Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
(in thousands, except unit amounts)
(unaudited)
March 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
$
782,778
$
832,044
Cash and securities segregated, at fair value (cost: $765,827 and $495,391)
772,302
500,046
Receivables, net:
Brokers and dealers
37,443
33,772
Brokerage clients
1,437,370
1,432,372
AB funds fees
375,813
467,351
Other fees
143,673
159,336
Investments:
Joint ventures
280,648
286,721
Other
272,894
248,483
Assets of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds:
Cash and cash equivalents
14,746
1,989
Investments
341,128
140,792
Other assets
12,341
14,801
Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net
247,272
248,673
Goodwill
3,598,591
3,598,591
Intangible assets, net
203,821
215,054
Deferred sales commissions, net
190,907
182,707
Right-of-use assets
444,162
449,877
Other assets
221,329
259,318
Total assets
$
9,377,218
$
9,071,927
1
Index
March 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST AND CAPITAL
Liabilities:
Payables:
Brokers and dealers
$
185,021
$
162,570
Brokerage clients
2,135,156
1,933,843
AB mutual funds
781
830
Contingent consideration liability
8,478
9,385
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
416,718
426,675
Lease liabilities
506,977
512,615
Liabilities of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds
18,898
1,716
Accrued compensation and benefits
395,581
391,161
Debt
740,000
710,000
Total liabilities
4,407,610
4,148,795
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 12)
Redeemable non-controlling interest of consolidated entities
201,656
48,489
Capital:
General Partner
48,395
49,519
Limited partners: 292,273,197 and 292,107,907 units issued and outstanding
4,888,248
4,999,616
Receivables from affiliates
(3,411)
(2,893)
AB Holding Units held for long-term incentive compensation plans
(91,369)
(62,366)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)
(76,415)
(110,581)
Partners’ capital attributable to AB Unitholders
4,765,448
4,873,295
Non-redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated entities
2,504
1,348
Total capital
4,767,952
4,874,643
Total liabilities, non-controlling interest and capital
$
9,377,218
$
9,071,927
See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
2
Index
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(in thousands, except per unit amounts)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2025
2024
Revenues:
Investment advisory and services fees
$
855,112
$
784,405
Bernstein research services
—
96,222
Distribution revenues
199,020
165,690
Dividend and interest income
34,350
44,515
Investment (losses) gains
(20,538)
11,743
Other revenues
30,180
25,293
Total revenues
1,098,124
1,127,868
Less: Broker-dealer related interest expense
17,517
23,717
Net revenues
1,080,607
1,104,151
Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits
420,531
452,772
Promotion and servicing:
Distribution-related payments
200,659
172,982
Amortization of deferred sales commissions
20,161
11,799
Trade execution, marketing, T&E and other
36,513
54,991
General and administrative
147,935
137,910
Contingent payment arrangements
64
2,558
Interest on borrowings
7,138
17,370
Amortization of intangible assets
11,237
11,772
Total expenses
844,238
862,154
Operating income
236,369
241,997
Income taxes
14,675
16,042
Net income
221,694
225,955
Net income of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests
895
8,028
Net income attributable to AB Unitholders
$
220,799
$
217,927
Net income per AB Unit
$
0.75
$
0.75
See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
3
Index
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2025
2024
Net income
$
221,694
$
225,955
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, before tax
10,749
(10,309)
Income tax benefit
55
109
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax
10,804
(10,200)
Changes in employee benefit related items:
Amortization of prior service cost
611
6
Recognized actuarial gain
—
669
Less: reclassification adjustment for (losses) included in net income upon retirement plan liquidation
(22,898)
—
Changes in employee benefit related items
23,509
675
Income tax (expense)
(147)
(5)
Employee benefit related items, net of tax
23,362
670
Other comprehensive income (loss)
34,166
(9,530)
Less: Comprehensive income in consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests
895
8,028
Comprehensive income attributable to AB Unitholders
$
254,965
$
208,397
See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
4
Index
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Partners' Capital
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2025
2024
General Partner’s Capital
Balance, beginning of period
$
49,519
$
45,388
Net income
2,208
2,179
Cash distributions to General Partner
(3,396)
(2,465)
Long-term incentive compensation plans activity
(7)
67
Issuance of AB Units, net
71
156
Balance, end of period
48,395
45,325
Limited Partners' Capital
Balance, beginning of period
4,999,616
4,590,619
Net income
218,591
215,748
Cash distributions to Unitholders
(336,231)
(243,579)
Long-term incentive compensation plans activity
(734)
6,674
Issuance of AB Units, net
7,006
14,855
Balance, end of period
4,888,248
4,584,317
Receivables from Affiliates
Balance, beginning of period
(2,893)
(4,490)
Long-term incentive compensation awards expense
246
215
Capital contributions (to) AB Holding
(764)
(411)
Balance, end of period
(3,411)
(4,686)
AB Holding Units held for Long-term Incentive Compensation Plans
Balance, beginning of period
(62,366)
(76,363)
Purchases of AB Holding Units to fund long-term compensation plans, net
(29,475)
(5,552)
(Issuance) of AB Units, net
(7,232)
(15,483)
Long-term incentive compensation awards expense
7,308
8,761
Re-valuation of AB Holding Units held in rabbi trust
396
(7,222)
Balance, end of period
(91,369)
(95,859)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss)
Balance, beginning of period
(110,581)
(106,364)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax
10,804
(10,200)
Changes in employee benefit related items, net of tax
23,362
670
Balance, end of period
(76,415)
(115,894)
Total Partners' Capital attributable to AB Unitholders
4,765,448
4,413,203
Non-redeemable Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities
Balance, beginning of period
1,348
4,572
Net income
1,144
118
Distributions to non-controlling interests, net
—
(210)
Contributions from non-controlling interest
12
—
Balance, end of period
2,504
4,480
Total Capital
$
4,767,952
$
4,417,683
See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
5
Index
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2025
2024
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income
$
221,694
$
225,955
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of deferred sales commissions
20,161
11,799
Non-cash long-term incentive compensation expense
7,554
8,976
Depreciation and other amortization
21,440
23,244
Unrealized losses (gains) on investments
4,758
(3,734)
Equity in earnings of equity method investments
6,073
—
Unrealized losses (gains) on investments of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds
1,744
(7,481)
Non-cash lease expense
17,305
29,123
(Gain) on assets held for sale
—
(650)
Retirement plan loss
20,756
—
Retirement plan funding
(1,700)
—
Other, net
(4,227)
7,795
Changes in assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in securities, segregated
(272,256)
2,094
Decrease (increase) in receivables
104,484
(17,238)
(Increase) decrease in investments
(29,238)
30,595
(Increase) in deferred sales commissions
(28,361)
(31,697)
Decrease (increase) in other assets
41,034
(52,798)
(Increase) decrease in investments of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds
(202,080)
106,527
Decrease in other assets of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds
2,460
14,346
Increase in other liabilities of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds, net
17,182
1,595
Increase (decrease) in payables
224,090
(71,542)
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses
(12,042)
50,615
Increase in accrued compensation and benefits
3,877
34,064
Cash payments to relieve operating lease liabilities
(15,892)
(7,901)
Net cash provided by operating activities
148,816
353,687
6
Index
Three Months Ended March 31,
2025
2024
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements
(7,478)
(31,289)
Joint venture equalization payment
—
303,980
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
(7,478)
272,691
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from (repayment of) debt, net
30,000
(254,316)
Increase in overdrafts payable
—
45,688
Distributions to General Partner and Unitholders
(339,628)
(246,044)
Terminations (Redemptions) of non-controlling interest in consolidated company-sponsored investment funds, net
152,272
(92,554)
Capital contributions (to) AB Holding
(1,109)
(891)
Purchases of AB Holding Units to fund long-term incentive compensation plan awards, net
(29,475)
(5,552)
Other, net
(2,730)
(3,052)
Net cash (used in) financing activities
(190,670)
(556,721)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
12,823
(10,156)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
(36,509)
59,501
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of the period
834,033
1,160,889
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of the period
$
797,524
$
1,220,390
See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
7
Index
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2025
(unaudited)
The words “we” and “our” refer collectively to AllianceBernstein L.P. and its subsidiaries (“AB”), or to their officers and employees. Similarly, the word “company” refers to AB. These statements should be read in conjunction with AB’s audited consolidated financial statements included in AB’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.
1. Business Description, Organization and Basis of Presentation
Business Description
We provide diversified investment management and related services globally to a broad range of clients. Our principal services include:
• Institutional Services – servicing our institutional clients, including private and public pension plans, foundations and endowments, insurance companies, central banks and governments worldwide, and affiliates such as Equitable Holdings, Inc. ("EQH") and its subsidiaries, by means of separately-managed accounts, sub-advisory relationships, structured products, collective investment trusts, mutual funds, hedge funds and other investment vehicles.
• Retail Services – servicing our retail clients, primarily by means of retail mutual funds sponsored by AB or an affiliated company, sub-advisory relationships with mutual funds sponsored by third parties, separately-managed account programs sponsored by financial intermediaries worldwide and other investment vehicles.
• Private Wealth Management – servicing our private clients, including high-net-worth individuals and families, trusts and estates, charitable foundations, partnerships, private and family corporations, and other entities, by means of separately-managed accounts, hedge funds, mutual funds and other investment vehicles.
We also provide distribution, shareholder servicing, transfer agency services and administrative services to the mutual funds we sponsor.
Our high-quality, in-depth research is the foundation of our asset management and private wealth management businesses. Our research disciplines include economic, fundamental equity, fixed income and quantitative research. In addition, we have expertise in multi-asset strategies, wealth management, environmental, social and corporate governance ("ESG"), and alternative investments.
We provide a broad range of investment services with expertise in:
•Actively managed equity strategies, across global and regional universes, as well as capitalization ranges, concentration ranges and investment strategies, including value, growth and core equities;
•Actively managed traditional and unconstrained fixed income strategies, including taxable and tax-exempt strategies;
•Actively managed alternative investments, including fundamental and systematically-driven hedge funds, fund of hedge funds and direct assets (e.g., direct lending, real estate and private equity);
•Multi-asset solutions and services, including dynamic asset allocation, customized target-date funds and target-risk funds; and
•Passively managed equity and fixed income strategies, including index, ESG index and enhanced index strategies.
Organization
AllianceBernstein Corporation (an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of EQH, “General Partner”) is the general partner of both AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. (“AB Holding”) and AB. AllianceBernstein Corporation owns 100,000 general partnership units in AB Holding and a 1.0% general partnership interest in AB.
8
Index
As of March 31, 2025, the ownership structure of AB, including limited partnership units outstanding as well as the general partner's 1.0% interest, was as follows:
EQH and its subsidiaries
61.8
%
AB Holding
37.5
Unaffiliated holders
0.7
100.0
%
Including both the general partnership and limited partnership interests in AB Holding and AB, EQH and its subsidiaries had an approximate 61.9% economic interest in AB as of March 31, 2025.
Basis of Presentation
The interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the interim results, have been made. The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the interim reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The condensed consolidated statement of financial condition as of December 31, 2024 was derived from audited financial statements. Certain disclosures included in the annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted from these financial statements as they are not required for interim financial statements under principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") and the rules of the SEC.
Principles of Consolidation
The condensed consolidated financial statements include AB and its majority-owned and/or controlled subsidiaries, and the consolidated entities that are considered to be variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and/or voting interest entities (“VOEs”) in which AB has a controlling financial interest. Non-controlling interests on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition include the portion of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds in which we do not have direct equity ownership. All significant inter-company transactions and balances among the consolidated entities have been eliminated.
Subsequent Events
We have evaluated subsequent events through the date that these financial statements were filed with the SEC.
On April 3, 2025, EQH announced the final results of its cash tender offer to purchase up to 46,000,000 AB Holding Units at a price of $38.50, for an aggregate purchase price of up to $1.8 billion, which expired at 5:00 p.m., eastern time, on April 1, 2025. A total of 19,682,946 AB Holding Units, equaling a 17.9% economic interest in AB Holding, were properly tendered for an aggregate cost of approximately $757.8 million. After giving effect to such purchase, EQH now has an approximate 68.5% economic interest in AB.
No other subsequent events were identified that would require disclosure in these financial statements.
9
Index
2. Significant Accounting Policies
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. This amendment is expected to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures by requiring public business entities, on an annual basis, to disclose specific categories in the rate reconciliation, additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold and certain information about income taxes paid. This revised guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses. This amendment is expected to improve financial reporting by requiring that public business entities disclose additional information about specific expense categories in the notes to financial statements at interim and annual reporting periods. This information is not generally presented in the financial statements today. The amendments in this update do not change or remove current expense disclosure requirements. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments in this update should be applied either prospectively to financial statements issued for reporting periods after the effective date of this update or retrospectively to any or all periods presented in the financial statements. We are currently evaluating the impacts of the new standard.
Reclassification
Amounts previously presented on the consolidated statement of cash flow as "other assets and liabilities of company-sponsored investment funds, net" are now presented as "other assets of company- sponsored investment funds" and "other liabilities of company-sponsored investment funds". Prior period amounts previously presented as such have been reclassified to conform to the current periods presentation.
10
Index
3. Revenue Recognition
Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 consisted of the following:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2025
2024
(in thousands)
Subject to contracts with customers:
Investment advisory and services fees
Base fees
$
817,866
$
754,239
Performance-based fees
37,246
30,166
Bernstein research services
—
96,222
Distribution revenues
All-in-management fees
88,444
78,424
12b-1 fees
16,252
16,605
Other distribution fees
94,324
70,661
Other revenues
Shareholder servicing fees
16,642
21,663
JV related revenues
9,334
—
Other
3,763
3,820
1,083,871
1,071,800
Not subject to contracts with customers:
Dividend and interest income, net of broker-dealer related interest expense
16,833
20,798
Investment (losses) gains
(20,538)
11,743
Other revenues
441
(190)
(3,264)
32,351
Total net revenues
$
1,080,607
$
1,104,151
4. Long-term Incentive Compensation Plans
We maintain several unfunded, non-qualified long-term incentive compensation plans, under which we grant annual awards to employees, generally in the fourth quarter, and to members of the Board of Directors of the General Partner, who are not employed by our company or by any of our affiliates (“Eligible Directors”).
We fund our restricted AB Holding Unit awards either by purchasing AB Holding Units on the open market or purchasing newly-issued AB Holding Units from AB Holding, and then keeping these AB Holding Units in a consolidated rabbi trust until delivering them or retiring them. In accordance with the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of AB (“AB Partnership Agreement”), when AB purchases newly-issued AB Holding Units from AB Holding, AB Holding is required to use the proceeds it receives from AB to purchase the equivalent number of newly-issued AB Units, thus increasing its percentage ownership interest in AB. AB Holding Units held in the consolidated rabbi trust are corporate assets in the name of the trust and are available to the general creditors of AB.
11
Index
Repurchases of AB Holding Units for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 consisted of the following:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2025
2024
(in millions)
Total amount of AB Holding Units Purchased (1)
0.8
0.1
Total Cash Paid for AB Holding Units Purchased (1)
$
30.5
$
4.3
Open Market Purchases of AB Holding Units Purchased (1)
0.7
—
Total Cash Paid for Open Market Purchases of AB Holding Units (1)
$
26.1
$
—
(1) Purchased on a trade date basis. The difference between open-market purchases and units retained reflects the retention of AB Holding Units from employees to fulfill statutory tax withholding requirements at the time of delivery of long-term incentive compensation awards.
Purchases of AB Holding Units reflected on the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows are net of AB Holding Unit purchases by employees as part of a distribution reinvestment election.
Each quarter, we consider whether to implement a plan to repurchase AB Holding Units pursuant to Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act"). A plan of this type allows a company to repurchase its shares at times when it otherwise might be prevented from doing so because of self-imposed trading blackout periods or because it possesses material non-public information. Each broker we select has the authority under the terms and limitations specified in the plan to repurchase AB Holding Units on our behalf. Repurchases are subject to regulations promulgated by the SEC as well as certain price, market volume and timing constraints specified in the plan. The plan adopted during the first quarter of 2025 expired at the close of business on April 23, 2025. We may adopt additional plans in the future to engage in open-market purchases of AB Holding Units to help fund anticipated obligations under our incentive compensation award program and for other corporate purposes.
During the first three months of 2025 and 2024, we awarded to employees and Eligible Directors 1.0 million and 0.9 million restricted AB Holding Unit awards, respectively. We use AB Holding Units repurchased during the applicable period and newly-issued AB Holding Units to fund these awards.
5. Net Income per Unit
Net income per unit is derived by reducing net income for the 1.0% general partnership interest and dividing the remaining 99.0% by the weighted average number of limited partnership units outstanding for each period. Diluted net income per Unit is equivalent to net income per Unit, as there are no outstanding instruments that have a dilutive effect.
Three Months Ended March 31,
2025
2024
(in thousands, except per unit amounts)
Net income attributable to AB Unitholders
$
220,799
$
217,927
Weighted average limited partnership Units outstanding
292,187
286,876
Net income per AB Unit
$
0.75
$
0.75
6. Cash Distributions
AB is required to distribute all of its Available Cash Flow, as defined in the AB Partnership Agreement, to its Unitholders and to the General Partner. Available Cash Flow can be summarized as the cash flow received by AB from operations minus such amounts as the General Partner determines, in its sole discretion, should be retained by AB for use in its business, or plus such amounts as the General Partner determines, in its sole discretion, should be released from previously retained cash flow.
12
Index
Typically, Available Cash Flow has been the adjusted net income per Unit for the quarter multiplied by the number of general and limited partnership interests at the end of the quarter. In future periods, management anticipates that Available Cash Flow will be based on adjusted net income per Unit, unless management determines, with the concurrence of the Board of Directors, that one or more adjustments that are made for adjusted net income should not be made with respect to the Available Cash Flow calculation.
On April 24, 2025, the General Partner declared a distribution of $0.88 per AB Unit, representing a distribution of Available Cash Flow for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The General Partner, as a result of its 1.0% general partnership interest, is entitled to receive 1.0% of each distribution. The distribution is payable on May 22, 2025 to holders of record on May 5, 2025.
7. Cash and Securities Segregated Under Federal Regulations and Other Requirements
As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, $771.5 million and $499.2 million, respectively, of U.S. Treasury Bills were segregated in a special reserve bank custody account for the exclusive benefit of our brokerage customers under Rule 15c3-3 of the Exchange Act.
8. Investments
Investments consist of:
March 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
(in thousands)
Equity securities:
Long-term incentive compensation-related
$
26,407
$
31,934
Seed capital
187,611
169,502
Other
66
388
Investments in limited partnership hedge funds:
Long-term incentive compensation-related
20,059
10,831
Seed capital
21,765
18,397
Investments in joint ventures
280,648
286,721
Time deposits
6,024
6,100
Other
10,962
11,331
Total investments
$
553,542
$
535,204
Total investments related to long-term incentive compensation obligations of $46.5 million and $42.8 million as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, consist of company-sponsored mutual funds and hedge funds. For long-term incentive compensation awards granted before 2009, we typically made investments in company-sponsored mutual funds and hedge funds that were notionally elected by plan participants and maintained them (and continue to maintain them) in a consolidated rabbi trust or separate custodial account. The rabbi trust and custodial account enable us to hold such investments separate from our other assets for the purpose of settling our obligations to participants. The investments held in the rabbi trust and custodial account remain available to the general creditors of AB.
The underlying investments of hedge funds in which we invest include long and short positions in equity securities, fixed income securities (including various agency and non-agency asset-based securities), currencies, commodities and derivatives (including various swaps and forward contracts). These investments are valued at quoted market prices or, where quoted market prices are not available, are fair valued based on the pricing policies and procedures of the underlying funds.
We allocate seed capital to our investment teams to help develop new products and services for our clients. A portion of our seed capital trading investments are equity and fixed income products, primarily in the form of separately-managed account portfolios, U.S. mutual funds, Luxembourg funds, Japanese investment trust management funds or Delaware business trusts. We also may allocate seed capital to investments in private equity funds. Regarding our seed capital investments, the amounts above reflect those funds in which we are not the primary beneficiary of a VIE or hold a controlling financial interest in a VOE. See Note 14, Consolidated Company-Sponsored Investment Funds, for a description of the seed capital investments that we consolidate. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, our total seed capital
13
Index
investments were $356.7 million and $294.7 million, respectively. Seed capital investments in unconsolidated company-sponsored investment funds are valued using published net asset values or non-published net asset values if they are not listed on an active exchange but have net asset values that are comparable to funds with published net asset values and have no redemption restrictions.
Investments in joint ventures on the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition are accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
The portion of unrealized gains (losses) related to equity securities, as defined by ASC 321-10, held as of March 31, 2025 and 2024 were as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2025
2024
(in thousands)
Net (losses) gains recognized during the period
$
(87)
$
11,058
Less: net gains recognized during the period on equity securities sold during the period
4,570
7,389
Unrealized (losses) gains recognized during the period on equity securities held
$
(4,657)
$
3,669
9. Derivative Instruments
See Note 14, Consolidated Company-Sponsored Investment Funds, for disclosure of derivative instruments held by our consolidated company-sponsored investment funds.
We enter various futures, forwards, options and swaps to economically hedge certain seed capital investments. Also, we have currency forwards that help us to economically hedge certain balance sheet exposures. In addition, our options desk trades long and short exchange-traded equity options. We do not hold any derivatives designated in a formal hedge relationship under ASC 815-10, Derivatives and Hedging.
The notional value and fair value as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 for derivative instruments (excluding derivative instruments relating to our options desk trading activities discussed below) not designated as hedging instruments were as follows:
Fair Value
Notional Value
Derivative Assets
Derivative Liabilities
(in thousands)
March 31, 2025:
Exchange-traded futures
$
170,508
$
876
$
324
Currency forwards
75,686
4,811
5,268
Interest rate swaps
17,282
87
117
Credit default swaps
241,508
735
5,774
Total return swaps
192,631
1,396
7,640
Option swaps
50,522
6,399
30
Total derivatives
$
748,137
$
14,304
$
19,153
December 31, 2024:
Exchange-traded futures
$
157,787
$
2,835
$
33
Currency forwards
27,368
4,881
4,656
Interest rate swaps
17,667
367
14
Credit default swaps
199,720
4,172
9,099
Total return swaps
216,468
663
1,087
Option swaps
50,459
8,023
55
Total derivatives
$
669,469
$
20,941
$
14,944
As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the derivative assets and liabilities are included in both receivables and payables to brokers and dealers on our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.
14
Index
The gains and losses for derivative instruments for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 recognized in investment gains (losses) in the condensed consolidated statements of income were as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2025
2024
(in thousands)
Exchange-traded futures
$
258
$
(1,579)
Currency forwards
(655)
364
Interest rate swaps
(352)
143
Credit default swaps
434
(829)
Total return swaps
(11,417)
(3,256)
Option swaps
(1,044)
207
Net (losses) on derivative instruments
$
(12,776)
$
(4,950)
We may be exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties to derivative financial instruments. We minimize our counterparty exposure through a credit review and approval process. In addition, we have executed various collateral arrangements with counterparties to the over-the-counter derivative transactions that require both pledging and accepting collateral in the form of cash. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, we held $7.2 million and $10.4 million, respectively, of cash collateral payable to trade counterparties. This obligation to return cash is reported in payables to brokers and dealers in our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.
Although notional amount typically is utilized as the measure of volume in the derivatives market, it is not used as a measure of credit risk. Generally, the current credit exposure of our derivative contracts is limited to the net positive estimated fair value of derivative contracts at the reporting date after taking into consideration the existence of netting agreements and any collateral received. A derivative with positive value (a derivative asset) indicates existence of credit risk because the counterparty would owe us if the contract were closed. Alternatively, a derivative contract with negative value (a derivative liability) indicates we would owe money to the counterparty if the contract were closed. Generally, if there is more than one derivative transaction with a single counterparty, a master netting arrangement exists with respect to derivative transactions with that counterparty to provide for aggregate net settlement.
Our standardized contracts for over-the-counter derivative transactions, known as ISDA master agreements, provide for collateralization. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, we delivered $11.6 million and $5.2 million, respectively, of cash collateral into brokerage accounts. We report this cash collateral in cash and cash equivalents in our condensed consolidated statement of financial condition.
For the three months ended March 31, 2024 (prior to our deconsolidation of the BRS business on April 1, 2024), we recognized losses of $2.0 million on equity options activity.
15
Index
10. Offsetting Assets and Liabilities
See Note 14, Consolidated Company-Sponsored Investment Funds, for disclosure of offsetting assets and liabilities of our consolidated company-sponsored investment funds.
Offsetting of assets as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 was as follows:
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition
Financial Instruments Collateral
Cash Collateral Received
Net Amount
(in thousands)
March 31, 2025:
Securities borrowed
$
13,243
$
—
$
13,243
$
(13,202)
$
—
$
41
Derivatives
$
14,304
$
—
$
14,304
$
—
$
(7,161)
$
7,143
December 31, 2024:
Securities borrowed
$
1,144
$
—
$
1,144
$
(1,044)
$
—
$
100
Derivatives
$
20,941
$
—
$
20,941
$
—
$
(10,357)
$
10,584
Offsetting of liabilities as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 was as follows:
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition
Financial Instruments Collateral
Cash Collateral Pledged
Net Amount
(in thousands)
March 31, 2025:
Securities loaned
$
44
$
—
$
44
$
(43)
$
—
$
1
Derivatives
$
19,153
$
—
$
19,153
$
—
$
(11,573)
$
7,580
December 31, 2024:
Derivatives
$
14,944
$
—
$
14,944
$
—
$
(5,188)
$
9,756
Cash collateral, whether pledged or received on derivative instruments, is not considered material and, accordingly, is not disclosed by counterparty.
11. Fair Value
See Note 14, Consolidated Company-Sponsored Investment Funds, for disclosure of fair value of our consolidated company-sponsored investment funds.
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The three broad levels of fair value hierarchy are as follows:
• Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets are available for identical assets or liabilities as of the reported date.
• Level 2 – Quoted prices in markets that are not active or other pricing inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reported date.
16
Index
• Level 3 – Prices or valuation techniques that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable as of the reported date. These financial instruments do not have two-way markets and are measured using management’s best estimate of fair value, where the inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
Valuation of our financial instruments by pricing observability levels as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 was as follows (in thousands):
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
NAV Expedient(1)
Total
March 31, 2025:
Money markets
$
137,086
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
137,086
Securities segregated (U.S. Treasury Bills)
—
771,497
—
—
771,497
Derivatives
876
13,428
—
—
14,304
Equity securities
181,459
30,526
119
1,980
214,084
Other investments
8,231
—
—
—
8,231
Total assets measured at fair value
$
327,652
$
815,451
$
119
$
1,980
$
1,145,202
Derivatives
$
324
$
18,829
$
—
$
—
$
19,153
Contingent payment arrangements
—
—
8,478
—
8,478
Total liabilities measured at fair value
$
324
$
18,829
$
8,478
$
—
$
27,631
December 31, 2024:
Money markets
$
146,781
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
146,781
Securities segregated (U.S. Treasury Bills)
—
499,245
—
—
499,245
Derivatives
2,835
18,106
—
—
20,941
Equity securities
193,766
5,921
121
2,016
201,824
Other investments
8,593
—
—
—
8,593
Total assets measured at fair value
$
351,975
$
523,272
$
121
$
2,016
$
877,384
Derivatives
$
33
$
14,911
$
—
$
—
$
14,944
Contingent payment arrangements
—
—
9,385
—
9,385
Total liabilities measured at fair value
$
33
$
14,911
$
9,385
$
—
$
24,329
(1) Investments measured at fair value using NAV (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient.
Other investments included in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy include our investment in a mutual fund measured at fair value.
We provide below a description of the fair value methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy:
• Money markets: We invest excess cash in various money market funds that are valued based on quoted prices in active markets; these are included in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.
• Treasury Bills: We hold U.S. Treasury Bills, which are primarily segregated in a special reserve bank custody account as required by Rule 15c3-3 of the Exchange Act. These securities are valued based on quoted yields in secondary markets and are included in Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.
• Equity securities: Our equity securities consist principally of company-sponsored mutual funds with NAVs and various separately-managed portfolios consisting primarily of equity and fixed income mutual funds with quoted
17
Index
prices in active markets, which are included in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. In addition, some securities are valued based on observable inputs from recognized pricing vendors, which are included in Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.
• Derivatives: We hold exchange-traded futures with counterparties that are included in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. In addition, we also hold currency forward contracts, interest rate swaps, credit default swaps, option swaps and total return swaps with counterparties that are valued based on observable inputs from recognized pricing vendors, which are included in Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.
• Contingent payment arrangements: Contingent payment arrangements relate to contingent payment liabilities associated with various acquisitions. At each reporting date, we estimate the fair values of the contingent consideration expected to be paid based upon probability-weighted AUM and revenue projections, using unobservable market data inputs, which are included in Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.
During the three months ended March 31, 2025 there were no transfers between Level 2 and Level 3 securities.
The change in carrying value associated with Level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value, classified as equity securities, is as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2025
2024
(in thousands)
Balance as of beginning of period
$
121
$
118
Unrealized (losses), net
(2)
(4)
Balance as of end of period
$
119
$
114
Realized and unrealized gains and losses on Level 3 financial instruments are recorded in investment gains and losses in the condensed consolidated statements of income.
Our acquisitions may include contingent consideration arrangements as part of the purchase price. The change in carrying value associated with Level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value, classified as contingent payment arrangements, is as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2025
2024
(in thousands)
Balance as of beginning of period
$
9,385
$
252,690
Accretion
64
2,558
Payments
(971)
(1,140)
Balance as of end of period
$
8,478
$
254,108
As of March 31, 2025, the expected revenue growth rates ranged from 2.0% to 13.3%, with a weighted average of 6.8%, calculated using cumulative revenues and range of revenue growth rates and a discount rate of 1.9%. As of March 31, 2024, the expected revenue growth rates ranged from 2.0% to 29.3%, with a weighted average of 7.9%, calculated using cumulative revenues and a range of revenue growth rates. The discount rates ranged from 1.9% to 10.4%, with a weighted average of 4.6%, calculated using total contingent liabilities and range of discount rates.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
We did not have any material assets or liabilities that were measured at fair value for impairment on a nonrecurring basis during the three months ended March 31, 2025 or during the year ended December 31, 2024.
18
Index
12. Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Proceedings
For significant litigation matters, we assess the likelihood of a negative outcome. If a negative outcome is probable and the loss can be reasonably estimated, we record an estimated loss. If a negative outcome is reasonably possible and we can estimate the potential loss or range of loss, or if a negative outcome is probable and we can estimate the potential loss or range of loss beyond any amounts already accrued, we disclose this information. However, predicting outcomes or estimating losses is often challenging due to litigation uncertainties, especially in early stages or complex cases. In such instances, we disclose our inability to predict the outcome or estimate losses.
AB may face regulatory inquiries, administrative proceedings, and litigation, some alleging significant damages. While it is possible we could incur losses from these matters, we cannot currently estimate such losses or their range. Management, after consulting with legal counsel, believes that the outcome of any individual or combined matters will not materially affect our operations, financial condition, or liquidity. However, due to inherent uncertainties, future developments could potentially have a material adverse effect on our results, financial condition, or liquidity in future reporting periods.
Guarantees
In 2024, AB and Societe General ("SocGen") completed a transaction forming two joint ventures, one outside of North America and one within North America ("NA JV"). In connection with the transaction, Bernstein Institutional Services LLC (“BIS”), the U.S. broker-dealer subsidiary of the NA JV, entered into a credit facility agreement with SocGen, as lender, providing for up to $60.0 million of working capital. As a condition of the credit facility and until SocGen’s ownership exceeds 50% of NA JV, AB will provide a limited guarantee under which AB will guarantee up to its percentage ownership, currently 66.7%, of any unpaid obligations of BIS. As of March 31, 2025, there were no unpaid obligations under this facility requiring a guarantee by AB. Effective February 28, 2025, the agreement was amended and the original maturity date of April 1, 2025 was extended to March 31, 2026. The current commitment under the facility has also been reduced from $60.0 million to $30.0 million. There were no other material amendments to the credit facility.
In addition, AB will indemnify SocGen Canada ("SG Canada") for certain obligations and liabilities in relation to Sanford C. Bernstein Canada ("SCB Canada") until such time as SocGen exceeds 50% ownership of NA JV (the “Canadian Regulatory Guarantee”). Under the terms of the Canadian Regulatory Guarantee, SG Canada must guarantee the customer liabilities of SCB Canada to the full extent of its regulatory capital which fluctuates based upon business activity. AB has agreed to indemnify SG Canada for 66.7% of any amounts paid by SG Canada under the Canadian Regulatory Guarantee. As of March 31, 2025, there were no unpaid obligations requiring a guarantee by AB.
Commitments
During the fourth quarter of 2024, we entered into a non-exclusive partnership with Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated (“RGA”) under which we committed to invest $100.0 million in a reinsurance sidecar vehicle sponsored by RGA and focused on the U.S. asset-intensive reinsurance market. AB intends to manage private alternative assets for RGA’s general account as part of a separate transaction. As of March 31, 2025, we have funded $0.1 million of this commitment.
13. Leases
We lease office space, furniture and office equipment under various operating and financing leases. Our current leases have initial lease terms of one year to 20 years, some of which include options to extend the leases for up to five years, and some of which include options to terminate the leases within one year.
Leases included in the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 were as follows:
19
Index
Classification
March 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
(in thousands)
Operating Leases
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Right-of-use assets
$
437,026
$
441,662
Operating lease liabilities
Lease liabilities
499,473
504,171
Finance Leases
Property and equipment, gross
Right-of-use assets
19,570
19,548
Amortization of right-of-use assets
Right-of-use assets
(12,434)
(11,333)
Property and equipment, net
7,136
8,215
Finance lease liabilities
Lease liabilities
7,504
8,444
The components of lease expense included in the condensed consolidated statement of income as of March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024 were as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31,
Classification
2025
2024
(in thousands)
Operating lease cost
General and administrative
$
16,012
$
27,936
Financing lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets
General and administrative
1,139
1,052
Interest on lease liabilities
Interest expense
69
84
Total finance lease cost
1,208
1,136
Variable lease cost (1)
General and administrative
3,286
9,610
Sublease income
General and administrative
(527)
(7,723)
Net lease cost
$
19,979
$
30,959
(1) Variable lease expense includes operating expenses, real estate taxes and employee parking.
The sub-lease income represents all revenues received from sub-tenants. It is primarily fixed base rental payments combined with variable reimbursements such as operating expenses, real estate taxes and employee parking. The vast majority of sub-tenant income is derived from our New York metro sub-tenant agreements. Sub-tenant income related to base rent is recorded on a straight-line basis.
Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:
Operating Leases
Financing Leases
Total
Year ending December 31,
(in thousands)
2025 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2025)
$
44,842
$
3,335
$
48,177
2026
63,389
2,976
66,365
2027
60,001
1,218
61,219
2028
52,975
298
53,273
2029
49,460
—
49,460
Thereafter
415,804
—
415,804
Total lease payments
686,471
7,827
694,298
Less interest
(186,998)
(323)
Present value of lease liabilities
$
499,473
$
7,504
20
Index
Lease term and discount rate:
Weighted average remaining lease term (years):
Operating leases
13.42
Finance leases
2.12
Weighted average discount rate:
Operating leases
4.42
%
Finance leases
3.80
%
Supplemental non-cash activity related to leases was as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2025
2024
(in thousands)
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations(1):
Operating leases
77
204,729
(1) Represents non-cash activity and, accordingly, is not reflected in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.
We regularly provide seed capital to new company-sponsored investment funds. As such, we may consolidate or de-consolidate a variety of company-sponsored investment funds each quarter. Due to the similarity of risks related to our involvement with each company-sponsored investment fund, disclosures required under the VIE model are aggregated, such as disclosures regarding the carrying amount and classification of assets.
We are not required to provide financial support to company-sponsored investment funds, and only the assets of such funds are available to settle each fund's own liabilities. Our exposure to loss regarding consolidated company-sponsored investment funds is limited to our investment in, and our management fee earned from, such funds. Equity and debt holders of such funds have no recourse to AB’s assets or to the general credit of AB.
The balances of consolidated VIEs and VOEs included in our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition were as follows:
March 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
(in thousands)
VIEs
VOEs
Total
VIEs
VOEs
Total
Cash and cash equivalents
$
14,651
$
95
$
14,746
$
1,671
$
318
$
1,989
Investments
284,582
56,546
341,128
82,027
58,765
140,792
Other assets
9,358
2,983
12,341
1,317
13,484
14,801
Total assets
$
308,591
$
59,624
$
368,215
$
85,015
$
72,567
$
157,582
Liabilities
$
15,674
$
3,224
$
18,898
$
345
$
1,371
$
1,716
Redeemable non-controlling interest
188,779
12,877
201,656
31,670
16,819
48,489
Partners' capital attributable to AB Unitholders
104,138
43,523
147,661
53,000
54,377
107,377
Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interest and partners' capital
$
308,591
$
59,624
$
368,215
$
85,015
$
72,567
$
157,582
During the three-month period ended March 31, 2025, we deconsolidated two funds in which we had a seed investment of approximately $10.4 million as of December 31, 2024, due to no longer having a controlling financial interest.
21
Index
Changes in the redeemable non-controlling interest balance during the three-month period ended March 31, 2025 are as follows (in thousands):
Redeemable non-controlling interest as of December 31, 2024
$
48,489
Deconsolidated funds
(968)
Changes in third-party seed investments in consolidated funds
154,135
Redeemable non-controlling interest as of March 31, 2025
$
201,656
Fair Value
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits, overnight commercial paper and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Due to the short-term nature of these instruments, the recorded value has been determined to approximate fair value.
Valuation of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds' financial instruments by pricing observability levels as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 was as follows (in thousands):
Level 1
Level 2
Total
March 31, 2025:
Investments - VIEs
$
16,828
$
267,754
$
284,582
Investments - VOEs
718
55,828
56,546
Derivatives - VIEs
76
33
109
Total assets measured at fair value
$
17,622
$
323,615
$
341,237
Derivatives - VIEs
$
81
$
59
$
140
Total liabilities measured at fair value
$
81
$
59
$
140
December 31, 2024:
Investments - VIEs
$
15,240
$
66,787
$
82,027
Investments - VOEs
249
58,516
58,765
Derivatives - VIEs
48
53
101
Derivatives - VOEs
—
11,483
11,483
Total assets measured at fair value
$
15,537
$
136,839
$
152,376
Derivatives - VIEs
$
72
$
13
$
85
Total liabilities measured at fair value
$
72
$
13
$
85
See Note 11 for a description of the fair value methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.
There were no Level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value within the consolidated company-sponsored investment funds during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Derivative Instruments
As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the VIEs held zero (net), respectively, of futures, forwards and swaps within their portfolios. For the three months ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024, we recognized $0.1 million and $0.5 million of losses, respectively, on these derivatives. These gains and losses are recognized in investment gains (losses) in the condensed consolidated statements of income.
As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the VIEs held zero, respectively, of cash collateral payable to trade counterparties. This obligation to return cash is reported in the liabilities of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds in our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.
22
Index
As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the VIEs delivered $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of cash collateral into brokerage accounts. The VIEs report this cash collateral in the consolidated company-sponsored investment funds cash and cash equivalents in our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.
As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the VOEs held zero and $11.5 million futures, forwards, options or swaps within their portfolios. For the three months ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024, we recognized no gains or losses on these derivatives. These gains and losses are recognized in investment gains (losses) in the condensed statements of income.
As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the VOEs held no cash collateral payable to trade counterparties.
As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the VOEs delivered no cash collateral in brokerage accounts.
Offsetting Assets and Liabilities
Offsetting of derivative assets of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 was as follows:
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition
Financial Instruments Collateral
Cash Collateral Received
Net Amount
(in thousands)
March 31, 2025:
Derivatives - VIEs
$
109
$
—
$
109
$
—
$
(21)
$
88
December 31, 2024:
Derivatives - VIEs
$
101
$
—
$
101
$
—
$
(2)
$
99
Derivatives - VOEs
11,483
—
11,483
—
—
11,483
Offsetting of derivative liabilities of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 was as follows:
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition
Financial Instruments Collateral
Cash Collateral Pledged
Net Amount
(in thousands)
March 31, 2025:
Derivatives - VIEs
$
140
$
—
$
140
$
—
$
(140)
$
—
December 31, 2024:
Derivatives - VIEs
$
85
$
—
$
85
$
—
$
(85)
$
—
Cash collateral, whether pledged or received on derivative instruments, is not considered material and, accordingly, is not disclosed by counterparty.
23
Index
Non-Consolidated VIEs
As of March 31, 2025, the net assets of company-sponsored investment products that are non-consolidated VIEs are approximately $44.5 billion, and our maximum risk of loss is our investment of $13.1 million in these VIEs and our advisory fee receivables from these VIEs is $91.1 million. As of December 31, 2024, the net assets of company-sponsored investment products that are non-consolidated VIEs are approximately $46.9 billion; our maximum risk of loss is our investment of $17.3 million in these VIEs and our advisory fees receivable from these VIEs are $115.2 million.
15. Units Outstanding
Changes in AB Units outstanding during the three-month period ended March 31, 2025 were as follows:
Outstanding as of December 31, 2024
292,107,907
Units issued
868,861
Units retired (1)
(703,571)
Outstanding as of March 31, 2025
292,273,197
(1) During the three months ended March 31, 2025, we purchased 4,080 AB Units in private transactions and retired them.
16. Debt
Credit Facility
AB has an $800.0 million committed, unsecured senior revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with a group of commercial banks and other lenders, which matures on October 13, 2026. The Credit Facility provides for possible increases in the principal amount by up to an aggregate incremental amount of $200.0 million; any such increase is subject to the consent of the affected lenders. The Credit Facility is available for AB and Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC ("SCB LLC") business purposes, including the support of AB’s commercial paper program. Both AB and SCB LLC can draw directly under the Credit Facility and management may draw on the Credit Facility from time to time. AB has agreed to guarantee the obligations of SCB LLC under the Credit Facility.
The Credit Facility contains affirmative, negative and financial covenants, which are customary for facilities of this type, including restrictions on dispositions of assets, restrictions on liens, a minimum interest coverage ratio and a maximum leverage ratio. As of March 31, 2025, we were in compliance with these covenants. The Credit Facility also includes customary events of default (with customary grace periods, as applicable), including provisions under which, upon the occurrence of an event of default, all outstanding loans may be accelerated and/or lender’s commitments may be terminated. Also, under such provisions, upon the occurrence of certain insolvency- or bankruptcy-related events of default, all amounts payable under the Credit Facility would automatically become immediately due and payable, and the lender’s commitments automatically would terminate.
Amounts under the Credit Facility may be borrowed, repaid and re-borrowed by us from time to time until the maturity of the facility. Voluntary prepayments and commitment reductions requested by us are permitted at any time without a fee (other than customary breakage costs relating to the prepayment of any drawn loans) upon proper notice and subject to a minimum dollar requirement. Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at a rate per annum, which will be, at our option, a rate equal to an applicable margin, which is subject to adjustment based on the credit ratings of AB, plus one of the following indices: a term Secured Overnight Financial Rate; a Prime rate; or the Federal Funds rate.
As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, we had no amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility. Furthermore, during the first three months of 2025 and the full year 2024, we did not draw upon the Credit Facility.
EQH Facility
AB also has a $900.0 million committed, unsecured senior credit facility (“EQH Facility”) with EQH. The EQH Facility matures on August 31, 2029 and is available for AB's general business purposes. Borrowings under the EQH Facility generally bear interest at a rate per annum based on prevailing overnight commercial paper rates.
The EQH Facility contains affirmative, negative and financial covenants which are substantially similar to those in AB’s committed bank facilities. As of March 31, 2025, we were in compliance with these covenants. The EQH Facility also includes customary events of default substantially similar to those in AB’s committed bank facilities, including provisions
24
Index
under which, upon the occurrence of an event of default, all outstanding loans may be accelerated and/or the lender’s commitment may be terminated.
Amounts under the EQH Facility may be borrowed, repaid and re-borrowed by us from time to time until the maturity of the facility. AB or EQH may reduce or terminate the commitment at any time without penalty upon proper notice. EQH also may terminate the facility immediately upon a change of control of our general partner.
As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, AB had $740.0 million and $710.0 million outstanding under the EQH Facility, with interest rates of approximately 4.3% for both periods. Average daily borrowings on the EQH Facility for the first three months of 2025 and the full year 2024 were $409.4 million and $494.2 million, respectively, with weighted average interest rates of approximately 4.3% and 5.2%, respectively.
EQH Uncommitted Facility
In addition to the EQH Facility, AB has a $300.0 million uncommitted, unsecured senior credit facility (“EQH Uncommitted Facility”) with EQH. The EQH Uncommitted Facility matures on August 31, 2029 and is available for AB's general business purposes. Borrowings under the EQH Uncommitted Facility generally bear interest at a rate per annum based on prevailing overnight commercial paper rates. The EQH Uncommitted Facility contains affirmative, negative and financial covenants which are substantially similar to those in the EQH Facility. As of March 31, 2025, we were in compliance with these covenants. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 we had no amounts outstanding on the EQH Uncommitted Facility. During the first three months of 2025 and full year 2024, we did not draw upon the EQH Uncommitted Facility.
Commercial Paper
As of both March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 we had no commercial paper outstanding. The commercial paper is short term in nature, and as such, recorded value is estimated to approximate fair value (and considered a Level 2 security in the fair value hierarchy). Average daily borrowings of commercial paper during the first three months of 2025 and full year 2024 were $182.8 million and $268.2 million, respectively, with weighted average interest rates of approximately 4.5% and 5.4%, respectively.
SCB Lines of Credit
SCB LLC has three uncommitted lines of credit with three financial institutions. Two of these lines of credit permit us to borrow up to an aggregate of approximately $150.0 million, with AB named as an additional borrower, while the other line has no stated limit. AB has agreed to guarantee the obligations on SCB LLC under these lines of credit. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, SCB LLC had no outstanding balance on these lines of credit. Average daily borrowings on these lines of credit during the first three months of 2025 and full year 2024 were $0.7 million and $0.6 million, respectively, with weighted average interest rates of approximately 7.5% and 8.5%, respectively.
25
Index
17. Business Segment Information
Management has assessed the requirements of ASC 280, Segment Reporting, and determined that, because we utilize a consolidated approach to assess performance and allocate resources, we have only one operating segment. We provide diversified investment management, research and related services globally to a broad range of clients through our three distribution channels: Institutions, Retail and Private Wealth Management.
The Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM") is the Chief Executive Officer of AB. The CODM evaluates the reported measure of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. Significant segment expenses are part of the CODM review and are critically important to understand the level of profitability and overall performance of the company. This assessment will determine the way in which the CODM allocates resources to our respective business operations.
Measurement of Segment Profit or Loss and How the CODM Uses the Reported Measure
The CODM regularly receives financial information and management reports that are prepared on a consolidated basis. When assessing profitability, allocating resources and evaluating the underlying performance of our business, the CODM uses condensed consolidated net income as reported on the condensed consolidated statements of income. In applying the requirements under ASC 280, the company has identified significant segment expenses and other segment items related to our one operating segment. The significant expenses considered by the CODM in evaluating the performance of our business are consistent with the financial information included on the company's condensed consolidated statements of income. The measurement of assets as evaluated by the CODM is reported as "Total assets" on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. As an additional measure of segment profit or loss, the CODM considers certain adjustments to condensed consolidated net income. While management uses these additional adjusted metrics in assessing and allocating resources to the business, management recognizes that US GAAP principles are the basis of our performance. The accounting policies of our one operating segment are described in Note 2 "Significant Accounting Policies".
Enterprise-wide disclosures as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 were as follows:
Services
Net revenues derived from our investment management, research and related services for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 were as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2025
2024
(in thousands)
Institutions(1)
$
172,005
$
157,273
Retail(1)
599,972
536,177
Private Wealth Management(1)
298,797
278,308
Bernstein Research Services (2)
—
96,222
Other
27,350
59,888
Total revenues
1,098,124
1,127,868
Less: Broker-dealer related Interest expense
17,517
23,717
Net revenues
$
1,080,607
$
1,104,151
(1) Institutions, Retail and Private Wealth management revenues by channel include investment advisory base fees, performance-based fees, distribution revenues and shareholder servicing fees by channel.
(2) Effective April 1, 2024, AB deconsolidated the Bernstein Research Services business.
Our AllianceBernstein U.S. Growth Stock, an open-end fund incorporated in Japan, generated approximately 15% and 13% of our investment advisory and service fees and 12% and 9% of our net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
26
Index
Geographic Information
Net revenues related to our U.S. and international operations, for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, were as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2025
2024
(in thousands)
Net revenues:
United States
$
628,369
$
660,543
International:
Luxembourg
264,193
246,499
Japan
139,829
108,282
Other International
48,216
88,827
Total International
452,238
443,608
Total
$
1,080,607
$
1,104,151
Long-lived assets related to our U.S. and international operations, as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, were as follows:
March 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
(in thousands)
Long-lived assets:
United States
$
4,184,662
$
4,187,885
International
55,929
57,140
Total
$
4,240,591
$
4,245,025
Major Customers
No single customer or individual client accounted for more than 10% of our total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.
18. Qualified Employee Benefit Plans
We maintained a qualified, noncontributory, defined benefit retirement plan (the “Retirement Plan”) covering current and former employees who were employed by AB in the United States prior to October 2, 2000. During 2024, the Compensation Committee of the AB Board of Directors approved the termination of the Retirement Plan, effective May 22, 2024. We began the process of settling benefits with vested participants and all lump sum disbursements elected by plan participants were distributed in December 2024 in the amount of $35.0 million. The remaining retirement plan participants who did not elect a lump sum disbursement elected to roll over their benefit to a group annuity contract from a qualified insurance company to administer all future payments. During the three months ended March 31, 2025, we settled all future obligations under the Retirement Plan and transferred the remaining benefit obligations to a qualified third party insurance provider under a group annuity contract. The final annuity premium transferred was $59.4 million. Following the settlement related to the annuity purchase, the plans funded status was in a deficit and the company funded an additional $1.7 million to cover all remaining obligations. As a result of the settlement, we recognized a non-cash settlement charge of approximately $20.8 million related to Retirement Plan losses and the reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive loss to general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income.
27
Index
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Executive Overview
Our total assets under management (“AUM”) as of March 31, 2025 were $784.5 billion, down $7.7 billion, or 1.0%, compared to December 31, 2024, and up $25.8 billion, or 3.4%, compared to March 31, 2024. During the first quarter of 2025 AUM decreased due to market depreciation of $10.1 billion, offset by net inflows of $2.4 billion (Retail net inflows of $0.9 billion, Private Wealth net inflows of $0.8 billion and Institutional net inflows of $0.7 billion).
Institutional AUM increased $2.7 billion, or 0.8%, to $324.1 billion during the first quarter of 2025, primarily due to market appreciation of $1.6 billion and net inflows of $0.7 billion. Gross sales increased sequentially from $2.0 billion during the fourth quarter of 2024 to $4.6 billion during the first quarter of 2025. Redemptions and terminations decreased sequentially from $3.9 billion to $2.5 billion.
Retail AUM decreased $10.2 billion, or 3.1%, to $324.1 billion during the first quarter of 2025, due to market depreciation of $11.1 billion, offset by inflows of $0.9 billion. Gross sales decreased sequentially from $26.4 billion during the fourth quarter of 2024 to $25.7 billion during the first quarter of 2025. Redemptions and terminations increased sequentially from $20.5 billion to $22.2 billion.
Private Wealth AUM decreased $0.2 billion, or 0.1%, to $136.3 billion during the first quarter of 2025, due to market depreciation of $0.6 billion and a transfer of assets of $0.4 billion, offset by net inflows of $0.8 billion. Gross sales increased sequentially from $5.2 billion during the fourth quarter of 2024 to $5.8 billion during the first quarter of 2025. Redemptions and terminations increased sequentially from $4.8 billion to $5.0 billion.
Bernstein Research Services ("BRS") revenue decreased $96.2 million, or 100.0%, compared to the first quarter of 2024. The decrease was due to the deconsolidation of the BRS business and contribution of the business to the joint ventures, effective April 1, 2024.
Net revenues of $1.1 billion for the first quarter of 2025 decreased $23.5 million, or 2.1%, compared to the first quarter of 2024. The decrease was primarily due to lower BRS revenues of $96.2 million resulting from the BRS deconsolidation, higher investment losses of $32.3 million and lower net dividend and interest revenues of $4.0 million, partially offset by higher investment advisory base fees of $63.6 million, higher distribution revenues $33.3 million and higher performance-based fees of $7.1 million.
Operating expenses for the first quarter of 2025 decreased $17.9 million, or 2.1%, to $844.2 million from $862.2 million in the first quarter of 2024. The decrease was primarily due to lower employee compensation and benefits expense $32.2 million, lower interest on borrowings of $10.2 million and lower contingent payment arrangements of $2.5 million, partially offset by higher promotion and servicing expense of $17.6 million and higher general and administrative ("G&A") expense of $10.0 million.
Operating income decreased $5.6 million, or 2.3%, to $236.4 million from $242.0 million in the first quarter of 2024 and our operating margin increased to 21.8% in the first quarter of 2025 from 21.2% in the first quarter of 2024.
Market Environment
U.S. Equities
US equity indices posted losses in the first quarter of 2025, with the market-cap weighted S&P 500 returning -4.3% (including dividends), primarily due to steep declines in the information technology and consumer discretionary sectors. However, sectors like energy and healthcare showed strength, helping to mitigate the impact on the equal-weighted S&P 500 index which saw modestly negative returns of -0.6% during the quarter. Growth underperformed value-oriented sectors during the first quarter of 2025, as investors reassessed their expectations around artificial intelligence (“AI”) including U.S. leadership in the industry and potential returns on investment in AI projects. Small-capitalization stocks underperformed large-capitalization stocks, influenced by the new administration's proposed trade tariffs and efforts to curb public sector spending, which impacted consumer sentiment and the overall outlook for the U.S. economy. In March, the U.S. Federal Reserve (“Fed”) adjusted its forecasts, lowering the U.S. growth forecast for 2025 to 1.7% from the previous estimate of 2.1%. Additionally, the Federal Reserve raised its inflation outlook to 2.7% from 2.5%.
28
Index
Global and Non-U.S. Equities
Record-high valuations in U.S. equities, combined with a dimming economic outlook for the U.S., triggered a rotation cycle that favored non-U.S. equities. In the Eurozone, an improved growth forecast supported by expectations of accommodative fiscal spending propelled the MSCI Eurozone to a return of +7.6% in the first quarter of 2025 (in local currency terms). U.K. equities also benefited from this rotation trade, with the MSCI U.K. delivering +6.4% (in local currency terms) during the same period. Conversely, the Japanese equity market experienced a decline in Q1, closing the quarter with a negative return of -3.4% for the TOPIX index in Yen terms. Selling pressure in Japanese equities was fueled by uncertainties surrounding tariff policies and growing concerns about the potential for a U.S. recession. Asia ex Japan equities saw modest gains with varying performance across markets. Chinese shares surged in the quarter, buoyed by government stimulus measures such as interest rate cuts, support for the property sector, and liquidity injections, which helped stabilize the economy and boost investor confidence. Despite the backdrop of trade tariffs and U.S. policy uncertainties, a decline in the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield and a weaker dollar provided support for emerging market equities.
Global Bonds
Despite heightened rates volatility driven by inflationary pressures and uncertainty surrounding fiscal and monetary policies, bonds served as a safe haven during the first quarter of 2025. The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate index delivered a return of +2.8%, showcasing the divergence across government and corporate bonds. U.S. treasury yields declined and prices rose, reflecting subdued U.S. growth expectations and government spending reductions. In contrast, the fiscal spending outlook for European countries eased on account of higher defense spending expectations and a pro-growth agenda. The new German government's expansionary fiscal proposals pushed German bond yields higher. Japanese government bonds faced challenges as yields rose amid robust GDP growth and increasing inflation. Weakening corporate fundamentals and balance sheets resulted in wider spreads, prompting a flight to quality where investment-grade corporate bonds outperformed high-yield counterparts.
Relationship with EQH and its Subsidiaries
EQH (our parent company) and its subsidiaries are our largest client. EQH is collaborating with AB in order to improve the risk-adjusted yield for the General Accounts of EQH's insurance subsidiaries by investing additional assets at AB, including the utilization of AB's higher-fee, longer-duration alternative offerings. During the second quarter of 2023, Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company, a subsidiary of EQH ("Equitable Financial"), committed to an additional $10 billion in permanent capital to build out AB's private illiquid offerings, including private alternatives and private placements, deployment of which is approximately 40% complete. The initial $10 billion commitment from 2021 has been fully deployed. We expect this anticipated capital from EQH's insurance subsidiaries will continue to accelerate both organic and inorganic growth in our private alternatives business, allowing us to continue to deliver for our clients, employees, unitholders and other stakeholders. For example, included in the initial $10 billion commitment by EQH is $750 million in capital deployed through AB CarVal.
Permanent capital means investment capital of indefinite duration, for which commitments may be withdrawn under certain conditions. Such conditions primarily include potential regulatory restrictions, lacking sufficient liquidity to fund the capital commitments to AB and AB's inability to identify attractive investment opportunities which align with the investment strategy. Although EQH’s insurance subsidiaries have indicated their intention over time to provide this investment capital to AB, they have no binding commitment to do so. While the withdrawal of their commitment could potentially slow down our introduction of certain products, the impact to our overall operations would not be material.
Assets Under Management
Assets under management by distribution channel are as follows:
As of March 31,
2025
2024
$ Change
% Change
(in billions)
Institutions
$
324.1
$
322.5
$
1.6
0.5
%
Retail
324.1
308.0
16.1
5.2
Private Wealth
136.3
128.2
8.1
6.3
Total
$
784.5
$
758.7
$
25.8
3.4
%
29
Index
Assets under management by investment service are as follows:
As of March 31,
2025
2024
$ Change
% Change
(in billions)
Equity
Actively Managed
$
249.0
$
264.1
$
(15.1)
(5.7)
%
Passively Managed(1)
65.8
64.7
1.1
1.6
Total Equity
314.8
328.8
(14.0)
(4.3)
Fixed Income
Actively Managed
Taxable
211.6
212.1
(0.5)
(0.2)
Tax–exempt
78.4
64.0
14.4
22.4
290.0
276.1
13.9
5.0
Passively Managed(1)
10.1
11.2
(1.1)
(8.8)
Total Fixed Income
300.1
287.3
12.8
4.5
Alternatives/Multi-Asset Solutions(2)
Actively Managed
158.5
133.1
25.4
19.1
Passively Managed(1)
11.1
9.5
1.6
17.0
Total Alternatives/Multi-Asset Solutions
169.6
142.6
27.0
19.0
Total
$
784.5
$
758.7
$
25.8
3.4
%
(1)Includes index and enhanced index services.
(2)Includes certain multi-asset solutions and services not included in equity or fixed income services.
30
Index
Changes in assets under management for the three-month and twelve-month periods ended March 31, 2025 are as follows:
Distribution Channel
Institutions
Retail
Private Wealth
Total
(in billions)
Balance as of December 31, 2024
$
321.4
$
334.3
$
136.5
$
792.2
Long-term flows:
Sales/new accounts
4.6
25.7
5.8
36.1
Redemptions/terminations
(2.5)
(22.2)
(5.0)
(29.7)
Cash flow/unreinvested dividends
(1.4)
(2.6)
—
(4.0)
Net long-term inflows
0.7
0.9
0.8
2.4
Transfers
0.4
—
(0.4)
—
Market appreciation (depreciation)
1.6
(11.1)
(0.6)
(10.1)
Net change
2.7
(10.2)
(0.2)
(7.7)
Balance as of March 31, 2025
$
324.1
$
324.1
$
136.3
$
784.5
Balance as of March 31, 2024
$
322.5
$
308.0
$
128.2
$
758.7
Long-term flows:
Sales/new accounts
14.3
101.8
21.1
137.2
Redemptions/terminations
(14.1)
(77.0)
(19.9)
(111.0)
Cash flow/unreinvested dividends
(11.9)
(14.6)
—
(26.5)
Net long-term (outflows) inflows
(11.7)
10.2
1.2
(0.3)
Adjustments(1)
—
—
0.7
0.7
Transfers
0.5
(0.1)
(0.4)
—
Market appreciation
12.8
6.0
6.6
25.4
Net change
1.6
16.1
8.1
25.8
Balance as of March 31, 2025
$
324.1
$
324.1
$
136.3
$
784.5
(1) This adjustment is due to a change in fee policy related to certain fixed income assets effective October 1, 2024.
31
Index
Investment Service
Equity Actively Managed
Equity
Passively
Managed(1)
Fixed Income Actively Managed - Taxable
Fixed Income Actively Managed - Tax- Exempt
Fixed
Income
Passively
Managed(1)
Alternatives/ Multi-Asset Solutions(2)
Total
(in billions)
Balance as of December 31, 2024
$
263.4
$
68.3
$
209.3
$
76.2
$
10.3
$
164.7
$
792.2
Long-term flows:
Sales/new accounts
13.2
0.5
12.4
5.8
—
4.2
36.1
Redemptions/terminations
(13.9)
(0.1)
(10.9)
(3.5)
(0.1)
(1.2)
(29.7)
Cash flow/unreinvested dividends
(1.8)
(0.2)
(2.9)
0.1
(0.4)
1.2
(4.0)
Net long-term (outflows) inflows
(2.5)
0.2
(1.4)
2.4
(0.5)
4.2
2.4
Market (depreciation) appreciation
(11.9)
(2.7)
3.7
(0.2)
0.3
0.7
(10.1)
Net change
(14.4)
(2.5)
2.3
2.2
(0.2)
4.9
(7.7)
Balance as of March 31, 2025
$
249.0
$
65.8
$
211.6
$
78.4
$
10.1
$
169.6
$
784.5
Balance as of March 31, 2024
$
264.1
$
64.7
$
212.1
$
64.0
$
11.2
$
142.6
$
758.7
Long-term flows:
Sales/new accounts
50.5
1.3
44.7
24.8
—
15.9
137.2
Redemptions/terminations
(53.9)
(0.6)
(37.9)
(12.2)
(0.6)
(5.8)
(111.0)
Cash flow/unreinvested dividends
(17.0)
(3.8)
(1.8)
0.4
(0.8)
(3.5)
(26.5)
Net long-term (outflows) inflows
(20.4)
(3.1)
5.0
13.0
(1.4)
6.6
(0.3)
Adjustments(3)
—
—
0.2
0.5
—
—
0.7
Transfers
—
—
(12.1)
—
—
12.1
—
Market appreciation
5.3
4.2
6.4
0.9
0.3
8.3
25.4
Net change
(15.1)
1.1
(0.5)
14.4
(1.1)
27.0
25.8
Balance as of March 31, 2025
$
249.0
$
65.8
$
211.6
$
78.4
$
10.1
$
169.6
$
784.5
(1)Includes index and enhanced index services.
(2)Includes certain multi-asset solutions and services not included in equity or fixed income services
(3)This adjustment is due to a change in fee policy related to certain fixed income assets effective October 1, 2024.
32
Index
Net long-term inflows (outflows) for actively managed investment services as compared to passively managed investment services for the three-month and twelve-month periods ended March 31, 2025 are as follows:
Periods Ended March 31, 2025
Three-months
Twelve-months
(in billions)
Actively Managed
Equity
$
(2.5)
$
(20.4)
Fixed Income
1.0
18.0
Alternatives/Multi-Asset Solutions
4.2
5.7
Total Actively Managed
2.7
3.3
Passively Managed
Equity
0.2
(3.1)
Fixed Income
(0.5)
(1.4)
Alternatives/Multi-Asset Solutions
—
0.9
Total Passively Managed
(0.3)
(3.6)
Total net long-term inflows (outflows)
$
2.4
$
(0.3)
Average assets under management by distribution channel and investment service are as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2025
2024
$ Change
% Change
(in billions)
Distribution Channel:
Institutions
$
325.2
$
317.8
$
7.4
2.3
%
Retail
334.4
296.9
37.5
12.6
Private Wealth
137.9
124.2
13.7
11.1
Total
$
797.5
$
738.9
$
58.6
7.9
%
Investment Service:
Equity Actively Managed
$
261.8
$
254.2
$
7.6
3.0
%
Equity Passively Managed(1)
68.4
63.8
4.6
7.3
Fixed Income Actively Managed – Taxable
211.5
209.3
2.2
1.0
Fixed Income Actively Managed – Tax-exempt
77.7
62.5
15.2
24.3
Fixed Income Passively Managed(1)
10.3
11.2
(0.9)
(8.2)
Alternatives/Multi-Asset Solutions(2)
167.8
137.9
29.9
21.6
Total
$
797.5
$
738.9
$
58.6
7.9
%
(1)Includes index and enhanced index services.
(2)Includes certain multi-asset solutions and services not included in equity of fixed income services.
Our Institutional channel first quarter average AUM of $325.2 billion increased $7.4 billion, or 2.3%, compared to the first quarter of 2024, while Institutional channel first quarter ending AUM increased $1.6 billion, or 0.5%, to $324.1 billion from March 31, 2024. The $1.6 billion increase in AUM resulted primarily from market appreciation of $12.8 billion, offset by net outflows of $11.7 billion from March 31, 2024. The difference between the changes in average and ending Institutional channel first quarter AUM is primarily due to heightened market depreciation in March of 2025 of $5.2 billion.
33
Index
Our Retail channel first quarter average AUM of $334.4 billion increased $37.5 billion, or 12.6%, compared to the first quarter of 2024, while Retail channel first quarter ending AUM increased $16.1 billion, or 5.2%, to $324.1 billion from March 31, 2024. The $16.1 billion increase resulted primarily from market appreciation of $6.0 billion and net inflows of $10.2 billion from March 31, 2024. The difference between the changes in average and ending Retail channel first quarter AUM is primarily due to heightened market depreciation in March of 2025 of $12.9 billion.
Our Private Wealth channel first quarter average AUM of $137.9 billion increased $13.7 billion, or 11.1%, compared to the first quarter of 2024, while Private Wealth channel first quarter ending AUM increased $8.1 billion, or 6.3%, to $136.3 billion from March 31, 2024. The $8.1 billion increase resulted from market appreciation of $6.6 billion and net inflows of $1.2 billion from March 31, 2024. The difference between the changes in average and ending Private Wealth channel first quarter AUM is primarily due to heightened market depreciation in March of 2025 of $3.6 billion.
Absolute investment composite returns, gross of fees, and relative performance as of March 31, 2025 compared to benchmarks for certain representative Institutional equity and fixed income services are as follows:
1-Year
3-Year(1)
5-Year(1)
Income (fixed income)
Absolute return
7.0
%
2.9
%
4.0
%
Relative return (vs. Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index)
2.2
2.4
4.4
High Income (fixed income)
Absolute return
7.6
5.8
8.5
Relative return (vs. Bloomberg Barclays Global High Yield Index - Hedged)
(1.5)
(0.3)
1.0
Global Plus - Hedged (fixed income)
Absolute return
4.2
1.6
1.5
Relative return (vs. Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Index - Hedged)
(0.4)
—
1.0
Intermediate Municipal Bonds (fixed income)
Absolute return
2.8
2.6
2.2
Relative return (vs. Lipper Short/Int. Blended Muni Fund Avg)
0.3
0.6
0.9
U.S. Core Plus (fixed income)
Absolute return
6.5
1.4
1.0
Relative return (vs. Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index)
1.6
0.8
1.4
Emerging Market Debt (fixed income)
Absolute return
9.1
4.0
5.2
Relative return (vs. JPM EMBI Global/JPM EMBI)
2.4
0.8
1.9
Sustainable Global Thematic
Absolute return
(4.9)
0.4
12.3
Relative return (vs. MSCI ACWI Index)
(12.0)
(6.6)
(2.9)
International Strategic Core Equity
Absolute return
13.1
8.1
11.9
Relative return (vs. MSCI EAFE Index)
8.3
2.0
0.1
U.S. Small & Mid Cap Value
Absolute return
(2.4)
3.3
18.6
Relative return (vs. Russell 2500 Value Index)
(1.0)
1.1
2.0
U.S. Large Cap Value
Absolute return
5.7
9.9
19.1
Relative return (vs. Russell 1000 Value Index)
(1.5)
3.2
2.9
U.S. Small Cap Growth
Absolute return
(7.0)
(1.6)
9.9
34
Index
1-Year
3-Year(1)
5-Year(1)
Relative return (vs. Russell 2000 Growth Index)
(2.2)
(2.4)
(0.9)
U.S. Large Cap Growth
Absolute return
2.2
8.9
17.3
Relative return (vs. Russell 1000 Growth Index)
(5.5)
(1.2)
(2.7)
U.S. Small & Mid Cap Growth
Absolute return
(8.6)
(0.9)
10.4
Relative return (vs. Russell 2500 Growth Index)
(2.2)
(1.4)
(1.0)
Concentrated U.S. Growth
Absolute return
(0.2)
3.9
14.6
Relative return (vs. S&P 500 Index)
(8.4)
(5.2)
(4.0)
Select U.S. Equity
Absolute return
11.3
10.6
19.9
Relative return (vs. S&P 500 Index)
3.0
1.5
1.3
Strategic Equities
Absolute return
4.8
8.5
17.9
Relative return (vs. Russell 3000 Index)
(2.5)
0.3
(0.3)
Global Core Equity
Absolute return
6.4
6.0
13.0
Relative return (vs. MSCI ACWI Index)
(0.8)
(0.9)
(2.2)
U.S. Strategic Core Equity
Absolute return
10.1
11.0
17.1
Relative return (vs. S&P 500 Index)
1.8
1.9
(1.5)
Select U.S. Equity Long/Short
Absolute return
10.2
8.1
12.9
Relative return (vs. S&P 500 Index)
2.0
(1.0)
(5.7)
Global Strategic Core Equity
Absolute return
10.0
9.6
15.1
Relative return (vs. S&P 500 Index)
2.9
2.1
(1.1)
(1)Reflects annualized returns.
35
Index
Consolidated Results of Operations
Three Months Ended March 31,
2025
2024
$ Change
% Change
(in thousands, except per unit amounts)
Net revenues
$
1,080,607
$
1,104,151
$
(23,544)
(2.1)
%
Expenses
844,238
862,154
(17,916)
(2.1)
Operating income
236,369
241,997
(5,628)
(2.3)
Income taxes
14,675
16,042
(1,367)
(8.5)
Net income
221,694
225,955
(4,261)
(1.9)
Net income of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests
895
8,028
(7,133)
(88.9)
Net income attributable to AB Unitholders
$
220,799
$
217,927
$
2,872
1.3
%
Distributions per AB Unit
$
0.88
$
0.81
$
0.07
8.6
%
Operating margin (1)
21.8
%
21.2
%
(1)Operating income excluding net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests as a percentage of net revenues.
Net income attributable to AB Unitholders for the three months ended March 31, 2025 increased $2.9 million, or 1.3%, from the three months ended March 31, 2024. The increase primarily is due to (in millions):
Higher base advisory fees
$
63.6
Higher distribution revenues
33.3
Lower employee compensation and benefits expense
32.2
Lower interest on borrowings
10.2
Higher performance-based fees
7.1
Lower net gains of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interest
7.1
Higher other revenue
4.9
Lower Bernstein Research Services revenue
(96.2)
Higher investment losses
(32.3)
Higher promotion and servicing expense
(17.6)
Higher general and administrative expense
(10.0)
Other
0.6
$
2.9
Units Outstanding; Unit Repurchases
Each quarter, we consider whether to implement a plan to repurchase AB Holding Units pursuant to Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”). A plan of this type allows a company to repurchase its shares at times when it otherwise might be prevented from doing so because of self-imposed trading blackout periods or because it possesses material non-public information. Each broker we select has the authority to repurchase AB Holding Units on our behalf in accordance with the terms and limitations specified in the plan. Repurchases are subject to regulations promulgated by the SEC, as well as certain price, market volume and timing constraints specified in the plan. The plan adopted during the first quarter of 2025 expired at the close of business on April 23, 2025. We may adopt additional plans in the future to engage in open-market purchases of AB Holding Units to help fund anticipated obligations under our incentive compensation award program and for other corporate purposes.
36
Index
Cash Distributions
We are required to distribute all of our Available Cash Flow, as defined in the AB Partnership Agreement, to our Unitholders and the General Partner. Available Cash Flow typically is the adjusted net income per Unit for the quarter multiplied by the number of general and limited partnership interests at the end of the quarter. In future periods, management anticipates that Available Cash Flow will continue to be based on adjusted net income per unit, unless management determines, with concurrence of the Board of Directors, that one or more adjustments that are made for adjusted net income should not be made with respect to the Available Cash Flow calculation. See Note 6 to our condensed consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1 for a description of Available Cash Flow.
Management Operating Metrics
We are providing the non-GAAP measures “adjusted net revenues,” “adjusted operating income” and “adjusted operating margin” because they are additional operating metrics management uses in evaluating and comparing period-to-period operating performance. Management uses these additional metrics in evaluating performance because they present a clearer picture of our operating performance and allow management to see long-term trends without the distortion primarily caused by long-term incentive compensation-related mark-to-market adjustments, acquisition-related expenses, interest expense and other adjustment items. Similarly, we believe that these management operating metrics help investors better understand the underlying trends in our results and, accordingly, provide a valuable perspective for investors.
We provide the non-GAAP measures "adjusted net income" and "adjusted net income per unit" because our quarterly distribution per unit is typically our adjusted net income per unit (which is derived from adjusted net income).
These non-GAAP measures are provided in addition to, and not as substitutes for, net revenues, operating income and operating
margin, and they may not be comparable to non-GAAP measures presented by other companies. Management uses both accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("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.
Three Months Ended March 31,
2025
2024
(in thousands, except per unit amounts)
Net revenues, US GAAP basis
$
1,080,607
$
1,104,151
Adjustments:
Distribution-related adjustments:
Distribution revenues
(199,020)
(165,690)
Investment advisory services fees
(21,796)
(19,090)
Pass-through adjustments:
Investment advisory services fees
(12,756)
(15,513)
Other revenues
(15,835)
(8,761)
Impact of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds
85
(8,374)
Incentive compensation-related items
856
(2,547)
Equity loss on JVs
6,073
—
Adjusted net revenues
$
838,214
$
884,176
37
Index
Three Months Ended March 31,
2025
2024
Operating income, US GAAP basis
$
236,369
$
241,997
Adjustments:
Real estate
—
(206)
Incentive compensation-related items
258
1,097
EQH award compensation
246
215
Retirement plan settlement loss
20,756
—
Acquisition-related expenses
12,803
14,981
Equity loss on JVs
6,073
—
Total of non-GAAP adjustments before interest on borrowings
40,136
16,087
Interest on borrowings
7,138
17,370
Sub-total of non-GAAP adjustments
47,274
33,457
Less: Net income of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests
895
8,028
Adjusted operating income
282,748
267,426
Less: Interest on borrowings
7,138
17,370
Adjusted pre-tax income
275,610
250,056
Less: Adjusted income taxes
17,115
16,529
Adjusted net income
$
258,495
$
233,527
Net income per AB Unit, GAAP basis
$
0.75
$
0.75
Impact of non-GAAP adjustments
0.13
0.06
Adjusted net income per AB Unit
$
0.88
$
0.81
Operating margin, GAAP basis
21.8
%
21.2
%
Impact of non-GAAP adjustments
11.9
9.1
Adjusted operating margin
33.7
%
30.3
%
Adjusted operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2025 increased $15.3 million, or 5.7%, from the three months ended March 31, 2024, primarily due to higher investment advisory base fees of $58.2 million, lower employee compensation and benefits expense of $27.5 million, lower general and administrative ("G&A") expense of $17.0 million, lower promotion and servicing expense of $16.8 million and higher performance-based fees of $12.6 million, partially offset by lower BRS revenues of $96.2 million due to the BRS deconsolidation, higher investment losses of $14.4 million and lower net dividend and interest revenues of $3.8 million.
Adjusted Net Revenues
Net Revenue, as adjusted, is reduced to exclude all of the company's distribution revenues, which are recorded as a separate line item on the consolidated statement of income, as well as a portion of investment advisory services fees received that is used to pay distribution and servicing costs. For certain products, based on the distinct arrangements, certain distribution fees are collected by us and passed through to third-party client intermediaries, while for certain other products, we collect investment advisory services fees and a portion is passed through to third-party client intermediaries. In both arrangements, the third-party client intermediary owns the relationship with the client and is responsible for performing services and distributing the product to the client on our behalf. We believe offsetting distribution revenues and certain investment advisory services fees 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 that perform functions on behalf of our sponsored mutual funds and/or shareholders of these funds. Distribution-related adjustments fluctuate each period based on the type of investment products sold, as well as the average AUM over the period. Also, we adjust distribution revenues for the amortization of deferred sales commissions as these costs, over time, will offset such revenues.
We adjust investment advisory and services fees and other revenues for pass through costs, primarily related to our transfer agent and shareholder servicing fees. Also, we adjust for certain investment advisory and services fees passed through to our
38
Index
investment advisors. These fees do not affect operating income, as such, we exclude these fees from adjusted net revenues. We also adjust for certain pass through costs associated with the transition of services to the JVs entered into with Societe Generale ("SocGen"). These amounts are expensed by us and passed to the JVs for reimbursement. These fees do not affect operating income, as such, we exclude these fees from adjusted net revenues
We adjust for the revenue impact of consolidating company-sponsored investment funds by eliminating the consolidated company-sponsored investment funds' revenues and including AB's fees from such consolidated company-sponsored investment funds and AB's investment gains and losses on its investments in such consolidated company-sponsored investment funds that were eliminated in consolidation.
Adjusted net revenues exclude investment gains and losses and dividends and interest on employee long-term incentive compensation-related investments. Also, we adjust for certain acquisition-related pass-through performance-based fees and performance related compensation.
We also adjust net revenues to exclude our portion of the equity income or loss associated with our investment in the JVs. Effective April 1, 2024 following the close of the transaction with SocGen, we record all income or loss associated with the JVs as an equity method investment income (loss). As we no longer consider this activity part of our core business operations and our intent is to fully divest from both joint ventures, we consider these amounts temporary, and as such, we exclude these amounts from our adjusted net revenues.
Adjusted Operating Income
Adjusted operating income represents operating income on a US GAAP basis excluding (1) real estate charges (credits), (2) the impact on net revenues and compensation expense of the investment gains and losses (as well as the dividends and interest) associated with employee long-term incentive compensation-related investments, (3) the equity compensation paid by EQH to certain AB executives, (4) retirement plan settlement loss, (5) acquisition-related expenses, (6) equity (income) loss on JVs, (7) interest on borrowings and (8) the impact of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds.
Real estate charges (credits) incurred during the fourth quarter of 2019 through the fourth quarter of 2020, while excluded in the period in which the charges (credits) were recorded, were included ratably over the remaining applicable lease term.
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 delivered 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, which also impacts compensation expense, is recorded within investment gains and losses on the income statement. Management believes it is useful to reflect the offset achieved from economically hedging the market exposure of these 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.
The board of directors of EQH granted to Seth Bernstein, our CEO, equity awards in connection with EQH's IPO. Additionally, equity awards have been granted to Mr. Bernstein and other AB executives for their membership on the EQH Management Committee. These individuals may receive additional equity or cash compensation from EQH in the future related to their service on the Management Committee. Any awards granted to these individuals by EQH are recorded as compensation expense in AB’s consolidated statement of income. The compensation expense associated with these awards has been excluded from our non-GAAP measures because they are non-cash and are based upon EQH's, and not AB's, financial performance.
The losses associated with the termination of our defined benefit retirement plan are non-cash, short term in nature and not considered a part of our core operating results when comparing financial results from period to period.
Acquisition-related expenses 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. Acquisition-related expenses include professional fees, the recording of changes in estimates to, and accretion expense related to, our contingent payment arrangements associated with our acquisitions, certain compensation-related expenses and amortization of intangible assets for contracts acquired.
We also adjust operating income to exclude our portion of the equity income or loss associated with our investment in the JVs. Effective April 1, 2024 following the close of the transaction with SocGen, we record all income or loss associated with the JVs as an equity method investment (income) loss. As we no longer consider this activity part of our core business operations and our intent is to fully divest from both joint ventures, we consider these amounts temporary, and as such, we exclude these amounts from our adjusted operating income.
39
Index
We adjust operating income to exclude interest on borrowings in order to align with our industry peer group.
We adjust for the operating income impact of consolidating certain company-sponsored investment funds by eliminating the consolidated company-sponsored funds' revenues and expenses and including AB's revenues and expenses that were eliminated in consolidation. We also exclude the limited partner interests we do not own.
Adjusted Net Income per AB Unit
As previously discussed, our quarterly distribution is typically our adjusted net income per Unit (which is derived from adjusted net income) for the quarter multiplied by the number of general and limited partnership interests outstanding at the end of the quarter. Adjusted net income is derived from adjusted operating income less interest expense and adjusted income taxes. Adjusted income taxes, used in calculating adjusted net income, are calculated using the GAAP effective tax rate adjusted for non-GAAP income tax adjustments.
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.
40
Index
Net Revenues
The components of net revenues are as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2025
2024
$ Change
% Change
(in thousands)
Investment advisory and services fees:
Institutions:
Base fees
$
151,293
$
151,389
$
(96)
(0.1)
%
Performance-based fees
20,576
5,822
14,754
n/m
171,869
157,211
14,658
9.3
Retail:
Base fees
391,887
351,361
40,526
11.5
Performance-based fees
517
2,640
(2,123)
(80.4)
392,404
354,001
38,403
10.8
Private Wealth:
Base fees
274,686
251,489
23,197
9.2
Performance-based fees
16,153
21,704
(5,551)
(25.6)
290,839
273,193
17,646
6.5
Total:
Base fees
817,866
754,239
63,627
8.4
Performance-based fees
37,246
30,166
7,080
23.5
855,112
784,405
70,707
9.0
Bernstein Research Services
—
96,222
(96,222)
(100.0)
Distribution revenues
199,020
165,690
33,330
20.1
Dividend and interest income
34,350
44,515
(10,165)
(22.8)
Investment gains
(20,538)
11,743
(32,281)
n/m
Other revenues
30,180
25,293
4,887
19.3
Total revenues
1,098,124
1,127,868
(29,744)
(2.6)
Less: broker-dealer related interest expense
17,517
23,717
(6,200)
(26.1)
Net revenues
$
1,080,607
$
1,104,151
$
(23,544)
(2.1)
%
Investment Advisory and Services Fees
Investment advisory and services fees are the largest component of our revenues. These fees generally are calculated as a percentage of the value of AUM as of a specified date, or as a percentage of the value of average AUM for the applicable billing period, and vary with the type of investment service, the size of account and the total amount of assets we manage for a particular client. Accordingly, fee income generally increases or decreases as AUM increase or decrease and is affected by market appreciation or depreciation, the addition of new client accounts or client contributions of additional assets to existing accounts, withdrawals of assets from and termination of client accounts, purchases and redemptions of mutual fund shares, shifts of assets between accounts or products with different fee structures, and acquisitions. Our average basis points realized (investment advisory and services fees divided by average AUM) generally approximate 30 to 105 basis points for actively managed equity services, 10 to 65 basis points for actively-managed fixed income services and 1 to 50 basis points for passively managed services. Average basis points realized for other services could range from 3 basis points for certain Institutional third party managed services to over 190 basis points for certain Retail and Private Wealth Management alternative services. These ranges include all-inclusive fee arrangements (covering investment management, trade execution and other services) for our Private Wealth Management clients.
We calculate AUM using established market-based valuation methods and fair valuation (non-observable market) methods. Market-based valuation methods include: last sale/settle prices from an exchange for actively-traded listed equities, options and
41
Index
futures; evaluated bid prices from recognized pricing vendors for fixed income, asset-backed or mortgage-backed issues; mid prices from recognized pricing vendors and brokers for credit default swaps; and quoted bids or spreads from pricing vendors and brokers for other derivative products. Fair valuation methods include: discounted cash flow models or any other methodology that is validated and approved by our Valuation Committee and sub-committee (the "Valuation Committee") (see paragraph immediately below for more information regarding our Valuation Committee). Fair valuation methods are used only where AUM cannot be valued using market-based valuation methods, such as in the case of private equity or illiquid securities.
The Valuation Committee, consists of senior officers and employees, which oversees a consistent framework of pricing and valuation of all investments held in client and AB portfolios. The Valuation Committee has adopted a Statement of Pricing Policies describing principles and policies that apply to pricing and valuing investments held in these portfolios. We also have a Pricing Group, which is overseen by the Valuation Committee and is responsible for managing the pricing process for all investments.
We sometimes charge our clients performance-based fees. In these situations, we charge a base advisory fee and are eligible to earn an additional performance-based fee or incentive allocation that is calculated as either a percentage of absolute investment results or a percentage of investment results in excess of a stated benchmark over a specified period of time. Some performance-based fees include a high-watermark provision, which generally provides that if a client account underperforms relative to its performance target (whether absolute or relative to a specified benchmark), it must gain back such underperformance before we can collect future performance-based fees. Therefore, if we fail to achieve our performance target for a particular period, we will not earn a performance-based fee for that period and, for accounts with a high-watermark provision, our ability to earn future performance-based fees will be impaired. We are eligible to earn performance-based fees on 7.9%, 7.2% and 0.3% of the assets we manage for private wealth clients, institutional clients and retail clients, respectively (in total, 4.5% of our AUM).
For the three months ended March 31, 2025, our investment advisory and services fees increased by $70.7 million, or 9.0%, from the three months ended March 31, 2024, due to a $63.6 million, or 8.4%, increase in base fees and a $7.1 million, or 23.5%, increase in performance-based fees. The increase in base fees is primarily due to a 7.9% increase in average AUM. Performance-based fees increased primarily due to higher performance fees earned on our International Small Cap and U.S. Select Equity, partially offset by lower performance fees earned on our Strategic Equities Large Cap, U.S. Select Equity Long/Short, Private Credit, Emerging Markets Value and Global Multi-Strategy.
Institutional base fees for the three months ended March 31, 2025 decreased slightly by $0.1 million, or 0.1%, from the three months ended March 31, 2024, primarily due to a slight decrease in portfolio fee rate, partially offset by a 2.3% increase in average AUM. Retail base fees for the three months ended March 31, 2025 increased $40.5 million, or 11.5%, from the three months ended March 31, 2024, primarily due to a 12.6% increase in average AUM. Private Wealth base fees for the three months ended March 31, 2025 increased $23.2 million, or 9.2%, from the three months ended March 31, 2024, primarily due to a 11.1% increase in average AUM.
Bernstein Research Services
Bernstein Research Services revenue decreased $96.2 million, or 100.0%, compared to the first quarter of 2024 due to the deconsolidation of the BRS business and contribution of the business to the JVs, effective April 1, 2024.
Distribution Revenues
Two of our subsidiaries act as distributors and/or placement agents of company-sponsored mutual funds and receive distribution services fees from certain of those funds as full or partial reimbursement of the distribution expenses they incur. Period-over-period fluctuations of distribution revenues typically are in line with fluctuations of the corresponding average AUM of these mutual funds.
Distribution revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2025 increased $33.3 million, or 20.1%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024, primarily due to the corresponding average AUM of these mutual funds increasing 16.4% and a shift in product mix to mutual funds that have higher distribution rates.
Dividend and Interest Income and Broker-Dealer Related Interest Expense
Dividend and interest income consists primarily of investment income and interest earned on customer margin balances and U.S. Treasury Bills as well as dividend and interest income in our consolidated company-sponsored investment funds. Broker-dealer related interest expense principally reflects interest accrued on cash balances in customers’ brokerage accounts.
42
Index
For the three months ended March 31, 2025, dividend and interest income decreased $10.2 million, or 22.8%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024, primarily due to lower interest earned on U.S. Treasury Bills and customer margin accounts, as a result of lower interest rates. Broker-dealer related interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2025 decreased $6.2 million, or 26.1%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024, primarily due to lower interest paid on cash balances in customers' brokerage accounts, as a result of lower interest rates.
Investment Gains (Losses)
Investment gains (losses) consist primarily of realized and unrealized investment gains or losses on: (i) employee long-term incentive compensation-related investments, (ii) U.S. Treasury Bills, (iii) seed capital investments, (iv) derivatives and (v) investments in our consolidated company-sponsored investment funds. Investment gains (losses) also include equity in earnings of proprietary investments in limited partnership hedge funds that we sponsor and manage and equity gains (losses) related to our equity investments in JVs.
Investments held by consolidated company-sponsored investment funds:
Realized gains (losses)
293
(1,416)
Unrealized (losses) gains
(1,744)
7,481
Seed capital and other investments:
Realized gains (losses):
Seed capital and other
3,604
362
Derivatives
(11,660)
(10,312)
Unrealized (losses) gains:
Seed capital and other
(3,010)
7,977
Derivatives
(1,022)
5,455
Brokerage-related investments:
Realized gains (losses)
41
(480)
Unrealized (losses) gains
(285)
68
Equity investment in JVs:
Equity (loss)
(6,073)
—
$
(20,538)
$
11,743
Other Revenues
Other revenues consist of fees earned for transfer agency services provided to company-sponsored mutual funds, fees earned for administration and recordkeeping services provided to company-sponsored mutual funds and the General Accounts of EQH and its subsidiaries, and other miscellaneous revenues. Other revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2025 increased $4.9 million, or 19.3%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024, primarily due to certain reimbursements for services provided to the JVs, partially offset by lower shareholder servicing fees.
43
Index
Expenses
The components of expenses are as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2025
2024
$ Change
% Change
(in thousands)
Employee compensation and benefits
$
420,531
$
452,772
$
(32,241)
(7.1)
%
Promotion and servicing:
Distribution-related payments
200,659
172,982
27,677
16.0
Amortization of deferred sales commissions
20,161
11,799
8,362
70.9
Trade execution, marketing, T&E and other
36,513
54,991
(18,478)
(33.6)
257,333
239,772
17,561
7.3
General and administrative
147,935
137,910
10,025
7.3
Contingent payment arrangements
64
2,558
(2,494)
(97.5)
Interest on borrowings
7,138
17,370
(10,232)
(58.9)
Amortization of intangible assets
11,237
11,772
(535)
(4.5)
Total
$
844,238
$
862,154
$
(17,916)
(2.1)
%
Employee Compensation and Benefits
Employee compensation and benefits expense consists of base compensation (including salaries and severance), annual short-term incentive compensation awards (cash bonuses), annual long-term incentive compensation awards, commissions, fringe benefits and other employment costs (including recruitment, training, temporary help and meals).
Compensation expense as a percentage of net revenues was 38.9% and 41.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Compensation expense generally is determined on a discretionary basis and is primarily a function of our firm’s current-year financial performance. The amounts of incentive compensation we award are designed to motivate, reward and retain top talent while aligning our executives' interests with the interests of our Unitholders. Senior management, with the approval of the Compensation and Workplace Practices Committee of the Board of Directors of AllianceBernstein Corporation (“Compensation Committee”), periodically confirms that the appropriate metric to consider in determining the amount of incentive compensation is the ratio of adjusted employee compensation and benefits expense to adjusted net revenues. Adjusted net revenues used in the adjusted compensation ratio are the same as the adjusted annual net revenues presented as a non-GAAP measure (discussed earlier in this Item 2). Adjusted employee compensation and benefits expense is total employee compensation and benefits expense minus other employment costs such as recruitment, training, temporary help and meals (which was 0.9% and 1.0% of adjusted net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024, respectively), and excludes the impact of mark-to-market vesting expense, as well as dividends and interest expense, associated with employee incentive compensation-related investments and the amortization expense associated with the awards issued by EQH to some of our firm's executive officers relating to their roles as members of the EQH Management Committee. Senior management, with the approval of the Compensation Committee, has established as an objective that adjusted employee compensation and benefits expense, excluding the impact of performance-based fees, generally should not exceed 50.0% of our adjusted net revenues in any year, except in unexpected or unusual circumstances. Our ratio of adjusted compensation expense as a percentage of adjusted net revenues was 48.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 49.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2024, respectively.
For the three months ended March 31, 2025, employee compensation and benefits expense decreased $32.2 million, or 7.1%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024, primarily due to lower base compensation of $32.1 million primarily driven by the BRS deconsolidation and lower fringe benefits of $8.8 million, partially offset by higher commissions of $6.1 million and higher incentive compensation of $3.5 million.
Promotion and Servicing
Promotion and servicing expenses include distribution-related payments to financial intermediaries for distribution of AB mutual funds and amortization of deferred sales commissions paid to financial intermediaries for the sale of back-end load shares of AB mutual funds. Also included in this expense category are costs related to trade execution and clearance, travel and entertainment, advertising and promotional materials.
44
Index
Promotion and servicing expenses increased $17.6 million, or 7.3%, during the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024. The increase was primarily due to higher distribution-related payments of $27.7 million and higher amortization of deferred sales commissions of $8.4 million, partially offset by lower trade execution and clearance expense of $16.4 million due to the BRS deconsolidation and lower travel and entertainment expenses of $1.2 million.
General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses include portfolio services expenses, technology expenses, professional fees and office-related expenses (occupancy, communications and similar expenses). General and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues were 13.7% and 12.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. General and administrative expenses increased $10.0 million, or 7.3%, during the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to the corresponding period in 2024, primarily due to a retirement plan settlement loss of $20.8 million in the current quarter and a one time gain in the prior year quarter related to the recognition of a $20.8 million government incentive grant received in connection with our headquarters relocation to Nashville, Tennessee. These were partially offset by lower office-related expenses of $18.5 million, lower other taxes of $5.8 million and lower professional fees of $4.3 million.
Contingent Payment Arrangements
Contingent payment arrangements reflect changes in estimates of contingent payment liabilities associated with acquisitions in current and previous periods, as well as accretion expense of these liabilities. During the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, we recognized $0.1 million and $2.6 million in accretion expense related to our contingent considerations payable.
There were no changes in our estimates during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.
Interest on Borrowings
Interest on borrowings reflects interest expense related to our debt and credit facilities. See Note 16 to AB's condensed consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1, for disclosures relating to our debt and credit facilities. For the three months ended March 31, 2025 interest on borrowings decreased $10.2 million, or 58.9%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024. The decrease was primarily due to lower weighted average interest rates and lower weighted average borrowings.
Amortization of Intangible Assets
Amortization of intangible assets reflects our amortization of costs assigned to acquired investment management contracts with a finite life. These assets are recognized at fair value and generally are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful life. Amortization of intangible assets decreased $0.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024.
Income Taxes
AB, a private limited partnership, is not subject to federal or state corporate income taxes. However, AB is subject to a 4.0% New York City unincorporated business tax (“UBT”). Our domestic corporate subsidiaries are subject to federal, state and local income taxes and generally are included in the filing of a consolidated federal income tax return. Separate state and local income tax returns also are filed. Foreign corporate subsidiaries generally are subject to taxes in the jurisdictions where they are located.
Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2025 decreased $1.4 million, or 8.5%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024. The decrease was primarily due to higher income in jurisdictions that carry a lower tax rate. There were no material changes to uncertain tax positions (FIN 48 reserves) or valuation allowances against deferred tax assets for the three months ended March 31, 2025.
Net Income (Loss) of Consolidated Entities Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests
Net income (loss) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests primarily consists of limited partner interests owned by other investors in our consolidated company-sponsored investment funds. For the three months ended March 31, 2025, we had $0.9 million of net income of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests compared to net
45
Index
income of $8.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The decrease is driven by lower net income of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests. Period-to-period fluctuations result primarily from the number of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds and their respective market performance.
CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
Cash flows from operating activities primarily include the receipt of investment advisory and services fees and other revenues offset by the payment of operating expenses incurred in the normal course of business. Our cash flows from operating activities have historically been positive and sufficient in supporting our operations. We do not anticipate this to change in the foreseeable future. Cash flows from investing activities generally consist of small capital expenditures and, when applicable, business acquisitions. Cash flows from financing activities primarily consist of issuance and repayment of debt and the repurchase of AB Holding Units to fund our long-term deferred compensation plans. We are required to distribute all of our Available Cash Flow to our Unitholders and the General Partner.
During the first three months of 2025, net cash provided by operating activities was $148.8 million compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $353.7 million during the corresponding 2024 period. The decrease is primarily due to the net activity of our consolidated company-sponsored investment funds of $304.9 million, a decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $62.7 million and an increase in investments of $59.8 million, partially offset by a decrease in fees receivable of $134.9 million and a decrease in other assets of $93.1 million.
During the first three months of 2025, net cash used in investing activities was $7.5 million, compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $272.7 million during the corresponding 2024 period. The change is due to a $304.0 million equalization payment received related to the BRS joint venture transaction in the prior year period, offset by lower purchases of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements of $23.8 million.
During the first three months of 2025, net cash used in financing activities was $190.7 million, compared to $556.7 million during the corresponding 2024 period. The change is primarily due to lower repayments of debt of $284.3 million and lower distributions to our consolidated funds of $244.8 million, partially offset by higher cash distributions to Unitholders of $93.6 million and a decrease in overdrafts payable of $45.7 million.
As of March 31, 2025, AB had $782.8 million of cash and cash equivalents (excluding cash and cash equivalents of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds), all of which is available for liquidity but consists primarily of cash on deposit for our broker-dealers related to various customer clearing activities, and cash held by foreign subsidiaries of $507.7 million.
See Note 16 to AB’s condensed consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1, for disclosures relating to our debt and credit facilities. We use our debt and credit facilities to seed certain new investment products which may expose us to market risk, credit risk and material gains and losses. To reduce our exposure, we enter into various futures, forwards, options and swaps primarily to economically hedge certain of our seed money investments. While in most cases broad market risks are hedged and are effective in reducing our exposure, our hedges are imperfect and we may remain exposed to some market risk and credit-related losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties on these derivative instruments.
Our financial condition and access to public and private debt markets should provide adequate liquidity for our general business needs. Management believes that cash flow from operations and the issuance of debt and AB Units or AB Holding Units will provide us with the resources we need to meet our financial obligations. See “Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of credit markets and our ability to renew our credit facilities at expiration.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
AB’s capital commitments, which consist primarily of operating leases for office space, generally are funded from future operating cash flows. See Note 13 for discussion of lease commitments.
See Note 12 for discussion of commitments and contingencies.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes to condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses.
46
Index
There have been no updates to our critical accounting estimates during the first quarter of 2025 from those disclosed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition” in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.
ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
See Note 2 to AB’s condensed consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1.
CAUTIONS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements provided by management in this report and in the portion of AB’s Form 10-Q attached hereto as 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, the impact of tariffs and potential disruptions in international trade on financial markets, product and account performance, asset levels and economic conditions, industry trends, future acquisitions, integration of acquired companies, competitive conditions and government regulations, including changes in tax regulations and rates and the manner in which the earnings of publicly-traded partnerships are taxed. We caution readers to carefully consider such factors. Further, these forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made; we undertake 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” in Part I, Item 1A of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and Part II, Item 1A in this Form 10-Q. Any or all of the forward-looking statements that we make in our Form 10-K, this Form 10-Q, other documents we file with or furnish to the SEC, and any other public statements we issue, may turn out to be wrong. It is important to remember that other factors besides those listed in “Risk Factors” and those listed below could also adversely impact our revenues, financial condition, results of operations and business prospects.
The forward-looking statements referred to in the preceding paragraph, most of which directly affect AB but also affect AB Holding because AB Holding’s principal source of income and cash flow is attributable to its investment in AB, include statements regarding:
•Our belief that the cash flow AB Holding realizes from its investment in AB will provide AB Holding with the resources it needs to meet its financial obligations: AB Holding’s cash flow is dependent on the quarterly cash distributions it receives from AB. Accordingly, AB Holding’s ability to meet its financial obligations is dependent on AB’s cash flow from its operations, which is subject to the performance of the capital markets and other factors beyond our control.
•Our financial condition and ability to access the public and private capital markets providing adequate liquidity for our general business needs: Our financial condition is dependent on our cash flow from operations, which is subject to the performance of the capital markets, our ability to maintain and grow client assets under management and other factors beyond our control. Our ability to access public and private capital markets on reasonable terms may be limited by adverse market conditions, our firm’s credit ratings, our profitability and changes in government regulations, including tax rates and interest rates.
•The outcome of litigation: Litigation is inherently unpredictable, and excessive damage awards do occur. Though we have stated that we do not expect any pending legal proceedings to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity, any settlement or judgment with respect to a legal proceeding could be significant and could have such an effect.
•The possibility that we will engage in open market purchases of AB Holding Units to help fund anticipated obligations under our incentive compensation award program: The number of AB Holding Units AB may decide to buy in future periods, if any, to help fund incentive compensation awards depends on various factors, some of which are beyond our control, including the fluctuation in the price of an AB Holding Unit (NYSE: AB) and the availability of cash to make these purchases.
•Our determination that adjusted employee compensation expense, excluding the impact of performance-based fees, generally should not exceed 50% of our adjusted net revenues on an annual basis: Aggregate employee compensation reflects employee performance and competitive compensation levels. Fluctuations in our revenues and/or changes in competitive compensation levels could result in adjusted employee compensation expense exceeding 50% of our adjusted net revenues.
47
Index
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
There have been no material changes in AB’s market risk during the first quarter of 2025 from the information provided under “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in Part II, Item 7A of AB's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Each of AB Holding and AB maintains a system of disclosure controls and procedures that is designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported in a timely manner, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and the Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), to permit timely decisions regarding our disclosure.
As of the end of the period covered by this report, management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the CEO and the CFO, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures. Based on this evaluation, the CEO and the CFO concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
No change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the first quarter of 2025 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.