Cover Page
Cover Page | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020shares | |
Cover [Abstract] | |
Document Type | 10-Q |
Document Quarterly Report | true |
Document Period End Date | Sep. 30, 2020 |
Document Transition Report | false |
Entity File Number | 000-29961 |
Entity Registrant Name | ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P. |
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | DE |
Entity Tax Identification Number | 13-4064930 |
Entity Address, Address Line One | 1345 Avenue of the Americas |
Entity Address, City or Town | New York |
Entity Address, State or Province | NY |
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 10105 |
City Area Code | 212 |
Local Phone Number | 969-1000 |
Entity Current Reporting Status | Yes |
Entity Interactive Data Current | Yes |
Entity Filer Category | Non-accelerated Filer |
Entity Small Business | false |
Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
Entity Shell Company | false |
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding | 268,362,084 |
Entity Central Index Key | 0001109448 |
Current Fiscal Year End Date | --12-31 |
Document Fiscal Year Focus | 2020 |
Document Fiscal Period Focus | Q3 |
Amendment Flag | false |
Condensed Consolidated Statemen
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Sep. 30, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 |
ASSETS | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 1,013,811 | $ 679,738 |
Cash and securities segregated, at fair value (cost: $1,865,268 and $1,090,443) | 1,869,313 | 1,094,866 |
Receivables, net: | ||
Brokers and dealers | 123,695 | 97,966 |
Brokerage clients | 1,511,036 | 1,536,674 |
AB funds fees | 224,101 | 261,588 |
Other fees | 135,668 | 148,744 |
Investments: | ||
Long-term incentive compensation-related | 55,061 | 50,902 |
Other | 198,631 | 215,892 |
Other assets | 292,024 | 330,943 |
Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net | 128,081 | 145,251 |
Goodwill | 3,082,778 | 3,076,926 |
Intangible assets, net | 47,989 | 55,366 |
Deferred sales commissions, net | 63,395 | 36,296 |
Right-of-use assets | 303,240 | 362,693 |
Total assets | 9,319,932 | 8,706,092 |
Payables: | ||
Brokers and dealers | 218,620 | 201,778 |
Securities sold not yet purchased | 13,984 | 30,157 |
Brokerage clients | 3,472,228 | 2,531,946 |
AB mutual funds | 58,197 | 71,142 |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 195,930 | 192,110 |
Lease liabilities | 395,697 | 468,451 |
Accrued compensation and benefits | 640,564 | 276,829 |
Debt | 300,000 | 560,000 |
Total liabilities | 5,325,111 | 4,363,430 |
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 12) | ||
Redeemable non-controlling interest | 56,990 | 325,561 |
Capital: | ||
General Partner | 40,279 | 41,225 |
Limited partners: 268,362,084 and 270,380,314 units issued and outstanding | 4,081,265 | 4,174,201 |
Receivables from affiliates | (8,706) | (9,011) |
AB Holding Units held for long-term incentive compensation plans | (64,319) | (76,310) |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (110,688) | (113,004) |
Partners’ capital attributable to AB Unitholders | 3,937,831 | 4,017,101 |
Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interest and capital | 9,319,932 | 8,706,092 |
Company-sponsored investment funds | ||
Investments: | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | 29,207 | 11,433 |
Investments | 228,176 | 581,004 |
Other assets | 13,726 | 19,810 |
Payables: | ||
Redeemable non-controlling interest | 56,990 | 325,561 |
VIEs | ||
Payables: | ||
Liabilities of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds | $ 29,891 | $ 31,017 |
Condensed Consolidated Statem_2
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Sep. 30, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 |
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] | ||
Cash and securities segregated, at cost | $ 1,865,268 | $ 1,090,443 |
Limited partners, units issued (in units) | 268,362,084 | 270,380,314 |
Limited partners, units outstanding (in units) | 268,362,084 | 270,380,314 |
Condensed Consolidated Statem_3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | |
Revenues: | ||||
Revenue subject to contracts with customers | $ 890,976 | $ 861,148 | $ 2,635,691 | $ 2,465,095 |
Dividend and interest income | 9,070 | 24,882 | 42,227 | 79,882 |
Investment gains (losses) | 1,106 | 4,433 | (19,011) | 31,117 |
Other revenues | 26,583 | 24,497 | 78,186 | 71,499 |
Total revenues | 901,505 | 890,845 | 2,659,864 | 2,577,571 |
Less: Interest expense | 1,467 | 12,978 | 14,221 | 46,443 |
Net revenues | 900,038 | 877,867 | 2,645,643 | 2,531,128 |
Expenses: | ||||
Employee compensation and benefits | 357,821 | 361,822 | 1,069,731 | 1,064,833 |
Promotion and servicing: | ||||
Amortization of deferred sales commissions | 7,434 | 3,605 | 19,582 | 10,348 |
Trade execution, marketing, T&E and other | 41,220 | 53,814 | 141,118 | 161,012 |
General and administrative: | ||||
General and administrative | 119,318 | 117,056 | 363,009 | 355,084 |
Real estate charges | 0 | 153 | 5,526 | 701 |
Contingent payment arrangements | 813 | 829 | 2,413 | 1,712 |
Interest on borrowings | 1,073 | 2,802 | 5,003 | 10,775 |
Amortization of intangible assets | 6,833 | 7,277 | 20,042 | 21,536 |
Total expenses | 682,892 | 675,084 | 2,040,627 | 1,975,974 |
Operating income | 217,146 | 202,783 | 605,016 | 555,154 |
Income taxes | 9,089 | 10,827 | 29,949 | 29,959 |
Net income | 208,057 | 191,956 | 575,067 | 525,195 |
Net income (loss) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests | 81 | 4,145 | (4,550) | 22,018 |
Net income attributable to AB Unitholders | $ 207,976 | $ 187,811 | $ 579,617 | $ 503,177 |
Net income per AB Unit: | ||||
Basic (in dollars per unit) | $ 0.77 | $ 0.69 | $ 2.13 | $ 1.86 |
Diluted (in dollars per unit) | $ 0.77 | $ 0.69 | $ 2.13 | $ 1.86 |
Investment advisory and services fees | ||||
Revenues: | ||||
Revenue subject to contracts with customers | $ 630,539 | $ 616,384 | $ 1,830,467 | $ 1,769,342 |
Bernstein research services | ||||
Revenues: | ||||
Revenue subject to contracts with customers | 98,514 | 102,014 | 341,346 | 298,240 |
Distribution related | ||||
Revenues: | ||||
Revenue subject to contracts with customers | 135,693 | 118,635 | 386,649 | 327,491 |
Promotion and servicing: | ||||
Distribution-related payments | $ 148,380 | $ 127,726 | $ 414,203 | $ 349,973 |
Condensed Consolidated Statem_4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | |
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] | ||||
Net income | $ 208,057 | $ 191,956 | $ 575,067 | $ 525,195 |
Other comprehensive income (loss): | ||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments, before tax | 16,440 | (12,694) | 1,361 | (12,242) |
Income tax (expense) benefit | (98) | 189 | 42 | 39 |
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax | 16,342 | (12,505) | 1,403 | (12,203) |
Changes in employee benefit related items: | ||||
Amortization of prior service cost | 6 | 6 | 18 | 18 |
Recognized actuarial gain | 325 | 288 | 975 | 840 |
Changes in employee benefit related items | 331 | 294 | 993 | 858 |
Income tax (expense) benefit | (2) | 253 | (80) | 288 |
Employee benefit related items, net of tax | 329 | 547 | 913 | 1,146 |
Other comprehensive income (loss) | 16,671 | (11,958) | 2,316 | (11,057) |
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) in consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests | 81 | 4,295 | (4,550) | 22,165 |
Comprehensive income attributable to AB Unitholders | $ 224,647 | $ 175,703 | $ 581,933 | $ 491,973 |
Condensed Consolidated Statem_5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Partners' Capital - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Total | Receivables from Affiliates | AB Holding Units held for Long-term Incentive Compensation Plans | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Partners' Capital | Non-redeemable Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities | General Partner’s Capital | Limited Partners' Capital |
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2018 | $ (11,430) | $ (77,990) | $ (110,866) | $ 949 | $ 40,240 | $ 4,075,306 | ||
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] | ||||||||
Net income | $ 525,195 | 91 | 5,031 | 498,146 | ||||
Cash distributions | (5,148) | (509,151) | ||||||
Long-term incentive compensation plans activity | 908 | 35,829 | 189 | 18,652 | ||||
(Retirement) issuance of AB Units, net | 31,491 | (315) | (31,216) | |||||
Capital contributions from AB Holding | 1,218 | |||||||
Purchases of AB Holding Units to fund long-term compensation plans, net | (81,790) | |||||||
Re-valuation of AB Holding Units held in rabbi trust | (9,945) | |||||||
Other | 6,692 | |||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax | (12,203) | (12,350) | 147 | |||||
Purchase of non-controlling interest | (1,187) | |||||||
Changes in employee benefit related items, net of tax | 1,146 | 1,146 | ||||||
Balance, end of period at Sep. 30, 2019 | 3,865,491 | (9,304) | (95,713) | (122,070) | $ 3,865,491 | 0 | 39,997 | 4,052,581 |
Balance, beginning of period at Jun. 30, 2019 | (9,839) | (100,453) | (109,963) | 1,020 | 40,016 | 4,053,360 | ||
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] | ||||||||
Net income | 191,956 | 17 | 1,877 | 185,934 | ||||
Cash distributions | (1,710) | (169,118) | ||||||
Long-term incentive compensation plans activity | 216 | 9,214 | 4 | 397 | ||||
(Retirement) issuance of AB Units, net | 19,011 | (190) | (18,836) | |||||
Capital contributions from AB Holding | 319 | |||||||
Purchases of AB Holding Units to fund long-term compensation plans, net | (23,432) | |||||||
Re-valuation of AB Holding Units held in rabbi trust | (53) | |||||||
Other | 0 | |||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax | (12,505) | (12,654) | 150 | |||||
Purchase of non-controlling interest | (1,187) | |||||||
Changes in employee benefit related items, net of tax | 547 | 547 | ||||||
Balance, end of period at Sep. 30, 2019 | 3,865,491 | (9,304) | (95,713) | (122,070) | 3,865,491 | 0 | 39,997 | 4,052,581 |
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2019 | (9,011) | (76,310) | (113,004) | 0 | 41,225 | 4,174,201 | ||
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] | ||||||||
Net income | 575,067 | 0 | 5,796 | 573,821 | ||||
Cash distributions | (6,316) | (624,566) | ||||||
Long-term incentive compensation plans activity | 598 | 22,996 | 20 | 1,963 | ||||
(Retirement) issuance of AB Units, net | 44,847 | (446) | (44,154) | |||||
Capital contributions from AB Holding | (293) | |||||||
Purchases of AB Holding Units to fund long-term compensation plans, net | (53,458) | |||||||
Re-valuation of AB Holding Units held in rabbi trust | (2,409) | |||||||
Other | 15 | |||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax | 1,403 | 1,403 | 0 | |||||
Purchase of non-controlling interest | 0 | |||||||
Changes in employee benefit related items, net of tax | 913 | 913 | ||||||
Balance, end of period at Sep. 30, 2020 | 3,937,831 | (8,706) | (64,319) | (110,688) | 3,937,831 | 0 | 40,279 | 4,081,265 |
Balance, beginning of period at Jun. 30, 2020 | (9,167) | (73,726) | (127,359) | 0 | 38,647 | 4,066,211 | ||
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] | ||||||||
Net income | 208,057 | 0 | 2,079 | 205,897 | ||||
Cash distributions | (378) | (183,880) | ||||||
Long-term incentive compensation plans activity | 205 | 8,321 | 15 | 1,335 | ||||
(Retirement) issuance of AB Units, net | 8,629 | (84) | (8,298) | |||||
Capital contributions from AB Holding | 256 | |||||||
Purchases of AB Holding Units to fund long-term compensation plans, net | (6,043) | |||||||
Re-valuation of AB Holding Units held in rabbi trust | (1,500) | |||||||
Other | 0 | |||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax | 16,342 | 16,342 | 0 | |||||
Purchase of non-controlling interest | 0 | |||||||
Changes in employee benefit related items, net of tax | 329 | 329 | ||||||
Balance, end of period at Sep. 30, 2020 | $ 3,937,831 | $ (8,706) | $ (64,319) | $ (110,688) | $ 3,937,831 | $ 0 | $ 40,279 | $ 4,081,265 |
Condensed Consolidated Statem_6
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 9 Months Ended | |
Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | |
Cash flows from operating activities: | ||
Net income | $ 575,067 | $ 525,195 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||
Amortization of deferred sales commissions | 19,582 | 10,348 |
Non-cash long-term incentive compensation expense | 23,594 | 36,737 |
Depreciation and other amortization | 107,910 | 125,729 |
Unrealized losses (gains) on investments | 20,593 | (17,386) |
Other, net | (1,072) | 3,652 |
Changes in assets and liabilities: | ||
(Increase) decrease in securities, segregated | (774,447) | 211,405 |
(Increase) decrease in receivables | (1,555) | 214,522 |
(Increase) decrease in investments | (8,037) | 407,616 |
(Increase) in deferred sales commissions | (46,681) | (20,559) |
Decrease (increase) in right-of-use assets | 1,845 | (8,336) |
Increase in other assets | 40,130 | 20,361 |
Increase (decrease) in payables | 982,957 | (733,097) |
(Decrease) in lease liabilities | (71,431) | (83,161) |
(Decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses | (5,988) | (39,225) |
Increase in accrued compensation and benefits | 361,251 | 334,900 |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 1,581,504 | 806,018 |
Cash flows from investing activities: | ||
Purchases of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements | (12,357) | (24,311) |
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired | (13,552) | 5,255 |
Net cash used in investing activities | (25,909) | (19,056) |
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||
(Repayment) of commercial paper, net | 0 | (227,528) |
(Repayment) of EQH Facility | (260,000) | 0 |
Borrowings of bank loans | 0 | 55,000 |
Increase (decrease) in overdrafts payable | 2,640 | (72,878) |
Distributions to General Partner and Unitholders | (630,882) | (514,299) |
Capital contributions (to) from affiliates | (865) | |
Capital contributions (to) from affiliates | 470 | |
Additional investments by AB Holding with proceeds from exercise of compensatory options to buy AB Holding Units | 147 | 9,642 |
Purchases of AB Holding Units to fund long-term incentive compensation plan awards, net | (53,458) | (81,790) |
Other | 1,276 | (2,460) |
Net cash (used in) financing activities | (1,205,163) | (710,166) |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | 1,415 | (8,090) |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 351,847 | 68,706 |
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of the period | 691,171 | 653,324 |
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of the period | 1,043,018 | 722,030 |
Non-cash investing activities: | ||
Fair value of assets acquired (excluding cash acquired of $0.6 million and $11.8 million, respectively) | 18,389 | 28,966 |
Fair value of liabilities assumed | 437 | 16,837 |
Non-cash financing activities: | ||
Payables recorded under contingent payment arrangements | 4,400 | 17,384 |
Company-sponsored investment funds | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||
Unrealized losses (gains) on investments | 8,254 | (29,522) |
Changes in assets and liabilities: | ||
(Increase) decrease in investments | 344,574 | (155,064) |
Increase in other assets | 4,958 | 1,903 |
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||
(Redemptions) subscriptions of non-controlling interest in consolidated company-sponsored investment funds, net | $ (264,021) | $ 123,677 |
Condensed Consolidated Statem_7
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 9 Months Ended | |
Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | |
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] | ||
Cash acquired from acquisition | $ 0.6 | $ 11.8 |
Business Description Organizati
Business Description Organization and Basis of Presentation | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
Business Description Organization and Basis of Presentation | Business Description Organization and Basis of Presentation Business Description We provide diversified investment management, research and related services globally to a broad range of clients. Our principal services include: • Institutional Services – servicing our institutional clients, including private and public pension plans, foundations and endowments, insurance companies, central banks and governments worldwide, and affiliates such as Equitable Holdings, Inc. ("EQH") and its subsidiaries, by means of separately-managed accounts, sub-advisory relationships, structured products, collective investment trusts, mutual funds, hedge funds and other investment vehicles. • Retail Services – servicing our retail clients, primarily by means of retail mutual funds sponsored by AB or an affiliated company, sub-advisory relationships with mutual funds sponsored by third parties, separately-managed account programs sponsored by financial intermediaries worldwide and other investment vehicles. • Private Wealth Management Services – servicing our private clients, including high-net-worth individuals and families, trusts and estates, charitable foundations, partnerships, private and family corporations, and other entities, by means of separately-managed accounts, hedge funds, mutual funds and other investment vehicles. • Bernstein Research Services – servicing institutional investors, such as pension fund, hedge fund and mutual fund managers, seeking high-quality fundamental research, quantitative services and brokerage-related services in equities and listed options. We also provide distribution, shareholder servicing, transfer agency services and administrative services to the mutual funds we sponsor. Our high-quality, in-depth research is the foundation of our business. Our research disciplines include economic, fundamental equity, fixed income and quantitative research. In addition, we have experts focused on multi-asset strategies, wealth management and alternative investments. We provide a broad range of investment services with expertise in: • Actively-managed equity strategies, with global and regional portfolios across capitalization ranges, concentration ranges and investment strategies, including value, growth and core equities; • Actively-managed traditional and unconstrained fixed income strategies, including taxable and tax-exempt strategies; • Passive management, including index and enhanced index strategies; • Alternative investments, including hedge funds, fund of funds, direct lending and private equity; and • Multi-asset solutions and services, including dynamic asset allocation, customized target-date funds and target-risk funds. Our services span various investment disciplines, including market capitalization ( e.g. , large-, mid- and small-cap equities), term ( e.g. , long-, intermediate- and short-duration debt securities), and geographic location ( e.g. , U.S., international, global, emerging markets, regional and local), in major markets around the world. Organization During the second quarter of 2018, AXA S.A. ("AXA") completed the sale of a minority stake in EQH through an initial public offering ("IPO"). Since then, AXA has completed additional offerings and taken other steps, most recently during the fourth quarter of 2019. As a result, AXA owned less than 10% of the outstanding common stock of EQH as of September 30, 2020. As of September 30, 2020, EQH owned approximately 4.2% of the issued and outstanding units representing assignments of beneficial ownership of limited partnership interests in AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. (“AB Holding Units”). AllianceBernstein Corporation (an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of EQH, “General Partner”) is the general partner of both AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. (“AB Holding”) and AB. AllianceBernstein Corporation owns 100,000 general partnership units in AB Holding and a 1% general partnership interest in AB. As of September 30, 2020, the ownership structure of AB, including limited partnership units outstanding as well as the general partner's 1% interest, was as follows: EQH and its subsidiaries 63.8 % AB Holding 35.5 Unaffiliated holders 0.7 100.0 % Including both the general partnership and limited partnership interests in AB Holding and AB, EQH and its subsidiaries had an approximate 65.3% economic interest in AB as of September 30, 2020. Basis of Presentation The interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the interim results, have been made. The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the interim reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The condensed consolidated statement of financial condition as of December 31, 2019 was derived from audited financial statements, but it does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Principles of Consolidation |
Significant Accounting Policies
Significant Accounting Policies | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
Significant Accounting Policies | Significant Accounting Policies Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) . This new guidance relates to the accounting for credit losses on financial instruments and introduces an approach based on expected losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments. It also modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and provides for a simplified accounting model for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration since their origination. We adopted this standard prospectively on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment . The guidance removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which had required a hypothetical purchase price allocation. As a result of the revised guidance, a goodwill impairment will be the amount by which a reporting unit's carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. We adopted this standard prospectively on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement . The amendment modifies the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by removing, modifying or adding certain disclosures. We adopted this standard prospectively on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract. The amendment aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements that currently exist in GAAP for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. Implementation costs would either be capitalized or expensed as incurred depending on the project stage. All costs in the preliminary and post-implementation project stages are expensed as incurred, while certain costs within the application development stage are capitalized. We adopted this standard prospectively on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted in 2020 In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Topic 715-20) . The amendment modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other post-retirement plans. The revised guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The revised guidance will not have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes . The amendments simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The amendments also improve consistent application of and simplify US GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending the existing guidance. The revised guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The revised guidance will not have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. Goodwill Goodwill is tested annually, as of September 30, for impairment utilizing the Market Approach where the fair value of the reporting unit is based on its unadjusted market valuation (AB Holding Units outstanding multiplied by AB Holding's Unit price). Throughout the year, the carrying value of goodwill is also reviewed for impairment if certain events or changes in circumstances occur, and trigger whether an interim impairment test may be required. Such changes in circumstances may include, but are not limited to, a sustained decrease in the price of an AB Holding Unit or declines in AB Holding’s market capitalization that would suggest that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount; significant and unanticipated declines in AB’s assets under management or revenues; and/or lower than expected earnings per unit. Any of these changes in circumstances could suggest the possibility that goodwill is impaired, but none of these events or As of January 1, 2020, we adopted ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment |
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] | |
Revenue Recognition | Revenue Recognition Revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 consisted of the following: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (in thousands) Subject to contracts with customers: Investment advisory and services fees Base fees $ 623,593 $ 608,765 $ 1,806,476 $ 1,746,072 Performance-based fees 6,946 7,619 23,991 23,270 Bernstein research services 98,514 102,014 341,346 298,240 Distribution revenues All-in-management fees 83,466 77,110 245,651 207,377 12b-1 fees 19,068 20,287 56,351 60,055 Other 33,159 21,238 84,647 60,059 Other revenues Shareholder servicing fees 20,753 20,020 61,290 57,413 Other 5,477 4,095 15,939 12,609 890,976 861,148 2,635,691 2,465,095 Not subject to contracts with customers: Dividend and interest income, net of interest expense 7,603 11,904 28,006 33,439 Investment (losses) gains 1,106 4,433 (19,011) 31,117 Other revenues 353 382 957 1,477 9,062 16,719 9,952 66,033 Total net revenues $ 900,038 $ 877,867 $ 2,645,643 $ 2,531,128 |
Long-term Incentive Compensatio
Long-term Incentive Compensation Plans | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] | |
Long-term Incentive Compensation Plans | Long-term Incentive Compensation Plans We maintain several unfunded, non-qualified long-term incentive compensation plans, under which we grant annual awards to employees, generally in the fourth quarter, and to members of the Board of Directors of the General Partner, who are not employed by our company or by any of our affiliates (“Eligible Directors”). We fund our restricted AB Holding Unit awards either by purchasing AB Holding Units on the open market or purchasing newly-issued AB Holding Units from AB Holding, and then keeping these AB Holding Units in a consolidated rabbi trust until delivering them or retiring them. In accordance with the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of AB (“AB Partnership Agreement”), when AB purchases newly-issued AB Holding Units from AB Holding, AB Holding is required to use the proceeds it receives from AB to purchase the equivalent number of newly-issued AB Units, thus increasing its percentage ownership interest in AB. AB Holding Units held in the consolidated rabbi trust are corporate assets in the name of the trust and are available to the general creditors of AB. Repurchases of AB Holding Units for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 consisted of the following: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (in millions) Total amount of AB Holding Units Purchased (1) 0.3 0.9 2.5 2.9 Total Cash Paid for AB Holding Units Purchased (1) $ 6.8 $ 25.1 $ 54.4 $ 83.7 Open Market Purchases of AB Holding Units Purchased (2) 0.2 0.6 2.4 2.5 Total Cash Paid for Open Market Purchases of AB Holding Units (2) $ 6.7 $ 15.3 $ 51.8 $ 70.6 (1) Purchased on a trade date basis. (2) The remainder related to purchases of AB Holding Units from employees to fulfill statutory tax withholding requirements at the time of delivery of long-term incentive compensation award. Purchases of AB Holding Units reflected on the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows are net of AB Holding Unit purchases by employees as part of a distribution reinvestment election. Each quarter, we consider whether to implement a plan to repurchase AB Holding Units pursuant to Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act"). A plan of this type allows a company to repurchase its shares at times when it otherwise might be prevented from doing so because of self-imposed trading blackout periods or because it possesses material non-public information. Each broker we select has the authority under the terms and limitations specified in the plan to repurchase AB Holding Units on our behalf. Repurchases are subject to regulations promulgated by the SEC as well as certain price, market volume and timing constraints specified in the plan. The plan adopted during the third quarter of 2020 expired at the close of business on October 21, 2020. We may adopt additional plans in the future to engage in open-market purchases of AB Holding Units to help fund anticipated obligations under our incentive compensation award program and for other corporate purposes. During the first nine months of 2020 and 2019, we granted to employees and Eligible Directors 0.5 million and 1.9 million restricted AB Holding Unit awards, respectively. We used AB Holding Units repurchased during the applicable period and newly-issued AB Holding Units to fund these awards. |
Net Income per Unit
Net Income per Unit | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Earnings Per Unit [Abstract] | |
Net Income per Unit | Net Income per Unit Basic net income per unit is derived by reducing net income for the 1% general partnership interest and dividing the remaining 99% by the basic weighted average number of limited partnership units outstanding for each period. Diluted net income per unit is derived by reducing net income for the 1% general partnership interest and dividing the remaining 99% by the total of the diluted weighted average number of limited partnership units outstanding for each period. Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (in thousands, except per unit amounts) Net income attributable to AB Unitholders $ 207,976 $ 187,811 $ 579,617 $ 503,177 Weighted average limited partnership units outstanding – basic 268,538 268,567 269,369 268,131 Dilutive effect of compensatory options to buy AB Holding Units 27 36 23 52 Weighted average limited partnership units outstanding – diluted 268,565 268,603 269,392 268,183 Basic net income per AB Unit $ 0.77 $ 0.69 $ 2.13 $ 1.86 Diluted net income per AB Unit $ 0.77 $ 0.69 $ 2.13 $ 1.86 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (amounts as shown) Anti-dilutive options excluded from diluted net income 29,056 29,056 29,056 29,056 |
Cash Distributions
Cash Distributions | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Equity [Abstract] | |
Cash Distributions | Cash Distributions AB is required to distribute all of its Available Cash Flow, as defined in the AB Partnership Agreement, to its Unitholders and to the General Partner. Available Cash Flow can be summarized as the cash flow received by AB from operations minus such amounts as the General Partner determines, in its sole discretion, should be retained by AB for use in its business, or plus such amounts as the General Partner determines, in its sole discretion, should be released from previously retained cash flow. Typically, Available Cash Flow has been the adjusted diluted net income per unit for the quarter multiplied by the number of general and limited partnership interests at the end of the quarter. In future periods, management anticipates that Available Cash Flow will be based on adjusted diluted net income per unit, unless management determines, with the concurrence of the Board of Directors, that one or more adjustments that are made for adjusted net income should not be made with respect to the Available Cash Flow calculation. |
Cash and Securities Segregated
Cash and Securities Segregated Under Federal Regulations and Other Requirements | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Brokers and Dealers [Abstract] | |
Cash and Securities Segregated Under Federal Regulations and Other Requirements | Cash and Securities Segregated Under Federal Regulations and Other Requirements As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, $1.9 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively, of U.S. Treasury Bills were segregated in a special reserve bank custody account for the exclusive benefit of our brokerage customers under Rule 15c3-3 of the Exchange Act. |
Investments
Investments | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract] | |
Investments | Investments Investments consist of: September 30, December 31, (in thousands) Equity securities: Long-term incentive compensation-related $ 30,911 $ 36,665 Seed capital 75,079 70,464 Other 60,147 73,202 Exchange-traded options 12,153 6,931 Investments in limited partnership hedge funds: Long-term incentive compensation-related 24,150 14,237 Seed capital 17,309 33,124 Time deposits 19,900 18,281 Other 14,043 13,890 Total investments $ 253,692 $ 266,794 Total investments related to long-term incentive compensation obligations of $55.1 million and $50.9 million as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, consist of company-sponsored mutual funds and hedge funds. For long-term incentive compensation awards granted before 2009, we typically made investments in company-sponsored mutual funds and hedge funds that were notionally elected by plan participants and maintained them (and continue to maintain them) in a consolidated rabbi trust or separate custodial account. The rabbi trust and custodial account enable us to hold such investments separate from our other assets for the purpose of settling our obligations to participants. The investments held in the rabbi trust and custodial account remain available to the general creditors of AB. The underlying investments of the hedge funds in which we invest include long and short positions in equity securities, fixed income securities (including various agency and non-agency asset-based securities), currencies, commodities and derivatives (including various swaps and forward contracts). These investments are valued at quoted market prices or, where quoted market prices are not available, are fair valued based on the pricing policies and procedures of the underlying funds. We allocate seed capital to our investment teams to help develop new products and services for our clients. A portion of our seed capital investments are equity and fixed income products, primarily in the form of separately-managed account portfolios, U.S. mutual funds, Luxembourg funds, Japanese investment trust management funds or Delaware business trusts. We also may allocate seed capital to investments in private equity funds. Regarding our seed capital investments, the amounts above reflect those funds in which we are not the primary beneficiary of a VIE or hold a controlling financial interest in a VOE. See Note 14, Consolidated Company-Sponsored Investment Funds , for a description of the seed capital investments that we consolidate. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, our total seed capital investments were $276.2 million and $358.1 million, respectively. Seed capital investments in unconsolidated company-sponsored investment funds are valued using published net asset values or non-published net asset values if they are not listed on an active exchange but have net asset values that are comparable to funds with published net asset values and have no redemption restrictions. In addition, we also have long positions in corporate equities and long exchange-traded options traded through our options desk. The portion of unrealized (losses) gains related to equity securities, as defined by ASC 321-10, held as of September 30, 2020 and 2019 were as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (in thousands) Net gains recognized during the period $ 12,904 $ 2,382 $ 5,304 $ 23,962 Less: net gains recognized during the period on equity securities sold during the period 18,929 1,716 25,005 6,257 Unrealized (losses) gains recognized during the period on equity securities held $ (6,025) $ 666 $ (19,701) $ 17,705 |
Derivative Instruments
Derivative Instruments | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Derivative Instruments | Derivative Instruments See Note 14, Consolidated Company-Sponsored Investment Funds , for disclosure of derivative instruments held by our consolidated company-sponsored investment funds. We implement various futures, forwards, options and swaps to economically hedge certain seed capital investments. Also, we have currency forwards that help us to economically hedge certain balance sheet exposures. In addition, our options desk trades long and short exchange-traded equity options. We do not hold any derivatives designated in a formal hedge relationship under ASC 815-10, Derivatives and Hedging . The notional value and fair value as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 for derivative instruments (excluding derivative instruments relating to our options desk trading activities discussed below ) not designated as hedging instruments were as follows: Fair Value Notional Value Derivative Assets Derivative Liabilities (in thousands) September 30, 2020: Exchange-traded futures $ 131,895 $ 317 $ 223 Currency forwards 68,643 8,271 7,709 Interest rate swaps 71,469 2,226 3,067 Credit default swaps 282,347 14,770 14,075 Total return swaps 50,863 427 656 Option swaps 2,466 659 2,500 Total derivatives $ 607,683 $ 26,670 $ 28,230 December 31, 2019: Exchange-traded futures $ 171,112 $ 939 $ 871 Currency forwards 60,809 8,545 8,633 Interest rate swaps 92,756 1,746 2,254 Credit default swaps 168,303 2,151 5,611 Total return swaps 91,201 110 1,764 Option swaps 354 — 126 Total derivatives $ 584,535 $ 13,491 $ 19,259 As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the derivative assets and liabilities are included in both receivables and payables to brokers and dealers on our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The gains and losses for derivative instruments (excluding our options desk trading activities discussed below ) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 recognized in investment (losses) gains in the condensed consolidated statements of income were as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Exchange-traded futures $ (2,753) $ (1,352) $ (7,565) $ (9,903) Currency forwards (1,031) 1,453 (585) 1,338 Interest rate swaps 15 (81) (372) (726) Credit default swaps (2,298) (449) 5,492 (4,254) Total return swaps (6,840) 314 (10,691) (15,452) Option swaps (1,183) — (1,716) — Net (losses) on derivative instruments $ (14,090) $ (115) $ (15,437) $ (28,997) We may be exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties to derivative financial instruments. We minimize our counterparty exposure through a credit review and approval process. In addition, we have executed various collateral arrangements with counterparties to the over-the-counter derivative transactions that require both pledging and accepting collateral in the form of cash. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we held $1.0 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of cash collateral payable to trade counterparties. This obligation to return cash is reported in payables to brokers and dealers in our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Although notional amount is the most commonly used measure of volume in the derivative market, it is not used as a measure of credit risk. Generally, the current credit exposure of our derivative contracts is limited to the net positive estimated fair value of derivative contracts at the reporting date after taking into consideration the existence of netting agreements and any collateral received. A derivative with positive value (a derivative asset) indicates existence of credit risk because the counterparty would owe us if the contract were closed. Alternatively, a derivative contract with negative value (a derivative liability) indicates we would owe money to the counterparty if the contract were closed. Generally, if there is more than one derivative transaction with a single counterparty, a master netting arrangement exists with respect to derivative transactions with that counterparty to provide for aggregate net settlement. Certain of our standardized contracts for over-the-counter derivative transactions (“ISDA Master Agreements”) contain credit risk related contingent provisions pertaining to each counterparty’s credit rating. In some ISDA Master Agreements, if the counterparty’s credit rating, or in some agreements, our assets under management (“AUM”), falls below a specified threshold, a termination event permitting us or the counterparty to terminate the ISDA Master Agreement would be triggered. In all agreements that provide for collateralization, various levels of collateralization of net liability positions are applicable, depending on the credit rating of the counterparty. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we delivered $3.6 million and $4.3 million, respectively, of cash collateral into brokerage accounts. We report this cash collateral in cash and cash equivalents in our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. |
Offsetting Assets and Liabiliti
Offsetting Assets and Liabilities | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Offsetting [Abstract] | |
Offsetting Assets and Liabilities | Offsetting Assets and Liabilities See Note 14, Consolidated Company-Sponsored Investment Funds , for disclosure of offsetting assets and liabilities of our consolidated company-sponsored investment funds. Offsetting of assets as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was as follows: Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition Financial Cash Collateral Net (in thousands) September 30, 2020: Securities borrowed $ 13,303 $ — $ 13,303 $ (11,567) $ — $ 1,736 Derivatives $ 26,670 $ — $ 26,670 $ — $ (980) $ 25,690 Long exchange-traded options $ 12,153 $ — $ 12,153 $ — $ — $ 12,153 December 31, 2019: Securities borrowed $ 38,993 $ — $ 38,993 $ (38,993) $ — $ — Derivatives $ 13,491 $ — $ 13,491 $ — $ (251) $ 13,240 Long exchange-traded options $ 6,931 $ — $ 6,931 $ — $ — $ 6,931 Offsetting of liabilities as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was as follows: Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition Financial Cash Collateral Net Amount (in thousands) September 30, 2020: Securities loaned $ 15,150 $ — $ 15,150 $ — $ (14,254) $ 896 Derivatives $ 28,230 $ — $ 28,230 $ — $ (3,553) $ 24,677 Short exchange-traded options $ 11,091 $ — $ 11,091 $ — $ — $ 11,091 December 31, 2019: Derivatives $ 19,259 $ — $ 19,259 $ — $ (4,276) $ 14,983 Short exchange-traded options $ 12,348 $ — $ 12,348 $ — $ — $ 12,348 Cash collateral, whether pledged or received on derivative instruments, is not considered material and, accordingly, is not disclosed by counterparty. |
Fair Value
Fair Value | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] | |
Fair Value | Fair Value See Note 14, Consolidated Company-Sponsored Investment Funds , for disclosure of fair value of our consolidated company-sponsored investment funds. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability ( i.e. , the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The three broad levels of fair value hierarchy are as follows: • Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets are available for identical assets or liabilities as of the reported date. • Level 2 – Quoted prices in markets that are not active or other pricing inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reported date. • Level 3 – Prices or valuation techniques that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable as of the reported date. These financial instruments do not have two-way markets and are measured using management’s best estimate of fair value, where the inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation. Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Valuation of our financial instruments by pricing observability levels as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was as follows (in thousands): Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 NAV Expedient (1) Other Total September 30, 2020: Money markets $ 131,614 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 131,614 Securities segregated (U.S. Treasury Bills) — 1,868,891 — — — 1,868,891 Derivatives 317 26,353 — — — 26,670 Investments: Equity securities 143,749 22,096 121 171 — 166,137 Long exchange-traded options 12,153 — — — — 12,153 Limited partnership hedge funds (2) — — — — 41,459 41,459 Time deposits (3) — — — — 19,900 19,900 Other investments 6,257 — — — 7,786 14,043 Total investments 162,159 22,096 121 171 69,145 253,692 Total assets measured at fair value $ 294,090 $ 1,917,340 $ 121 $ 171 $ 69,145 $ 2,280,867 Securities sold not yet purchased: Short equities – corporate $ 2,892 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 2,892 Short exchange-traded options 11,091 — — — — 11,091 Derivatives 223 28,007 — — — 28,230 Contingent payment arrangements — — 29,723 — — 29,723 Total liabilities measured at fair value $ 14,206 $ 28,007 $ 29,723 $ — $ — $ 71,936 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 NAV Expedient (1) Other Total December 31, 2019: Money markets $ 126,401 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 126,401 Securities segregated (U.S. Treasury Bills) — 1,094,866 — — — 1,094,866 Derivatives 939 12,552 — — — 13,491 Investments: Equity securities 170,946 8,952 119 314 — 180,331 Long exchange-traded options 6,931 — — — — 6,931 Limited partnership hedge funds (2) — — — — 47,361 47,361 Time deposits (3) — — — — 18,281 18,281 Other investments 5,883 — — — 8,007 13,890 Total investments 183,760 8,952 119 314 73,649 266,794 Total assets measured at fair value $ 311,100 $ 1,116,370 $ 119 $ 314 $ 73,649 $ 1,501,552 Securities sold not yet purchased: Short equities – corporate $ 17,809 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 17,809 Short exchange-traded options 12,348 — — — — 12,348 Derivatives 871 18,388 — — — 19,259 Contingent payment arrangements — — 22,911 — — 22,911 Total liabilities measured at fair value $ 31,028 $ 18,388 $ 22,911 $ — $ — $ 72,327 (1) Investments measured at fair value using NAV (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. (2) Investments in equity method investees that are not measured at fair value in accordance with GAAP. (3) Investments carried at amortized cost that are not measured at fair value in accordance with GAAP. Other investments include (i) an investment in a software publishing company that does not have a readily available fair value ($2.0 million as of September 30, 2020 and $1.0 million as of December 31, 2019), (ii) an investment in a start-up company that does not have a readily available fair value (this investment was zero as of September 30, 2020 and was $0.9 million as of December 31, 2019), (iii) an investment in an equity method investee that is not measured at fair value in accordance with GAAP ($2.5 million as of September 30, 2020 and $2.9 million as of December 31, 2019), and (iv) broker dealer exchange memberships that are not measured at fair value in accordance with GAAP ($3.3 million as of September 30, 2020 and $3.2 million as of December 31, 2019). We provide below a description of the fair value methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy: • Money markets : We invest excess cash in various money market funds that are valued based on quoted prices in active markets; these are included in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. • Treasury Bills : We hold U.S. Treasury Bills, which are primarily segregated in a special reserve bank custody account as required by Rule 15c3-3 of the Exchange Act. These securities are valued based on quoted yields in secondary markets and are included in Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. • Equity securities : Our equity securities consist principally of company-sponsored mutual funds with NAVs and various separately-managed portfolios consisting primarily of equity and fixed income mutual funds with quoted prices in active markets, which are included in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. In addition, some securities are valued based on observable inputs from recognized pricing vendors, which are included in Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. • Derivatives : We hold exchange-traded futures with counterparties that are included in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. In addition, we also hold currency forward contracts, interest rate swaps, credit default swaps, option swaps and total return swaps with counterparties that are valued based on observable inputs from recognized pricing vendors, which are included in Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. • Options : We hold long exchange-traded options that are included in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. • Securities sold not yet purchased : Securities sold not yet purchased, primarily reflecting short positions in equities and exchange-traded options, are included in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. • Contingent payment arrangements : Contingent payment arrangements relate to contingent payment liabilities associated with various acquisitions. At each reporting date, we estimate the fair values of the contingent consideration expected to be paid based upon probability-weighted AUM and revenue projections, using unobservable market data inputs, which are included in Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020 there were no transfers between Level 2 and Level 3 securities. The change in carrying value associated with Level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value, classified as private equity and equity securities, is as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (in thousands) Balance as of beginning of period $ 114 $ 117 $ 119 $ 142 Purchases — — — — Sales — — — — Realized gains (losses), net — — — — Unrealized gains (losses), net 7 1 2 (24) Balance as of end of period $ 121 $ 118 $ 121 $ 118 Realized and unrealized gains and losses on Level 3 financial instruments are recorded in investment gains and losses in the condensed consolidated statements of income. As part of acquisitions made by the Company, we may enter into contingent consideration arrangements as part of the purchase price. The change in carrying value associated with Level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value, classified as contingent payment arrangements, is as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (in thousands) Balance as of beginning of period $ 28,910 $ 25,603 $ 22,911 $ 7,336 Addition — — 4,400 17,384 Accretion 813 829 2,412 1,712 Payments — — — — Balance as of end of period $ 29,723 $ 26,432 $ 29,723 $ 26,432 As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we have acquisition-related contingent liabilities remaining with a fair value of $29.7 million and $22.9 million, respectively. The liabilities were valued using expected revenue growth rates and discount rates. The expected revenue growth rates range from 0.7% to 50.0%, with a weighted average of 4.9%, calculated using cumulative revenues and range of revenue growth rates (excluding revenue growth from additional AUM contributed from existing clients). The discount rates ranged from 1.9% to 10.4%, with a weighted average of 8.0%, calculated using total contingent liabilities and range of discount rates. |
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Commitments and Contingencies | Commitments and Contingencies Legal Proceedings With respect to all significant litigation matters, we consider the likelihood of a negative outcome. If we determine the likelihood of a negative outcome is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, we record an estimated loss for the expected outcome of the litigation. If the likelihood of a negative outcome is reasonably possible and we can determine an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss in excess of amounts already accrued, if any, we disclose that fact together with the estimate of the possible loss or range of loss. However, it is often difficult to predict the outcome or estimate a possible loss or range of loss because litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, particularly when plaintiffs allege substantial or indeterminate damages. Such is also the case when the litigation is in its early stages or when the litigation is highly complex or broad in scope. In these cases, we disclose that we are unable to predict the outcome or estimate a possible loss or range of loss. AB may be involved in various matters, including regulatory inquiries, administrative proceedings and litigation, some of which may allege significant damages. It is reasonably possible that we could incur losses pertaining to these matters, but we cannot currently estimate any such losses. |
Leases
Leases | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Leases [Abstract] | |
Leases | Leases We lease office space, furniture and office equipment under various operating and financing leases. Our current leases have remaining lease terms of one year to 10 years, some of which include options to extend the leases for up to five years, and some of which include options to terminate the leases within one year. Since 2010, we have sub-leased over one million square feet of office space. On January 1, 2019, the previously recorded liability relating to our global space consolidation initiatives of $85.8 million was offset as a reduction to our operating right-of-use assets. Leases included in the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were as follows: Classification September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 (in thousands) Operating Leases Operating lease right-of-use assets Right-of-use assets $ 300,366 $ 360,185 Operating lease liabilities Lease liabilities 392,875 465,907 Finance Leases Property and equipment, gross Right-of-use assets 5,167 3,825 Amortization of right-of-use assets Right-of-use assets (2,293) (1,317) Property and equipment, net 2,874 2,508 Finance lease liabilities Lease liabilities 2,822 2,544 The components of lease expense included in the condensed consolidated statement of income as of September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019 were as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, Classification 2020 2019 2020 2019 (in thousands) Operating lease cost General and administrative $ 22,104 $ 26,181 $ 67,519 $ 79,829 Financing lease cost: Amortization of right-of-use assets General and administrative 426 355 1,329 932 Interest on lease liabilities Interest expense 20 20 69 52 Total finance lease cost 446 375 1,398 984 Variable lease cost (1) General and administrative 9,342 10,588 28,652 30,337 Sublease income General and administrative (9,579) (14,021) (28,820) (42,472) Net lease cost $ 22,313 $ 23,123 $ 68,749 $ 68,678 (1) Variable lease expense includes operating expenses, real estate taxes and employee parking. The sub-lease income represents all revenues received from sub-tenants. It is primarily fixed base rental payments combined with variable reimbursements such as operating expenses, real estate taxes and employee parking. We derive most of our sub-tenant income from our New York metro sub-tenant agreements. Sub-tenant income related to base rent is recorded on a straight-line basis. Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows: Operating Leases Financing Leases Total Year ending December 31, (in thousands) 2020 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2020) $ 23,969 $ 464 $ 24,433 2021 105,599 1,141 106,740 2022 90,515 757 91,272 2023 83,095 526 83,621 2024 80,057 23 80,080 Thereafter 43,295 — 43,295 Total lease payments 426,530 2,911 429,441 Less interest (33,655) (89) Present value of lease liabilities $ 392,875 $ 2,822 During October 2018, we signed a lease, which is scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of 2020, relating to 218,976 square feet of space at our newly constructed Nashville headquarters. Our estimated total base rent obligation (excluding taxes, operating expenses and utilities) over the 15-year initial lease term is $134 million. During April 2019, we signed a lease, which commences in 2024, relating to approximately 190,000 square feet of space at a newly constructed site in New York City. Our estimated total base rent obligation (excluding taxes, operating expenses and utilities) over the 20-year lease term is approximately $448 million. Lease term and discount rate: Weighted average remaining lease term (years) Operating leases 4.74 Finance leases 2.56 Weighted average discount rate Operating leases 3.51 % Finance leases 2.67 % Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 (in thousands) Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows used for operating leases $ 86,452 $ 99,490 Operating cash flows used for financing leases 69 52 Financing cash flows from finance leases 1,418 901 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations (1) : Operating leases (2) 2,369 10,565 Finance leases 1,695 1,080 (1) Represents non-cash activity and, accordingly, is not reflected in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. |
Leases | Leases We lease office space, furniture and office equipment under various operating and financing leases. Our current leases have remaining lease terms of one year to 10 years, some of which include options to extend the leases for up to five years, and some of which include options to terminate the leases within one year. Since 2010, we have sub-leased over one million square feet of office space. On January 1, 2019, the previously recorded liability relating to our global space consolidation initiatives of $85.8 million was offset as a reduction to our operating right-of-use assets. Leases included in the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were as follows: Classification September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 (in thousands) Operating Leases Operating lease right-of-use assets Right-of-use assets $ 300,366 $ 360,185 Operating lease liabilities Lease liabilities 392,875 465,907 Finance Leases Property and equipment, gross Right-of-use assets 5,167 3,825 Amortization of right-of-use assets Right-of-use assets (2,293) (1,317) Property and equipment, net 2,874 2,508 Finance lease liabilities Lease liabilities 2,822 2,544 The components of lease expense included in the condensed consolidated statement of income as of September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019 were as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, Classification 2020 2019 2020 2019 (in thousands) Operating lease cost General and administrative $ 22,104 $ 26,181 $ 67,519 $ 79,829 Financing lease cost: Amortization of right-of-use assets General and administrative 426 355 1,329 932 Interest on lease liabilities Interest expense 20 20 69 52 Total finance lease cost 446 375 1,398 984 Variable lease cost (1) General and administrative 9,342 10,588 28,652 30,337 Sublease income General and administrative (9,579) (14,021) (28,820) (42,472) Net lease cost $ 22,313 $ 23,123 $ 68,749 $ 68,678 (1) Variable lease expense includes operating expenses, real estate taxes and employee parking. The sub-lease income represents all revenues received from sub-tenants. It is primarily fixed base rental payments combined with variable reimbursements such as operating expenses, real estate taxes and employee parking. We derive most of our sub-tenant income from our New York metro sub-tenant agreements. Sub-tenant income related to base rent is recorded on a straight-line basis. Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows: Operating Leases Financing Leases Total Year ending December 31, (in thousands) 2020 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2020) $ 23,969 $ 464 $ 24,433 2021 105,599 1,141 106,740 2022 90,515 757 91,272 2023 83,095 526 83,621 2024 80,057 23 80,080 Thereafter 43,295 — 43,295 Total lease payments 426,530 2,911 429,441 Less interest (33,655) (89) Present value of lease liabilities $ 392,875 $ 2,822 During October 2018, we signed a lease, which is scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of 2020, relating to 218,976 square feet of space at our newly constructed Nashville headquarters. Our estimated total base rent obligation (excluding taxes, operating expenses and utilities) over the 15-year initial lease term is $134 million. During April 2019, we signed a lease, which commences in 2024, relating to approximately 190,000 square feet of space at a newly constructed site in New York City. Our estimated total base rent obligation (excluding taxes, operating expenses and utilities) over the 20-year lease term is approximately $448 million. Lease term and discount rate: Weighted average remaining lease term (years) Operating leases 4.74 Finance leases 2.56 Weighted average discount rate Operating leases 3.51 % Finance leases 2.67 % Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 (in thousands) Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows used for operating leases $ 86,452 $ 99,490 Operating cash flows used for financing leases 69 52 Financing cash flows from finance leases 1,418 901 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations (1) : Operating leases (2) 2,369 10,565 Finance leases 1,695 1,080 (1) Represents non-cash activity and, accordingly, is not reflected in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. |
Leases | Leases We lease office space, furniture and office equipment under various operating and financing leases. Our current leases have remaining lease terms of one year to 10 years, some of which include options to extend the leases for up to five years, and some of which include options to terminate the leases within one year. Since 2010, we have sub-leased over one million square feet of office space. On January 1, 2019, the previously recorded liability relating to our global space consolidation initiatives of $85.8 million was offset as a reduction to our operating right-of-use assets. Leases included in the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were as follows: Classification September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 (in thousands) Operating Leases Operating lease right-of-use assets Right-of-use assets $ 300,366 $ 360,185 Operating lease liabilities Lease liabilities 392,875 465,907 Finance Leases Property and equipment, gross Right-of-use assets 5,167 3,825 Amortization of right-of-use assets Right-of-use assets (2,293) (1,317) Property and equipment, net 2,874 2,508 Finance lease liabilities Lease liabilities 2,822 2,544 The components of lease expense included in the condensed consolidated statement of income as of September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019 were as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, Classification 2020 2019 2020 2019 (in thousands) Operating lease cost General and administrative $ 22,104 $ 26,181 $ 67,519 $ 79,829 Financing lease cost: Amortization of right-of-use assets General and administrative 426 355 1,329 932 Interest on lease liabilities Interest expense 20 20 69 52 Total finance lease cost 446 375 1,398 984 Variable lease cost (1) General and administrative 9,342 10,588 28,652 30,337 Sublease income General and administrative (9,579) (14,021) (28,820) (42,472) Net lease cost $ 22,313 $ 23,123 $ 68,749 $ 68,678 (1) Variable lease expense includes operating expenses, real estate taxes and employee parking. The sub-lease income represents all revenues received from sub-tenants. It is primarily fixed base rental payments combined with variable reimbursements such as operating expenses, real estate taxes and employee parking. We derive most of our sub-tenant income from our New York metro sub-tenant agreements. Sub-tenant income related to base rent is recorded on a straight-line basis. Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows: Operating Leases Financing Leases Total Year ending December 31, (in thousands) 2020 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2020) $ 23,969 $ 464 $ 24,433 2021 105,599 1,141 106,740 2022 90,515 757 91,272 2023 83,095 526 83,621 2024 80,057 23 80,080 Thereafter 43,295 — 43,295 Total lease payments 426,530 2,911 429,441 Less interest (33,655) (89) Present value of lease liabilities $ 392,875 $ 2,822 During October 2018, we signed a lease, which is scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of 2020, relating to 218,976 square feet of space at our newly constructed Nashville headquarters. Our estimated total base rent obligation (excluding taxes, operating expenses and utilities) over the 15-year initial lease term is $134 million. During April 2019, we signed a lease, which commences in 2024, relating to approximately 190,000 square feet of space at a newly constructed site in New York City. Our estimated total base rent obligation (excluding taxes, operating expenses and utilities) over the 20-year lease term is approximately $448 million. Lease term and discount rate: Weighted average remaining lease term (years) Operating leases 4.74 Finance leases 2.56 Weighted average discount rate Operating leases 3.51 % Finance leases 2.67 % Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 (in thousands) Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows used for operating leases $ 86,452 $ 99,490 Operating cash flows used for financing leases 69 52 Financing cash flows from finance leases 1,418 901 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations (1) : Operating leases (2) 2,369 10,565 Finance leases 1,695 1,080 (1) Represents non-cash activity and, accordingly, is not reflected in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. |
Consolidated Company-Sponsored
Consolidated Company-Sponsored Investment Funds | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Consolidated Company-Sponsored Investment Funds [Abstract] | |
Consolidated Company-Sponsored Investment Funds | Consolidated Company-Sponsored Investment Funds We regularly provide seed capital to new company-sponsored investment funds. As such, we may consolidate or de-consolidate a variety of company-sponsored investment funds each quarter. Due to the similarity of risks related to our involvement with each company-sponsored investment fund, disclosures required under the VIE model are aggregated, such as disclosures regarding the carrying amount and classification of assets. We are not required to provide financial support to company-sponsored investment funds, and only the assets of such funds are available to settle each fund's own liabilities. Our exposure to loss regarding consolidated company-sponsored investment funds is limited to our investment in, and our management fee earned from, such funds. Equity and debt holders of such funds have no recourse to AB’s assets or to the general credit of AB. The balances of consolidated VIEs and VOEs included in our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition were as follows: September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 (in thousands) VIEs VOEs Total VIEs VOEs Total Cash and cash equivalents $ 27,379 $ 1,828 $ 29,207 $ 9,623 $ 1,810 $ 11,433 Investments 137,727 90,449 228,176 404,624 176,380 581,004 Other assets 3,951 9,775 13,726 9,618 10,192 19,810 Total assets $ 169,057 $ 102,052 $ 271,109 $ 423,865 $ 188,382 $ 612,247 Liabilities $ 6,521 $ 23,370 $ 29,891 $ 12,147 $ 18,870 $ 31,017 Redeemable non-controlling interest 38,733 18,257 56,990 273,219 52,342 325,561 Partners' capital attributable to AB Unitholders 123,803 60,425 184,228 138,499 117,170 255,669 Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interest and partners' capital $ 169,057 $ 102,052 $ 271,109 $ 423,865 $ 188,382 $ 612,247 During the second quarter of 2020, we deconsolidated three funds in which we had a seed investment of approximately $59.0 million due to no longer having a controlling financial interest. These VIEs had significant consolidated assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2019. Fair Value Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits, overnight commercial paper and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Due to the short-term nature of these instruments, the recorded value has been determined to approximate fair value. Valuation of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds' financial instruments by pricing observability levels as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was as follows (in thousands): Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total September 30, 2020: Investments - VIEs $ 17,386 $ 119,822 $ 519 $ 137,727 Investments - VOEs 1,791 88,580 78 90,449 Derivatives - VIEs 199 1,100 — 1,299 Derivatives - VOEs 11 3,563 — 3,574 Total assets measured at fair value $ 19,387 $ 213,065 $ 597 $ 233,049 Derivatives - VIEs 284 4,107 — 4,391 Derivatives - VOEs 16 1,139 — 1,155 Total liabilities measured at fair value $ 300 $ 5,246 $ — $ 5,546 December 31, 2019: Investments - VIEs $ 28,270 $ 375,559 $ 795 $ 404,624 Investments - VOEs 104,069 72,252 59 176,380 Derivatives - VIEs 139 4,694 — 4,833 Derivatives - VOEs 76 4,263 — 4,339 Total assets measured at fair value $ 132,554 $ 456,768 $ 854 $ 590,176 Derivatives - VIEs $ 835 $ 3,724 $ — $ 4,559 Derivatives - VOEs 101 4,982 — 5,083 Total liabilities measured at fair value $ 936 $ 8,706 $ — $ 9,642 See Note 11 for a description of the fair value methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy. The change in carrying value associated with Level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value within consolidated company-sponsored investment funds was as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (in thousands) Balance as of beginning of period $ 517 $ 11,834 $ 854 $ 8,373 Deconsolidated funds — — (135) — Transfers (out) in (6) (3,602) 565 (3,788) Purchases 61 1,187 107 8,978 Sales (7) (2,996) (451) (7,345) Realized gains (losses), net (7) 12 (21) 35 Unrealized gains (losses), net 39 (40) (323) 129 Accrued discounts — 6 1 19 Balance as of end of period $ 597 $ 6,401 $ 597 $ 6,401 The Level 3 securities primarily consist of corporate bonds that are vendor priced with no ratings available, bank loans, non-agency collateralized mortgage obligations and asset-backed securities. Transfers into and out of all levels of the fair value hierarchy are reflected at end-of-period fair values. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on Level 3 financial instruments are recorded in investment gains and losses in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Derivative Instruments As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the VIEs held $3.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, (net) of futures, forwards and swaps within their portfolios. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, we recognized $0.6 million of gains and $0.1 million of losses, respectively, on these derivatives. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, we recognized $0.6 million and $3.3 million of gains, respectively, on these derivatives. These losses and gains are recognized in investment gains (losses) in the condensed consolidated statements of income. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the VIEs held $0.3 million and $1.6 million, respectively, of cash collateral payable to trade counterparties. This obligation to return cash is reported in the liabilities of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds in our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the VIEs delivered $3.7 million and $3.2 million, respectively, of cash collateral into brokerage accounts. The VIEs report this cash collateral in the consolidated company-sponsored investment funds cash and cash equivalents in our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the VOEs held $2.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively, (net) of futures, forwards, options and swaps within their portfolios. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, we recognized $1.3 million and $2.2 million of losses, respectively, on these derivatives. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, we recognized $1.0 million and $0.5 million of gains, respectively, on these derivatives. These gains and losses are recognized in investment gains (losses) in the condensed consolidated statements of income. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the VOEs held $1.0 million and $0.5 million, respectively, of cash collateral payable to trade counterparties. This obligation to return cash is reported in the liabilities of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds in our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the VOEs delivered $1.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively, of cash collateral in brokerage accounts. The VOEs report this cash collateral in the consolidated company-sponsored investment funds cash and cash equivalents in our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Offsetting Assets and Liabilities Offsetting of derivative assets of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was as follows: Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition Financial Cash Collateral Net (in thousands) September 30, 2020: Derivatives - VIEs $ 1,299 $ — $ 1,299 $ — $ (301) $ 998 Derivatives - VOEs $ 3,574 $ — $ 3,574 $ — $ (985) $ 2,589 December 31, 2019: Derivatives - VIEs $ 4,833 $ — $ 4,833 $ — $ (1,631) $ 3,202 Derivatives - VOEs $ 4,339 $ — $ 4,339 $ — $ (534) $ 3,805 Offsetting of derivative liabilities of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was as follows: Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition Financial Cash Collateral Net Amount (in thousands) September 30, 2020: Derivatives - VIEs $ 4,391 $ — $ 4,391 $ — $ (3,697) $ 694 Derivatives - VOEs $ 1,155 $ — $ 1,155 $ — $ (1,155) $ — December 31, 2019: Derivatives - VIEs $ 4,559 $ — $ 4,559 $ — $ (3,155) $ 1,404 Derivatives - VOEs $ 5,083 $ — $ 5,083 $ — $ (1,201) $ 3,882 Cash collateral, whether pledged or received on derivative instruments, is not considered material and, accordingly, is not disclosed by counterparty. Non-Consolidated VIEs As of September 30, 2020, the net assets of company-sponsored investment products that are non-consolidated VIEs are approximately $68.9 billion, and our maximum risk of loss is our investment of $6.7 million in these VIEs and our advisory fee receivables from these VIEs, which are not material. |
Units Outstanding
Units Outstanding | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Equity [Abstract] | |
Units Outstanding | Units Outstanding Changes in AB Units outstanding during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 were as follows: Outstanding as of December 31, 2019 270,380,314 Options exercised 5,182 Units issued 422,703 Units retired (1) (2,446,115) Outstanding as of September 30, 2020 268,362,084 (1) During the nine-months ended September 30, 2020, we purchased 700 AB Units in private transactions and retired them. |
Debt
Debt | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Debt Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Debt | Debt AB has an $800.0 million committed, unsecured senior revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with a group of commercial banks and other lenders, which matures on September 27, 2023. The Credit Facility provides for possible increases in the principal amount by up to an aggregate incremental amount of $200.0 million; any such increase is subject to the consent of the affected lenders. The Credit Facility is available for AB and Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC ("SCB LLC") business purposes, including the support of AB’s commercial paper program. Both AB and SCB LLC can draw directly under the Credit Facility, and management may draw on the Credit Facility from time to time. AB has agreed to guarantee the obligations of SCB LLC under the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility contains affirmative, negative and financial covenants, which are customary for facilities of this type, including restrictions on dispositions of assets, restrictions on liens, a minimum interest coverage ratio and a maximum leverage ratio. As of September 30, 2020, we were in compliance with these covenants. The Credit Facility also includes customary events of default (with customary grace periods, as applicable), including provisions under which, upon the occurrence of an event of default, all outstanding loans may be accelerated and/or lender’s commitments may be terminated. Also, under such provisions, upon the occurrence of certain insolvency- or bankruptcy-related events of default, all amounts payable under the Credit Facility would automatically become immediately due and payable, and the lender’s commitments automatically would terminate. Amounts under the Credit Facility may be borrowed, repaid and re-borrowed by us from time to time until the maturity of the facility. Voluntary prepayments and commitment reductions requested by us are permitted at any time without a fee (other than customary breakage costs relating to the prepayment of any drawn loans) upon proper notice and subject to a minimum dollar requirement. Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at a rate per annum, which will be, at our option, a rate equal to an applicable margin, which is subject to adjustment based on the credit ratings of AB, plus one of the following indices: London Interbank Offered Rate; a floating base rate; or the Federal Funds rate. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had no amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility. During the first nine months of 2020 and the full year 2019, we did not draw upon the Credit Facility. AB also has a $900.0 million committed, unsecured senior credit facility (“EQH Facility”) with EQH. The EQH Facility matures on November 4, 2024 and is available for AB's general business purposes. Borrowings under the EQH Facility generally bear interest at a rate per annum based on prevailing overnight commercial paper rates. The EQH Facility contains affirmative, negative and financial covenants which are substantially similar to those in AB’s committed bank facilities. The EQH Facility also includes customary events of default substantially similar to those in AB’s committed bank facilities, including provisions under which, upon the occurrence of an event of default, all outstanding loans may be accelerated and/or the lender’s commitment may be terminated. Amounts under the EQH Facility may be borrowed, repaid and re-borrowed by us from time to time until the maturity of the facility. AB or EQH may reduce or terminate the commitment at any time without penalty upon proper notice. EQH also may terminate the facility immediately upon a change of control of our general partner. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, AB had $300.0 million and $560.0 million outstanding under the EQH Facility with interest rates of approximately 0.2% and 1.6%, respectively. Average daily borrowings on the EQH Facility for the first nine months of 2020 and for the 57 days it was available in 2019 were $503.4 million and $358.6 million, respectively, with weighted average interest rates of approximately 0.6% and 1.6%, respectively. In addition to the EQH Facility, on September 1, 2020, AB established a new $300.0 million uncommitted, unsecured senior credit facility (“EQH Uncommitted Facility”) with EQH. The EQH Uncommitted Facility matures on September 1, 2024 and is available for AB's general business purposes. Borrowings under the EQH Unsecured Facility generally bear interest at a rate per annum based on prevailing overnight commercial paper rates. The EQH Uncommitted Facility contains affirmative, negative and financial covenants which are substantially similar to those in the EQH Facility. As of September 30, 2020, we had no amounts outstanding on the EQH Uncommitted Facility and have not drawn on it since its inception. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had no commercial paper outstanding. The commercial paper is short term in nature, and as such, recorded value is estimated to approximate fair value (and considered a Level 2 security in the fair value hierarchy). Average daily borrowings of commercial paper during the first nine months of 2020 and the 317 days commercial paper was outstanding in 2019 were $85.2 million and $438.6 million, respectively, with weighted average interest rates of approximately 0.5% and 2.6%, respectively. AB has a $200.0 million committed, unsecured senior revolving credit facility (the "Revolver") with a leading international bank, which matures on November 16, 2021. The Revolver is available for AB's and SCB LLC's business purposes, including the provision of additional liquidity to meet funding requirements primarily related to SCB LLC's operations. Both AB and SCB LLC can draw directly under the Revolver and management expects to draw on the Revolver from time to time. AB has agreed to guarantee the obligations of SCB LLC under the Revolver. The Revolver contains affirmative, negative and financial covenants that are identical to those of the Credit Facility. As of both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had no amounts outstanding under the Revolver. Average daily borrowings under the Revolver during the first nine months of 2020 and full year 2019 were $14.0 million and $23.5 million, respectively, with weighted average interest rates of approximately 1.5% and 3.2%, respectively. In addition, SCB LLC currently has three uncommitted lines of credit with three financial institutions. Two of these lines of credit permit us to borrow up to an aggregate of approximately $175.0 million, with AB named as an additional borrower, while the other line has no stated limit. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, SCB LLC had no outstanding balance on these lines of credit. Average daily borrowings on the lines of credit during the first nine months of 2020 and full year 2019 were $1.2 million and $1.9 million, respectively, with weighted average interest rates of approximately 1.3% and 1.9%, respectively. |
Non-controlling Interests
Non-controlling Interests | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] | |
Non-controlling Interests | Non-controlling Interests Non-controlling interest in net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 consisted of the following: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (in thousands) Non-redeemable non-controlling interests: Consolidated company-sponsored investment funds $ — $ — $ — $ — Other — 18 — 92 Total non-redeemable non-controlling interests — 18 — 92 Redeemable non-controlling interests: Consolidated company-sponsored investment funds 81 4,127 (4,550) 21,926 Total non-controlling interest in net income $ 81 $ 4,145 $ (4,550) $ 22,018 Redeemable non-controlling interest as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 consisted of the following: September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 (in thousands) Consolidated company-sponsored investment funds $ 56,990 $ 325,561 Total redeemable non-controlling interest $ 56,990 $ 325,561 |
Related Party Master Repurchase
Related Party Master Repurchase Agreement | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Subsequent Events [Abstract] | |
Related Party Master Repurchase Agreement | Related Party Master Repurchase AgreementDuring April 2020, we provided a $125 million credit facility, through a Master Repurchase Agreement (“MRA”), to one of our sponsored private investment funds, of which $30 million was drawn upon as of April 28, 2020 and repaid in full in May 2020. No additional amounts were drawn during the third quarter of 2020. The amounts drawn upon the MRA, which are payable on demand, are collateralized by assets of the fund, can be repaid at any time prior to maturity and bear interest based upon the interest rate established at the time of each borrowing. |
Business Description Organiza_2
Business Description Organization and Basis of Presentation (Policies) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
Basis of Presentation | Basis of Presentation The interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the interim results, have been made. The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the interim reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The condensed consolidated statement of financial condition as of December 31, 2019 was derived from audited financial statements, but it does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). |
Principles of Consolidation | Principles of Consolidation The condensed consolidated financial statements include AB and its majority-owned and/or controlled subsidiaries, and the consolidated entities that are considered to be variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and voting interest entities (“VOEs”) in which AB has a controlling financial interest. Non-controlling interests on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition include the portion of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds in which we do not have direct equity ownership. All significant inter-company transactions and balances among the consolidated entities have been eliminated. |
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements / Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted | Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) . This new guidance relates to the accounting for credit losses on financial instruments and introduces an approach based on expected losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments. It also modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and provides for a simplified accounting model for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration since their origination. We adopted this standard prospectively on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment . The guidance removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which had required a hypothetical purchase price allocation. As a result of the revised guidance, a goodwill impairment will be the amount by which a reporting unit's carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. We adopted this standard prospectively on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement . The amendment modifies the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by removing, modifying or adding certain disclosures. We adopted this standard prospectively on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract. The amendment aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements that currently exist in GAAP for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. Implementation costs would either be capitalized or expensed as incurred depending on the project stage. All costs in the preliminary and post-implementation project stages are expensed as incurred, while certain costs within the application development stage are capitalized. We adopted this standard prospectively on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted in 2020 In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Topic 715-20) . The amendment modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other post-retirement plans. The revised guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The revised guidance will not have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes |
Goodwill | Goodwill Goodwill is tested annually, as of September 30, for impairment utilizing the Market Approach where the fair value of the reporting unit is based on its unadjusted market valuation (AB Holding Units outstanding multiplied by AB Holding's Unit price). Throughout the year, the carrying value of goodwill is also reviewed for impairment if certain events or changes in circumstances occur, and trigger whether an interim impairment test may be required. Such changes in circumstances may include, but are not limited to, a sustained decrease in the price of an AB Holding Unit or declines in AB Holding’s market capitalization that would suggest that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount; significant and unanticipated declines in AB’s assets under management or revenues; and/or lower than expected earnings per unit. Any of these changes in circumstances could suggest the possibility that goodwill is impaired, but none of these events or As of January 1, 2020, we adopted ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment |
Business Description Organiza_3
Business Description Organization and Basis of Presentation (Tables) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
Ownership Structure of AB as a Percentage of General and Limited Partnership Interests | As of September 30, 2020, the ownership structure of AB, including limited partnership units outstanding as well as the general partner's 1% interest, was as follows: EQH and its subsidiaries 63.8 % AB Holding 35.5 Unaffiliated holders 0.7 100.0 % |
Revenue Recognition (Tables)
Revenue Recognition (Tables) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] | |
Revenues | Revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 consisted of the following: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (in thousands) Subject to contracts with customers: Investment advisory and services fees Base fees $ 623,593 $ 608,765 $ 1,806,476 $ 1,746,072 Performance-based fees 6,946 7,619 23,991 23,270 Bernstein research services 98,514 102,014 341,346 298,240 Distribution revenues All-in-management fees 83,466 77,110 245,651 207,377 12b-1 fees 19,068 20,287 56,351 60,055 Other 33,159 21,238 84,647 60,059 Other revenues Shareholder servicing fees 20,753 20,020 61,290 57,413 Other 5,477 4,095 15,939 12,609 890,976 861,148 2,635,691 2,465,095 Not subject to contracts with customers: Dividend and interest income, net of interest expense 7,603 11,904 28,006 33,439 Investment (losses) gains 1,106 4,433 (19,011) 31,117 Other revenues 353 382 957 1,477 9,062 16,719 9,952 66,033 Total net revenues $ 900,038 $ 877,867 $ 2,645,643 $ 2,531,128 |
Long-term Incentive Compensat_2
Long-term Incentive Compensation Plans (Tables) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] | |
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Activity | Repurchases of AB Holding Units for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 consisted of the following: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (in millions) Total amount of AB Holding Units Purchased (1) 0.3 0.9 2.5 2.9 Total Cash Paid for AB Holding Units Purchased (1) $ 6.8 $ 25.1 $ 54.4 $ 83.7 Open Market Purchases of AB Holding Units Purchased (2) 0.2 0.6 2.4 2.5 Total Cash Paid for Open Market Purchases of AB Holding Units (2) $ 6.7 $ 15.3 $ 51.8 $ 70.6 (1) Purchased on a trade date basis. (2) The remainder related to purchases of AB Holding Units from employees to fulfill statutory tax withholding requirements at the time of delivery of long-term incentive compensation award. |
Net Income per Unit (Tables)
Net Income per Unit (Tables) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Earnings Per Unit [Abstract] | |
Schedule of Earnings Per Unit, Basic and Diluted | Basic net income per unit is derived by reducing net income for the 1% general partnership interest and dividing the remaining 99% by the basic weighted average number of limited partnership units outstanding for each period. Diluted net income per unit is derived by reducing net income for the 1% general partnership interest and dividing the remaining 99% by the total of the diluted weighted average number of limited partnership units outstanding for each period. Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (in thousands, except per unit amounts) Net income attributable to AB Unitholders $ 207,976 $ 187,811 $ 579,617 $ 503,177 Weighted average limited partnership units outstanding – basic 268,538 268,567 269,369 268,131 Dilutive effect of compensatory options to buy AB Holding Units 27 36 23 52 Weighted average limited partnership units outstanding – diluted 268,565 268,603 269,392 268,183 Basic net income per AB Unit $ 0.77 $ 0.69 $ 2.13 $ 1.86 Diluted net income per AB Unit $ 0.77 $ 0.69 $ 2.13 $ 1.86 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (amounts as shown) Anti-dilutive options excluded from diluted net income 29,056 29,056 29,056 29,056 |
Investments (Tables)
Investments (Tables) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract] | |
Summary of Investments | Investments consist of: September 30, December 31, (in thousands) Equity securities: Long-term incentive compensation-related $ 30,911 $ 36,665 Seed capital 75,079 70,464 Other 60,147 73,202 Exchange-traded options 12,153 6,931 Investments in limited partnership hedge funds: Long-term incentive compensation-related 24,150 14,237 Seed capital 17,309 33,124 Time deposits 19,900 18,281 Other 14,043 13,890 Total investments $ 253,692 $ 266,794 |
Portion of Unrealized Gains (Losses) Related to Equity Securities | The portion of unrealized (losses) gains related to equity securities, as defined by ASC 321-10, held as of September 30, 2020 and 2019 were as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (in thousands) Net gains recognized during the period $ 12,904 $ 2,382 $ 5,304 $ 23,962 Less: net gains recognized during the period on equity securities sold during the period 18,929 1,716 25,005 6,257 Unrealized (losses) gains recognized during the period on equity securities held $ (6,025) $ 666 $ (19,701) $ 17,705 |
Derivative Instruments (Tables)
Derivative Instruments (Tables) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Notional and Fair Value for Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | The notional value and fair value as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 for derivative instruments (excluding derivative instruments relating to our options desk trading activities discussed below ) not designated as hedging instruments were as follows: Fair Value Notional Value Derivative Assets Derivative Liabilities (in thousands) September 30, 2020: Exchange-traded futures $ 131,895 $ 317 $ 223 Currency forwards 68,643 8,271 7,709 Interest rate swaps 71,469 2,226 3,067 Credit default swaps 282,347 14,770 14,075 Total return swaps 50,863 427 656 Option swaps 2,466 659 2,500 Total derivatives $ 607,683 $ 26,670 $ 28,230 December 31, 2019: Exchange-traded futures $ 171,112 $ 939 $ 871 Currency forwards 60,809 8,545 8,633 Interest rate swaps 92,756 1,746 2,254 Credit default swaps 168,303 2,151 5,611 Total return swaps 91,201 110 1,764 Option swaps 354 — 126 Total derivatives $ 584,535 $ 13,491 $ 19,259 |
Gains and Losses for Derivative Instruments Recognized in Investment Gains (Losses) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income | The gains and losses for derivative instruments (excluding our options desk trading activities discussed below ) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 recognized in investment (losses) gains in the condensed consolidated statements of income were as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Exchange-traded futures $ (2,753) $ (1,352) $ (7,565) $ (9,903) Currency forwards (1,031) 1,453 (585) 1,338 Interest rate swaps 15 (81) (372) (726) Credit default swaps (2,298) (449) 5,492 (4,254) Total return swaps (6,840) 314 (10,691) (15,452) Option swaps (1,183) — (1,716) — Net (losses) on derivative instruments $ (14,090) $ (115) $ (15,437) $ (28,997) |
Offsetting Assets and Liabili_2
Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (Tables) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Offsetting [Abstract] | |
Schedule of Offsetting of Financial Assets | Offsetting of assets as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was as follows: Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition Financial Cash Collateral Net (in thousands) September 30, 2020: Securities borrowed $ 13,303 $ — $ 13,303 $ (11,567) $ — $ 1,736 Derivatives $ 26,670 $ — $ 26,670 $ — $ (980) $ 25,690 Long exchange-traded options $ 12,153 $ — $ 12,153 $ — $ — $ 12,153 December 31, 2019: Securities borrowed $ 38,993 $ — $ 38,993 $ (38,993) $ — $ — Derivatives $ 13,491 $ — $ 13,491 $ — $ (251) $ 13,240 Long exchange-traded options $ 6,931 $ — $ 6,931 $ — $ — $ 6,931 Offsetting of derivative assets of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was as follows: Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition Financial Cash Collateral Net (in thousands) September 30, 2020: Derivatives - VIEs $ 1,299 $ — $ 1,299 $ — $ (301) $ 998 Derivatives - VOEs $ 3,574 $ — $ 3,574 $ — $ (985) $ 2,589 December 31, 2019: Derivatives - VIEs $ 4,833 $ — $ 4,833 $ — $ (1,631) $ 3,202 Derivatives - VOEs $ 4,339 $ — $ 4,339 $ — $ (534) $ 3,805 |
Schedule of Offsetting of Financial Liabilities | Offsetting of liabilities as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was as follows: Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition Financial Cash Collateral Net Amount (in thousands) September 30, 2020: Securities loaned $ 15,150 $ — $ 15,150 $ — $ (14,254) $ 896 Derivatives $ 28,230 $ — $ 28,230 $ — $ (3,553) $ 24,677 Short exchange-traded options $ 11,091 $ — $ 11,091 $ — $ — $ 11,091 December 31, 2019: Derivatives $ 19,259 $ — $ 19,259 $ — $ (4,276) $ 14,983 Short exchange-traded options $ 12,348 $ — $ 12,348 $ — $ — $ 12,348 Offsetting of derivative liabilities of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was as follows: Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition Financial Cash Collateral Net Amount (in thousands) September 30, 2020: Derivatives - VIEs $ 4,391 $ — $ 4,391 $ — $ (3,697) $ 694 Derivatives - VOEs $ 1,155 $ — $ 1,155 $ — $ (1,155) $ — December 31, 2019: Derivatives - VIEs $ 4,559 $ — $ 4,559 $ — $ (3,155) $ 1,404 Derivatives - VOEs $ 5,083 $ — $ 5,083 $ — $ (1,201) $ 3,882 |
Fair Value (Tables)
Fair Value (Tables) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] | |
Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis | Valuation of our financial instruments by pricing observability levels as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was as follows (in thousands): Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 NAV Expedient (1) Other Total September 30, 2020: Money markets $ 131,614 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 131,614 Securities segregated (U.S. Treasury Bills) — 1,868,891 — — — 1,868,891 Derivatives 317 26,353 — — — 26,670 Investments: Equity securities 143,749 22,096 121 171 — 166,137 Long exchange-traded options 12,153 — — — — 12,153 Limited partnership hedge funds (2) — — — — 41,459 41,459 Time deposits (3) — — — — 19,900 19,900 Other investments 6,257 — — — 7,786 14,043 Total investments 162,159 22,096 121 171 69,145 253,692 Total assets measured at fair value $ 294,090 $ 1,917,340 $ 121 $ 171 $ 69,145 $ 2,280,867 Securities sold not yet purchased: Short equities – corporate $ 2,892 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 2,892 Short exchange-traded options 11,091 — — — — 11,091 Derivatives 223 28,007 — — — 28,230 Contingent payment arrangements — — 29,723 — — 29,723 Total liabilities measured at fair value $ 14,206 $ 28,007 $ 29,723 $ — $ — $ 71,936 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 NAV Expedient (1) Other Total December 31, 2019: Money markets $ 126,401 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 126,401 Securities segregated (U.S. Treasury Bills) — 1,094,866 — — — 1,094,866 Derivatives 939 12,552 — — — 13,491 Investments: Equity securities 170,946 8,952 119 314 — 180,331 Long exchange-traded options 6,931 — — — — 6,931 Limited partnership hedge funds (2) — — — — 47,361 47,361 Time deposits (3) — — — — 18,281 18,281 Other investments 5,883 — — — 8,007 13,890 Total investments 183,760 8,952 119 314 73,649 266,794 Total assets measured at fair value $ 311,100 $ 1,116,370 $ 119 $ 314 $ 73,649 $ 1,501,552 Securities sold not yet purchased: Short equities – corporate $ 17,809 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 17,809 Short exchange-traded options 12,348 — — — — 12,348 Derivatives 871 18,388 — — — 19,259 Contingent payment arrangements — — 22,911 — — 22,911 Total liabilities measured at fair value $ 31,028 $ 18,388 $ 22,911 $ — $ — $ 72,327 (1) Investments measured at fair value using NAV (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. (2) Investments in equity method investees that are not measured at fair value in accordance with GAAP. (3) Investments carried at amortized cost that are not measured at fair value in accordance with GAAP. Valuation of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds' financial instruments by pricing observability levels as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was as follows (in thousands): Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total September 30, 2020: Investments - VIEs $ 17,386 $ 119,822 $ 519 $ 137,727 Investments - VOEs 1,791 88,580 78 90,449 Derivatives - VIEs 199 1,100 — 1,299 Derivatives - VOEs 11 3,563 — 3,574 Total assets measured at fair value $ 19,387 $ 213,065 $ 597 $ 233,049 Derivatives - VIEs 284 4,107 — 4,391 Derivatives - VOEs 16 1,139 — 1,155 Total liabilities measured at fair value $ 300 $ 5,246 $ — $ 5,546 December 31, 2019: Investments - VIEs $ 28,270 $ 375,559 $ 795 $ 404,624 Investments - VOEs 104,069 72,252 59 176,380 Derivatives - VIEs 139 4,694 — 4,833 Derivatives - VOEs 76 4,263 — 4,339 Total assets measured at fair value $ 132,554 $ 456,768 $ 854 $ 590,176 Derivatives - VIEs $ 835 $ 3,724 $ — $ 4,559 Derivatives - VOEs 101 4,982 — 5,083 Total liabilities measured at fair value $ 936 $ 8,706 $ — $ 9,642 |
Schedule of Change in Carrying Value Level 3 Financial Instruments | The change in carrying value associated with Level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value, classified as private equity and equity securities, is as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (in thousands) Balance as of beginning of period $ 114 $ 117 $ 119 $ 142 Purchases — — — — Sales — — — — Realized gains (losses), net — — — — Unrealized gains (losses), net 7 1 2 (24) Balance as of end of period $ 121 $ 118 $ 121 $ 118 The change in carrying value associated with Level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value within consolidated company-sponsored investment funds was as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (in thousands) Balance as of beginning of period $ 517 $ 11,834 $ 854 $ 8,373 Deconsolidated funds — — (135) — Transfers (out) in (6) (3,602) 565 (3,788) Purchases 61 1,187 107 8,978 Sales (7) (2,996) (451) (7,345) Realized gains (losses), net (7) 12 (21) 35 Unrealized gains (losses), net 39 (40) (323) 129 Accrued discounts — 6 1 19 Balance as of end of period $ 597 $ 6,401 $ 597 $ 6,401 |
Schedule of Contingent Payment Arrangements Level 3 Financial Instruments | The change in carrying value associated with Level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value, classified as contingent payment arrangements, is as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (in thousands) Balance as of beginning of period $ 28,910 $ 25,603 $ 22,911 $ 7,336 Addition — — 4,400 17,384 Accretion 813 829 2,412 1,712 Payments — — — — Balance as of end of period $ 29,723 $ 26,432 $ 29,723 $ 26,432 |
Leases (Tables)
Leases (Tables) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Leases [Abstract] | |
Schedule of Leases | Leases included in the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were as follows: Classification September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 (in thousands) Operating Leases Operating lease right-of-use assets Right-of-use assets $ 300,366 $ 360,185 Operating lease liabilities Lease liabilities 392,875 465,907 Finance Leases Property and equipment, gross Right-of-use assets 5,167 3,825 Amortization of right-of-use assets Right-of-use assets (2,293) (1,317) Property and equipment, net 2,874 2,508 Finance lease liabilities Lease liabilities 2,822 2,544 |
Components of Lease Expense and Supplemental Cash Flow Information | The components of lease expense included in the condensed consolidated statement of income as of September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019 were as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, Classification 2020 2019 2020 2019 (in thousands) Operating lease cost General and administrative $ 22,104 $ 26,181 $ 67,519 $ 79,829 Financing lease cost: Amortization of right-of-use assets General and administrative 426 355 1,329 932 Interest on lease liabilities Interest expense 20 20 69 52 Total finance lease cost 446 375 1,398 984 Variable lease cost (1) General and administrative 9,342 10,588 28,652 30,337 Sublease income General and administrative (9,579) (14,021) (28,820) (42,472) Net lease cost $ 22,313 $ 23,123 $ 68,749 $ 68,678 (1) Variable lease expense includes operating expenses, real estate taxes and employee parking. Lease term and discount rate: Weighted average remaining lease term (years) Operating leases 4.74 Finance leases 2.56 Weighted average discount rate Operating leases 3.51 % Finance leases 2.67 % Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 (in thousands) Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows used for operating leases $ 86,452 $ 99,490 Operating cash flows used for financing leases 69 52 Financing cash flows from finance leases 1,418 901 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations (1) : Operating leases (2) 2,369 10,565 Finance leases 1,695 1,080 (1) Represents non-cash activity and, accordingly, is not reflected in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. |
Schedule of Maturities of Finance Lease Liabilities | Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows: Operating Leases Financing Leases Total Year ending December 31, (in thousands) 2020 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2020) $ 23,969 $ 464 $ 24,433 2021 105,599 1,141 106,740 2022 90,515 757 91,272 2023 83,095 526 83,621 2024 80,057 23 80,080 Thereafter 43,295 — 43,295 Total lease payments 426,530 2,911 429,441 Less interest (33,655) (89) Present value of lease liabilities $ 392,875 $ 2,822 |
Schedule of Maturities of Operating Lease Liabilities | Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows: Operating Leases Financing Leases Total Year ending December 31, (in thousands) 2020 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2020) $ 23,969 $ 464 $ 24,433 2021 105,599 1,141 106,740 2022 90,515 757 91,272 2023 83,095 526 83,621 2024 80,057 23 80,080 Thereafter 43,295 — 43,295 Total lease payments 426,530 2,911 429,441 Less interest (33,655) (89) Present value of lease liabilities $ 392,875 $ 2,822 |
Consolidated Company-Sponsore_2
Consolidated Company-Sponsored Investment Funds (Tables) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Consolidated Company-Sponsored Investment Funds [Abstract] | |
Balances of Consolidated VIEs and VOEs included in Statement of Financial Condition | The balances of consolidated VIEs and VOEs included in our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition were as follows: September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 (in thousands) VIEs VOEs Total VIEs VOEs Total Cash and cash equivalents $ 27,379 $ 1,828 $ 29,207 $ 9,623 $ 1,810 $ 11,433 Investments 137,727 90,449 228,176 404,624 176,380 581,004 Other assets 3,951 9,775 13,726 9,618 10,192 19,810 Total assets $ 169,057 $ 102,052 $ 271,109 $ 423,865 $ 188,382 $ 612,247 Liabilities $ 6,521 $ 23,370 $ 29,891 $ 12,147 $ 18,870 $ 31,017 Redeemable non-controlling interest 38,733 18,257 56,990 273,219 52,342 325,561 Partners' capital attributable to AB Unitholders 123,803 60,425 184,228 138,499 117,170 255,669 Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interest and partners' capital $ 169,057 $ 102,052 $ 271,109 $ 423,865 $ 188,382 $ 612,247 |
Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis | Valuation of our financial instruments by pricing observability levels as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was as follows (in thousands): Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 NAV Expedient (1) Other Total September 30, 2020: Money markets $ 131,614 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 131,614 Securities segregated (U.S. Treasury Bills) — 1,868,891 — — — 1,868,891 Derivatives 317 26,353 — — — 26,670 Investments: Equity securities 143,749 22,096 121 171 — 166,137 Long exchange-traded options 12,153 — — — — 12,153 Limited partnership hedge funds (2) — — — — 41,459 41,459 Time deposits (3) — — — — 19,900 19,900 Other investments 6,257 — — — 7,786 14,043 Total investments 162,159 22,096 121 171 69,145 253,692 Total assets measured at fair value $ 294,090 $ 1,917,340 $ 121 $ 171 $ 69,145 $ 2,280,867 Securities sold not yet purchased: Short equities – corporate $ 2,892 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 2,892 Short exchange-traded options 11,091 — — — — 11,091 Derivatives 223 28,007 — — — 28,230 Contingent payment arrangements — — 29,723 — — 29,723 Total liabilities measured at fair value $ 14,206 $ 28,007 $ 29,723 $ — $ — $ 71,936 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 NAV Expedient (1) Other Total December 31, 2019: Money markets $ 126,401 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 126,401 Securities segregated (U.S. Treasury Bills) — 1,094,866 — — — 1,094,866 Derivatives 939 12,552 — — — 13,491 Investments: Equity securities 170,946 8,952 119 314 — 180,331 Long exchange-traded options 6,931 — — — — 6,931 Limited partnership hedge funds (2) — — — — 47,361 47,361 Time deposits (3) — — — — 18,281 18,281 Other investments 5,883 — — — 8,007 13,890 Total investments 183,760 8,952 119 314 73,649 266,794 Total assets measured at fair value $ 311,100 $ 1,116,370 $ 119 $ 314 $ 73,649 $ 1,501,552 Securities sold not yet purchased: Short equities – corporate $ 17,809 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 17,809 Short exchange-traded options 12,348 — — — — 12,348 Derivatives 871 18,388 — — — 19,259 Contingent payment arrangements — — 22,911 — — 22,911 Total liabilities measured at fair value $ 31,028 $ 18,388 $ 22,911 $ — $ — $ 72,327 (1) Investments measured at fair value using NAV (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. (2) Investments in equity method investees that are not measured at fair value in accordance with GAAP. (3) Investments carried at amortized cost that are not measured at fair value in accordance with GAAP. Valuation of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds' financial instruments by pricing observability levels as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was as follows (in thousands): Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total September 30, 2020: Investments - VIEs $ 17,386 $ 119,822 $ 519 $ 137,727 Investments - VOEs 1,791 88,580 78 90,449 Derivatives - VIEs 199 1,100 — 1,299 Derivatives - VOEs 11 3,563 — 3,574 Total assets measured at fair value $ 19,387 $ 213,065 $ 597 $ 233,049 Derivatives - VIEs 284 4,107 — 4,391 Derivatives - VOEs 16 1,139 — 1,155 Total liabilities measured at fair value $ 300 $ 5,246 $ — $ 5,546 December 31, 2019: Investments - VIEs $ 28,270 $ 375,559 $ 795 $ 404,624 Investments - VOEs 104,069 72,252 59 176,380 Derivatives - VIEs 139 4,694 — 4,833 Derivatives - VOEs 76 4,263 — 4,339 Total assets measured at fair value $ 132,554 $ 456,768 $ 854 $ 590,176 Derivatives - VIEs $ 835 $ 3,724 $ — $ 4,559 Derivatives - VOEs 101 4,982 — 5,083 Total liabilities measured at fair value $ 936 $ 8,706 $ — $ 9,642 |
Schedule of Change in Carrying Value Level 3 Financial Instruments | The change in carrying value associated with Level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value, classified as private equity and equity securities, is as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (in thousands) Balance as of beginning of period $ 114 $ 117 $ 119 $ 142 Purchases — — — — Sales — — — — Realized gains (losses), net — — — — Unrealized gains (losses), net 7 1 2 (24) Balance as of end of period $ 121 $ 118 $ 121 $ 118 The change in carrying value associated with Level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value within consolidated company-sponsored investment funds was as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (in thousands) Balance as of beginning of period $ 517 $ 11,834 $ 854 $ 8,373 Deconsolidated funds — — (135) — Transfers (out) in (6) (3,602) 565 (3,788) Purchases 61 1,187 107 8,978 Sales (7) (2,996) (451) (7,345) Realized gains (losses), net (7) 12 (21) 35 Unrealized gains (losses), net 39 (40) (323) 129 Accrued discounts — 6 1 19 Balance as of end of period $ 597 $ 6,401 $ 597 $ 6,401 |
Schedule of Offsetting of Derivative Assets | Offsetting of assets as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was as follows: Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition Financial Cash Collateral Net (in thousands) September 30, 2020: Securities borrowed $ 13,303 $ — $ 13,303 $ (11,567) $ — $ 1,736 Derivatives $ 26,670 $ — $ 26,670 $ — $ (980) $ 25,690 Long exchange-traded options $ 12,153 $ — $ 12,153 $ — $ — $ 12,153 December 31, 2019: Securities borrowed $ 38,993 $ — $ 38,993 $ (38,993) $ — $ — Derivatives $ 13,491 $ — $ 13,491 $ — $ (251) $ 13,240 Long exchange-traded options $ 6,931 $ — $ 6,931 $ — $ — $ 6,931 Offsetting of derivative assets of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was as follows: Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition Financial Cash Collateral Net (in thousands) September 30, 2020: Derivatives - VIEs $ 1,299 $ — $ 1,299 $ — $ (301) $ 998 Derivatives - VOEs $ 3,574 $ — $ 3,574 $ — $ (985) $ 2,589 December 31, 2019: Derivatives - VIEs $ 4,833 $ — $ 4,833 $ — $ (1,631) $ 3,202 Derivatives - VOEs $ 4,339 $ — $ 4,339 $ — $ (534) $ 3,805 |
Schedule of Offsetting of Derivative Liabilities | Offsetting of liabilities as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was as follows: Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition Financial Cash Collateral Net Amount (in thousands) September 30, 2020: Securities loaned $ 15,150 $ — $ 15,150 $ — $ (14,254) $ 896 Derivatives $ 28,230 $ — $ 28,230 $ — $ (3,553) $ 24,677 Short exchange-traded options $ 11,091 $ — $ 11,091 $ — $ — $ 11,091 December 31, 2019: Derivatives $ 19,259 $ — $ 19,259 $ — $ (4,276) $ 14,983 Short exchange-traded options $ 12,348 $ — $ 12,348 $ — $ — $ 12,348 Offsetting of derivative liabilities of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was as follows: Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition Financial Cash Collateral Net Amount (in thousands) September 30, 2020: Derivatives - VIEs $ 4,391 $ — $ 4,391 $ — $ (3,697) $ 694 Derivatives - VOEs $ 1,155 $ — $ 1,155 $ — $ (1,155) $ — December 31, 2019: Derivatives - VIEs $ 4,559 $ — $ 4,559 $ — $ (3,155) $ 1,404 Derivatives - VOEs $ 5,083 $ — $ 5,083 $ — $ (1,201) $ 3,882 |
Units Outstanding (Tables)
Units Outstanding (Tables) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Equity [Abstract] | |
Changes in AB Units Outstanding | Changes in AB Units outstanding during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 were as follows: Outstanding as of December 31, 2019 270,380,314 Options exercised 5,182 Units issued 422,703 Units retired (1) (2,446,115) Outstanding as of September 30, 2020 268,362,084 (1) During the nine-months ended September 30, 2020, we purchased 700 AB Units in private transactions and retired them. |
Non-controlling Interests (Tabl
Non-controlling Interests (Tables) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020 | |
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] | |
Non-controlling Interest in Net Income | Non-controlling interest in net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 consisted of the following: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (in thousands) Non-redeemable non-controlling interests: Consolidated company-sponsored investment funds $ — $ — $ — $ — Other — 18 — 92 Total non-redeemable non-controlling interests — 18 — 92 Redeemable non-controlling interests: Consolidated company-sponsored investment funds 81 4,127 (4,550) 21,926 Total non-controlling interest in net income $ 81 $ 4,145 $ (4,550) $ 22,018 |
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest | Redeemable non-controlling interest as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 consisted of the following: September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 (in thousands) Consolidated company-sponsored investment funds $ 56,990 $ 325,561 Total redeemable non-controlling interest $ 56,990 $ 325,561 |
Business Description Organiza_4
Business Description Organization and Basis of Presentation (Details) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020shares | |
EQH | AXA | |
General partnership information [Abstract] | |
General partnership interest in Company (percent) | 10.00% |
AB Holding | EQH | |
General partnership information [Abstract] | |
General partnership interest in Company (percent) | 4.20% |
AB Holding | AB | |
General partnership information [Abstract] | |
General partnership interest in Company (percent) | 1.00% |
General Partnership number of general partnership units owned in Holding Company (in units) | 100,000 |
Limited partners or members ownership interest in company (percent) | 35.50% |
EQH and its subsidiaries | AB | |
General partnership information [Abstract] | |
Limited partners or members ownership interest in company (percent) | 63.80% |
Unaffiliated holders | AB | |
General partnership information [Abstract] | |
Limited partners or members ownership interest in company (percent) | 0.70% |
AB | AB | |
General partnership information [Abstract] | |
Limited partners or members ownership interest in company (percent) | 100.00% |
AB | EQH and its subsidiaries | |
General partnership information [Abstract] | |
General partnership interest in Company (percent) | 65.30% |
Significant Accounting Polici_2
Significant Accounting Policies (Details) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2020reporting_unitsegment | |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
Number of reporting segments | segment | 1 |
Number of reporting units | reporting_unit | 1 |
Revenue Recognition (Details)
Revenue Recognition (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | |
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue subject to contracts with customers | $ 890,976 | $ 861,148 | $ 2,635,691 | $ 2,465,095 |
Not subject to contracts with customers: | ||||
Dividend and interest income, net of interest expense | 7,603 | 11,904 | 28,006 | 33,439 |
Investment gains (losses) | 1,106 | 4,433 | (19,011) | 31,117 |
Other revenues | 353 | 382 | 957 | 1,477 |
Total revenue not from contract with customer | 9,062 | 16,719 | 9,952 | 66,033 |
Net revenues | 900,038 | 877,867 | 2,645,643 | 2,531,128 |
Base fees | ||||
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue subject to contracts with customers | 623,593 | 608,765 | 1,806,476 | 1,746,072 |
Performance-based fees | ||||
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue subject to contracts with customers | 6,946 | 7,619 | 23,991 | 23,270 |
Bernstein research services | ||||
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue subject to contracts with customers | 98,514 | 102,014 | 341,346 | 298,240 |
All-in-management fees | ||||
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue subject to contracts with customers | 83,466 | 77,110 | 245,651 | 207,377 |
12b-1 fees | ||||
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue subject to contracts with customers | 19,068 | 20,287 | 56,351 | 60,055 |
Other | ||||
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue subject to contracts with customers | 33,159 | 21,238 | 84,647 | 60,059 |
Shareholder servicing fees | ||||
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue subject to contracts with customers | 20,753 | 20,020 | 61,290 | 57,413 |
Other | ||||
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue subject to contracts with customers | $ 5,477 | $ 4,095 | $ 15,939 | $ 12,609 |
Long-term Incentive Compensat_3
Long-term Incentive Compensation Plans - Unit Purchase Activity (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | |
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] | ||||
Total amount of AB Holding Units Purchased (in units) | 0.3 | 0.9 | 2.5 | 2.9 |
Total Cash Paid for AB Holding Units Purchased | $ 6.8 | $ 25.1 | $ 54.4 | $ 83.7 |
Open Market Purchases of AB Holding Units Purchased (in units) | 0.2 | 0.6 | 2.4 | 2.5 |
Total Cash Paid for Open Market Purchases of AB Holding Units | $ 6.7 | $ 15.3 | $ 51.8 | $ 70.6 |
Long-term Incentive Compensat_4
Long-term Incentive Compensation Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 9 Months Ended | |
Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | |
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] | ||
Units granted to employees and Eligible Directors (in units) | 500,000 | 1,900,000 |
Units issued upon exercise of options (in units) | 5,182 | 400,000 |
Proceeds from stock options exercised | $ 147 | $ 9,642 |
Net Income per Unit (Details)
Net Income per Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | |
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items] | ||||
Limited Partners interest in Company (as a percent) | 99.00% | |||
Net income per unit, basic and diluted [Abstract] | ||||
Net income attributable to AB Unitholders | $ 207,976 | $ 187,811 | $ 579,617 | $ 503,177 |
Weighted average limited partnership units outstanding – basic (in units) | 268,538,000 | 268,567,000 | 269,369,000 | 268,131,000 |
Dilutive effect of compensatory options to buy AB Holding Units (in units) | 27,000 | 36,000 | 23,000 | 52,000 |
Weighted average limited partnership units outstanding – diluted (in units) | 268,565,000 | 268,603,000 | 269,392,000 | 268,183,000 |
Basic net income per AB Unit (in dollars per unit) | $ 0.77 | $ 0.69 | $ 2.13 | $ 1.86 |
Diluted net income per AB Unit (in dollars per unit) | $ 0.77 | $ 0.69 | $ 2.13 | $ 1.86 |
Anti-dilutive options excluded from diluted net income (in units) | 29,056 | 29,056 | 29,056 | 29,056 |
General Partner Interest | ||||
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items] | ||||
General partnership interest in Company (percent) | 1.00% |
Cash Distributions (Details)
Cash Distributions (Details) - $ / shares | Oct. 22, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2020 |
Subsequent Event | ||
Distribution Made to Limited Partner [Line Items] | ||
Distribution declared (in dollars per unit) | $ 0.76 | |
General Partner Interest | ||
Distribution Made to Limited Partner [Line Items] | ||
General partnership interest in Company (percent) | 1.00% | |
General Partner Interest | Cash Distribution | ||
Distribution Made to Limited Partner [Line Items] | ||
General partnership interest in Company (percent) | 1.00% |
Cash and Securities Segregate_2
Cash and Securities Segregated Under Federal Regulations and Other Requirements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Billions | Sep. 30, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 |
Brokers and Dealers [Abstract] | ||
United States Treasury Bills in special reserve bank custody account for exclusive benefit of brokerage customers of SCB LLC | $ 1.9 | $ 1.1 |
Investments - Summary of Invest
Investments - Summary of Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Sep. 30, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 |
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items] | ||
Investments owned | $ 253,692 | $ 266,794 |
Long-term incentive compensation obligations | 55,100 | 50,900 |
Seed capital | ||
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items] | ||
Investments owned | 276,200 | 358,100 |
Equity securities | Long-term incentive compensation-related | ||
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items] | ||
Investments owned | 30,911 | 36,665 |
Equity securities | Seed capital | ||
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items] | ||
Investments owned | 75,079 | 70,464 |
Equity securities | Other | ||
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items] | ||
Investments owned | 60,147 | 73,202 |
Exchange-traded options | ||
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items] | ||
Investments owned | 12,153 | 6,931 |
Investments in limited partnership hedge funds | Long-term incentive compensation-related | ||
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items] | ||
Investments owned | 24,150 | 14,237 |
Investments in limited partnership hedge funds | Seed capital | ||
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items] | ||
Investments owned | 17,309 | 33,124 |
Time deposits | ||
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items] | ||
Investments owned | 19,900 | 18,281 |
Other | ||
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items] | ||
Investments owned | $ 14,043 | $ 13,890 |
Investments - (Losses) Gains Re
Investments - (Losses) Gains Related to Equity Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | |
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract] | ||||
Net gains recognized during the period | $ 12,904 | $ 2,382 | $ 5,304 | $ 23,962 |
Less: net gains recognized during the period on equity securities sold during the period | 18,929 | 1,716 | 25,005 | 6,257 |
Unrealized (losses) gains recognized during the period on equity securities held | $ (6,025) | $ 666 | $ (19,701) | $ 17,705 |
Derivative Instruments - Notion
Derivative Instruments - Notional Value and Fair Value of Derivative Instruments (Details) - Not Designated as Hedging Instrument - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Sep. 30, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 |
Derivative [Line Items] | ||
Notional Value | $ 607,683 | $ 584,535 |
Derivative Assets | 26,670 | 13,491 |
Derivative Liabilities | 28,230 | 19,259 |
Exchange-traded futures | ||
Derivative [Line Items] | ||
Notional Value | 131,895 | 171,112 |
Derivative Assets | 317 | 939 |
Derivative Liabilities | 223 | 871 |
Currency forwards | ||
Derivative [Line Items] | ||
Notional Value | 68,643 | 60,809 |
Derivative Assets | 8,271 | 8,545 |
Derivative Liabilities | 7,709 | 8,633 |
Interest rate swaps | ||
Derivative [Line Items] | ||
Notional Value | 71,469 | 92,756 |
Derivative Assets | 2,226 | 1,746 |
Derivative Liabilities | 3,067 | 2,254 |
Credit default swaps | ||
Derivative [Line Items] | ||
Notional Value | 282,347 | 168,303 |
Derivative Assets | 14,770 | 2,151 |
Derivative Liabilities | 14,075 | 5,611 |
Total return swaps | ||
Derivative [Line Items] | ||
Notional Value | 50,863 | 91,201 |
Derivative Assets | 427 | 110 |
Derivative Liabilities | 656 | 1,764 |
Option swaps | ||
Derivative [Line Items] | ||
Notional Value | 2,466 | 354 |
Derivative Assets | 659 | 0 |
Derivative Liabilities | $ 2,500 | $ 126 |
Derivative Instruments - Gains
Derivative Instruments - Gains and Losses for Derivative Instruments Recognized in Investment Gains (Losses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | |
Derivative [Line Items] | ||||
Net (losses) on derivative instruments | $ (14,090) | $ (115) | $ (15,437) | $ (28,997) |
Exchange-traded futures | ||||
Derivative [Line Items] | ||||
Net (losses) on derivative instruments | (2,753) | (1,352) | (7,565) | (9,903) |
Currency forwards | ||||
Derivative [Line Items] | ||||
Net (losses) on derivative instruments | (1,031) | 1,453 | (585) | 1,338 |
Interest rate swaps | ||||
Derivative [Line Items] | ||||
Net (losses) on derivative instruments | 15 | (81) | (372) | (726) |
Credit default swaps | ||||
Derivative [Line Items] | ||||
Net (losses) on derivative instruments | (2,298) | (449) | 5,492 | (4,254) |
Total return swaps | ||||
Derivative [Line Items] | ||||
Net (losses) on derivative instruments | (6,840) | 314 | (10,691) | (15,452) |
Option swaps | ||||
Derivative [Line Items] | ||||
Net (losses) on derivative instruments | $ (1,183) | $ 0 | $ (1,716) | $ 0 |
Derivative Instruments (Details
Derivative Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | |||
Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Derivative [Line Items] | |||||
Cash collateral payable to trade counterparties | $ 1,000 | $ 1,000 | $ 300 | ||
Cash collateral received | 3,600 | 3,600 | 4,300 | ||
Loss on equity options activity | (4,400) | $ (3,600) | (4,500) | $ (14,700) | |
Exchange-traded options | Long | |||||
Derivative [Line Items] | |||||
Cash collateral payable to trade counterparties | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Long exchange-traded equity options | 12,200 | 12,200 | 6,900 | ||
Exchange-traded options | Short | |||||
Derivative [Line Items] | |||||
Cash collateral received | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Short exchange-traded equity options, included in securities sold not yet purchased | $ 11,100 | $ 11,100 | $ 12,300 |
Offsetting Assets and Liabili_3
Offsetting Assets and Liabilities - Offsetting Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Sep. 30, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 |
Derivative Asset [Abstract] | ||
Cash Collateral Received | $ (1,000) | $ (300) |
Securities borrowed | ||
Securities Borrowed [Abstract] | ||
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets | 13,303 | 38,993 |
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition | 0 | 0 |
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition | 13,303 | 38,993 |
Financial Instruments | (11,567) | (38,993) |
Cash Collateral Received | 0 | 0 |
Net Amount | 1,736 | 0 |
Derivatives | ||
Derivative Asset [Abstract] | ||
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets | 26,670 | 13,491 |
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition | 0 | 0 |
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition | 26,670 | 13,491 |
Financial Instruments | 0 | 0 |
Cash Collateral Received | (980) | (251) |
Net Amount | 25,690 | 13,240 |
Exchange-traded options | Long | ||
Derivative Asset [Abstract] | ||
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets | 12,153 | 6,931 |
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition | 0 | 0 |
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition | 12,153 | 6,931 |
Financial Instruments | 0 | 0 |
Cash Collateral Received | 0 | 0 |
Net Amount | $ 12,153 | $ 6,931 |
Offsetting Assets and Liabili_4
Offsetting Assets and Liabilities - Offsetting Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Sep. 30, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 |
Derivative Liability [Abstract] | ||
Cash Collateral Pledged | $ (3,600) | $ (4,300) |
Securities loaned | ||
Securities Borrowed [Abstract] | ||
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities | 15,150 | |
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition | 0 | |
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition | 15,150 | |
Financial Instruments | 0 | |
Cash Collateral Pledged | (14,254) | |
Net Amount | 896 | |
Derivatives | ||
Derivative Liability [Abstract] | ||
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities | 28,230 | 19,259 |
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition | 0 | 0 |
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition | 28,230 | 19,259 |
Financial Instruments | 0 | 0 |
Cash Collateral Pledged | (3,553) | (4,276) |
Net Amount | 24,677 | 14,983 |
Exchange-traded options | Short | ||
Derivative Liability [Abstract] | ||
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities | 11,091 | 12,348 |
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition | 0 | 0 |
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition | 11,091 | 12,348 |
Financial Instruments | 0 | 0 |
Cash Collateral Pledged | 0 | 0 |
Net Amount | $ 11,091 | $ 12,348 |
Fair Value - Valuation of Finan
Fair Value - Valuation of Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Sep. 30, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | Sep. 30, 2019 |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | |||
Other | $ 69,145 | $ 73,649 | |
Securities sold not yet purchased: | |||
Contingent payment arrangements | 4,400 | $ 17,384 | |
Recurring | |||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | |||
Money markets | 131,614 | 126,401 | |
Securities segregated (U.S. Treasury Bills) | 1,868,891 | 1,094,866 | |
Derivatives | 26,670 | 13,491 | |
Total investments measured at fair value and other measurements | 253,692 | 266,794 | |
Total assets measured at fair value and other measurements | 2,280,867 | 1,501,552 | |
Securities sold not yet purchased: | |||
Short equities – corporate | 2,892 | 17,809 | |
Short exchange-traded options | 11,091 | 12,348 | |
Derivatives | 28,230 | 19,259 | |
Contingent payment arrangements | 29,723 | 22,911 | |
Total liabilities measured at fair value | 71,936 | 72,327 | |
Recurring | Level 1 | |||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | |||
Money markets | 131,614 | 126,401 | |
Securities segregated (U.S. Treasury Bills) | 0 | 0 | |
Derivatives | 317 | 939 | |
Total investments | 162,159 | 183,760 | |
Total assets measured at fair value | 294,090 | 311,100 | |
Securities sold not yet purchased: | |||
Short equities – corporate | 2,892 | 17,809 | |
Short exchange-traded options | 11,091 | 12,348 | |
Derivatives | 223 | 871 | |
Contingent payment arrangements | 0 | 0 | |
Total liabilities measured at fair value | 14,206 | 31,028 | |
Recurring | Level 2 | |||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | |||
Money markets | 0 | 0 | |
Securities segregated (U.S. Treasury Bills) | 1,868,891 | 1,094,866 | |
Derivatives | 26,353 | 12,552 | |
Total investments | 22,096 | 8,952 | |
Total assets measured at fair value | 1,917,340 | 1,116,370 | |
Securities sold not yet purchased: | |||
Short equities – corporate | 0 | 0 | |
Short exchange-traded options | 0 | 0 | |
Derivatives | 28,007 | 18,388 | |
Contingent payment arrangements | 0 | 0 | |
Total liabilities measured at fair value | 28,007 | 18,388 | |
Recurring | Level 3 | |||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | |||
Money markets | 0 | 0 | |
Securities segregated (U.S. Treasury Bills) | 0 | 0 | |
Derivatives | 0 | 0 | |
Total investments | 121 | 119 | |
Total assets measured at fair value | 121 | 119 | |
Securities sold not yet purchased: | |||
Short equities – corporate | 0 | 0 | |
Short exchange-traded options | 0 | 0 | |
Derivatives | 0 | 0 | |
Contingent payment arrangements | 29,723 | 22,911 | |
Total liabilities measured at fair value | 29,723 | 22,911 | |
Recurring | NAV Expedient | |||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | |||
NAV Expedient | 171 | 314 | |
Equity securities | Recurring | |||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | |||
Trading securities | 166,137 | 180,331 | |
Equity securities | Recurring | Level 1 | |||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | |||
Trading securities | 143,749 | 170,946 | |
Equity securities | Recurring | Level 2 | |||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | |||
Trading securities | 22,096 | 8,952 | |
Equity securities | Recurring | Level 3 | |||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | |||
Trading securities | 121 | 119 | |
Equity securities | Recurring | NAV Expedient | |||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | |||
NAV Expedient | 171 | 314 | |
Other investments | |||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | |||
Other | 7,786 | 8,007 | |
Other investments | Recurring | |||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | |||
Total investments measured at fair value and other measurements | 14,043 | 13,890 | |
Other investments | Recurring | Level 1 | |||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | |||
Total investments | 6,257 | 5,883 | |
Time deposits | |||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | |||
Other | 19,900 | 18,281 | |
Time deposits | Recurring | |||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | |||
Other | 19,900 | 18,281 | |
Long | Exchange-traded options | Recurring | |||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | |||
Trading securities | 12,153 | 6,931 | |
Long | Exchange-traded options | Recurring | Level 1 | |||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | |||
Trading securities | 12,153 | 6,931 | |
Long | Exchange-traded options | Recurring | Level 2 | |||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | |||
Trading securities | 0 | 0 | |
Long | Exchange-traded options | Recurring | Level 3 | |||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | |||
Trading securities | 0 | 0 | |
Limited partnership hedge funds | |||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | |||
Other | 41,459 | 47,361 | |
Limited partnership hedge funds | Recurring | |||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | |||
Other | $ 41,459 | $ 47,361 |
Fair Value (Details)
Fair Value (Details) | Sep. 30, 2020USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2019USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2019USD ($) |
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items] | |||
Other investments | $ 69,145,000 | $ 73,649,000 | |
Fair value, assets, Level 2 to Level 3 transfers, amount | 0 | ||
Contingent payment arrangements | 4,400,000 | $ 17,384,000 | |
Recurring | |||
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items] | |||
Contingent payment arrangements | 29,723,000 | 22,911,000 | |
Recurring | Contingent Payment Arrangements | |||
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items] | |||
Contingent payment arrangements | 29,700,000 | 22,900,000 | |
Software publishing company | |||
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items] | |||
Other investments | 2,000,000 | 1,000,000 | |
Start-up company | |||
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items] | |||
Other investments | 0 | 900,000 | |
Equity method investee | |||
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items] | |||
Other investments | 2,500,000 | 2,900,000 | |
Broker dealer exchange memberships | |||
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items] | |||
Other investments | $ 3,300,000 | $ 3,200,000 | |
Revenue growth rate | Minimum | |||
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items] | |||
Acquisition-related contingent liability | 0.007 | ||
Revenue growth rate | Maximum | |||
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items] | |||
Acquisition-related contingent liability | 0.500 | ||
Revenue growth rate | Weighted Average | |||
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items] | |||
Acquisition-related contingent liability | 0.049 | ||
Discount rate | Minimum | |||
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items] | |||
Acquisition-related contingent liability | 0.019 | ||
Discount rate | Maximum | |||
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items] | |||
Acquisition-related contingent liability | 0.104 | ||
Discount rate | Weighted Average | |||
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items] | |||
Acquisition-related contingent liability | 0.080 |
Fair Value - Change in Carrying
Fair Value - Change in Carrying Value of Level 3 Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | |
Fair value measurement Level 3 reconciliation [Abstract] | ||||
Balance as of beginning of period | $ 114 | $ 117 | $ 119 | $ 142 |
Purchases | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Sales | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Realized gains (losses), net | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Unrealized gains (losses), net | 7 | 1 | 2 | (24) |
Balance as of end of period | $ 121 | $ 118 | $ 121 | $ 118 |
Fair Value - Change in Carryi_2
Fair Value - Change in Carrying Value Associated with Contingent Payment Arrangements Level 3 Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | |
Fair Value, Liabilities Measurement Level 3 reconciliation | ||||
Balance as of beginning of period | $ 28,910 | $ 25,603 | $ 22,911 | $ 7,336 |
Addition | 0 | 0 | 4,400 | 17,384 |
Accretion | 813 | 829 | 2,412 | 1,712 |
Payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Balance as of end of period | $ 29,723 | $ 26,432 | $ 29,723 | $ 26,432 |
Leases - Additional Information
Leases - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands | 9 Months Ended | |||
Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)ft² | Apr. 30, 2019USD ($)ft² | Dec. 31, 2018USD ($) | Oct. 31, 2018USD ($)ft² | |
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] | ||||
Operating and finance lease, maximum term of extension option | 5 years | |||
Operating and finance lease, term of termination option | 1 year | |||
Area of space leased (in square feet) | ft² | 1,000,000 | |||
Restructuring reserve | $ 85,800 | |||
Total base rent obligation | $ 426,530 | |||
Nashville | ||||
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] | ||||
Area of space leased (in square feet) | ft² | 218,976 | |||
Operating lease, lease not yet commenced, term of contract | 15 years | |||
Total base rent obligation | $ 134,000 | |||
New York City | ||||
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] | ||||
Area of space leased (in square feet) | ft² | 190,000 | |||
Operating lease, lease not yet commenced, term of contract | 20 years | |||
Total base rent obligation | $ 448,000 | |||
Minimum | ||||
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] | ||||
Operating and finance lease, remaining contract term | 1 year | |||
Maximum | ||||
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] | ||||
Operating and finance lease, remaining contract term | 10 years |
Leases - Leases included in the
Leases - Leases included in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Sep. 30, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 |
Operating Leases | ||
Operating lease right-of-use assets | $ 300,366 | $ 360,185 |
Operating lease liabilities | 392,875 | 465,907 |
Finance Leases | ||
Property and equipment, gross | 5,167 | 3,825 |
Amortization of right-of-use assets | (2,293) | (1,317) |
Property and equipment, net | 2,874 | 2,508 |
Finance lease liabilities | $ 2,822 | $ 2,544 |
Operating Lease, Liability, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List] | ab:LeaseLiability | |
Finance Lease, Liability, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List] | ab:LeaseLiability |
Leases - Components of Lease Ex
Leases - Components of Lease Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | |
Leases [Abstract] | ||||
Operating lease cost | $ 22,104 | $ 26,181 | $ 67,519 | $ 79,829 |
Financing lease cost: | ||||
Amortization of right-of-use assets | 426 | 355 | 1,329 | 932 |
Interest on lease liabilities | 20 | 20 | 69 | 52 |
Total finance lease cost | 446 | 375 | 1,398 | 984 |
Variable lease cost | 9,342 | 10,588 | 28,652 | 30,337 |
Sublease income | (9,579) | (14,021) | (28,820) | (42,472) |
Net lease cost | $ 22,313 | $ 23,123 | $ 68,749 | $ 68,678 |
Leases - Maturities of Lease Li
Leases - Maturities of Lease Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Sep. 30, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 |
Operating Leases | ||
2020 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2020) | $ 23,969 | |
2021 | 105,599 | |
2022 | 90,515 | |
2023 | 83,095 | |
2024 | 80,057 | |
Thereafter | 43,295 | |
Total lease payments | 426,530 | |
Less interest | (33,655) | |
Present value of lease liabilities | 392,875 | $ 465,907 |
Financing Leases | ||
2020 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2020) | 464 | |
2021 | 1,141 | |
2022 | 757 | |
2023 | 526 | |
2024 | 23 | |
Thereafter | 0 | |
Total lease payments | 2,911 | |
Less interest | (89) | |
Present value of lease liabilities | 2,822 | $ 2,544 |
Total | ||
2020 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2020) | 24,433 | |
2021 | 106,740 | |
2022 | 91,272 | |
2023 | 83,621 | |
2024 | 80,080 | |
Thereafter | 43,295 | |
Total lease payments | $ 429,441 |
Leases - Lease Term and Discoun
Leases - Lease Term and Discount Rate (Details) | Sep. 30, 2020 |
Weighted average remaining lease term (years) | |
Operating leases | 4 years 8 months 26 days |
Finance leases | 2 years 6 months 21 days |
Weighted average discount rate | |
Operating leases | 3.51% |
Finance leases | 2.67% |
Leases - Supplemental Cash Flow
Leases - Supplemental Cash Flow (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 9 Months Ended | |
Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | |
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: | ||
Operating cash flows used for operating leases | $ 86,452 | $ 99,490 |
Operating cash flows used for financing leases | 69 | 52 |
Financing cash flows from finance leases | 1,418 | 901 |
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: | ||
Operating leases | 2,369 | 10,565 |
Finance leases | $ 1,695 | $ 1,080 |
Consolidated Company-Sponsore_3
Consolidated Company-Sponsored Investment Funds - Summary of Balance Sheet Amounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Sep. 30, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 |
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items] | ||
Other assets | $ 292,024 | $ 330,943 |
Total assets | 9,319,932 | 8,706,092 |
Liabilities | 5,325,111 | 4,363,430 |
Redeemable non-controlling interest | 56,990 | 325,561 |
Partners' capital attributable to AB Unitholders | 3,937,831 | 4,017,101 |
Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interest and capital | 9,319,932 | 8,706,092 |
Company-sponsored investment funds | ||
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items] | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | 29,207 | 11,433 |
Investments | 228,176 | 581,004 |
Other assets | 13,726 | 19,810 |
Redeemable non-controlling interest | 56,990 | 325,561 |
Reportable entities | Company-sponsored investment funds | ||
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items] | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | 29,207 | 11,433 |
Investments | 228,176 | 581,004 |
Other assets | 13,726 | 19,810 |
Total assets | 271,109 | 612,247 |
Liabilities | 29,891 | 31,017 |
Redeemable non-controlling interest | 56,990 | 325,561 |
Partners' capital attributable to AB Unitholders | 184,228 | 255,669 |
Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interest and capital | 271,109 | 612,247 |
Reportable entities | VIEs | ||
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items] | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | 27,379 | 9,623 |
Investments | 137,727 | 404,624 |
Other assets | 3,951 | 9,618 |
Total assets | 169,057 | 423,865 |
Liabilities | 6,521 | 12,147 |
Redeemable non-controlling interest | 38,733 | 273,219 |
Partners' capital attributable to AB Unitholders | 123,803 | 138,499 |
Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interest and capital | 169,057 | 423,865 |
Reportable entities | VOEs | ||
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items] | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | 1,828 | 1,810 |
Investments | 90,449 | 176,380 |
Other assets | 9,775 | 10,192 |
Total assets | 102,052 | 188,382 |
Liabilities | 23,370 | 18,870 |
Redeemable non-controlling interest | 18,257 | 52,342 |
Partners' capital attributable to AB Unitholders | 60,425 | 117,170 |
Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interest and capital | $ 102,052 | $ 188,382 |
Consolidated Company-Sponsore_4
Consolidated Company-Sponsored Investment Funds - Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Sep. 30, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 |
Recurring | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Derivatives | $ 26,670 | $ 13,491 |
Derivatives | 28,230 | 19,259 |
Total liabilities measured at fair value | 71,936 | 72,327 |
Recurring | Level 1 | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Investments | 162,159 | 183,760 |
Derivatives | 317 | 939 |
Total assets measured at fair value | 294,090 | 311,100 |
Derivatives | 223 | 871 |
Total liabilities measured at fair value | 14,206 | 31,028 |
Recurring | Level 2 | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Investments | 22,096 | 8,952 |
Derivatives | 26,353 | 12,552 |
Total assets measured at fair value | 1,917,340 | 1,116,370 |
Derivatives | 28,007 | 18,388 |
Total liabilities measured at fair value | 28,007 | 18,388 |
Recurring | Level 3 | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Investments | 121 | 119 |
Derivatives | 0 | 0 |
Total assets measured at fair value | 121 | 119 |
Derivatives | 0 | 0 |
Total liabilities measured at fair value | 29,723 | 22,911 |
Company-sponsored investment funds | Recurring | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Total assets measured at fair value | 233,049 | 590,176 |
Total liabilities measured at fair value | 5,546 | 9,642 |
Company-sponsored investment funds | Recurring | Level 1 | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Total assets measured at fair value | 19,387 | 132,554 |
Total liabilities measured at fair value | 300 | 936 |
Company-sponsored investment funds | Recurring | Level 2 | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Total assets measured at fair value | 213,065 | 456,768 |
Total liabilities measured at fair value | 5,246 | 8,706 |
Company-sponsored investment funds | Recurring | Level 3 | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Total assets measured at fair value | 597 | 854 |
Total liabilities measured at fair value | 0 | 0 |
VIEs | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Derivatives | 1,299 | 4,833 |
Derivatives | 4,391 | 4,559 |
VIEs | Recurring | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Investments | 137,727 | 404,624 |
Derivatives | 1,299 | 4,833 |
Derivatives | 4,391 | 4,559 |
VIEs | Recurring | Level 1 | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Investments | 17,386 | 28,270 |
Derivatives | 199 | 139 |
Derivatives | 284 | 835 |
VIEs | Recurring | Level 2 | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Investments | 119,822 | 375,559 |
Derivatives | 1,100 | 4,694 |
Derivatives | 4,107 | 3,724 |
VIEs | Recurring | Level 3 | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Investments | 519 | 795 |
Derivatives | 0 | 0 |
Derivatives | 0 | 0 |
VOEs | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Derivatives | 3,574 | 4,339 |
Derivatives | 1,155 | 5,083 |
VOEs | Recurring | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Investments | 90,449 | 176,380 |
Derivatives | 3,574 | 4,339 |
Derivatives | 1,155 | 5,083 |
VOEs | Recurring | Level 1 | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Investments | 1,791 | 104,069 |
Derivatives | 11 | 76 |
Derivatives | 16 | 101 |
VOEs | Recurring | Level 2 | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Investments | 88,580 | 72,252 |
Derivatives | 3,563 | 4,263 |
Derivatives | 1,139 | 4,982 |
VOEs | Recurring | Level 3 | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Investments | 78 | 59 |
Derivatives | 0 | 0 |
Derivatives | $ 0 | $ 0 |
Consolidated Company-Sponsore_5
Consolidated Company-Sponsored Investment Funds (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||||
Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | Jun. 30, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Derivative [Line Items] | ||||||
Gains (losses) on derivative instruments | $ (14,090) | $ (115) | $ (15,437) | $ (28,997) | ||
Cash collateral payable to trade counterparties | 1,000 | 1,000 | $ 300 | |||
Cash collateral received | 3,600 | 3,600 | 4,300 | |||
Maximum risk of loss in investment in VIEs | 6,700 | 6,700 | ||||
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary | ||||||
Derivative [Line Items] | ||||||
Net assets | 68,900,000 | 68,900,000 | ||||
VIEs | ||||||
Derivative [Line Items] | ||||||
Futures, forwards and swaps held | 3,100 | 3,100 | 300 | |||
Gains (losses) on derivative instruments | 600 | 600 | (100) | 3,300 | ||
Cash Collateral payable to trade counterparties including amounts that exceed fair value of assets | 300 | 300 | ||||
Cash collateral payable to trade counterparties | 301 | 301 | 1,631 | |||
Cash collateral received | 3,700 | 3,700 | 3,200 | |||
VOEs | ||||||
Derivative [Line Items] | ||||||
Futures, forwards and swaps held | 2,400 | 2,400 | 700 | |||
Gains (losses) on derivative instruments | (1,300) | $ 1,000 | (2,200) | $ 500 | ||
Cash Collateral payable to trade counterparties including amounts that exceed fair value of assets | 1,000 | 1,000 | ||||
Cash collateral payable to trade counterparties | 985 | 985 | 534 | |||
Cash collateral received | $ 1,500 | $ 1,500 | $ 1,200 | |||
Seed capital | ||||||
Derivative [Line Items] | ||||||
Seed investment, deconsolidated amount | $ 59,000 |
Consolidated Company-Sponsore_6
Consolidated Company-Sponsored Investment Funds - Change in Carrying Value Associated with Level 3 Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | |
Fair value measurement Level 3 reconciliation [Abstract] | ||||
Balance as of beginning of period | $ 114 | $ 117 | $ 119 | $ 142 |
Purchases | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Sales | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Realized gains (losses), net | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Unrealized gains (losses), net | 7 | 1 | 2 | (24) |
Balance as of end of period | 121 | 118 | 121 | 118 |
Company-sponsored investment funds | ||||
Fair value measurement Level 3 reconciliation [Abstract] | ||||
Balance as of beginning of period | 517 | 11,834 | 854 | 8,373 |
Deconsolidated funds | 0 | 0 | (135) | 0 |
Transfers (out) in | (6) | (3,602) | 565 | (3,788) |
Purchases | 61 | 1,187 | 107 | 8,978 |
Sales | (7) | (2,996) | (451) | (7,345) |
Realized gains (losses), net | (7) | 12 | (21) | 35 |
Unrealized gains (losses), net | 39 | (40) | (323) | 129 |
Accrued discounts | 0 | 6 | 1 | 19 |
Balance as of end of period | $ 597 | $ 6,401 | $ 597 | $ 6,401 |
Consolidated Company-Sponsore_7
Consolidated Company-Sponsored Investment Funds - Offsetting of Derivative Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Sep. 30, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 |
Derivative Asset [Abstract] | ||
Cash Collateral Received | $ (1,000) | $ (300) |
VIEs | ||
Derivative Asset [Abstract] | ||
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets | 1,299 | 4,833 |
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition | 0 | 0 |
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition | 1,299 | 4,833 |
Financial Instruments | 0 | 0 |
Cash Collateral Received | (301) | (1,631) |
Net Amount | 998 | 3,202 |
Derivative Liability [Abstract] | ||
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities | 4,391 | 4,559 |
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition | 0 | 0 |
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition | 4,391 | 4,559 |
Financial Instruments | 0 | 0 |
Cash Collateral Pledged | (3,697) | (3,155) |
Net Amount | 694 | 1,404 |
VOEs | ||
Derivative Asset [Abstract] | ||
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets | 3,574 | 4,339 |
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition | 0 | 0 |
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition | 3,574 | 4,339 |
Financial Instruments | 0 | 0 |
Cash Collateral Received | (985) | (534) |
Net Amount | 2,589 | 3,805 |
Derivative Liability [Abstract] | ||
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities | 1,155 | 5,083 |
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition | 0 | 0 |
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition | 1,155 | 5,083 |
Financial Instruments | 0 | 0 |
Cash Collateral Pledged | (1,155) | (1,201) |
Net Amount | 0 | $ 3,882 |
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary | ||
Derivative [Line Items] | ||
Net assets | $ 68,900,000 |
Units Outstanding (Details)
Units Outstanding (Details) - shares | 9 Months Ended | |
Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | |
Units Outstanding | ||
Outstanding as of December 31, 2019 (in units) | 270,380,314 | |
Options exercised (in units) | 5,182 | 400,000 |
Units issued (in units) | 422,703 | |
Units retired (in units) | (2,446,115) | |
Balance as of June 30, 2020 (in units) | 268,362,084 | |
Limited Partners Capital Account Units | ||
Units Outstanding | ||
Units retired (in units) | (700) |
Debt (Details)
Debt (Details) | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |
Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)line_of_creditfinancial_institution | Dec. 31, 2019USD ($) | Sep. 01, 2020USD ($) | |
Line of Credit | |||
Short-term Debt [Line Items] | |||
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity | $ 800,000,000 | ||
Maximum incremental increase | 200,000,000 | ||
Amount outstanding | $ 0 | $ 0 | |
Commercial Paper | |||
Short-term Debt [Line Items] | |||
Weighted average interest rates on average daily borrowings | 0.50% | 2.60% | |
Short-term debt | $ 0 | $ 0 | |
Debt instrument, term | 317 days | ||
Short-term debt, average outstanding amount | $ 85,200,000 | $ 438,600,000 | |
Uncommited Lines of Credit | |||
Short-term Debt [Line Items] | |||
Weighted average interest rates | 1.30% | 1.90% | |
Short-term debt | $ 0 | $ 0 | |
Short-term debt, average outstanding amount | 1,200,000 | 1,900,000 | |
EQH | |||
Short-term Debt [Line Items] | |||
Amount outstanding | $ 300,000,000 | $ 560,000,000 | |
Weighted average interest rates | 0.20% | 1.60% | |
Average borrowing period | 57 days | ||
Average daily borrowings | $ 503,400,000 | $ 358,600,000 | |
Weighted average interest rates on average daily borrowings | 0.60% | 1.60% | |
Revolving Credit Facility | |||
Short-term Debt [Line Items] | |||
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity | $ 200,000,000 | ||
Revolving Credit Facility | EQH | |||
Short-term Debt [Line Items] | |||
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity | 900,000,000 | ||
Revolving Credit Facility | Line of Credit | |||
Short-term Debt [Line Items] | |||
Amount outstanding | $ 0 | $ 0 | |
Weighted average interest rates | 1.50% | 3.20% | |
Average daily borrowings | $ 14,000,000 | $ 23,500,000 | |
Revolving Credit Facility | EQH Uncommitted Facility | |||
Short-term Debt [Line Items] | |||
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity | $ 300,000,000 | ||
Amount outstanding | 0 | ||
(Repayment) of EQH Facility | 0 | ||
Subsidiaries | Line of Credit | |||
Short-term Debt [Line Items] | |||
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity | $ 175,000,000 | ||
Number of uncommitted lines of credit | line_of_credit | 3 | ||
Number of financial institutions offering lines of credit | financial_institution | 3 | ||
Number of financial institutions with stated limits | line_of_credit | 2 |
Non-controlling Interests (Deta
Non-controlling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | |||
Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items] | |||||
Non-redeemable non-controlling interests | $ 0 | $ 18 | $ 0 | $ 92 | |
Redeemable non-controlling interests: | |||||
Total non-controlling interest in net income | 81 | 4,145 | (4,550) | 22,018 | |
Redeemable non-controlling interest | 56,990 | 56,990 | $ 325,561 | ||
Other | |||||
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items] | |||||
Non-redeemable non-controlling interests | 0 | 18 | 0 | 92 | |
Company-sponsored investment funds | |||||
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items] | |||||
Non-redeemable non-controlling interests | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Redeemable non-controlling interests: | |||||
Consolidated company-sponsored investment funds | 81 | $ 4,127 | (4,550) | $ 21,926 | |
Redeemable non-controlling interest | $ 56,990 | $ 56,990 | $ 325,561 |
Related Party Master Repurcha_2
Related Party Master Repurchase Agreement (Details) - USD ($) | Apr. 28, 2020 | May 31, 2020 | Apr. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2020 |
Subsequent Event [Line Items] | ||||
Proceeds from collection of long-term loans to related parties | $ 30,000,000 | |||
Notes receivable, related parties | $ 30,000,000 | $ 0 | ||
Private Investment Fund Credit Agreement | ||||
Subsequent Event [Line Items] | ||||
Loans receivable, related party | $ 125,000,000 |