AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. Announces Fourth Quarter Results
PR Newswire
Adjusted Diluted Net Income of $0.50 per Unit
Cash Distribution of $0.50 per Unit
GAAP Diluted Net Income of $0.53 per Unit

NEW YORK, Feb. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- AllianceBernstein L.P. ("AB") and AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. ("AB Holding") (NYSE: AB) today reported financial and operating results for the quarter ended December 31, 2015.

"The challenging conditions of the third quarter of 2015 - declining global markets, concerns over growth in China and other emerging markets, plunging oil prices and volatility in the credit markets - intensified in the fourth quarter, and these factors dampened our gross sales growth and depressed revenues and asset levels," said Peter S. Kraus, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Nonetheless, we managed to finish 2015 with total net inflows of $3.2 billion - our second consecutive net flow positive year - and a higher full-year adjusted operating margin of 24.5%."

(US $ Thousands
except per Unit amounts)

4Q 2015


4Q 2014


4Q 2015 vs
4Q 2014 %
Change


3Q 2015


4Q 2015 vs
3Q 2015 %
Change











Adjusted Financial Measures (1)










Net revenues

$

606,371



$

654,932



(7.4)%



$

626,191



(3.2%)


Operating income

$

161,746



$

182,882



(11.6)%



$

147,030



10.0

%

Operating margin

26.7

%


27.9

%




23.5

%



AB Holding Diluted EPU

$

0.50



$

0.57



(12.3)%



$

0.43



16.3

%

AB Holding cash distribution per Unit

$

0.50



$

0.57



(12.3)%



$

0.43



16.3

%











U.S. GAAP Financial Measures










Net revenues

$

726,726



$

787,352



(7.7)%



$

738,693



(1.6%)


Operating income

$

170,913



$

190,570



(10.3)%



$

142,051



20.3

%

Operating margin

23.3

%


23.8

%




19.6

%



AB Holding Diluted EPU

$

0.53



$

0.59



(10.2)%



$

0.43



23.3

%











(US $ Billions)










Assets Under Management










Ending AUM

$

467.4



$

474.0



(1.4%)



$

462.9



1.0

%

Average AUM

$

470.9



$

476.0



(1.1%)



$

476.2



(1.1%)
































(1)       

The adjusted financial measures are all non-GAAP financial measures. See pages 15-19 for reconciliations of GAAP Financial Results to Adjusted Financial Results and page 20 for notes describing the adjustments.

 

Kraus continued: "In all market environments, we remain committed to our primary goal as a firm: keeping our clients Ahead of Tomorrow with our investment performance, broad offering set, innovative thinking and strong financials. I'm proud that we were able to deliver on that promise for our clients in multiple ways in 2015. In fixed income, despite a pullback in global high income, we maintained investment performance premiums in 56% of our assets for the 1-year period through December, 80% of assets for the 3-year and 91% for the 5-year. In active equities, where we are finally in a market that rewards investment discipline and stock-picking acumen, our services continue to shine. We finished 2015 with 74% of assets outperforming for the 1-year period, 73% for the 3-year and 53% for the 5-year. Top decile performers for the 1- and 3-year periods include US Thematic Research, US Large Cap Growth, and our suite of Strategic Core Equity services. The performance and relevance of our services have helped us grow advocacy and earn buy ratings in the double digits in 2015. Today, we have diverse buy ratings with every major global consultant and many regional consultants as well. Across our business, we celebrated a series of important milestones in 2015. In Asia, with the successful local fund launch of Global High Yield in Taiwan, we surpassed $3 billion in onshore assets - double our total at year end-2014. Here in the US, our US High Income Muni fund surpassed $3 billion in AUM just before its fifth anniversary. We've also doubled our assets in Concentrated Growth to $4 billion in the two years since we acquired WP Stewart. In the alternative space, we completed second fund raises in Real Estate Debt and Real Estate Private Equity that well surpassed our first, and our Direct Middle Market Lending business raised $1 billion. We expanded our presence in the multi-asset space during 2015 as well. Our $33 billion Customized Retirement Strategies (CRS) business was named #1 in the industry by assets by Pensions & Investments. In Private Wealth, new Direct Middle Market Lending and Early Stage Managers offerings attracted nearly $540 million from private clients during the year, bringing our total targeted services assets to $3 billion-plus. And on the sell side, our entire business gained market share in 2015 on the strength of our growing international presence and our industry-leading, differentiated trading platform. Most important, we accomplished all of these growth initiatives while maintaining vigilant expense discipline, expanding our operating margin for the fourth consecutive year and producing an incremental margin of 61% for 2015."

Kraus concluded: "These are impressive accomplishments in the face of an increasingly difficult operating environment, and we have our incredibly strong AB team around the world to thank for that. There's no doubt that the challenges of 2015 have not just persisted but accelerated so far in 2016, setting us up for a difficult year ahead, but I have complete faith in the quality of our business, talent and strategy going forward."

The firm's cash distribution per unit of $0.50 is payable on March 10, 2016, to holders of record of AB Holding Units at the close of business on February 22, 2016.

Market Performance

US and global equity markets were sharply higher in the fourth quarter, while US and global fixed income markets were weak. The S&P 500's total return was 7.0% in the fourth quarter and 1.4% for the full year, while the MSCI EAFE Index's total return was 4.8% in the fourth quarter, but (0.4)% for the full year. The Barclays US Aggregate Index returned (0.6)% during the fourth quarter and 0.6% for the full year and the Barclays Global Aggregate ex US Index's total return was (1.3)% for the fourth quarter and (6.0)% for the full year.

Assets Under Management ($ Billions)

Total assets under management as of December 31, 2015 were $467.4 billion, up $4.5 billion, or 1.0%, from September 30, 2015, and down $6.6 billion, or (1.4)%, from December 31, 2014.


Institutions


Retail


Private Wealth


Total

Assets Under Management 12/31/15

$236.2


$154.4


$76.8


$467.4

Net Flows for Three Months Ended 12/31/15

$(0.9)


$(1.5)


$(0.1)


$(2.5)

 

Total net outflows were $2.5 billion, compared to the prior quarter's net outflows of $2.4 billion and the prior-year period's net outflows of $1.6 billion.

Net outflows from the Institutions channel were $0.9 billion, flat compared to the third quarter of 2015. Institutions gross sales of $4.3 billion increased 10% from $3.9 billion in the prior quarter. The pipeline of awarded but unfunded Institutional mandates increased sequentially from $5.9 billion to $6.1 billion at December 31, 2015.

The Retail channel experienced fourth quarter 2015 net outflows of $1.5 billion, compared to $1.6 billion of net outflows in the prior quarter. Retail gross sales of $8.1 billion increased 3% sequentially from the third quarter's $7.9 billion.

In the Private Wealth channel, net outflows of $0.1 billion compared to net inflows of $0.1 billion in the prior quarter. Private Wealth gross sales increased 18% to $1.3 billion from the prior quarter's $1.1 billion.

Fourth Quarter Financial Results

We are presenting both earnings information derived in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("US GAAP") and non-GAAP adjusted earnings information in this release. Management principally uses these non-GAAP financial measures in evaluating performance because they present a clearer picture of our operating performance, and allow management to see long-term trends without the distortion caused by long-term incentive compensation-related mark-to-market adjustments, real estate consolidation charges/credits and other adjustment items. Similarly, we believe that this non-GAAP earnings information helps investors better understand the underlying trends in our results and, accordingly, provides a valuable perspective for investors. AB Holding is required to distribute all of its Available Cash Flow, as defined in the AB Holding Partnership Agreement, to its Unitholders (including the General Partner). Since the third quarter of 2012, Available Cash Flow has been the adjusted diluted net income per unit for the quarter multiplied by the number of units outstanding at the end of the quarter. Management anticipates that Available Cash Flow will continue to be based on adjusted diluted net income per unit, unless management determines that one or more of the non-GAAP adjustments that are made for adjusted net income should not be made with respect to the Available Cash Flow calculation. These non-GAAP measures are provided in addition to, and not as substitutes for, any measures derived in accordance with US GAAP and they may not be comparable to non-GAAP measures presented by other companies. Management uses both US GAAP and non-GAAP measures in evaluating our financial performance. The non-GAAP measures alone may pose limitations because they do not include all of our revenues and expenses.

Non-GAAP Earnings

This section discusses our fourth quarter 2015 non-GAAP financial results, as compared to the fourth quarter of 2014 and the third quarter of 2015. The phrases "adjusted net revenues", "adjusted operating expenses", "adjusted operating income", "adjusted operating margin" and "adjusted diluted net income per Unit" are used in the following earnings discussion to identify non-GAAP information. The most directly comparable US GAAP items are reconciled to these non-GAAP items on pages 15-20 of this release.

Adjusted net revenues of $607 million were down 7% compared to the fourth quarter of 2014, as lower performance-based fees, base fees and Bernstein Research revenues were partly offset by lower investment losses compared to the prior-year period. Sequentially, adjusted net revenues were down 3%, driven by lower base fees and Bernstein Research revenues and higher investment losses compared to the previous quarter, partly offset by higher performance-based fees. Bernstein Research revenues decreased 8% from the fourth quarter of 2014 and 7% from the third quarter of 2015, in each period as a result of decreased client activity in all regions.

Adjusted operating expenses were $445 million for the fourth quarter, down 6% compared to the prior-year period, as lower total compensation and benefits and promotion and servicing expenses were partially offset by slightly higher general and administrative ("G&A") expenses. The year-over-year decrease in total compensation and benefits expense was a result of lower incentive compensation and commissions, partially offset by higher base compensation and fringes. The decrease in promotion and servicing expenses was due to lower travel and entertainment and marketing expenses, partly offset by higher transfer and trade execution fees. Within G&A, the increase was primarily due to higher other miscellaneous and technology expenses, partly offset by lower portfolio services fees.

Sequentially, adjusted operating expenses were down 7%, driven by lower total compensation and benefits expenses, which were partly offset by higher promotion and servicing expenses. The sequential decrease in total compensation and benefits expenses were driven by lower incentive compensation, partly offset by higher fringes. The increase in promotion and servicing expenses were driven by higher marketing and travel and entertainment expenses, partly offset by lower trade execution fees.

Adjusted operating income of $162 million decreased 11% from $183 million for the fourth quarter of 2014, and the adjusted operating margin decreased to 26.7% from 27.9%. On a sequential basis, adjusted operating income increased 10% from $147 million, and the adjusted operating margin increased from 23.5%.

Adjusted diluted net income per Unit was $0.50 compared to $0.57 in the fourth quarter of 2014 and $0.43 in the third quarter of 2015.

US GAAP Earnings

Net revenues of $727 million were down 8% compared to the fourth quarter of 2014, as a result of lower performance-based fees, base fees, distribution revenues and Bernstein Research revenues, partly offset by lower investment losses compared to the prior-year period. Sequentially, net revenues decreased 2%, as a result of lower base fees, Bernstein Research revenues and distribution revenues, partly offset by lower investment losses compared to the prior period and higher performance-based fees.

Operating expenses were $556 million for the fourth quarter of 2015, down 7% year-over-year, due to lower total compensation and benefits and promotion and servicing expenses, partly offset by higher G&A. Within employee compensation and benefits expenses, lower incentive compensation and commissions were partly offset by higher base compensation. Promotion and servicing expenses decreased from the prior-year period due primarily to lower distribution-related payments and lower travel and entertainment and marketing expenses. Within G&A, the increase was driven by higher technology expense and other miscellaneous items. The Company recorded a $0.2 million non-cash real estate credit during the fourth quarter of 2015 as part of its ongoing global real estate consolidation plan compared to a $0.4 million non-cash real estate credit in the fourth quarter of 2014. In addition, in the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company recorded a $7.2 million credit to operating expenses compared to a $4.4 million credit in the fourth quarter of 2014, reflecting changes in estimates for the contingent consideration payable relating to past acquisitions.

On a sequential basis, operating expenses were down 7% as a result of lower total employee compensation and benefits and G&A expenses. Promotion and servicing expenses were essentially flat. Employee compensation and benefits expenses decreased due to lower incentive compensation, partly offset by higher fringes. The absence of adverse real estate write-off adjustments resulted in slightly lower G&A. Within promotion and servicing, lower distribution plan payments and trade execution fees were partly offset by higher marketing and travel and entertainment expenses. The Company's $0.2 million non-cash real estate credit in the current quarter compares to a $1.7 million non-cash real estate charge in the third quarter of 2015. In addition, in the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company recorded a $7.2 million credit to operating expenses, reflecting changes in estimates for the contingent consideration payable relating to past acquisitions.

Operating income of $171 million for the fourth quarter of 2015 decreased 10% from $191 million for the fourth quarter of 2014 and increased 20% from $142 million in the third quarter of 2015.

Diluted net income per Unit for the fourth quarter of 2015 was $0.53 compared to $0.59 in the fourth quarter of 2014 and $0.43 in the third quarter of 2015.

Headcount

As of December 31, 2015, we had 3,600 employees, compared to 3,487 employees as of December 31, 2014 and 3,599 employees as of September 30, 2015.

Unit Repurchases

During the fourth quarter and full year 2015, AB purchased 4.7 million and 8.5 million AB Holding Units for $114.9 million and $218.3 million, respectively (on a trade date basis). These amounts reflect open-market purchases of 2.0 million and 5.8 million AB Holding Units for $50.0 million and $151.1 million, respectively, with the remainder relating to purchases of AB Holding Units from employees to allow them to fulfill statutory tax withholding requirements at the time of distribution of long-term incentive compensation awards. During the fourth quarter and full year 2014, AB purchased approximately 3.3 million and 3.6 million AB Holding Units for $87.4 million and $92.8 million, respectively (on a trade date basis). These amounts reflected AB's open-market purchases of 0.3 million Holding Units for $7.2 million in the fourth quarter, with the remainder having related to purchases of AB Holding Units from employees to allow them to fulfill statutory tax withholding requirements at the time of distribution of long-term incentive compensation awards.

Fourth Quarter 2015 Earnings Conference Call Information

Management will review fourth quarter 2015 financial and operating results during a conference call beginning at 8:00 a.m. (ET) on Thursday, February 11, 2016. The conference call will be hosted by Peter S. Kraus, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and John C. Weisenseel, Chief Financial Officer.

Parties may access the conference call by either webcast or telephone:

  1. To listen by webcast, please visit AB's Investor Relations website at http://abglobal.com/corporate/investor-relations/home.htm at least 15 minutes prior to the call to download and install any necessary audio software.
  2. To listen by telephone, please dial (866) 556-2265 in the U.S. or (973) 935-8521 outside the U.S. 10 minutes before the scheduled start time. The conference ID# is 34524170.

The presentation that will be reviewed during the conference call will be available on AB's Investor Relations website shortly after the release of fourth quarter 2015 financial and operating results on February 11, 2016.

AB will be providing live updates via Twitter during the conference call. To access the tweets, follow AB on Twitter: @AB_insights. Also, in the future, AB may provide public disclosures to investors via Twitter and other appropriate internet-based social media.

A replay of the webcast will be made available beginning approximately one hour after the conclusion of the conference call and will be available on AB's website for one week.  An audio replay of the conference call will also be available for one week. To access the audio replay, please call (855) 859-2056 in the US, or (404) 537-3406 outside the US, and provide the conference ID #: 34524170.

Availability of 2015 Form 10-K

Unitholders may obtain a copy of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 in either electronic format or hard copy on www.abglobal.com:

  • Download Electronic Copy: Unitholders can download an electronic version of the report by visiting the "Investor & Media Relations" page of our website at www.abglobal.com/investorrelations and clicking on the "Reports & SEC Filings" section.
  • Order Hard Copy Electronically or by Phone: Unitholders may also order a hard copy of the report, which is expected to be available for mailing in approximately eight weeks, free of charge. Unitholders with internet access can follow the above instructions to order a hard copy electronically. Unitholders without internet access, or who would prefer to order by phone, can call 212-969-2416.

Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements provided by management in this news release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The most significant of these factors include, but are not limited to, the following: the performance of financial markets, the investment performance of sponsored investment products and separately-managed accounts, general economic conditions, industry trends, future acquisitions, competitive conditions, and current and proposed government regulations, including changes in tax regulations and rates and the manner in which the earnings of publicly-traded partnerships are taxed. AB cautions readers to carefully consider such factors. Further, such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made; AB undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements. For further information regarding these forward-looking statements and the factors that could cause actual results to differ, see "Risk Factors" and "Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in AB's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. Any or all of the forward-looking statements made in this news release, Form 10-K, Forms 10-Q, other documents AB files with or furnishes to the SEC, and any other public statements issued by AB, may turn out to be wrong. It is important to remember that other factors besides those listed in "Risk Factors" and "Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements", and those listed below, could also adversely affect AB's revenues, financial condition, results of operations and business prospects.

The forward-looking statements referred to in the preceding paragraph include statements regarding:

  • The possibility that AB will engage in open market purchases of Holding Units to help fund anticipated obligations under our incentive compensation award program:  The number of Holding Units AB may decide to buy in future periods, if any, to help fund incentive compensation awards is dependent upon various factors, some of which are beyond our control, including the fluctuation in the price of a Holding Unit and the availability of cash to make these purchases.
  • The pipeline of new institutional mandates not yet funded: Before they are funded, institutional mandates do not represent legally binding commitments to fund and, accordingly, the possibility exists that not all mandates will be funded in the amounts and at the times currently anticipated.

Qualified Tax Notice

This announcement is intended to be a qualified notice under Treasury Regulation §1.1446-4(b).  Please note that 100% of AB Holding's distributions to foreign investors is attributable to income that is effectively connected with a United States trade or business. Accordingly, AB Holding's distributions to foreign investors are subject to federal income tax withholding at the highest applicable tax rate, currently 39.6%.

About AB

AB is a leading global investment management firm that offers high-quality research and diversified investment services to institutional investors, individuals and private wealth clients in major world markets.

As of December 31, 2015, AB Holding owned approximately 36.7% of the issued and outstanding AB Units and AXA, one of the largest global financial services organizations, owned an approximate 62.8% economic interest in AB.

Additional information about AB may be found on our website, www.abglobal.com.

 

AB (The Operating Partnership)





Non-GAAP Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)





(US $ Thousands)

4Q 2015


4Q 2014


4Q 2015
vs. 4Q
2014%
Change


3Q 2015


4Q 2015
vs. 3Q
2015 %
Change











Adjusted revenues:










Base fees

$

471,488



$

485,253



(2.8%)



$

481,984



(2.2%)


Performance fees

3,513



28,034



(87.5%)



1,823



92.7

%

Bernstein research services

118,442



128,409



(7.8%)



127,065



(6.8%)


Net distribution revenues

(4,295)



(3,647)



17.8

%


(3,684)



16.6

%

Net dividends and interest

7,130



6,194



15.1

%


5,329



33.8

%

Investments gains (losses)

(4,146)



(6,701)



(38.1%)



(2,224)



86.4

%

Other revenues

15,508



17,931



(13.5%)



16,701



(7.1%)


Total adjusted revenues

607,640



655,473



(7.3%)



626,994



(3.1%)


Less: interest expense

1,269



541



134.6

%


803



58.0

%

Total adjusted net revenues

606,371



654,932



(7.4%)



626,191



(3.2%)












Adjusted operating expenses:










Employee compensation and benefits

284,533



312,223



(8.9%)



322,477



(11.8%)


Promotion and servicing

47,051



48,446



(2.9%)



44,000



6.9

%

General and administrative

105,431



104,081



1.3

%


105,360



0.1

%

Contingent payment arrangements

443



476



(6.9%)



443



%

Interest

817



628



30.1

%


712



14.7

%

Amortization of intangible assets

6,414



6,448



(0.5%)



6,411



%

Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests

(64)



(252)



(74.6%)



(242)



(73.6%)


Total adjusted operating expenses

444,625



472,050



(5.8%)



479,161



(7.2%)












Adjusted operating income

161,746



182,882



(11.6%)



147,030



10.0

%











Adjusted income taxes

7,978



9,822



(18.8%)



10,281



(22.4%)












Adjusted net income

$

153,768



$

173,060



(11.1%)



$

136,749



12.4

%











AB Holding Adjusted diluted EPU

$

0.50



$

0.57



(12.3%)



$

0.43



16.3

%











Ending headcount

3,600



3,487



3.2

%


3,599



%











Ending AUM (in billions)

$

467.4



$

474.0



(1.4%)



$

462.9



1.0

%

Average AUM (in billions)

$

470.9



$

476.0



(1.1%)



$

476.2



(1.1%)


 

 















AB (The Operating Partnership)




Non-GAAP Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)




(US $ Thousands)

2015


2014


2015 vs.
2014%
Change









Adjusted revenues:







Base fees

$

1,938,538



$

1,902,072



1.9

%


Performance fees

23,746



53,236



(55.4)%



Bernstein research services

493,463



482,538



2.3

%


Net distribution revenues

(15,022)



(9,592)



56.6

%


Net dividends and interest

22,934



19,239



19.2

%


Investments gains (losses)

(1,663)



(12,425)



(86.6)%



Other revenues

65,243



72,878



(10.5)%



Total adjusted revenues

2,527,239



2,507,946



0.8

%


Less: interest expense

3,321



2,426



36.9

%


Total adjusted net revenues

2,523,918



2,505,520



0.7

%









Adjusted operating expenses:







Employee compensation and benefits

1,267,745



1,257,458



0.8

%


Promotion and servicing

188,101



188,666



(0.3)%



General and administrative

419,485



423,299



(0.9)%



Contingent payment arrangements

1,771



1,593



11.2

%


Interest

3,119



2,797



11.5

%


Amortization of intangible assets

25,798



24,916



3.5

%


Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests

(742)



(709)



4.7

%


Total adjusted operating expenses

1,905,277



1,898,020



0.4

%









Adjusted operating income

618,641



607,500



1.8

%









Adjusted income taxes

37,754



37,172



1.6

%









Adjusted net income

$

580,887



$

570,328



1.9

%









AB Holding Adjusted diluted EPU

$

1.87



$

1.86



0.5

%









Ending headcount

3,600



3,487



3.2

%









Ending AUM (in billions)

$

467.4



$

474.0



(1.4)%



Average AUM (in billions)

$

480.7



$

467.5



2.8

%









 

 

 

AB (The Operating Partnership)





US GAAP Consolidated Statements of Income





(US $ Thousands)

4Q 2015


4Q 2014


4Q 2015
vs. 4Q
2014 %
Change


3Q 2015


4Q 2015
vs. 3Q
2015 %
Change











GAAP revenues:










Base fees

$

474,126



$

486,481



(2.5%)



$

484,463



(2.1%)


Performance fees

3,513



28,034



(87.5%)



1,823



92.7

%

Bernstein research services

118,442



128,409



(7.8%)



127,065



(6.8%)


Distribution revenues

100,757



112,929



(10.8%)



105,365



(4.4%)


Dividends and interest

8,651



8,799



(1.7%)



5,459



58.5

%

Investments gains (losses)

(2,003)



(4,185)



(52.1%)



(10,326)



(80.6%)


Other revenues

24,509



27,426



(10.6%)



25,647



(4.4%)


  Total revenues

727,995



787,893



(7.6%)



739,496



(1.6%)


Less: interest expense

1,269



541



134.6

%


803



58.0

%

Total net revenues

726,726



787,352



(7.7%)



738,693



(1.6%)












GAAP operating expenses:










Employee compensation and benefits

286,399



313,900



(8.8%)



317,560



(9.8%)


Promotion and servicing










   Distribution-related payments

93,379



104,585



(10.7%)



96,690



(3.4%)


   Amortization of deferred sales commissions

11,673



11,991



(2.7%)



12,359



(5.6%)


   Other

55,907



57,941



(3.5%)



52,789



5.9

%

General and administrative










   General & administrative

108,214



105,593



2.5

%


107,996



0.2

%

   Real estate (credits) charges

(221)



(405)



(45.4%)



1,682



n/m

Contingent payment arrangements

(6,769)



(3,899)



73.6

%


443



n/m

Interest on borrowings

817



628



30.1

%


712



14.7

%

Amortization of intangible assets

6,414



6,448



(0.5%)



6,411



%

Total operating expenses

555,813



596,782



(6.9%)



596,642



(6.8%)












Operating income

170,913



190,570



(10.3%)



142,051



20.3

%











Income taxes

8,354



9,999



(16.5%)



10,146



(17.7%)












Net income

162,559



180,571



(10.0%)



131,905



23.2

%











Net income (loss) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests

1,496



3,146



(52.4%)



(3,071)



n/m











Net income attributable to AB Unitholders

$

161,063



$

177,425



(9.2%)



$

134,976



19.3

%

































































































































































AB Holding L.P. (The Publicly-Traded Partnership)







SUMMARY STATEMENTS OF INCOME







(US $ Thousands)

4Q 2015


4Q 2014


4Q 2015
vs. 4Q
2014 %
Change


3Q 2015


4Q 2015
vs. 3Q
2015 %
Change











Equity in Net Income Attributable to AB Unitholders

$

57,485



$

63,563



(9.6%)



$

48,988



17.3

%

Income Taxes

5,803



5,896



(1.6%)



6,301



(7.9%)


Net Income

51,682



57,667



(10.4%)



42,687



21.1

%











Additional Equity in Earnings of Operating Partnership (1)

310



440



(29.5%)



301



3.0

%

Net Income - Diluted

$

51,992



$

58,107



(10.5%)



$

42,988



20.9

%

Diluted Net Income per Unit

$

0.53



$

0.59



(10.2%)



$

0.43



23.3

%

Distribution per Unit

$

0.50



$

0.57



(12.3%)



$

0.43



16.3

%











(1) To reflect higher ownership in the Operating Partnership resulting from application of the treasury stock method to outstanding options.













Units Outstanding

4Q 2015


4Q 2014


4Q 2015
vs. 4Q
2014 %
Change


3Q 2015


4Q 2015
vs. 3Q
2015 %
Change

AB L.P.










Period-end

272,301,827



273,040,452



(0.3%)



270,030,040



0.8

%

Weighted average - basic

269,417,724



269,844,617



(0.2%)



271,910,618



(0.9%)


Weighted average - diluted

270,238,983



270,907,271



(0.2%)



272,881,116



(1.0%)


AB Holding L.P.










Period-end

100,044,485



100,756,999



(0.7%)



97,772,578



2.3

%

Weighted average - basic

97,160,266



97,555,991



(0.4%)



99,650,516



(2.5%)


Weighted average - diluted

97,981,525



98,618,645



(0.6%)



100,621,014



(2.6%)


 

 

 

AB (The Operating Partnership)




US GAAP Consolidated Statements of Income




(US $ Thousands)

2015


2014


2015 vs. 2014 % Change









GAAP revenues:







Base fees

$

1,950,091



$

1,905,014



2.4

%


Performance fees

23,746



53,236



(55.4)%



Bernstein research services

493,463



482,538



2.3

%


Distribution revenues

427,156



444,970



(4.0)%



Dividends and interest

24,872



22,322



11.4

%


Investments gains (losses)

3,551



(9,076)



n/m


Other revenues

101,169



108,788



(7.0)%



  Total revenues

3,024,048



3,007,792



0.5

%


Less: interest expense

3,321



2,426



36.9

%


Total net revenues

3,020,727



3,005,366



0.5

%









GAAP operating expenses:







Employee compensation and benefits

1,267,926



1,265,664



0.2

%


Promotion and servicing







   Distribution-related payments

393,033



413,054



(4.8)%



   Amortization of deferred sales commissions

49,145



41,508



18.4

%


   Other

223,415



224,576



(0.5)%



General and administrative







   General & administrative

431,635



426,960



1.1

%


   Real estate (credits) charges

998



52



1,819.2

%


Contingent payment arrangements

(5,441)



(2,782)



95.6

%


Interest on borrowings

3,119



2,797



11.5

%


Amortization of intangible assets

25,798



24,916



3.5

%


Total operating expenses

2,389,628



2,396,745



(0.3)%










Operating income

631,099



608,621



3.7

%









Income taxes

38,122



37,782



0.9

%









Net income

592,977



570,839



3.9

%









Net income (loss) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests

6,375



456



1,298.0

%









Net income attributable to AB Unitholders

$

586,602



$

570,383



2.8

%











































































































AB Holding L.P. (The Publicly-Traded Partnership)



SUMMARY STATEMENTS OF INCOME



(US $ Thousands)

2015


2014


2015 vs. 2014 % Change









Equity in Net Income Attributable to AB Unitholders

$

212,498



$

203,277



4.5

%


Income Taxes

24,320



22,463



8.3

%


Net Income

188,178



180,814



4.1

%









Additional Equity in Earnings of Operating Partnership (1)

1,399



1,536



(8.9)%



Net Income - Diluted

$

189,577



$

182,350



4.0

%


Diluted Net Income per Unit

$

1.89



$

1.86



1.6

%


Distribution per Unit

$

1.86



$

1.86



%









(1) To reflect higher ownership in the Operating Partnership resulting from application of the treasury stock method to outstanding options.














Units Outstanding

2015


2014


2015 vs. 2014 % Change


AB L.P.







Period-end

272,301,827



273,040,452



(0.3)%



Weighted average - basic

271,745,451



269,118,683



1.0

%


Weighted average - diluted

272,781,916



270,266,389



0.9

%


AB Holding L.P.







Period-end

100,044,485



100,756,999



(0.7)%



Weighted average - basic

99,475,288



96,802,380



2.8

%


Weighted average - diluted

100,511,753



97,950,086



2.6

%


 

 

 







AllianceBernstein L.P.

ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT  |  December 31, 2015

($ billions)



Ending and Average

Three Months Ended



12/31/15

9/30/15


Ending Assets Under Management

$467.4

$462.9


Average Assets Under Management

$470.9

$476.2

 

Three-Month Changes By Distribution Channel








Institutions


Retail


Private Wealth


Total


Beginning of Period

$

235.4



$

152.6



$

74.9



$

462.9



Sales/New accounts

4.3



8.1



1.3



13.7



Redemption/Terminations

(3.3)



(8.5)



(0.4)



(12.2)



Net Cash Flows

(1.9)



(1.1)



(1.0)



(4.0)



Net Flows

(0.9)



(1.5)



(0.1)



(2.5)



Investment Performance

1.7



3.3



2.0



7.0



End of Period

$

236.2



$

154.4



$

76.8



$

467.4


 

Three-Month Changes By Investment Service













Equity
Active


Equity
Passive (1)


Fixed
Income
Taxable


Fixed
Income
Tax-
Exempt


Fixed
Income
Passive (1)


Other (2)


Total


Beginning of Period

$

105.1



$

45.2



$

210.5



$

32.7



$

10.5



$

58.9



$

462.9



Sales/New accounts

4.4



0.4



7.1



1.2



0.1



0.5



13.7



Redemption/Terminations

(3.2)



(0.9)



(6.6)



(0.6)



(0.1)



(0.8)



(12.2)



Net Cash Flows

(1.1)



(0.8)



(1.3)



(0.2)



(0.4)



(0.2)



(4.0)



Net Flows

0.1



(1.3)



(0.8)



0.4



(0.4)



(0.5)



(2.5)



Investment Performance

5.4



2.5



(2.3)



0.4



(0.1)



1.1



7.0



End of Period

$

110.6



$

46.4



$

207.4



$

33.5



$

10.0



$

59.5



$

467.4


 

(1)

Includes index and enhanced index services.

(2)

Includes multi-asset solutions and services and certain alternative investments.

 

By Client Domicile










Institutions


Retail


Private Wealth


Total


U.S. Clients

$

141.0



$

95.9



$

75.1



$

312.0



Non-U.S. Clients

95.2



58.5



1.7



155.4



Total

$

236.2



$

154.4



$

76.8



$

467.4


 

 

Fourth Quarter 2015 GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation


































In US $ Thousands


Adjustments






GAAP


Distribution
Related
Payments


Pass
Through
Expenses


Deferred
Comp.
Inv.


Venture
Capital
Fund


Real
Estate
Charges


Contingent
Payment
Adjust


Acquisition
-Related
Expenses


Other


Non-GAAP






(A)


(B)


(C)


(D)


(E)


(F)


(G)


(H)


























Investment advisory and services fees

$

477,639





$

(2,638)















$

475,001



Bernstein research services

118,442



















118,442



Distribution revenues

100,757



(105,052)

















(4,295)



Dividend and interest income

8,651







(1,521)













7,130



Investment gains (losses)

(2,003)







(583)



(1,560)











(4,146)



Other revenues

24,509





(9,001)















15,508




Total revenues

727,995



(105,052)



(11,639)



(2,104)



(1,560)











607,640



Less: interest expense

1,269



















1,269




726,726



(105,052)



(11,639)



(2,104)



(1,560)











606,371
























Employee compensation and benefits

286,399







(1,866)













284,533



Promotion and servicing

160,959



(105,052)



(8,856)















47,051



General and administrative

107,993





(2,783)







221









105,431



Contingent payment arrangements

(6,769)













7,212







443



Interest on borrowings

817



















817



Amortization of intangible assets

6,414



















6,414



Net income (loss) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests

















(64)



(64)




Total expenses

555,813



(105,052)



(11,639)



(1,866)





221



7,212





(64)



444,625

























Operating income


170,913







(238)



(1,560)



(221)



(7,212)





64



161,746



Income taxes

8,354







(12)





(11)



(353)







7,978



Net income

162,559







(226)



(1,560)



(210)



(6,859)





64



153,768



Net income (loss) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests

1,496









(1,560)









64





Net income attributable to AB Unitholders

$

161,063



$



$



$

(226)



$



$

(210)



$

(6,859)



$



$



$

153,768















































 

 

Third Quarter 2015 GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation


































In US $ Thousands


Adjustments






GAAP


Distribution
Related
Payments


Pass
Through
Expenses


Deferred
Comp.
Inv.


Venture
Capital
Fund


Real
Estate
Charges


Contingent
Payment
Adjust


Acquisition
-Related
Expenses


Other


Non-GAAP






(A)


(B)


(C)


(D)


(E)


(F)


(G)


(H)


























Investment advisory and services fees

$

486,286





$

(2,479)















$

483,807



Bernstein research services

127,065



















127,065



Distribution revenues

105,365



(109,049)

















(3,684)



Dividend and interest income

5,459







(130)













5,329



Investment gains (losses)

(10,326)







5,273



2,829











(2,224)



Other revenues

25,647





(8,946)















16,701




Total revenues

739,496



(109,049)



(11,425)



5,143



2,829











626,994



Less: interest expense

803



















803




738,693



(109,049)



(11,425)



5,143



2,829











626,191
























Employee compensation and benefits

317,560







4,917













322,477



Promotion and servicing

161,838



(109,049)



(8,789)















44,000



General and administrative

109,678





(2,636)







(1,682)









105,360



Contingent payment arrangements

443



















443



Interest on borrowings

712



















712



Amortization of intangible assets

6,411



















6,411



Net income (loss) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests

















(242)



(242)




Total expenses

596,642



(109,049)



(11,425)



4,917





(1,682)







(242)



479,161

























Operating income


142,051







226



2,829



1,682







242



147,030



Income taxes

10,146







16





119









10,281



Net income

131,905







210



2,829



1,563







242



136,749



Net income (loss) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests

(3,071)









2,829









242





Net income attributable to AB Unitholders

$

134,976



$



$



$

210



$



$

1,563



$



$



$



$

136,749















































 

 

Fourth Quarter 2014 GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation
































In US $ Thousands


Adjustments





GAAP


Distribution
Related
Payments


Pass
Through
Expenses


Deferred
Comp.
Inv.


Venture
Capital
Fund


Real
Estate
Charges


Contingent
Payment
Adjust


Acquisition
-Related
Expenses


Other


Non-GAAP





(A)


(B)


(C)


(D)


(E)


(F)


(G)


(H)
























Investment advisory and services fees

$

514,515





$

(1,228)















$

513,287


Bernstein research services

128,409



















128,409


Distribution revenues

112,929



(116,576)

















(3,647)


Dividend and interest income

8,799







(2,605)













6,194


Investment gains (losses)

(4,185)







882



(3,398)











(6,701)


Other revenues

27,426





(9,495)















17,931



Total revenues

787,893



(116,576)



(10,723)



(1,723)



(3,398)











655,473


Less: interest expense

541



















541



Net revenues

787,352



(116,576)



(10,723)



(1,723)



(3,398)











654,932























Employee compensation and benefits

313,900







(1,195)









(482)





312,223


Promotion and servicing

174,517



(116,576)



(9,495)















48,446


General and administrative

105,188





(1,228)







405





(284)





104,081


Contingent payment arrangements

(3,899)













4,375







476


Interest on borrowings

628



















628


Amortization of intangible assets

6,448



















6,448


Net income (loss) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests

















(252)



(252)



Total expenses

596,782



(116,576)



(10,723)



(1,195)





405



4,375



(766)



(252)



472,050























Operating income

190,570







(528)



(3,398)



(405)



(4,375)



766



252



182,882


Income taxes

9,999







(7)





(120)



(60)



10





9,822


Net income

180,571







(521)



(3,398)



(285)



(4,315)



756



252



173,060


Net income (loss) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests

3,146









(3,398)









252




Net income attributable to AB Unitholders

$

177,425



$



$



$

(521)



$



$

(285)



$

(4,315)



$

756



$



$

173,060


 

 

2015 GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation
































In US $ Thousands


Adjustments





GAAP


Distribution
Related
Payments


Pass
Through
Expenses


Deferred
Comp.
Inv.


Venture
Capital
Fund


Real
Estate
Charges


Contingent
Payment
Adjust


Acquisition
-Related
Expenses


Other


Non-GAAP





(A)


(B)


(C)


(D)


(E)


(F)


(G)


(H)
























Investment advisory and services fees

$

1,973,837





$

(11,553)















$

1,962,284


Bernstein research services

493,463



















493,463


Distribution revenues

427,156



(442,178)

















(15,022)


Dividend and interest income

24,872







(1,938)













22,934


Investment gains (losses)

3,551







1,903



(7,117)











(1,663)


Other revenues

101,169





(35,926)















65,243



Total revenues

3,024,048



(442,178)



(47,479)



(35)



(7,117)











2,527,239


Less: interest expense

3,321



















3,321



Net revenues

3,020,727



(442,178)



(47,479)



(35)



(7,117)











2,523,918























Employee compensation and benefits

1,267,926







(166)









(15)





1,267,745


Promotion and servicing

665,593



(442,178)



(35,314)















188,101


General and administrative

432,633





(12,165)







(998)





15





419,485


Contingent payment arrangements

(5,441)













7,212







1,771


Interest on borrowings

3,119



















3,119


Amortization of intangible assets

25,798



















25,798


Net income (loss) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests

















(742)



(742)



Total expenses

2,389,628



(442,178)



(47,479)



(166)





(998)



7,212





(742)



1,905,277























Operating income


631,099







131



(7,117)



998



(7,212)





742



618,641


Income taxes


38,122







8





60



(436)







37,754


Net income


592,977







123



(7,117)



938



(6,776)





742



580,887


Net income (loss) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests

6,375









(7,117)









742




Net income attributable to AB Unitholders

$

586,602



$



$



$

123



$



$

938



$

(6,776)



$



$



$

580,887


 

 

2014 GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation






























In US $ Thousands


Adjustments





GAAP


Distribution
Related
Payments


Pass
Through
Expenses


Deferred
Comp.
Inv.


Venture
Capital
Fund


Real
Estate
Charges


Contingent
Payment
Adjust


Acquisition
-Related
Expenses


Other


Non-GAAP





(A)


(B)


(C)


(D)


(E)


(F)


(G)


(H)
























Investment advisory and services fees

$

1,958,250





$

(2,942)















$

1,955,308


Bernstein research services

482,538



















482,538


Distribution revenues

444,970



(454,562)

















(9,592)


Dividend and interest income

22,322







(3,083)













19,239


Investment gains (losses)

(9,076)







(2,184)



(1,165)











(12,425)


Other revenues

108,788





(35,910)















72,878



Total revenues

3,007,792



(454,562)



(38,852)



(5,267)



(1,165)











2,507,946


Less: interest expense

2,426



















2,426



Net revenues

3,005,366



(454,562)



(38,852)



(5,267)



(1,165)











2,505,520























Employee compensation and benefits

1,265,664







(5,477)









(2,729)





1,257,458


Promotion and servicing

679,138



(454,562)



(35,910)















188,666


General and administrative

427,012





(2,942)







(52)





(719)





423,299


Contingent payment arrangements

(2,782)













4,375







1,593


Interest on borrowings

2,797



















2,797


Amortization of intangible assets

24,916



















24,916


Net income (loss) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests

















(709)



(709)



Total expenses

2,396,745



(454,562)



(38,852)



(5,477)





(52)



4,375



(3,448)



(709)



1,898,020























Operating income


608,621







210



(1,165)



52



(4,375)



3,448



709



607,500


Income taxes


37,782







3





(600)



(60)



47





37,172


Net income


570,839







207



(1,165)



652



(4,315)



3,401



709



570,328


Net income (loss) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests

456









(1,165)









709




Net income attributable to AB Unitholders

$

570,383



$



$



$

207



$



$

652



$

(4,315)



$

3,401



$



$

570,328


 

 

AB
Notes to Consolidated Statements of Income and Supplemental Information
(Unaudited)

 

A.    

Adjusted net revenues exclude distribution-related payments to third parties as well as amortization of deferred sales commissions against distribution revenues. We believe excluding distribution-related payments from net revenues is useful for our investors and other users of our financial statements because such presentation appropriately reflects the nature of these costs as pass-through payments to third parties who perform functions on behalf of our sponsored mutual funds and/or shareholders of these funds. We exclude amortization of deferred sales commissions from net revenues because such costs, over time, essentially offset our distribution revenues. These adjustments have no impact on operating income, but they do have an impact on our operating margin.



B.    

We exclude pass-through expenses we incur (primarily through our transfer agency) that are reimbursed and recorded as fees in revenues from our adjusted net revenues. These fees have no impact on operating income, but they do have an impact on our operating margin.



C.   

Prior to 2009, a significant portion of employee compensation was in the form of long-term incentive compensation awards that were notionally invested in AB investment services and generally vested over a period of four years. AB economically hedged the exposure to market movements by purchasing and holding these investments on its balance sheet. All such investments had vested as of year-end 2012 and the investments have been distributed to the participants, except for those investments with respect to which the participant elected a long-term deferral. Fluctuation in the value of these investments is recorded within investment gains and losses on the income statement and also impacts compensation expense. Management believes it is useful to reflect the offset achieved from economically hedging market exposure of the investments in the calculation of adjusted operating income and adjusted operating margin. The non-GAAP measures exclude gains and losses and dividends and interest on employee long-term incentive compensation-related investments included in revenues and compensation expense.



D.   

Most of the net income or loss of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests relates to the 90% limited partner interests held by third parties in our consolidated venture capital fund. We own a 10% limited partner interest in the fund. Because we are the general partner of the venture capital fund and are deemed to have a controlling interest, US GAAP requires us to consolidate the financial results of the fund. However, recognizing 100% of the gains or losses in net revenues and operating income while only retaining 10% is not reflective of our underlying financial results at the net revenue and operating income level. As a result, we exclude the 90% limited partner interests we do not own from our adjusted net revenues and adjusted operating income.



E.    

Real estate (credits)/charges have been excluded because they are not considered part of our core operating results when comparing financial results from period to period and to industry peers.



F.    

Recording changes in estimates of the contingent consideration associated with 2014 and 2010 acquisitions have been excluded because this is not considered part of our core operating results.



G.   

Acquisition-related expenses, primarily severance and professional fees incurred as a result of acquisitions in the fourth quarter of 2013 and the second quarter of 2014, have been excluded because they are not considered part of our core operating results when comparing results from period to period and to industry peers.



H.   

Net income of joint ventures attributable to non-controlling interests, although not significant, is excluded because it does not reflect the economic interest attributable to AB.

 

Adjusted Operating Margin
Adjusted operating margin allows us to monitor our financial performance and efficiency from period to period without the volatility noted above in our discussion of adjusted operating income and to compare our performance to industry peers on a basis that better reflects our performance in our core business. Adjusted operating margin is derived by dividing adjusted operating income by adjusted net revenues.

 

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alliancebernstein-holding-lp-announces-fourth-quarter-results-300218743.html

SOURCE AllianceBernstein Holding L.P.

 Top of page