Putnam
Michigan
Tax Exempt
Income Fund
ANNUAL REPORT ON PERFORMANCE AND OUTLOOK
5-31-00
[SCALE LOGO OMITTED]
From the Trustees
[GRAPHIC OMITTED: PHOTO OF JOHN A. HILL AND GEORGE PUTNAM, III]
Dear Shareholder:
It is a pleasure to greet you in our new roles as Chairman of the
Trustees and President of the Funds. As you know, both of us have been
members of the Board of Trustees for a number of years -- years in which
Putnam has experienced tremendous growth and transformed itself from a
respected U.S. investment management firm to a financial institution
with a global presence.
As the organization makes its way into the new century, we are certain
that the changes that lie ahead will be even more breathtaking in their
scope. What will not change is the Trustees' dedication to serving the
best interests of our shareholders.
We embark upon this new era of Putnam's rich heritage with confidence
and we look forward to the opportunity of continuing to help you meet
your financial objectives for many years to come.
Respectfully yours,
/S/ JOHN A. HILL /S/ GEORGE PUTNAM, III
John A. Hill George Putnam, III
Chairman of the Trustees President of the Funds
July 19, 2000
REPORT FROM THE FUND MANAGER
Susan A. McCormack
During Putnam Michigan Tax Exempt Income Fund's fiscal year, which ended
May 31, 2000, the Federal Reserve Board raised interest rates six times.
The most recent increase was in May and pushed short-term rates up by
half a percentage point -- the first time in more than five years that
the central bank raised rates by that much. Although the higher yields
these rate hikes produce benefit investors seeking income, rising rates
push bond prices down, a fixed-income fact of life that is reflected in
your fund's total return.
Total return for 12 months ended 5/31/00
Class A Class B Class M
NAV POP NAV CDSC NAV POP
-----------------------------------------------------------
-3.30% -7.94% -3.95% -8.53% -3.60% -6.77%
-----------------------------------------------------------
Past performance is no indication of future results. Performance
information for longer periods begins on page 7.
* EARLY JUNE STATISTICS INDICATE SLOWING ECONOMY
As prices fell during the year, we began to extend the fund's duration
selectively. Duration is a measure of the price sensitivity of a bond
fund to changes in interest rates. On average, a portfolio of securities
scheduled to mature in a relatively long period is likely to be more
volatile in price than a fund with a shorter duration. In addition, we
emphasized higher yields in an effort to lock in as high a stream of
sustainable income as possible. As of the end of fiscal 2000, the
average duration of the securities in the portfolio was 8.1 years versus
7.3 years at the beginning of the period. Although total return for the
year was negative, since it reflects price changes as well as dividends,
the average yield of the portfolio holdings was 5.94% as of May 31,
2000, compared with 5.17% at the beginning of the fiscal year. (The
fund's 30-day SEC yield will differ. Yields and dividend rates as of the
last day of the fiscal year can be found on page 8.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED: horizontal bar chart TOP INDUSTRY SECTORS]
TOP INDUSTRY SECTORS*
Health care 21.7%
Water and sewer 11.3%
Transportation 7.7%
Education 6.9%
Waste management 6.0%
Footnote reads:
*Based on net assets as of 5/31/00. Holdings will vary over time.
Although the decline in principal value that accompanies increasing
interest rates is never easy for bond investors to accept, it is
important to keep in mind that the Fed's objective -- to contain
inflation -- is ultimately positive for the financial markets. Recent
financial news stories highlighted statistics that show the economy is
slowing, leading many observers to hope that the Fed will end its
year-long cycle of rate increases. However, early reactions by Fed
members indicate that they want more evidence. For example, in a June 8
interview with Reuters, Dallas Federal Reserve Bank President Robert
McTeer described the economy as "still strong" and said that the news of
increasing jobless claims and of slowing wage increases was only signs
that the economy was "letting a little steam out."
* WIDER YIELD SPREADS MAKE HIGH-YIELD BONDS MORE ATTRACTIVE
During much of the past year, liquidity has been tight in the bond
market. Strong, positive momentum among high- technology stocks
deflected interest from more conservative investments. During the latter
half of the fund's fiscal year, as the stock market's euphoria received
some unpleasant interruptions, many investors took profits, resulting in
taxable capital gains. To reduce the resulting tax consequences, some
investors elected to realize losses on their bond portfolios to offset
gains.
With more money flowing out of the bond market than into it, the
difference in yields between lower and higher rated bonds intensified.
For example, a year ago, BBB/Baa-rated bonds yielded about 40 basis
points more than comparable AAA/Aaa-rated bonds, but recently that
difference widened to about 75 basis points. In our view, this
remarkable yield difference compensates investors for the higher risk
inherent in lower rated bonds.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED: pie chart CREDIT QUALITY OVERVIEW]
CREDIT QUALITY OVERVIEW*
Aaa/AAA -- 60.6%
Aa/AA -- 3.2%
A -- 7.0%
Baa/BBB -- 16.9%
Ba/BBB -- 7.1%
B -- 3.3%
VMIG1 -- 1.9%
Footnote reads:
*As a percentage of market value as of 5/31/00. A bond rated BBB/Baa
or higher is considered investment grade. Percentages may include
unrated bonds considered by Putnam Management to be of comparable
quality. Ratings will vary over time.
Early signs indicate that liquidity may be returning to the bond market,
which may also bring yield spreads back closer to historic norms.
Although there can be no assurances, as the fiscal year drew to a close
in May, investor interest in municipal bonds seemed to be on an upswing
as a result of the attractive tax-free yields currently available.
* FUND STRATEGIES DESIGNED TO SECURE TAX BENEFITS, INCOME
One of our goals in the past year, as rising interest rates caused bond
prices to decline, has been to create tax swaps. We have been realizing
capital losses by selling some securities purchased in previous years
when interest rates were lower. Then we have invested the proceeds in
higher yielding issues with comparable characteristics. The losses the
fund realizes on the sale of old securities will be available to offset
any future capital gains the fund may realize, which would otherwise be
taxable to shareholders. (Only the net investment income your fund earns
is tax exempt.)
Fiscal policy? Monetary policy?
Fiscal policy refers to the federal government's use of spending and
taxation to control the economy. If the government raises taxes, people
will have less money to spend, therefore reducing demand. If the government
lowers taxes, people will be more inclined to spend money. The government
can also spend money to
influence demand.
Monetary policy attempts to influence the economy by controlling the
money supply. Monetary policy is normally carried out by a central bank.
The U.S. central bank is the Federal Reserve. Monetary policy can
influence the economy by altering interest rates. By reducing the supply
of money, monetary policy can raise interest rates and discourage
lending. Decreased lending results in less investment and less
production.
Right now, the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors is implementing
tighter monetary policy and bond funds, including municipal bonds, are
not performing well. This is because of the inverse relationship of
interest rates and bond prices. Treasury bonds take the brunt of the
impact when interest rates rise, while municipal bonds (attracting only
domestic investors) are somewhat insulated, but by no means exempt.
Rising interest rates also affects the supply of municipal bonds because
cities and towns do not want to float new bonds or refund outstanding
bonds when interest rates are rising.
(First two paragraphs adapted from "The Importance of Independence" by
David W. Gallivan, www.GetExuberant.com.)
One example was a recent sale of Big Rapids School District insured
bonds, with a 4 3/4 coupon maturing in 2025. Based at the price of the
bonds when we bought them several years ago, their yield to the fund was
approximately 5.06%. We sold them at a loss and bought Wayne Charter
Airport insured bonds with a coupon of 4 7/8s maturing in 2023. The
yield to the fund of the new issue was 6.45%. Both these issues had
similar features -- comparable maturity dates and coupons, and both were
insured -- but the transaction allowed the fund to realize a loss and
book a higher yield.
* INVESTING FOR HIGH YIELD DEMANDS RESEARCH, ONGOING VIGILANCE
Michigan's fiscal strength is reflected in the fact that well over half
of your fund's investments are rated AAA/Aaa. The state's economy is
strong and diversified, and it enjoys sizable budget surpluses.
However, we are committed to seeking the highest returns available for
this fund's shareholders, and we believe the best opportunities at this
time come from carefully selected, lower-rated bonds.
"With the stock-market volatility and higher interest rates . . . bond
funds are beginning to look more attractive to some investors."
-- The Orange County Register, "Your Money," May 6, 2000
Since the fund has the flexibility to invest in tax-exempt securities
issued by Puerto Rico and other U.S. protectorates, we recently added a
new holding backed by the Puerto Rico Industrial, Tourist, Educational,
Medical and Environmental Control Facilities Authority. We purchased the
bonds when they were issued in May to finance a new coal-fired electric
power plant. The new plant will provide badly needed power to the island
and decrease its dependence on oil-powered energy. The bonds are rated
Baa2 by Moody's and have a 6 5/8s coupon maturing in 2026. We bought
them at a yield of 6.65%, which is especially attractive in
tax-equivalent terms.
The health-care sector is still your fund's largest area of
concentration. The Balanced Budget Act of 1996 had a negative impact on
hospitals nationwide because it changed medical reimbursement schedules.
Although some hospitals became insolvent, the stronger institutions
survived. However, many health-care issues still carry lower credit
ratings and are available at attractive prices. In addition to the
scrutiny that goes into each purchase decision, we receive quarterly or
monthly financial reports and maintain direct contact with the
management of each facility so we are alert to developments that may
affect its financial health.
* ECONOMIC, MARKET, AND SUPPLY/DEMAND TRENDS SEEM FAVORABLE
The Federal Reserve Board sets policy based on statistical evidence of
current economic trends. The bond and stock markets, on the other hand,
move up or down based on investors' hopes or fears of what might happen,
which are often exaggerated. We believe the current yield spreads
between lower- and higher-rated bonds suggest that the market may have
more than discounted future tightening by the Fed and all but the most
severe economic scenarios. Although we expect the markets to remain
unstable over the near term and more rate hikes are possible, we believe
price performance will improve for the bond market as a whole as the
fund's new fiscal year unfolds.
Meanwhile, with large state and local budget surpluses and in today's
higher interest-rate environment, supply in the municipal market is
likely to continue to be tight. In a slower economic environment,
investors may take renewed interest in the fixed-income markets in
general and in tax-free bonds in particular because of their extremely
attractive yields. This situation would tend to bring renewed demand and
potential price recovery to municipal bond fund shareholders.
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 5/31/00, there is no guarantee the fund will
continue to hold these securities in the future.
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
This section provides information about your fund's performance, which
should always be considered in light of its investment strategy. Putnam
Michigan Tax Exempt Income Fund is designed for investors seeking a high
level of current income free from federal and Michigan state income tax
consistent with preservation of capital.
TOTAL RETURN FOR PERIODS ENDED 5/31/00
Class A Class B Class M
(inception dates) (10/23/89) (7/15/93) (4/17/95)
NAV POP NAV CDSC NAV POP
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
1 year -3.30% -7.94% -3.95% -8.53% -3.60% -6.77%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
5 years 21.30 15.53 17.26 15.40 19.48 15.62
Annual average 3.94 2.93 3.24 2.91 3.62 2.94
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
10 years 78.15 69.67 65.80 65.80 71.78 66.18
Annual average 5.94 5.43 5.19 5.19 5.56 5.21
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Life of fund 83.79 75.12 70.14 70.14 76.60 70.91
Annual average 5.91 5.43 5.14 5.14 5.51 5.19
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COMPARATIVE INDEX RETURNS FOR PERIODS ENDED 5/31/00
Lehman Bros. Municipal Consumer
Bond Index price index
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
1 year -0.86% 3.07%
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5 years 28.55 12.55
Annual average 5.15 2.39
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10 years 94.58 32.59
Annual average 6.88 2.86
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Life of fund 103.39 36.39
Annual average 6.94 2.98
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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 4.75% and
3.25%, 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.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED: worm chart GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT]
GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
Cumulative total return of a $10,000 investment since 5/31/90
Lehman Brothers
Fund's class A Municipal Bond Consumer price
Date shares at POP Index index
5/31/90 9,525 10,000 10,000
5/31/91 10,300 11,008 10,495
5/31/92 11,355 12,089 10,813
5/31/93 12,761 13,535 11,161
5/31/94 13,019 13,869 11,416
5/31/95 13,988 15,137 11,780
5/31/96 14,514 15,828 12,121
5/31/97 15,771 17,141 12,392
5/31/98 17,074 18,750 12,601
5/31/99 17,547 19,627 12,864
5/31/00 $16,967 $19,458 $13,259
Footnote reads:
Past performance is no assurance of future results. At the end of the
same time period, a $10,000 investment in the fund's class B shares
would have been valued at $16,580 and no contingent deferred sales
charges would apply; a $10,000 investment in the fund's class M shares
would have been valued at $17,178 ($16,618 at public offering price).
PRICE AND DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION 12 MONTHS ENDED 5/31/00
Class A Class B Class M
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Distributions (number) 12 12 12
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Income $0.458189 $0.401326 $0.431936
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Capital gains1 -- -- --
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $0.458189 $0.401326 $0.431936
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Share value: NAV POP NAV NAV POP
--------------------------------------------------------------------
5/31/99 $9.14 $9.60 $9.12 $9.13 $9.44
--------------------------------------------------------------------
5/31/00 8.38 8.80 8.36 8.37 8.65
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Current return (end of period)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Current dividend rate2 5.53% 5.27% 4.88% 5.23% 5.06%
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Taxable equivalent3 9.58 9.13 8.45 9.06 8.76
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Current 30-day SEC
yield4 5.13 4.88 4.48 4.83 4.67
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Taxable equivalent3 8.88 8.45 7.76 8.37 8.09
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Capital gains, if any, are taxable for federal and, in most cases,
state tax purposes. For some investors, investment income may also be
subject to the federal alternative minimum tax. Investment income may be
subject to state and local taxes.
2 Income portion of most recent distribution, annualized and divided by
NAV or POP at end of period.
3 Assumes maximum 42.26% combined federal and state tax rate. Results
for investors subject to lower tax rates would not be as advantageous.
4 Based only on investment income, calculated using SEC guidelines.
TOTAL RETURN FOR PERIODS ENDED 6/30/00 (most recent calendar quarter)
Class A Class B Class M
(inception dates) (10/23/89) (7/15/93) (4/17/95)
NAV POP NAV CDSC NAV POP
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
1 year -0.11% -4.88% -0.61% -5.37% -0.27% -3.50%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
5 years 25.14 19.22 21.32 19.39 23.42 19.38
Annual average 4.59 3.58 3.94 3.61 4.30 3.61
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
10 years 80.04 71.50 67.78 67.78 73.80 68.15
Annual average 6.06 5.54 5.31 5.31 5.68 5.33
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Life of fund 87.30 78.47 73.60 73.60 80.19 74.38
Annual average 6.05 5.57 5.30 5.30 5.66 5.34
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 4.75% maximum sales charge for class A
shares and 3.25% 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
Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged list of
approximately 20,000 investment-grade, fixed-rate tax-exempt bonds
representative of the municipal bond market. The index does not take
into account brokerage commissions or other costs, may include bonds
different from those in the fund, and may pose different risks than the
fund. 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.
A GUIDE TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
These sections of the report, preceded by the Report of independent
accountants, 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 noninvestment 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 net assets
allocated to remarketed preferred shares.)
Statement of operations shows the fund's net investment gain or loss
for the reporting period. This is determined by adding up all the fund's
earnings -- from dividends and interest income -- and subtracting its
operating expenses. This statement also lists any net gain or loss the
fund realized on the sales of its holdings and -- for holdings that
remain in the portfolio -- any change in unrealized gains or losses over
the period.
Statement of changes in net assets shows how the fund's net assets were
affected 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.
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 highlight
table also includes the current reporting period. For open-end funds, a
separate table is provided for each share class.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2000
To the Trustees and Shareholders of
Putnam Michigan Tax Exempt Income Fund
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities,
including the fund's portfolio (except for bond ratings) and the related
statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial
highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of Putnam Michigan Tax Exempt Income Fund (the "fund") at May
31, 2000, and the results of its operations, the changes in its net
assets and the financial highlights for the periods indicated, in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter
referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the
fund's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of
these financial statements in accordance with auditing standards
generally accepted in the United States, which require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit
includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, and
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that
our audits, which included confirmation of investments owned at May 31,
2000 by correspondence with the custodian, provide a reasonable basis
for the opinion expressed above.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
July 6, 2000
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THE FUND'S PORTFOLIO
May 31, 2000
KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS
AMBAC -- AMBAC Indemnity Corporation
FGIC -- Financial Guaranty Insurance Company
FNMA Coll. -- Federal National Mortgage Association Collateralized
FSA -- Financial Security Assurance
G.O. Bonds -- General Obligation Bonds
IFB -- Inverse Floating Rate Bonds
MBIA -- Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corporation
TAN -- Tax Anticipation Notes
VRDN -- Variable Rate Demand Notes
MUNICIPAL BONDS AND NOTES (98.1%) (a)
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT RATING (RAT) VALUE
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Michigan (85.2%)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 4,000,000 Battle Creek, Downtown Dev.TAN, MBIA,
5s, 5/1/17 AAA $ 3,595,000
5,500,000 Battle Creek, Downtown Dev. Auth. Tax
Increment Rev. Bonds, 7.65s, 5/1/22 BBB+ 6,077,500
2,000,000 Battle Creek, Tax Incremental Fin Auth. Rev.
Bonds, 7.1s, 5/1/10 A- 2,170,000
Detroit, G.O. Bonds
2,475,000 Ser. B, 7s, 4/1/04 A 2,601,844
4,875,000 Ser. A, 6.8s, 4/1/15 Aaa 5,258,906
Detroit, City School Dist. G.O. Bonds
1,500,000 Ser. A, AMBAC, 6 1/2s, 5/1/11 Aaa 1,631,250
2,455,000 Ser. A, AMBAC, 6 1/2s, 5/1/09 Aaa 2,657,538
1,000,000 Ser. B, FGIC, 4 3/4s, 5/1/28 Aaa 806,250
1,120,000 Detroit, Dev. Fin. Auth. Tax Increment Rev. Bonds,
Ser. A, 9 1/2s, 5/1/21 BBB+/P 1,253,000
5,390,000 Detroit, Downtown Dev. Auth. Tax Increment Rev.
Bonds (Dev. Area No. 1), Ser. A, MBIA,
4 3/4s, 7/1/25 AAA 4,365,900
1,500,000 Detroit, Loc. Dev. Fin. Auth. Tax Increment Rev.
Bonds, Ser. A, 5 1/2s, 5/1/21 BB- 1,310,625
Detroit, Wtr. Supply Syst. IFB, FGIC
1,500,000 7.903s, 7/1/22 Aaa 1,535,625
7,000,000 7.903s, 7/1/22, Prerefunded Aaa 7,647,500
3,000,000 Detroit, Wtr. Supply Syst. Rev. Bonds, Ser. A,
MBIA Second Lien, 5 3/4s, 7/1/11 Aaa 3,075,000
3,065,000 Detroit/Wayne Cnty., Stad. Auth. Rev. Bonds,
FGIC, 5 1/4s, 2/1/27 Aaa 2,693,369
4,700,000 Dickinson Cnty., Hosp. Rev. Bonds
(Memorial Hosp. Syst.), 8 1/8s, 11/1/24 Ba1 5,293,375
1,400,000 Ecorse, Pub. School Dist. G.O. Bonds, FGIC,
6 1/2s, 5/1/08 Aaa 1,510,250
Flint, Hosp. Auth. Rev. Bonds (Hurley Med. Ctr.),
Ser. A
1,250,000 5 3/8s, 7/1/28 Baa1 893,750
1,000,000 5 3/8s, 7/1/20 Baa1 748,750
630,000 Flint, Hosp. Auth. Rev. Bonds
(Hurley Med. Ctr.), Ser. A, 6s, 7/1/06 Baa1 604,800
4,235,000 Garden Cty, Hosp. Fin. Auth. Rev. Bonds
(Garden City Hosp.), Ser. A, 5 3/4s, 9/1/17 (SEG) Ba3 3,388,000
1,000,000 Grand Rapids, Hsg. Fin. Auth. Multi-Fam. Rev. Bonds,
Ser. A, FNMA Coll., 7 5/8s, 9/1/23 AAA 1,052,500
5,500,000 Grand Rapids, Sanitation Swr. Syst. Rev. Bonds,
Ser. A, FGIC, 4 3/4s, 1/1/28 Aaa 4,441,250
2,000,000 Greater Detroit, Res. Recvy. Auth. Rev. Bonds,
Ser. A, AMBAC, 6 1/4s, 12/13/06 Aaa 2,087,500
1,500,000 Hartland, Cons. School Dist. G.O. Bonds, FGIC,
6s, 5/1/18 AAA 1,516,875
3,500,000 Kalamazoo, Hosp. Fin. Auth. Fac. IFB, FGIC,
6.008s, 6/1/11 Aaa 3,294,375
800,000 Manistee, Area Pub. Schools G.O. Bonds, FGIC,
5 3/4s, 5/1/19 AAA 786,000
3,840,000 MI Muni. Board Auth. State Revolving Rev. Bonds,
6 1/2s, 10/1/17 Aa1 4,104,000
1,000,000 MI Muni. Bond Auth. Rev. Bonds (Drinking Wtr.
Revolving FD), 5 1/2s, 10/1/18 AA 955,000
3,280,000 MI Pub. Pwr. Agcy. Rev. Bonds (Belle Riv.), Ser. A,
MBIA, 5 1/4s, 1/1/18 Aaa 3,038,100
7,000,000 MI State Bldg. Auth. Rev. Bonds, Ser. I, AMBAC,
6 1/2s, 10/1/07 Aaa 7,498,750
MI State Hosp. Fin. Auth. Rev. Bonds
920,000 (Garden City Hosp.), 8 1/2s, 9/1/17 BB 975,200
460,000 (Garden City Hosp.), 8 1/2s, 9/1/17,
Prerefunded AAA/P 487,600
1,000,000 (Sinai Hosp.), 6 5/8s, 1/1/16 Baa2 898,750
2,000,000 (Presbyterian Villages), 6 1/2s, 1/1/25 BBB/P 1,762,500
2,000,000 (Presbyterian Villages), 6.4s, 1/1/15 BBB/P 1,837,500
3,000,000 (Chelsea Cmnty. Hosp.), 5 3/8s, 5/15/19 BBB 2,276,250
MI State Hsg. Dev. Auth. Rental Hsg. Rev. Bonds
1,600,000 Ser. A, FSA, 7.55s, 4/1/23 Aaa 1,654,080
2,900,000 Ser. B, AMBAC, 6 3/4s, 10/1/12 Aaa 2,823,875
2,500,000 MI State Stragetic Fund Solid Waste Disp. Rev.
Bonds (SD Warren Co.), Ser. C, 7 3/8s, 1/15/22 BB-/P 2,568,750
MI State Strategic Fund Ltd. Oblig. Rev. Bonds
2,735,000 (Arbor Model & Tooling), 10 1/4s, 9/15/19 B/P 2,916,194
3,150,000 (Ford Motor Co.), Ser. A, 7.1s, 2/1/06 A 3,405,938
1,500,000 (Detroit Edison), Ser. BB, AMBAC, 7s, 5/1/21 Aaa 1,693,125
3,000,000 (Worthington Armstrong Venture),
5 3/4s, 10/1/22 A 2,703,750
5,000,000 MI State Strategic Fund Ltd. Rev. Bonds
(Detroit Edison Co.), Ser. A, MBIA, 5.55s, 9/1/29 Aaa 4,518,750
5,000,000 Pontiac Hosp. Fin. Auth. Rev. Bonds, 6s, 8/1/23 Baa3 4,081,250
3,000,000 Waterford, Econ. Dev. Corp. Rev. Bonds
(Canterbury Hlth.), 6s, 1/1/39
(acquired 12/31/98, cost $3,000,000) (RES) B-/P 2,246,250
2,000,000 Wayland, Uni. School Dist. Rev. Bonds, FGIC,
8s, 5/1/10 Aaa 2,392,500
Wayne Charter Cnty., Arpt. Rev. Bonds
(Detroit Met. Wayne Cnty.)
2,000,000 Ser. A, MBIA, 5s, 12/1/28 Aaa 1,652,500
1,250,000 Ser. B, MBIA, 4 7/8s, 12/1/23 AAA 1,035,938
Wayne Charter Cnty., Special Arpt. Fac. Rev. Bonds
(Northwest Airlines Inc.)
1,000,000 6 3/4s, 12/1/15 BB+/P 981,250
1,000,000 6s, 12/1/29 BB+/P 865,000
2,405,000 Wayne Cnty., Bldg. Auth. G.O. Bonds, Ser. A,
MBIA, 6s, 6/1/08 Aaa 2,519,238
1,240,000 Ypsilanti, School Dist. G.O. Bonds, FGIC,
5 3/8s, 5/1/26 Aaa 1,133,050
----------------
135,321,820
Puerto Rico (12.9%)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cmnwlth. of PR, G.O. Bonds, MBIA
2,500,000 5 3/4s, 7/1/26 AAA 2,465,625
1,000,000 5.4s, 7/1/25 AAA 930,000
2,000,000 Cmnwlth. of PR, Pub. Impt. G.O. Bonds,
5 1/2s, 7/1/13 AAA 2,032,500
Cmnwlth. of PR, Hwy. & Trans. Auth. Rev. Bonds
2,835,000 Ser. Z, MBIA, 6 1/4s, 7/1/11 Aaa 3,051,169
2,900,000 VRDN, AMBAC, 3 1/2s, 7/1/28 VMIGI 2,900,000
3,000,000 PR Elec. Pwr. Auth. Rev. Bonds, Ser. X, MBIA,
6s, 7/1/15 Aaa 3,071,250
1,500,000 PR Indl. Tourist Edl. Med. & Env. Control Facs.
Auth. Rev. Bonds (Cogen Facs.--AES
PR Project), 6 5/8s, 6/1/26 Baa2 1,509,375
2,500,000 PR Pub. Bldg. Auth. Rev. Gtd. (Govt. Fac.), Ser. B,
AMBAC, 5s, 7/1/27 AAA 2,175,000
2,100,000 PR Pub. Bldg. Auth. Fac. Rev. Bonds, Ser. A, AMBAC,
6 1/4s, 7/1/14 Aaa 2,260,122
----------------
20,395,041
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Investments (cost $162,184,834) (b) $ 155,716,861
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Percentages indicated are based on net assets of $158,785,268.
(RAT) The Moody's or Standard & Poor's ratings indicated are believed to
be the most recent ratings available at May 31, 2000 for the securities
listed. Ratings are generally ascribed to securities at the time of
issuance. While the agencies may from time to time revise such ratings,
they undertake no obligation to do so, and the ratings do not
necessarily represent what the agencies would ascribe to these
securities at May 31, 2000. Securities rated by Putnam are indicated by
"/P" and are not publicly rated. Ratings are not covered by the Report
of independent accountants.
(b) The aggregate identified cost on a tax basis is $162,184,834,
resulting in gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of
$2,444,397 and $8,912,370, respectively, or net unrealized depreciation
of $6,467,973.
(RES) Restricted, excluding 144A securities, as to public resale. The
total market value of restricted securities held at May 31, 2000 was
$2,246,250 or 1.4% of net assets.
(SEG) A portion of this security was pledged and segregated with the
custodian to cover margin requirements for futures contracts at May 31,
2000.
The rates shown on IFB, which are securities paying interest rates
that vary inversely to changes in the market interest rates, and VRDN's
are the current interest rates at May 31, 2000.
The fund had the following industry group concentration greater
than 10% at May 31, 2000 (as a percentage of net assets):
Health care 21.7%
Water and sewer 11.3
The fund had the following insurance concentrations greater than
10% at May 31, 2000 (as a percentage of net assets):
MBIA 21.0%
FGIC 17.5
AMBAC 16.2
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Futures Contracts Outstanding at May 31, 2000
Aggregate Face Expiration Unrealized
Total Value Value Date Depreciation
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Muni Bond Index
Future (Long) $2,154,093 $2,166,603 Jun-00 $(12,510)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
May 31, 2000
<S> <C>
Assets
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investments in securities, at value
(identified cost $162,184,834) (Note 1) $155,716,861
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash 1,002,738
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest and other receivables 2,341,217
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Receivable for shares of the fund sold 147,437
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Receivable for securities sold 2,108,860
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Receivable for variation margin 18,688
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets 161,335,801
Liabilities
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions payable to shareholders 478,153
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable for securities purchased 1,495,380
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable for shares of the fund repurchased 243,156
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable for compensation of Manager (Note 2) 201,338
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable for investor servicing and custodian fees (Note 2) 7,666
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable for compensation of Trustees (Note 2) 10,985
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable for administrative services (Note 2) 951
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable for distribution fees (Note 2) 68,514
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other accrued expenses 44,390
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities 2,550,533
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets $158,785,268
Represented by
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paid-in capital (Notes 1 and 4) $169,141,018
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Undistributed net investment income (Note 1) 130,017
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated net realized loss on investments (Note 1) (4,005,284)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net unrealized depreciation of investments (6,480,483)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total -- Representing net assets applicable to
capital shares outstanding $158,785,268
Computation of net asset value and offering price
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value and redemption price per class A share
($116,715,075 divided by 13,935,194 shares) $8.38
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Offering price per class A share (100/95.25 of $8.38)* $8.80
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value and offering price per class B share
($40,059,765 divided by 4,788,978 shares)+ $8.36
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value and redemption price per class M share
($2,010,428 divided by 240,115 shares) $8.37
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Offering price per class M share (100/96.75 of $8.37)** $8.65
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* On single retail sales of less than $25,000. On sales of $25,000
or more and on group sales, the offering price is reduced.
** 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
Year ended May 31, 2000
<S> <C>
Tax exempt interest income: $ 10,712,712
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compensation of Manager (Note 2) 891,799
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investor servicing and custodian fees (Note 2) 194,912
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compensation of Trustees (Note 2) 11,621
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Administrative services (Note 2) 5,850
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution fees -- Class A (Note 2) 261,441
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution fees -- Class B (Note 2) 362,381
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution fees -- Class M (Note 2) 10,362
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reports to shareholders 5,747
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Auditing 39,847
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Legal 7,061
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Postage 10,584
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 20,139
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total expenses 1,821,744
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expense reduction (Note 2) (116,865)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net expenses 1,704,879
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income 9,007,833
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized loss on investments (Notes 1 and 3) (2,287,819)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized gain on futures contracts (Note 1) 278,416
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net unrealized depreciation of investments and
futures contracts during the year (13,862,133)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net loss on investments (15,871,536)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations $ (6,863,703)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
Year ended May 31
--------------------------------
2000 1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Increase (decrease) in net assets
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income $ 9,007,833 $ 8,987,766
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized loss on investments (2,009,403) (785,926)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net unrealized depreciation of investments (13,862,133) (3,345,589)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting
from operations (6,863,703) 4,856,251
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions to shareholders:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From net investment income
Class A (6,926,236) (7,013,975)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B (1,978,287) (1,834,233)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class M (103,292) (80,990)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From net realized gain on investments
Class A -- (408,453)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B -- (125,863)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class M -- (4,470)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) from capital share transactions (Note 4) (19,530,467) 10,354,967
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total increase (decrease) in net assets (35,401,985) 5,743,234
Net assets
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beginning of year 194,187,253 188,444,019
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of year (including undistributed net investment
income of $130,017 and $133,256, respectively) $158,785,268 $194,187,253
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per-share
operating performance Year ended May 31
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value,
beginning of period $9.14 $9.35 $9.12 $8.85 $9.01
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment operations
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income .46 .44 .47 .48 .49
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments (.76) (.18) .27 .27 (.16)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from
investment operations (.30) .26 .74 .75 .33
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less distributions:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From net
investment income (.46) (.44) (.47) (.48) (.49)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From net realized gain
on investments -- (.03) (.03) -- --
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In excess of net gain
on investments -- -- (.01) -- --
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions (.46) (.47) (.51) (.48) (.49)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value,
end of period $8.38 $9.14 $9.35 $9.12 $8.85
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios and supplemental data
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return at
net asset value (%)(a) (3.30) 2.77 8.28 8.67 3.76
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period
(in thousands) $116,715 $145,438 $145,547 $142,038 $138,390
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of expenses to
average net assets (%)(b) .88 1.00 .99 .99 1.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets (%) 5.30 4.81 5.02 5.33 5.42
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover (%) 7.36 19.51 32.44 55.30 139.08
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Total return assumes dividend reinvestment and does not reflect
the effect of sales charges.
(b) Includes amounts paid through expense offset arrangements. (Note 2).
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(For a share outstanding throughout the period)
CLASS B
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per-share
operating performance Year ended May 31
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value,
beginning of period $9.12 $9.34 $9.11 $8.84 $9.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment operations
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income .40 .38 .41 .43 .43
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments (.76) (.19) .27 .26 (.16)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from
investment operations (.36) .19 .68 .69 .27
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less distributions:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From net
investment income (.40) (.38) (.41) (.42) (.43)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From net realized gain
on investments -- (.03) (.03) -- --
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In excess of net gain
on investments -- -- (.01) -- --
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions (.40) (.41) (.45) (.42) (.43)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value,
end of period $8.36 $9.12 $9.34 $9.11 $8.84
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios and supplemental data
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return at
net asset value (%)(a) (3.95) 2.00 7.58 7.99 3.05
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period
(in thousands) $40,060 $46,827 $41,155 $35,041 $29,371
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of expenses to
average net assets (%)(b) 1.53 1.65 1.64 1.64 1.65
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets (%) 4.65 4.16 4.36 4.68 4.74
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover (%) 7.36 19.51 32.44 55.30 139.08
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Total return assumes dividend reinvestment and does not reflect
the effect of sales charges.
(b) Includes amounts paid through expense offset arrangements. (Note 2).
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(For a share outstanding throughout the period)
CLASS M
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per-share
operating performance Year ended May 31
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value,
beginning of period $9.13 $9.35 $9.12 $8.85 $9.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment operations
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income .43 .42 .44 .46 .47
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments (.76) (.20) .27 .27 (.16)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from
investment operations (.33) .22 .71 .73 .31
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less distributions:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From net
investment income (.43) (.41) (.44) (.46) (.46)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From net realized gain
on investments -- (.03) (.03) -- --
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In excess of net gain
on investments -- -- (.01) -- --
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions (.43) (.44) (.48) (.46) (.46)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value,
end of period $8.37 $9.13 $9.35 $9.12 $8.85
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios and supplemental data
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return at
net asset value (%)(a) (3.60) 2.36 7.95 8.36 3.53
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period
(in thousands) $2,010 $1,922 $1,742 $719 $558
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of expenses to
average net assets (%)(b) 1.18 1.30 1.29 1.29 1.28
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets (%) 5.02 4.51 4.70 5.01 5.06
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover (%) 7.36 19.51 32.44 55.30 139.08
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Total return assumes dividend reinvestment and does not reflect
the effect of sales charges.
(b) Includes amounts paid through expense offset arrangements. (Note 2).
</TABLE>
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
May 31, 2000
Note 1
Significant accounting policies
Putnam Michigan Tax Exempt Income Fund (the "fund") is registered under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a diversified,
open-end management investment company. The fund seeks as high a level
of current income exempt from federal income tax and Michigan personal
income tax as Putnam Investment Management, Inc. ("Putnam Management"),
the fund's Manager, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Putnam Investments,
Inc., believes is consistent with preservation of capital by investing
primarily in a portfolio of Michigan tax-exempt securities.
The fund offers class A, class B and class M shares. Class A shares are
sold with a maximum front-end sales charge of 4.75%. 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 3.25% and pay
an ongoing distribution fee that is higher than class A but lower than
class B 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 of the financial statements and the reported
amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during
the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
A) Security valuation Tax-exempt bonds and notes are stated on the basis
of valuations provided by a pricing service, approved by the Trustees,
which uses information with respect to transactions in bonds, quotations
from bond dealers, market transactions in comparable securities and
various relationships between securities in determining value.
Restricted securities are stated at fair value following procedures
approved by the Trustees. Such valuations and procedures are reviewed
periodically by the Trustees.
B) Security transactions and related investment income Security
transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy
or sell is executed). Gains or losses on securities sold are determined
on the identified cost basis. Interest income is recorded on the accrual
basis.
C) Futures and options contracts The fund may use futures and options
contracts to hedge against changes in the values of securities the fund
owns or expects to purchase. The fund may also write options on
securities it owns or in which it may invest to increase its current
returns.
The potential risk to the fund is that the change in value of futures
and options contracts may not correspond to the change in value of the
hedged instruments. In addition, losses may arise from changes in the
value of the underlying instruments, if there is an illiquid secondary
market for the contracts, or if the counterparty to the contract is
unable to perform. When the contract is closed, the fund records a
realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the
contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was
closed. Realized gains and losses on purchased options are included in
realized gains and losses on investment securities.
Futures contracts are valued at the quoted daily settlement prices
established by the exchange on which they trade. Exchange traded options
are valued at the last sale price, or if no sales are reported, the last
bid price for purchased options and the last ask price for written
options. Options traded over-the-counter are valued using prices
supplied by dealers.
D) 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
May 31, 2000, the fund had no borrowings against the line of credit.
E) Federal taxes It is the policy of the fund to distribute all of its
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.
At May 31, 2000, the fund had a capital loss carryover of approximately
$1,951,000 available to offset future capital gains, if any. The amount
of the carryover and the expiration dates are:
Loss Carryover Expiration
-------------- ------------------
$493,000 May 31, 2007
1,458,000 May 31, 2008
F) Distributions to shareholders Income dividends are recorded daily by
the fund and are paid monthly. 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. These differences include temporary and
permanent differences of post-October loss deferrals, dividends payable,
market discount, unrealized gains and losses on certain futures
contracts and straddle loss deferrals reversed. 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. For the year ended May 31, 2000, the fund
reclassified $3,257 to decrease undistributed net investment income and
a decrease to accumulated net realized losses of $3,257. The calculation
of net investment income per share in the financial highlights table
excludes these adjustments.
G) Amortization of bond premium and accretion of bond discount Any
premium resulting from the purchase of securities in excess of maturity
value is amortized on a yield-to-maturity basis. Discounts on original
issue discount bonds are accreted according to the yield-to-maturity
basis.
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 upon the lesser of (i) an annual rate of
0.50% of the average net assets of the fund or (ii) 0.60% of the first
$500 million of average net assets, 0.50% of the next $500 million,
0.45% of the next $500 million, 0.40% of the next $5 billion, 0.375% of
the next $5 billion, 0.355% of the next $5 billion, 0.34% of the next $5
billion, and 0.33% thereafter. Prior to July 1, 1999 the management fee
was based on (ii) above.
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 year ended May 31, 2000, fund expenses were reduced by $116,865
under expense offset arrangements with PFTC. 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 $546
has been allocated to the fund, and an additional fee for each Trustees
meeting attended. 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
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. 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 Retail Management, Inc., 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 Retail Management, Inc. 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 0.20%, 0.85% and 0.50% of the
average net assets attributable to class A, class B and class M shares,
respectively.
For the year ended May 31, 2000, Putnam Retail Management, Inc., acting
as underwriter received net commissions of $15,436 and $168 from the
sale of class A and class M shares, respectively and $164,042 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 that were purchased without an initial sales charge as
part of an investment of $1 million or more. For the year ended May 31,
2000, Putnam Retail Management, Inc., acting as underwriter received no
monies on class A redemptions.
Note 3
Purchases and sales of securities
During the year ended May 31, 2000, cost of purchases and proceeds from
sales of investment securities other than short-term investments
aggregated $12,650,812 and $36,004,719, respectively. There were no
purchases and sales of U.S. government obligations.
Note 4
Capital shares
At May 31, 2000, there was an unlimited number of shares of beneficial
interest authorized. Transactions in capital shares were as follows:
Year ended May 31, 2000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Shares Amount
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares sold 1,059,844 $ 9,173,006
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares issued in
connection with
reinvestment of
distributions 481,061 4,152,903
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,540,905 13,325,909
Shares
repurchased (3,524,805) (30,187,317)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net decrease (1,983,900) $(16,861,408)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended May 31, 1999
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Shares Amount
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares sold 1,725,193 $16,064,790
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares issued in
connection with
reinvestment of
distributions 479,808 4,473,481
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,205,001 20,538,271
Shares
repurchased (1,845,179) (17,183,402)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase 359,822 $ 3,354,869
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended May 31, 2000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B Shares Amount
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares sold 805,741 $ 6,938,343
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares issued in
connection with
reinvestment of
distributions 148,309 1,277,746
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
954,050 8,216,089
Shares
repurchased (1,297,732) (11,174,990)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net decrease (343,682) $(2,958,901)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended May 31, 1999
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B Shares Amount
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares sold 1,234,921 $11,495,290
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares issued in
connection with
reinvestment of
distributions 131,932 1,228,568
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,366,853 12,723,858
Shares
repurchased (639,785) (5,947,004)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase 727,068 $ 6,776,854
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended May 31, 2000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class M Shares Amount
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares sold 110,774 $982,755
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares issued in
connection with
reinvestment of
distributions 8,890 76,559
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
119,664 1,059,314
Shares
repurchased (89,997) (769,472)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase 29,667 $289,842
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended May 31, 1999
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class M Shares Amount
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares sold 94,529 $877,829
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares issued in
connection with
reinvestment of
distributions 6,653 62,037
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
101,182 939,866
Shares
repurchased (77,035) (716,622)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase 24,147 $223,244
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION
(Unaudited)
The fund has designated 100% of dividends paid from net investment
income during the fiscal year as tax exempt for Federal income tax
purposes.
The Form 1099 you receive in January 2001 will show the tax status of
all distributions paid to your account in calendar 2000.
FUND INFORMATION
WEB SITE
www.putnaminv.com
INVESTMENT MANAGER
Putnam Investment Management, Inc.
One Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02109
MARKETING SERVICES
Putnam Retail Management, Inc.
One Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02109
CUSTODIAN
Putnam Fiduciary Trust Company
LEGAL COUNSEL
Ropes & Gray
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
TRUSTEES
John A. Hill, 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
George Putnam, III
A.J.C. Smith
W. Thomas Stephens
W. Nicholas Thorndike
OFFICERS
George Putnam, III
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
Stephen Oristaglio
Vice President
Jerome J. Jacobs
Vice President
Susan A. McCormack
Vice President and Fund Manager
Richard A. Monaghan
Vice President
Richard G. Leibovitch
Vice President
John R. Verani
Vice President
This report is for the information of shareholders of Putnam Michigan
Tax Exempt Income Fund. 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' Web site: 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
---------------------
BULK RATE
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PUTNAM
INVESTMENTS
---------------------
For account balances, economic forecasts, and the latest on Putnam funds, visit
www.putnaminv.com
AN048-62267 846/237/126 7/00
