N-CSRS 1 a_globaltechnology.htm PUTNAM FUNDS TRUST a_globaltechnology.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES




Investment Company Act file number: (811-07513)
Exact name of registrant as specified in charter: Putnam Funds Trust
Address of principal executive offices: One Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Name and address of agent for service: Robert T. Burns, Vice President
One Post Office Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Copy to:         Bryan Chegwidden, Esq.
Ropes & Gray LLP
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (617) 292-1000
Date of fiscal year end: August 31, 2015
Date of reporting period: September 1, 2014 – February 28, 2015



Item 1. Report to Stockholders:

The following is a copy of the report transmitted to stockholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940:
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Putnam
Global Technology
Fund

Semiannual report
2
| 28 | 15


Message from the Trustees

1

About the fund

2

Performance snapshot

4

Interview with your fund’s portfolio managers

5

Your fund’s performance

11

Your fund’s expenses

13

Terms and definitions

15

Other information for shareholders

16

Financial statements

17


Consider these risks before investing: International investing involves currency, economic, and political risks. Emerging-market securities carry illiquidity and volatility risks. Investments in small and/or midsize companies increase the risk of greater price fluctuations. The technology industries may be affected by technological obsolescence, short product cycles, falling prices and profits, competitive pressures, and general market conditions. The fund concentrates on a limited group of industries and is non-diversified. Because the fund may invest in fewer issuers, it is vulnerable to common economic forces and may result in greater losses and volatility. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. The use of short selling may result in losses if the securities appreciate in value. Risks associated with derivatives include increased investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) and, in the case of over-the-counter instruments, the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations. Stock prices may fall or fail to rise over time for several reasons, including general financial market conditions and factors related to a specific issuer or industry. You can lose money by investing in the fund.








Message from the Trustees

Dear Fellow Shareholder:

Conditions for investors in early 2015 offer reasons for both optimism and a degree of caution. After losing ground at the start of the year, many stock markets around the world have delivered positive results, but not without some volatility. Markets in the United States, Europe, and Japan have hit record or multiyear highs. An improving U.S. economy, global economic data, and the accommodative policies of several central banks provide sources of confidence.

The European Central Bank’s asset-purchase program, begun in early March, seeks to stimulate growth and combat the eurozone’s deflation risk. Investors have responded by sending European equities to record highs. Meanwhile, the U.S. Federal Reserve has stated that it will be patient in raising interest rates, while also acknowledging the nation’s strengthening economic recovery.

In the United States, the unemployment rate has dropped, while the nation’s gross domestic product has expanded for three consecutive quarters. Europe’s gross domestic product expanded by 0.3% in the fourth quarter of 2014 from the third quarter, and a weaker euro has boosted the competitiveness of the region.

In today’s environment, investors should consider a range of investment opportunities. An example would be Putnam’s new ways of thinking, which integrate innovative investment ideas into time-tested, traditional strategies. Our experienced equity and fixed-income teams invest across many asset classes and pursue flexible strategies that seek out opportunities for growth or income while being mindful of risk. We also believe that it is important to rely on the counsel of your financial advisor, who can help your portfolio match your individual goals and tolerance for risk.

As always, thank you for investing with Putnam.

Respectfully yours,

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Robert L. Reynolds
President and Chief Executive Officer
Putnam Investments

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Jameson A. Baxter
Chair, Board of Trustees

April 8, 2015

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Performance
snapshot

Annualized total return (%) comparison as of 2/28/15

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Current performance may be lower or higher than the quoted past performance, which cannot guarantee future results. Share price, principal value, and return will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or a loss when you sell your shares. Performance of class A shares assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes. Fund returns in the bar chart do not reflect a sales charge of 5.75%; had they, returns would have been lower. See pages 5 and 1113 for additional performance information. For a portion of the periods, the fund had expense limitations, without which returns would have been lower. To obtain the most recent month-end performance, visit putnam.com.

* Returns for the six-month period are not annualized, but cumulative.




4     Global Technology Fund








Interview with your fund’s portfolio managers


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Neil P. Desai



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Di Yao


How would you describe the investment environment during the six-month reporting period that ended February 28, 2015?

Neil: The U.S. gross domestic product made gains during the period, while non-U.S. markets experienced weaker growth. Although the stock market rally continued in the United States, the semiannual period was punctuated with significant volatility. In October, stocks declined nearly 10% in response to slow growth in Europe and China, plummeting oil prices, and rising geopolitical concerns. This retreat, however, was followed by a quick rebound, setting a pattern of volatility that continued into early 2015.

Within the technology sector, some large-cap companies, such as Apple, saw their share prices reach new highs, and many other large-cap tech firms outperformed small-cap tech companies. The outperformance of large-cap stocks was driven by a combination of a valuation discount compared with small-cap, enhanced shareholder return and significant mergers-and-acquisitions [M&A] activity. But as investors gain confidence in the U.S. economic recovery and as the valuation gap narrows, this trend may change.

Di: Currency fluctuation and geopolitical uncertainty continued to impact international companies. European technology companies, which had underperformed globally for many years, started to outperform thanks to the weaker euro. The Japanese yen continued to weaken, but the economic benefit to

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Broad market index and fund performance

 

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This comparison shows your fund’s performance in the context of broad market indexes for the six months ended 2/28/15. See pages 4 and 11–13 for additional fund performance information. Index descriptions can be found on page 15.




Global Technology Fund     5








Japanese exporters decreased, with other countries also devaluing their currencies. Major emerging countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China) have all seen their economies slow down, adversely impacting the end-demand for technology products.

In this environment, Putnam Global Technology Fund gained 3.65%, underperforming its benchmark, the MSCI World Information Technology Index [ND], which advanced 7.86%.

What is your view on Apple, which remains the fund’s largest holding?

Neil: Apple’s rebound in the past year, and particularly in the past six months, has been positive. The portfolio had a large overweight position in Apple until December 2014, and benefited greatly from the stock’s large outperformance last year. This year, the risk/reward profile for the stock is not as attractive, in our view, so we began reducing our position. Our view could change if Apple has another great product offering. The company just completed a major iPhone upgrade, and growth on that initiative is expected to continue for some time.

What are some of the themes that contribute to stock selection in the strategy?

Neil: The continued penetration of the internet in China is one theme. Internet usage continued to grow at double-digit rates, and household penetration reached nearly 50%. A rising middle class with more discretionary dollars, combined with internet use, fueled a surge in online shopping. The e-commerce segment in China is offering many attractive opportunities, in our view.

Di: Another theme in the portfolio focuses on growth in specific areas of the semiconductor subsector. For example, we think the slowing Moore’s law is good for memory semiconductors. Moore’s law proposes that semiconductor

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Global composition

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Allocations are shown as a percentage of the fund’s net assets as of 2/28/15. Cash and net other assets, if any, represent the market value weights of cash, derivatives, short-term securities, and other unclassified assets in the portfolio. Summary information may differ from the information in the portfolio schedule notes included in the financial statements due to the inclusion of derivative securities, any interest accruals, and the exclusion of as-of trades, if any. Holdings and allocations may vary over time.




6     Global Technology Fund








In China, a rising middle class with
more discretionary income, combined
with internet use, fueled a surge in
online shopping.

Neil Desai


transistor costs halve every two years, but this rate has slowed significantly for memory semiconductors in recent years. We think this is good for memory semiconductor suppliers, who in recent years have also consolidated, and have seen increasingly diversified end-market demand for their products.

Neil: Mobility has also been a strong theme in the fund. More people are spending time on their mobile devices versus personal computers to access applications. On the mobile device, this has led to increasing demand for memory and data services, which in turn has increased demand for memory semiconductor and radio-frequency semiconductor manufacturers.

Di: Another major innovation spawned by mobility is the creation of large cloud data centers by companies like Google and Facebook. To provide enhanced user experiences while still maintaining low costs, Facebook, Google, and Amazon are reinventing fundamental hardware architectures used for computer, server, and storage in their internet data centers. These hardware innovations are starting to spill over to smaller data centers and other enterprises and have shifted value from hardware original equipment manufacturers, which traditionally captured most profits, to upstream semiconductor processor, memory, and logic makers.

Another important theme is profound disruption in the automotive industry. We are all familiar with the increasingly sophisticated

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Top 10 holdings

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This table shows the fund’s top 10 holdings by percentage of the fund’s net assets as of 2/28/15. Short-term investments and derivatives, if any, are excluded. Holdings will vary over time.




Global Technology Fund     7








“infotainment” options in cars, but there are equally important innovations happening in safety and fuel efficiency standards that are also increasing electronic content in cars. Driverless car technology is seeing rapid innovations — while we think that this may take years to accomplish, we also anticipate significant increases in semiconductor and sensor content in the meantime.

How did the fund use derivatives during the period?

Neil: We used currency forwards to hedge portions of our foreign currency exposures. Currency forwards allow us to pursue strategies that can help protect the fund from adverse movements in exchange rates.

Which holdings contributed to fund performance?

Neil: The fund sold off its position in IBM during the period and this contributed most to the fund’s performance. Large tech companies like IBM that have legacy and/or commoditized offerings have suffered as businesses are increasingly looking to cloud and software as a service [SaaS] offerings. IBM has its roots in computer hardware and software and struggled to update its business model. As a result, earnings quality and free cash flow generation have suffered.

Di: Skyworth Digital Holdings, a manufacturer of televisions and audio/visual products based in China, contributed to fund performance. During the period, the stock price rose significantly as the market started to realize the positive earnings impact from Chinese consumers trading up to ultra-high-definition [UHD] TVs, which brought higher margins to Skyworth.

Liberty Global, a large London-based international cable company, also contributed to fund performance. The company benefited from trends in fixed-mobile convergence and consolidation across Europe. Liberty

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Comparison of top industry weightings

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This chart shows how the fund’s top weightings have changed over the past six months. Allocations are shown as a percentage of the fund’s net assets. Current period summary information may differ from the portfolio schedule included in the financial statements due to the inclusion of derivative securities, any interest accruals, the exclusion of as-of trades, if any, and the use of different classifications of securities for presentation purposes. Holdings and allocations may vary over time.




8     Global Technology Fund








Global accelerated its cash flow growth in the United Kingdom, its largest market; created a tracking stock for its Latin American operations; and successfully monetized its broadband speed advantage versus that of its peers. Liberty repurchased a significant amount of its shares and announced a self-funded expansion across its largest market. Going forward, we believe that the company is well positioned to continue its outperformance.

Which holdings detracted from fund performance?

Neil: Pandora Media, which provides Internet radio services, detracted. The business performed within expectations during the period, but the stock was affected by negative investor sentiment surrounding a regularly scheduled arbitration process to determine future music royalty rates. Despite the short-term weakness, we continue to have a positive long-term view on the company and believe its stock price will be a strong outperformer over the next 12 to 18 months as the arbitration process finishes.

TiVo, which provides a digital television platform of software and services to both international cable providers and consumers through a subscription services model, detracted from performance. Despite strong fundamental trends within TiVo’s existing base of customers, the company lost out on a high-profile cable operator contract. This caused concern among some shareholders who were oriented toward shorter-term trading. While disappointing, a new deal with Frontier Communications and a significant expansion of its existing relationship with Virgin Media gives us confidence that the company can continue to sign future deals. Despite the recent weakness in the shares, at period end, we still held TiVo in the portfolio.

Di: Ctrip.com, China’s leading online travel company, detracted as profits disappointed due to greater competition. In our view, the stock remains attractive over the long term.

What is your outlook for the technology sector and the fund?

Neil: In the broader market environment, we have gone through an expansion in equity markets that has lasted longer than most expansions. On a relative basis, in our view, there are still investment opportunities in the technology sector.

We continue to look to add companies to the portfolio in the themes of the internet and, in particular, the “Internet of Things,” which is the concept describing the use of electronics and sensors embedded into objects to exchange data with the user. We believe opportunities exist, especially in international markets. In the traditional semiconductor and hardware sectors, we look to add to technology-disruptors and companies that are likely to facilitate the eventual commoditization of these trends.

Thank you, Neil and Di, for bringing us up to date.

The views expressed in this report are exclusively those of Putnam Management and are subject to change. They are not meant as investment advice.

Please note that the holdings discussed in this report may not have been held by the fund for the entire period. Portfolio composition is subject to review in accordance with the fund’s investment strategy and may vary in the future. Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to risk.




Global Technology Fund     9








Portfolio Manager Di Yao has an M.B.A. from the Columbia University Graduate School of Business, an M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and a B.S. in Biochemistry from Fudan University in China. He has been in the investment industry since he joined Putnam in 2005.

Portfolio Manager Neil P. Desai has an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.A. in Economics from Duke University. He has been in the investment industry since 1997 and joined Putnam in 2012.

IN THE NEWS

The U.S. dollar showed continued strength in early March — climbing to a nearly 12-year high against the euro. A strengthening greenback supports consumer spending, with expected gains in the U.S. retail and travel sectors. At the same time, U.S.-based companies with global operations, such as those in pharmaceuticals and consumer electronics, may start earning less from international sales. German industrials, on the other hand, have taken advantage of a 17% decline in the euro in an effort to make prices more competitive. In 2014, sales from German manufacturers rose 11% in China and 6.5% in the United States, according to Germany’s federal statistical office Destatis. For 2015, the German machine tool industry expects another 3% boost in total production output. However, many countries in the 19-nation eurozone continue to cope with stagnation and high unemployment rates, which are up to 25% in Greece and Spain. To combat deflation, the European Central Bank implemented a €60 billion per-month bond repurchase program, which began in early March. However, these quantitative easing policies are likely to sustain currency weakness in many European economies.




10     Global Technology Fund









Your fund’s performance

This section shows your fund’s performance, price, and distribution information for periods ended February 28, 2015, the end of the first half of its current fiscal year. In accordance with regulatory requirements for mutual funds, we also include performance information as of the most recent calendar quarter-end and expense information taken from the fund’s current prospectus. Performance should always be considered in light of a fund’s investment strategy. Data represent past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. More recent returns may be less or more than those shown. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or a loss when you sell your shares. Performance information does not reflect any deduction for taxes a shareholder may owe on fund distributions or on the redemption of fund shares. For the most recent month-end performance, please visit the Individual Investors section at putnam.com or call Putnam at 1-800-225-1581. Class R and Y shares are not available to all investors. See the Terms and Definitions section in this report for definitions of the share classes offered by your fund.

Fund performance Total return for periods ended 2/28/15


Class A

Class B

Class C

Class M

Class R

Class Y

(inception dates)

(12/18/08)

(12/18/08)

(12/18/08)

(12/18/08)

(12/18/08)

(12/18/08)

Before
sales
charge

After
sales
charge

Before
CDSC

After
CDSC

Before
CDSC

After
CDSC

Before
sales
charge

After
sales
charge

Net
asset
value

Net
asset
value

Life of fund

161.31% 

146.28% 

149.41% 

149.41% 

149.55% 

149.55% 

153.27% 

144.41% 

157.33% 

165.37% 

Annual average

16.78 

15.66 

15.90 

15.90 

15.91 

15.91 

16.19 

15.52 

16.49 

17.07 

5 years

76.19 

66.06 

69.64 

67.64 

69.77 

69.77 

71.78 

65.77 

74.06 

78.42 

Annual average

11.99 

10.68 

11.15 

10.89 

11.17 

11.17 

11.43 

10.64 

11.72 

12.28 

3 years

41.37 

33.24 

38.21 

35.21 

38.21 

38.21 

39.20 

34.32 

40.29 

42.36 

Annual average

12.23 

10.04 

11.39 

10.58 

11.39 

11.39 

11.65 

10.34 

11.95 

12.49 

1 year

13.28 

6.77 

12.45 

7.45 

12.45 

11.45 

12.69 

8.75 

13.02 

13.57 

6 months

3.65 

–2.31 

3.28 

–1.62 

3.28 

2.30 

3.42 

–0.20 

3.56 

3.79 


Current performance may be lower or higher than the quoted past performance, which cannot guarantee future results. After-sales-charge returns for class A and M shares reflect the deduction of the maximum 5.75% and 3.50% sales charge, respectively, levied at the time of purchase. Class B share returns after contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) reflect the applicable CDSC, which is 5% in the first year, declining over time to 1% in the sixth year, and is eliminated thereafter. Class C share returns after CDSC reflect a 1% CDSC for the first year that is eliminated thereafter. Class R and Y shares have no initial sales charge or CDSC.

For a portion of the periods, the fund had expense limitations, without which returns would have been lower.




Global Technology Fund     11








Comparative index returns For periods ended 2/28/15


MSCI World Information
Technology Index (ND)

Life of fund

191.45%

Annual average

18.85

5 years

96.96

Annual average

14.52

3 years

54.14

Annual average

15.52

1 year

18.83

6 months

7.86


Index results should be compared with fund performance before sales charge, before CDSC, or at net asset value.



Fund price and distribution information
For the six-month period ended 2/28/15


Distributions

Class A

Class B

Class C

Class M

Class R

Class Y

Number

1

1

1

1

1

1

Income

Capital gains

Long-term gains

$0.861

$0.861

$0.861

$0.861

$0.861

$0.861

Short-term gains

0.248

0.248

0.248

0.248

0.248

0.248

Total

$1.109

$1.109

$1.109

$1.109

$1.109

$1.109

Share value

Before
sales
charge

After
sales
charge

Net
asset
value

Net
asset
value

Before
sales
charge

After
sales
charge

Net
asset
value

Net
asset
value

8/31/14

$22.00

$23.34

$21.09

$21.09

$21.40

$22.18

$21.73

$22.29

2/28/15

21.69

23.01

20.67

20.67

21.02

21.78

21.39

22.02


The classification of distributions, if any, is an estimate. Before-sales-charge share value and current dividend rate for class A and M shares, if applicable, do not take into account any sales charge levied at the time of purchase. After-sales-charge share value, current dividend rate, and current 30-day SEC yield, if applicable, are calculated assuming that the maximum sales charge (5.75% for class A shares and 3.50% for class M shares) was levied at the time of purchase. Final distribution information will appear on your year-end tax forms.




12     Global Technology Fund










Fund performance as of most recent calendar quarter

Total return for periods ended 3/31/15


Class A

Class B

Class C

Class M

Class R

Class Y

(inception dates)

(12/18/08)

(12/18/08)

(12/18/08)

(12/18/08)

(12/18/08)

(12/18/08)

Before
sales
charge

After
sales
charge

Before
CDSC

After
CDSC

Before
CDSC

After
CDSC

Before
sales
charge

After
sales
charge

Net
asset
value

Net
asset
value

Life of fund

156.37% 

141.63% 

144.46% 

144.46% 

144.60% 

144.60% 

148.33% 

139.64% 

152.40% 

160.31% 

Annual average

16.16 

15.07 

15.28 

15.28 

15.29 

15.29 

15.57 

14.92 

15.87 

16.44 

5 years

61.86 

52.55 

55.84 

53.84 

55.84 

55.84 

57.77 

52.25 

59.84 

63.78 

Annual average

10.11 

8.81 

9.28 

9.00 

9.28 

9.28 

9.55 

8.77 

9.83 

10.37 

3 years

32.85 

25.21 

29.87 

26.87 

29.87 

29.87 

30.80 

26.23 

31.85 

33.80 

Annual average

9.93 

7.78 

9.10 

8.26 

9.10 

9.10 

9.36 

8.07 

9.65 

10.19 

1 year

12.99 

6.49 

12.13 

7.13 

12.13 

11.13 

12.38 

8.45 

12.73 

13.24 

6 months

3.53 

–2.43 

3.14 

–1.75 

3.14 

2.16 

3.24 

–0.38 

3.43 

3.62 


See the discussion following the fund performance table on page 11 for information about the calculation of fund performance.


Your fund’s expenses

As a mutual fund investor, you pay ongoing expenses, such as management fees, distribution fees (12b-1 fees), and other expenses. In the most recent six-month period, your fund’s expenses were limited; had expenses not been limited, they would have been higher. Using the following information, you can estimate how these expenses affect your investment and compare them with the expenses of other funds. You may also pay one-time transaction expenses, including sales charges (loads) and redemption fees, which are not shown in this section and would have resulted in higher total expenses. For more information, see your fund’s prospectus or talk to your financial representative.


Expense ratios


Class A

Class B

Class C

Class M

Class R

Class Y

Net expenses for the fiscal year ended 8/31/14*

1.29%

2.04%

2.04%

1.79%

1.54%

1.04%

Total annual operating expenses for the fiscal year ended 8/31/14

2.03%

2.78%

2.78%

2.53%

2.28%

1.78%

Annualized expense ratio for the six-month period ended 2/28/15

1.27%

2.02%

2.02%

1.77%

1.52%

1.02%


Fiscal-year expense information in this table is taken from the most recent prospectus, is subject to change, and may differ from that shown for the annualized expense ratio and in the financial highlights of this report.

Expenses are shown as a percentage of average net assets.

* Reflects Putnam Management’s contractual obligation to limit expenses through 12/30/15.




Global Technology Fund     13








Expenses per $1,000

The following table shows the expenses you would have paid on a $1,000 investment in the fund from September 1, 2014, to February 28, 2015. It also shows how much a $1,000 investment would be worth at the close of the period, assuming actual returns and expenses.


Class A

Class B

Class C

Class M

Class R

Class Y

Expenses paid per $1,000*†

$6.41

$10.18

$10.18

$8.93

$7.67

$5.15

Ending value (after expenses)

$1,036.50

$1,032.80

$1,032.80

$1,034.20

$1,035.60

$1,037.90


* Expenses for each share class are calculated using the fund’s annualized expense ratio for each class, which represents the ongoing expenses as a percentage of average net assets for the six months ended 2/28/15. The expense ratio may differ for each share class.

† Expenses are calculated by multiplying the expense ratio by the average account value for the period; then multiplying the result by the number of days in the period; and then dividing that result by the number of days in the year.


Estimate the expenses you paid

To estimate the ongoing expenses you paid for the six months ended February 28, 2015, use the following calculation method. To find the value of your investment on September 1, 2014, call Putnam at 1-800-225-1581.

putem7_expense.jpg


Compare expenses using the SEC’s method

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has established guidelines to help investors assess fund expenses. Per these guidelines, the following table shows your fund’s expenses based on a $1,000 investment, assuming a hypothetical 5% annualized return. You can use this information to compare the ongoing expenses (but not transaction expenses or total costs) of investing in the fund with those of other funds. All mutual fund shareholder reports will provide this information to help you make this comparison. Please note that you cannot use this information to estimate your actual ending account balance and expenses paid during the period.


Class A

Class B

Class C

Class M

Class R

Class Y

Expenses paid per $1,000*†

$6.36

$10.09

$10.09

$8.85

$7.60

$5.11

Ending value (after expenses)

$1,018.50

$1,014.78

$1,014.78

$1,016.02

$1,017.26

$1,019.74


* Expenses for each share class are calculated using the fund’s annualized expense ratio for each class, which represents the ongoing expenses as a percentage of average net assets for the six months ended 2/28/15. The expense ratio may differ for each share class.

† Expenses are calculated by multiplying the expense ratio by the average account value for the six-month period; then multiplying the result by the number of days in the six-month period; and then dividing that result by the number of days in the year.




14     Global Technology Fund








Terms and definitions

Important terms

Total return shows how the value of the fund’s shares changed over time, assuming you held the shares through the entire period and reinvested all distributions in the fund.

Before sales charge, or net asset value, is the price, or value, of one share of a mutual fund, without a sales charge. Before-sales-charge figures fluctuate with market conditions, and are calculated by dividing the net assets of each class of shares by the number of outstanding shares in the class.

After sales charge is the price of a mutual fund share plus the maximum sales charge levied at the time of purchase. After-sales-charge performance figures shown here assume the 5.75% maximum sales charge for class A shares and 3.50% for class M shares.

Contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) is generally a charge applied at the time of the redemption of class B or C shares and assumes redemption at the end of the period. Your fund’s class B CDSC declines over time from a 5% maximum during the first year to 1% during the sixth year. After the sixth year, the CDSC no longer applies. The CDSC for class C shares is 1% for one year after purchase.

Share classes

Class A shares are generally subject to an initial sales charge and no CDSC (except on certain redemptions of shares bought without an initial sales charge).

Class B shares are not subject to an initial sales charge and may be subject to a CDSC.

Class C shares are not subject to an initial sales charge and are subject to a CDSC only if the shares are redeemed during the first year.

Class M shares have a lower initial sales charge and a higher 12b-1 fee than class A shares and no CDSC (except on certain redemptions of shares bought without an initial sales charge).

Class R shares are not subject to an initial sales charge or CDSC and are available only to employer-sponsored retirement plans.

Class Y shares are not subject to an initial sales charge or CDSC, and carry no 12b-1 fee. They are generally only available to corporate and institutional clients and clients in other approved programs.

Comparative indexes

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of U.S. investment-grade fixed-income securities.

BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index is an unmanaged index that seeks to measure the performance of U.S. Treasury bills available in the marketplace.

MSCI World Information Technology Index (ND) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets in the information technology sector.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of common stock performance.

Indexes assume reinvestment of all distributions and do not account for fees. Securities and performance of a fund and an index will differ. You cannot invest directly in an index.




Global Technology Fund     15








Other information for shareholders

Important notice regarding delivery of shareholder documents

In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations, Putnam sends a single copy of annual and semiannual shareholder reports, prospectuses, and proxy statements to Putnam shareholders who share the same address, unless a shareholder requests otherwise. If you prefer to receive your own copy of these documents, please call Putnam at 1-800-225-1581, and Putnam will begin sending individual copies within 30 days.

Proxy voting

Putnam is committed to managing our mutual funds in the best interests of our shareholders. The Putnam funds’ proxy voting guidelines and procedures, as well as information regarding how your fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30, 2014, are available in the Individual Investors section of putnam.com, and on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. If you have questions about finding forms on the SEC’s website, you may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. You may also obtain the Putnam funds’ proxy voting guidelines and procedures at no charge by calling Putnam’s Shareholder Services at 1-800-225-1581.

Fund portfolio holdings

The fund will file a complete schedule of its portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Shareholders may obtain the fund’s Form N-Q on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, the fund’s Form N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. You may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for information about the SEC’s website or the operation of the Public Reference Room.

Trustee and employee fund ownership

Putnam employees and members of the Board of Trustees place their faith, confidence, and, most importantly, investment dollars in Putnam mutual funds. As of February 28, 2015, Putnam employees had approximately $499,000,000 and the Trustees had approximately $142,000,000 invested in Putnam mutual funds. These amounts include investments by the Trustees’ and employees’ immediate family members as well as investments through retirement and deferred compensation plans.




16     Global Technology Fund








Financial statements

A guide to financial statements

These sections of the report, as well as the accompanying Notes, constitute the fund’s financial statements.

The fund’s portfolio lists all the fund’s investments and their values as of the last day of the reporting period. Holdings are organized by asset type and industry sector, country, or state to show areas of concentration and diversification.

Statement of assets and liabilities shows how the fund’s net assets and share price are determined. All investment and non-investment assets are added together. Any unpaid expenses and other liabilities are subtracted from this total. The result is divided by the number of shares to determine the net asset value per share, which is calculated separately for each class of shares. (For funds with preferred shares, the amount subtracted from total assets includes the liquidation preference of preferred shares.)

Statement of operations shows the fund’s net investment gain or loss. This is done by first adding up all the fund’s earnings — from dividends and interest income — and subtracting its operating expenses to determine net investment income (or loss). Then, any net gain or loss the fund realized on the sales of its holdings — as well as any unrealized gains or losses over the period — is added to or subtracted from the net investment result to determine the fund’s net gain or loss for the fiscal period.

Statement of changes in net assets shows how the fund’s net assets were affected by the fund’s net investment gain or loss, by distributions to shareholders, and by changes in the number of the fund’s shares. It lists distributions and their sources (net investment income or realized capital gains) over the current reporting period and the most recent fiscal year-end. The distributions listed here may not match the sources listed in the Statement of operations because the distributions are determined on a tax basis and may be paid in a different period from the one in which they were earned. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. Actual results may vary. Any non-taxable return of capital cannot be determined until final tax calculations are completed after the end of the fund’s fiscal year.

Financial highlights provide an overview of the fund’s investment results, per-share distributions, expense ratios, net investment income ratios, and portfolio turnover in one summary table, reflecting the five most recent reporting periods. In a semiannual report, the highlights table also includes the current reporting period.




Global Technology Fund     17








The fund’s portfolio 2/28/15 (Unaudited)


COMMON STOCKS (97.4%)*

Shares

Value

Communications equipment (2.7%)

Alcatel-Lucent (France) †

45,921

$179,704

Cisco Systems, Inc.

16,508

487,151

666,855

Electronic equipment, instruments, and components (2.7%)

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Japan)

3,700

456,711

SYNNEX Corp.

3,022

230,428

687,139

Household durables (2.1%)

Skyworth Digital Holdings, Ltd. (China)

723,491

515,787

515,787

Industrial conglomerates (1.5%)

Toshiba Corp. (Japan)

90,000

372,441

372,441

Internet and catalog retail (4.3%)

Amazon.com, Inc. †

1,597

607,116

Ctrip.com International, Ltd. ADR (China) †

8,198

371,943

Zalando SE (Germany) †

3,869

101,031

1,080,090

Internet software and services (26.9%)

Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. ADR (China) †

12,626

1,074,725

AOL, Inc. †

6,277

254,470

Baidu, Inc. ADR (China) †

1,500

305,625

Equinix, Inc. R

823

184,496

Facebook, Inc. Class A †

19,092

1,507,695

Google, Inc. Class C †

4,216

2,354,214

Pandora Media, Inc. †

10,593

156,776

Tencent Holdings, Ltd. (China)

25,400

444,516

Yahoo!, Inc. †

10,105

447,449

6,729,966

IT Services (7.4%)

Computer Sciences Corp.

5,761

408,570

MasterCard, Inc. Class A

5,316

479,131

Visa, Inc. Class A

3,539

960,166

1,847,867

Media (5.2%)

Charter Communications, Inc. Class A †

709

128,045

DISH Network Corp. Class A †

9,068

680,463

Liberty Global PLC Ser. C (United Kingdom)

9,633

502,554

1,311,062

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) (1.9%)

American Tower Corp. R

4,814

477,260

477,260

Semiconductors and semiconductor equipment (9.1%)

Broadcom Corp. Class A

8,393

379,615

Intel Corp.

11,900

395,675

Lam Research Corp.

4,534

373,874

Micron Technology, Inc. †

13,738

421,344

Silergy Corp. (Taiwan)

48,975

354,433

SK Hynix, Inc. (South Korea) †

2,686

113,827

Sumco Corp. (Japan) S

11,300

227,486

2,266,254





18     Global Technology Fund









COMMON STOCKS (97.4%)* cont.

Shares

Value

Software (11.7%)

Microsoft Corp.

34,191

$1,499,275

Oracle Corp.

22,283

976,441

TiVo, Inc. †

39,254

438,860

2,914,576

Technology hardware, storage, and peripherals (20.3%)

Apple, Inc.

27,779

3,568,493

EMC Corp.

9,917

286,998

Hewlett-Packard Co.

12,986

452,432

Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. (Japan)

100

1,018

Lenovo Group, Ltd. (China)

204,000

314,305

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (South Korea)

375

463,281

5,086,527

Wireless telecommunication services (1.6%)

Bharti Infratel, Ltd. (India)

42,218

251,053

SoftBank Corp. (Japan)

2,400

147,986

399,039

Total common stocks (cost $18,001,396)


$24,354,863



CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS (0.5%)*

Shares

Value

Uber Technologies, Inc. Ser. E, 8.00% cv. pfd. (acquired 2/18/15, cost $149,996) (Private) †ΔΔ F

4,502

$134,996

Total convertible preferred stocks (cost $149,996)


$134,996



SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (2.8%)*

Shares

Value

Putnam Cash Collateral Pool, LLC 0.20% d

213,615

$213,615

Putnam Short Term Investment Fund 0.10% L

484,952

484,952

Total short-term investments (cost $698,567)


$698,567



TOTAL INVESTMENTS

Total investments (cost $18,849,959)

$25,188,426




Key to holding’s abbreviations

ADR

American Depository Receipts: represents ownership of foreign securities on deposit with a custodian bank



Notes to the fund’s portfolio

Unless noted otherwise, the notes to the fund’s portfolio are for the close of the fund’s reporting period, which ran from September 1, 2014 through February 28, 2015 (the reporting period). Within the following notes to the portfolio, references to “ASC 820” represent Accounting Standards Codification 820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures and references to “OTC”, if any, represent over-the-counter.

*

Percentages indicated are based on net assets of $25,007,187.

This security is non-income-producing.

ΔΔ

This security is restricted with regard to public resale. The total fair value of this security and any other restricted securities (excluding 144A securities), if any, held at the close of the reporting period was $134,996, or 0.5% of net assets.

 d

Affiliated company. See Note 1 to the financial statements regarding securities lending. The rate quoted in the security description is the annualized 7-day yield of the fund at the close of the reporting period.





Global Technology Fund     19









 F

This security is valued at fair value following procedures approved by the Trustees. Securities may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 for ASC 820 based on the securities’ valuation inputs. At the close of the reporting period, fair value pricing was also used for certain foreign securities in the portfolio (Note 1).

 L

Affiliated company (Note 5). The rate quoted in the security description is the annualized 7-day yield of the fund at the close of the reporting period.

R

Real Estate Investment Trust.

S

Security on loan, in part or in entirety, at the close of the reporting period (Note 1).

At the close of the reporting period, the fund maintained liquid assets totaling $131,938 to cover certain derivative contracts.



DIVERSIFICATION BY COUNTRY

Distribution of investments by country of risk at the close of the reporting period, excluding collateral received, if any (as a percentage of Portfolio Value):



United States

75.2%

China

12.1 

Japan

4.9 

South Korea

2.3 

United Kingdom

2.0 

Taiwan

1.4 

India

1.0 

France

0.7 

Germany

0.4 

Total

100.0%



Methodology differs from that used for purposes of complying with the fund’s policy regarding investments in securities of foreign issuers, as discussed further in the fund’s prospectus.




FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACTS at 2/28/15 (aggregate face value $3,225,047) (Unaudited)

Counterparty

Currency

Contract
type

Delivery
date

Value

Aggregate
face value

Unrealized
appreciation/
(depreciation)


Bank of America N.A.

Euro

Buy

3/18/15

$130,168

$145,420

$(15,252)


Barclays Bank PLC

Canadian Dollar

Buy

4/15/15

52,363

55,481

(3,118)

Hong Kong Dollar

Buy

5/20/15

9,167

9,168

(1)

Japanese Yen

Buy

5/20/15

861,251

872,133

(10,882)


Citibank, N.A.

Japanese Yen

Sell

5/20/15

16,682

16,968

286


Credit Suisse International

Euro

Buy

3/18/15

61,446

68,634

(7,188)

Swedish Krona

Buy

3/18/15

115,945

130,323

(14,378)


Deutsche Bank AG

British Pound

Sell

3/18/15

209,324

213,026

3,702

Euro

Buy

3/18/15

365,320

400,050

(34,730)

Euro

Sell

3/18/15

74,765

75,759

994


HSBC Bank USA, National Association

Euro

Buy

3/18/15

43,762

48,196

(4,434)


JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

British Pound

Buy

3/18/15

58,660

57,395

1,265

Euro

Buy

3/18/15

233,250

260,573

(27,323)

Japanese Yen

Sell

5/20/15

328,767

334,365

5,598

Swedish Krona

Buy

3/18/15

129,620

145,689

(16,069)





20     Global Technology Fund










FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACTS at 2/28/15 (aggregate face value $3,225,047) (Unaudited) cont.

Counterparty

Currency

Contract
type

Delivery
date

Value

Aggregate
face value

Unrealized
appreciation/
(depreciation)


State Street Bank and Trust Co.

Euro

Buy

3/18/15

$99,389

$111,009

$(11,620)

Israeli Shekel

Buy

4/15/15

24,581

24,770

(189)


UBS AG

British Pound

Sell

3/18/15

153,597

156,515

2,918

Canadian Dollar

Buy

4/15/15

48,126

50,941

(2,815)


WestPac Banking Corp.

Canadian Dollar

Buy

4/15/15

48,125

48,632

(507)

Total


$(133,743)



ASC 820 establishes a three-level hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of the fund’s investments. The three levels are defined as follows:

Level 1: Valuations based on quoted prices for identical securities in active markets.

Level 2: Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3: Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the fund’s net assets as of the close of the reporting period:



Valuation inputs

Investments in securities:

Level 1 

Level 2 

Level 3 

Common stocks*:

Consumer discretionary

$2,391,152 

$515,787 

$— 

Financials

477,260 

— 

— 

Industrials

— 

372,441 

— 

Information technology

17,823,607 

2,375,577 

— 

Telecommunication services

— 

399,039 

— 

Total common stocks

20,692,019 

3,662,844 

— 

Convertible preferred stocks

— 

— 

134,996 

Short-term investments

484,952 

213,615 

— 

Totals by level

$21,176,971 

$3,876,459 

$134,996 



Valuation inputs

Other financial instruments:

Level 1 

Level 2 

Level 3 

Forward currency contracts

$— 

$(133,743)

$— 

Totals by level

$— 

$(133,743)

$— 

* Common stock classifications are presented at the sector level, which may differ from the fund’s portfolio presentation.

During the reporting period, transfers within the fair value hierarchy, if any, (other than certain transfers involving non-U.S. equity securities as described in Note 1) did not represent, in the aggregate, more than 1% of the fund’s net assets measured as of the end of the period.

At the start and close of the reporting period, Level 3 investments in securities represented less than 1% of the fund’s net assets and were not considered a significant portion of the fund’s portfolio.


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.




Global Technology Fund     21









Statement of assets and liabilities 2/28/15 (Unaudited)

ASSETS

Investment in securities, at value, including $203,413 of securities on loan (Note 1):

Unaffiliated issuers (identified cost $18,151,392)

$24,489,859 

Affiliated issuers (identified cost $698,567) (Notes 1 and 5)

698,567 

Foreign currency (cost $137,549) (Note 1)

138,187 

Dividends, interest and other receivables

26,736 

Receivable for shares of the fund sold

45,531 

Receivable from Manager (Note 2)

16,976 

Unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts (Note 1)

14,763 

Prepaid assets

43,747 

Total assets

25,474,366 

LIABILITIES

Payable for shares of the fund repurchased

36,149 

Payable for custodian fees (Note 2)

5,633 

Payable for investor servicing fees (Note 2)

7,710 

Payable for Trustee compensation and expenses (Note 2)

2,260 

Payable for administrative services (Note 2)

69 

Payable for distribution fees (Note 2)

10,074 

Payable for auditing and tax fees

31,525 

Unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts (Note 1)

148,506 

Collateral on securities loaned, at value (Note 1)

213,615 

Other accrued expenses

11,638 

Total liabilities

467,179 

Net assets

$25,007,187 

REPRESENTED BY

Paid-in capital (Unlimited shares authorized) (Notes 1 and 4)

$18,583,453 

Accumulated net investment loss (Note 1)

(3,012)

Accumulated net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions (Note 1)

221,424 

Net unrealized appreciation of investments and assets and liabilities in foreign currencies

6,205,322 

Total — Representing net assets applicable to capital shares outstanding

$25,007,187 

(Continued on next page)





22     Global Technology Fund









Statement of assets and liabilities (Continued)

COMPUTATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND OFFERING PRICE

Net asset value and redemption price per class A share ($15,752,813 divided by 726,144 shares)

$21.69 

Offering price per class A share (100/94.25 of $21.69)*

$23.01 

Net asset value and offering price per class B share ($2,133,435 divided by 103,222 shares)**

$20.67 

Net asset value and offering price per class C share ($2,404,499 divided by 116,354 shares)**

$20.67 

Net asset value and redemption price per class M share ($188,250 divided by 8,955 shares)

$21.02 

Offering price per class M share (100/96.50 of $21.02)*

$21.78 

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per class R share ($118,866 divided by 5,557 shares)

$21.39 

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per class Y share ($4,409,324 divided by 200,259 shares)

$22.02 

*

 On single retail sales of less than $50,000. On sales of $50,000 or more the offering price is reduced.

**

 Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.




Global Technology Fund     23









Statement of operations Six months ended 2/28/15 (Unaudited)

INVESTMENT INCOME

Dividends (net of foreign tax of $2,902)

$117,743 

Interest (including interest income of $313 from investments in affiliated issuers) (Note 5)

322 

Securities lending (Note 1)

722 

Total investment income

118,787 

EXPENSES

Compensation of Manager (Note 2)

72,392 

Investor servicing fees (Note 2)

23,513 

Custodian fees (Note 2)

8,353 

Trustee compensation and expenses (Note 2)

310 

Distribution fees (Note 2)

37,735 

Administrative services (Note 2)

362 

Auditing and tax fees

24,218 

Blue sky expense

37,779 

Other

13,884 

Fees waived and reimbursed by Manager (Note 2)

(61,487)

Total expenses

157,059 

Expense reduction (Note 2)

(898)

Net expenses

156,161 

Net investment loss

(37,374)

Net realized gain on investments (net of foreign tax of $231) (Notes 1 and 3)

1,090,339 

Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions (Note 1)

(139,106)

Net unrealized depreciation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies during the period

(99,415)

Net unrealized appreciation of investments during the period

65,452 

Net gain on investments

917,270 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

$879,896 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.




24     Global Technology Fund









Statement of changes in net assets

INCREASE IN NET ASSETS

Six months ended 2/28/15*

Year ended 8/31/14 

Operations:

Net investment loss

$(37,374)

$(48,736)

Net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions

951,233 

1,313,182 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and assets and liabilities in foreign currencies

(33,963)

2,843,685 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

879,896 

4,108,131 

Distributions to shareholders (Note 1):

From ordinary income

Net realized short-term gain on investments

Class A

(181,345)

Class B

(21,510)

Class C

(23,985)

Class M

(2,095)

Class R

(752)

Class Y

(59,098)

From net realized long-term gain on investments

Class A

(629,588)

Class B

(74,678)

Class C

(83,270)

Class M

(7,275)

Class R

(2,612)

Class Y

(205,176)

Increase from capital share transactions (Note 4)

6,417,107 

2,324,124 

Total increase in net assets

6,005,619 

6,432,255 

NET ASSETS

Beginning of period

19,001,568 

12,569,313 

End of period (including accumulated net investment loss of $3,012 and undistributed net investment income of $34,362, respectively)

$25,007,187 

$19,001,568 

*

 Unaudited.


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.




Global Technology Fund     25








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
net realized gain on investments

From
return of capital

Total
distributions

Redemption
fees

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,d

Ratio of
net investment income (loss) to average net assets (%)
d

Portfolio turnover (%)

Class A

February 28, 2015**

$22.00    

(.03)  

.83    

.80    

—    

(1.11)  

—    

(1.11)  

—    

$21.69    

3.65*  

$15,753    

.63*  

(.12)*  

47*  

August 31, 2014

16.67    

(.04)  

5.37    

5.33    

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

22.00    

31.97    

10,313    

1.29    

(.22)   

50    

August 31, 2013

16.26    

.01    

.40    

.41    

—    

—    

—    

—    

e   

16.67    

2.52    

8,355    

1.36    

.05    

54    

August 31, 2012

14.86    

(.02)  

2.17    

2.15    

—    

(.73)  

(.02)  

(.75)  

e   

16.26    

15.32    

8,471    

1.41    

(.14)  

45    

August 31, 2011

13.26    

(.04)  

2.02    

1.98    

—    

(.38)  

—    

(.38)  

e   

14.86    

14.78    

7,886    

1.40    

(.24)  

101    

August 31, 2010

13.67    

(.07)  

.54    

.47    

(.05)  

(.84)  

—    

(.89)  

.01    

13.26    

2.98    

6,261    

1.48    

(.46)  

161    

Class B

February 28, 2015**

$21.09    

(.10)  

.79    

.69    

—    

(1.11)  

—    

(1.11)  

—    

$20.67    

3.28*  

$2,133    

1.00*  

(.50)

47*  

August 31, 2014

16.10    

(.18)  

5.17    

4.99    

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

21.09    

30.99    

1,781    

2.04    

(.97)  

50    

August 31, 2013

15.82    

(.11)  

.39    

.28    

—    

—    

—    

—    

e   

16.10    

1.77    

1,105    

2.11    

(.70)  

54    

August 31, 2012

14.59    

(.13)  

2.11    

1.98    

—    

(.73)  

(.02)  

(.75)  

e   

15.82    

14.41    

996    

2.16    

(.88)  

45    

August 31, 2011

13.12    

(.15)  

2.00    

1.85    

—    

(.38)  

—    

(.38)  

e   

14.59    

13.93    

691    

2.15    

(1.00)  

101    

August 31, 2010

13.60    

(.17)  

.53    

.36    

(.01)  

(.84)  

—    

(.85)  

.01    

13.12    

2.19    

443    

2.23    

(1.19)  

161    

Class C

February 28, 2015**

$21.09    

(.10)  

.79    

.69    

—    

(1.11)  

—    

(1.11)  

—    

$20.67    

3.28*  

$2,404    

1.00*  

(.49)

47*  

August 31, 2014

16.09    

(.18)  

5.18    

5.00    

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

21.09    

31.08    

1,801    

2.04    

(.98)  

50    

August 31, 2013

15.82    

(.11)  

.38    

.27    

—    

—    

—    

—    

e   

16.09    

1.71    

1,199    

2.11    

(.70)  

54    

August 31, 2012

14.59    

(.13)  

2.11    

1.98    

—    

(.73)  

(.02)  

(.75)  

e   

15.82    

14.41    

1,116    

2.16    

(.87)  

45    

August 31, 2011

13.12    

(.15)  

2.00    

1.85    

—    

(.38)  

—    

(.38)  

e   

14.59    

13.93    

749    

2.15    

(1.00)  

101    

August 31, 2010

13.60    

(.16)  

.52    

.36    

(.02)  

(.84)  

—    

(.86)  

.02    

13.12    

2.24    

429    

2.23    

(1.14)  

161    

Class M

February 28, 2015**

$21.40    

(.08)  

.81    

.73    

—    

(1.11)  

—    

(1.11)  

—    

$21.02    

3.42*  

$188    

.88*  

(.37)

47*  

August 31, 2014

16.30    

(.14)  

5.24    

5.10    

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

21.40    

31.29    

162    

1.79    

(.72)  

50    

August 31, 2013

15.98    

(.07)  

.39    

.32    

—    

—    

—    

—    

e   

16.30    

2.00    

92    

1.86    

(.44)  

54    

August 31, 2012

14.69    

(.10)  

2.14    

2.04    

—    

(.73)  

(.02)  

(.75)  

e   

15.98    

14.73    

103    

1.91    

(.64)  

45    

August 31, 2011

13.18    

(.12)  

2.01    

1.89    

—    

(.38)  

—    

(.38)  

e   

14.69    

14.18    

98    

1.90    

(.77)  

101    

August 31, 2010

13.62    

(.13)  

.54    

.41    

(.02)  

(.84)  

—    

(.86)  

.01    

13.18    

2.50    

79    

1.98    

(.94)  

161    

Class R

February 28, 2015**

$21.73    

(.05)  

.82    

.77    

—    

(1.11)  

—    

(1.11)  

—    

$21.39    

3.56*  

$119    

.76*  

(.24)

47*  

August 31, 2014

16.50    

(.09)  

5.32    

5.23    

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

21.73    

31.70    

50    

1.54    

(.47)  

50    

August 31, 2013

16.14    

(.03)  

.38    

.35    

—    

—    

—    

—    

.01    

16.50    

2.23    

24    

1.61    

(.17)  

54    

August 31, 2012

14.80    

(.05)  

2.14    

2.09    

—    

(.73)  

(.02)  

(.75)  

e   

16.14    

14.96    

65    

1.66    

(.35)  

45    

August 31, 2011

13.24    

(.08)  

2.02    

1.94    

—    

(.38)  

—    

(.38)  

e   

14.80    

14.50    

32    

1.65    

(.51)  

101    

August 31, 2010

13.64    

(.10)  

.55    

.45    

(.02)  

(.84)  

—    

(.86)  

.01    

13.24    

2.80    

14    

1.73    

(.71)  

161    

Class Y

February 28, 2015**

$22.29    

e   

.84    

.84    

—    

(1.11)  

—    

(1.11)  

—    

$22.02    

3.79*  

$4,409    

.51*  

(.01)

47*  

August 31, 2014

16.84    

.01    

5.44    

5.45    

—    

—    

—    

—    

—    

22.29    

32.36    

4,894    

1.04    

.03    

50    

August 31, 2013

16.39    

.05    

.40    

.45    

—    

—    

—    

—    

e   

16.84    

2.75    

1,794    

1.11    

.31    

54    

August 31, 2012

14.94    

.02    

2.18    

2.20    

—    

(.73)  

(.02)  

(.75)  

e   

16.39    

15.58    

1,779    

1.16    

.13    

45    

August 31, 2011

13.30    

e   

2.02    

2.02    

—    

(.38)  

—    

(.38)  

e   

14.94    

15.04    

1,182    

1.15    

f   

101    

August 31, 2010

13.69    

(.03)  

.55    

.52    

(.08)  

(.84)  

—    

(.92)  

.01    

13.30    

3.29    

705    

1.23    

(.18)  

161    


See notes to financial highlights at the end of this section.


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


26




    Global Technology Fund




Global Technology Fund    

27









Financial highlights (Continued)

* Not annualized.

** Unaudited.

aPer share net investment income (loss) has been determined on the basis of the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period.

bTotal return assumes dividend reinvestment and does not reflect the effect of sales charges.

cIncludes amounts paid through expense offset and/or brokerage service arrangements, if any (Note 2). Also excludes acquired fund fees and expenses, if any.

dReflects an involuntary contractual expense limitation in effect during the period. As a result of such limitation, the expenses of each class reflect a reduction of the following amounts (Note 2):


Percentage of
average net assets

February 28, 2015

0.26%

August 31, 2014

0.74 

August 31, 2013

0.49 

August 31, 2012

0.53 

August 31, 2011

0.60 

August 31, 2010

1.15 


eAmount represents less than $0.01 per share.

fAmount represents less than 0.01%.


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.




28     Global Technology Fund








Notes to financial statements 2/28/15 (Unaudited)

Within the following Notes to financial statements, references to “State Street” represent State Street Bank and Trust Company, references to “the SEC” represent the Securities and Exchange Commission, references to “Putnam Management” represent Putnam Investment Management, LLC, the fund’s manager, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Putnam Investments, LLC and references to “OTC”, if any, represent over-the-counter. Unless otherwise noted, the “reporting period” represents the period from September 1, 2014 through February 28, 2015.

Putnam Global Technology Fund (the fund) is a non-diversified series of Putnam Funds Trust (the Trust), a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as an open-end management investment company. The goal of the fund is to seek capital appreciation by concentrating in the technology industries. The fund invests mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that Putnam Management believes have favorable investment potential. Potential investments include companies that have, or will develop, products, processes or services that will provide advances and improvements through technology to consumers, enterprises and governments worldwide. The fund may purchase stocks of companies with stock prices that reflect a value lower than that which Putnam Management places on the company. Putnam Management may also consider other factors that it believes will cause the stock price to rise. Putnam Management 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.

The fund offers class A, class B, class C, class M, class R and class Y shares. Class A and class M shares are sold with a maximum front-end sales charge of 5.75% and 3.50%, respectively, and generally do not pay a contingent deferred sales charge. Class B shares, which convert to class A shares after approximately eight years, do not pay a front-end sales charge and are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge if those shares are redeemed within six years of purchase. Class C shares have a one-year 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge and do not convert to class A shares. Class R shares, which are not available to all investors, are sold at net asset value. The expenses for class A, class B, class C, class M and class R shares may differ based on the distribution fee of each class, which is identified in Note 2. Class Y shares, which are sold at net asset value, are generally subject to the same expenses as class A, class B, class C, class M and class R shares, but do not bear a distribution fee. Class Y shares are not available to all investors.

In the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts that may include agreements to indemnify another party under given circumstances. The fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be, but have not yet been, made against the fund. However, the fund’s management team expects the risk of material loss to be remote.

Note 1: Significant accounting policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The preparation of financial statements is in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Subsequent events after the Statement of assets and liabilities date through the date that the financial statements were issued have been evaluated in the preparation of the financial statements.

Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses and expenses of the fund are borne pro-rata based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the fund, except that each class bears expenses unique to that class (including the distribution fees applicable to such classes). Each class votes as a class only with respect to its own distribution plan or other matters on which a class vote is required by law or determined by the Trustees. If the fund were liquidated, shares of each class would receive their pro-rata share of the net assets of the fund. In addition, the Trustees declare separate dividends on each class of shares.

Security valuation Portfolio securities and other investments are valued using policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The Trustees have formed a Pricing Committee to oversee the implementation of these procedures and have delegated responsibility for valuing the fund’s assets in accordance with these procedures to Putnam Management. Putnam Management has established an internal Valuation Committee that is responsible for making fair value determinations, evaluating the effectiveness of the pricing policies of the fund and reporting to the Pricing Committee.




Global Technology Fund     29








Investments for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the last reported sales price on their principal exchange, or official closing price for certain markets, and are classified as Level 1 securities under Accounting Standards Codification 820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (ASC 820). If no sales are reported, as in the case of some securities that are traded OTC, a security is valued at its last reported bid price and is generally categorized as a Level 2 security.

Investments in open-end investment companies (excluding exchange-traded funds), if any, which can be classified as Level 1 or Level 2 securities, are valued based on their net asset value. The net asset value of such investment companies equals the total value of their assets less their liabilities and divided by the number of their outstanding shares.

Many securities markets and exchanges outside the U.S. close prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange 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 New York Stock Exchange. Accordingly, on certain days, the fund will fair value foreign equity securities taking into account multiple factors including movements in the U.S. securities markets, currency valuations and comparisons to the valuation of American Depository Receipts, exchange-traded funds and futures contracts. These securities, which would generally be classified as Level 1 securities, will be transferred to Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy when they are valued at fair value. The number of days on which fair value prices will be used will depend on market activity and it is possible that fair value prices will be used by the fund to a significant extent. At the close of the reporting period, fair value pricing was used for certain foreign securities in the portfolio. Securities quoted in foreign currencies, if any, are translated into U.S. dollars at the current exchange rate. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value, and are classified as Level 2 securities.

To the extent a pricing service or dealer is unable to value a security or provides a valuation that Putnam Management does not believe accurately reflects the security’s fair value, the security will be valued at fair value by Putnam Management in accordance with policies and procedures approved by the Trustees. Certain investments, including certain restricted and illiquid securities and derivatives, are also valued at fair value following procedures approved by the Trustees. These valuations consider such factors as significant market or specific security events such as interest rate or credit quality changes, various relationships with other securities, discount rates, U.S. Treasury, U.S. swap and credit yields, index levels, convexity exposures, recovery rates, sales and other multiples and resale restrictions. These securities are classified as Level 2 or as Level 3 depending on the priority of the significant inputs.

To assess the continuing appropriateness of fair valuations, the Valuation Committee reviews and affirms the reasonableness of such valuations on a regular basis after considering all relevant information that is reasonably available. Such valuations and procedures are reviewed periodically by the Trustees. The fair value of securities is generally determined as the amount that the fund could reasonably expect to realize from an orderly disposition of such securities over a reasonable period of time. By its nature, a fair value price is a good faith estimate of the value of a security in a current sale and does not reflect an actual market price, which may be different by a material amount.

Security transactions and related investment income Security transactions are recorded on the trade date (the date the order to buy or sell is executed). Gains or losses on securities sold are determined on the identified cost basis.

Interest income, net of any applicable withholding taxes, is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income, net of any applicable withholding taxes, is recognized on the ex-dividend date except that certain dividends from foreign securities, if any, are recognized as soon as the fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded at the fair value of the securities received. Dividends representing a return of capital or capital gains, if any, are reflected as a reduction of cost and/or as a realized gain.

Foreign currency translation The accounting records of the fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. The fair value of foreign securities, currency holdings, and other assets and liabilities is recorded in the books and records of the fund after translation to U.S. dollars based on the exchange rates on that day. The cost of each security is determined using historical exchange rates. Income and withholding taxes are translated at prevailing exchange rates when earned or incurred. The fund does not isolate that portion of realized or unrealized gains or losses resulting from changes in the foreign exchange rate on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of the securities. Such gains and losses are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments. Net realized gains and losses on foreign currency transactions represent net realized exchange gains or losses on closed forward currency contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains and losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent




30     Global Technology Fund








amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized appreciation and depreciation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies arise from changes in the value of open forward currency contracts and assets and liabilities other than investments at the period end, resulting from changes in the exchange rate.

Forward currency contracts The fund buys and sells forward currency contracts, which are agreements between two parties to buy and sell currencies at a set price on a future date. These contracts are used to hedge foreign exchange risk.

The U.S. dollar value of forward currency contracts is determined using current forward currency exchange rates supplied by a quotation service. The fair value of the contract will fluctuate with changes in currency exchange rates. The contract is marked to market daily and the change in fair value is recorded as an unrealized gain or loss. The fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed when the contract matures or by delivery of the currency. The fund could be exposed to risk if the value of the currency changes unfavorably, if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts or if the fund is unable to enter into a closing position. Risks may exceed amounts recognized on the Statement of assets and liabilities.

Forward currency contracts outstanding at period end, if any, are listed after the fund’s portfolio.

Master agreements The fund is a party to ISDA (International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc.) Master Agreements (Master Agreements) with certain counterparties that govern OTC derivative and foreign exchange contracts entered into from time to time. The Master Agreements may contain provisions regarding, among other things, the parties’ general obligations, representations, agreements, collateral requirements, events of default and early termination. With respect to certain counterparties, in accordance with the terms of the Master Agreements, collateral posted to the fund is held in a segregated account by the fund’s custodian and with respect to those amounts which can be sold or repledged, is presented in the fund’s portfolio.

Collateral pledged by the fund is segregated by the fund’s custodian and identified in the fund’s portfolio. Collateral can be in the form of cash or debt securities issued by the U.S. Government or related agencies or other securities as agreed to by the fund and the applicable counterparty. Collateral requirements are determined based on the fund’s net position with each counterparty.

Termination events applicable to the fund may occur upon a decline in the fund’s net assets below a specified threshold over a certain period of time. Termination events applicable to counterparties may occur upon a decline in the counterparty’s long-term and short-term credit ratings below a specified level. In each case, upon occurrence, the other party may elect to terminate early and cause settlement of all derivative and foreign exchange contracts outstanding, including the payment of any losses and costs resulting from such early termination, as reasonably determined by the terminating party. Any decision by one or more of the fund’s counterparties to elect early termination could impact the fund’s future derivative activity.

At the close of the reporting period, the fund had a net liability position of $134,132 on open derivative contracts subject to the Master Agreements. There was no collateral posted by the fund at period end for these agreements.

Securities lending The fund may lend securities, through its agent, to qualified borrowers in order to earn additional income. The loans are collateralized by cash in an amount at least equal to the fair value of the securities loaned. The fair value of securities loaned is determined daily and any additional required collateral is allocated to the fund on the next business day. The risk of borrower default will be borne by the fund’s agent; the fund will bear the risk of loss with respect to the investment of the cash collateral. Income from securities lending is included in investment income on the Statement of operations. Cash collateral is invested in Putnam Cash Collateral Pool, LLC, a limited liability company managed by an affiliate of Putnam Management. Investments in Putnam Cash Collateral Pool, LLC are valued at its closing net asset value each business day. There are no management fees charged to Putnam Cash Collateral Pool, LLC. At the close of the reporting period, the fund received cash collateral of $213,615 and the value of securities loaned amounted to $203,413.

Interfund lending The fund, along with other Putnam funds, may participate in an interfund lending program pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC. This program allows the fund to borrow from or lend to other Putnam funds that permit such transactions. Interfund lending transactions are subject to each fund’s investment policies and borrowing and lending limits. Interest earned or paid on the interfund lending transaction will be based on the average of certain current market rates. During the reporting period, the fund did not utilize the program.

Lines of credit The fund participates, along with other Putnam funds, in a $392.5 million unsecured committed line of credit and a $235.5 million unsecured uncommitted line of credit, both provided by State Street. Borrowings may be made for temporary or emergency purposes, including the funding of shareholder redemption requests




Global Technology Fund     31








and trade settlements. Interest is charged to the fund based on the fund’s borrowing at a rate equal to the Federal Funds rate plus 1.25% for the committed line of credit and the Federal Funds rate plus 1.30% for the uncommitted line of credit. A closing fee equal to 0.04% of the committed line of credit and 0.04% of the uncommitted line of credit has been paid by the participating funds. In addition, a commitment fee of 0.11% per annum on any unutilized portion of the committed line of credit is allocated to the participating funds based on their relative net assets and paid quarterly. During the reporting period, the fund had no borrowings against these arrangements.

Federal taxes It is the policy of the fund to distribute all of its taxable income within the prescribed time period and otherwise comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), applicable to regulated investment companies. It is also the intention of the fund to distribute an amount sufficient to avoid imposition of any excise tax under Section 4982 of the Code.

The fund is subject to the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification 740 Income Taxes (ASC 740). ASC 740 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The fund did not have a liability to record for any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. No provision has been made for federal taxes on income, capital gains or unrealized appreciation on securities held nor for excise tax on income and capital gains. Each of the fund’s federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.

The fund may also be subject to taxes imposed by governments of countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on either income or gains earned or repatriated. The fund accrues and applies such taxes to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized gains as income and/or capital gains are earned. In some cases, the fund may be entitled to reclaim all or a portion of such taxes, and such reclaim amounts, if any, are reflected as an asset on the fund’s books. In many cases, however, the fund may not receive such amounts for an extended period of time, depending on the country of investment.

The aggregate identified cost on a tax basis is $18,948,853, resulting in gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of $6,747,345 and $507,772, respectively, or net unrealized appreciation of $6,239,573.

Distributions to shareholders Distributions to shareholders from net investment income are recorded by the fund on the ex-dividend date. Distributions from capital gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually. The amount and character of income and gains to be distributed are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. Actual results may vary. Any non-taxable return of capital cannot be determined until final tax calculations are completed after the end of the fund’s fiscal year. Reclassifications are made to the fund’s capital accounts to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryovers) under income tax regulations.

Expenses of the Trust Expenses directly charged or attributable to any fund will be paid from the assets of that fund. Generally, expenses of the Trust will be allocated among and charged to the assets of each fund on a basis that the Trustees deem fair and equitable, which may be based on the relative assets of each fund or the nature of the services performed and relative applicability to each fund.

Note 2: Management fee, administrative services and other transactions

The fund pays Putnam Management a management fee (based on the fund’s average net assets and computed and paid monthly) at annual rates that may vary based on the average of the aggregate net assets of most open-end funds, as defined in the fund’s management contract, sponsored by Putnam Management. Such annual rates may vary as follows:


0.780%

of the first $5 billion,

0.730%

of the next $5 billion,

0.680%

of the next $10 billion,

0.630%

of the next $10 billion,

0.580%

of the next $50 billion,

0.560%

of the next $50 billion,

0.550%

of the next $100 billion and

0.545%

of any excess thereafter.


Putnam Management has contractually agreed, through December 30, 2015, to waive fees or reimburse the fund’s expenses to the extent necessary to limit the cumulative expenses of the fund, exclusive of brokerage, interest, taxes, investment-related expenses, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and payments under the fund’s investor servicing contract, investment management contract and distribution plans, on a fiscal year-to-date basis to an annual rate of 0.20% of the fund’s average net assets over such fiscal year-to-date period. During the reporting period, the fund’s expenses were reduced by $61,487 as a result of this limit.




32     Global Technology Fund








Putnam Investments Limited (PIL), an affiliate of Putnam Management, is authorized by the Trustees to manage a separate portion of the assets of the fund as determined by Putnam Management from time to time. Putnam Management pays a quarterly sub-management fee to PIL for its services at an annual rate of 0.35% of the average net assets of the portion of the fund managed by PIL.

The Putnam Advisory Company, LLC (PAC), an affiliate of Putnam Management, is authorized by the Trustees to manage a separate portion of the assets of the fund, as designated from time to time by Putnam Management or PIL. Putnam Management or PIL, as applicable, pays a quarterly sub-advisory fee to PAC for its services at the annual rate of 0.35% of the average net assets of the portion of the fund’s assets for which PAC is engaged as sub-adviser.

The fund reimburses Putnam Management an allocated amount for the compensation and related expenses of certain officers of the fund and their staff who provide administrative services to the fund. The aggregate amount of all such reimbursements is determined annually by the Trustees.

Custodial functions for the fund’s assets are provided by State Street. Custody fees are based on the fund’s asset level, the number of its security holdings and transaction volumes.

Putnam Investor Services, Inc., an affiliate of Putnam Management, provides investor servicing agent functions to the fund. Putnam Investor Services, Inc. received fees for investor servicing that included (1) a per account fee for each direct and underlying non-defined contribution accounts (“retail accounts”) of the fund and each of the other funds in its specified category, which was totaled and then allocated to each fund in the category based on its average daily net assets; (2) a specified rate of the fund’s assets attributable to defined contribution plan accounts; and (3) for the portion of the fund’s fiscal year beginning after January 1, 2015, a specified rate based on the average net assets in retail accounts. Putnam Investor Services has agreed that the aggregate investor servicing fees for each fund’s retail and defined contribution accounts will not exceed an annual rate of 0.320% of the fund’s average assets attributable to such accounts. During the reporting period, the expenses for each class of shares related to investor servicing fees were as follows:


Class A

$14,217

Class B

1,856

Class C

2,018

Class M

172

Class R

66

Class Y

5,184

Total

$23,513


The fund has entered into expense offset arrangements with Putnam Investor Services, Inc. and State Street whereby Putnam Investor Services, Inc.’s and State Street’s fees are reduced by credits allowed on cash balances. The fund also reduced expenses through brokerage/service arrangements. For the reporting period, the fund’s expenses were reduced by $66 under the expense offset arrangements and by $832 under the brokerage/service arrangements.

Each Independent Trustee of the fund receives an annual Trustee fee, of which $15, as a quarterly retainer, has been allocated to the fund, and an additional fee for each Trustees meeting attended. Trustees also are reimbursed for expenses they incur relating to their services as Trustees.

The fund has adopted a Trustee Fee Deferral Plan (the Deferral Plan) which allows the Trustees to defer the receipt of all or a portion of Trustees fees payable on or after July 1, 1995. The deferred fees remain invested in certain Putnam funds until distribution in accordance with the Deferral Plan.

The fund has adopted an unfunded noncontributory defined benefit pension plan (the Pension Plan) covering all Trustees of the fund who have served as a Trustee for at least five years and were first elected prior to 2004. Benefits under the Pension Plan are equal to 50% of the Trustee’s average annual attendance and retainer fees for the three years ended December 31, 2005. The retirement benefit is payable during a Trustee’s lifetime, beginning the year following retirement, for the number of years of service through December 31, 2006. Pension expense for the fund is included in Trustee compensation and expenses in the Statement of operations. Accrued pension liability is included in Payable for Trustee compensation and expenses in the Statement of assets and liabilities. The Trustees have terminated the Pension Plan with respect to any Trustee first elected after 2003.

The fund has adopted distribution plans (the Plans) with respect to its class A, class B, class C, class M and class R shares pursuant to Rule 12b–1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The purpose of the Plans is to compensate Putnam Retail Management Limited Partnership, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Putnam Investments, LLC, for services provided and expenses incurred in distributing shares of the fund. The Plans provide for payments




Global Technology Fund     33








by the fund to Putnam Retail Management Limited Partnership at an annual rate of up to 0.35%, 1.00%, 1.00%, 1.00% and 1.00% of the average net assets attributable to class A, class B, class C, class M and class R shares, respectively. The Trustees have approved payment by the fund at an annual rate of 0.25%, 1.00%, 1.00%, 0.75% and 0.50% of the average net assets attributable to class A, class B, class C, class M and class R shares, respectively. During the reporting period, the class specific expenses related to distribution fees were as follows:


Class A

$17,656

Class B

9,238

Class C

10,039

Class M

639

Class R

163

Total

$37,735


For the reporting period, Putnam Retail Management Limited Partnership, acting as underwriter, received net commissions of $13,228 and $29 from the sale of class A and class M shares, respectively, and received $78 and no monies in contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of class B and class C shares, respectively.

A deferred sales charge of up to 1.00% and 0.65% is assessed on certain redemptions of class A and class M shares, respectively. For the reporting period, Putnam Retail Management Limited Partnership, acting as underwriter, received $4 and no monies on class A and class M redemptions, respectively.

Note 3: Purchases and sales of securities

During the reporting period, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales, excluding short-term investments were as follows:


Cost of purchases

Proceeds from sales

Investments in securities (Long-term)

$15,621,695

$10,740,885

U.S. government securities (Long-term)

Total

$15,621,695

$10,740,885


Note 4: Capital shares

At the close of the reporting period, there were an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest authorized. Transactions in capital shares were as follows:


Six months ended 2/28/15 

Year ended 8/31/14 

Class A

Shares

Amount

Shares

Amount

Shares sold

380,556 

$8,288,559 

181,590 

$3,713,603 

Shares issued in connection with reinvestment of distributions

36,795 

795,142 

417,351 

9,083,701 

181,590 

3,713,603 

Shares repurchased

(160,022)

(3,417,936)

(214,097)

(4,259,114)

Net increase (decrease)

257,329 

$5,665,765 

(32,507)

$(545,511)



Six months ended 2/28/15 

Year ended 8/31/14 

Class B

Shares

Amount

Shares

Amount

Shares sold

21,737 

$448,580 

33,991 

$649,721 

Shares issued in connection with reinvestment of distributions

4,660 

96,045 

26,397 

544,625 

33,991 

649,721 

Shares repurchased

(7,637)

(158,242)

(18,203)

(339,486)

Net increase

18,760 

$386,383 

15,788 

$310,235 





34     Global Technology Fund









Six months ended 2/28/15 

Year ended 8/31/14 

Class C

Shares

Amount

Shares

Amount

Shares sold

30,145 

$622,045 

22,105 

$428,004 

Shares issued in connection with reinvestment of distributions

5,085 

104,811 

35,230 

726,856 

22,105 

428,004 

Shares repurchased

(4,304)

(87,782)

(11,187)

(208,183)

Net increase

30,926 

$639,074 

10,918 

$219,821 



Six months ended 2/28/15 

Year ended 8/31/14 

Class M

Shares

Amount

Shares

Amount

Shares sold

1,438 

$31,200 

2,294 

$44,307 

Shares issued in connection with reinvestment of distributions

447 

9,370 

1,885 

40,570 

2,294 

44,307 

Shares repurchased

(488)

(10,096)

(371)

(7,101)

Net increase

1,397 

$30,474 

1,923 

$37,206 



Six months ended 2/28/15 

Year ended 8/31/14 

Class R

Shares

Amount

Shares

Amount

Shares sold

3,180 

$67,868 

1,261 

$25,068 

Shares issued in connection with reinvestment of distributions

89 

1,901 

3,269 

69,769 

1,261 

25,068 

Shares repurchased

(4)

(77)

(403)

(7,850)

Net increase

3,265 

$69,692 

858 

$17,218 



Six months ended 2/28/15 

Year ended 8/31/14 

Class Y

Shares

Amount

Shares

Amount

Shares sold

89,334 

$1,967,975 

143,123 

$2,886,902 

Shares issued in connection with reinvestment of distributions

12,045 

264,027 

101,379 

2,232,002 

143,123 

2,886,902 

Shares repurchased

(120,731)

(2,606,283)

(30,062)

(601,747)

Net increase (decrease)

(19,352)

$(374,281)

113,061 

$2,285,155 


At the close of the reporting period, Putnam Investments, LLC owned the following shares of the fund:


Shares owned

Percentage of ownership

Value

Class R

1,203

21.6%

$25,732





Global Technology Fund     35








Note 5: Affiliated transactions

Transactions during the reporting period with Putnam Short Term Investment Fund, which is under common ownership and control, were as follows:


Name of affiliate

Fair value at the beginning of the reporting period

Purchase cost

Sale proceeds

Investment income

Fair value at the end of the reporting period

Putnam Short Term Investment Fund*

$403,024

$6,806,554

$6,724,626

$313

$484,952

Totals

$403,024

$6,806,554

$6,724,626

$313

$484,952


* Management fees charged to Putnam Short Term Investment Fund have been waived by Putnam Management.

Note 6: Market, credit and other risks

In the normal course of business, the fund trades financial instruments and enters into financial transactions where risk of potential loss exists due to changes in the market (market risk) or failure of the contracting party to the transaction to perform (credit risk). The fund may be exposed to additional credit risk that an institution or other entity with which the fund has unsettled or open transactions will default. Investments in foreign securities involve certain risks, including those related to economic instability, unfavorable political developments, and currency fluctuations. The fund concentrates a majority of its investments in the technology sector, which involves more risk than a fund that invests more broadly.

Note 7: Summary of derivative activity

The volume of activity for the reporting period for any derivative type that was held during the period is listed below and was as follows based on an average of the holdings at the end of each fiscal quarter:


Forward currency contracts (contract amount)

$3,100,000


The following is a summary of the fair value of derivative instruments as of the close of the reporting period:

Fair value of derivative instruments as of the close of the reporting period


Asset derivatives

Liability derivatives

Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments under ASC 815

Statement of
assets and
liabilities location

Fair value

Statement of
assets and
liabilities location

Fair value

Foreign exchange contracts

Receivables

$14,763 

Payables

$148,506 

Total

$14,763 

$148,506 


The following is a summary of realized and change in unrealized gains or losses of derivative instruments on the Statement of operations for the reporting period (see Note 1):

Amount of realized gain or (loss) on derivatives recognized in net gain or (loss) on investments


Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments under ASC 815

Forward currency contracts

Total

Foreign exchange contracts

$(129,830)

$(129,830)

Total

$(129,830)

$(129,830)


Change in unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) on derivatives recognized in net gain or (loss) on investments


Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments under ASC 815

Forward currency contracts

Total

Foreign exchange contracts

$(99,380)

$(99,380)

Total

$(99,380)

$(99,380)





36     Global Technology Fund








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Global Technology Fund     37









Note 8: Offsetting of financial and derivative assets and liabilities

The following table summarizes any derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, at the end of the reporting period, that are subject to an enforceable master netting agreement or similar agreement. For securities lending transactions or borrowing transactions associated with securities sold short, if any, see Note 1. For financial reporting purposes, the fund does not offset financial assets and financial liabilities that are subject to the master netting agreements in the Statement of assets and liabilities.



Bank of America N.A.

Barclays Bank PLC

Citibank, N.A.

Credit Suisse International

Deutsche Bank AG

HSBC Bank USA, National Association

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

State Street Bank and Trust Co.

UBS AG

WestPac Banking Corp.

Total

Assets:

Forward currency contracts#

$—

$—

$286 

$—

$4,696 

$—

$6,863 

$—

$2,918 

$—

$14,763 

Total Assets

$—

$—

$286 

$—

$4,696 

$—

$6,863 

$—

$2,918 

$—

$14,763 

Liabilities:

Forward currency contracts#

15,252 

14,001 

21,566 

34,730 

4,434 

43,392 

11,809 

2,815 

507 

148,506 

Total Liabilities

$15,252 

$14,001 

$—

$21,566 

$34,730 

$4,434 

$43,392 

$11,809 

$2,815 

$507 

$148,506 

Total Financial and Derivative Net Assets

$(15,252)

$(14,001)

$286 

$(21,566)

$(30,034)

$(4,434)

$(36,529)

$(11,809)

$103 

$(507)

$(133,743)

Total collateral received (pledged)†##

$—

$—

$—

$—

$—

$—

$—

$—

$—

$—

Net amount

$(15,252)

$(14,001)

$286 

$(21,566)

$(30,034)

$(4,434)

$(36,529)

$(11,809)

$103 

$(507)



Additional collateral may be required from certain brokers based on individual agreements.

#

Covered by master netting agreement (Note 1).

##

Any over-collateralization of total financial and derivative net assets is not shown. Collateral may include amounts related to unsettled agreements.


38




    Global Technology Fund




Global Technology Fund    

39









Services for shareholders

Investor services

Systematic investment plan Tell us how much you wish to invest regularly — weekly, semimonthly, or monthly — and the amount you choose will be transferred automatically from your checking or savings account. There’s no additional fee for this service, and you can suspend it at any time. This plan may be a great way to save for college expenses or to plan for your retirement.

Please note that regular investing does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss in a declining market. Before arranging a systematic investment plan, consider your financial ability to continue making purchases in periods when prices are low.

Systematic exchange You can make regular transfers from one Putnam fund to another Putnam fund. There are no additional fees for this service, and you can cancel or change your options at any time.

Dividends PLUS You can choose to have the dividend distributions from one of your Putnam funds automatically reinvested in another Putnam fund at no additional charge.

Free exchange privilege You can exchange money between Putnam funds free of charge, as long as they are the same class of shares. A signature guarantee is required if you are exchanging more than $500,000. The fund reserves the right to revise or terminate the exchange privilege.

Reinstatement privilege If you’ve sold Putnam shares or received a check for a dividend or capital gain, you may reinvest the proceeds with Putnam within 90 days of the transaction and they will be reinvested at the fund’s current net asset value — with no sales charge. However, reinstatement of class B shares may have special tax consequences. Ask your financial or tax representative for details.

Check-writing service You have ready access to many Putnam accounts. It’s as simple as writing a check, and there are no special fees or service charges. For more information about the check-writing service, call Putnam or visit our website.

Dollar cost averaging When you’re investing for long-term goals, it’s time, not timing, that counts. Investing on a systematic basis is a better strategy than trying to figure out when the markets will go up or down. This means investing the same amount of money regularly over a long period. This method of investing is called dollar cost averaging. When a fund’s share price declines, your investment dollars buy more shares at lower prices. When it increases, they buy fewer shares. Over time, you will pay a lower average price per share.

For more information

Visit the Individual Investors section at putnam.com A secure section of our website contains complete information on your account, including balances and transactions, updated daily. You may also conduct transactions, such as exchanges, additional investments, and address changes. Log on today to get your password.

Call us toll free at 1-800-225-1581 Ask a helpful Putnam representative or your financial advisor for details about any of these or other services, or see your prospectus.




40     Global Technology Fund








Fund information

Founded over 75 years ago, Putnam Investments was built around the concept that a balance between risk and reward is the hallmark of a well-rounded financial program. We manage over 100 funds across income, value, blend, growth, asset allocation, absolute return, and global sector categories.

Investment Manager

Putnam Investment
Management, LLC
One Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02109

Investment Sub-Manager

Putnam Investments Limited
57–59 St James’s Street
London, England SW1A 1LD

Investment Sub-Advisor

The Putnam Advisory Company, LLC
One Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02109

Marketing Services

Putnam Retail Management
One Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02109

Custodian

State Street Bank
and Trust Company

Legal Counsel

Ropes & Gray LLP

Trustees

Jameson A. Baxter, Chair
Liaquat Ahamed
Ravi Akhoury
Barbara M. Baumann
Charles B. Curtis
Robert J. Darretta
Katinka Domotorffy
John A. Hill
Paul L. Joskow
Kenneth R. Leibler
Robert E. Patterson
George Putnam, III
Robert L. Reynolds
W. Thomas Stephens

Officers

Robert L. Reynolds
President

Jonathan S. Horwitz
Executive Vice President,
Principal Executive Officer, and
Compliance Liaison

Steven D. Krichmar
Vice President and
Principal Financial Officer

Robert T. Burns
Vice President and
Chief Legal Officer

Robert R. Leveille
Vice President and
Chief Compliance Officer

Michael J. Higgins
Vice President, Treasurer,
and Clerk

Janet C. Smith
Vice President,
Principal Accounting Officer,
and Assistant Treasurer

Susan G. Malloy
Vice President and
Assistant Treasurer

James P. Pappas
Vice President

Mark C. Trenchard
Vice President and
BSA Compliance Officer

Nancy E. Florek
Vice President, Director of
Proxy Voting and Corporate
Governance, Assistant Clerk,
and Associate Treasurer

This report is for the information of shareholders of Putnam Global Technology Fund. It may also be used as sales literature when preceded or accompanied by the current prospectus, the most recent copy of Putnam’s Quarterly Performance Summary, and Putnam’s Quarterly Ranking Summary. For more recent performance, please visit putnam.com. Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of a fund, which are described in its prospectus. For this and other information or to request a prospectus or summary prospectus, call 1-800-225-1581 toll free. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. The fund’s Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the fund’s Trustees and is available without charge upon request by calling 1-800-225-1581.








putem7_backcover.jpg









Item 2. Code of Ethics:
Not applicable
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert:
Not applicable
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services:
Not applicable
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants
Not applicable
Item 6. Schedule of Investments:
The registrant’s schedule of investments in unaffiliated issuers is included in the report to shareholders in Item 1 above.

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures For Closed-End Management Investment Companies:

Not applicable
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Investment Companies
Not Applicable
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Companies and Affiliated Purchasers:

Not applicable
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders:
Not applicable
Item 11. Controls and Procedures:
(a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded, based on their evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, that the design and operation of such procedures are generally effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the registrant in this report is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms.

(b) Changes in internal control over financial reporting: Not applicable
Item 12. Exhibits:
(a)(1) Not applicable
(a)(2) Separate certifications for the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, are filed herewith.

(b) The certifications required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, are filed herewith.

Putnam Funds Trust
By (Signature and Title):
/s/ Janet C. Smith
Janet C. Smith
Principal Accounting Officer

Date: April 28, 2015
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

By (Signature and Title):
/s/ Jonathan S. Horwitz
Jonathan S. Horwitz
Principal Executive Officer

Date: April 28, 2015
By (Signature and Title):
/s/ Steven D. Krichmar
Steven D. Krichmar
Principal Financial Officer

Date: April 28, 2015