S:\PROXY\WORKING\A06PROXY.1
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(Amendment No. )
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Filed by the Registrant / X /
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant / /
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CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX:
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/ X / Preliminary Proxy Statement
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/ / Preliminary Additional Materials
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/ / Definitive Proxy Statement
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/ / Definitive Additional Materials
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/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Sec. 240.14a-11(e) or
- ---- Sec. 240.14a-12
PUTNAM VISTA FUND
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
PAYMENT OF FILING FEE (CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX):
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/ x / $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii),
- ---- 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(i)(2).
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/ / $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant
- ---- to Exchange Act Rule 14a-6(i)(3).
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/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules
- ---- 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which
transaction applies:
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which
transaction applies:
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of
transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
0-11:
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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/ / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided
- ---- by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing
for which the offsetting fee was paid previously.
Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its
filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3) Filing Party:
(4) Date Filed: <PAGE>
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
FOR SHAREHOLDERS IN
PUTNAM VISTA FUND
THE DOCUMENT YOU HOLD IN YOUR HANDS CONTAINS YOUR PROXY STATEMENT
AND PROXY CARD. A PROXY CARD IS, IN ESSENCE, A BALLOT. WHEN YOU
VOTE YOUR PROXY, IT TELLS US HOW TO VOTE ON YOUR BEHALF ON
IMPORTANT ISSUES RELATING TO YOUR FUND. IF YOU COMPLETE AND SIGN
THE PROXY, WE'LL VOTE IT EXACTLY AS YOU TELL US. IF YOU SIMPLY
SIGN THE PROXY, WE'LL VOTE IT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TRUSTEES'
RECOMMENDATIONS ON PAGES [ ] AND [ ].
WE URGE YOU TO SPEND A COUPLE OF MINUTES WITH THE PROXY
STATEMENT, FILL OUT YOUR PROXY CARD, AND RETURN IT TO US. WHEN
SHAREHOLDERS DON'T RETURN THEIR PROXIES IN SUFFICIENT NUMBERS, WE
HAVE TO INCUR THE EXPENSE OF FOLLOW-UP SOLICITATIONS, WHICH CAN
COST YOUR FUND MONEY.
WE WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOTE AND WELCOME YOUR
COMMENTS. PLEASE TAKE A FEW MOMENTS WITH THESE MATERIALS AND
RETURN YOUR PROXY TO US.
(PUTNAM LOGO APPEARS HERE)
BOSTON * LONDON * TOKYO
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Message from the Chairman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Notice of Shareholder Meeting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Trustees' Recommendations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
PROXY CARD ENCLOSED
If you have any questions, please contact us at the special toll-
free number we have set up for you (1-800-225-1581) or call your
financial adviser.
<PAGE>
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
(Photograph of George Putnam appears here)
Dear Shareholder:
I am writing to you to ask for your vote on important questions
that affect your investment in your fund. While you are, of
course, welcome to join us at your fund's meeting, most
shareholders cast their vote by filling out and signing the
enclosed proxy. We are asking for your vote on the following
matters:
1. ELECTING TRUSTEES TO OVERSEE YOUR FUND;
2. RATIFYING THE SELECTION BY THE TRUSTEES OF THE INDEPENDENT
AUDITORS OF YOUR FUND FOR ITS CURRENT FISCAL YEAR; AND
3. APPROVING A NUMBER OF CHANGES TO YOUR FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS, INCLUDING THE ELIMINATION OF
CERTAIN OF THESE RESTRICTIONS.
Although we would like very much to have each shareholder attend
their fund's meeting, we realize this is not possible. Whether
or not you plan to be present, we need your vote. We urge you to
complete, sign, and return the enclosed proxy card promptly. A
postage-paid envelope is enclosed.
I'm sure that you, like most people, lead a busy life and are
tempted to put this proxy aside for another day. Please don't.
When shareholders don't return their proxies, their fund may have
to incur the expense of follow-up solicitations. All
shareholders benefit from the speedy return of proxies.
Your vote is important to us. We appreciate the time and
consideration that I am sure you will give this important matter.
If you have questions about the proposals, contact your financial
adviser or call a Putnam customer service representative at
1-800-225-1581.
Sincerely yours,
(signature of George Putnam)
George Putnam, Chairman
<PAGE>
PUTNAM VISTA FUND
NOTICE OF A MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
THIS IS THE FORMAL AGENDA FOR YOUR FUND'S SHAREHOLDER MEETING.
IT TELLS YOU WHAT MATTERS WILL BE VOTED ON AND THE TIME AND PLACE
OF THE MEETING, IF YOU CAN ATTEND IN PERSON.
To the Shareholders of Putnam Vista Fund:
A Meeting of Shareholders of your fund will be held on July 31,
1996 at 2:00 p.m., Boston time, on the eighth floor of One Post
Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts, to consider the following:
1. ELECTING TRUSTEES. SEE PAGE .
2. RATIFYING THE SELECTION BY THE TRUSTEES OF THE INDEPENDENT
AUDITORS OF YOUR FUND FOR ITS CURRENT FISCAL YEAR. SEE
PAGE .
3.A. APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT
RESTRICTION WITH RESPECT TO DIVERSIFICATION OF INVESTMENTS.
SEE PAGE .
3.B. APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT
RESTRICTIONS WITH RESPECT TO INVESTMENTS IN THE SECURITIES
OF A SINGLE ISSUER. SEE PAGE .
3.C. Approving an amendment to the fund's fundamental investment
restriction with respect to making loans through purchases
of debt obligations, repurchase agreements and securities
loans. See page .
3.D. Approving an amendment to the fund's fundamental investment
restriction with respect to investments in real estate. See
page .
3.E. Approving an amendment to the fund's fundamental investment
restriction with respect to concentration of its assets.
See page .
3.F. Approving an amendment to the fund's fundamental investment
restriction with respect to investments in commodities. See
page .
3.G. Approving the elimination of the fund's fundamental
investment restriction with respect to investments in
issuers that have been in operation for less than three
years. See page .
3.H. APPROVING THE ELIMINATION OF THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL
INVESTMENT RESTRICTION WITH RESPECT TO INVESTMENTS IN
SECURITIES OF ISSUERS IN WHICH MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND OR
PUTNAM INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC. OWNS SECURITIES. SEE
PAGE .
3.I. APPROVING THE ELIMINATION OF THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL
INVESTMENT RESTRICTION WITH RESPECT TO MARGIN TRANSACTIONS.
SEE PAGE .
3.J. APPROVING THE ELIMINATION OF THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL
INVESTMENT RESTRICTION WITH RESPECT TO SHORT SALES. SEE
PAGE .
3.K. APPROVING THE ELIMINATION OF THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL
INVESTMENT RESTRICTION WHICH LIMITS THE FUND'S ABILITY TO
PLEDGE ASSETS. SEE PAGE .
3.L. APPROVING THE ELIMINATION OF THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL
INVESTMENT RESTRICTION WITH RESPECT TO THE GAINING CONTROL
OVER A COMPANY'S MANAGEMENT. SEE PAGE .
3.M. APPROVING THE ELIMINATION OF THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL
INVESTMENT RESTRICTION WITH RESPECT TO THE INVESTMENTS IN
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. SEE PAGE .
3.N. APPROVING THE ELIMINATION OF THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL
INVESTMENT RESTRICTION WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN OIL, GAS AND
MINERAL INTERESTS. SEE PAGE .
3.O. APPROVING THE ELIMINATION OF THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL
INVESTMENT RESTRICTION WITH RESPECT TO OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS.
SEE PAGE .
4. TRANSACTING OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE
MEETING.
By the Trustees
George Putnam, Chairman
William F. Pounds, Vice Chairman
Jameson A. Baxter Robert E. Patterson
Hans H. Estin Donald S. Perkins
John A. Hill George Putnam, III
Ronald J. Jackson Eli Shapiro
Elizabeth T. Kennan A.J.C. Smith
Lawrence J. Lasser W. Nicholas Thorndike
WE URGE YOU TO MARK, SIGN, DATE, AND MAIL THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN
THE POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED SO YOU WILL BE REPRESENTED AT
THE MEETING.
May , 1996
<PAGE>
PROXY STATEMENT
THIS DOCUMENT WILL GIVE YOU THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO VOTE ON
THE MATTERS LISTED ON THE PREVIOUS PAGE. MUCH OF THE INFORMATION
IN THE PROXY STATEMENT IS REQUIRED UNDER RULES OF THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (SEC); SOME OF IT IS TECHNICAL. IF THERE
IS ANYTHING YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND, PLEASE CONTACT US AT OUR
SPECIAL TOLL-FREE NUMBER, 1-800-225-1581, OR CALL YOUR FINANCIAL
ADVISER.
WHO IS ASKING FOR MY VOTE?
THE ENCLOSED PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE TRUSTEES OF PUTNAM VISTA
FUND for use at the Meeting of Shareholders of the fund to be
held on July 31, 1996, and, if your fund's meeting is adjourned,
at any later meetings, for the purposes stated in the Notice of
Meeting (see previous page).
HOW DO YOUR FUND'S TRUSTEES RECOMMEND THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE ON
THESE PROPOSALS?
The Trustees recommend that you vote
1. FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES;
2. FOR SELECTING PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT
AUDITORS OF YOUR FUND;
3.A. FOR AMENDING THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTION
WITH RESPECT TO DIVERSIFICATION OF INVESTMENTS;
3.B. FOR AMENDING THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
WITH RESPECT TO INVESTMENTS IN THE SECURITIES OF A SINGLE
ISSUER;
3.C. FOR AMENDING THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTION
WITH RESPECT TO MAKING LOANS THROUGH PURCHASES OF DEBT
OBLIGATIONS, REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND SECURITIES LOANS;
3.D. FOR AMENDING THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTION
WITH RESPECT TO INVESTMENTS IN REAL ESTATE;
3.E. FOR AMENDING THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTION
WITH RESPECT TO CONCENTRATION OF ITS ASSETS;
3.F. FOR AMENDING THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTION
WITH RESPECT TO INVESTMENTS IN COMMODITIES;
3.G. FOR ELIMINATING THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT
RESTRICTION WITH RESPECT TO INVESTMENTS IN ISSUERS THAT HAVE
BEEN IN OPERATION FOR LESS THAN THREE YEARS;
3.H. FOR ELIMINATING THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT
RESTRICTION WITH RESPECT TO INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES OF
ISSUERS IN WHICH MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND OR PUTNAM INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT, INC. OWNS SECURITIES;
3.I. FOR ELIMINATING THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT
RESTRICTION WITH RESPECT TO MARGIN TRANSACTIONS;
3.J. FOR ELIMINATING THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT
RESTRICTION WITH RESPECT TO SHORT SALES;
3.K. FOR ELIMINATING THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT
RESTRICTION WHICH LIMITS THE FUND'S ABILITY TO PLEDGE
ASSETS;
3.L. FOR ELIMINATING THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT
RESTRICTION WITH RESPECT TO THE GAINING CONTROL OVER A
COMPANY'S MANAGEMENT;
3.M. FOR ELIMINATING THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT
RESTRICTION WITH RESPECT TO THE INVESTMENTS IN ILLIQUID
SECURITIES;
3.N. FOR ELIMINATING THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT
RESTRICTION WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN OIL, GAS, AND MINERAL
INTERESTS; AND
3.O. FOR ELIMINATING THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT
RESTRICTION WITH RESPECT TO OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE?
Shareholders of record at the close of business on May 3, 1996,
are entitled to be present and to vote at the meeting or any
adjourned meeting. The Notice of Meeting, the proxy, and the
Proxy Statement have been mailed to shareholders of record on or
about May , 1996.
Each share is entitled to one vote. Shares represented by duly
executed proxies will be voted in accordance with shareholders'
instructions. If you sign the proxy, but don't fill in a vote,
your shares will be voted in accordance with the Trustees'
recommendations. If any other business is brought before the
meeting, your shares will be voted at the Trustees' discretion.
<PAGE>
THE PROPOSALS
I. ELECTION OF TRUSTEES
WHO ARE THE NOMINEES FOR TRUSTEES?
The Nominating Committee of the Trustees recommends that the
number of Trustees be fixed at fourteen and that you vote for the
election of the nominees described below. Each nominee is
currently a Trustee of your fund and of the other Putnam funds.
The Nominating Committee of the Trustees consists solely of
Trustees who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940) of your fund or of Putnam
Investment Management, Inc., your fund's investment manager
("Putnam Management").
JAMESON ADKINS BAXTER
[INSERT PICTURE]
Ms. Baxter, age 52, is the President of Baxter Associates, Inc.,
a management and financial consulting firm which she founded in
1986. During that time, she was also a Vice President and
Principal of the Regency Group, Inc., and a Consultant to First
Boston Corporation, both of which are investment banking firms.
From 1965 to 1986, Ms. Baxter held various positions in
investment banking and corporate finance at First Boston.
Ms. Baxter currently also serves as a Director of Banta
Corporation, Avondale Federal Savings Bank, and ASHTA Chemicals,
Inc. She is also the Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees
of Mount Holyoke College, having previously served as Chairman
for five years and as a Board member for thirteen years; an
Honorary Trustee and past President of the Board of Trustees of
the Emma Willard School; and Chair of the Board of Governors of
Good Shepherd Hospital. Ms. Baxter is a graduate of Mount
Holyoke College.
HANS H. ESTIN
[INSERT PICTURE]
Mr. Estin, age 67, is a Chartered Financial Analyst and the Vice
Chairman of North American Management Corp., a registered
investment adviser serving individual clients and their families.
Mr. Estin currently also serves as a Director of The Boston
Company, Inc., a registered investment adviser which provides
administrative and investment management services to mutual funds
and other institutional investors, and Boston Safe Deposit and
Trust Company; a Corporation Member of Massachusetts General
Hospital; and a Trustee of New England Aquarium. He previously
served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Boston
University and is currently active in various other civic
associations, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, Inc.
Mr. Estin is a graduate of Harvard College and holds honorary
doctorates from Merrimack College and Boston University.
JOHN A. HILL
[INSERT PICTURE]
Mr. Hill, age 54, is the Chairman and Managing Director of First
Reserve Corporation, a registered investment adviser investing in
companies in the world-wide energy industry on behalf of
institutional investors.
Prior to acquiring First Reserve in 1983, Mr. Hill held executive
positions with several investment advisory firms and held various
positions with the Federal government, including Associate
Director of the Office of Management and Budget and Deputy
Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration.
Mr. Hill currently also serves as a Director of Snyder Oil
Corporation, an exploration and production company which he
founded, Maverick Tube Corporation, a manufacturer of structural
steel, pipe and well casings, PetroCorp Incorporated, an
exploration and production company, Weatherford Enterra, Inc., an
oil field service company, various private companies controlled
by First Reserve Corporation, and various First Reserve Funds.
He is also a Member of the Board of Advisors of Fund Directions.
He is currently active in various business associations,
including the Economic Club of New York, and lectures on energy
issues in the United States and Europe. Mr. Hill is a graduate
of Southern Methodist University.
RONALD J. JACKSON
[INSERT PICTURE]
Mr Jackson, age 51, is
ELIZABETH T. KENNAN
[INSERT PICTURE]
Ms. Kennan, age 58, is President Emeritus and Professor of Mount
Holyoke College. From 1978 through June 1995, she was President
of Mount Holyoke College. From 1966 to 1978, she was on the
faculty of Catholic University, where she taught history and
published numerous articles.
Ms. Kennan currently also serves as a Director of NYNEX
Corporation, a telecommunications company, Northeast Utilities,
the Kentucky Home Life Insurance Companies, and Talbots, a
women's clothing retailer. She also serves as a Member of The
Folger Shakespeare Library Committee. She is currently active in
various educational and civic associations, including the
Committee on Economic Development and the Council on Foreign
Relations. Ms. Kennan is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College,
the University of Washington and St. Hilda College at Oxford
University and holds several honorary doctorates.
LAWRENCE J. LASSER*
[INSERT PICTURE]
Mr. Lasser, age 53, is the Vice President of your fund and the
other Putnam funds. He has been the President, Chief Executive
Officer and a Director of Putnam Investments, Inc. and Putnam
Management since 1985, having begun his career there in 1969.
Mr. Lasser currently also serves as a Director of Marsh &
McLennan Companies, Inc., the parent company of Putnam
Management, and INROADS/Central New England, Inc., a job market
internship program for minority high school and college students.
He is a Member of the Board of Overseers of the Museum of
Science, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner
Museum in Boston. He is also a Trustee of the Beth Israel
Hospital and Buckingham, Browne and Nichols School. Mr. Lasser
is a graduate of Antioch College and Harvard Business School.
ROBERT E. PATTERSON
[INSERT PICTURE]
Mr. Patterson, age 51, is the Executive Vice President and
Director of Acquisitions of Cabot Partners Limited Partnership, a
registered investment adviser which manages real estate
investments for institutional investors. Prior to 1990, he was
the Executive Vice President of Cabot, Cabot & Forbes Realty
Advisors, Inc., the predecessor company of Cabot Partners. Prior
to that, he was a Senior Vice President of the Beal Companies, a
real estate management, investment and development company. He
has also worked as an attorney and held various positions in
state government, including the founding Executive Director of
the Massachusetts Industrial Finance Agency.
Mr. Patterson currently also serves as Chairman of the Joslin
Diabetes Center and as a Director of Brandywine Trust Company.
Mr. Patterson is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law
School.
DONALD S. PERKINS*
[INSERT PICTURE]
Mr. Perkins, age 69, is the retired Chairman of the Board of
Jewel Companies, Inc., a diversified retailer, where among other
roles he served as President, Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board from 1965 to 1980. He currently also
serves as a Director of various other public corporations,
including AON Corp., an insurance company, Cummins Engine
Company, Inc., an engine and power generator equipment
manufacturer and assembler, Current Assets L.L.C., a corporation
providing financial staffing services, Illinova and Illinois
Power Co., Inland Steel Industries, Inc., LaSalle Street Fund,
Inc., a real estate investment trust, Lucent Technologies Inc.,
Springs Industries, Inc., a textile manufacturer, and Time
Warner, Inc., one of the nation's largest media conglomerates.
He previously served as a director of several other major public
corporations, including Corning Glass Works, Eastman Kodak
Company, Firestone Tire & Rubber Company and Kmart Corporation.
Mr. Perkins currently also serves as a Trustee and Vice Chairman
of Northwestern University and as a Trustee of the Hospital
Research and Education Trust. He is currently active in various
civic and business associations, including the Business Council
and the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, of
which he is the founding Chairman. Mr. Perkins is a graduate of
Yale University and Harvard Business School and holds an honorary
doctorate from Loyola University of Chicago.
WILLIAM F. POUNDS
[INSERT PICTURE]
Dr. Pounds, age 68, is the Vice Chairman of your fund and of the
other Putnam funds. He has been a Professor of Management at the
Alfred P. Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology since 1961 and served as Dean of that
School from 1966 to 1980. He previously served as Senior Advisor
to the Rockefeller Family and Associates and was a past Chairman
of Rockefeller & Co., Inc., a registered investment adviser which
manages Rockefeller family assets, and Rockefeller Trust Company.
Dr. Pounds currently also serves as a Director of IDEXX
Laboratories, Inc., EG&G, Inc., Perseptive Biosystems, Inc.,
Management Sciences For Health, Inc. and Sun Company, Inc. He is
also a Trustee of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston; an Overseer
of WGBH Educational Foundation, and a Fellow of The American
Academy of Arts and Sciences. He previously served as a director
of Fisher-Price, Inc., a major toy manufacturer and General
Mills, Inc., a major manufacturer and distributor of food
products. Dr. Pounds is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon
University.
GEORGE PUTNAM*
[INSERT PICTURE]
Mr. Putnam, age 69, is the Chairman and President of your fund
and of the other Putnam funds. He is the Chairman and a Director
of Putnam Management and Putnam Mutual Funds Corp. and a director
of Marsh & McLennan, their parent company. Mr. Putnam is the son
of the founder of the Putnam funds and Putnam Management and has
been employed in various capacities by Putnam Management since
1951, including Chief Executive Officer from 1961 to 1973. He is
a former Overseer and Treasurer of Harvard University; a past
Chairman of the Harvard Management Company; and a Trustee
Emeritus of Wellesley College and Bradford College.
Mr. Putnam currently also serves as a Director of The Boston
Company, Inc., Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company, Freeport-
McMoRan, Inc., Freeport Copper and Gold, Inc., McMoRan Oil and
Gas, Inc., mining and natural resources companies, General Mills,
Inc., a major manufacturer of food products, Houghton Mifflin
Company, a major publishing company, and Rockefeller Group, Inc.,
a real estate manager. He is also a Trustee of Massachusetts
General Hospital, McLean Hospital, Vincent Memorial Hospital,
WGBH Educational Foundation and the Museum of Fine Arts and the
Museum of Science in Boston; the New England Aquarium; an
Overseer of Northeastern University; and a Fellow of The American
Academy of Arts and Sciences. Mr. Putnam is a graduate of
Harvard College and Harvard Business School and holds honorary
doctorates from Bates College and Harvard University.
GEORGE PUTNAM, III*
[INSERT PICTURE]
Mr. Putnam, age 44, is the President of New Generation Research,
Inc., a publisher of financial advisory and other research
services relating to bankrupt and distressed companies, and New
Generation Advisers, Inc., a registered investment adviser which
provides advice to private funds specializing in investments in
such companies. Prior to founding New Generation in 1985, Mr.
Putnam was an attorney with the Philadelphia law firm Dechert
Price & Rhoads.
Mr. Putnam currently also serves as a Director of the
Massachusetts Audubon Society. He is also a Trustee of the Sea
Education Association and St. Mark's School and an Overseer of
the New England Medical Center. Mr. Putnam is a graduate of
Harvard College, Harvard Business School and Harvard Law School.
ELI SHAPIRO
[INSERT PICTURE]
Dr. Shapiro, age 79, is the Alfred P. Sloan Professor of
Management, Emeritus at the Alfred P. Sloan School of Management
at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, having served on
the faculty of the Sloan School for eighteen years. He
previously was also on the faculty of Harvard Business School,
The University of Chicago School of Business and Brooklyn
College. During his academic career, Dr. Shapiro authored
numerous publications concerning finance and related topics. He
previously served as the President and Chief Executive of the
National Bureau of Economic Research and also provided economic
and financial consulting services to various clients.
Dr. Shapiro is a past Director of many companies, including
Nomura Dividend Income Fund, Inc., a privately held registered
investment company managed by Putnam Management, Reece
Corporation, a sewing machine manufacturer, Commonwealth
Mortgage, Dexter Corporation, a manufacturer of plastics and
related products, Avis Corporation, a car rental company,
Connecticut Bank and Trust Company, Connecticut National Gas
Corporation, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, where he
served as Chairman from 1977 to 1989, Travelers' Corporation, an
insurance company, and Norlin Corporation, a musical instrument
manufacturer; and a past Trustee of Mount Holyoke College and the
Putnam funds (from 1984 to 1989).
Dr. Shapiro is a Fellow of The American Academy of Arts and
Sciences and is active in various professional and civic
associations, including the American Economic Association, the
American Finance Association and the Council on Foreign
Relations. Dr. Shapiro is a graduate of Brooklyn College and
Columbia University.
A.J.C. SMITH*
[INSERT PICTURE]
Mr. Smith, age 62, is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. He has been employed by Marsh &
McLennan and related companies in various capacities since 1961.
Mr. Smith is a Director of the Trident Corp., and he also serves
as a Trustee of the Carnegie Hall Society, the Central Park
Conservancy, The American Institute for Chartered Property
Underwriters, and is a Founder of the Museum of Scotland Society.
He was educated in Scotland and is a Fellow of the Faculty of
Actuaries in Edinburgh, a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of
Actuaries, a Fellow of the Conference of Actuaries in Public
Practice, an Associate of the Society of Actuaries, a Member of
the American Academy of Actuaries, the International Actuarial
Association and the International Association of Consulting
Actuaries.
W. NICHOLAS THORNDIKE**
[INSERT PICTURE]
Mr. Thorndike, age 63, serves as a Director of various
corporations and charitable organizations, including Data General
Corporation, a computer and high technology company, Bradley Real
Estate, Inc., a real estate investment firm, Providence Journal
Co., a newspaper publisher and owner of television stations, and
Courier Corporation, a book binding and printing company. He is
also a Trustee of Eastern Utilities Associates, Massachusetts
General Hospital, where he previously served as chairman and
president, and Northeastern University.
Prior to December 1988, he was the Chairman of the Board and
Managing Partner of Wellington Management Company/Thorndike,
Doran, Paine & Lewis, a registered investment adviser which
manages mutual funds and institutional assets. He also
previously served as a Trustee of the Wellington Group of Funds
(now The Vanguard Group) and was the Chairman and a Director of
Ivest Fund, Inc. Mr. Thorndike is a graduate of Harvard College.
- ----------------------------
* Nominees who are or may be deemed to be "interested persons"
(as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940) of your
fund, Putnam Management, and Putnam Mutual Funds Corp.
("Putnam Mutual Funds"), the principal underwriter for all
the open-end Putnam funds and an affiliate of Putnam
Management. Messrs. Putnam, Lasser, and Smith are deemed
"interested persons" by virtue of their positions as
officers or shareholders of your fund, or directors of
Putnam Management, Putnam Mutual Funds, or Marsh & McLennan
Companies, Inc., the parent company of Putnam Management and
Putnam Mutual Funds. Mr. George Putnam, III, Mr. Putnam's
son, is also an "interested person" of your fund, Putnam
Management, and Putnam Mutual Funds. Mr. Perkins may be
deemed to be an "interested person" of your fund because of
his service as a director of a certain publicly held company
that includes registered broker-dealer firms among its
subsidiaries. Neither your fund nor any of the other Putnam
funds currently engages in any transactions with such firms
except that certain of such firms act as dealers in the
retail sale of shares of certain Putnam funds in the
ordinary course of their business. The balance of the
nominees are not "interested persons."
** In February 1994, Mr. Thorndike accepted appointment as a
successor trustee of certain private trusts in which he has
no beneficial interest. At that time he also became
Chairman of the Board of two privately owned corporations
controlled by such trusts, serving in that capacity until
October 1994. These corporations filed voluntary petitions
for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in
August 1994.
Except as indicated above, the principal occupations and business
experience of the nominees for the last five years have been with
the employers indicated, although in some cases they have held
different positions with those employers. Except for Dr.
Shapiro, Ms. Baxter and Mr. Jackson, all the nominees were
elected by the shareholders in July, 1993. Ms. Baxter, Dr.
Shapiro and Mr. Jackson, were elected by the other Trustees in
January 1994, April 1995 and May 1996, respectively. As
indicated above, Dr. Shapiro also previously served as a Trustee
of the Putnam funds from 1984 to 1989. The 14 nominees for
election as Trustees at the shareholder meeting of your fund who
receive the greatest number of votes will be elected Trustees of
your fund. The Trustees serve until their successors are elected
and qualified. Each of the nominees has agreed to serve as a
Trustee if elected. If any of the nominees is unavailable for
election at the time of the meeting, which is not anticipated,
the Trustees may vote for other nominees at their discretion, or
the Trustees may recommend that the shareholders fix the number
of Trustees at less than 14 for your fund.
WHAT ARE THE TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES?
Your fund's Trustees are responsible for the general oversight of
your fund's business and for assuring that your fund is managed
in the best interests of its shareholders. The Trustees
periodically review your fund's investment performance as well as
the quality of other services provided to your fund and its
shareholders by Putnam Management and its affiliates, including
administration, custody, distribution and investor servicing. At
least annually, the Trustees review the fees paid to Putnam
Management and its affiliates for these services and the overall
level of your fund's operating expenses. In carrying out these
responsibilities, the Trustees are assisted by an independent
administrative staff and by your fund's auditors and legal
counsel, which are selected by the Trustees and are independent
of Putnam Management and its affiliates.
DO THE TRUSTEES HAVE A STAKE IN YOUR FUND?
The Trustees believe it is important that each Trustee have a
significant investment in the Putnam funds. The Trustees
allocate their investments among the more than 99 Putnam funds
based on their own investment needs. The Trustees' aggregate
investments in the Putnam funds total over $45 million. The
table below lists each Trustee's current investments in the fund
and in the Putnam funds as a group.
SHARE OWNERSHIP BY TRUSTEES
YEAR FIRST NUMBER OF
ELECTED AS NUMBER OF SHARES OF
TRUSTEE OF SHARES OF THE ALL PUTNAM
THE PUTNAM FUND OWNED FUNDS OWNED
TRUSTEES+ FUNDS AS OF 4/25/96* AS OF 4/25/96**
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jameson A. Baxter 1994 752 23,765
Hans H. Estin 1972 2,751 25,936
John A. Hill 1985 14215(1) 111,288
Elizabeth T. Kennan 1992 739 19,185
Lawrence J. Lasser 1992 43,446(2)
Robert E. Patterson 1984 1,587 57,594
Donald S. Perkins 1982 7,903 169,328
William F. Pounds 1971 6,481 347,322
George Putnam 1957 53,107 1,504,409
George Putnam, III 1984 6,056 286,696
Eli Shapiro 1995*** -- 80,030
A.J.C. Smith 1986 1,793 34,260
W. Nicholas Thorndike 1992 147 78,943
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ Mr. Jackson became a Trustee of the fund effective May 3, 1996 and does
not own any
shares of the fund.
* Except as noted below, each Trustee has sole investment power and sole
voting power
with respect to his or her shares of the fund.
** These holdings do not include shares of Putnam money market funds.
+ Dr. Shapiro previously served as a Trustee of the Putnam funds
from 1984 to 1989.
(1) Includes 3,865 shares in which Mr. Hill has no economic interest.
(2) Includes 43,291 shares in which Mr. Lasser has no economic interest.
As of April 25, 1996, the Trustees and officers of the fund owned a total of
210,868
shares of the fund, comprising less than 1% of its outstanding shares on that
date. A
total of 36,423 of these shares are held by certain "interested" Trustees
and officers of
your fund and Putnam Management in their Putnam Investments, Inc. Profit Sharing
Retirement Plan accounts. Each individual accountholder has sole investment
power and
shared voting power with respect to his/her account.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS IN WHICH THE TRUSTEES REPRESENT
SHAREHOLDER INTERESTS?
The Trustees believe that, as substantial investors in the Putnam
funds, their interests are closely aligned with those of
individual shareholders. Among other ways, the Trustees seek to
represent shareholder interests:
by carefully reviewing your fund's investment
performance on an individual basis with your fund's
managers;
by also carefully reviewing the quality of the various
other services provided to the funds and their
shareholders by Putnam Management and its affiliates;
by discussing with senior management of Putnam
Management steps being taken to address any performance
deficiencies;
by reviewing the fees paid to Putnam Management to
ensure that such fees remain reasonable and competitive
with those of other mutual funds, while at the same
time providing Putnam Management sufficient resources
to continue to provide high quality services in the
future;
by monitoring potential conflicts between the funds and
Putnam Management and its affiliates to ensure that the
funds continue to be managed in the best interests of
their shareholders;
by also monitoring potential conflicts among funds to
ensure that shareholders continue to realize the
benefits of participation in a large and diverse family
of funds.
HOW OFTEN DO THE TRUSTEES MEET?
The Trustees meet each month (except August) over a two-day
period to review the operations of your fund and of the other
Putnam funds. A portion of these meetings is devoted to meetings
of various Committees of the board which focus on particular
matters. These include: the Contract Committee, which reviews
all contractual arrangements with Putnam Management and its
affiliates; the Communication and Service Committee, which
reviews the quality of services provided by your fund's investor
servicing agent, custodian and distributor; the Pricing,
Brokerage and Special Investments Committee, which reviews
matters relating to valuation of securities, best execution,
brokerage costs and allocations and new investment techniques;
the Audit Committee, which reviews accounting policies and the
adequacy of internal controls and supervises the engagement of
the funds' auditors; the Compensation, Administration and Legal
Affairs Committee, which reviews the compensation of the Trustees
and their administrative staff and supervises the engagement of
the funds' independent counsel; and the Nominating Committee,
which is responsible for selecting nominees for election as
Trustees.
Each Trustee generally attends at least two formal committee
meetings during such monthly meeting of the Trustees. During
1995, the average Trustee participated in approximately 40
committee and board meetings. In addition, the Trustees meet in
small groups with Chief Investment Officers and Portfolio
Managers to review recent performance and the current investment
climate for selected funds. These meetings ensure that each
fund's performance is reviewed in detail at least twice a year.
The Contract Committee typically meets on several additional
occasions during the year to carry out its responsibilities.
Other Committees, including an Executive Committee, may also meet
on special occasions as the need arises.
WHAT ARE THE TRUSTEES PAID FOR THEIR SERVICES?
Your fund pays each Trustee a fee for his or her services. Each
Trustee also receives fees for serving as Trustee of the other
Putnam funds. The Trustees periodically review their fees to
assure that such fees continue to be appropriate in light of
their responsibilities as well as in relation to fees paid to
trustees of other mutual fund complexes. The fees paid to each
Trustee by your fund and by all of the Putnam funds are shown
below:
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION TABLE
Total
Aggregate compensation
compensation from all
Trustees from the fund* Putnam funds**
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Jameson A. Baxter $1,869 $150,854
Hans H. Estin 1,870 150,854
John A. Hill*** 1,853 149,854
Ronald J. Jackson N/A N/A
Elizabeth T. Kennan 1,843 148,854
Lawrence J. Lasser 1,870 150,854
Robert E. Patterson 1,896 152,854
Donald S. Perkins 1,870 150,854
William F. Pounds 1,883 149,854
George Putnam 1,870 150,854
George Putnam, III 1,870 150,854
Eli Shapiro**** 473 95,372
A.J.C. Smith 1,834 149,854
W. Nicholas Thorndike 1,896 152,854
* Includes an annual retainer and an attendance fee for each
meeting attended.
** Reflects total payments received from all Putnam funds in the
most recent calendar year. As of December 31, 1995, there were
99 funds in the Putnam family.
*** Includes compensation deferred pursuant to a Trustee
Compensation Deferral Plan. The total amount of deferred
compensation payable to Mr. Hill by all Putnam funds as of
July 31, 1996 was $8,348.34, including income earned on such
amounts.
**** Elected as a Trustee in April 1995.
Your fund's Trustees have approved Retirement Guidelines for
Trustees of the Putnam funds. These guidelines provide generally
that a Trustee who retires after reaching age 72 and who has at
least 10 years of continuous service will be eligible to receive a
retirement benefit from each Putnam fund for which he or she served
as a Trustee. The amount and form of such benefit is subject to
determination annually by the Trustees and, unless otherwise
determined by the Trustees, will be an annual cash benefit payable
for life equal to one-half of the Trustee retainer fees paid by each
fund at the time of retirement. Several retired Trustees are
currently receiving benefits pursuant to the Guidelines and it is
anticipated that the current Trustees will receive similar benefits
upon their retirement. A Trustee who retired in calendar 1995 and
was eligible to receive benefits under these Guidelines would have
received an annual benefit of $66,749, based upon the aggregate
retainer fees paid by the Putnam funds for such year. The Trustees
reserve the right to amend or terminate such Guidelines and the
related payments at any time, and may modify or waive the foregoing
eligibility requirements when deemed appropriate.
For additional information about your fund, including further
information about its Trustees and officers, please see "Further
Information About Your Fund," on page .
PUTNAM INVESTMENTS
Putnam Investment Management, Inc. and its affiliates, Putnam Mutual
Funds, the principal underwriter for shares of your fund and Putnam
Fiduciary Trust Company, your fund's investor servicing agent and
custodian, are wholly owned by Putnam Investments, Inc., One Post
Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, a holding company that
is in turn wholly owned by Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., which
has executive offices at 1166 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New
York 10036. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., and its operating
subsidiaries are professional services firms with insurance and
reinsurance brokering, consulting, and investment management
businesses.
2. SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Price Waterhouse LLP, 160 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts,
independent accountants, has been selected by the Trustees as the
auditor of your fund for the current fiscal year. Among the
country's preeminent accounting firms, this firm also serves as the
auditor for approximately half of the other funds in the Putnam
family. It was selected primarily on the basis of its expertise as
auditors of investment companies, the quality of its audit services,
and the competitiveness of the fees charged for these services.
A majority of the votes on the matter is necessary to ratify the
selection of auditors. A representative of the independent auditors
is expected to be present at the meeting to make statements and to
respond to appropriate questions.
3.
PROPOSALS A-O.
As described in the following proposals, the Trustees are
recommending that shareholders approve a number of changes to the
fund's fundamental investment restrictions, including the
elimination of certain restrictions. The purpose of these proposed
changes is to increase the fund's investment flexibility and to
bring the fund's policies more in line with those of many other
Putnam funds. Several of these changes reflect the elimination of
certain restrictive policies which were required at one time by
various state securities authorities but which are no longer
required under current regulations.
The adoption of any of these proposals is not contingent on the
adoption of any other proposal.
3.A. AMENDING THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTION WITH
RESPECT TO DIVERSIFICATION OF INVESTMENTS
The Trustees are recommending that the fund's fundamental investment
restriction relating to the diversification of its investments be
revised to grant the fund the maximum investment flexibility
permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"). Under
the 1940 Act, the fund, as a diversified fund, generally may not,
with respect to 75% of its total assets, invest more than 5% of its
total assets in the securities of any one issuer (except U.S.
government securities). The remaining 25% of the fund's total
assets is not subject to this restriction
The fund's current restriction is more restrictive, and states that
the fund may not:
"Purchase any security (except certain U.S. government
obligations) if, as a result, more than 5% of the value of the
fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of that
issuer."
The proposed amended fundamental investment restriction is set forth
below.
"The fund may not ...
With respect to 75% of its total assets, invest in the
securities of any issuer if, immediately after such
investment,
more than 5% of the total assets of the fund
(taken at current value) would be invested in the
securities of such issuer; provided that this limitation
does not apply to obligations issued or guaranteed as to
interest or
principal by the U.S. government or its
agencies or instrumentalities."
If the proposed change is approved, the fund will be able to invest
up to 25% of its total assets in the securities of any one issuer.
The amended restriction would continue to exclude from its
limitations all U.S. government securities and would clarify,
consistent with the 1940 Act, that the U.S. government securities
includes those securities guaranteed as to principal or interest by
the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. Following
the amendment, the fund would continue to be a diversified
investment company for purposes of the 1940 Act.
Putnam Management believes that the amendment will enhance the
fund's investment flexibility. The proposed amendment will enable
the fund to invest a greater percentage of its assets in securities
that Putnam Management believes offer the potential for capital
appreciation. However, during times when Putnam Management invests
a higher percentage of the fund's assets in one or more issuers, the
value of the fund's shares may fluctuate more widely than the value
of shares of a portfolio investing in a larger number of issuers.
REQUIRED VOTE. Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative
vote
of
the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of
the fund, or (2) 67% or more of the shares of the fund present at
the meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the fund
are present at the meeting in person or by proxy.
3.B. AMENDING THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS WITH
RESPECT TO INVESTMENTS IN THE SECURITIES OF A SINGLE ISSUER
The Trustees are recommending that the fund's fundamental investment
restriction with respect to investment in the securities of a single
issuer be revised to grant the fund the maximum flexibility
permitted under the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act prohibits a diversified
fund such as the fund from investing, with respect to 75% of its
total assets, in the securities of an issuer if as a result it would
own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that
issuer. The fund's current investment restrictions, which are more
restrictive than the 1940 Act, states that the fund may not:
"Acquire more than 10% of any one class of the securities of an
issuer. (For this purpose all preferred stocks of an issuer
are regarded as a single class, and all debt securities of an
issuer are regarded as a single class.)"
or,
"Acquire more than 10% of the voting securities of any issuer."
The Trustees propose replacing these two fundamental restrictions
with the following fundamental restriction:
"The fund may not ...
With respect to 75% of its total assets, acquire more than
10% of the outstanding voting securities of any issuer."
Putnam Management believes the current restrictions overbroad and
unnecessarily restrictive and that limiting these restrictions to
voting securities and 75% of the fund's assets will enhances
investment flexibility. Putnam Management has advised the Trustees
that the current restrictions could prevent the fund from investing
in certain opportunities to the fullest extent that Putnam
Management believes would best serve the fund's investment
objective.
The amendment removes all restrictions on the amount of a class of
an issuer's securities that the fund may purchase, and enables the
fund will only be able to purchase more than 10% of the voting
securities of an issuer with respect to 25% of the fund's total
assets.
To
the extent the fund individually or with other funds and
accounts managed by Putnam Management or its affiliates owns all or
a major portion of the outstanding securities of a particular
issuer, under adverse market or economic conditions or in the event
of adverse changes in the financial condition of the issuer the fund
could find it more difficult to sell these securities when Putnam
Management believes it advisable to do so, or may be able to sell
the securities only at prices lower than if they were more widely
held. In addition, certain of the companies in which the fund may
invest a greater portion of its assets following the amendment could
have relatively small equity market capitalizations (e.g., under $1
billion). Such companies often have limited product lines, markets
or financial resources. They may trade less frequently and in
limited volume, and only in the over-the-counter market or on a
regional securities exchange. As a result, the securities of these
companies may fluctuate in value more than those of larger, more
established companies. Under such circumstances, it may also be
more difficult to determine the fair value of such securities for
purposes of computing the fund's net asset value.
REQUIRED VOTE. Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative
vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of
the fund, or (2) 67% or more of the shares of the fund present at a
meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the fund are
present at the meeting in person or by proxy.
3.C. AMENDING THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTION WITH
RESPECT TO MAKING LOANS THROUGH PURCHASES OF DEBT OBLIGATIONS,
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND SECURITIES LOANS
The Trustees are recommending that the fund's fundamental investment
restriction with respect to making loans be revised to permit the
fund to purchase all types of debt obligations and to remove in
asset limitations on the fund's ability to enter into repurchase
agreements and securities loans. The current restriction states
that the fund may not:
"Make loans, except by purchase of marketable bonds,
debentures, commercial paper or corporate notes, and similar
marketable evidence of indebtedness which are part of an issue
to the public or to financial institutions, by entry into
repurchase agreements with respect to not more than 25% of its
total assets, or through the lending of its portfolio
securities with respect to not more than 25% of its total
assets."
The proposed amended fundamental investment restriction is set forth
below.
<PAGE>
"The fund may not ...
Make loans, except by purchase of debt obligations in
which the fund may invest consistent with its investment
policies, by
entering into repurchase agreements,
or by
lending its portfolio securities
."
Following the amendment, the fund may, consistent with its
investment objective and policies, purchase all types of debt
obligations, whether or not publicly issued, and entered into
repurchase agreements and securities loans without limit. Putnam
Management believes that the enhanced investment flexibility will
assist the fund in achieving its investment objective, because
repurchase agreements and securities loans often offer opportunities
for increased investment return. Putnam Management also believes
that the current policy on purchases of debt obligations is
unnecessarily restrictive and could, for example, be read to prevent
the fund from purchasing certain privately issued debt obligations,
which might present investment opportunities for the fund.
When the fund enters into a repurchase agreement, it typically
purchases a security for a relatively short period (usually not more
than one week), which the seller agrees to repurchase at a fixed
time and price, representing the fund's cost plus interest. When
the fund enters into a securities loan, it lends certain of its
portfolio securities to broker-dealers or other parties and
typically receives an interest payment in return. These
transactions must be fully collateralized at all times, but involve
some risk to the fund if the other party should default on its
obligation. If the other party in these transactions should become
involved in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, it is possible
that the fund may be treated as an unsecured creditor and be
required to return the underlying collateral to the other party's
estate.
Although the purchase of private debt obligations may offer
opportunities for increased investment return, it may also involve
greater risk. Since private debt is not publicly traded, there is
no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for such
debt, and the fund could find it more difficult to sell such debt
when Putnam Management considers it desirable to do so or may only
be able to sell at less than fair market value. Private debt
obligations may also contain restrictions on transfer, such as
rights of first refusal, which could result in the fund receiving
less than the fair market value for such debt obligations. There
may be less information publicly available about the issuers of
private debt, who are often private issuers not subject to many of
the disclosure obligations of public companies or government
issuers. In addition, issuers of private debt tend to be smaller,
less established companies with relatively small market
capitalizations (e.g., under $1 billion).
REQUIRED VOTE. Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative
vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of
the fund, or (2) 67% or more of the shares of the fund present at
the meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the fund
are present at the meeting in person or by proxy.
3.D. AMENDING THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTION WITH
RESPECT TO INVESTMENTS IN REAL ESTATE
The
Trustees
are recommending that the fund's fundamental investment
restriction relating to investments in real estate be revised to
permit the fund to acquire and dispose of real estate acquired
through the exercise of rights in certain debt obligations held by
the fund. The fund's current fundamental restriction does not
permit the fund to purchase or sell real estate directly, although
the fund may invest in a variety of securities the value of which is
dependent upon the value of real estate. The current restriction
states that the fund may not:
"Buy or sell real estate, although it may purchase
securities of companies which deal in real estate and may
purchase securities which are secured by interests in real
estate."
The proposed amended fundamental investment restriction is set forth
below.
"The fund may not ...
Purchase or sell real estate, although it may purchase
securities of issuers which deal in real estate,
securities which are secured by interests in real estate,
and securities which represent interests in real estate,
and it may acquire and dispose of real estate or interests
in real estate acquired through the exercise of its rights
as a holder of debt obligations secured by real estate or
interests therein."
Putnam Management believes that the amendment will allow the fund to
take full advantage of rights it may have as a holder of certain
debt obligations which are secured by real estate. The amended
restriction
would allow the fund to own real estate directly as a
result of the exercise of its rights in connection with debt
obligations it owns. In such cases, the ability to acquire and
dispose of real estate may serve to protect the fund during times
where an issuer of debt securities is otherwise unable to meet its
obligations.
To the extent the fund holds real estate-related securities, it will
be subject to the risks associated with the real estate market.
These risks may include declines in the value of real estate,
changes in general or local economic conditions, overbuilding,
difficulty in completing construction, increased competition,
changes in zoning laws, increases in property taxes and operating
expenses, and variations in rental income. Generally, increases in
interest rates will increase the costs of obtaining financing, which
may result in a decrease in the value of such investments.
REQUIRED VOTE. Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative
vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of
the fund, or (2) 67% or more of the shares of the fund present at
the meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the fund
are present at the meeting in person or by proxy.
3.E. AMENDING THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTION WITH
RESPECT TO CONCENTRATION OF ITS ASSETS
The Trustees are recommending that the fund's fundamental investment
restriction regarding concentration be revised to make it clear that
the fund may invest more than 25% of its assets in the securities of
the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities. The current
restriction states that the fund may not:
"[c]oncentrate more than 25% of the fund's assets in any one
industry."
The proposed amended fundamental restriction, is set forth below.
"The fund may not ...
Purchase securities (other than securities of the U.S.
government, its agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a
result of such purchase, more than 25% of the fund's total
assets would be invested in any one industry."
Putnam Management believes that this amendment will make it clear
that the fund may invest in the securities of the U.S. government or
its agencies or instrumentalities without regard to the 25% limit.
Putnam Management believes that the current restriction does not
prevent the fund from investing in such securities without limit,
because the SEC takes the position that government issuers,
including agencies and instrumentalities, are not members of any
industry. However, to avoid any ambiguity in the future, Putnam
Management believes that this clarification should be made at this
time.
REQUIRED VOTE. Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative
vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of
the fund, or (2) 67% or more of the shares of the fund present at
the meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the fund
are present at the meeting in person or by proxy.
<PAGE>
3.F. AMENDING THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTION WITH
RESPECT TO INVESTMENTS IN COMMODITIES
The Trustees are recommending that the fund's fundamental investment
restriction regarding investments in commodities be made a separate
restriction and revised to reflect the current formulation used by
many other Putnam Funds. The current restriction, which is
highlighted in boldface, states that the fund may not
"BUY OR SELL [oil, gas or other mineral leases, rights or
royalty contracts, puts, calls, options, straddles,]
COMMODITIES OR COMMODITY CONTRACTS, EXCEPT THAT THE FUND [(i)
may write covered call options traded on national securities
exchanges on securities which it owns and purchase covered call
options to close out call options written by it and (ii)] MAY
BUY OR SELL FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS AND RELATED OPTIONS [,
as well as options on indices]."
The sections of the restriction in brackets are proposed to be
eliminated by proposals 3.N. and 3.O. below.
The proposed amended fundamental restriction is set forth below.
"The fund may not ...
Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts,
except that the fund may purchase and sell financial
futures contracts and options."
Under the revised restriction, the fund will be able to engage in a
variety of transactions involving the use of financial futures and
options. Putnam Management believes this investment flexibility
could assist the fund in achieving its investment objective, because
such strategies often offer opportunities for hedging and increased
investment return. The fund might buy and sell financial futures
contracts in order to hedge against changes in the value of
securities it owns or expects to purchase or to hedge against
changes in interest rates. The fund might also buy and sell
(otherwise known as "write") call and put options on futures
contracts for similar purposes. In addition, to the extent
permitted by applicable law, the fund may engage in financial
futures and options transactions for purposes other than hedging,
such as a substitute for direct investment in securities. The fund
might also buy and sell foreign currency futures and options.
REQUIRED VOTE. Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative
vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of
the fund, or (2) 67% or more of the shares of the fund present at
the meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the fund
are present at the meeting in person or by proxy.
3.G. ELIMINATING THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTION WITH
RESPECT TO INVESTMENTS IN ISSUERS THAT HAVE BEEN IN OPERATION
FOR LESS THAN THREE YEARS
The Trustees are recommending that the fund's fundamental investment
restriction which limits the fund's investments in issuers with
limited operating histories, which are sometimes referred to as
"unseasoned issuers" be revised. The current restriction states
that the fund may not:
"Invest in securities of an issuer which, together with any
predecessor, has been in operation for less than three years,
[and in equity securities of issuers for which market
quotations are not readily available (but excluding restricted
securities limited by restriction 15 below)] if, as a result,
more than 5% of the fund's net assets would then be invested in
such securities."
The section of the restriction in brackets is proposed to be
eliminated by proposal 3.G.
The fund originally adopted this restriction to comply with certain
state securities requirements, and while the restriction currently
required by only one state, it is not required to be a fundamental
policy. If this proposal is approved, the Trustees intend to
replace this restriction with the following non-fundamental
investment restriction to comply with the remaining state's
requirement.
"The fund may not ...
"Invest in securities of an issuer which, together with any
predecessors, controlling persons, general partners and
guarantors, have a record of less than three years' continuous
business operation or relevant business experience, if, as a
result, the aggregate of such investments would exceed 5% of
the value of the fund's net assets; provided, however, that
this restriction shall not apply to any obligations of the U.S.
government or its instrumentalities or agencies."
Following such amendment, the fund will, consistent with the state
requirement, have the ability to invest up to 5% of its assets in
the securities of companies which have been in operation for less
than three years, without regard to its investments in equity
securities for which market quotations ar not readily available.
The restriction will also exempt certain U.S. government securities
from its limitations to provide the fund with maximum investment
flexibility. Putnam Management believes that this enhanced
flexibility could assist the fund in achieving its objective, since
unseasoned issuers could offer the potential for greater investment
return. Putnam Management believes making this policy non-
fundamental will provide the fund with maximum flexibility to modify
or eliminate the policy if no longer required under state law. If
the restriction were no longer required, the Trustees could change
or eliminate the restriction to increase the fund's investment
flexibility without the need for further shareholder approval.
Investments in these companies may also involve greater risk.
Companies which have been in operation less than three years include
start-up companies and other companies with limited operating
histories, many of which would have relatively small equity market
capitalizations (e.g., under $1 billion). Although these companies
may provide greater opportunities for capital growth, they also
involve greater risk. These companies often have limited product
lines, markets or financial resources. They may trade less
frequently and in limited volume, and only in the over-the-counter
market or on a regional securities exchange. As a result, the
securities of these companies may fluctuate in value more than those
of larger, more established companies.
REQUIRED VOTE. Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative
vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of
the fund, or (2) 67% or more of the shares of the fund present at
the meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the fund
are present at the meeting in person or by proxy.
3.H. ELIMINATING THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTION WITH
RESPECT TO INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES OF ISSUERS IN WHICH
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND OR PUTNAM MANAGEMENT OWNS SECURITIES
The Trustees are recommending eliminating the fund's fundamental
investment restriction which prevents the fund from investing in the
securities of issuers in which management of the fund or Putnam
Management owns a certain percentage of securities. The current
restriction states that the fund may not:
"Invest in securities of any company, if officers and Trustees of
the fund and officers and directors of Putnam Management who
beneficially own more than 0.5% of the shares or securities of that
company together own more than 5%."
The fund originally adopted this restriction to comply with certain
state securities law requirements, and the restriction is currently
required by only one state, but is not required to be a fundamental
policy. If this proposal is approved, the Trustees intend to
replace this fundamental restriction with an identical non-
fundamental investment restriction to comply with the remaining
state's requirements.
Putnam Management recommended to the Trustees making this policy
non-fundamental to provide the fund with maximum flexibility to
modify or eliminate the policy if no longer required under state
law. If the restriction were no longer required, the Trustees could
eliminate the restriction to increase the fund's investment
flexibility without the need for further shareholder approval. If
the restriction were eliminated, the fund would be able to invest in
the securities of any issuer without regard to ownership in such
issuer by management of the fund or Putnam Management, except to the
extent prohibited by the fund's investment policies or the 1940 Act.
REQUIRED VOTE. Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative
vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of
the fund, or (2) 67% or more of the shares of the fund present at
the meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the fund
are present at the meeting in person or by proxy.
3.I. ELIMINATING THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTION WITH
RESPECT TO MARGIN TRANSACTIONS
The Trustees are recommending that the fund's fundamental investment
restriction with respect to margin transactions be eliminated.
"Margin transactions" involve the purchase of securities with money
borrowed from a broker, with cash or eligible securities being used
as collateral against the loan. The current restriction states that
the fund may not:
"Purchase securities on margin, (but it may obtain such short-
term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases
and sales of securities and make margin payments in connection
with financial futures contracts or related options) [or make
short sales.]"
The section of the restriction in brackets is proposed to be
eliminated by proposal 3.J. below.
The fund originally adopted this restriction to comply with certain
state securities law requirements, and the restriction is currently
required by only one state, but is not required to be a fundamental
policy. If the proposal is approved, the Trustees intend to replace
this fundamental restriction with the following non-fundamental
investment restriction to comply with the remaining state's
requirement.
"The fund may not . . .
Purchase securities on margin, except such short-term credits
as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of
securities, and except that it may make margin payments in
connection with financial futures contracts or options."
Putnam Management believes that making this policy non-fundamental
will provide the fund with maximum flexibility to modify or
eliminate the policy if no longer required under state law. If the
restriction were no longer required, the Trustees could eliminate
the restriction to increase the fund's investment flexibility
without the need for further shareholder approval. However, the
fund's potential use of margin transactions beyond transactions in
financial futures and options and for the clearance of purchases and
sales of securities, including the use of margin in ordinary
securities transactions, is generally limited by the current
position taken by the Staff of the SEC that margin transactions with
respect to securities are prohibited under Section 18 of the 1940
Act because they create senior securities. The fund's ability to
engage in margin transactions is also limited by its investment
policies, which generally permit the fund to borrow money in limited
circumstances and only from banks.
REQUIRED VOTE. Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative
vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of
the fund, or (2) 67% or more of the shares of the fund present at
the meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the fund
are present at the meeting in person or by proxy.
3.J. ELIMINATING THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTION WITH
RESPECT TO SHORT SALES
The Trustees are recommending that the fund's fundamental investment
restrictions with respect to short sales be eliminated. The current
restriction states that the fund may not:
"[Purchase securities on margin (but it may obtain such short-
term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases
and sales of securities, and may make margin payments in
connection with transactions in connection with financial
futures contracts) or] make short sales."
The section of the restriction in brackets is proposed to be
eliminated by proposal 3.I.
REQUIRED VOTE. Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative
vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of
the fund, or (2) 67% or more of the shares of the fund present at
the meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the fund
are present at the meeting in person or by proxy.
3.K. ELIMINATING THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTION WHICH
LIMITS THE FUND'S ABILITY TO PLEDGE ASSETS
The Trustees are recommending that the fund's fundamental investment
restriction which limits the fund's ability to pledge its assets be
eliminated. The current restriction states that the fund may not:
"Voluntarily pledge, mortgage, charge, hypothecate or otherwise
encumber its assets except in connection with the writing of
covered call options. For the purposes of this restriction,
collateral arrangements with respect to margin for financial
futures contracts or related options are not deemed to be a
pledge of assets."
Certain state securities laws impose limitations on the fund's
ability to pledge its assets, but these limitation are much less
restrictive than the fund's current restrictions, and are not
required to be contained in a fundamental policy. For these
reasons, Putnam Management believes that the fund's current
restrictions is overbroad and unnecessarily restrictive and should
be eliminated. If the proposal is approved, the Trustees intend to
replace this fundamental restriction with the following non-
fundamental investment restriction to comply with the current state
requirements:
"The fund may not ...
Pledge, hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise encumber its
assets in excess of 33 1/3% of its total assets (taken at
cost) in connection with permitted borrowings."
This proposal would increase the fund's ability to pledge assets to
up to one-third of its total assets. In addition, the proposed new
restriction only restricts the fund in connection with pledges of
assets with respect to borrowings; other activities, such as
collateral arrangements with respect to certain forward commitments,
which could be deemed to be pledges or other encumbrances, will not
be restricted.
Putnam Management believes that the enhanced flexibility could
assist the fund in achieving its investment objective. Further,
Putnam Management believes that the fund's current limits on
pledging may conflict with the fund's ability to borrow money to
meet redemption requests or for extraordinary or emergency purposes.
This conflict arises because banks may require borrowers such as the
fund to pledge assets in order to collateralize the amount borrowed.
Often, these collateral requirements are for amounts larger than the
principal amount of the loan. If the fund needed to borrow the
maximum amount permitted by its policies (currently 10% of its total
assets), it might be possible that a bank would require collateral
in excess of 15% of the fund's total assets. Therefore, the limit
on pledging assets may have the effect of reducing the amount that
the fund may borrow in these situations.
Putnam Management believes making this policy non-fundamental to
provide the fund with maximum flexibility to modify or eliminate the
policy if no longer required under state law. If the restriction
were no longer required, the Trustees could modify or eliminate the
restriction to increase the fund's investment flexibility without
the need for further shareholder approval.
Pledging assets does entail certain risks. To the extent that the
fund pledges its assets, the fund may have less flexibility in
liquidating its assets. If a large portion of the fund's assets
were involved, the fund's ability to meet redemption requests or
other obligations could be delayed.
REQUIRED VOTE. Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative
vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of
the fund, or (2) 67% or more of the shares of the fund present at
the meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the fund
are present at the meeting in person or by proxy.
3.L. ELIMINATING THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTION WITH
RESPECT TO THE GAINING CONTROL OF A COMPANY'S MANAGEMENT
The Trustees are recommending that the fund's fundamental investment
restriction which states that the fund may not "[m]ake investments
for the purpose of gaining control of a company's management" be
eliminated. Eliminating the restriction would make it clear that
the fund can freely exercise its rights as a shareholder of the
various companies in which it invests. These rights may include the
right to actively oppose or support management of such companies.
Putnam Management believes that this ability will allow the fund
maximum flexibility to protect the value of its investments through
influencing management of companies in which it invests. Putnam
Management believes that the fund should be allowed to freely
communicate its views as a shareholder on matters of policy to
management, the board of directors, and other shareholders when a
policy may affect the value of the fund's investment. Either
individually or with others, the fund may seek changes in a
company's goals, management, or board of directors, seek the sale of
some or all of a company's assets, or vote to participate in or
oppose a takeover effort with respect to a company. Although Putnam
Management believes that the fund may currently engage in many if
not all of these activities without necessarily violating this
restriction, it believes that eliminating the restriction will
eliminate any potential obstacle to the fund in protecting its
interests as a shareholder.
This area of corporate activity is highly prone to litigation, and
whether or not the restriction is eliminated, the fund could be
drawn into lawsuits related to these activities. The fund will
direct its efforts toward those instances where Putnam Management
believes the potential for benefit to the fund outweighs potential
litigation risks.
REQUIRED VOTE. Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative
vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of
the fund, or (2) 67% or more of the shares of the fund present at
the meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the fund
are present at the meeting in person or by proxy.
3.M. ELIMINATING THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS WITH
RESPECT TO INVESTMENTS IN ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The Trustees are recommending that the fund's fundamental
investment restrictions which limit the fund's investments in
illiquid securities, including securities restricted as to resale
("restricted securities"), be eliminated. The current fundamental
investment restrictions state that the fund may not:
"Invest [in securities of an issuer which, together with any
predecessor, has been in operation for less than three years,
and] in equity securities of issuers for which market
quotations are not readily available (but excluding restricted
securities limited by restriction 15 below) if, as a result,
more than 5% of the fund's net assets would then be invested in
such securities."
"Purchase securities restricted as to resale, if, as a result,
such investments would exceed 15% of the value of the fund's
net assets, excluding restricted securities that have been
determined by the Trustees of the fund (or the person
designated by them to make such determinations) to be readily
marketable."
The section of the first restriction in brackets is proposed to be
eliminated by proposal 3.G. above.
Putnam Management believes the restrictions are no longer necessary
in light of current regulatory requirements and the fund's current
investment policies. The Staff of the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") currently takes the position that an illiquid
security is a security which is not readily marketable, rather than
a security for which market quotations are not readily available as
contained in one restriction. This SEC position is expressed in the
fund's current non-fundamental investment restriction which
prohibits the fund from investing more than 15% of its net assets in
any combination of (a) securities which are not readily marketable,
(b) securities restricted as to resale (excluding securities
determined by the Trustees of the fund (or the person designated by
the Trustees of the fund to make such determinations) to be readily
marketable), and (c) repurchase agreements maturing in more than
seven days. Unlike the current fundamental investment restrictions,
this non-fundamental investment restriction applies to all types of
investments, not just securities, and includes other types of
illiquid investments, such as repurchase agreements. If the
proposal is approved, the fund will be able to invest more than 5%
of its net assets in equity securities for which market quotations
are not readily available although such investments will be limited
if such securities are considered illiquid.
<PAGE>
Putnam Management believes that the fund may benefit from the added
flexibility of having the fund's policy with respect to illiquid
securities contained in a single non-fundamental investment
restriction. In the future, the fund will be able to respond more
quickly to legal, regulatory and market developments regarding
illiquid securities (which might result in the removal of the
restriction) because further shareholder approval will not be
required to bring the policy in line with these developments.
To the extent the fund invests in illiquid investments, including
restricted securities and securities for which market quotations are
not readily available, the fund may encounter difficulty in
determining the fair value of such securities for purposes of
computing the fund's net asset value. In addition, the fund could
encounter difficulty in satisfying redemption requests within seven
days if it could not readily dispose of its illiquid investments.
REQUIRED VOTE. Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative
vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of
the fund, or (2) 67% or more of the shares of the fund present at
the meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the fund
are present at the meeting in person or by proxy.
3.N. ELIMINATING
THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTION WITH
RESPECT TO CERTAIN OIL, GAS AND MINERAL
INTERESTS
The Trustees are recommending that the fund's fundamental investment
restriction with respect to investments in oil, gas and mineral
leases, rights or royalty contracts be eliminated. The current
restriction states that the fund may not:
"Buy or sell oil, gas or other mineral leases, rights or
royalty contracts [puts, calls, options, straddlers, commodity
or commodity contracts, except that the fund (i) may write
covered call options traded on national securities exchanges on
securities which it owns and purchase covered call options to
close out call options written by it and (ii) may buy or sell
financial futures contracts and related options, as well as
option on indices.]"
Certain state securities laws prohibit the fund from investing in
oil, gas or other mineral leases, rights or royalty contracts, but
do not prevent the fund from investing in securities which derive
their value from such interests. For this reason, Putnam Management
believes that the fund's current restriction is overboard and
unnecessarily restrictive and should be eliminated. If this
proposal is approved, the Trustees intend to adopt the following
non-fundamental restriction with respect to such investments to
comply with the current state requirements:
<PAGE>
"The fund may not . . .
"Buy or sell oil, gas or other mineral leases, rights or
royalty contracts, although it may purchase securities which
represent interests in, are secured by interests in, or which
are issued by issuers which deal in, such leases, rights or
contracts, and it may acquire and dispose of such leases,
rights or contracts acquired through the exercise of its rights
as a holder of debt obligations secured thereby."
Putnam Management believes that the enhanced investment flexibility
could assist the fund in achieving its investment objective. The
new restriction would allow the fund to, consistent with applicable
regulatory requirements, to invest in securities which represent
interests in, are secured by, or are issued by companies which deal
in, oil, gas and mineral interest. In addition, the new restriction
will also allow the fund to take full advantage of rights it may
have in certain debt obligations which are secured by oil, gas, and
mineral interests. In such cases, the ability to acquire and
dispose of such interests may serve to protect the fund during times
where an issuer of debt securities is unable to meet its
obligations.
If the proposal is approved, the fund will be able to invest in a
variety of securities the value of which is dependent upon the value
of oil, gas and mineral interests, and in certain limited
circumstances, the fund will be permitted to directly own oil, gas
and mineral interests as a result of the exercise of its rights in
connection with debt obligations it owns.
Investments in oil, gas and other mineral leases, rights or royalty
contracts and in securities which derive their value in part from
such instruments, entail certain risks. The prices of these
investments are subject to substantial fluctuations, and may be
affected by unpredictable economic and political circumstances such
as social, political or military disturbances, the taxation and
regulatory policies of various governments, the activities and
policies of OPEC (an organization of major oil producing countries),
the existence of cartels in such industries, the discovery of new
reserves and the development of new techniques for producing,
refining and transporting such materials and related products, the
development of new technology, energy conservation practices, and
the development of alternative energy sources and alternative uses
for such materials and related products.
REQUIRED VOTE. Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative
vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of
the fund, or (2) 67% or more of the shares of the fund present at
the meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the fund
are present at the meeting in person or by proxy.
3.O. ELIMINATING THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTION WITH
RESPECT TO OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS
The Trustees are recommending that of the fund's fundamental
investment restriction which prevents the fund from investing in
certain options transactions be eliminated. The current
restriction, which is highlighted in boldface, states that the fund
may not:
"BUY OR SELL [oil, gas or other mineral leases, rights or
royalty contracts,] PUTS, CALLS, OPTIONS, STRADDLES,
[commodities or commodity contracts,] EXCEPT THAT THE FUND (i)
MAY WRITE COVERED CALL OPTIONS TRADED ON NATIONAL SECURITIES
EXCHANGES ON SECURITIES WHICH IT OWNS AND PURCHASE COVERED CALL
OPTIONS TO CLOSE OUT CALL OPTIONS WRITTEN BY IT [and (ii) may
buy or sell financial futures contracts and related options,]
AS WELL AS OPTIONS ON INDICES."
The section of the restriction in brackets with respect to oil, gas
and mineral interests is proposed to be eliminated by proposal 3 and
the section of the restriction in brackets with respect to futures
and options is proposed to be amended by proposal 3.
Certain state securities laws impose limitations on the fund's
ability to engage in options transactions and puts, calls, straddles
and spreads, but these limitations are less restrictive than the
fund's current restriction, and are not required to be contained in
a fundamental policy. For these reasons, Putnam Management believes
that the current restriction is overbroad and should be eliminated.
If the proposal is approved, the Trustees intend to replace the
current restriction with the following non-fundamental investment
restriction to comply with current state requirements:
"The fund may not . . .
"Engage in puts, calls, straddles, spreads or any combination
thereof if as a result the value of such investments exceeds 5%
of the value of the fund's total assets, except that the fund
may buy and sell put and call options (and any combination
thereof) on securities and securities indices."
Putnam Management recommended making this policy non-fundamental to
provide the fund with maximum flexibility to modify or eliminate the
policy if no longer required under state law. If the restriction
were no longer required, the Trustees could change or remove the
restriction to increase the fund's investment flexibility without
the need for further shareholder approval.
This proposal provides the fund with the maximum investment
flexibility permitted by law to invest in various types of options
transactions. Putnam Management believes that this enhanced
flexibility could assist the fund in achieving its investment
objective, because options transactions often offer opportunities
for hedging and increased investment return. If this proposal is
approved, the fund will be able to engage in a variety of options
transactions for hedging purposes and to increase investment return.
The fund may buy and sell (or write) call and put options on
securities it owns or expects to purchase, and on securities indices
or on currencies. From time to time, the fund may also buy and sell
combinations of put and call options, known as straddles and
spreads, on the same underlying security.
A CALL OPTION gives the holder the right to purchase, and obligates
the writer to sell, a security, a currency or a unit of an index,
at the exercise price at any time before the expiration date. A PUT
OPTION gives the holder the right to sell, and obligates the writer
to buy, a security, a currency or a unit of an index at the exercise
price at any time before the expiration date. In order for a put
option purchased by the fund to be profitable, the market price of
the underlying security must decline sufficiently below the exercise
price to cover the premium and transaction costs paid by the fund.
In order for a call option purchased by the fund to be profitable,
the market price of the underlying security must rise sufficiently
above the exercise price to cover the premium and transaction costs
paid by the fund.
When the fund writes a call option, it gives up the opportunity to
profit from any increase in the price of a security above the
exercise price of the option; when it writes a put option, the fund
takes the risk that it will be required to purchase a security from
the option holder at a price above the current market price of the
security. The fund receives a premium for writing a call or a put
option (representing the cost of the option), which increases the
return if the option expires unexercised or is closed out at a net
profit.
The successful use of options transactions depends on the ability of
Putnam Management to forecast correctly interest rate and market
movements. The effective use of options also depends on the fund's
ability to terminate option positions at times when Putnam
Management deems it desirable to do so. There is no assurance that
the fund will be able to effect closing transactions at any
particular time or at an acceptable price. Disruptions such as
trading interruptions or restrictions on option exercise in the
markets for securities underlying options purchased or sold by the
fund could result in losses on an option, including the entire
investment of the fund in the option.
REQUIRED VOTE. Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative
vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of
the fund, or (2) 67% or more of the shares of the fund present at
the meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the fund
are present at the meeting in person or by proxy.
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT VOTING AND THE SHAREHOLDER MEETING
QUORUM AND METHODS OF TABULATION. Thirty percent of the shares
entitled to vote -- present in person or represented by proxy --
constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business with respect to
any proposal at the meeting (unless otherwise noted in the proxy
statement). Shares represented by proxies that reflect abstentions
and "broker non-votes" (i.e., shares held by brokers or nominees as
to which (i) instructions have not been received from the beneficial
owners or the persons entitled to vote and (ii) the broker or
nominee does not have the discretionary voting power on a particular
matter) will be counted as shares that are present and entitled to
vote on the matter for purposes of determining the presence of a
quorum. Votes cast by proxy or in person at the meeting will be
counted by persons appointed by your fund as tellers for the
meeting.
The tellers will count the total number of votes cast "for" approval
of the proposals for purposes of determining whether sufficient
affirmative votes have been cast. With respect to the election of
Trustees and selection of auditors, neither abstentions nor broker
non-votes have any effect on the outcome of the proposal. With
respect to any other proposals, abstentions and broker non-votes
have the effect of a negative vote on the proposal.
OTHER BUSINESS. The Trustees know of no other business to be
brought before the meeting. However, if any other matters properly
come before the meeting, it is their intention that proxies that do
not contain specific restrictions to the contrary will be voted on
such matters in accordance with the judgment of the persons named as
proxies in the enclosed form of proxy.
SIMULTANEOUS MEETINGS. The meeting of shareholders of your fund is
called to be held at the same time as the meetings of shareholders
of certain of the other Putnam funds. It is anticipated that all
meetings will be held simultaneously. If any shareholder at the
meeting objects to the holding of a simultaneous meeting and moves
for an adjournment of the meeting to a time promptly after the
simultaneous meetings, the persons named as proxies will vote in
favor of such adjournment.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES. In addition to soliciting proxies by mail,
Trustees of your fund and employees of Putnam Management, Putnam
Fiduciary Trust Company, and Putnam Mutual Funds may solicit proxies
in person or by telephone. Your fund may also arrange to have votes
recorded by telephone. The telephone voting procedure is designed
to authenticate shareholders' identities, to allow shareholders to
authorize the voting of their shares in accordance with their
instructions and to confirm that their instructions have been
properly recorded. Your fund has been advised by counsel that these
procedures are consistent with the requirements of applicable law.
If these procedures were subject to a successful legal challenge,
such votes would not be counted at the meeting. Your fund is
unaware of any such challenge at this time. Shareholders would be
called at the phone number Putnam Investments has in its records for
their accounts, and would be asked for their Social Security number
or other identifying information. The shareholders would then be
given an opportunity to authorize proxies to vote their shares at
the meeting in accordance with their instructions. To ensure that
the shareholders' instructions have been recorded correctly, they
will also receive a confirmation of their instructions in the mail.
A special toll-free number will be available in case the information
contained in the confirmation is incorrect.
Your fund's Trustees have adopted a general policy of maintaining
confidentiality in the voting of proxies. Consistent with this
policy, your fund may solicit proxies from shareholders who have not
voted their shares or who have abstained from voting.
Persons holding shares as nominees will upon request be reimbursed
for their reasonable expenses in soliciting instructions from their
principals. Your fund has retained at its expense D.F. King & Co.,
Inc., 77 Water Street, New York, New York 10005, to aid in the
solicitation of instructions for nominee and registered accounts for
a fee not to exceed $10,000 plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
REVOCATION OF PROXIES. Proxies, including proxies given by
telephone, may be revoked at any time before they are voted by a
written revocation received by the Clerk of your fund, by properly
executing a later-dated proxy or by attending the meeting and voting
in person.
DATE FOR RECEIPT OF SHAREHOLDERS' PROPOSALS FOR SUBSEQUENT MEETINGS
OF SHAREHOLDERS. Your fund's Agreement and Declaration of Trust
does not provide for annual meetings of shareholders, and your fund
does not currently intend to hold such a meeting in 1997.
Shareholder proposals for inclusion in the proxy statement for any
subsequent meeting must be received by your fund within a reasonable
period of time prior to any such meeting.
ADJOURNMENT. If sufficient votes in favor of any of the proposals
set forth in the Notice of the Meeting are not received by the time
scheduled for the meeting, the persons named as proxies may propose
adjournments of the meeting for a period or periods of not more than
60 days in the aggregate to permit further solicitation of proxies
with respect to any of such proposals. Any adjournment will require
the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the question
in person or by proxy at the session of the meeting to be adjourned.
The persons named as proxies will vote in favor of such adjournment
those proxies which they are entitled to vote in favor of such
proposals. They will vote against any such adjournment those
proxies required to be voted against any of such proposals. Your
fund pays the costs of any additional solicitation and of any
adjourned session. Any proposals for which sufficient favorable
votes have been received by the time of the meeting may be acted
upon and considered final regardless of whether the meeting is
adjourned to permit additional solicitation with respect to any
other proposal.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION. YOUR FUND WILL FURNISH, WITHOUT CHARGE, TO
YOU UPON REQUEST A COPY OF THE FUND'S ANNUAL REPORT FOR ITS MOST
RECENT FISCAL YEAR, AND A COPY OF ITS SEMIANNUAL REPORT FOR ANY
SUBSEQUENT SEMIANNUAL PERIOD. SUCH REQUESTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO
PUTNAM INVESTOR SERVICES, P.O. BOX 41203, PROVIDENCE, RI 02940-1203
OR 1-800-225-1581.
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR FUND
LIMITATION OF TRUSTEE LIABILITY. The Agreement and Declaration of
Trust of your fund provides that the fund will indemnify its
Trustees and officers against liabilities and expenses incurred in
connection with litigation in which they may be involved because of
their offices with the fund, except if it is determined in the
manner specified in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust that they
have not acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that their
actions were in the best interests of the fund or that such
indemnification would relieve any officer or Trustee of any
liability to the fund or its shareholders arising by reason of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of his or her duties. Your fund, at its expense, provides
liability insurance for the benefit of its Trustees and officers.
AUDIT AND NOMINATING COMMITTEES. The voting members of the Audit
Committee of your fund include only Trustees who are not "interested
persons" of the fund or by reason of any affiliation with Putnam
Investments and its affiliates. The Audit Committee currently
consists of Messrs. Estin (Chairman), Perkins (without vote),
Putnam, III (without vote), Shapiro, Smith (without vote), and Ms.
Kennan. The Nominating Committee consists only of Trustees who are
not "interested persons" of your fund or Putnam Management. The
Nominating Committee currently consists of Dr. Pounds and Ms. Kennan
(Co-chairpersons), Ms. Baxter, and Messrs. Estin, Hill, Patterson,
Shapiro, and Thorndike.
OFFICERS AND OTHER INFORMATION. In addition to George Putnam and
Lawrence J. Lasser, the officers of your fund are as follows:
Year first
elected to
Name (age) Office office
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Charles E. Porter (57) Executive Vice President 1989
Patricia C. Flaherty (49) Senior Vice President 1993
John D. Hughes (61) Senior Vice President
& Treasurer 1987
Gordon H. Silver (48) Vice President 1990
John J. Morgan (55) Vice President 1991
Jennifer K. Silver*(38) Vice President 1991
Michael J. Mufson*(33) Vice President 1994
Anthony C. Santosus*(37) Vice President 1994
William N. Shiebler** (54) Vice President 1991
John R. Verani (56) Vice President 1987
Paul M. O'Neil (42) Vice President 1993
Beverly Marcus (51) Clerk 1981
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
* One of the fund's portfolio managers
** President of Putnam Mutual Funds
All of the officers of your fund are employees of Putnam Management
or its affiliates. Because of their positions with Putnam
Management or its affiliates or their ownership of stock of Marsh &
McLennan Companies, Inc., the parent corporation of Putnam
Management and Putnam Mutual Funds, Messrs. Putnam, George Putnam,
III, Lasser and Smith (nominees for Trustees of your fund), as well
as the officers of your fund, will benefit from the management fees,
distribution fees, underwriting commissions, custodian fees, and
investor servicing fees paid or allowed by the fund.
<PAGE>
ASSETS AND SHARES OUTSTANDING OF YOUR FUND
AS OF MAY 3, 1996
Net assets $165,534,618
Class A shares outstanding
and authorized to vote 1,182,918,120 shares
Class B shares outstanding
and authorized to vote 441,509,479 shares
Class M shares outstanding
and authorized to vote 16,190,759 shares
Class Y shares outstanding
and authorized to vote 60,930,602 shares
5% BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF YOUR FUND AS OF APRIL 30, 1996
Persons beneficially owning more than 5%
of the fund's class A shares None
Persons beneficially owning more than 5%
of the fund's class B shares None
Persons beneficially owning more than 5%
of the fund's class M shares None
Persons beneficially owning more than 5%
of the fund's class Y shares: Putnam
Fiduciary Trust Company, 859 Willard
Street, Quincy, Massachusetts, 02269;
owned 5,813,416 shares representing
99.0% of the outstanding class Y
shares, acting as trustee or agent for
various pension plans.
<PAGE>
PUTNAMINVESTMENTS
THE PUTNAM FUNDS
One Post Office Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Toll-free 1-800-225-1581<PAGE>
PUTNAMINVESTMENTS
THIS IS YOUR PROXY CARD.
PLEASE VOTE THIS PROXY, SIGN IT BELOW, AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE
ENVELOPE PROVIDED. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT.
HAS YOUR ADDRESS CHANGED?
Please use this form to notify us of any change in address or
telephone number or to provide us with your comments. Detach this
form from the proxy ballot and return it with your signed proxy in
the enclosed envelope.
Street
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
City State Zip
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Telephone
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
DEAR SHAREHOLDER:
Your vote is important. Please help us to eliminate the expense of
follow-up mailings by signing and returning this proxy as soon as
possible. A postage-paid envelope is enclosed for your convenience.
THANK YOU!
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Please fold at perforation before detaching
<PAGE>
Proxy for a meeting of shareholders, July 31, 1996, for PUTNAM VISTA
FUND.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE FUND.
The undersigned shareholder hereby appoints George Putnam, Hans H.
Estin, and Robert E. Patterson, and each of them separately,
proxies, with power of substitution, and hereby authorizes them to
represent and to vote, as designated below, at the meeting of
shareholders of Putnam Vista Fund on July 31, 1996, at 2:00 p.m.,
Boston time, and at any adjournments thereof, all of the shares of
the fund that the undersigned shareholder would be entitled to vote
if personally present.
IF YOU COMPLETE AND SIGN THE PROXY, WE'LL VOTE IT EXACTLY AS YOU
TELL US. IF YOU SIMPLY SIGN THE PROXY, IT WILL BE VOTED FOR
ELECTING TRUSTEES AS SET FORTH IN PROPOSAL 1 AND FOR PROPOSALS 2 AND
3.A.-O. IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXIES WILL ALSO BE AUTHORIZED TO
VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY COME BEFORE THE MEETING.
Note: If you have questions on any of the proposals, please call
1-800-225-1581.
PLEASE BE SURE TO SIGN AND DATE THIS PROXY.
Please sign your name exactly as it appears on this card. If you
are a joint owner, each of you should sign. When signing as
executor, administrator, attorney, trustee, or guardian, or as
custodian for a minor, please give your full title as such. If you
are signing for a corporation, please sign the full corporate name
and indicate the signer's office. If you are a partner, sign in the
partnership name.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder sign here Date
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Co-owner sign here Date
<PAGE>
THE TRUSTEES RECOMMEND A VOTE FOR ELECTING ALL OF THE NOMINEES FOR
TRUSTEES AND FOR THE PROPOSALS LISTED BELOW:
PLEASE MARK YOUR CHOICES / X / IN BLUE OR BLACK INK.
1. PROPOSAL TO ELECT TRUSTEES
The nominees for Trustees are: J.A. Baxter, H.H. Estin, J.A.
Hill, R.J. Jackson, E.T. Kennan, L.J. Lasser, R.E. Patterson,
D.S. Perkins, W.F. Pounds, G. Putnam, G. Putnam, III, E.
Shapiro, A.J.C. Smith, W.N. Thorndike.
/ / FOR electing all the nominees
(EXCEPT AS MARKED TO THE CONTRARY BELOW.)
/ / WITHHOLD authority to vote for all nominees
TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE NOMINEES, WRITE
THOSE NOMINEES' NAMES BELOW:
- -------------------------------------------------------------
PROPOSAL TO:
2. RATIFY THE SELECTION FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
OF PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP / / / / / /
AS AUDITORS.
3.A. AMEND THE / / / / / /
FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL
INVESTMENT RESTRICTION
WITH RESPECT TO
DIVERSIFICATION OF
INVESTMENTS.
3.B. AMEND THE / / / / / /
FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
WITH RESPECT TO
INVESTMENTS IN THE SECURITIES
OF A SINGLE ISSUER.
3.C. AMEND THE / / / / / /
FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL
INVESTMENT RESTRICTION
WITH RESPECT TO MAKING
LOANS THROUGH PURCHASES
OF DEBT OBLIGATIONS, REPURCHASE
AGREEMENTS AND SECURITIES
LOANS.
<PAGE>
3.D. AMEND THE / / / / / /
FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL
INVESTMENT RESTRICTION
WITH RESPECT TO
INVESTMENTS IN
REAL ESTATE.
3.E. AMEND THE / / / / / /
FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL
INVESTMENT RESTRICTION
WITH RESPECT TO
CONCENTRATION OF ITS
ASSETS.
3.F. AMEND THE / / / / / /
FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL
INVESTMENT RESTRICTION
WITH RESPECT TO INVEST-
MENT IN COMMODITIES.
3.G. Eliminate the / / / / / /
fund's fundamental
investment restriction
with respect to invest-
ments in issuers that have
been in operation for
less than three years.
3.H. Eliminate the / / / / / /
fund's fundamental
investment restriction
with respect to
investments in securities
of issuers in which
management of the fund or
Putnam Investment Management,
Inc. owns securities.
3.I. ELIMINATE THE / / / / / /
FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL
INVESTMENT RESTRICTION
WITH RESPECT TO MARGIN
TRANSACTIONS.
3.J. ELIMINATE THE / / / / / /
FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL
INVESTMENT RESTRICTION
WITH RESPECT TO
SHORT SALES.
<PAGE>
3.K. ELIMINATE THE / / / / / /
FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL
INVESTMENT RESTRICTION
which limits the fund's
ability to pledge assets.
3.L. Eliminate the / / / / / /
fund's fundamental
investment restriction
WITH RESPECT TO THE
GAINING CONTROL OF A
COMPANY'S MANAGEMENT.
3.M. ELIMINATE THE / / / / / /
FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL
INVESTMENT RESTRICTION
WITH RESPECT TO
INVESTMENTS IN
ILLIQUID SECURITIES.
3.N. ELIMINATE THE / / / / / /
FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL
INVESTMENT RESTRICTION
WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN OIL,
GAS AND MINERAL INTERESTS.
3.O. ELIMINATE THE / / / / / /
FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL
INVESTMENT RESTRICTION
WITH RESPECT TO OPTION
TRANSACTIONS.
