UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED
SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number: 811-10573
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
1345 Avenue
of the Americas, New York, New York 10105
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Stephen M. Woetzel
AllianceBernstein L.P.
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (800) 221-5672
Date of fiscal year end: October 31, 2024
Date of reporting period: April 30, 2024
ITEM 1. |
REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS. |
APR 04.30.24
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN
NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND
(NYSE: AFB)
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Investment Products Offered |
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Are Not FDIC Insured May Lose Value Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
You may obtain a description of the Funds proxy voting policies and procedures, and information regarding how
the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge. Simply visit ABs website at www.abfunds.com, or go to the Securities and
Exchange Commissions (the Commission) website at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800) 227 4618.
The Fund files its
complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds Form N-PORT reports are available on the Commissions website at
www.sec.gov.
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. (ABI) is the distributor of the AB family of mutual funds. ABI is a member of FINRA and
is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P., the Adviser of the funds.
The [A/B] logo is a registered service mark of AllianceBernstein
and AllianceBernstein® is a registered service mark used by permission of the owner, AllianceBernstein L.P.
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FROM THE PRESIDENT |
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Dear Shareholder,
Were pleased to provide
this report for the AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (the Fund). Please review the discussion of Fund performance, the market conditions during the reporting period and the Funds investment strategy.
At AB, were striving to help our clients achieve better outcomes by:
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Fostering diverse perspectives that give us a distinctive approach to navigating global capital markets
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Applying differentiated investment insights through a connected global research network |
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Embracing innovation to design better ways to invest and leading-edge mutual-fund solutions |
Whether youre an individual investor or a multibillion-dollar institution, were putting our knowledge and experience to work for you every day.
For more information about ABs comprehensive range of products and shareholder resources, please log on to www.abfunds.com.
Thank you for your investment in AB mutual fundsand for placing your trust in our firm.
Sincerely,
Onur Erzan
President and Chief Executive
Officer, AB Mutual Funds
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ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND | 1 |
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
June 27, 2024
This report provides managements discussion of fund performance for the AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund, Inc., for the semi-annual reporting
period ended April 30, 2024. The Fund is a closed-end fund, and its shares are listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
The Fund seeks to provide high current income exempt from regular federal income tax by investing substantially all of its net
assets in municipal securities that pay interest that is exempt from federal income tax.
RETURNS AS OF APRIL 30, 2024 (unaudited)
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6 Months |
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12 Months |
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ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND (NAV) |
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14.63% |
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2.16% |
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Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index |
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7.06% |
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2.08% |
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The Funds market price per share on April 30, 2024, was $10.49. The Funds NAV price per share on April 30, 2024, was
$12.20. For additional Financial Highlights, please see pages 45-46.
INVESTMENT RESULTS
The table above shows the Funds performance compared with its benchmark, the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index, for the six- and 12-month periods ended April 30, 2024.
For the six-month period, the Fund outperformed the benchmark. Sector allocation, security selection, yield-curve positioning and the Funds duration overweight contributed to performance, relative to the benchmark.
Relative overweights in state general obligation and not-for-profit health care were the two largest sector contributors, while an overweight to guaranteed bonds
detracted.
For the 12-month period, the Fund outperformed the benchmark. Sector allocation, security selection and
yield-curve positioning contributed to performance, while the Funds duration overweight detracted from performance. Relative overweights in charter schools and
not-for-profit health care were the two largest sector contributors, while an overweight to prerefunded bonds detracted.
Leverage, achieved through the usage of tender option bond (TOB) and variable-rate municipal term preferred shares, added to total return over the six-month period, and detracted over the 12-month period as bond yields rose.
The Fund
did not use derivatives during either period.
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2 | ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME
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MARKET REVIEW AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY
For the six-month period ended April 30, 2024, the yield on a 10-Year 5% coupon AAA
municipal bond fell to 2.81% from 3.61% and the yield on the 10-Year US Treasury fell to 4.69% from 4.92%. After-tax spreads tightened materially across the curve
indicating municipals became expensive relative to Treasuries. Performance was particularly strong for the first two months of this period however worries about a reacceleration of inflation during the subsequent 4 months of the reporting period
dampened the overall return.
The Funds Senior Investment Management Team (the Team) continues to focus on real
after-tax return by investing in municipal bonds that generate income exempt from federal income taxes. The Team relies on an investment process that combines quantitative and fundamental research to build
effective bond portfolios.
The Fund may purchase municipal securities that are insured under policies issued by certain insurance companies. Historically, insured
municipal securities typically received a higher credit rating, which meant that the issuer of the securities paid a lower interest rate. As a result of declines in the credit quality and associated downgrades of most bond insurers, insurance has
less value than it did in the past. The market now values insured municipal securities primarily based on the credit quality of the issuer of the security, with little value given to the insurance feature. In purchasing such insured securities, the
Adviser evaluates the risk and return of municipal securities through its own research. If an insurance companys rating is downgraded or the company becomes insolvent, the prices of municipal securities insured by the insurance company may
decline. As of April 30, 2024, the Funds percentages of investments in municipal bonds that are insured and in insured municipal bonds that have been pre-refunded or escrowed to maturity were 12.16%
and 0.00%, respectively.
INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Fund will normally invest at least 80%, and normally substantially all, of its net assets in municipal
securities paying interest that is exempt from regular federal income tax. The Fund also normally will invest at least 75% of its assets in investment-grade municipal securities or unrated municipal securities considered to be of comparable quality.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in municipal bonds rated below investment-grade and unrated municipal bonds considered to be of comparable quality as determined by the Adviser. The Fund intends to invest primarily in municipal
securities that pay interest that is not subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT), but may invest without limit in municipal securities paying interest that is subject to the federal AMT. For more information regarding the
Funds risks, please see Disclosures and Risks on pages 4-9 and Note GRisks Involved in Investing in the Fund of the Notes to Financial Statements on pages 39-44.
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ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND | 3 |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS
AllianceBernstein National Municipal
Income Fund
Shareholder Information
Weekly comparative net
asset value (NAV) and market price information about the Fund is published each Saturday in Barrons and in other newspapers in a table called Closed-End
Funds. Daily NAVs and market price information, and additional information regarding the Fund, is available at www.abfunds.com and www.nyse.com. For additional shareholder information regarding this Fund, please see pages 47-48.
Benchmark Disclosure
The Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index is unmanaged and does not reflect fees and expenses associated with the active management of a mutual fund portfolio. The
Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index represents the performance of the long-term tax-exempt bond market consisting of investment-grade bonds. In addition, the Index does not reflect the use of leverage, whereas the
Fund utilizes leverage. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and its results are not indicative of the performance for any specific investment, including the Fund.
A Word About Risk
Among the risks of investing in the Fund are changes in
the general level of interest rates or changes in bond credit quality ratings. Changes in interest rates have a greater effect on bonds with longer maturities than on those with shorter maturities. Please note, as interest rates rise, existing bond
prices fall and can cause the value of your investment in the Fund to decline. While the Fund invests principally in bonds and other fixed-income securities, in order to achieve its investment objectives, the Fund may at times use certain types of
investment derivatives, such as options, futures, forwards and swaps. These instruments involve risks different from, and in certain cases, greater than, the risks presented by more traditional investments. At the discretion of the Funds
Adviser, the Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in municipal bonds that are rated below investment-grade (i.e., junk bonds). These securities involve greater volatility and risk than higher-quality fixed-income securities.
Financing and Related Transactions; Leverage and Other Risks: The Fund utilizes leverage to seek to enhance the yield and NAV attributable to its common stock.
These objectives may not be achieved in all interest-rate environments. Leverage creates certain risks for holders of common stock, including the likelihood of greater volatility of the NAV and market price of the common stock. If income from the
securities purchased from the funds made available by leverage is not sufficient to cover the cost of leverage, the Funds return will be less than if leverage had not been used.
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4 | ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME
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DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
As a result, the
amounts available for distribution to common stockholders as dividends and other distributions will be reduced. During periods of rising short-term interest rates, the interest paid on the preferred shares or floaters in TOB transactions would
increase, which may adversely affect the Funds income and distribution to common stockholders. A decline in distributions would adversely affect the Funds yield and possibly the market value of its shares. If rising short-term rates
coincide with a period of rising long-term rates, the value of the long-term municipal bonds purchased with the proceeds of leverage would decline, adversely affecting the NAV attributable to the Funds common stock and possibly the market
value of the shares.
The Funds outstanding Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares result in leverage. The Fund may also use other types of financial
leverage, including TOB transactions, either in combination with, or in lieu of, the preferred shares. In a TOB transaction, the Fund may transfer a highly rated fixed-rate municipal security into a special purpose entity (typically, a trust). The
Fund receives cash and a residual interest security (sometimes referred to as an inverse floater) issued by the trust in return. The trust simultaneously issues securities, which pay an interest rate that is reset each week based on an
index of high-grade short-term [seven-day] demand notes. These securities, sometimes referred to as floaters, are bought by third parties, including
tax-exempt money market funds, and can be tendered by these holders to a liquidity provider at par, unless certain events occur. The Fund continues to earn all the interest from the transferred bond less the
amount of interest paid on the floaters and the expenses of the trust, which include payments to the trustee and the liquidity provider and organizational costs. The Fund also uses the cash received from the transaction for investment purposes or to
retire other forms of leverage. Under certain circumstances, the trust may be terminated and collapsed, either by the Fund or upon the occurrence of certain events, such as a downgrade in the credit quality of the underlying bond, or in the event
holders of the floaters tender their securities to the liquidity provider. See Note H to the financial statements for more information about TOB transactions.
The
use of derivative instruments by the Fund, such as forwards, futures, options and swaps, may also result in a form of leverage.
Because the advisory fees received
by the Adviser are based on the total net assets of the Fund (including assets supported by the proceeds of the Funds outstanding preferred shares), the Adviser has a financial incentive for the Fund to keep its preferred shares outstanding,
which may create a conflict of interest between the Adviser and the common shareholders of the Fund.
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ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND | 5 |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
Tax Risk:
There is no guarantee that the income on the Funds municipal securities will be exempt from regular federal income and state income taxes. Unfavorable legislation, adverse interpretations by federal or state authorities, litigation or
noncompliant conduct by the issuer of a municipal security could affect the tax-exempt status of municipal securities. If the Internal Revenue Service or a state authority determines that an issuer of a
municipal security has not complied with applicable requirements, interest from the security could become subject to regular federal income tax and/or state personal income tax, possibly retroactively to the date the security was issued, the value
of the security could decline significantly, and a portion of the distributions to Fund shareholders could be recharacterized as taxable. Recent federal legislation included reductions in tax rates for individuals, with relatively larger reductions
in tax rates for corporations. These tax rate reductions may reduce the demand for municipal bonds which could reduce the value of municipal bonds held by the Fund.
Market Risk: The market value of a security may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. These fluctuations may cause a security to be worth less
than the price originally paid for it, or less than it was worth at an earlier time. Market risk may affect a single issuer, industry, sector of the economy or the market as a whole. Global economies and financial markets are increasingly
interconnected, which increases the probabilities that conditions in one country or region might adversely impact issuers in a different country or region. Conditions affecting the general economy, including political, social, or economic
instability at the local, regional, or global level may also affect the market value of a security. Health crises, such as pandemic and epidemic diseases, as well as other incidents that interrupt the expected course of events, such as natural
disasters, including fires, earthquakes and flooding, war or civil disturbance, acts of terrorism, power outages and other unforeseeable and external events, and the public response to or fear of such diseases or events, have had, and may in the
future have, an adverse effect on the Funds investments and NAV and can lead to increased market volatility. For example, the diseases or events themselves or any preventative or protective actions that governments may take in respect of such
diseases or events may result in periods of business disruption, inability to obtain raw materials, supplies and component parts, and reduced or disrupted operations for issuers of securities held by the Fund. The occurrence and pendency of such
diseases or events could adversely affect the economies and financial markets either in specific countries or worldwide.
Municipal Market Risk: This is the
risk that special factors may adversely affect the value of municipal securities and have a significant effect on the yield or value of the Funds investments in municipal securities. These factors include economic conditions, political or
legislative changes, public
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6 | ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME
FUND |
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DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
health crises,
uncertainties related to the tax status of municipal securities, and the rights of investors in these securities. To the extent that the Fund invests more of its assets in a particular states municipal securities, the Fund may be vulnerable to
events adversely affecting that state, including economic, political and regulatory occurrences, court decisions, terrorism, public health crises (including the occurrence of a contagious disease or illness) and catastrophic natural disasters, such
as hurricanes, fires or earthquakes. The Funds investments in certain municipal securities with principal and interest payments that are made from the revenues of a specific project or facility, and not general tax revenues, may have increased
risks. Factors affecting the project or facility, such as local business or economic conditions, could have a significant effect on the projects ability to make payments of principal and interest on these securities.
Credit Risk: An issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or the counterparty to a derivatives or other contract, may be unable or unwilling to make timely
payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The issuer or guarantor may default, causing a loss of the full principal amount of a security and accrued interest. The degree of risk for a particular security may be
reflected in its credit rating. There is the possibility that the credit rating of a fixed-income security may be downgraded after purchase, which may adversely affect the value of the security. Investments in fixed-income securities with lower
ratings tend to have a higher probability that an issuer will default or fail to meet its payment obligations.
Interest-Rate Risk: Changes in interest rates
will affect the value of investments in fixed-income securities. When interest rates rise, the value of existing investments in fixed-income securities tends to fall and this decrease in value may not be offset by higher income from new investments.
Interest-rate risk is generally greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations. The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates than would normally be the case due to the recent end of a period of
historically low rates and the effect of potential central bank monetary policy, and government fiscal policy, initiatives and resulting market reactions to those initiatives.
Inflation Risk: This is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As
inflation increases, the value of the Funds assets can decline as can the value of the Funds distributions. This risk is significantly greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities.
Derivatives Risk: The Fund may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be difficult to price or unwind
and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Fund. A short position in a derivative instrument
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ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND | 7 |
DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
involves the risk of
a theoretically unlimited increase in the value of the underlying asset, which could cause the Fund to suffer a potentially unlimited loss. Derivatives, especially
over-the-counter derivatives, are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the counterparty (the party on the other side of the transaction) on a
derivative transaction will be unable or unwilling to honor its contractual obligations to the Fund. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of
assets and liabilities.
Illiquid Investments Risk: Illiquid investments risk exists when particular investments are or become difficult to purchase or sell,
possibly preventing the Fund from selling out of these securities at an advantageous price. Causes of illiquid investments risk may include low trading volumes, large positions and heavy redemptions of Fund shares. Illiquid investments risk may be
magnified in a rising interest-rate environment, when the value and liquidity of fixed-income securities generally decline. Derivatives and securities involving substantial market and credit risk tend to involve greater illiquid investments risk
than most other types of investments. The Fund is subject to illiquid investments risk because the market for municipal securities is generally smaller than many other markets, which may make municipal securities more difficult to trade than other
types of securities. Illiquid securities may also be difficult to value.
Duration Risk: Duration is a measure that relates the expected price volatility of
a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. The duration of a fixed-income security may be shorter than or equal to the full maturity of a fixed-income security. Fixed-income securities with longer durations have more risk and will
decrease in price as interest rates rise.
Management Risk: The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed investment fund. The
Adviser will apply its investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions, but there is no guarantee that its techniques will produce the intended results. Some of these techniques may incorporate, or rely upon, quantitative
models, but there is no guarantee that these models will generate accurate forecasts, reduce risk or otherwise perform as expected.
These risks are fully discussed
in the Funds prospectus. As with all investments, you may lose money by investing in the Fund.
An Important Note About Historical Performance
The performance shown in this report represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the
performance information shown. All fees and expenses related to the operation of the Fund have been
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8 | ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME
FUND |
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DISCLOSURES AND RISKS (continued)
deducted.
Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes. Historical performance does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the sale of fund shares and assumes the
reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions at prices obtained pursuant to the Funds dividend reinvestment plan.
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ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND | 9 |
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS AS OF
APRIL 30, 2024 (unaudited)
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NAV Returns |
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Market Price |
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1 Year |
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2.16% |
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1.14% |
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5 Years |
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0.44% |
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-0.02% |
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10 Years |
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3.19% |
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1.96% |
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AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS
AS OF THE MOST
RECENT CALENDAR QUARTER-END
MARCH 31, 2024 (unaudited)
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NAV Returns |
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Market Price |
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1 Year |
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4.49% |
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4.20% |
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5 Years |
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1.08% |
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0.97% |
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10 Years |
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3.66% |
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2.85% |
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Performance assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions at prices obtained pursuant to the Funds dividend
reinvestment plan.
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10 | ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME
FUND |
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PORTFOLIO SUMMARY
April 30, 2024 (unaudited)
PORTFOLIO STATISTICS
Net Assets ($mil): $350.6
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The Funds quality rating breakdown is expressed as a percentage of the Funds total investments in municipal
securities and may vary over time. The quality ratings are determined by using the S&P Global Ratings (S&P), Moodys Investors Services, Inc. (Moodys) and Fitch Ratings, Ltd. (Fitch). A measure
of the quality and safety of a bond or portfolio, based on the issuers financial condition. AAA is highest (best) and D is lowest (worst). If applicable, the pre-refunded category includes bonds which
are secured by U.S. Government Securities and therefore have been deemed high-quality investment grade by the Adviser. If applicable, Not Applicable (N/A) includes non-creditworthy investments such as
equities, currency contracts, futures and options. If applicable, the Not Rated category includes bonds that are not rated by a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization. The Adviser evaluates the creditworthiness of non-rated securities based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, cash flows, enterprise value and economic environment. |
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ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND | 11 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
April 30, 2024 (unaudited)
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Principal Amount (000) |
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U.S. $ Value |
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MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS 162.3% |
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Long-Term Municipal Bonds 162.3% |
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Alabama 0.9% |
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County of Jefferson AL Sewer Revenue Series 2024 5.25%, 10/01/2049 |
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$ |
3,000 |
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$ |
3,154,070 |
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Alaska 0.3% |
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Municipality of Anchorage AK Solid Waste Services Revenue Series
2022-A 5.25%, 11/01/2062 |
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1,000 |
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1,045,774 |
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Arizona 3.2% |
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Arizona Industrial Development Authority (Heritage Academy Laveen & Gateway Obligated Group)
Series 2021 5.00%, 07/01/2051(a) |
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1,000 |
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863,072 |
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Salt Verde Financial Corp. (Citigroup, Inc.) Series 2007 5.00%, 12/01/2032 |
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1,200 |
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1,261,810 |
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5.00%, 12/01/2037 |
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8,700 |
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9,244,127 |
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11,369,009 |
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Arkansas 0.6% |
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Pulaski County Public Facilities Board (Baptist Health Obligated Group) Series 2014 5.00%,
12/01/2042 |
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2,000 |
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2,000,741 |
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California 8.5% |
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Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority Series 2022-A
5.40%, 10/01/2050(b) |
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10,000 |
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5,263,416 |
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AGM Series 2024-A Zero Coupon, 10/01/2052 |
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6,500 |
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1,650,644 |
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Zero Coupon, 10/01/2053 |
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6,000 |
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1,439,465 |
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California Pollution Control Financing Authority (Poseidon Resources Channelside LP) Series 2012
5.00%, 07/01/2037(a) |
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3,075 |
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3,076,360 |
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California Statewide Communities Development Authority (Enloe Medical Center Obligated Group) AGM
Series 2022-A 5.375%, 08/15/2057 |
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2,000 |
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2,136,145 |
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12 | ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME
FUND |
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PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
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Principal Amount (000) |
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U.S. $ Value |
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California Statewide Communities Development Authority (Loma Linda University Medical Center) Series
2016-A 5.00%, 12/01/2036(a) |
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$ |
800 |
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$ |
810,801 |
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5.25%, 12/01/2056(a) |
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2,000 |
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2,009,026 |
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Long Beach Bond Finance Authority (Bank of America Corp.) Series
2007-A 5.50%, 11/15/2037 |
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2,000 |
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2,237,997 |
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M-S-R Energy
Authority (Citigroup, Inc.) Series 2009-A 6.50%, 11/01/2039 |
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2,000 |
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2,494,462 |
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Series 2009-C 6.50%, 11/01/2039 |
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2,000 |
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2,494,462 |
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Southern California Public Power Authority (Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)) Series 2007-A 5.00%, 11/01/2033 |
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3,335 |
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3,501,671 |
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Washington Township Health Care District AGM Series 2023-B
4.50%, 08/01/2053 |
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2,625 |
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2,659,052 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,773,501 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Colorado 3.3% |
|
Colorado Health Facilities Authority (CommonSpirit Health) Series
2019-A 5.00%, 08/01/2044 |
|
|
705 |
|
|
|
724,454 |
|
Public Authority for Colorado Energy (Bank of America Corp.) Series 2008 6.50%,
11/15/2038 |
|
|
8,975 |
|
|
|
10,828,745 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,553,199 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Connecticut 0.3% |
|
Connecticut State Health & Educational Facilities Authority (University of Hartford (The))
Series 2019 4.00%, 07/01/2049 |
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
1,089,651 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Florida 9.4% |
|
County of Miami-Dade FL Series 2021 4.00%, 07/01/2050 |
|
|
6,355 |
|
|
|
5,876,443 |
|
Florida Development Finance Corp. (Brightline Trains Florida LLC) AGM Series 2024 5.25%,
07/01/2053(c) |
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
2,082,883 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
abfunds.com |
|
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND | 13 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Amount (000) |
|
|
U.S. $ Value |
|
|
|
Florida Development Finance Corp. (Cornerstone Charter Academy, Inc. Obligated Group) Series 2022
5.125%, 10/01/2052(a) |
|
$ |
1,000 |
|
|
$ |
940,842 |
|
Florida Development Finance Corp. (Mater Academy, Inc.) Series
2022-A 4.00%, 06/15/2052 |
|
|
3,250 |
|
|
|
2,578,744 |
|
Florida Higher Educational Facilities Financial Authority (Ringling College of Art and Design, Inc.)
Series 2017 5.00%, 03/01/2042 |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
1,003,543 |
|
Lakewood Ranch Stewardship District (Lakewood Ranch Stewardship District Series 2023
Assessment) Series 2023 6.30%, 05/01/2054 |
|
|
990 |
|
|
|
1,029,897 |
|
Miami-Dade County Expressway Authority Series 2014-A 5.00%,
07/01/2044 |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
4,767,244 |
|
Palm Beach County Health Facilities Authority (Baptist Health South Florida Obligated Group) Series
2019 3.00%, 08/15/2044 |
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
|
6,123,003 |
|
School District of Broward County/FL Series 2022 5.00%, 07/01/2046 |
|
|
8,020 |
|
|
|
8,591,791 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32,994,390 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Georgia 3.6% |
|
Augusta Development Authority (WellStar Health System Obligated Group) Series 2018 5.00%,
07/01/2036 |
|
|
4,170 |
|
|
|
4,352,276 |
|
Main Street Natural Gas, Inc. (Citadel LP) Series 2022-C
4.00%, 08/01/2052(a) |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
970,690 |
|
Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia Series 2019 5.00%, 01/01/2038 |
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
102,319 |
|
5.00%, 01/01/2049 |
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
2,021,422 |
|
5.00%, 01/01/2063 |
|
|
3,165 |
|
|
|
3,202,423 |
|
Series 2021 4.00%, 01/01/2046 |
|
|
330 |
|
|
|
295,783 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
14 | ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME
FUND |
|
abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Amount (000) |
|
|
U.S. $ Value |
|
|
|
4.00%, 01/01/2051 |
|
$ |
1,275 |
|
|
$ |
1,122,739 |
|
5.00%, 01/01/2056 |
|
|
650 |
|
|
|
651,785 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,719,437 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Illinois 16.7% |
|
Chicago Board of Education Series 2018-D 5.00%,
12/01/2046 |
|
|
5,005 |
|
|
|
4,905,250 |
|
Chicago OHare International Airport Series 2017-D
5.00%, 01/01/2042 |
|
|
6,500 |
|
|
|
6,576,696 |
|
Series 2022 4.625%, 01/01/2053 |
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
5,871,420 |
|
Illinois Finance Authority (Bradley University) Series
2021-A 4.00%, 08/01/2051 |
|
|
4,750 |
|
|
|
3,977,306 |
|
Illinois Finance Authority (OSF Healthcare System Obligated Group) Series 2015-A 5.00%, 11/15/2045 |
|
|
4,500 |
|
|
|
4,527,679 |
|
Illinois Finance Authority (University of Illinois) Series 2020 4.00%, 10/01/2055 |
|
|
3,565 |
|
|
|
2,900,317 |
|
Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority Series 2017-A
5.00%, 06/15/2057 |
|
|
8,755 |
|
|
|
8,854,835 |
|
State of Illinois Series 2014 5.00%, 04/01/2030 |
|
|
1,655 |
|
|
|
1,656,468 |
|
5.00%, 05/01/2030 |
|
|
1,300 |
|
|
|
1,301,156 |
|
5.00%, 05/01/2033 |
|
|
1,150 |
|
|
|
1,151,069 |
|
5.00%, 02/01/2039 |
|
|
2,400 |
|
|
|
2,401,453 |
|
Series 2017-D 5.00%, 11/01/2028 |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
5,217,756 |
|
Series 2018-A 5.00%, 10/01/2027 |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
1,043,560 |
|
Series 2022-C 5.50%, 10/01/2040 |
|
|
6,250 |
|
|
|
6,889,419 |
|
Village of Elk Grove Village IL Series 2017 5.00%, 01/01/2028 |
|
|
1,060 |
|
|
|
1,107,799 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58,382,183 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indiana 0.8% |
|
Indiana Finance Authority (University of Evansville) Series 2022 5.25%, 09/01/2057 |
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
2,748,344 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
abfunds.com |
|
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND | 15 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Amount (000) |
|
|
U.S. $ Value |
|
|
|
Iowa 1.5% |
|
Iowa Finance Authority (Iowa Fertilizer Co., LLC) Series 2022 5.00%, 12/01/2050 |
|
$ |
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
5,204,901 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Louisiana 4.8% |
|
City of New Orleans LA Series 2021-A 5.00%,
12/01/2046 |
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
15,678,929 |
|
Parish of St. John the Baptist LA (Marathon Oil Corp.) Series 2019 2.10%, 06/01/2037 |
|
|
235 |
|
|
|
233,951 |
|
2.20%, 06/01/2037 |
|
|
950 |
|
|
|
904,270 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,817,150 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maryland 0.6% |
|
Maryland Economic Development Corp. (Maryland Economic Development Corp. Morgan View & Thurgood
Marshall Student Hsg) Series 2022 6.00%, 07/01/2058 |
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
2,178,350 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Massachusetts 6.2% |
|
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Series 2023 5.00%, 05/01/2053 |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
10,630,307 |
|
Series 2023-D 5.00%, 10/01/2053 |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
5,326,938 |
|
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency (Emerson College) Series
2016-A 5.00%, 01/01/2047 |
|
|
5,750 |
|
|
|
5,677,555 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,634,800 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michigan 9.9% |
|
Ann Arbor School District AGM Series 2023 4.00%, 05/01/2042 |
|
|
4,170 |
|
|
|
4,152,747 |
|
City of Detroit MI Series 2020 5.50%, 04/01/2050 |
|
|
1,970 |
|
|
|
2,041,067 |
|
Series 2023-C 6.00%, 05/01/2043 |
|
|
2,300 |
|
|
|
2,545,410 |
|
Detroit City School District AGM Series 2001-A 6.00%,
05/01/2029 |
|
|
7,875 |
|
|
|
8,372,475 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
16 | ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME
FUND |
|
abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Amount (000) |
|
|
U.S. $ Value |
|
|
|
Detroit Downtown Development Authority (Detroit Downtown Development Authority Catalyst Development
Area) AGM Series 2018-A 5.00%, 07/01/2043 |
|
$ |
3,020 |
|
|
$ |
3,019,610 |
|
5.00%, 07/01/2048 |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
9,716,989 |
|
Michigan Finance Authority (Great Lakes Water Authority Water Supply System Revenue) AGM Series 2014-D1 5.00%, 07/01/2035 |
|
|
1,250 |
|
|
|
1,251,950 |
|
Michigan Finance Authority (Public Lighting Authority) Series
2014-B 5.00%, 07/01/2034 |
|
|
2,250 |
|
|
|
2,253,719 |
|
Plymouth Educational Center Charter School Series 2005 5.125%, 11/01/2023(d)(e) |
|
|
2,140 |
|
|
|
1,305,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34,659,367 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minnesota 2.7% |
|
City of Ramsey MN (Pact Charter School) Series 2022-A
5.00%, 06/01/2032 |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
1,003,342 |
|
City of Rochester MN (Mayo Clinic) Series 2018 4.00%, 11/15/2048 |
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
2,887,421 |
|
Duluth Economic Development Authority (Essentia Health Obligated Group) Series 2018 5.00%,
02/15/2053 |
|
|
5,625 |
|
|
|
5,673,116 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,563,879 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nebraska 2.7% |
|
Central Plains Energy Project (Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)) Series 2017-A 5.00%, 09/01/2029 |
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
4,190,559 |
|
5.00%, 09/01/2031 |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
5,260,445 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,451,004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nevada 2.5% |
|
Las Vegas Valley Water District Series 2022-A 4.00%,
06/01/2051 |
|
|
8,645 |
|
|
|
8,068,236 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
abfunds.com |
|
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND | 17 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Amount (000) |
|
|
U.S. $ Value |
|
|
|
State of Nevada Department of Business & Industry (DesertXpress Enterprises LLC) Series
2023 8.125%, 01/01/2050(a) |
|
$ |
695 |
|
|
$ |
713,448 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,781,684 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New Hampshire 2.4% |
|
New Hampshire Business Finance Authority Series 2022-1,
Class A 4.375%, 09/20/2036 |
|
|
2,930 |
|
|
|
2,825,957 |
|
Series 2022-2, Class A 4.00%, 10/20/2036 |
|
|
2,940 |
|
|
|
2,743,683 |
|
New Hampshire Business Finance Authority (Covanta Holding Corp.) Series 2020-A 3.625%, 07/01/2043(a) |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
787,050 |
|
New Hampshire Health and Education Facilities Authority Act (Dartmouth-Hitchcock Obligated Group)
Series 2020-A 5.00%, 08/01/2059 |
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
2,022,322 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,379,012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New Jersey 8.1% |
|
New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NYNJ Link Borrower LLC) Series 2013 5.125%,
01/01/2034 |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
1,000,391 |
|
New Jersey Economic Development Authority (Pre-refunded
US Treasuries) Series 2014-P 5.00%, 06/15/2031 |
|
|
2,500 |
|
|
|
2,502,663 |
|
New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority (New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority
State Lease) Series 2017 5.00%, 10/01/2036 |
|
|
2,500 |
|
|
|
2,597,881 |
|
New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority (RWJ Barnabas Health Obligated Group) Series
2014 5.00%, 07/01/2044 |
|
|
6,450 |
|
|
|
6,453,786 |
|
New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority (New Jersey Transportation Fed Hwy Grant) Series 2016
5.00%, 06/15/2029 |
|
|
4,750 |
|
|
|
4,870,733 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
18 | ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME
FUND |
|
abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Amount (000) |
|
|
U.S. $ Value |
|
|
|
New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority (New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority State
Lease) Series 2019-B 4.00%, 06/15/2037 |
|
$ |
800 |
|
|
$ |
798,463 |
|
South Jersey Transportation Authority Series 2022 4.625%, 11/01/2047 |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
1,001,473 |
|
Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp./NJ Series 2018-A 5.25%,
06/01/2046 |
|
|
8,990 |
|
|
|
9,306,195 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28,531,585 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New York 10.3% |
|
City of New York NY Series 2023 4.125%, 08/01/2053 |
|
|
11,300 |
|
|
|
10,840,383 |
|
5.00%, 08/01/2051 |
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
2,122,623 |
|
Long Island Power Authority Series 2023-E 5.00%,
09/01/2053 |
|
|
3,500 |
|
|
|
3,745,035 |
|
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Pre-refunded US
Govt Agencies) Series 2014-B 5.25%, 11/15/2034 |
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
4,006,650 |
|
New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Revenue Series 2015A-1 5.00%, 08/01/2034 |
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
6,093,660 |
|
5.00%, 08/01/2037 |
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
4,051,699 |
|
New York State Thruway Authority (State of New York Pers Income Tax) Series 2022 4.125%,
03/15/2056 |
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
3,726,434 |
|
Ulster County Capital Resource Corp. (Woodland Pond at New Paltz) Series 2017 5.00%,
09/15/2037 |
|
|
490 |
|
|
|
400,950 |
|
5.25%, 09/15/2042 |
|
|
205 |
|
|
|
161,790 |
|
5.25%, 09/15/2047 |
|
|
355 |
|
|
|
265,957 |
|
5.25%, 09/15/2053 |
|
|
760 |
|
|
|
547,107 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35,962,288 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North Carolina 1.3% |
|
Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority AGM Series 2023 5.25%, 07/01/2053 |
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
4,206,910 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
abfunds.com |
|
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND | 19 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Amount (000) |
|
|
U.S. $ Value |
|
|
|
North Carolina Turnpike Authority AGM Series 2024 Zero Coupon, 01/01/2053 |
|
$ |
1,000 |
|
|
$ |
236,593 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,443,503 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North Dakota 0.7% |
|
City of Grand Forks ND (Altru Health System Obligated Group) AGM Series 2023-A 5.00%, 12/01/2053 |
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
2,037,254 |
|
County of Ward ND (Trinity Health Obligated Group) Series
2017-C 5.00%, 06/01/2043 |
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
450,322 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,487,576 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ohio 3.2% |
|
Buckeye Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority Series
2020-A 4.00%, 06/01/2048 |
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
1,780,840 |
|
City of Chillicothe OH (Adena Health System Obligated Group) Series 2017 5.00%,
12/01/2047 |
|
|
1,800 |
|
|
|
1,815,452 |
|
County of Cuyahoga OH (MetroHealth System (The)) Series 2017 5.00%, 02/15/2052 |
|
|
2,240 |
|
|
|
2,183,193 |
|
5.50%, 02/15/2052 |
|
|
4,585 |
|
|
|
4,640,417 |
|
Ohio Higher Educational Facility Commission (Kenyon College) Series 2020 4.00%,
07/01/2040 |
|
|
730 |
|
|
|
722,881 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,142,783 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oklahoma 2.5% |
|
Oklahoma City Airport Trust Series 2018 5.00%, 07/01/2043 |
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
2,038,036 |
|
5.00%, 07/01/2047 |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
5,056,973 |
|
Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust (Pre-refunded US
Treasuries) BAM Series 2015-A 5.00%, 06/01/2045 |
|
|
1,700 |
|
|
|
1,700,446 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,795,455 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oregon 0.4% |
|
Multnomah County School District No. 40 Series 2023-A
Zero Coupon, 06/15/2051 |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
1,265,005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20 | ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME
FUND |
|
abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Amount (000) |
|
|
U.S. $ Value |
|
|
|
Pennsylvania 7.3% |
|
Allegheny County Hospital Development Authority (Allegheny Health Network Obligated Group) Series 2018-A 5.00%, 04/01/2047 |
|
$ |
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
5,059,955 |
|
Berks County Municipal Authority (The) (Tower Health Obligated Group) Series 2020-B 5.00%, 02/01/2040 |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
639,132 |
|
Bucks County Industrial Development Authority (Grand View Hospital/Sellersville PA Obligated Group)
Series 2021 4.00%, 07/01/2051 |
|
|
2,250 |
|
|
|
1,626,108 |
|
Chester County Industrial Development Authority (Collegium Charter School) Series 2022 6.00%,
10/15/2052(a) |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
1,001,248 |
|
Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of
Transportation) AGM Series 2022 5.75%, 12/31/2062 |
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
8,267,792 |
|
Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority (PA Bridges Finco LP) Series 2015 5.00%,
12/31/2038 |
|
|
1,940 |
|
|
|
1,944,492 |
|
5.00%, 06/30/2042 |
|
|
6,060 |
|
|
|
5,958,836 |
|
Scranton School District/PA BAM Series 2017-E 4.00%,
12/01/2037 |
|
|
1,025 |
|
|
|
993,962 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,491,525 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Puerto Rico 0.2% |
|
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue Series
2019-A 4.329%, 07/01/2040 |
|
|
615 |
|
|
|
600,219 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
South Carolina 5.1% |
|
South Carolina Jobs-Economic Development Authority (Prisma Health Obligated Group) Series 2018-A 5.00%, 05/01/2048 |
|
|
5,900 |
|
|
|
5,946,595 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
abfunds.com |
|
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND | 21 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Amount (000) |
|
|
U.S. $ Value |
|
|
|
South Carolina Ports Authority (Pre-refunded US
Treasuries) Series 2015 5.00%, 07/01/2045 |
|
$ |
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
5,066,886 |
|
South Carolina Public Service Authority Series 2016-B
5.00%, 12/01/2041 |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
5,062,716 |
|
Series 2022 3.00%, 12/01/2046 |
|
|
1,132 |
|
|
|
775,695 |
|
3.00%, 12/01/2049 |
|
|
1,566 |
|
|
|
1,029,322 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,881,214 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
South Dakota 0.2% |
|
County of Lincoln SD (Augustana College Association/SD) Series 2021 4.00%, 08/01/2061 |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
757,955 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tennessee 0.1% |
|
Chattanooga Health Educational & Housing Facility Board (CommonSpirit Health) Series 2019-A 4.00%, 08/01/2037 |
|
|
145 |
|
|
|
142,455 |
|
4.00%, 08/01/2038 |
|
|
275 |
|
|
|
265,336 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
407,791 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Texas 26.8% |
|
Arlington Higher Education Finance Corp. (Uplift Education) Series
2023-A 4.375%, 12/01/2058 |
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
2,837,760 |
|
Baytown Municipal Development District (Baytown Municipal Development District Baytown Convention Center
Hotel Revenue Hotel Occupancy Tax) Series 2021 4.00%, 10/01/2050 |
|
|
1,635 |
|
|
|
1,022,957 |
|
Celina Independent School District Series 2023 4.00%, 02/15/2053 |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
9,352,574 |
|
County of Smith TX Series 2023 5.00%, 08/15/2048 |
|
|
7,000 |
|
|
|
7,443,601 |
|
Dallas Independent School District Series 2024 4.00%, 02/15/2054 |
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
|
11,134,673 |
|
Denton Independent School District Series 2023 5.00%, 08/15/2048 |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
10,744,246 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
22 | ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME
FUND |
|
abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Amount (000) |
|
|
U.S. $ Value |
|
|
|
Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority Series 2022-A
Zero Coupon, 12/01/2043 |
|
$ |
2,000 |
|
|
$ |
744,643 |
|
Zero Coupon, 12/01/2044 |
|
|
2,420 |
|
|
|
843,041 |
|
Zero Coupon, 12/01/2045 |
|
|
3,360 |
|
|
|
1,100,407 |
|
Lamar Consolidated Independent School District Series 2023-A
5.00%, 02/15/2053 |
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
15,863,668 |
|
Melissa Independent School District Series 2023 4.25%, 02/01/2053 |
|
|
12,780 |
|
|
|
12,473,338 |
|
New Hope Cultural Education Facilities Finance
Corp. (CHF-Collegiate Housing Denton LLC) AGM Series 2018-A1 5.00%, 07/01/2038 |
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
509,427 |
|
Pflugerville Independent School District Series 2023-A
4.00%, 02/15/2044 |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
4,805,986 |
|
Prosper Independent School District Series 2024 4.00%, 02/15/2054 |
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
14,035,985 |
|
Texas Water Development Board (State Water Implementation Revenue Fund for Texas) Series 2022
5.00%, 10/15/2057 |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
1,053,319 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
93,965,625 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Utah 2.0% |
|
City of Salt Lake City UT Airport Revenue Series 2018-A
5.00%, 07/01/2048 |
|
|
2,500 |
|
|
|
2,530,690 |
|
BAM Series 2018-A 5.00%, 07/01/2043 |
|
|
4,500 |
|
|
|
4,597,579 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,128,269 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virginia 1.4% |
|
Virginia Small Business Financing Authority (Capital Beltway Express LLC) Series 2022 5.00%,
12/31/2047 |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
5,061,448 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Washington 2.6% |
|
Grays Harbor County Public Hospital District No. 1 Series 2023 6.875%, 12/01/2053 |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
1,013,197 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
abfunds.com |
|
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND | 23 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Amount (000) |
|
|
U.S. $ Value |
|
|
|
State of Washington Series 2023-2 5.00%,
08/01/2048 |
|
$ |
7,685 |
|
|
$ |
8,254,469 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,267,666 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
West Virginia 1.1% |
|
West Virginia Hospital Finance Authority (West Virginia United Health System Obligated Group) Series
2018-A 5.00%, 06/01/2052 |
|
|
3,875 |
|
|
|
3,919,820 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wisconsin 8.1% |
|
Wisconsin Public Finance Authority (CFC-SA LLC) Series 2022 5.00%, 02/01/2062 |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
9,523,535 |
|
Wisconsin Public Finance Authority (CHF Wilmington LLC) AGM Series 2018 5.00%,
07/01/2058 |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
10,110,701 |
|
Wisconsin Public Finance Authority (Moses H Cone Memorial Hospital Obligated Group) Series 2022-A 5.00%, 10/01/2052 |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
5,233,631 |
|
Wisconsin Public Finance Authority (Pre-refunded US
Treasuries) Series 2022 4.00%, 04/01/2052(a) |
|
|
90 |
|
|
|
96,311 |
|
Wisconsin Public Finance Authority (Queens University of Charlotte) Series 2022 5.25%,
03/01/2047 |
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
2,010,836 |
|
Wisconsin Public Finance Authority (Southeastern Regional Medical Center Obligated Group) Series
2021 4.00%, 02/01/2037 |
|
|
1,505 |
|
|
|
1,244,734 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28,219,748 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Municipal Obligations (cost $577,327,831) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
568,829,921 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES 2.0% |
|
Non-Agency Fixed Rate CMBS 2.0% |
|
California Housing Finance Agency Series 2019-2, Class A
4.00%, 03/20/2033 |
|
|
1,091 |
|
|
|
1,086,640 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
24 | ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME
FUND |
|
abfunds.com |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Amount (000) |
|
|
U.S. $ Value |
|
|
|
Series 2021-1, Class A 3.50%, 11/20/2035 |
|
$ |
954 |
|
|
$ |
881,033 |
|
National Finance Authority Series 2023-2, Class A
3.875%, 01/20/2038 |
|
|
2,975 |
|
|
|
2,705,433 |
|
New Hampshire Business Finance Authority Series 2020-1,
Class A 4.125%, 01/20/2034 |
|
|
753 |
|
|
|
723,812 |
|
Washington State Housing Finance Commission Series 2021-1,
Class A 3.50%, 12/20/2035 |
|
|
957 |
|
|
|
869,590 |
|
Series 2023-1, Class A 3.375%, 04/20/2037 |
|
|
997 |
|
|
|
875,591 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (cost $7,744,660) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,142,099 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares |
|
|
|
|
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS 0.2% |
|
Investment Companies 0.2% |
|
AB Fixed Income Shares, Inc. Government Money Market Portfolio Class AB, 5.21%(f)(g)(h) (cost $734,443) |
|
|
734,443 |
|
|
|
734,443 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Investments 164.5% (cost $585,806,934) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
576,706,463 |
|
Other assets less liabilities (64.5)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(226,129,665 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets 100.0% |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
350,576,798 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A or Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities are
considered restricted, but liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration. At April 30, 2024, the aggregate market value of these securities amounted to $11,268,848 or 3.2% of net assets. |
(b) |
Coupon rate adjusts periodically based upon a predetermined schedule. Stated interest rate in effect at April 30,
2024. |
(c) |
When-Issued or delayed delivery security. |
(d) |
Defaulted matured security. |
(e) |
Non-income producing security. |
(f) |
Affiliated investments. |
(g) |
The rate shown represents the 7-day yield as of period end. |
(h) |
To obtain a copy of the funds shareholder report, please go to the Securities and Exchange Commissions website
at www.sec.gov, or call AB at (800) 227-4618. |
|
|
|
|
|
abfunds.com |
|
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND | 25 |
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
As of
April 30, 2024, the Funds percentages of investments in municipal bonds that are insured and in insured municipal bonds that have been pre-refunded or escrowed to maturity are 12.2% and 0.0%,
respectively.
Glossary:
AGM Assured Guaranty Municipal
BAM Build American Mutual
CMBS Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
OSF Order of St. Francis
See notes to financial statements.
|
|
|
|
|
26 | ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME
FUND |
|
abfunds.com |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
April 30, 2024 (unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
Assets |
|
Investments in securities, at value |
|
|
|
|
Unaffiliated issuers (cost $585,072,491) |
|
$ |
575,972,020 |
|
Affiliated issuers (cost $734,443) |
|
|
734,443 |
|
Cash |
|
|
43 |
|
Interest receivable |
|
|
8,369,409 |
|
Receivable for investment securities sold |
|
|
930,000 |
|
Affiliated dividends receivable |
|
|
1,854 |
|
Receivable due from Adviser |
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
|
|
586,007,820 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares, at liquidation value (net of unamortized deferred offering
cost of $109,681) |
|
|
232,015,319 |
|
Payable for investment securities purchased |
|
|
2,080,460 |
|
Interest expense payable |
|
|
906,948 |
|
Advisory fee payable |
|
|
263,621 |
|
Directors fees payable |
|
|
710 |
|
Accrued expenses |
|
|
163,964 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities |
|
|
235,431,022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders |
|
$ |
350,576,798 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Composition of Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders |
|
|
|
|
Common stock, $.001 par value per share; 1,999,990,715 shares authorized, 28,744,936 shares issued and
outstanding |
|
$ |
28,745 |
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
403,124,969 |
|
Accumulated loss |
|
|
(52,576,916 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders |
|
$ |
350,576,798 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Asset Value Applicable to Common Shareholders (based on 28,744,936
common shares outstanding) |
|
$ |
12.20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
See notes to financial statements.
|
|
|
|
|
abfunds.com |
|
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND | 27 |
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Six Months Ended April 30, 2024 (unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment Income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest |
|
$ |
12,755,300 |
|
|
|
|
|
DividendsAffiliated issuers |
|
|
157,958 |
|
|
$ |
12,913,258 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advisory fee (see Note B) |
|
|
1,608,648 |
|
|
|
|
|
Custody and accounting |
|
|
51,288 |
|
|
|
|
|
Audit and tax |
|
|
33,899 |
|
|
|
|
|
Printing |
|
|
26,368 |
|
|
|
|
|
Transfer agency |
|
|
23,275 |
|
|
|
|
|
Legal |
|
|
20,964 |
|
|
|
|
|
Registration fees |
|
|
14,688 |
|
|
|
|
|
Directors fees and expenses |
|
|
10,492 |
|
|
|
|
|
Miscellaneous |
|
|
30,257 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses before interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs |
|
|
1,819,879 |
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs |
|
|
5,391,827 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses |
|
|
7,211,706 |
|
|
|
|
|
Less: expenses waived and reimbursed by the Adviser (see Note B) |
|
|
(4,529 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,207,177 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,706,081 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investment Transactions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net realized loss on investment transactions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,337,868 |
) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
44,190,914 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net gain on investment transactions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
38,853,046 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Increase in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders Resulting from
Operations |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
44,559,127 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See notes to financial statements.
|
|
|
|
|
28 | ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME
FUND |
|
abfunds.com |
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended April 30, 2024 (unaudited) |
|
|
Year Ended October 31, 2023 |
|
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders Resulting from Operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income |
|
$ |
5,706,081 |
|
|
$ |
11,448,337 |
|
Net realized loss on investment transactions |
|
|
(5,337,868 |
) |
|
|
(19,797,593 |
) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments |
|
|
44,190,914 |
|
|
|
7,129,588 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to common shareholders resulting from operations |
|
|
44,559,127 |
|
|
|
(1,219,668 |
) |
Distributions to Common Shareholders |
|
|
(5,632,858 |
) |
|
|
(11,614,391 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total increase (decrease) |
|
|
38,926,269 |
|
|
|
(12,834,059 |
) |
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning of period |
|
|
311,650,529 |
|
|
|
324,484,588 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of period |
|
$ |
350,576,798 |
|
|
$ |
311,650,529 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See notes to financial statements.
|
|
|
|
|
abfunds.com |
|
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND | 29 |
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the six months ended April 30, 2024 (unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase in net assets from operations |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
44,559,127 |
|
Reconciliation of net increase in net assets from operations to net increase in cash from operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of long-term investments |
|
$ |
(80,896,453 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Purchases of short-term investments |
|
|
(68,695,247 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from disposition of long-term investments |
|
|
70,140,699 |
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from disposition of short-term investments |
|
|
77,668,267 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net realized loss on investment transactions |
|
|
5,337,868 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investment transactions |
|
|
(44,190,914 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Net accretion of bond discount and amortization of bond premium |
|
|
683,837 |
|
|
|
|
|
Increase in receivable for investments sold |
|
|
(930,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Decrease in interest receivable |
|
|
65,613 |
|
|
|
|
|
Decrease in affiliated dividends receivable |
|
|
29,384 |
|
|
|
|
|
Decrease in receivable due from Adviser |
|
|
824 |
|
|
|
|
|
Increase in payable for investments purchased |
|
|
2,080,460 |
|
|
|
|
|
Increase in advisory fee payable |
|
|
14,786 |
|
|
|
|
|
Decrease in interest expense payable |
|
|
(18,840 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Decrease in Directors fee payable |
|
|
(1,047 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Decrease in accrued expenses |
|
|
(252,908 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total adjustments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(38,963,671 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,595,456 |
|
Cash flows from financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Decrease in deferred offering costs |
|
|
37,343 |
|
|
|
|
|
Cash dividends paid |
|
|
(5,632,858 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,595,515 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net decrease in cash |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(59 |
) |
Cash at beginning of period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
102 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash at end of period |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
43 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense paid during the period |
|
$ |
5,381,345 |
|
|
|
|
|
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Fund has included a Statement of Cash Flows as a result of its substantial investments in Variable Rate
MuniFund Term Preferred Shares throughout the period.
See notes to financial statements.
|
|
|
|
|
30 | ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME
FUND |
|
abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
April 30, 2024 (unaudited)
NOTE A
Significant Accounting Policies
AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (the Fund) is organized as a Maryland corporation and is registered under the Investment Company Act
of 1940 (the 1940 Act) as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles
(U.S. GAAP), which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual
results could differ from those estimates. The Fund is an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed
by the Fund.
1. Security Valuation
Portfolio securities are valued at
market value determined on the basis of market quotations or, if market quotations are not readily available or are unreliable, at fair value as determined in accordance with procedures approved by and under the oversight of the
Funds Board of Directors (the Board). Pursuant to these procedures, AllianceBernstein L.P. (the Adviser) serves as the Funds valuation designee pursuant to Rule 2a-5 of the
1940 Act. In this capacity, the Adviser is responsible, among other things, for making all fair value determinations relating to the Funds portfolio investments, subject to the Boards oversight.
In general, the market values of securities which are readily available and deemed reliable are determined as follows: securities listed on a national securities
exchange (other than securities listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (NASDAQ)) or on a foreign securities exchange are valued at the last sale price at the close of the exchange or foreign securities exchange. If there has been no
sale on such day, the securities are valued at the last traded price from the previous day. Securities listed on more than one exchange are valued by reference to the principal exchange on which the securities are traded; securities listed only on
NASDAQ are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price; listed or over the counter (OTC) market put or call options are valued at the mid level between the current bid and ask prices. If either a current bid or current
ask price is unavailable, the Adviser will have discretion to determine the best valuation (e.g., last trade price in the case of listed options); open futures are valued using the closing settlement price or, in the absence of such a price, the
most recent quoted bid price. If there are no quotations available for the day of valuation, the last available closing settlement price is used; U.S. Government securities and any other debt instruments having 60 days
|
|
|
|
|
abfunds.com |
|
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND | 31 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
or less
remaining until maturity are generally valued at market by an independent pricing vendor, if a market price is available. If a market price is not available, the securities are valued at amortized cost. This methodology is commonly used for short
term securities that have an original maturity of 60 days or less, as well as short term securities that had an original term to maturity that exceeded 60 days. In instances when amortized cost is utilized, the Valuation Committee (the
Committee) must reasonably conclude that the utilization of amortized cost is approximately the same as the fair value of the security. Factors the Committee will consider include, but are not limited to, an impairment of the
creditworthiness of the issuer or material changes in interest rates. Fixed-income securities, including mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service or at a price obtained from one
or more of the major broker-dealers. In cases where broker-dealer quotes are obtained, the Adviser may establish procedures whereby changes in market yields or spreads are used to adjust, on a daily basis, a recently obtained quoted price on a
security. Swaps and other derivatives are valued daily, primarily using independent pricing services, independent pricing models using market inputs, as well as third party broker-dealers or counterparties.
Open-end mutual funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share, while exchange traded funds are valued at the closing market price per share.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including restricted securities) or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as deemed
appropriate by the Adviser. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, analysis of the issuers financial statements or other available
documents. In addition, the Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Fund values its securities at 4:00 p.m.,
Eastern Time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. To account for
this, the Fund generally values many of its foreign equity securities using fair value prices based on third party vendor modeling tools to the extent available.
2. Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with U.S. GAAP regarding fair
value measurements, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a framework for
measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset
|
|
|
|
|
32 | ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME
FUND |
|
abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
or liability
(including those valued based on their market values as described in Note A.1 above). Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable
inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Funds own assumptions about the assumptions that
market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall
valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.
|
|
|
Level 1quoted prices in active markets for identical investments |
|
|
|
Level 2other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates,
prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
|
|
|
Level 3significant unobservable inputs (including the Funds own assumptions in determining the fair
value of investments) |
The fair value of debt instruments, such as bonds, and
over-the-counter derivatives is generally based on market price quotations, recently executed market transactions (where observable) or industry recognized modeling
techniques and are generally classified as Level 2. Pricing vendor inputs to Level 2 valuations may include quoted prices for similar investments in active markets, interest rate curves, coupon rates, currency rates, yield curves, option
adjusted spreads, default rates, credit spreads and other unique security features in order to estimate the relevant cash flows which are then discounted to calculate fair values. If these inputs are unobservable and significant to the fair value,
these investments will be classified as Level 3.
Other fixed income investments, including non-U.S. government and
corporate debt, are generally valued using quoted market prices, if available, which are typically impacted by current interest rates, maturity dates and any perceived credit risk of the issuer. Additionally, in the absence of quoted market prices,
these inputs are used by pricing vendors to derive a valuation based upon industry or proprietary models which incorporate issuer specific data with relevant yield/spread comparisons with more widely quoted bonds with similar key characteristics.
Those investments for which there are observable inputs are classified as Level 2. Where the inputs are not observable, the investments are classified as Level 3.
|
|
|
|
|
abfunds.com |
|
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND | 33 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
The
following table summarizes the valuation of the Funds investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of April 30, 2024:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
|
Total |
|
Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term Municipal Bonds |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
568,829,921 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
568,829,921 |
|
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
7,142,099 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
7,142,099 |
|
Short-Term Investments |
|
|
734,443 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
734,443 |
|
Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares(a) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
(232,015,319 |
) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
(232,015,319 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Investments in Securities |
|
|
734,443 |
|
|
|
343,956,701 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
344,691,144 |
|
Other Financial Instruments(b) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
734,443 |
|
|
$ |
343,956,701 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
344,691,144 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
The Fund may hold liabilities in which the fair value approximates the carrying amount for financial statement purposes.
|
(b) |
Other financial instruments include reverse repurchase agreements and derivative instruments, such as futures, forwards
and swaps. Derivative instruments are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. Other financial instruments may also include swaps with upfront premiums, written options and written swaptions which are valued at market
value. |
3. Taxes
It is the Funds policy to
meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its investment company taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to shareholders. Therefore, no provisions for federal
income or excise taxes are required.
In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the
Funds tax positions taken or expected to be taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Funds
financial statements.
4. Investment Income and Investment Transactions
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as the Fund is informed of the dividend. Interest income is
accrued daily. Investment transactions are accounted for on the date the securities are purchased or sold. Investment gains or losses are determined on the identified cost basis. Non-cash dividends, if any,
are recorded on the ex-dividend date at the fair value of the securities received. The Fund amortizes premiums and accretes original issue and market discounts as adjustments to interest income. The Fund
accounts for distributions
|
|
|
|
|
34 | ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME
FUND |
|
abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
received
from real estate investment trust (REIT) investments or from regulated investment companies as dividend income, realized gain, or return of capital based on information provided by the REIT or the investment company.
5. Dividends and Distributions
Dividends and distributions to
shareholders, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal tax regulations and may differ from those determined in
accordance with U.S. GAAP. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.
6. Cash and Short-Term Investments
Cash and short-term investments include
cash on hand and short-term investments with maturities of less than one year when purchased.
NOTE B
Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Under the terms of an investment advisory agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser an advisory fee at the annual rate of .55% of the Funds adjusted average daily net
assets. Such advisory fee, which is calculated on the basis of the assets attributable to the Funds common and preferred shareholders, is accrued daily and paid monthly. In computing daily net assets for purposes of determining the advisory
fee payable, the Fund calculates daily the value of the total assets of the Fund, minus the value of the total liabilities of the Fund, except that the aggregate liquidation preference of Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares
(theVMTPS), which is a liability for financial reporting purposes, is not deducted.
Under the terms of the shareholder inquiry agency agreement with
Alliance-Bernstein Investor Services, Inc. (ABIS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, the Fund reimburses ABIS for costs relating to servicing phone inquiries on behalf of the Fund. During the six months ended April 30, 2024,
there was no reimbursement paid to ABIS.
The Fund may invest in AB Government Money Market Portfolio (the Government Money Market Portfolio) which has
a contractual annual advisory fee rate of .20% of the portfolios average daily net assets and bears its own expenses. The Adviser had contractually agreed to waive .10% of the advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio (resulting
in a net advisory fee of .10%) until August 31, 2023. Effective September 1, 2023, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive .05% of the advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio (resulting in a net
|
|
|
|
|
abfunds.com |
|
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND | 35 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
advisory fee
of .15%) until August 31, 2024. In connection with the investment by the Fund in Government Money Market Portfolio, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee from the Fund in an amount equal to the Funds pro rata
share of the effective advisory fee of Government Money Market Portfolio, as borne indirectly by the Fund as an acquired fund fee and expense. For the six months ended April 30, 2024, such waiver amounted to $4,529.
A summary of the Funds transactions in AB mutual funds for the six months ended April 30, 2024 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fund |
|
Market Value 10/31/23 (000) |
|
|
Purchases at Cost (000) |
|
|
Sales Proceeds (000) |
|
|
Market Value 4/30/24 (000) |
|
|
Dividend Income (000) |
|
Government Money Market Portfolio |
|
$ |
9,713 |
|
|
$ |
57,895 |
|
|
$ |
66,874 |
|
|
$ |
734 |
|
|
$ |
158 |
|
NOTE C
Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the six months ended
April 30, 2024 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases |
|
|
Sales |
|
Investment securities (excluding U.S. government securities) |
|
$ |
80,897,191 |
|
|
$ |
70,049,513 |
|
U.S. government securities |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes.
Accordingly, gross unrealized appreciation and unrealized depreciation are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Gross unrealized appreciation |
|
$ |
7,435,727 |
|
Gross unrealized depreciation |
|
|
(16,536,198 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Net unrealized depreciation |
|
$ |
(9,100,471 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
1. Derivative Financial Instruments
The
Fund may use derivatives in an effort to earn income and enhance returns, to replace more traditional direct investments, to obtain exposure to otherwise inaccessible markets (collectively, investment purposes), or to hedge or adjust the
risk profile of its portfolio.
The Fund did not engage in derivatives transactions for the six months ended April 30, 2024.
|
|
|
|
|
36 | ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME
FUND |
|
abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
NOTE D
Common Stock
There are 28,744,936 shares of common stock outstanding at April 30, 2024. During the six months ended April 30, 2024 and the year ended October 31,
2023, the Fund did not issue any shares in connection with the Funds dividend reinvestment plan.
NOTE E
Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares
During the year ended October 31, 2019, the Fund completed private offerings of 2019 VMTPS and 2018 VMTPS, each having a liquidation preference of $25,000 per
share, on August 28, 2019 and December 19, 2018, respectively. The Fund issued and sold 5,754 2019 VMTPS and 3,531 2018 VMTPS in its offerings. The 2019 VMTPS and 2018 VMTPS rank pari passu with each other but are subject to a mandatory
redemption by the Fund in August 2049 and December 2048, respectively.
The VMTPS generally do not trade, and market quotations are generally not available. The
VMTPS paid a variable dividend rate tied to a SIFMA Municipal Swap index, plus an additional fixed spread amount of 0.90% for 2018 VMTPS and 0.98% for 2019 VMTPS, as established at the time of issuance. Effective April 22, 2021, the
spread was 1.05% for the 2018 VMTPS. Effective September 14, 2023, the base rate is 80% of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus a spread of .55% for the 2018 VMTPS. Effective December 9, 2021, the spread is 0.91%
for the 2019 VMTPS. As of April 30, 2024, the dividend rates for the 2018 VMTPS and 2019 VMTPS were 4.81% and 4.68%, respectively. In the Funds statement of assets and liabilities, the aggregate liquidation preference of the VMTPS is
shown as a liability in accordance with U.S. GAAP because the VMTPS have a stated mandatory redemption date. For the six months ended April 30, 2024, the average amount of the VMTPS outstanding and the daily weighted average dividend rate were
$232,125,000 and 4.59%, respectively.
Dividends on the VMTPS (which are treated as interest payments for financial reporting purposes) are accrued daily and paid
monthly. Unpaid dividends on the VMTPS are recorded as Interest expense payable on the statement of assets and liabilities. Dividends accrued on the VMTPS are recorded as a component of Interest expense, fees and amortization of
offering costs on the statement of operations.
Costs incurred by the Fund in connection with its offering of the VMTPS were recorded as a deferred charge,
and are amortized over the first three years of the life of the shares and the amortization is included within Interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs on the statement
|
|
|
|
|
abfunds.com |
|
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND | 37 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
of
operations. The debt issuance costs related to the liability represented by the VMTPS under U.S. GAAP are presented as a direct deduction from the liability rather than as an asset on the statement of assets and liabilities, consistent with debt
discounts. The Fund included deferred offering costs in Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares, at liquidation value (net of unamortized deferred offering cost) on the statement of assets and liabilities. The VMTPS are treated as
equity for tax purposes. During the six months ended April 30, 2024, no additional costs were incurred and capitalized by the Fund.
The preferred
shareholders, i.e., the holders of both the 2019 VMTPS and 2018 VMTPS, voting together as a separate class, have the right to elect at least two directors at all times and to elect a majority of the directors in the event two years dividends
on the preferred shares are unpaid. In each case, the remaining directors will be elected by the common shareholders and preferred shareholders voting together as a single class. The preferred shareholders vote as a separate class on certain other
matters as required under the Funds Charter, the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Maryland law.
NOTE F
Distributions to Common Shareholders
The tax
character of distributions to be paid for the year ending October 31, 2024 will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year. The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended October 31, 2023 and
October 31, 2022 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
Distributions paid from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary income |
|
$ |
538,524 |
|
|
$ |
15,238 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total taxable distributions paid |
|
$ |
538,524 |
|
|
$ |
15,238 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax-exempt income |
|
|
11,075,867 |
|
|
|
16,651,938 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total distributions paid |
|
$ |
11,614,391 |
|
|
$ |
16,667,176 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of October 31, 2023, the components of accumulated earnings (deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Undistributed tax-exempt income |
|
$ |
529,291 |
|
Accumulated capital and other losses |
|
|
(37,815,303 |
)(a) |
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
|
|
(53,291,385 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Total accumulated earnings (deficit) |
|
$ |
(90,577,397 |
)(b) |
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
As of October 31, 2023, the Fund had a net capital loss carryforward of $37,815,303. |
(b) |
The difference between book-basis and tax-basis components of accumulated
earnings/(deficit) is attributable primarily to dividends payable. |
|
|
|
|
|
38 | ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME
FUND |
|
abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
For tax
purposes, net realized capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses for an indefinite period, and such losses will retain their character as either short-term or
long-term capital losses. As of October 31, 2023, the Fund had a net short-term capital loss carryforward of $11,029,205 and a net long-term capital loss carryforward of $26,786,098 which may be carried forward for an indefinite period.
NOTE G
Risks
Involved in Investing in the Fund
Among the risks of investing in the Fund are changes in the general level of interest rates or changes in bond credit
quality ratings. Changes in interest rates have a greater effect on bonds with longer maturities than on those with shorter maturities. Please note, as interest rates rise, existing bond prices fall and can cause the value of your investment in the
Fund to decline. While the Fund invests principally in bonds and other fixed-income securities, in order to achieve its investment objectives, the Fund may at times use certain types of investment derivatives, such as options, futures, forwards and
swaps. These instruments involve risks different from, and in certain cases, greater than, the risks presented by more traditional investments. At the discretion of the Funds Adviser, the Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in
municipal bonds that are rated below investment-grade (i.e., junk bonds). These securities involve greater volatility and risk than higher-quality fixed-income securities.
Market RiskThe market value of a security may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. These fluctuations may cause a security to be worth
less than the price originally paid for it, or less than it was worth at an earlier time. Market risk may affect a single issuer, industry, sector of the economy or the market as a whole. Global economies and financial markets are increasingly
interconnected, which increases the probabilities that conditions in one country or region might adversely impact issuers in a different country or region. Conditions affecting the general economy, including political, social, or economic
instability at the local, regional, or global level may also affect the market value of a security. Health crises, such as pandemic and epidemic diseases, as well as other incidents that interrupt the expected course of events, such as natural
disasters, including fires, earthquakes and flooding, war or civil disturbance, acts of terrorism, power outages and other unforeseeable and external events, and the public response to or fear of such diseases or events, have had, and may in the
future have, an adverse effect on the Funds investments and net asset value and can lead to increased market volatility. For example, the diseases or events themselves or any preventative or protective actions that governments may take in
respect of such diseases or events may result in periods of business disruption,
|
|
|
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|
abfunds.com |
|
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND | 39 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
inability to
obtain raw materials, supplies and component parts, and reduced or disrupted operations for issuers of securities held by the Fund. The occurrence and pendency of such diseases or events could adversely affect the economies and financial markets
either in specific countries or worldwide.
Municipal Market RiskThis is the risk that special factors may adversely affect the value of the municipal
securities and have a significant effect on the yield or value of the Funds investments in municipal securities. These factors include economic conditions, political or legislative changes, public health crises, uncertainties related to the
tax status of municipal securities, or the rights of investors in these securities. To the extent that the Fund invests more of its assets in a particular states municipal securities, the Fund may be vulnerable to events adversely affecting
that state, including economic, political and regulatory occurrences, court decisions, terrorism, public health crises (including the occurrence of a contagious disease or illness) and catastrophic natural disasters, such as hurricanes, fires or
earthquakes. The Funds investment in certain municipal securities with principal and interest payments that are made from the revenues of a specific project or facility, and not general tax revenues, may have increased risks. Factors affecting
the project or facility, such as local business or economic conditions, could have a significant effect on the projects ability to make payments of principal and interest on these securities.
Financing and Related Transactions; Leverage and Other RisksThe Fund utilizes leverage to seek to enhance the yield and NAV attributable to its common
stock. These objectives may not be achieved in all interest-rate environments. Leverage creates certain risks for holders of common stock, including the likelihood of greater volatility of the NAV and market price of the common stock. If income from
the securities purchased from the funds made available by leverage is not sufficient to cover the cost of leverage, the Funds return will be less than if leverage had not been used.
As a result, the amounts available for distribution to common stockholders as dividends and other distributions will be reduced. During periods of rising short-term
interest rates, the interest paid on the preferred shares or floaters in TOB transactions would increase, which may adversely affect the Funds income and distribution to common stockholders. A decline in distributions would adversely affect
the Funds yield and possibly the market value of its shares. If rising short-term rates coincide with a period of rising long-term rates, the value of the long-term municipal bonds purchased with the proceeds of leverage would decline,
adversely affecting the NAV attributable to the Funds common stock and possibly the market value of the shares.
|
|
|
|
|
40 | ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME
FUND |
|
abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
The
Funds outstanding Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares result in leverage. The Fund may also use other types of financial leverage, including TOB transactions, either in combination with, or in lieu of, the preferred shares. In a TOB
transaction, the Fund may transfer a highly rated fixed-rate municipal security into a special purpose entity (typically, a trust). The Fund receives cash and a residual interest security (sometimes referred to as an inverse floater)
issued by the trust in return. The trust simultaneously issues securities, which pay an interest rate that is reset each week based on an index of high-grade short-term [seven-day] demand notes. These
securities, sometimes referred to as floaters, are bought by third parties, including tax-exempt money market funds, and can be tendered by these holders to a liquidity provider at par, unless
certain events occur. The Fund continues to earn all the interest from the transferred bond less the amount of interest paid on the floaters and the expenses of the trust, which include payments to the trustee and the liquidity provider and
organizational costs. The Fund also uses the cash received from the transaction for investment purposes or to retire other forms of leverage. Under certain circumstances, the trust may be terminated and collapsed, either by the Fund or upon the
occurrence of certain events, such as a downgrade in the credit quality of the underlying bond, or in the event holders of the floaters tender their securities to the liquidity provider. See Note H to the financial statements for more information
about TOB transactions.
The use of derivative instruments by the Fund, such as forwards, futures, options and swaps, may also result in a form of leverage.
Because the advisory fees received by the Adviser are based on the adjusted net assets of the Fund (including assets supported by the proceeds of the Funds
outstanding preferred shares), the Adviser has a financial incentive for the Fund to keep its preferred shares outstanding, which may create a conflict of interest between the Adviser and the common shareholders of the Fund.
Tax RiskThere is no guarantee that the income on the Funds municipal securities will be exempt from regular federal income and state income taxes.
Unfavorable legislation, adverse interpretations by federal or state authorities, litigation or noncompliant conduct by the issuer of a municipal security could affect the tax-exempt status of municipal
securities. If the Internal Revenue Service or a state authority determines that an issuer of a municipal security has not complied with applicable requirements, interest from the security could become subject to regular federal income tax and/or
state personal income tax, possibly retroactively to the date the security was issued, the value of the security could decline significantly, and a portion of the distributions to Fund shareholders could be recharacterized as taxable. Recent federal
legislation included reductions in tax rates for
|
|
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|
abfunds.com |
|
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND | 41 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
individuals,
with relatively larger reductions in tax rates for corporations. These tax rate reductions may reduce the demand for municipal bonds which could reduce the value of municipal bonds held by the Fund.
Credit RiskAn issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or the counterparty to a derivatives or other contract, may be unable or unwilling to make
timely payments of interest or principal, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The issuer or guarantor may default, causing a loss of the full principal amount of a security and accrued interest. The degree of risk for a particular security may be
reflected in its credit rating. There is the possibility that the credit rating of a fixed-income security may be downgraded after purchase, which may adversely affect the value of the security. Investments in fixed-income securities with lower
ratings tend to have a higher probability that an issuer will default or fail to meet its payment obligations.
Interest-Rate RiskChanges in interest
rates will affect the value of the Funds investments in fixed-income securities. When interest rates rise, the value of existing investments in fixed-income securities tends to fall and this decrease in value may not be offset by higher income
from new investments. Interest-rate risk is generally greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations. The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates than would normally be the case due to the recent end
of a period of historically low rates and the effect of potential central bank monetary policy, and government fiscal policy, initiatives and resulting market reactions to those initiatives.
Inflation RiskThis is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money.
As inflation increases, the value of the Funds assets can decline as can the value of the Funds distributions. This risk is significantly greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities.
Derivatives RiskThe Fund may enter into derivative transactions such as forwards, options, futures and swaps. Derivatives may be difficult to price or
unwind and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses for the Fund. A short position in a derivative instrument involves the risk of a theoretically unlimited increase in the value of the underlying asset, which could cause
the Fund to suffer a potentially unlimited loss. Derivatives, especially over-the-counter derivatives, are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the
counterparty (the party on the other side of the transaction) on a derivative transaction will be unable or unwilling to honor its contractual obligations to the Fund. Derivatives may result in significant losses, including losses that are far
greater than the value of the derivatives reflected on the statement of assets and liabilities.
|
|
|
|
|
42 | ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME
FUND |
|
abfunds.com |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Illiquid
Investments RiskIlliquid investments risk exists when particular investments are or become difficult to purchase or sell, possibly preventing the Fund from selling out of these securities at an advantageous price. Causes of illiquid
investments risk may include low trading volumes, large positions and heavy redemptions of Fund shares. Illiquid investments risk may be magnified in a rising interest-rate environment, when the value and liquidity of fixed-income securities
generally decline. Derivatives and securities involving substantial market and credit risk tend to involve greater illiquid investments risk than most other types of investments. The Fund is subject to illiquid investments risk because the market
for municipal securities is generally smaller than many other markets, which may make municipal securities more difficult to trade than other types of securities. Illiquid securities may also be difficult to value.
Duration RiskDuration is a measure that relates the expected price volatility of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. The duration of a
fixed-income security may be shorter than or equal to the full maturity of a fixed-income security. Fixed-income securities with longer durations have more risk and will decrease in price as interest rates rise.
LIBOR Replacement RiskThe Fund may be exposed to debt securities, derivatives or other financial instruments that recently transitioned from the London
Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) as a benchmark or reference rate for various interest rate calculations. The use of LIBOR was phased out in June 2023 and transitioned to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR). SOFR is a broad measure of the cost
of borrowing cash overnight collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities in the repurchase agreement (repo) market. There can be no assurance that instruments linked to SOFR will have the same volume or liquidity as did the market for LIBOR-linked
financial instruments prior to LIBORs discontinuance or unavailability.
Indemnification RiskIn the ordinary course of business, the Fund enters
into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Funds maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Fund has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk
of loss thereunder to be remote. Therefore, the Fund has not accrued any liability in connection with these indemnification provisions.
Management
RiskThe Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively-managed investment fund. The Adviser will apply its investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions, but there is no guarantee that its techniques
will produce the intended results. Some of these techniques may incorporate, or rely upon, quantitative
|
|
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|
abfunds.com |
|
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND | 43 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
models, but
there is no guarantee that these models will generate accurate forecasts, reduce risk or otherwise perform as expected.
NOTE H
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU 2022-06, Reference
Rate Reform (Topic 848)Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848. ASU 2022-06 is an amendment to ASU 2020-04, which provided optional guidance to ease
the potential accounting burden due to the discontinuation of the LIBOR and other interbank-offered based reference rates and which was effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. ASU
2022-06 extends the effective period through December 31, 2024. Management is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of applying ASU 2022-06.
NOTE I
Subsequent
Events
On June 6, 2024. the Fund priced and placed $100 million in Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares (2024 VRDPS) pursuant to an
offering exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933. The Fund issued $100 million in aggregate liquidation preference of 2024 VRDPS. The Fund used the proceeds of the 2024 VRDPS issuance, in conjunction with proceeds from the creation
of tender option bond (TOB) trusts by the Fund, to simultaneously redeem all of its 2019 Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares (2019 VMTPS) at a redemption price of $25,000 per share, plus accumulated but unpaid
dividends. The aggregate amount paid by the Fund in connection with the redemption of the 2019 VMTPS was $143.85 million. The issuance permitted the Fund to replace a substantial portion of the leverage previously obtained through the 2019 VMTPS
with the 2024 VRDPS.
Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial
statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no other material events that would require disclosure in the Funds financial statements through this date.
|
|
|
|
|
44 | ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME
FUND |
|
abfunds.com |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Selected Data For A Share Of Common Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended April 30, 2024
(unaudited) |
|
|
Year Ended October 31, |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period |
|
|
$ 10.84 |
|
|
|
$ 11.29 |
|
|
|
$ 15.26 |
|
|
|
$ 14.94 |
|
|
|
$ 15.23 |
|
|
|
$ 13.86 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income From Investment Operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income(a)(b) |
|
|
.20 |
|
|
|
.40 |
|
|
|
.57 |
|
|
|
.63 |
|
|
|
.58 |
|
|
|
.53 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions |
|
|
1.36 |
|
|
|
(.45 |
) |
|
|
(3.96 |
) |
|
|
.33 |
|
|
|
(.28 |
) |
|
|
1.36 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends to auction preferred shareholders from net investment income (common stock equivalent
basis) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
(.01 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from operations |
|
|
1.56 |
|
|
|
(.05 |
) |
|
|
(3.39 |
) |
|
|
.96 |
|
|
|
.30 |
|
|
|
1.88 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less: Dividends and Distributions to Common Shareholders from |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income |
|
|
(.20 |
) |
|
|
(.40 |
) |
|
|
(.58 |
) |
|
|
(.64 |
) |
|
|
(.59 |
) |
|
|
(.53 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return of capital |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
(.02 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Total dividends and distributions |
|
|
(.20 |
) |
|
|
(.40 |
) |
|
|
(.58 |
) |
|
|
(.64 |
) |
|
|
(.59 |
) |
|
|
(.55 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase from tender and repurchase of Auction Preferred Shares |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
.04 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of period |
|
|
$ 12.20 |
|
|
|
$ 10.84 |
|
|
|
$ 11.29 |
|
|
|
$ 15.26 |
|
|
|
$ 14.94 |
|
|
|
$ 15.23 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market value, end of period |
|
|
$ 10.49 |
|
|
|
$ 9.07 |
|
|
|
$ 10.22 |
|
|
|
$ 14.66 |
|
|
|
$ 13.58 |
|
|
|
$ 13.59 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discount, end of period |
|
|
(14.02 |
)% |
|
|
(16.33 |
)% |
|
|
(9.48 |
)% |
|
|
(3.93 |
)% |
|
|
(9.10 |
)% |
|
|
(10.77 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total investment return based on:(c) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market value |
|
|
17.79 |
% |
|
|
(7.75 |
)% |
|
|
(26.92 |
)% |
|
|
12.79 |
% |
|
|
4.39 |
% |
|
|
18.44 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value(d) |
|
|
14.63 |
% |
|
|
(.20 |
)% |
|
|
(22.45 |
)% |
|
|
6.71 |
% |
|
|
2.48 |
% |
|
|
14.63 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets applicable to common shareholders, end of period (000s omitted) |
|
|
$350,577 |
|
|
|
$311,651 |
|
|
|
$324,485 |
|
|
|
$438,683 |
|
|
|
$429,462 |
|
|
|
$437,838 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Auction Preferred Shares: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liquidation value ($25,000 per share) (000s omitted) |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset coverage per share |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liquidation value ($25,000 per share) (000s omitted) |
|
|
$232,125 |
|
|
|
$232,125 |
|
|
|
$232,125 |
|
|
|
$232,125 |
|
|
|
$232,125 |
|
|
|
$232,125 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset coverage per share |
|
|
$62,757 |
|
|
|
$58,565 |
|
|
|
$59,947 |
|
|
|
$72,246 |
|
|
|
$71,253 |
|
|
|
$72,155 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio to average net assets applicable to common shareholders of: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses, net of waivers/reimbursements(e)(f) |
|
|
4.07 |
%^ |
|
|
3.80 |
% |
|
|
2.15 |
% |
|
|
1.56 |
% |
|
|
2.01 |
% |
|
|
2.56 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses, before waivers/reimbursements(e)(f) |
|
|
4.07 |
%^ |
|
|
3.80 |
% |
|
|
2.15 |
% |
|
|
1.56 |
% |
|
|
2.01 |
% |
|
|
2.56 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income, before Auction Preferred Shares
dividends(b)(e) |
|
|
3.22 |
%^ |
|
|
3.28 |
% |
|
|
4.18 |
% |
|
|
4.08 |
% |
|
|
3.90 |
% |
|
|
3.63 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Auction Preferred Shares dividends |
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
.08 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income, net of Auction Preferred Shares
dividends(b) |
|
|
3.22 |
%^ |
|
|
3.28 |
% |
|
|
4.18 |
% |
|
|
4.08 |
% |
|
|
3.90 |
% |
|
|
3.55 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate |
|
|
12 |
% |
|
|
55 |
% |
|
|
18 |
% |
|
|
5 |
% |
|
|
6 |
% |
|
|
14 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset coverage ratio |
|
|
251 |
% |
|
|
234 |
% |
|
|
240 |
% |
|
|
289 |
% |
|
|
285 |
% |
|
|
289 |
% |
See footnote summary on page 46.
|
|
|
|
|
abfunds.com |
|
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND | 45 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
Selected Data For A Share Of Common Stock Outstanding Throughout Each Period
(a) |
Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) |
Net of fees waived by the Adviser. |
(c) |
Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of common stock on the opening of the first day and a sale on
the closing of the last day of each period reported. Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed for purposes of this calculation, to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Funds dividend reinvestment plan. Generally, total investment
return based on net asset value will be higher than total investment return based on market value in periods where there is an increase in the discount or a decrease in the premium of the market value to the net asset value from the beginning to the
end of such periods. Conversely, total investment return based on net asset value will be lower than total investment return based on market value in periods where there is a decrease in the discount or an increase in the premium of the market value
to the net asset value from the beginning to the end of such periods. Total investment return calculated for a period of less than one year is not annualized. |
(d) |
The total return based on net asset value reflects the impact of the tender and repurchase by the Fund of a portion of its
Auction Preferred Shares at 97% of the per share liquidation preference for the year ended October 31, 2019. Absent this transaction, the total return based on net asset values would have been 14.34% for the years ended October 31, 2019.
|
(e) |
These expense and net investment income ratios do not reflect the effect of dividend payments to preferred shareholders.
|
(f) |
The expense ratios presented below exclude interest expense: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended April 30, 2024 |
|
|
Year Ended October 31, |
|
|
|
(unaudited) |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net of waivers/reimbursements |
|
|
1.03 |
%^ |
|
|
1.03 |
% |
|
|
.99 |
% |
|
|
.94 |
% |
|
|
.96 |
% |
|
|
.98 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Before waivers/reimbursements |
|
|
1.03 |
%^ |
|
|
1.04 |
% |
|
|
.99 |
% |
|
|
.94 |
% |
|
|
.96 |
% |
|
|
.98 |
% |
See
notes to financial statements.
|
|
|
|
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46 | ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME
FUND |
|
abfunds.com |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
(unaudited)
Shareholders whose shares are registered in their own names can elect to participate in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the Plan), pursuant to which
dividends and capital gain distributions to shareholders will be paid in or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund (the Dividend Shares). Computershare Trust Company NA, (the Agent) will act as agent for participants
under the Plan. Shareholders whose shares are held in the name of broker or nominee should contact such broker or nominee to determine whether or how they may participate in the Plan.
If the Board declares an income distribution or determines to make a capital gain distribution payable either in shares or in cash, non-participants in the Plan will
receive cash and participants in the Plan will receive the equivalent in shares of Common Stock of the Fund valued as follows:
|
(i) |
If the shares of Common Stock are trading at net asset value or at a premium above net asset value at the time of
valuation, the Fund will issue new shares at the greater of net asset value or 95% of the then current market price. |
|
(ii) |
If the shares of Common Stock are trading at a discount from net asset value at the time of valuation, the Agent will
receive the dividend or distribution in cash and apply it to the purchase of the Funds shares of Common Stock in the open market on the New York Stock Exchange or elsewhere, for the participants accounts. Such purchases will be made
on or shortly after the payment date for such dividend or distribution and in no event more than 30 days after such date except where temporary curtailment or suspension of purchase is necessary to comply with Federal securities laws. If, before the
Agent has completed its purchases, the market price exceeds the net asset value of a share of Common Stock, the average purchase price per share paid by the Agent may exceed the net asset value of the Funds shares of Common Stock, resulting in
the acquisition of fewer shares than if the dividend or distribution had been paid in shares issued by the Fund. |
The Agent will maintain all
shareholders accounts in the Plan and furnish written confirmation of all transactions in the account, including information needed by shareholders for tax records. Shares in the account of each Plan participant will be held by the Agent in
non-certificate form in the name of the participant, and each shareholders proxy will include those shares purchased or received pursuant to the Plan.
There
will be no charges with respect to shares issued directly by the Fund to satisfy the dividend reinvestment requirements. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Agents open
market purchases of shares.
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abfunds.com |
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ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND | 47 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (continued)
The automatic
reinvestment of dividends and distributions will not relieve participants of any income taxes that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on dividends and distributions.
Experience under the Plan may indicate that changes are desirable. Accordingly, the Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan as applied to any dividend
or distribution paid subsequent to written notice of the change sent to participants in the Plan at least 90 days before the record date for such dividend or distribution. The Plan may also be amended or terminated by the Agent on at least 90
days written notice to participants in the Plan. All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to the Agent at Computershare Trust Company N.A., P.O. Box 30170, College Station, TX 77842-3170.
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48 | ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME
FUND |
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abfunds.com |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
|
|
|
Garry Moody(1),
Chairman Jorge A. Bermudez(1) Michael J. Downey(1)*
Onur Erzan**, President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
Nancy P. Jacklin(1)*
Jeanette W. Loeb(1)
Carol C. McMullen(1)
Marshall C. Turner, Jr.(1)*
Emilie D. Wrapp, Advisory Board Member |
OFFICERS
|
|
|
Daryl Clements(2), Vice President
Matthew J. Norton(2), Vice President
Andrew D. Potter(2), Vice President
Nancy E. Hay, Secretary Michael B. Reyes, Senior
Vice President |
|
Stephen M. Woetzel, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
Phyllis J. Clarke, Controller Jennifer Friedland, Chief
Compliance Officer |
|
|
|
Custodian and Accounting Agent
State Street Bank and Trust Company One Congress Street, Suite 1 Boston, MA
02114 Legal Counsel
Seward & Kissel LLP One Battery Park Plaza
New York, NY 10004 |
|
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Ernst & Young LLP One
Manhattan West New York, NY 10001
Dividend Paying Agent,
Transfer Agent and Registrar Computershare Trust
Company, N.A. P.O. Box 43006 Providence, RI 02940 |
1 |
Member of the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Independent Directors Committee.
|
2 |
The day-to-day management of, and
investment decisions for, the Funds portfolio are made by the Advisers Municipal Bond Investment Team. The investment professionals with the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Funds portfolio are Messrs. Clements, Potter and Norton. |
Notice is
hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 that the Fund may purchase at market prices from time-to-time shares of its Common Stock in the open market.
This report, including the financial statements therein, is transmitted to the shareholders of AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund for their information.
This is not a prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase of shares of the Fund or any securities mentioned in the report.
Annual
CertificationsAs required, on April 23, 2024, the Fund submitted to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) the annual certification of the Funds Chief Executive Officer certifying that he is not aware of any violation of the
NYSEs Corporate Governance listing standards. The Fund also has included the certifications of the Funds Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 as exhibits to
the Funds Form N-CSR filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the period.
* |
Messrs. Downey and Turner and Ms. Jacklin are expected to retire effective on December 31, 2024. |
** |
Mr. Erzan is expected to resign as a Director effective December 31, 2024, but is expected to continue to serve as
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fund. |
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abfunds.com |
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ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND | 49 |
Information Regarding the Review and Approval of the Funds Advisory Agreement
The disinterested directors (the directors) of AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (the Fund) unanimously approved the
continuance of the Funds Advisory Agreement with the Adviser at a meeting held in-person on August 1-2, 2023 (the Meeting).
Prior to approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement, the directors had requested from the Adviser, and received and evaluated, extensive materials. They
reviewed the proposed continuance of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Adviser, who advised on the relevant legal standards. The directors also reviewed additional materials, including
comparative analytical data prepared by the Senior Vice President of the Fund. The directors also discussed the proposed continuance in private sessions with counsel.
The directors considered their knowledge of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Fund gained from their experience as directors or
trustees of most of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, their overall confidence in the Advisers integrity and competence they have gained from that experience, the Advisers initiative in identifying and raising
potential issues with the directors and its responsiveness, frankness and attention to concerns raised by the directors in the past, including the Advisers willingness to consider and implement organizational and operational changes designed
to improve investment results and the services provided to the AB Funds. The directors noted that they have four regular meetings each year, at each of which they review extensive materials and information from the Adviser, including information on
the investment performance of the Fund and the money market fund advised by the Adviser in which the Fund invests a portion of its assets.
The directors also
considered all factors they believed relevant, including the specific matters discussed below. During the course of their deliberations, the directors evaluated, among other things, the reasonableness of the advisory fee. The directors did not
identify any particular information that was all-important or controlling, and different directors may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The directors determined that the selection of
the Adviser to manage the Fund and the overall arrangements between the Fund and the Adviser, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, including the advisory fee, were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such
other matters as the directors considered relevant in the exercise of their business
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50 | ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME
FUND |
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abfunds.com |
judgment. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the directors determinations included the following:
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided
The directors considered
the scope and quality of services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including the quality of the investment research capabilities of the Adviser and the other resources it has dedicated to performing services for the Fund. The
directors noted that the Adviser from time to time reviews the Funds investment strategies and from time to time proposes changes intended to improve the Funds relative or absolute performance for the directors consideration. They
also noted the professional experience and qualifications of the Funds portfolio management team and other senior personnel of the Adviser. The directors also considered that the Advisory Agreement provides that the Fund will reimburse the
Adviser for the cost to it of providing certain clerical, accounting, administrative and other services to the Fund by employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. The directors noted that historically, including in the most recent fiscal year of the
Fund, the Adviser has not requested such reimbursements. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Advisers role in coordinating the activities of the Funds other service providers, also was considered. The
directors concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement.
Costs
of Services Provided and Profitability
The directors reviewed a schedule of the revenues and expenses and related notes indicating the profitability of the
Fund to the Adviser for calendar years 2021 and 2022 that had been prepared with an expense allocation methodology arrived at in consultation with an independent consultant at the request of the directors. The directors noted the assumptions and
methods of allocation used by the Adviser in preparing fund-specific profitability data and understood that there are a number of potentially acceptable allocation methodologies for information of this type. The directors noted that the
profitability information reflected all revenues and expenses of the Advisers relationship with the Fund, including those relating to its subsidiary that provides shareholder services to the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult
to make comparisons of the profitability of the Advisory Agreement with the profitability of fund advisory contracts for unaffiliated funds because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors. The
directors focused on the profitability of the Advisers relationship with the Fund before taxes. The directors concluded that the Advisers level of profitability from its relationship with the Fund was not unreasonable.
Fall-Out Benefits
The directors
considered the other benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund and the money market fund advised
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abfunds.com |
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ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND | 51 |
by the Adviser in which the Fund invests, including, but not limited to, benefits relating to shareholder servicing fees paid by the Fund to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The
directors recognized that the Advisers profitability would be somewhat lower without these benefits. The directors understood that the Adviser also might derive reputational and other benefits from its association with the Fund.
Investment Results
In addition to the information reviewed by the
directors in connection with the Meeting, the directors receive detailed performance information for the Fund at each regular Board meeting during the year.
At
the Meeting, the directors reviewed performance information prepared by an independent service provider (the 15(c) service provider), showing the Funds performance against a group of similar funds (peer group) and a
larger group of similar funds (peer universe), each selected by the 15(c) service provider, and information prepared by the Adviser showing the Funds performance against a broad-based securities market index, in each case for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended May 31, 2023 and (in the case of comparisons with the
broad-based securities market index) for the period from inception. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Funds investment performance was acceptable.
Advisory Fees and Other Expenses
The directors considered the advisory fee
rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser and information prepared by the 15(c) service provider concerning advisory fee rates payable by other funds in the same category as the Fund. The directors recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons
of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees payable by other funds. The directors compared the Funds contractual advisory fee rate with a peer group median and noted that it was lower than the
median.
The directors noted that the Funds Advisory Agreement provides that fees are computed based on average daily net assets (i.e., including
assets supported by the Funds preferred stock), which the directors considered appropriate because the Adviser is responsible for investing the assets supported by the preferred stock.
The directors also compared the Funds contractual advisory fee rate with the fee rates charged by the Adviser for advising several
open-end funds that invest in municipal securities and noted historical differences in their fee structures.
The Adviser
informed the directors that there were no institutional products managed by the Adviser that utilize investment strategies similar to those of the Fund.
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52 | ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME
FUND |
|
abfunds.com |
In connection with their consideration of the Funds advisory fee, the directors also considered the total expense
ratio of the Fund (including assets supported by the Funds preferred stock) in comparison to the medians for a peer group and a peer universe selected by the 15(c) service provider. The expense ratio of the Fund was based on the Funds
latest fiscal year. The directors noted that it was likely that the expense ratios of some of the other funds in the Funds category were lowered by waivers or reimbursements by those funds investment advisers, which in some cases might
be voluntary or temporary. The directors view expense ratio information as relevant to their evaluation of the Advisers services because the Adviser is responsible for coordinating services provided to the Fund by others. The directors noted
that the Funds expense ratio was equal to a median. Based on their review, the directors concluded that the Funds expense ratio was acceptable.
Economies of Scale
The advisory fee schedule for the Fund does not contain
breakpoints that reduce the fee rates on assets above specified levels. The directors considered that the Fund is a closed-end fixed-income fund and was not expected to have meaningful asset growth (absent a
rights offering or an acquisition). In such circumstances, the directors did not view the potential for realization of economies of scale as the Funds assets grow to be a material factor in their deliberations. They noted that, if the
Funds net assets were to increase materially, they would review whether potential economies of scale were being realized.
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abfunds.com |
|
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND | 53 |
This page is not part of the Shareholder Report or the Financial Statements.
AB FAMILY OF FUNDS
US EQUITY
CORE
Core Opportunities Fund
Select US Equity Portfolio
Sustainable US Thematic Portfolio
GROWTH
Concentrated Growth Fund
Discovery Growth Fund
Growth Fund
Large
Cap Growth Fund
Small Cap Growth Portfolio
VALUE
Discovery Value Fund
Equity Income Fund
Mid Cap Value Portfolio
Relative Value Fund
Small Cap Value Portfolio
Value Fund
INTERNATIONAL/GLOBAL EQUITY
CORE
Global Core Equity Portfolio
International Low Volatility Equity Portfolio1
Sustainable Global Thematic Fund
Sustainable International Thematic Fund
Tax-Managed Wealth Appreciation Strategy
Wealth Appreciation Strategy
GROWTH
Concentrated International Growth Portfolio
VALUE
All China Equity Portfolio
International Value Fund
FIXED INCOME
MUNICIPAL
High Income Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate California Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate Diversified Municipal Portfolio
Intermediate New York Municipal Portfolio
Municipal Bond Inflation Strategy
Tax-Aware Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio
National Portfolio
Arizona Portfolio
California Portfolio
Massachusetts Portfolio
Minnesota Portfolio
New Jersey Portfolio
New York Portfolio
Ohio Portfolio
Pennsylvania Portfolio
Virginia Portfolio
TAXABLE
Bond Inflation Strategy
Global Bond Fund
High Income Fund
Income Fund
Intermediate Duration Portfolio
Short Duration High Yield Portfolio1
Short Duration Income Portfolio
Short Duration Portfolio
Sustainable Thematic Credit Portfolio
Total Return Bond Portfolio
ALTERNATIVES
All Market Real Return Portfolio
Global Real Estate Investment Fund
Select US Long/Short Portfolio
MULTI-ASSET
All
Market Total Return Portfolio
Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Portfolio
Global Risk Allocation Fund
Sustainable Thematic Balanced Portfolio
CLOSED-END FUNDS
AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund
AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund
EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS
Conservative Buffer ETF
Core Plus Bond ETF
Corporate Bond ETF
Disruptors ETF
High
Yield ETF
Tax-Aware Intermediate Municipal ETF
Tax-Aware Long Municipal ETF
Tax-Aware Short Duration Municipal ETF
Ultra Short Income ETF
US High Dividend ETF
US Large Cap Strategic Equities ETF
US Low Volatility Equity ETF
We also offer Government Money Market Portfolio, which serves as the money market fund exchange vehicle for the AB
mutual funds. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. The Fund may impose a fee upon sale of your shares or may
temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Funds liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency. The Funds sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time.
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. For copies of our prospectus or summary
prospectus, which contain this and other information, visit us online at www.abfunds.com or contact your AB representative. Please read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus carefully before investing.
1 |
Prior to July 5, 2023, International Low Volatility Equity Portfolio was named International Strategic Core Portfolio
and Short Duration High Yield Portfolio was named Limited Duration High Income Portfolio. |
|
|
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|
54 | ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME
FUND |
|
abfunds.com |
NOTES
|
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|
abfunds.com |
|
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND | 55 |
NOTES
|
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|
|
56 | ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME
FUND |
|
abfunds.com |
Privacy Notice
AllianceBernstein and its affiliates (collectively referred to as AllianceBernstein, we, our, and
similar pronouns) understand the importance of maintaining the confidentiality and security of our clients nonpublic personal information. Nonpublic personal information is personally identifiable financial information about our clients who
are natural persons. To provide financial products and services to our clients, we collect nonpublic personal information from a variety of sources, including: (1) information we receive from clients, such as through applications or other
forms, which can include a clients name, address, phone number, social security number, assets, income and other household information, (2) information about client transactions with us, our affiliates and
non-affiliated third parties, which can include account balances and transactions history, and (3) information from visitors to our websites provided through online forms, site visitorship data and online
information-collecting devices known as cookies.
We may disclose all of the nonpublic personal information that we
collect about our current and former clients, as described above, to non-affiliated third parties to manage our business and as otherwise required or permitted by law, including those that perform transaction
processing or servicing functions, marketing services providers that provide marketing services on our behalf pursuant to a joint marketing agreement, and professional services firms that provide knowledge-based services such as accountants,
consultants, lawyers and auditors to help manage client accounts. We require all the third-party providers to adhere to our privacy policy or a functional equivalent.
We may also disclose the nonpublic personal information that we collect about current and former clients, as described above, to our
affiliated investment, brokerage, service and insurance companies for the purpose of marketing their products or services to clients under circumstances that are permitted by law, such as if our affiliate has its own relationship with you. We have
policies and procedures to ensure that certain conditions are met before an AllianceBernstein affiliated company may use information obtained from another affiliate to solicit clients for marketing purposes.
We will also use nonpublic personal information about our clients for our own internal analysis, analytics, research and development,
and to improve and add to our client offerings.
We have policies and procedures designed to safeguard the confidentiality and
security of nonpublic personal information about our clients that include restricting access to nonpublic personal information to personnel that have been screened and undergone security and privacy training; to personnel who need it to perform
their work functions such as our operations, customer service, account management, finance, quality, vendor management and compliance teams as required to provide services, communicate with you and fulfill our legal obligations.
We employ reasonably designed physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to secure and protect client nonpublic personal
information.
If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, we will comply with applicable legal
requirements providing adequate protection for the transfer of personal information to recipients in countries outside of the EEA and Switzerland.
For more information, our Privacy Policy statement can be viewed here:
https://www.alliancebernstein.com/abcom/Privacy_Terms/PrivacyPolicy.htm.
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
800 221 5672
ABNMIF-0152-0424
Not applicable when filing a semi-annual report to shareholders.
ITEM 3. |
AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT. |
Not applicable when filing a semi-annual report to shareholders.
ITEM 4. |
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES. |
Not applicable when filing a semi-annual report to shareholders.
ITEM 5. |
AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS. |
Not applicable when filing a semi-annual report to shareholders.
Please see Schedule of Investments contained in the Report to Shareholders included under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.
ITEM 7. |
DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not applicable when filing a semi-annual report to shareholders.
ITEM 8. |
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
|
Not applicable when filing a semi-annual report to shareholders.
ITEM 9. |
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT
COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS. |
There have been no purchases of equity securities by the Fund or by affiliated parties for the
reporting period.
ITEM 10. |
SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS. |
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Funds Board of Directors since the Fund last
provided disclosure in response to this item.
ITEM 11. |
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. |
(a) The registrants principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrants disclosure controls and
procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-2(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) are effective at the reasonable assurance level based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a
date within 90 days of the filing date of this document.
(b) There were no changes in the registrants internal controls over financial reporting
that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 12. |
DISCLOSURE OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
The registrant did not engage in securities lending during its most recent fiscal year.
The following exhibits are attached to this Form N-CSR:
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
(Registrant): AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
|
|
|
By: |
|
/s/ Onur Erzan |
|
|
Onur Erzan |
|
|
President |
|
|
Date: |
|
June 26, 2024 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has
been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
|
|
|
By: |
|
/s/ Onur Erzan |
|
|
Onur Erzan |
|
|
President |
|
|
Date: |
|
June 26, 2024 |
|
|
|
By: |
|
/s/ Stephen M. Woetzel |
|
|
Stephen M. Woetzel |
|
|
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
Date: |
|
June 26, 2024 |
Exhibit 13(b)(1)
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
I, Onur Erzan, President of AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund, Inc., certify that:
1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the
financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrants other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of
1940) for the registrant and have:
a) |
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the
registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
b) |
Designed such internal control over financial reporting to provide reasonable assurance regarding the
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
c) |
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this
report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation ; and |
d) |
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that
occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. The registrants other certifying officers and I have disclosed to the registrants auditors and the
audit committee of the registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a) All significant deficiencies and material
weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal control over
financial reporting.
Date: June 26, 2024
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By: |
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/s/ Onur Erzan |
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Onur Erzan |
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President |
Exhibit 13(b)(2)
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
I, Stephen M. Woetzel, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund, Inc., certify that:
1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the
financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrants other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of
1940) for the registrant and have:
a) |
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the
registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
b) |
Designed such internal control over financial reporting to provide reasonable assurance regarding the
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
c) |
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures presented in this
report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation ; and |
d) |
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that
occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. The registrants other certifying officers and I have disclosed to the registrants auditors and the
audit committee of the registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a) All significant deficiencies and material
weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information ; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal control over
financial reporting.
Date: June 26, 2024
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By: |
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/s/ Stephen M. Woetzel |
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Stephen M. Woetzel |
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Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer |
EXHIBIT 13(c)
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
1350, each of the undersigned, being the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer of AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (the Registrant), hereby certifies that the Registrants report on Form N-CSR for the period ended April 30, 2024 (the Report) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained
in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.
Date: June 26, 2024
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By: |
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/s/ Onur Erzan |
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Onur Erzan |
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President |
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By: |
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/s/ Stephen M. Woetzel |
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Stephen M. Woetzel |
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|
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer |
This certification is being furnished solely pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and is not
being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to the Registrant and will be retained by the Registrant and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
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