Putnam
Health
Sciences
Trust
SEMIANNUAL REPORT ON PERFORMANCE AND OUTLOOK
2-28-99
[LOGO: BOSTON * LONDON * TOKYO]
Fund highlights
* Morningstar, an independent rating agency, gave Putnam Health Sciences
Trust's class A shares a rating of 4 out of 5 stars for overall
performance based on the 3-, 5-, and 10-year returns as of March 31, 1999.
Of the 2,947 domestic equity funds rated, only 22.5% received 4 stars.*
CONTENTS
4 Report from Putnam Management
8 Fund performance summary
12 Portfolio holdings
15 Financial statements
* Past performance is not indicative of future results. Morningstar
ratings reflect risk-adjusted performance through 3/31/99 and are subject
to change every month. Morningstar ratings are calculated from a fund's
3-, 5-, and 10-year returns (with fee adjustments) in excess of 90-day
Treasury bill returns and a risk factor that reflects performance below
90-day Treasury bill returns. For 10-year performance, there were 743
funds rated and the fund received 4 stars. For 5-year performance, there
were 1,810 funds rated and the fund received 5 stars. For 3-year
performance, there were 2,947 funds rated and the fund received 3 stars.
10% of the funds in an investment category receive 5 stars; the next 22.5%
receive 4 stars; the middle 35% receive 3 stars. Performance of other
share classes will vary.
From the Chairman
[GRAPHIC OMITTED: PHOTO OF GEORGE PUTNAM]
[copyright] Karsh, Ottawa
Dear Shareholder:
The rising trend in worldwide spending on health care did not inoculate
stocks in the health-care industries against the global equity markets'
continuing bout with turbulence. While these stocks did not fare
particularly worse than the markets as a whole, they encountered their
share of buffeting during the first half of Putnam Health Sciences Trust's
fiscal 1999.
Although it would be easy to regard your fund's single-sector focus as
somewhat narrow, the portfolio is surprisingly well diversified among the
various health-related industries. Maintaining the proper balance and
acting upon emerging trends within this universe keep the fund's managers
well challenged.
In that regard, I am pleased to announce the addition of Margery C. Parker
to the fund's management team. Margery joined Putnam in 1997 and was
formerly with Keystone Investments, Moseley Capital Management, State
Street Research and Management, and Bank of Boston. She has 18 years of
investment experience.
Respectfully yours,
/S/GEORGE PUTNAM
George Putnam
Chairman of the Trustees
April 21, 1999
Report from the Fund Managers
Richard B. England, lead manager
David G. Carlson
Margery C. Parker
After being stars of the show for several years, pharmaceutical stocks
gave up the spotlight to biotechnology holdings during the first half of
Putnam Health Sciences Trust's 1999 fiscal year. The period began at a
tumultuous time for U.S. equity markets, as the Dow Jones Industrial
Average was still reeling from a late-August plunge that had wiped out the
entire year's gain. At that point, even your fund's large-company
pharmaceutical stocks, which had weathered previous market turmoil, began
to feel the pressure. Throughout the fiscal period, drug-company stocks
remained weaker than many other sectors, while biotechnology stocks
snapped out of their year-long slump and rallied dramatically during the
market's rebound last fall.
During the semiannual period, your fund profited from the strength of its
biotech holdings as well as from some notable drug and medical-device
stocks. For the six months ended February 28, 1999, your fund's class A
shares provided a total return of 24.83% at net asset value and 17.65% at
public offering price. For complete performance information, including
results for other share classes and over longer time periods, please refer
to the summary that begins on page 8.
* LARGE-CAP BIOTECHNOLOGY STOCKS REBOUND
Led by the largest companies in the industry, biotechnology stocks
provided strong returns, especially during the final months of 1998. New
product launches drove the performance of many portfolio holdings, such as
MedImmune, Inc., which develops and markets products to prevent and treat
infectious diseases and for use in transplant medicine. The company
recently launched Synagis, a product that treats infants and children at
risk for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a disease that hospitalizes
more than 90,000 infants in the United States each year. Sales have been
strong, due in part to endorsements by a number of pediatricians.
MedImmune has several other promising products in development along with
strong management and tight control over its operating costs.
Also contributing to your fund's performance was the stock of Biogen,
Inc., producer and marketer of Avonex, the top-selling treatment for
multiple sclerosis. During 1998, the number of patients using Avonex
increased by 60% due to growing awareness of the product in the
marketplace and increasing acceptance of the need to treat multiple
sclerosis in its early stages. While these holdings, along with others
discussed in this report, were viewed favorably at the end of the fiscal
period, all are subject to review and adjustment in accordance with the
fund's investment strategy and may vary in the future.
* ADDED DIVERSIFICATION IN PHARMACEUTICAL SECTOR
Despite a slight downturn in the pharmaceutical sector, the stock of
Pfizer, Inc. was once again a standout during the semiannual period. In
addition to developing its own impressive products, such as the male
impotence drug Viagra, Pfizer enhances its profitability through
cross-licensing, in which it markets and sells drugs developed by other
companies and shares in the resulting profits. Pfizer has become the
partner of choice among drug companies looking to market their products.
The most recent example is Pfizer's role in marketing Celebrex, an
arthritis drug developed by Monsanto Company's Searle division and
introduced late last year. The drug is the first in a class of drugs
designed to treat arthritis without causing gastrointestinal side effects.
At the end of the fiscal period, Celebrex was on track to beat Viagra as
the most successful drug launch ever. Pfizer is also involved in the
marketing of Lipitor, a treatment to lower cholesterol and another of the
top-selling drugs in the marketplace.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED: horizontal bar chart TOP INDUSTRY SECTORS]
TOP INDUSTRY SECTORS*
Pharmaceuticals 53.1%
Medical supplies
and devices 21.0%
Biotechnology 7.7%
Health-care
services 4.9%
Retail 4.6%
Footnote reads:
*Based on net assets as of 2/28/99. Holdings will vary over time.
Also worth noting is the addition of some international drug companies to
further diversify your fund's portfolio. During the period, we added the
stock of Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co. Headquartered in Tokyo, this large
company produces and markets drugs for human and veterinary use and has an
agreement with Searle to develop and market in Japan any new Searle
products in clinical trials before the end of 2001. Another addition to
the portfolio is Sanofi, a French pharmaceutical company with
approximately 30 products in development for the treatment of
cardiovascular and central nervous system disorders, osteoporosis, and
cancer. Sanofi currently markets drugs for heart conditions, epilepsy, and
arthritis and sells diagnostic tests for such diseases as AIDS and
hepatitis. Sanofi is merging with Synthelabo, another French drug company.
* MEDICAL DEVICES STRONG; SERVICES SECTOR STILL WEAK
Medical device companies, including Guidant Corp., Medtronic, and Sofamor
Danek Group, also made a positive contribution to performance during the
period. Guidant has had tremendous success with coronary stents, which are
used to prevent arteries from closing. Medtronic is best known for devices
that manage heart rhythm, including the world's most widely prescribed
pacemaker. Sofamor Danek Group specializes in spinal implants for the
treatment of degenerative diseases, deformities, and spinal trauma. The
medical device industry has been undergoing significant consolidation, as
illustrated by Medtronic's recent acquisition of Sofamor Danek.
As discussed in our last report, we have significantly reduced the fund's
health-care services holdings, which typically include stocks of health
maintenance organizations (HMOs), hospitals, and nursing homes.
Sidestepping this sector has been quite beneficial for the fund, as these
types of stocks have continued to struggle in an extremely difficult
regulatory environment. Even stocks of fundamentally strong health-care
services companies are under pressure from concerns about Medicare
spending cuts and rising health-care costs. While we are watching this
sector carefully, the fund's position in health-care services remained
relatively small at the close of the semiannual period.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED: TOP 10 HOLDINGS]
TOP 10 HOLDINGS
Pfizer, Inc.
Pharmaceuticals
Schering-Plough Corp.
Pharmaceuticals
Warner-Lambert Co.
Pharmaceuticals
Eli Lilly and Company
Pharmaceuticals
Merck & Co., Inc.
Pharmaceuticals
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
Pharmaceuticals
American Home Products Corp.
Pharmaceuticals
Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc.
Pharmaceuticals
Medtronic, Inc.
Medical devices
SmithKline Beecham PLC ADR
Pharmaceuticals
Footnote reads:
These holdings represent 44.0% of the fund's net assets as of 2/28/99.
Portfolio holdings will vary over time.
* OUTLOOK POSITIVE FOR HEALTH-CARE STOCKS
As the period came to a close, we were optimistic about the U.S. economy,
including the low interest-rate environment and the fact that there are
few signs of inflation on the horizon. Large-cap pharmaceutical companies
appear to be pulling out of their slump, and we are staying alert for new
developments in the troubled health-care services sector. In addition,
many demographic trends continue to favor the health-care sector and we
fully expect your fund to profit from the industry's strong long-term
growth potential.
The views expressed here are exclusively those of Putnam Management. They
are not meant as investment advice. Although the described holdings were
viewed favorably as of 2/28/99, there is no guarantee the fund will
continue to hold these securities in the future. Funds investing in a
single sector may be subject to more volatility than funds investing in a
diverse group of sectors.
Performance summary
This section provides information about your fund's performance, which
should always be considered in light of its investment strategy. Putnam
Health Sciences Trust is designed for investors seeking capital
appreciation through investments in the health sciences industry.
TOTAL RETURN FOR PERIODS ENDED 2/28/99
Class A Class B Class M
Inception date (5/28/82) (3/1/93) (7/3/95)
NAV POP NAV CDSC NAV POP
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 months 24.83% 17.65% 24.38% 19.38% 24.54% 20.18%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 year 11.17 4.79 10.35 5.35 10.63 6.76
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 years 207.49 189.77 196.10 194.10 199.91 189.44
Annual average 25.19 23.71 24.25 24.08 24.57 23.68
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 years 542.99 506.07 494.07 494.07 509.80 488.60
Annual average 20.45 19.74 19.50 19.50 19.82 19.39
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Life of fund 1459.22 1369.29 1245.42 1245.42 1304.87 1256.15
Annual average 17.81 17.39 16.78 16.78 17.08 16.83
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPARATIVE INDEX RETURNS FOR PERIODS ENDED 2/28/99
Standard & Poor's Consumer
500 Index price index
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 months 30.29% 0.80%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 year 19.74 1.73
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 years 194.93 12.27
Annual average 24.15 2.34
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 years 459.11 35.44
Annual average 18.78 3.08
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Life of fund 1798.92 71.92
Annual average 19.22 3.29
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Past performance is no assurance of future results. More recent returns
may be more or less than those shown. Returns for class A and class M
shares reflect the current maximum initial sales charges of 5.75% and
3.50%, respectively. Class B share returns for the 1-, 5-, and 10-year
(where available) and life-of-fund periods reflect the applicable
contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), which is 5% in the first year,
declines to 1% in the sixth year, and is eliminated thereafter. Returns
shown for class B and class M shares for periods prior to their inception
are derived from the historical performance of class A shares, adjusted to
reflect both the initial sales charge or CDSC, if any, currently
applicable to each class and in the case of class B and class M shares,
the higher operating expenses applicable to such shares. All returns
assume reinvestment of distributions at NAV. Investment return and
principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares when redeemed
may be worth more or less than their original cost.
PRICE AND DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION
6 months ended 2/28/99
Class A Class B Class M
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions (number) 1 1 1
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income -- -- --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital gains
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term $5.011 $5.011 $5.011
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short-term -- -- --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $5.011 $5.011 $5.011
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Share value: NAV POP NAV NAV POP
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/31/98 $53.50 $56.76 $51.74 $52.87 $54.79
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/28/99 61.65 65.41 59.23 60.72 62.92
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURN FOR PERIODS ENDED 3/31/99
(most recent calendar quarter)
Class A Class B Class M
Inception date (5/28/82) (3/1/93) (7/3/95)
NAV POP NAV CDSC NAV POP
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 months 10.62% 4.26% 10.20% 5.20% 10.34% 6.49%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 year 5.19 -0.86 4.40 -0.41 4.67 1.00
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 years 223.70 205.13 211.74 209.74 215.64 204.62
Annual average 26.48 25.00 25.53 25.37 25.85 24.95
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 years 506.35 471.51 460.14 460.14 475.03 455.04
Annual average 19.75 19.04 18.80 18.80 19.12 18.70
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Life of fund 1437.97 1349.27 1226.11 1226.11 1284.97 1236.94
Annual average 17.62 17.21 16.59 16.59 16.89 16.65
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Past performance is no assurance of future results. More recent returns
may be more or less than those shown. They do not take into account any
adjustment for taxes payable on reinvested distributions. Investment
returns and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares
when sold may be worth more or less than their original cost. See first
page of performance section for performance calculation method.
TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
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.
Class A shares are generally subject to an initial sales charge.
Class B shares may be subject to a sales charge upon redemption.
Class M shares have a lower initial sales charge and a higher 12b-1 fee
than class A shares and no sales charge on redemption.
Net asset value (NAV) is the value of all your fund's assets, minus any
liabilities, divided by the number of outstanding shares, not including
any initial or contingent deferred sales charge.
Public offering price (POP) is the price of a mutual fund share plus the
maximum sales charge levied at the time of purchase. POP 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 a charge applied at the time of
the redemption of class B shares and assumes redemption at the end of the
period. Your fund's CDSC declines from a 5% maximum during the first year
to 1% during the sixth year. After the sixth year, the CDSC no longer
applies.
COMPARATIVE BENCHMARKS
Standard & Poor's 500 Index is an unmanaged list of common stocks that is
frequently used as a measure of the performance of small company stocks.
The index assumes reinvestment of all distributions and interest payments
and does not take into account brokerage fees or taxes. Securities in the
fund do not match those in the index and performance of the fund will
differ. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
Consumer price index (CPI) is a commonly used measure of inflation; it
does not represent an investment return.
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Portfolio of investments owned
February 28, 1999 (Unaudited)
COMMON STOCKS (96.5%) (a)
NUMBER OF SHARES VALUE
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Biotechnology (8.3%)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
484,660 Agouron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NON) $ 27,655,911
340,600 Alkermes, Inc. 9,558,088
1,585,400 Amgen Inc. 98,988,413
958,200 Centocor, Inc. (NON) 39,825,188
399,500 GelTex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NON) 6,866,406
833,500 Genentech, Inc. (NON) 66,523,719
590,000 Guilford Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NON) 7,485,625
1,038,800 ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 22,723,750
109,600 Immunex Corp. (NON) 15,508,400
443,300 MedImmune, Inc. (NON) 24,381,500
935,000 Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NON) 29,043,438
515,000 PathoGenesis Corp. (NON) 23,593,438
457,000 Pharmacylics, Inc. 8,683,000
616,700 SEQUUS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NON) 12,603,806
743,000 Transkaryotic Therapies, Inc. (Malaysia) (NON) 21,732,750
660,660 Trimeris, Inc. (NON) (AFF) 10,281,521
--------------
425,454,953
Conglomerates (2.5%)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,690,429 Tyco International Ltd. 125,831,309
Health Care Information Systems (1.7%)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,711,200 IMS Health Inc. 60,747,600
746,300 Medquist, Inc. (NON) 25,514,131
--------------
86,261,731
Health Care Services (4.9%)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
472,800 AmeriSource Health Corp. 35,282,700
713,400 Applied Analytical Industries, Inc. (NON) 18,548,400
780,300 CIGNA Corp. 61,253,550
413,300 Healtheon Corp. (NON) 11,159,100
523,501 Lincare Holdings, Inc. (NON) 18,649,723
784,510 Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc. (NON) 27,261,723
860,700 Omnicare, Inc. 20,603,006
485,700 On Assignment, Inc. (NON) 17,242,350
875,900 Quintiles Transnational Corp. (NON) 37,773,188
253,033 Total Renal Care Holdings, Inc. (NON) 2,245,668
--------------
250,019,408
Managed Services (1.0%)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
863,600 American Oncology Resources, Inc. (NON) 8,636,000
207,200 Express Scripts, Inc. Class A (NON) 13,377,350
380,100 Medical Manager Corp. (NON) 10,642,800
853,000 Physician Reliance Network, Inc. (NON) 7,730,313
368,400 Trigon Healthcare, Inc. (NON) 12,917,025
--------------
53,303,488
Medical Supplies and Devices (21.8%)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,088,350 Baxter International, Inc. 76,592,631
2,230,050 Bergen Brunswig Corp. Class A 54,496,847
786,800 Biomet, Inc. 28,865,725
1,676,577 Cardinal Health, Inc. 121,027,902
716,100 Cytyc Corp. (NON) 12,979,313
1,850,100 Guidant Corp. 105,455,700
638,700 Henry Schein, Inc. (NON) 16,366,688
1,348,600 IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (NON) 30,174,925
934,510 Johnson & Johnson 79,783,791
730,100 Mallinckrodt Inc. 22,587,469
1,752,561 Mckesson HBOC, Inc. 119,174,148
2,367,383 Medtronic, Inc. 167,196,424
193,900 Minimed, Inc. (NON) 16,529,975
622,500 Molecular Devices Corp. (NON) (AFF) 16,107,188
817,550 Perclose, Inc. (NON) (AFF) 34,541,488
430,900 Perkin-Elmer Corp. (The) 40,827,775
555,900 Sabratek Corp. (NON) (AFF) 10,492,613
1,798,800 Sybron International Corp. (NON) 44,183,025
381,600 Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. (NON) 6,630,300
257,600 VISX, Inc. (NON) 15,906,800
564,500 Waters Corp. (NON) 52,533,781
984,370 Wesley Jessen VisionCare, Inc. (NON) (AFF) 25,593,620
450,720 Xomed Surgical Products Inc. (NON) 16,394,940
--------------
1,114,443,068
Pharmaceuticals (51.7%)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
525,700 Allergan, Inc. 42,844,550
924,683 Alpharma, Inc. Class A (AFF) 35,022,369
3,270,100 American Home Products Corp. 194,570,950
526,700 Biogen, Inc. (NON) 50,629,038
3,189,400 Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. 200,832,531
653,400 Coulter Pharmaceutical, Inc. (NON) 13,313,025
908,420 Elan Corp. PLC ADR (Ireland) (NON) 69,664,459
2,155,900 Glaxo Wellcome PLC ADR (United Kingdom) 138,112,344
844,900 Inhale Therapeutic Systems (NON) (AFF) 23,234,750
2,807,700 Lilly (Eli) & Co. 265,854,094
502,500 Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp. Class A (NON) 18,969,375
2,849,400 Merck & Co., Inc. 232,938,450
2,354,700 Pfizer, Inc. 310,673,231
3,290,800 Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc. 179,348,600
161,400 Sanofi S.A. (France) 28,501,058
5,143,200 Schering-Plough Corp. 287,697,750
606,900 Sepracor, Inc. (NON) 75,710,775
309,683 Shire Pharmaceuticals Group PLC ADR
(United Kingdom) (NON) 6,348,502
1,999,100 Smithkline Beecham PLC ADR (United Kingdom) 142,185,988
3,919,200 Warner-Lambert Co. 270,669,750
623,100 Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NON) 30,103,519
938,000 Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Japan) 28,534,118
--------------
2,645,759,226
Retail (4.6%)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,585,300 CVS Corp. 84,020,900
2,039,000 Rite Aid Corp. 84,363,613
2,089,400 Walgreen Co. 66,860,800
--------------
235,245,313
--------------
Total Common Stocks (cost $3,357,358,217) $4,936,318,496
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS (0.2%) (a) (cost $4,000,000)
NUMBER OF SHARES VALUE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,000 Igen International, Inc, $7.75 cv. pfd. $ 8,920,000
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (3.9%) (a)
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 25,000,000 Asset Securitization Cooperative Corp. effective yield
of 5.22%, March 12, 1999 $ 24,961,042
50,000,000 Delaware Funding Corp. effective yield of 4.85%,
April 21, 1999 49,656,458
50,000,000 Federal National Mortgage Association effective yield
of 4.75%, April 15, 1999 49,703,125
40,314,000 Metlife Funding Inc. effective yield of 4.82%,
March 25, 1999 40,184,458
10,000,000 Prudential Funding Corp. effective yield of 4.84%,
March 1, 1999 9,995,967
25,000,000 Windmill Funding Corp. effective yield of 5.2%,
March 3, 1999 24,992,778
1,451,000 Interest in $250,000,000 joint tri-party repurchase
agreement dated February 26, 1999 with Lehman
Brothers, Inc. due March 1, 1999 with respect to
various U.S. Treasury obligations -- maturity value
of $1,451,574 for an effective yield of 4.75% 1,451,000
--------------
Total Short-Term Investments (cost $200,944,828) $ 200,944,828
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Investments (cost $3,562,303,045) (b) $5,146,183,324
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Percentages indicated are based on net assets of $5,113,387,571.
(b) The aggregate identified cost on a tax basis is $3,565,267,590, resulting in gross unrealized appreciation and
depreciation of $1,671,097,000, and $90,181,266, respectively, or net unrealized appreciation of $1,580,915,734.
(NON) Non-income-producing security.
(AFF) Affiliated Companies (Note 5).
ADR after the name of a foreign holding stands for American Depository Receipts representing ownership of
foreign securities on deposit with a domestic custodian bank.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Statement of assets and liabilities
February 28, 1999 (Unaudited)
<S> <C>
Assets
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investments in securities, at value
(identified cost $3,562,303,045) (Note 1) $5,146,183,324
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash 294,327
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends and interest receivable 3,857,331
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Receivable for shares of the fund sold 29,578,617
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Receivable for securities sold 38,163,558
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets 5,218,077,157
Liabilities
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable for securities purchased 89,467,210
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable for shares of the fund repurchased 5,222,544
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable for compensation of Manager (Note 2) 6,448,568
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable for investor servicing and custodian fees (Note 2) 338,297
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable for compensation of Trustees (Note 2) 54,603
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable for administrative services (Note 2) 5,674
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable for distribution fees (Note 2) 2,857,969
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other accrued expenses 294,721
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities 104,689,586
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets $5,113,387,571
Represented by
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paid-in capital (Notes 1 and 4) $3,795,796,981
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated net investment loss (Note 1) (8,418,072)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated net realized loss on investment (Note 1) (257,990,046)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net unrealized appreciation of investments 1,583,998,708
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total -- Representing net assets applicable to
capital shares outstanding $5,113,387,571
Computation of net asset value and offering price
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value and redemption price per class A share
($2,941,425,307 divided by 47,711,456 shares) $61.65
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Offering price per class A share (100/94.25 of $61.65)* $65.41
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value and offering price per class B share
($2,081,261,704 divided by 35,140,065 shares)** $59.23
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value and redemption price per class M share
($90,700,560 divided by 1,493,845 shares) $60.72
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Offering price per class M share (100/96.50 of $60.72)* $62.92
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* On single retail sales of less than $50,000. On sales of $50,000 or more and on group
sales, 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.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Statement of operations
Six months ended February 28, 1999 (Unaudited)
<S> <C>
Investment income:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends (net of foreign tax of $59,636) (including dividend income
of $72,845 from investments in affiliated issuers) (Note 5) $13,753,041
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest 5,185,346
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total investment income 18,938,387
Expenses:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compensation of Manager (Note 2) 12,005,727
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investor servicing and custodian fees (Note 2) 2,095,610
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compensation of Trustees (Note 2) 33,722
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Administrative services (Note 2) 17,219
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution fees -- Class A (Note 2) 3,343,836
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution fees -- Class B (Note 2) 8,702,265
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution fees -- Class M (Note 2) 285,939
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reports to shareholders 121,097
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Registration fees 3,394
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Auditing 42,008
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Legal 10,242
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Postage 300,611
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 618,090
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total expenses 27,579,760
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expense reduction (Note 2) (223,301)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net expenses 27,356,459
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment loss (8,418,072)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized loss on investments (Notes 1, 3 and 5) (including
realized loss of $323,365 on sales of investments in affiliated users) (252,838,927)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net unrealized appreciation of assets and liabilities in
foreign currencies during the period 118,429
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net unrealized appreciation of investments during the period 1,154,660,888
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net gain on investments 901,940,390
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations $893,522,318
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Statement of changes in net assets
Six months ended Year ended
February 28 August 31
1999* 1998
<S> <C> <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase in net assets
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations:
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment loss $ (8,418,072) $ (8,016,719)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized gain (loss) on investments (252,838,927) 425,904,020
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
and assets and liabilities in foreign currencies 1,154,779,317 (400,458,158)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations 893,522,318 17,429,143
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions to shareholders:
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From net investment income
Class A -- (749,082)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From net realized gain on investments
Class A (210,694,740) (200,473,089)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B (143,897,993) (76,861,512)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class M (6,145,454) (3,230,099)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase from capital share transactions (Note 4) 995,054,805 1,576,643,486
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total increase in net assets 1,527,838,936 1,312,758,847
Net assets
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beginning of period 3,585,548,635 2,272,789,788
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of period (including accumulated net
investment loss and undistributed net investment
income of $8,418,072 and $--, respectively) $5,113,387,571 $3,585,548,635
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Unaudited
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Financial highlights
(For a share outstanding throughout the period)
CLASS A
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Six months
ended
Per-share February 28
operating performance (Unaudited) Year ended August 31
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value,
beginning of period $53.50 $55.82 $43.67 $36.21 $29.77 $24.40
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment operations
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income (loss) (.02)(c) (.01)(c) .13(c) .19 .23 .30
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized
gain on investments 13.18 4.13 13.71 8.46 6.99 5.36
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from
investment operations 13.16 4.12 13.84 8.65 7.22 5.66
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less distributions:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From net
investment income -- (.02) (.09) (.27) (.26) (.24)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From net realized gain
on investments (5.01) (6.42) (1.60) (.92) (.52) (.05)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions (5.01) (6.44) (1.69) (1.19) (.78) (.29)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value,
end of period $61.65 $53.50 $55.82 $43.67 $36.21 $29.77
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios and supplemental data
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return at
net asset value (%)(a) 24.83* 7.48 32.46 24.12 24.81 23.38
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period
(in thousands) $2,941,425 $2,236,469 $1,681,187 $1,166,794 $929,484 $789,598
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of expenses to
average net assets (%) (b) .46* 1.00 1.08 1.10 1.12 1.12
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of net investment
income (loss) to
average net assets (%) (.04)* (.02) .26 .43 .70 .96
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover (%) 30.59* 40.45 44.54 10.55 19.51 23.18
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ Commencement of operations.
* Not annualized.
(a) Total return assumes dividend reinvestment and does not reflect the effect of sales charges.
(b) The ratio of expenses to average net assets for the period ended August 31, 1996
and thereafter, include amounts paid through expense offset arrangements and
brokerage service arrangements. Prior period ratios exclude these amounts. (Note 2)
(c) Per share net investment income (loss) has been determined on the basis of weighted average number
of shares outstanding during the period.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Financial highlights
(For a share outstanding throughout the period)
CLASS B
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Six months
ended
Per-share February 28
operating performance (Unaudited) Year ended August 31
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value,
beginning of period $51.74 $54.54 $42.94 $35.72 $29.47 $24.28
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment operations
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income (loss) (.24)(c) (.44)(c) (.24)(c) (.13)(c) .11 .10
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized
gain on investments 12.74 4.06 13.44 8.35 6.78 5.33
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from
investment operations 12.50 3.62 13.20 8.22 6.89 5.43
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less distributions:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From net
investment income -- -- -- (.08) (.12) (.19)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From net realized gain
on investments (5.01) (6.42) (1.60) (.92) (.52) (.05)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions (5.01) (6.42) (1.60) (1.00) (.64) (.24)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value,
end of period $59.23 $51.74 $54.54 $42.94 $35.72 $29.47
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios and supplemental data
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return at
net asset value (%)(a) 24.38* 6.67 31.46 23.19 23.83 22.49
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period
(in thousands) $2,081,262 $1,292,418 $567,928 $273,243 $113,329 $55,424
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of expenses to
average net assets (%) (b) .84* 1.75 1.83 1.85 1.88 1.87
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of net investment
income (loss) to
average net assets (%) (.41)* (.76) (.49) (.31) (.05) .24
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover (%) 30.59* 40.45 44.54 10.55 19.51 23.18
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ Commencement of operations.
* Not annualized.
(a) Total return assumes dividend reinvestment and does not reflect the effect of sales charges.
(b) The ratio of expenses to average net assets for the period ended August 31, 1996
and thereafter, include amounts paid through expense offset arrangements and
brokerage service arrangements. Prior period ratios exclude these amounts. (Note 2)
(c) Per share net investment income (loss) has been determined on the basis of weighted average number
of shares outstanding during the period.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Financial highlights
(For a share outstanding throughout the period)
CLASS M
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Six months
ended For the period
Per-share February 28 July 3, 1995+
operating performance (Unaudited) Year ended August 31 August 31
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value,
beginning of period $52.87 $55.47 $43.54 $36.17 $33.96
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment operations
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income (loss) (.17)(c) (.31)(c) (.12)(c) (.02)(c) (.02)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized
gain on investments 13.03 4.13 13.65 8.46 2.23
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from
investment operations 12.86 3.82 13.53 8.44 2.21
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less distributions:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From net
investment income -- -- -- (.15) --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From net realized gain
on investments (5.01) (6.42) (1.60) (.92) --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions (5.01) (6.42) (1.60) (1.07) --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value,
end of period $60.72 $52.87 $55.47 $43.54 $36.17
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios and supplemental data
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return at
net asset value (%)(a) 24.54* 6.94 31.79 23.51 6.51*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period
(in thousands) $90,701 $56,662 $23,675 $9,732 $321
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of expenses to
average net assets (%) (b) .71* 1.50 1.58 1.61 .30*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of net investment
income (loss) to
average net assets (%) (.28)* (.51) (.24) (.05) (.02)*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover (%) 30.59* 40.45 44.54 10.55 19.51
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ Commencement of operations.
* Not annualized.
(a) Total return assumes dividend reinvestment and does not reflect the effect of sales charges.
(b) The ratio of expenses to average net assets for the period ended August 31, 1996
and thereafter, include amounts paid through expense offset arrangements and
brokerage service arrangements. Prior period ratios exclude these amounts. (Note 2)
(c) Per share net investment income (loss) has been determined on the basis of weighted average number
of shares outstanding during the period.
</TABLE>
Notes to financial statements
February 28, 1999 (Unaudited)
Note 1
Significant accounting policies
Putnam Health Sciences Trust ("the fund") is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a non-diversified, open-end
management investment company. The investment objective of the fund is to
seek capital appreciation by investing primarily in the common stocks of
companies in the health sciences industries.
The fund offers class A, class B and class M shares. Class A shares are
sold with a maximum front-end sales charge of 5.75%. Class B shares, which
convert to class A shares after approximately eight years, do not pay a
front-end sales charge, but pay a higher ongoing distribution fee than
class A shares, and are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge, if
those shares are redeemed within six years of purchase. Class M shares are
sold with a maximum front-end sales charge of 3.50% and pay an ongoing
distribution fee that is lower than class B shares and higher than class A
shares.
Expenses of the fund are borne pro-rata by the holders of each class of
shares, except that each class bears expenses unique to that class
(including the distribution fees applicable to such class). 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. Shares of each class would receive their pro-rata share of the
net assets of the fund, if the fund were liquidated. In addition, the
Trustees declare separate dividends on each class of shares.
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 generally
accepted accounting principles and requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
A) Security valuation Investments for which market quotations are readily
available are stated at market value, which is determined using the last
reported sale price, or if no sales are reported -- as in the case of some
securities traded over-the-counter -- the last reported bid price.
Short-term investments having remaining maturities of 60 days or less are
stated at amortized cost, which approximates market value, and other
investments are stated at fair value following procedures approved by the
Trustees. Foreign securities quoted in foreign currencies are translated
into U.S. dollars at the current exchange rate.
B) Joint trading account Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the
Securities and Exchange Commission, 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 Investment Management, Inc. ("Putnam Management"), the fund's
Manager, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Putnam Investments, Inc. These
balances may be invested in one or more repurchase agreements and/or
short-term money market instruments.
C) Repurchase agreements The fund, or any joint trading account, through
its custodian, receives delivery of the underlying securities, the market
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.
D) Security transactions and related investment income Security
transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or
sell is executed). Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis.
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except that certain
dividends from foreign securities are recorded as soon as the fund is
informed of the ex-dividend date.
E) Line of credit The fund has entered into a committed line of credit
with certain banks. This line of credit agreement includes restrictions
that the fund maintain an asset coverage ratio of at least 300% and
borrowings must not exceed prospectus limitations. For the year ended
February 28, 1999, the fund had no borrowings against the line of credit.
F) Federal taxes It is the policy of the fund to distribute all of its
taxable income within the prescribed time and otherwise comply with the
provisions of the Internal Revenue 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
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Therefore, 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.
G) Distributions to shareholders Distributions to shareholders from net
investment income are recorded by the fund on the ex-dividend date.
Capital gain distributions, 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.
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.
Note 2
Management fee, administrative
services and other transactions
Compensation of Putnam Management, for management and investment advisory
services is paid quarterly based on the average net assets of the fund.
Such fee is based on the following annual rates: 0.70% of the first $500
million of average net assets, 0.60% of the next $500 million, 0.55% of
the next $500 million, 0.50% of the next $5 billion, 0.475% of the next $5
billion, 0.455% of the next $5 billion, 0.44% of the next $5 billion and
0.43% thereafter.
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 Putnam Fiduciary
Trust Company (PFTC), a subsidiary of Putnam Investments, Inc. Investor
servicing agent functions are provided by Putnam Investor Services, a
division of PFTC.
For the six months ended February 28, 1999, fund expenses were reduced by
$223,301 under expense offset arrangements with PFTC and brokerage service
arrangements. Investor servicing and custodian fees reported in the
Statement of operations exclude these credits. The fund could have
invested a portion of the assets utilized in connection with the expense
offset arrangements in an income producing asset if it had not entered
into such arrangements.
Each Trustee of the fund receives an annual Trustee fee, of which $3,690
has been allocated to the fund, and an additional fee for each Trustee's
meeting attended. Trustees who are not interested persons of Putnam
Management and who serve on committees of the Trustees receive additional
fees for attendance at certain committee meetings.
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
in the fund and are 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
Trustee for at least five years. Benefits under the Pension Plan are equal to
50% of the Trustee's average total retainer and meeting fees for the three
years preceding retirement. Pension expense for the fund is included in
Compensation of Trustees in the Statement of operations. Accrued pension
liability is included in Payable for compensation of Trustees in the Statement
of assets and liabilities.
The fund has adopted distribution plans (the "Plans") with respect to its
class A, class B and class M shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940. The purpose of the Plans is to compensate
Putnam Mutual Funds Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Putnam Investments
Inc., for services provided and expenses incurred by it in distributing
shares of the fund. The Plans provide for payments by the fund to Putnam
Mutual Funds Corp. at an annual rate up to 0.35%, 1.00% and 1.00% of the
average net assets attributable to class A, class B and class M shares,
respectively. The Trustees have approved payment by the fund to an annual
rate of 0.25%, 1.00% and 0.75% of the average net assets attributable to
class A, class B and class M shares respectively.
For the six months ended February 28, 1999, Putnam Mutual Funds Corp.,
acting as underwriter received net commissions of $1,800,952 and $86,995
from the sale of class A and class M shares, respectively and $1,485,365
in contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of class B shares. A
deferred sales charge of up to 1% is assessed on certain redemptions of
class A shares. For the six months ended February 28, 1999, Putnam Mutual
Funds Corp., acting as underwriter received $19,283 on class A
redemptions.
Note 3
Purchase and sales of securities
During the six months ended February 28, 1999, purchases and sales of
investment securities other than short-term investments aggregated
$1,907,036,463 and $1,328,175,280, respectively. There were no purchases
and sales of U.S. government obligations. In determining the net gain or
loss on securities sold, the cost of securities has been determined on the
identified cost basis.
Note 4
Capital shares
At February 28, 1999, there was an unlimited number of shares of
beneficial interest authorized. Transactions in capital shares were as
follows:
Six months ended
February 28, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Shares Amount
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares sold 8,630,147 $ 529,362,908
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares issued in
connection with
reinvestment of
distributions 2,939,803 176,976,129
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
11,569,950 706,339,037
Shares
repurchased (5,665,301) (337,833,204)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase 5,904,649 $ 368,505,833
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended
August 31, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Shares Amount
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares sold 15,247,680 $ 918,890,572
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares issued in
connection with
reinvestment of
distributions 2,947,902 156,533,485
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
18,195,582 1,075,424,057
Shares
repurchased (6,506,650) (389,241,553)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase 11,688,932 $ 686,182,504
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Six months ended
February 28, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B Shares Amount
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares sold 11,375,269 $ 673,625,256
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares issued in
connection with
reinvestment of
distributions 2,008,956 116,379,111
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
13,384,225 790,004,367
Shares
repurchased (3,221,969) (188,996,396)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase 10,162,256 $ 601,007,971
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended
August 31, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B Shares Amount
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares sold 16,902,149 $ 997,063,120
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares issued in
connection with
reinvestment of
distributions 1,208,801 62,422,542
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
18,110,950 1,059,485,662
Shares
repurchased (3,545,706) (207,355,651)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase 14,565,244 $ 852,130,011
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Six months ended
February 28, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class M Shares Amount
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares sold 513,923 $ 31,181,180
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares issued in
connection with
reinvestment of
distributions 91,148 5,409,641
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
605,071 36,590,821
Shares
repurchased (182,901) (11,049,820)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase 422,170 $ 25,541,001
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended
August 31, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class M Shares Amount
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares sold 861,855 $ 51,630,828
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares issued in
connection with
reinvestment of
distributions 54,171 2,853,160
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
916,026 54,483,988
Shares
repurchased (271,117) (16,153,017)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase 644,909 $ 38,330,971
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Note 5
Transactions with Affiliated Issuers
Transactions during the year with companies in which the fund owns at
least 5% of the voting securities were as follows:
Purchase Sales Dividend Market
Affiliates cost cost Income Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alpharma Inc. Class A $ 9,239,675 $ 1,133,749 $72,845 $ 35,022,369
Centennial HealthCare Corp. -- 11,586,582 -- --
Compdent Corp. -- 8,687,925 -- --
CN Biosciences Inc. 402,500 5,836,880 -- --
Cytyc Corp. 6,869,082 4,606,187 -- 12,979,313
Imnet, Systems Inc. 373,685 12,467,674 -- --
Inhale Therapeutic
Systems Inc. 7,734,718 -- -- 23,234,750
Molecular Devices Corp. 917,538 -- -- 16,107,188
Perclose Inc. 2,718,853 -- -- 34,541,488
Sabratek Corp. -- -- -- 10,492,613
Trimeris Inc. 2,643,405 -- -- 10,281,521
Wesley Jessen Visioncare 8,454,520 1,686,900 -- 25,593,620
Xomed Surgical
Products Inc. -- 1,232,825 -- 16,394,940
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals $39,353,976 $47,238,722 $72,845 $184,647,802
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
PUTNAM GROWTH FUNDS
Asia Pacific Growth Fund
Capital Appreciation Fund [DBL. DAGGER]
Capital Opportunities Fund
Diversified Equity Trust
Europe Growth Fund
Global Growth Fund
Global Natural Resources Fund
Growth Opportunities Fund
Health Sciences Trust
International Growth Fund
International New Opportunities Fund
Investors Fund
New Opportunities Fund [DBL. DAGGER]
OTC & Emerging Growth Fund
Research Fund
Vista Fund
Voyager Fund
Voyager Fund II
PUTNAM GROWTH
AND INCOME FUNDS
Balanced Retirement Fund
Convertible Income-Growth Trust
Equity Income Fund
The George Putnam Fund of Boston
Global Growth and Income Fund
The Putnam Fund for Growth and Income
Growth and Income Fund II
International Growth and Income Fund
New Value Fund
Utilities Growth and Income Fund
PUTNAM INCOME FUNDS
American Government Income Fund
Diversified Income Trust
Global Governmental Income Trust
High Quality Bond Fund +
High Yield Advantage Fund [DBL. DAGGER]
High Yield Total Return Fund
High Yield Trust [DBL. DAGGER]
High Yield Trust II
Income Fund
Intermediate U.S. Government
Income Fund
Money Market Fund **
Preferred Income Fund
Strategic Income Fund *
U.S. Government Income Trust
PUTNAM TAX-FREE
INCOME FUNDS
Municipal Income Fund
Tax Exempt Income Fund
Tax Exempt Money Market Fund**
Tax-Free High Yield Fund
Tax-Free Insured Fund
State tax-free income funds [SECTION MARK]
Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey,
New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania
State tax-free money market funds [SECTION MARK]
California, New York
LIFESTAGE SM FUNDS
Putnam Asset Allocation Funds-three investment portfolios that spread your
money across a variety of stocks, bonds, and money market investments.
The three portfolios:
Asset Allocation: Balanced Portfolio
Asset Allocation: Conservative Portfolio
Asset Allocation: Growth Portfolio
* Formerly Putnam Diversified Income Trust II
+ Formerly Putnam Federal Income Trust
[DBL. DAGGER] Closed to new investors. Some exceptions may apply.
Contact Putnam for details.
[SECTION MARK] Not available in all states.
**An investment in a money market fund is neither insured nor guaranteed by
the U.S. government. These funds are managed to maintain a price of $1.00
per share, although there is no assurance that this price will be
maintained in the future.
Please call your financial advisor or Putnam at 1-800-225-1581 to obtain a
prospectus for any Putnam fund. It contains more complete information,
including charges and expenses. Please read it carefully before you invest
or send money.
Fund information
INVESTMENT MANAGER
Putnam Investment
Management, Inc.
One Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02109
MARKETING SERVICES
Putnam Mutual Funds Corp.
One Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02109
CUSTODIAN
Putnam Fiduciary Trust Company
LEGAL COUNSEL
Ropes & Gray
TRUSTEES
George Putnam, Chairman
William F. Pounds, Vice Chairman
John A. Hill, Vice Chairman
Jameson Adkins Baxter
Hans H. Estin
Ronald J. Jackson
Paul L. Joskow
Elizabeth T. Kennan
Lawrence J. Lasser
John H. Mullin III
Robert E. Patterson
Donald S. Perkins
George Putnam, III
A.J.C. Smith
W. Thomas Stephens
W. Nicholas Thorndike
OFFICERS
George Putnam
President
Charles E. Porter
Executive Vice President
Patricia C. Flaherty
Senior Vice President
John D. Hughes
Senior Vice President and Treasurer
Lawrence J. Lasser
Vice President
Gordon H. Silver
Vice President
Ian C. Ferguson
Vice President
Brett C. Browchuk
Vice President
John J. Morgan, Jr.
Vice President
C. Beth Cotner
Vice President
Richard B. England
Vice President and Fund Manager
David G. Carlson
Vice President and Fund Manager
Margery C. Parker
Vice President and Fund Manager
Richard A. Monaghan
Vice President
John R. Verani
Vice President
Beverly Marcus
Clerk and Assistant Treasurer
This report is for the information of shareholders of Putnam Health
Sciences Trust. It may also be used as sales literature when preceded or
accompanied by the current prospectus, which gives details of sales
charges, investment objectives, and operating policies of the fund, and
the most recent copy of Putnam's Quarterly Performance Summary. For more
information or to request a prospectus, call toll free: 1-800-225-1581.
You can also learn more at Putnam Investments' website:
http://www.putnaminv.com.
Shares of mutual funds are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed
or endorsed by, any financial institution; are not insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Federal Reserve Board, or any
other agency; and involve risk, including the possible loss of the
principal amount invested.
[LOGO OMITTED]
PUTNAM INVESTMENTS
The Putnam Funds
One Post Office Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
www.putnaminv.com
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BULK RATE
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PUTNAM
INVESTMENTS
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SA008 51087 021/335/2AB 4/99
