0000868648 pief2:S000006181Member pief2:C000017025Member 2011-10-31 2012-10-30 0000868648 pief2:S000006181Member pief2:C000017026Member 2011-10-31 2012-10-30 0000868648 pief2:S000006181Member pief2:C000017024Member 2011-10-31 2012-10-30 0000868648 pief2:S000006181Member 2011-10-31 2012-10-30 0000868648 pief2:S000006181Member pief2:C000017027Member 2011-10-31 2012-10-30 0000868648 pief2:S000006181Member pief2:C000017028Member 2011-10-31 2012-10-30 0000868648 pief2:S000006181Member pief2:C000118015Member 2011-10-31 2012-10-30 0000868648 pief2:S000006181Member pief2:C000118016Member 2011-10-31 2012-10-30 0000868648 pief2:S000006181Member pief2:C000017029Member 2011-10-31 2012-10-30 0000868648 2011-10-31 2012-10-30 0000868648 pief2:S000006181Member rr:AfterTaxesOnDistributionsMember pief2:C000017024Member 2011-10-31 2012-10-30 0000868648 pief2:S000006181Member rr:AfterTaxesOnDistributionsAndSalesMember pief2:C000017024Member 2011-10-31 2012-10-30 0000868648 pief2:S000006181Member pief2:MsciEafeIndexMember 2011-10-31 2012-10-30 pure iso4217:USD 1134 1134 1277 2012-09-30 <div style="display:none">~ http://putnam.com/role/ScheduleShareholderFeesPUTNAMINTERNATIONALEQUITYFUND/MA/ column period compact * ~</div> Example 1334 1134 1321 876 520 466 612 0.2814 Fund summary Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment) 0.0575 0 0.035 0 0 0 0 0 The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 67%. putnam.com 0.1391 <div style="display:none">~ http://putnam.com/role/ScheduleAnnualFundOperatingExpensesPUTNAMINTERNATIONALEQUITYFUND/MA/ column period compact * ~</div> You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 14 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI). 50000 485BPOS PUTNAM INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND /MA/ 2012-10-26 The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 14 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI). Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) 0 0 0 0 0.0065 0.01 0.05 0.01 Investments 706 714 314 532 164 96 86 113 214 214 2250 2441 The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/11) <div style="sans-serif"><table style="font-size:10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%"><tr><td style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 0px solid" width="20%">Year-to-date performance through 9/30/12</td> <td style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 0px solid" width="5%"> 13.91%</td><td width="40%"></td><td width="35%"></td> </tr> <tr><td style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 0px solid" width="20%">Best calendar quarter Q2 2009</td> <td style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 0px solid" width="5%">23.24%</td><td width="40%"></td><td width="35%"></td> </tr> <tr><td width="20%">Worst calendar quarter Q3 2011</td> <td width="8%">-23.03%</td><td width="40%"></td><td width="35%"></td> </tr></table></div> After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement. Class B share performance does not reflect conversion to class A shares. <div style="display:none">~ http://putnam.com/role/ScheduleAnnualTotalReturnsPUTNAMINTERNATIONALEQUITYFUND/MA/BarChart column period compact * ~</div> The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Your actual costs may be higher or lower. 0000868648 2012-10-30 false 2012-06-30 Goal Fees and expenses 0.0025 0.01 0.0136 0.0211 0.0211 0.0186 0.0161 0.0094 0.0084 0.0111 Portfolio turnover We invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies outside the United States that we believe have favorable investment potential. For example, we may purchase stocks of companies with stock prices that reflect a value lower than that which we place on the company. We may also consider other factors that we believe will cause the stock price to rise. We invest mainly in developed countries, but may invest in emerging markets. We may consider, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell investments. We may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes. It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund. The prices of stocks in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including both general financial market conditions and factors related to a specific company or industry. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies. The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments (such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation or deflation), and may be illiquid. Our use of derivatives may increase these risks by increasing investment exposure or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations. The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. 981 961 661 914 508 300 268 353 661 661 It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund. Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges -0.1703 0.1262 -0.4484 -0.1554 2009-06-30 0.2324 Worst calendar quarter 2011-09-30 After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. 0.0159 0.0098 0.0155 0.0143 0.0143 0.0133 0.0195 0.0245 0.0245 0.0245 0.0467 <div style="display:none">~ http://putnam.com/role/ScheduleAverageAnnualTotalReturnsTransposedPUTNAMINTERNATIONALEQUITYFUND/MA/ column period compact * ~</div> -0.2039 -0.2139 -0.1268 -0.2011 -0.1697 -0.189 -0.1571 -0.1534 -0.1534 -0.1534 -0.1214 2012-10-30 Putnam International Equity Fund seeks capital appreciation. 0.0071 0.0071 0.0071 0.0071 0.0071 0.0071 0.0071 0.0071 0.01 0.0075 0.005 0.004 0.004 0.004 0.004 0.004 0.0023 0.0013 0.004 Risks Performance The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com. 2116 2250 2441 2453 1911 1155 1037 1352 0.67 An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. 0.1618 0.282 0.0844 0.2527 0.1009 Year-to-date performance through Best calendar quarter -0.2303 After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. -0.0721 -0.0674 -0.0674 -0.0674 -0.0472 -0.0807 -0.0907 -0.0664 -0.0796 -0.0768 -0.081 <div style="display:none">~ http://putnam.com/role/ScheduleExpenseExamplePUTNAMINTERNATIONALEQUITYFUNDMA column period compact * ~</div> <div style="display:none">~ http://putnam.com/role/ScheduleExpenseExampleNoRedemptionPUTNAMINTERNATIONALEQUITYFUNDMA column period compact * ~</div> Applies only to certain redemptions of shares bought with no initial sales charge. This charge is phased out over six years. This charge is eliminated after one year. Management fees are subject to a performance adjustment. Other expenses shown for class R5 and class R6 shares are based on the expenses of class A shares for the fund's last fiscal year adjusted to reflect the lower investor servicing fees applicable to class R5 and class R6 shares. Performance for class R5 and class R6 shares prior to their inception (7/2/12) is derived from the historical performance of class Y shares, and has not been adjusted for the lower investor servicing fees applicable to class R5 and R6 shares; had it, returns would have been higher.