a_multicapcoresum.htm

Putnam Multi-Cap
Core Fund

Before you invest, you may wish to review the fund’s prospectus, which contains more information about the fund and its risks. You may obtain the prospectus and other information about the fund, including the statement of additional information (SAI) and most recent reports to shareholders, at no cost by visiting putnam.com/funddocuments, calling 1-800-225-1581, or e-mailing Putnam at funddocuments@putnam.com.

The fund’s prospectus and SAI, both dated 8/30/10, as supplemented from time to time, are incorporated by reference into this summary prospectus.

Goal

Putnam Multi-Cap Core Fund seeks capital appreciation.

Fees and expenses

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 11 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).

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)


		Maximum deferred
	Maximum sales	sales charge (load) (as
	charge (load)	a percentage of original
	imposed on purchases	purchase price or	Redemption fee (as
	(as a percentage of	redemption proceeds,	a percentage of total
Share class	offering price)	whichever is lower)	redemption proceeds)

Class A	5.75%	NONE*	1.00%
Class B	NONE	5.00%**	1.00%
Class C	NONE	1.00%	1.00%
Class M	3.50%	NONE*	1.00%
Class R	NONE	NONE	1.00%
Class Y	NONE	NONE	1.00%

Annual fund operating expenses
(expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)***


						Total
						annual fund
						operating
						expenses
		Distri-		Total		after
		bution and		annual fund	Expense	expense
Share	Manage-	service	Other	operating	reim-	reimburse-
class	ment fees	(12b-1) fees	expenses****	expenses	bursement	ment

Class A	0.56%	0.25%	0.63%	1.44%	(0.08%)	1.36%
Class B	0.56%	1.00%	0.63%	2.19%	(0.08%)	2.11%
Class C	0.56%	1.00%	0.63%	2.19%	(0.08%)	2.11%
Class M	0.56%	0.75%	0.63%	1.94%	(0.08%)	1.86%
Class R	0.56%	0.50%	0.63%	1.69%	(0.08%)	1.61%
Class Y	0.56%	N/A	0.63%	1.19%	(0.08%)	1.11%

* A deferred sales charge of 1.00% on class A shares and of 0.65% on class M shares may be imposed on certain redemptions of shares bought without an initial sales charge.

** This charge is phased out over six years.

*** Reflects Putnam Investment Management, LLC’s contractual obligation to limit certain fund expenses through August 30, 2011. This obligation may be modified or discontinued only with approval of the Board of Trustees.

**** Other expenses are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

Example

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. Only the first year of each period in the example takes into account the expense reimbursement described above. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.


Share class	1 year	3 years

Class A	$706	$971
Class B	$714	$951
Class B (no redemption)	$214	$651
Class C	$314	$651
Class C (no redemption)	$214	$651
Class M	$532	$904
Class R	$164	$497
Class Y	$113	$342

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction-related costs 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 portfolio turnover rate will be available after the fund completes its first fiscal year.

Investments, risks, and performance

Investments

We invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of U.S. companies of any size 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 we believe will cause the stock price to rise. 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 engage in short sales of securities.

Risks

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. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments and value stocks may fail to rebound. Our use of short selling may result in losses if the securities appreciate in value.

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.

Performance

Performance information will be available after the fund completes a full calendar year of operation.

Your fund’s management

Investment advisor

Putnam Investment Management, LLC

Portfolio manager

Gerard Sullivan, Portfolio Manager, portfolio manager of the fund since 2010

Purchase and sale of fund shares

You can open an account, purchase and/or sell fund shares, or exchange them for shares of another Putnam fund by contacting your financial advisor or by calling Putnam Investor Services at 1-800-225-1581.

When opening an account, you must complete and mail a Putnam account application, along with a check made payable to the fund, to: Putnam Investor Services, P.O. Box 8383, Boston, MA 02266-8383. The minimum initial investment of $500 is currently waived, although Putnam reserves the right to reject initial investments under $500 at its discretion. There is no minimum for subsequent investments.

You can sell your shares back to the fund or exchange them for shares of another Putnam fund any day the New York Stock Exchange is open. Shares may be sold or exchanged by mail, by phone, or online at putnam.com. Some restrictions may apply.

Tax information

The fund normally distributes any net investment income and any net realized capital gains annually. These distributions will be taxed as ordinary income or as capital gains, unless the shares are held through a qualified retirement plan.

Financial intermediary compensation

If you purchase the fund through a broker/dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank or financial advisor), the fund and its related companies may pay that intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related services. Please bear in mind that these payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker/dealer or other intermediary to recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your advisor or visit your advisor’s Web site for more information.

Additional information, including current performance, is available at putnam.com/funddocuments, by calling 1-800-225-1581, or by e-mailing Putnam at funddocuments@putnam.com.

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