Statement of Assets and Liabilities
March 31, 2013 (Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I
NTERMEDIATE
D
URATION
I
NSTITUTIONAL
P
ORTFOLIO
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
Investments in securities, at value
|
|
|
|
|
Unaffiliated issuers (cost $961,573,351)
|
|
$
|
1,014,198,975
|
|
Affiliated issuers (cost $88,533,721)
|
|
|
88,533,721
|
|
Cash in bank
(a)
|
|
|
11,250
|
|
Receivables:
|
|
|
|
|
Interest & dividends
|
|
|
6,444,803
|
|
Investment securities sold
|
|
|
8,529,541
|
|
Capital shares sold
|
|
|
548,538
|
|
Unrealized appreciation of credit default swap contracts
|
|
|
98,647
|
|
Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts
|
|
|
86,427
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
1,118,451,902
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
Reverse repurchase agreements
|
|
|
441,424
|
|
Due to custodian
|
|
|
643
|
|
Payables:
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends to shareholders
|
|
|
820,151
|
|
Investment securities purchased
|
|
|
136,897,818
|
|
Advisory fee
|
|
|
337,129
|
|
Capital shares redeemed
|
|
|
4,786,057
|
|
Margin owed to broker on futures contracts
|
|
|
781
|
|
Accrued expenses
|
|
|
134,352
|
|
Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts
|
|
|
270,547
|
|
Unrealized depreciation of interest rate swap contracts
|
|
|
441,508
|
|
Premium received on credit default swap contracts
|
|
|
94,419
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
144,224,829
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET ASSETS
|
|
$
|
974,227,073
|
|
|
|
|
|
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SHARES OF CAPITAL STOCK OUTSTANDING
|
|
|
60,493,084
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE
|
|
$
|
16.10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:
|
|
|
|
|
Capital stock, at par*
|
|
$
|
60,493
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
917,486,087
|
|
Distributions in excess of net investment income
|
|
|
(1,633,161
|
)
|
Accumulated net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions
|
|
|
6,215,252
|
|
Net unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:
|
|
|
|
|
Investments, futures and swap transactions
|
|
|
52,283,423
|
|
Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities
|
|
|
(185,021
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
974,227,073
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
An amount of $11,250 has been segregated to collateralize margin requirements for the open futures contracts
outstanding at March 31, 2013.
* The Sanford C. Bernstein Fund II, Inc., has authorized 18 billion shares of common stock with par value
of $.001 per share.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
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20
|
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Sanford C. Bernstein Fund II, Inc.
|
Statement of Operations
for the six months ended March 31, 2013
(Unaudited)
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I
NTERMEDIATE
D
URATION
I
NSTITUTIONAL
P
ORTFOLIO
|
|
|
|
INVESTMENT INCOME
|
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|
|
|
Income:
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
|
|
$
|
15,225,069
|
|
Dividends
|
|
|
|
|
Unaffiliated issuers
(a)
|
|
|
18
|
|
Affiliated issuers
|
|
|
35,265
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Total income
|
|
|
15,260,352
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
Advisory fee (see Note 2A)
|
|
|
2,588,466
|
|
Custodian fee
|
|
|
119,948
|
|
Transfer Agent fee
|
|
|
8,558
|
|
Printing fees
|
|
|
11,798
|
|
Legal fees
|
|
|
20,648
|
|
Registration fees
|
|
|
18,758
|
|
Auditing and tax fees
|
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|
34,756
|
|
Directors fees and expenses
|
|
|
28,340
|
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Miscellaneous
|
|
|
22,411
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
2,853,683
|
|
Less: expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser (see Note 2A)
|
|
|
(512,289
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net expenses
|
|
|
2,341,394
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
12,918,958
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON
INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
|
|
|
|
|
Net realized gain (loss) on:
|
|
|
|
|
Investment transactions
|
|
|
7,118,859
|
|
Futures transactions
|
|
|
(57,855
|
)
|
Swap transactions
|
|
|
(43,393
|
)
|
Foreign currency transactions
|
|
|
508,806
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions
|
|
|
7,526,417
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:
|
|
|
|
|
Investments
|
|
|
(15,220,216
|
)
|
Futures transactions
|
|
|
8,913
|
|
Swap transactions
|
|
|
401,559
|
|
Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities and other assets
|
|
|
(161,715
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and
liabilities
|
|
|
(14,971,459
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net realized and unrealized loss on investment and foreign currency transactions
|
|
|
(7,445,042
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
|
|
$
|
5,473,916
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
Net of foreign withholding taxes of $14.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
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|
2013 Semi-Annual Report
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21
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|
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
|
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|
I
NTERMEDIATE
D
URATION
I
NSTITUTIONAL
P
ORTFOLIO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
S
IX
M
ONTHS
E
NDED
3/31/13
(U
NAUDITED
)
|
|
|
Y
EAR
E
NDED
9/30/12
|
|
|
|
|
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
$
|
12,918,958
|
|
|
$
|
29,077,867
|
|
Net realized gain on investment and foreign currency transactions
|
|
|
7,526,417
|
|
|
|
14,259,618
|
|
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities and
other assets
|
|
|
(14,971,459
|
)
|
|
|
19,592,157
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
|
|
|
5,473,916
|
|
|
|
62,929,642
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends and distributions to shareholders:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends from net investment income
|
|
|
(17,526,082
|
)
|
|
|
(30,847,179
|
)
|
Distributions from net realized gain on investment transactions
|
|
|
(6,245,586
|
)
|
|
|
(16,909,302
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders
|
|
|
(23,771,668
|
)
|
|
|
(47,756,481
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital-share transactions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net proceeds from sales of shares
|
|
|
164,603,878
|
|
|
|
280,546,608
|
|
Net proceeds from sales of shares issued to shareholders on reinvestment of dividends and distributions
|
|
|
19,182,016
|
|
|
|
34,218,300
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total proceeds from shares sold
|
|
|
183,785,894
|
|
|
|
314,764,908
|
|
Cost of shares redeemed
|
|
|
(296,487,741
|
)
|
|
|
(432,303,989
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net decrease in net assets from capital-share transactions
|
|
|
(112,701,847
|
)
|
|
|
(117,539,081
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net decrease in net assets
|
|
|
(130,999,599
|
)
|
|
|
(102,365,920
|
)
|
|
|
|
NET ASSETS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning of period
|
|
|
1,105,226,672
|
|
|
|
1,207,592,592
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of period (a)
|
|
$
|
974,227,073
|
|
|
$
|
1,105,226,672
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
Includes (distributions in excess of net investment income)/undistributed net investment income of:
|
|
$
|
(1,633,161
|
)
|
|
$
|
2,973,963
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
|
|
|
22
|
|
Sanford C. Bernstein Fund II, Inc.
|
Financial Highlights
Selected per-share data and ratios for a share of capital stock outstanding for
the Portfolio for each of the periods presented:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I
NTERMEDIATE
D
URATION
I
NSTITUTIONAL
P
ORTFOLIO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S
IX
M
ONTHS
E
NDED
3/31/13
(U
NAUDITED
)
|
|
|
Y
EAR
E
NDED
9/30/12
|
|
|
Y
EAR
E
NDED
9/30/11
|
|
|
Y
EAR
E
NDED
9/30/10
|
|
|
Y
EAR
E
NDED
9/30/09
|
|
|
Y
EAR
E
NDED
9/30/08
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
|
$
|
16.39
|
|
|
$
|
16.17
|
|
|
$
|
16.08
|
|
|
$
|
15.10
|
|
|
$
|
13.93
|
|
|
$
|
14.98
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from investment operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment income, net
|
|
|
0.20
|
|
|
|
0.41
|
|
|
|
0.57
|
|
|
|
0.65
|
|
|
|
0.70
|
|
|
|
0.73
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions
|
|
|
(0.12
|
)
|
|
|
0.48
|
|
|
|
0.25
|
|
|
|
1.08
|
|
|
|
1.26
|
|
|
|
(1.00
|
)
|
Contributions from Adviser
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
(a)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total from investment operations
|
|
|
0.08
|
|
|
|
0.89
|
|
|
|
0.82
|
|
|
|
1.73
|
|
|
|
1.96
|
|
|
|
(0.27
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less dividends and distributions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends from taxable net investment income
|
|
|
(0.27
|
)
|
|
|
(0.43
|
)
|
|
|
(0.58
|
)
|
|
|
(0.66
|
)
|
|
|
(0.71
|
)
|
|
|
(0.78
|
)
|
Dividends from net realized gain on investment transactions
|
|
|
(0.10
|
)
|
|
|
(0.24
|
)
|
|
|
(0.15
|
)
|
|
|
(0.09
|
)
|
|
|
(0.08
|
)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total dividends and distributions
|
|
|
(0.37
|
)
|
|
|
(0.67
|
)
|
|
|
(0.73
|
)
|
|
|
(0.75
|
)
|
|
|
(0.79
|
)
|
|
|
(0.78
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of period
|
|
$
|
16.10
|
|
|
$
|
16.39
|
|
|
$
|
16.17
|
|
|
$
|
16.08
|
|
|
$
|
15.10
|
|
|
$
|
13.93
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total return (b)
|
|
|
0.49%
|
|
|
|
5.70%
|
#
|
|
|
5.30%
|
|
|
|
11.76%
|
|
|
|
14.80%
|
|
|
|
(1.96)%
|
**^
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)
|
|
|
$974,227
|
|
|
|
$1,105,227
|
|
|
|
$1,207,593
|
|
|
|
$1,123,905
|
|
|
|
$1,026,838
|
|
|
|
$1,027,646
|
|
Average net assets (000 omitted)
|
|
|
$1,042,479
|
|
|
|
$1,146,019
|
|
|
|
$1,143,740
|
|
|
|
$1,105,250
|
|
|
|
$967,750
|
|
|
|
$1,085,900
|
|
Ratio to average net assets of:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements
|
|
|
0.45%
|
*
|
|
|
0.45%
|
|
|
|
0.45%
|
|
|
|
0.45%
|
(c)
|
|
|
0.45%
|
|
|
|
0.45%
|
|
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements
|
|
|
0.55%
|
*
|
|
|
0.54%
|
|
|
|
0.54%
|
|
|
|
0.54%
|
(c)
|
|
|
0.54%
|
|
|
|
0.54%
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
2.49%
|
*
|
|
|
2.54%
|
|
|
|
3.61%
|
|
|
|
4.19%
|
(c)
|
|
|
5.05%
|
|
|
|
4.93%
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
73%
|
|
|
|
136%
|
|
|
|
121%
|
|
|
|
105%
|
|
|
|
75%
|
|
|
|
99%
|
|
|
|
Based on average shares outstanding.
|
^
|
|
The total return includes the impact of losses resulting from swap counterparty exposure to Lehman Brothers, which detracted from the performance of the Portfolio for
the year ended September 30, 2008 by (.15)%.
|
#
|
|
Includes the Advisers reimbursement in respect of the Lehman Bankruptcy Claim which contributed to the Portfolios performance by 0.08% for the year ended
September 30, 2012.
|
**
|
|
Includes the impact of proceeds received and credited to the Portfolio resulting from class action settlements, which enhanced the Portfolios performance for the
year ended September 30, 2008 by 0.05%.
|
(a)
|
|
Amount is less than $.005.
|
(b)
|
|
Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and
distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. Total
investment return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
|
(c)
|
|
The ratio includes expenses attributable to costs of proxy solicitation.
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
|
|
|
|
|
2013 Semi-Annual Report
|
|
|
23
|
|
Notes to Financial Statements
NOTE 1.
|
Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
|
Sanford C. Bernstein Fund II, Inc. (the Fund) is a managed open-end registered investment company incorporated in Maryland on February 7, 2002. The Fund, currently comprises one
portfolio, the Intermediate Duration Institutional Portfolio (the Portfolio). The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund.
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 Funds Board of Directors (the Board).
In general, the market value 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 the 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 contracts 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 other debt instruments having 60 days or less remaining until maturity
are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less; or by amortizing their fair value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days; 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. Investments in money market funds are valued at their net asset value each day.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value. Factors considered in making this determination may
include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuers 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.
B.
|
|
Fair Value Measurements
|
In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio 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
(including those based on their market values as described in Note A above) or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer 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 Portfolio. Unobservable inputs reflect the Portfolios 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.
|
|
|
24
|
|
Sanford C. Bernstein Fund II, Inc.
|
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 1quoted prices in active markets for identical investments
|
|
|
|
Level 2other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk,
etc.)
|
|
|
|
Level 3significant unobservable inputs (including the Portfolios 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.
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.
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. 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 for which there are
observable inputs are classified as Level 2. Where the inputs are not observable, the investments are classified as Level 3.
|
|
|
|
|
2013 Semi-Annual Report
|
|
|
25
|
|
Notes to Financial Statements
(continued)
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolios investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of
March 31, 2013:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I
NVESTMENTS
IN
S
ECURITIES
:
|
|
L
EVEL
1
|
|
|
L
EVEL
2
|
|
|
L
EVEL
3
|
|
|
T
OTAL
|
|
Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CorporatesInvestment Grades
|
|
$
|
1,553,625
|
|
|
$
|
306,411,765
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
307,965,390
|
|
Mortgage Pass-Throughs
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
230,197,737
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
230,197,737
|
|
Asset-Backed Securities
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
130,107,890
|
|
|
|
8,060,370
|
|
|
|
138,168,260
|
|
GovernmentsTreasuries
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
123,336,081
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
123,336,081
|
|
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
|
|
|
2,557,358
|
|
|
|
66,051,536
|
|
|
|
8,813,982
|
|
|
|
77,422,876
|
|
Agencies
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
65,106,145
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
65,106,145
|
|
CorporatesNon-Investment Grades
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
15,539,137
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
15,539,137
|
|
Quasi-Sovereigns
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
12,994,551
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
12,994,551
|
|
GovernmentsSovereign Bonds
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
6,077,018
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
6,077,018
|
|
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
279,322
|
|
|
|
3,191,733
|
|
|
|
3,471,055
|
|
Local GovernmentsMunicipal Bonds
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
2,783,935
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
2,783,935
|
|
Bank Loans
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
652,500
|
|
|
|
652,500
|
|
Emerging MarketsCorporate Bonds
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
298,203
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
298,203
|
|
GovernmentsSovereign Agencies
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
17,454
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
17,454
|
|
Short-Term Investments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment Companies
|
|
|
88,533,721
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
88,533,721
|
|
Treasury Bill
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
30,168,633
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
30,168,633
|
|
Total Investments in Securities
|
|
|
92,644,704
|
|
|
|
989,369,407
|
|
|
|
20,718,585
|
|
|
|
1,102,732,696
|
|
Other Financial Instruments* :
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Futures Contracts
|
|
|
660
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
660
|
#
|
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
86,427
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
86,427
|
|
Credit Default Swap Contracts
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
98,647
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
98,647
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
(270,547
|
)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
(270,547
|
)
|
Interest Rate Swap Contracts
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
(441,508
|
)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
(441,508
|
)
|
Total^
|
|
$
|
92,645,364
|
|
|
$
|
988,842,426
|
|
|
$
|
20,718,585
|
|
|
$
|
1,102,206,375
|
|
|
*
|
Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards and swap contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on
the instrument.
|
|
#
|
Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative
appreciation/(depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the schedule of investments.
|
|
^
|
There were de minimis transfers under 1% of net assets between Level 1 and Level 2 during the reporting period.
|
The Portfolio recognizes all transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy assuming the financial instruments were transferred at
the beginning of the reporting period.
|
|
|
26
|
|
Sanford C. Bernstein Fund II, Inc.
|
Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs
(Level 3) were used in determining fair value.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A
SSET
-
B
ACKED
S
ECURITIES
|
|
|
C
OMMERCIAL
M
ORTGAGE
-
B
ACKED
S
ECURITIES
|
|
|
C
OLLATERALIZED
M
ORTGAGE
O
BLIGATIONS
|
|
Balance as of 9/30/12
|
|
$
|
14,500,930
|
|
|
$
|
7,106,163
|
|
|
$
|
3,811,820
|
|
Accrued discounts/(premiums)
|
|
|
1,472
|
|
|
|
(43,519
|
)
|
|
|
3,576
|
|
Realized gain (loss)
|
|
|
(822,557
|
)
|
|
|
251,313
|
|
|
|
(444,872
|
)
|
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation
|
|
|
832,648
|
|
|
|
(204,857
|
)
|
|
|
589,581
|
|
Purchases
|
|
|
242,186
|
|
|
|
6,062,806
|
|
|
|
107,984
|
|
Sales
|
|
|
(2,518,750
|
)
|
|
|
(4,357,924
|
)
|
|
|
(597,357
|
)
|
Transfers in to Level 3
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Transfers out of Level 3
|
|
|
(4,175,559
|
)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
(278,999
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of 3/31/13+
|
|
$
|
8,060,370
|
|
|
$
|
8,813,982
|
|
|
$
|
3,191,733
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from Investments held as of
3/31/13*
|
|
$
|
(12,342
|
)
|
|
$
|
(202,268
|
)
|
|
$
|
432,483
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B
ANK
L
OANS
|
|
|
W
ARRANTS
^^
|
|
|
T
OTAL
|
|
Balance as of 9/30/12
|
|
$
|
658,315
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
26,077,228
|
|
Accrued discounts/(premiums)
|
|
|
348
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
(38,123
|
)
|
Realized gain (loss)
|
|
|
(251,808
|
)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
(1,267,924
|
)
|
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation
|
|
|
273,114
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
1,490,486
|
|
Purchases
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
6,412,976
|
|
Sales
|
|
|
(27,469
|
)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
(7,501,500
|
)
|
Transfers in to Level 3
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Transfers out of Level 3
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
(4,454,558
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of 3/31/13
|
|
$
|
652,500
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
20,718,585
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation
from Investments held as of
3/31/13*
|
|
$
|
15,000
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
232,873
|
|
|
*
|
The unrealized appreciation/depreciation is included in net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments in the accompanying statement of operations.
|
|
+
|
There were de minimis transfers under 1% of net assets during the reporting period.
|
|
^^
|
The Portfolio held securities with zero market value that were sold during the reporting period.
|
|
|
|
|
|
2013 Semi-Annual Report
|
|
|
27
|
|
Notes to Financial Statements
(continued)
The following presents information about significant unobservable inputs related to the Portfolio with material categories of Level 3
investments at March 31, 2013:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q
UANTITATIVE
I
NFORMATION
ABOUT
L
EVEL
3 F
AIR
V
ALUE
M
EASUREMENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F
AIR
V
ALUE
AT
3/31/2013
|
|
|
V
ALUATION
T
ECHNIQUE
|
|
U
NOBSERVABLE
I
NPUT
|
|
|
R
ANGE
|
|
Asset-Backed Securities
|
|
$
|
8,060,370
|
|
|
Third Party
Vendor
|
|
|
Evaluated Quotes
|
|
|
|
$96.14-$102.32
|
|
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
|
|
$
|
8,813,982
|
|
|
Third Party
Vendor
|
|
|
Evaluated Quotes
|
|
|
|
$79.85-$114.83
|
|
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
|
|
$
|
3,191,733
|
|
|
Third Party
Vendor
|
|
|
Evaluated Quotes
|
|
|
|
$64.41-$100.89
|
|
Bank Loans
|
|
$
|
652,500
|
|
|
Third Party
Vendor
|
|
|
Evaluated Quotes
|
|
|
|
$87.00
|
|
The Adviser has established a Valuation Committee (the Committee) which is responsible for
overseeing the pricing and valuation of all securities held in the Portfolio. 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 Committees
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 Advisers 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 Advisers Pricing Group (the
Pricing Group) and a 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 compare 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 Advisers prices).
C.
|
|
Foreign Currency Translation
|
The accounting records of the Portfolio are maintained in U.S. dollars. Prices of securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in non-U.S. currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using the
exchange rate at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Amounts related to the purchases and sales of securities, investment income and expenses are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions.
Net realized gain or loss on foreign currency transactions represents net foreign exchange gains or losses from the closure of forward
currency exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on security transactions and the difference between the amount of dividends, interest and foreign withholding
taxes recorded on the Portfolios books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amount actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains and losses arising from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities, other than security
investments, at the current exchange rate are reflected as part of unrealized appreciation/depreciation on foreign currencies.
|
|
|
28
|
|
Sanford C. Bernstein Fund II, Inc.
|
The Portfolio does not isolate that portion of the results of operations arising as a
result of changes in the foreign exchange rates from the changes in the market prices of securities held at period end. The Portfolio does not isolate the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from changes in market prices of equity securities
sold during the year. The Portfolio does isolate the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from changes in market prices of debt securities sold during the year, as required by the Internal Revenue Code.
The Portfolio may invest in foreign securities and foreign currency transactions that may involve risks not associated with domestic
investments as a result of the level of governmental supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets and the possibility of political or economic instability, among others.
The
Portfolio intends to continue to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as they apply to regulated investment companies. By so complying, the Portfolio will not be subject to federal and state income taxes
to the extent that all of its income is distributed. The Portfolio 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 based on managements understanding of applicable local tax law.
In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the
Portfolios 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
Portfolios financial statements.
E.
|
|
Security Transactions and Related Investment Income
|
Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (the date the buy or sell order is executed). Securities gains and losses are calculated on the identified cost basis. Interest income is recorded
on the accrual basis and dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Fund is informed of the dividend. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as adjustments to interest income.
F.
|
|
Securities Transactions on a When-Issued or Delayed-Delivery Basis
|
The Portfolio may purchase securities on a when-issued basis or purchase or sell securities on a delayed-delivery basis. At the time the Portfolio commits to purchase a security on a when-issued or
delayed-delivery basis, the Portfolio will record the transaction and use the securitys value in determining the Portfolios net asset value. At the time the Portfolio commits to sell a security on a delayed-delivery basis, the Portfolio
will record the transaction and exclude the securitys value in determining the Portfolios net asset value.
G.
|
|
Distribution of Income and Gains
|
Net investment income of the Portfolio is declared and recorded as a dividend to shareholders daily and is payable to shareholders monthly.
Distributions of net realized gains, less any available loss carryforwards, if any, for the Portfolio will be paid to shareholders at
least once a year, and recorded on the ex-dividend date.
Elements of realized gains and net investment income may be recorded
in different accounting periods for financial reporting (book) and federal income tax (tax) purposes (temporary differences). To the extent that such distributions required for tax purposes exceed income and gains recorded for book purposes as a
result of such temporary differences, excess distributions are reflected in the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities. To the extent distributions exceed income and gains for tax purposes, such distributions would be shown as
return of capital on the statement of changes in net assets. Certain other differencespermanent differencesarise because treatment of elements of income and gains is different between book and tax accounting. Permanent
differences are reclassified in the year they arise.
|
|
|
|
|
2013 Semi-Annual Report
|
|
|
29
|
|
Notes to Financial Statements
(continued)
It is the Portfolios policy that its custodian or designated subcustodian take control of securities as collateral under repurchase agreements and to determine on a daily basis that the value of
such securities are sufficient to cover the value of the repurchase agreements. If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization of
collateral by the Portfolio may be delayed or limited.
NOTE 2.
|
Investment Management and Transactions with Affiliated Persons
|
Under the Advisory Agreement between the Fund and the Adviser, the Adviser manages the investment of the Portfolios assets, places
purchase and sale orders, and bears various expenses, including the salaries and expenses of all personnel except those of outside directors. In addition, the Adviser agrees to permit its directors, officers and employees who may be elected
directors or officers of the Fund to serve in the capacities to which they are elected. The Adviser renders these services subject to the general oversight of the Board of Directors.
The Portfolio pays the Adviser an advisory fee at an annual rate of .50% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio for the first
$1 billion and .45% thereafter. Pursuant to an Expense Limitation Agreement, during the reporting period, the Adviser waived a portion of its advisory fee or reimbursed the Portfolio for a portion of its expenses to the extent necessary to limit the
Portfolios expenses to 0.45%. This waiver extends through January 31, 2014 and may be extended by the Adviser for additional one-year terms. For the six months ended March 31, 2013, the aggregate amount of such fee waiver was
$512,289.
B.
|
|
Distribution Arrangements
|
Under the Distribution Agreement between the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio, and Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC (the Distributor), the Distributor agrees to act as agent to sell
shares of the Portfolio. The Distributor receives no fee for this service, and furthermore agrees to pay all expenses arising from the performance of its obligations under this agreement. The Distributor is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser.
C.
|
|
Investments and other transactions with Affiliated Entities
|
The Portfolio may invest in the AllianceBernstein Fixed-Income Shares, Inc.Government STIF Portfolio (Government STIF Portfolio), an open-end management investment company managed by the
Adviser. The Government STIF Portfolio is offered as a cash management option to mutual funds and other institutional accounts of the Adviser, and is not available for direct purchase by members of the public. The Government STIF Portfolio pays no
investment management fees but does bear its own expenses. A summary of the Portfolios transactions in shares of the Government STIF Portfolio for the six months ended March 31, 2013 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M
ARKET
V
ALUE
S
EPTEMBER
30, 2012
(000)
|
|
|
P
URCHASES
AT
C
OST
(000)
|
|
|
S
ALES
P
ROCEEDS
(000)
|
|
|
M
ARKET
V
ALUE
M
ARCH
31, 2013
(000)
|
|
|
D
IVIDEND
I
NCOME
(000)
|
|
|
|
$
|
31,407
|
|
|
$
|
556,364
|
|
|
$
|
499,237
|
|
|
$
|
88,534
|
|
|
$
|
35
|
|
Brokerage commissions paid on investment transactions for the six months ended March 31, 2013
amounted to $675, of which $0 and $0, respectively, was paid to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC and Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., Ltd., affiliates of the Adviser.
Prior to September 15, 2008, the Portfolio had swap counterparty exposure to Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (Lehman
Brothers), as a guarantor for Lehman Brothers Special Financing Inc. (LBSF), which filed for bankruptcy on September 15, 2008. As a result, on September 15, 2008, the Portfolio terminated all outstanding swap contracts
with LBSF prior to their scheduled maturity dates in accordance with the terms of the swap agreements. Upon the termination of the swap contracts, Lehman Brothers obligations to the Portfolio amounted to $1,918,971. The Portfolios claim
to these obligations was subject to the bankruptcy proceeding against the Lehman Brothers estate (the Bankruptcy Claim).
|
|
|
30
|
|
Sanford C. Bernstein Fund II, Inc.
|
In accordance with its error correction policy, the Adviser agreed to make the Portfolio whole in respect of the amount of the recovery that was to be paid on the Bankruptcy Claim in the event
the Bankruptcy Claim was not honored by the Lehman Brothers estate, or with respect to any diminution in value upon the sale of the Bankruptcy Claim, in either case resulting from the manner in which the Bankruptcy Claim was processed by the
Adviser. On April 9, 2012, the portfolio management team determined to dispose of the position held by the Portfolio that reflects the Bankruptcy Claim (thereby realizing upon the corresponding undertaking of the Adviser to make payment in
respect of the Bankruptcy Claim to make the Portfolio whole). On that date, the Bankruptcy Claim was being valued at $954,688 (49.75% of the Bankruptcy Claim), based upon the estimated recovery value. Accordingly, on April 13, 2012, the Adviser
reimbursed the Portfolio in an amount equal to $954,688.
NOTE 3.
|
Investment Security Transactions
|
For the six months ended March 31, 2013, the Portfolio had purchases and sales transactions, excluding transactions in short-term instruments, as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P
URCHASES
|
|
|
S
ALES
|
|
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities)
|
|
$
|
126,057,667
|
|
|
$
|
82,220,226
|
|
U.S. government securities
|
|
|
618,925,845
|
|
|
|
713,305,102
|
|
The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for
financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation (excluding futures, foreign currency and swap transactions) are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Gross unrealized appreciation
|
|
$
|
55,107,159
|
|
Gross unrealized depreciation
|
|
|
(2,481,535
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net unrealized appreciation
|
|
$
|
52,625,624
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B.
|
|
Derivative Financial Instruments
|
The Portfolio 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 Portfolio, as well as the methods in which they may be used are:
The Portfolio may buy or sell futures contracts for investment purposes or for the purpose of hedging its portfolio against adverse effects of potential movements in the market. The Portfolio 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 contracts and movements in the price of the assets, reference rates or indices which they are designed
to track. Among other things, the Portfolio may purchase or sell futures contracts 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 Portfolio enters into a futures contract, the Portfolio deposits and
maintains as collateral an initial margin with the broker, as required by the exchange on which the transaction is effected. Pursuant to the contract, the Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 contracts is generally less than privately negotiated futures contracts, since the clearinghouse, which is the issuer or counterparty to each exchange-traded future, provides a
guarantee of performance. This guarantee is supported by a daily payment system (i.e., margin requirements). When the contract is closed, the Portfolio 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.
|
|
|
|
|
2013 Semi-Annual Report
|
|
|
31
|
|
Notes to Financial Statements
(continued)
Use of long futures contracts subjects the Portfolio 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 contracts. Use of short futures contracts subjects the Portfolio to unlimited risk of loss. The Portfolio may enter into futures contracts only on exchanges or boards of trade. The exchange or
board of trade acts as the counterparty to each futures transactions; therefore, the Portfolios credit risk is limited to failure of the exchange or board of trade. Under some circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits on the
amount that the price of a futures contract can vary from the previous days settlement price, which could effectively prevent liquidation of unfavorable positions.
During the six months ended March 31, 2013, the Portfolio held futures contracts for hedging purposes.
|
|
|
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts
|
The Portfolio 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 sale 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. 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 foreign currency transactions. Fluctuations in the value of open forward currency
exchange contracts are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized appreciation and/or depreciation by the Portfolio. 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 six months ended March 31, 2013,
the Portfolio held forward currency exchange contracts for hedging purposes.
The Portfolio may enter into swaps to hedge its exposure to interest rates, credit risk, or currencies. The Portfolio 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 Portfolio in accordance with the terms of the respective swap agreements to provide value and recourse to the Portfolio or its counterparties in the event of default, bankruptcy or insolvency by one of
the parties to the swap agreement.
Risks may arise as a result of the failure of the counterparty to the swap contract to
comply with the terms of the swap contract. The loss incurred by the failure of a counterparty is generally limited to the net interim payment to be received by the Portfolio, and/or the termination value at the end of the contract. Therefore, the
Portfolio considers the creditworthiness of each counterparty to a swap contract in evaluating potential counterparty risk. This risk is mitigated by having a netting arrangement between the Portfolio and the counterparty and by the posting of
collateral by the counterparty to the Portfolio to cover the Portfolios exposure to the counterparty. Additionally, risks may arise from unanticipated movements in interest rates or in the value of the underlying securities. The Portfolio
accrues for the interim payments on swap contracts on a daily basis, with the net amount recorded within unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swap contracts 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 swap contracts. 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 swap contracts are recorded as a component of net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swap contracts on the statement of operations.
Interest Rate Swaps:
The Portfolio is subject to interest rate risk exposure in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. Because the Portfolio 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 Portfolio may enter into interest rate
|
|
|
32
|
|
Sanford C. Bernstein Fund II, Inc.
|
swap contracts. Interest rate swaps are agreements between two parties to exchange cash flows based on a notional amount. The Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio anticipates purchasing at a later date. Interest rate
swaps involve the exchange by a Portfolio 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 Portfolio receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments).
During the six months ended March 31, 2013, the Portfolio held interest rate swap contracts for hedging purposes.
Credit Default Swaps:
The Portfolio 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 Portfolio, or to create exposure to corporate or sovereign issuers to which it is not otherwise exposed. The Portfolio may purchase credit protection (Buy Contract) or provide credit protection (Sale
Contract) on the referenced obligation of the credit default swap. During the term of the swap agreement, the Portfolio receives/(pays) fixed payments from/(to) the respective counterparty, calculated at the agreed upon rate applied to the
notional amount. If the Portfolio is a buyer/(seller) of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of the swap agreement, the Portfolio will either (i) receive from the seller/(pay to the buyer) of protection an amount
equal to the notional amount of the swap contract (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.
Credit default swaps may involve greater
risks than if a Portfolio 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 Portfolio is a buyer of protection and no credit event
occurs, it will lose the payments it made to its counterparty. If the Portfolio is a seller of protection and a credit event occurs, the value of the referenced obligation received by the Portfolio coupled with the periodic payments previously
received, may be less than the Maximum Payout Amount it pays to the buyer, resulting in a net loss to the Portfolio.
During
the six months ended March 31, 2013, the Portfolio held credit default swap contracts for non-hedging purposes.
Implied
credit spreads utilized in determining the market value of credit default swaps on issuers as of period end are disclosed in the schedule of investments. The implied spreads serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk
and typically reflect the likelihood of default by the issuer of the referenced obligation. The implied credit spread of a particular reference obligation also reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may reflect upfront payments required
to be made to enter into the agreement. Widening credit spreads typically represent a deterioration of the referenced obligations 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 obligation.
At March 31, 2013, the Portfolio had Sale Contracts outstanding with Maximum Payout Amounts aggregating $3,000,000, with net unrealized appreciation/depreciation of $98,647, and terms of less than 4
years, as reflected in the schedule of investments.
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 swap agreements entered into by the Portfolio for the
same reference obligation with the same counterparty.
As of March 31, 2013, the Portfolio had no Buy Contracts
outstanding with respect to the same referenced obligation and same counterparty for its Sale Contracts outstanding.
|
|
|
|
|
2013 Semi-Annual Report
|
|
|
33
|
|
Notes to Financial Statements
(continued)
Documentation governing the Portfolios OTC derivatives may contain provisions for early termination of such transaction in the
event the net assets of the Portfolio decline below specific levels set forth in the documentation (net asset contingent features). If these levels are triggered, the Portfolios counterparty has the right to terminate such
transaction and require the Portfolio to pay or receive a settlement amount in connection with the terminated transaction. As of March 31, 2013, the Portfolio had OTC derivatives with contingent features in net liability positions in the amount
of $620,974. The fair value of assets pledged as collateral by the Portfolio for such derivatives was $674,054 at March 31, 2013. If a trigger event had occurred at March 31, 2013, for those derivatives in a net liability position, an
amount of $179,466 would be required to be posted by the Portfolio.
At March 31, 2013, the Portfolio had entered into
the following derivatives:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A
SSET
D
ERIVATIVES
|
|
|
L
IABILITY
D
ERIVATIVES
|
|
D
ERIVATIVE
T
YPE
|
|
S
TATEMENT
OF
A
SSETS
AND
L
IABILITIES
L
OCATION
|
|
F
AIR
V
ALUE
|
|
|
S
TATEMENT
OF
A
SSETS
AND
L
IABILITIES
L
OCATION
|
|
F
AIR
V
ALUE
|
|
Foreign exchange contracts
|
|
Unrealized appreciation of forward currency exchange contracts
|
|
$
|
86,427
|
|
|
Unrealized depreciation of forward currency exchange contracts
|
|
$
|
270,547
|
|
Credit contracts
|
|
Unrealized appreciation of credit default swap agreements
|
|
|
98,647
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest rate contracts
|
|
Margin due from/owed to broker on futures contracts
|
|
|
660
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest rate contracts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized depreciation of interest rate swap agreements
|
|
|
441,508
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
$
|
185,734
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
712,055
|
|
|
*
|
Only variation margin receivable/payable at period end is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities. This amount reflects cumulative
appreciation/(depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the schedule of investments.
|
The effect of
derivative instruments on the statement of operations for the six months ended March 31, 2013:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D
ERIVATIVE
T
YPE
|
|
L
OCATION
OF
G
AIN
OR
(L
OSS
)
ON
D
ERIVATIVES
|
|
R
EALIZED
G
AIN
OR
(L
OSS
)
ON
D
ERIVATIVES
|
|
|
C
HANGE
IN
U
NREALIZED
A
PPRECIATION
OR
(D
EPRECIATION
)
|
|
Foreign exchange contracts
|
|
Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of foreign currency
denominated assets and liabilities
|
|
$
|
13,911
|
|
|
$
|
(158,366
|
)
|
Credit contracts
|
|
Net realized gain (loss) on swap transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swap
transactions
|
|
|
92,619
|
|
|
|
94,280
|
|
Interest rate contracts
|
|
Net realized gain (loss) on swap transactions; Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swap
transactions
|
|
|
(136,012
|
)
|
|
|
307,279
|
|
Interest rate contracts
|
|
Net realized gain (loss) on futures transactions; Net change in unrealized
appreciation/depreciation of futures transactions
|
|
|
(57,855
|
)
|
|
|
8,913
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
$
|
(87,337
|
)
|
|
$
|
252,106
|
|
|
|
|
34
|
|
Sanford C. Bernstein Fund II, Inc.
|
The following table represents the volume of the Portfolios derivative transactions
during the six months ended March 31, 2013.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average principal amount of buy contracts
|
|
$
|
233,709
|
|
|
|
Average principal amount of sale contracts
|
|
$
|
41,262,169
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Credit Default Swap Contracts:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average notional amount of sale contracts
|
|
$
|
3,200,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest Rate Swap Contracts:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average notional amount
|
|
$
|
30,025,141
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Futures Contracts:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average original value of sale contracts
|
|
$
|
14,267,726
|
|
|
|
The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. Dollar securities on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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).
D.
|
|
Mortgage-Backed Dollar Rolls
|
The Portfolio may enter into dollar rolls. Dollar rolls involve sales by the Portfolio of securities for delivery in the current month and the Portfolio simultaneously contracting to repurchase
substantially similar (same type and coupon) securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Portfolio forgoes principal and interest paid on the securities. The Portfolio is compensated by the difference between the current sales
price and the lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the drop) as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities
the Portfolio is obligated to repurchase under the agreement may decline below the repurchase price. Dollar rolls are speculative techniques and may be considered to be borrowings by the Portfolio. For the six months ended March 31, 2013, the
Portfolio earned drop income of $620,604 which is included in interest income in the accompanying statement of operations.
E.
|
|
Reverse Repurchase Agreements
|
Under a reverse repurchase agreement, the Portfolio sells securities and agrees to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price. At the time the Portfolio enters into a reverse repurchase
agreement, it will establish a segregated account with the custodian containing liquid assets having a value at least equal to the repurchase price. For the six months ended March 31, 2013, the average amount of reverse repurchase agreements
outstanding was $2,064,837 and the daily weighted average interest rate was (0.50)%. During the year, the Portfolio received net interest payment from counterparties.
|
|
|
|
|
2013 Semi-Annual Report
|
|
|
35
|
|
Notes to Financial Statements
(continued)
NOTE 4.
|
Distributions to Shareholders
|
The
tax character of distributions to be paid for the year ending September 30, 2013 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2012 and
September 30, 2011 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
Distributions paid from:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary income
|
|
$
|
32,819,931
|
|
|
$
|
51,480,048
|
|
Net long-term capital gains
|
|
|
14,936,550
|
|
|
|
840,796
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total distributions paid
|
|
$
|
47,756,481
|
|
|
$
|
52,320,844
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of September 30, 2012, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U
NDISTRIBUTED
O
RDINARY
I
NCOME
|
|
|
U
NDISTRIBUTED
L
ONG
-T
ERM
C
APITAL
G
AINS
|
|
|
A
CCUMULATED
C
APITAL
AND
O
THER
G
AINS
(L
OSSES
)(a)
|
|
|
U
NREALIZED
A
PPRECIATION
/
(D
EPRECIATION
)(b)
|
|
|
T
OTAL
A
CCUMULATED
E
ARNINGS
/
(D
EFICIT
)(c)
|
|
|
|
$
|
4,127,528
|
|
|
$
|
5,279,087
|
|
|
$
|
(64,747
|
)
|
|
$
|
66,494,797
|
|
|
$
|
75,836,665
|
|
|
(a)
|
For the year ended September 30, 2012, the Portfolio elected to defer $64,747 of straddle losses.
|
|
(b)
|
The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) are attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales, the tax
treatment of swaps and partnership investments, and the realization for tax purposes of gains/losses on certain derivative instruments.
|
|
(c)
|
The difference between book-basis and tax-basis components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) is attributable to dividends payable.
|
For tax purposes, net capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Under the Regulated Investment Company
Modernization Act of 2010, funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an indefinite period. These post-enactment capital losses must be utilized prior to the pre-enactment
capital losses, which are subject to expiration. Post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered short-term as under previous regulation. As of
September 30, 2012, the Portfolio did not have any capital loss carryforwards.
NOTE 5.
|
Risks Involved in Investing in the Portfolio
|
Interest Rate Risk and Credit Risk
Interest rate risk is the risk that changes in interest rates will affect the value of a Portfolios investments in fixed-income debt securities such as
bonds or notes. Increases in interest rates may cause the value of a Portfolios 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 risk 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.
Actions by a Few Major Investors
In certain countries, volatility may be heightened by actions of a few major investors. For
example, substantial increases or decreases in cash flows of mutual funds investing in these markets could significantly affect local securities prices and, therefore, share prices of the Portfolio.
Duration Risk
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%.
|
|
|
36
|
|
Sanford C. Bernstein Fund II, Inc.
|
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 Portfolios assets can decline as can the value of the Portfolios distributions. This risk is significantly greater
for fixed-income securities with longer maturities.
Inflation-Protected Securities Risk
The terms of
inflation-protected securities provide for the coupon and/or maturity value to be adjusted based on changes in inflation. Decreases in the inflation rate or in investors expectations about inflation could cause these securities to underperform
non-inflation-adjusted securities on a total-return basis. In addition, these securities may have limited liquidity in the secondary market.
Foreign (Non-U.S.) Securities Risk
Investments in foreign securities entail significant risks in addition to those customarily associated with investing in U.S. securities. These risks include
risks related to economic, political and social instability, which could disrupt the financial markets in which the Portfolio invests and adversely affect the value of the Portfolios assets. The risks of investing in foreign (non-U.S.)
securities are heightened with respect to investments in emerging-market countries, where there is an even greater amount of economic, political and social instability.
Foreign Currency Risk
This is the risk that changes in foreign (non-U.S.) currency exchange rates may negatively affect the value of the Portfolios investments or reduce the returns of
the Portfolio. For example, the value of the Portfolios investments in foreign stocks and foreign currency positions may decrease if the U.S. Dollar is strong (
i.e.
, gaining value relative to other currencies) and other currencies
are weak (
i.e.
, losing value relative to the U.S. Dollar).
Derivatives Risk
The Portfolio 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 Portfolio, 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.
Mortgage-Related Securities Risk
In the case of investments in mortgage-related securities, a loss could be incurred if the
collateral backing these securities is insufficient.
Prepayment and Extension Risk
Prepayment risk is the risk
that a loan, bond or other security might be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity. If this happens, particularly during a time of declining interest rates or credit spreads, the Portfolio may not be able to invest the
proceeds in securities providing as much income, resulting in a lower yield to the Portfolio. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that as interest rates rise or spreads widen, payments of securities may occur more slowly than anticipated by the
market. When this happens, the values of these securities may go down because their interest rates are lower than current market rates and they remain outstanding longer than anticipated.
Subordination Risk
The Portfolio may invest in securities that are subordinated to more senior securities of an issuer, or
which represent interests in pools of such subordinated securities. Subordinated securities will be disproportionately affected by a default or even a perceived decline in creditworthiness of the issuer. Subordinated securities are more likely to
suffer a credit loss than non-subordinated securities of the same issuer, any loss incurred by the subordinated securities is likely to be proportionately greater, and any recovery of interest or principal may take more time.
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or sell, possibly preventing the
Portfolio from selling out of these illiquid securities at an advantageous price. Illiquid securities may also be difficult to value. Derivatives and securities involving substantial market and credit risk tend to involve greater liquidity risk.
Leverage Risk
When the Portfolio borrows money or otherwise leverages its portfolio, it may be volatile because
leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Portfolios investments. The Portfolio may create leverage through the use of reverse repurchase arrangements, forward currency exchange contracts, forward
commitments, dollar rolls or futures contracts or by borrowing money. The use of derivative instruments by the Portfolio, such as forwards, futures, options and swaps, may also result in a form of leverage. Leverage may result in higher returns to
the Portfolio than if the Portfolio were not leveraged, but may also adversely affect returns, particularly if the market is declining.
Indemnification Risk
In the ordinary course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Portfolios maximum exposure under these
arrangements is unknown. However, the Portfolio has
|
|
|
|
|
2013 Semi-Annual Report
|
|
|
37
|
|
Notes to Financial Statements
(continued)
not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote. Therefore, the Portfolio has not accrued any liability in
connection with these indemnification provisions.
NOTE 6.
|
Capital-Share Transactions
|
Share
transactions for the six months ended March 31, 2013 and the year ended September 30, 2012, were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I
NTERMEDIATE
D
URATION
I
NSTITUTIONAL
P
ORTFOLIO
|
|
|
|
SIX MONTHS
ENDED 3/31/13
(UNAUDITED)
|
|
|
YEAR
ENDED
9/30/12
|
|
Shares sold
|
|
|
10,108,787
|
|
|
|
17,473,142
|
|
Shares issued to shareholders on reinvestment of dividends and distributions
|
|
|
1,182,062
|
|
|
|
2,134,511
|
|
Shares redeemed
|
|
|
(18,220,859
|
)
|
|
|
(26,866,409
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net decrease in shares outstanding
|
|
|
(6,930,010
|
)
|
|
|
(7,258,756
|
)
|
Shares outstanding at beginning of period
|
|
|
67,423,094
|
|
|
|
74,681,850
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares outstanding at end of period
|
|
|
60,493,084
|
|
|
|
67,423,094
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A number of
open-end mutual funds managed by the Adviser, including the Portfolio, participate in a $140 million revolving credit facility (the Facility) intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions in
connection with abnormal redemption activity. Commitment fees related to the Facility are paid by the participating funds and are included in miscellaneous expenses in the statement of operations. The Portfolio did not utilize the Facility during
the six months ended March 31, 2013.
NOTE 8.
|
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
|
In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued an Accounting Standards Update (ASU)
related to disclosures about offsetting assets and liabilities in financial statements. The amendments in this update require an entity to disclose both gross and net information for derivatives and other financial instruments that are either offset
in the statement of assets and liabilities or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. In January 2013, the FASB issued an ASU to clarify the scope of disclosures about offsetting assets and liabilities. The ASU
limits the scope of the new balance sheet offsetting disclosures to derivatives, repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions. The ASU is effective during interim or annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013.
At this time, management is evaluating the implication of this ASU and its impact on the financial statements has not been determined.
NOTE 9.
|
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
Portfolios financial statements through this date.
|
|
|
38
|
|
Sanford C. Bernstein Fund II, Inc.
|
Sanford C. Bernstein Fund II, Inc.