a_capspectfnd.htm

Putnam
Capital Spectrum
Fund

Semiannual report
10 | 31 | 17


Message from the Trustees	1
About the fund	2
Interview with your fund’s portfolio manager	4
Your fund’s performance	9
Your fund’s expenses	11
Terms and definitions	13
Other information for shareholders	14
Trustee approval of management contract	15
Financial statements	20

Consider these risks before investing: The value of securities in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including general financial market conditions, changing market perceptions (including, in the case of bonds, perceptions about the risk of default and expectations about changes in monetary policy or interest rates), changes in government intervention in the financial markets, and factors related to a specific issuer, industry, or sector. These and other factors may lead to increased volatility and reduced liquidity in the fund’s portfolio holdings. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies. The fund will be more susceptible to these risks than other funds because it may concentrate its investments in a limited number of issuers and currently focuses its investments in particular sectors. Because the fund currently invests significantly in certain companies in the communications services and health-care sectors, the fund may perform poorly as a result of adverse developments affecting those companies or sectors. The fund may focus its investments in other sectors in the future, in which case it would be exposed to risks relating to those sectors. The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments (such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation or deflation), and may be or become illiquid. The fund’s investments in leveraged companies and the fund’s “non-diversified” status, which means the fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified” fund, and the fund’s use of short selling can increase the risks of investing in the fund. Furthermore, the fund has the flexibility to focus its investments in particular types of securities. From time to time the fund may, without limit, emphasize investments in a particular type of security (i.e., in a particular part of the capital structure) at various points during a credit cycle. This may mean that the fund may invest only modestly, or not at all, in fixed-income or equity securities at any given time. The risks associated with bond investments include interest-rate risk, which means the prices of the fund’s investments are likely to fall if interest rates rise. Bond investments are also subject to credit risk, which is the risk that the issuer of a bond may default on payment of interest or principal. Interest-rate risk is generally greater for longer-term bonds, and credit risk is generally greater for below-investment-grade bonds, which may be considered speculative. Mortgage- and other asset-backed investments carry the risk that they may increase in value less when interest rates decline and decline in value more when interest rates rise. We may have to invest the proceeds from prepaid investments, including mortgage- and asset-backed investments, in other investments with less attractive terms and yields. Our use of derivatives may increase the risks of investing in the fund by increasing investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations. You can lose money by investing in the fund.

Message from the Trustees

December 8, 2017

Dear Fellow Shareholder:

A fair amount of investor optimism has helped keep financial markets on a steady course throughout 2017. Global stock markets have generally made solid advances with low volatility, while bond market performance has been a bit more uneven. As we look ahead to the new year, it is important to note that a number of macroeconomic and geopolitical risks around the world could disrupt market momentum.

In all market environments, we believe investors should remain focused on time-tested strategies: maintain a well-diversified portfolio, think about long-term goals, and speak regularly with your financial advisor. In the following pages, you will find an overview of your fund’s performance for the reporting period as well as an outlook for the coming months.

We would like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank Robert J. Darretta, John A. Hill, and W. Thomas Stephens, who recently retired from your fund’s Board of Trustees. We are grateful for their years of work on behalf of you and your fellow shareholders, and we wish them well in their future endeavors.

Thank you for investing with Putnam.

Performance history as of 10/31/17

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 below and pages 9–10 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.

* The Capital Spectrum Blended Index is an unmanaged index administered by Putnam Management, 50% of which is the S&P 500 Index and 50% of which is the JPMorgan Developed High Yield Index.

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

This comparison shows your fund’s performance in the context of broad market indexes for the six months ended 10/31/17. See above and pages 9–10 for additional fund performance information. Index descriptions can be found on page 13.

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David has an M.B.A. from Goizueta Business School, Emory University, and a B.A. from Tulane University. He joined Putnam in 2009 and has been in the investment industry since 1987.

David, how was the investing environment during the reporting period?

The U.S. stock market overall delivered gains during the six-month period, continuing a rally that began in late 2016. Despite a number of political and economic uncertainties that could have disrupted the market’s momentum, we continued to see relatively low volatility. In addition, major stock market indexes reached new record highs, with some of the strongest performance coming from a narrow group of large-cap growth stocks. Along with the positive trends, however, came a lower level of optimism from investors about progress from Washington in implementing pro-growth, business-friendly policies.

How did the fund perform in this environment?

For the six-month period, the fund returned –6.65%, underperforming its benchmark, the Capital Spectrum Blended Index, which returned 6.31%. Weakness in a number of key holdings contributed to the fund’s underperformance for the period. In my view, these share price declines were due to short-term issues and do not reflect any fundamental weakness in the businesses.

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What were some challenges for the portfolio during the period?

Although conditions for the U.S. stock market were positive during the period, I believe it has become increasingly difficult for many companies to keep investors satisfied because their stocks may be priced for perfection in today’s market. As a result, the slightest sign of weakness in revenue or earnings can cause the market to overreact and punish a stock harshly. In an environment like this, it is important to remain patient and to stay focused on the underlying fundamentals of each business and its long-term growth potential.

Could you discuss holdings that detracted from the fund’s performance?

The fund’s investment in DISH Network was the top detractor from performance for the period. The decline over the period appeared to be related to investor concerns about continued weakness in subscriber growth across the cable TV industry. In addition, the company reported a write-down due to a fine for violating do-not-call restrictions. While the decline in DISH stock was disappointing, it does not change my conviction in the long-term value of this pay-TV, broadband, and wireless communications company.

I continue to believe that DISH offers attractive long-term capital appreciation potential, due in large part to its spectrum assets. “Spectrum” refers to wireless signals sent through the airwaves, and DISH recently won a $6 billion bid in a Federal Communications Commission auction for low-band wireless spectrum assets. As the demand for mobile networking has continued to rise, wireless spectrum has become a highly valuable asset for communications companies. I believe DISH has the opportunity to monetize these assets, perhaps through a lease agreement or partnership with a company in need of wireless spectrum.

As with many companies in the portfolio, an investment in DISH requires patience and the ability to maintain conviction through periods of short-term volatility. Not all investors have the patience to stick with a thesis that may take time to develop, as we have seen throughout 2017 when DISH stock encountered volatility. In many cases, declines occur when there is no news or notable developments for a company, and investors shift focus in search of shorter-term gains.

What other holdings held back performance for the period?

A lack of news also seemed to have a negative effect on Jazz Pharmaceuticals — another poor performer for the fund. In its quarterly financial results, Jazz reported slightly weaker revenue for Xyrem, its narcolepsy drug, but maintained its outlook for 2017 full-year earnings. From my perspective, nothing has changed fundamentally for Jazz.

Jazz has continued to deliver good news related to JZP 110, the company’s narcolepsy treatment currently in development. Positive results of clinical trials, conducted for patients with obstructive sleep apnea, have been well received by investors and, in my view, offer evidence that Jazz may be able to successfully expand its narcolepsy franchise beyond Xyrem.

Another detractor during the six-month period was the fund’s investment in EchoStar. The stock declined when the satellite services company reported weaker-than-expected quarterly earnings growth. I continue to believe that the company represents an attractive investment opportunity. EchoStar has a strong balance sheet and healthy cash-flow levels, in my view, and has been launching new satellites — providing expanded digital television and broadband data

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services — which I believe could boost the company’s subscriber growth.

Could you highlight some stocks that contributed to fund performance for the period?

One performance highlight for the period was the fund’s investment in defense contractor Northrop Grumman, which in my view is an efficiently run business with an excellent management team that focuses on long-term profitability — and not just growth for the sake of growth. An important recent development was Northrop’s announcement that it is buying Orbital ATK, a maker of components for missiles and satellites, which should be particularly beneficial, in my view, as defense spending has continued to grow worldwide.

Another notable contributor was Ocwen Financial, a mortgage loan servicing company. Ocwen’s share price advanced as investors responded positively to the company’s progress in dealing with regulatory issues.

Can you provide an update on the portfolio’s cash position?

As of period-end, cash levels in the fund were lower than they were at the start of the six-month period. Cash in the portfolio may assist the fund in meeting redemptions and can serve as a “dry powder” that enables me to add to positions when price dislocations occur.

The fund has the flexibility to invest in high-yield bonds. What is your view of this asset class?

I continued to steer away from high-yield bonds, and I believe the sector will continue to experience volatility. I currently do not have a favorable view of the risk-reward characteristics for many high-yield bonds, and the fund had minimal exposure to them at the close of the reporting period.

What is your rationale for the fund’s concentrated strategy?

I build large positions in stocks that I consider my best investment ideas. While this concentrated portfolio could result in

Allocations are shown as a percentage of portfolio market value as of 10/31/17. Data include exposure achieved through securities sold short; however, they exclude derivatives, short-term investments held as collateral for loaned securities, TBA commitments, and collateral received on certain derivative instruments, if any. These percentages may differ from allocations shown later in this report. Holdings and allocations may vary over time.

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short-term volatility, I believe shareholders benefit over the long term when the best ideas are not diluted by less exciting opportunities. I take a bottom-up, fundamental approach to stock selection and generally do not make investment decisions based on macroeconomic factors. Instead, I focus on the fundamental strength of individual companies, seeking those that I believe are ripe for significant capital appreciation because they have an internal catalyst that will eventually unlock value.

Thank you, David, for your time and insights today.

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.

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Your fund’s performance

This section shows your fund’s performance, price, and distribution information for periods ended October 31, 2017, 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 10/31/17


	Life of	Annual		Annual		Annual
	fund	average	5 years	average	3 years	average	1 year	6 months
Class A (5/18/09)
Before sales charge	207.08%	14.20%	52.01%	8.74%	1.99%	0.66%	7.59%	–6.65%
After sales charge	189.42	13.40	43.27	7.46	–3.87	–1.31	1.40	–12.02
Class B (5/18/09)
Before CDSC	189.28	13.39	46.36	7.92	–0.31	–0.10	6.75	–7.03
After CDSC	189.28	13.39	44.36	7.62	–2.92	–0.98	1.75	–11.67
Class C (5/18/09)
Before CDSC	188.21	13.34	46.41	7.92	–0.28	–0.09	6.80	–7.01
After CDSC	188.21	13.34	46.41	7.92	–0.28	–0.09	5.80	–7.94
Class M (5/18/09)
Before sales charge	194.33	13.62	48.26	8.19	0.47	0.16	7.04	–6.89
After sales charge	184.03	13.15	43.07	7.43	–3.05	–1.03	3.30	–10.15
Class R (5/18/09)
Net asset value	200.66	13.91	50.08	8.46	1.21	0.40	7.30	–6.80
Class Y (5/18/09)
Net asset value	213.66	14.48	53.91	9.01	2.78	0.92	7.87	–6.54

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.

Class B share performance reflects conversion to class A shares after eight years.

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Comparative index returns For periods ended 10/31/17


	Life of	Annual		Annual		Annual
	fund	average	5 years	average	3 years	average	1 year	6 months
Capital Spectrum Blended
Index^*	196.67%	13.73%	68.31%	10.97%	27.39%	8.41%	16.47%	6.31%

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

^*The Capital Spectrum Blended Index is an unmanaged index administered by Putnam Management, 50% of which is the S&P 500 Index and 50% of which is the JPMorgan Developed High Yield Index.

Fund price and distribution information For the six-month period ended 10/31/17


	Class A		Class B	Class C	Class M		Class R	Class Y
	Before	After	Net	Net	Before	After	Net	Net
	sales	sales	asset	asset	sales	sales	asset	asset
Share value	charge	charge	value	value	charge	charge	value	value
4/30/17	$36.82	$39.07	$35.30	$35.22	$35.83	$37.13	$36.33	$37.18
10/31/17	34.37	36.47	32.82	32.75	33.36	34.57	33.86	34.75

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.

The fund made no distributions during the period.

Fund performance as of most recent calendar quarter Total return for periods ended 9/30/17


	Life of	Annual		Annual		Annual
	fund	average	5 years	average	3 years	average	1 year	6 months
Class A (5/18/09)
Before sales charge	215.21%	14.71%	62.18%	10.15%	6.44%	2.10%	10.74%	–2.94%
After sales charge	197.08	13.90	52.86	8.86	0.32	0.11	4.37	–8.52
Class B (5/18/09)
Before CDSC	196.93	13.89	56.20	9.33	4.05	1.33	9.89	–3.33
After CDSC	196.93	13.89	54.20	9.05	1.32	0.44	4.89	–8.16
Class C (5/18/09)
Before CDSC	196.04	13.85	56.28	9.34	4.09	1.35	9.91	–3.31
After CDSC	196.04	13.85	56.28	9.34	4.09	1.35	8.91	–4.27
Class M (5/18/09)
Before sales charge	202.27	14.14	58.19	9.61	4.87	1.60	10.20	–3.17
After sales charge	191.69	13.65	52.65	8.83	1.20	0.40	6.35	–6.55
Class R (5/18/09)
Net asset value	208.74	14.43	60.21	9.89	5.64	1.85	10.46	–3.04
Class Y (5/18/09)
Net asset value	221.87	15.00	64.26	10.44	7.27	2.37	11.02	–2.81

See the discussion following the fund performance table on page 9 for information about the calculation of fund performance.

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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. 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
Total annual operating expenses for the
fiscal year ended 4/30/17^*	0.95%	1.70%	1.70%	1.45%	1.20%	0.70%
Annualized expense ratio for the
six-month period ended 10/31/17^†	0.78%	1.53%	1.53%	1.28%	1.03%	0.53%

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.

^*Restated to reflect current fees resulting from a change to the fund’s investor servicing arrangements effective 9/1/16.

^†Includes a decrease of 0.37% from annualizing the performance fee adjustment for the six months ended 10/31/17.

Expenses per $1,000

The following table shows the expenses you would have paid on a $1,000 investment in each class of the fund from 5/1/17 to 10/31/17. 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^*†	$3.80	$7.44	$7.44	$6.23	$5.02	$2.58
Ending value (after expenses)	$933.50	$929.70	$929.90	$931.10	$932.00	$934.60

^*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 10/31/17. 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.

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Estimate the expenses you paid

To estimate the ongoing expenses you paid for the six months ended 10/31/17, use the following calculation method. To find the value of your investment on 5/1/17, call Putnam at 1-800-225-1581.

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^*†	$3.97	$7.78	$7.78	$6.51	$5.24	$2.70
Ending value (after expenses)	$1,021.27	$1,017.49	$1,017.49	$1,018.75	$1,020.01	$1,022.53

^†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.

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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 closed to new investments and are only available by exchange from another Putnam fund or through dividend and/or capital gains reinvestment. They 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.

Class R shares are not subject to an initial sales charge or CDSC and are only available to certain 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

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

ICE BofAML 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.

Capital Spectrum Blended Index is an unmanaged index administered by Putnam Management, 50% of which is the S&P 500 Index and 50% of which is the JPMorgan Developed High Yield Index.

JPMorgan Developed High Yield Index is an unmanaged index of high-yield fixed-income securities issued in developed countries.

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.

ICE Data Indices, LLC (“ICE BofAML”), used with permission. ICE BofAML permits use of the ICE BofAML indices and related data on an “as is” basis; makes no warranties regarding same; does not guarantee the suitability, quality, accuracy, timeliness, and/or completeness of the ICE BofAML indices or any data included in, related to, or derived therefrom, assumes no liability in connection with the use of the foregoing, and does not sponsor, endorse, or recommend Putnam Investments, or any of its products or services.

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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, 2017, 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 October 31, 2017, Putnam employees had approximately $515,000,000 and the Trustees had approximately $91,000,000 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.

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Trustee approval of management contract

General conclusions

The Board of Trustees of The Putnam Funds oversees the management of each fund and, as required by law, determines annually whether to approve the continuance of your fund’s management contract with Putnam Investment Management, LLC (“Putnam Management”), the sub-management contract with respect to your fund between Putnam Management and its affiliate, Putnam Investments Limited (“PIL”), and the sub-advisory contract among Putnam Management, PIL, and another affiliate, The Putnam Advisory Company (“PAC”). The Board, with the assistance of its Contract Committee, requests and evaluates all information it deems reasonably necessary under the circumstances in connection with its annual contract review. The Contract Committee consists solely of Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as this term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) of The Putnam Funds (“Independent Trustees”).

At the outset of the review process, members of the Board’s independent staff and independent legal counsel discussed with representatives of Putnam Management the annual contract review materials furnished to the Contract Committee during the course of the previous year’s review, identifying possible changes in these materials that might be necessary or desirable for the coming year. Following these discussions and in consultation with the Contract Committee, the Independent Trustees’ independent legal counsel requested that Putnam Management and its affiliates furnish specified information, together with any additional information that Putnam Management considered relevant, to the Contract Committee. Over the course of several months ending in June 2017, the Contract Committee met on a number of occasions with representatives of Putnam Management, and separately in executive session, to consider the information that Putnam Management provided. Throughout this process, the Contract Committee was assisted by the members of the Board’s independent staff and by independent legal counsel for The Putnam Funds and the Independent Trustees.

In May 2017, the Contract Committee met in executive session to discuss and consider its recommendations with respect to the continuance of the contracts. At the Trustees’

June 2017 meeting, the Contract Committee met in executive session with the other Independent Trustees to review a summary of the key financial, performance and other data that the Contract Committee considered in the course of its review. The Contract Committee then presented its written report, which summarized the key factors that the Committee had considered and set forth its recommendations. The Contract Committee recommended, and the Independent Trustees approved, the continuance of your fund’s management, sub-management and sub-advisory contracts, effective July 1, 2017. (Because PIL and PAC are affiliates of Putnam Management and Putnam Management remains fully responsible for all services provided by PIL and PAC, the Trustees have not attempted to evaluate PIL or PAC as separate entities, and all subsequent references to Putnam Management below should be deemed to include reference to PIL and PAC as necessary or appropriate in the context.)

The Independent Trustees’ approval was based on the following conclusions:

• That the fee schedule in effect for your fund represented reasonable compensation in light of the nature and quality of the services being provided to the fund, the fees paid by competitive funds, the costs incurred by Putnam Management in providing services to the fund, and the continued application of certain reductions and waivers noted below; and

• That the fee schedule in effect for your fund represented an appropriate sharing between fund shareholders and Putnam Management of such economies of scale as may exist in the management of the fund at current asset levels.

These conclusions were based on a comprehensive consideration of all information provided to the Trustees and were not the result of any single factor. Some of the factors that figured particularly in the Trustees’ deliberations and how the Trustees considered these factors are described below, although individual Trustees may have evaluated the information presented differently, giving different weights to various factors. It is also important to recognize that the management arrangements for your fund and the other Putnam funds are the result of many years of review and discussion between the Independent Trustees and Putnam Management, that some aspects of

Capital Spectrum Fund 15

the arrangements may receive greater scrutiny in some years than others, and that the Trustees’ conclusions may be based, in part, on their consideration of fee arrangements in previous years. For example, with some minor exceptions, the funds’ current fee arrangements under the management contracts were first implemented at the beginning of 2010 following extensive review by the Contract Committee and discussions with representatives of Putnam Management, as well as approval by shareholders.

Management fee schedules and total expenses

The Trustees reviewed the management fee schedules in effect for all Putnam funds, including fee levels and breakpoints. The Trustees also reviewed the total expenses of each Putnam fund, recognizing that in most cases management fees represented the major, but not the sole, determinant of total costs to fund shareholders. (In a few instances, funds have implemented so-called “all-in” management fees covering substantially all routine fund operating costs.)

In reviewing fees and expenses, the Trustees generally focus their attention on material changes in circumstances — for example, changes in assets under management, changes in a fund’s investment strategy, changes in Putnam Management’s operating costs or profitability, or changes in competitive practices in the mutual fund industry — that suggest that consideration of fee changes might be warranted. The Trustees concluded that the circumstances did not indicate that changes to the management fee structure for your fund would be appropriate at this time.

Under its management contract, your fund has the benefit of breakpoints in its management fee schedule that provide shareholders with economies of scale in the form of reduced fee rates as assets under management in the Putnam family of funds increase. The Trustees concluded that the fee schedule in effect for your fund represented an appropriate sharing of economies of scale between fund shareholders and Putnam Management.

In addition, your fund’s management contract provides that its management fees will be adjusted up or down depending upon whether your fund’s performance is better or worse than the performance of an appropriate index of securities prices specified in the management contract. In the course of reviewing investment performance, the Trustees examined the operation of your fund’s performance fees and concluded that these fees were operating effectively to align further Putnam Management’s economic interests with those of the fund’s shareholders.

As in the past, the Trustees also focused on the competitiveness of each fund’s total expense ratio. In order to support the effort to have fund expenses meet competitive standards, the Trustees and Putnam Management have implemented certain expense limitations that were in effect during your fund’s fiscal year ending in 2016. These expense limitations were: (i) a contractual expense limitation applicable to specified retail open-end funds, including your fund, of 32 basis points on investor servicing fees and expenses, reduced to 25 basis points effective September 1, 2016, and (ii) a contractual expense limitation applicable to specified open-end funds, including your fund, of 20 basis points on so-called “other expenses” (i.e., all expenses exclusive of management fees, distribution fees, investor servicing fees, investment-related expenses, interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses and extraordinary expenses). These expense limitations attempt to maintain competitive expense levels for the funds. Most funds, including your fund, had sufficiently low expenses that these expense limitations were not operative during their fiscal years ending in 2016. Putnam Management has agreed to maintain the 25 basis points expense limitation until at least August 31, 2018 and to maintain the 20 basis points expense limitation until at least August 30, 2018. Putnam Management’s support for these expense limitation arrangements was an important factor in the Trustees’ decision to approve the continuance of your fund’s management, sub-management and sub-advisory contracts.

The Trustees reviewed comparative fee and expense information for a custom group of competitive funds selected by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”). This comparative information included your fund’s percentile ranking for effective management fees and total expenses (excluding any applicable 12b-1 fee), which provides a general indication of your fund’s relative standing. In the custom peer group, your fund ranked in the third quintile in effective management fees (determined for your fund and the other funds in the custom peer group based on fund asset size and the applicable contractual management fee schedule) and in the

16 Capital Spectrum Fund

fourth quintile in total expenses (excluding any applicable 12b-1 fees) as of December 31, 2016. The first quintile represents the least expensive funds and the fifth quintile the most expensive funds. The fee and expense data reported by Broadridge as of December 31, 2016 reflected the most recent fiscal year-end data available in Broadridge’s database at that time.

In connection with their review of fund management fees and total expenses, the Trustees also reviewed the costs of the services provided and the profits realized by Putnam Management and its affiliates from their contractual relationships with the funds. This information included trends in revenues, expenses and profitability of Putnam Management and its affiliates relating to the investment management, investor servicing and distribution services provided to the funds. In this regard, the Trustees also reviewed an analysis of Putnam Management’s revenues, expenses and profitability, allocated on a fund-by-fund basis, with respect to the funds’ management, distribution, and investor servicing contracts. For each fund, the analysis presented information about revenues, expenses and profitability for each of the agreements separately and for the agreements taken together on a combined basis. The Trustees concluded that, at current asset levels, the fee schedules in place represented reasonable compensation for the services being provided and represented an appropriate sharing between fund shareholders and Putnam Management of such economies of scale as may exist in the management of the Putnam funds at that time.

The information examined by the Trustees in connection with their annual contract review for the Putnam funds included information regarding fees charged by Putnam Management and its affiliates to institutional clients, including defined benefit pension and profit-sharing plans, charities, college endowments, foundations, sub-advised third-party mutual funds, state, local and non-U.S. government entities, and corporations. This information included, in cases where an institutional product’s investment strategy corresponds with a fund’s strategy, comparisons of those fees with fees charged to the Putnam funds, as well as an assessment of the differences in the services provided to these different types of clients as compared to the services provided to the Putnam Funds. The Trustees observed that the differences in fee rates between these clients and the Putnam funds are by no means uniform when examined by individual asset sectors, suggesting that differences in the pricing of investment management services to these types of clients may reflect, among other things, historical competitive forces operating in separate markets. The Trustees considered the fact that in many cases fee rates across different asset classes are higher on average for mutual funds than for institutional clients, as well as the differences between the services that Putnam Management provides to the Putnam funds and those that it provides to its other clients. The Trustees did not rely on these comparisons to any significant extent in concluding that the management fees paid by your fund are reasonable.

Investment performance

The quality of the investment process provided by Putnam Management represented a major factor in the Trustees’ evaluation of the quality of services provided by Putnam Management under your fund’s management contract. The Trustees were assisted in their review of the Putnam funds’ investment process and performance by the work of the investment oversight committees of the Trustees, which meet on a regular basis with the funds’ portfolio teams and with the Chief Investment Officers and other senior members of Putnam Management’s Investment Division throughout the year. In addition, in response to a request from the Independent Trustees, Putnam Management provided the Trustees with in-depth presentations regarding each of the equity and fixed income investment teams, including the operation of the teams and their investment approaches. The Trustees concluded that Putnam Management generally provides a high-quality investment process — based on the experience and skills of the individuals assigned to the management of fund portfolios, the resources made available to them, and in general Putnam Management’s ability to attract and retain high-quality personnel — but also recognized that this does not guarantee favorable investment results for every fund in every time period.

The Trustees considered that 2016 was a challenging year for the performance of the Putnam funds, with generally disappointing results for the international and global equity funds and taxable fixed income funds, mixed results for small-cap equity, Spectrum, global asset allocation, equity research and tax exempt fixed income funds, but generally strong results for U.S. equity funds. The Trustees noted, however, that they were encouraged by the positive performance trend since mid-year

Capital Spectrum Fund 17

2016 across most Putnam Funds. In particular, from May 1, 2016 through April 30, 2017, 51% of Putnam Fund assets were in the top quartile and 87% were above the median of the Putnam Funds’ competitive industry rankings. They noted that the longer-term performance of the Putnam funds generally continued to be strong, exemplified by the fact that the Putnam funds were ranked by the Barron’s/Lipper Fund Families survey as the 5th-best performing mutual fund complex out of 54 complexes for the five-year period ended December 31, 2016. In addition, while the survey ranked the Putnam Funds 52nd out of 61 mutual fund complexes for the one-year period ended 2016, the Putnam Funds have ranked 1st or 2nd in the survey for the one-year period three times since 2009 (most recently in 2013). They also noted, however, the disappointing investment performance of some funds for periods ended December 31, 2016 and considered information provided by Putnam Management regarding the factors contributing to the underperformance and actions being taken to improve the performance of these particular funds. The Trustees indicated their intention to continue to monitor closely the performance of those funds, including the effectiveness of any efforts Putnam Management has undertaken to address underperformance and whether additional actions to address areas of underperformance are warranted.

For purposes of the Trustees’ evaluation of the Putnam Funds’ investment performance, the Trustees generally focus on a competitive industry ranking of each fund’s total net return over a one-year, three-year and five-year period. For a number of Putnam funds with relatively unique investment mandates for which Putnam Management informed the Trustees that meaningful competitive performance rankings are not considered to be available, the Trustees evaluated performance based on their total gross and net returns and, in most cases, comparisons of those returns with the returns of selected investment benchmarks. In the case of your fund, the Trustees considered information about your fund’s total return and its performance relative to its benchmark over the one-year, three-year and five-year periods ended December 31, 2016. Your fund’s class A shares’ return net of fees and expenses was positive and trailed the return of its benchmark over the one-year and three-year periods and was positive and exceeded the return of its benchmark over the five-year period. (When considering performance information, shareholders should be mindful that past performance is not a guarantee of future results.)

The Trustees expressed concern in particular about your fund’s underperformance relative to its benchmark over the one-year and three-year periods ended December 31, 2016 and considered the circumstances that may have contributed to this disappointing performance. The Trustees considered Putnam Management’s view that the fund’s underperformance over these periods was largely attributable to the fund’s large holdings in certain companies, including a telecommunications company and a pharmaceutical company, which had disappointing stock performance.

The Trustees observed that the fund had delivered strong returns for the five-year period ended December 31, 2016. In addition, the Trustees considered that Putnam Management remained confident in the fund’s portfolio manager. The Trustees also considered Putnam Management’s continued efforts to support fund performance through initiatives including structuring compensation for portfolio managers and research analysts to enhance accountability for fund performance, emphasizing accountability in the portfolio management process, and affirming its commitment to a fundamental-driven approach to investing. The Trustees noted further that Putnam Management continued to strengthen its fundamental research capabilities by adding new investment personnel.

As a general matter, the Trustees believe that cooperative efforts between the Trustees and Putnam Management represent the most effective way to address investment performance concerns that may arise from time to time. The Trustees noted that investors in the Putnam funds have, in effect, placed their trust in the Putnam organization, under the oversight of the funds’ Trustees, to make appropriate decisions regarding the management of the funds. Based on Putnam Management’s willingness to take appropriate measures to address fund performance issues and Putnam Management’s responsiveness to Trustee concerns about investment performance, the Trustees concluded that it continues to be advisable to seek change within Putnam Management to address performance shortcomings. In the Trustees’ view, the alternative of engaging a new investment adviser for an underperforming fund would entail significant disruptions and would not likely provide any greater assurance of improved investment performance.

18 Capital Spectrum Fund

Brokerage and soft-dollar allocations; investor servicing

The Trustees considered various potential benefits that Putnam Management may receive in connection with the services it provides under the management contract with your fund. These include benefits related to brokerage allocation and the use of soft dollars, whereby a portion of the commissions paid by a fund for brokerage may be used to acquire research services that are expected to be useful to Putnam Management in managing the assets of the fund and of other clients. Subject to policies established by the Trustees, soft dollars generated by these means are used predominantly to acquire brokerage and research services (including third-party research and market data) that enhance Putnam Management’s investment capabilities and supplement Putnam Management’s internal research efforts. However, the Trustees noted that a portion of available soft dollars continues to be used to pay fund expenses. The Trustees indicated their continued intent to monitor regulatory and industry developments in this area with the assistance of their Brokerage Committee, including any developments with respect to the European Union’s updated Markets in Financial Instruments Directive and its potential impact on PIL’s use of client commissions to obtain investment research. The Trustees also indicated their continued intent to monitor the allocation of the Putnam funds’ brokerage in order to ensure that the principle of seeking best price and execution remains paramount in the portfolio trading process.

Putnam Management may also receive benefits from payments that the funds make to Putnam Management’s affiliates for investor or distribution services. In conjunction with the annual review of your fund’s management, sub-management and sub-advisory contracts, the Trustees reviewed your fund’s investor servicing agreement with Putnam Investor Services, Inc. (“PSERV”) and its distributor’s contracts and distribution plans with Putnam Retail Management Limited Partnership (“PRM”), both of which are affiliates of Putnam Management. The Trustees concluded that the fees payable by the funds to PSERV and PRM, as applicable, for such services are fair and reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of such services, the fees paid by competitive funds, and the costs incurred by PSERV and PRM, as applicable, in providing such services. Furthermore, the Trustees were of the view that the services provided were required for the operation of the funds, and that they were of a quality at least equal to those provided by other providers.

Capital Spectrum Fund 19

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.

20 Capital Spectrum Fund

The fund’s portfolio 10/31/17 (Unaudited)


COMMON STOCKS (84.0%)*	Shares	Value
Aerospace and defense (6.6%)
General Dynamics Corp.	169,700	$34,445,706
Northrop Grumman Corp.	634,478	187,507,283
		221,952,989
Airlines (3.8%)
American Airlines Group, Inc.	2,402,200	112,471,004
United Continental Holdings, Inc. ^†	251,800	14,725,264
		127,196,268
Biotechnology (0.3%)
Medicines Co. (The) ^†^S	359,400	10,329,156
		10,329,156
Cable television (18.2%)
DISH Network Corp. Class A ^†	12,370,384	600,458,439
Global Eagle Entertainment, Inc. ^†	3,076,561	7,476,043
		607,934,482
Chemicals (2.8%)
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.	490,600	18,632,988
W.R. Grace & Co.	990,432	75,758,144
		94,391,132
Commercial and consumer services (4.5%)
New Bigfoot Other Assets GmbH (acquired 8/2/13, cost $351) (Private)
(Germany) ^†∆∆F	264	231
New Middle East Other Assets GmbH (acquired 8/2/13, cost $136)
(Private) (Germany) ^†∆∆F	102	89
Priceline Group, Inc. (The) ^†^S	78,504	150,096,508
		150,096,828
Consumer finance (0.7%)
Ocwen Financial Corp. ^†^S	6,349,787	22,160,757
		22,160,757
Consumer services (1.6%)
Delivery Hero Holding GmbH (acquired 6/12/15, cost $33,218,730)
(Private) (Germany) ^†∆∆F	1,293,900	49,694,604
Global Fashion Holding SA (acquired 8/2/13, cost $17,399,601) (Private)
(Luxembourg) ^†∆∆F	410,732	3,846,898
		53,541,502
Electronics (0.5%)
Agilent Technologies, Inc.	257,369	17,508,813
		17,508,813
Energy (0.5%)
Stone Energy Corp. ^† ^S	576,855	16,971,074
		16,971,074
Gaming and lottery (—%)
Caesars Entertainment Corp. ^†^S	21,769	281,909
		281,909
Household furniture and appliances (—%)
FabFurnish GmbH (acquired 8/2/13, cost $351) (Private) (Germany) ^†∆∆F	528	461
		461
Industrial (1.4%)
Johnson Controls International PLC	1,100,455	45,547,832
		45,547,832

Capital Spectrum Fund 21


COMMON STOCKS (84.0%)* cont.	Shares	Value
Investment banking/Brokerage (0.7%)
Altisource Portfolio Solutions SA ^{† Ω}	940,901	$24,312,882
		24,312,882
Medical technology (0.4%)
STAAR Surgical Co. ^†	938,559	12,435,907
		12,435,907
Metals (0.5%)
Alcoa Corp. ^†	363,600	17,372,808
		17,372,808
Oil and gas (3.1%)
Cheniere Energy, Inc. ^†	310,200	14,498,748
EQT Corp.	140,800	8,805,632
Pioneer Natural Resources Co.	528,800	79,145,496
		102,449,876
Pharmaceuticals (22.2%)
Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC ^{† Ω}	5,244,777	742,293,289
		742,293,289
Real estate (1.7%)
Altisource Residential Corp. ^{R Ω}	5,314,754	56,708,425
		56,708,425
Telecommunications (14.5%)
EchoStar Corp. Class A ^†	8,703,360	486,952,993
		486,952,993
Total common stocks (cost $2,079,303,040)		$2,810,439,383

CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS (4.6%)*	Shares	Value
Allergan PLC Ser. A, 5.50% cv. pfd.	12,961	$8,311,241
Altisource Asset Management Corp. zero % cv. pfd. (acquired 3/17/14,
cost $31,800,000) (Virgin Islands) ^†∆∆	31,800	11,515,575
Uber Technologies, Inc. Ser. E, 8.00% cv. pfd. (acquired 2/18/15, cost
$104,097,986) (Private) ^†∆∆F	3,078,243	135,118,861
Total convertible preferred stocks (cost $148,858,986)		$154,945,677

INVESTMENT COMPANIES (1.8%)*	Shares	Value
SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF ^S	636,400	$21,815,792
VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF	1,692,500	38,047,400
Total investment companies (cost $64,137,196)		$59,863,192

	Principal
CORPORATE BONDS AND NOTES (0.9%)*	amount	Value
CNG Holdings, Inc. 144A sr. notes 9.375%, 5/15/20	$10,000,000	$9,100,000
DFC Finance Corp. 144A company guaranty sr. notes
10.50%, 6/15/20	11,801,000	7,611,645
Digicel Group, Ltd. 144A sr. unsec. notes 8.25%, 9/30/20 (Jamaica)	5,500,000	5,438,125
Stone Energy Corp. company guaranty notes 7.50%, 5/31/22	6,831,196	6,711,650
VICI Properties 1, LLC/VICI FC, Inc. company guaranty notes
8.00%, 10/15/23	81,913	91,128
Total corporate bonds and notes (cost $32,736,406)		$28,952,548

22 Capital Spectrum Fund


			Principal
*SENIOR LOANS (0.8%)^c**			amount	Value
New LightSquared bank term loan FRN BBA LIBOR USD 3 Month +
12.50%, 13.82% (13.82%), 12/7/20 ^‡‡		$43,919,268		$27,010,350
VICI Properties 1, LLC bank term loan FRN BBA LIBOR USD 3 Month
+ 3.50%, 4.75%, 10/15/22			1,070,876	1,070,653
Total senior loans (cost $43,360,445)				$28,081,003

PREFERRED STOCKS (0.8%)*			Shares	Value
Ligado Networks, LLC Ser. A-2, 16.625% sr. pfd. (acquired 12/7/15, cost
$27,599,994) (Private) ^†^∆∆F			2,840,908	$27,600,031
Total preferred stocks (cost $27,599,994)				$27,600,031

			Principal
CONVERTIBLE BONDS AND NOTES (0.3%)*			amount	Value
Whiting Petroleum Corp. cv. company guaranty sr. unsec. unsub.
notes 1.25%, 4/1/20		$10,900,000		$9,775,938
Total convertible bonds and notes (cost $10,900,000)				$9,775,938

	Expiration	Strike
WARRANTS (—%)* ^†	date	price	Warrants	Value
Global Eagle Entertainment, Inc.	1/31/18	$11.50	859,187	$30,071
Total warrants (cost $1,168,800)				$30,071

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (8.3%)*			Shares	Value
Putnam Cash Collateral Pool, LLC 1.31% ^d			48,869,875	$48,869,875
Putnam Short Term Investment Fund 1.22% ^L		230,226,747		230,226,747
Total short-term investments (cost $279,096,622)				$279,096,622

TOTAL INVESTMENTS
Total investments (cost $2,687,161,489)				$3,398,784,465

Key to holding’s abbreviations


ETF	Exchange Traded Fund
FRN	Floating Rate Notes: the rate shown is the current interest rate or yield at the close of the reporting period.
	Rates may be subject to a cap or floor. For certain securities, the rate may represent a fixed rate currently in
	place at the close of the reporting period.
SPDR	S&P Depository Receipts

Capital Spectrum Fund 23

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 May 1, 2017 through October 31, 2017 (the reporting period). Within the following notes to the portfolio, references to “ASC 820” represent Accounting Standards Codification 820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, 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.

* Percentages indicated are based on net assets of $3,344,058,908.

† This security is non-income-producing.

^∆∆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 $227,776,750, or 6.8% of net assets.

^‡‡Income may be received in cash or additional securities at the discretion of the issuer. The rate shown in parenthesis is the rate paid in kind, if applicable.

^ΩAffiliated company (Note 5).

^c Senior loans are exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, but contain certain restrictions on resale and cannot be sold publicly. These loans pay interest at rates which adjust periodically. The interest rates shown for senior loans are the current interest rates at the close of the reporting period. Senior loans are also subject to mandatory and/or optional prepayment which cannot be predicted. As a result, the remaining maturity may be substantially less than the stated maturity shown (Notes 1 and 7).

^d Affiliated company. See Notes 1 and 5 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.

^F This security is valued by Putnam Management at fair value following procedures approved by the Trustees. Securities are classified as Level 3 for ASC 820 based on the securities’ valuation inputs (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).

Debt obligations are considered secured unless otherwise indicated.

144A after the name of an issuer represents securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers.

The dates shown on debt obligations are the original maturity dates.

24 Capital Spectrum Fund

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^*:
Basic materials	$111,763,940	$—		$—
Capital goods	267,500,821	—		—
Communication services	1,094,887,475	—		—
Consumer cyclicals	150,378,417	—		781
Consumer staples	—	—		53,541,502
Energy	119,420,950	—		—
Financials	103,182,064	—		—
Health care	765,058,352	—		—
Technology	17,508,813	—		—
Transportation	127,196,268	—		—
Total common stocks	2,756,897,100	—		53,542,283

Convertible bonds and notes	—	9,775,938		—
Convertible preferred stocks	—	8,311,241		146,634,436
Corporate bonds and notes	—	28,952,548		—
Investment companies	59,863,192	—		—
Preferred stocks	—	—		27,600,031
Senior loans	—	28,081,003		—
Warrants	—	30,071		—
Short-term investments	230,226,747	48,869,875		—
Totals by level	$3,046,987,039	$124,020,676		$227,776,750

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

During the reporting period, transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 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. Transfers are accounted for using the end of period pricing valuation method.

Capital Spectrum Fund 25

The following is a reconciliation of Level 3 assets as of the close of the reporting period:


			Change in net
				unrealized			Total	Total
	Balance	Accrued	appreciation/			transfers		transfers	Balance
Investments	as of	discounts/	Realized	(deprecia-	Cost of	Proceeds	into	out of	as of
in securities:	4/30/17	premiums	gain/(loss)	tion) ^#	purchases	from sales	Level 3^†	Level 3^†	10/31/17
Common stocks^*:
Consumer
cyclicals	$730	$—	$—	$51	$—	$—	$—	$—	$781
Consumer
staples	32,607,932	—	—	20,933,570	—	—	—	—	53,541,502
Total common
stocks	$32,608,662	$—	$—	$20,933,621	$—	$—	$—	$—	$53,542,283
Convertible
preferred stocks	$146,582,761	—	—	51,675	—	—	—	—	$146,634,436
Preferred stocks	$27,600,031	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$27,600,031
Totals	$206,791,454	$—	$—	$20,985,296	$—	$—	$—	$—	$227,776,750

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

^†Transfers during the reporting period are accounted for using the end of period market value and did not represent, in the aggregate, more than 1% of the fund’s net assets measured as of the end of the period.

^#Includes $20,985,296 related to Level 3 securities still held at period end. Total change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for securities (including Level 1 and Level 2) can be found in the Statement of operations.

The table below represents quantitative information on internally priced Level 3 securities that were valued using unobservable inputs. The table excludes securities with valuations provided by a broker.


					Impact to
				Range of	Valuation from
		Valuation		unobservable inputs	an Increase
Description	Fair Value	Techniques	Unobservable Input	(Weighted Average)	in Input ¹
		Market
Private equity	$49,694,604	transaction	Liquidity discount	10%	Decrease
		price
		Market
Private equity	$135,118,861	transaction	Liquidity Discount	10%	Decrease
		price
		Market
Private equity	$781	transaction	Liquidity discount	25%	Decrease
		price
		Comparable	EV/sales multiple	1.1x–2.0x (1.518x)	Increase
Private equity	$3,846,898	multiples	Liquidity discount	25%	Decrease
			Uncertainty discount	10%	Decrease

¹Expected directional change in fair value that would result from an increase in the unobservable input.

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

26 Capital Spectrum Fund

Statement of assets and liabilities 10/31/17 (Unaudited)


ASSETS
Investment in securities, at value, including $48,474,282 of securities on loan (Note 1):
Unaffiliated issuers (identified cost $1,695,350,219)	$2,296,373,247
Affiliated issuers (identified cost $991,811,270) (Notes 1 and 5)	1,102,411,218
Dividends, interest and other receivables	4,101,489
Receivable for shares of the fund sold	1,833,501
Receivable for investments sold	8,335,376
Prepaid assets	58,015
Total assets	3,413,112,846

LIABILITIES
Payable for investments purchased	1,487,744
Payable for shares of the fund repurchased	15,521,972
Payable for compensation of Manager (Note 2)	397,283
Payable for custodian fees (Note 2)	4,253
Payable for investor servicing fees (Note 2)	865,404
Payable for Trustee compensation and expenses (Note 2)	553,146
Payable for administrative services (Note 2)	16,316
Payable for distribution fees (Note 2)	888,727
Collateral on securities loaned, at value (Note 1)	48,869,875
Other accrued expenses	449,218
Total liabilities	69,053,938

Net assets	$3,344,058,908

REPRESENTED BY
Paid-in capital (Unlimited shares authorized) (Notes 1 and 4)	$2,848,710,181
Accumulated net investment loss (Note 1)	(11,150,086)
Accumulated net realized loss on investments and foreign currency transactions (Note 1)	(205,124,163)
Net unrealized appreciation of investments	711,622,976
Total — Representing net assets applicable to capital shares outstanding	$3,344,058,908

COMPUTATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND OFFERING PRICE
Net asset value and redemption price per class A share
($675,510,930 divided by 19,654,142 shares)	$34.37
Offering price per class A share (100/94.25 of $34.37)^*	$36.47
Net asset value and offering price per class B share ($67,741,762 divided by 2,063,767 shares)^**	$32.82
Net asset value and offering price per class C share ($762,424,103 divided by 23,280,651 shares)^**	$32.75
Net asset value and redemption price per class M share ($6,708,369 divided by 201,100 shares)	$33.36
Offering price per class M share (100/96.50 of $33.36)^*	$34.57
Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per class R share
($9,819,435 divided by 289,966 shares)	$33.86
Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per class Y share
($1,821,854,309 divided by 52,433,910 shares)	$34.75

^*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.

Capital Spectrum Fund 27

Statement of operations Six months ended 10/31/17 (Unaudited)


INVESTMENT INCOME
Dividends (net of foreign tax of $120,799) (including dividend income of $1,594,426
from investments in affiliated issuers (Note 5)	$6,470,594
Interest (including interest income of $1,211,423 from investments in affiliated issuers) (Note 5)	3,304,588
Payment-in-kind interest	2,889,810
Securities lending (net of expenses) (Notes 1 and 5)	125,393
Total investment income	12,790,385

EXPENSES
Compensation of Manager (Note 2)	6,687,099
Investor servicing fees (Note 2)	2,627,518
Trustee compensation and expenses (Note 2)	110,630
Distribution fees (Note 2)	5,862,446
Administrative services (Note 2)	48,846
Other	489,083
Total expenses	15,825,622
Expense reduction (Note 2)	(26,188)
Net expenses	15,799,434

Net investment loss	(3,009,049)

Net realized loss on securities from unaffiliated issuers (Notes 1 and 3)	(20,323,856)
Net realized loss on securities from affiliated issuers (Notes 1, 3, and 5)	(37,288,118)
Net unrealized depreciation of securities in unaffiliated issuers during the period	(125,936,229)
Net unrealized depreciation of securities in affiliated issuers during the period (Note 5)	(67,072,748)
Net loss on investments	(250,620,951)

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations	$(253,630,000)

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

28 Capital Spectrum Fund

Statement of changes in net assets


DECREASE IN NET ASSETS	Six months ended 10/31/17*	Year ended 4/30/17
Operations
Net investment loss	$(3,009,049)	$(13,769,858)
Net realized loss on investments
and foreign currency transactions	(57,611,974)	(138,336,003)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments	(193,008,977)	865,055,963
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting
from operations	(253,630,000)	712,950,102
Distributions to shareholders (Note 1):
From net realized long-term gain on investments
Class A	—	(44,885,455)
Class B	—	(2,899,944)
Class C	—	(38,728,625)
Class M	—	(297,264)
Class R	—	(449,305)
Class Y	—	(68,841,755)
From return of capital
Class A	—	(381,611)
Class B	—	(24,655)
Class C	—	(329,266)
Class M	—	(2,527)
Class R	—	(3,820)
Class Y	—	(585,285)
Increase in capital from settlement payments	744,381	—
Decrease from capital share transactions (Note 4)	(397,737,568)	(2,618,855,525)
Total decrease in net assets	(650,623,187)	(2,063,334,935)

NET ASSETS
Beginning of period	3,994,682,095	6,058,017,030
End of period (including accumulated net investment loss
of $11,150,086 and $8,141,037, respectively)	$3,344,058,908	$3,994,682,095

^*Unaudited.

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

Capital Spectrum Fund 29

Financial highlights (For a common share outstanding throughout the period)

INVESTMENT OPERATIONS

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS

RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Ratio of net

Net asset

Net

Net realized

From

Ratio of

investment

value,

investment

and unrealized

Total from

net

net realized

From

Total

Non-recurring

Net asset

Total return

Net assets,

expenses

income (loss)

beginning

income

gain (loss) on

investment

investment

gain on

return of

distribu-

Redemption

reimburse-

value, end

at net asset

end of period

to average

Portfolio

Period ended

of period

(loss)^a

investments

operations

income

investments

capital

tions

fees

ments

of period

value (%)^b

(in thousands)

net assets (%)^c

net assets (%)

turnover (%)

Class A

October 31, 2017^**

$36.82

(.02)

(2.44)

(2.46)

—

.01^d

$34.37

(6.65)^*

$675,511

.39^*

(.05)^*

1^*

April 30, 2017

32.22

(.07)

5.92

5.85

—

(1.24)

(.01)

(1.25)

—

36.82

18.59

846,487

.96^e

(.21)

April 30, 2016

38.02

(.18)

(3.68)

(3.86)

—^f

(1.94)

—

(1.94)

—

32.22

(10.40)

1,775,054

1.35^e,g

(.50)^g

April 30, 2015

36.17

(.19)

3.54

3.35

—

(1.50)

—

(1.50)

—

38.02

9.17

2,966,035

1.25^e

(.51)

April 30, 2014

29.15

(.03)

7.75

7.72

(.07)

(.63)

—

(.70)

—^f

—

36.17

26.57

2,899,539

1.27^e

(.09)

April 30, 2013

25.56

.20^h

4.27

4.47

(.23)

(.65)

—

(.88)

—^f

—

29.15

17.81

1,026,593

1.28^e

.75^h

48ⁱ

Class B

October 31, 2017^**

$35.30

(.15)

(2.34)

(2.49)

—

.01^d

$32.82

(7.03)^*

$67,742

.77^*

(.43)^*

1^*

April 30, 2017

31.17

(.31)

5.69

5.38

—

(1.24)

(.01)

(1.25)

—

35.30

17.69

79,363

1.71^e

(.98)

April 30, 2016

37.12

(.43)

(3.58)

(4.01)

—

(1.94)

—

(1.94)

—

31.17

(11.07)

86,196

2.10^e,g

(1.27)^g

April 30, 2015

35.60

(.47)

3.49

3.02

—

(1.50)

—

(1.50)

—

37.12

8.38

107,384

2.00^e

(1.26)

April 30, 2014

28.85

(.29)

7.67

7.38

—

(.63)

—

(.63)

—^f

—

35.60

25.64

79,307

2.02^e

(.86)

April 30, 2013

25.38

(.01) ^h

4.23

4.22

(.10)

(.65)

—

(.75)

—^f

—

28.85

16.90

33,020

2.03^e

(.03)^h

48ⁱ

Class C

October 31, 2017^**

$35.22

(.15)

(2.33)

(2.48)

—

.01^d

$32.75

(7.01)^*

$762,424

.77^*

(.43)^*

1^*

April 30, 2017

31.10

(.31)

5.68

5.37

—

(1.24)

(.01)

(1.25)

—

35.22

17.70

964,705

1.71^e

(.97)

April 30, 2016

37.04

(.42)

(3.58)

(4.00)

—

(1.94)

—

(1.94)

—

31.10

(11.07)

1,383,733

2.10^e,g

(1.26)^g

April 30, 2015

35.53

(.47)

3.48

3.01

—

(1.50)

—

(1.50)

—

37.04

8.37

2,024,513

2.00^e

(1.26)

April 30, 2014

28.80

(.28)

7.64

7.36

—

(.63)

—

(.63)

—^f

—

35.53

25.62

1,377,735

2.02^e

(.83)

April 30, 2013

25.33

—^f,h

4.22

4.22

(.10)

(.65)

—

(.75)

—^f

—

28.80

16.96

436,913

2.03^e

(.01)^h

48ⁱ

Class M

October 31, 2017^**

$35.83

(.11)

(2.37)

(2.48)

—

.01^d

$33.36

(6.89)^*

$6,708

.64^*

(.30)^*

1^*

April 30, 2017

31.54

(.23)

5.77

5.54

—

(1.24)

(.01)

(1.25)

—

35.83

17.99

7,867

1.46^e

(.72)

April 30, 2016

37.44

(.35)

(3.61)

(3.96)

—

(1.94)

—

(1.94)

—

31.54

(10.84)

10,378

1.85^e,g

(1.01)^g

April 30, 2015

35.81

(.38)

3.51

3.13

—

(1.50)

—

(1.50)

—

37.44

8.64

15,446

1.75^e

(1.00)

April 30, 2014

28.95

(.20)

7.69

7.49

—

(.63)

—

(.63)

—^f

—

35.81

25.94

11,086

1.77^e

(.61)

April 30, 2013

25.43

.06^h

4.24

4.30

(.13)

(.65)

—

(.78)

—^f

—

28.95

17.20

5,363

1.78^e

.23^h

48ⁱ

Class R

October 31, 2017^**

$36.33

(.06)

(2.42)

(2.48)

—

.01^d

$33.86

(6.80)^*

$9,819

.52^*

(.18)^*

1^*

April 30, 2017

31.88

(.16)

5.86

5.70

—

(1.24)

(.01)

(1.25)

—

36.33

18.31

12,106

1.21^e

(.48)

April 30, 2016

37.73

(.26)

(3.65)

(3.91)

—

(1.94)

—

(1.94)

—

31.88

(10.62)

13,765

1.60^e,g

(.76)^g

April 30, 2015

36.00

(.29)

3.52

3.23

—

(1.50)

—

(1.50)

—

37.73

8.88

18,448

1.50^e

(.76)

April 30, 2014

29.04

(.12)

7.74

7.62

(.03)

(.63)

—

(.66)

—^f

—

36.00

26.30

11,269

1.52^e

(.35)

April 30, 2013

25.51

.13^h

4.25

4.38

(.20)

(.65)

—

(.85)

—^f

—

29.04

17.51

3,746

1.53^e

.47^h

48ⁱ

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

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


30 Capital Spectrum Fund	Capital Spectrum Fund 31

Financial highlights cont.

INVESTMENT OPERATIONS

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS

RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Ratio of net

Net asset

Net

Net realized

From

Ratio of

investment

value,

investment

and unrealized

Total from

net

net realized

From

Total

Non-recurring

Net asset

Total return

Net assets,

expenses

income (loss)

beginning

income

gain (loss) on

investment

investment

gain on

return of

distribu-

Redemption

reimburse-

value, end

at net asset

end of period

to average

Portfolio

Period ended

of period

(loss)^a

investments

operations

income

investments

capital

tions

fees

ments

of period

value (%)^b

(in thousands)

net assets (%)^c

net assets (%)

turnover (%)

Class Y

October 31, 2017^**

$37.18

.03

(2.47)

(2.44)

—

.01^d

$34.75

(6.54)^*

$1,821,854

.26^*

.08^*

1^*

April 30, 2017

32.44

.01

5.98

5.99

—

(1.24)

(.01)

(1.25)

—

37.18

18.89

2,084,155

.71^e

.02

April 30, 2016

38.28

(.09)

(3.70)

(3.79)

(.11)

(1.94)

—

(2.05)

—

32.44

(10.16)

2,788,891

1.10^e,g

(.24)^g

April 30, 2015

36.32

(.10)

3.56

3.46

—

(1.50)

—

(1.50)

—

38.28

9.44

5,389,958

1.00^e

(.26)

April 30, 2014

29.24

.05

7.78

7.83

(.12)

(.63)

—

(.75)

—^f

—

36.32

26.88

3,278,088

1.02^e

.16

April 30, 2013

25.61

.27^h

4.28

4.55

(.27)

(.65)

—

(.92)

—^f

—

29.24

18.13

1,127,003

1.03^e

.99^h

48ⁱ

^*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 a non-recurring reimbursement pursuant to a settlement between the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and JPMorgan Chase & Co. which amounted to $0.01 per share outstanding on September 29, 2017.

^eIncludes dividend and interest expense in connection with securities sold short, which amounted to the following amounts as a percentage of average net assets (Note 1):


	Percentage of average net assets
April 30, 2017	0.04%
April 30, 2016	0.09
April 30, 2015	0.01
April 30, 2014	< 0.01
April 30, 2013	0.01

^fAmount represents less than $0.01 per share.

^gReflects a voluntary waiver of certain fund expenses in effect during the period. As a result of such waiver, the expenses of each class reflect a reduction of less than 0.01% as a percentage of average net assets.

^hReflects a dividend received by the fund from a single issuer which amounted to the following amounts:


	Per share	Percentage of average net assets
Class A	$0.11	0.42%
Class B	0.11	0.40
Class C	0.11	0.42
Class M	0.11	0.40
Class R	0.12	0.44
Class Y	0.11	0.41

ⁱPortfolio turnover excludes TBA purchase and sale commitments.

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


32 Capital Spectrum Fund	Capital Spectrum Fund 33

Notes to financial statements 10/31/17 (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 May 1, 2017 through October 31, 2017.

Putnam Capital Spectrum 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 total return. The fund invests in equity and fixed-income securities, including floating and fixed rate bank loans and both growth and value stocks, of companies of any size that Putnam Management believes have favorable investment potential. The fund is “non-diversified,” which means it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified” fund. Furthermore, the fund has the flexibility to focus its investments in particular types of securities. From time to time the fund may, without limit, emphasize investments in a particular type of security (i.e., in a particular part of the capital structure) at various points during a credit cycle. This may mean that the fund may invest only modestly, or not at all, in fixed-income or equity securities at any given time. In recent years, a significant majority of the fund’s investments have consisted of equity securities. Putnam Management expects the fund to invest in leveraged companies, which employ significant leverage in their capital structure through borrowing from banks or other lenders or through issuing fixed-income, convertible or preferred equity securities, and whose fixed income securities are often rated below-investment-grade (sometimes referred to as “junk bonds”). The fund may also invest in fixed-income securities of other issuers, in securitized debt instruments (such as mortgage- and asset-backed securities), and in companies that are not leveraged. 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 equity investments, and, among other factors, credit, interest rate and prepayment risks, as well as general market conditions, when deciding whether to buy or sell fixed income investments. The fund may also engage in short sales of securities and may invest in securities that are purchased in private placements, which are illiquid because they are subject to restrictions on resale.

The fund offers class A, class B, class C, class M, class R and class Y shares. The fund registered class T shares in February 2017, however, as of the date of this report, class T shares had not commenced operations and are not available for purchase. Purchases of class B shares are closed to new and existing investors except by exchange from class B shares of another Putnam fund or through dividend and/or capital gains reinvestment. Class A and class M shares are sold with a maximum front-end sales charge of 5.75% and 3.50%, respectively. Class A shares generally are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge, and class M, class R and class Y shares are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. Class B shares, which convert to class A shares after approximately eight years, are not subject to 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 are subject to 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.

The fund has entered into contractual arrangements with an investment adviser, administrator, distributor, shareholder servicing agent and custodian, who each provide services to the fund. Unless expressly stated otherwise, shareholders are not parties to, or intended beneficiaries of these contractual arrangements, and these contractual arrangements are not intended to create any shareholder right to enforce them against the service providers or to seek any remedy under them against the service providers, either directly or on behalf of the fund.

Under the fund’s Declaration of Trust, any claims asserted against or on behalf of the Putnam Funds, including claims against Trustees and Officers, must be brought in state and federal courts located within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

34 Capital Spectrum Fund

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.

Investments (including securities sold short, if any) 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 (ask price for securities sold short, if any) 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.

Market quotations are not considered to be readily available for certain debt obligations (including short-term investments with remaining maturities of 60 days or less) and other investments; such investments are valued on the basis of valuations furnished by an independent pricing service approved by the Trustees or dealers selected by Putnam Management. Such services or dealers determine valuations for normal institutional-size trading units of such securities using methods based on market transactions for comparable securities and various relationships, generally recognized by institutional traders, between securities (which consider such factors as security prices, yields, maturities and ratings). These securities will generally be categorized as Level 2.

Many securities markets and exchanges outside the U.S. close prior to the scheduled 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 scheduled close of the New York Stock Exchange. Accordingly, on certain days, the fund will fair value certain 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. The foreign equity 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. Securities quoted in foreign currencies, if any, are translated into U.S. dollars at the current exchange rate.

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.

Capital Spectrum Fund 35

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.

Joint trading account Pursuant to an exemptive order from the SEC, the fund may transfer uninvested cash balances into a joint trading account along with the cash of other registered investment companies and certain other accounts managed by Putnam Management. These balances may be invested in issues of short-term investments having maturities of up to 90 days.

Repurchase agreements The fund, or any joint trading account, through its custodian, receives delivery of the underlying securities, the fair value of which at the time of purchase is required to be in an amount at least equal to the resale price, including accrued interest. Collateral for certain tri-party repurchase agreements is held at the counterparty’s custodian in a segregated account for the benefit of the fund and the counterparty. Putnam Management is responsible for determining that the value of these underlying securities is at all times at least equal to the resale price, including accrued interest. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the other party to the agreement, retention of the collateral may be subject to legal proceedings.

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.

All premiums/discounts are amortized/accreted on a yield-to-maturity basis.

The fund earned certain fees in connection with its senior loan purchasing activities. These fees are treated as market discount and are amortized into income in the Statement of operations.

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

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 remaining maturities of the securities lending transactions are considered overnight and continuous. 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, net of expenses, 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 $48,869,875 and the value of securities loaned amounted to $48,474,282.

36 Capital Spectrum Fund

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 $317.5 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 and trade settlements. Interest is charged to the fund based on the fund’s borrowing at a rate equal to 1.25% plus the higher of (1) the Federal Funds rate and (2) the overnight LIBOR 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 plus a $25,000 flat fee and 0.04% of the uncommitted line of credit has been paid by the participating funds. In addition, a commitment fee of 0.21% 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.

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, the fund will be permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred for an unlimited period and the carry forwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. At April 30, 2017, the fund had the following capital loss carryover available, to the extent allowed by the Code, to offset future net capital gain, if any:


	Loss carryover
Short-term	Long-term	Total
$456,917	$144,638,884	$145,095,801

Pursuant to federal income tax regulations applicable to regulated investment companies, the fund has elected to defer $8,141,037 to its fiscal year ending April 30, 2018 late year ordinary losses ((i) ordinary losses recognized between January 1, 2017 and April 30, 2017, and (ii) specified ordinary and currency losses recognized between November 1, 2016 and April 30, 2017)).

Tax cost of investments includes adjustments to net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) which may not necessarily be final tax cost basis adjustments, but closely approximate the tax basis unrealized gains and losses that may be realized and distributed to shareholders. The aggregate identified cost on a tax basis is $2,687,842,480, resulting in gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of $949,813,226 and $238,871,241, respectively, or net unrealized appreciation of $710,941,985.

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.

Capital Spectrum Fund 37

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 (base 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 all open-end mutual funds sponsored by Putnam Management (excluding net assets of funds that are invested in, or that are invested in by, other Putnam funds to the extent necessary to avoid “double counting” of those assets). Such annual rates may vary as follows:


0.880%	of the first $5 billion,	0.680%	of the next $50 billion,
0.830%	of the next $5 billion,	0.660%	of the next $50 billion,
0.780%	of the next $10 billion,	0.650%	of the next $100 billion and
0.730%	of the next $10 billion,	0.645%	of any excess thereafter.

In addition, the monthly management fee consists of the monthly base fee plus or minus a performance adjustment for the month based on the performance of the fund. The performance period is the thirty-six month period then ended. Each month, the performance adjustment rate is multiplied by the fund’s average net assets over the performance period and the result is divided by twelve. The resulting dollar amount is added to, or subtracted from, the base fee for that month. The amount of the increase or decrease is calculated monthly based on a performance adjustment rate that is equal to 0.04 multiplied by the difference between the fund’s annualized performance (measured by the fund’s class A shares) and the annualized performance of a 50/50 blend (balanced daily) of the S&P 500 Index and JPMorgan Developed High Yield Index over the performance period. The maximum annualized performance adjustment rate is +/–0.32%. The monthly base fee is determined based on the fund’s average net assets for the month, while the performance adjustment is determined based on the fund’s average net assets over the performance period of up to thirty-six months. This means it is possible that, if the fund underperforms significantly over the performance period, and the fund’s assets have declined significantly over that period, the negative performance adjustment may exceed the base fee. In this event, Putnam Management would make a payment to the fund.

Because the performance adjustment is based on the fund’s performance relative to its applicable benchmark index, and not its absolute performance, the performance adjustment could increase Putnam Management’s fee even if the fund’s shares lose value during the performance period provided that the fund outperformed its benchmark index, and could decrease Putnam Management’s fee even if the fund’s shares increase in value during the performance period provided that the fund underperformed its benchmark index.

For the reporting period, the base fee represented an effective rate (excluding the impact from any expense waivers in effect) of 0.365% of the fund’s average net assets before a decrease of $7,065,034 (0.188% of the fund’s average net assets) based on performance.

Putnam Management has contractually agreed, through August 30, 2018, 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 not reduced as a result of this limit.

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. PIL did not manage any portion of the assets of the fund during the reporting period. If Putnam Management were to engage the services of PIL, Putnam Management would pay 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.

38 Capital Spectrum Fund

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. PAC did not manage any portion of the assets of the fund during the reporting period. If Putnam Management or PIL were to engage the services of PAC, Putnam Management or PIL, as applicable, would pay 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 for class A, class B, class C, class M, class R and class Y shares that included (1) a per account fee for each direct and underlying non-defined contribution account (“retail account”) of the fund; (2) a specified rate of the fund’s assets attributable to defined contribution plan accounts; and (3) a specified rate based on the average net assets in retail accounts. Putnam Investor Services, Inc. has agreed that the aggregate investor servicing fees for each fund’s retail and defined contribution accounts for these share classes will not exceed an annual rate of 0.25% 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	$542,516	Class R	7,941
Class B	52,129	Class Y	1,405,049
Class C	614,673	Total	$2,627,518
Class M	5,210

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 $760 under the expense offset arrangements and by $25,428 under the brokerage/service arrangements.

Each Independent Trustee of the fund receives an annual Trustee fee, of which $2,597, 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.

Capital Spectrum Fund 39

The fund has adopted distribution plans (the Plans) with respect to the following share classes 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 payments by the fund to Putnam Retail Management Limited Partnership at an annual rate of up to the following amounts (“Maximum %”) of the average net assets attributable to each class. The Trustees have approved payment by the fund at the following annual rate (“Approved %”) of the average net assets attributable to each class. During the reporting period, the class-specific expenses related to distribution fees were as follows:


	Maximum %	Approved %	Amount
Class A	0.35%	0.25%	$980,316
Class B	1.00%	1.00%	376,729
Class C	1.00%	1.00%	4,448,495
Class M	1.00%	0.75%	28,236
Class R	1.00%	0.50%	28,670
Total			$5,862,446

For the reporting period, Putnam Retail Management Limited Partnership, acting as underwriter, received net commissions of $64,635 and $431 from the sale of class A and class M shares, respectively, and received $19,439 and $4,770 in contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of class B and class C shares, respectively.

A deferred sales charge of up to 1.00% is assessed on certain redemptions of class A shares. For the reporting period, Putnam Retail Management Limited Partnership, acting as underwriter, received $55 on class A redemptions.

Note 3: Purchases and sales of securities

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


	Cost of purchases	Proceeds from sales
Investments in securities (Long-term)	$48,709,259	$305,128,647
U.S. government securities (Long-term)	—	—
Total	$48,709,259	$305,128,647

The fund may purchase or sell investments from or to other Putnam funds in the ordinary course of business, which can reduce the fund’s transaction costs, at prices determined in accordance with SEC requirements and policies approved by the Trustees. During the reporting period, purchases or sales of long-term securities from or to other Putnam funds, if any, did not represent more than 5% of the fund’s total cost of purchases and/or total proceeds from sales.

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 10/31/17		YEAR ENDED 4/30/17
Class A	Shares	Amount	Shares	Amount
Shares sold	785,320	$28,395,032	2,953,034	$98,406,177
Shares issued in connection with
reinvestment of distributions	—	—	1,242,470	41,063,485
	785,320	28,395,032	4,195,504	139,469,662
Shares repurchased	(4,118,179)	(147,781,483)	(36,302,194)	(1,216,774,650)
Net decrease	(3,332,859)	$(119,386,451)	(32,106,690)	$(1,077,304,988)

40 Capital Spectrum Fund


	SIX MONTHS ENDED 10/31/17		YEAR ENDED 4/30/17
Class B	Shares	Amount	Shares	Amount
Shares sold	28,533	$1,005,728	77,420	$2,473,204
Shares issued in connection with
reinvestment of distributions	—	—	84,924	2,699,865
	28,533	1,005,728	162,344	5,173,069
Shares repurchased	(212,888)	(7,353,672)	(679,949)	(21,737,827)
Net decrease	(184,355)	$(6,347,944)	(517,605)	$(16,564,758)

	SIX MONTHS ENDED 10/31/17		YEAR ENDED 4/30/17
Class C	Shares	Amount	Shares	Amount
Shares sold	451,241	$15,660,962	1,355,859	$43,583,119
Shares issued in connection with
reinvestment of distributions	—	—	1,028,570	32,614,995
	451,241	15,660,962	2,384,429	76,198,114
Shares repurchased	(4,560,471)	(156,552,019)	(19,493,885)	(620,602,600)
Net decrease	(4,109,230)	$(140,891,057)	(17,109,456)	$(544,404,486)

	SIX MONTHS ENDED 10/31/17		YEAR ENDED 4/30/17
Class M	Shares	Amount	Shares	Amount
Shares sold	10,162	$358,762	18,871	$617,936
Shares issued in connection with
reinvestment of distributions	—	—	8,830	284,606
	10,162	358,762	27,701	902,542
Shares repurchased	(28,625)	(996,381)	(137,230)	(4,475,988)
Net decrease	(18,463)	$(637,619)	(109,529)	$(3,573,446)

	SIX MONTHS ENDED 10/31/17		YEAR ENDED 4/30/17
Class R	Shares	Amount	Shares	Amount
Shares sold	41,680	$1,485,463	69,738	$2,300,445
Shares issued in connection with
reinvestment of distributions	—	—	11,305	369,002
	41,680	1,485,463	81,043	2,669,447
Shares repurchased	(84,935)	(2,994,224)	(179,593)	(5,897,830)
Net decrease	(43,255)	$(1,508,761)	(98,550)	$(3,228,383)

	SIX MONTHS ENDED 10/31/17		YEAR ENDED 4/30/17
Class Y	Shares	Amount	Shares	Amount
Shares sold	5,638,819	$205,780,721	15,776,997	$540,303,165
Shares issued in connection with
reinvestment of distributions	—	—	1,796,966	59,910,843
	5,638,819	205,780,721	17,573,963	600,214,008
Shares repurchased	(9,261,701)	(334,746,457)	(47,493,022)	(1,573,993,472)
Net decrease	(3,622,882)	$(128,965,736)	(29,919,059)	$(973,779,464)

Capital Spectrum Fund 41

Note 5: Affiliated transactions

Transactions during the reporting period with any company which is under common ownership or control, or involving securities of companies in which the fund owned at least 5% of the outstanding voting securities, were as follows:


						Change in
						unrealized	Shares
	Fair value as			Investment		appreciation	outstanding as	Fair value as
Name of affiliate	of 4/30/17	Purchase cost	Sale proceeds	income	Realized gain (loss)	(depreciation)	of 10/31/17	of 10/31/17
Short-term investments
Putnam Cash Collateral Pool, LLC^*	$70,799,425	$274,976,510	$296,906,060	$392,134	$—	$—	48,869,875	$48,869,875
Putnam Short Term Investment Fund^**	273,369,702	211,328,331	254,471,286	1,211,423	—	—	230,226,747	230,226,747
Total Short-term investments	344,169,127	486,304,841	551,377,346	1,603,557	—	—	279,096,622	279,096,622
Common stocks‡
Communication services
Global Eagle Entertainment, Inc.^#†	14,816,202	—	4,673,457	—	(13,676,118)	11,009,416	—	—
Financials
Altisource Portfolio Solutions SA	20,784,503	—	—	—	—	3,528,379	940,901	24,312,882
Altisource Residential Corp.	76,426,163	—	—	1,594,426	—	(19,717,738)	5,314,754	56,708,425
Ocwen Financial Corp.^†	16,317,853	—	2,708,054	—	(23,385,738)	31,936,696	—	—
Health care
Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC	843,391,104	—	7,050,646	—	(226,262)	(93,820,909)	5,244,777	742,293,289
Total Common stocks	971,735,825	—	14,432,157	1,594,426	(37,288,118)	(67,064,156)	11,500,432	823,314,596
Warrants
Global Eagle Entertainment, Inc.^†	38,663	—	—	—	—	(8,592)	—	—
Total Warrants	38,663	—	—	—	—	(8,592)	—	—
Totals	$1,315,943,615	$486,304,841	$565,809,503	$3,197,983	$(37,288,118)	$(67,072,748)	290,597,054	$1,102,411,218

^*No management fees are charged to Putnam Cash Collateral Pool, LLC (Note 1). Investment income shown is included in securities lending income on the Statement of operations.

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

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

^#In connection with the purchase of shares of this issuer by another fund managed by Putnam Management on October 21, 2013, Putnam Management, on behalf of the fund, other funds managed by Putnam Management and certain other affiliated entities and individuals (the “Other Putnam Investors”), entered into a Voting Rights Waiver Agreement with the issuer. Pursuant to the Agreement, the fund and the Other Putnam Investors have agreed to waive on a pro rata basis all voting rights in respect of any voting securities issued by the issuer that exceed, in the aggregate, 4.99% of the total voting rights exercisable by the issuer’s outstanding voting securities.

^†Security was not in affiliation as of the end of the reporting period.

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 may invest in higher-yielding, lower-rated bonds that may have a higher rate of default.


42 Capital Spectrum Fund	Capital Spectrum Fund 43

Note 7: Senior loan commitments

Senior loans are purchased or sold on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis and may be settled a month or more after the trade date, which from time to time can delay the actual investment of available cash balances; interest income is accrued based on the terms of the securities. Senior loans can be acquired through an agent, by assignment from another holder of the loan, or as a participation interest in another holder’s portion of the loan. When the fund invests in a loan or participation, the fund is subject to the risk that an intermediate participant between the fund and the borrower will fail to meet its obligations to the fund, in addition to the risk that the borrower under the loan may default on its obligations.

Note 8: 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 based on an average of the holdings at the end of each fiscal quarter:


Warrants (number of warrants)	859,187

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	Statement of		Statement of
hedging instruments	assets and		assets and
under ASC 815	liabilities location	Fair value	liabilities location	Fair value
Equity contracts	Investments	$30,071	Payables	$—
Total		$30,071		$—

The following is a summary of change in unrealized gains or losses of derivative instruments on the Statement of operations for the reporting period (Note 1) (there were no realized gains or losses on derivative instruments):


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	Warrants	Total
Equity contracts	$(8,592)	$(8,592)
Total	$(8,592)	$(8,592)

44 Capital Spectrum Fund

Fund information

Founded over 80 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	Trustees	Michael J. Higgins
Putnam Investment	Jameson A. Baxter, Chair	Vice President, Treasurer,
Management, LLC	Kenneth R. Leibler, Vice Chair	and Clerk
One Post Office Square	Liaquat Ahamed
Boston, MA 02109	Ravi Akhoury	Janet C. Smith
	Barbara M. Baumann	Vice President,
Investment Sub-Advisors	Katinka Domotorffy	Principal Financial Officer,
Putnam Investments Limited	Catharine Bond Hill	Principal Accounting Officer,
16 St James’s Street	Paul L. Joskow	and Assistant Treasurer
London, England SW1A 1ER	Robert E. Patterson
	George Putnam, III	Susan G. Malloy
The Putnam Advisory Company, LLC	Robert L. Reynolds	Vice President and
One Post Office Square	Manoj P. Singh	Assistant Treasurer
Boston, MA 02109
	Officers	Mark C. Trenchard
Marketing Services	Robert L. Reynolds	Vice President and
Putnam Retail Management	President	BSA Compliance Officer
One Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02109	Jonathan S. Horwitz	Nancy E. Florek
	Executive Vice President,	Vice President, Director of
Custodian	Principal Executive Officer,	Proxy Voting and Corporate
State Street Bank	and Compliance Liaison	Governance, Assistant Clerk,
and Trust Company		and Assistant Treasurer
	Robert T. Burns
Legal Counsel	Vice President and	Denere P. Poulack
Ropes & Gray LLP	Chief Legal Officer	Assistant Vice President, Assistant
		Clerk, and Assistant Treasurer
	James F. Clark
	Vice President and
	Chief Compliance Officer

This report is for the information of shareholders of Putnam Capital Spectrum 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.


	CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES


	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


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


	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:


	Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Investment Companies


	UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


	FORM N-CSR


	Item 1. Report to Stockholders:


	Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Companies and Affiliated Purchasers:


	Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders:


	(b) Changes in internal control over financial reporting: 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.


	Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


	/s/ Janet C. Smith Janet C. Smith Principal Accounting Officer


	/s/ Jonathan S. Horwitz Jonathan S. Horwitz Principal Executive Officer