AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. Announces Third Quarter Results

AllianceBernstein L.P. (“AB”) and AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. (“AB Holding”) (NYSE: AB) today reported financial and operating results for the quarter ended September 30, 2021.

“AB’s differentiated investment solutions, combined with our strength in global distribution, continued to deliver for our clients,” said Seth P. Bernstein, President and CEO of AllianceBernstein. “Net inflows were $7.2 billion, or 4% annualized organic growth. All three client channels posted net inflows, for the fourth time in the last five quarters, driven by strong organic growth in active equities (including ESG) and municipals. Investment performance strengthened, with 70% or more of fixed income and equity assets outperforming on a 1-, 3- and 5-year basis. On a year-over-year basis, our adjusted operating margin of 31.8% expanded by 210 basis points, and adjusted earnings per unit and distributions to Unitholders increased by 29%.”

Bernstein continued, “The retail channel drove record gross sales, with net inflows accelerating sequentially to $6.6B, or 9% organic growth driven by 19% growth in active equity services, positive for the 18th straight quarter, and 23% organic growth in municipals. Institutional grew slightly as fixed income flows turned positive, while our institutional pipeline of $20.6 billion reflected increasingly diverse mandates, and an annualized fee base of $60 million. Private Wealth grew modestly, now positive for the fourth of the last five quarters. Bernstein Research revenues grew over both prior periods reflecting solid global institutional trading volumes.”

Bernstein concluded, “Despite positive returns for the S&P 500 in the quarter, periods of volatility emerged that could persist, with markets adopting a more sober assessment of the outlook. Fiscal and monetary policy decisions remain a key element in evaluating future asset returns. Amidst this backdrop, our investment teams remain focused on selectively identifying quality long-term investments for our client base. Our increasingly diversified offerings are meeting with success amongst a broad range of clients, with whom we remain fully invested in helping reach their financial goals.”

The firm’s cash distribution per Unit of $0.89 is payable on November 24, 2021, to holders of record of AB Holding Units at the close of business on November 8, 2021.

Market Performance

U.S. and global equity and fixed income market returns were mixed during the third quarter of 2021.

Assets Under Management

($ Billions)

Total assets under management as of September 30, 2021 were $742.2 billion, up $3.8 billion, or 1%, from June 30, 2021 and up $111.4 billion, or 18%, from September 30, 2020.

Total net inflows were $7.2 billion in the third quarter, compared to net inflows of $6.2 billion in the second quarter of 2021, and net inflows of $3.1 billion in the prior year third quarter. Prior period AXA S.A. (“AXA”) redemptions of low-fee fixed income mandates and net flows excluding these redemptions were as follows:

Institutional channel third quarter net inflows of $0.2 billion compared to net inflows of $0.9 billion in the second quarter of 2021. Institutional gross sales of $2.6 billion decreased sequentially from $17.6 billion. The decrease is primarily due to the second quarter of 2021 including $8.7 billion in sales and $10.0 billion in redemptions associated with Equitable Holding’s sale to Venerable Holdings of its legacy variable annuity assets, for which AB remained the preferred investment manager. The pipeline of awarded but unfunded Institutional mandates increased sequentially to $20.6 billion at September 30, 2021 from $17.8 billion at June 30, 2021.

Retail channel third quarter net inflows of $6.6 billion compared to net inflows of $5.2 billion in the second quarter of 2021, driven by continued expansion in active equities. Retail gross sales of $25.6 billion increased sequentially from $23.8 billion, driven by growth in sales of active equities and taxable fixed income.

Private Wealth channel third quarter net inflows of $0.4 billion compared to net inflows of $0.1 billion in the second quarter of 2021. Private Wealth gross sales of $4.1 billion increased sequentially from $3.6 billion.

Our ending AUM at September 30, 2021, of which 2.8% remains investments by AXA, reflects $13.1 billion in outflows resulting from AXA S.A’s redemption of certain low-fee fixed income mandates, including redemptions of $11.8 billion in 2020 and $1.3 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2021. We expect new redemptions by AXA of low-fee retail AUM in the first half of 2022 of approximately $5 billion.

Third Quarter Financial Results

We are presenting both earnings information derived in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) and non-GAAP, adjusted earnings information in this release. Management principally uses these non-GAAP financial measures in evaluating performance because we believe they present a clearer picture of our operating performance and allow management to see long-term trends without the distortion caused by long-term incentive compensation-related mark-to-market adjustments, real estate charges/credits and other adjustment items. Similarly, we believe that non-GAAP earnings information helps investors better understand the underlying trends in our results and, accordingly, provides a valuable perspective for investors. Please note, however, that these non-GAAP measures are provided in addition to, and not as a substitute for, any measures derived in accordance with US GAAP and they may not be comparable to non-GAAP measures presented by other companies. Management uses both US GAAP and non-GAAP measures in evaluating our financial performance. The non-GAAP measures alone may pose limitations because they do not include all of our revenues and expenses.

AB Holding is required to distribute all of its Available Cash Flow, as defined in the AB Holding Partnership Agreement, to its Unitholders (including the General Partner). Available Cash Flow typically is the adjusted diluted net income per unit for the quarter multiplied by the number of units outstanding at the end of the quarter. Management anticipates that Available Cash Flow will continue to be based on adjusted diluted net income per unit, unless management determines, with concurrence of the Board of Directors, that one or more adjustments made to adjusted net income should not be made with respect to the Available Cash Flow calculation.

US GAAP Earnings

Revenues

Third quarter net revenues of $1.1 billion increased 21% from $900 million in the third quarter of 2020. Higher investment advisory base fees, distribution revenues, Bernstein Research revenues and performance-based fees were partially offset by investment losses compared to investment gains in the prior year third quarter.

Sequentially, net revenues of $1.1 billion increased 2% from the second quarter of 2021. Higher investment advisory base fees, distribution revenues and Bernstein Research revenues were partially offset by lower performance-based fees and investment losses compared to investment gains in the prior period.

Third quarter Bernstein Research revenues of $113 million increased 15% compared to the prior year third quarter and increased 7% sequentially. The increase from the prior year third quarter was driven by higher customer trading activity and research payments across all regions. The sequential increase was driven by higher trading commissions due to increased customer activity.

Expenses

Third quarter operating expenses of $813 million increased 19% from $683 million in the third quarter of 2020. Higher total employee compensation and benefits expense, promotion and servicing expenses and general and administrative (“G&A”) expense were partially offset by lower amortization of intangibles. Employee compensation and benefits expense increased due to higher incentive compensation, base compensation, commissions, fringes and other employment costs, largely driven by higher revenues. Promotion and servicing expenses increased due to higher distribution related payments, transfer fees, marketing expenses, travel and entertainment and amortization of deferred sales commissions, offset by lower trade execution costs. During the third quarter ended September 30, 2020, we experienced cost savings in travel and entertainment and marketing expense primarily driven by COVID-19. These expense items have since increased as business activity has started to normalize, and we expect business activity, and these expenses, to continue to normalize through the remainder of 2021 and future periods, subject to the extent to which COVID-19 continues to impact markets and our business. Within G&A, the increase was driven by higher technology fees, office-related expenses and portfolio servicing fees, partially offset by lower professional fees.

Sequentially, operating expenses increased 3% from $793 million, primarily driven by higher promotion and servicing expenses, partially offset by total employee compensation and benefits expense. Promotion and servicing expenses increased due to higher distribution related payments. Employee compensation and benefits expense decreased due to lower incentive compensation and fringes, offset by higher commissions, other employment costs and base compensation.

Operating Income, Margin and Net Income Per Unit

Third quarter operating income of $280 million increased 29% from $217 million in the third quarter of 2020 and the operating margin of 25.7% in the third quarter of 2021 increased 160 basis points from 24.1% in the third quarter of 2020.

Sequentially, operating income decreased 1% from $284 million in the second quarter of 2021 and the operating margin of 25.7% decreased 30 basis points from 26.0% in the second quarter of 2021.

Third quarter diluted net income per Unit was $0.89 compared to $0.70 in the third quarter of 2020 and $0.91 in the second quarter of 2021.

Non-GAAP Earnings

This section discusses our third quarter 2021 non-GAAP financial results, compared to the third quarter of 2020 and the second quarter of 2021. The phrases “adjusted net revenues”, “adjusted operating expenses”, “adjusted operating income”, “adjusted operating margin” and “adjusted diluted net income per Unit” are used in the following earnings discussion to identify non-GAAP information.

Revenues

Third quarter adjusted net revenues of $884 million increased 22% from $727 million in the third quarter of 2020. Investment advisory base fees, Bernstein Research revenues and performance-based fees were all higher.

Sequentially, adjusted net revenues of $884 million were essentially flat from the second quarter of 2021. Higher investment advisory base fees and Bernstein Research revenue were partially offset by lower performance-based fees.

Expenses

Third quarter adjusted operating expenses of $603 million increased 18% from $511 million in the third quarter of 2020. Higher total employee compensation and benefits, G&A expense and promotion and servicing expenses were partially offset by lower amortization of intangibles. Employee compensation and benefits expense increased due to higher incentive compensation, base compensation, commissions, fringes and other employment costs, largely driven by higher revenues. Within G&A, the increase was driven by higher technology fees, office-related expense and portfolio servicing fees. Promotion and servicing expenses increased due to higher marketing expense, transfer fees, travel and entertainment and trade execution costs. The increase in travel and entertainment and marketing expense is primarily a result of prior-period cost savings associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. We expect these costs to continue to  increase through the remainder of 2021 and further normalize in 2022, as the pandemic recedes.

Sequentially, adjusted operating expenses of $603 million were essentially flat from the second quarter of 2021. Higher G&A expenses were partially offset by lower total employee compensation and benefits expense. Within G&A, the increase is attributable to higher technology fees and office-related expenses, partially offset by a relocation incentive credit and lower professional fees. Employee compensation and benefits expense decreased due to lower incentive compensation and fringes, partially offset by higher commissions and other employment costs.

Operating Income, Margin and Net Income Per Unit

Third quarter adjusted operating income of $281 million increased 30% from $216 million in the third quarter of 2020, and the adjusted operating margin of 31.8% increased 210 basis points from 29.7%.

Sequentially, adjusted operating income of $281 million increased 1% from $279 million and the adjusted operating margin of 31.8% increased 10 basis points from 31.7%.

Third quarter adjusted diluted net income per Unit was $0.89 compared to $0.69 in the third quarter of 2020 and  $0.91 in the second quarter of 2021.

Headcount

As of September 30, 2021, we had 4,050 employees, compared to 3,869 employees as of September 30, 2020 and 4,005 as of June 30, 2021.

Unit Repurchases

Third Quarter 2021 Earnings Conference Call Information

Management will review Third Quarter 2021 financial and operating results during a conference call beginning at 8:30 a.m. (CDT) on Thursday, October 28, 2021. The conference call will be hosted by Seth P. Bernstein, President and Chief Executive Officer; Ali Dibadj, Chief Financial Officer and Head of Strategy; Ajai Kaul SVP and CEO, Asia Pacific; and Catherine Burke, Chief Operating Officer.

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

1. To listen by webcast, please visit AB’s Investor Relations website at http://alliancebernstein.com/investorrelations at least 15 minutes prior to the call to download and install any necessary audio software.
2. To listen by telephone, please dial (833) 495-0952 in the U.S. or (409) 216-0498 outside the U.S. 10 minutes before the scheduled start time. The conference ID# is 1536007.

The presentation management will review during the conference call will be available on AB’s Investor Relations website shortly after the release of third quarter 2021 financial and operating results on October 28, 2021.

A replay of the webcast will be made available beginning approximately one hour after the conclusion of the conference call and will be available on AB’s website for two weeks. An audio replay of the conference call will also be available for two weeks. To access the audio replay, please call (855) 859-2056 in the US, or (404) 537-3406 outside the US, and provide the conference ID #: 1536007.

Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements provided by management in this news release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The most significant of these factors include, but are not limited to, the following: the performance of financial markets, the investment performance of sponsored investment products and separately-managed accounts, general economic conditions, industry trends, future acquisitions, 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. AB cautions readers to carefully consider such factors. Further, such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made; AB undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements. For further information regarding these forward-looking statements and the factors that could cause actual results to differ, see “Risk Factors” and “Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in AB’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and subsequent Forms 10-Q. Any or all of the forward-looking statements made in this news release, Form 10-K, Forms 10-Q, other documents AB files with or furnishes to the SEC, and any other public statements issued by AB, may turn out to be wrong. It is important to remember that other factors besides those listed in “Risk Factors” and “Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements”, and those listed below, could also adversely affect AB’s revenues, financial condition, results of operations and business prospects.

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

• The pipeline of new institutional mandates not yet funded: Before they are funded, institutional mandates do not represent legally binding commitments to fund and, accordingly, the possibility exists that not all mandates will be funded in the amounts and at the times currently anticipated, or that mandates ultimately will not be funded.
• The possibility that AB 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.

Qualified Tax Notice

This announcement is intended to be a qualified notice under Treasury Regulation §1.1446-4(b)(4). Please note that 100% of AB Holding’s distributions to foreign investors is attributable to income that is effectively connected with a United States trade or business. Accordingly, AB Holding’s distributions to foreign investors are subject to federal income tax withholding at the highest applicable tax rate, 37% effective January 1, 2018.

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