value of the futures contracts
less any amounts maintained in a margin account with the Fund's
broker. The Fund may not purchase or sell a stock index future
if, immediately thereafter, the sum of the amount of margin
deposits on the Fund's existing futures positions would exceed 5%
of the market value of the Fund's total assets.
For a more detailed description of stock index futures
contracts, see Appendix A.
General. The successful use of the foregoing investment
practices, which may be used as a hedge against changes in the
values of securities resulting from market conditions, draws upon
the Adviser's special skills and experience with respect to such
instruments and usually depends on the Adviser's ability to
forecast movements of specific securities or stock indices
correctly. Should these securities or indices move in an
unexpected manner, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated
benefits of options and stock index futures contracts or may
realize losses and, thus, be in a worse position than if such
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strategies had not been used. In addition, the correlation
between movements in the prices of such instruments and movements
in the price of securities being hedged or used for cover will
not be perfect and could produce unanticipated losses. The
Fund's ability to dispose of its position in options and stock
index futures will depend on the availability of liquid markets
in these instruments. No assurance can be given that the Fund
will be able to close a particular option or stock index futures
position.
Portfolio Turnover. The Fund's investment policies as
described above (see "Investment Objective" and "How the Fund
Pursues its Objective") are based on the Adviser's assessment of
fundamentals in the context of changing market valuations. They
may therefore involve frequent purchases and sales of shares of a
particular issuer as well as the replacement of securities.
While it is anticipated that the Fund's annual portfolio turnover
rate will not normally exceed 100%, it could, under some
conditions, exceed 100%. A 100% annual turnover rate would
occur, for example, if all of the stocks in the Fund's portfolio
were replaced once in a period of one year. The Fund expects
that more of its portfolio turnover will be attributable to
increases and decreases in the size of particular portfolio
positions rather than to the complete elimination of a particular
issuer's securities from the Fund's portfolio. A high portfolio
turnover rate will cause the Fund to realize short-term capital
gains or losses on the sale of certain securities and
correspondingly greater brokerage commission expenses than would
a lower rate, which expenses must be borne by the Fund and its
shareholders. See "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes."
Certain Fundamental Investment Policies
The following restrictions may not be changed without a
vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities.
The approval of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting
securities means the affirmative vote of (i) 67% or more of the
shares represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the
outstanding shares are present in person or by proxy, or
(ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares, whichever is less.
As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund may not:
(a) purchase more than 10% of the outstanding
voting securities of any one issuer;
(b) invest 25% or more of the value of its
total assets in the same industry except that this restriction
does not apply to securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government, its agencies and instrumentalities;
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(c) borrow money or issue senior securities
except for temporary or emergency purposes in an amount not
exceeding 5% of the value of its total assets at the time the
borrowing is made;
(d) pledge, mortgage, hypothecate or
otherwise encumber any of its assets except in connection with
the writing of call options and except to secure permitted
borrowings;
(e) invest in the securities of any issuer
that has a record of less than three years of continuous
operation (including the operation of any predecessor) if the
investment at the time thereof would cause more than 10% of the
value of the Fund to be invested in the securities of such issuer
or issuers;
(f) make loans except through the purchase of
debt obligations in accordance with its investment objective and
policies;
(g) participate on a joint or joint and
several basis in any securities trading account;
(h) invest in companies for the purpose of
exercising control;
(i) write put options;
(j) purchase the securities of any other
investment company or investment trust, except when such purchase
is part of a merger, consolidation or acquisition of assets; or
(k)(i) purchase or sell real estate except
that it may purchase and sell securities of companies which deal
in real estate or interests therein, (ii) purchase or sell
commodities or commodity contracts (other than stock index
futures contracts), (iii) invest in interests in oil, gas or
other mineral exploration or development programs, except that it
may purchase and sell securities of companies that deal in oil,
gas or other mineral exploration or development programs,
(iv) make short sales of securities or purchase securities on
margin except for such short-term credits as may be necessary for
the clearance of transactions or (v) act as an underwriter of
securities, except that the Fund may acquire restricted
securities or securities in private placements under
circumstances in which, if such securities were sold, the Fund
might be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the
Securities Act of 1933.
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In addition, the Fund has undertaken with the Securities
Administrators of certain states where the Fund's shares are sold
not to purchase the securities of any company that has a record
of less than three years of continuous operation (including that
of predecessors) if such purchase at the time thereof would cause
more than 5% of its total assets, taken at current value, to be
invested in the securities of such companies, that it will not
purchase puts, calls, straddles, spreads and any combination
thereof if by reason thereof the value of its aggregate
investment in such classes of securities will exceed 5% of its
total assets, it will not engage in options in the over-the-
counter market if such options are available on an exchange, it
will only transact in over-the-counter options with major broker-
dealer and financial institutions whom the Fund's Adviser
considers creditworthy, it will only engage in options which are
liquid and readily marketable, i.e., the market will be of
sufficient depth and liquidity so as not to create undue risk,
the aggregate premiums paid on all options which are held at any
time do not exceed 20% of the company's total net assets, the
Fund prohibits the purchase or retention of the securities of any
issuer if its officers, Directors or Advisors owning beneficially
more than one-half of one percent of the securities of each
issuer together own beneficially more than five percent of such
securities, any securities transaction effected through an
affiliated broker-dealer will be fair and reasonable in
compliance with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund will not
purchase illiquid securities if immediately after such investment
more than 10% of the Fund's net assets (taken at market value
would be so invested) and that special meetings of stockholders
for any purpose may be called by 10% of its outstanding
shareholders. The Fund will not invest in warrants if such
warrants valued at the lower of 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. The
Fund will not invest in real estate partnerships and will not
invest in mineral leases.
Whenever any investment restriction states a maximum
percentage of the Fund's assets which may be invested in any
security or other asset, it is intended that such maximum
percentage limitation be determined immediately after and as a
result of the Fund's acquisition of such securities or other
assets. Accordingly, any later increase or decrease in
percentage beyond the specified limitation resulting from a
change in values or net assets will not be considered a violation
of any such maximum.
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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
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Adviser
Alliance Capital Management L.P. (the "Adviser"), 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 adviser managing
client accounts with assets as of December 31, 1999 totaling more
than $368 billion (of which more than $169 billion represented
assets of investment companies). As of December 31, 1999, the
Adviser managed retirement assets for many of the largest public
and private employee benefit plans (including 31 of the nation's
FORTUNE 100 companies), for public employee retirement funds in
31 states, for investment companies, and for foundations,
endowments, banks and insurance companies worldwide. The 52
registered investment companies managed by the Adviser,
comprising 105 separate investment portfolios, currently have
approximately 5 million shareholder accounts.
Alliance Capital Management Corporation ("ACMC") is the
general partner of the Adviser and a wholly owned subsidiary of
The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States
("Equitable"). Equitable, one of the largest life insurance
companies in the United States, is the beneficial owner of an
approximately 55.4% partnership interest in the Adviser.
Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P. ("Alliance Holding")
owns an approximately 41.9% partnership interest in the Adviser.*
____________________
* Until October 29, 1999, Alliance Holding served as the
investment adviser to the Fund. On that date, Alliance
Holding reorganized by transferring its business to the
Adviser. Prior thereto, the Adviser had no material
business operations. One result of the organization was
that the Advisory Agreement, then between the Fund and
Alliance Holding, was transferred to the Adviser by means
of a technical assignment, and ownership of Alliance Fund
Distributors, Inc. and Alliance Fund Services, Inc., the
Fund's principal underwriter and transfer agent,
respectively, also was transferred to the Adviser.
14
<PAGE>
Equity interests in Alliance Holding are traded on the New York
Stock Exchange in the form of units. Approximately 98% of such
interests are owned by the public and management or employees of
the Adviser and approximately 2% are owned by Equitable.
Equitable is a wholly owned subsidiary of AXA Financial, Inc.
("AXA Financial"), a Delaware corporation whose shares are traded
on the New York Stock Exchange. AXA Financial serves as the
holding company for the Adviser, Equitable and Donaldson, Lufkin
& Jenrette, Inc., an integrated investment and merchant bank. As
of June 30, 1999, AXA, a French insurance holding company, owned
approximately 58.2% of the issued and outstanding shares of
common stock of AXA Financial.
Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser furnishes
advice and recommendations with respect to the Fund's portfolio
of securities and investments and provides persons satisfactory
to the Board of Directors to act as officers and employees of the
Fund. Such officers and employees may be employees of the
Adviser or its affiliates.
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 $129,000 in respect of such services during
the fiscal year of the Fund ended in 1999.
For the services rendered by the Adviser prior to
October 13, 1998 under the Advisory Agreement, the Fund paid the
Adviser at an annualized rate of 1% of the average daily value of
the Fund's net assets. The fee is accrued daily and paid
monthly. At their Regular Meeting held on October 13, 1998, the
Board of Directors, including a majority of the Directors who are
not "interested persons" as defined in the 1940 Act, voted
unanimously to amend the Advisory Agreement to substitute for the
15
<PAGE>
flat 1% fee a schedule of percentages based on the Fund's average
daily net assets. For the services rendered by the Adviser under
the Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser at the annual
rate of 1.00% of the first $5 billion, .95% of the excess over $5
billion up to $7.5 billion, .90% of the excess over $7.5 billion
up to $10 billion and .85% of the excess over $10 billion of the
average daily value of the Fund's net assets. The fee is accrued
daily and paid monthly. For the fiscal years of the Fund ended
in 1999, 1998 and 1997, the Adviser received from the Fund
advisory fees of $105,739,475, $31,072,604 and $9,721,137,
respectively.
The Advisory Agreement became effective on September 17,
1992, having been 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 by the 1940 Act, of any such party) at a meeting called
for that purpose held on July 21, 1992, and by the initial holder
of Class A shares and Class B shares of the Fund on August 6,
1992.
The Advisory Agreement remains in effect for successive
twelve-month periods computed from each August 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, of any such party at a meeting in person
called for the purpose of voting on such matter. The Advisory
Agreement was approved for another annual term 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 July 14, 1999.
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.
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
16
<PAGE>
of more than one client during the same period increase the
demand for securities being purchased or the supply of securities
being sold, there may be an adverse effect on price or quantity.
It is the policy of the 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 Alliance Institutional Reserves,
Inc., AFD Exchange Reserves, Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund,
Inc., Alliance Balanced Shares, Inc., Alliance Bond Fund, Inc.,
Alliance Capital Reserves, Alliance Disciplined Value Fund, Inc.,
Alliance Global Dollar Government Fund, Inc., Alliance Global
Environment Fund, Inc., Alliance Global Small Cap Fund, Inc.,
Alliance Global Strategic Income Trust, Inc., Alliance Government
Reserves, Alliance Greater China '97 Fund, Inc., Alliance Growth
and Income Fund, Inc., Alliance Health Care Fund, Inc., Alliance
High Yield Fund, Inc., Alliance Institutional Funds, Inc.,
Alliance Institutional Reserves, Inc., Alliance International
Fund, Alliance International Premier Growth Fund, Inc., Alliance
Limited Maturity Government Fund, Inc., Alliance Money Market
Fund, Alliance Mortgage Securities Income Fund, Inc., Alliance
Multi-Market Strategy Trust, Inc., Alliance Municipal Income
Fund, Inc., Alliance Municipal Income Fund II, Alliance Municipal
Trust, Alliance New Europe Fund, Inc., Alliance North American
Government Income Trust, Inc., Alliance Premier Growth Fund,
Inc., Alliance Quasar Fund, Inc., Alliance Real Estate Investment
Fund, Inc., Alliance Select Investor Series, Inc., Alliance
Technology Fund, Inc., Alliance Utility Income Fund, Inc.,
Alliance Variable Products Series Fund, Inc., Alliance Worldwide
Privatization Fund, Inc., The Alliance Fund, Inc. and The
Alliance Portfolios, 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.
17
<PAGE>
Directors and Officers
The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under
the direction of the Board of Directors. The Directors and
principal officers of the Fund, their ages and their principal
occupations during the past five years are set forth below. Each
of the Directors and Officers are trustees, directors and
officers 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,** 54, Chairman of the Board, is the
President, Chief Operating Officer and a Director of ACMC, with
which he has been associated since prior to 1995.
RUTH BLOCK, 69, was formerly an Executive Vice President
and the Chief Insurance Officer of Equitable. She is a Director
of Ecolab Incorporated (specialty chemicals) and BP Amoco
Corporation (oil and gas). Her address is P.O. Box 4623,
Stamford, Connecticut 06903.
DAVID H. DIEVLER, 70, is an independent consultant. He
was formerly a Senior Vice President of ACMC until December 1994.
His address is P.O. Box 167, Spring Lake, New Jersey 07762.
JOHN H. DOBKIN, 57, has been the President of Historic
Hudson Valley (historic preservation) since prior to 1995.
Previously, he was Director of the National Academy of Design.
His address is 150 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, New York 10591.
WILLIAM H. FOULK, JR., 67, is an Investment Adviser and
an independent consultant. He was formerly Senior Manager of
Barrett Associates, Inc., a registered investment adviser, with
which he had been associated since prior to 1995. His address is
Room 100, 2 Greenwich Plaza, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830.
DR. JAMES M. HESTER, 75, has been President of the Harry
Frank Guggenheim Foundation, with which he has been associated
since prior to 1995. He was formerly President of New York
University, the New York Botanical Garden and Rector of the
United Nations University. His address is 25 Cleveland Lane,
Princeton, New Jersey 08540.
____________________
** An "interested person" of the Fund as defined in the 1940
Act.
18
<PAGE>
CLIFFORD L. MICHEL, 60, is a member of the law firm of
Cahill Gordon & Reindel, with which he has been associated since
prior to 1995. He is President and Chief Executive Officer of
Wenonah Development Company (investments) and a Director of
Placer Dome, Inc. (mining). His address is St. Bernard's Road,
Gladstone, New Jersey 07934.
DONALD J. ROBINSON, 65, is Senior Counsel to the law
firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe and was formerly a senior
partner and a member of the Executive Committee of that firm. He
was also a Trustee of the Museum of the City of New York from
1977 to 1995. His address is 98 Hell's Peak Road, Weston,
Vermont 05161.
Officers
JOHN D. CARIFA, Chairman and President, see biography
above.
ALFRED HARRISON, Executive Vice President, 62, is Vice
Chairman and a Director of ACMC, with which he has been
associated since prior to 1995.
KATHLEEN A. CORBET, Senior Vice President, 39, is an
Executive Vice President of ACMC, with which she has been
associated since prior to 1995.
THOMAS J. BARDONG, Vice President, 54, is a Senior Vice
President of ACMC, with which he has been associated since prior
to 1995.
DANIEL NORDBY, Vice President, 55, is a Senior Vice
President of ACMC, with which he has been associated since 1996.
Prior thereto, he was in private practice as a consulting
psychologist since prior to 1995.
EDMUND P. BERGAN, JR., Secretary, 49, 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 1995.
ANDREW L. GANGOLF, Assistant Secretary, 45, is a Vice
President and Assistant General Counsel of AFD, with which he has
been associated since prior to 1995.
DOMENICK PUGLIESE, Assistant Secretary, 38, is a Vice
President and Assistant General Counsel of AFD, with which he has
been associated since May 1995. Prior thereto, he was a Vice
President and Counsel of Concord Holding Corporation since prior
to 1995.
19
<PAGE>
MARK D. GERSTEN, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer,
49, is a Senior Vice President of AFS and a Vice President of
AFD, with which he has been associated since prior to 1995.
VINCENT S. NOTO, Controller, 35, is a Vice President of
AFS, with which he has been associated since prior to 1995.
The aggregate compensation paid by the Fund to each of
the Directors during its fiscal year ended November 30, 1999, the
aggregate compensation paid to each of the Directors during
calendar year 1999 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 registered
investment company nor any other fund in the Alliance Fund
Complex provides compensation in the form of pension or
retirement benefits to any of its directors or trustees. Each of
the Directors is a director or trustee of one or more other
registered investment companies in the Alliance Fund Complex.
Total Number Total Number
of Investment of Investment
Companies in Portfolios
the Alliance within the
Total Fund Complex, Alliance Fund
Compensation Including the Complex
From the Fund, as to including the
Aggregate Alliance Fund which the Fund,as to which
Compensation Complex, Director is a the Director
Name of Director From the Including the Director or is a Director
of the Fund Fund Fund Trustee or Trustee
John D. Carifa $0 $0 50 103
Ruth Block $3,617 $154,263 38 80
David H. Dievler $3,735 $210,188 45 87
John H. Dobkin $3,737 $206,488 42 84
William H. Foulk, Jr. $3,738 $246,413 45 98
Dr. James M. Hester $3,740 $164,138 39 81
Clifford L. Michel $3,740 $183,388 39 83
Donald J. Robinson $2,984 $154,313 41 92
As of January 5, 2000, the Directors and officers of the
Fund as a group owned less than 1% of the shares of any other
class of shares of the Fund.
20
<PAGE>
_________________________________________________________________
EXPENSES OF THE FUND
_________________________________________________________________
Distribution Services Agreement
The Fund has entered into a Distribution Services
Agreement (the "Agreement") with Alliance Fund Distributors,
Inc., the Fund's principal underwriter (the "Principal
Underwriter"), to permit the Principal Underwriter to distribute
the Fund's shares and to permit the Fund to pay distribution
services fees to defray expenses associated with distribution of
its Class A, Class B 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 Securities and Exchange Commission under the 1940 Act (the
"Rule 12b-1 Plan").
During the Fund's fiscal year ended November 30, 1999,
the Fund paid distribution services fees for expenditures under
the Agreement, with respect to Class A shares, in amounts
aggregating $9,781,762 which constituted .33%, annualized, of the
Fund's aggregate average daily net assets attributable to Class A
shares during the period, and the Adviser made payments from its
own resources as described above aggregating $8,130,408. Of the
$17,912,171 paid by the Fund and the Adviser under the Rule 12b-1
Plan with respect to the Class A shares, $301,438 was spent on
advertising, $397,178on the printing and mailing of prospectuses
for persons other than current shareholders, $7,962,388 for
compensation to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries
(including, $874,680 to the Fund's Principal Underwriter),
$4,149,847 for compensation to sales personnel, $5,101,320 was
spent on printing of sales literature, travel, entertainment, due
diligence and other promotional expenses.
During the Fund's fiscal year ended November 30, 1999,
the Fund paid distribution services fees for expenditures under
the Agreement, with respect to Class B shares, in amounts
aggregating $57,390,040, which constituted 1.00%, annualized, of
the Fund's aggregate average daily net assets attributable to
Class B shares during the period, and the Adviser made payments
from its own resources as described above aggregating
$138,484,893. Of the $195,874,934 paid by the Fund and the
Adviser under the Rule 12b-1 Plan with respect to the Class B
shares, $518,221 was spent on advertising, $648,914 on the
printing and mailing of prospectuses for persons other than
current shareholders, $179,020,468 for compensation to broker-
dealers and other financial intermediaries (including, $1,486,413
to the Fund's Principal Underwriter), $2,933,051 for compensation
to sales personnel, $2,820,224 was spent on printing of sales
21
<PAGE>
literature, travel, entertainment, due diligence and other
promotional expenses, and $9,934,056 was spent on interest on
Class B shares financing.
During the Fund's fiscal year ended November 30, 1999,
the Fund paid distribution services fees for expenditures under
the Agreement, with respect to Class C shares, in amounts
aggregating $20,190,491, which constituted 1.00%, annualized, of
the Fund's aggregate average daily net assets attributable to
Class C shares during the period, and the Adviser made payments
from its own resources as described above aggregating $6,000,869.
Of the $26,191,359 paid by the Fund and the Adviser, under the
Rule 12b-1 Plan with respect to the Class C shares, $218,814 was
spent on advertising, $264,727 on the printing and mailing of
prospectuses for persons other than current shareholders,
$22,795,381 for compensation to broker-dealers and other
financial intermediaries (including, $617,736 to the Fund's
Principal Underwriter), $1,209,931 for compensation to sales
personnel, $1,172,271 was spent on printing of sales literature,
travel, entertainment, due diligence and other promotional
expenses, and $530,235 was spent 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 charge and
distribution services fee 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 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
22
<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 for reimbursement in future years in respect of the
Class B and Class C shares for the Fund were, respectively,
$2,893,912 (.04% of the net assets of Class B) and $446,009 (.02%
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
Rule 12b-1 Plan 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 August 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 outstanding voting securities (as defined in
the 1940 Act) of that class, and, in either case, by a majority
of the Directors of the Fund who are not parties to 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. The Agreement
was approved for another annual term by a vote, cast in person,
of the Directors, including a majority of the Directors who are
not "interested persons", as defined in the 1940 Act, at their
meeting held on July 14, 1999.
23
<PAGE>
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.
Transfer Agency Agreement
AFS, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser
located at 500 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, New Jersey 07094, receives
a transfer agency fee per account holder of 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 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 November 30, 1999, the Fund
paid AFS $18,009,342 pursuant to the Transfer Agency Agreement.
_________________________________________________________________
PURCHASE OF SHARES
_________________________________________________________________
The following information supplements that set forth in
the Fund's Prospectus under the heading "Purchase and Sale of
Shares--How to Buy Shares."
General
Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuous basis at
a price equal to 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
24
<PAGE>
into selected agent agreements with the Principal Underwriter
("selected agents") and (iii) the Principal Underwriter.
Advisor Class shares of the Fund may be purchased and
held solely (i) through accounts established under fee-based
programs, sponsored and maintained by registered broker-dealers
or other financial intermediaries and approved by the Principal
Underwriter, (ii) through self-directed defined contribution
employee benefit plans (e.g., 401(k) plans) that have at least
1,000 participants or $25 million in assets, (iii) by the
categories of investors described in clauses (i) through (iv)
below under "--Sales at Net Asset Value" (other than officers,
directors and present and full-time employees of selected dealers
or agents, or relatives of such person, or any trust, individual
retirement account or retirement plan account for the benefit of
such relative, none of whom is eligible on the basis solely of
such status to purchase and hold Advisor Class shares), or
(iv) by directors and present or retired full-time employees of
CB Richard Ellis, Inc. Generally, a fee-based program must
charge an asset-based or other similar fee and must invest at
least $250,000 in Advisor Class shares of the Fund in order to be
approved by the Principal Underwriter for investment in Advisor
Class shares.
Investors may purchase shares of the Fund either through
selected broker-dealers, agents, financial intermediaries or
other financial representatives or directly through the Principal
Underwriter. A transaction, service, administrative or other
similar fee may be charged by your broker-dealer, agent,
financial intermediary or other financial representative with
respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of Class A, Class B,
Class C or Advisor Class shares made through such financial
representative. Such financial representative may also impose
requirements with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of
shares that are different from, or in addition to, those imposed
by the Fund, including requirements as to the minimum initial and
subsequent investment amounts. Sales personnel of selected
dealers and agents distributing the Fund's shares may receive
differing compensation for selling Class A, Class B, Class C or
Advisor Class shares.
The Fund may refuse any order for the purchase of
shares. The Fund reserves the right to suspend the sale of its
shares to the public in response to conditions in the securities
markets or for other reasons.
The public offering price of shares of the Fund is their
net asset value, plus, in the case of Class A shares, a sales
charge which will vary depending on the purchase alternative
chosen by the investor, as shown in the table below under
"Initial Sales Charge Alternative--Class A Shares." On each Fund
25
<PAGE>
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
applicable, the applicable public offering price will be the net
asset value as so determined, but only if the selected dealer,
agent or financial representative receives the order prior to the
close of regular trading on the Exchange and transmits it to the
Principal Underwriter prior to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. The
selected dealer, agent or financial representative, as
applicable, is responsible for transmitting such orders by
5:00 p.m. Eastern time (certain selected dealers, agents or
financial representatives may enter into operating agreements
permitting them to transmit purchase information to the Principal
Underwriter after 5:00 p.m. Eastern time and receive that day's
net asset value). If the selected dealer, agent or financial
representative fails to do so, the investor's right to that day's
closing price must be settled between the investor and the
selected dealer, agent or financial representative, as
applicable. If the selected dealer, agent or financial
26
<PAGE>
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, stock certificates representing shares of
the Fund are not issued except upon written request to the Fund
by the shareholder or his or her authorized selected dealer or
agent. This facilitates later redemption and relieves the
shareholder of the responsibility for and inconvenience of lost
or stolen certificates. No certificates are issued for
fractional shares, although such shares remain in the
shareholder's account on the books of the Fund.
In addition to the discount or commission paid to
dealers or agents, the Principal Underwriter from time to time
pays additional cash or other incentives to dealers or agents in
connection with the sale of shares of the Fund. Such additional
amounts may be utilized, in whole or in part to provide
additional compensation to registered representatives who sell
shares of the Fund. On some occasions, such cash or other
incentives may take the form of payment for attendance at
seminars, meals, sporting events or theater performances, or
payment for travel, lodging and entertainment incurred in
connection with travel taken by persons associated with a dealer
or agent to locations within or outside the United States. Such
dealer or agent may elect to receive cash incentives of
equivalent amount in lieu of such payments.
27
<PAGE>
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 contingent 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 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 the 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
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, Class B and Class C shares permit an investor
to choose the method of purchasing shares that is most beneficial
given the amount of the purchase, the length of time the investor
expects to hold the shares and other circumstances. Investors
should consider whether, during the anticipated life of their
investment in the Fund, the accumulated distribution services fee
and contingent deferred sales 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
____________________
*** Advisor Class shares are sold only to investors described
above in this section under "-General."
28
<PAGE>
than the initial sales charge and accumulated distribution
services fee on Class A shares purchased at the same time, and to
what extent such differential would be offset by the higher
return of Class A shares. Class A shares will normally be more
beneficial than Class B shares to the investor who qualifies for
reduced initial sales charges on Class A shares, as described
below. In this regard, the Principal Underwriter will reject any
order (except orders from certain retirement plans and certain
employee benefit plans) for more than $250,000 for Class B
shares. (See Appendix B for information concerning the
eligibility of certain employee benefit plans to purchase Class B
shares at net asset value without being subject to a contingent
deferred sales charge and the ineligibility of certain such plans
to purchase Class A shares). Class C shares will normally not be
suitable for the investor who qualifies to purchase Class A
shares at net asset value. For this reason, the Principal
Underwriter will reject any order for more than $1,000,000 for
Class C shares.
Class A shares are subject to a lower distribution
services fee and, accordingly, pay correspondingly higher
dividends per share than Class B shares or Class C shares.
However, because initial sales charges are deducted at the time
of purchase, most investors purchasing Class A shares would not
have all their funds invested initially and, therefore, would
initially own fewer shares. Investors not qualifying for reduced
initial sales charges who expect to maintain their investment for
an extended period of time might consider purchasing Class A
shares because the accumulated continuing distribution charges on
Class B shares or Class C shares may exceed the initial sales
charge on Class A shares during the life of the investment.
Again, however, such investors must weigh this consideration
against the fact that, because of such initial sales charges, not
all their funds will be invested initially.
Other investors might determine, however, that it would
be more advantageous to purchase Class B shares or Class C shares
in order to have all their funds invested initially, although
remaining subject to higher continuing distribution charges and
being subject to a contingent deferred sales charge for a four-
year and one-year period, respectively. For example, based on
current fees and expenses, an investor subject to the 4.25%
initial sales charge on Class A shares would have to hold his or
her investment approximately seven years for the Class C
distribution services fee to exceed the initial sales charge plus
the accumulated distribution services fee of Class A shares. In
this example, an investor intending to maintain his or her
investment for a longer period might consider purchasing Class A
shares. This example does not take into account the time value
of money, which further reduces the impact of the Class C
29
<PAGE>
distribution services fees on the investment, fluctuations in net
asset value or the effect of different performance assumptions.
Those investors who prefer to have all of their funds
invested initially but may not wish to retain Fund shares for the
four-year period during which Class B shares are subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge may find it more advantageous to
purchase Class C shares.
During the Fund's fiscal years ended in 1999, 1998 and
1997, the aggregate amounts of underwriting commission payable
with respect to shares of the Fund were $65,212,667, $23,155,391
and $6,270,803, respectively. Of that amount, the Principal
Underwriters received the amounts of $2,941,087, $705,099 and
$177,799, 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 Underwriters). During the Fund's fiscal years
ended in 1999, 1998 and 1997, the Principal Underwriter received
contingent deferred sales charges of $157,564, $19,393 and
$4,277, respectively, on Class A shares, $9,314,135, $2,270,709
and $718,189, respectively, on Class B shares, and $1,019,542,
$244,886 and $35,775, respectively, on Class C shares.
30
<PAGE>
Class A shares
The public offering price of Class A shares is the net
asset value plus a sales charge, as set forth below.
Sales Charge
Discount Or
Commission
As % of To Dealers
As % of the Public Or Agents
Amount of Net Amount Offering As % of
Purchase Invested 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
31
<PAGE>
Underwriter to defray the expenses of the Principal Underwriter
related to providing distribution-related services to the Fund in
connection with the sales of Class A shares, such as the payment
of compensation to selected dealers or agents for selling Class A
Shares. With respect to purchases of $1,000,000 or more made
through selected dealers and agents, the Adviser may, pursuant to
the Distribution Services Agreement described above, pay such
dealers or agents from its own resources a fee of up to 1% of the
amount invested to compensate such dealers or agents for their
distribution assistance in connection with such purchases.
No initial sales charge is imposed on Class A shares
issued (i) pursuant to the automatic reinvestment of income
dividends or capital gains distributions, (ii) in exchange for
Class A shares of other "Alliance Mutual Funds" (as that term is
defined under "Combined Purchase Privilege" below), except that
an initial sales charge will be imposed on Class A shares issued
in exchange for Class A shares of AFD Exchange Reserves ("AFDER")
that were purchased for cash without the payment of an initial
sales charge and without being subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge or (iii) upon the automatic conversion of Class B
shares or Advisor Class shares as described below under "-
- -Class B Shares-- Conversion Feature" and "--Conversion of
Advisor Class Shares to Class A Shares." The Fund receives the
entire net asset value of its Class A shares sold to investors.
The Principal Underwriter's commission is the sales charge shown
above less any applicable discount or commission "reallowed" to
selected dealers and agents. The Principal Underwriter will
reallow discounts to selected dealers and agents in the amounts
indicated in the table above. In this regard, the Principal
Underwriter may elect to reallow the entire sales charge to
selected dealers and agents for all sales with respect to which
orders are placed with the Principal Underwriter. A selected
dealer who receives 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
32
<PAGE>
individual, his or her spouse and their children under the age of
21 years purchasing shares of the Fund for his, her or their own
account(s); (ii) a single purchase by a trustee or other
fiduciary purchasing shares for a single trust, estate or single
fiduciary account although more than one beneficiary is involved;
or (iii) a single purchase for the employee benefit plans of a
single employer. The term "purchase" also includes purchases by
any "company," as the term is defined in the 1940 Act, but does
not include purchases by any such company which has not been in
existence for at least six months or which has no purpose other
than the purchase of shares of the Fund or shares of other
registered investment companies at a discount. The term
"purchase" does not include purchases by any group of individuals
whose sole organizational nexus is that the participants therein
are credit card holders of a company, policy holders of an
insurance company, customers of either a bank or broker-dealer or
clients of an investment adviser. A "purchase" may also include
shares, purchased at the same time through a single selected
dealer or agent, of any other "Alliance Mutual Fund." Currently,
the Alliance Mutual Funds include:
AFD Exchange Reserves
Alliance All-Asia Investment Fund, Inc.
Alliance Balanced Shares, Inc.
Alliance Bond Fund, Inc.
-Corporate Bond Portfolio
-Quality Bond Portfolio
-U.S. Government Portfolio
Alliance Disciplined Value Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Dollar Government Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Environment Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Small Cap Fund, Inc.
Alliance Global Strategic Income Trust, Inc.
Alliance Greater China '97 Fund, Inc.
Alliance Growth and Income Fund, Inc.
Alliance Health Care Fund, Inc.
Alliance High Yield Fund, Inc.
Alliance 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
33
<PAGE>
-Massachusetts Portfolio
-Michigan Portfolio
-Minnesota Portfolio
-New Jersey Portfolio
-Ohio Portfolio
-Pennsylvania Portfolio
-Virginia Portfolio
Alliance New Europe Fund, Inc.
Alliance North American Government Income Trust, Inc.
Alliance 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 initial sales charge for the $100,000
purchase would be at the 2.25% rate applicable to a single
$300,000 purchase of shares of the Fund, rather than the 3.25%
rate.
34
<PAGE>
To qualify for the Combined Purchase Privilege or to
obtain the Cumulative Quantity Discount on a purchase through a
selected dealer or agent, the investor or selected dealer or
agent must provide the Principal Underwriter with sufficient
information to verify that each purchase qualifies for the
privilege or discount.
Statement of Intention. Class A investors may also
obtain the reduced sales charges shown in the table above by
means of a written Statement of Intention, which expresses the
investor's intention to invest not less than $100,000 within a
period of 13 months in Class A shares (or Class A, Class B,
Class C and/or Advisor Class shares) of the Fund or any other
Alliance Mutual Fund. Each purchase of shares under a Statement
of Intention will be made at the public offering price or prices
applicable at the time of such purchase to a single transaction
of the dollar amount indicated in the Statement of Intention. At
the investor's option, a Statement of Intention may include
purchases of shares of the Fund or any other Alliance Mutual Fund
made not more than 90 days prior to the date that the investor
signs the Statement of Intention; however, the 13-month period
during which the Statement of Intention is in effect will begin
on the date of the earliest purchase to be included.
Investors qualifying for the Combined Purchase Privilege
described above may purchase shares of the Alliance Mutual Funds
under a single Statement of Intention. For example, if at the
time an investor signs a Statement of Intention to invest at
least $100,000 in Class A shares of the Fund, the investor and
the investor's spouse each purchase shares of the Fund worth
$20,000 (for a total of $40,000), it will only be necessary to
invest a total of $60,000 during the following 13 months in
shares of the Fund or any other Alliance Mutual Fund, to qualify
for the 3.25% sales charge on the total amount being invested
(the sales charge applicable to an investment of $100,000).
The Statement of Intention is not a binding obligation
upon the investor to purchase the full amount indicated. The
minimum initial investment under a Statement of Intention is 5%
of such amount. Shares purchased with the first 5% of such
amount will be held in escrow (while remaining registered in the
name of the investor) to secure payment of the higher 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
35
<PAGE>
charge will be adjusted for the entire amount purchased at the
end of the 13-month period. The difference in the sales charge
will be used to purchase additional shares of the Fund subject to
the rate of the sales charge applicable to the actual amount of
the aggregate purchases.
Investors wishing to enter into a Statement of Intention
in conjunction with their initial investment in Class A shares of
the Fund should complete the appropriate portion of the
Subscription Application found in the Prospectus while current
Class A shareholders desiring to do so can obtain a form of
Statement of Intention by contacting 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
36
<PAGE>
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
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 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; and (vi)
employer- sponsored qualified pension or profit-sharing plans
(including Section 401(k) plans), custodial accounts maintained
pursuant to Section 403(b)(7) retirement plans and individual
retirement accounts (including individual retirement accounts to
which simplified employee pension ("SEP") contributions are
made), if such plans or accounts are established or administered
under programs sponsored by administrators or other persons that
have been approved by the Principal Underwriter.
37
<PAGE>
Class B Shares
Investors may purchase Class B shares at the public
offering price equal to the net asset value per share of the
Class B shares on the date of purchase without the imposition of
a sales charge at the time of purchase. The Class B shares are
sold without an initial sales charge so that the Fund will
receive the full amount of the investor's purchase payment.
Proceeds from the contingent deferred sales charge on
the Class B shares are paid to the Principal Underwriter and are
used by the Principal Underwriter to defray the expenses of the
Principal Underwriter related to providing distribution-related
services to the Fund in connection with the sale of the Class B
shares, such as the payment of compensation to selected dealers
and agents for selling Class B shares. The combination of the
contingent deferred sales charge and the distribution services
fee enables the Fund to sell 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 four years of purchase will be subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge at the rates set forth below
charged as a percentage of the dollar amount subject thereto. The
charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the
cost of the shares being redeemed or their net asset value at the
time of redemption. Accordingly, no sales charge will be imposed
on increases in net asset value above the initial purchase price.
In addition, no charge will be assessed on shares derived from
reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions.
To illustrate, assume that an investor purchased 100
Class B shares at $10 per share (at a cost of $1,000) and in the
second year after purchase, the net asset value per share is $12
and, during such time, the investor has acquired 10 additional
Class B shares upon dividend reinvestment. If at such time the
investor makes his or her first redemption of 50 Class B shares
(proceeds of $600), 10 Class B shares will not be subject to the
charge because of dividend reinvestment. With respect to the
remaining 40 Class B shares, the charge is applied only to the
original cost of $10 per share and not to the increase in net
asset value of $2 per share. Therefore, $400 of the $600
redemption proceeds will be charged at a rate of 3.0% (the
applicable rate in the second year after purchase as set forth
below).
The amount of the contingent deferred sales charge, if
any, will vary depending on the number of years from the time of
38
<PAGE>
payment for the purchase of Class B shares until the time of
redemption of such shares.
Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge as a %
of Dollar Amount
Year Since Purchase Subject to Charge
First 4.0%
Second 3.0%
Third 2.0%
Fourth 1.0%
Fifth 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-Systemic Withdrawal Plan" below).
Conversion Feature. Eight 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.
39
<PAGE>
Class B shares purchased on or before July 10, 1998,
will automatically convert to Class A shares in accordance with
the conversion schedule in effect at that time, i.e., six years
after the end of the calendar month in which the shareholder's
purchase order was accepted.
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 or eight years, as the case may be, 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.
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Class C shares that are redeemed within one year of
purchase will be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of
1%, charged as a percentage of the dollar amount subject thereto.
The charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of
the cost of the shares being redeemed or their net asset value at
the time of redemption. Accordingly, no sales charge will be
imposed on increases in net asset value above the initial
purchase price. In addition, no charge will be assessed on
shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions. The contingent deferred sales charge on Class C
shares will be waived on certain redemptions, as described above
under "--Class B Shares." In determining the contingent deferred
sales charge applicable to a redemption of Class C shares, it
will be assumed that the redemption is, first, of any shares that
are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (for
example, because the shares have been held beyond the period
during which the charge applies or were acquired upon the
reinvestment of dividends or distributions) and, second, of
shares held longest during the time they are subject to the sales
charge.
Proceeds from the contingent deferred sales charge are
paid to the Principal Underwriter and are used by the Principal
Underwriter to defray the expenses of the Principal Underwriter
related to providing distribution-related services to the 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
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shares held by the shareholder will convert automatically 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 Fund will provide the Shareholder with at
least 30 days' notice of the conversion. The failure of a
shareholder or a fee-based program to satisfy the minimum
investment requirements to purchase Advisor Class shares will not
constitute a Conversion Event. The conversion would occur on the
basis of the relative net asset values of the two classes and
without the imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge.
Class A shares currently bear a .30% distribution services fee.
Advisor Class shares do not have any distribution services fee.
As a result, Class A shares have a higher expense ratio and may
pay correspondingly lower dividends and have a lower net asset
value than Advisor Class shares.
The conversion of Advisor Class shares to Class A shares
is subject to the continuing availability of an opinion of
counsel to the effect that the conversion of Advisor Class shares
to Class A shares does not constitute a taxable event under
federal income tax law. The conversion of Advisor Class shares
to Class A shares may be suspended if such an opinion is no
longer available at the time such conversion is to occur. In
that event, the Advisor Class shareholder 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 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
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<PAGE>
to Class A, Class B or Class C shares, there is no redemption
charge. Payment of the redemption price will be made within
seven days after the Fund's receipt of such tender for
redemption. If a shareholder is in doubt about what documents
are required by his or her fee-based program or employee benefit
plan, the shareholder should contact his or her financial
representative.
The right of redemption may not be suspended or the date
of payment upon redemption postponed for more than seven days
after shares are tendered for redemption, except for any period
during which the Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend
and holiday closings) or during which the Securities and Exchange
Commission determines that trading thereon is restricted, or for
any period during which an emergency (as determined by the
Securities and Exchange 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 Securities and Exchange
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 stock
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 institution that is an "eligible guarantor
institution" as defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
To redeem shares of the Fund represented by stock
certificates, the investor should forward the appropriate stock
certificate or certificates, endorsed in blank or with blank
stock powers attached, to the 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
43
<PAGE>
stock 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 stock certificate or certificates or, where
tender is made by mail, separately mailed to the Fund. The
signature or signatures on the assignment form must be guaranteed
in the manner described above.
Telephone Redemption By Electronic Funds Transfer. Each
Fund shareholder is entitled to request redemption by electronic
funds transfer of shares for which no stock 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 by electronic funds transfer 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 stock certificates have been issued by telephone at (800) 221-
5672 before 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on a Fund business day in an
amount not exceeding $50,000. Proceeds of such redemptions are
remitted by check to the shareholder's address of record. A
shareholder otherwise eligible for telephone redemption by check
may cancel the privilege by written instruction to Alliance Fund
Services, Inc., or by checking the appropriate box on the
Subscription Application found in the Prospectus.
Telephone Redemptions - General. During periods of
drastic economic or market developments, such as the market break
of October 1987, it is possible that shareholders would have
difficulty in reaching Alliance Fund Services, Inc. by telephone
(although no such difficulty was apparent at any time in
connection with the 1987 market break). If a shareholder were to
experience such difficulty, the shareholder should issue written
instructions to Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the address shown
on the cover of this Statement of Additional Information. The
Fund reserves the right to suspend or terminate its telephone
redemption service at any time without notice. Telephone
redemption is not available with respect to shares (i) for which
certificates have been issued, (ii) held in nominee or "street
name" accounts, (iii) held by a shareholder who has changed his
or her address of record within the preceding 30 calendar days or
(iv) held in any retirement plan account. Neither the Fund nor
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<PAGE>
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 Fund did not employ such
procedures, it could be liable for losses arising from
unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions. Selected
dealers or agents may charge a commission for handling telephone
requests for redemptions.
Repurchase
The Fund may repurchase shares through the Principal
Underwriter, selected financial intermediaries or selected
dealers or agents. The repurchase price will be the net asset
value next determined after the Principal Underwriter receives
the request (less the contingent deferred sales charge, if any,
with respect to the Class A, Class B and Class C shares), except
that requests placed through selected dealers or agents before
the close of regular trading on the Exchange on any day will be
executed at the net asset value determined as of 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 net asset value). If the financial
intermediary or selected dealer or agent fails to do so, the
shareholder's right to receive that day's closing price must be
settled between the shareholder and the dealer or agent. A
shareholder may offer shares of the Fund to the Principal
Underwriter either directly or through a selected dealer or
agent. Neither the Fund nor the Principal Underwriter charges a
fee or commission in connection with the repurchase of shares
(except for the contingent deferred sales charge, if any, with
respect to Class A, Class B and Class C shares). Normally, if
shares of the Fund are offered through a financial intermediary
or selected dealer or agent, the repurchase is settled by the
shareholder as an ordinary transaction with or through the
selected dealer or agent, who may charge the shareholder for this
service. The repurchase of shares of the Fund as described above
is a voluntary service of the Fund and the Fund may suspend or
terminate this practice at any time.
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General
The Fund reserves the right to close out an account that
through redemption has remained below $200 for at least 90 days.
Shareholders will receive 60 days' written notice to increase the
account value before the account is closed. No contingent
deferred sales charge will be deducted from the proceeds of this
redemption. In the case of a redemption or repurchase of shares
of the Fund recently purchased by check, redemption proceeds will
not be made available until the Fund is reasonably assured that
the check has cleared, normally up to 15 calendar days following
the purchase date.
_________________________________________________________________
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
_________________________________________________________________
The following information supplements that set forth in
the Fund's Prospectus under the heading "Purchase and Sale of
Shares--Shareholder Services." The shareholder services set
forth below are applicable to Class A, Class B, Class C and
Advisor Class shares unless otherwise indicated. If you are an
Advisor Class shareholder through an account established under a
fee-based program your fee-based program may impose requirements
with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of Advisor Class
shares of the Fund that are different from those described
herein. A transaction fee may be charged by your financial
representative with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of
Advisor Class shares made through such financial representative.
Automatic Investment Program
Investors may purchase shares of the Fund through an
automatic investment program utilizing Electronic Funds Transfer
drawn on the investor's own bank account. Under such a program,
pre-authorized monthly drafts for a fixed amount (at least $25)
are used to purchase shares through the selected dealer or
selected agent designated by the investor at the public offering
price next determined after the Principal Underwriter receives
the proceeds from the investor's bank. In electronic form,
drafts can be made on or about a date each month selected by the
shareholder. Investors wishing to establish an automatic
investment program in connection with their initial investment
should complete the appropriate portion of the Subscription
Application found in the Prospectus. Current shareholders should
contact 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.
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<PAGE>
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
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 of (i) proper instructions and all necessary
supporting documents as described in such fund's prospectus or
(ii) a telephone request for such exchange in accordance with the
procedures set forth in the following paragraph. Exchanges
involving the redemption of shares recently purchased by check
will be permitted only after the Alliance Mutual Fund whose
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<PAGE>
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
Alliance Fund Services, Inc., receives written instruction to the
contrary from the shareholder, or the shareholder declines the
privilege by checking the appropriate box on the Subscription
Application found in the Prospectus. Such telephone requests
cannot be accepted with respect to shares then represented by
stock certificates. Shares acquired pursuant to a telephone
request for exchange will be held under the same account
registration as the shares redeemed through such exchange.
Eligible shareholders desiring to make an exchange
should telephone Alliance Fund Services, Inc. with their account
number and other details of the exchange at (800) 221-5672 before
4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on a Fund business day as defined above.
Telephone requests for exchange received before 4:00 p.m. Eastern
time on a Fund business day will be processed as of the close of
business on that day. During periods of drastic economic or
market developments, such as the market break of October 1987, it
is possible that shareholders would have difficulty in reaching
Alliance Fund Services, Inc. by telephone (although no such
difficulty was apparent at any time in connection with the 1987
market break). If a shareholder were to experience such
difficulty, the shareholder should issue written instructions to
Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the address shown on the cover of
this Statement of Additional Information.
A shareholder may elect to initiate a monthly "Auto
Exchange" whereby a specified dollar amount's worth of his or her
Fund shares (minimum $25) is automatically exchanged for shares
of another Alliance Mutual Fund. Auto Exchange transactions
normally occur on the 12th day of each month, or the following
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
48
<PAGE>
fraudulent telephone instructions. Selected dealers, agents or
financial representatives, as applicable, may charge a commission
for handling telephone requests for exchanges.
The exchange privilege is available only in states where
shares of the Alliance Mutual Fund being acquired may be legally
sold. Each Alliance Mutual Fund reserves the right, at any time
on 60 days' notice to its shareholders, to reject any order to
acquire its shares through exchange or otherwise to modify,
restrict or terminate the exchange privilege.
Retirement Plans
The 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 $5 million
49
<PAGE>
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
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.
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Systematic Withdrawal Plan
General. Any shareholder who owns or purchases shares
of the Fund having a current net asset value of at least $4,000
(for quarterly or less frequent payments), $5,000 (for bi-monthly
payments) or $10,000 (for monthly payments) may establish a
systematic withdrawal plan under which the shareholder will
periodically receive a payment in a stated amount of not less
than $50 on a selected date. Systematic withdrawal plan
participants must elect to have their dividends and distributions
from the Fund automatically reinvested in additional shares of
the Fund.
Shares of the Fund owned by a participant in the Fund's
systematic withdrawal plan will be redeemed as necessary to meet
withdrawal payments and such payments will be subject to any
taxes applicable to redemptions and, except as discussed below,
any applicable contingent deferred sales charge. Shares acquired
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 shares and Class C shares.
Under a systematic withdrawal plan, up to 1% monthly, 2%
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<PAGE>
bi-monthly or 3% quarterly of the value at the time of redemption
of the Class B or Class C shares in a shareholder's account may
be redeemed free of any contingent deferred sales charge.
With respect to Class B shares, the waiver applies only
with respect to shares acquired after July 1, 1995. Class B
shares that are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge
(such as shares acquired with reinvested dividends or
distributions) will be redeemed first and will count toward the
foregoing limitations. Remaining Class B shares that are held
the longest will be redeemed next. Redemptions of Class B shares
in excess of the foregoing limitations will be subject to any
otherwise applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
With respect to Class C shares, shares held the longest
will be redeemed first and will count toward the foregoing
limitations. Redemptions in excess of those limitations will be
subject to any otherwise applicable contingent deferred sales
charge.
Statements and Reports
Each shareholder 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 accountants,
PricewaterhouseCoopers 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.
_________________________________________________________________
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 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.
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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 Board's duties with respect to the following procedures.
Readily marketable securities listed on the Exchange or on a
foreign securities exchange (other than foreign securities
exchanges whose operations are similar to those of the United
States over-the-counter market) are valued, except as indicted
below, at the last sale price reflected on the consolidated tape
at the close of the Exchange or, in the case of a foreign
securities exchange, at the last quoted sale price, in each case
on the business day as of which such value is being determined.
If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued
at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. If
no bid or asked prices are quoted on such day, then the security
is valued in good faith at fair value by, or in accordance with
procedures established by, the Board of Directors. Readily
marketable securities not listed on the Exchange or on a foreign
securities exchange but listed on other United States national
securities exchanges or traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.
are valued in like manner. Portfolio securities traded on the
Exchange and on one or more foreign or other national securities
exchanges, and portfolio securities not traded on the Exchange
but traded on one or more foreign or other national securities
exchanges are valued in accordance with these procedures by
reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are
traded.
Readily marketable securities traded in the over-the-
counter market, securities listed on a foreign securities
exchange whose operations are similar to those of the United
States over-the-counter market and securities listed on a U.S.
national securities exchange whose primary market is believed to
be over-the-counter, (but excluding securities traded on The
Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.), are valued at the mean of the current
bid and asked prices as reported by Nasdaq or, in the case of
securities not quoted by Nasdaq, the National Quotation Bureau or
another comparable sources.
Listed put or call options purchased by the Fund are
valued at the last sale price. If there has been no sale on that
day, such securities will be valued at the closing bid prices on
that day.
Open futures contracts and options thereon will be
valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of
such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no
quotations available for the day of valuations, the last
available closing settlement price will be used.
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<PAGE>
U.S. Government securities and other debt instruments
having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are valued at
amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less, or
by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to
maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days
(unless in either case the Board of 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 pricing service take into account many
factors, including institutional size trading in similar groups
of securities and any developments related to specific
securities.
All other assets of the Fund are valued in good faith at
fair value by, or in accordance with procedures established by,
the Board of 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 Fund's calculation of the net asset value per share,
therefore, does not always take place contemporaneously with the
most recent determination of the prices of portfolio securities
in these markets. Events affecting the values of these portfolio
securities that occur between the time their prices are
determined in accordance with the above procedures and the close
of the Exchange will not be reflected in the Fund's calculation
of net asset value unless it is believed that these prices do not
reflect current market value, in which case the securities will
be valued in good faith by, or in accordance with procedures
established by, the Board of Directors at fair value.
The Board of Directors may suspend the determination of
the Fund's net asset value (and the offering and sale of shares),
subject to the rules of the Securities and Exchange 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
Securities and Exchange 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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<PAGE>
For purposes of determining the Fund's net asset value
per share, all assets and liabilities initially expressed in a
foreign currency will be converted into U.S. dollars at the mean
of the current bid and asked prices of such currency against the
U.S. dollar last quoted by a major bank that is a regular
participant in the relevant foreign exchange market or on the
basis of a pricing service that takes into account the quotes
provided by a number of such major banks. If such quotations are
not available as of the close of the Exchange, the rate of
exchange will be determined in good faith by, or under the
direction of, the Board of 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
_________________________________________________________________
Dividends paid by the Fund, if any, with respect to
Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares will be
calculated in the same manner at the same time on the same day
and will be in the same amount, except that the higher
distribution services applicable to Class B and C shares, and any
incremental transfer agency costs relating to Class B and Class C
shares, will be borne exclusively by the class to which they
relate.
United States Federal Income Taxation of Dividends and
Distributions
General
The Fund intends for each taxable year to qualify to be
taxed as a "regulated investment company" under the Code. Such
qualification relieves the Fund of federal income tax liability
on the part of its net ordinary income and net realized capital
gains which it timely distributes 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
to be taxed as a "regulated investment company."
55
<PAGE>
The information set forth in the Prospectus and the
following discussion relate solely to the significant United
States federal income taxes on dividends and distributions by the
Fund and assumes that the Fund qualifies to be taxed as a
regulated investment company. An investor should consult his or
her own tax counsel with respect to the specific tax consequences
of being a shareholder of the Fund, including the effect and
applicability of federal, state and local tax laws to his or her
own particular situation and the possible effects of changes
therein.
It is the present policy of the Fund to distribute to
shareholders all net investment income annually and to distribute
net realized capital gains, if any, annually. The amount of any
such distributions must necessarily depend upon the realization
by the Fund of income and capital gains from investments.
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 the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary taxable income for
the calendar year, (ii) 98% of its capital gain net income and
foreign currency gains for the twelve months ended October 31 (or
November 30 if elected by the Fund) of such year and (iii) any
ordinary income or capital gain net income from the preceding
calendar year that was not distributed during such year. For
this purpose, income or gain retained by the Fund that is subject
to corporate income tax will be considered to have been
distributed by the Fund by year-end. For federal income and
excise tax purposes, dividends declared and payable to
shareholders of record as of a date in October, November or
December but actually paid during the following January will be
taxable to these shareholders for the year declared, and not for
the subsequent calendar year in which the shareholders actually
receive the dividend.
Dividends of the Fund's net ordinary income and
distributions of any net realized short-term capital gain are
taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Dividends paid by
the Fund and received by a corporate shareholder are eligible for
the dividends received deduction to the extent that the Fund's
income is derived from certain dividends received from domestic
corporations, provided the corporate shareholder holds shares in
the Fund for at least 46 days during the 90-day period beginning
45 days before the date on which the shareholder becomes entitled
to receive the dividend. In determining the holding period of
such shares for this purpose, any period during which a
shareholder's risk of loss is offset by means of options, short
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<PAGE>
sales or similar transactions is not counted. In addition, the
dividends received deduction will be disallowed to the extent the
investment in shares of the Fund is financed with indebtedness.
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
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. In determining the holding period of such
shares for this purpose, any period during which a shareholder's
risk of loss is offset by means of options, short sales or
similar transactions is not counted.
Any loss realized by a shareholder on a sale or exchange
of shares of the Fund will be disallowed to the extent the shares
disposed of are replaced within a period of 61 days beginning 30
days before and ending 30 days after the shares are sold or
exchanged. For this purpose, acquisitions pursuant to the
Dividend Reinvestment Plan would constitute a replacement if made
within the period. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected in
an upward adjustment to the basis of the shares acquired.
Dividends are taxable in the manner discussed regardless
of whether they are paid to the shareholder in cash or are
reinvested in additional shares of the Fund.
A dividend or capital gains distribution with respect to
shares of the Fund held by a tax-deferred or qualified plan, such
as an individual retirement account, 403(b)(7) retirement plan or
corporate pension or profit-sharing plan, generally will not be
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.
The Fund may be required to withhold federal income tax
at the rate of 31% of all 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
57
<PAGE>
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.
United States Federal Income Taxation of the Fund
The following discussion relates to certain significant
United States federal income tax consequences to the Fund with
respect to the determination of its "investment company taxable
income" each year. This discussion assumes that the Fund will be
taxed as a regulated investment company for each of its taxable
years.
Options, Futures Contracts and Warrants. Regulated
futures contracts and certain listed options 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. Gain or loss realized by
the Fund on section 1256 contracts generally will be considered
60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. 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.
With respect to put and call equity options, gain or
loss realized by the Fund upon the lapse or sale of such options
held 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 if 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. Warrants which are invested
in by the Fund will generally be treated in the same manner for
federal income tax purposes as options held by the Fund.
Tax Straddles. Any option, futures 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
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<PAGE>
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 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. 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 United States
federal income tax law as it affects shareholders who are United
States citizens or residents or United States corporations. The
effects of federal income tax law on shareholders who are non-
resident alien individuals or foreign corporations may be
substantially different. Foreign investors should therefore
consult their counsel for further information as to the United
States 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 orders for portfolio
transactions for the Fund. The Adviser determines the broker to
be used in each specific transaction with the objective of
negotiating a combination of the most favorable commission and
the best price obtainable on each transaction (generally defined
as best execution). When consistent with the objective of
obtaining best execution, brokerage may be directed to persons or
firms supplying investment information to the Adviser. There may
be occasions where the transaction cost charged by a broker may
be greater than that which another broker may charge if the Fund
determines in good faith that the amount of such transaction cost
59
<PAGE>
is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage, research
and statistical services provided by the executing broker.
Neither the Fund nor the Adviser has entered into
agreements or understandings with any brokers regarding the
placement of securities transactions because of research services
they provide. To the extent that such persons or firms supply
investment information to the Adviser for use in rendering
investment advice to the Fund, such information may be supplied
at no cost to the Adviser and, therefore, may have the effect of
reducing the expenses of the Adviser in rendering advice to the
Fund. While it is impossible to place an actual dollar value on
such investment information, its receipt by the Adviser probably
does not reduce the overall expenses of the Adviser to any
material extent.
The investment information provided to the Adviser is of
the type described in Section 28(e)(3) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 and is designed to augment the Adviser's own internal
research and investment strategy capabilities. Research services
furnished by brokers through which the Fund effects securities
transactions are used by the Adviser in carrying out its
investment responsibilities with respect to all its client
accounts.
The Fund may deal in some instances in securities which
are not listed on a national stock exchange but are traded in the
over-the-counter market. The Fund may also purchase listed
securities through the third market, i.e., from a dealer which is
not a member of the exchange on which a security is listed.
Where transactions are executed in the over-the-counter market or
third market, the Fund will seek to deal with the primary market
makers; but when necessary in order to obtain the best price and
execution, it will utilize the services of others. In all cases,
the Fund will attempt to negotiate best execution.
The extent to which commissions that will be charged by
broker-dealers selected by the Fund may reflect an element of
value for research cannot presently be determined. To the extent
that research services of value are provided by broker-dealers
with or through whom the Fund places portfolio transactions, the
Adviser may be relieved of expenses which it might otherwise
bear. Research services furnished by broker-dealers could be
useful and of value to the Adviser in servicing its other clients
as well as the Fund; but, on the other hand, certain research
services obtained by the Adviser as a result of the placement of
portfolio brokerage of other clients could be useful and of value
to it in serving the Fund. Consistent with the Conduct Rules of
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and subject
to seeking best execution, the Fund may consider sales of shares
of the Fund or other investment companies managed by the Adviser
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<PAGE>
as a factor in the selection of brokers to execute portfolio
transactions for the Fund.
The Fund may from time to time place orders for the
purchase or sale of securities (including listed call options)
with DLJ, an affiliate of the Adviser, and with brokers which may
have their transactions cleared or settled, or both, by the
Pershing Division of DLJ, for which DLJ may receive a portion of
the brokerage commissions. In such instances, the placement of
orders with such brokers would be consistent with the Fund's
objective of obtaining best execution and would not be dependent
upon the fact that DLJ is an affiliate of the Adviser. With
respect to orders placed with DLJ for execution on a national
securities exchange, commissions received must conform to Section
17(e)(2)(A) of the 1940 Act and Rule 17e-1 thereunder, which
permit an affiliated person of a registered investment company
(such as the Fund), or any affiliated person of such person, to
receive a brokerage commission from such registered investment
company provided that such commission is reasonable and fair
compared to the commissions received by other brokers in
connection with comparable transactions involving similar
securities during a comparable period of time.
During the fiscal years ended November 30, 1999, 1998
and 1997, the Fund incurred brokerage commissions amounting in
the aggregate to $20,120,671, $6,503,665 and $1,637,773,
respectively. During the fiscal years ended November 30, 1999,
1998 and 1997, brokerage commissions amounting in the aggregate
to $0, $27,000 and $0, respectively, were paid to DLJ and
brokerage commissions amounting in the aggregate to $0, $13,500
and $0, respectively, were paid to brokers utilizing the Pershing
Division of DLJ. During the fiscal year ended November 30, 1999,
the brokerage commissions paid to DLJ constituted 0% of the
Fund's aggregate brokerage commissions and the brokerage
commissions paid to brokers utilizing the Pershing Division of
DLJ constituted 0% of the Fund's aggregate brokerage commissions.
During the fiscal year ended November 30, 1999, of the Fund's
aggregate dollar amount of brokerage transactions involving the
payment of commissions 0% were effected through DLJ and 0% were
effected through brokers utilizing the Pershing Division of DLJ.
During the fiscal year ended November 30, 1999, transactions in
the portfolio securities of the Fund aggregating $20,486,833,323
with associated brokerage commissions of approximately $7,930,224
were allocated to persons or firms supplying research services to
the Fund or the Adviser.
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_________________________________________________________________
GENERAL INFORMATION
_________________________________________________________________
Capitalization
The Fund is a Maryland corporation organized in 1992.
The authorized capital stock of the Fund consists of
3,000,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, 3,000,000,000
shares of Class B common stock and 3,000,000,000 shares of
Class C common stock and 3,000,000,000 shares of Advisor Class
common stock, each having $.001 par value.
All shares of the Fund, when issued, are fully paid and
non-assessable. The Directors are authorized to reclassify and
issue any unissued shares to any number of additional series and
classes without shareholder approval. Accordingly, the Directors
in the future, for reasons such as the desire to establish one or
more additional portfolios with different investment objectives,
policies or restrictions, may create additional classes or series
of shares. Any issuance of shares of another class or series
would be governed by the 1940 Act and the law of the State of
Maryland. If shares of another series were issued in connection
with the creation of a second portfolio, each share of either
portfolio would normally be entitled to one vote for all
purposes. Generally, shares of both portfolios would vote as a
single series on matters, such as the election of Directors, that
affected both portfolios in substantially the same manner. As to
matters affecting each portfolio differently, such as approval of
the Advisory Contract and changes in investment policy, shares of
each portfolio would vote as a separate series. Procedures for
calling a shareholders' meeting for the removal of Directors of
the Fund, similar to those set forth in Section 16(c) of the 1940
Act will be available to shareholders of the Fund. 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.
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.
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
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<PAGE>
classes of shares within the Fund. If an additional portfolio or
class were established in the Fund, each share of the portfolio
or class would normally be entitled to one vote for all purposes.
Generally, shares of each portfolio and class would vote together
as a single class on matters, such as the election of Directors,
that affect each portfolio and class in substantially the same
manner. Class A, B, C and Advisor Class shares have identical
voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights, except that each
class bears its own transfer agency expenses, each of Class A,
Class B and Class C shares of the Fund bears its own distribution
expenses and Class B shares and Advisor Class shares convert to
Class A shares under certain circumstances. Each class of shares
of the Fund votes separately with respect to the Fund's Rule 12b-
1 distribution plan and other matters for which separate class
voting is appropriate under applicable law. Shares are freely
transferable, are entitled to dividends as determined by the
Directors and, in liquidation of the Fund, are entitled to
receive the net assets of the Fund.
At the close of business on January 5, 2000, there were
511,215,360 shares of common stock of the Fund outstanding
including 134,303,107 Class A shares, 266,082,709 Class B shares,
96,695,667 Class C shares and 14,133,867 Advisor Class shares.
To the knowledge of the Fund, the following persons owned of
record or beneficially, 5% or more of a class of the outstanding
shares of the Fund as of January 5, 2000:
No. of % of
Shares % of % of % of Advisor
Name and Address: of Class Class A Class B Class C Class
MLPF&S
For the Sole Benefit
of Its Customers 25,001,995 18.72%
4800 Deer Lake Dr. East 78,431,069 29.64%
2nd Floor 39,459,640 41.26%
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 9,376,666 66.84%
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin
Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, will act as the Fund's
custodian for the assets of the Fund but plays no part in
deciding the purchase or sale of portfolio securities. Subject
to the supervision of the Fund's Directors, State Street Bank and
Trust Company may enter into sub-custodial agreements for the
holding of the Fund's foreign securities.
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<PAGE>
Principal Underwriter
Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc., an indirect wholly-
owned subsidiary of Alliance, located at 1345 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, New York 10105, is the principal underwriter
of shares of the Fund. Under the Distribution Services Agreement
between the Fund and the Principal Underwriter 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.
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 Accountants
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, New York, New York, has been
appointed as independent accountants for the Fund.
Performance Information
From time to time, the Fund advertises its total return,
which is computed separately for Class A, Class B, Class C and
Advisor Class shares. Such advertisements disclose the Fund's
average annual compounded total return for the periods prescribed
by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Fund's total
return for each such period is computed by finding, through the
use of a formula prescribed by the Securities and Exchange
Commission, the average annual compounded rate of return over the
period that would equate an assumed initial amount invested to
the value of the investment at the end of the period. For
purposes of computing total return, income dividends and capital
gains distributions paid on shares of 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
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<PAGE>
on different dates ("Actual Inception Dates"), in some cases this
can result in return information being presented for a class for
periods prior to its Actual Inception Date. Where return
information is presented for periods prior to the Actual
Inception Date of a Class (a "Younger Class"), such information
is calculated by using the historical performance of the class
with the earliest Actual Inception Date (the "Oldest Class").
For this purpose, the Fund calculates the difference in total
annual fund operating expenses (as a percentage of average net
assets) between the Younger Class and the Oldest Class, divides
the difference by 12, and subtracts the result from the monthly
performance at net asset value (including reinvestment of all
dividends and distributions) of the Oldest Class for each month
prior to the Younger Class's Actual Inception Date for which
performance information is to be shown. The resulting "pro
forma" monthly performance information is used to calculate the
Younger Class's average annual returns for these periods. Any
conversion feature applicable to the Younger Class is assumed to
occur in accordance with the Actual Inception Date for that
class, not its hypothetical inception date.
The average annual total return based on net asset value
for each class of shares for the one- and five- and ten-year
periods ended November 30, 1999 (or since inception through that
date, as noted) was as follows:
Year 5 years 10 years
ended ended ended
11/30/99 11/30/99 11/30/99
Class A 33.13% 33.49% 24.59%*
Class B 32.31% 32.63% 23.83%*
Class C 32.31% 32.63% 25.37%*
Advisor Class 33.68% 36.14%* N/A
* Inception dates: Class A shares: September 28, 1992
Class B shares: September 28, 1992
Class C shares: May 3, 1993
Advisor Class shares: October 2, 1996
The Fund's total return is computed separately for
Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares. The Fund's
yield and total return are not fixed and will fluctuate in
response to prevailing market conditions or as a function of the
type and quality of the securities in the Fund's portfolio, the
Fund's average portfolio maturity and its expenses. Yield and
total return information is useful in reviewing the Fund's
performance, but such information may not provide a basis for
comparison with bank deposits or other investments which pay a
fixed yield for a stated period of time. An investor's principal
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<PAGE>
invested in the Fund is not fixed and will fluctuate in response
to prevailing market conditions.
Advertisements quoting performance rankings or ratings
of the Fund as measured by financial publications or independent
organizations such as Lipper, Inc. ("Lipper") and Morningstar,
Inc. and advertisements presenting the historical record of
payments of income dividends by the Fund may also from time to
time be sent to investor or placed in newspapers, magazines such
as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Barrons,
Investor's Daily, Money Magazine, Changing Times, Business Week
and Forbes or other media on behalf of the Fund. The Fund has
been ranked by Lipper in the category known as "Growth Fund."
Additional Information
Any shareholder inquiries may be directed to the
shareholder's broker or to Alliance Fund Services, Inc. at the
address or telephone number 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
Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of the Registration
Statement may be obtained at a reasonable charge from the
Securities and Exchange Commission or may be examined, without
charge, at the offices of the Securities and Exchange Commission
in Washington, D.C.
66
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_________________________________________________________________
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
_________________________________________________________________
67
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ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND
ANNUAL REPORT
NOVEMBER 30, 1999
ALLIANCE CAPITAL
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
NOVEMBER 30, 1999 ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
COMPANY SHARES VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMON STOCKS-98.8%
TECHNOLOGY-27.6%
COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT-8.0%
EMC Corp. (a) 5,283,800 $ 441,527,537
JDS Uniphase Corp. (a) 25,000 5,718,750
Lucent Technologies, Inc. 2,243,905 163,945,309
Nokia Corp. (ADR) (Finland) 4,468,000 617,421,750
Nortel Networks Corp. 653,300 48,344,200
------------
1,276,957,546
COMPUTER HARDWARE-5.6%
Dell Computer Corp. (a) 18,478,200 794,562,600
Sun Microsystems, Inc. (a) 721,600 95,431,600
------------
889,994,200
COMPUTER SOFTWARE-2.5%
Microsoft Corp. (a) 4,021,100 366,108,589
Oracle Corp. (a) 376,700 25,544,969
------------
391,653,558
CONTRACT MANUFACTURING-1.0%
Solectron Corp. (a) 1,967,200 162,048,100
INTERNET-0.8%
America Online, Inc. 863,400 62,758,388
eBay, Inc. (a) 163,700 27,020,731
Yahoo, Inc. (a) 149,800 31,869,950
------------
121,649,069
NETWORKING SOFTWARE-4.3%
Cisco Systems, Inc. (a) 7,653,450 682,592,072
SEMI-CONDUCTOR CAPITAL EQUIPMENT-1.0%
Applied Materials, Inc. (a) 1,622,900 158,131,319
SEMI-CONDUCTOR COMPONENTS-4.4%
Intel Corp. 6,184,400 474,266,175
Micron Technology, Inc. (a) 662,900 44,497,163
Texas Instruments, Inc. 1,822,200 175,045,087
------------
693,808,425
------------
4,376,834,289
CONSUMER SERVICES-26.1%
AIRLINES-3.1%
Continental Airlines, Inc. C1.B (a) 3,656,600 135,294,200
Delta Airlines, Inc. 1,727,100 85,059,675
KLM Royal Dutch Air 3,241,711 80,637,561
Northwest Airlines Corp. Cl.A (a) 3,624,400 84,946,875
UAL Corp. (a) 1,604,200 110,288,750
------------
496,227,061
BROADCASTING & CABLE-7.7%
AMFM, Inc. (a) 1,813,700 128,205,919
AT&T Corp. - Liberty Media
Group C1.A (a) 5,155,924 215,582,072
CBS Corp. (a) 1,018,400 52,956,800
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (a) 1,311,000 105,371,625
MediaOne Group, Inc. (a) 5,933,000 470,190,250
Vodafone AirTouch Plc (ADR)
(United Kingdom) 5,110,300 241,142,281
--------------
1,213,448,947
PRINTING & PUBLISHING-0.4%
Gannett Co., Inc. 818,900 58,602,531
RETAIL - GENERAL MERCHANDISE-14.9%
Costco Wholesale Corp. (a) 3,678,800 337,299,975
Dayton Hudson Corp. 719,400 50,762,663
Gap, Inc. 10,175,550 412,109,775
Home Depot, Inc. 8,639,600 683,068,375
Kohl's Corp. (a) 2,468,900 178,223,719
Lowe's Companies, Inc. 6,562,400 326,889,550
Tommy Hilfiger Corp. (a) 3,888,500 95,754,312
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. 5,000,800 288,171,100
--------------
2,372,279,469
--------------
4,140,558,008
FINANCE-17.5%
BANKING - MONEY CENTER-3.5%
Chase Manhattan Corp. 2,433,700 188,003,325
Citigroup, Inc. 6,752,050 363,766,694
------------
551,770,019
6
ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
COMPANY SHARES VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
BANKING - REGIONAL-0.3%
Fifth Third Bancorp 730,700 $ 51,149,000
BROKERAGE & MONEY MANAGEMENT-5.5%
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. 3,300,800 247,972,600
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. 5,257,435 634,178,097
------------
882,150,697
INSURANCE-1.3%
American International Group, Inc. 2,006,496 207,170,712
MORTGAGE BANKING-2.6%
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 8,240,700 406,884,563
MISCELLANEOUS-4.3%
Associates First Capital Corp. Cl.A 4,881,800 162,319,850
MBNA Corp. 15,739,130 397,413,032
The CIT Group, Inc. Cl.A 5,759,480 119,509,210
------------
679,242,092
--------------
2,778,367,083
HEALTH CARE-10.4%
DRUGS-9.3%
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. 3,308,200 241,705,363
Pfizer, Inc. 9,085,100 328,767,056
Schering-Plough Corp. 8,816,600 450,748,675
Warner-Lambert Co. 5,093,900 456,859,156
--------------
1,478,080,250
MEDICAL PRODUCTS-0.2%
Medtronic, Inc. 709,800 27,593,475
MEDICAL SERVICES-0.9%
IMS Health, Inc. 5,897,500 138,959,844
--------------
1,644,633,569
MULTI-INDUSTRY COMPANIES-4.4%
Honeywell, Inc. 375,500 42,032,531
Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co. 786,300 75,140,794
Tyco International Ltd. 14,700,454 588,936,938
------------
706,110,263
CONSUMER STAPLES-4.4%
RETAIL - FOOD & DRUG-1.7%
Kroger Co. (a) 6,577,200 140,176,575
Walgreen Co. 4,745,500 138,212,688
------------
278,389,263
TOBACCO-2.7%
Philip Morris Cos., Inc. 16,064,200 422,689,262
------------
701,078,525
UTILITIES-3.2%
TELEPHONE UTILITY-3.2%
MCI WorldCom, Inc. (a) 2,509,600 207,512,550
Sprint Corp. 4,395,600 304,944,750
------------
512,457,300
CONSUMER MANUFACTURING-2.0%
AUTO & RELATED-1.7%
Ford Motor Co. 4,313,200 217,816,600
General Motors Corp. 763,100 54,943,200
------------
272,759,800
BUILDING & RELATED-0.3%
Masco Corp. 1,645,700 41,553,925
------------
314,313,725
ENERGY-1.6%
DOMESTIC INTEGRATED-1.6%
Atlantic Richfield Co. 2,635,100 253,957,762
CAPITAL GOODS-0.9%
MISCELLANEOUS-0.9%
United Technologies Corp. 2,635,500 148,905,750
BASIC INDUSTRY-0.7%
MINING & METALS-0.3%
Alcoa, Inc. 820,100 53,716,550
PAPER & FOREST PRODUCTS-0.4%
International Paper Co. 558,600 29,151,938
Weyerhaeuser Co. 416,100 25,486,125
------------
54,638,063
------------
108,354,613
Total Common Stocks
(cost $13,307,930,544) 15,685,570,887
7
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
COMPANY (000) VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS-0.8%
COMMERCIAL PAPER-0.8%
General Electric Capital Corp.
5.68%, 12/01/99 $134,098 $ 134,098,000
TIME DEPOSIT-0.0%
State Street Euro Dollar
5.00%, 12/01/99 2,234 2,234,000
Total Short-Term Investments
(amortized cost $136,332,000) 136,332,000
------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS-99.6%
(cost $13,444,262,544) 15,821,902,887
Other assets less liabilities-0.4% 57,187,601
NET ASSETS-100% $15,879,090,488
(a) Non-income producing security.
Glossary:
ADR - American Depositary Receipt.
See notes to financial statements.
8
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
NOVEMBER 30, 1999 ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
ASSETS
Investments in securities, at value
(cost $13,444,262,544) $15,821,902,887
Cash 571
Receivable for investment securities sold 222,537,326
Receivable for capital stock sold 107,530,346
Dividends and interest receivable 7,742,246
Total assets 16,159,713,376
LIABILITIES
Payable for investment securities purchased 222,745,797
Payable for capital stock redeemed 38,230,014
Advisory fee payable 11,850,531
Distribution fee payable 3,106,245
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 4,690,301
Total liabilities 280,622,888
NET ASSETS $15,879,090,488
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS
Capital stock, at par $ 459,228
Additional paid-in capital 12,428,070,211
Accumulated net realized gain on investments 1,072,920,706
Net unrealized appreciation of investments 2,377,640,343
$15,879,090,488
CALCULATION OF MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE
CLASS A SHARES
Net asset value and redemption price per share
($4,285,490,312 / 119,639,169 shares of capital stock
issued and outstanding) $35.82
Sales charge--4.25% of public offering price 1.59
Maximum offering price $37.41
CLASS B SHARES
Net asset value and offering price per share
($8,161,470,587 / 239,725,968 shares of capital stock
issued and outstanding) $34.05
CLASS C SHARES
Net asset value and offering price per share
($2,965,439,710 / 86,986,712 shares of capital stock
issued and outstanding) $34.09
ADVISOR CLASS SHARES
Net asset value, redemption and offering price per share
($466,689,879 / 12,875,805 shares of capital stock
issued and outstanding) $36.25
See notes to financial statements.
9
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 1999 ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
INVESTMENT INCOME
Dividends (net of foreign taxes
withheld of $1,339,904) $ 59,772,573
Interest 12,166,073 $ 71,938,646
EXPENSES
Advisory fee 105,739,475
Distribution fee - Class A 9,781,762
Distribution fee - Class B 57,390,040
Distribution fee - Class C 20,190,491
Transfer agency 18,009,342
Registration 2,692,344
Printing 2,173,838
Taxes 865,089
Custodian 663,572
Audit and legal 132,598
Administrative 129,000
Directors' fees 25,000
Miscellaneous 273,270
Total expenses 218,065,821
Net investment loss (146,127,175)
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN
ON INVESTMENTS
Net realized gain on investment
transactions 1,226,047,789
Net change in unrealized appreciation
of investments 1,427,893,908
Net gain on investments 2,653,941,697
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM
OPERATIONS $2,507,814,522
See notes to financial statements.
10
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
NOVEMBER 30, NOVEMBER 30,
1999 1998
------------- -------------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM
OPERATIONS
Net investment loss $ (146,127,175) $ (32,453,991)
Net realized gain on investment
transactions 1,226,047,789 130,077,346
Net change in unrealized appreciation
of investments 1,427,893,908 675,313,803
Net increase in net assets from
operations 2,507,814,522 772,937,158
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:
Net realized gain on investments
Class A (32,516,709) (25,682,703)
Class B (67,526,095) (60,400,293)
Class C (20,765,712) (12,552,691)
Advisor Class (5,998,556) (3,662,777)
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS
Net increase 8,146,678,528 3,217,836,041
Total increase 10,527,685,978 3,888,474,735
NET ASSETS
Beginning of year 5,351,404,510 1,462,929,775
End of year $15,879,090,488 $5,351,404,510
See notes to financial statements.
11
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOVEMBER 30, 1999 ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
NOTE A: SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Alliance Premier Growth Fund, Inc. (the "Fund"), organized as a Maryland
corporation on July 9, 1992, is registered under the Investment Company Act of
1940 as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund offers
Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class shares. Class A shares are sold
with a front-end sales charge of up to 4.25% for purchases not exceeding
$1,000,000. With respect to purchases of $1,000,000 or more, Class A shares
redeemed within one year of purchase may be subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge of 1%. Class B shares are currently sold with a contingent
deferred sales charge which declines from 4% to zero depending on the period of
time the shares are held. Class B shares purchased before July 11, 1998 will
convert to Class A shares six years after the end of the calendar month of
purchase. Class B shares purchased on or after July 11, 1998 will convert to
Class A shares eight years after the end of the calendar month of purchase.
Class C shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 1% on
redemptions made within the first year after purchase. Advisor Class shares are
sold without an initial or contingent deferred sales charge and are not subject
to ongoing distribution expenses. Advisor Class shares are offered to investors
participating in fee-based programs and to certain retirement plan accounts.
All four classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and
other rights, except that each class bears different distribution expenses and
has exclusive voting rights with respect to its distribution plan. The
financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles which require management to make certain estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the
financial statements and amounts of income and expenses during the reporting
period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a
summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund.
1. SECURITY VALUATION
Portfolio securities traded on a national securities exchange or on a foreign
securities exchange (other than foreign securities exchanges whose operations
are similar to those of the United States over-the-counter market) are
generally valued at the last reported sales price or if no sale occurred, at
the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on that day. Readily marketable
securities traded in the over-the-counter market, securities listed on a
foreign securities exchange whose operations are similar to the U.S.
over-the-counter market, and securities listed on a national securities
exchange whose primary market is believed to be over-the-counter, are valued at
the mean of the current bid and asked prices. U.S. government and fixed income
securities which mature in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, unless
this method does not represent fair value. Securities for which current market
quotations are not readily available are valued at their fair value as
determined in good faith by, or in accordance with procedures adopted by, the
Board of Directors.
2. CURRENCY TRANSLATION
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under
forward exchange currency contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at the
mean of the quoted bid and asked price of such currencies against the U.S.
dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated into U.S.
dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired
or sold. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at rates of
exchange prevailing when accrued.
Net realized foreign currency gains and losses represent foreign exchange gains
and losses from sales and maturities of debt securities, currency gains and
losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on security transactions
and the difference between the amounts of dividends and interest recorded on
the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or
paid. The Fund does not isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign currency
exchange rates when determining the gain or loss upon the sale of equity
securities. Net currency gains and losses from valuing foreign currency
denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates would be
reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation of investments, and
foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.
3. TAXES
It is the Fund's policy to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code
applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its
investment
12
ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
company taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to shareholders.
Therefore, no provisions for federal income or excise taxes are required.
4. INVESTMENT INCOME AND INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is accrued
daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date the securities are
purchased or sold. The Fund accretes discount and amortizes premiums as
adjustments to interest income. Investment gains and losses are determined on
the identified cost basis.
5. INCOME AND EXPENSES
All income earned and expenses incurred by the Fund are borne on a pro-rata
basis by each outstanding class of shares, based on the proportionate interest
in the Fund represented by the net assets of such class, except that the Fund's
Class B and Class C shares bear higher distribution and transfer agent fees
than Class A shares and the Advisory Class shares have no distribution fees.
6. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend
date.
Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance
with federal tax regulations and may differ from those determined in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles. To the extent these differences
are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based
on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences, do not require
such reclassification.
During the current fiscal year, permanent differences, primarily due to a net
investment loss, resulted in a net decrease in net accumulated investment loss
and a corresponding decrease in accumulated net realized gain on investments.
This reclassification had no effect on net assets.
NOTE B: ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Under the terms of an investment advisory agreement, the Fund pays Alliance
Capital Management L.P. (the "Adviser") an advisory fee equal to the annualized
rate of 1.00% of the Fund's average daily net assets up to $5 billion, .95% of
the next $2.5 billion of the Fund's average daily net assets, .90% of the next
$2.5 billion of the Fund's average daily net assets, and .85% of the Fund's
average daily net assets over $10 billion. Prior to November 1, 1998 the
effective advisory fee was 1% of average daily net assets of the Fund. Such fee
is accrued daily and paid monthly.
Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Fund paid $129,000 to the Adviser
representing the cost of certain legal and accounting services provided to the
Fund by the Adviser for the year ended November 30, 1999.
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 $12,077,820 for the year ended November 30, 1999.
In addition, for the year ended November 30, 1999, the Fund's expenses were
reduced by $926,611 under an expense offset arrangement with Alliance Fund
Services, Inc.
Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary
of the Adviser, serves as the Distributor of the Fund's shares. The Distributor
has advised the Fund that it has received front-end sales charges of $2,941,087
from the sale of Class A shares and $157,564, $9,314,135 and $1,019,542 in
contingent deferred sales charges imposed upon redemptions by shareholders of
Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively, for the year ended November
30, 1999.
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the year ended
November 30, 1999, amounted to $20,120,671, none of which was paid to brokers
utilizing the services of the Pershing Division of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
Securities Corp. ("DLJ"), an affiliate of the Adviser, nor to DLJ directly.
13
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
NOTE C: DISTRIBUTION SERVICES AGREEMENT
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Services Agreement (the "Agreement")
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the
Agreement, the Fund pays distribution and servicing fees to the Distributor at
an annual rate of up to .50% of the average daily net assets attributable to
Class A shares and 1% of the average daily net assets attributable to both
Class B and Class C shares. There are no distribution and servicing fees on the
Advisor Class 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 advised the Fund that it has incurred expenses in excess of the
distribution costs reimbursed by the Fund in the amount of $212,989,421 and
$12,643,291 for Class B and Class 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
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 securities) aggregated $15,802,962,372 and $8,088,531,789,
respectively, for the year ended November 30, 1999. There were purchases of
$333,627,673 and sales of $20,787,185 of U.S. government and government agency
obligations for the year ended November 30, 1999.
At November 30, 1999 the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes
was $13,466,041,959. Gross unrealized appreciation of investments was
$2,820,956,483 and gross unrealized depreciation of investments was
$465,095,555 resulting in net unrealized appreciation of $2,355,860,928.
NOTE E: CAPITAL STOCK
There are 12,000,000,000 shares of $0.001 par value capital stock authorized,
divided into four classes, designated Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor
Class shares. Each Class consists of 3,000,000,000 authorized shares.
Transactions in capital stock were as follows:
SHARES AMOUNT
--------------------------- ------------------------------
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
NOVEMBER 30, NOVEMBER 30, NOVEMBER 30, NOVEMBER 30,
1999 1998 1999 1998
------------ ------------ -------------- --------------
CLASS A
Shares sold 137,931,934 56,476,036 $4,530,547,629 $1,405,838,706
Shares issued in
reinvestment of
distributions 1,094,113 1,121,642 30,233,841 22,887,704
Shares converted
from Class B 5,382,731 1,419,064 175,781,365 34,681,201
Shares redeemed (76,350,596) (24,392,132) (2,519,837,694) (606,086,880)
Net increase 68,058,182 34,624,610 $2,216,725,141 $ 857,320,731
CLASS B
Shares sold 159,973,069 74,810,864 $4,981,837,124 $1,807,421,381
Shares issued in
reinvestment of
distributions 2,407,963 2,894,527 63,620,433 56,870,690
Shares converted
to Class A (5,643,209) (1,478,067) (175,781,365) (34,681,201)
Shares redeemed (23,337,539) (10,277,797) (733,129,267) (241,201,004)
Net increase 133,400,284 65,949,527 $4,136,546,925 $1,588,409,866
14
ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
SHARES AMOUNT
--------------------------- ------------------------------
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
NOVEMBER 30, NOVEMBER 30, NOVEMBER 30, NOVEMBER 30,
1999 1998 1999 1998
------------ ------------ -------------- --------------
CLASS C
Shares sold 79,730,256 40,451,101 $2,489,717,810 $981,761,319
Shares issued in
reinvestment of
distributions 741,503 593,076 19,620,963 11,712,445
Shares redeemed (26,187,273) (16,699,091) (816,561,912) (402,173,143)
Net increase 54,284,486 24,345,086 $1,692,776,861 $591,300,621
ADVISOR CLASS
Shares sold 9,127,148 11,134,237 $ 304,656,716 $275,248,745
Shares issued in
reinvestment of
distributions 208,442 170,458 5,807,195 3,504,261
Shares redeemed (6,261,867) (3,921,835) (209,834,310) (97,948,183)
Net increase 3,073,723 7,382,860 $ 100,629,601 $180,804,823
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")
intended to provide short-term financing if necessary, subject to certain
restrictions in connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees
related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in
miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Fund did not utilize
the Facility during the year ended November 30, 1999.
15
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OF CAPITAL STOCK OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH YEAR
CLASS A
-----------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30,
-----------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year $27.50 $22.00 $17.98 $16.09 $11.41
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment loss (.28)(a) (.15)(a) (.10)(a) (.04)(a) (.03)
Net realized and unrealized gain on
investment transactions 9.21 7.11 5.20 3.20 5.38
Net increase in net asset value from
operations 8.93 6.96 5.10 3.16 5.35
LESS: DISTRIBUTIONS
Distributions from net realized gains (.61) (1.46) (1.08) (1.27) (.67)
Net asset value, end of year $35.82 $27.50 $22.00 $17.98 $16.09
TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return based on net
asset value (b) 33.13% 33.94% 30.46% 21.52% 49.95%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of year (000's omitted) $4,285,490 $1,418,262 $373,099 $172,870 $72,366
Ratio of expenses to average net assets 1.50% 1.59%(c) 1.57% 1.65% 1.75%
Ratio of net investment loss to average
net assets (.85)% (.59)% (.52)% (.27)% (.28)%
Portfolio turnover rate 75% 82% 76% 95% 114%
</TABLE>
See footnote summary on page 19.
16
ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OF CAPITAL STOCK OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS B
-----------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30,
-----------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year $26.33 $21.26 $17.52 $15.81 $11.29
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment loss (.48)(a) (.30)(a) (.23)(a) (.14)(a) (.11)
Net realized and unrealized gain on
investment
transactions 8.81 6.83 5.05 3.12 5.30
Net increase in net asset value from
operations 8.33 6.53 4.82 2.98 5.19
LESS: DISTRIBUTIONS
Distributions from net realized gains (.61) (1.46) (1.08) (1.27) (.67)
Net asset value, end of year $34.05 $26.33 $21.26 $17.52 $15.81
TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return based on net
asset value (b) 32.30% 33.04% 29.62% 20.70% 49.01%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of year (000's omitted) $8,161,471 $2,799,288 $858,449 $404,137 $238,088
Ratio of expenses to average net assets 2.18% 2.28%(c) 2.25% 2.32% 2.43%
Ratio of net investment loss to average
net assets (1.53)% (1.27)% (1.20)% (.94)% (.95)%
Portfolio turnover rate 75% 82% 76% 95% 114%
</TABLE>
See footnote summary on page 19.
17
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED) ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OF CAPITAL STOCK OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH YEAR
CLASS C
-----------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30,
-----------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year $26.36 $21.29 $17.54 $15.82 $11.30
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment loss (.49)(a) (.31)(a) (.24)(a) (.14)(a) (.08)
Net realized and unrealized gain on
investment transactions 8.83 6.84 5.07 3.13 5.27
Net increase in net asset value from
operations 8.34 6.53 4.83 2.99 5.19
LESS:DISTRIBUTIONS
Distributions from net realized gains (.61) (1.46) (1.08) (1.27) (.67)
Net asset value, end of year $34.09 $26.36 $21.29 $17.54 $15.82
TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return based on net
asset value (b) 32.31% 32.99% 29.64% 20.76% 48.96%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of year (000's omitted) $2,965,440 $862,193 $177,923 $60,194 $20,679
Ratio of expenses to average net assets 2.18% 2.28%(c) 2.24% 2.32% 2.42%
Ratio of net investment loss to average
net assets (1.53)% (1.30)% (1.22)% (.94)% (.97)%
Portfolio turnover rate 75% 82% 76% 95% 114%
</TABLE>
See footnote summary on page 19.
18
ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OF CAPITAL STOCK OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ADVISOR CLASS
----------------------------------------------------
OCTOBER 2,
YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30, NOVEMBER 30, 1996(D)
------------------------------------- TO
1999 1998 1997 1996
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $27.71 $22.10 $17.99 $15.94
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment loss (a) (.17) (.07) (.06) (.01)
Net realized and unrealized gain on
investment transactions 9.32 7.14 5.25 2.06
Net increase in net asset value from
operations 9.15 7.07 5.19 2.05
LESS: DISTRIBUTIONS
Distributions from net realized gains (.61) (1.46) (1.08) -0-
Net asset value, end of period $36.25 $27.71 $22.10 $17.99
TOTAL RETURN
Total investment return based on net
asset value (b) 33.68% 34.31% 30.98% 12.86%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000's omitted) $466,690 $271,661 $53,459 $1,922
Ratio of expenses to average net assets 1.16% 1.26%(c) 1.25% 1.50%(e)
Ratio of net investment loss to average
net assets (.51)% (.28)% (.28)% (.48)%(e)
Portfolio turnover rate 75% 82% 76% 95%
</TABLE>
(a) Based on average shares oustanding.
(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 charges or contingent
deferred sales charges are not reflected in the calculation of total investment
return. Total investment return calculated for a period of less than one year
is not annualized.
(c) Ratio reflects expenses grossed up for expense offset arrangement with the
Transfer Agent. For the year ended November 30, 1998, the ratios of expenses to
average net assets were 1.58% for Class A shares, 2.27% for Class B shares,
2.27% for Class C shares and 1.25% for Advisor Class shares, respectively.
(d) Commencement of distribution.
(e) Annualized.
19
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND
_______________________________________________________________________________
TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF
ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH FUND, INC.
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the portfolio of investments, and the related statements of operations and of
changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Alliance Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
(the "Fund") at November 30, 1999, the results of its operations for the year
then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the
period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the periods
indicated, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. These
financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as
"financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fund's management; our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance
with generally accepted auditing standards which require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of
securities at November 30, 1999 by correspondence with the custodian and
brokers, provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
January 24, 2000
TAX INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
In order to meet certain requirements of the Internal Revenue Code we are
advising you that the Fund paid $126,807,072 of capital gain distributions
during the fiscal year ended November 30, 1999, which are subject to a maximum
tax rate of 20%. Shareholders should not use the above information to prepare
their tax returns. The information necessary to complete your income tax
returns will be included with your Form 1099 DIV which will be sent to you
separately in January 2000.
20
<PAGE>
_________________________________________________________________
APPENDIX A:
_________________________________________________________________
Stock Index Futures Characteristics. Currently, stock
index futures contracts can be purchased or sold with respect to
the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index on the Chicago Mercantile
Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange Composite Index on the New
York Futures Exchange and the Value Line Stock Index on the
Kansas City Board of Trade. The Adviser does not believe that
differences in composition of the three indices will create any
differences in the price movements of the stock index futures
contracts in relation to the movements in such indices. However,
such differences in the indices may result in differences in
correlation of the futures contracts with movements in the value
of the securities being hedged. The Fund reserves the right to
purchase or sell stock index futures contracts that may be
created in the future. Certain exchanges and Boards of Trade
have established daily limits on the amount that the price of a
stock index futures contract may vary, either up or down, from
the previous day's settlement price which limitations may
restrict the Fund's ability to purchase or sell certain stock
index futures contracts on a particular day.
Unlike the purchase or sale of a specific security by
the Fund, no price is paid or received by the Fund upon the
purchase or sale of a futures contract. Initially, the Fund will
be required to deposit with the broker through which such
transaction is effected or in a segregated account with the
Fund's Custodian an amount of cash or U.S. Government securities
or other liquid high-quality debt securities equal to the market
value of the stock index futures contract less any amounts
maintained in a margin account with the Fund's broker. This
amount is known as initial margin. The nature of initial margin
in futures transactions is different from that of margin in
security transactions in that futures contract margin does not
involve the borrowing of funds to finance transactions. Rather,
the initial margin is in the nature of a performance bond or good
faith deposit on the contract which is returned to the Fund upon
termination of the futures contract, assuming all contractual
obligations have been satisfied. Additional payments of cash,
Government securities or other liquid high-quality debt
securities, called variation margin, to and from the broker may
be made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying stock
index fluctuates, a process known as marking to the market. For
example, when the Fund has purchased a stock index futures
contract and the price of the futures contract has risen in
response to a rise in the underlying stock index, that position
will have increased in value and the Fund will receive from the
broker a variation margin payment equal to that increase in
A-1
<PAGE>
value. Conversely, where the Fund has purchased a stock index
futures contract and the price of the futures contract has
declined in response to a decrease in the underlying stock index,
the position would be less valuable and the Fund would be
required to make a variation margin payment to the broker. At
any time prior to expiration of the futures contract, the Adviser
may elect to close the position by taking an opposite position
which will operate to terminate the Fund's position in the
futures contract. A final determination of variation margin is
then made, additional cash is required to be paid by or released
to the Fund, and the Fund realizes a loss or gain.
Risks of Transactions in Stock Index Futures. There are
several risks in connection with the use of stock index futures
by the Fund as a hedging device. One risk arises because of the
imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the stock
index futures and movements in the price of the securities which
are the subject of the hedge. The price of the stock index
futures may move more than or less than the price of the
securities being hedged. If the price of the stock index futures
moves less than the price of the securities which are the subject
of the hedge, the hedge will not be fully effective but, if the
price of the securities being hedged has moved in an unfavorable
direction, the Fund would be in a better position than if it had
not hedged at all. If the price of the securities being hedged
has moved in a favorable direction, this advantage will be
partially offset by the loss on the index future. If the price
of the future moves more than the price of the stock, the Fund
will experience either a loss or gain on the future which will
not be completely offset by movements in the price of the
securities which are the subject of the hedge. To compensate for
the imperfect correlation of movements in the price of securities
being hedged and movements in the price of the stock index
futures, the Fund may buy or sell stock index futures contracts
in a greater dollar amount than the dollar amount of securities
being hedged if the volatility over a particular time period of
the prices of such securities has been greater than the
volatility over such time period for the index, or if otherwise
deemed to be appropriate by the Adviser. Conversely, the Fund
may buy or sell fewer stock index futures contracts if the
volatility over a particular time period of the prices of the
securities being hedged is less than the volatility over such
time period of the stock index, or if otherwise deemed to be
appropriate by the Adviser. It is also possible that, where the
Fund has sold futures to hedge its portfolio against a decline in
the market, the market may advance and the value of securities
held in the Fund may decline. If this occurred, the Fund would
lose money on the futures contract and also experience a decline
in value in its portfolio securities. However, over time the
value of the Fund's portfolio should tend to move in the same
direction as the market indices upon which the futures are based,
A-2
<PAGE>
although there may be deviations arising from differences between
the composition of the Fund and the stocks comprising the index.
Where futures are purchased to hedge against a possible
increase in the price of stock before the Fund is able to invest
its cash (or cash equivalents) in stocks (or options) in an
orderly fashion, it is possible that the market may decline
instead. If the Fund then concludes not to invest in stock or
options at that time because of concern as to possible further
market decline or for other reasons, the Fund will realize a loss
on the futures contract that is not offset by a reduction in the
price of securities purchased.
In addition to the possibility that there may be an
imperfect correlation, or no correlation at all, between
movements in the stock index futures and the portion of the
portfolio being hedged, the price of stock index futures may not
correlate perfectly with movement in the stock index due to
certain market distortions. Rather than meeting additional
margin deposit requirements, investors may close futures
contracts through off-setting transactions which could distort
the normal relationship between the index and futures markets.
Secondly, from the point of view of speculators, the 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 also cause
temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of price
distortion in the futures market, and because of the imperfect
correlation between the movements in the stock index and
movements in the price of stock index futures, a correct forecast
of general market trends by the Adviser may still not result in a
successful hedging transaction over a short time frame.
Positions in stock index futures may be closed out only
on an exchange or board of trade which provides a secondary
market for such futures. Although the Fund intends to purchase
or sell futures only on exchanges or boards of trade where there
appear to be active secondary markets, there is no assurance that
a liquid secondary market on any exchange or board of trade will
exist for any particular contract or at any particular time. In
such event, it may not be possible to close a futures investment
position, and in the event of adverse price movements, the Fund
would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of
variation margin. However, in the event futures contracts have
been used to hedge portfolio securities, such securities will not
be sold until the futures contract can be terminated. In such
circumstances, an increase in the price of the securities, if
any, may partially or completely offset losses on the futures
contract. However, as described above, there is no guarantee that
the price of the securities will in fact correlate with the price
A-3
<PAGE>
movements in the futures contract and thus provide an offset on a
futures contract.
The Fund's Adviser intends to purchase and sell futures
contracts on the stock index for which it can obtain the best
price with due consideration to liquidity.
Successful use of stock index futures by the Fund is
also subject to the Adviser's ability to predict correctly
movements in the direction of the market. For example, if the
Fund has hedged against the possibility of a decline in the
market adversely affecting stocks held in its portfolio and stock
prices increase instead, the Fund will lose part or all of the
benefit of the increased value of its stock 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 securities to meet daily variation
margin requirements. Such sales of securities 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.
A-4
<PAGE>
____________________________________________________________
APPENDIX B:
CERTAIN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
____________________________________________________________
Employee benefit plans described below which are
intended to be tax-qualified under section 401(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Tax Qualified Plans"), for
which Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated or an
affiliate thereof ("Merrill Lynch") is recordkeeper (or with
respect to which recordkeeping services are provided pursuant to
certain arrangements as described in paragraph (ii) below)
("Merrill Lynch Plans") are subject to specific requirements as
to the Fund shares which they may purchase. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Statement of
Additional Information, the following Merrill Lynch Plans are not
eligible to purchase Class A shares and are eligible to purchase
Class B shares of the Fund at net asset value without being
subject to a contingent deferred sales charge:
(i) Plans for which Merrill Lynch is the recordkeeper on a
daily valuation basis, if when the plan is established
as an active plan on Merrill Lynch's recordkeeping
system:
(a) the plan is one which is not already
investing in shares of mutual funds or
interests in other commingled investment
vehicles of which Merrill Lynch Asset
Management, L.P. is investment adviser or
manager ("MLAM Funds"), and either (A) the
aggregate assets of the plan are less than
$3 million or (B) the total of the sum of
(x) the employees eligible to participate in
the plan and (y) those persons, not
including any such employees, for whom a
plan account having a balance therein is
maintained, is less than 500, each of (A)
and (B) to be determined by Merrill Lynch in
the normal course prior to the date the plan
is established as an active plan on Merrill
Lynch's recordkeeping system (an "Active
Plan"); or
(b) the plan is one which is already investing
in shares of or interests in MLAM Funds and
the assets of the plan have an aggregate
value of less than $5 million, as determined
B-1
<PAGE>
by Merrill Lynch as of the date the plan
becomes an Active Plan.
For purposes of applying (a) and (b), there
are to be aggregated all assets of any Tax-
Qualified Plan maintained by the sponsor of
the Merrill Lynch Plan (or any of the
sponsor's affiliates) (determined to be such
by Merrill Lynch) which are being invested
in shares of or interests in MLAM Funds,
Alliance Mutual Funds or other mutual funds
made available pursuant to an agreement
between Merrill Lynch and the principal
underwriter thereof (or one of its
affiliates) and which are being held in a
Merrill Lynch account.
(ii) Plans for which the recordkeeper is not Merrill Lynch,
but which are recordkept on a daily valuation basis by
a recordkeeper with which Merrill Lynch has a
subcontracting or other alliance arrangement for the
performance of recordkeeping services, if the plan is
determined by Merrill Lynch to be so eligible and the
assets of the plan are less than $3 million.
Class B shares of the Fund held by any of the above-
described Merrill Lynch Plans are to be replaced at Merrill
Lynch's direction through conversion, exchange or otherwise by
Class A shares of the Fund on the earlier of the date that the
value of the plan's aggregate assets first equals or exceeds $5
million or the date on which any Class B share of the Fund held
by the plan would convert to a Class A share of the Fund as
described under "Purchase of Shares" and "Redemption and
Repurchase of Shares."
Any Tax Qualified Plan, including any Merrill Lynch
Plan, which does not purchase Class B shares of the Fund without
being subject to a contingent deferred sales charge under the
above criteria is eligible to purchase Class B shares subject to
a contingent deferred sales charge as well as other classes of
shares of the Fund as set forth above under "Purchase of Shares"
and "Redemption and Repurchase of Shares.
B-2
00250118.AY2
