Prospectus
OCTOBER 30, 1999,
AS REVISED MAY 30, 2000
Putnam New Century
Growth Fund
Class Y shares
Investment Category: Growth
This prospectus explains what you should know about this mutual fund before
you invest. Please read it carefully.
Putnam Investment Management, Inc. (Putnam Management), which has managed
mutual funds since 1937, manages the fund.
These securities have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities
and Exchange Commission nor has the Commission passed upon the accuracy or
adequacy of this prospectus. Any statement to the contrary is a crime.
CONTENTS
2 Fund summary
2 Goal
2 Main investment strategies
2 Main risks
2 Performance information
3 Fees and expenses
4 What are the fund's main investment strategies and related risks?
6 Who manages the fund?
7 How does the fund price its shares?
7 How do I buy fund shares?
8 How do I sell fund shares?
9 How do I exchange fund shares?
9 Fund distributions and taxes
Putnam Defined Contribution Plans
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Fund summary
GOAL
The fund seeks capital appreciation.
MAIN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES -- GROWTH STOCKS
We invest mainly in common stocks of U.S. companies, with a focus on growth
stocks. Growth stocks are issued by companies whose earnings we believe
are likely to grow faster than the economy as a whole. Growth in a
company's earnings may lead to an increase in the price of its stock. We
invest in companies of all sizes.
MAIN RISKS
The main risks that could adversely affect the value of the fund's shares
and the total return on your investment include:
* The risk that the stock price of one or more of the companies in the fund's
portfolio will fall, or will fail to rise. Many factors can adversely
affect a stock's performance, including both general financial market
conditions and factors related to a specific company or industry. This
risk is generally greater for small and midsized companies, which tend to
be more vulnerable to adverse developments.
* The risk that movements in financial markets will adversely affect the
price of the fund's investments, regardless of how well the companies in
which we invest perform. The market as a whole may not favor the types of
investments we make.
You can lose money by investing in the fund. The fund may not achieve its
goal, and is not intended as a complete investment program. An investment
in the fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The following information provides some indication of the fund's risks. The
chart shows year-to-year changes in the performance of the fund's class Y
shares. The table following the chart compares the fund's performance to
that of a broad measure of market performance. Of course, a fund's past
performance is not an indication of future performance.
CALENDAR YEAR TOTAL RETURNS
1999 166.17%
Year-to-date performance through 3/31/00 was 8.29%. During the periods
shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a quarter was 84.90%
(quarter ending 12/31/99) and the lowest return for a quarter was -14.49%
(quarter ending 9/30/98).
Performance of class Y shares, which were not in existence during the
period, in the bar chart and table following the chart is derived from the
historical performance of the fund's class A shares (not offered by this
prospectus). Performance of class Y shares prior to their inception does
not reflect the initial sales charge currently applicable to class A shares
or differences in operating expenses which, for class Y shares, are lower
than the operating expenses applicable to class A shares.
Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ending 12/31/99)
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Since
Past Inception
1 year (2/17/98)
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Class Y 166.17% 94.69%
Russell Midcap Growth
Index 51.34% 33.61%
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The fund's share performance through 12/31/99 benefited from Putnam
Management's agreement (since inception) to limit the fund's expenses. The
fund's performance is compared to the Russell Midcap Growth Index, an
unmanaged index of common stocks of midsized companies that are also listed
on the Russell 1000 Growth Index.
FEES AND EXPENSES
This table summarizes the fees and expenses you may pay if you invest in
class Y shares of the fund. Estimated expenses are based on expenses
incurred by the fund's class A shares during the last fiscal year.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses*
(expenses that are deducted from fund assets)
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Total Annual
Management Other Fund Operating Expense Net
Fees Expenses Expenses Reimbursement Expenses
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Class Y .70% 1.00% 1.70% .70% 1.00%
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EXAMPLE
The example translates the expenses shown in the preceding table into
dollar amounts. By doing this, you can more easily compare the cost of
investing in the fund to the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The
example makes certain assumptions. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in
the fund for the time periods shown and then redeem all your shares at the
end of those periods. It also assumes a 5% return on your investment each
year and that the fund's operating expenses remain the same. The example is
hypothetical; your actual costs and returns may be higher or lower.
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1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
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Class Y $102 $467 $857 $1,950
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* Reflects Putnam Management's contractual obligation to limit fund expenses
through June 30, 2000.
What are the fund's main investment strategies and related risks?
Any investment carries with it some level of risk that generally reflects
its potential for reward. We pursue the fund's goal by investing mainly in
growth stocks. We will consider, among other things, a company's financial
strength, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings,
cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell investments.
A description of the risks associated with the fund's main investment
strategies follows.
* Common stocks. Common stock represents an ownership interest in a company.
The value of a company's stock may fall as a result of factors relating
directly to that company, such as decisions made by its management or lower
demand for the company's products or services. A stock's value may also
fall because of factors affecting not just the company, but also companies
in the same industry or in a number of different industries, such as
increases in production costs. The value of a company's stock may also be
affected by changes in financial markets that are relatively unrelated to
the company or its industry, such as changes in interest rates or currency
exchange rates. In addition, a company's stock generally pays dividends
only after the company invests in its own business and makes required
payments to holders of its bonds and other debt. For this reason, the value
of a company's stock will usually react more strongly than bonds and other
debt to actual or perceived changes in the company's financial condition or
prospects. Stocks of smaller companies may be more vulnerable to adverse
developments than those of larger companies.
* Growth stocks. These are stocks of companies whose earnings we believe are
likely to grow faster than the economy as a whole. Growth stocks typically
trade at higher multiples of current earnings than other stocks.
Therefore, the values of growth stocks may be more sensitive to changes in
current or expected earnings than the values of other stocks. If our
assessment of the prospects for a company's earnings growth is wrong, or if
our judgment of how other investors will value the company's earnings
growth is wrong, then the price of the company's stock may fall or not
approach the value that we have placed on it.
* Foreign investments. We may invest in securities of foreign issuers.
Foreign investments involve certain special risks. For example, their
values may decline in response to changes in currency exchange rates,
unfavorable political and legal developments, unreliable or untimely
information, and economic and financial instability. In addition, the
liquidity of these investments may be more limited than for U.S.
investments, which means we may at times be unable to sell them at
desirable prices. Foreign settlement procedures may also involve additional
risks. These risks are generally greater in the case of developing (also
known as emerging) markets with less developed legal and financial systems.
Certain of these risks may also apply to U.S. investments that are
denominated in foreign currencies or that are traded in foreign markets, or
to securities of U.S. companies that have significant foreign operations.
* Smaller companies. We may invest in smaller companies. Smaller companies,
which may have a market capitalization of less than $1 billion, are more
likely than larger companies to have limited product lines, markets or
financial resources, or to depend on a small, inexperienced management
group. Stocks of these companies often trade less frequently and in
limited volume, and their prices may fluctuate more than stocks of larger
companies. Stocks of smaller companies may therefore be more vulnerable to
adverse developments than those of larger companies.
* Frequent trading. We may buy and sell investments relatively often, which
involves higher brokerage commissions and other expenses, and may increase
the amount of taxes payable by shareholders.
* Other investments. In addition to the main investment strategies described
above, we may make other investments, such as investments in preferred
stocks, convertible securities, debt instruments and derivatives, which may
be subject to other risks, as described in the fund's statement of
additional information (SAI).
* Alternative strategies. At times we may judge that market conditions make
pursuing the fund's usual investment strategies inconsistent with the best
interests of its shareholders. We then may temporarily use alternative
strategies that are mainly designed to limit losses. However, we may
choose not to use these strategies for a variety of reasons, even in very
volatile market conditions. These strategies may cause the fund to miss
out on investment opportunities, and may prevent the fund from achieving
its goal.
* Changes in policies. The fund's Trustees may change the fund's goal,
investment strategies and other policies without shareholder approval,
except as otherwise indicated.
Who manages the fund?
The fund's Trustees oversee the general conduct of the fund's business.
The Trustees have retained Putnam Management to be the fund's investment
manager, responsible for making investment decisions for the fund and
managing the fund's other affairs and business. The fund pays Putnam
Management a quarterly management fee for these services based on the
fund's average net assets. The fund paid Putnam Management a management
fee of 0.70% of average net assets for the fund's last fiscal year. Due to
the expense limitation in effect during the fiscal year, the management fee
was effectively reduced to 0.00%. See "Annual Fund Operating Expenses."
Putnam Management's address is One Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02109.
The following officers of Putnam Management have had primary responsibility
for the day-to-day management of the fund's portfolio since the years shown
below. Their experience as portfolio managers or investment analysts over
at least the last five years is also shown.
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Manager Since Experience
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Roland W. Gillis 1997 1995-Present Putnam Management
Managing Director Prior to March 1995 Keystone Custodian
Funds, Inc.
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Charles H. Swanberg 1998 1984-Present Putnam Management
Senior Vice President
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How does the fund price its shares?
The price of the fund's shares is based on its net asset value (NAV). The
NAV per share of each class equals the total value of its assets, less its
liabilities, divided by the number of its outstanding shares. Shares are
only valued as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock
Exchange each day the exchange is open.
The fund values its investments for which market quotations are readily
available at market value. It values short-term investments that will
mature within 60 days at amortized cost, which approximates market value.
It values all other investments and assets at their fair value.
The fund translates prices for its investments quoted in foreign currencies
into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates. As a result, changes in the
value of those currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar may affect the
fund's NAV. Because foreign markets may be open at different times than
the New York Stock Exchange, the value of the fund's shares may change on
days when shareholders are not able to buy or sell them. If events
materially affecting the values of the fund's foreign investments occur
between the close of foreign markets and the close of regular trading on
the New York Stock Exchange, these investments will be valued at their fair
value.
How do I buy fund shares?
All orders to purchase shares must be made through your employer's
retirement plan. For more information about how to purchase shares of the
fund through your employer's plan or limitations on the amount that may be
purchased, please consult your employer.
Putnam Mutual Funds Corp. (Putnam Mutual Funds) generally must receive
your plan's completed buy order before the close of regular trading on the
New York Stock Exchange for shares to be bought at that day's offering
price.
To eliminate the need for safekeeping, the fund will not issue certificates
for shares.
The fund may periodically close to new purchases of shares or refuse any
order to buy shares if Putnam Management determines that doing so would be
in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders.
Eligible purchasers. A defined contribution plan (including a corporate
IRA) is eligible to purchase class Y shares if the plan, its sponsor and
other employee benefit plans of the sponsor invest at least $150 million in
Putnam funds and other investments managed by Putnam Management or its
affiliates, or the plan's sponsor confirms a good faith expectation that
investments in Putnam-managed assets by the sponsor and its employee
benefit plans will attain $150 million (using the higher of purchase price
or current market value) within one year of initial purchase, and agrees
that class Y shares may be redeemed and class A shares purchased if that
level is not attained.
How do I sell fund shares?
Subject to any restrictions imposed by your employer's plan, you can sell
your shares through the plan back to the fund any day the New York Stock
Exchange is open. For more information about how to sell shares of the
fund through your employer's plan, including any charges that the plan may
impose, please consult your employer.
Your plan administrator must send a signed letter of instruction to Putnam
Investor Services. The price you will receive is the next NAV per share
calculated after the fund receives the instruction in proper form . In
order to receive that day's NAV, Putnam Investor Services must receive
the instruction before the close of regular trading on the New York Stock
Exchange .
The fund generally sends payment for your shares the business day after
your request is received. Under unusual circumstances, the fund may
suspend redemptions, or postpone payment for more than seven days, as
permitted by federal securities law.
How do I exchange fund shares?
Subject to any restrictions your plan imposes, you can exchange your fund
shares for shares of other Putnam funds offered through your employer's
plan without a sales charge. Contact your plan administrator or Putnam
Investor Services for more information.
The exchange privilege is not intended as a vehicle for short-term trading.
Excessive exchange activity may interfere with portfolio management and
have an adverse effect on all shareholders. In order to limit excessive
exchange activity and otherwise to promote the best interests of the fund,
the fund reserves the right to revise or terminate the exchange privilege,
limit the amount or number of exchanges or reject any exchange. The fund
into which you would like to exchange may also reject your exchange. These
actions may apply to all shareholders or only to those shareholders whose
exchanges Putnam Management determines are likely to have a negative effect
on the fund or other Putnam funds.
Fund distributions and taxes
The fund distributes any net investment income and any net realized capital
gains annually.
The terms of your employer's plan will govern how your employer's plan may
receive distributions from the fund. Generally, periodic distributions
from the fund to your employer's plan are reinvested in additional fund
shares, although your employer's plan may permit you to receive fund
distributions from net investment income in cash while reinvesting capital
gains distributions in additional shares or to receive all fund
distributions in cash. If another option is not selected, all
distributions will be reinvested in additional fund shares.
Generally, for federal income tax purposes, fund distributions are taxable
as ordinary income, except that any distributions of long-term capital
gains will be taxed as such regardless of how long you have held your
shares. However, distributions by the fund to retirement plans that
qualify for tax-exempt treatment under federal income tax laws will not be
taxable. Special tax rules apply to investments through such plans. You
should consult your tax advisor to determine the suitability of the fund as
an investment through such a plan and the tax treatment of distributions
(including distributions of amounts attributable to an investment in the
fund) from such a plan.
You should consult your tax advisor for more information on your own tax
situation, including possible foreign, state and local taxes.
The fund's investments in foreign securities may be subject to foreign
withholding taxes. In that case, the fund's return on those investments
would be decreased.
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For more information about
Putnam New Century Growth Fund
The fund's statement of additional information (SAI) and annual and
semi-annual reports to shareholders includes additional information about
the fund. The SAI, and the independent accountants' report and financial
statements included in the fund's most recent annual report to its
shareholders, are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, which
means they are part of this prospectus for legal purposes. The fund's
annual report discusses the market conditions and investment strategies
that significantly affected the fund's performance during its last fiscal
year. You may get free copies of these materials, request other
information about the fund , or make shareholder inquiries, by calling
Putnam toll-free at 1-800- 752-9894.
You may review and copy information about the fund, including its SAI, at
the Securities and Exchange Commission's public reference room in
Washington, D.C. You may call the Commission at 1- 202-942-8090 for
information about the operation of the public reference room. You may also
access reports and other information about the fund on the EDGAR Database
on the Commission's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. You may get
copies of this information, with payment of a duplication fee, by
electronic request at the following E-mail address: [email protected], or
by writing the Commission's Public Reference Section , Washington, D.C.
20549-0102. You may need to refer to the fund's file number.
PUTNAM INVESTMENTS
Putnam Defined Contribution Plans
One Post Office Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
1-800- 752-9894
Address correspondence to
Putnam Investor Services
P.O. Box 9740
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9740
www.putnaminv.com
File No. 811 - 7513
