AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund, Inc.

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-CSR

 

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number: 811-07732

 

 

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

Joseph J. Mantineo

AllianceBernstein L.P.

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10105

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 221-5672

Date of fiscal year end: March 31, 2018

Date of reporting period: March 31, 2018

 

 

 


ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.

 


MAR    03.31.18

LOGO

 

ANNUAL REPORT

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN

GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND

(NYSE: AWF)

LOGO

 

 


 

 

 
Investment Products Offered  

  Are Not FDIC Insured May Lose Value Are Not Bank Guaranteed

You may obtain a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit AB’s website at www.abfunds.com, or go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800) 227 4618.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC 0330.

AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AB family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the Adviser of the funds.

The [A/B] logo is a registered service mark of AllianceBernstein and AllianceBernstein® is a registered service mark used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.


 

FROM THE PRESIDENT    LOGO

Dear Shareholder,

We are pleased to provide this report for AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund (the “Fund”). Please review the discussion of Fund performance, the market conditions during the reporting period and the Fund’s investment strategy.

As always, AB strives to keep clients ahead of what’s next by:

 

+   

Transforming uncommon insights into uncommon knowledge with a global research scope

 

+   

Navigating markets with seasoned investment experience and sophisticated solutions

 

+   

Providing thoughtful investment insights and actionable ideas

Whether you’re an individual investor or a multi-billion-dollar institution, we put knowledge and experience to work for you.

AB’s global research organization connects and collaborates across platforms and teams to deliver impactful insights and innovative products. Better insights lead to better opportunities—anywhere in the world.

For additional information about AB’s range of products and shareholder resources, please log on to www.abfunds.com.

Thank you for your investment in the AB Mutual Funds.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Robert M. Keith

President and Chief Executive Officer, AB Mutual Funds

 

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ANNUAL REPORT

 

May 10, 2018

This report provides management’s discussion of fund performance for AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund for the annual reporting period ended March 31, 2018. The Fund is a closed-end fund and its shares of common stock trade on the New York Stock Exchange.

The Fund seeks high current income, and secondarily, capital appreciation.

RETURNS AS OF MARCH 31, 2018 (unaudited)

 

     6 Months      12 Months  
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND (NAV)      -0.27%        4.42%  
Primary Benchmark:
Bloomberg Barclays Global High Yield Index (USD hedged)
     -0.02%        4.51%  
Blended Benchmark: 33% JPM GBI-EM / 33% JPM EMBI Global /
33% Bloomberg Barclays US Corporate HY 2% Issuer Capped Index
     0.98%        6.66%  

The Fund’s market price per share on March 31, 2018 was $11.89. The Fund’s NAV per share on March 31, 2018 was $13.56. For additional financial highlights, please see pages 120-121.

INVESTMENT RESULTS

The table above shows the Fund’s performance compared with its primary benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays Global High Yield Index (USD hedged), as well as its blended benchmark for the six- and 12-month periods ended March 31, 2018. The blended benchmark is composed of equal weightings of the JPMorgan Government Bond Index-Emerging Markets (“JPM GBI-EM”, local currency-denominated), the JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global (“JPM EMBI Global”) and the Bloomberg Barclays US Corporate High Yield (“HY”) 2% Issuer Capped Index.

During the 12-month period, the Fund underperformed its primary benchmark. Yield-curve positioning detracted from performance relative to the benchmark, primarily because of positioning along the UK yield curve, where an overweight in 10-year maturities detracted. Sector allocation was positive, as gains from the Fund’s out-of-benchmark positions in US agency risk-sharing transactions and non-agency mortgages more than offset negative returns from exposures to treasuries and commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”). Security selection also contributed, benefiting most from US high-yield corporate selections in the US and—to a lesser extent—the eurozone. Selections in emerging-market corporate bonds detracted. A long position in the Polish zloty contributed, while a short position in the Singapore dollar was negative.

During the six-month period, the Fund underperformed its primary benchmark. Yield-curve positioning detracted from performance, mostly as a

 

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result of positioning along the US curve; the Fund was overweight the intermediate portion of the curve (two-, five- and 10-year maturities) where yields rose the most. Currency investments were also negative, primarily because of long positions in the Turkish lira, Norwegian krone and Mexican peso. A long position in the Polish zloty was positive. Sector allocation contributed due to the Fund’s exposure to US agency risk-sharing transactions and non-agency mortgages. Security selection also added to performance, the result of selections within investment-grade corporates and CMBS, both in the US.

During both periods the Fund utilized currency forwards and currency options, both written and purchased, to hedge currency exposure as well as to manage active currency risk. Credit default swaps, both single name and index, were used to hedge investment-grade and high-yield credit risk through cash bonds, as well as to take active credit risk. Treasury futures and interest rate swaps were used to manage duration, country exposure and yield-curve positioning. Variance swaps and swaptions were used to take active risk in an effort to add alpha (a measure of how the Fund is performing on a risk-adjusted basis versus its benchmark) by capturing risk premiums that are similar to high-yield exposure elsewhere in the Fund, while swaptions were also used to manage Fund performance versus the benchmark. Total return swaps were used to create synthetic high-yield exposure in the Fund.

MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY

Fixed-income markets performed well over the 12-month period. Emerging-market debt rallied over the period, helped by increasing oil prices and an improving global growth story. Global high yield also performed well, followed by emerging-market local-currency government bonds, developed-market treasuries and investment-grade corporates. Within high yield, sector performance was almost uniformly positive. Transportation had the strongest absolute returns, while communications fell furthest. Outside of the eurozone, developed-market treasury yields generally flattened, with shorter maturities rising as long ends fell. Eurozone treasury yields moved in different directions.

After some initial uncertainty regarding the US government’s ability to implement meaningful changes, markets reacted with enthusiasm when the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was passed in December. In Europe, despite some formal progress on Brexit, investor anxiety increased around a bifurcated outlook for the negotiation process. The US Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) raised interest rates in June, December and March, and began to formally reduce its balance sheet, as universally anticipated by markets. The European Central Bank confirmed that its newly reduced pace of asset purchases would continue through September 2018 and further, if necessary.

 

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At the end of the reporting period, a severe spike in volatility shook a broad swath of capital markets. US yields rose dramatically, with the 10-year Treasury yield reaching a four-year peak. In the US, higher-than-expected wage gains and inflation numbers fueled concerns regarding the risk of the Fed tightening monetary policy faster than anticipated and pushed bond yields higher. Additionally, President Trump’s early-March announcement of import tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum weighed on capital markets worldwide, as investors feared the possible onset of a global trade war. Nervous sentiment from the US reverberated across markets around the globe. Elsewhere, the Bank of England said that it too could increase rates faster than previously expected, depending on the strength of its economy.

INVESTMENT POLICIES

The Fund invests without limit in securities denominated in non-US currencies as well as those denominated in the US dollar. The Fund may also invest, without limit, in sovereign debt securities issued by emerging and developed nations and in debt securities of US and non-US corporate issuers. For more information regarding the Fund’s risks, please see “Disclosures and Risks” on pages 5-7 and “Note E—Risks Involved in Investing in the Fund” of the Notes to Financial Statements on pages 115-118.

 

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DISCLOSURES AND RISKS

 

AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund Shareholder Information

Weekly comparative net asset value (“NAV”) and market price information about the Fund is published each Saturday in Barron’s and in other newspapers in a table called “Closed End Funds”. Daily NAV and market price information, and additional information regarding the Fund, is available at www.abfunds.com and www.nyse.com. For additional shareholder information regarding this Fund, please see pages 125-126.

Benchmark Disclosure

All indices are unmanaged and do not reflect fees and expenses associated with the active management of a fund portfolio. The Bloomberg Barclays Global High Yield Index (USD hedged) represents non-investment grade fixed-income securities of companies in the US, and developed and emerging markets. The JPM® GBI-EM represents the performance of local currency government bonds issued by emerging markets. The JPM® EMBI Global (market-capitalization weighted) represents the performance of US dollar-denominated Brady bonds, Eurobonds and trade loans issued by sovereign and quasi-sovereign entities. The Bloomberg Barclays US Corporate HY 2% Issuer Capped Index is the 2% Issuer Capped component of the US Corporate High Yield Index, which represents the performance of fixed-income securities having a maximum quality rating of Ba1, a minimum amount outstanding of $150 million and at least one year to maturity. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance of any specific investment, including the Fund.

A Word About Risk

Market Risk: The value of the Fund’s assets will fluctuate as the stock or bond market fluctuates. The value of its investments may decline, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, simply because of economic changes or other events that affect large portions of the market.

Interest Rate Risk: Changes in interest rates will affect the value of investments in fixed-income securities. When interest rates rise, the value of investments in fixed-income securities tends to fall and this decrease in value may not be offset by higher income from new investments. Interest rate risk is generally greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations.

Credit Risk: An issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or the counterparty to a derivatives or other contract, may be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The issuer or guarantor may default, causing a loss of the full principal amount of a security. The degree of risk for a particular security

 

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DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)

 

may be reflected in its credit rating. There is the possibility that the credit rating of a fixed-income security may be downgraded after purchase, which may adversely affect the value of the security.

Below Investment Grade Securities: Investments in fixed-income securities with lower ratings (commonly known as “junk bonds”) tend to have a higher probability that an issuer will default or fail to meet its payment obligations. These securities may be subject to greater price volatility due to such factors as specific corporate developments, interest rate sensitivity, negative perceptions of the junk bond market generally and less secondary market liquidity.

Inflation Risk: This is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions. This risk is significantly greater if the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in fixed-income securities with longer maturities.

Foreign (Non-US) Risk: Investments in securities of non-US issuers may involve more risk than those of US issuers. These securities may fluctuate more widely in price and may be less liquid due to adverse market, economic, political, regulatory or other factors.

Emerging-Market Risk: Investments in emerging-market countries may have more risk because the markets are less developed and less liquid as well as being subject to increased economic, political, regulatory or other uncertainties.

Currency Risk: Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Fund’s investments or reduce its returns.

Leverage Risk: As a result of the Fund’s use of leveraging techniques, its NAV may be more volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of changes in interest rates and any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s investments.

Diversification Risk: The Fund may have more risk because it is “non-diversified”, meaning that it can invest more of its assets in a smaller number of issuers and that adverse changes in the value of one security could have a more significant effect on the Fund’s NAV.

Derivatives Risk: Investments in derivatives may be illiquid, difficult to price and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Fund, and may be subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments.

 

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DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)

 

Management Risk: The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed investment fund. The Adviser will apply its investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions, but there is no guarantee that its techniques will produce the intended results. The Fund may invest in mortgage-backed and/or other asset-backed securities, including securities backed by mortgages and assets with an international or emerging-markets origination and securities backed by non-performing loans at the time of investment. Investments in mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities are subject to certain additional risks. The value of these securities may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates. These risks include “extension risk”, which is the risk that, in periods of rising interest rates, issuers may delay the payment of principal, and “prepayment risk”, which is the risk that, in periods of falling interest rates, issuers may pay principal sooner than expected, exposing the Fund to a lower rate of return upon reinvestment of principal. Mortgage-backed securities offered by nongovernmental issuers and other asset-backed securities may be subject to other risks, such as higher rates of default in the mortgages or assets backing the securities or risks associated with the nature and servicing of mortgages or assets backing the securities.

These risks are fully discussed in the Fund’s prospectus. As with all investments, you may lose money by investing in the Fund.

An Important Note About Historical Performance

The performance shown in this report represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance information shown. All fees and expenses related to the operation of the Fund have been deducted. Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes.

 

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PORTFOLIO SUMMARY

March 31, 2018 (unaudited)

 

PORTFOLIO STATISTICS

Net Assets ($mil): $1,169.2

 

 

 

LOGO

 

1 All data are as of March 31, 2018. The Fund’s security type breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. The Fund also enters into derivative transactions, which may be used for hedging or investment purposes (see “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report for additional details). “Other” security type weightings represent 0.5% or less in the following security types: Collateralized Loan Obligations, Governments–Sovereign Bonds, Local Governments–Regional Bonds, Local Governments–US Municipal Bonds, Options Purchased–Puts, Quasi-Sovereigns, Warrants and Whole Loan Trusts.

 

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PORTFOLIO SUMMARY (continued)

March 31, 2018 (unaudited)

 

 

 

LOGO

 

1 All data are as of March 31, 2018. The Fund’s country breakdown is expressed as a percentage of total investments and may vary over time. The Fund also enters into derivative transactions, which may be used for hedging or investment purposes (see “Portfolio of Investments” section of the report for additional details). “Other” country weightings represent 0.8% or less in the following countries: Angola, Australia, Bahrain, Belarus, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Finland, Gabon, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Iraq, Israel, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jersey (Channel Islands), Jordan, Kenya, Macau, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Russia, Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Venezuela and Zambia.

 

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PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

March 31, 2018

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

CORPORATES – NON-INVESTMENT GRADE – 43.8%

      

Industrial – 34.5%

      

Basic – 3.9%

      

AK Steel Corp.
7.00%, 3/15/27

    U.S.$       1,164      $ 1,140,987  

7.625%, 10/01/21

      278        285,476  

Aleris International, Inc.
7.875%, 11/01/20

      517        509,523  

ArcelorMittal
7.00%, 3/01/41

      734        847,060  

7.25%, 10/15/39

      1,938        2,291,759  

Ashland LLC
4.75%, 8/15/22

      501        508,573  

Axalta Coating Systems LLC
4.875%, 8/15/24(a)

      516        517,788  

Berry Global, Inc.
5.50%, 5/15/22

      409        419,712  

CF Industries, Inc.
4.95%, 6/01/43

      595        519,687  

5.375%, 3/15/44

      545        495,593  

Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc.
5.75%, 3/01/25(a)(b)

      1,628        1,555,557  

Constellium NV
5.75%, 5/15/24(a)

      400        393,740  

5.875%, 2/15/26(a)

      1,310        1,299,948  

Crown Americas LLC/Crown Americas Capital Corp. VI
4.75%, 2/01/26(a)

      815        786,687  

ERP Iron Ore, LLC
9.039%, 12/31/19(c)(d)(e)(f)

      382        381,853  

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.
5.45%, 3/15/43

      3,414        3,157,977  

6.75%, 2/01/22(b)

      1,197        1,237,399  

Grinding Media, Inc./Moly-Cop AltaSteel Ltd.
7.375%, 12/15/23(a)

      1,296        1,363,734  

INEOS Finance PLC
4.00%, 5/01/23(a)

    EUR       790        993,267  

Joseph T Ryerson & Son, Inc.
11.00%, 5/15/22(a)

    U.S.$       3,215        3,545,267  

Lecta SA
6.50%, 8/01/23(a)

    EUR       227        288,031  

Lundin Mining Corp.
7.875%, 11/01/22(a)

    U.S.$       837        884,902  

Magnetation LLC/Mag Finance Corp.
11.00%, 5/15/18(c)(g)(h)(i)

      2,857        29  

 

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PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Momentive Performance Materials, Inc.
3.88%, 10/24/21

    U.S.$       3,472      $ 3,629,830  

8.875%, 10/15/20(c)(d)(i)(j)

      3,472        – 0 – 

Multi-Color Corp.
4.875%, 11/01/25(a)

      980        920,221  

NOVA Chemicals Corp.
5.25%, 8/01/23(a)

      207        208,186  

Novelis Corp.
5.875%, 9/30/26(a)

      1,573        1,547,124  

Pactiv LLC
7.95%, 12/15/25

      1,110        1,237,650  

Peabody Energy Corp.
6.00%, 11/15/18(c)(d)(e)(i)

      4,310        – 0 – 

6.00%, 3/31/22(a)

      295        302,184  

6.375%, 3/31/25(a)

      400        417,018  

Plastipak Holdings, Inc.
6.25%, 10/15/25(a)

      774        772,866  

PQ Corp.
5.75%, 12/15/25(a)

      277        274,920  

Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc./Reynolds Group Issuer LLC/Reynolds Group Issuer Lu
5.125%, 7/15/23(a)

      781        788,384  

Sealed Air Corp.
6.875%, 7/15/33(a)

      1,295        1,450,625  

SIG Combibloc Holdings SCA
7.75%, 2/15/23(a)

    EUR       682        872,059  

Smurfit Kappa Acquisitions ULC
4.875%, 9/15/18(a)

    U.S.$       2,064        2,067,164  

Smurfit Kappa Treasury Funding Ltd.
7.50%, 11/20/25

      238        285,926  

SPCM SA
4.875%, 9/15/25(a)

      975        947,136  

Teck Resources Ltd.
5.20%, 3/01/42

      2,374        2,222,235  

5.40%, 2/01/43

      1,454        1,393,829  

6.00%, 8/15/40

      470        486,690  

6.25%, 7/15/41

      238        252,806  

United States Steel Corp.
6.25%, 3/15/26

      295        295,290  

6.875%, 8/15/25(b)

      775        797,217  

Valvoline, Inc.
5.50%, 7/15/24

      278        285,061  

W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn
5.625%, 10/01/24(a)

      386        397,084  
      

 

 

 
         45,276,054  
      

 

 

 

 

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PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Capital Goods – 1.7%

      

ARD Finance SA
6.625% (6.625% Cash or 7.375% PIK), 9/15/23(f)

    EUR       1,126      $ 1,462,110  

ARD Securities Finance SARL
8.75%, 1/31/23(a)(f)

    U.S.$       279        293,888  

Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC/Ardagh Holdings USA, Inc.
6.75%, 5/15/24(a)

    EUR       2,004        2,678,373  

B456 Systems, Inc.
3.75%, 4/15/16(c)(e)(i)(k)

    U.S.$       955        74,013  

Bombardier, Inc.
5.75%, 3/15/22(a)

      975        965,163  

6.00%, 10/15/22(a)

      261        258,357  

6.125%, 1/15/23(a)

      738        736,037  

7.50%, 3/15/25(a)

      1,124        1,154,326  

BWAY Holding Co.
5.50%, 4/15/24(a)

      1,073        1,079,273  

Cleaver-Brooks, Inc.
7.875%, 3/01/23(a)

      505        524,252  

Energizer Holdings, Inc.
5.50%, 6/15/25(a)

      1,311        1,321,321  

EnPro Industries, Inc.
5.875%, 9/15/22

      970        1,003,137  

Gates Global LLC/Gates Global Co.
6.00%, 7/15/22(a)

      352        357,741  

GFL Environmental, Inc.
5.625%, 5/01/22(a)

      497        498,997  

9.875%, 2/01/21(a)

      852        898,562  

Jeld-Wen, Inc.
4.625%, 12/15/25(a)

      128        122,096  

4.875%, 12/15/27(a)

      182        171,357  

KLX, Inc.
5.875%, 12/01/22(a)

      877        903,769  

Liberty Tire Recycling LLC
9.50%, 1/15/23(c)(d)(h)

      536        535,781  

Textron Financial Corp.
3.574% (LIBOR 3 Month + 1.74%), 2/15/42(a)(l)

      575        525,011  

TransDigm, Inc.
6.375%, 6/15/26

      2,335        2,354,964  

6.50%, 7/15/24

      1,572        1,610,811  

Waste Pro USA, Inc.
5.50%, 2/15/26(a)

      762        752,426  
      

 

 

 
         20,281,765  
      

 

 

 

 

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PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Communications - Media – 4.9%

      

Altice Financing SA
6.625%, 2/15/23(a)

    U.S.$       2,892      $ 2,861,724  

7.50%, 5/15/26(a)

      1,782        1,748,812  

Altice France SA
5.375%, 5/15/22(a)

    EUR       264        330,930  

5.625%, 5/15/24(a)

      386        482,078  

6.00%, 5/15/22(a)

    U.S.$       707        689,553  

6.25%, 5/15/24(a)

      200        188,137  

Altice France SA/France
7.375%, 5/01/26(a)

      2,923        2,782,468  

Altice Luxembourg SA
7.25%, 5/15/22(a)(b)

    EUR       1,332        1,593,888  

7.75%, 5/15/22(a)(b)

    U.S.$       1,770        1,646,100  

CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp.
5.125%, 5/01/27(a)

      160        151,663  

5.375%, 5/01/25(a)

      128        126,148  

5.75%, 1/15/24

      166        168,802  

5.75%, 2/15/26(a)

      400        397,931  

5.875%, 5/01/27(a)

      499        498,075  

Cequel Communications Holdings I LLC/Cequel Capital Corp.
6.375%, 9/15/20(a)

      298        303,286  

7.50%, 4/01/28(a)

      1,192        1,222,030  

7.75%, 7/15/25(a)

      861        912,371  

Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc.
Series A
6.50%, 11/15/22

      555        565,441  

Series B
6.50%, 11/15/22

      2,654        2,705,737  

CSC Holdings LLC
5.375%, 2/01/28(a)

      1,302        1,230,390  

6.625%, 10/15/25(a)

      274        282,562  

10.125%, 1/15/23(a)

      765        849,150  

DISH DBS Corp.
5.00%, 3/15/23

      100        90,061  

5.875%, 11/15/24(b)

      2,345        2,093,761  

6.75%, 6/01/21

      820        826,553  

7.75%, 7/01/26

      160        150,012  

Gray Television, Inc.
5.125%, 10/15/24(a)

      1,037        1,006,567  

iHeartCommunications, Inc.
6.875%, 6/15/18(g)(i)

      2,016        373,908  

9.00%, 12/15/19(g)(i)

      927        731,474  

10.625%, 3/15/23(g)(i)

      142        112,042  

11.25%, 3/01/21(a)(g)(i)

      254        199,159  

11.25%, 3/01/21(g)(i)

      535        421,103  

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    13


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

        Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Liberty Interactive LLC
3.75%, 2/15/30(k)

  U.S.$     880      $ 602,966  

McClatchy Co. (The)
9.00%, 12/15/22(b)

      958        997,261  

McGraw-Hill Global Education Holdings LLC/McGraw-Hill Global Education Finance
7.875%, 5/15/24(a)

      1,216        1,161,162  

Mediacom Broadband LLC/Mediacom Broadband Corp.
6.375%, 4/01/23

      2,168        2,237,116  

Meredith Corp.
6.875%, 2/01/26(a)

      1,627        1,669,318  

Netflix, Inc.
4.375%, 11/15/26(b)

      1,552        1,466,938  

4.875%, 4/15/28(a)

      1,221        1,172,664  

Outfront Media Capital LLC/Outfront Media Capital Corp.
5.25%, 2/15/22

      648        659,802  

Radiate Holdco LLC/Radiate Finance, Inc.
6.625%, 2/15/25(a)

      1,057        977,952  

6.875%, 2/15/23(a)

      451        435,232  

Sinclair Television Group, Inc.
6.125%, 10/01/22

      1,487        1,526,034  

TEGNA, Inc.
4.875%, 9/15/21(a)

      284        286,882  

5.50%, 9/15/24(a)

      162        165,377  

6.375%, 10/15/23

      718        746,091  

Townsquare Media, Inc.
6.50%, 4/01/23(a)

      1,781        1,678,826  

Unitymedia Hessen GmbH & Co. KG/Unitymedia NRW GmbH
5.00%, 1/15/25(a)

      1,078        1,098,428  

6.25%, 1/15/29(a)

  EUR     496        687,002  

Univision Communications, Inc.
5.125%, 2/15/25(a)

  U.S.$     1,064        991,299  

UPC Holding BV
5.50%, 1/15/28(a)

      2,223        2,054,763  

Urban One, Inc.
7.375%, 4/15/22(a)

      1,400        1,386,000  

9.25%, 2/15/20(a)(b)

      1,451        1,407,470  

Virgin Media Finance PLC
4.875%, 2/15/22

      1,347        1,337,377  

5.25%, 2/15/22

      900        889,738  

Virgin Media Receivables Financing Notes I DAC
5.50%, 9/15/24(a)

  GBP     128        176,042  

 

14    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Virgin Media Secured Finance PLC
5.50%, 1/15/25(a)

    GBP       423      $ 607,494  

Ziggo Bond Co. BV
7.125%, 5/15/24(a)

    EUR       968        1,287,599  

Ziggo Bond Finance BV
5.875%, 1/15/25(a)

    U.S.$       1,034        977,181  

6.00%, 1/15/27(a)

      150        139,987  

Ziggo Secured Finance BV
5.50%, 1/15/27(a)

      1,163        1,091,710  
      

 

 

 
         57,657,627  
      

 

 

 

Communications - Telecommunications – 2.6%

      

Arqiva Broadcast Finance PLC
9.50%, 3/31/20(a)

    GBP       1,086        1,604,365  

C&W Senior Financing DAC
6.875%, 9/15/27(a)

    U.S.$       847        848,920  

CenturyLink, Inc.
Series W
6.75%, 12/01/23

      314        305,455  

Cincinnati Bell, Inc.
7.00%, 7/15/24(a)

      1,151        1,035,945  

Clear Channel Communications, Inc.
12.00%, 8/01/21(c)(d)(e)(i)

      607        1,092  

Embarq Corp.
7.995%, 6/01/36

      928        874,515  

Frontier Communications Corp.
6.875%, 1/15/25

      45        26,648  

7.125%, 1/15/23

      662        447,531  

7.625%, 4/15/24

      1,118        698,408  

7.875%, 1/15/27

      834        442,052  

Hughes Satellite Systems Corp.
7.625%, 6/15/21

      1,437        1,541,678  

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA

      

5.50%, 8/01/23

      1,675        1,348,375  

7.25%, 10/15/20

      443        409,740  

7.50%, 4/01/21

      980        880,760  

8.00%, 2/15/24(a)

      216        226,560  

9.50%, 9/30/22(a)

      516        588,541  

9.75%, 7/15/25(a)

      1,262        1,176,950  

Iridium Communications, Inc.
10.25%, 4/15/23(a)

      484        498,784  

Level 3 Financing, Inc.
5.25%, 3/15/26

      86        81,135  

5.375%, 8/15/22-1/15/24

      1,278        1,256,060  

6.125%, 1/15/21

      596        603,681  

Level 3 Parent LLC
5.75%, 12/01/22

      160        159,873  

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    15


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Qwest Corp.
6.875%, 9/15/33

    U.S.$       1,335      $ 1,269,154  

Sable International Finance Ltd.
6.875%, 8/01/22(a)

      454        479,673  

Sprint Capital Corp.

      

6.875%, 11/15/28

      1,210        1,130,547  

8.75%, 3/15/32

      215        224,922  

Sprint Corp.
7.875%, 9/15/23

      707        721,589  

T-Mobile USA, Inc.
6.00%, 3/01/23

      743        772,649  

6.375%, 3/01/25

      655        687,183  

6.836%, 4/28/23

      543        562,684  

Telecom Italia Capital SA
7.20%, 7/18/36

      483        570,264  

7.721%, 6/04/38

      1,759        2,159,714  

Telecom Italia SpA/Milano
5.303%, 5/30/24(a)

      1,002        1,025,875  

Uniti Group LP/Uniti Group Finance, Inc./CSL Capital LLC
6.00%, 4/15/23(a)

      1,113        1,070,713  

Wind Tre SpA
5.00%, 1/20/26(a)

      1,600        1,357,056  

Windstream Services LLC/Windstream Finance Corp.
6.375%, 8/01/23

      232        133,349  

8.75%, 12/15/24(a)

      1,526        905,049  

Zayo Group LLC/Zayo Capital, Inc.
5.75%, 1/15/27(a)

      300        293,245  

6.00%, 4/01/23

      488        501,491  

6.375%, 5/15/25

      1,187        1,228,571  
      

 

 

 
         30,150,796  
      

 

 

 

Consumer Cyclical -
Automotive – 1.4%

      

Adient Global Holdings Ltd.
4.875%, 8/15/26(a)

      1,323        1,249,994  

BCD Acquisition, Inc.
9.625%, 9/15/23(a)

      2,264        2,445,657  

Cooper-Standard Automotive, Inc.
5.625%, 11/15/26(a)

      1,101        1,098,319  

Dana Financing Luxembourg SARL
5.75%, 4/15/25(a)

      215        218,257  

6.50%, 6/01/26(a)

      602        626,080  

Exide Technologies
7.00%, 4/30/25(c)(f)(h)(k)

      162        102,264  

11.00% (11.00% Cash or 4.125% PIK), 4/30/22(a)(c)(f)(j)

      4,154        3,717,857  

 

16    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Series AI
7.00%, 4/30/25(c)(e)(f)(k)

    U.S.$       4,406      $ 2,775,896  

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (The)
7.00%, 3/15/28

      400        434,106  

IHO Verwaltungs GmbH
4.125% (4.125% Cash or 4.875% PIK), 9/15/21(a)(f)

      889        874,093  

Meritor, Inc.
6.25%, 2/15/24

      305        316,094  

Navistar International Corp.
6.625%, 11/01/25(a)

      1,190        1,190,714  

Titan International, Inc.
6.50%, 11/30/23(a)

      1,093        1,124,495  
      

 

 

 
         16,173,826  
      

 

 

 

Consumer Cyclical - Entertainment – 0.4%

      

AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc.
5.875%, 11/15/26(b)

      1,580        1,555,820  

Silversea Cruise Finance Ltd.
7.25%, 2/01/25(a)

      1,409        1,494,457  

VOC Escrow Ltd.
5.00%, 2/15/28(a)

      1,076        1,022,039  
      

 

 

 
         4,072,316  
      

 

 

 

Consumer Cyclical - Other – 2.2%

      

Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
5.875%, 10/15/27

      682        631,495  

6.75%, 3/15/25(b)

      1,400        1,392,990  

8.75%, 3/15/22

      99        106,619  

Caesars Entertainment Corp.
5.00%, 10/01/24(c)(k)

      121        207,191  

Cirsa Funding Luxembourg SA
5.75%, 5/15/21(a)

    EUR       396        502,002  

Cooperativa Muratori & Cementisti-CMC di Ravenna SC
6.00%, 2/15/23(a)

      276        323,616  

Diamond Resorts International, Inc.
7.75%, 9/01/23(a)(b)

    U.S.$       1,139        1,238,745  

Five Point Operating Co. LP/Five Point Capital Corp.
7.875%, 11/15/25(a)

      1,304        1,304,987  

GLP Capital LP/GLP Financing II, Inc.
5.375%, 4/15/26

      674        686,453  

International Game Technology PLC
6.25%, 2/15/22(a)

      977        1,023,537  

James Hardie International Finance DAC
4.75%, 1/15/25(a)

      285        279,619  

5.00%, 1/15/28(a)

      273        265,334  

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    17


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
5.00%, 11/01/21

    U.S.$       2,257      $ 2,040,646  

10.00%, 7/15/22(a)

      389        413,343  

10.50%, 7/15/24(a)

      389        403,297  

KB Home
7.00%, 12/15/21

      536        575,888  

7.50%, 9/15/22

      494        542,337  

Lennar Corp.
6.625%, 5/01/20(a)

      1,332        1,403,556  

MDC Holdings, Inc.
5.50%, 1/15/24

      150        152,395  

6.00%, 1/15/43

      2,908        2,713,481  

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.
5.625%, 5/01/24

      829        868,641  

PulteGroup, Inc.
5.00%, 1/15/27

      115        112,178  

6.00%, 2/15/35

      500        505,194  

7.875%, 6/15/32

      1,400        1,655,655  

Shea Homes LP/Shea Homes Funding Corp.
5.875%, 4/01/23(a)

      420        423,458  

6.125%, 4/01/25(a)

      830        836,541  

Standard Industries, Inc./NJ
6.00%, 10/15/25(a)

      977        1,003,868  

Sugarhouse HSP Gaming Prop Mezz LP/Sugarhouse HSP Gaming Finance Corp.
5.875%, 5/15/25(a)

      1,785        1,704,652  

Taylor Morrison Communities, Inc./Taylor Morrison Holdings II, Inc.
5.875%, 4/15/23(a)

      875        894,688  

Toll Brothers Finance Corp.
4.875%, 3/15/27

      1,124        1,099,717  

Wynn Las Vegas LLC/Wynn Las Vegas Capital Corp.
5.50%, 3/01/25(a)

      785        785,739  
      

 

 

 
         26,097,862  
      

 

 

 

Consumer Cyclical - Restaurants – 0.1%

      

Golden Nugget, Inc.
6.75%, 10/15/24(a)

      933        937,779  

IRB Holding Corp.
6.75%, 2/15/26(a)

      453        444,420  
      

 

 

 
         1,382,199  
      

 

 

 

Consumer Cyclical - Retailers – 1.0%

      

Dufry Finance SCA
4.50%, 8/01/23(a)

    EUR       1,208        1,548,470  

 

18    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

FirstCash, Inc.
5.375%, 6/01/24(a)

    U.S.$       1,312      $ 1,333,655  

JC Penney Corp., Inc.
6.375%, 10/15/36

      421        265,410  

7.40%, 4/01/37

      600        405,008  

L Brands, Inc.
5.25%, 2/01/28

      917        860,897  

6.875%, 11/01/35

      230        222,697  

6.95%, 3/01/33

      500        483,786  

7.60%, 7/15/37

      1,000        997,159  

Levi Strauss & Co.
5.00%, 5/01/25

      1,150        1,162,613  

Neiman Marcus Group Ltd. LLC
8.00%, 10/15/21(a)

      2,115        1,338,309  

8.75% (8.75% Cash or 9.50% PIK), 10/15/21(a)(f)

      404        257,735  

Penske Automotive Group, Inc.
5.50%, 5/15/26

      1,037        1,018,935  

PetSmart, Inc.
7.125%, 3/15/23(a)

      1,140        647,749  

Sonic Automotive, Inc.
5.00%, 5/15/23

      534        510,937  

6.125%, 3/15/27

      817        790,100  
      

 

 

 
         11,843,460  
      

 

 

 

Consumer Non-Cyclical – 3.9%

      

Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc.
6.50%, 3/01/24

      684        712,784  

Air Medical Group Holdings, Inc.
6.375%, 5/15/23(a)

      820        779,225  

Albertsons Cos. LLC/Safeway, Inc./New Albertson’s, Inc./Albertson’s LLC
5.75%, 3/15/25

      274        233,770  

6.625%, 6/15/24(b)

      1,712        1,535,287  

Aveta, Inc.
10.50%, 3/01/21(c)(d)(h)(i)

      13,116        – 0  – 

BI-LO LLC/BI-LO Finance Corp.
8.625%, 9/15/18(a)(c)(g)(i)

      1,983        1,128,360  

9.25%, 2/15/19(a)(c)(g)(i)

      1,553        1,556,268  

Catalent Pharma Solutions, Inc.
4.75%, 12/15/24(a)

    EUR       400        514,637  

4.875%, 1/15/26(a)

    U.S.$       416        405,378  

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.
5.50%, 4/01/26(a)

      242        245,792  

CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc.
6.875%, 2/01/22

      2,543        1,471,761  

7.125%, 7/15/20(b)

      828        675,624  

8.00%, 11/15/19(b)

      408        367,390  

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    19


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

        Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

DaVita, Inc.
5.00%, 5/01/25

  U.S.$     1,314      $ 1,270,512  

Diamond BC BV
5.625%, 8/15/25(a)(b)

  EUR     362        426,830  

Eagle Holding Co. II LLC
7.625% (7.625% Cash or 8.375% PIK), 5/15/22(a)(f)

  U.S.$     179        180,593  

Endo Dac/Endo Finance LLC/Endo Finco, Inc.
6.00%, 7/15/23-2/01/25(a)

      4,260        3,150,500  

Endo Finance LLC
5.75%, 1/15/22(a)

      1,228        1,011,434  

Endo Finance LLC/Endo Finco, Inc.
5.375%, 1/15/23(a)

      200        151,109  

Envision Healthcare Corp.
5.625%, 7/15/22

      1,009        1,013,998  

6.25%, 12/01/24(a)

      694        716,555  

First Quality Finance Co., Inc.
4.625%, 5/15/21(a)

      3,247        3,230,765  

HCA, Inc.
4.25%, 10/15/19

      1,475        1,490,712  

4.50%, 2/15/27

      135        130,373  

5.00%, 3/15/24

      400        404,320  

5.25%, 6/15/26

      235        237,932  

5.875%, 2/15/26

      180        183,234  

Kinetic Concepts, Inc./KCI USA, Inc.
7.875%, 2/15/21(a)

      506        521,516  

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.
4.625%, 11/01/24(a)

      439        435,615  

LifePoint Health, Inc.
5.375%, 5/01/24(b)

      1,518        1,483,845  

5.875%, 12/01/23(b)

      1,448        1,460,544  

Mallinckrodt International Finance SA
4.75%, 4/15/23

      2,770        2,141,362  

Mallinckrodt International Finance SA/Mallinckrodt CB LLC
5.50%, 4/15/25(a)

      772        597,848  

5.625%, 10/15/23(a)

      394        319,832  

5.75%, 8/01/22(a)

      1,281        1,111,296  

MEDNAX, Inc.
5.25%, 12/01/23(a)

      422        424,983  

MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC
7.125%, 6/01/24(a)

      1,563        1,615,509  

Post Holdings, Inc.
5.00%, 8/15/26(a)

      442        417,446  

5.50%, 3/01/25(a)

      642        638,355  

5.625%, 1/15/28(a)

      830        793,684  

5.75%, 3/01/27(a)

      90        89,344  

 

20    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

    

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Spectrum Brands, Inc.
4.00%, 10/01/26(a)

    EUR       530      $ 681,772  

6.125%, 12/15/24

    U.S.$       361        374,541  

6.625%, 11/15/22

      560        579,808  

Synlab Unsecured Bondco PLC
8.25%, 7/01/23(a)

    EUR       700        921,142  

Tenet Healthcare Corp.
6.00%, 10/01/20

    U.S.$       95        98,285  

6.75%, 6/15/23(b)

      1,308        1,282,958  

6.875%, 11/15/31

      239        217,490  

8.125%, 4/01/22

      752        784,109  

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International
6.75%, 8/15/21(a)

      34        34,077  

7.25%, 7/15/22(a)

      635        636,967  

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.
5.50%, 3/01/23(a)

      230        201,700  

5.625%, 12/01/21(a)

      26        24,855  

5.875%, 5/15/23(a)

      1,146        1,014,210  

6.50%, 3/15/22(a)

      287        296,598  

7.50%, 7/15/21(a)

      1,146        1,153,408  

Vizient, Inc.
10.375%, 3/01/24(a)

      774        857,635  

Voyage Care BondCo PLC
5.875%, 5/01/23(a)

    GBP       891        1,255,511  
      

 

 

 
         45,691,388  
      

 

 

 

Energy – 7.3%

      

Alta Mesa Holdings LP/Alta Mesa Finance Services Corp.
7.875%, 12/15/24

    U.S.$       897        937,085  

Antero Resources Corp.
5.125%, 12/01/22

      789        796,224  

Berry Petroleum Co. LLC
6.375%, 9/15/22(c)(d)(e)(i)

      2,383        – 0  – 

7.00%, 2/15/26(a)

      580        584,654  

Bill Barrett Corp.
7.00%, 10/15/22

      534        539,854  

8.75%, 6/15/25

      637        688,249  

Bristow Group, Inc.
8.75%, 3/01/23(a)

      1,000        1,010,159  

California Resources Corp.
5.50%, 9/15/21

      299        230,471  

6.00%, 11/15/24

      232        141,748  

8.00%, 12/15/22(a)

      3,539        2,774,410  

Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.
6.25%, 4/15/23

      642        643,943  

7.50%, 9/15/20

      54        54,894  

8.25%, 7/15/25

      301        316,161  

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    21


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

    

 

        Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings LLC
7.00%, 6/30/24

  U.S.$     783      $ 865,776  

Cheniere Energy Partners LP
5.25%, 10/01/25(a)

      1,055        1,040,477  

Cheniere Energy, Inc.
4.875%, 5/28/21(a)(c)(f)(k)

      1,064        1,054,520  

Chesapeake Energy Corp.
4.875%, 4/15/22(b)

      1,528        1,425,830  

5.75%, 3/15/23

      610        550,061  

6.125%, 2/15/21

      335        336,827  

8.00%, 1/15/25-6/15/27(a)

      851        815,560  

Continental Resources, Inc./OK
3.80%, 6/01/24

      96        92,564  

4.90%, 6/01/44

      212        202,912  

5.00%, 9/15/22

      1,119        1,137,312  

Denbury Resources, Inc.
3.50%, 3/31/24(a)(c)(k)

      134        168,148  

9.25%, 3/31/22(a)

      604        616,609  

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.
7.875%, 8/15/25

      2,575        2,586,459  

Energy Transfer Equity LP
4.25%, 3/15/23

      2,203        2,135,284  

7.50%, 10/15/20

      309        332,287  

Ensco PLC
4.50%, 10/01/24(b)

      290        231,251  

5.20%, 3/15/25

      1,066        860,788  

7.75%, 2/01/26

      970        888,250  

EP Energy LLC/Everest Acquisition Finance, Inc.
6.375%, 6/15/23

      467        246,572  

7.75%, 9/01/22

      1,366        902,243  

8.00%, 2/15/25(a)

      1,792        1,196,466  

9.375%, 5/01/20

      538        501,667  

9.375%, 5/01/24(a)

      1,076        764,324  

Genesis Energy LP/Genesis Energy Finance Corp.
5.625%, 6/15/24

      412        391,777  

6.25%, 5/15/26

      1,327        1,266,421  

6.50%, 10/01/25(c)

      481        473,132  

6.75%, 8/01/22

      173        178,150  

Gulfport Energy Corp.
6.00%, 10/15/24

      515        489,168  

6.375%, 5/15/25(b)

      1,054        1,013,679  

6.375%, 1/15/26

      1,718        1,653,635  

Hess Infrastructure Partners LP/Hess Infrastructure Partners Finance Corp.
5.625%, 2/15/26(a)

      1,587        1,563,625  

 

22    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

    

 

        Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Hilcorp Energy I LP/Hilcorp Finance Co.
5.00%, 12/01/24(a)

  U.S.$     593      $ 584,091  

5.75%, 10/01/25(a)

      1,610        1,592,841  

Indigo Natural Resources LLC
6.875%, 2/15/26(a)

      1,095        1,040,309  

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
6.25%, 3/15/23(c)

      787        789,224  

Murphy Oil Corp.
6.875%, 8/15/24

      852        891,408  

Murphy Oil USA, Inc.
5.625%, 5/01/27

      69        69,517  

6.00%, 8/15/23

      716        737,842  

Nabors Industries, Inc.
4.625%, 9/15/21

      996        961,090  

5.50%, 1/15/23

      1,784        1,740,123  

5.75%, 2/01/25(a)

      470        442,314  

Noble Holding International Ltd.
5.25%, 3/15/42

      191        119,112  

6.20%, 8/01/40

      276        182,840  

7.75%, 1/15/24

      2,261        2,097,077  

7.95%, 4/01/25

      375        329,533  

Oasis Petroleum, Inc.
6.50%, 11/01/21

      226        229,563  

6.875%, 3/15/22

      376        381,709  

Parkland Fuel Corp.
6.00%, 4/01/26(a)

      1,147        1,151,158  

PDC Energy, Inc.
5.75%, 5/15/26(a)

      1,447        1,425,298  

6.125%, 9/15/24

      490        500,577  

PHI, Inc.
5.25%, 3/15/19

      1,567        1,531,742  

Precision Drilling Corp.
7.125%, 1/15/26(a)

      787        784,182  

QEP Resources, Inc.
5.25%, 5/01/23

      1,248        1,202,479  

5.625%, 3/01/26

      31        29,298  

6.875%, 3/01/21(b)

      1,225        1,290,226  

Range Resources Corp.
4.875%, 5/15/25(b)

      948        878,494  

5.00%, 8/15/22

      396        383,438  

5.00%, 3/15/23(b)

      995        954,236  

5.875%, 7/01/22

      97        97,399  

Rowan Cos., Inc.
5.40%, 12/01/42

      536        377,580  

7.375%, 6/15/25(b)

      1,285        1,203,636  

Sanchez Energy Corp.
6.125%, 1/15/23(b)

      3,602        2,628,037  

7.25%, 2/15/23(a)

      790        798,184  

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    23


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

    

 

        Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

SandRidge Energy, Inc.
7.50%, 2/15/23(c)(d)(e)(i)

  U.S.$     865      $ – 0  – 

8.125%, 10/15/22(c)(d)(e)(i)

      2,076        – 0  – 

Seitel, Inc.
9.50%, 4/15/19

      597        597,000  

SemGroup Corp.
6.375%, 3/15/25

      594        567,323  

7.25%, 3/15/26

      540        539,071  

SemGroup Corp./Rose Rock Finance Corp.
5.625%, 11/15/23

      438        414,080  

SM Energy Co.
5.00%, 1/15/24

      1,341        1,246,442  

5.625%, 6/01/25(b)

      1,150        1,089,480  

6.50%, 1/01/23

      1,000        995,811  

Southern Star Central Corp.
5.125%, 7/15/22(a)

      1,200        1,223,498  

SRC Energy, Inc.
6.25%, 12/01/25(a)

      800        805,913  

Sunoco LP/Sunoco Finance Corp.
5.50%, 2/15/26(a)

      1,355        1,307,465  

5.875%, 3/15/28(a)

      1,026        997,897  

Targa Resources Partners LP/Targa Resources Partners Finance Corp.
5.125%, 2/01/25

      215        213,656  

Transocean Phoenix 2 Ltd.
7.75%, 10/15/24(a)

      1,094        1,170,207  

Transocean, Inc.
5.80%, 10/15/22

      1,252        1,205,119  

6.80%, 3/15/38

      2,543        1,992,207  

7.50%, 1/15/26(a)

      791        778,700  

9.00%, 7/15/23(a)

      712        756,961  

Vantage Drilling International
7.125%, 4/01/23(c)(d)(e)(i)

      1,283        – 0  – 

7.50%, 11/01/19(c)(d)(e)(i)

      2,176        – 0  – 

10.00%, 12/31/20(c)(e)

      105        102,900  

10.00%, 12/31/20(c)(h)

      87        85,260  

Vine Oil & Gas LP/Vine Oil & Gas Finance Corp.
8.75%, 4/15/23(a)

      1,741        1,633,147  

Weatherford International LLC
9.875%, 3/01/25(a)

      614        552,279  

Weatherford International Ltd.
5.875%, 7/01/21(k)

      154        137,640  

6.50%, 8/01/36

      752        538,585  

6.75%, 9/15/40

      849        618,532  

7.00%, 3/15/38

      409        299,316  

 

24    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

    

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

7.75%, 6/15/21

    U.S.$       297      $ 280,114  

9.875%, 2/15/24(b)

      901        821,121  

Whiting Petroleum Corp.
1.25%, 4/01/20(k)

      542        510,150  

5.75%, 3/15/21

      211        213,197  

6.25%, 4/01/23

      483        487,889  

6.625%, 1/15/26(a)

      771        776,994  

WPX Energy, Inc.
8.25%, 8/01/23

      187        209,988  
      

 

 

 
         85,292,125  
      

 

 

 

Other Industrial – 0.7%

      

Algeco Global Finance PLC
8.00%, 2/15/23(a)

      956        958,385  

American Tire Distributors, Inc.
10.25%, 3/01/22(a)

      1,793        1,825,536  

Global Partners LP/GLP Finance Corp.
6.25%, 7/15/22

      2,976        2,963,328  

H&E Equipment Services, Inc.
5.625%, 9/01/25

      437        441,370  

KAR Auction Services, Inc.
5.125%, 6/01/25(a)

      458        455,891  

Laureate Education, Inc.
8.25%, 5/01/25(a)(b)

      1,085        1,163,526  
      

 

 

 
         7,808,036  
      

 

 

 

Services – 1.5%

      

APTIM Corp.
7.75%, 6/15/25(a)

      1,311        1,139,150  

APX Group, Inc.
7.875%, 12/01/22

      1,746        1,816,767  

8.75%, 12/01/20

      1,328        1,334,785  

Aramark Services, Inc.
5.00%, 2/01/28(a)

      686        670,780  

5.125%, 1/15/24

      274        279,480  

Carlson Travel, Inc.
6.75%, 12/15/23(a)

      1,128        1,125,185  

eDreams ODIGEO SA
8.50%, 8/01/21(a)

    EUR       1,560        2,033,204  

Gartner, Inc.
5.125%, 4/01/25(a)

    U.S.$       482        481,570  

GEO Group, Inc. (The)
5.125%, 4/01/23

      162        160,258  

5.875%, 1/15/22-10/15/24

      670        683,744  

6.00%, 4/15/26

      677        663,467  

Monitronics International, Inc.
9.125%, 4/01/20

      807        618,946  

Nielsen Finance LLC/Nielsen Finance Co.
5.00%, 4/15/22(a)

      599        598,902  

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    25


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

    

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Prime Security Services Borrower LLC/Prime Finance, Inc.
9.25%, 5/15/23(a)

    U.S.$       2,327      $ 2,520,774  

Ritchie Bros Auctioneers, Inc.
5.375%, 1/15/25(a)

      366        366,281  

Sabre GLBL, Inc.
5.25%, 11/15/23(a)

      607        613,798  

5.375%, 4/15/23(a)

      720        726,287  

Service Corp. International/US
7.50%, 4/01/27

      1,209        1,389,922  

Team Health Holdings, Inc.
6.375%, 2/01/25(a)(b)

      861        738,924  
      

 

 

 
         17,962,224  
      

 

 

 

Technology – 1.6%

      

Amkor Technology, Inc.
6.375%, 10/01/22

      2,681        2,741,784  

Ascend Learning LLC
6.875%, 8/01/25(a)

      302        310,305  

BMC Software Finance, Inc.
8.125%, 7/15/21(a)

      1,649        1,644,284  

Boxer Parent Co., Inc.
9.00% (9.00% Cash or 9.75% PIK),
10/15/19(a)(f)

      411        410,444  

Conduent Finance, Inc./Conduent Business Services LLC
10.50%, 12/15/24(a)

      1,610        1,895,123  

CURO Financial Technologies Corp.
12.00%, 3/01/22(a)

      819        906,356  

Dell International LLC/EMC Corp.
7.125%, 6/15/24(a)

      251        268,160  

Dell, Inc.
6.50%, 4/15/38

      1,671        1,664,102  

Goodman Networks, Inc.
8.00%, 5/11/22(c)

      664        425,154  

Infor Software Parent LLC/Infor Software Parent, Inc.
7.125% (7.125% Cash or 7.875% PIK),
5/01/21(a)(f)

      160        161,610  

Infor US, Inc.
6.50%, 5/15/22

      1,286        1,307,561  

Micron Technology, Inc.
5.50%, 2/01/25

      686        712,455  

Nokia Oyj
6.625%, 5/15/39

      527        561,884  

Quintiles IMS, Inc.
3.25%, 3/15/25(a)

    EUR       782        965,454  

 

26    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

    

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Solera LLC/Solera Finance, Inc.
10.50%, 3/01/24(a)

    U.S.$       2,005      $ 2,230,430  

Veritas US, Inc./Veritas Bermuda Ltd.
10.50%, 2/01/24(a)(c)

      1,462        1,369,632  

Western Digital Corp.
4.75%, 2/15/26

      1,087        1,085,800  
      

 

 

 
         18,660,538  
      

 

 

 

Transportation - Airlines – 0.1%

      

UAL Pass-Through Trust
Series 2007-1A
6.636%, 7/02/22

      1,017        1,067,422  
      

 

 

 

Transportation - Services – 1.2%

      

Avis Budget Car Rental LLC/Avis Budget Finance, Inc.
5.25%, 3/15/25(a)

      264        252,400  

5.50%, 4/01/23

      524        521,650  

CEVA Group PLC
9.00%, 9/01/21(a)

      1,836        1,808,460  

Europcar Groupe SA
5.75%, 6/15/22(a)

    EUR       670        853,928  

Herc Rentals, Inc.
7.75%, 6/01/24(a)

    U.S.$       1,521        1,647,094  

Hertz Corp. (The)
5.50%, 10/15/24(a)(b)

      2,807        2,384,067  

5.875%, 10/15/20

      1,419        1,408,166  

Hertz Holdings Netherlands BV
5.50%, 3/30/23

    EUR       1,117        1,373,703  

Loxam SAS
3.50%, 4/15/22(a)

      186        237,051  

4.25%, 4/15/24(a)

      138        178,938  

United Rentals North America, Inc.
5.50%, 5/15/27

    U.S.$       477        482,707  

5.75%, 11/15/24

      1,005        1,045,823  

XPO CNW, Inc.
6.70%, 5/01/34

      1,371        1,427,395  

XPO Logistics, Inc.
6.125%, 9/01/23(a)

      522        538,159  
      

 

 

 
         14,159,541  
      

 

 

 
         403,577,179  
      

 

 

 

Financial Institutions – 7.8%

      

Banking – 5.2%

      

Allied Irish Banks PLC
Series E
7.375%, 12/03/20(a)(m)

    EUR       871        1,198,777  

Ally Financial, Inc.
8.00%, 11/01/31

    U.S.$       2,251        2,750,074  

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    27


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

    

 

        Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA
5.875%, 5/24/22(a)(m)

  EUR     1,200      $ 1,602,264  

6.125%, 11/16/27(b)(m)

  U.S.$     800        777,036  

6.75%, 2/18/20(a)(m)

  EUR     800        1,065,463  

8.875%, 4/14/21(a)(m)

      1,000        1,457,100  

Banco Santander SA
6.25%, 3/12/19-9/11/21(a)(m)

      1,200        1,597,739  

6.75%, 4/25/22(a)(m)

      900        1,247,215  

Bank of America Corp.
Series FF
5.875%, 3/15/28(m)

  U.S.$     3,194        3,215,071  

Bank of Ireland
7.375%, 6/18/20(a)(m)

  EUR     1,455        1,982,836  

Barclays Bank PLC
6.86%, 6/15/32(a)(m)

  U.S.$     166        194,939  

7.70%, 4/25/18(a)(m)

      1,815        1,819,886  

Barclays PLC
7.25%, 3/15/23(a)(m)

  GBP     219        328,322  

8.00%, 12/15/20(m)

  EUR     1,732        2,424,299  

CIT Group, Inc.
6.125%, 3/09/28

  U.S.$     588        612,812  

Citigroup, Inc.
5.95%, 1/30/23(m)

      2,689        2,762,746  

Credit Agricole SA
7.589%, 1/30/20(a)(m)

  GBP     1,000        1,518,749  

8.125%, 12/23/25(a)(m)

  U.S.$     1,909        2,174,544  

Credit Suisse Group AG
6.25%, 12/18/24(a)(m)

      1,404        1,437,283  

7.50%, 12/11/23(a)(m)

      3,043        3,290,244  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)
Series P
5.00%, 11/10/22(m)

      1,599        1,551,598  

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA
3.928%, 9/15/26(a)

  EUR     331        438,352  

5.71%, 1/15/26(a)

  U.S.$     1,232        1,237,373  

7.75%, 1/11/27(a)(m)

  EUR     1,366        2,052,010  

Lloyds Banking Group PLC
6.413%, 10/01/35(a)(m)

  U.S.$     235        259,315  

6.657%, 5/21/37(a)(m)

      98        109,118  

7.50%, 6/27/24(m)

      528        571,691  

7.625%, 6/27/23(a)(m)

  GBP     1,760        2,757,413  

Macquarie Bank Ltd./London
6.125%, 3/08/27(a)(m)

  U.S.$     200        195,710  

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC
2.001% (EURIBOR 3 Month + 2.33%),
6/30/18(a)(l)(m)

  EUR     150        183,067  

8.625%, 8/15/21(m)

  U.S.$     3,518        3,841,403  

 

28    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

    

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Series U
4.622% (LIBOR 3 Month + 2.32%), 9/30/27(b)(l)(m)

    U.S.$       1,100      $ 1,112,816  

SNS Bank NV
Series E
11.25%, 12/31/49(c)(e)(i)

    EUR       620        8,839  

Societe Generale SA
7.375%, 9/13/21(a)(m)

    U.S.$       1,485        1,577,812  

7.875%, 12/18/23(a)

      778        843,157  

8.00%, 9/29/25(a)(b)(m)

      1,124        1,254,665  

Standard Chartered PLC
7.50%, 4/02/22(a)(m)

      1,269        1,344,131  

7.75%, 4/02/23(a)(m)

      440        470,458  

SunTrust Banks, Inc.
Series G
5.05%, 6/15/22(m)

      853        848,052  

Series H
5.125%, 12/15/27(b)(m)

      1,016        971,346  

UBS Group AG
6.875%, 3/22/21(a)(m)

      200        209,788  

7.00%, 2/19/25(a)(m)

      2,492        2,680,796  

UniCredit SpA
9.25%, 6/03/22(a)(m)

    EUR       1,554        2,289,447  

Zions Bancorporation
5.65%, 11/15/23

    U.S.$       508        515,304  
      

 

 

 
         60,781,060  
      

 

 

 

Brokerage – 0.1%

      

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.
6.875%, 5/02/18(c)(i)

      1,690        70,135  

LPL Holdings, Inc.
5.75%, 9/15/25(a)

      1,517        1,498,144  
      

 

 

 
         1,568,279  
      

 

 

 

Finance – 1.1%

      

Enova International, Inc.
8.50%, 9/01/24(a)

      770        812,350  

9.75%, 6/01/21

      960        1,012,091  

goeasy Ltd.
7.875%, 11/01/22(a)

      466        499,249  

ILFC E-Capital Trust II
4.89% (H15T 30 Year + 1.80%), 12/21/65(a)(l)

      2,000        1,953,754  

Lincoln Finance Ltd.
6.875%, 4/15/21(a)

    EUR       1,139        1,450,534  

Navient Corp.
5.50%, 1/15/19

    U.S.$       2,496        2,528,318  

5.875%, 3/25/21

      324        331,523  

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    29


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

    

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

6.50%, 6/15/22

    U.S.$       406      $ 419,695  

6.625%, 7/26/21

      231        240,002  

7.25%, 1/25/22

      377        399,167  

8.00%, 3/25/20

      233        247,736  

SLM Corp.
5.125%, 4/05/22

      605        606,473  

TMX Finance LLC/TitleMax Finance Corp.
8.50%, 9/15/18(a)

      1,801        1,722,275  
      

 

 

 
         12,223,167  
      

 

 

 

Insurance – 0.6%

      

Ambac Assurance Corp.
5.10%, 6/07/20(a)(c)

      20        26,193  

Galaxy Bidco Ltd.
6.375%, 11/15/20(a)

    GBP       133        186,143  

Genworth Holdings, Inc.
3.841% (LIBOR 3 Month + 2.00%), 11/15/66

    U.S.$       240        110,256  

7.625%, 9/24/21

      1,616        1,548,795  

Liberty Mutual Group, Inc.
7.80%, 3/15/37(a)

      2,559        3,177,541  

Polaris Intermediate Corp.
8.50%, 12/01/22(a)(f)

      2,108        2,151,441  
      

 

 

 
         7,200,369  
      

 

 

 

Other Finance – 0.6%

      

Creditcorp
12.00%, 7/15/18(h)

      1,300        1,215,500  

Intrum Justitia AB
2.75%, 7/15/22(a)

    EUR       977        1,175,425  

3.125%, 7/15/24(a)(b)

      489        582,135  

LHC3 PLC
4.125%, 8/15/24(a)(f)

      239        296,033  

NVA Holdings, Inc.
6.875%, 4/01/26(a)

    U.S.$       599        603,667  

Oxford Finance LLC/Oxford Finance Co-Issuer II, Inc.
6.375%, 12/15/22(a)

      199        203,310  

Tempo Acquisition LLC/Tempo Acquisition Finance Corp.
6.75%, 6/01/25(a)

      1,680        1,677,248  

Travelport Corporate Finance PLC
6.00%, 3/15/26(a)

      595        597,348  
      

 

 

 
         6,350,666  
      

 

 

 

REITS – 0.2%

      

Iron Mountain, Inc.
5.25%, 3/15/28(a)

      1,640        1,543,650  

 

30    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

MPT Operating Partnership LP/MPT Finance Corp.
5.00%, 10/15/27

    U.S.$       218      $ 213,532  

5.25%, 8/01/26

      155        154,404  

5.50%, 5/01/24

      264        269,020  
      

 

 

 
         2,180,606  
      

 

 

 
         90,304,147  
      

 

 

 

Utility – 1.5%

      

Electric – 1.4%

      

AES Corp./VA
4.875%, 5/15/23

      1,013        1,028,502  

Calpine Corp.
5.375%, 1/15/23

      1,918        1,841,288  

5.50%, 2/01/24

      1,205        1,099,588  

5.75%, 1/15/25

      168        153,691  

ContourGlobal Power Holdings SA
5.125%, 6/15/21(a)

    EUR       1,501        1,901,574  

DPL, Inc.
6.75%, 10/01/19

    U.S.$       343        356,658  

Dynegy, Inc.
7.375%, 11/01/22(b)

      1,604        1,689,676  

7.625%, 11/01/24

      981        1,060,423  

NRG Energy, Inc.
5.75%, 1/15/28(a)

      740        726,053  

7.25%, 5/15/26

      1,791        1,897,373  

NRG Yield Operating LLC
5.375%, 8/15/24

      843        845,719  

Talen Energy Supply LLC
4.60%, 12/15/21

      1,945        1,682,279  

6.50%, 6/01/25

      794        559,437  

10.50%, 1/15/26(a)

      1,489        1,280,721  

Texas Competitive/TCEH
11.50%, 10/01/20(c)(d)(h)(i)

      626        – 0  – 
      

 

 

 
         16,122,982  
      

 

 

 

Natural Gas – 0.1%

      

NGL Energy Partners LP/NGL Energy Finance Corp.
7.50%, 11/01/23

      1,691        1,694,122  
      

 

 

 
         17,817,104  
      

 

 

 

Total Corporates – Non-Investment Grade
(cost $513,485,597)

         511,698,430  
      

 

 

 
      

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    31


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS – 11.5%

      

Risk Share Floating Rate – 9.4%

      

Bellemeade Re II Ltd.
Series 2016-1A, Class B1
13.872% (LIBOR 1 Month + 12.00%), 4/25/26(h)(l)

    U.S.$       283      $ 300,461  

Series 2016-1A, Class M2B
8.372% (LIBOR 1 Month + 6.50%),
4/25/26(h)(l)

      1,986        2,022,526  

Bellemeade Re Ltd.
Series 2015-1A, Class M2
6.172% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.30%),
7/25/25(h)(l)

      586        594,127  

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes
Series 2013-DN1, Class M2
9.022% (LIBOR 1 Month + 7.15%), 7/25/23(l)

      2,350        2,859,424  

Series 2013-DN2, Class M2
6.122% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.25%), 11/25/23(l)

      1,911        2,126,525  

Series 2014-DN1, Class M3
6.372% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.50%), 2/25/24(l)

      1,939        2,252,782  

Series 2014-DN2, Class M3
5.472% (LIBOR 1 Month + 3.60%), 4/25/24(l)

      514        575,397  

Series 2014-DN3, Class M3
5.872% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.00%), 8/25/24(l)

      712        777,379  

Series 2014-DN4, Class M3
6.422% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.55%), 10/25/24(l)

      422        470,802  

Series 2014-HQ1, Class M3
5.972% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.10%), 8/25/24(l)

      1,686        1,883,757  

Series 2014-HQ2, Class M3
5.622% (LIBOR 1 Month + 3.75%), 9/25/24(l)

      3,710        4,286,366  

Series 2014-HQ3, Class M3
6.622% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.75%), 10/25/24(l)

      4,905        5,468,727  

Series 2015-DN1, Class B
13.372% (LIBOR 1 Month + 11.50%), 1/25/25(l)

      2,230        3,219,613  

 

32    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

        Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Series 2015-DN1, Class M3
6.022% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.15%), 1/25/25(l)

  U.S.$     1,588      $ 1,713,568  

Series 2015-DNA1, Class B
11.072% (LIBOR 1 Month + 9.20%), 10/25/27(l)

      598        806,493  

Series 2015-DNA1, Class M3
5.172% (LIBOR 1 Month + 3.30%), 10/25/27(l)

      480        534,326  

Series 2015-DNA2, Class B
9.422% (LIBOR 1 Month + 7.55%), 12/25/27(l)

      1,461        1,806,165  

Series 2015-DNA3, Class B
11.222% (LIBOR 1 Month + 9.35%), 4/25/28(l)

      1,030        1,369,174  

Series 2015-HQ1, Class B
12.622% (LIBOR 1 Month + 10.75%), 3/25/25(l)

      3,902        5,341,176  

Series 2015-HQ1, Class M3
5.672% (LIBOR 1 Month + 3.80%), 3/25/25(l)

      530        572,114  

Series 2015-HQA1, Class B
10.672% (LIBOR 1 Month + 8.80%), 3/25/28(l)

      1,013        1,275,720  

Series 2015-HQA1, Class M3
6.572% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.70%), 3/25/28(l)

      1,455        1,668,880  

Series 2016-DNA2, Class B
12.372% (LIBOR 1 Month + 10.50%), 10/25/28(l)

      862        1,191,793  

Series 2016-DNA2, Class M3
6.522% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.65%), 10/25/28(l)

      811        931,023  

Series 2016-DNA3, Class B
13.122% (LIBOR 1 Month + 11.25%), 12/25/28(l)

      2,780        3,924,155  

Series 2016-DNA3, Class M3
6.872% (LIBOR 1 Month + 5.00%), 12/25/28(l)

      1,113        1,296,340  

Series 2016-DNA4, Class B
10.472% (LIBOR 1 Month + 8.60%), 3/25/29(l)

      396        481,713  

Series 2016-HQA2, Class B
13.372% (LIBOR 1 Month + 11.50%), 11/25/28(l)

      423        586,541  

Series 2017-DNA2, Class B1
7.022% (LIBOR 1 Month + 5.15%), 10/25/29(l)

      415        467,953  

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    33


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

        Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Series 2017-DNA2, Class M2
5.322% (LIBOR 1 Month + 3.45%), 10/25/29(l)

  U.S.$     599      $ 650,929  

Series 2017-DNA3, Class B1
6.322% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.45%), 3/25/30(l)

      615        656,918  

Federal National Mortgage Association Connecticut Avenue Securities
Series 2013-C01, Class M2
7.122% (LIBOR 1 Month + 5.25%), 10/25/23(l)

      1,451        1,688,718  

Series 2014-C01, Class M2
6.272% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.40%), 1/25/24(l)

      3,991        4,556,371  

Series 2014-C03, Class 1M2
4.872% (LIBOR 1 Month + 3.00%), 7/25/24(l)

      1,100        1,176,575  

Series 2014-C04, Class 1M2
6.772% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.90%), 11/25/24(l)

      2,883        3,300,069  

Series 2015-C01, Class 1M2
6.172% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.30%), 2/25/25(l)

      2,863        3,153,303  

Series 2015-C01, Class 2M2
6.422% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.55%), 2/25/25(l)

      1,370        1,486,616  

Series 2015-C02, Class 1M2
5.872% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.00%), 5/25/25(l)

      846        928,178  

Series 2015-C02, Class 2M2
5.872% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.00%), 5/25/25(l)

      2,393        2,582,641  

Series 2015-C03, Class 1M2
6.872% (LIBOR 1 Month + 5.00%), 7/25/25(l)

      2,611        2,970,758  

Series 2015-C03, Class 2M2
6.872% (LIBOR 1 Month + 5.00%), 7/25/25(l)

      2,288        2,558,441  

Series 2015-C04, Class 1M2
7.572% (LIBOR 1 Month + 5.70%), 4/25/28(l)

      3,012        3,493,603  

Series 2015-C04, Class 2M2
7.422% (LIBOR 1 Month + 5.55%), 4/25/28(l)

      1,135        1,278,923  

Series 2016-C01, Class 1B
13.622% (LIBOR 1 Month + 11.75%), 8/25/28(l)

      684        1,009,804  

 

34    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

        Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Series 2016-C01, Class 1M2
8.622% (LIBOR 1 Month + 6.75%), 8/25/28(l)

  U.S.$     2,077      $ 2,510,987  

Series 2016-C01, Class 2M2
8.822% (LIBOR 1 Month + 6.95%), 8/25/28(l)

      761        915,485  

Series 2016-C02, Class 1B
14.122% (LIBOR 1 Month + 12.25%), 9/25/28(l)

      450        673,491  

Series 2016-C02, Class 1M2
7.872% (LIBOR 1 Month + 6.00%), 9/25/28(l)

      2,375        2,842,996  

Series 2016-C03, Class 1B
13.622% (LIBOR 1 Month + 11.75%), 10/25/28(l)

      374        546,664  

Series 2016-C03, Class 2B
14.622% (LIBOR 1 Month + 12.75%), 10/25/28(l)

      634        945,070  

Series 2016-C03, Class 2M2
7.772% (LIBOR 1 Month + 5.90%), 10/25/28(l)

      3,707        4,353,999  

Series 2016-C04, Class 1B
12.122% (LIBOR 1 Month + 10.25%), 1/25/29(l)

      1,493        2,034,704  

Series 2016-C05, Class 2B
12.622% (LIBOR 1 Month + 10.75%), 1/25/29(l)

      1,823        2,449,830  

Series 2016-C05, Class 2M2
6.322% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.45%), 1/25/29(l)

      1,486        1,661,397  

Series 2016-C06, Class 1B
11.122% (LIBOR 1 Month + 9.25%), 4/25/29(l)

      1,288        1,645,510  

Series 2016-C07, Class 2B
11.372% (LIBOR 1 Month + 9.50%), 5/25/29(l)

      1,561        2,035,416  

Series 2016-C07, Class 2M2
6.222% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.35%), 5/25/29(l)

      918        1,019,435  

Series 2017-C01, Class 1B1
7.622% (LIBOR 1 Month + 5.75%), 7/25/29(l)

      148        172,834  

Series 2017-C02, Class 2M2
5.522% (LIBOR 1 Month + 3.65%), 9/25/29(l)

      1,152        1,250,396  

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    35


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

JP Morgan Madison Avenue Securities Trust
Series 2015-CH1, Class M2
7.372% (LIBOR 1 Month + 5.50%), 10/25/25(a)(l)

    U.S.$       1,431      $ 1,601,020  

Wells Fargo Credit Risk Transfer Securities Trust
Series 2015-WF1, Class 2M2
7.372% (LIBOR 1 Month + 5.50%), 11/25/25(h)(l)

      616        721,761  
      

 

 

 
         109,677,862  
      

 

 

 

Non-Agency Fixed Rate – 1.1%

      

Alternative Loan Trust
Series 2006-24CB, Class A15
5.75%, 6/25/36

      898        778,825  

Series 2006-42, Class 1A6
6.00%, 1/25/47

      742        625,679  

Series 2006-HY12, Class A5
3.411%, 8/25/36

      1,529        1,565,348  

Series 2006-J1, Class 1A10
5.50%, 2/25/36

      1,310        1,195,760  

Series 2006-J5, Class 1A1
6.50%, 9/25/36

      954        782,190  

Series 2007-13, Class A2
6.00%, 6/25/47

      1,184        1,019,093  

Bear Stearns ARM Trust
Series 2007-3, Class 1A1
3.765%, 5/25/47

      244        234,533  

Series 2007-4, Class 22A1
3.577%, 6/25/47

      898        883,221  

BNPP Mortgage Securities LLC Trust
Series 2009-1, Class B1
6.00%, 8/27/37(a)

      809        652,601  

ChaseFlex Trust
Series 2007-1, Class 1A3
6.50%, 2/25/37

      583        445,765  

Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust
Series 2007-AR4, Class 1A1A
3.804%, 3/25/37

      189        183,218  

Series 2010-3, Class 2A2
6.00%, 8/25/37(a)

      391        334,218  

CitiMortgage Alternative Loan Trust
Series 2007-A3, Class 1A4
5.75%, 3/25/37

      1,045        981,904  

 

36    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Countrywide Home Loan Mortgage Pass-Through Trust
Series 2007-HY4, Class 1A1
3.474%, 9/25/47

    U.S.$       297      $ 277,796  

Credit Suisse Mortgage Trust
Series 2009-8R, Class 6A2
6.00%, 1/26/38(a)

      117        94,134  

CSMC Mortgage-Backed Trust
Series 2006-7, Class 3A12
6.25%, 8/25/36

      378        312,586  

Residential Accredit Loans, Inc. Trust
Series 2005-QS14, Class 3A1
6.00%, 9/25/35

      543        519,208  

Residential Asset Securitization Trust
Series 2006-A8, Class 3A4
6.00%, 8/25/36

      214        187,667  

Washington Mutual Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Trust
Series 2006-9, Class A4
4.815%, 10/25/36

      1,649        833,081  

Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust
Series 2007-AR7, Class A1
3.714%, 12/28/37

      1,338        1,299,146  
      

 

 

 
         13,205,973  
      

 

 

 

Non-Agency Floating Rate – 1.0%

      

Alternative Loan Trust
Series 2007-7T2, Class A3
2.472% (LIBOR 1 Month + 0.60%), 4/25/37(l)

      2,831        1,322,808  

Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust
Series 2005-8, Class 2A2
2.929% (4.80% – LIBOR 1 Month), 9/25/35(l)(n)

      483        20,927  

Countrywide Home Loan Mortgage Pass-Through Trust
Series 2007-13, Class A7
2.472% (LIBOR 1 Month + 0.60%), 8/25/37(l)

      631        462,085  

First Horizon Alternative Mortgage Securities Trust
Series 2007-FA2, Class 1A6
3.679% (4.80% – LIBOR 1 Month), 4/25/37(l)(n)

      126        16,530  

Series 2007-FA2, Class 1A10
2.122% (LIBOR 1 Month + 0.25%), 4/25/37(l)

      372        208,058  

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    37


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Lehman XS Trust
Series 2007-10H, Class 2AIO
5.336% (4.80% – LIBOR 1 Month), 7/25/37(l)(n)

    U.S.$       403      $ 68,090  

Residential Accredit Loans, Inc. Trust
Series 2006-QS18, Class 2A2
4.679% (4.80% – LIBOR 1 Month), 12/25/36(l)(n)

      4,444        786,464  

Structured Asset Mortgage Investments II Trust
Series 2007-AR6, Class A1
2.783% (12MTA + 1.50%), 8/25/47(l)

      1,685        1,583,370  

Wachovia Mortgage Loan Trust Series
Series 2006-ALT1, Class A2
2.052% (LIBOR 1 Month + 0.18%), 1/25/37(l)

      10,897        7,685,993  
      

 

 

 
         12,154,325  
      

 

 

 

Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
(cost $118,733,957)

         135,038,160  
      

 

 

 
      

GOVERNMENTS – TREASURIES – 10.1%

      

Colombia – 0.4%

 

    

Colombian TES
Series B
7.00%, 5/04/22

    COP       3,621,500        1,357,928  

10.00%, 7/24/24

      8,000,000        3,436,342  
      

 

 

 
         4,794,270  
      

 

 

 

Indonesia – 1.2%

      

Indonesia Treasury Bond
Series FR53
8.25%, 7/15/21

    IDR       15,727,000        1,214,009  

Series FR56
8.375%, 9/15/26

      58,563,000        4,717,368  

Series FR59
7.00%, 5/15/27

      70,459,000        5,202,221  

Series FR73
8.75%, 5/15/31

      37,753,000        3,107,622  
      

 

 

 
         14,241,220  
      

 

 

 

Malaysia – 0.5%

      

Malaysia Government Bond
Series 511
3.58%, 9/28/18

    MYR       23,700        6,136,983  
      

 

 

 
         6,136,983  
      

 

 

 

 

38    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Russia – 0.9%

      

Russian Federal Bond – OFZ
Series 6209
7.60%, 7/20/22

    RUB       37,074      $ 675,991  

Series 6212
7.05%, 1/19/28

      185,020        3,253,526  

Series 6217
7.50%, 8/18/21

      360,108        6,492,033  
      

 

 

 
         10,421,550  
      

 

 

 

United States – 7.0%

      

U.S. Treasury Bonds
2.75%, 11/15/42(p)

    U.S.$       2,600        2,509,812  

4.50%, 2/15/36(o)

      2,400        2,965,500  

5.00%, 5/15/37(o)(p)

      3,500        4,613,437  

5.25%, 2/15/29(o)

      5,350        6,595,547  

6.125%, 11/15/27(o)

      1,900        2,442,688  

6.25%, 5/15/30(o)

      7,800        10,582,407  

8.125%, 5/15/21(o)

      5,250        6,147,422  

U.S. Treasury Notes
0.875%, 4/15/19(b)(o)

      42,074        41,521,779  

2.25%, 2/15/27(b)(o)

      3,873        3,722,921  
      

 

 

 
         81,101,513  
      

 

 

 

Uruguay – 0.1%

      

Uruguay Government International Bond
8.50%, 3/15/28(a)

    UYU       23,821        771,611  

9.875%, 6/20/22(a)

      18,660        665,340  
      

 

 

 
         1,436,951  
      

 

 

 

Total Governments – Treasuries
(cost $116,241,906)

         118,132,487  
      

 

 

 
      

EMERGING MARKETS – TREASURIES – 8.6%

      

Argentina – 1.2%

      

Argentina POM Politica Monetaria
Series POM
27.935% (ARPP7DRR), 6/21/20(l)

    ARS       13,054        685,711  

Argentine Bonos del Tesoro
15.50%, 10/17/26

      34,006        1,662,181  

16.00%, 10/17/23

      85,595        4,127,230  

18.20%, 10/03/21

      110,859        5,514,482  

21.20%, 9/19/18

      51,130        2,504,402  
      

 

 

 
         14,494,006  
      

 

 

 

Brazil – 4.7%

      

Brazil Notas do Tesouro Nacional
Series F
10.00%, 1/01/21-1/01/27

    BRL       174,098        54,572,580  
      

 

 

 

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    39


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Dominican Republic – 0.5%

      

Dominican Republic International Bond
16.00%, 7/10/20(h)

    DOP       229,800      $ 5,369,793  
      

 

 

 

South Africa – 0.1%

      

Republic of South Africa Government Bond
Series R204
8.00%, 12/21/18

    ZAR       10,750        915,671  
      

 

 

 

Sri Lanka – 0.5%

      

Sri Lanka Government Bonds
10.25%, 3/15/25

    LKR       113,000        722,413  

Series A
11.50%, 12/15/21-5/15/23

      603,000        4,050,792  

11.75%, 6/15/27

      105,000        714,744  
      

 

 

 
         5,487,949  
      

 

 

 

Turkey – 1.6%

      

Turkey Government Bond
10.60%, 2/11/26

    TRY       4,718        1,088,769  

11.00%, 2/24/27

      44,572        10,484,177  

11.10%, 5/15/19

      31,033        7,642,991  
      

 

 

 
         19,215,937  
      

 

 

 

Total Emerging Markets – Treasuries
(cost $105,751,087)

         100,055,936  
      

 

 

 
      

EMERGING MARKETS – SOVEREIGNS – 7.0%

      

Angola – 0.1%

      

Angolan Government International Bond
9.50%, 11/12/25(a)

    U.S.$       232        261,580  

Republic of Angola Via Northern Lights III BV
7.00%, 8/17/19(a)

      513        521,596  
      

 

 

 
         783,176  
      

 

 

 

Argentina – 1.2%

      

Argentine Republic Government International Bond
6.875%, 4/22/21-1/26/27

      8,638        8,882,947  

7.50%, 4/22/26

      150        160,275  

7.82%, 12/31/33

    EUR       3,829        5,305,919  
      

 

 

 
         14,349,141  
      

 

 

 

Bahrain – 0.1%

      

Bahrain Government International Bond
6.75%, 9/20/29(a)

    U.S.$       528        492,360  

7.00%, 10/12/28(a)

      1,253        1,204,446  
      

 

 

 
         1,696,806  
      

 

 

 

 

40    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Belarus – 0.0%

      

Republic of Belarus International Bond
6.875%, 2/28/23(a)

    U.S.$       245      $ 259,333  
      

 

 

 

Cameroon – 0.1%

      

Republic of Cameroon International Bond
9.50%, 11/19/25(a)

      1,222        1,402,245  
      

 

 

 

Costa Rica – 0.1%

      

Costa Rica Government International Bond
4.37%, 5/22/19(a)

      858        856,038  
      

 

 

 

Dominican Republic – 0.8%

      

Dominican Republic International Bond
5.95%, 1/25/27(a)

      1,553        1,632,591  

7.45%, 4/30/44(a)

      1,283        1,459,413  

8.625%, 4/20/27(a)

      5,719        6,741,271  
      

 

 

 
         9,833,275  
      

 

 

 

Ecuador – 0.3%

      

Ecuador Government International Bond
7.95%, 6/20/24(a)

      667        670,335  

9.65%, 12/13/26(a)

      385        411,565  

10.50%, 3/24/20(a)

      1,069        1,160,123  

10.75%, 3/28/22(a)

      1,032        1,142,940  
      

 

 

 
         3,384,963  
      

 

 

 

Egypt – 0.3%

      

Egypt Government International Bond
6.125%, 1/31/22(a)

      3,009        3,118,076  
      

 

 

 

El Salvador – 0.1%

      

El Salvador Government International Bond
5.875%, 1/30/25(a)

      592        579,420  

7.625%, 9/21/34(a)

      762        816,293  

7.75%, 1/24/23(a)

      339        369,086  
      

 

 

 
         1,764,799  
      

 

 

 

Gabon – 0.3%

      

Gabon Government International Bond
6.375%, 12/12/24(a)

      2,052        2,031,890  

6.95%, 6/16/25(a)

      1,050        1,063,125  
      

 

 

 
         3,095,015  
      

 

 

 

Honduras – 0.1%

      

Honduras Government International Bond
6.25%, 1/19/27(a)

      1,018        1,075,263  
      

 

 

 

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    41


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Iraq – 0.1%

      

Iraq International Bond
5.80%, 1/15/28(a)

    U.S.$       264      $ 252,780  

6.752%, 3/09/23(a)

      402        408,533  
      

 

 

 
         661,313  
      

 

 

 

Ivory Coast – 0.5%

      

Ivory Coast Government International Bond
5.125%, 6/15/25(a)

    EUR       168        216,038  

5.75%, 12/31/32(a)

    U.S.$       2,391        2,301,193  

6.125%, 6/15/33(a)

      1,322        1,255,900  

6.375%, 3/03/28(a)

      2,678        2,698,086  
      

 

 

 
         6,471,217  
      

 

 

 

Jamaica – 0.2%

      

Jamaica Government International Bond
7.625%, 7/09/25

      506        592,020  

7.875%, 7/28/45

      1,240        1,478,700  
      

 

 

 
         2,070,720  
      

 

 

 

Jordan – 0.1%

      

Jordan Government International Bond
5.75%, 1/31/27(a)

      634        616,565  
      

 

 

 

Kenya – 0.1%

      

Kenya Government International Bond
5.875%, 6/24/19(a)

      702        719,550  

7.25%, 2/28/28(a)

      649        679,016  
      

 

 

 
         1,398,566  
      

 

 

 

Mongolia – 0.2%

      

Mongolia Government International Bond
5.125%, 12/05/22(a)

      2,426        2,366,320  
      

 

 

 

Nigeria – 0.1%

      

Nigeria Government International Bond
6.50%, 11/28/27(a)

      388        393,820  

7.875%, 2/16/32(a)

      489        531,788  
      

 

 

 
         925,608  
      

 

 

 

Pakistan – 0.1%

      

Pakistan Government International Bond
7.25%, 4/15/19(a)

      1,498        1,525,713  
      

 

 

 

Senegal – 0.1%

      

Senegal Government International Bond
6.25%, 5/23/33(a)

      593        584,846  

8.75%, 5/13/21(a)

      310        348,750  
      

 

 

 
         933,596  
      

 

 

 

 

42    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Serbia – 0.0%

      

Serbia International Bond
6.75%, 11/01/24(a)

    U.S.$       177      $ 178,154  
      

 

 

 

Sri Lanka – 0.2%

      

Sri Lanka Government International Bond
6.00%, 1/14/19(a)

      799        812,902  

6.125%, 6/03/25(a)

      350        348,747  

6.20%, 5/11/27(a)

      685        673,869  
      

 

 

 
         1,835,518  
      

 

 

 

Turkey – 0.8%

      

Turkey Government International Bond
4.875%, 10/09/26-4/16/43

      4,986        4,348,678  

5.625%, 3/30/21

      2,600        2,691,000  

6.00%, 3/25/27

      2,182        2,217,457  
      

 

 

 
         9,257,135  
      

 

 

 

Ukraine – 0.5%

      

Ukraine Government International Bond
7.75%, 9/01/22-9/01/24(a)

      5,627        5,832,559  
      

 

 

 

Venezuela – 0.2%

      

Venezuela Government International Bond
9.25%, 9/15/27(g)(i)

      7,978        2,572,905  

9.25%, 5/07/28(a)(g)(i)

      300        88,500  
      

 

 

 
         2,661,405  
      

 

 

 

Zambia – 0.3%

      

Zambia Government International Bond
8.50%, 4/14/24(a)(b)

      1,846        1,933,685  

8.97%, 7/30/27(a)

      1,190        1,256,937  
      

 

 

 
         3,190,622  
      

 

 

 

Total Emerging Markets – Sovereigns
(cost $80,638,287)

         81,543,141  
      

 

 

 
      

CORPORATES – INVESTMENT GRADE – 6.1%

      

Industrial – 3.2%

      

Basic – 0.9%

      

Anglo American Capital PLC
4.125%, 4/15/21(a)

      200        202,882  

4.75%, 4/10/27(a)

      637        644,386  

Braskem Finance Ltd.
6.45%, 2/03/24

      1,972        2,142,578  

FMG Resources (August 2006) Pty Ltd.
9.75%, 3/01/22(a)

      510        562,370  

Fresnillo PLC
5.50%, 11/13/23(a)

      306        322,830  

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    43


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

    

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Georgia-Pacific LLC
8.875%, 5/15/31

    U.S.$       1      $ 1,511  

Glencore Finance Canada Ltd.
6.00%, 11/15/41(a)

      272        302,513  

Glencore Funding LLC
4.625%, 4/29/24(a)

      341        349,149  

Minsur SA
6.25%, 2/07/24(a)

      891        954,487  

Southern Copper Corp.
7.50%, 7/27/35

      3,300        4,257,000  

WestRock MWV LLC
7.95%, 2/15/31

      1,000        1,367,603  
      

 

 

 
         11,107,309  
      

 

 

 

Capital Goods – 0.3%

      

General Electric Co.
Series D
5.00%, 1/21/21(m)

      1,681        1,664,109  

Lafarge SA
7.125%, 7/15/36

      800        1,013,426  

Masco Corp.
5.95%, 3/15/22

      308        334,406  
      

 

 

 
         3,011,941  
      

 

 

 

Communications - Media – 0.1%

      

Charter Communications Operating LLC/Charter Communications Operating Capital
4.908%, 7/23/25

      1,195        1,218,820  

Cox Communications, Inc.
4.50%, 6/30/43(a)

      135        121,944  

4.70%, 12/15/42(a)

      259        243,195  
      

 

 

 
         1,583,959  
      

 

 

 

Communications - Telecommunications – 0.5%

      

AT&T, Inc.
5.15%, 2/14/50

      906        914,151  

5.45%, 3/01/47

      2,128        2,262,751  

Sprint Spectrum Co. LLC/Sprint Spectrum Co. II LLC/Sprint Spectrum Co. III LLC
4.738%, 3/20/25(a)

      1,340        1,345,382  

5.152%, 3/20/28(a)

      1,340        1,346,617  
      

 

 

 
         5,868,901  
      

 

 

 

Consumer Cyclical - Automotive – 0.1%

      

General Motors Co.
5.20%, 4/01/45

      337        330,333  

5.40%, 4/01/48(b)

      431        432,649  

 

44    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

    

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

6.25%, 10/02/43

    U.S.$       116      $ 127,784  

6.75%, 4/01/46

      456        529,430  
      

 

 

 
         1,420,196  
      

 

 

 

Consumer Cyclical - Other – 0.1%

      

Owens Corning
7.00%, 12/01/36

      777        977,100  
      

 

 

 

Consumer Non-Cyclical – 0.2%

      

CVS Health Corp.
4.78%, 3/25/38

      2,140        2,169,151  
      

 

 

 

Energy – 0.5%

      

Cenovus Energy, Inc.
4.45%, 9/15/42

      822        731,570  

6.75%, 11/15/39

      67        77,339  

Ecopetrol SA
5.875%, 5/28/45

      1,271        1,254,731  

Energy Transfer Partners LP/Regency Energy Finance Corp.
4.50%, 11/01/23

      546        552,313  

Kinder Morgan, Inc./DE
Series G
7.75%, 1/15/32

      328        418,880  

7.80%, 8/01/31

      1,066        1,351,813  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.
4.75%, 9/15/44

      69        69,533  

Williams Partners LP
5.10%, 9/15/45

      876        890,855  
      

 

 

 
         5,347,034  
      

 

 

 

Services – 0.1%

      

Verisk Analytics, Inc.
5.50%, 6/15/45

      636        707,722  
      

 

 

 

Technology – 0.4%

      

Dell International LLC/EMC Corp.
6.02%, 6/15/26(a)

      1,318        1,418,649  

8.35%, 7/15/46(a)

      524        665,703  

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.
6.35%, 10/15/45

      215        229,597  

Seagate HDD Cayman
4.75%, 1/01/25

      1,948        1,897,749  

4.875%, 6/01/27

      1,082        1,023,259  
      

 

 

 
         5,234,957  
      

 

 

 

Transportation - Airlines – 0.0%

      

America West Airlines Pass-Through Trust
Series 1999-1G, Class G
7.93%, 1/02/19

      198        206,309  

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    45


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

    

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Northwest Airlines Pass-Through Trust
Series 2000-1, Class G
7.15%, 10/01/19(e)

    U.S.$       217      $ 224,393  
      

 

 

 
         430,702  
      

 

 

 
         37,858,972  
      

 

 

 

Financial Institutions – 2.9%

      

Banking – 1.3%

      

ABN AMRO Bank NV
Series E
6.25%, 4/27/22(a)

      292        318,454  

BNP Paribas SA
7.625%, 3/30/21(a)(m)

      833        894,557  

BPCE SA
5.70%, 10/22/23(a)

      208        222,924  

Citigroup, Inc.
4.40%, 6/10/25

      105        106,818  

Danske Bank A/S
Series E
5.875%, 4/06/22(a)

    EUR       1,096        1,507,308  

DNB Bank ASA
6.50%, 3/26/22(a)(m)

    U.S.$       1,555        1,618,503  

HSBC Holdings PLC
4.75%, 7/04/29(a)(m)

    EUR       874        1,119,774  

6.00%, 9/29/23(a)(m)

      1,872        2,643,154  

ICICI Bank Ltd./Dubai
4.80%, 5/22/19(a)

    U.S.$       1,337        1,359,519  

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA
2.75%, 3/20/20(a)

    EUR       482        624,400  

4.00%, 5/20/19(a)

    U.S.$       470        604,872  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Series V
5.00%, 7/01/19(m)

      210        212,314  

Nationwide Building Society
4.302%, 3/08/29(a)

      1,500        1,492,786  

Regions Bank/Birmingham AL
6.45%, 6/26/37

      1,500        1,815,978  

Santander Holdings USA, Inc.
4.40%, 7/13/27

      1,090        1,079,404  
      

 

 

 
         15,620,765  
      

 

 

 

Brokerage – 0.1%

      

GFI Group, Inc.
8.375%, 7/19/18

      991        996,398  
      

 

 

 

Insurance – 1.3%

      

Allstate Corp. (The)
6.50%, 5/15/57

      1,657        1,948,099  

 

46    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

    

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

American International Group, Inc.
6.82%, 11/15/37

    U.S.$       1,425      $ 1,782,266  

Series A-9
5.75%, 4/01/48

      616        624,225  

Aon Corp.
8.205%, 1/01/27

      690        866,223  

Chubb Corp. (The)
3.972% (LIBOR 3 Month + 2.25%), 4/15/37

      2,529        2,525,745  

MetLife, Inc.
10.75%, 8/01/39

      2,350        3,710,706  

Prudential Financial, Inc.
5.625%, 6/15/43

      832        872,152  

5.875%, 9/15/42

      593        625,986  

Transatlantic Holdings, Inc.
8.00%, 11/30/39

      1,261        1,731,956  
      

 

 

 
         14,687,358  
      

 

 

 

REITS – 0.2%

      

EPR Properties
5.75%, 8/15/22

      915        978,026  

Senior Housing Properties Trust
6.75%, 12/15/21

      1,350        1,468,093  

Spirit Realty LP
4.45%, 9/15/26

      193        186,812  
      

 

 

 
         2,632,931  
      

 

 

 
         33,937,452  
      

 

 

 

Total Corporates – Investment Grade
(cost $62,606,028)

         71,796,424  
      

 

 

 
      

EMERGING MARKETS – CORPORATE BONDS – 4.8%

      

Industrial – 4.2%

      

Basic – 0.9%

      

Consolidated Energy Finance SA
6.75%, 10/15/19(a)

      828        838,764  

6.875%, 6/15/25(a)

      949        995,346  

Elementia SAB de CV
5.50%, 1/15/25(a)

      469        473,104  

First Quantum Minerals Ltd.
6.875%, 3/01/26(a)

      1,077        1,022,088  

7.00%, 2/15/21(a)

      199        199,578  

7.25%, 5/15/22-4/01/23(a)

      2,444        2,433,635  

7.50%, 4/01/25(a)

      553        543,854  

Stillwater Mining Co.
6.125%, 6/27/22(a)

      1,380        1,380,861  

7.125%, 6/27/25(a)

      964        976,360  

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    47


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

    

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Vedanta Resources PLC
6.375%, 7/30/22(a)

    U.S.$       2,182      $ 2,222,913  
      

 

 

 
         11,086,503  
      

 

 

 

Capital Goods – 0.3%

      

CIMPOR Financial Operations BV
5.75%, 7/17/24(a)

      1,491        1,421,669  

Odebrecht Finance Ltd.
4.375%, 4/25/25(a)

      349        109,935  

5.25%, 6/27/29(a)

      1,070        331,700  

7.125%, 6/26/42(a)

      2,665        866,125  

8.25%, 4/25/18(a)

    BRL       1,332        334,871  
      

 

 

 
         3,064,300  
      

 

 

 

Communications - Telecommunications – 0.5%

      

Comunicaciones Celulares SA Via Comcel Trust
6.875%, 2/06/24(a)

    U.S.$       986        1,029,137  

Digicel Group Ltd.
7.125%, 4/01/22(a)

      448        353,468  

8.25%, 9/30/20(a)

      587        503,352  

Digicel Ltd.
6.00%, 4/15/21(a)

      1,356        1,272,945  

6.75%, 3/01/23(a)

      1,095        985,369  

Millicom International Cellular SA
5.125%, 1/15/28(a)

      479        456,697  

MTN Mauritius Investment Ltd.
6.50%, 10/13/26(a)

      780        827,775  
      

 

 

 
         5,428,743  
      

 

 

 

Consumer Cyclical - Other – 0.2%

      

Servicios Corporativos Javer SAB de CV
9.875%, 4/06/21(a)

      491        499,282  

Studio City Co., Ltd.
5.875%, 11/30/19(a)

      737        751,740  

Wynn Macau Ltd.
4.875%, 10/01/24(a)

      286        279,052  

5.50%, 10/01/27(a)

      547        533,649  
      

 

 

 
         2,063,723  
      

 

 

 

Consumer Cyclical - Retailers – 0.1%

      

K2016470219 (South Africa) Ltd.
3.00%, 12/31/22(c)(f)(h)

      962        37,525  

K2016470260 (South Africa) Ltd.
25.00%, 12/31/22(c)(f)(h)

      267        104,168  

Prime Bloom Holdings Ltd.
7.50%, 12/19/19(a)

      560        557,778  
      

 

 

 
         699,471  
      

 

 

 

 

48    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

    

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Consumer Non-Cyclical – 0.9%

      

BRF GmbH
4.35%, 9/29/26(a)

    U.S.$       952      $ 824,281  

Central American Bottling Corp.
5.75%, 1/31/27(a)

      928        950,040  

Cosan Ltd.
5.95%, 9/20/24(a)

      430        436,244  

MARB BondCo PLC
6.875%, 1/19/25(a)

      1,430        1,300,635  

Marfrig Holdings Europe BV
8.00%, 6/08/23(a)

      1,220        1,223,050  

Minerva Luxembourg SA
6.50%, 9/20/26(a)

      1,448        1,382,840  

Natura Cosmeticos SA
5.375%, 2/01/23(a)

      817        815,100  

Rede D’or Finance SARL
4.95%, 1/17/28(a)

      576        546,760  

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Netherlands II BV
1.25%, 3/31/23(a)

    EUR       247        275,079  

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Netherlands III BV
2.80%, 7/21/23

    U.S.$       375        318,750  

3.15%, 10/01/26

      1,123        899,804  

6.00%, 4/15/24(a)

      315        305,616  

6.75%, 3/01/28(a)

      315        311,125  

Tonon Luxembourg SA
7.25%, 1/24/20(c)(f)(g)(h)(i)(q)

      1,626        79,700  

USJ Acucar e Alcool SA
9.875% (9.875% Cash or 12.00% PIK),
11/09/21(a)(f)

      570        497,542  

Virgolino de Oliveira Finance SA
10.50%, 1/28/18(c)(h)(i)(r)

      4,090        260,611  

10.875%, 1/13/20(g)(h)(i)

      480        131,999  

11.75%, 2/09/22(g)(h)(i)

      1,620        99,225  
      

 

 

 
         10,658,401  
      

 

 

 

Energy – 1.0%

      

Azure Power Energy Ltd.
5.50%, 11/03/22(a)

      788        770,270  

CHC Group LLC/CHC Finance Ltd.
Series AI
Zero Coupon, 10/01/20(j)

      2,948        3,788,451  

Medco Platinum Road Pte Ltd.
6.75%, 1/30/25(a)

      860        825,600  

Petrobras Global Finance BV
6.125%, 1/17/22

      97        103,378  

6.25%, 3/17/24

      4,558        4,810,969  

6.85%, 6/05/15

      307        290,575  

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    49


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

    

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

YPF SA
6.95%, 7/21/27(a)

    U.S.$       902      $ 905,698  

16.50%, 5/09/22(a)

    ARS       17,395        809,875  
      

 

 

 
         12,304,816  
      

 

 

 

Other Industrial – 0.0%

      

Noble Group Ltd.
6.75%, 1/29/20(a)(g)(i)

    U.S.$       1,219        540,017  
      

 

 

 

Technology – 0.1%

      

IHS Netherlands Holdco BV
9.50%, 10/27/21(a)

      600        627,000  
      

 

 

 

Transportation - Airlines – 0.0%

      

Guanay Finance Ltd.
6.00%, 12/15/20(a)

      396        404,157  
      

 

 

 

Transportation - Services – 0.2%

      

Rumo Luxembourg SARL
7.375%, 2/09/24(a)

      1,678        1,795,796  
      

 

 

 
         48,672,927  
      

 

 

 
      

Financial Institutions – 0.5%

      

Banking – 0.4%

      

Akbank Turk AS
7.20%, 3/16/27(a)

      695        707,162  

Banco do Brasil SA/Cayman
9.00%, 6/18/24(a)

      1,763        1,887,045  

Itau Unibanco Holding SA/Cayman Island
6.125%, 12/12/22(a)(m)

      557        545,164  

Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi TAO
5.50%, 10/27/21(a)

      807        799,939  

5.75%, 1/30/23(a)

      1,146        1,114,485  
      

 

 

 
         5,053,795  
      

 

 

 

Finance – 0.1%

      

Unifin Financiera SAB de CV SOFOM ENR
7.00%, 1/15/25(a)

      575        562,781  
      

 

 

 

Insurance – 0.0%

      

Ambac LSNI LLC
6.811% (LIBOR 3 Month + 5.00%),
2/12/23(a)(c)(l)

      70        71,202  
      

 

 

 
         5,687,778  
      

 

 

 
      

Utility – 0.1%

      

Electric – 0.1%

      

Genneia SA
8.75%, 1/20/22(a)

      753        809,204  

 

50    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Pampa Energia SA
7.50%, 1/24/27(a)

    U.S.$       503      $ 519,347  

Terraform Global Operating LLC
6.125%, 3/01/26(a)

      292        294,136  
      

 

 

 
         1,622,687  
      

 

 

 

Total Emerging Markets – Corporate Bonds
(cost $61,505,122)

         55,983,392  
      

 

 

 
      

BANK LOANS – 2.8%

      

Industrial – 2.7%

      

Basic – 0.1%

      

Foresight Energy LLC
7.627% (LIBOR 1 Month + 5.75%),
3/28/22(s)

      535        525,132  

Unifrax I LLC
5.802% (LIBOR 3 Month + 3.50%),
4/04/24(s)

      458        461,981  
      

 

 

 
         987,113  
      

 

 

 

Capital Goods – 0.5%

      

Accudyne Industries Borrower S.C.A./Accudyne Industries, LLC (fka Silver II US Holdings, LLC)
5.127% (LIBOR 1 Month + 3.25%),
8/18/24(s)

      753        757,164  

Apex Tool Group, LLC
5.398% (LIBOR 1 Month + 3.75%),
2/01/22(s)

      2,379        2,373,041  

Avolon TLB Borrower 1 (US) LLC
4.072% (LIBOR 1 Month + 2.25%),
3/21/22(s)

      1,027        1,026,935  

Gardner Denver, Inc.
5.052% (LIBOR 3 Month + 2.75%),
7/30/24(s)

      978        982,608  

GFL Environmental Inc.
5.052% (LIBOR 3 Month + 2.75%),
9/29/23(s)

      325        325,715  

HD Supply Waterworks, LTD.
5.01% (LIBOR 3 Month + 3.00%),
8/01/24(c)(s)

      94        94,126  

5.21% (LIBOR 6 Month + 3.00%),
8/01/24(c)(s)

      107        107,739  

Transdigm Inc.
4.63% (LIBOR 1 Month + 2.75%),
6/09/23(s)

      236        236,242  

5.05% (LIBOR 3 Month + 2.75%),
6/09/23(s)

      123        123,717  

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    51


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Welbilt, Inc. (fka Manitowoc Foodservice, Inc.)
4.629% (LIBOR 1 Month + 2.75%),
3/03/23(s)

    U.S.$       115      $ 116,017  
      

 

 

 
         6,143,304  
      

 

 

 

Communications - Telecommunications – 0.1%

      

Intelsat Jackson Holdings S.A.
6.46% (LIBOR 3 Month + 4.50%),
1/02/24(s)

      69        70,518  

6.63%, 1/02/24

      115        116,625  

West Corporation
5.877% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.00%),
10/10/24(s)

      1,130        1,139,646  
      

 

 

 
         1,326,789  
      

 

 

 

Consumer Cyclical - Automotive – 0.0%

      

Navistar, Inc.
5.21% (LIBOR 1 Month + 3.50%),
11/06/24(s)

      355        356,407  
      

 

 

 

Consumer Cyclical - Entertainment – 0.1%

      

Seaworld Parks & Entertainment, Inc.
(fka SW Acquisitions Co., Inc.)
5.302% (LIBOR 3 Month + 3.00%),
4/01/24(s)

      979        974,130  
      

 

 

 

Consumer Cyclical - Other – 0.3%

      

Caesars Resort Collection, LLC
(fka Caesars Growth Properties Holdings, LLC)
4.627% (LIBOR 1 Month + 2.75%),
12/23/24(s)

      1,427        1,435,588  

La Quinta Intermediate Holdings L.L.C.
4.47% (LIBOR 3 Month + 2.75%),
4/14/21(s)

      1,675        1,676,896  

Scientific Games International, Inc.
4.63% (LIBOR 1 Month + 2.75%),
8/14/24(s)

      169        170,022  

4.74% (LIBOR 2 Month + 2.75%),
8/14/24(s)

      715        717,189  
      

 

 

 
         3,999,695  
      

 

 

 

 

52    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Consumer Cyclical - Restaurants – 0.0%

      

IRB Holding Corp. (aka Arby’s/Buffalo Wild Wings)
4.936% (LIBOR 1 Month + 3.25%),
2/05/25(s)

    U.S.$       252      $ 254,300  
      

 

 

 

Consumer Cyclical - Retailers – 0.3%

      

JC Penney Corp., Inc.
6.234% (LIBOR 3 Month + 4.25%),
6/23/23(s)

      1,079        1,054,553  

Michaels Stores, Inc.
4.49% (LIBOR 1 Month + 2.75%),
1/30/23(s)

      130        130,958  

4.58% (LIBOR 1 Month + 2.75%),
4/20/18(s)

      22        22,579  

4.63% (LIBOR 1 Month + 2.75%),
1/30/23(s)

      349        350,505  

Neiman Marcus Group LTD LLC
4.941%, 10/25/20(s)

      241        207,674  

Serta Simmons Bedding, LLC
9.711% (LIBOR 1 Month + 8.00%),
11/08/24(s)

      2,195        1,740,523  
      

 

 

 
         3,506,792  
      

 

 

 

Consumer Non-Cyclical – 0.7%

      

Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc.
4.38% (LIBOR 1 Month + 2.50%),
2/11/22(s)

      89        90,203  

4.38% (LIBOR 1 Month + 2.50%),
2/16/23(s)

      467        471,115  

Air Medical Group Holdings, Inc.
4.94% (LIBOR 1 Month + 3.25%),
4/28/22(s)

      1,222        1,226,421  

6.01% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.25%),
3/14/25(s)

      933        940,730  

Alphabet Holding Company, Inc.
(fka Nature’s Bounty)
9.627% (LIBOR 1 Month + 7.75%),
9/26/25(s)

      2,066        1,887,697  

Arbor Pharmaceuticals, LLC
6.994% (LIBOR 2 Month + 5.00%),
7/05/23(c)(s)

      1,213        1,229,425  

Avantor, Inc.
5.877% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.00%),
11/21/24(s)

      870        878,494  

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    53


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Mallinckrodt International Finance S.A.
5.203% (LIBOR 6 Month + 2.75%),
9/24/24(s)

    U.S.$       1,007      $ 1,002,040  

Vizient, Inc.
4.627% (LIBOR 1 Month + 2.75%),
2/13/23(c)(s)

      158        159,338  
      

 

 

 
         7,885,463  
      

 

 

 

Energy – 0.3%

      

California Resources Corporation
12.229% (LIBOR 1 Month + 10.38%),
12/31/21(s)

      2,088        2,355,955  

Chesapeake Energy Corporation
9.444% (LIBOR 3 Month + 7.50%),
8/23/21(s)

      621        658,674  
      

 

 

 
         3,014,629  
      

 

 

 

Services – 0.1%

      

Travelport Finance (Luxembourg) SARL
4.401% (LIBOR 2 Month + 2.50%),
3/17/25(s)

      901        903,064  
      

 

 

 

Technology – 0.2%

      

Conduent Incorporated
4.877% (LIBOR 1 Month + 3.00%),
12/07/23(s)

      226        227,173  

Solera, LLC (Solera Finance, Inc.)
4.627% (LIBOR 1 Month + 2.75%),
3/03/23(s)

      2,582        2,586,690  
      

 

 

 
         2,813,863  
      

 

 

 
         32,165,549  
      

 

 

 

Financial Institutions – 0.1%

      

Insurance – 0.1%

      

Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc.
4.627% (LIBOR 1 Month + 2.75%),
3/01/21(s)

      1,034        1,032,232  
      

 

 

 

Total Bank Loans
(cost $33,121,692)

         33,197,781  
      

 

 

 
      

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES – 2.2%

      

Non-Agency Fixed Rate CMBS – 2.1%

      

225 Liberty Street Trust
Series 2016-225L, Class E
4.649%, 2/10/36(a)(c)

      974        943,341  

 

54    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

        Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2013-GC11, Class XA
1.519%, 4/10/46

  U.S.$     1,581      $ 84,270  

Series 2013-GC17, Class D
5.103%, 11/10/46(a)(c)

      902        850,533  

Series 2014-GC23, Class D
4.515%, 7/10/47(a)(c)

      856        752,865  

Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2012-CR1, Class XA
1.876%, 5/15/45

      1,819        113,749  

Series 2012-CR3, Class XA
1.883%, 10/15/45

      8,014        557,513  

Series 2012-CR5, Class XA
1.557%, 12/10/45

      1,916        113,191  

Series 2012-LC4, Class XA
2.212%, 12/10/44(a)(t)

      5,259        322,807  

Series 2013-LC6, Class D
4.304%, 1/10/46(a)(c)

      3,916        3,583,654  

Series 2014-CR15, Class XA
1.196%, 2/10/47

      2,370        84,950  

Series 2014-CR20, Class XA
1.151%, 11/10/47

      11,315        584,447  

Series 2014-LC15, Class D
4.944%, 4/10/47(a)(c)

      1,500        1,289,254  

CSAIL Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2015-C2, Class D
4.209%, 6/15/57(c)

      2,721        2,196,476  

GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II
Series 2013-GC10, Class XA
1.549%, 2/10/46

      913        52,928  

GS Mortgage Securities Trust
Series 2012-GC6, Class D
5.653%, 1/10/45(a)(c)

      1,765        1,685,849  

Series 2012-GCJ9, Class D
4.746%, 11/10/45(a)(c)

      700        670,028  

JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust
Series 2015-C32, Class C
4.668%, 11/15/48(c)

      825        818,420  

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust
Series 2012-C6, Class XA
1.633%, 11/15/45(a)(t)

      7,453        432,434  

UBS-Barclays Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2012-C4, Class XA
1.654%, 12/10/45(a)(t)

      853        50,951  

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    55


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2011-C4, Class D
5.24%, 6/15/44(a)(c)

    U.S.$       1,022      $ 992,365  

Series 2012-C6, Class D
5.581%, 4/15/45(a)(c)

      2,450        2,385,950  

Series 2012-C7, Class XA
1.434%, 6/15/45(a)(t)

      1,414        64,831  

Series 2012-C8, Class E
4.894%, 8/15/45(a)(c)

      3,766        3,593,997  

Series 2012-C10, Class XA
1.58%, 12/15/45(a)(t)

      3,351        199,349  

Series 2014-C25, Class D
3.803%, 11/15/47(a)(c)

      1,807        1,461,707  
      

 

 

 
         23,885,859  
      

 

 

 

Non-Agency Floating Rate CMBS – 0.1%

      

BBCMS Mortgage Trust
Series 2017-GLKS, Class F
5.477% (LIBOR 1 Month + 3.70%),
11/15/34(a)(c)(l)

      700        698,393  

CLNS Trust
Series 2017-IKPR, Class F
6.24% (LIBOR 1 Month + 4.50%),
6/11/32(a)(c)(l)

      956        957,722  
      

 

 

 
         1,656,115  
      

 

 

 

Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
(cost $26,246,253)

         25,541,974  
      

 

 

 
          Shares         

COMMON STOCKS – 1.9%

      

Energy – 0.6%

      

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 0.6%

      

Berry Petroleum Corp.(c)(e)(i)

      94,303        848,727  

CHC Group LLC(i)(j)

      51,655        387,413  

Chesapeake Energy Corp.

      24,149        72,930  

Golden Energy Offshore Service(c)(e)(i)

      916,212        525,967  

Linn Energy, Inc.(i)

      1,450        55,738  

Oasis Petroleum, Inc.(i)

      14,457        117,102  

Peabody Energy Corp.

      41,218        1,504,457  

Paragon Offshore Ltd. – Trust A(c)(e)(i)

      11,814        12,606  

Paragon Offshore Ltd. – Trust B(c)(e)(i)

      17,721        522,769  

SandRidge Energy, Inc.(i)

      23,922        347,108  

Tervita Corp.(c)(e)(i)

      29,729        222,099  

Vantage Drilling International(c)(e)(i)

      6,103        1,281,630  

Whiting Petroleum Corp.(i)

      20,408        690,607  
      

 

 

 
         6,589,153  
      

 

 

 

 

56    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

Company        

    

    

Shares

     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Financials – 0.6%

      

Diversified Financial Services – 0.1%

      

iPayment, Inc.(c)(d)(e)(i)

      2,339,631      $ 1,637,741  
      

 

 

 

Insurance – 0.3%

      

Mt. Logan Re Ltd. (Preference Shares)(c)(i)(j)

      2,953        2,972,158  
      

 

 

 

Real Estate – 0.2%

      

Calibrate Real Estate Limited(c)(d)(e)(i)

      7,364        2,324,105  
      

 

 

 
         6,934,004  
      

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary – 0.3%

      

Auto Components – 0.0%

      

Exide Technologies(c)(d)(i)(j)

      74,438        293,092  
      

 

 

 

Automobiles – 0.0%

      

Liberty Tire Recycling LLC(c)(d)(e)(i)

      7,822        314,453  
      

 

 

 

Diversified Consumer Services – 0.2%

      

Laureate Education, Inc. – Class A(i)

      121,664        1,672,880  
      

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 0.0%

      

Caesars Entertainment Corp.(i)

      25,004        281,295  
      

 

 

 

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail – 0.1%

      

Travelport Worldwide Ltd.

      25,480        416,343  
      

 

 

 

Multiline Retail – 0.0%

      

K201640219 (South Africa) Ltd. A Shares(c)(d)(e)(i)

      12,695,187        13  

K201640219 (South Africa) Ltd. B Shares(c)(d)(e)(i)

      2,009,762        2  
      

 

 

 
         15  
      

 

 

 
         2,978,078  
      

 

 

 

Information Technology – 0.2%

      

Internet Software & Services – 0.2%

      

Avaya Holdings Corp.(i)

      96,632        2,164,557  
      

 

 

 

IT Services – 0.0%

      

Goodman Networks, Inc.(c)(d)(e)(i)

      41,792        – 0  – 
      

 

 

 
         2,164,557  
      

 

 

 

Industrials – 0.1%

      

Building Products – 0.0%

      

New Cotai LLC/New Cotai Capital Corp.(c)(d)(e)(i)

      3        97,302  
      

 

 

 

Machinery – 0.1%

      

Modular Space Corp.(c)(h)(i)

      89,110        1,522,266  
      

 

 

 
         1,619,568  
      

 

 

 

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    57


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

Company        

    

    

Shares

     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Materials – 0.1%

      

Metals & Mining – 0.1%

      

BIS Industries Holdings Ltd.(c)(d)(e)(i)

      838,296      $ 75,447  

Constellium NV – Class A(i)

      92,259        1,001,010  

Neenah Enterprises, Inc.(c)(d)(e)(i)

      58,200        359,676  
      

 

 

 
         1,436,133  
      

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(cost $24,715,800)

         21,721,493  
      

 

 

 
          Principal
Amount
(000)
        

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES – 1.4%

      

Other ABS - Fixed Rate – 0.9%

      

Atlas Ltd.
Series 2014-1
6.875%, 12/15/39(c)(d)(e)

    U.S.$       952        952,009  

ClubCorp Club Operations, Inc.
Series 2018-4, Class PT
Zero Coupon, 5/15/43(d)(h)

      966        971,959  

Consumer Loan Underlying Bond Credit Trust
Series 2018-3, Class PT
Zero Coupon, 3/16/43(c)(d)(h)

      350        352,023  

SoFi Consumer Loan Program LLC
Series 2016-1, Class R
Zero Coupon, 8/25/25(c)(d)(h)

      3,333        946,552  

Series 2017-2, Class R
Zero Coupon, 2/25/26(c)(h)

      12        747,180  

Series 2017-3, Class R
Zero Coupon, 5/25/26(c)(h)

      10        1,023,258  

Series 2017-4, Class R1
Zero Coupon, 5/26/26(c)(h)

      10        1,021,821  

Series 2017-5, Class R1
Zero Coupon, 9/25/26(c)(d)(h)

      12        1,248,900  

Series 2017-6, Class R1
Zero Coupon, 11/25/26(c)(h)

      13        1,426,316  

SoFi Consumer Loan Program Trust
Series 2018-1, Class R1
Zero Coupon, 2/25/27(a)(c)

      16        1,569,021  

Taco Bell Funding LLC
Series 2016-1A, Class A23
4.97%, 5/25/46(a)(c)

      791        823,923  
      

 

 

 
         11,082,962  
      

 

 

 

 

58    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Home Equity Loans - Fixed Rate – 0.4%

      

CSAB Mortgage-Backed Trust
Series 2006-2, Class A6A
5.72%, 9/25/36(c)

    U.S.$       760      $ 449,865  

CWABS Asset-Backed Certificates Trust
Series 2005-7, Class AF5W
5.054%, 10/25/35(c)

      895        887,965  

GSAA Home Equity Trust
Series 2005-12, Class AF5
5.659%, 9/25/35(c)

      1,260        1,047,094  

Series 2006-6, Class AF4
6.121%, 3/25/36(c)

      1,633        831,219  

Series 2006-6, Class AF5
6.241%, 3/25/36(c)

      605        307,923  

Series 2006-10, Class AF3
5.985%, 6/25/36(c)

      1,182        588,160  

Lehman XS Trust
Series 2006-17, Class WF32
5.124%, 11/25/36(c)

      139        139,351  
      

 

 

 
         4,251,577  
      

 

 

 

Autos - Fixed Rate – 0.1%

      

Exeter Automobile Receivables Trust
Series 2016-1A, Class D
8.20%, 2/15/23(a)

      720        762,480  
      

 

 

 

Home Equity Loans - Floating Rate – 0.0%

      

Lehman XS Trust
Series 2007-6, Class 3A5
4.864%, 5/25/37(c)(u)

      210        208,311  
      

 

 

 

Total Asset-Backed Securities
(cost $17,358,294)

         16,305,330  
      

 

 

 
          Shares         

PREFERRED STOCKS – 1.2%

      

Industrial – 1.0%

      

Capital Goods – 0.8%

      

General Electric Co.
4.70%

      2,000        49,300  

Tervita Corp.
0.00%(c)(e)(i)

      1,140,842        8,522,998  
      

 

 

 
         8,572,298  
      

 

 

 

Energy – 0.1%

      

Berry Petroleum Co. LLC
0.00%(c)(e)(i)

      81,944        860,412  
      

 

 

 

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    59


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

Company        

    

Shares

     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Services – 0.1%

      

iPayment, Inc.
0.00%(c)(d)(e)(i)

    U.S.$       14,983      $ 1,498,286  
      

 

 

 

Technology – 0.0%

      

Goodman Networks, Inc.
0.00%(c)(d)(e)(i)

      49,723        198,892  
      

 

 

 
         11,129,888  
      

 

 

 

Financial Institutions – 0.2%

      

Banking – 0.1%

      

GMAC Capital Trust I
Series 2
7.624%

      16,325        424,124  
      

 

 

 

Insurance – 0.1%

      

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)
7.875%

      45,050        1,322,217  
      

 

 

 

REITS – 0.0%

      

Hersha Hospitality Trust Series C
6.875%(m)

      15,950        389,180  
      

 

 

 
         2,135,521  
      

 

 

 

Utility – 0.0%

      

Electric – 0.0%

      

SCE Trust III
Series H
5.75%(m)

      11,025        292,934  
      

 

 

 
         292,934  
      

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks
(cost $10,954,596)

         13,558,343  
      

 

 

 
          Principal
Amount
(000)
        

INFLATION-LINKED SECURITIES – 0.7%

      

Brazil – 0.4%

      

Brazil Notas do Tesouro Nacional
Series B
6.00%, 5/15/45-8/15/50

    BRL       4,892        5,070,242  
      

 

 

 

Colombia – 0.3%

      

Fideicomiso PA Concesion Ruta al Mar
6.75%, 2/15/44(a)

    COP       1,437,090        510,480  

 

60    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

Fideicomiso PA Costera
6.25%, 1/15/34(a)

    COP       1,230,800      $ 451,356  

Fideicomiso PA Pacifico Tres
7.00%, 1/15/35(c)(h)

      6,642,880        2,520,151  
      

 

 

 
         3,481,987  
      

 

 

 

Total Inflation-Linked Securities
(cost $7,188,637)

         8,552,229  
      

 

 

 
      

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS – REGIONAL BONDS – 0.6%

      

Argentina – 0.6%

      

Provincia de Buenos Aires/Argentina
5.75%, 6/15/19(a)

    U.S.$       1,010        1,027,675  

9.125%, 3/16/24(a)

      2,601        2,874,105  

25.361% (BADLAR + 3.83%), 5/31/22(l)

    ARS       26,500        1,338,430  

Provincia de Cordoba
7.125%, 6/10/21(a)

    U.S.$       754        792,642  

7.45%, 9/01/24(a)

      505        531,513  
      

 

 

 

Total Local Governments – Regional Bonds
(cost $6,251,036)

         6,564,365  
      

 

 

 
      

GOVERNMENTS – SOVEREIGN BONDS – 0.5%

      

Indonesia – 0.2%

      

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA
9.50%, 5/17/41(a)

    IDR       27,844,000        2,440,079  
      

 

 

 

United Arab Emirates – 0.3%

      

Emirate of Dubai Government International Bonds
7.75%, 10/05/20(a)

    U.S.$       3,310        3,665,825  
      

 

 

 

Total Governments – Sovereign Bonds
(cost $6,716,040)

         6,105,904  
      

 

 

 
      

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS – US MUNICIPAL BONDS – 0.5%

      

United States – 0.5%

      

State of California
Series 2010
7.60%, 11/01/40

      750        1,160,205  

7.95%, 3/01/36

      1,915        2,096,868  

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    61


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

State of Illinois
Series 2010
7.35%, 7/01/35

    U.S.$       1,915      $ 2,090,165  
      

 

 

 

Total Local Governments – US Municipal Bonds
(cost $4,599,240)

         5,347,238  
      

 

 

 
      

WHOLE LOAN TRUSTS – 0.2%

      

Performing Asset – 0.2%

      

Flexpath Wh I LLC
Series B
11.00%, 4/01/21(c)(d)(e)

      275        100,600  

Series B2
11.00%, 1/01/22(c)(d)(e)

      363        160,999  

Series B3
11.00%, 9/01/22(c)(d)(e)

      152        81,794  

Recife Funding
Zero Coupon, 11/05/29(c)(d)(e)

      1,811        1,197,360  

Sheridan Auto Loan Holdings I LLC
10.00%, 9/01/20-9/30/21(c)(d)(e)

      1,348        768,660  
      

 

 

 

Total Whole Loan Trusts
(cost $3,877,482)

         2,309,413  
      

 

 

 
      

COLLATERALIZED LOAN OBLIGATIONS – 0.2%

      

CLO - Floating Rate – 0.2%

      

Carlyle Global Market Strategies CLO Ltd.
Series 2016-1A, Class C
6.645% (LIBOR 3 Month + 4.90%),
4/20/27(a)(c)(l)

      300        300,522  

Dryden 49 Senior Loan Fund
Series 2017-49A, Class E
8.034% (LIBOR 3 Month + 6.30%),
7/18/30(a)(c)(l)

      417        421,270  

Dryden 57 CLO Ltd.
Series 2018-57A, Class E
7.09% (LIBOR 3 Month + 5.20%),
5/15/31(a)(c)(l)

      275        274,978  

OZLM VIII Ltd.
Series 2014-8A, Class D
6.681% (LIBOR 3 Month + 4.95%),
10/17/26(a)(c)(l)

      585        585,409  

 

62    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

OZLM XXII Ltd.
Series 2018-22A, Class D
7.015% (LIBOR 3 Month + 5.30%),
1/17/31(a)(c)(l)

    U.S.$       349      $ 345,382  
      

 

 

 

Total Collateralized Loan Obligations
(cost $1,846,929)

         1,927,561  
      

 

 

 
      

QUASI-SOVEREIGNS – 0.1%

      

Quasi-Sovereign Bonds – 0.1%

      

Chile – 0.0%

      

Empresa Nacional del Petroleo
3.75%, 8/05/26(a)

      296        284,530  
      

 

 

 

Indonesia – 0.1%

      

Majapahit Holding BV
7.875%, 6/29/37(a)

      699        900,256  
      

 

 

 

Total Quasi-Sovereigns
(cost $985,882)

         1,184,786  
      

 

 

 
          Shares         

WARRANTS – 0.0%

      

Avaya Holdings Corp.,
expiring 12/15/22(c)(i)

      53,489        225,991  

Encore Automotive Acceptance,
expiring 7/05/31(c)(d)(e)(i)

      8        – 0  – 

Flexpath Capital, Inc.,
expiring 4/15/31(d)(c)(e)(i)

      10,974        – 0  – 

iPayment Holdings, Inc.,
expiring 12/29/22(c)(d)(e)(i)

      586,389        1  

Liberty Tire Recycling LLC,
expiring 12/31/49(c)(d)(e)(i)

      391        – 0  – 

Midstates Petroleum Co., Inc.,
expiring 4/21/20(e)(i)

      39,269        7,854  

SandRidge Energy, Inc., A-CW22, expiring 10/03/22(i)

      46,951        7,042  

SandRidge Energy, Inc., B-CW22,
expiring 10/03/22(i)

      19,772        9,886  
      

 

 

 

Total Warrants
(cost $507,757)

         250,774  
      

 

 

 

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    63


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

         

Notional
Amount

     U.S. $ Value  

 

 

OPTIONS PURCHASED – PUTS – 0.0%

      

Options on Forward Contracts – 0.0%

      

MXN/USD
Expiration: Aug 2018; Contracts: 192,500,000; Exercise Price: MXN 17.50; Counterparty: Credit Suisse International(i)

    MXN       192,500,000      $ 91,273  

MXN/USD
Expiration: Jul 2018; Contracts: 95,087,300; Exercise Price: MXN 17.94;
Counterparty: Royal Bank of Scotland PLC(i)

    MXN       95,087,300        80,688  

SEK/EUR
Expiration: Jun 2018; Contracts: 129,101,250; Exercise Price: SEK 9.95;
Counterparty: Goldman Sachs Bank USA(i)

    SEK       129,101,250        30,939  

SEK/EUR
Expiration: Apr 2018; Contracts: 86,800,500; Exercise Price: SEK 9.64;
Counterparty: Deutsche Bank AG(i)

    SEK       86,800,500        499  

TRY/EUR
Expiration: May 2018; Contracts: 20,409,375; Exercise Price: TRY 4.66;
Counterparty: Deutsche Bank AG(i)
(cost $50,093)

    TRY       20,409,375        3,006  
      

 

 

 

Total Options Purchased – Puts
(premiums paid $455,981)

         206,405  
      

 

 

 
          Shares         

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 2.3%

      

Investment Companies – 1.4%

      

AB Fixed Income Shares, Inc. –
Government Money Market Portfolio –
Class AB, 1.41%(v)(w)(x)
(cost $16,318,398)

      16,318,398        16,318,398  
      

 

 

 
          Principal
Amount
(000)
        

Emerging Markets - Sovereigns – 0.5%

      

Citigroup Global Markets Holdings, Inc.
Series GSNP
Zero Coupon, 6/21/18

    EGP       65,915        3,601,104  

Zero Coupon, 10/04/18

      27,650        1,440,890  

 

64    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

          Principal
Amount
(000)
    U.S. $ Value  

 

 

HSBC Bank PLC
Zero Coupon, 8/02/18(a)

    EGP       20,725     $ 1,110,133  
     

 

 

 

Total Emerging Markets – Sovereigns
(cost $6,148,824)

        6,152,127  
     

 

 

 
     

Time Deposits – 0.0%

     

BBH, Grand Cayman
0.06%, 4/03/18

    HKD       0 **      12  

0.23%, 4/03/18

    GBP       41       57,687  

0.32%, 4/02/18

    SGD       15       11,453  

0.53%, 4/02/18

    CAD       0 **      1  

0.70%, 4/03/18

    NZD       0 **      126  

6.01%, 4/03/18

    ZAR       533       45,039  

Sumitomo, Tokyo
(0.58)%, 4/03/18

    EUR       107       131,625  
     

 

 

 

Total Time Deposits
(cost $246,829)

        245,943  
     

 

 

 
     

Governments – Treasuries – 0.2%

     

Egypt – 0.2%

     

Egypt Treasury Bills
Series 273D
Zero Coupon, 8/14/18-8/28/18

    U.S.$       38,875       2,053,261  

Series 364D
Zero Coupon, 8/07/18

      15,850       841,146  
     

 

 

 

Total Governments – Treasuries
(cost $2,916,709)

        2,894,407  
     

 

 

 
     

Corporates - Non-Investment
Grade – 0.2%

     

Lennar Corp.
8.375%, 5/15/18 (cost $2,374,206)

      2,362       2,378,206  
     

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $28,004,966)

        27,989,081  
     

 

 

 

Total Investments – 106.5%
(cost $1,231,792,569)

        1,245,010,647 (y) 

Other assets less liabilities – (6.5)%

        (75,849,923
     

 

 

 

Net Assets – 100.0%

      $ 1,169,160,724  
     

 

 

 

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    65


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

FUTURES (see Note C)

 

Description   Number of
Contracts
    Expiration
Month
    Notional
(000)
   

Original

Value

    Value at
March 31,
2018
    Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Purchased Contracts

 

Euro STOXX 50 Index Futures

    104       June 2018       EUR       1,040     $ 4,275,838     $ 4,207,609     $ (68,229

U.S. Long Bond (CBT) Futures

    35       June 2018       USD       35,000       5,009,203       5,131,875       122,672  

U.S. T-Note 10 Yr (CBT) Futures

    481       June 2018       USD       481,000           58,055,250           58,268,641       213,391  

U.S. T-Note 5 Yr (CBT) Futures

    619       June 2018       USD       619,000       70,643,500       70,851,320       207,820  

Sold Contracts

 

           

CBOE (VIX) Futures

    40       April 2018       USD       40,000       680,794       791,000           (110,206
             

 

 

 
          $ 365,448  
             

 

 

 

FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (see Note C)

 

Counterparty    Contracts to
Deliver
(000)
     In Exchange
For
(000)
    Settlement
Date
    Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.

   EUR      15,547      USD      19,140       4/20/18     $ (12,175

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.

   NZD      6,903      USD      4,990       6/07/18       2,525  

Bank of America, NA

   BRL      22,042      USD      6,749       4/03/18       73,169  

Bank of America, NA

   USD      6,631      BRL      22,042       4/03/18       44,893  

Bank of America, NA

   RUB      383,067      USD      6,722       4/17/18       47,626  

Bank of America, NA

   AUD      1,877      JPY      157,905       5/16/18       46,585  

Bank of America, NA

   MXN      101,982      USD      5,114       7/23/18           (399,154

Barclays Bank PLC

   USD      3,777      CHF      3,563       4/12/18       (46,939

Barclays Bank PLC

   USD      4,999      RUB      286,028       4/17/18       (15,506

Barclays Bank PLC

   USD      3,020      TRY      12,103       4/26/18       26,901  

Barclays Bank PLC

   NOK      8,909      EUR      920       5/07/18       (3,395

Barclays Bank PLC

   NOK      26,532      USD      3,459       5/25/18       68,629  

Barclays Bank PLC

   SEK      69,216      USD      8,319       5/25/18       (2,211

Barclays Bank PLC

   AUD      3,693      NZD      3,959       6/08/18       23,124  

BNP Paribas SA

   ARS      22,575      USD      1,162       4/05/18       42,280  

BNP Paribas SA

   USD      233      ARS      4,735       4/05/18       2,202  

BNP Paribas SA

   ARS      117,756      USD      5,938       4/09/18       107,733  

BNP Paribas SA

   USD      4,087      ARS      83,276       4/09/18       36,274  

BNP Paribas SA

   GBP      8,690      USD      12,369       4/13/18       171,504  

BNP Paribas SA

   GBP      8,580      USD      11,924       4/13/18       (118,719

BNP Paribas SA

   AUD      3,430      USD      2,636       6/07/18       999  

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

   USD      761      ZAR      9,255       4/13/18       19,176  

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

   TRY      35,704      USD      9,272       4/26/18       285,062  

 

66    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

Counterparty    Contracts to
Deliver
(000)
     In Exchange
For
(000)
    Settlement
Date
    Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

   USD     63      TRY     241       4/26/18     $ (2,009

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

   HKD     2,390      USD     306       5/17/18       1,245  

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

   USD     102      HKD     795       5/17/18       (478

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

   EUR     3      USD     3       5/30/18       5  

Citibank, NA

   SEK     105,555      EUR     10,966       4/03/18       851,718  

Citibank, NA

   CAD     7,839      USD     6,125       4/12/18       39,182  

Citibank, NA

   CHF     19,672      USD     20,373       4/12/18           (219,056

Citibank, NA

   COP     6,095,299      USD     2,153       4/19/18       (27,975

Citibank, NA

   USD     2,980      JPY     312,527       4/24/18       (39,461

Citibank, NA

   TRY     44,963      USD     11,681       4/26/18       363,476  

Citibank, NA

   USD     14,557      KRW     15,560,969       4/26/18       98,924  

Citibank, NA

   NOK     390      EUR     41       4/27/18       382  

Citibank, NA

   SEK     6,984      USD     839       5/25/18       (1,056

Citibank, NA

   TWD     366,199      USD     12,619       6/07/18       (46,809

Citibank, NA

   USD     15,213      TWD     439,374       6/07/18       (15,382

Citibank, NA

   USD     1,628      ARS     32,297       6/26/18       (95,655

Citibank, NA

   USD     1,123      ARS     22,433       6/27/18       (59,023

Citibank, NA

   USD     720      ARS     14,500       6/29/18       (32,628

Credit Suisse International

   EUR     10,966      SEK     105,556       4/03/18       (851,658

Credit Suisse International

   SEK     163,330      EUR     16,167       4/03/18       331,809  

Credit Suisse International

   EUR     970      TRY     4,538       4/04/18       (43,176

Credit Suisse International

   USD     1,148      TRY     4,432       4/05/18       (25,494

Credit Suisse International

   USD     1,129      TRY     4,370       4/10/18       (23,209

Credit Suisse International

   CAD     7,350      USD     5,973       4/12/18       267,322  

Credit Suisse International

   USD     7,302      CHF     6,785       4/12/18       (199,682

Credit Suisse International

   EUR     10,904      GBP     9,645       4/13/18       111,770  

Credit Suisse International

   EUR     975      SEK     9,572       4/16/18       (53,622

Credit Suisse International

   SEK     77,883      EUR     7,624       4/20/18       53,886  

Credit Suisse International

   TRY     23,627      USD     5,884       4/24/18       (66,919

Credit Suisse International

   USD     1,040      TRY     3,992       4/26/18       (35,420

Credit Suisse International

   EUR     1,861      NOK     17,843       4/27/18       (16,150

Credit Suisse International

   EUR     920      NOK     8,909       5/07/18       3,394  

Credit Suisse International

   AUD     3,273      CAD     3,219       5/09/18       (13,060

Credit Suisse International

   JPY     202,899      CAD     2,462       5/11/18       479  

Credit Suisse International

   JPY     157,905      AUD     1,877       5/16/18       (46,586

Credit Suisse International

   CAD     1,844      NOK     10,883       5/22/18       (42,521

Credit Suisse International

   EUR     2,569      SEK     26,396       5/30/18       (100

Credit Suisse International

   EUR     1,833      CAD     2,935       5/31/18       15,735  

Credit Suisse International

   AUD     15,150      CAD     15,048       6/07/18       56,449  

Credit Suisse International

   NZD     3,959      AUD     3,693       6/08/18       (23,303

Credit Suisse International

   EUR     887      TRY     4,293       6/12/18       (31,021

Credit Suisse International

   EUR     1,970      CNH     15,499       6/22/18       23,172  

Credit Suisse International

   USD     1,049      ZAR     12,622       7/05/18       3,345  

Credit Suisse International

   USD     1,252      MXN     23,321       7/23/18       8,299  

Credit Suisse International

   USD     2,597      MXN     48,604       8/02/18       26,193  

Credit Suisse International

   MXN     90,844      USD     4,796       8/06/18           (103,779

Credit Suisse International

   USD     4,796      MXN     90,844       8/06/18       103,782  

Credit Suisse International

   CHF     643      SGD     917       8/27/18       21,224  

 

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PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

Counterparty    Contracts to
Deliver
(000)
     In Exchange
For
(000)
    Settlement
Date
    Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Deutsche Bank AG

   TRY     4,538      EUR     970       4/04/18     $ 43,181  

Deutsche Bank AG

   ILS     84,986      USD     25,032       4/20/18       777,794  

Deutsche Bank AG

   SEK     45,199      EUR     4,608       4/20/18       256,989  

Deutsche Bank AG

   TRY     10,442      EUR     2,172       5/08/18       60,714  

Deutsche Bank AG

   NOK     10,843      CAD     1,794       5/14/18       8,555  

Deutsche Bank AG

   SEK     18,297      USD     2,237       5/25/18       37,717  

Deutsche Bank AG

   USD     15,469      EUR     12,443       5/30/18       (95,893

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

   TRY     4,432      USD     1,148       4/05/18       25,484  

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

   GBP     14,518      USD     20,476       4/13/18       98,439  

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

   USD     10,692      GBP     7,644       4/13/18       37,431  

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

   USD     6,192      EUR     5,029       4/20/18       3,431  

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

   USD     15,229      EUR     12,186       5/30/18       (173,352

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

   SEK     70,230      EUR     6,939       6/18/18       127,498  

HSBC Bank USA

   BRL     139,988      USD     43,086       4/03/18       683,851  

HSBC Bank USA

   USD     42,117      BRL     139,988       4/03/18       285,121  

HSBC Bank USA

   CAD     13,073      USD     10,530       4/12/18       381,189  

HSBC Bank USA

   USD     6,307      CAD     7,825       4/12/18       (231,455

HSBC Bank USA

   USD     19,262      SEK     153,405       4/20/18       (867,010

HSBC Bank USA

   JPY     2,146,420      USD     19,725       4/26/18       (475,867

HSBC Bank USA

   TRY     8,680      USD     2,258       4/26/18       72,640  

HSBC Bank USA

   USD     887      JPY     96,552       4/26/18       21,406  

HSBC Bank USA

   USD     11,181      KRW     11,936,375       4/26/18       60,608  

HSBC Bank USA

   USD     10,816      NOK     83,128       5/25/18           (193,974

HSBC Bank USA

   EUR     988      USD     1,219       5/30/18       (1,750

HSBC Bank USA

   TWD     167,671      USD     5,774       6/07/18       (25,306

HSBC Bank USA

   USD     1,184      AUD     1,530       6/07/18       (9,017

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

   TRY     4,370      USD     1,129       4/10/18       23,210  

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

   CAD     14,702      EUR     9,600       4/12/18       406,995  

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

   SEK     9,572      EUR     975       4/16/18       53,627  

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

   MXN     516,511      USD     27,443       4/20/18       (894,356

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

   USD     791      IDR     10,583,878       4/23/18       (20,972

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

   JPY     112,252      TRY     3,950       4/24/18       (61,429

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

   TRY     3,950      JPY     112,252       4/24/18       61,428  

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

   USD     14,477      JPY     1,569,010       4/26/18       290,418  

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

   USD     5,259      TRY     20,421       4/26/18       (118,809

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

   CAD     3,219      AUD     3,273       5/09/18       13,108  

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

   CAD     2,462      JPY     202,899       5/11/18       (477

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

   CAD     1,794      NOK     10,843       5/14/18       (8,564

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

   CAD     10,500      JPY     853,638       5/24/18       (108,559

 

68    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

Counterparty    Contracts to
Deliver
(000)
     In Exchange
For
(000)
    Settlement
Date
    Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

   SEK     86,600      USD     10,631       5/25/18     $ 219,904  

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

   EUR     57,548      USD     71,437       5/30/18       335,106  

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

   AUD     16,707      USD     12,927       6/07/18       93,769  

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

   JPY     342,977      NZD     4,408       6/07/18       (52,641

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

   TWD     324,407      USD     11,174       6/07/18       (46,945

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

   TRY     4,293      EUR     887       6/12/18       31,025  

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

   MXN     23,321      USD     1,252       7/23/18       (8,296

Morgan Stanley Capital Services, LLC

   USD     3,003      EUR     2,411       4/04/18       (36,327

Morgan Stanley Capital Services, LLC

   USD     6,081      CHF     5,654       4/12/18       (162,432

Morgan Stanley Capital Services, LLC

   USD     11,070      MXN     206,780       4/20/18       274,291  

Morgan Stanley Capital Services, LLC

   TRY     3,992      USD     1,040       4/26/18       35,432  

Morgan Stanley Capital Services, LLC

   NOK     17,452      EUR     1,820       4/27/18       15,813  

Morgan Stanley Capital Services, LLC

   CAD     2,935      EUR     1,833       5/31/18       (15,701

Morgan Stanley Capital Services, LLC

   USD     11,716      AUD     14,890       6/07/18       (278,590

Morgan Stanley Capital Services, LLC

   CNH     15,499      EUR     1,970       6/22/18       (23,184

Morgan Stanley Capital Services, LLC

   ZAR     12,622      USD     1,049       6/22/18       (3,340

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC

   USD     874      ARS     17,840       4/05/18       10,877  

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC

   ARS     54,409      USD     2,760       4/12/18       70,613  

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC

   USD     16,118      MXN     300,732       4/20/18       381,313  

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC

   NOK     10,883      CAD     1,844       5/22/18       42,514  

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC

   MXN     48,604      USD     2,597       8/02/18       (26,191

Standard Chartered Bank

   BRL     162,030      USD     48,748       4/03/18       (330,014

Standard Chartered Bank

   USD     49,145      BRL     162,030       4/03/18       (66,242

Standard Chartered Bank

   BRL     162,030      USD     49,008       5/03/18       48,127  

Standard Chartered Bank

   USD     17,653      INR     1,157,832       5/17/18       52,818  

UBS AG

   SGD     917      CHF     643       8/27/18       (21,207
             

 

 

 
  $     1,751,678  
             

 

 

 

CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPTIONS WRITTEN (see Note C)

 

Description   Counterparty     Buy/Sell
Protection
    Strike
Rate
    Expiration
Month
    Notional
Amount
(000)
    Premiums
Received
    Market
Value
 

Put

             

CDX-NAHY Series 29, 5 Year Index

   
Deutsche
Bank AG
 
 
    Sell       1.05     April 2018     $     5,400     $ 27,000     $ (10,683

CDX-NAHY Series 29, 5 Year Index

   

Goldman
Sachs
International
 
 
 
    Sell       1.05       May 2018       5,300       31,535       (28,677
           

 

 

   

 

 

 
            $     58,535     $     (39,360
           

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    69


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

CURRENCY OPTIONS WRITTEN (see Note C)

 

Description/
Counterparty
  Exercise
Price
    Expiration
Month
    Contracts     Notional
Amount
(000)
    Premiums
Received
   

U.S. $

Value

 

Call

               

BRL vs. USD/
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

    BRL       3.500       06/2018       18,725,000       BRL       18,725     $ 34,310     $ (32,113

BRL vs. USD/
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

    BRL       3.550       06/2018       18,992,500       BRL       18,993       30,869       (23,201

CAD vs. AUD/
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

    CAD       1.010       05/2018       13,843,500       CAD       13,844       56,804       (27,400

CAD vs. EUR/
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC

    CAD       1.640       05/2018       13,968,213       CAD       13,968       53,584       (38,120

CHF vs. GBP/
Deutsche Bank AG

    CHF       1.350       06/2018       5,205,200       CHF       5,205       29,636       (45,976

CNH vs. EUR/
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC

    CNH       8.050       06/2018       79,292,500       CNH       79,293       55,047       (36,843

INR vs. USD/
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

    INR       71.320       02/2019       381,562,000       INR       381,562       49,541       (46,954

MXN vs. CAD/
Bank of America, NA

    MXN       15.680       04/2018       115,248,000       MXN       115,248       38,375       (469

MXN vs. USD/
Credit Suisse International

    MXN       21.500       07/2018       130,397,500       MXN       130,398         103,718       (14,711

MXN vs. USD/
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

    MXN       20.000       07/2018       121,000,000       MXN       121,000       157,482       (47,621

MXN vs. USD/
Royal Bank of Scotland PLC

    MXN       20.000       07/2018       106,000,000       MXN       106,000       77,730       (51,962

MXN vs. USD/
Credit Suisse International

    MXN       22.000       08/2018       242,000,000       MXN       242,000       214,170       (28,473

MXN vs. USD/
Goldman Sachs Bank USA

    MXN       22.000       08/2018       132,880,000       MXN       132,880       109,517       (20,648

MXN vs. USD/
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC

    MXN       23.820       02/2019       144,706,500       MXN       144,707       80,937       (51,077

NOK vs. CAD/
Deutsche Bank AG

    NOK       6.180       05/2018       48,172,800       NOK       48,173       28,402         (31,489

 

70    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

Description/
Counterparty
  Exercise
Price
    Expiration
Month
    Contracts     Notional
Amount
(000)
    Premiums
Received
   

U.S. $

Value

 

NOK vs. CAD/
Royal Bank of Scotland PLC

    NOK       6.030       05/2018       47,938,500       NOK       47,939     $ 30,965     $   (103,457

NOK vs. EUR/
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC

    NOK       9.810       04/2018       86,328,000       NOK       86,328       56,123           (25,517

NOK vs. EUR/
Barclays Bank PLC

    NOK       9.920       05/2018       43,643,600       NOK       43,644       30,320       (8,569

RUB vs. USD/
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

    RUB       58.680       03/2018       328,608,000       RUB       328,608       26,880       (258

SEK vs. EUR/
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

    SEK       10.030       04/2018       46,138,000       SEK       46,138       26,660         (135,085

SEK vs. EUR/
Deutsche Bank AG

    SEK       10.000       04/2018       90,000,000       SEK       90,000       57,169       (297,158

SEK vs. EUR/
Goldman Sachs Bank USA

    SEK       10.350       06/2018       134,291,250       SEK       134,291       78,774       (137,270

SGD vs. CHF/
UBS AG

    SGD       1.480       08/2018       5,032,000       SGD       5,032       26,137       (9,222

TRY vs. CHF/
UBS AG

    TRY       5.900       02/2019       29,500,000       TRY       29,500       53,932       (49,440

TRY vs. EUR/ Deutsche Bank AG

    TRY       4.900       04/2018       24,758,635       TRY       24,759       64,617       (13,028

TRY vs. EUR/
Deutsche Bank AG

    TRY       5.050       05/2018       22,093,750       TRY       22,094       49,395       (32,363

TRY vs. EUR/
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

    TRY       5.040       06/2018       24,834,313       TRY       24,834       51,755       (97,378

TRY vs. USD/
Goldman Sachs Bank USA

    TRY       4.040       04/2018       24,543,000       TRY       24,543       61,783       (5,331

TRY vs. USD/
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

    TRY       4.040       04/2018       24,631,800       TRY       24,632       56,303       (11,394

TRY vs. USD/
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC

    TRY       4.020       04/2018       22,009,500       TRY       22,010       58,856       (41,444

TRY vs. USD/
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC

    TRY       4.370       07/2018       26,426,400       TRY       26,426         160,325       (50,317

ZAR vs. USD/
Bank of America, NA

    ZAR       16.000       04/2018       97,168,000       ZAR       97,168       71,935       (238

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    71


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

Description/
Counterparty
  Exercise
Price
    Expiration
Month
    Contracts     Notional
Amount
(000)
    Premiums
Received
   

U.S. $

Value

 

ZAR vs. USD/
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC

    ZAR       12.640       07/2018       66,972,920       ZAR       66,972     $ 61,061     $ (57,487

Put

               

COP vs. USD/
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC

    COP       2,768.000       06/2018       14,808,800,000       COP       14,808,800       48,787       (90,595

JPY vs. AUD/
Bank of America, NA

    JPY       79.500       05/2018       1,081,200,000       JPY       1,081,200       79,949       (71,118

JPY vs. CAD/
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

    JPY       80.000       05/2018       1,094,000,000       JPY       1,094,000       51,285       (47,284

JPY vs. CAD/
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC

    JPY       80.000       05/2018       1,080,000,000       JPY       1,080,000     $ 52,370     $ (65,041

NZD vs. AUD/
Barclays Bank PLC

    NZD       1.050       06/2018       16,074,393       NZD       16,074       58,086       (64,567

TRY vs. JPY/
JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

    TRY       27.040       04/2018       20,900,000       TRY       20,900       60,489       (88,277
             

 

 

   

 

 

 
              $   2,494,078     $   (1,998,895
             

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

72    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

CENTRALLY CLEARED CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS (see Note C)

 

Description   Fixed
Rate
(Pay)
Receive
    Payment
Frequency
    Implied
Credit
Spread at
March 31,
2018
   

Notional
Amount
(000)

    Market
Value
    Upfront
Premiums
Paid
(Received)
    Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Buy Contracts

 

CDX-NAHY Series 27, 5 Year Index, 12/20/21*

    (5.00 )%      Quarterly       2.91     USD       21,068     $  (1,499,682   $  (1,633,661   $ 133,979  

iTraxx Europe Crossover Series 21, 5 Year Index, 6/20/19*

    (5.00     Quarterly       0.63       EUR       3       (190     (174     (16

iTraxx Europe Crossover Series 27, 5 Year Index, 6/20/22*

    (5.00     Quarterly       2.06       EUR       13,260       (1,935,807     (1,859,623     (76,184

Sale Contracts

 

         

CDX-NAHY Series 21, 5 Year Index, 12/20/18*

    5.00       Quarterly       2.94       USD       6,807       112,264       73,571       38,693  

CDX-NAHY Series 28, 5 Year Index, 6/20/22*

    5.00       Quarterly       3.07       USD       13,417       980,787       1,054,540       (73,753

CDX-NAHY Series 28, 5 Year Index, 6/20/22*

    5.00       Quarterly       3.07       USD       5       362       389       (27

CDX-NAHY Series 29, 5 Year Index, 12/20/22*

    5.00       Quarterly       3.39       USD       32,696       2,166,420       2,204,539       (38,119

CDX-NAHY Series 29, 5 Year Index, 12/20/22*

    5.00       Quarterly       3.39       USD       40,600       2,690,135       3,001,412        (311,277

CDX-NAHY Series 30, 5 Year Index, 6/20/23*

    5.00       Quarterly       3.61       USD       34,628       2,143,409       2,016,418       126,991  

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    73


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

Description   Fixed
Rate
(Pay)
Receive
    Payment
Frequency
    Implied
Credit
Spread at
March 31,
2018
   

Notional
Amount
(000)

    Market
Value
    Upfront
Premiums
Paid
(Received)
    Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

CDX-NAIG Series 20, 5 Year Index, 6/20/18*

    1.00     Quarterly       0.10     USD       10,730     $ 25,682     $ 6,908     $ 18,774  

iTraxx Europe Crossover Series 27, 5 Year Index, 6/20/22*

    5.00       Quarterly       2.06       EUR       13,259       1,935,660       1,916,699       18,961  

iTraxx Europe Crossover Series 29, 5 Year Index, 6/20/23*

    5.00       Quarterly       2.83       EUR       13,260       1,679,769       1,619,724       60,045  
           

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
            $   8,298,809     $   8,400,742     $   (101,933
           

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

* Termination date

CENTRALLY CLEARED INTEREST RATE SWAPS (see Note C)

 

      Rate Type      

Notional

Amount

(000)

    Termination
Date
    Payments
made
by the Fund
  Payments
received
by the
Fund
  Payment
Frequency
Paid/
Received
  Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

USD

    144,205       1/17/20     3 Month LIBOR   2.170%   Quarterly/
Semi-Annually
  $     (825,093

USD

    144,205       1/17/20     3 Month LIBOR   2.204%   Quarterly/
Semi-Annually
    (729,605

USD

    58,295       1/17/23     2.389%   3 Month LIBOR   Semi-Annually/
Quarterly
    789,012  

USD

    58,295       1/17/23     2.420%   3 Month LIBOR   Semi-Annually/
Quarterly
    702,887  
           

 

 

 
  $ (62,799
           

 

 

 

 

74    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS (see Note C)

 

Swap
Counterparty &
Referenced
Obligation
  Fixed
Rate
(Pay)
Receive
    Payment
Frequency
   

Implied

Credit

Spread at

March 31,

2018

   

Notional
Amount
(000)

    Market
Value
    Upfront
Premiums
Paid
(Received)
    Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Buy Contracts

 

         

Goldman Sachs International

               

K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., 7.000% 1/15/19, 12/20/22*

    (5.00 )%      Quarterly       56.50     USD       1,100     $ 455,679     $   336,772     $   118,907  

Sale Contracts

               

Barclays Bank PLC

               

CCO Holdings, LLC, 5.750%, 1/15/24, 6/20/19*

    5.00       Quarterly       0.27       USD       828       48,912       22,713       26,199  

K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., 7.000%, 1/15/19, 9/20/20*

    5.00       Quarterly       72.98       USD       609       (237,708     (85,929     (151,779

K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., 7.000%, 1/15/19, 9/20/20*

    5.00       Quarterly       72.98       USD       1,521       (593,684     (214,264     (379,420

Citibank, NA

               

CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63*

    3.00       Monthly       7.20       USD       454       (66,647     (53,043     (13,604

Credit Suisse International

               

CDX-CMBX.NA.BB Series 6, 5/11/63*

    5.00       Monthly       12.54       USD       5,000       (1,191,833     (808,934     (382,899

International Game Technology PLC, 4.750%, 2/15/23, 6/20/22*

    5.00       Quarterly       1.36       EUR       310       58,231       29,734       28,497  

Deutsche Bank AG

               

CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63*

    3.00       Monthly       7.20       USD       258       (37,874     (29,781     (8,093

CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63*

    3.00       Monthly       7.20       USD       364       (53,466     (44,370     (9,096

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

               

Avis Budget Car Rental LLC, 5.250% 3/15/25, 6/20/22*

    5.00       Quarterly       2.20       USD       1,225       134,294       68,965       65,329  

K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., 7.000%, 1/15/19, 9/20/20*

    5.00       Quarterly       72.98       USD       580       (226,388     (76,980     (149,408

Nine West Holdings, Inc., 6.875%, 3/15/19, 3/20/19*

    5.00       Quarterly       687.90       USD       1,829       (1,655,243     11,806       (1,667,049

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    75


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

Swap
Counterparty &
Referenced
Obligation
  Fixed
Rate
(Pay)
Receive
    Payment
Frequency
   

Implied

Credit

Spread at

March 31,

2018

   

Notional
Amount
(000)

    Market
Value
    Upfront
Premiums
Paid
(Received)
    Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

United States Steel Corp., 6.650%, 6/01/37, 12/20/21*

    5.00     Quarterly       1.29     USD       700     $ 90,088     $ (42,067   $ 132,155  

Goldman Sachs International

               

CDX-CMBX.NA.BB Series 6, 5/11/63*

    5.00       Monthly       12.54       USD       2,929       (698,244     (448,642     (249,602

CDX-CMBX.NA.BB Series 6, 5/11/63*

    5.00       Monthly       12.54       USD       2,071       (493,589     (317,145     (176,444

CDX-CMBX.NA.BB Series 6, 5/11/63*

    5.00       Monthly       12.54       USD       10,000         (2,383,667       (1,543,085     (840,582

CDX-CMBX.NA.BB Series 6, 5/11/63*

    5.00       Monthly       12.54       USD       13,500       (3,217,950     (2,080,366     (1,137,584

CDX-CMBX.NA.BB Series 6, 5/11/63*

    5.00       Monthly       12.54       USD       5,000       (1,191,139     (853,735     (337,404

CDX-CMBX.NA.BB Series 6, 5/11/63*

    5.00       Monthly       12.54       USD       5,000       (1,191,833     (894,079     (297,754

CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63*

    3.00       Monthly       7.20       USD       133       (19,524     (14,930     (4,594

CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63*

    3.00       Monthly       7.20       USD       530       (77,804     (59,069     (18,735

CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63*

    3.00       Monthly       7.20       USD       1,041       (152,819     (116,796     (36,023

CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63*

    3.00       Monthly       7.20       USD       719       (105,609     (80,716     (24,893

CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63*

    3.00       Monthly       7.20       USD       360       (52,878     (36,975     (15,903

CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63*

    3.00       Monthly       7.20       USD       360       (52,878     (34,170     (18,708

CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63*

    3.00       Monthly       7.20       USD       180       (26,439     (16,774     (9,665

CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63*

    3.00       Monthly       7.20       USD       2,158       (316,974     (193,911     (123,063

CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63*

    3.00       Monthly       7.20       USD       371       (54,494     (32,573     (21,921

 

76    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

Swap
Counterparty &
Referenced
Obligation
  Fixed
Rate
(Pay)
Receive
    Payment
Frequency
   

Implied

Credit

Spread at

March 31,

2018

   

Notional
Amount
(000)

    Market
Value
    Upfront
Premiums
Paid
(Received)
    Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., 7.000%, 1/15/19, 12/20/18*

    5.00     Quarterly       146.66     USD       1,100     $ (401,598   $ (210,158   $ (191,440

Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC

               

CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63*

    3.00       Monthly       7.20       USD       1,272       (186,730     (144,691     (42,039

CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63*

    3.00       Monthly       7.20       USD       1,188       (174,398     (129,769     (44,629

CDX-CMBX.NA.BBB- Series 6, 5/11/63*

    3.00       Monthly       7.20       USD       10,000       (1,468,000     (115,118     (1,352,882

Weatherford International Ltd., 4.500% 4/15/22, 6/20/23*

    1.00       Quarterly       8.64       USD       190       (55,492     (51,032     (4,460
           

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
            $   (15,597,698   $   (8,259,112   $   (7,338,586
           

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

* Termination date

TOTAL RETURN SWAPS (see Note C)

 

Counterparty &
Referenced Obligation
  # of
Shares
or
Units
    Rate
Paid/
Received
    Payment
Frequency
    Notional
Amount
(000)
    Maturity
Date
    Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Receive Total Return on Reference Obligation

 

   

Bank of America, NA

           

iBoxx $ Liquid High Yield Index

    24,296       LIBOR       Quarterly       USD    6,475       6/20/18     $     (31,972

iBoxx $ Liquid High Yield Index

    16,199       LIBOR       Quarterly       USD    4,317       6/20/18       (21,316

iBoxx $ Liquid High Yield Index

    16,240       LIBOR       Quarterly       USD    4,317       6/20/18       (10,527

iBoxx $ Liquid High Yield Index

    16,240       LIBOR       Quarterly       USD    4,317       6/20/18       (10,365

iBoxx $ Liquid High Yield Index

    16,243       LIBOR       Quarterly       USD    4,317       6/20/18       (9,719

Citibank, NA

           

iBoxx $ Liquid High Yield Index

    16,235       LIBOR       Quarterly       USD    4,317       6/20/18       (11,656

Goldman Sachs International

           

iBoxx $ Liquid High Yield Index

    32,382       LIBOR       Quarterly       USD    8,633       6/20/18       (45,839

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    77


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

Counterparty &
Referenced Obligation
  # of
Shares
or
Units
    Rate Paid/
Received
    Payment
Frequency
    Notional
Amount
(000)
    Maturity
Date
    Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

iBoxx $ Liquid High Yield Index

    21,082       LIBOR       Quarterly       USD    5,600       6/20/18     $ (9,359

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

           

iBoxx $ Liquid High Yield Index

    16,187       LIBOR       Quarterly       USD    4,317       6/20/18       (24,527

Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC

           

iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF

    138,021      
LIBOR –
2.00%

 
    Monthly       USD  11,820       4/16/18       819  
           

 

 

 
            $     (174,461
           

 

 

 

VARIANCE SWAPS (see Note C)

 

Swap Counterparty &
Referenced Obligation
  Volatility
Strike
Price
    Payment
Frequency
    Notional
Amount
(000)
    Market
Value
    Upfront
Premiums
(Paid)
Received
    Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Buy Contracts

 

Deutsche Bank AG

             

AUD/JPY

    11.12     Maturity       AUD       154     $ 252     $ – 0  –    $ 252  

AUD/JPY

    12.75       Maturity       AUD       998           (230         – 0  –          (230

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

             

AUD/JPY

    12.90       Maturity       AUD       464           (122         – 0  –          (122

AUD/JPY

    12.80       Maturity       AUD       534       (131     – 0  –      (131
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
          $ (231   $ – 0  –    $ (231
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (see Note C)

 

Broker  

Principal

Amount

(000)

    Currency     Interest Rate     Maturity     U.S. $
Value at
March 31,
2018
 

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    1,330       USD       (1.25 )%*          $ 1,327,562  

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    799       USD       (0.50 )%*            798,128  

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    1,085       USD       (0.38 )%*            1,084,324  

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    370       USD       (0.25 )%*            370,234  

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2,467       USD       (0.25 )%*                2,465,726  

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    1,104       USD       0.50           1,105,173  

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    440       USD       1.25           439,901  

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    1,121       USD       1.25           1,121,808  

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    1,233       USD       1.50           1,234,123  

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    1,589       USD       1.50           1,595,074  

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    1,452       USD       1.60           1,453,720  

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    1,588       USD       1.75           1,589,666  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    671       USD       (1.75 )%*            668,039  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    479       EUR       (1.25 )%*            588,209  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    354       EUR       (1.25 )%*            435,014  

 

78    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

Broker  

Principal

Amount

(000)

    Currency     Interest Rate     Maturity     U.S. $
Value at
March 31,
2018
 

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    1,275       USD       (1.00 )%*          $ 1,267,223  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    1,285       EUR       (1.00 )%*            1,580,497  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    1,151       USD       (0.25 )%*            1,145,970  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    1,351       USD       0.00           1,350,578  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    905       USD       1.15           906,200  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    1,128       USD       1.25           1,130,006  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    683       USD       1.45           684,266  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    812       USD       1.45           812,891  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    983       USD       1.45           984,422  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    2,087       USD       1.62           2,089,693  

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

    1,023       USD       (0.75 )%*            1,019,767  

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

    956       USD       0.75           955,149  

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

    1,318       USD       1.25           1,322,686  

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

    819       USD       0.75           819,444  

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

    39,600       USD       1.33     4/24/18       39,700,947  

RBC Capital Markets

    1,856       USD       (0.25 )%*            1,853,040  

RBC Capital Markets

    263       USD       0.75           263,467  

RBC Capital Markets

    911       USD       1.30           912,146  

RBC Capital Markets

    988       USD       1.50           988,841  

RBC Capital Markets

    1,529       USD       1.50           1,533,349  

RBC Capital Markets

    1,054       USD       1.55           1,055,446  

RBC Capital Markets

    1,477       USD       1.55           1,478,987  

RBC Capital Markets

    4,452       USD       1.55           4,459,406  

RBC Capital Markets

    1,188       USD       1.60           1,189,768  
         

 

 

 
  $   85,780,890  
         

 

 

 

 

The reverse repurchase agreement matures on demand. Interest rate resets daily and the rate shown is the rate in effect on March 31, 2018.

 

* Interest payment due from counterparty.

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    79


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

The type of underlying collateral and the remaining maturity of open reverse repurchase agreements on the statements of assets and liabilities is as follows:

 

     Overnight
and
Continuous
    Up to 30 Days     31-90 Days     Greater than
90 Days
    Total  

Corporates – Non-Investment Grade

  $   44,510,036     $ – 0  –    $ – 0  –    $ – 0  –    $ 44,510,036  

Emerging Markets – Sovereigns

    1,130,006       – 0  –      – 0  –      – 0  –      1,130,006  

Corporates – Investment Grade

    439,901       – 0  –      – 0  –      – 0  –      439,901  

Governments – Treasuries

    – 0  –      39,700,947       – 0  –      – 0  –      39,700,947  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 46,079,943     $   39,700,947     $   – 0  –    $   – 0  –    $   85,780,890  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

** Principal amount less than 500.

 

(a) Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are considered restricted, but liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At March 31, 2018, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $437,557,344 or 37.4% of net assets.

 

(b) Position, or a portion thereof, has been segregated to collateralize reverse repurchase agreements.

 

(c) Security in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value.

 

(d) Fair valued by the Adviser.

 

(e) Illiquid security.

 

(f) Pay-In-Kind Payments (PIK). The issuer may pay cash interest and/or interest in additional debt securities. Rates shown are the rates in effect at March 31, 2018.

 

(g) Defaulted.

 

(h) Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities, which represent 2.01% of net assets as of March 31, 2018, are considered illiquid and restricted. Additional information regarding such securities follows:

 

144A/Restricted & Illiquid
Securities
  Acquisition
Date
    Cost     Market
Value
    Percentage of
Net Assets
 

Aveta, Inc.
10.50%, 3/01/21

    12/18/17     $ – 0  –    $ – 0  –      0.00

Bellemeade Re II Ltd.
Series 2016-1A, Class M2B
8.372%, 4/25/26

    4/29/16       1,985,685       2,022,526       0.17

Bellemeade Re II Ltd.
Series 2016-1A, Class B1
13.872%, 4/25/26

    4/29/16       282,749       300,461       0.03

Bellemeade Re Ltd.
Series 2015-1A, Class M2
6.172%, 7/25/25

    7/27/15       585,974       594,127       0.05

ClubCorp Club Operations, Inc.
Series 2018-4, Class PT
Zero Coupon, 5/15/43

    3/27/18       971,953       971,959       0.08

Consumer Loan Underlying Bond Credit Trust 2018-3
Series 2018-3, Class PT
Zero Coupon, 3/16/43

    3/07/18       351,971       352,023       0.03

Creditcorp
12.00%, 7/15/18

    6/28/13       1,299,104       1,215,500       0.10

 

80    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

144A/Restricted & Illiquid
Securities
  Acquisition
Date
    Cost     Market
Value
    Percentage of
Net Assets
 

Dominican Republic International Bond
16.00%, 7/10/20

    12/08/10     $ 6,322,199     $ 5,369,793       0.46

Exide Technologies
7.00%, 4/30/25

    11/10/16       96,206       102,264       0.01

Fideicomiso PA Pacifico Tres
7.00%, 1/15/35

    3/04/16       1,947,695       2,520,151       0.22

K2016470219 (South Africa) Ltd.
3.00%, 12/31/22

    2/01/17       1,296,651       37,525       0.00

K2016470260 (South Africa) Ltd.
25.00%, 12/31/22

    2/01/17       262,381       104,168       0.01

Liberty Tire Recycling LLC
9.50%, 1/15/23

    1/03/18       535,781       535,781       0.05

Magnetation LLC/Mag Finance Corp.
11.00%, 5/15/18

    5/15/13         2,295,760       29       0.00

Modular Space Corp.

    4/03/17       1,330,993         1,522,266       0.13

SoFi Consumer Loan Program LLC
Series 2016-1, Class R
Zero Coupon, 8/25/25

    7/28/17       1,070,703       946,552       0.08

SoFi Consumer Loan Program LLC
Series 2017-2, Class R
Zero Coupon, 2/25/26

    6/15/17       931,484       747,180       0.06

SoFi Consumer Loan Program LLC
Series 2017-3, Class R
Zero Coupon, 5/25/26

    5/11/17       1,107,300       1,023,258       0.09

SoFi Consumer Loan Program LLC
Series 2017-4, Class R1
Zero Coupon, 5/26/26

    6/28/17       1,032,000       1,021,821       0.09

SoFi Consumer Loan Program LLC
Series 2017-5, Class R1
Zero Coupon, 9/25/26

    9/18/17       1,313,468       1,248,900       0.11

SoFi Consumer Loan Program LLC
Series 2017-6, Class R1
Zero Coupon, 11/25/26

    11/09/17       1,485,665       1,426,316       0.12

Texas Competitive/TCEH
11.50%, 10/01/20

    4/18/11       – 0  –      – 0  –      0.00

Tonon Luxembourg SA
7.25%, 1/24/20

    1/16/13       1,624,599       79,700       0.01

Vantage Drilling International
10.00%, 12/31/20

    2/10/16       83,289       85,260       0.01

Virgolino de Oliveira Finance SA
10.50%, 1/28/18

    1/23/14 — 6/09/14       992,873       260,611       0.02

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    81


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

144A/Restricted & Illiquid
Securities
  Acquisition
Date
    Cost     Market
Value
    Percentage of
Net Assets
 

Virgolino de Oliveira Finance SA
10.875%, 1/13/20

    1/13/20     $     477,418     $     131,999       0.01

Virgolino de Oliveira Finance SA
11.75%, 2/09/22

    1/29/14 — 2/05/14       838,866       99,225       0.01

Wells Fargo Credit Risk Transfer Securities Trust
Series 2015-WF1, Class 2M2
7.372%, 11/25/25

    9/28/15       615,765       721,761       0.06

 

(i) Non-income producing security.

 

(j) Restricted and illiquid security.

 

Restricted & Illiquid
Securities
   Acquisition
Date
     Cost      Market
Value
    Percentage of
Net Assets
 

CHC Group LLC

     3/10/17      $ 3,697,479      $ 387,413       0.03

CHC Group LLC/CHC Finance Ltd. Series AI Zero Coupon, 10/01/20

     10/01/12        2,163,786        3,788,451       0.32

Exide Technologies 11.00%, 04/30/22

     12/01/17        3,802,234        3,717,857       0.32

Exide Technologies

     4/30/15        112,260        233,035       0.02

Exide Technologies

     4/30/15        28,931        60,057       0.01

Momentive Performance Materials, Inc. 8.875%, 10/15/20

     4/30/15        2        – 0  –      0.00

Mt. Logan Re Ltd. (Preference Shares)

     12/30/14            2,953,000            2,972,158       0.25

 

(k) Convertible security.

 

(l) Floating Rate Security. Stated interest/floor/ceiling rate was in effect at March 31, 2018.

 

(m) Securities are perpetual and, thus, do not have a predetermined maturity date. The date shown, if applicable, reflects the next call date.

 

(n) Inverse interest only security.

 

(o) Position, or a portion thereof, has been segregated to collateralize OTC derivatives outstanding.

 

(p) Position, or a portion thereof, has been segregated to collateralize margin requirements for open futures contracts.

 

(q) Coupon rate adjusts periodically based upon a predetermined schedule. Stated interest rate in effect at March 31, 2018.

 

(r) Defaulted matured security.

 

(s) The stated coupon rate represents the greater of the LIBOR or the LIBOR floor rate plus a spread at March 31, 2018.

 

(t) IO–Interest Only.

 

(u) Variable rate coupon, rate shown as of March 31, 2018.

 

(v) To obtain a copy of the fund’s shareholder report, please go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800) 227-4618.

 

(w) The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end.

 

(x) Affiliated investments.

 

(y) On March 30, 2018, the Fund and U.S. stock exchanges were closed for business due to a U.S. holiday but the foreign markets remained open for trading. The Fund valued its foreign securities using the closing market prices from the respective foreign markets as of March 29, 2018 for financial reporting purposes.

 

82    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

Currency Abbreviations:

 

ARS – Argentine Peso   JPY – Japanese Yen
AUD – Australian Dollar   KRW – South Korean Won
BRL – Brazilian Real   LKR – Sri Lankan Rupee
CAD – Canadian Dollar   MXN – Mexican Peso
CHF – Swiss Franc   MYR – Malaysian Ringgit
CNH – Chinese Yuan Renminbi (Offshore)   NOK – Norwegian Krone
COP – Colombian Peso   NZD – New Zealand Dollar
DOP – Dominican Peso   RUB – Russian Ruble
EGP – Egyptian Pound   SEK – Swedish Krona
EUR – Euro   SGD – Singapore Dollar
GBP – Great British Pound   TRY – Turkish Lira
HKD – Hong Kong Dollar   TWD – New Taiwan Dollar
IDR – Indonesian Rupiah   USD – United States Dollar
ILS – Israeli Shekel   UYU – Uruguayan Peso
INR – Indian Rupee   ZAR – South African Rand

Glossary:

12MTA – 12 Month Treasury Average

ARMs – Adjustable Rate Mortgages

ARPP7DRR – Argentina Central Bank 7-Day Repo Reference Rate

BADLAR – Argentina Deposit Rates Badlar Private Banks

CBOE – Chicago Board Options Exchange

CBT – Chicago Board of Trade

CDX-CMBX.NA – North American Commercial Mortgage-Backed Index

CDX-NAHY – North American High Yield Credit Default Swap Index

CDX-NAIG – North American Investment Grade Credit Default Swap Index

CMBS – Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

ETF – Exchange Traded Fund

EURIBOR – Euro Interbank Offered Rate

H15T – U.S. Treasury Yield Curve Rate T Note Constant Maturity

LIBOR – London Interbank Offered Rates

REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust

See notes to financial statements.

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    83


 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES

March 31, 2018

 

Assets   

Investments in securities, at value

  

Unaffiliated issuers (cost $1,215,474,171)

   $ 1,228,692,249  

Affiliated issuers (cost $16,318,398)

     16,318,398  

Cash

     75,635  

Cash collateral due from broker

     5,937,339  

Foreign currencies, at value (cost $1,981,427)

     1,952,135  

Unaffiliated dividends and interest receivable

     17,627,927  

Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts

     8,822,909  

Receivable for newly entered credit default swaps

     1,210,013  

Receivable for investment securities sold

     4,846,889  

Receivable for terminated credit default and total return swaps

     1,067,968  

Receivable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps

     525,885  

Upfront premiums paid on credit default swaps

     469,990  

Unrealized appreciation on credit default swaps

     371,087  

Receivable for variation margin on futures

     369,469  

Affiliated dividends receivable

     11,968  
Unrealized appreciation on total return swaps      819  
Unrealized appreciation on variance swaps      252  
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     1,288,300,932  
  

 

 

 
Liabilities   

Options written, at value (premiums received $2,494,078)

     1,998,895  

Swaptions written, at value (premiums received $58,535)

     39,360  

Payable for reverse repurchase agreements

     85,780,890  

Upfront premiums received on credit default swaps

     8,729,102  

Unrealized depreciation on credit default swaps

     7,709,673  

Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts

     7,071,231  

Payable for investment securities purchased and foreign currency transactions

     2,765,807  

Payable for terminated credit default and total return swaps

     1,227,824  

Payable for newly entered credit default swaps

     1,057,381  

Advisory fee payable

     1,036,842  

Cash collateral received from broker

     960,000  

Unrealized depreciation on total return swaps

     175,280  

Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps

     125,045  

Administrative fee payable

     19,349  

Unrealized depreciation on variance swaps

     483  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     443,046  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     119,140,208  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $     1,169,160,724  
  

 

 

 
Composition of Net Assets   

Capital stock, at par

   $ 862,297  

Additional paid-in capital

     1,195,357,770  

Distributions in excess of net investment income

     (10,135,840

Accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (24,054,031

Net unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     7,130,528  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 1,169,160,724  
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value Per Share —100 million shares of capital stock authorized, $0.01 par value (based on 86,229,677 shares outstanding)

   $ 13.56  
  

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

84    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Year Ended March 31, 2018

 

Investment Income     

Interest (net of foreign taxes withheld of $246,930)

   $ 83,773,557    

Dividends

    

Unaffiliated issuers

     431,463    

Affiliated issuers

     135,550    

Other income

     80,551     $ 84,421,121  
  

 

 

   
Expenses     

Advisory fee (see Note B)

     10,796,591    

Custodian

     352,138    

Audit and tax

     194,008    

Printing

     185,886    

Registration fees

     83,969    

Administrative

     79,199    

Transfer agency

     42,420    

Legal

     38,717    

Directors’ fees

     23,487    

Miscellaneous

     92,831    
  

 

 

   

Total expenses before interest expense

     11,889,246    

Interest expense

     711,371    
  

 

 

   

Total expenses

         12,600,617    

Less: expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser (see Note B)

     (34,946  
  

 

 

   

Net expenses

       12,565,671  
    

 

 

 

Net investment income

       71,855,450  
    

 

 

 
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investment and Foreign Currency Transactions     

Net realized gain (loss) on:

    

Investment transactions

       (13,082,452 )(a) 

Forward currency exchange contracts

       (16,463,889

Futures

       (1,832,863

Options written

       10,589,441  

Swaps

       1,592,375  

Swaptions written

       681,504  

Foreign currency transactions

       (7,964,303

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on:

    

Investments

       2,269,647  

Forward currency exchange contracts

       2,267,377  

Futures

       87,671  

Options written

       (89,365

Swaps

       (2,944,023

Swaptions written

       (74,619

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

       (1,321,407
    

 

 

 

Net loss on investment and foreign currency transactions

       (26,284,906
    

 

 

 

Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations

     $     45,570,544  
    

 

 

 

 

(a) Net of foreign capital gains taxes of $9,900.

See notes to financial statements.

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    85


 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

     Year Ended
March 31,
2018
    Year Ended
March 31,
2017
 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations     

Net investment income

   $ 71,855,450     $ 70,671,725  

Net realized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (26,480,187     25,607,301  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

     195,281       91,280,702  

Contributions from Affiliates
(see Note B)

     – 0  –      6,016  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from operations

     45,570,544       187,565,744  
Dividends to Shareholders from     

Net investment income

     (71,764,491     (81,900,947

Tax return of capital

     (564,962     – 0  – 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease)

     (26,758,909     105,664,797  
Net Assets     

Beginning of period

     1,195,919,633       1,090,254,836  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period (including distributions in excess of net investment income of ($10,135,840) and ($621,510), respectively)

   $     1,169,160,724     $     1,195,919,633  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

86    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2018

 

NOTE A

Significant Accounting Policies

AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on May 20, 1993 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”), which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund is an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund.

1. Security Valuation

Portfolio securities are valued at their current market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, at “fair value” as determined in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).

In general, the market values of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows: securities listed on a national securities exchange (other than securities listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at last traded price from the previous day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed or over the counter (“OTC”) market put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current ask price is unavailable, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g., last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; U.S. Government securities and any other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity are generally valued at market by an independent pricing vendor, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

at amortized cost. This methodology is commonly used for short term securities that have an original maturity of 60 days or less, as well as short term securities that had an original term to maturity that exceeded 60 days. In instances when amortized cost is utilized, the Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) must reasonably conclude that the utilization of amortized cost is approximately the same as the fair value of the security. Such factors the Committee will consider include, but are not limited to, an impairment of the creditworthiness of the issuer or material changes in interest rates. Fixed-income securities, including mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one or more of the major broker-dealers. In cases where broker-dealer quotes are obtained, the Adviser may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a security. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties. Open end mutual funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share, while exchange traded funds are valued at the closing market price per share.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as deemed appropriate by the Adviser. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents. In addition, the Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Fund values its securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for this, the Fund generally values many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.

2. Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability (including those valued based on their market values as described in Note A.1 above). Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer

 

88    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.

 

   

Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

   

Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

   

Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The fair value of debt instruments, such as bonds, and over-the-counter derivatives is generally based on market price quotations, recently executed market transactions (where observable) or industry recognized modeling techniques and are generally classified as Level 2. Pricing vendor inputs to Level 2 valuations may include quoted prices for similar investments in active markets, interest rate curves, coupon rates, currency rates, yield curves, option adjusted spreads, default rates, credit spreads and other unique security features in order to estimate the relevant cash flows which is then discounted to calculate fair values. If these inputs are unobservable and significant to the fair value, these investments will be classified as Level 3. In addition, non-agency rated investments are classified as Level 3.

Where readily available market prices or relevant bid prices are not available for certain equity investments, such investments may be valued based on similar publicly traded investments, movements in relevant indices since last available prices or based upon underlying company fundamentals and comparable company data (such as multiples to earnings or other multiples to equity). Where an investment is valued using an observable input, such as another publicly traded security, the investment will be classified as Level 2. If management determines that an adjustment is appropriate based on restrictions on resale, illiquidity or uncertainty, and such adjustment is a significant component of the valuation, the investment will be classified as Level 3. An investment will also be classified as Level 3 where management uses company fundamentals and other significant inputs to determine the valuation.

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    89


 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Options are valued using market-based inputs to models, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency, where such inputs and models are available. Alternatively the values may be obtained through unobservable management determined inputs and/or management’s proprietary models. Where models are used, the selection of a particular model to value an option depends upon the contractual terms of, and specific risks inherent in, the option as well as the availability of pricing information in the market. Valuation models require a variety of inputs, including contractual terms, market prices, measures of volatility and correlations of such inputs. Exchange-traded options generally will be classified as Level 2. For options that do not trade on exchange but trade in liquid markets, inputs can generally be verified and model selection does not involve significant management judgment. Options are classified within Level 2 on the fair value hierarchy when all of the significant inputs can be corroborated to market evidence. Otherwise such instruments are classified as Level 3.

Valuations of mortgage-backed or other asset-backed securities, by pricing vendors, are based on both proprietary and industry recognized models and discounted cash flow techniques. Significant inputs to the valuation of these instruments are value of the collateral, the rates and timing of delinquencies, the rates and timing of prepayments, and default and loss expectations, which are driven in part by housing prices for residential mortgages. Significant inputs are determined based on relative value analyses, which incorporate comparisons to instruments with similar collateral and risk profiles, including relevant indices. Mortgage and asset-backed securities for which management has collected current observable data through pricing services are generally categorized within Level 2. Those investments for which current observable data has not been provided are classified as Level 3.

Bank loan prices are provided by third party pricing services and consist of a composite of the quotes received by the vendor into a consensus price. Certain bank loans are classified as Level 3, as significant input used in the fair value measurement of these instruments is the market quotes that are received by the vendor and these inputs are not observable.

Other fixed income investments, including non-U.S. government and corporate debt, are generally valued using quoted market prices, if available, which are typically impacted by current interest rates, maturity dates and any perceived credit risk of the issuer. Additionally, in the absence of quoted market prices, these inputs are used by pricing vendors to derive a valuation based upon industry or proprietary models which incorporate issuer specific data with relevant yield/spread comparisons with more widely quoted bonds with similar key characteristics. Those investments

 

90    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

for which there are observable inputs are classified as Level 2. Where the inputs are not observable, the investments are classified as Level 3.

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of March 31, 2018:

 

Investments in

Securities

  Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  

Assets:

       

Corporates — Non-Investment Grade

  $ – 0  –    $ 496,644,689     $ 15,053,741 #    $ 511,698,430  

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

    – 0  –      135,038,160       – 0  –      135,038,160  

Governments —Treasuries

    – 0  –      118,132,487       – 0  –      118,132,487  

Emerging Markets — Treasuries

    – 0  –      100,055,936       – 0  –      100,055,936  

Emerging Markets — Sovereigns

    – 0  –      81,543,141       – 0  –      81,543,141  

Corporates — Investment Grade

    – 0  –      71,796,424       – 0  –      71,796,424  

Emerging Markets — Corporate Bonds

    – 0  –      55,430,186       553,206       55,983,392  

Bank Loans

    – 0  –      31,607,153       1,590,628       33,197,781  

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

    – 0  –      2,661,420       22,880,554       25,541,974  

Common Stocks

    8,711,440       – 0  –      13,010,053 #      21,721,493  

Asset-Backed Securities

    – 0  –      1,734,439       14,570,891       16,305,330  

Preferred Stocks

      2,477,755       – 0  –      11,080,588       13,558,343  

Inflation-Linked Securities

    – 0  –      6,032,078       2,520,151       8,552,229  

Local Governments — Regional Bonds

    – 0  –      6,564,365       – 0  –      6,564,365  

Governments — Sovereign Bonds

    – 0  –      6,105,904       – 0  –      6,105,904  

Local Governments — US Municipal Bonds

    – 0  –      5,347,238       – 0  –      5,347,238  

Whole Loan Trusts

    – 0  –      – 0  –      2,309,413       2,309,413  

Collateralized Loan Obligations

    – 0  –      – 0  –      1,927,561       1,927,561  

Quasi-Sovereigns

    – 0  –      1,184,786       – 0  –      1,184,786  

Warrants

    24,782       – 0  –      225,992 #      250,774  

Options Purchased — Puts

    – 0  –      206,405       – 0  –      206,405  

Short-Term Investments:

       

Investment Companies

    16,318,398       – 0  –      – 0  –      16,318,398  

Emerging Markets — Sovereigns

    – 0  –      6,152,127       – 0  –      6,152,127  

Time Deposits

    – 0  –      245,943       – 0  –      245,943  

Governments — Treasuries

    – 0  –      2,894,407       – 0  –      2,894,407  

Corporates — Non-Investment Grade

    – 0  –      2,378,206       – 0  –      2,378,206  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

      27,532,375         1,131,755,494         85,722,778         1,245,010,647  

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Investments in

Securities

  Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  

Other Financial Instruments*:

       

Assets

       

Futures

  $ 543,883     $ – 0  –    $ – 0  –    $ 543,883  

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

    – 0  –      8,822,909       – 0  –      8,822,909  

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps

    – 0  –      11,734,488       – 0  –      11,734,488  

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps

    – 0  –      1,491,899       – 0  –      1,491,899  

Credit Default Swaps

    – 0  –      787,204       – 0  –      787,204  

Total Return Swaps

    – 0  –      819       – 0  –      819  

Variance Swaps

    – 0  –      252       – 0  –      252  

Liabilities

       

Futures

    (110,206     (68,229     – 0  –      (178,435 ) 

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

    – 0  –      (7,071,231     – 0  –      (7,071,231

Credit Default Swaptions Written

    – 0  –      (39,360     – 0  –      (39,360

Currency Options Written

    – 0  –      (1,998,895     – 0  –      (1,998,895

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps

    – 0  –      (3,435,679     – 0  –      (3,435,679 ) 

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps

    – 0  –      (1,554,698     – 0  –      (1,554,698 ) 

Credit Default Swaps

    – 0  –      (16,384,902     – 0  –      (16,384,902

Total Return Swaps

    – 0  –      (175,280     – 0  –      (175,280

Variance Swaps

    – 0  –      (483     – 0  –      (483

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

    (85,780,890     – 0  –      – 0  –      (85,780,890
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total^

  $   (57,814,838   $   1,123,864,308     $   85,722,778     $   1,151,772,248  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

# The Fund held securities with zero market value at period end.

 

* Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on the instrument. Other financial instruments may also include swaps with upfront premiums, options written and swaptions written which are valued at market value.

 

Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures and centrally cleared swaps as reported in the portfolio of investments. Centrally cleared swaps with upfront premiums are presented here at market value.

 

^ There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the reporting period.

The Fund recognizes all transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy assuming the financial instrument was transferred at the beginning of the reporting period.

 

92    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

The following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value.

 

     Corporates -
Non-Investment
Grade#
    Emerging
Markets -
Corporate Bonds
    Bank Loans     Commercial
Mortgage-
Backed
Securities
 

Balance as of 3/31/17

  $ 15,636,996     $ 584,474     $ 4,531,506     $ 33,960,760  

Accrued discounts/(premiums)

    (1,545     (156,304     (1,790     77,027  

Realized gain (loss)

    (931,784     (685     (3,071,427     637,263  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

    964,316       (206,017     3,094,973       (173,452

Purchases/Pay ups

    10,523,950       3,315,436       655,326       1,656,000  

Sales/Pay downs

    (8,082,124     (3,290,448     (1,716,115     (13,277,044

Reclassification

    (5,306,780     5,306,780       – 0  –      – 0  – 

Transfers into Level 3

    2,250,712       306,750       – 0  –      – 0  – 

Transfers out of Level 3

    – 0  –      (5,306,780     (1,901,845     – 0  – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of 3/31/18

  $ 15,053,741     $ 553,206     $ 1,590,628     $   22,880,554  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from investments held as of 3/31/18**

  $ (556,434   $ (2,937,231   $ (10,602   $ 595,649  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Common
Stocks#
    Asset-
Backed
Securities
    Preferred
Stocks
    Inflation-
Linked
Securities
 

Balance as of 3/31/17

  $ 10,421,580     $ 12,345,172     $ 10,058,730     $ 2,356,795  

Accrued discounts/(premiums)

    – 0  –      199,545       – 0  –      4,952  

Realized gain (loss)

    (899,484     (436,450     491,810       – 0  – 

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

    1,716,600       (204,076     174,232       158,404  

Purchases

    4,542,807       9,202,164       1,382,200       – 0  – 

Sales/Pay downs

    (2,243,324     (5,660,150     (1,026,384     – 0  – 

Reclassification

    – 0  –      (875,314     – 0  –      – 0  – 

Transfers into Level 3

    976,480       – 0  –      – 0  –      – 0  – 

Transfers out of Level 3

    (1,504,606     – 0  –      – 0  –      – 0  – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of 3/31/18

  $   13,010,053     $   14,570,891     $   11,080,588     $ 2,520,151  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from investments held as of 3/31/18**

  $ 1,014,051     $ (788,595   $ 174,232     $ 158,404  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

     Whole Loan
Trusts
    Collateralized
Loan
Obligations
    Warrants#     Total  

Balance as of 3/31/17

  $ 8,232,252     $ – 0  –    $ 399,141     $ 98,527,406  

Accrued discounts/(premiums)

    14,233       13,436       – 0  –      149,554  

Realized gain (loss)

    (2,478,258     – 0  –      – 0  –      (6,689,015

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

    367,652       1,783       (84,800     5,809,615  

Purchases

    118,132       1,037,028       6       32,433,049  

Sales/Pay downs

    (3,944,598     – 0  –      – 0  –        (39,240,187

Reclassification

    – 0  –      875,314       – 0  –      – 0  – 

Transfers into Level 3

    – 0  –      – 0  –      – 0  –      3,533,942  

Transfers out of Level 3

    – 0  –      – 0  –      (88,355     (8,801,586
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of 3/31/18

  $ 2,309,413     $   1,927,561     $   225,992     $ 85,722,778
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from investments held as of 3/31/18**

  $   (1,037,149   $ 1,783     $ (84,800   $ (3,470,692
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

# The Fund held securities with zero market value that were sold/expired/written off during the reporting period.

 

** The unrealized appreciation/depreciation is included in net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and other financial instruments in the accompanying statement of operations.

 

+ There were de minimis transfers under 1% of net assets during the reporting period.

The following presents information about significant unobservable inputs related to the Fund’s Level 3 investments at March 31, 2018. Securities priced (i) by third party vendors or (ii) by brokers are excluded from the following table.

Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

 

     Fair
Value at
3/31/18
    Valuation
Technique
  Unobservable
Input
  Range/
Weighted
Average

Corporates – Non-
Investment
Grade

      
    
$


535,781


 
      
    
Qualitative
Assessment
      
    
Par
Value
      
    
$100.00 / N/A
  $ 381,853     Recovery
Analysis
  Collateral
Value
  $100.00 / NA
  $ 1,092     Projected
Cash Flow
  Terms of
Escrow
  $1.80 per $1,000
Principal
 

 

 

       
  $ 918,726        
 

 

 

       

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

     Fair
Value at
3/31/18
    Valuation
Technique
  Unobservable
Input
  Range/
Weighted
Average

Common Stocks

  $ 2,972,158     Market Approach   NAV Equivalent   $1,006.49 / N/A
  $ 2,324,105     Recovery Analysis   Liquidation Value   $202.56 / N/A
  $ 1,637,741     Market Approach   EBITDA* Projection   $113.4 mm / N/A
      EBITDA* Multiples   7.0X-9.0X /8.0X
  $ 525,967     Market Approach   Market Neutral
Price
  $0.57 / N/A
  $ 359,676     Market Approach   EBITDA* Projection   $40.1 mm / N/A
      EBITDA* Multiples   4.3X-6.3X /5.3X
  $ 314,453     Market Approach   EBITDA* Projection   $40.9 mm / N/A
      EBITDA* Multiples   5.3X-7.3X /6.3X
  $ 293,092     Qualitative
Assessment
  Cost of Corporate
Action
  $3.94 / N/A
  $ 97,302     Market Approach   EBITDA* Projection   $369.7 mm / N/A
      EBITDA* Multiples   15.3X/ N/A
  $ 75,447     Market Approach   EBITDA* Projection   $99 mm / N/A
      EBITDA* Multiples   4.8X / N/A
  $ – 0 –     Qualitative
Assessment
    $0.00 / N/A
 

 

 

       
  $ 8,599,941        
 

 

 

       

Preferred Stocks

  $ 1,498,286     Market Approach   EBITDA* Projection   $113.4 mm / N/A
      EBITDA* Multiples   7.0X-9.0X /8.0X

Whole Loan Trusts

   
$

1,197,360

 
 
Market Approach
 
Underlying NAV
of the Collateral
 
$66.10 / N/A
  $ 768,660     Recovery Analysis   Cumulative Loss   <20% / N/A
  $ 160,999     Discounted Cash
Flow
  Level Yield   44.37% / N/A
  $ 100,600     Discounted Cash
Flow
  Level Yield   36.56% / N/A
  $ 81,794     Discounted Cash
Flow
  Level Yield   53.69% / N/A
 

 

 

       
  $   2,309,413        
 

 

 

       

 

* Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization.

Generally, a change in the assumptions used in any input in isolation may be accompanied by a change in another input. Significant changes in any of the unobservable inputs may significantly impact the fair value measurement. Significant increases (decreases) in Underlying NAV of the Collateral, NAV Equivalent, Liquidation Value, Market Neutral Price, EBITDA projections and EBITDA Multiple in isolation would be expected to result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement. A significant increase (decrease) in Level Yield and Cumulative Loss in isolation would be expected to result in a significant lower (higher) fair value measurement.

 

abfunds.com   ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND    |    95


 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

The Adviser established the Committee to oversee the pricing and valuation of all securities held in the Fund. The Committee operates under pricing and valuation policies and procedures established by the Adviser and approved by the Board, including pricing policies which set forth the mechanisms and processes to be employed on a daily basis to implement these policies and procedures. In particular, the pricing policies describe how to determine market quotations for securities and other instruments. The Committee’s responsibilities include: 1) fair value and liquidity determinations (and oversight of any third parties to whom any responsibility for fair value and liquidity determinations is delegated), and 2) regular monitoring of the Adviser’s pricing and valuation policies and procedures and modification or enhancement of these policies and procedures (or recommendation of the modification of these policies and procedures) as the Committee believes appropriate.

The Committee is also responsible for monitoring the implementation of the pricing policies by the Adviser’s Pricing Group (the “Pricing Group”) and any third party which performs certain pricing functions in accordance with the pricing policies. The Pricing Group is responsible for the oversight of the third party on a day-to-day basis. The Committee and the Pricing Group perform a series of activities to provide reasonable assurance of the accuracy of prices including: 1) periodic vendor due diligence meetings, review of methodologies, new developments, and process at vendors, 2) daily comparisons of security valuation versus prior day for all securities that exceeded established thresholds, and 3) daily review of unpriced, stale, and variance reports with exceptions reviewed by senior management and the Committee.

In addition, several processes outside of the pricing process are used to monitor valuation issues including: 1) performance and performance attribution reports are monitored for anomalous impacts based upon benchmark performance, and 2) portfolio managers review all portfolios for performance and analytics (which are generated using the Adviser’s prices).

3. Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward currency exchange contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the quoted bid and ask prices of such currencies against the U.S. dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired or sold. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange prevailing when accrued.

Net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions represents foreign exchange gains and losses from sales and maturities of foreign fixed

 

96    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

income investments, holding of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on foreign investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains and losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation and depreciation of foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.

4. Taxes

It is the Fund’s policy to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its investment company taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to shareholders. Therefore, no provisions for federal income or excise taxes are required. The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation/depreciation as such income and/or gains are earned.

In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements.

5. Investment Income and Investment Transactions

Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Fund is informed of the dividend. Interest income is accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis. The Fund amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.

6. Dividends and Distributions

Dividends and distributions to shareholders, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal tax regulations and may differ from those determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

NOTE B

Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .90% of the Fund’s average weekly net assets. Such fee is accrued daily and paid monthly.

For the year ended March 31, 2017, the Adviser reimbursed the Fund $6,016 for trading losses incurred due to trade entry errors.

Pursuant to the amended administration agreement, the Fund may reimburse the Adviser for certain legal and accounting services provided to the Fund by the Adviser, provided, however, that the reimbursement may not exceed .15% annualized of average weekly net assets. For the year ended March 31, 2018, the reimbursement for such services amounted to $79,199.

Under the terms of a Shareholder Inquiry Agency Agreement with AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, the Fund reimburses ABIS for costs relating to servicing phone inquiries on behalf of the Fund. During the year ended March 31, 2018, there was no such reimbursement paid to ABIS.

The Fund may invest in AB Government Money Market Portfolio (the “Government Money Market Portfolio”) which has a contractual annual advisory fee rate of .20% of the portfolio’s average daily net assets and bears its own expenses. In connection with the investment by the Fund in the Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee from the Fund in an amount equal to the Fund’s pro rata share of the effective advisory fees of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Fund as an acquired fund fee and expense. For the year ended March 31, 2018, such waiver amounted to $34,946.

A summary of the Fund’s transactions in AB mutual funds for the year ended March 31, 2018 is as follows:

 

Fund   

Market

Value
03/31/17
(000)

     Purchases
at Cost
(000)
     Sales
Proceeds
(000)
    

Market

Value
03/31/18
(000)

     Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Government Money Market Portfolio

   $   36,558      $   290,193      $   310,433      $   16,318      $   136  

The Fund may purchase securities from, or sell securities to, an affiliated fund provided the affiliation is due solely to having a common investment adviser, common officers, or common directors. For the year ended

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

March 31, 2018, the purchase and sale transactions with an affiliated fund in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were $122,801 and $0, respectively.

Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the year ended March 31, 2018 amounted to $72,884, of which $0 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC or Sanford C. Bernstein Limited, affiliates of the Adviser.

NOTE C

Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the year ended March 31, 2018 were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  

Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)

   $     418,940,878     $     382,889,200  

U.S. government securities

     – 0  –      41,446,246  

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:

 

Cost

   $     1,232,728,847  
  

 

 

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 93,763,833  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (81,094,921
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 12,668,912  
  

 

 

 

1. Derivative Financial Instruments

The Fund may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, “investment purposes”), or to hedge or adjust the risk profile of its portfolio.

The principal types of derivatives utilized by the Fund, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:

 

   

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

The Fund may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on its foreign portfolio holdings, to hedge certain firm purchase and sales commitments denominated in foreign currencies and for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.

A forward currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated forward rate.

 

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The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contract and the closing of such contract would be included in net realized gain or loss on forward currency exchange contracts. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Fund. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of a contract and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar.

During the year ended March 31, 2018, the Fund held forward currency exchange contracts for hedging and non-hedging purposes.

 

   

Futures

The Fund may buy or sell futures for investment purposes or for the purpose of hedging its portfolio against adverse effects of potential movements in the market. The Fund bears the market risk that arises from changes in the value of these instruments and the imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures and movements in the price of the assets, reference rates or indices which they are designed to track. Among other things, the Fund may purchase or sell futures for foreign currencies or options thereon for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investment in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”.

At the time the Fund enters into a future, the Fund deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the exchange on which the transaction is effected. Such amount is shown as cash collateral due from broker on the statement of assets and liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The credit/counterparty risk for exchange-traded futures is generally less than privately negotiated futures, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each exchange-traded future, has robust risk mitigation standards, including the requirement to provide initial and variation margin. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the time it was closed.

Use of long futures subjects the Fund to risk of loss in excess of the amounts shown on the statement of assets and liabilities, up to the notional value of the futures. Use of short futures subjects the Fund to

 

100    |    ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND   abfunds.com


 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

unlimited risk of loss. Under some circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits on the amount that the price of a future can vary from the previous day’s settlement price, which could effectively prevent liquidation of unfavorable positions.

During the year ended March 31, 2018, the Fund held futures for hedging and non-hedging purposes.

 

   

Option Transactions

For hedging and investment purposes, the Fund may purchase and write (sell) put and call options on U.S. and foreign securities, including government securities, and foreign currencies that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and over-the-counter markets. Among other things, the Fund may use options transactions for non-hedging purposes as a means of making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions” and may use options strategies involving the purchase and/or writing of various combinations of call and/or put options, for hedging and investment purposes.

The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Fund pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Fund bears the risk of loss of the premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. If a put or call option purchased by the Fund were permitted to expire without being sold or exercised, its premium would represent a loss to the Fund. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.

When the Fund writes an option, the premium received by the Fund is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written. At March 31, 2018 the maximum payment for written put options amounted to $53,974,031. In certain circumstances maximum payout amounts may be partially offset by recovery values of the respective referenced assets and upfront premium received upon entering into the contract. Premiums received from written options which expire unexercised are recorded by the Fund on the expiration date as realized gains from options written. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerages, is also treated as a realized gain, or if the premium received is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium received is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security or currency in

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

determining whether the Fund has realized a gain or loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the security or currency purchased by the Fund. In writing an option, the Fund bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security or currency underlying the written option. Exercise of an option written by the Fund could result in the Fund’s selling or buying a security or currency at a price different from the current market value.

The Fund may also invest in options on swaps, also called “swaptions”. A swaption is an option that gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a swap on a future date in exchange for paying a market-based “premium”. A receiver swaption gives the owner the right to receive the total return of a specified asset, reference rate, or index. A payer swaption gives the owner the right to pay the total return of a specified asset, reference rate, or index. Swaptions also include options that allow an existing swap to be terminated or extended by one of the counterparties. At March 31, 2018 the maximum payment for written put swaptions amounted to $10,700,000. In certain circumstances maximum payout amounts may be partially offset by recovery values of the respective referenced assets and upfront premium received upon entering into the contract.

During the year ended March 31, 2018, the Fund held purchased options for hedging and non-hedging purposes.

During the year ended March 31, 2018, the Fund held written options for hedging and non-hedging purposes.

During the year ended March 31, 2018, the Fund held purchased swaptions for hedging and non-hedging purposes.

During the year ended March 31, 2018, the Fund held written swaptions for hedging and non-hedging purposes.

 

   

Swaps

The Fund may enter into swaps to hedge its exposure to interest rates, credit risk, or currencies. The Fund may also enter into swaps for non-hedging purposes as a means of gaining market exposures including by making direct investments in foreign currencies, as described below under “Currency Transactions”. A swap is an agreement that obligates two parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified intervals based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or rates for a specified amount of an underlying asset. The payment flows are usually netted against each other, with the difference being paid by one party to the other. In addition, collateral may be pledged or received by the Fund in

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

accordance with the terms of the respective swaps to provide value and recourse to the Fund or its counterparties in the event of default, bankruptcy or insolvency by one of the parties to the swap.

Risks may arise as a result of the failure of the counterparty to the swap to comply with the terms of the swap. The loss incurred by the failure of a counterparty is generally limited to the net interim payment to be received by the Fund, and/or the termination value at the end of the contract. Therefore, the Fund considers the creditworthiness of each counterparty to a swap in evaluating potential counterparty risk. This risk is mitigated by having a netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty and by the posting of collateral by the counterparty to the Fund to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty. Additionally, risks may arise from unanticipated movements in interest rates or in the value of the underlying securities. The Fund accrues for the interim payments on swaps on a daily basis, with the net amount recorded within unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps on the statement of assets and liabilities, where applicable. Once the interim payments are settled in cash, the net amount is recorded as realized gain/(loss) on swaps on the statement of operations, in addition to any realized gain/(loss) recorded upon the termination of swaps. Upfront premiums paid or received are recognized as cost or proceeds on the statement of assets and liabilities and are amortized on a straight line basis over the life of the contract. Amortized upfront premiums are included in net realized gain/(loss) from swaps on the statement of operations. Fluctuations in the value of swaps are recorded as a component of net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swaps on the statement of operations.

Certain standardized swaps, including certain interest rate swaps and credit default swaps, are (or soon will be) subject to mandatory central clearing. Cleared swaps are transacted through futures commission merchants (“FCMs”) that are members of central clearinghouses, with the clearinghouse serving as central counterparty, similar to transactions in futures contracts. Centralized clearing will be required for additional categories of swaps on a phased-in basis based on requirements published by the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

At the time the Fund enters into a centrally cleared swap, the Fund deposits and maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the clearinghouse on which the transaction is effected. Such amount is shown as cash collateral due from broker on the statement of assets and liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. Risks may arise from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The credit/counterparty risk for centrally cleared swaps is generally less than non-centrally cleared swaps, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each centrally cleared swap, has robust risk mitigation standards, including the requirement to provide initial and variation margin. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the time it was closed.

Interest Rate Swaps:

The Fund is subject to interest rate risk exposure in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. Because the Fund holds fixed rate bonds, the value of these bonds may decrease if interest rates rise. To help hedge against this risk and to maintain its ability to generate income at prevailing market rates, the Fund may enter into interest rate swaps. Interest rate swaps are agreements between two parties to exchange cash flows based on a notional amount. The Fund may elect to pay a fixed rate and receive a floating rate, or, receive a fixed rate and pay a floating rate on a notional amount.

In addition, the Fund may also enter into interest rate swap transactions to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio, or protecting against an increase in the price of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest (e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments) computed based on a contractually-based principal (or “notional”) amount. Interest rate swaps are entered into on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments).

During the year ended March 31, 2018, the Fund held interest rate swaps for hedging and non-hedging purposes.

Credit Default Swaps:

The Fund may enter into credit default swaps, including to manage its exposure to the market or certain sectors of the market, to reduce its risk exposure to defaults by corporate and sovereign issuers held by the Fund, or to create exposure to corporate or sovereign issuers to which it is not otherwise exposed. The Fund may purchase credit protection (“Buy Contract”) or provide credit protection (“Sale Contract”) on the referenced obligation of the credit default swap.

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

During the term of the swap agreement, the Fund receives/(pays) fixed payments from/(to) the respective counterparty, calculated at the agreed upon rate applied to the notional amount. If the Fund is a buyer/(seller) of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of the swap agreement, the Fund will either (i) receive from the seller/(pay to the buyer) of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap (the “Maximum Payout Amount”) and deliver/(take delivery of) the referenced obligation or (ii) receive/(pay) a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation.

In certain circumstances, Maximum Payout Amounts may be partially offset by recovery values of the respective referenced obligations, upfront premium received upon entering into the agreement, or net amounts received from settlement of buy protection credit default swaps entered into by the Fund for the same reference obligation with the same counterparty. As of March 31, 2018, the Fund had Buy Contracts outstanding with respect to the same referenced obligation and counterparty as certain Sale Contracts which may partially offset the Maximum Payout Amount in the amount of $1,100,000.

Credit default swaps may involve greater risks than if the Fund had invested in the referenced obligation directly. Credit default swaps are subject to general market risk, liquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk. If the Fund is a buyer of protection and no credit event occurs, it will lose its investment. If the Fund is a seller of protection and a credit event occurs, the value of the referenced obligation received by the Fund coupled with the periodic payments previously received may be less than the Maximum Payout Amount it pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss to the Fund.

Implied credit spreads over Treasuries of comparable maturity utilized in determining the market value of credit default swaps on issuers as of period end are disclosed in the portfolio of investments. The implied spreads serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and typically reflect the market’s assessment of the likelihood of default by the issuer of the referenced obligation. The implied credit spread of a particular reference entity reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may include upfront payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. Widening credit spreads typically represent a deterioration of the referenced entity’s credit soundness and greater likelihood of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement. A credit spread identified as “Defaulted” indicates a credit event has occurred for the referenced entity or obligation.

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

During the year ended March 31, 2018, the Fund held credit default swaps for hedging and non-hedging purposes.

Total Return Swaps:

The Fund may enter into total return swaps in order to take a “long” or “short” position with respect to an underlying referenced asset. The Fund is subject to market price volatility of the underlying referenced asset. A total return swap involves commitments to pay interest in exchange for a market linked return based on a notional amount. To the extent that the total return of the security, group of securities or index underlying the transaction exceeds or falls short of the offsetting interest obligation, the Fund will receive a payment from or make a payment to the counterparty.

During the year ended March 31, 2018, the Fund held total return swaps for non-hedging purposes.

Variance Swaps:

The Fund may enter into variance swaps to hedge equity market risk or adjust exposure to the equity markets. Variance swaps are contracts in which two parties agree to exchange cash payments based on the difference between the stated level of variance and the actual variance realized on underlying asset(s) or index(es). Actual “variance” as used here is defined as the sum of the square of the returns on the reference asset(s) or index(es) (which in effect is a measure of its “volatility”) over the length of the contract term. So the parties to a variance swap can be said to exchange actual volatility for a contractually stated rate of volatility.

During the year ended March 31, 2018, the Fund held variance swaps for non-hedging purposes.

The Fund typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreement”) with its OTC derivative contract counterparties in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to OTC counterparties. ISDA Master Agreements include provisions for general obligations, representations, collateral and events of default or termination. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund typically may offset with the OTC counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment (close-out netting) in the event of default or termination. In the event of a default by an OTC counterparty, the return of collateral with market value in excess of the Fund’s net liability, held by the defaulting party, may be delayed or denied.

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

The Fund’s ISDA Master Agreements may contain provisions for early termination of OTC derivative transactions in the event the net assets of the Fund decline below specific levels (“net asset contingent features”). If these levels are triggered, the Fund’s OTC counterparty has the right to terminate such transaction and require the Fund to pay or receive a settlement amount in connection with the terminated transaction. For additional details, please refer to netting arrangements by OTC counterparty table below.

During the year ended March 31, 2018 the Fund had entered into the following derivatives:

 

    

Asset Derivatives

   

Liability Derivatives

 

Derivative Type

 

Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
Location

  Fair Value    

Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
Location

  Fair Value  

Interest rate contracts

 

Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures

 

$

543,883

   

Interest rate contracts

 

Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps

 

 

1,491,899

 

Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps

 

$

  1,554,698

Interest rate contracts

 

Unrealized appreciation on total return swaps

 

 

819

 

 

Unrealized depreciation on total return swaps

 

 

175,280

 

Foreign currency contracts

 

Unrealized appreciation on variance swaps

 

 

252

 

 

Unrealized depreciation on variance swaps

 

 

483

 

Foreign currency contracts

 

Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts

 

 

  8,822,909

 

 

Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts

 

 

7,071,231

 

Foreign currency contracts

 

Investments in securities, at value

 

 

206,405

 

   

Foreign currency contracts

     

Options written, at value

 

 

1,998,895

 

Credit contracts

  Unrealized appreciation on credit default swaps     371,087     Unrealized depreciation on credit default swaps     7,709,673  

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

    

Asset Derivatives

   

Liability Derivatives

 

Derivative Type

 

Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
Location

  Fair Value    

Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
Location

  Fair Value  

Credit contracts

  Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps   $ 397,443   Receivable/Payable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps   $ 499,376

Credit contracts

      Swaptions written, at value     39,360  

Equity contracts

     

Receivable/Payable for variation margin on futures

 

 

178,435

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    $   11,834,697       $   19,227,431  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

* Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative unrealized appreciation/depreciation on futures and centrally cleared swaps as reported in the portfolio of investments.

 

Derivative Type

  

Location of
Gain or (Loss)
on Derivatives
Within Statement
of Operations

   Realized Gain
or (Loss) on
Derivatives
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation or
(Depreciation)
 

Interest rate contracts

   Net realized gain/(loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/ depreciation on swaps    $   2,011,400     $   (184,531

Interest rate contracts

   Net realized gain/(loss) on futures; Net change in unrealized appreciation/ depreciation on futures      (2,930,112     354,847  

Interest rate contracts

   Net realized gain/(loss) on investment transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments      (413,367     – 0  – 

Interest rate contracts

   Net realized gain/(loss) on swaptions written; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on swaptions written      180,030       (102,209

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Derivative Type

  

Location of
Gain or (Loss)
on Derivatives
Within Statement
of Operations

   Realized Gain
or (Loss) on
Derivatives
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation or
(Depreciation)
 

Foreign currency contracts

  

Net realized gain/(loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/ depreciation on swaps

  

$

– 0

 – 

 

$

(231

Foreign currency contracts

  

Net realized gain/(loss) on forward currency exchange contracts; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts

  

 

  (16,463,889

 

 

2,267,377

 

Foreign currency contracts

  

Net realized gain/(loss) on investment transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

  

 

(2,940,654

 

 

  (2,028,769

Foreign currency contracts

  

Net realized gain/(loss) on options written; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on options written

  

 

9,765,627

 

 

 

(45,765

Credit contracts

   Net realized gain/(loss) on investment transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments      (49,058     – 0  – 

Credit contracts

   Net realized gain/(loss) on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/ depreciation on swaps      4,438,436       (2,693,989

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Derivative Type

  

Location of
Gain or (Loss)
on Derivatives
Within Statement
of Operations

   Realized Gain
or (Loss) on
Derivatives
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation or
(Depreciation)
 

Credit contracts

   Net realized gain/(loss) on swaptions written; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on swaptions written    $ 501,474     $ 27,590  

Equity contracts

  

Net realized gain/(loss)

on swaps; Net change in unrealized appreciation/

depreciation on swaps

     (4,857,461     (65,272

Equity contracts

   Net realized gain/(loss) on futures; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on futures      1,097,249       (267,176

Equity contracts

   Net realized gain/(loss) on investment transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments      (1,640,335     103,957  

Equity contracts

   Net realized gain/(loss) on options written; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on options written      823,814       (43,600
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

      $     (10,476,846   $     (2,677,771
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table represents the average monthly volume of the Fund’s derivative transactions during the year ended March 31, 2018:

 

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps:

  

Average notional amount of buy contracts

   $ 23,545,974  

Average notional amount of sale contracts

   $ 70,533,395  
  

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps:

  

Average notional amount

   $     251,639,033  
  

Credit Default Swaps:

  

Average notional amount of buy contracts

   $ 2,485,000 (a) 

Average notional amount of sale contracts

   $ 71,456,742  
  

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts:

  

Average principal amount of buy contracts

   $ 374,982,770  

Average principal amount of sale contracts

   $ 580,795,351  
  

Futures:

  

Average original value of buy contracts

   $ 109,090,759  

Average original value of sale contracts

   $ 19,307,315 (b) 
  

Total Return Swaps:

  

Average notional amount

   $ 66,778,148  
  

Variance Swaps:

  

Average notional amount

   $ 725,069 (c) 
  

Options Written:

  

Average notional amount

   $     297,153,809  
  

Purchased Options:

  

Average notional amount

   $ 102,451,546  
  

Swaptions Written:

  

Average notional amount

   $ 35,384,154  
  

Purchased Swaptions:

  

Average notional amount

   $ 38,340,992 (d) 

 

(a) Positions were open for six months during the reporting period.

 

(b) Positions were open for eight months during the reporting period.

 

(c) Positions were open for eleven months during the reporting period.

 

(d) Positions were open for five months during the reporting period.

For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the statement of assets and liabilities.

All OTC derivatives held at year end were subject to netting arrangements. The following table presents the Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities by OTC counterparty net of amounts available for offset under ISDA Master Agreements and net of the related collateral received/pledged by the Fund as of March 31, 2018. Exchange-traded derivatives and centrally cleared swaps are not subject to netting arrangements and as such are excluded from the table.

 

Counterparty

  Derivative
Assets
Subject to a
MA
    Derivatives
Available

for Offset
    Cash
Collateral
Received*
    Security
Collateral
Received*
    Net Amount
of Derivatives
Assets
 

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd

  $ 2,525     $ (2,525   $ – 0  –    $ – 0  –    $ – 0  – 

Bank of America, NA

    212,273       (212,273     – 0  –      – 0  –      – 0  – 

Barclays Bank PLC

    167,566       (167,566     – 0  –      – 0  –      – 0  – 

BNP Paribas SA

        360,992           (118,719         –0  –          –0  –          242,273  

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

    305,488       (2,487     – 0  –      – 0  –      303,001  

Citibank, NA

    1,353,682       (615,348     – 0  –      – 0  –      738,334  

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Counterparty

  Derivative
Assets
Subject to a
MA
    Derivatives
Available

for Offset
    Cash
Collateral
Received*
    Security
Collateral
Received*
    Net Amount
of Derivatives
Assets
 

Credit Suisse International

  $ 1,176,363     $ (1,176,363   $ – 0  –    $ – 0  –    $ – 0  – 

Deutsche Bank AG

    1,188,707       (618,160     – 0  –      – 0  –      570,547  

Goldman Sachs Bank USA/ Goldman Sachs International

    1,003,283       (1,003,283     – 0  –      – 0  –      – 0  – 

HSBC Bank USA

    1,504,815       (1,504,815     – 0  –      – 0  –      – 0  – 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

    1,528,590       (1,528,590     – 0  –      – 0  –      – 0  – 

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC/ Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC

    326,355       (326,355     – 0  –      – 0  –      – 0  – 

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC

    586,005       (181,610     – 0  –      – 0  –      404,395  

Standard Chartered Bank

    100,945       (100,945     – 0  –      – 0  –      – 0  – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $     9,817,589     $     (7,559,039   $     – 0  –    $     – 0  –    $     2,258,550 ^ 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Counterparty

  Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to a
MA
    Derivatives
Available
for Offset
    Cash
Collateral
Pledged*
    Security
Collateral
Pledged*
    Net Amount
of Derivatives
Liabilities
 

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd

  $ 12,175     $ (2,525   $ – 0  –    $ – 0  –    $ 9,650  

Bank of America, NA

    554,878       (212,273     – 0  –      – 0  –      342,605  

Barclays Bank PLC

    972,579       (167,566     – 0  –      (805,013     – 0  – 

BNP Paribas SA

    118,719       (118,719     – 0  –      – 0  –      – 0  – 

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

    2,487       (2,487     – 0  –      – 0  –      – 0  – 

Citibank, NA

    615,348       (615,348     – 0  –      – 0  –      – 0  – 

Credit Suisse International

    2,810,717       (1,176,363     – 0  –      (1,190,625     443,729  

Deutsche Bank AG

    618,160       (618,160     – 0  –      – 0  –      – 0  – 

Goldman Sachs Bank USA / Goldman Sachs International

        12,739,799           (1,003,283         –0  –          (11,736,516     – 0  – 

HSBC Bank USA

    1,804,379       (1,504,815     – 0  –      – 0  –          299,564  

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

    1,878,013       (1,528,590     – 0  –      (349,423     – 0  – 

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC/ Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC

    2,885,162       (326,355     – 0  –      (2,543,056     15,751  

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC

    181,610       (181,610     – 0  –      – 0  –      – 0  – 

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Counterparty

  Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to a
MA
    Derivatives
Available
for Offset
    Cash
Collateral
Pledged*
    Security
Collateral
Pledged*
    Net Amount
of Derivatives
Liabilities
 

Standard Chartered Bank

  $ 396,256     $ (100,945   $ – 0  –    $ – 0  –    $ 295,311  

UBS AG

    79,869       – 0  –      – 0  –      (79,869     – 0  – 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $     25,670,151     $     (7,559,039   $     – 0  –    $     (16,704,502   $     1,406,610 ^ 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

* The actual collateral received/pledged may be more than the amount reported due to overcollateralization.

 

^ Net amount represents the net receivable/payable that would be due from/to the counterparty in the event of default or termination. The net amount from OTC financial derivative instruments can only be netted across transactions governed under the same master agreement with the same counterparty.

 

   See Note C.3 for additional disclosure of netting arrangements regarding reverse repurchase agreements.

2. Currency Transactions

The Fund may invest in non-U.S. Dollar-denominated securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Fund may seek investment opportunities by taking long or short positions in currencies through the use of currency-related derivatives, including forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps, and other options. The Fund may enter into transactions for investment opportunities when it anticipates that a foreign currency will appreciate or depreciate in value but securities denominated in that currency are not held by the Fund and do not present attractive investment opportunities. Such transactions may also be used when the Adviser believes that it may be more efficient than a direct investment in a foreign currency-denominated security. The Fund may also conduct currency exchange contracts on a spot basis (i.e., for cash at the spot rate prevailing in the currency exchange market for buying or selling currencies).

3. Reverse Repurchase Agreements

The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase transactions (“RVP”) in accordance with the terms of a Master Repurchase Agreement (“MRA”), under which the Fund sells securities and agrees to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price. At the time the Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it will establish a segregated account with the custodian containing liquid assets having a value comparable to the repurchase price. Under the MRA and other Master Agreements, the Fund is permitted to offset payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted to the counterparty and create one single net payment due to or from the Fund in the event of a default. In the event of a default by a MRA counterparty, the Fund may be considered an unsecured creditor with respect to any excess collateral (collateral with a market value in excess of the repurchase price) held by and/or posted to the counterparty, and as such the return of such excess collateral may be delayed or denied. For the year ended March 31, 2018, the average amount of reverse

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

repurchase agreements outstanding was $74,053,792 and the daily weighted average interest rate was 0.68%. At March 31, 2018, the Fund had reverse repurchase agreements outstanding in the amount of $85,780,890 as reported in the statement of assets and liabilities.

The following table presents the Fund’s RVP liabilities by counterparty net of the related collateral pledged by the Fund as of March 31, 2018:

 

Counterparty

   RVP Liabilities
Subject to
a MRA
     Securities
Collateral
Pledged*
    Net Amount of
RVP Liabilities
 

Barclays Capital, Inc.

   $ 14,585,439      $ (14,568,280   $ 17,159  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

     13,643,008        (13,599,040     43,968  

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

     3,297,602        (3,145,162     152,440  

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

     40,520,391        (40,520,391     – 0  – 

RBC Capital Markets

     13,734,450        (13,330,679     403,771  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $     85,780,890      $     (85,163,552   $     617,338  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Including accrued interest.

 

* The actual collateral pledged may be more than the amount reported due to overcollateralization.

4. Loan Participations and Assignments

The Fund may invest in direct debt instruments which are interests in amounts owed to lenders or lending syndicates by corporate, governmental, or other borrowers, either in the form of participations at the time the loan is originated (“Participations”) or by buying an interest in the loan in the secondary market from a financial institution or institutional investor (“Assignments”). A loan is often administered by a bank or other financial institution (the “Lender”) that acts as agent for all holders. The agent administers the terms of the loan as specified in the loan agreement. When investing in Participations, the Fund generally has no right to enforce compliance with the terms of the loan agreement with the borrower. In addition, when investing in Participations, the Fund has the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the Lender and only upon receipt of payments by the Lender from the borrower. As a result, the Fund may be subject to the credit risk of both the borrower and the Lender. When the Fund purchases Assignments from Lenders, it will typically acquire direct rights against the borrower on the loan. These loans may include participations in “bridge loans”, which are loans taken out by borrowers for a short period (typically less than six months) pending arrangement of more permanent financing through, for example, the issuance of bonds, frequently high-yield bonds issued for the purpose of acquisitions. The Fund may also participate in unfunded loan commitments, which are contractual obligations for investing in future Participations, and may receive a commitment fee based on the amount of the commitment. Under these arrangements, the Fund may receive a fixed rate commitment fee and, if and to the extent the borrower borrows under the facility, the Fund may receive an additional funding fee.

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Unfunded loan commitments and funded loans are marked to market daily.

As of March 31, 2018, the Fund had no unfunded loan commitments outstanding.

As of March 31, 2018, the Fund had no bridge loan commitments outstanding.

During the year ended March 31, 2018, the Fund received commitment fees or additional funding fees in the amount of $2,402.

NOTE D

Capital Stock

During the year ended March 31, 2018 and the year ended March 31, 2017 the Fund issued no shares in connection with the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan.

NOTE E

Risks Involved in Investing in the Fund

Interest Rate Risk and Credit Risk—Interest rate risk is the risk that changes in interest rates will affect the value of the Fund’s investments in fixed-income debt securities such as bonds or notes. Increases in interest rates may cause the value of the Fund’s investments to decline. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a debt security, or the counterparty to a derivative contract, will be unable or unwilling to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. Credit risk is greater for medium quality and lower-rated securities. Lower-rated debt securities and similar unrated securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) have speculative elements or are predominantly speculative risks.

Duration Risk—Duration is a measure that relates the expected price volatility of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. The duration of a fixed-income security may be shorter than or equal to full maturity of a fixed-income security. Fixed-income securities with longer durations have more risk and will decrease in price as interest rates rise. For example, a fixed-income security with a duration of three years will decrease in value by approximately 3% if interest rates increase by 1%.

Inflation Risk—This is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions. This risk is significantly greater if the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in fixed-income securities with longer maturities.

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Liquidity Risk—Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or sell, possibly preventing the Fund from selling out of these illiquid or relatively less liquid securities at an advantageous price. Causes of liquidity risk may include low trading volume, lack of a market maker, a large position, or legal restrictions that limit or prevent a Fund from selling securities or closing derivative positions at desirable prices or opportune times. Over recent years, the capacity of dealers to make markets in fixed income securities has been outpaced by the growth in the size of the fixed income markets. Liquidity risk maybe magnified in a rising interest rate environment, where the value and liquidity of fixed income securities generally go down. Derivatives and securities involving substantial market and credit risk tend to involve greater liquidity risk. Illiquid securities and relatively less liquid securities may also be difficult to value.

Mortgage-Backed and/or Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk—Investments in mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities are subject to certain additional risks. The value of these securities may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates. These risks include “extension risk”, which is the risk that, in periods of rising interest rates, issuers may delay the payment of principal, and “prepayment risk”, which is the risk that in periods of falling interest rates, issuers may pay principal sooner than expected, exposing the Fund to a lower rate of return upon reinvestment of principal. Mortgage-backed securities offered by non-governmental issuers and other asset-backed securities may be subject to other risks, such as higher rates of default in the mortgages or assets backing the securities or risks associated with the nature and servicing of mortgages or assets backing the securities.

Foreign (Non-U.S.) Risk—Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers may involve more risk than those of U.S. issuers. These securities may fluctuate more widely in price and may be less liquid due to adverse market, economic, political, regulatory or other factors. Risks relating to investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers may be heightened with respect to investments in emerging-market countries, where there may be: greater social, economic and political uncertainty and instability; more substantial governmental involvement in the economy; less governmental supervision and regulation; unavailability of currency hedging techniques; companies that are newly organized and small; differences in auditing and financial reporting standards, which may result in unavailability of material information about issuers; and less developed. Foreign investment in the securities markets of certain foreign countries is restricted or controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions or controls may at times limit or preclude investment in certain securities and may increase the costs and expenses of the Fund.

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Currency Risk—Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Fund’s investments or reduce its returns.

Derivatives Risk—The Fund may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be illiquid, difficult to price, and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Fund, and subject to counterparty risk to a greater degree than more traditional investments. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected in the statement of assets and liabilities.

Leverage Risk—When the Fund borrows money or otherwise leverages its investments, its performance may be volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s investments. The Fund may create leverage through the use of reverse repurchase arrangements, forward currency exchange contracts, forward commitments, dollar rolls or futures or by borrowing money. The use of other types of derivative instruments by the Fund, such as options and swaps, may also result in a form of leverage. Leverage may result in higher returns to the Fund than if the Fund were not leveraged, but may also adversely affect returns, particularly if the market is declining.

Leverage may result in higher returns to the Fund than if the Fund were not leveraged, but may also adversely affect returns, particularly if the market is declining. The risks of leverage also include potentially a higher volatility of the NAV of the common stock, potentially more volatility in the market value of the common stock and the relatively greater effect on the NAV of the common stock caused by the favorable or adverse changes in portfolio security values or currency exchange rates. In addition, changes in the interest rate environment can increase or decrease shareholder returns. The Fund maintains asset coverage of at least 300% with respect to borrowings.

To the extent that the current interest rate on the Fund’s indebtedness approaches the net return on the leveraged portion of the Fund’s investment portfolio, then the benefit to the shareholders will be reduced. If the rate on indebtedness were to exceed the net return on the same portion of the portfolio, then this would result in a lower rate of return for the shareholders. Similarly, the use of leverage in a declining market can advance the decrease of the Fund’s NAV more so than if the Fund were not leveraged, which would likely be reflected in a greater decline in the market price for shares of common stock than if the Fund were not leveraged. In extreme cases, if the Fund’s current investment income were not sufficient to meet interest payments on indebtedness or if the Fund failed to maintain the asset coverage required by the 1940 Act, then it could be necessary for the Fund to liquidate certain investments at a time when it may be

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

disadvantageous to do so. The use of derivative instruments by the Fund, such as forwards, futures, options and swaps, may result in a form of leverage.

Indemnification Risk—In the ordinary course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Fund has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote. Therefore, the Fund has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.

NOTE F

Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 were as follows:

 

     2018      2017  

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income

   $     71,764,491      $ 81,900,947  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total taxable distributions paid

     71,764,491            81,900,947  

Tax return of capital

     564,962        – 0  – 
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions paid

   $ 72,329,453      $ 81,900,947  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Accumulated capital losses

   $     (23,231,175 )(a) 

Other losses

     (10,802,515 )(b) 

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     11,627,888 (c) 
  

 

 

 

Total accumulated earnings/(deficit)

   $ (22,405,802 )(d) 
  

 

 

 

 

(a) As of March 31, 2018, the Fund had a net capital loss carryforward of $23,231,175.
(b) As of March 31, 2018, the Fund had a qualified late-year ordinary loss deferral of $10,802,515. This loss is deemed to arise on April 1, 2018.
(c) The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, the tax treatment of swaps, the tax treatment of passive foreign investment companies (PFICs), the tax treatment of partnership investments, and the recognition for tax purposes of unrealized gains/losses on certain derivative instruments.
(d) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) is attributable primarily to the tax treatment of defaulted securities.

For tax purposes, net realized capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses for an indefinite period, and such losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of March 31, 2018, the Fund had a net short-term capital loss carryforward of $5,015,415 and a net long-term capital loss carryforward of $18,215,760, which may be carried forward for an indefinite period.

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

During the current fiscal year, permanent differences primarily due to the tax treatment of swaps, the tax treatment of partnership investments, the tax treatment of proceeds from the sale of defaulted securities, foreign currency reclassifications, paydown gain/loss reclassifications, and reclassifications of foreign capital gains tax resulted in a net increase in distributions in excess of net investment income and a net decrease in accumulated net realized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions. These reclassifications had no effect on net assets.

NOTE G

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU 2017-08, Receivables — Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20), Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities (the “ASU”) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium, shortening such period to the earliest call date. The ASU does not require any accounting change for debt securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity. The ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of these changes on the financial statements.

NOTE H

Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Fund’s financial statements through this date.

 

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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Selected Data For A Share of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    Year Ended March 31,  
    2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $  13.87       $  12.64       $  14.01       $  15.19       $  15.70  
 

 

 

 

Income From Investment Operations

         

Net investment income(a)

    .83       .82       .89       1.00       1.14  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

    (.30     1.36       (1.15     (.74     (.07

Contributions from Affiliates

    – 0  –      .00 (b)      – 0  –      – 0  –      – 0  – 
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations

    .53       2.18       (.26     .26       1.07  
 

 

 

 

Less: Dividends and Distributions

         

Dividends from net investment income

    (.83     (.95     (1.11     (1.21     (1.30

Tax return of capital

    (.01     – 0  –      – 0  –      – 0  –      – 0  – 

Distributions from net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions

    – 0  –      – 0  –      – 0  –      (.23     (.28
 

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    (.84     (.95     (1.11     (1.44     (1.58
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $  13.56       $  13.87       $  12.64       $  14.01       $  15.19  
 

 

 

 

Market value, end of period

    $  11.89       $  12.58       $  11.66       $  12.57       $  14.76  
 

 

 

 

(Discount), end of period

    (12.32 )%      (9.30 )%      (7.75 )%      (10.28 )%      (2.83 )% 

Total Return

         

Total investment return based on:(c)

         

Market value

    0.95  %      16.47  %      2.20  %      (5.20 )%      0.37  % 

Net asset value

    4.42  %      18.46  %      (0.59 )%      2.68  %      7.44  % 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

    $1,169,161       $1,195,920       $1,090,255       $1,207,977       $1,309,518  

Ratio to average net assets of:

         

Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements

    1.05  %      1.04  %      1.01  %      1.01  %      .98  % 

Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(d)

    1.05  %      1.04  %      1.01  %      1.01  %      .98  % 

Net investment income

    5.99  %      6.14  %      6.81  %      6.76  %      7.43  % 

Portfolio turnover rate

    34  %      48  %      42  %      48  %      36  % 

See footnote summary on page 121.

 

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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

Selected Data For A Share of Capital Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

 

(a) Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b) Amount is less than $0.005.

 

(c) Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of common stock on the opening of the first day and a sale on the closing of the last day of each period reported. Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed, for purposes of this calculation, to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Generally, Total investment return based on net asset value will be higher than total investment return based on market value to the net asset value from the beginning to the end of such periods. Conversely, total investment return based on net asset value will be lower than total investment return based on market value in periods where there is a decrease in the discount or an increase in the premium of the market value to the net asset value from the beginning to the end of such periods. Total investment return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.

 

(d) The expense ratios presented below exclude interest expense:

 

    Year Ended March 31,  
    2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  
 

 

 

 

Net of waivers/reimbursements

    .99     .99     .98     1.00     .97

Before waivers/reimbursements

    .99     .99     .98     1.00     .97

See notes to financial statements.

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED

PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of

AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund, Inc.:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), including the portfolio of investments, as of March 31, 2018, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund, Inc. at March 31, 2018, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED

PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM (continued)

 

disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31, 2018, by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more of the AB investment companies since 1968.

 

LOGO

New York, New York

May 29, 2018

 

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2018 FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION

(unaudited)

 

For Federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during the taxable year ended March 31, 2018. For corporate shareholders, 0.30% of dividends paid qualify for the dividends received deduction. For foreign shareholders, 53.12% of ordinary dividends paid may be considered to be qualifying to be taxed as interest-related dividends. For individual shareholders, the Fund designates 0.30% of dividends paid as qualified dividend income.

Shareholders should not use the above information to prepare their income tax returns. The information necessary to complete your income tax returns will be included with your Form 1099-DIV which will be sent to you separately in January 2019.

 

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

(unaudited)

 

AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund

Shareholders whose shares are registered in their own names will automatically be participants in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”), pursuant to which distributions to shareholders will be paid in or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund, unless they elect to receive cash. Computershare Trust Company N.A. (the “Agent”) will act as agent for participants under the Plan. Shareholders whose shares are held in the name of a broker or nominee should contact such broker or nominee to determine whether or how they may participate in the Plan.

If the Board declares a distribution payable either in shares or in cash, as holders of the Common Stock may have elected, non-participants in the Plan will receive cash and participants in the Plan will receive the equivalent in shares of Common Stock of the Fund valued as follows:

 

  (i) If the shares of Common Stock are trading at net asset value or at a premium above net asset value at the time of valuation, the Fund will issue new shares at the greater of net asset value or 95% of the then current market price.

 

  (ii) If the shares of Common Stock are trading at a discount from net asset value at the time of valuation, the Agent will receive the distribution in cash and apply it to the purchase of the Fund’s shares of Common Stock in the open market on the New York Stock Exchange or elsewhere, for the participants’ accounts. Such purchases will be made on or shortly after the payment date for such distribution and in no event more than 30 days after such date except where temporary curtailment or suspension of purchase is necessary to comply with Federal securities laws. If, before the Agent has completed its purchases, the market price exceeds the net asset value of a share of Common Stock, the average purchase price per share paid by the Agent may exceed the net asset value of the Fund’s shares of Common Stock, resulting in the acquisition of fewer shares than if the distribution had been paid in shares issued by the Fund.

The Agent will maintain all shareholders’ accounts in the Plan and furnish written confirmation of all transactions in the account, including information needed by shareholders for tax records. Shares in the account of each Plan participant will be held by the Agent in non-certificate form in the name of the participant, and each shareholder’s proxy will include those shares purchased or received pursuant to the Plan.

 

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (continued)

 

There will be no charges with respect to shares issued directly by the Fund to satisfy the dividend reinvestment requirements. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Agent’s open market purchases of shares.

The automatic reinvestment of distributions will not relieve participants of any income taxes that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on distributions.

Experience under the Plan may indicate that changes are desirable. Accordingly, the Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan as applied to any voluntary cash payments made and any dividend or distribution paid subsequent to written notice of the change sent to participants in the Plan at least 90 days before the record date for such dividend or distribution. The Plan may also be amended or terminated by the Agent on at least 90 days written notice to participants in the Plan. All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to the Agent at Computershare Trust Company N.A., P.O. Box 30170 College Point, TX 77842-3170.

 

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1), Chairman

Michael J. Downey(1)

William H. Foulk, Jr.(1)

Nancy P. Jacklin(1)

Robert M. Keith, President and Chief Executive Officer

Carol C. McMullen(1)

Garry L. Moody(1)

Earl D. Weiner(1)

OFFICERS

Paul J. DeNoon(2), Vice President

Gershon M. Distenfeld(2), Vice President

Matthew S. Sheridan(2) , Vice President

Douglas J. Peebles(2), Vice President

Emilie D. Wrapp, Secretary

Joseph J. Mantineo, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Stephen M. Woetzel, Controller

Vincent S. Noto, Chief Compliance Officer

 

Administrator

AllianceBernstein, L.P.

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

 

Custodian and Accounting Agent

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

50 Post Office Square

Boston, MA 02110

 

Dividend Paying Agent,

Transfer Agent and Registrar

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

P.O. Box 30170

College Point, TX 77842-3170

  

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP

5 Times Square

New York, NY 10036

 

Legal Counsel

Seward & Kissel LLP

One Battery Park Plaza

New York, NY 10004

 

1 Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

2 The day-to-day management of, and investment decisions for, the Fund’s portfolio are made by the Global Fixed-Income: Emerging Market Investment Team. While all members of the team work jointly to determine the majority of the investment strategy including stock selection for the Fund, Messrs. Paul J. DeNoon, Gershon Distenfeld, Douglas J. Peebles, and Matthew S. Sheridan, members of the Global Fixed-Income: Emerging Market Investment Team, are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio.

 

   Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 that the Fund may purchase from time to time at market prices shares of its Common Stock in the open market.

 

   This report, including the financial statements herein, is transmitted to the shareholders of AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund for their information. The financial information included herein is taken from the records of the Fund. This is not a prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase of shares of the Fund or any securities mentioned in this report.

 

   Annual Certifications—As required, on April 18, 2018, the Fund submitted to the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) the annual certification of the Fund’s Chief Executive Officer certifying that he is not aware of any violation of the NYSE’s Corporate Governance listing standards. The Fund also has included the certifications of the Fund’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 as exhibits to the Fund’s Form N-CSR filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the reporting period.

 

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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

 

Board of Directors Information

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s Directors is set forth below.

 

NAME,

ADDRESS* AND AGE

(YEAR FIRST ELECTED**)

 

PRINCIPAL

OCCUPATION(S)

DURING PAST FIVE YEARS

AND OTHER RELEVANT

QUALIFICATIONS***

  PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
    OTHER
PUBLIC COMPANY
DIRECTORSHIPS
CURRENTLY
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
INTERESTED DIRECTOR

Robert M. Keith,#

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

58

(2009)

  Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein L.P. (the “Adviser”) and the head of AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (“ABI”) since July 2008; Director of ABI and President of the AB Mutual Funds. Previously, he served as Executive Managing Director of ABI from December 2006 to June 2008. Prior to joining ABI in 2006, Executive Managing Director of Bernstein Global Wealth Management, and prior thereto, Senior Managing Director and Global Head of Client Service and Sales of the Adviser’s institutional investment management business since 2004. Prior thereto, he was Managing Director and Head of North American Client Service and Sales in the Adviser’s institutional investment management business, with which he had been associated since prior to 2004.     93     None
     

 

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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)

 

NAME,

ADDRESS* AND AGE

(YEAR FIRST ELECTED**)

 

PRINCIPAL

OCCUPATION(S)

DURING PAST FIVE YEARS

AND OTHER RELEVANT

QUALIFICATIONS***

  PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
    OTHER
PUBLIC COMPANY
DIRECTORSHIPS
CURRENTLY
HELD BY
DIRECTOR
DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS    

Marshall C. Turner, Jr.,##

Chairman of the Board

76

(2006)

  Private Investor since prior to 2013. Former Chairman and CEO of Dupont Photomasks, Inc. (components of semi-conductor manufacturing). He has extensive operating leadership, and venture capital investing experience, including five interim or full-time CEO roles, and prior service as general partner of institutional venture capital partnerships. He also has extensive non-profit board leadership experience, and currently serves on the boards of two education and science-related non-profit organizations. He has served as a director of one AB Fund since 1992, and director or trustee of multiple AB Funds since 2005. He has been Chairman of the AB Funds since January 2014, and Chairman of the Independent Directors Committee of such AB Funds since February 2014.     93     Xilinx, Inc. (programmable logic semi-conductors) since 2007
     

Michael J. Downey,##

74

(2005)

  Private Investor since prior to 2013. Formerly, managing partner of Lexington Capital, LLC (investment advisory firm) from December 1997 until December 2003. He served as a Director of Prospect Acquisition Corp. (financial services) from 2007 until 2009. From 1987 until 1993, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Mutual Fund Management, director of the Prudential mutual funds, and member of the Executive Committee of Prudential Securities Inc. He has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2005 and is a director and Chairman of one other registered investment company.     93     The Asia Pacific Fund, Inc. (registered investment company) since prior to 2013

 

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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)

 

NAME,

ADDRESS* AND AGE

(YEAR FIRST ELECTED**)

 

PRINCIPAL

OCCUPATION(S)

DURING PAST FIVE YEARS

AND OTHER RELEVANT

QUALIFICATIONS***

  PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
    OTHER
PUBLIC COMPANY
DIRECTORSHIPS
CURRENTLY
HELD BY
DIRECTOR

DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS

(continued)

   

William H. Foulk, Jr.,##

85

(1993)

  Investment Adviser and an Independent Consultant since prior to 2013. Previously, he was Senior Manager of Barrett Associates, Inc., a registered investment adviser. He was formerly Deputy Comptroller and Chief Investment Officer of the State of New York and, prior thereto, Chief Investment Officer of the New York Bank for Savings. He has served as a director or trustee of various AB Funds since 1983, and was Chairman of the Independent Directors Committees of the AB Funds from 2003 until early February 2014. He served as Chairman of such AB Funds from 2003 through December 2013. He is also active in a number of mutual fund related organizations and committees.     93     None
     

 

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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)

 

NAME,

ADDRESS* AND AGE

(YEAR FIRST ELECTED**)

 

PRINCIPAL

OCCUPATION(S)

DURING PAST FIVE YEARS

AND OTHER RELEVANT

QUALIFICATIONS***

  PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
    OTHER
PUBLIC COMPANY
DIRECTORSHIPS
CURRENTLY
HELD BY
DIRECTOR

DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS

(continued)

   

Nancy P. Jacklin,##

70

(2006)

  Private Investor since prior to 2013. Professorial Lecturer at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (2008-2015). U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (which is responsible for ensuring the stability of the international monetary system), (December 2002-May 2006); Partner, Clifford Chance (1992-2002); Sector Counsel, International Banking and Finance, and Associate General Counsel, Citicorp (1985-1992); Assistant General Counsel (International), Federal Reserve Board of Governors (1982-1985); and Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury (1973-1982). Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and of New York; and member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2006 and has been Chairman of the Governance and Nominating Committees of the AB Funds since August 2014.     93     None

 

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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)

 

NAME,

ADDRESS* AND AGE

(YEAR FIRST ELECTED**)

 

PRINCIPAL

OCCUPATION(S)

DURING PAST FIVE YEARS

AND OTHER RELEVANT

QUALIFICATIONS***

  PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
    OTHER
PUBLIC COMPANY
DIRECTORSHIPS
CURRENTLY
HELD BY
DIRECTOR

DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS

(continued)

   

Carol C. McMullen,##

62

(2016)

  Managing Director of Slalom Consulting (consulting) since 2014, private investor and member of the Partners Healthcare Investment Committee. Formerly, Director of Norfolk & Dedham Group (mutual property and casualty insurance) from 2011 until November 2016; Director of Partners Community Physicians Organization (healthcare) from 2014 until December 2016; and Managing Director of The Crossland Group (consulting) from 2012 until 2013. She has held a number of senior positions in the asset and wealth management industries, including at Eastern Bank (where her roles included President of Eastern Wealth Management), Thomson Financial (Global Head of Sales for Investment Management), and Putnam Investments (where her roles included Head of Global Investment Research). She has served on a number of private company and non-profit boards, and as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since June 2016.     93     None
     

 

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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)

 

NAME,

ADDRESS* AND AGE

(YEAR FIRST ELECTED**)

 

PRINCIPAL

OCCUPATION(S)

DURING PAST FIVE YEARS

AND OTHER RELEVANT

QUALIFICATIONS***

  PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
DIRECTOR
    OTHER
PUBLIC COMPANY
DIRECTORSHIPS
CURRENTLY
HELD BY
DIRECTOR

DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS

(continued)

   

Garry L. Moody,##

66

(2008)

  Independent Consultant. Formerly, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP (1995-2008) where he held a number of senior positions, including Vice Chairman, and U.S. and Global Investment Management Practice Managing Partner; President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services Company (1993-1995), where he was responsible for accounting, pricing, custody and reporting for the Fidelity mutual funds; and Partner, Ernst & Young LLP (1975-1993), where he served as the National Director of Mutual Fund Tax Services and Managing Partner of its Chicago Office Tax department. He is a member of the Trustee Advisory Board of BoardIQ, a biweekly publication focused on issues and news affecting directors of mutual funds. He has served as a director or trustee, and as Chairman of the Audit Committees, of the AB Funds since 2008.     93     None
     

Earl D. Weiner,##

78

(2007)

  Of Counsel, and Partner prior to January 2007, of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP and is a former member of the ABA Federal Regulation of Securities Committee Task Force to draft editions of the Fund Director’s Guidebook. He also serves as a director or trustee of various non-profit organizations and has served as Chairman or Vice Chairman of a number of them. He has served as a director or trustee of the AB Funds since 2007 and served as Chairman of the Governance and Nominating Committees of the AB Funds from 2007 until August 2014.     93     None

 

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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)

 

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s disinterested Directors is c/o AllianceBernstein L.P., Attention: Legal and Compliance Department—Mutual Fund Legal, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** There is no stated term of office for the Fund’s Directors.

 

*** The information above includes each Director’s principal occupation during the last five years and other information relating to the experience, attributes and skills relevant to each Director’s qualifications to serve as a Director, which lead to the conclusion that each Director should serve as a Director for the Fund.

 

# Mr. Keith is an “interested person” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, due to his position as a Senior Vice President of the Adviser.

 

## Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.

 

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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND (continued)

 

Officer Information

Certain information concerning the Fund’s Officers is listed below.

 

NAME, ADDRESS*

AND AGE

  

POSITION(S)

HELD WITH FUND

  

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION

DURING PAST FIVE YEARS

Robert M. Keith,

58

   President and Chief Executive Officer    See biography above.
     

Paul J. DeNoon,

56

   Vice President    Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2013.
     

Gershon M. Distenfeld

42

   Vice President    Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2013. He is also co-Head of Fixed-Income.
     

Matthew Sheridan

43

   Vice President    Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2013.
     

Douglas J. Peebles

52

   Vice President    Senior Vice President of the Adviser**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2013. He is also Chief Investment Officer of AB Fixed-Income.
     

Emilie D. Wrapp,

62

   Secretary    Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ABI**, with which she has been associated since prior to 2013.
     

Joseph J. Mantineo,

59

   Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer    Senior Vice President of AllianceBernstein Investor Services, Inc. (“ABIS”)**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2013.
     

Stephen M. Woetzel,

45

   Controller    Vice President of ABIS**, with which he has been associated since prior to 2013.
     

Vincent S. Noto

53

   Chief Compliance Officer    Senior Vice President and Mutual Fund Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser** since 2014. Prior thereto, he was Vice President and Director of Mutual Fund Compliance of the Adviser** prior to 2013.

 

* The address for each of the Fund’s Officers is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

** The Adviser, ABI and ABIS are affiliates of the Fund.

 

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Information Regarding the Review and Approval of the Fund’s Advisory and Administration Agreements

The disinterested directors (the “directors”) of AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) unanimously approved the continuance of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and the continuance of the Fund’s Administration Agreement with the Adviser (in such capacity, the “Administrator”) at a meeting held on October 31-November 2, 2017 (the “Meeting”).

Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also discussed the proposed continuances in private sessions with counsel and the Fund’s Senior Officer (who is also the Fund’s Independent Compliance Officer).

The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Fund gained from their experience as directors or trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Adviser’s integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Adviser’s initiative in identifying and raising potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Adviser’s willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed to improve investment results and the services provided to the AB Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on the investment performance of the Fund.

The directors also considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the advisory fee. The directors did not identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of the Adviser to manage the Fund and the Administrator to provide administrative services to the Fund and the overall arrangements (i) between the Fund and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee and (ii) between the Fund and the Administrator, as provided in the Administration Agreement, including the administration fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment. The

 

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material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors’ determinations included the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided

The directors considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement and by the Administrator under the Administration Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Fund and the resources the Administrator has devoted to providing services to the Fund. The directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews the Fund’s investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Fund’s relative or absolute performance for the directors’ consideration. They also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Fund’s portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Fund’s other service providers, also was considered. The directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement.

Costs of Services Provided and Profitability

The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser (including in its capacity as Administrator) for calendar years 2015 and 2016 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant retained by the Fund’s Senior Officer. The directors noted the assumptions and methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund, including those relating to its subsidiary that provides shareholder services to the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of the profitability of the Advisory Agreement with the profitability of fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The directors focused on the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Fund before taxes. The directors concluded that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Fund was not unreasonable.

Fall-Out Benefits

The directors considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to shareholder servicing fees paid by the Fund to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The directors recognized that the Adviser’s

 

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profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Fund.

Investment Results

In addition to the information reviewed by the directors in connection with the Meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Fund at each regular Board meeting during the year.

At the Meeting, the directors reviewed performance information prepared by an analytical service that is not affiliated with the Adviser (the “15(c) service provider”), showing the Fund’s performance against a group of similar funds (“peer group”) and a larger group of similar funds (“peer universe”), each selected by the 15(c) service provider, and information prepared by the Adviser showing the Fund’s performance against a broad-based securities market index, in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended July 31, 2017. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Fund’s investment performance was acceptable.

Advisory Fees and Other Expenses

The directors considered the latest fiscal year actual management fee rate paid by the Fund (combined advisory fee paid to the Adviser and administration fee paid to the Administrator) and information prepared by the 15(c) service provider concerning advisory fee rates paid by other funds in the same category as the Fund. They compared the combined advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund to the advisory fees of other funds where there is no separate administrator. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The directors compared the Fund’s latest fiscal year total management fee rate (combined advisory fee paid to the Adviser plus the administration fee paid to the Administrator) with a peer group median. The directors noted that the total management fee rate was expressed as a percentage of net assets and would have been lower if expressed as a percentage of average total assets (i.e., net assets plus assets supported by leverage).

The directors also compared the Fund’s contractual advisory fee rate with the fee rate charged by the Adviser for advising an open-end high income fund that also invested globally, and noted historical differences in their fee structures.

The Adviser informed the directors that there were no institutional products managed by it that have a substantially similar investment style.

The directors also considered the total expense ratio of the Fund in comparison to a peer group selected by the 15(c) service provider. The expense ratio of the Fund was based on the Fund’s latest fiscal year. The

 

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directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Fund’s category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds’ investment advisers, which in some cases might be voluntary or temporary. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Adviser’s services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Fund by others. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable.

Economies of Scale

The advisory fee schedule for the Fund does not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors considered that the Fund is a closed-end fixed-income fund and that it was not expected to have meaningful asset growth (absent a rights offering or an acquisition). In such circumstances, the directors did not view the potential for realization of economies of scale as the Fund’s assets grow to be a material factor in their deliberations. They noted that, if the Fund’s net assets were to increase materially, they would review whether potential economies of scale were being realized.

 

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This page is not part of the Shareholder Report or the Financial Statements.

 

 

AB FAMILY OF FUNDS

 

US EQUITY

US CORE

Core Opportunities Fund

FlexFee US Thematic Portfolio

Select US Equity Portfolio

US GROWTH

Concentrated Growth Fund

Discovery Growth Fund

FlexFee Large Cap Growth Portfolio

Growth Fund

Large Cap Growth Fund

Small Cap Growth Portfolio

US VALUE

Discovery Value Fund

Equity Income Fund

Relative Value Fund

Small Cap Value Portfolio

Value Fund

INTERNATIONAL/ GLOBAL EQUITY

INTERNATIONAL/ GLOBAL CORE

Global Core Equity Portfolio

International Portfolio

International Strategic Core Portfolio

Sustainable Global Thematic Fund

Tax-Managed International Portfolio

Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation Strategy

Wealth Appreciation Strategy

INTERNATIONAL/ GLOBAL GROWTH

Concentrated International Growth Portfolio

Sustainable International Thematic Fund1

INTERNATIONAL/ GLOBAL EQUITY (continued)

INTERNATIONAL/ GLOBAL VALUE

International Value Fund

FIXED INCOME

MUNICIPAL

High Income Municipal Portfolio

Intermediate California Municipal Portfolio

Intermediate Diversified Municipal Portfolio

Intermediate New York Municipal Portfolio

Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy

Tax-Aware Fixed Income Portfolio

National Portfolio

Arizona Portfolio

California Portfolio

Massachusetts Portfolio

Minnesota Portfolio

New Jersey Portfolio

New York Portfolio

Ohio Portfolio

Pennsylvania Portfolio

Virginia Portfolio

TAXABLE

Bond Inflation Strategy

FlexFee High Yield Portfolio1

FlexFee International Bond Portfolio

Global Bond Fund

High Income Fund

Income Fund

Intermediate Bond Portfolio

Limited Duration High Income Portfolio

Short Duration Portfolio

ALTERNATIVES

All Market Real Return Portfolio

Global Real Estate Investment Fund

Select US Long/Short Portfolio

Unconstrained Bond Fund

MULTI-ASSET

All Market Income Portfolio

All Market Total Return Portfolio

Conservative Wealth Strategy

Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Portfolio

Global Risk Allocation Fund

Tax-Managed All Market Income Portfolio

TARGET-DATE

Multi-Manager Select Retirement Allocation Fund

Multi-Manager Select 2010 Fund

Multi-Manager Select 2015 Fund

Multi-Manager Select 2020 Fund

Multi-Manager Select 2025 Fund

Multi-Manager Select 2030 Fund

Multi-Manager Select 2035 Fund

Multi-Manager Select 2040 Fund

Multi-Manager Select 2045 Fund

Multi-Manager Select 2050 Fund

Multi-Manager Select 2055 Fund

CLOSED-END FUNDS

Alliance California Municipal Income Fund

AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund

AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund

 

We also offer Government Money Market Portfolio1, which serves as the money market fund exchange vehicle for the AB mutual funds. An investment in Government Money Market Portfolio is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.

Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. For copies of our prospectus or summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, visit us online at www.abfunds.com or contact your AB representative. Please read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus carefully before investing.

 

1 Prior to November 10, 2017, Government Money Market Portfolio was named Government Exchange Reserves; prior to January 8, 2018, Sustainable International Thematic Fund was named International Growth Fund; prior to February 23, 2018, FlexFee High Yield Portfolio was named High Yield Portfolio.

 

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NOTES

 

 

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NOTES

 

 

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NOTES

 

 

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NOTES

 

 

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Privacy Policy Statement

AllianceBernstein and its affiliates (collectively “AllianceBernstein”) understand the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of their clients’ nonpublic personal information. Nonpublic personal information is personally identifiable financial information about our clients who are natural persons. To provide financial products and services to our clients, we may collect information about clients from a variety of sources, including: (1) account documentation, including applications or other forms, which may include information such as a client’s name, address, phone number, social security number, assets, income and other household information, (2) client transactions with us and others, such as account balances and transactions history, and (3) information from visitors to our websites provided through online forms, site visitorship data and online information-collecting devices known as “cookies.”

It is our policy not to disclose nonpublic personal information about our clients or former clients (collectively “clients”), except to our affiliates, or to others as permitted or required by law. From time to time, we may disclose nonpublic personal information that we collect about our clients to non-affiliated third parties, including those that perform transaction processing or servicing functions, those that provide marketing services for us or on our behalf pursuant to a joint marketing agreement or those that provide professional services to us under a professional services agreement, all of which require the third party provider to adhere to our privacy policy. We have policies and procedures to safeguard nonpublic personal information about our clients that include restricting access to nonpublic personal information and maintaining physical, electronic and procedural safeguards which comply with applicable standards.

It is also our policy to prohibit the sharing of our clients’ personal information among our affiliated group of investment, brokerage, service and insurance companies for the purpose of marketing their products or services to clients, except as permitted by law. This information includes, but is not limited to, a client’s income and account history.

We have policies and procedures to ensure that certain conditions are met before an AllianceBernstein affiliated company may use information obtained from another affiliate to solicit clients for marketing purposes.


LOGO

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN GLOBAL HIGH INCOME FUND

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

800 221 5672

 

 

 

 

 

GHI-0151-0318                 LOGO


ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

(a)    The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. A copy of the registrant’s code of ethics is filed herewith as Exhibit 12(a)(1).

(b)    During the period covered by this report, no material amendments were made to the provisions of the code of ethics adopted in 2(a) above.

(c)    During the period covered by this report, no implicit or explicit waivers to the provisions of the code of ethics adopted in 2(a) above were granted.

 

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

The registrant’s Board of Directors has determined that independent directors William H. Foulk, Jr., Garry L. Moody and Marshall C. Turner, Jr. qualify as audit committee financial experts.

 

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

(a) - (c) The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed by the independent auditor Ernst & Young LLP, for the Fund’s last two fiscal years for professional services rendered for: (i) the audit of the Fund’s annual financial statements included in the Fund’s annual report to stockholders; (ii) assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the Fund’s financial statements and are not reported under (i), which include advice and education related to accounting and auditing issues and quarterly press release review (for those Funds that issue quarterly press releases), and preferred stock maintenance testing (for those Funds that issue preferred stock); and (iii) tax compliance, tax advice and tax return preparation.

 

            Audit Fees      Audit-Related
Fees
     Tax Fees  

AB Global High Income Fund

     2017      $ 154,767      $ 2,056      $ 30,637  
     2018      $ 154,767      $ 8,000      $ 29,601  

(d) Not applicable.

(e) (1) Beginning with audit and non-audit service contracts entered into on or after May 6, 2003, the Fund’s Audit Committee policies and procedures require the pre-approval of all audit and non-audit services provided to the Fund by the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. The Fund’s Audit Committee policies and procedures also require pre-approval of all audit and non-audit services provided to the Adviser and Service Affiliates to the extent that these services are directly related to the operations or financial reporting of the Fund.

(e) (2) All of the amounts for Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees and Tax Fees in the table under Item 4 (a) – (c) are for services pre-approved by the Fund’s Audit Committee.

(f) Not applicable.


(g) The following table sets forth the aggregate non-audit services provided to the Fund, the Fund’s Adviser and entities that control, are controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provide ongoing services to the Fund:

 

            All Fees for
Non-Audit Services
Provided to the
Portfolio, the Adviser
and Service Affiliates
     Pre-approved by the
Audit Committee
(Portion Comprised of
Audit Related Fees)
(Portion Comprised of
Tax Fees)
 
AB Global High Income Fund      2017      $ 710,983      $ 32,693  
         $ (2,056
         $ (30,637
     2018      $ 778,016      $ 37,601  
         $ (8,000
         $ (29,601

(h) The Audit Committee of the Fund has considered whether the provision of any non-audit services not pre-approved by the Audit Committee provided by the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm to the Adviser and Service Affiliates is compatible with maintaining the auditor’s independence.

 

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

The registrant has a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The audit committee members are as follows:

 

Michael J. Downey    Gary. L Moody
William H. Foulk, Jr.    Marshall C. Turner, Jr.
Nancy P. Jacklin    Earl D. Weiner

 

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.

Please see Schedule of Investments contained in the Report to Shareholders included under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.

ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.


Statement of Policies and Procedures for

Proxy Voting

 

1. INTRODUCTION

As an investment adviser, we are shareholder advocates and have a fiduciary duty to make investment decisions that are in our clients’ best interests by maximizing the value of their shares. Proxy voting is an integral part of this process, through which we support strong corporate governance structures, shareholder rights, and transparency.

We have an obligation to vote proxies in a timely manner and we apply the principles in this policy to our proxy decisions. We believe a company’s environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) practices may have a significant effect on the value of the company, and we take these factors into consideration when voting. For additional information regarding our ESG policies and practices, please refer to our firm’s Statement of Policy Regarding Responsible Investment (“RI Policy”).

This Proxy Voting and Governance Policy (“Proxy Voting and Governance Policy” or “Policy”), which outlines our policies for proxy voting and includes a wide range of issues that often appear on proxies, applies to all of AB’s investment management subsidiaries and investment services groups investing on behalf of clients globally. It is intended for use by those involved in the proxy voting decision-making process and those responsible for the administration of proxy voting (“Proxy Managers”), in order to ensure that our proxy voting policies and procedures are implemented consistently.

We sometimes manage accounts where proxy voting is directed by clients or newly-acquired subsidiary companies. In these cases, voting decisions may deviate from this Policy.

 

2. RESEARCH UNDERPINS DECISION MAKING

As a research-driven firm, we approach our proxy voting responsibilities with the same commitment to rigorous research and engagement that we apply to all of our investment activities. The different investment philosophies utilized by our investment teams may occasionally result in different conclusions being drawn regarding certain proposals and, in turn, may result in the Proxy Manager making different voting decisions on the same proposal. Nevertheless, the Proxy Manager votes proxies with the goal of maximizing the value of the securities in client portfolios.

In addition to our firm-wide proxy voting policies, we have a Proxy Voting and Governance Committee (“Proxy Voting and Governance Committee” or “Committee”), which provides oversight and includes senior investment professionals from Equities, Legal personnel and Operations personnel. It is the responsibility of the Committee to evaluate and maintain proxy voting procedures and guidelines, to evaluate proposals and issues not covered by these guidelines, to consider changes in policy, and to review the Policy no less frequently than annually. In addition, the Committee meets at least three times a year and as necessary to address special situations.

RESEARCH SERVICES

We subscribe to the corporate governance and proxy research services of Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (“ISS”). All our investment professionals can access these materials via the Proxy Manager and/or the Committee.

ENGAGEMENT

In evaluating proxy issues and determining our votes, we welcome and seek out the points of view of various parties. Internally, the Proxy Manager may consult the Committee, Chief Investment Officers, Portfolio Managers, and/or Research Analysts across our equities platforms, and Portfolio Managers in who’s managed accounts a stock is held. Externally, we may engage with companies in advance of their Annual General Meeting, and throughout the year. We believe engagement provides the opportunity to share our philosophy, our corporate governance values, and more importantly, affect positive change. Also, these meetings often are joint efforts between the investment professionals, who are best positioned to comment on company-specific details, and the Proxy Manager(s), who offer a more holistic view of governance practices and relevant trends. In addition, we engage with shareholder proposal proponents and other stakeholders to understand different viewpoints and objectives.

 

3. PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES

Our proxy voting guidelines are both principles-based and rules-based. We adhere to a core set of principles that are described in this Policy. We assess each proxy proposal in light of these principles. Our proxy voting “litmus test” will


always be what we view as most likely to maximize long-term shareholder value. We believe that authority and accountability for setting and executing corporate policies, goals and compensation generally should rest with the board of directors and senior management. In return, we support strong investor rights that allow shareholders to hold directors and management accountable if they fail to act in the best interests of shareholders.

With this as a backdrop, our proxy voting guidelines pertaining to specific issues are set forth below. We generally vote proposals in accordance with these guidelines but, consistent with our “principles-based” approach to proxy voting, we may deviate from the guidelines if warranted by the specific facts and circumstances of the situation (i.e., if, under the circumstances, we believe that deviating from our stated policy is necessary to help maximize long-term shareholder value). In addition, these guidelines are not intended to address all issues that may appear on all proxy ballots. We will evaluate on a case-by-case basis any proposal not specifically addressed by these guidelines, whether submitted by management or shareholders, always keeping in mind our fiduciary duty to make voting decisions that, by maximizing long-term shareholder value, are in our clients’ best interests.

 

3.1 BOARD AND DIRECTOR PROPOSALS

 

1.  Board Diversity (SHP)

   CASE-BY-CASE

Board diversity is increasingly an important topic. In a number of European countries, legislation requires a quota of female directors. Other European countries have a comply-or-explain policy. We believe boards should develop, as a part of their refreshment and refreshment process, a framework for identifying diverse candidates. We believe diversity is broader than gender and should also take into consideration factors such as business experience, background, ethnicity, tenure and nationality. We evaluate these proposals on a case-by-case basis while examining a board’s current diversity profile and approach, and if there are other general governance concerns.

 

2.  Establish New Board Committees and Elect Board Members with Specific Expertise (SHP)

     CASE-BY-CASE  

We believe that establishing committees should be the prerogative of a well-functioning board of directors. However, we may support shareholder proposals to establish additional board committees to address specific shareholder issues, including ESG issues. We consider on a case-by-case basis proposals that require the addition of a board member with a specific area of expertise.

 

3.  Changes in Board Structure and Amending the Articles of Incorporation

   FOR

Companies may propose various provisions with respect to the structure of the board of directors, including changing the manner in which board vacancies are filled, directors are nominated and the number of directors. Such proposals may require amending the charter or by-laws or may otherwise require shareholder approval. When these proposals are not controversial or meant as an anti-takeover device, which is generally the case, we vote in their favor. However, if we believe a proposal is intended as an anti-takeover device and diminishes shareholder rights, we generally vote against.

We may vote against directors for amending by-laws without seeking shareholder approval and/or restricting or diminishing shareholder rights.

 

4.  Classified Boards

   AGAINST

A classified board typically is divided into three separate classes. Each class holds office for a term of two or three years. Only a portion of the board can be elected or replaced each year. Because this type of proposal has fundamental anti- takeover implications, we generally oppose the adoption of classified boards unless there is a justifiable financial reason or an adequate sunset provision exists. However, where a classified board already exists, we will not oppose directors who sit on such boards for that reason. We may also vote against directors that fail to implement shareholder approved proposals to declassify boards that we previously supported.

 

5.  Director Liability and Indemnification

   CASE-BY-CASE

Some companies argue that increased indemnification and decreased liability for directors are important to ensure the continued availability of competent directors. However, others argue that the risk of such personal liability minimizes the propensity for corruption and recklessness.

We generally support indemnification provisions that are consistent with the local jurisdiction in which the company has been formed. We vote in favor of proposals adopting indemnification for directors with respect to acts conducted in the normal course of business. We also vote in favor of proposals that expand coverage for directors and officers where, despite an unsuccessful legal defense, we believe the director or officer acted in good faith and in the best interests of the company. We oppose indemnification for gross negligence.


6.  Disclose CEO Succession Plan (SHP)

   FOR

Proposals like these are often suggested by shareholders of companies with long-tenured CEOs and/or high employee turnover rates. Even though some markets might not require the disclosure of a CEO succession plan, we do think it is good business practice and will support these proposals.

 

7.  Election of Directors

   FOR

The election of directors is an important vote. We expect directors to represent shareholder interests at the company and maximize shareholder value. We generally vote in favor of the management-proposed slate of directors while considering a number of factors, including local market best practice. We believe companies should have a majority of independent directors and independent key committees. However, we will incorporate local market regulation and corporate governance codes into our decision making. We may support more progressive requirements than those implemented in a local market if we believe more progressive requirements may improve corporate governance practices. We will generally regard a director as independent if the director satisfies the criteria for independence (i) espoused by the primary exchange on which the company’s shares are traded, or (ii) set forth in the code we determine to be best practice in the country where the subject company is domiciled and may take into account affiliations, related-party transactions and prior service to the company, We consider the election of directors who are “bundled” on a single slate to be a poor governance practice and vote on a case-by-case basis considering the amount of information available and an assessment of the group’s qualifications.

In addition:

+ We believe that directors have a duty to respond to shareholder actions that have received significant shareholder support. We may vote against directors (or withhold votes for directors if plurality voting applies) who fail to act on key issues. We oppose directors who fail to attend at least 75% of board meetings within a given year without a reasonable excuse.

+ We may consider the number of boards on which a director sits and/or their length of service on a particular board.

+ We may abstain or vote against (depending on a company’s history of disclosure in this regard) directors of issuers where there is insufficient information about the nominees disclosed in the proxy statement.

+ We may vote against directors for poor compensation, audit or governance practices including the lack of a formal key committee.

+ We may vote against directors for unilateral bylaw amendments that diminish shareholder rights.

We also may consider engaging company management (by phone, in writing and in person), until any issues have been satisfactorily resolved.

 

a.  Controlled Company Exemption

   CASE-BY-CASE

 

In certain markets, a different standard for director independence may be applicable for controlled companies, which are companies where more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, group or another company, or as otherwise defined by local market standards. We may take these local standards into consideration when determining the appropriate level of independence required for the board and key committees.

Exchanges in certain jurisdictions do not have a controlled company exemption (or something similar). In such a jurisdiction, if a company has a majority shareholder or group of related majority shareholders with a majority economic interest, we generally will not oppose that company’s directors simply because the board does not include a majority of independent members, although we may take local standards into consideration when determining the appropriate level of independence required for the board and key committees. We will, however, consider these directors in a negative light if the company has a history of violating the rights of minority shareholders.

 

b.  Voting for Director Nominees in a Contested Election

   CASE-BY-CASE

 

Votes in a contested election of directors are evaluated on a case-by-case basis with the goal of maximizing shareholder value.

 

8.  Independent Lead Director (SHP)

   FOR

We support shareholder proposals that request a company to amend its by-laws to establish an independent lead director, if the position of chairman is non-independent. We view the existence of a strong independent lead director, whose role is robust and includes clearly defined duties and responsibilities, such as the authority to call meetings and approve agendas, as a good example of the sufficient counter-balancing governance. If a company has such an independent lead director in place, we will generally oppose a proposal to require an independent board chairman, barring any additional board leadership concerns.


9.  Limit Term of Directorship (SHP)

   CASE-BY-CASE

These proposals seek to limit the term during which a director may serve on a board to a set number of years.

Accounting for local market practice, we generally consider a number of factors, such as overall level of board independence, director qualifications, tenure, board diversity and board effectiveness in representing our interests as shareholders, in assessing whether limiting directorship terms is in shareholders’ best interests. Accordingly, we evaluate these items case-by-case.

 

10.  Majority of Independent1 Directors (SHP)

   FOR

Each company’s board of directors has a duty to act in the best interest of the company’s shareholders at all times. We believe that these interests are best served by having directors who bring objectivity to the company and are free from potential conflicts of interests. Accordingly, we support proposals seeking a majority of independent directors on the board while taking into consideration local market regulation and corporate governance codes.

 

11.  Majority of Independent Directors on Key Committees (SHP)

   FOR

In order to ensure that those who evaluate management’s performance, recruit directors and set management’s compensation are free from conflicts of interests, we believe that the audit2, nominating/governance, and compensation committees should be composed of a majority of independent directors while taking into consideration local market regulation, corporate governance codes, and controlled company status.

 

12.  Majority Votes for Directors (SHP)

   FOR

We believe that good corporate governance requires shareholders to have a meaningful voice in the affairs of the company. This objective is strengthened if directors are elected by a majority of votes cast at an annual meeting rather than by the plurality method commonly used. With plurality voting a director could be elected by a single affirmative vote even if the rest of the votes were withheld.

We further believe that majority voting provisions will lead to greater director accountability. Therefore, we support shareholder proposals that companies amend their by-laws to provide that director nominees be elected by an affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast, provided the proposal includes a carve-out to provide for plurality voting in contested elections where the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected.

 

13.  Removal of Directors Without Cause (SHP)

   FOR

Company by-laws sometimes define cause very narrowly, including only conditions of criminal indictment, final adverse adjudication that fiduciary duties were breached or incapacitation, while also providing shareholders with the right to remove directors only upon “cause”.

We believe that the circumstances under which shareholders have the right to remove directors should not be limited to those traditionally defined by companies as “cause”. We also believe that shareholders should have the right to conduct a vote to remove directors who fail to perform in a manner consistent with their fiduciary duties or representative of shareholders’ best interests. And, while we would prefer shareholder proposals that seek to broaden the definition of “cause” to include situations like these, we generally support proposals that would provide shareholders with the right to remove directors without cause.

 

14.  Require Independent Board Chairman (SHP)

   CASE-BY-CASE

We believe there can be benefits to an executive chairman and to having the positions of chairman and CEO combined as well as split. When the chair is non-independent the company must have sufficient counter-balancing governance in place, generally through a strong independent lead director. Also, for companies with smaller market capitalizations, separate chairman and CEO positions may not be practical.

 

3.2 COMPENSATION PROPOSALS

 

15.  Pro Rata Vesting of Equity Compensation Awards-Change in Control (SHP)

   CASE-BY-CASE

We examine proposals on the treatment of equity awards in the event of a change in control on a case-by-case basis. If a change in control is accompanied by termination of employment, often referred to as a double-trigger, we generally support accelerated vesting of equity awards. If, however, there is no termination agreement in connection with a change in control, often referred to as a single-trigger, we generally prefer pro rata vesting of outstanding equity awards.


16.  Adopt Policies to Prohibit any Death Benefits to Senior Executives (SHP)

   AGAINST

We view these bundled proposals as too restrictive and conclude that blanket restrictions on any and all such benefits, including the payment of life insurance premiums for senior executives, could put a company at a competitive disadvantage.

 

17.  Advisory Vote to Ratify Directors’ Compensation (SHP)

   FOR

Similar to advisory votes on executive compensation, shareholders may request a non-binding advisory vote to approve compensation given to board members. We generally support this item.

 

18.  Amend Executive Compensation Plan Tied to Performance (Bonus Banking) (SHP)

   AGAINST

These proposals seek to force a company to amend executive compensation plans such that compensation awards tied to performance are deferred for shareholder specified and extended periods of time. As a result, awards may be adjusted downward if performance goals achieved during the vesting period are not sustained during the added deferral period.

We believe that most companies have adequate vesting schedules and clawbacks in place. Under such circumstances, we will oppose these proposals. However, if a company does not have what we believe to be adequate vesting and/or clawback requirements, we decide these proposals on a case-by-case basis.

 

19.  Approve Remuneration for Directors and Auditors

   CASE-BY-CASE

We will vote on a case-by-case basis where we are asked to approve remuneration for directors or auditors. We will generally oppose performance-based remuneration for non-executive directors as this may compromise independent oversight. However, where disclosure relating to the details of such remuneration is inadequate or provided without sufficient time for us to consider our vote, we may abstain or vote against, depending on the adequacy of the company’s prior disclosures in this regard and the local market practice.

 

20.  Approve Retirement Bonuses for Directors (Japan and South Korea)

   CASE-BY-CASE

Retirement bonuses are customary in Japan and South Korea. Companies seek approval to give the board authority to grant retirement bonuses for directors and/or auditors and to leave the exact amount of bonuses to the board’s discretion. We will analyze such proposals on a case-by-case basis, considering management’s commitment to maximizing long- term shareholder value. However, when the details of the retirement bonus are inadequate or undisclosed, we may abstain or vote against.

 

21.  Approve Special Payments to Continuing Directors and Auditors (Japan)

   CASE-BY-CASE

In conjunction with the abolition of a company’s retirement allowance system, we will generally support special payment allowances for continuing directors and auditors if there is no evidence of their independence becoming impaired. However, when the details of the special payments are inadequate or undisclosed, we may abstain or vote against.

 

22.  Disclose Executive and Director Pay (SHP)

   CASE-BY-CASE

The United States Securities and Exchange Commissions (“SEC”) has adopted rules requiring increased and/or enhanced compensation-related and corporate governance-related disclosure in proxy statements and Forms 10-K. Similar steps have been taken by regulators in foreign jurisdictions. We believe the rules enacted by the SEC and various foreign regulators generally ensure more complete and transparent disclosure. Therefore, while we will consider them on a case-by-case basis (analyzing whether there are any relevant disclosure concerns), we generally vote against shareholder proposals seeking additional disclosure of executive and director compensation, including proposals that seek to specify the measurement of performance-based compensation, if the company is subject to SEC rules or similar rules espoused by a regulator in a foreign jurisdiction. Similarly, we generally support proposals seeking additional disclosure of executive and director compensation if the company is not subject to any such rules.

 

 

1  For purposes of this Policy, generally, we will consider a director independent if the director satisfies the independence definition set forth in the listing standards of the exchange on which the common stock is listed. However, we may deem local independence classification criteria insufficient.
2  Pursuant to the SEC rules, adopted pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as of October 31, 2004, each U.S. listed issuer must have a fully independent audit committee.


23.  Executive and Employee Compensation Plans, Policies and Reports

   CASE-BY-CASE

Compensation plans (“Compensation Plans”) usually are complex and are a major corporate expense, so we evaluate them carefully and on a case-by-case basis. In all cases, however, we assess each proposed Compensation Plan within the framework of four guiding principles, each of which ensures a company’s Compensation Plan helps to align the long- term interests of management with shareholders:

+ Valid measures of business performance tied to the firm’s strategy and shareholder value creation, which are clearly articulated and incorporate appropriate time periods, should be utilized;

+ Compensation costs should be managed in the same way as any other expense;

+ Compensation should reflect management’s handling, or failure to handle, any recent social, environmental, governance, ethical or legal issue that had a significant adverse financial or reputational effect on the company; and

+ In granting compensatory awards, management should exhibit a history of integrity and decision-making based on logic and well thought out processes.

We may oppose plans which include, and directors who establish, compensation plan provisions deemed to be poor practice such as automatic acceleration of equity, or single-triggered, in the event of a change in control.

Although votes on compensation plans are by nature only broad indications of shareholder views, they do lead to more compensation-related dialogue between management and shareholders and help ensure that management and shareholders meet their common objective: maximizing shareholder value.

In markets where votes on compensation plans are not required for all companies, we will support shareholder proposals asking the board to adopt such a vote on an advisory basis.

Where disclosure relating to the details of Compensation Plans is inadequate or provided without sufficient time for us to consider our vote, we may abstain or vote against, depending on the adequacy of the company’s prior disclosures in this regard. Where appropriate, we may raise the issue with the company directly or take other steps.

 

24.  Limit Executive Pay (SHP)

   CASE-BY-CASE

We believe that management and directors, within reason, should be given latitude in determining the mix and types of awards offered to executive officers. We vote against shareholder proposals seeking to limit executive pay if we deem them too restrictive. Depending on our analysis of the specific circumstances, we are generally against requiring a company to adopt a policy prohibiting tax gross up payments to senior executives.

 

25.  Mandatory Holding Periods (SHP)

   AGAINST

We generally vote against shareholder proposals asking companies to require a company’s executives to hold stock for a specified period of time after acquiring that stock by exercising company-issued stock options (i.e., precluding “cashless” option exercises), unless we believe implementing a mandatory holding period is necessary to help resolve underlying problems at a company that have hurt, and may continue to hurt, shareholder value. We are generally in favor of reasonable stock ownership guidelines for executives.

 

26.  Performance-Based Stock Option Plans (SHP)

   CASE-BY-CASE

These shareholder proposals require a company to adopt a policy that all or a portion of future stock options granted to executives be performance-based. Performance-based options usually take the form of indexed options (where the option sale price is linked to the company’s stock performance versus an industry index), premium priced options (where the strike price is significantly above the market price at the time of the grant) or performance vesting options (where options vest when the company’s stock price exceeds a specific target). Proponents argue that performance-based options provide an incentive for executives to outperform the market as a whole and prevent management from being rewarded for average performance. We believe that management, within reason, should be given latitude in determining the mix and types of awards it offers. However, we recognize the benefit of linking a portion of executive compensation to certain types of performance benchmarks. While we will not support proposals that require all options to be performance-based, we will generally support proposals that require a portion of options granted to senior executives be performance-based. However, because performance-based options can also result in unfavorable tax treatment and the company may already have in place an option plan that sufficiently ties executive stock option plans to the company’s performance, we will consider such proposals on a case-by-case basis.


27.  Prohibit Relocation Benefits to Senior Executives (SHP)

   AGAINST

We do not consider such perquisites to be problematic pay practices as long as they are properly disclosed. Therefore we will vote against shareholder proposals asking to prohibit relocation benefits.

 

28.  Recovery of Performance-Based Compensation (SHP)

   FOR

We generally support shareholder proposals requiring the board to seek recovery of performance-based compensation awards to senior management and directors in the event of a fraud or other reasons that resulted in the detriment to shareholder value and/or company reputation due to gross ethical lapses. In deciding how to vote, we consider the adequacy of existing company clawback policy, if any.

 

29.  Submit Golden Parachutes/Severance Plans to a Shareholder Vote (SHP)

   FOR

Golden Parachutes assure key officers of a company lucrative compensation packages if the company is acquired and/or if the new owners terminate such officers. We recognize that offering generous compensation packages that are triggered by a change in control may help attract qualified officers. However, such compensation packages cannot be so excessive that they are unfair to shareholders or make the company unattractive to potential bidders, thereby serving as a constructive anti-takeover mechanism. Accordingly, we support proposals to submit severance plans (including supplemental retirement plans), to a shareholder vote, and we review proposals to ratify or redeem such plans retrospectively on a case-by-case basis.

 

30.  Submit Golden Parachutes/Severance Plans to a Shareholder Vote Prior to Their Being Negotiated by Management (SHP)

   CASE-BY-CASE

We believe that in order to attract qualified employees, companies must be free to negotiate compensation packages without shareholder interference. However, shareholders must be given an opportunity to analyze a compensation plan’s final, material terms in order to ensure it is within acceptable limits. Accordingly, we evaluate proposals that require submitting severance plans and/or employment contracts for a shareholder vote prior to being negotiated by management on a case-by-case basis.

 

31.  Submit Survivor Benefit Compensation Plan to Shareholder Vote (SHP)

   FOR

Survivor benefit compensation plans, or “golden coffins”, can require a company to make substantial payments or awards to a senior executive’s beneficiaries following the death of the senior executive. The compensation can take the form of unearned salary or bonuses, accelerated vesting or the continuation in force of unvested equity grants, perquisites and other payments or awards. This compensation would not include compensation that the senior executive chooses to defer during his or her lifetime.

We recognize that offering generous compensation packages that are triggered by the passing of senior executives may help attract qualified officers. However, such compensation packages cannot be so excessive that they are unfair to shareholders or make the company unattractive to potential bidders, thereby serving as a constructive anti-takeover mechanism.

 

3.3 CAPITAL CHANGES AND ANTI-TAKEOVER PROPOSALS

 

32.  Amend Exclusive Forum Bylaw (SHP)

   AGAINST

We will generally oppose proposals that ask the board to repeal the company’s exclusive forum bylaw. Such bylaws require certain legal action against the company to take place in the state of the company’s incorporation. The courts within the state of incorporation are considered best suited to interpret that state’s laws.

 

33.  Amend Net Operating Loss (“NOL”) Rights Plans

   FOR

NOL Rights Plans are established to protect a company’s net operating loss carry forwards and tax credits, which can be used to offset future income. We believe this is a reasonable strategy for a company to employ. Accordingly, we will vote in favor of NOL Rights Plans unless we believe the terms of the NOL Rights Plan may provide for a long-term anti- takeover device.

 

34.  Authorize Share Repurchase

   FOR

We generally support share repurchase proposals that are part of a well-articulated and well-conceived capital strategy. We assess proposals to give the board unlimited authorization to repurchase shares on a case-by-case basis. Furthermore, we would generally support the use of derivative instruments (e.g., put options and call options) as part of a share repurchase plan absent a compelling reason to the contrary. Also, absent a specific concern at the company, we will generally support a repurchase plan that could be continued during a takeover period.


35.  Blank Check Preferred Stock

   AGAINST

Blank check preferred stock proposals authorize the issuance of certain preferred stock at some future point in time and allow the board to establish voting, dividend, conversion and other rights at the time of issuance. While blank check preferred stock can provide a corporation with the flexibility needed to meet changing financial conditions, it also may be used as the vehicle for implementing a “poison pill” defense or some other entrenchment device.

We are concerned that, once this stock has been authorized, shareholders have no further power to determine how or when it will be allocated. Accordingly, we generally oppose this type of proposal.

 

36.  Corporate Restructurings, Merger Proposals and Spin-Offs

   CASE-BY-CASE

Proposals requesting shareholder approval of corporate restructurings, merger proposals and spin-offs are determined on a case-by-case basis. In evaluating these proposals and determining our votes, we are singularly focused on meeting our goal of maximizing long-term shareholder value.

 

37.  Elimination of Preemptive Rights

   CASE-BY-CASE

Preemptive rights allow the shareholders of the company to buy newly-issued shares before they are offered to the public in order to maintain their percentage ownership. We believe that, because preemptive rights are an important shareholder right, careful scrutiny must be given to management’s attempts to eliminate them. However, because preemptive rights can be prohibitively expensive to widely-held companies, the benefit of such rights will be weighed against the economic effect of maintaining them.

 

38.  Expensing Stock Options (SHP)

   FOR

US generally-accepted accounting principles require companies to expense stock options, as do the accounting rules in many other jurisdictions (including those jurisdictions that have adopted IFRS — international financial reporting standards). If a company is domiciled in a jurisdiction where the accounting rules do not already require the expensing of stock options, we will support shareholder proposals requiring this practice and disclosing information about it.

 

39.  Fair Price Provisions

   CASE-BY-CASE

A fair price provision in the company’s charter or by laws is designed to ensure that each shareholder’s securities will be purchased at the same price if the corporation is acquired under a plan not agreed to by the board. In most instances, the provision requires that any tender offer made by a third party must be made to all shareholders at the same price.

Fair pricing provisions attempt to prevent the “two tiered front loaded offer” where the acquirer of a company initially offers a premium for a sufficient percentage of shares of the company to gain control and subsequently makes an offer for the remaining shares at a much lower price. The remaining shareholders have no choice but to accept the offer. The two tiered approach is coercive as it compels a shareholder to sell his or her shares immediately in order to receive the higher price per share. This type of tactic has caused many states to adopt fair price provision statutes to restrict this practice.

We consider fair price provisions on a case-by-case basis. We oppose any provision where there is evidence that management intends to use the provision as an anti-takeover device as well as any provision where the shareholder vote requirement is greater than a majority of disinterested shares (i.e., shares beneficially owned by individuals other than the acquiring party).

 

40.  Increase Authorized Common Stock

   CASE-BY-CASE

In general we regard increases in authorized common stock as serving a legitimate corporate purpose when used to: implement a stock split, aid in a recapitalization or acquisition, raise needed capital for the firm, or provide for employee savings plans, stock option plans or executive compensation plans. That said, we may oppose a particular proposed increase if we consider the authorization likely to lower the share price (this would happen, for example, if the firm were proposing to use the proceeds to overpay for an acquisition, to invest in a project unlikely to earn the firm’s cost of capital, or to compensate employees well above market rates). We oppose increases in authorized common stock where there is evidence that the shares are to be used to implement a “poison pill” or another form of anti-takeover device, or if the issuance of new shares would, in our judgment, excessively dilute the value of the outstanding shares upon issuance. In addition, a satisfactory explanation of a company’s intentions—going beyond the standard “general corporate purposes”— must be disclosed in the proxy statement for proposals requesting an increase of greater than 100% of the shares outstanding. We view the use of derivatives, particularly warrants, as legitimate capital-raising instruments and apply these same principles to their use as we do to the authorization of common stock. Under certain circumstances where we believe it is important for shareholders to have an opportunity to maintain their proportional ownership, we may oppose proposals requesting shareholders approve the issuance of additional shares if those shares do not include preemptive rights.


In Hong Kong, it is common for companies to request board authority to issue new shares up to 20% of outstanding share capital. The authority typically lapses after one year. We may vote against plans that do not prohibit issuing shares at a discount, taking into account whether a company has a history of doing so.

 

41.  Issuance of Equity Without Preemptive Rights

   FOR

We are generally in favor of issuances of equity without preemptive rights of up to 30% of a company’s outstanding shares unless there is concern that the issuance will be used in a manner that could hurt shareholder value (e.g., issuing the equity at a discount from the current market price or using the equity to help create a “poison pill” mechanism).

 

42.  Issuance of Stock with Unequal Voting Rights

   CASE-BY-CASE

Unequal voting rights plans are designed to reduce the voting power of existing shareholders and concentrate a significant amount of voting power in the hands of management. In the majority of instances, they serve as an effective deterrent to takeover attempts. These structures, however, may be beneficial, allowing management to focus on longer- term value creation, which benefits all shareholders. We evaluate these proposals on a case-by-case basis and take into consideration the alignment of management incentives with appropriate performance, metrics, and the effectiveness of the company’s strategy.

 

43.  Net Long Position Requirement

   FOR

We support proposals that require the ownership level needed to call a special meeting to be based on the net long position of a shareholder or shareholder group. This standard ensures that a significant economic interest accompanies the voting power.

 

44.  Reincorporation

   CASE-BY-CASE

There are many valid business reasons a corporation may choose to reincorporate in another jurisdiction. We perform a case-by-case review of such proposals, taking into consideration management’s stated reasons for the proposed move.

Careful scrutiny also will be given to proposals that seek approval to reincorporate in countries that serve as tax havens. When evaluating such proposals, we consider factors such as the location of the company’s business, the statutory protections available in the country to enforce shareholder rights and the tax consequences of the reincorporation to shareholders.

 

45.  Reincorporation to Another Jurisdiction to Permit Majority Voting or Other Changes in

Corporate Governance (SHP)

   CASE-BY-CASE

If a shareholder proposes that a company move to a jurisdiction where majority voting (among other shareholder-friendly conditions) is permitted, we will generally oppose the move notwithstanding the fact that we favor majority voting for directors. Our rationale is that the legal costs, taxes, other expenses and other factors, such as business disruption, in almost all cases would be material and outweigh the benefit of majority voting. If, however, we should find that these costs are not material and/or do not outweigh the benefit of majority voting, we may vote in favor of this kind of proposal. We will evaluate similarly proposals that would require reincorporation in another state to accomplish other changes in corporate governance.

 

46.  Stock Splits

   FOR

Stock splits are intended to increase the liquidity of a company’s common stock by lowering the price, thereby making the stock seem more attractive to small investors. We generally vote in favor of stock split proposals.

 

47.  Submit Company’s Shareholder Rights Plan to Shareholder Vote (SHP)

   FOR

Most shareholder rights plans (also known as “poison pills”) permit the shareholders of a target company involved in a hostile takeover to acquire shares of the target company, the acquiring company, or both, at a substantial discount once a “triggering event” occurs. A triggering event is usually a hostile tender offer or the acquisition by an outside party of a certain percentage of the target company’s stock. Because most plans exclude the hostile bidder from the purchase, the effect in most instances is to dilute the equity interest and the voting rights of the potential acquirer once the plan is triggered. A shareholder rights plan is designed to discourage potential acquirers from acquiring shares to make a bid for the issuer. We believe that measures that impede takeovers or entrench management not only infringe on the rights of shareholders but also may have a detrimental effect on the value of the company.

We support shareholder proposals that seek to require the company to submit a shareholder rights plan to a shareholder vote. We evaluate on a case-by-case basis proposals to implement or eliminate a shareholder rights plan.


48.  Transferrable Stock Options

   CASE-BY-CASE

In cases where a compensation plan includes a transferable stock option program, we will consider the plan on a case-by- case basis.

These programs allow stock options to be transferred to third parties in exchange for cash or stock. In effect, management becomes insulated from the downside risk of holding a stock option, while the ordinary shareholder remains exposed to downside risk. This insulation may unacceptably remove management’s exposure to downside risk, which significantly misaligns management and shareholder interests. Accordingly, we generally vote against these programs if the transfer can be executed without shareholder approval, is available to executive officers or non-employee directors, or we consider the available disclosure relating to the mechanics and structure of the program to be insufficient to determine the costs, benefits and key terms of the program.

 

3.4 AUDITOR PROPOSALS

 

49.  Appointment of Auditors

   FOR

We believe that the company is in the best position to choose its accounting firm, and we generally support management’s recommendation.

We recognize that there may be inherent conflicts when a company’s independent auditors perform substantial non-audit related services for the company. Therefore, in reviewing a proposed auditor, we will consider the amount of fees paid for non-audit related services performed compared to the total audit fees paid by the company to the auditing firm, and whether there are any other reasons for us to question the independence or performance of the firm’s auditor such as, for example, tenure. We generally will deem as excessive the non-audit fees paid by a company to its auditor if those fees account for 50% or more of total fees paid. In the UK market, which utilizes a different calculation, we adhere to a non- audit fee cap of 100% of audit fees. Under these circumstances, we generally vote against the auditor and the directors, in particular the members of the company’s audit committee. In addition, we generally vote against authorizing the audit committee to set the remuneration of such auditors. We exclude from this analysis non-audit fees related to IPOs, bankruptcy emergence, and spin-offs and other extraordinary events. We may vote against or abstain due to a lack of disclosure of the name of the auditor while taking into account local market practice.

 

50.  Approval of Financial Statements

   FOR

In some markets, companies are required to submit their financial statements for shareholder approval. This is generally a routine item and, as such, we will vote for the approval of financial statements unless there are appropriate reasons to vote otherwise. We may vote against if the information is not available in advance of the meeting.

 

51.  Approval of Internal Statutory Auditors

   FOR

Some markets (e.g., Japan) require the annual election of internal statutory auditors. Internal statutory auditors have a number of duties, including supervising management, ensuring compliance with the articles of association and reporting to a company’s board on certain financial issues. In most cases, the election of internal statutory auditors is a routine item and we will support management’s nominee provided that the nominee meets the regulatory requirements for serving as internal statutory auditors. However, we may vote against nominees who are designated independent statutory auditors who serve as executives of a subsidiary or affiliate of the issuer or if there are other reasons to question the independence of the nominees.

 

52.  Limitation of Liability of External Statutory Auditors (Japan)

   CASE-BY-CASE

In Japan, companies may limit the liability of external statutory auditors in the event of a shareholder lawsuit through any of three mechanisms: (i) submitting the proposed limits to shareholder vote; (ii) setting limits by modifying the company’s articles of incorporation; and (iii) setting limits in contracts with outside directors, outside statutory auditors and external audit firms (requires a modification to the company’s articles of incorporation). A vote by 3% or more of shareholders can nullify a limit set through the second mechanism. The third mechanism has historically been the most prevalent.

We review proposals to set limits on auditor liability on a case-by-case basis, considering whether such a provision is necessary to secure appointment and whether it helps to maximize long-term shareholder value.


53.  Separating Auditors and Consultants (SHP)

   CASE-BY-CASE

We believe that a company serves its shareholders’ interests by avoiding potential conflicts of interest that might interfere with an auditor’s independent judgment. SEC rules adopted as a result of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attempted to address these concerns by prohibiting certain services by a company’s independent auditors and requiring additional disclosure of others services.

We evaluate on a case-by-case basis proposals that go beyond the SEC rules or other local market standards by prohibiting auditors from performing other non-audit services or calling for the board to adopt a policy to ensure auditor independence.

We take into consideration the policies and procedures the company already has in place to ensure auditor independence and non-audit fees as a percentage of total fees paid to the auditor are not excessive.

 

3.5 SHAREHOLDER ACCESS AND VOTING PROPOSALS

 

54.  A Shareholder’s Right to Call Special Meetings (SHP)

   FOR

Most state corporation statutes (though not Delaware, where many US issuers are domiciled) allow shareholders to call a special meeting when they want to take action on certain matters that arise between regularly-scheduled annual meetings. This right may apply only if a shareholder, or a group of shareholders, owns a specified percentage, often 10% of the outstanding shares.

We recognize the importance of the right of shareholders to remove poorly-performing directors, respond to takeover offers and take other actions without having to wait for the next annual meeting. However, we also believe it is important to protect companies and shareholders from nuisance proposals. We further believe that striking a balance between these competing interests will maximize shareholder value. We believe that encouraging active share ownership among shareholders generally is beneficial to shareholders and helps maximize shareholder value. Accordingly, we will generally support a proposal to call a special meeting if the proposing shareholder owns, or the proposing shareholders as a group own, 5% or more of the outstanding voting equity of the company.

 

55.  Adopt Cumulative Voting (SHP)

   CASE-BY-CASE

Cumulative voting is a method of electing directors that enables each shareholder to multiply the number of his or her shares by the number of directors being considered. A shareholder may then cast the total votes for any one director or a selected group of directors. For example, a holder of 10 shares normally casts 10 votes for each of 12 nominees to the board thus giving the shareholder 120 (10 × 12) votes. Under cumulative voting, the shareholder may cast all 120 votes for a single nominee, 60 for two, 40 for three, or any other combination that the shareholder may choose.

We believe that encouraging activism among shareholders generally is beneficial to shareholders and helps maximize shareholder value. Cumulative voting supports the interests of minority shareholders in contested elections by enabling them to concentrate their votes and dramatically increase their chances of electing a dissident director to a board. Accordingly, we generally will support shareholder proposals to restore or provide for cumulative voting and we generally will oppose management proposals to eliminate cumulative voting. However, we may oppose cumulative voting if a company has in place both proxy access, which allows shareholders to nominate directors to the company’s ballot, and majority voting (with a carve-out for plurality voting in situations where there are more nominees than seats), which requires each director to receive the affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast and, we believe, leads to greater director accountability to shareholders.

Also, we support cumulative voting at controlled companies regardless of any other shareholder protections that may be in place.

 

56.  Adopt Cumulative Voting in Dual Shareholder Class Structures (SHP)

   FOR

In dual class structures (such as A&B shares) where the shareholders with a majority economic interest have a minority voting interest, we generally vote in favor of cumulative voting for those shareholders.

 

57.  Early Disclosure of Voting Results (SHP)

   AGAINST

These proposals seek to require a company to disclose votes sooner than is required by the local market. In the US, the SEC requires disclosure in the first periodic report filed after the company’s annual meeting which we believe is reasonable. We do not support requests that require disclosure earlier than the time required by the local regulator.


58.  Limiting a Shareholder’s Right to Call Special Meetings

   AGAINST

Companies contend that limitations on shareholders’ rights to call special meetings are needed to prevent minority

shareholders from taking control of the company’s agenda. However, such limits also have anti-takeover implications because they prevent a shareholder or a group of shareholders who have acquired a significant stake in the company from forcing management to address urgent issues, such as the potential sale of the company. Because most states prohibit shareholders from abusing this right, we see no justifiable reason for management to eliminate this fundamental shareholder right. Accordingly, we generally will vote against such proposals.

In addition, if the board of directors, without shareholder consent, raises the ownership threshold a shareholder must reach before the shareholder can call a special meeting, we will vote against those directors.

 

59.  Permit a Shareholder’s Right to Act by Written Consent (SHP)

   FOR

Action by written consent enables a large shareholder or group of shareholders to initiate votes on corporate matters prior to the annual meeting. We believe this is a fundamental shareholder right and, accordingly, will support shareholder proposals seeking to restore this right. However, in cases where a company has a majority shareholder or group of related majority shareholders with majority economic interest, we will oppose proposals seeking to restore this right as there is a potential risk of abuse by the majority shareholder or group of majority shareholders.

 

60.  Proxy Access for Annual Meetings (SHP) (Management)

   FOR

These proposals allow “qualified shareholders” to nominate directors. We generally vote in favor of management and shareholder proposals for proxy access that employ guidelines reflecting the SEC framework for proxy access (adopted by the SEC in 2010, but vacated by the DC Circuit Court of Appeals in 2011), which would have allowed a single shareholder, or group of shareholders, who hold at least 3% of the voting power for at least three years continuously to nominate up to 25% of the current board seats, or two directors, for inclusion in the subject company’s annual proxy statement alongside management nominees.

We may vote against proposals that use requirements that are stricter than the SEC’s framework including implementation restrictions and against individual board members, or entire boards, who exclude from their ballot properly submitted shareholder proxy access proposals or compete against shareholder proxy access proposals with stricter management proposals on the same ballot We will generally vote in favor of proposals that seek to amend an existing right to more closely align with the SEC framework.

We will evaluate on a case-by-case basis proposals with less stringent requirements than the vacated SEC framework.

From time to time we may receive requests to join with other shareholders to support a shareholder action. We may, for example, receive requests to join a voting block for purposes of influencing management. If the third parties requesting our participation are not affiliated with us and have no business relationships with us, we will consider the request on a case-by-case basis. However, where the requesting party has a business relationship with us (e.g., the requesting party is a client or a significant service provider), agreeing to such a request may pose a potential conflict of interest. As a fiduciary we have an obligation to vote proxies in the best interest of our clients (without regard to our own interests in generating and maintaining business with our other clients) and given our desire to avoid even the appearance of a conflict, we will generally decline such a request.

 

61.  Reduce Meeting Notification from 21 Days to 14 Days (UK)

   FOR

Companies in the United Kingdom may, with shareholder approval, reduce the notice period for extraordinary general meetings from 21 days to 14 days. A reduced notice period expedites the process of obtaining shareholder approval of additional financing needs and other important matters. Accordingly, we support these proposals.

 

62.    Shareholder Proponent Engagement Process (SHP)    FOR

We believe that proper corporate governance requires that proposals receiving support from a majority of shareholders be considered and implemented by the company. Accordingly, we support establishing an engagement process between shareholders and management to ensure proponents of majority-supported proposals, have an established means of communicating with management.

 

63.  Supermajority Vote Requirements

   AGAINST

A supermajority vote requirement is a charter or by-law requirement that, when implemented, raises the percentage (higher than the customary simple majority) of shareholder votes needed to approve certain proposals, such as mergers, changes of control, or proposals to amend or repeal a portion of the Articles of Incorporation.

In most instances, we oppose these proposals and support shareholder proposals that seek to reinstate the simple majority vote requirement. However we may support supermajority vote requirements at controlled companies as a protection to minority shareholders from unilateral action of the controlling shareholder.


3.6 ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND DISCLOSURE PROPOSALS

 

64.  Animal Welfare (SHP)

   CASE-BY-CASE

These proposals may include reporting requests or policy adoption on items such as pig gestation crates and animal welfare in the supply chain.

For proposals requesting companies to adopt a policy, we will carefully consider existing policies and the company’s incorporation of national standards and best practices. In addition, we will evaluate the potential enactment of new regulations, as well as any investment risk related to the specific issue.

We generally support shareholder proposals calling for reports and disclosure while taking into account existing policies and procedures of the company and whether the proposed information is of added benefit to shareholders.

 

65.  Climate Change (SHP)

   FOR

Proposals addressing climate change concerns are plentiful and their scope varies. Climate change increasingly receives investor attention as a potentially critical and material risk to the sustainability of a wide range of business-specific activities. These proposals may include emissions standards or reduction targets, quantitative goals, and impact assessments. We generally support these proposals, while taking into account the materiality of the issue and whether the proposed information is of added benefit to shareholders.

For proposals requesting companies to adopt a policy, we will carefully consider existing policies and the company’s incorporation of national standards and best practices. In addition, we will evaluate the potential enactment of new regulations, as well as any investment risk related to the specific issue.

We generally support shareholder proposals calling for reports and disclosure while taking into account existing policies and procedures of the company and whether the proposed information is of added benefit to shareholders.

 

66.  Charitable Contributions (SHP) (MGMT)

   CASE-BY-CASE

Proposals relating to charitable contributions may be sponsored by either management or shareholders. Management proposals may ask to approve the amount for charitable contributions.

We generally support shareholder proposals calling for reports and disclosure while taking into account existing policies and procedures of the company and whether the proposed information is of added benefit to shareholders.

 

67.  Environmental Proposals (SHP)

   CASE-BY-CASE

These proposals can include reporting and policy adoption requests in a wide variety of areas, including, but not limited to, (nuclear) waste, deforestation, packaging and recycling, renewable energy, toxic material, palm oil and water.

For proposals requesting companies to adopt a policy, we will carefully consider existing policies and the company’s incorporation of national standards and best practices. In addition, we will evaluate the potential enactment of new regulations, as well as any investment risk related to the specific issue.

We generally support shareholder proposals calling for reports while taking into account existing policies and procedures of the company and whether the proposed information is of added benefit to shareholders.

 

68.  Genetically Altered or Engineered Food and Pesticides (SHP)

   CASE-BY-CASE

These proposals may include reporting requests on pesticides monitoring/use and Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) as well as GMO labeling.

For proposals requesting companies to adopt a policy, we will carefully consider existing policies and the company’s incorporation of national standards and best practices. In addition, we will evaluate the potential enactment of new regulations, as well as any investment risk related to the specific issue.

We generally support shareholder proposals calling for reports while taking into account existing policies and procedures of the company and whether the proposed information is of added benefit to shareholders.


69.  Health Proposals (SHP)

   CASE-BY-CASE

These proposals may include reports on pharmaceutical pricing, antibiotic use in the meat supply, and tobacco products. We generally support shareholder proposals calling for reports while taking into account the current reporting policies of the company and whether the proposed information is of added benefit to shareholders.

For proposals requesting companies to adopt a policy, we will carefully consider existing policies and the company’s incorporation of national standards and best practices. In addition, we will evaluate the potential enactment of new regulations, as well as any investment risk related to the specific issue. We generally support shareholder proposals calling for reports and disclosure while taking into account existing policies and procedures of the company and whether the proposed information is of added benefit to shareholders.

 

70.  Human Rights Policies and Reports (SHP)

   CASE-BY-CASE

These proposals may include reporting requests on human rights risk assessment, humanitarian engagement and mediation policies, working conditions, adopting policies on supply chain worker fees and expanding existing policies in these areas. We recognize that many companies have complex supply chains which have led to increased awareness of supply chain issues as an investment risk.

For proposals requesting companies to adopt a policy, we will carefully consider existing policies and the company’s incorporation of national standards and best practices. In addition, we will evaluate the potential enactment of new regulations, as well as any investment risk related to the specific issue.

We generally support shareholder proposals calling for reports and disclosure while taking into account existing policies and procedures of the company and whether the proposed information is of added benefit to shareholders.

 

71.  Include Sustainability as a Performance Measure (SHP)

     CASE-BY-CASE  

We believe management and directors should be given latitude in determining appropriate performance measurements. While doing so, consideration should be given to how long-term sustainability issues might affect future company performance. Therefore, we will evaluate on a case-by-case basis proposals requesting companies to consider incorporating specific, measurable, practical goals consisting of sustainability principles and environmental impacts as metrics for incentive compensation and how they are linked with our objectives as long-term shareholders.

 

72.  Lobbying and Political Spending (SHP)

   FOR

We generally vote in favor of proposals requesting increased disclosure of political contributions and lobbying expenses, including those paid to trade organizations and political action committees, whether at the federal, state, or local level.

These proposals may increase transparency.

 

73.  Other Business

   AGAINST

In certain jurisdictions, these proposals allow management to act on issues that shareholders may raise at the annual meeting. Because it is impossible to know what issues may be raised, we will vote against these proposals.

 

74.  Reimbursement of Shareholder Expenses (SHP)

     AGAINST  

These shareholder proposals would require companies to reimburse the expenses of shareholders who submit proposals that receive a majority of votes cast or the cost of proxy contest expenses. We generally vote against these proposals, unless reimbursement occurs only in cases where management fails to implement a majority passed shareholder proposal, in which case we may vote in favor.

 

75.  Sustainability Report (SHP)

     FOR  

We generally support shareholder proposals calling for reports and disclosure while taking into account existing policies and procedures of the company and whether the proposed information is of added benefit to shareholders.

 

76.  Work Place: Diversity (SHP)

     FOR  

We generally support shareholder proposals calling for reports and disclosure surrounding workplace diversity while taking into account existing policies and procedures of the company and whether the proposed information is of added benefit to shareholders.

We generally support proposals requiring a company to amend its Equal Employment Opportunity policies to prohibit workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender ID.


77.  Work Place: Pay Disparity (SHP)

   CASE-BY-CASE

A report on pay disparity compares the total compensation of a company’s executive officers with that of the company’s lowest paid workers and/or between genders, including statistics and rationale pertaining to changes in the size of the gap, recommended actions, information on whether executive compensation is “excessive”, and information on whether greater oversight is needed over certain aspects of the company’s compensation policies.

The SEC requires US issuers with fiscal years ending on or after January 1, 2017, to contrast CEO pay with median employee pay. This requirement, however, does not address all of the issues addressed by pay disparity reports.

Accordingly, we will continue to evaluate these proposals on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the specific metrics and scope of the information requested and whether the SEC’s requirement renders the proposal unnecessary.

 

4. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

 

4.1 INTRODUCTION

As a fiduciary, we always must act in our clients’ best interests. We strive to avoid even the appearance of a conflict that may compromise the trust our clients have placed in us, and we insist on strict adherence to fiduciary standards and compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws. We have adopted a comprehensive Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (“Code”) to help us meet these obligations. As part of this responsibility and as expressed throughout the Code, we place the interests of our clients first and attempt to avoid any perceived or actual conflicts of interest.

AllianceBernstein L.P. (“AB””) recognizes that there may be a potential material conflict of interest when we vote a proxy solicited by an issuer that sponsors a retirement plan we manage (or administer), that distributes AB-sponsored mutual funds, or with which AB or one or more of our employees have another business or personal relationship that may affect how we vote on the issuer’s proxy. Similarly, we may have a potential material conflict of interest when deciding how to vote on a proposal sponsored or supported by a shareholder group that is a client. In order to avoid any perceived or actual conflict of interest, the procedures set forth below in sections 4.2 through 4.8 have been established for use when we encounter a potential conflict to ensure that our voting decisions are based on our clients’ best interests and are not the product of a conflict.

 

4.2 ADHERENCE TO STATED PROXY VOTING POLICIES

Votes generally are cast in accordance with this policy3. In situations where our policy is case-by-case, this Manual often provides criteria that will guide our decision. In situations where our policy on a particular issue is case-by-case and the

vote cannot be clearly decided by an application of our stated policy, a member of the Committee or his/her designee will make the voting decision in accordance with the basic principle of our policy to vote proxies with the intention of maximizing the value of the securities in our client accounts. In these situations, the voting rationale must be documented either on the voting platform of ISS, by retaining relevant emails or another appropriate method. Where appropriate, the views of investment professionals are considered. All votes cast contrary to our stated voting policy on specific issues must be documented. On an annual basis, the Committee will receive a report of all such votes so as to confirm adherence of the policy.

 

4.3 DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICTS

When considering a proxy proposal, members of the Committee or investment professionals involved in the decision- making process must disclose to the Committee any potential conflict (including personal relationships) of which they are aware and any substantive contact that they have had with any interested outside party (including the issuer or shareholder group sponsoring a proposal) regarding the proposal. Any previously unknown conflict will be recorded on the Potential Conflicts List (discussed below). If a member of the Committee has a conflict of interest, he or she must also remove himself or herself from the decision-making process.

 

4.4 POTENTIAL CONFLICTS LIST

No less frequently than annually, a list of companies and organizations whose proxies may pose potential conflicts of interest is compiled by the Legal and Compliance Department (the “Potential Conflicts List”). The Potential Conflicts List includes:

+ Publicly-traded Clients from the Russell 3000 Index, the Morgan Stanley Capital International (“MSCI”) Europe Australia Far East Index (MSCI EAFE), the MSCI Canada Index and the MSCI Emerging Markets Index;

+ Publicly-traded companies that distribute AB mutual funds;

+ Bernstein private clients who are directors, officers or 10% shareholders of publicly traded companies;

+ Clients who sponsor, publicly support or have material interest in a proposal upon which we will be eligible to vote;

+ Publicly-traded affiliated companies;

+ Companies where an employee of AB or AXA Financial, Inc., a parent company of AB, has identified an interest;


+ Any other conflict of which a Committee member becomes aware4.

We determine our votes for all meetings of companies on the Potential Conflicts List by applying the tests described in Section 4.5 below. We document all instances when the independent compliance officer determines our vote.

 

4.5 DETERMINE EXISTENCE OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

When we encounter a potential conflict of interest, we review our proposed vote using the following analysis to ensure our voting decision does not generate a conflict of interest:

+ If our proposed vote is consistent with our Proxy Voting Policy, no further review is necessary.

+ If our proposed vote is contrary to our Proxy Voting Policy and our client’s position on the proposal, no further review is necessary.

+ If our proposed vote is contrary to our Proxy Voting Policy or is not covered herein, is consistent with our client’s position, and is also consistent with the views of ISS, no further review is necessary.

+ If our proposed vote is contrary to our Proxy Voting Policy or is not covered herein, is consistent with our client’s position and is contrary to the views of ISS, the vote will be presented to an independent compliance officer (“ICO”). The ICO will determine whether the proposed vote is reasonable. If the ICO cannot determine that the proposed vote is reasonable, the ICO may instruct AB to refer the votes back to the client(s) or take other actions as the ICO deems appropriate. The ICO’s review will be documented using a Proxy Voting Conflict of Interest Form (a copy of which is attached hereto).

 

4.6 REVIEW OF THIRD PARTY RESEARCH SERVICE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

We consider the research of ISS, so the Committee takes reasonable steps to verify that ISS is, in fact, independent based on all of the relevant facts and circumstances. This includes reviewing ISS’s conflict management procedures on an annual basis. When reviewing these conflict management procedures, we will consider, among other things, whether ISS (i) has the capacity and competency to adequately analyze proxy issues; and (ii) can offer research in an impartial manner and in the best interests of our clients.

 

4.7 CONFIDENTIAL VOTING

It is AB’s policy to support confidentiality before the actual vote has been cast. Employees are prohibited from revealing how we intend to vote except to (i) members of the Committee; (ii) Portfolio Managers who hold the security in their managed accounts; (iii) the Research Analyst(s) who cover(s) the security; (iv) clients, upon request, for the securities held in their portfolios; and (v) clients who do not hold the security or for whom AB does not have proxy voting authority, but who provide AB with a signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement. Once the votes have been cast, they are made public in accordance with mutual fund proxy vote disclosures required by the SEC, and we generally post all votes to our public website the quarter after the vote has been cast.

We may participate in proxy surveys conducted by shareholder groups or consultants so long as such participation does not compromise our confidential voting policy. Specifically, prior to our required SEC disclosures each year, we may respond to surveys asking about our proxy voting policies, but not any specific votes. After our mutual fund proxy vote disclosures required by the SEC each year have been made public and/or votes have been posted to our public website, we may respond to surveys that cover specific votes in addition to our voting policies.

On occasion, clients for whom we do not have proxy voting authority may ask us for advice on proxy votes that they cast. A member of the Committee or a Proxy Manager may offer such advice subject to an understanding with the client that the advice shall remain confidential.

Any substantive contact regarding proxy issues from the issuer, the issuer’s agent or a shareholder group sponsoring a proposal must be reported to the Committee if such contact was material to a decision to vote contrary to this Policy. Routine administrative inquiries from proxy solicitors need not be reported.

 

 

3  From time to time a client may request that we vote their proxies consistent with AFL-CIO guidelines or the policy of the National Association of Pension Funds. In those situations, AB reserves the right to depart from those policies if we believe it to be in the client’s best interests.
4  The Committee must notify the Legal and Compliance Department promptly of any previously unknown conflict.


4.8 A NOTE REGARDING AB’S STRUCTURE

AB and AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. (“AB Holding”) are Delaware limited partnerships. As limited partnerships, neither company is required to produce an annual proxy statement or hold an annual shareholder meeting. In addition, the general partner of AB and AB Holding, AllianceBernstein Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AXA, a French holding company for an international group of insurance and related financial services companies.

As a result, most of the positions we express in this Proxy Voting Policy are inapplicable to our business. For example, although units in AB Holding are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), the NYSE Listed Company Manual exempts limited partnerships and controlled companies from compliance with various listing requirements, including the requirement that our board have a majority of independent directors.

 

5. VOTING TRANSPARENCY

We publish our voting records on our website quarterly, 30 days after the end of the previous quarter. Many clients have requested that we provide them with periodic reports on how we voted their proxies. Clients may obtain information about how we voted proxies on their behalf by contacting their Advisor. Alternatively, clients may make a written request to the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

6. RECORDKEEPING

All of the records referenced below will be kept in an easily accessible place for at least the length of time required by local regulation and custom, and, if such local regulation requires that records are kept for less than five years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on such record, we will follow the US rule of five years. We maintain the vast majority of these records electronically. We will keep paper records, if any, in one of our offices for at least two years.

 

6.1 PROXY VOTING AND GOVERNANCE POLICY

The Proxy Voting and Governance Policy shall be maintained in the Legal and Compliance Department and posted on our company intranet and the AB website (https://www.abglobal.com).

 

6.2 PROXY STATEMENTS RECEIVED REGARDING CLIENT SECURITIES

For US Securities5, AB relies on the SEC to maintain copies of each proxy statement we receive regarding client securities. For Non-US Securities, we rely on ISS, our proxy voting agent, to retain such proxy statements.

 

6.3 RECORDS OF VOTES CAST ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS

Records of votes cast by AB are retained electronically by our proxy voting agent, ISS.

 

6.4 RECORDS OF CLIENTS REQUESTS FOR PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

Copies of written requests from clients for information on how AB voted their proxies shall be maintained by the Legal and Compliance Department. Responses to written and oral requests for information on how we voted clients’ proxies will be kept in the Client Group.

 

6.5 DOCUMENTS PREPARED BY AB THAT ARE MATERIAL TO VOTING DECISIONS

The Committee is responsible for maintaining documents prepared by the Committee or any AB employee that were material to a voting decision. Therefore, where an investment professional’s opinion is essential to the voting decision, the recommendation from investment professionals must be made in writing to the Proxy Manager.

 

7. PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES

 

7.1 VOTE ADMINISTRATION

In an effort to increase the efficiency of voting proxies, AB uses ISS to act as its voting agent for our clients’ holdings globally.

Issuers initially send proxy information to the custodians of our client accounts. We instruct these custodian banks to direct proxy related materials to ISS’s offices. ISS provides us with research related to each resolution. A Proxy Manager reviews the ballots via ISS’s web platform, ProxyExchange. Using ProxyExchange, the Proxy Manager submits our voting decision. ISS then returns the proxy ballot forms to the designated returnee for tabulation. Clients may request that, when voting their proxies, we utilize an ISS recommendation or ISS’s Taft-Hartley Voting Policy.

If necessary, any paper ballots we receive will be voted online using ProxyVote or via mail or fax.

 

 

5  US securities are defined as securities of issuers required to make reports pursuant to §12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Non- US securities are defined as all other securities.


7.2 SHARE BLOCKING

Proxy voting in certain countries requires “share blocking.” Shareholders wishing to vote their proxies must deposit their shares shortly before the date of the meeting (usually one week) with a designated depositary. During this blocking period, shares that will be voted at the meeting cannot be sold until the meeting has taken place and the shares are returned to the clients’ custodian banks. We may determine that the value of exercising the vote is outweighed by the detriment of not being able to sell the shares during this period. In cases where we want to retain the ability to trade shares, we may abstain from voting those shares.

We seek to vote all proxies for securities held in client accounts for which we have proxy voting authority. However, in some markets administrative issues beyond our control may sometimes prevent us from voting such proxies. For example, we may receive meeting notices after the cut-off date for voting or without enough time to fully consider the proxy. Similarly, proxy materials for some issuers may not contain disclosure sufficient to arrive at a voting decision, in which cases we may abstain from voting. Some markets outside the US require periodic renewals of powers of attorney that local agents must have from our clients prior to implementing our voting instructions.

 

7.3 LOANED SECURITIES

Many of our clients have entered into securities lending arrangements with agent lenders to generate additional revenue. We will not be able to vote securities that are on loan under these types of arrangements. However, under rare circumstances, for voting issues that may have a significant impact on the investment, we may request that clients or custodians recall securities that are on loan if we determine that the benefit of voting outweighs the costs and lost revenue to the client or fund and the administrative burden of retrieving the securities.

EXHIBIT

PROXY VOTING AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

The members of the Committee establish general proxy policies for AB and consider specific proxy voting matters as necessary. Members include senior investment personnel and representatives of the Legal and Compliance Department and the Operations Department. The Proxy Committee is chaired by Linda Giuliano, Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer-Equities, and Head of Responsible Investment. If you have questions or desire additional information about this Policy, please contact the Proxy Team at: ProxyTeam@ABGlobal.com.

 

32. PROXY VOTING AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

+ Vincent DuPont, SVP—Equities

+ Linda Giuliano, SVP—Equities

+ Saskia Kort-Chick, VP—Equities

+ Kyle DiGangi, VP—Legal

+ James MacGregor, SVP—Equities

+ Mark Manley, SVP—Legal

+ Ryan Oden, AVP—Equities

+ Neil Ruffell, VP—Operations


EXHIBIT

PROXY VOTING GUIDELINE SUMMARY

 

Shareholder
Proposal
        For    Against    Case-by-
Case
Board and Director Proposals
+    Board Diversity          +
+    Establish New Board Committees and Elect Board Members with Specific Expertise          +
   Changes in Board Structure and Amending the Articles of Incorporation    +      
   Classified Boards       +   
   Director Liability and Indemnification          +
+    Disclose CEO Succession Plan    +      
   Election of Directors    +      
   Controlled Company Exemption          +
   Voting for Director Nominees in a Contested Election          +
+    Independent Lead Director    +      
+    Limit Term of Directorship          +
+    Majority of Independent Directors    +      
+    Majority of Independent Directors on Key Committees    +      
+    Majority Votes for Directors    +      
+    Removal of Directors Without Cause    +      
+    Require Independent Board Chairman          +
+    Require Two Candidates for Each Board Seat       +   
Compensation Proposals
+    Elimination of Single Trigger Change-in-Control Agreements    +      
+    Pro Rata Vesting of Equity Compensation Awards-Change of Control          +
+    Adopt Policies to Prohibit any Death Benefits to Senior Executives       +   
+    Advisory Vote to Ratify Directors’ Compensation    +      
+    Amend Executive Compensation Plan Tied to Performance (Bonus Banking)       +   
   Approve Remuneration for Directors and Auditors          +
   Approve Remuneration Reports          +
   Approve Retirement Bonuses for Directors (Japan and South Korea)          +
   Approve Special Payments to Continuing Directors and Auditors (Japan)          +
+    Disclose Executive and Director Pay          +
+    Exclude Pension Income from Performance-Based Compensation    +      
   Executive and Employee Compensation Plans          +
+    Limit Dividend Payments to Executives       +   
+    Limit Executive Pay          +


EXHIBIT

 

Shareholder
Proposal
        For      Against      Case-by-
Case
 
+    Mandatory Holding Periods         +     
+    Performance-Based Stock Option Plans            +  
+    Prohibit Relocation Benefits to Senior Executives         +     
+    Recovery of Performance-Based Compensation      +        
+    Submit Golden Parachutes/Severance Plans to a Shareholder Vote         +     
+    Submit Golden Parachutes/Severance Plans to a Shareholder Vote prior to their being Negotiated by Management            +  
+    Submit Survivor Benefit Compensation Plans to a Shareholder Vote      +        
Capital Changes and Anti-Take Over Proposals  
+    Amend Exclusive Forum Bylaw         +     
   Amend Net Operating Loss (“NOL”) Rights Plans      +        
   Authorize Share Repurchase      +        
   Blank Check Preferred Stock         +     
   Corporate Restructurings, Merger Proposals and Spin-Offs            +  
   Elimination of Preemptive Rights            +  
+    Expensing Stock Options      +        
   Fair Price Provisions            +  
   Increase Authorized Common Stock            +  
   Issuance of Equity without Preemptive Rights      +        
   Issuance of Stock with Unequal Voting Rights            +  
   Net Long Position Requirement      +        
   Reincorporation            +  
+    Reincorporation to Another jurisdiction to Permit Majority Voting or Other Changes in Corporate Governance            +  
   Stock Splits      +        
+    Submit Company’s Shareholder Rights Plan to a Shareholder Vote      +        
   Transferrable Stock Options            +  
Auditor Proposals  
   Appointment of Auditors      +        
   Approval of Financial Statements      +        
   Approval of Internal Statutory Auditors      +        
+    Limit Compensation Consultant Services         +     
   Limitation of Liability of External Statutory Auditors (Japan)            +  
+    Separating Auditors and Consultants            +  
Shareholder Access & Voting Proposals  
+    A Shareholder’s Right to Call Special Meetings      +        
+    Adopt Cumulative Voting            +  
+    Adopt Cumulative Voting in Dual Shareholder Class Structures      +        


EXHIBIT

 

Shareholder
Proposal
        For      Against      Case-by-
Case
 
+    Early Disclosure of Voting Results         +     
+    Implement Confidential Voting      +        
   Limiting a Shareholder’s Right to Call Special Meetings         +     
+    Permit a Shareholder’s Right to Act by Written Consent      +        
+    Proxy Access for Annual Meetings      +        
   Reduce Meeting Notification from 21 Days to 14 Days (UK)      +        
+    Rotation of Locale for Annual Meeting         +     
+    Shareholder Proponent Engagement Process      +        
   Supermajority Vote Requirements         +     
Environmental & Social, Disclosure Proposals  
+    Animal Welfare            +  
+    Climate Change            +  
+    Carbon Accounting      +        
+    Carbon Risk      +        
+    Charitable Contributions            +  
+    Environmental Proposals            +  
+    Genetically Altered or Engineered Food and Pesticides            +  
+    Health Proposals            +  
+    Pharmaceutical Pricing (US)            +  
+    Human Rights Policies and Reports            +  
+    Include Sustainability as a Performance Measure (SHP)         
+    Lobbying and Political Spending      +        
+    Other Business         +     
+    Reimbursement of Shareholder Expenses         +     
+    Sustainability Report            +  
+    Work Place: Diversity      +        
+    Work Place: Pay Disparity            +  


EXHIBIT

 

PROXY VOTING CONFLICT OF INTEREST FORM

 

Name of Security

          Date of Shareholder Meeting        
         
         
         

Short Description of the conflict (client, mutual fund distributor, etc.):

 

  
  
  
  
  

 

1.    Is our proposed vote on all issues consistent with our stated proxy voting policy?    ☐  Yes    ☐  No
     If yes, stop here and sign below as no further review is necessary.     
2.    Is our proposed vote contrary to our client’s position?    ☐  Yes    ☐  No
     If yes, stop here and sign below as no further review is necessary.     
3.    Is our proposed vote consistent with the views of Institutional Shareholder Services?    ☐  Yes    ☐  No
     If yes, stop here and sign below as no further review is necessary.     

 

  Please attach a memo containing the following information and documentation supporting the proxy voting decision:

A list of the issue(s) where our proposed vote is contrary to our stated policy (director election, cumulative voting, compensation)

A description of any substantive contact with any interested outside party and a proxy voting committee or an AB investment professional that was material to our voting decision. Please include date, attendees, titles, organization they represent and topics discussed. If there was no such contact, please note as such.

If the Independent Compliance Officer has NOT determined that the proposed vote is reasonable, please explain and indicate what action has been, or will be taken.

 

Independent Compliance Officer Approval

(if necessary. Email approval is acceptable.):

      Prepared by:
I hereby confirm that the proxy voting decision referenced on this form is reasonable.      

 

 

     

Print Name:

 

  

 

Phillip Kirstein      

Date:

 

  

 

Date:

 

  

 

        

 

  Please return this completed form and all supporting documentation to the Conflicts Officer in the Legal and Compliance Department and keep a copy for your records.


EXHIBIT

 

STATEMENT OF POLICY REGARDING RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT

PRINCIPLES FOR RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT, ESG AND SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT

 

  1. Introduction

AllianceBernstein L.P. (“AB” or “we”) is appointed by our clients as an investment manager with a fiduciary responsibility to help them achieve their investment objectives over the long term. Generally, our clients’ objective is to maximize the financial return of their portfolios within appropriate risk parameters. AB has long recognized that environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) issues can impact the performance of investment portfolios. Accordingly, we have sought to integrate ESG factors into our investment process to the extent that the integration of such factors is consistent with our fiduciary duty to help our clients achieve their investment objectives and protect their economic interests.

Our policy draws a distinction between how the Principles for Responsible Investment (“PRI” or “Principles”), and Socially Responsible Investing (“SRI”) incorporate ESG factors. PRI is based on the premise that, because ESG issues can affect investment performance, appropriate consideration of ESG issues and engagement regarding them is firmly within the bounds of a mainstream investment manager’s fiduciary duties to its clients. Furthermore, PRI is intended to be applied only in ways that are consistent with those mainstream fiduciary duties.

SRI, which refers to a spectrum of investment strategies that seek to integrate ethical, moral, sustainability and other non- financial factors into the investment process, generally involves exclusion and/or divestment, as well as investment guidelines that restrict investments. AB may accept such guideline restrictions upon client request.

 

  2. Approach to ESG

Our long-standing policy has been to include ESG factors in our extensive fundamental research and consider them carefully when we believe they are material to our forecasts and investment decisions. If we determine that these aspects of an issuer’s past, current or anticipated behavior are material to its future expected returns, we address these concerns in our forecasts, research reviews, investment decisions and engagement. In addition, we have well-developed proxy voting policies that incorporate ESG issues and engagement.

 

  3. Commitment to the PRI

In recent years, we have gained greater clarity on how the PRI initiative, based on information from PRI Advisory Council members and from other signatories, provides a framework for incorporating ESG factors into investment research and decision-making. Furthermore, our industry has become, over time, more aware of the importance of ESG factors. We acknowledge these developments and seek to refine what has been our process in this area.

After careful consideration, we determined that becoming a PRI signatory would enhance our current ESG practices and align with our fiduciary duties to our clients as a mainstream investment manager. Accordingly, we became a signatory, effective November 1, 2011.

In signing the PRI, AB as an investment manager publicly commits to adopt and implement all six Principles, where consistent with our fiduciary responsibilities, and to make progress over time on implementation of the Principles.

The six Principles are:

 

  1. We will incorporate ESG issues into investment research and decision-making processes.

AB Examples: ESG issues are included in the research analysis process. In some cases, external service providers of ESG-related tools are utilized; we have conducted proxy voting training and will have continued and expanded training for investment professionals to incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision- making processes across our firm.

 

  2. We will be active owners and incorporate ESG issues into our ownership policies and practices.

AB Examples: We are active owners through our proxy voting process (for additional information, please refer to our Statement of Policies and Procedures for Proxy Voting Manual); we engage issuers on ESG matters in our investment research process (we define “engagement” as discussions with management about ESG issues when they are, or we believe they are reasonably likely to become, material).


EXHIBIT

 

  3. We will seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which we invest.

AB Examples: Generally, we support transparency regarding ESG issues when we conclude the disclosure is reasonable. Similarly, in proxy voting, we will support shareholder initiatives and resolutions promoting ESG disclosure when we conclude the disclosure is reasonable.

 

  4. We will promote acceptance and implementation of the Principles within the investment industry.

AB Examples: By signing the PRI, we have taken an important first step in promoting acceptance and implementation of the six Principles within our industry.

 

  5. We will work together to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the Principles.

AB Examples: We will engage with clients and participate in forums with other PRI signatories to better understand how the PRI are applied in our respective businesses. As a PRI signatory, we have access to information, tools and other signatories to help ensure that we are effective in our endeavors to implement the PRI.

 

  6. We will report on our activities and progress towards implementing the Principles.

AB Examples: We will respond to the 2012 PRI questionnaire and disclose PRI scores from the questionnaire in response to inquiries from clients and in requests for proposals; we will provide examples as requested concerning active ownership activities (voting, engagement or policy dialogue).

 

  4. RI Committee

Our firm’s RI Committee provides AB stakeholders, including employees, clients, prospects, consultants and service providers alike, with a resource within our firm on which they can rely for information regarding our approach to ESG issues and how those issues are incorporated in different ways by the PRI and SRI. Additionally, the RI Committee is responsible for assisting AB personnel to further implement our firm’s RI policies and practices, and, over time, to make progress on implementing all six Principles.

The RI Committee has a diverse membership, including senior representatives from investments, distribution/sales and legal. The Committee is chaired by Linda Giuliano, Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer- Equities.

If you have questions or desire additional information about this Policy, we encourage you to contact the RI Committee at RIinquiries@alliancebernstein.com.


ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

(a)    (1) The management of, and investment decisions for, the Fund’s portfolio are made by the Global Fixed Income: Emerging Markets Investment Team.

The following table lists the five members of the team with the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, the length of time that each person has been involved in the management of the Fund, and each person’s principal occupation during the past five years:

 

Employee; Year; Title

  

Principal Occupation During the Past Five (5) Years

Paul DeNoon; since August 2002; Senior Vice President of AllianceBerntein L.P. (“AB”) and Director of Emerging Market Debt    Senior Vice President of AB, with which he has been associated in a substantially similar capacity to his current position since prior to 2006, and Director of Emerging Market Debt.
Douglas J. Peebles; since August 2002; Senior Vice President of AB, Chief Investment Officer and Co-Head of Fixed Income    Senior Vice President of AB, with which he has been associated in a substantially similar capacity to his current position since prior to 2006, and Chief Investment Officer and Co-Head of Fixed Income.
Matthew S. Sheridan; since October 2005; Vice President of AB    Vice President of AB, with which he has been associated in a substantially similar capacity to his current position since prior to 2006,

(a) (2) The following tables provide information regarding registered investment companies other than the Fund, other pooled investment vehicles and other accounts over which the Fund’s portfolio managers also have day-to-day management responsibilities. The tables provide the numbers of such accounts, the total assets in such accounts and the number of accounts and total assets whose fees are based on performance. The information is provided as of the Fund’s fiscal year ended March 31, 2018.


REGISTERED INVESTMENT COMPANIES

(excluding the Fund)

Portfolio

Manager

   Total Number
of Registered
Investment
Companies
Managed
   Total Assets of
Registered
Investment
Companies
Managed
     Number of
Registered
Investment
Companies Managed
with Performance-
based Fees
   Total Assets of
Registered
Investment
Companies
Managed with
Performance-based
Fees

Paul DeNoon

   17    $ 10,484,000,000      None    None

Douglas J. Peebles

   31    $ 16,041,000,000      None    None

Matthew S. Sheridan

   37    $ 19,311,000,000      None    None

 

POOLED INVESTMENT VEHICLES

Portfolio

Manager

   Total Number
of Pooled
Investment
Vehicles
Managed
   Total Assets of
Pooled Investment
Vehicles Managed
     Number of Pooled
Investment Vehicles
Managed with
Performance-based
Fees
   Total Assets of
Pooled Investment
Vehicles Managed
with Performance-
based Fees

Paul DeNoon

   60    $ 41,746,000,000      None    None

Douglas J. Peebles

   72    $ 7,580,000,000      None    None

Matthew S. Sheridan

   87    $ 39,262,000,000      None    None


OTHER ACCOUNTS

 

Portfolio

Manager

   Total Number
of Other
Accounts
Managed
     Total Assets of
Other Accounts
Managed
     Number of Other
Accounts Managed
with Performance-
based Fees
     Total Assets of
Other Accounts
with Performance-
based Fees
 

Paul DeNoon

     17      $ 8,828,000,000        2      $ 538,000,000  

Douglas J. Peebles

     74      $ 26,514,000,000        2      $ 1,752,000,000  

Matthew S. Sheridan

     40      $ 20,725,000,000        2      $ 1,752,000,000  

Investment Professional Conflict of Interest Disclosure

As an investment adviser and fiduciary, the Adviser owes its clients and shareholders an undivided duty of loyalty. The Adviser recognizes that conflicts of interest are inherent in its business and accordingly has developed policies and procedures (including oversight monitoring) reasonably designed to detect, manage and mitigate the effects of actual or potential conflicts of interest in the area of employee personal trading, managing multiple accounts for multiple clients, including AB Mutual Funds, and allocating investment opportunities. Investment professionals, including portfolio managers and research analysts, are subject to the above-mentioned policies and oversight monitoring to ensure that all clients are treated equitably. The Adviser places the interests of its clients first and expects all of its employees to meet their fiduciary duties.

Employee Personal Trading

The Adviser has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that is designed to detect and prevent conflicts of interest when investment professionals and other personnel of the Adviser own, buy or sell securities which may be owned by, or bought or sold for, clients. Personal securities transactions by an employee may raise a potential conflict of interest when an employee owns or trades in a security that is owned or considered for purchase or sale by a client, or recommended for purchase or sale by an employee to a client. Subject to the reporting requirements and other limitations of its Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, the Adviser permits its employees to engage in personal securities transactions, and also allows them to acquire investments in certain funds managed by the Adviser. The Adviser’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics requires disclosure of all personal accounts and maintenance of brokerage accounts with designated broker-dealers approved by the Adviser. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics also requires preclearance of all securities transactions (except transactions in U.S. Treasuries and open-end mutual funds) and imposes a 60-day holding period for securities purchased by employees to discourage short-term trading.


Managing Multiple Accounts for Multiple Clients

The Adviser has compliance policies and oversight monitoring in place to address conflicts of interest relating to the management of multiple accounts for multiple clients. Conflicts of interest may arise when an investment professional has responsibilities for the investments of more than one account because the investment professional may be unable to devote equal time and attention to each account. The investment professional or investment professional teams for each client may have responsibilities for managing all or a portion of the investments of multiple accounts with a common investment strategy, including other registered investment companies, unregistered investment vehicles, such as hedge funds, pension plans, separate accounts, collective trusts and charitable foundations. Among other things, the Adviser’s policies and procedures provide for the prompt dissemination to investment professionals of initial or changed investment recommendations by analysts so that investment professionals are better able to develop investment strategies for all accounts they manage. In addition, investment decisions by investment professionals are reviewed for the purpose of maintaining uniformity among similar accounts and ensuring that accounts are treated equitably. Investment professional compensation reflects a broad contribution in multiple dimensions to long-term investment success for clients of the Adviser and is generally not tied specifically to the performance of any particular client’s account, nor is it generally tied directly to the level or change in level of assets under management.

Allocating Investment Opportunities

The investment professionals at the Adviser routinely are required to select and allocate investment opportunities among accounts. The Adviser has adopted policies and procedures intended to address conflicts of interest relating to the allocation of investment opportunities. These policies and procedures are designed to ensure that information relevant to investment decisions is disseminated promptly within its portfolio management teams and investment opportunities are allocated equitably among different clients.

The policies and procedures require, among other things, objective allocation for limited investment opportunities (e.g., on a rotational basis), and documentation and review of justifications for any decisions to make investments only for select accounts or in a manner disproportionate to the size of the account. Portfolio holdings, position sizes, and industry and sector exposures tend to be similar across similar accounts, which minimizes the potential for conflicts of interest relating to the allocation of investment opportunities. Nevertheless, access to portfolio funds or other investment opportunities may be allocated differently among accounts due to the particular characteristics of an account, such as size of the account, cash position, tax status, risk tolerance and investment restrictions or for other reasons.

The Adviser’s procedures are also designed to address potential conflicts of interest that may arise when the Adviser has a particular financial incentive, such as a performance-


based management fee, relating to an account. An investment professional may perceive that he or she has an incentive to devote more time to developing and analyzing investment strategies and opportunities or allocating securities preferentially to accounts for which the Adviser could share in investment gains.

Portfolio Manager Compensation

The Adviser’s compensation program for portfolio managers is designed to align with clients’ interests, emphasizing each portfolio manager’s ability to generate long-term investment success for the Adviser’s clients, including the Funds. The Adviser also strives to ensure that compensation is competitive and effective in attracting and retaining the highest caliber employees.

Portfolio managers receive a base salary, incentive compensation and contributions to AllianceBernstein’s 401(k) plan. Part of the annual incentive compensation is generally paid in the form of a cash bonus, and part through an award under the firm’s Incentive Compensation Award Plan (ICAP). The ICAP awards vest over a four-year period. Deferred awards are paid in the form of restricted grants of the firm’s Master Limited Partnership Units, and award recipients have the ability to receive a portion of their awards in deferred cash. The amount of contributions to the 401(k) plan is determined at the sole discretion of the Adviser. On an annual basis, the Adviser endeavors to combine all of the foregoing elements into a total compensation package that considers industry compensation trends and is designed to retain its best talent.

The incentive portion of total compensation is determined by quantitative and qualitative factors. Quantitative factors, which are weighted more heavily, are driven by investment performance. Qualitative factors are driven by contributions to the investment process and client success.

The quantitative component includes measures of absolute, relative and risk-adjusted investment performance. Relative and risk-adjusted returns are determined based on the benchmark in the Fund’s prospectus and versus peers over one-, three-and five-year calendar periods, with more weight given to longer-time periods. Peer groups are chosen by Chief Investment Officers, who consult with the product management team to identify products most similar to our investment style and most relevant within the asset class. Portfolio managers of the Funds do not receive any direct compensation based upon the investment returns of any individual client account, and compensation is not tied directly to the level or change in level of assets under management.

Among the qualitative components considered, the most important include thought leadership, collaboration with other investment colleagues, contributions to risk-adjusted returns of other portfolios in the firm, efforts in mentoring and building a strong talent pool and being a good corporate citizen. Other factors can play a role in determining portfolio managers’ compensation, such as the complexity of investment strategies managed, volume of assets managed and experience.


The Adviser emphasizes four behavioral competencies—relentlessness, ingenuity, team orientation and accountability—that support its mission to be the most trusted advisor to its clients. Assessments of investment professionals are formalized in a year-end review process that includes 360-degree feedback from other professionals from across the investment teams and the Adviser.

Asset-Based and Performance-Based Compensation: With respect to the Select US Equity and Select US Long/Short, Mr. Feuerman and members of the investment team he leads (the “Investment Team”) were hired by the Adviser in 2011. At that time, the Adviser entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Feuerman under which a compensation pool for Mr. Feuerman and members of the Investment Team is created based on specified percentages of the fees (both asset-based and performance-based fees) received by the Adviser from the accounts managed by the Investment Team. Performance fees are not assessed on the Fund or the assets of the Fund. In general, a larger percentage of the fees received by the Adviser is allocated to the compensation pool with respect to assets that were managed by Mr. Feuerman at his prior employer and that followed Mr. Feuerman to the Adviser than with respect to assets, such as the Fund, that were obtained or created after Mr. Feuerman joined the Adviser. The compensation pool is allocated among the members of the Investment Team based on the recommendations of Mr. Feuerman subject to approval by the Adviser’s Compensation Committee. This compensation represents a portion of the overall compensation received by members of the Investment Team.

(a) (4) The dollar range of the Fund’s equity securities owned directly or beneficially by the Fund’s portfolio managers as of the Fund’s fiscal year ended March 31, 2018 is set forth below:

 

     DOLLAR RANGE OF EQUITY
SECURITIES IN THE FUND

Paul DeNoon

   $740,000 - $783,455

Douglas J. Peebles

   $500,000 - $475,600

Matthew S. Sheridan

   None

ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

There have been no purchases of equity securities by the Fund or by affiliated parties for the reporting period.


ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Fund’s Board of Directors since the Fund last provided disclosure in response to this item.

 

ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

(a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-2(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) are effective at the reasonable assurance level based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this document.

(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.

The following exhibits are attached to this Form N-CSR:

 

EXHIBIT

    NO.     

 

DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT

12 (a) (1)   Code of Ethics that is subject to the disclosure of Item 2 hereof
12 (b) (1)   Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
12 (b) (2)   Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
12 (c)   Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

(Registrant): AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund, Inc.

 

By:  

/s/ Robert M. Keith

  Robert M. Keith
  President
Date:   May 30, 2018

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By:  

/s/ Robert M. Keith

  Robert M. Keith
  President
Date:   May 30, 2018
By:  

/s/ Joseph J. Mantineo

  Joseph J. Mantineo
  Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
Date:   May 30, 2018