Fund summary
Goal
Putnam International Value Fund seeks capital growth. Current income is a secondary objective.
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 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).
Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Share class | Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) |
Class A | 5.75% | 1.00%* |
Class B | NONE | 5.00%** |
Class C | NONE | 1.00%*** |
Class M | 3.50% | 0.65%* |
Class R | NONE | NONE |
Class R5 | NONE | NONE |
Class R6 | NONE | NONE |
Class Y | NONE | NONE |
Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Share class | Management fees† | Distribution and service (12b-1) fees | Other expenses | Total annual fund operating expenses |
Class A | 0.70% | 0.25% | 0.39% | 1.34% |
Class B | 0.70% | 1.00% | 0.39% | 2.09% |
Class C | 0.70% | 1.00% | 0.39% | 2.09% |
Class M | 0.70% | 0.75% | 0.39% | 1.84% |
Class R | 0.70% | 0.50% | 0.39% | 1.59% |
Class R5 | 0.70% | N/A | 0.31%< | 1.01% |
Class R6 | 0.70% | N/A | 0.21%< | 0.91% |
Class Y | 0.70% | N/A | 0.39% | 1.09% |
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* 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 have been annualized.
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. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.
Share class | 1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years |
Class A | $704 | $975 | $1,267 | $2,095 |
Class B | $712 | $955 | $1,324 | $2,229 |
Class B (no redemption) | $212 | $655 | $1,124 | $2,229 |
Class C | $312 | $655 | $1,124 | $2,421 |
Class C (no redemption) | $212 | $655 | $1,124 | $2,421 |
Class M | $530 | $908 | $1,311 | $2,433 |
Class R | $162 | $502 | $866 | $1,889 |
Class R5 | $103 | $322 | $558 | $1,236 |
Class R6 | $93 | $290 | $504 | $1,120 |
Class Y | $111 | $347 | $601 | $1,329 |
Portfolio turnover
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 50%.
Investments, risks, and performance
Investments
We invest mainly in common stocks of large and midsize companies outside the United States, with a focus on value stocks. Value stocks are those that we believe are currently undervalued by the market. If we are correct and other investors ultimately recognize the value of the company, the price of its stock
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may rise. We invest mainly in developed countries, but may invest in emergingmarkets. 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.
Risks
It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.
The value 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. Value stocks may fail to rebound, and the market may not favor value-style investing. 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 (which may be considered leverage) 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.
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.
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Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges
Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/13)
Share class | 1 year | 5 years | 10 years |
Class A before taxes | 15.02% | 10.31% | 5.28% |
Class A after taxes on distributions | 14.89% | 10.11% | 4.82% |
Class A after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares | 9.03% | 8.41% | 4.67% |
Class B before taxes | 16.21% | 10.49% | 5.27% |
Class C before taxes | 20.22% | 10.77% | 5.11% |
Class M before taxes | 17.25% | 10.27% | 5.02% |
Class R before taxes | 21.86% | 11.34% | 5.65% |
Class R5 before taxes* | 22.46% | 11.90% | 6.18% |
Class R6 before taxes* | 22.46% | 11.90% | 6.18% |
Class Y before taxes | 22.43% | 11.90% | 6.17% |
MSCI EAFE Value Index (ND) (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes other than withholding taxes on reinvested dividends) | 22.95% | 11.99% | 6.77% |
* Performance for class R5 and class R6 shares prior to their inception (12/2/13) 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 class R6 shares; had it, returns would have been higher.
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 reflects conversion to class A shares after eight years.
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Your fund’s management
Investment advisor
Putnam Investment Management, LLC
Portfolio manager
Darren Jaroch, Portfolio Manager, portfolio manager of the fund from 2005 to 2008 and since 2009
Assistant portfolio manager
Karan Sodhi, Analyst, assistant portfolio manager of the fund since 2012
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 (NYSE) 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’s distributions will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains unless you hold the shares through a tax-advantaged arrangement, in which case you will generally be taxed only upon withdrawal of monies from the arrangement.
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 website for more information.
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What are the fund’s main investment strategies and related risks?
This section contains greater detail on the fund’s main investment strategies and the related risks you would face as a fund shareholder. It is important to keep in mind that risk and reward generally go hand in hand; the higher the potential reward, the greater the risk. As mentioned in the fund summary, we pursue the fund’s goal by investing mainly in value stocks issued by companies outside the United States. We consider a company to be located outside the United States if the company’s securities trade outside the United States, the company is headquartered or organized outside the United States or the company derives a majority of its revenues or profits outside the United States.
Value stocks — Companies whose stocks we believe are undervalued by the market may have experienced adverse business developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused their stocks to be out of favor. If our assessment of a company’s prospects is wrong, or if other investors do not similarly recognize the value of the company, then the price of the company’s stock may fall or may not approach the value that we have placed on it.
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The risks of foreign investments are typically increased in countries with less developed markets, which are sometimes referred to as emerging markets. Emerging markets may have less developed economies and legal and regulatory systems, and may be susceptible to greater political and economic instability than developed foreign markets. Countries with emerging markets are also more likely to experience high levels of inflation, deflation or currency devaluation, and investments in emerging markets may be more volatile and less liquid than investments in developed markets. For these and other reasons, investments in emerging markets are often considered speculative.
Certain of these risks may also apply to some extent to U.S.-traded investments that are denominated in foreign currencies, investments in U.S. companies that are traded in foreign markets or investments in U.S. companies that have significant foreign operations.
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make use of “short” derivatives positions, the values of which typically move in the opposite direction from the price of the underlying investment, pool of investments, index or currency. We may use derivatives both for hedging and non-hedging purposes. For example, we may use foreign currency transactions to increase or decrease the fund’s exposure to a particular currency or group of currencies. We may also use derivatives as a substitute for a direct investment in the securities of one or more issuers. However, we may also choose not to use derivatives based on our evaluation of market conditions or the availability of suitable derivatives. Investments in derivatives may be applied toward meeting a requirement to invest in a particular kind of investment if the derivatives have economic characteristics similar to that investment.
Derivatives involve special risks and may result in losses. The successful use of derivatives depends on our ability to manage these sophisticated instruments. Some derivatives are “leveraged,” which means they provide the fund with investment exposure greater than the value of the fund’s investment in the derivatives. As a result, these derivatives may magnify or otherwise increase investment losses to the fund. The risk of loss from certain short derivatives positions is theoretically unlimited. The value of derivatives may move in unexpected ways due to the use of leverage or other factors, especially in unusual market conditions, and may result in increased volatility.
Other risks arise from the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions. A liquid secondary market may not always exist for the fund’s derivatives positions. In fact, many over-the-counter instruments (investments not traded on an exchange) will not be liquid. Over-the-counter instruments also involve the risk that the other party to the derivatives transaction will not meet its obligations. For further information about the risks of derivatives, see Miscellaneous Investments, Investment Practices and Risks in the SAI.
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Who oversees and manages the fund?
The fund’s Trustees
As a shareholder of a mutual fund, you have certain rights and protections, including representation by a Board of Trustees. The Putnam Funds’ Board of Trustees oversees the general conduct of the fund’s business and represents the interests of the Putnam fund shareholders. At least 75% of the members of the Putnam Funds’ Board of Trustees are independent, which means they are not officers of the fund or affiliated with Putnam Investment Management, LLC (Putnam Management).
The Trustees periodically review the fund’s investment performance and the quality of other services such as administration, custody, and investor services. At least annually, the Trustees review the fees paid to Putnam Management and its affiliates for providing or overseeing these services, as well as the overall level of the fund’s operating expenses. In carrying out their responsibilities, the Trustees are assisted by an administrative staff and legal counsel that are selected by the Trustees and are independent of Putnam Management and its affiliates and by the fund’s auditors.
Contacting
the fund’s Trustees
Address correspondence to:
The Putnam Funds Trustees
One Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02109
The fund’s investment manager
The Trustees have retained Putnam Management, which has managed mutual funds since 1937, to be the fund’s investment manager, responsible for making investment decisions for the fund and managing the fund’s other affairs and business.
The basis for the Trustees’ approval of the fund’s management contract and the sub-management and sub-advisory contracts described below is discussed in the fund’s annual report to shareholders dated June 30, 2014. The fund pays a monthly base management fee to Putnam Management. The base fee is calculated by applying a rate to the fund’s average net assets for the month. The rate is based on the monthly average of the aggregate net assets of all open-end funds sponsored by Putnam Management (excluding fund assets that are invested in other Putnam funds), and generally declines as the aggregate net assets increase.
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The fund’s monthly base fee described above is increased or reduced by a performance adjustment. The amount of the performance adjustment is calculated monthly based on a performance adjustment rate that is equal to 0.03 multiplied by the difference between the fund’s annualized performance (measured by the fund’s class A shares) and the annualized performance of the MSCI EAFE Value Index (ND), each measured over the performance period. The performance period is the thirty-six month period then ended. The performance adjustment rate is multiplied by the fund’s average net assets over the performance period, divided by twelve, and added to, or subtracted from, the base fee for that month. The maximum annualized performance adjustment rate is 0.15%.
The fund paid Putnam Management a management fee (after any applicable waivers or performance adjustments) of 0.70% of average net assets for the fund’s last fiscal year.
Putnam Management’s address is One Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02109.
Putnam Management has retained its affiliate Putnam Investments Limited (PIL) to make investment decisions for such fund assets as may be designated from time to time for its management by Putnam Management. Putnam Management (and not the fund) will pay a quarterly sub-management fee to PIL for its services at the annual rate of 0.35% of the average net asset value of any fund assets managed by PIL. PIL, which provides a full range of international investment advisory services to institutional clients, is located at Cassini House, 57–59 St James’s Street, London, England, SW1A 1LD.
Putnam Management and PIL have retained their affiliate The Putnam Advisory Company, LLC (PAC) to make investment decisions for such fund assets as may be designated from time to time for its management by Putnam Management or PIL, as applicable. Putnam Management or PIL, as applicable (and not the fund), will pay a quarterly sub-advisory fee to PAC for its services at the annual rate of 0.35% of the average net asset value of any fund assets managed by PAC. PAC, which provides financial services to institutions and individuals through separately-managed accounts and pooled investment vehicles, has its headquarters at One Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02109, with additional investment management personnel located in Singapore.
Pursuant to these arrangements, Putnam investment professionals who are based in foreign jurisdictions may serve as portfolio managers of the fund or provide other investment services, consistent with local regulations.
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Portfolio manager | Joined fund | Employer | Positions over past five years |
Darren Jaroch | from 2005 to 2008 and since 2009 | Putnam Management 1999 – Present | Portfolio Manager |
Assistant portfolio manager | Joined fund | Employer | Positions over past five years |
Karan Sodhi | 2012 | Putnam Management 2010 – Present | Analyst and Assistant Portfolio Manager |
Stark Investments 2007 – 2009 | Equity Analyst |
The SAI provides information about these individuals’ compensation, other accounts managed by these individuals and these individuals’ ownership of securities in the fund.
How does the fund price its shares?
The price of the fund’s shares is based on its net asset value (NAV). The NAV per share of each class equals the total value of its assets, less its liabilities, divided by the number of its outstanding shares. Shares are only valued as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE each day the exchange is open.
The fund values its investments for which market quotations are readily available at market value. It values short-term investments that will mature within 60 days at amortized cost, which approximates market value. It values all other investments and assets at their fair value, which may differ from recent market prices. For example, the fund may value a stock at its fair value when the relevant exchange closes early or trading in the stock is suspended. It may also value a stock at fair value if recent transactions in the stock have been very limited or, if, in the case of a security traded on a market that closes before the NYSE closes, material information about the issuer becomes available after the close of the relevant market.
The fund translates prices for its investments quoted in foreign currencies into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates, which are generally determined as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time each day the NYSE is open. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar may affect the fund’s NAV. Because foreign markets may be open at different times than the NYSE, the value of the fund’s shares may change on days when shareholders are not able to buy or sell them. Many securities markets and exchanges outside the U.S. close before the close of the NYSE, and, therefore the closing prices for securities in such markets or on such exchanges may not fully reflect events that occur after such close but before the close of the NYSE. As a result, the fund has adopted fair value pricing procedures, which, among other things, require the fund to fair value foreign equity securities if there has been a
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movement in the U.S. market that exceeds a specified threshold. Although the threshold may be revised from time to time and the number of days on which fair value prices will be used will depend on market activity, it is possible that fair value prices will be used by the fund to a significant extent. As noted above, the value determined for an investment using the fund’s fair value pricing procedures may differ from recent market prices for the investment.
The fund’s most recent NAV is available on Putnam Investments’ website at putnam.com/individual or by contacting Putnam Investor Services at 1-800-225-1581.
How do I buy fund shares?
Opening an account
You can open a fund account and purchase class A, B, C, and M shares by contacting your financial representative or Putnam Investor Services at 1-800-225-1581 and obtaining a Putnam account application. The completed application, along with a check made payable to the fund, must then be returned to Putnam Investor Services at the following address:
Putnam
Investor Services
P.O. Box 8383
Boston, MA 02266-8383
You can open a fund account with as little as $500. The minimum investment is waived if you make regular investments weekly, semi-monthly or monthly through automatic deductions from your bank checking or savings account. Although Putnam is currently waiving the minimum, it reserves the right to reject initial investments under the minimum at its discretion.
The fund sells its shares at the offering price, which is the NAV plus any applicable sales charge (class A and class M shares only). Your financial representative or Putnam Investor Services generally must receive your completed buy order before the close of regular trading on the NYSE for your shares to be bought at that day’s offering price.
If you participate in an employer-sponsored retirement plan that offers the fund, please consult your employer for information on how to purchase shares of the fund through the plan, including any restrictions or limitations that may apply.
Mutual funds must obtain and verify information that identifies investors opening new accounts. If the fund is unable to collect the required information, Putnam Investor Services may not be able to open your account.
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Investors must provide their full name, residential or business address, Social Security or tax identification number, and date of birth. Entities, such as trusts, estates, corporations and partnerships, must also provide other identifying information. Putnam Investor Services may share identifying information with third parties for the purpose of verification. If Putnam Investor Services cannot verify identifying information after opening your account, the fund reserves the right to close your account.
Also, the fund may periodically close to new purchases of shares or refuse any order to buy shares if the fund determines that doing so would be in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders.
Purchasing additional shares
Once you have an existing account, you can make additional investments at any time in any amount in the following ways:
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Which class of shares is best for me?
This prospectus offers you four classes of fund shares: A, B, C and M. Employer-sponsored retirement plans may also choose class R, R5 or R6 shares, and certain investors described below may also choose class Y shares.
Each share class represents investments in the same portfolio of securities, but each class has its own sales charge and expense structure, as illustrated in the Fund summary — Fees and expenses section, allowing you and your financial representative to choose the class that best suits your investment needs. When you purchase shares of a fund, you must choose a share class. Deciding which share class best suits your situation depends on a number of factors that you should discuss with your financial representative, including:
Here is a summary of the differences among the classes of shares
Class A shares
Class B shares
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Class C shares
Class M shares
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purchases of $1,000,000 or more should consider whether class A shares would be more advantageous and consult their financial representative.
Class R shares (available only to employer-sponsored retirement plans)
Class R5 shares (available only to employer-sponsored retirement plans)
Class R6 shares (available only to employer-sponsored retirement plans)
Class Y shares (available only to investors listed below)
The following investors may purchase class Y shares if approved by Putnam:
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Trust companies or bank trust departments that purchased class Y shares for trust accounts may transfer them to the beneficiaries of the trust accounts, who may continue to hold them or exchange them for class Y shares of other Putnam funds. Defined contribution plans (including corporate IRAs) that purchased class Y shares under prior eligibility criteria may continue to purchase class Y shares.
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Initial sales charges for class A and M shares
Class A sales charge as a percentage of*: | Class M sales charge as a percentage of*: | |||
Amount of purchase at offering price ($) | Net amount invested | Offering price** | Net amount invested | Offering price** |
Under 50,000 | 6.10% | 5.75% | 3.63% | 3.50% |
50,000 but under 100,000 | 4.71 | 4.50 | 2.56 | 2.50 |
100,000 but under 250,000 | 3.63 | 3.50 | 1.52 | 1.50 |
250,000 but under 500,000 | 2.56 | 2.50 | 1.01 | 1.00 |
500,000 but under 1,000,000 | 2.04 | 2.00 | 1.01 | 1.00 |
1,000,000 and above | NONE | NONE | N/A*** | N/A*** |
* Because of rounding in the calculation of offering price and the number of shares purchased, actual sales charges you pay may be more or less than these percentages.
** Offering price includes sales charge.
*** The fund will not accept purchase orders for class M shares (other than by employer-sponsored retirement plans) where the total of the current purchase, plus existing account balances that are eligible to be linked under a right of accumulation (as described below) is $1 million or more.
Reducing your class A or class M sales charge
The fund offers two principal ways for you to qualify for discounts on initial sales charges on class A and class M shares, often referred to as “breakpoint discounts”:
To calculate the total value of your existing accounts and any linked accounts, the fund will use the higher of (a) the current maximum public offering price of those shares or (b) if you purchased the shares after December 31, 2007, the initial value of the total purchases, or, if you held the shares on December 31, 2007, the market value at maximum public offering price on that date, in either case, less the market value on the applicable redemption date of any of those shares that you have redeemed.
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Account types that may be linked with each other to obtain breakpoint discounts using the methods described above include:
In order to obtain a breakpoint discount, you should inform your financial representative at the time you purchase shares of the existence of other accounts or purchases that are eligible to be linked for the purpose of calculating the initial sales charge. The fund or your financial representative may ask you for records or other information about other shares held in your accounts and linked accounts, including accounts opened with a different financial representative. Restrictions may apply to certain accounts and transactions. Further details about breakpoint discounts can be found on Putnam Investments’ website at putnam.com/individual by selecting Mutual Funds, then Pricing and performance, and then About fund costs and in the SAI.
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including deferred sales charges, is included in the SAI. You may consult your financial representative or Putnam Retail Management for assistance.
How do I sell or exchange fund shares?
You can sell your shares back to the fund or exchange them for shares of another Putnam fund any day the NYSE is open, either through your financial representative or directly to the fund.
If you redeem your shares shortly after purchasing them, your redemption payment for the shares may be delayed until the fund collects the purchase price of the shares, which may be up to 10 calendar days after the purchase date.
Regarding exchanges, not all Putnam funds offer all classes of shares or may be open to new investors. If you exchange shares otherwise subject to a deferred sales charge, the transaction will not be subject to the deferred sales charge. When you redeem the shares acquired through the exchange, however, the redemption may be subject to the deferred sales charge, depending upon when and from which fund you originally purchased the shares. The deferred sales charge will be computed using the schedule of any fund into or from which you have exchanged your shares that would result in your paying the highest deferred sales charge applicable to your class of shares. For purposes of computing the deferred sales charge, the length of time you have owned your shares will be measured from the date of original purchase, unless you originally purchased the shares from another Putnam fund that does not directly charge a deferred sales charge, in which case the length of time you have owned your shares will be measured from the date you exchange those shares for shares of another Putnam fund that does charge a deferred sales charge, and will not be affected by any subsequent exchanges among funds.
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The fund also reserves the right to revise or terminate the exchange privilege, limit the amount or number of exchanges or reject any exchange. The fund into which you would like to exchange may also reject your exchange. These actions may apply to all shareholders or only to those shareholders whose exchanges Putnam Management determines are likely to have a negative effect on the fund or other Putnam funds. Consult Putnam Investor Services before requesting an exchange. Ask your financial representative or Putnam Investor Services for prospectuses of other Putnam funds. Some Putnam funds are not available in all states.
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Deferred sales charges for class B, class C and certain class A and class M shares
If you sell (redeem) class B shares within six years of purchase, you will generally pay a deferred sales charge according to the following schedule:
Year after purchase | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7+ |
Charge | 5% | 4% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 1% | 0% |
A deferred sales charge of 1.00% will apply to class C shares if redeemed within one year of purchase. Class A shares that are part of a purchase of $1 million or more (other than by an employer-sponsored retirement plan) will be subject to a 1.00% deferred sales charge if redeemed within nine months of purchase. A deferred sales charge of 0.65% may apply to class M shares purchased without a sales charge for certain rollover IRA accounts if redeemed within one year of purchase.
Deferred sales charges will be based on the lower of the shares’ cost and current NAV. Shares not subject to any charge will be redeemed first, followed by shares held longest. You may sell shares acquired by reinvestment of distributions without a charge at any time.
Policy on excessive short-term trading
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buy or sell portfolio securities it would not have bought or sold otherwise. The need to execute additional portfolio transactions due to these cash flows may also increase the fund’s brokerage and administrative costs and, for investors in taxable accounts, may increase taxable distributions received from the fund.
Because the fund invests in foreign securities, its performance may be adversely impacted and the interests of longer-term shareholders may be diluted as a result of time-zone arbitrage, a short-term trading practice that seeks to exploit changes in the value of the fund’s investments that result from events occurring after the close of the foreign markets on which the investments trade, but prior to the later close of trading on the NYSE, the time as of which the fund determines its NAV. If an arbitrageur is successful, he or she may dilute the interests of other shareholders by trading shares at prices that do not fully reflect their fair value.
Because the fund invests in securities that may trade infrequently or may be more difficult to value, such as securities of smaller companies, it may be susceptible to trading by short-term traders who seek to exploit perceived price inefficiencies in the fund’s investments. In addition, the market for securities of smaller companies may at times show “market momentum,” in which positive or negative performance may continue from one day to the next for reasons unrelated to the fundamentals of the issuer. Short-term traders may seek to capture this momentum by trading frequently in the fund’s shares, which will reduce the fund’s performance and may dilute the interests of other shareholders. Because securities of smaller companies may be less liquid than securities of larger companies, the fund may also be unable to buy or sell these securities at desirable prices when the need arises (for example, in response to volatile cash flows caused by short-term trading). Similar risks may apply if the fund holds other types of less liquid securities, including below-investment-grade bonds.
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sufficient information, its detection methods may not capture all excessive short-term trading.
In particular, many purchase, redemption and exchange orders are received from financial intermediaries that hold omnibus accounts with the fund. Omnibus accounts, in which shares are held in the name of an intermediary on behalf of multiple beneficial owners, are a common form of holding shares among retirement plans and financial intermediaries such as brokers, advisers and third-party administrators. The fund is generally not able to identify trading by a particular beneficial owner within an omnibus account, which makes it difficult or impossible to determine if a particular shareholder is engaging in excessive short-term trading. Putnam Management monitors aggregate cash flows in omnibus accounts on an ongoing basis. If high cash flows or other information indicate that excessive short-term trading may be taking place, Putnam Management will contact the financial intermediary, plan sponsor or recordkeeper that maintains accounts for the beneficial owner and attempt to identify and remedy any excessive trading. However, the fund’s ability to monitor and deter excessive short-term traders in omnibus accounts ultimately depends on the capabilities and cooperation of these third-party financial firms. A financial intermediary or plan sponsor may impose different or additional limits on short-term trading.
Distribution plans and payments to dealers
Putnam funds are distributed primarily through dealers (including any broker, dealer, bank, bank trust department, registered investment advisor, financial planner, retirement plan administrator, and any other institution having a selling, services, or any similar agreement with Putnam Retail Management or one of its affiliates). In order to pay for the marketing of fund shares and services provided to shareholders, the fund has adopted distribution and service (12b-1) plans, which increase the annual operating expenses you pay each year in certain share classes, as shown in the table of annual fund operating expenses in the section Fund summary — Fees and expenses. Putnam Retail Management and its affiliates also make additional payments to dealers that do not increase your fund expenses, as described below.
Prospectus 27
charge for class A shares. Because class C and class M shares, unlike class B shares, do not convert to class A shares, class C and class M shares may cost you more over time than class B shares. Class R shares will generally be less expensive than class B shares for shareholders who are eligible to purchase either class. Class R5, class R6 and class Y shares, for shareholders who are eligible to purchase them, will be less expensive than other classes of shares because they do not bear sales charges or 12b-1 fees.
Putnam Retail Management and its affiliates also pay additional compensation to selected dealers in recognition of their marketing support and/or program servicing (each of which is described in more detail below). These payments may create an incentive for a dealer firm or its representatives to recommend or offer shares of the fund or other Putnam funds to its customers. These additional payments are made by Putnam Retail Management and its affiliates and do not increase the amount paid by you or the fund as shown under Fund summary — Fees and expenses.
The additional payments to dealers by Putnam Retail Management and its affiliates are generally based on one or more of the following factors: average net assets of a fund attributable to that dealer, sales or net sales of a fund attributable to that dealer, or reimbursement of ticket charges (fees that a dealer firm charges its representatives for effecting transactions in fund shares), or on the basis of a negotiated lump sum payment for services provided.
Marketing support payments are generally available to most dealers engaging in significant sales of Putnam fund shares. These payments are individually negotiated with each dealer firm, taking into account the marketing support services provided by the dealer, including business planning assistance, educating dealer personnel about the Putnam funds and shareholder financial planning needs, placement on the dealer’s preferred or recommended fund company list, and access to sales meetings, sales representatives and management representatives of the dealer, as well as the size of the dealer’s relationship with Putnam Retail Management. Although the total amount of marketing support payments made to dealers in any year may vary, on average, the aggregate payments are not expected, on an annual basis, to exceed 0.085% of the average net assets of Putnam’s retail mutual funds attributable to the dealers.
28 Prospectus
Program servicing payments, which are paid in some instances to dealers in connection with investments in the fund through retirement plans, dealer platforms, and other investment programs, are not expected, with certain limited exceptions, to exceed 0.20% of the total assets in the program on an annual basis. These payments are made for program services provided by the dealer, including participant or shareholder recordkeeping, reporting, or transaction processing, as well as services rendered in connection with dealer platform development and maintenance and services rendered in connection with retirement plans, such as fund/investment selection and monitoring, employee enrollment and education, plan balance rollover or separation, or other similar services.
You can find a list of all dealers to which Putnam made marketing support and/or program servicing payments in 2013 in the SAI, which is on file with the SEC and is also available on Putnam’s website at putnam.com. You can also find other details in the SAI about the payments made by Putnam Retail Management and its affiliates and the services provided by your dealer. Your dealer may charge you fees or commissions in addition to those disclosed in this prospectus. You can also ask your dealer about any payments it receives from Putnam Retail Management and its affiliates and any services your dealer provides, as well as about fees and/or commissions it charges.
Fund distributions and taxes
The fund normally distributes any net investment income and any net realized capital gains annually. You may choose to reinvest distributions from net investment income, capital gains or both in additional shares of your fund or other Putnam funds, or you may receive them in cash in the form of a check or an electronic deposit to your bank account. If you do not select an option when you open your account, all distributions will be reinvested. If you choose to receive distributions in cash, but correspondence from the fund or Putnam Investor Services is returned as “undeliverable,” the distribution option on your account may be converted to reinvest future distributions in the fund. You will not receive interest on uncashed distribution checks.
Prospectus 29
For shares purchased through your employer’s retirement plan, the terms of the plan will govern how the plan may receive distributions from the fund.
For federal income tax purposes, distributions of net investment income are generally taxable to you as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long the fund owned (or is deemed to have owned) the investments that generated them, rather than by how long you have owned (or are deemed to have owned) your shares. Distributions that the fund properly reports to you as gains from investments that the fund owned for more than one year are generally taxable to you as long-term capital gains includible in net capital gain and taxed to individuals at reduced rates. Distributions of gains from investments that the fund owned for one year or less are generally taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions that the fund properly reports to you as “qualified dividend income” are taxable at the reduced rates applicable to your net capital gain provided that both you and the fund meet certain holding period and other requirements. Distributions are taxable in the manner described in this paragraph whether you receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares of this fund or other Putnam funds.
Distributions by the fund to retirement plans that qualify for tax-exempt treatment under federal income tax laws will not be taxable. Special tax rules apply to investments through such plans. You should consult your tax advisor to determine the suitability of the fund as an investment through such a plan and the tax treatment of distributions (including distributions of amounts attributable to an investment in the fund) from such a plan.
Unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged retirement account (such as an IRA), you should consider avoiding a purchase of fund shares shortly before the fund makes a distribution because doing so may cost you money in taxes. Distributions are taxable to you even if they are paid from income or gains earned by the fund before your investment (and thus were included in the price you paid). Contact your financial representative or Putnam to find out the distribution schedule for your fund.
The fund’s investments in foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes. In that case, the fund’s return on those investments would be decreased. If the fund meets certain requirements relating to its asset holdings, and the fund elects to pass through to its shareholders foreign tax credits or deductions, taxable shareholders generally will be entitled to claim a credit or deduction with respect to these foreign taxes. Even if the fund elects to pass through to its shareholders foreign tax credits or deductions, tax-exempt shareholders and those who invest in the fund through
30 Prospectus
tax-advantaged accounts such as IRAs will not benefit from any such tax credit or deduction. In addition, the fund’s investments in foreign securities or foreign currencies may increase or accelerate the fund’s recognition of ordinary income and may affect the timing or amount of the fund’s distributions.
The fund’s use of derivatives, if any, may affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders and, therefore, may increase the amount of taxes payable by shareholders.
Any gain resulting from the sale or exchange of your shares generally also will be subject to tax.
The above is a general summary of the tax implications of investing in the fund. Please refer to the SAI for further details. You should consult your tax advisor for more information on your own tax situation, including possible foreign, state and local taxes.
Financial highlights
The financial highlights tables are intended to help you understand the fund’s recent financial performance. Certain information reflects financial results for a single fund share. The total returns represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the fund, assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. This information has been derived from the fund’s financial statements, which have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The auditor’s report and the fund’s financial statements are included in the fund’s annual report to shareholders, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 31
Financial highlights (For a common share outstanding throughout the period)
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: | LESS DISTRIBUTIONS: | RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: | |||||||||||||
Period ended | Net asset value, beginning of period | Net investment income (loss) a | Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | Total from investment operations | From net investment income | From return of capital | Total distributions | Redemption fees | Non-recurring reimbursements | Net asset value, end of period | Total return at net asset value (%) b | Net assets, end of period (in thousands) | Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%) c | Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (%) | Portfolio turnover (%) |
Class A | |||||||||||||||
June 30, 2014 | $10.04 | .14 | 1.98 | 2.12 | (.16) | — | (.16) | — | — e | $12.00 | 21.14 | $193,487 | 1.34 | 1.26 | 50 |
June 30, 2013 | 8.54 | .17 | 1.46 | 1.63 | (.13) | — | (.13) | — d | — | 10.04 | 19.10 | 172,723 | 1.35 | 1.75 | 39 |
June 30, 2012 | 10.53 | .18 | (1.73) | (1.55) | (.46) | — | (.46) | — d | .02 f,g | 8.54 | (14.26) | 167,513 | 1.37 k | 2.00 k | 45 |
June 30, 2011 | 7.88 | .15 | 2.63 | 2.78 | (.13) | — | (.13) | — d | — h,i | 10.53 | 35.44 | 241,467 | 1.37 k | 1.56 k | 52 |
June 30, 2010 | 7.67 | .16 | .07 | .23 | (.03) | — | (.03) | — d | .01 j | 7.88 | 3.08 | 222,114 | 1.47 k | 1.81 k | 87 |
Class B | |||||||||||||||
June 30, 2014 | $9.95 | .05 | 1.95 | 2.00 | (.06) | — | (.06) | — | — e | $11.89 | 20.16 | $6,691 | 2.09 | .43 | 50 |
June 30, 2013 | 8.45 | .09 | 1.46 | 1.55 | (.05) | — | (.05) | — d | — | 9.95 | 18.36 | 7,549 | 2.10 | .92 | 39 |
June 30, 2012 | 10.39 | .10 | (1.69) | (1.59) | (.37) | — | (.37) | — d | .02 f,g | 8.45 | (14.94) | 8,624 | 2.12 k | 1.16 k | 45 |
June 30, 2011 | 7.77 | .07 | 2.59 | 2.66 | (.04) | — | (.04) | — d | — h,i | 10.39 | 34.31 | 15,096 | 2.12 k | .72 k | 52 |
June 30, 2010 | 7.59 | .09 | .08 | .17 | — | — | — | — d | .01 j | 7.77 | 2.37 | 17,728 | 2.22 k | 1.00 k | 87 |
Class C | |||||||||||||||
June 30, 2014 | $9.96 | .06 | 1.95 | 2.01 | (.08) | — | (.08) | — | — e | $11.89 | 20.18 | $10,030 | 2.09 | .52 | 50 |
June 30, 2013 | 8.47 | .10 | 1.45 | 1.55 | (.06) | — | (.06) | — d | — | 9.96 | 18.28 | 8,342 | 2.10 | 1.03 | 39 |
June 30, 2012 | 10.43 | .11 | (1.71) | (1.60) | (.38) | — | (.38) | — d | .02 f,g | 8.47 | (14.95) | 7,694 | 2.12 k | 1.23 k | 45 |
June 30, 2011 | 7.81 | .08 | 2.60 | 2.68 | (.06) | — | (.06) | — d | — h,i | 10.43 | 34.31 | 11,310 | 2.12 k | .81 k | 52 |
June 30, 2010 | 7.63 | .09 | .08 | .17 | — | — | — | — d | .01 j | 7.81 | 2.36 | 10,352 | 2.22 k | 1.06 k | 87 |
Class M | |||||||||||||||
June 30, 2014 | $10.05 | .09 | 1.96 | 2.05 | (.10) | — | (.10) | — | — e | $12.00 | 20.44 | $3,364 | 1.84 | .75 | 50 |
June 30, 2013 | 8.54 | .12 | 1.46 | 1.58 | (.07) | — | (.07) | — d | — | 10.05 | 18.57 | 3,240 | 1.85 | 1.23 | 39 |
June 30, 2012 | 10.52 | .12 | (1.71) | (1.59) | (.41) | — | (.41) | — d | .02 f,g | 8.54 | (14.70) | 3,251 | 1.87 k | 1.41 k | 45 |
June 30, 2011 | 7.88 | .11 | 2.61 | 2.72 | (.08) | — | (.08) | — d | — h,i | 10.52 | 34.63 | 5,337 | 1.87 k | 1.08 k | 52 |
June 30, 2010 | 7.68 | .12 | .07 | .19 | — | — | — | — d | .01 j | 7.88 | 2.60 | 4,648 | 1.97 k | 1.32 k | 87 |
Class R | |||||||||||||||
June 30, 2014 | $9.89 | .11 | 1.95 | 2.06 | (.13) | — | (.13) | — | — e | $11.82 | 20.87 | $2,752 | 1.59 | 1.03 | 50 |
June 30, 2013 | 8.41 | .15 | 1.44 | 1.59 | (.11) | — | (.11) | — d | — | 9.89 | 18.91 | 2,447 | 1.60 | 1.54 | 39 |
June 30, 2012 | 10.38 | .16 | (1.71) | (1.55) | (.44) | — | (.44) | — d | .02 f,g | 8.41 | (14.51) | 2,015 | 1.62 k | 1.81 k | 45 |
June 30, 2011 | 7.78 | .13 | 2.59 | 2.72 | (.12) | — | (.12) | — d | — h,i | 10.38 | 35.00 | 2,560 | 1.62 k | 1.38 k | 52 |
June 30, 2010 | 7.58 | .14 | .06 | .20 | (.01) | — | (.01) | — d | .01 j | 7.78 | 2.80 | 1,928 | 1.72 k | 1.58 k | 87 |
Class R5 | |||||||||||||||
June 30, 2014† | $11.60 | .14 | .47 | .61 | (.16) | — | (.16) | — | — | $12.05 | 5.29* | $11 | .58* | 1.16* | 50 |
Class R6 | |||||||||||||||
June 30, 2014† | $11.60 | .18 | .45 | .63 | (.16) | — | (.16) | — | — | $12.07 | 5.46* | $4,031 | .53* | 1.48* | 50 |
Class Y | |||||||||||||||
June 30, 2014 | $10.06 | .14 | 2.00 | 2.14 | (.18) | — | (.18) | — | — e | $12.02 | 21.38 | $4,549 | 1.09 | 1.27 | 50 |
June 30, 2013 | 8.55 | .21 | 1.45 | 1.66 | (.15) | — | (.15) | — d | — | 10.06 | 19.48 | 6,638 | 1.10 | 2.14 | 39 |
June 30, 2012 | 10.56 | .20 | (1.74) | (1.54) | (.49) | — | (.49) | — d | .02 f,g | 8.55 | (14.14) | 4,023 | 1.12 k | 2.24 k | 45 |
June 30, 2011 | 7.91 | .19 | 2.62 | 2.81 | (.16) | — | (.16) | — d | — h,i | 10.56 | 35.66 | 5,455 | 1.12 k | 1.90 k | 52 |
June 30, 2010 | 7.69 | .16 | .10 | .26 | (.05) | — | (.05) | — d | .01 j | 7.91 | 3.45 | 4,168 | 1.22 k | 1.79 k | 87 |
See notes to financial highlights at the end of this section.
32 Prospectus |
Prospectus 33 |
Financial highlights (Continued)
† For the period December 2, 2013 (commencement of operations) to June 30, 2014.
a Per share net investment income (loss) has been determined on the basis of the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return assumes dividend reinvestment and does not reflect the effect of sales charges.
c Includes amounts paid through expense offset and/or brokerage/service arrangements. Also excludes acquired fund fees and expenses, if any.
d Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.
e Reflects a non-recurring reimbursement related to restitution amounts in connection with a distribution plan approved by the SEC and Morgan Stanley & Co., which amounted to less than $0.01 per share outstanding as of November 27, 2013.
f Reflects a non-recurring reimbursement related to restitution amounts in connection with a distribution plan approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), which amounted to $0.01 per share outstanding on July 21,2011.
g Reflects a non-recurring reimbursement pursuant to a settlement between the SEC and Canadian Imperial Holdings, Inc. and CIBC World Markets Corp. which amounted to less than $0.01 per share outstanding on November 29, 2011.
h Reflects a non-recurring reimbursement related to short-term trading related lawsuits, which amounted to less than $0.01 per share outstanding on May 11, 2011.
i Reflects a non-recurring reimbursement pursuant to a settlement between the SEC and Zurich Capital Markets, Inc., which amounted to less than $0.01 per share outstanding as of December 21, 2010.
j Reflects a non-recurring reimbursement pursuant to a settlement between the SEC and Prudential Securities, Inc., which amounted to $0.01 per share outstanding as of March 30, 2010.
k Reflects an involuntary contractual expense limitation in effect during the period. For periods prior to December 31, 2009 certain fund expenses were waived in connection with the fund’s investment in Putnam Prime Money Market Fund. For the periods ended June 30, 2011 and June 30, 2012, the amount reflects the waiver, by Putnam Management, of certain proxy related costs. As a result of such limitation and/or waivers, the expenses of each class reflect a reduction of the following amounts (Note 2):
Percentage of average net assets | |
June 30, 2012 | <0.01% |
June 30, 2011 | 0.03 |
June 30, 2010 | 0.06 |
34 Prospectus
Make the most of your Putnam privileges
The following services are available to you as a Putnam mutual fund shareholder.
Systematic investment plan
Invest as much as you wish. The amount you choose will be automatically transferred weekly, semi-monthly or monthly from your checking or savings account.
Systematic withdrawal
Make regular withdrawals monthly, quarterly, semiannually, or annually from your Putnam mutual fund account.
Systematic exchange
Transfer assets automatically from one Putnam account to another on a regular, prearranged basis.
Exchange privilege
Exchange money between Putnam funds. The exchange privilege allows you to adjust your investments as your objectives change. A signature guarantee is required for exchanges of more than $500,000 and shares of all Putnam funds may not be available to all investors.
Investors may not maintain, within the same fund, simultaneous plans for systematic investment or exchange (into the fund) and systematic withdrawal or exchange (out of the fund). These privileges are subject to change or termination.
Many of these services can be accessed online at putnam.com.
For more information about any of these services and privileges, call your financial representative or a Putnam customer service representative toll-free at 1-800-225-1581.
Prospectus 35
For more information about Putnam International Value Fund
The fund’s SAI and annual and semiannual reports to shareholders include additional information about the fund. The SAI is incorporated by reference into this prospectus, which means it is part of this prospectus for legal purposes. The fund’s annual report discusses the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. You may get free copies of these materials, request other information about any Putnam fund, or make shareholder inquiries, by contacting your financial representative, by visiting Putnam’s website at putnam.com/individual, or by calling Putnam toll-free at 1-800-225-1581.
You may review and copy information about a fund, including its SAI, at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. You may call the Commission at 1-202-551-8090 for information about the operation of the Public Reference Room. You may also access reports and other information about the fund on the EDGAR Database on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You may get copies of this information, with payment of a duplication fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the Commission’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520. You may need to refer to the fund’s file number.
Putnam Investments
One Post Office
Square
Boston, MA 02109
1-800-225-1581
Address correspondence to
Putnam
Investor Services
P.O. Box 8383
Boston, MA 02266-8383
putnam.com
File No. 811-07513 | SP024 290352 10/14 |
Fund summary
Goal
Putnam Small Cap Growth 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 12 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)
Share class | Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) |
Class A | 5.75% | 1.00%* |
Class B | NONE | 5.00%** |
Class C | NONE | 1.00%*** |
Class M | 3.50% | 0.65%* |
Class R | NONE | NONE |
Class Y | NONE | NONE |
Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Share class | Management fees† | Distribution and service (12b-1) fees | Other expenses | Total annual fund operating expenses |
Class A | 0.62% | 0.25% | 0.37% | 1.24% |
Class B | 0.62% | 1.00% | 0.37% | 1.99% |
Class C | 0.62% | 1.00% | 0.37% | 1.99% |
Class M | 0.62% | 0.75% | 0.37% | 1.74% |
Class R | 0.62% | 0.50% | 0.37% | 1.49% |
Class Y | 0.62% | N/A | 0.37% | 0.99% |
* 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.
2 Prospectus
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. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.
Share class | 1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years |
Class A | $694 | $946 | $1,217 | $1,989 |
Class B | $702 | $924 | $1,273 | $2,123 |
Class B (no redemption) | $202 | $624 | $1,073 | $2,123 |
Class C | $302 | $624 | $1,073 | $2,317 |
Class C (no redemption) | $202 | $624 | $1,073 | $2,317 |
Class M | $521 | $879 | $1,261 | $2,330 |
Class R | $152 | $471 | $813 | $1,779 |
Class Y | $101 | $315 | $547 | $1,213 |
Portfolio turnover
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 57%.
Investments, risks, and performance
Investments
We invest mainly in common stocks of small U.S. companies, with a focus on growth stocks. Growth stocks are issued by companies whose earnings are expected to grow faster than those of similar firms, and whose business growth and other characteristics may lead to an increase in stock price.
We invest mainly in small companies of a size similar to those in the Russell 2000 Growth Index. As of August 31, 2014, the index was composed of companies having market capitalizations of between $37 million and $7.9 billion. 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.
Prospectus 3
Risks
It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.
The value 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 the market may not favor growth-style investing. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies.
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
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.
Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges
4 Prospectus
Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/13)
Share class | 1 year | 5 years | 10 years |
Class A before taxes | 39.07% | 19.84% | 6.80% |
Class A after taxes on distributions | 39.07% | 19.83% | 6.29% |
Class A after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares | 22.11% | 16.24% | 5.48% |
Class B before taxes | 41.51% | 20.26% | 6.81% |
Class C before taxes | 45.49% | 20.37% | 6.63% |
Class M before taxes | 41.68% | 19.83% | 6.52% |
Class R before taxes | 47.21% | 20.98% | 7.17% |
Class Y before taxes | 47.97% | 21.58% | 7.71% |
Russell 2000 Growth Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 43.30% | 22.58% | 9.41% |
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 reflects conversion to class A shares after eight years.
Your fund’s management
Investment advisor
Putnam Investment Management, LLC
Portfolio manager
Pam Gao, 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 (NYSE) is open. Shares may be sold or exchanged by mail, by phone, or online at putnam.com. Some restrictions may apply.
Prospectus 5
Tax information
The fund’s distributions will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains unless you hold the shares through a tax-advantaged arrangement, in which case you will generally be taxed only upon withdrawal of monies from the arrangement.
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 website for more information.
What are the fund’s main investment strategies and related risks?
This section contains greater detail on the fund’s main investment strategies and the related risks you would face as a fund shareholder. It is important to keep in mind that risk and reward generally go hand in hand; the higher the potential reward, the greater the risk. As mentioned in the fund summary, we pursue the fund’s goal by investing mainly in common stocks of small U.S. companies, with a focus on growth stocks. Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in companies of a size similar to those in the Russell 2000 Growth Index. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders.
6 Prospectus
the value of a company’s stock will usually react more strongly than its bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects.
Growth stocks — Stocks of companies we believe are fast-growing may trade at a higher multiple of current earnings than other stocks. The values of these stocks may be more sensitive to changes in current or expected earnings than the values of other stocks. If our assessment of the prospects for a company’s earnings growth is wrong, or if our judgment of how other investors will value the company’s earnings growth is wrong, then the price of the company’s stock may fall or may not approach the value that we have placed on it.
Certain of these risks may also apply to some extent to U.S.-traded investments that are denominated in foreign currencies, investments in U.S. companies that are traded in foreign markets or investments in U.S. companies that have significant foreign operations.
Prospectus 7
investment, pool of investments, index or currency. We may use derivatives both for hedging and non-hedging purposes, including as a substitute for a direct investment in the securities of one or more issuers. However, we may also choose not to use derivatives based on our evaluation of market conditions or the availability of suitable derivatives. Investments in derivatives may be applied toward meeting a requirement to invest in a particular kind of investment if the derivatives have economic characteristics similar to that investment.
Derivatives involve special risks and may result in losses. The successful use of derivatives depends on our ability to manage these sophisticated instruments. Some derivatives are “leveraged,” which means that they provide the fund with investment exposure greater than the value of the fund’s investment in the derivatives. As a result, these derivatives may magnify or otherwise increase investment losses to the fund. The risk of loss from certain short derivatives positions is theoretically unlimited. The value of derivatives may move in unexpected ways due to the use of leverage or other factors, especially in unusual market conditions, and may result in increased volatility.
Other risks arise from the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions. A liquid secondary market may not always exist for the fund’s derivatives positions. In fact, many over-the-counter instruments (investments not traded on an exchange) will not be liquid. Over-the-counter instruments also involve the risk that the other party to the derivatives transaction will not meet its obligations. For further information about the risks of derivatives, see Miscellaneous Investments, Investment Practices and Risks in the SAI.
8 Prospectus
achieving its goal. Additionally, while temporary defensive strategies are mainly designed to limit losses, such strategies may not work as intended.
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Who oversees and manages the fund?
The fund’s Trustees
As a shareholder of a mutual fund, you have certain rights and protections, including representation by a Board of Trustees. The Putnam Funds’ Board of Trustees oversees the general conduct of the fund’s business and represents the interests of the Putnam fund shareholders. At least 75% of the members of the Putnam Funds’ Board of Trustees are independent, which means they are not officers of the fund or affiliated with Putnam Investment Management, LLC (Putnam Management).
The Trustees periodically review the fund’s investment performance and the quality of other services such as administration, custody, and investor services. At least annually, the Trustees review the fees paid to Putnam Management and its affiliates for providing or overseeing these services, as
Prospectus 9
well as the overall level of the fund’s operating expenses. In carrying out their responsibilities, the Trustees are assisted by an administrative staff and legal counsel that are selected by the Trustees and are independent of Putnam Management and its affiliates and by the fund’s auditors.
Contacting
the fund’s Trustees
Address correspondence to:
The Putnam Funds Trustees
One Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02109
The fund’s investment manager
The Trustees have retained Putnam Management, which has managed mutual funds since 1937, to be the fund’s investment manager, responsible for making investment decisions for the fund and managing the fund’s other affairs and business.
The basis for the Trustees’ approval of the fund’s management contract and the sub-management contract described below is discussed in the fund’s annual report to shareholders dated June 30, 2014.
The fund pays a monthly base management fee to Putnam Management. The base fee is calculated by applying a rate to the fund’s average net assets for the month. The rate is based on the monthly average of the aggregate net assets of all open-end funds sponsored by Putnam Management (excluding fund assets that are invested in other Putnam funds), and generally declines as the aggregate net assets increase.
The fund’s monthly base fee described above is increased or reduced by a performance adjustment. The amount of the performance adjustment is calculated monthly based on a performance adjustment rate that is equal to 0.03 multiplied by the difference between the fund’s annualized performance (measured by the fund’s class A shares) and the annualized performance of the Russell 2000 Growth Index, each measured over the performance period. The performance period is the thirty-six month period then ended. The performance adjustment rate is multiplied by the fund’s average net assets over the performance period, divided by twelve, and added to, or subtracted from, the base fee for that month. The maximum annualized performance adjustment rate is 0.18%.
The fund paid Putnam Management a management fee (after any applicable waivers or performance adjustments) of 0.62% of average net assets for the fund’s last fiscal year.
Putnam Management’s address is One Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02109.
10 Prospectus
Putnam Management has retained its affiliate Putnam Investments Limited (PIL) to make investment decisions for such fund assets as may be designated from time to time for its management by Putnam Management. Putnam Management (and not the fund) will pay a quarterly sub-management fee to PIL for its services at the annual rate of 0.35% of the average net asset value of any fund assets managed by PIL. PIL, which provides a full range of international investment advisory services to institutional clients, is located at Cassini House, 57–59 St James’s Street, London, England, SW1A 1LD.
Pursuant to this arrangement, Putnam investment professionals who are based in foreign jurisdictions may serve as portfolio managers of the fund or provide other investment services, consistent with local regulations.
Portfolio manager | Joined fund | Employer | Positions over past five years |
Pam Gao | 2010 | Putnam Management 2000 – Present | Portfolio Manager |
The SAI provides information about this individual’s compensation, other accounts managed by this individual and this individual’s ownership of securities in the fund.
How does the fund price its shares?
The price of the fund’s shares is based on its net asset value (NAV). The NAV per share of each class equals the total value of its assets, less its liabilities, divided by the number of its outstanding shares. Shares are only valued as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE each day the exchange is open.
The fund values its investments for which market quotations are readily available at market value. It values short-term investments that will mature within 60 days at amortized cost, which approximates market value. It values all other investments and assets at their fair value, which may differ from recent market prices. For example, the fund may value a stock traded on a U.S. exchange at its fair value when the exchange closes early or trading in the stock is suspended. It may also value a stock at fair value if recent transactions in the stock have been very limited or if, in the case of a security traded on a market that closes before the NYSE closes, material information about the issuer becomes available after the close of the relevant market.
The fund translates prices for its investments quoted in foreign currencies into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates, which are generally determined as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time each day the NYSE is open. As a result, changes
Prospectus 11
in the value of those currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar may affect the fund’s NAV. Because foreign markets may be open at different times than the NYSE, the value of the fund’s shares may change on days when shareholders are not able to buy or sell them. Many securities markets and exchanges outside the U.S. close before the close of the NYSE and, therefore, the closing prices for securities in such markets or on such exchanges may not fully reflect events that occur after such close but before the close of the NYSE. As a result, the fund has adopted fair value pricing procedures, which, among other things, require the fund to fair value foreign equity securities if there has been a movement in the U.S. market that exceeds a specified threshold that may change from time to time. As noted above, the value determined for an investment using the fund’s fair value pricing procedures may differ from recent market prices for the investment.
The fund’s most recent NAV is available on Putnam Investments’ website at putnam.com/individual or by contacting Putnam Investor Services at 1-800-225-1581.
How do I buy fund shares?
Opening an account
You can open a fund account and purchase class A, B, C, and M shares by contacting your financial representative or Putnam Investor Services at 1-800-225-1581 and obtaining a Putnam account application. The completed application, along with a check made payable to the fund, must then be returned to Putnam Investor Services at the following address:
Putnam
Investor Services
P.O. Box 8383
Boston, MA 02266-8383
You can open a fund account with as little as $500. The minimum investment is waived if you make regular investments weekly, semi-monthly or monthly through automatic deductions from your bank checking or savings account. Although Putnam is currently waiving the minimum, it reserves the right to reject initial investments under the minimum at its discretion.
The fund sells its shares at the offering price, which is the NAV plus any applicable sales charge (class A and class M shares only). Your financial representative or Putnam Investor Services generally must receive your completed buy order before the close of regular trading on the NYSE for your shares to be bought at that day’s offering price.
12 Prospectus
If you participate in an employer-sponsored retirement plan that offers the fund, please consult your employer for information on how to purchase shares of the fund through the plan, including any restrictions or limitations that may apply.
Mutual funds must obtain and verify information that identifies investors opening new accounts. If the fund is unable to collect the required information, Putnam Investor Services may not be able to open your account. Investors must provide their full name, residential or business address, Social Security or tax identification number, and date of birth. Entities, such as trusts, estates, corporations and partnerships, must also provide other identifying information. Putnam Investor Services may share identifying information with third parties for the purpose of verification. If Putnam Investor Services cannot verify identifying information after opening your account, the fund reserves the right to close your account.
Also, the fund may periodically close to new purchases of shares or refuse any order to buy shares if the fund determines that doing so would be in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders.
Purchasing additional shares
Once you have an existing account, you can make additional investments at any time in any amount in the following ways:
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they are received by the fund’s designated bank before the close of regular trading on the NYSE. Your bank may charge you for wiring same-day funds. Although the fund’s designated bank does not currently charge you for receiving same-day funds, it reserves the right to charge for this service. You cannot buy shares for employer-sponsored retirement plans by wire transfer.
Which class of shares is best for me?
This prospectus offers you four classes of fund shares: A, B, C and M. Employer-sponsored retirement plans may also choose class R shares, and certain investors described below may also choose class Y shares. Each share class represents investments in the same portfolio of securities, but each class has its own sales charge and expense structure, as illustrated in the Fund summary — Fees and expenses section, allowing you and your financial representative to choose the class that best suits your investment needs. When you purchase shares of a fund, you must choose a share class. Deciding which share class best suits your situation depends on a number of factors that you should discuss with your financial representative, including:
Here is a summary of the differences among the classes of shares
Class A shares
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Class B shares
Class C shares
Class M shares
Prospectus 15
Class R shares (available only to employer-sponsored retirement plans)
Class Y shares (available only to investors listed below)
The following investors may purchase class Y shares if approved by Putnam:
16 Prospectus
Trust companies or bank trust departments that purchased class Y shares for trust accounts may transfer them to the beneficiaries of the trust accounts, who may continue to hold them or exchange them for class Y shares of other Putnam funds. Defined contribution plans (including corporate IRAs) that purchased class Y shares under prior eligibility criteria may continue to purchase class Y shares.
Initial sales charges for class A and M shares
Class A sales charge as a percentage of*: | Class M sales charge as a percentage of*: | |||
Amount of purchase at offering price ($) | Net amount invested | Offering price** | Net amount invested | Offering price** |
Under 50,000 | 6.10% | 5.75% | 3.63% | 3.50% |
50,000 but under 100,000 | 4.71 | 4.50 | 2.56 | 2.50 |
100,000 but under 250,000 | 3.63 | 3.50 | 1.52 | 1.50 |
250,000 but under 500,000 | 2.56 | 2.50 | 1.01 | 1.00 |
500,000 but under 1,000,000 | 2.04 | 2.00 | 1.01 | 1.00 |
1,000,000 and above | NONE | NONE | N/A*** | N/A*** |
* Because of rounding in the calculation of offering price and the number of shares purchased, actual sales charges you pay may be more or less than these percentages.
** Offering price includes sales charge.
*** The fund will not accept purchase orders for class M shares (other than by employer-sponsored retirement plans) where the total of the current purchase, plus existing account balances that are eligible to be linked under a right of accumulation (as described below) is $1 million or more.
Prospectus 17
Reducing your class A or class M sales charge
The fund offers two principal ways for you to qualify for discounts on initial sales charges on class A and class M shares, often referred to as “breakpoint discounts”:
To calculate the total value of your existing accounts and any linked accounts, the fund will use the higher of (a) the current maximum public offering price of those shares or (b) if you purchased the shares after December 31, 2007, the initial value of the total purchases, or, if you held the shares on December 31, 2007, the market value at maximum public offering price on that date, in either case, less the market value on the applicable redemption date of any of those shares that you have redeemed.
Account types that may be linked with each other to obtain breakpoint discounts using the methods described above include:
18 Prospectus
In order to obtain a breakpoint discount, you should inform your financial representative at the time you purchase shares of the existence of other accounts or purchases that are eligible to be linked for the purpose of calculating the initial sales charge. The fund or your financial representative may ask you for records or other information about other shares held in your accounts and linked accounts, including accounts opened with a different financial representative. Restrictions may apply to certain accounts and transactions. Further details about breakpoint discounts can be found on Putnam Investments’ website at putnam.com/individual by selecting Mutual Funds, then Pricing and performance, and then About fund costs, and in the SAI.
How do I sell or exchange fund shares?
You can sell your shares back to the fund or exchange them for shares of another Putnam fund any day the NYSE is open, either through your financial representative or directly to the fund. If you redeem your shares shortly after purchasing them, your redemption payment for the shares may be delayed until the fund collects the purchase price of the shares, which may be up to 10 calendar days after the purchase date.
Regarding exchanges, not all Putnam funds offer all classes of shares or may be open to new investors. If you exchange shares otherwise subject to a deferred sales charge, the transaction will not be subject to the deferred sales charge. When you redeem the shares acquired through the exchange, however, the redemption may be subject to the deferred sales charge, depending upon when and from which fund you originally purchased the shares. The deferred sales charge will be computed using the schedule of any
Prospectus 19
fund into or from which you have exchanged your shares that would result in your paying the highest deferred sales charge applicable to your class of shares. For purposes of computing the deferred sales charge, the length of time you have owned your shares will be measured from the date of original purchase, unless you originally purchased the shares from another Putnam fund that does not directly charge a deferred sales charge, in which case the length of time you have owned your shares will be measured from the date you exchange those shares for shares of another Putnam fund that does charge a deferred sales charge, and will not be affected by any subsequent exchanges among funds.
20 Prospectus
The fund also reserves the right to revise or terminate the exchange privilege, limit the amount or number of exchanges or reject any exchange. The fund into which you would like to exchange may also reject your exchange. These actions may apply to all shareholders or only to those shareholders whose exchanges Putnam Management determines are likely to have a negative effect on the fund or other Putnam funds. Consult Putnam Investor Services before requesting an exchange. Ask your financial representative or Putnam Investor Services for prospectuses of other Putnam funds. Some Putnam funds are not available in all states.
Deferred sales charges for class B, class C and certain class A and class M shares
If you sell (redeem) class B shares within six years of purchase, you will generally pay a deferred sales charge according to the following schedule:
Year after purchase | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7+ |
Charge | 5% | 4% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 1% | 0% |
A deferred sales charge of 1.00% will apply to class C shares if redeemed within one year of purchase. Class A shares that are part of a purchase of $1 million or more (other than by an employer-sponsored retirement plan) will be subject to a 1.00% deferred sales charge if redeemed within nine months of purchase. A deferred sales charge of 0.65% may apply to class M shares purchased without a sales charge for certain rollover IRA accounts if redeemed within one year of purchase.
Deferred sales charges will be based on the lower of the shares’ cost and current NAV. Shares not subject to any charge will be redeemed first, followed by shares held longest. You may sell shares acquired by reinvestment of distributions without a charge at any time.
Prospectus 21
seven days, as permitted by federal securities law. You will not receive interest on uncashed redemption checks. Redemption proceeds may be paid in securities or other property rather than in cash.
Policy on excessive short-term trading
When the fund invests in foreign securities, its performance may be adversely impacted and the interests of longer-term shareholders may be diluted as a result of time-zone arbitrage, a short-term trading practice that seeks to exploit changes in the value of the fund’s investments that result from events occurring after the close of the foreign markets on which the investments trade, but prior to the later close of trading on the NYSE, the time as of which the fund determines its NAV. If an arbitrageur is successful, he or she may dilute the interests of other shareholders by trading shares at prices that do not fully reflect their fair value.
Because the fund invests in securities that may trade infrequently or may be more difficult to value, such as securities of smaller companies, it may be susceptible to trading by short-term traders who seek to exploit perceived price inefficiencies in the fund’s investments. In addition, the market for securities of smaller companies may at times show “market momentum,” in which positive or negative performance may continue from one day to the next for reasons unrelated to the fundamentals of the issuer. Short-term
22 Prospectus
traders may seek to capture this momentum by trading frequently in the fund’s shares, which will reduce the fund’s performance and may dilute the interests of other shareholders. Because securities of smaller companies may be less liquid than securities of larger companies, the fund may also be unable to buy or sell these securities at desirable prices when the need arises (for example, in response to volatile cash flows caused by short-term trading). Similar risks may apply if the fund holds other types of less liquid securities, including below-investment-grade bonds.
Prospectus 23
otherwise potentially harmful based on various factors, including an investor’s or financial intermediary’s trading history in the fund, other Putnam funds or other investment products, and may aggregate activity in multiple accounts in the fund or other Putnam funds under common ownership or control for purposes of determining whether the activity is excessive. If the fund identifies an investor or intermediary as a potential excessive trader, it may, among other things, require future trades to be submitted by mail rather than by phone or over the Internet, impose limitations on the amount, number, or frequency of future purchases or exchanges, or temporarily or permanently bar the investor or intermediary from investing in the fund or other Putnam funds. The fund may take these steps in its discretion even if the investor’s activity does not fall within the fund’s current monitoring parameters.
In particular, many purchase, redemption and exchange orders are received from financial intermediaries that hold omnibus accounts with the fund. Omnibus accounts, in which shares are held in the name of an intermediary on behalf of multiple beneficial owners, are a common form of holding shares among retirement plans and financial intermediaries such as brokers, advisers and third-party administrators. The fund is generally not able to identify trading by a particular beneficial owner within an omnibus account, which makes it difficult or impossible to determine if a particular shareholder is engaging in excessive short-term trading. Putnam Management monitors aggregate cash flows in omnibus accounts on an ongoing basis. If high cash flows or other information indicate that excessive short-term trading may be taking place, Putnam Management will contact the financial intermediary, plan sponsor or recordkeeper that maintains accounts for the beneficial owner and attempt to identify and remedy any excessive trading. However, the fund’s ability to monitor and deter excessive short-term traders in omnibus accounts ultimately depends on the capabilities and cooperation of these third-party financial firms. A financial intermediary or plan sponsor may impose different or additional limits on short-term trading.
24 Prospectus
Distribution plans and payments to dealers
Putnam funds are distributed primarily through dealers (including any broker, dealer, bank, bank trust department, registered investment advisor, financial planner, retirement plan administrator, and any other institution having a selling, services, or any similar agreement with Putnam Retail Management or one of its affiliates). In order to pay for the marketing of fund shares and services provided to shareholders, the fund has adopted distribution and service (12b-1) plans, which increase the annual operating expenses you pay each year in certain share classes, as shown in the table of annual fund operating expenses in the section Fund summary — Fees and expenses. Putnam Retail Management and its affiliates also make additional payments to dealers that do not increase your fund expenses, as described below.
Putnam Retail Management and its affiliates also pay additional compensation to selected dealers in recognition of their marketing support and/or program servicing (each of which is described in more detail below). These payments may create an incentive for a dealer firm or its representatives to recommend or offer shares of the fund or other Putnam funds to its customers. These additional payments are made by Putnam Retail Management and its affiliates and do not increase the amount paid by you or the fund as shown under Fund summary — Fees and expenses.
Prospectus 25
The additional payments to dealers by Putnam Retail Management and its affiliates are generally based on one or more of the following factors: average net assets of a fund attributable to that dealer, sales or net sales of a fund attributable to that dealer, or reimbursement of ticket charges (fees that a dealer firm charges its representatives for effecting transactions in fund shares), or on the basis of a negotiated lump sum payment for services provided.
Marketing support payments are generally available to most dealers engaging in significant sales of Putnam fund shares. These payments are individually negotiated with each dealer firm, taking into account the marketing support services provided by the dealer, including business planning assistance, educating dealer personnel about the Putnam funds and shareholder financial planning needs, placement on the dealer’s preferred or recommended fund company list, and access to sales meetings, sales representatives and management representatives of the dealer, as well as the size of the dealer’s relationship with Putnam Retail Management. Although the total amount of marketing support payments made to dealers in any year may vary, on average, the aggregate payments are not expected, on an annual basis, to exceed 0.085% of the average net assets of Putnam’s retail mutual funds attributable to the dealers.
Program servicing payments, which are paid in some instances to dealers in connection with investments in the fund through retirement plans, dealer platforms, and other investment programs, are not expected, with certain limited exceptions, to exceed 0.20% of the total assets in the program on an annual basis. These payments are made for program services provided by the dealer, including participant or shareholder recordkeeping, reporting, or transaction processing, as well as services rendered in connection with dealer platform development and maintenance and services rendered in connection with retirement plans, such as fund/investment selection and monitoring, employee enrollment and education, plan balance rollover or separation, or other similar services.
You can find a list of all dealers to which Putnam made marketing support and/or program servicing payments in 2013 in the SAI, which is on file with the SEC and is also available on Putnam’s website at putnam.com. You can also find other details in the SAI about the payments made by Putnam Retail Management and its affiliates and the services provided by your dealer. Your dealer may charge you fees or commissions in addition to those disclosed in this prospectus. You can also ask your dealer about any payments it receives from Putnam Retail Management and its affiliates and any services your dealer provides, as well as about fees and/or commissions it charges.
26 Prospectus
Fund distributions and taxes
The fund normally distributes any net investment income and any net realized capital gains annually. You may choose to reinvest distributions from net investment income, capital gains or both in additional shares of your fund or other Putnam funds, or you may receive them in cash in the form of a check or an electronic deposit to your bank account. If you do not select an option when you open your account, all distributions will be reinvested. If you choose to receive distributions in cash, but correspondence from the fund or Putnam Investor Services is returned as “undeliverable,” the distribution option on your account may be converted to reinvest future distributions in the fund. You will not receive interest on uncashed distribution checks.
For shares purchased through your employer’s retirement plan, the terms of the plan will govern how the plan may receive distributions from the fund.
For federal income tax purposes, distributions of net investment income are generally taxable to you as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long the fund owned (or is deemed to have owned) the investments that generated them, rather than by how long you have owned (or are deemed to have owned) your shares. Distributions that the fund properly reports to you as gains from investments that the fund owned for more than one year are generally taxable to you as long-term capital gains includible in net capital gain and taxed to individuals at reduced rates. Distributions of gains from investments that the fund owned for one year or less are generally taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions that the fund properly reports to you as “qualified dividend income” are taxable at the reduced rates applicable to your net capital gain provided that both you and the fund meet certain holding period and other requirements. Distributions are taxable in the manner described in this paragraph whether you receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares of this fund or other Putnam funds.
Prospectus 27
Distributions by the fund to retirement plans that qualify for tax-exempt treatment under federal income tax laws will not be taxable. Special tax rules apply to investments through such plans. You should consult your tax advisor to determine the suitability of the fund as an investment through such a plan and the tax treatment of distributions (including distributions of amounts attributable to an investment in the fund) from such a plan.
Unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged retirement account (such as an IRA), you should consider avoiding a purchase of fund shares shortly before the fund makes a distribution because doing so may cost you money in taxes. Distributions are taxable to you even if they are paid from income or gains earned by the fund before your investment (and thus were included in the price you paid). Contact your financial representative or Putnam to find out the distribution schedule for your fund.
The fund’s investments in foreign securities, if any, may be subject to foreign withholding taxes. In that case, the fund’s return on those investments would be decreased. Shareholders generally will not be entitled to claim a credit or deduction with respect to these foreign taxes. In addition, the fund’s investments in foreign securities or foreign currencies may increase or accelerate the fund’s recognition of ordinary income and may affect the timing or amount of the fund’s distributions.
The fund’s use of derivatives, if any, may affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders and, therefore, may increase the amount of taxes payable by shareholders.
Any gain resulting from the sale or exchange of your shares generally also will be subject to tax.
The above is a general summary of the tax implications of investing in the fund. Please refer to the SAI for further details. You should consult your tax advisor for more information on your own tax situation, including possible foreign, state and local taxes.
28 Prospectus
Financial highlights
The financial highlights tables are intended to help you understand the fund’s recent financial performance. Certain information reflects financial results for a single fund share. The total returns represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the fund, assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. This information has been derived from the fund’s financial statements, which have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The auditor’s report and the fund’s financial statements are included in the fund’s annual report to shareholders, which is available upon request.
Prospectus 29
Financial highlights (For a common share outstanding throughout the period)
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: | LESS DISTRIBUTIONS: | RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: | ||||||||||||
Period ended | Net asset value, beginning of period | Net investment income (loss) a | Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | Total from investment operations | From net investment income | Total distributions | Redemption fees | Non-recurring reimbursements | Net asset value, end of period | Total return at net asset value (%) b | Net assets, end of period (in thousands) | Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%) c | Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (%) | Portfolio turnover (%) |
Class A | ||||||||||||||
June 30, 2014 | $22.97 | (.15) | 6.31 | 6.16 | — | — | — | — | $29.13 | 26.82 | $124,234 | 1.24 | (.55) | 57 |
June 30, 2013 | 18.37 | .10 | 4.58 | 4.68 | (.08) | (.08) | — d | — | 22.97 | 25.58 | 101,158 | 1.25 | .50 | 98 |
June 30, 2012 | 19.95 | (.10) | (1.48) | (1.58) | — | — | — d | — d,e | 18.37 | (7.92) | 90,494 | 1.31 | (.57) | 141 |
June 30, 2011 | 13.70 | (.09) | 6.34 | 6.25 | — | — | — d | — d,f | 19.95 | 45.62 | 115,410 | 1.32 | (.50) | 108 |
June 30, 2010 | 11.44 | (.09) | 2.35 | 2.26 | — | — | — d | — | 13.70 | 19.76 | 90,417 | 1.39 g | (.67) g | 114 |
Class B | ||||||||||||||
June 30, 2014 | $21.03 | (.33) | 5.76 | 5.43 | — | — | — | — | $26.46 | 25.82 | $1,580 | 1.99 | (1.29) | 57 |
June 30, 2013 | 16.86 | (.06) | 4.23 | 4.17 | — | — | — d | — | 21.03 | 24.73 | 679 | 2.00 | (.30) | 98 |
June 30, 2012 | 18.40 | (.16) | (1.38) | (1.54) | — | — | — d | — d,e | 16.86 | (8.37) | 195 | 1.70 h | (.97) h | 141 |
June 30, 2011 | 12.73 | (.20) | 5.87 | 5.67 | — | — | — d | — d,f | 18.40 | 44.54 | 4,140 | 2.07 | (1.25) | 108 |
June 30, 2010 | 10.71 | (.17) | 2.19 | 2.02 | — | — | — d | — | 12.73 | 18.86 | 4,020 | 2.14 g | (1.38) g | 114 |
Class C | ||||||||||||||
June 30, 2014 | $20.95 | (.33) | 5.74 | 5.41 | — | — | — | — | $26.36 | 25.82 | $8,093 | 1.99 | (1.30) | 57 |
June 30, 2013 | 16.80 | (.05) | 4.20 | 4.15 | — | — | — d | — | 20.95 | 24.70 | 5,703 | 2.00 | (.26) | 98 |
June 30, 2012 | 18.39 | (.22) | (1.37) | (1.59) | — | — | — d | — d,e | 16.80 | (8.65) | 4,955 | 2.06 | (1.32) | 141 |
June 30, 2011 | 12.72 | (.20) | 5.87 | 5.67 | — | — | — d | — d,f | 18.39 | 44.58 | 6,642 | 2.07 | (1.25) | 108 |
June 30, 2010 | 10.71 | (.18) | 2.19 | 2.01 | — | — | — d | — | 12.72 | 18.77 | 5,266 | 2.14 g | (1.41) g | 114 |
Class M | ||||||||||||||
June 30, 2014 | $21.67 | (.27) | 5.94 | 5.67 | — | — | — | — | $27.34 | 26.17 | $1,401 | 1.74 | (1.05) | 57 |
June 30, 2013 | 17.33 | — d | 4.34 | 4.34 | — | — | — d | — | 21.67 | 25.04 | 1,024 | 1.75 | .02 | 98 |
June 30, 2012 | 18.93 | (.18) | (1.42) | (1.60) | — | — | — d | — d,e | 17.33 | (8.45) | 1,058 | 1.81 | (1.06) | 141 |
June 30, 2011 | 13.06 | (.16) | 6.03 | 5.87 | — | — | — d | — d,f | 18.93 | 44.95 | 1,256 | 1.82 | (1.00) | 108 |
June 30, 2010 | 10.96 | (.15) | 2.25 | 2.10 | — | — | — d | — | 13.06 | 19.16 | 1,149 | 1.89 g | (1.16) g | 114 |
Class R | ||||||||||||||
June 30, 2014 | $22.45 | (.22) | 6.17 | 5.95 | — | — | — | — | $28.40 | 26.50 | $10,707 | 1.49 | (.81) | 57 |
June 30, 2013 | 17.95 | .05 | 4.49 | 4.54 | (.04) | (.04) | — d | — | 22.45 | 25.32 | 9,279 | 1.50 | .24 | 98 |
June 30, 2012 | 19.55 | (.14) | (1.46) | (1.60) | — | — | — d | — d,e | 17.95 | (8.18) | 7,916 | 1.56 | (.82) | 141 |
June 30, 2011 | 13.46 | (.13) | 6.22 | 6.09 | — | — | — d | — d,f | 19.55 | 45.25 | 9,018 | 1.57 | (.76) | 108 |
June 30, 2010 | 11.27 | (.13) | 2.32 | 2.19 | — | — | — d | — | 13.46 | 19.43 | 5,355 | 1.64 g | (.92) g | 114 |
Class Y | ||||||||||||||
June 30, 2014 | $23.53 | (.09) | 6.47 | 6.38 | — | — | — | — | $29.91 | 27.11 | $13,433 | .99 | (.30) | 57 |
June 30, 2013 | 18.81 | .16 | 4.69 | 4.85 | (.13) | (.13) | — d | — | 23.53 | 25.95 | 10,013 | 1.00 | .74 | 98 |
June 30, 2012 | 20.39 | (.06) | (1.52) | (1.58) | — | — | — d | — d,e | 18.81 | (7.75) | 7,733 | 1.06 | (.32) | 141 |
June 30, 2011 | 13.97 | (.04) | 6.46 | 6.42 | — | — | — d | — d,f | 20.39 | 45.96 | 9,653 | 1.07 | (.24) | 108 |
June 30, 2010 | 11.63 | (.06) | 2.40 | 2.34 | — | — | — d | — | 13.97 | 20.12 | 7,079 | 1.14 g | (.41) g | 114 |
See notes to financial highlights at the end of this section.
30 Prospectus |
Prospectus 31 |
Financial highlights (Continued)
a Per share net investment income (loss) has been determined on the basis of the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return assumes dividend reinvestment and does not reflect the effect of sales charges.
c Includes amounts paid through expense offset and/or brokerage/service arrangement, if any. Also excludes acquired fund fees and expenses, if any.
d Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.
e Reflects a non-recurring reimbursement related to restitution amounts in connection with a distribution plan approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), which amounted to less than $0.01 per share outstanding on July 21, 2011.
f Reflects a non-recurring reimbursement related to short-term trading related lawsuits, which amounted to less than $0.01 per share outstanding on May 11, 2011.
g Reflects an involuntary contractual expense limitation in effect during the period. As a result of such limitation and/or waivers, the expenses of each class reflect a reduction of 0.20% of average net assets.
h Reflects a voluntary waiver of a portion of the class B distribution (12b-1) fees. As a result of such waiver, the expenses for class B shares reflect a reduction of 0.36% based on the average net assets for class B shares for the year ended June 30, 2012.
32 Prospectus
Make the most of your Putnam privileges
The following services are available to you as a Putnam mutual fund shareholder.
Systematic investment plan
Invest as much as you wish. The amount you choose will be automatically transferred weekly, semi-monthly or monthly from your checking or savings account.
Systematic withdrawal
Make regular withdrawals monthly, quarterly, semiannually, or annually from your Putnam mutual fund account.
Systematic exchange
Transfer assets automatically from one Putnam account to another on a regular, prearranged basis.
Exchange privilege
Exchange money between Putnam funds. The exchange privilege allows you to adjust your investments as your objectives change. A signature guarantee is required for exchanges of more than $500,000 and shares of all Putnam funds may not be available to all investors.
Investors may not maintain, within the same fund, simultaneous plans for systematic investment or exchange (into the fund) and systematic withdrawal or exchange (out of the fund). These privileges are subject to change or termination.
Many of these services can be accessed online at putnam.com.
For more information about any of these services and privileges, call your financial representative or a Putnam customer service representative toll-free at 1-800-225-1581.
Prospectus 33
Putnam family of funds
The following is a list of Putnam’s open-end mutual funds offered to the public. Investors should carefully consider the investment objective, risks, charges, and expenses of a fund before investing. For a prospectus, or a summary prospectus if available, containing this and other information for any Putnam fund or product, contact your financial advisor or call Putnam Investor Services at 1-800-225-1581. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.
Growth
Growth Opportunities Fund
International Growth Fund
Multi-Cap Growth Fund
Small Cap Growth Fund
Voyager Fund
Blend
Asia Pacific Equity Fund
Capital Opportunities Fund
Capital Spectrum Fund
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
Equity Spectrum Fund
Europe Equity Fund
Global Equity Fund
International Capital Opportunities Fund
International Equity Fund
Investors Fund
Low Volatility Equity Fund
Multi-Cap Core Fund
Research Fund
Strategic Volatility Equity Fund
Value
Convertible Securities Fund
Equity Income Fund
Global Dividend Fund
The Putnam Fund for Growth and Income
International Value Fund
Multi-Cap Value Fund
Small Cap Value Fund
Income
American Government Income Fund
Diversified Income Trust
Emerging Markets Income Fund
Floating Rate Income Fund
Global Income Trust
High Yield Advantage Fund
High Yield Trust
Income Fund
Money Market Fund*
Short Duration Income Fund
U.S. Government Income Trust
*An investment in a money market fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.
†Not available in all states.
34 Prospectus
Tax-free Income
AMT-Free Municipal Fund
Intermediate-Term Municipal Income Fund
Short-Term Municipal Income Fund
Tax Exempt Income Fund
Tax Exempt Money Market Fund*
Tax-Free High Yield Fund
State tax-free income funds†:
Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania
Absolute Return
Absolute Return 100 Fund®
Absolute Return 300 Fund®
Absolute Return 500 Fund®
Absolute Return 700 Fund®
Global Sector
Global Consumer Fund
Global Energy Fund
Global Financials Fund
Global Health Care Fund
Global Industrials Fund
Global Natural Resources Fund
Global Sector Fund
Global Technology Fund
Global Telecommunications Fund
Global Utilities Fund
Asset Allocation
George Putnam Balanced Fund
Global Asset Allocation Funds — four investment portfolios that spread your money across a variety of stocks, bonds, and money market investments.
Dynamic Asset Allocation Balanced Fund
Dynamic Asset Allocation Conservative Fund
Dynamic Asset Allocation Growth Fund
Dynamic Risk Allocation Fund
Retirement Income Lifestyle Funds — portfolios with managed allocations to stocks, bonds, and money market investments to generate retirement income.
Retirement Income Fund Lifestyle 1 Retirement Income Fund Lifestyle 2 Retirement Income Fund Lifestyle 3
RetirementReady® Funds — portfolios with adjusting allocations to stocks, bonds, and money market instruments, becoming more conservative over time.
RetirementReady® 2055 Fund
RetirementReady® 2050 Fund
RetirementReady® 2045 Fund
RetirementReady® 2040 Fund
RetirementReady® 2035 Fund
RetirementReady® 2030 Fund
RetirementReady® 2025 Fund
RetirementReady® 2020 Fund
RetirementReady® 2015 Fund
Prospectus 35
For more information about Putnam Small Cap Growth Fund
The fund’s SAI and annual and semiannual reports to shareholders include additional information about the fund. The SAI is incorporated by reference into this prospectus, which means it is part of this prospectus for legal purposes. The fund’s annual report discusses the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. You may get free copies of these materials, request other information about any Putnam fund, or make shareholder inquiries, by contacting your financial representative, by visiting Putnam’s website at putnam.com/individual, or by calling Putnam toll-free at 1-800-225-1581.
You may review and copy information about a fund, including its SAI, at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. You may call the Commission at 1-202-551-8090 for information about the operation of the Public Reference Room. You may also access reports and other information about the fund on the EDGAR Database on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You may get copies of this information, with payment of a duplication fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the Commission’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520. You may need to refer to the fund’s file number.
Putnam Investments
One Post Office
Square
Boston, MA 02109
1-800-225-1581
Address correspondence to:
Putnam
Investor Services
P.O. Box 8383
Boston, MA 02266-8383
putnam.com
File No. 811-07513 | SP076 290344 10/14 |
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