PUTNAM DIVIDEND INCOME FUND
N-30D, 1995-08-30
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<PAGE>
PUTNAM DIVIDEND INCOME FUND

ANNUAL REPORT

June 30, 1995

[LOGO]
BOSTON * LONDON * TOKYO
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

"Putnam Dividend Income Fund . . . isn't a market timer, but one would
think so from how cannily it has plied the preferred- stock market
over the past year or so."

- -- Morningstar Mutual Funds, May 5, 1995*

Performance should always be considered in light of a fund's
investment strategy. Putnam Dividend Income Fund is designed for
investors seeking a high level of current income which qualifies for
corporate dividends-received deduction, consistent with preservation
of capital.

FISCAL 1995 RESULTS AT A GLANCE

<TABLE><CAPTION>
<S>                        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
TOTAL RETURN                                   NAV        MARKET PRICE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
(change in value during
period plus reinvested
distributions)
12 months ended 6/30/95                      8.77%               5.82%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
SHARE VALUE                                    NAV        MARKET PRICE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
6/30/94                                     $10.84              $9.750
6/30/95                                      10.57               9.250
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            CAPITAL GAINS(1)
                                             LONG-    SHORT-
DISTRIBUTIONS              NO.    INCOME      TERM      TERM     TOTAL
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Common shares               12    $0.780     $0.24        --     $1.02
Preferred shares,
Series A (250 shares)        4    374.68  2,540.76        --  2,915.44
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Current return:                                NAV        Market Price
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
(end of period)
Current dividend rate(2)                     6.81%               7.78%
Taxable equivalent
(for corporate investors)(3)                  9.38               10.71
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
Performance  data represent past results. For performance over  longer
periods,  see pages 8 and 9. (1) Capital gains are taxable. Investment
income  may  be  subject  to  state  and  local  taxes  for  corporate
investors; federal, state, and local taxes for noncorporate investors.
(2) Income portion of most recent distribution, annualized and divided
by  NAV  or  market price at end of period. (3) Assumes a  corporation
taxed  at  the  35%  federal tax rate and  that  100%  of  the  fund's
distributions   qualify  for  the  70%  corporate   dividends-received
deduction.  For some investors, investment income may also be  subject
to the federal alternative minimum tax.

*    Morningstar is an independent research firm. It rates a  fund  in
     relation to other funds with similar investment objectives, based
     on  the  fund's  3-,  5-,  and 10-year  average  annual  returns,
     adjusted for risk factors and sales charges. Past performance  is
     not indicative of future results.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
FROM THE CHAIRMAN
                                              [PHOTO OF GEORGE PUTNAM]
                                                     (C) KARSH, OTTAWA
DEAR SHAREHOLDER:

It  is  probably safe to say that the great majority of fixed-  income
investors  have  greeted the dynamic performance of  bonds  in  recent
months  with  a sense of relief. The much- improved market environment
contributed to Putnam Dividend Income Fund's positive total return for
the fiscal year ended June 30, 1995.

As we mentioned to you in our quarterly reports throughout the period,
Fund  Manager  Jeanne Mockard's strategic use of defensive  strategies
helped moderate the effects of the market decline.

The Federal Reserve Board has already demonstrated its belief that the
economy  has  slowed  sufficiently by lowering  interest  rates.  Some
observers believe additional declines in short-term rates are ahead.

Whether  the Fed eases further or not, Putnam believes interest  rates
in  general are likely to be lower than current levels by year's  end.
The inflation rate could slow even more, as well, making real rates of
return look even better. In the following report, Jeanne reviews  your
fund's  performance and prospects in the context of  the  present  and
projected fixed-income market environments.

Respectfully yours,

[SIGNATURE]

George Putnam
Chairman of the Trustees
August 16, 1995
<PAGE>
REPORT FROM THE FUND MANAGER
JEANNE L. MOCKARD

The  fiscal  year ended June 30, 1995, provided plenty of  opportunity
for  Putnam  Dividend Income Fund to demonstrate its  flexibility.  We
identified,  then  took  advantage  of  many  opportunities  as   they
presented  themselves during the period. Several  strategic  portfolio
shifts  during  the year helped us meet the challenges affecting  both
the equity and fixed-income markets. As a result, your fund closed its
fiscal  year  with  a  total return of 8.77% at  net  asset  value,  a
striking improvement from the negative return reported at midyear.

SHIFTS TO PERPETUAL PREFERRED STOCKS

During  the  first  half  of fiscal 1995,  the  fund  operated  in  an
environment   of  rising  interest  rates  and  generally  challenging
conditions for fixed-income investors. To make matters worse, for  tax
purposes,  many  individual and institutional investors  were  selling
into  the already battered market, establishing losses to offset gains
from other investments.

This tax-loss selling exacerbated the market decline. However, it also
created  an  ample  supply of attractive securities,  made  even  more
compelling  by  their  depressed prices. To take  advantage  of  these
values,  we  increased  the fund's cash level by  liquidating  various
common-stock  positions.  We  also  began  to  increase   the   fund's
allocation to perpetual and sinking-fund preferreds.

Technically,  perpetual  preferreds are equity  securities,  but  they
behave  more  like  fixed-income investments because  of  their  fixed
dividend  rates.  Unlike bonds, however, they have no maturity  dates.
This  attribute makes them much more vulnerable to price changes  when
interest  rates are fluctuating. When interest rates rise,  prices  of
perpetual preferreds decline.

We  offset this inclination toward price volatility with positions  in
sinking-fund  preferred  stocks. These securities  contain  provisions
that  require  the  issuing corporations to  retire  portions  of  the
outstanding  issue each year after a call-protected  period  of  time.
While these securities also carry no maturity
<PAGE>
date,  the sinking fund endows them with greater price stability  than
perpetual preferreds.

REBUILDING THE COMMON-STOCK SECTOR

We  implemented some strategic shifts during the second half  of  your
fund's fiscal year. Believing that some of the sinking- fund preferred
stocks  held in the portfolio had become sharply overpriced  and  that
some  of  the  perpetual preferreds -- which we  had  bought  at  deep
discounts -- had recovered from their declines, we reduced the  fund's
weighting  in these securities, realizing profits in the  process.  We
have  used  some  of  the proceeds from the sale of  the  sinking-fund
preferreds to rebuild the portfolio's common-stock sector.

LEVERAGE ELIMINATED AT MIDYEAR

As noted in your fund's semiannual report, in December 1994 the fund's
Trustees approved the elimination of the fund's remaining $25  million
of  leverage.  Leverage is essentially a strategy  of  investing  with
borrowed  money; the fund had been borrowing at low short-term  rates,
reinvesting  the proceeds at higher long-term rates,  and  seeking  to
profit from the difference.

Investing  with  borrowed funds amplifies both  percentage  gains  and
losses.  Our  recommendation to eliminate  the  use  of  leverage  was
prompted  by  substantial narrowing of the gap between short-term  and
long-term  interest rates. When interest rates are falling, prices  of
existing  fixed-income securities increase, and the fund's  percentage
gains on its investments are

[BAR CHART]

TOP INDUSTRY SECTORS, 6/30/95
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Electric utilities       29.0%
Banks                    23.3%
Combined utilites         8.0%
Oil services              7.3%
Insurance                 4.8%

*Industry breakdowns reflect both common and preferred stock holdings.
Based on net assets on 6/30/95. Holdings will vary over time.
<PAGE>
magnified.  Conversely, when rates are rising, percentage  losses  can
quickly mount.

In  light  of this trend, we thought it prudent to reduce  the  fund's
interest-rate  sensitivity  and  concluded  that  the  most   sensible
alternative was to deleverage the fund completely. This eliminated one
element of risk to shareholders' capital. The fund retains the ability
to use leverage in the future, however, should conditions again become
favorable.

OUTLOOK: RELATIVELY STABLE BOND MARKET EXPECTED NEAR TERM

The bond market, in our view, seems likely to remain relatively stable
over  the  next  few months. Concerns that the Federal  Reserve  Board
would raise interest rates again have been laid to rest for now as the
Fed  lowered a key rate after the close of the period. Some  observers
are even predicting further reductions before year's end.

Whether  the  Fed  continues to ease or not, Putnam believes  interest
rates  in general are likely to be lower than current levels by year's
end.

TRUSTEES CONSIDER TENDER OFFER OF SHARES

The  prospectus  issued in the public offering of  the  fund's  shares
indicated that in the second quarter of 1995 the Trustees of the  fund
would  consider whether a tender offer by the fund for its shares  was
in  the shareholders' best interests. In addition, the prospectus also
stated that the Trustees will consider whether to have the fund make a
tender  offer if, in the last 12 weeks of its fiscal year, the  fund's
shares  trade  at an average week-end discount to net asset  value  of
more  than  10%. In the 12 week period ended June 30, 1995,  the  fund
traded at an average discount of 11.66%. Accordingly, the Trustees, at
a  series  of meetings held in June and July of this year,  considered
whether  such  a  tender  offer would  be  in  the  best  interest  of
shareholders. In light of the modest size of the fund ($114 million as
of June 30, 1995) and the risk that
<PAGE>
TOP 10 HOLDINGS (6/30/95)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
MCDERMOTT INC.
Sinking fund, series B, $2.60, preferred
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRST CHICAGO CORP.
$3.50, adjustable-rate preferred
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
CHEMICAL BANKING CORP.
Series L, $5.444, adjustable-rate preferred
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
DETROIT EDISON CO.
$1.9375, dep. shares, preferred
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
PUGET SOUND POWER & LIGHT CO.
Series B, $1.525, adjustable-rate preferred
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
BOISE CASCADE CORP.
Series F, $2.35, dep. shares, preferred
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
GEORGIA POWER CO.
Series 93-2, $1.3175, adjustable-rate preferred
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
LASMO PLC ADS
Series A, $2.50, preferred
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
CONNECTICUT LIGHT & POWER CO.
Sinking fund, series 92, $3.615, preferred
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
CINCINNATI GAS & ELECTRIC CO.
$9.15, preferred
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
These holdings represent 29.8% of the fund's net assets. Portfolio
holdings will vary  over time.


expense  ratios would increase if a tender offer were made,  the  cost
and  expenses  of  a  tender  offer  and  the  lack  of  benefits   to
shareholders remaining in the fund after completion of the offer,  the
Trustees decided that making a tender offer would not currently be  in
the best interest of shareholders.


The  views  expressed here are exclusively those of Putnam Management.
They  are  not  meant  as  investment advice. Although  the  described
holdings  were viewed favorably as of 6/30/95, there is  no  guarantee
the  fund  will  continue  to  hold these securities  in  the  future.
Investments  in  non-U.S. securities may be subject to  certain  risks
such as currency fluctuations and political developments.
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

This  section  provides, at a glance, information  about  your  fund's
performance.  Total return shows how the value of  the  fund's  shares
changed  over  time, assuming you held the shares through  the  entire
period  and reinvested all distributions back into the fund.  We  show
total  return  in  two ways: on a cumulative long-term  basis  and  on
average how the fund might have grown each year over varying periods.

TOTAL RETURN FOR PERIODS ENDED 6/30/95
<TABLE><CAPTION>
<S>                        <C>       <C>            <C>            <C>
                                          MERRILL LYNCH
                                              PERPETUAL       STANDARD
                                  MARKET      PREFERRED       & POOR'S
                           NAV     PRICE          INDEX      500 INDEX
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
1 year                   8.77%     5.82%         12.61%         25.99%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
3 years                  28.71      6.82          23.48          45.14
Annual average            8.78      2.22           7.28          13.22
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
5 years                  80.52     49.05          71.36          76.69
Annual average           12.54      8.31          11.37          12.06
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Life of fund             77.82     41.05          75.23          87.29
(since 9/28/89)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual average           10.53      6.16          10.24          11.53
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
Performance data represent past results and is no indication of future
results. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate  so  an
investor's  shares, when sold, may be worth more or  less  than  their
original  cost.  Fund performance data do not take  into  account  any
adjustment for taxes payable on reinvested distributions.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

NET ASSET VALUE (NAV) is the value of all your fund's assets, minus
any liabilities, the liquidation preference and cumulative undeclared
dividends paid on the auction preferred shares, divided by the number
of outstanding common shares.

MARKET PRICE is the current trading price of one share of the fund.
Market prices are set by transactions between buyers and sellers on
the New York Stock Exchange.

COMPARATIVE BENCHMARKS

MERRILL LYNCH PERPETUAL PREFERRED INDEX is an unmanaged list of
perpetual preferred stocks that is commonly used as a general measure
of performance for the preferred-stock market. The index assumes
reinvestment of all distributions and does not take into account
brokerage commissions or other costs. The securities that make up the
fund's portfolio do not match those in the index.

STANDARD & POOR'S 500 INDEX is an unmanaged list of common stocks that
is frequently used as a general measure of stock market performance.
Report of Independent Accountants
for the year ended June 30, 1995
<PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTS
for the year ended June 30, 1995

To the Trustees and Shareholders of
Putnam Dividend Income Fund

We  have  audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities
of Putnam Dividend Income Fund, including the portfolio of investments
owned,  as  of June 30, 1995, the related statement of operations  for
the  year then ended, the statement of changes in net assets for  each
of  the  two  years  in  the  period then ended,  and  the  "Financial
Highlights" for each of the five years in the period then ended. These
financial statements and "Financial Highlights" are the responsibility
of  the fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion
on  these financial statements and "Financial Highlights" based on our
audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the  audit
to  obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
and "Financial Highlights" are free of material misstatement. An audit
includes  examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the  amounts
and  disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures  included
confirmation   of   securities  owned  as  of  June   30,   1995,   by
correspondence  with the custodian. An audit also  includes  assessing
the  accounting  principles  used and significant  estimates  made  by
management,  as  well  as evaluating the overall  financial  statement
presentation.  We  believe that our audits provide a reasonable  basis
for our opinion.

In  our  opinion, the financial statements and "Financial  Highlights"
referred  to  above  present  fairly, in all  material  respects,  the
financial position of Putnam Dividend Income Fund as of June 30, 1995,
the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes  in
its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and
the  "Financial Highlights" for each of the five years in  the  period
then   ended,   in  conformity  with  generally  accepted   accounting
principles.

                                              Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
Boston, Massachusetts
August 17, 1995
<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS OWNED
June 30, 1995
<TABLE><CAPTION>
<C>          <S>                                                  <C>
PREFERRED STOCKS (84.4%)*
NUMBER OF SHARES                                                 VALUE

AUTOMOBILES (2.6%)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
             65,500            General Motors Corp. Ser. B, $2.28125
             dep. shs. Preferred (pfd.)                  $  1,743,938
             45,000          General Motors Corp. Ser. G, $2.28, pfd.   1,226,250
                                                                        ------------
                                                                        2,970,188
BANKS (23.3%)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
             10,000             Ahmanson (H.F.) & Co. Ser. B, $2.40,
             dep. shs. pfd.                                   258,750
             14,200             Ahmanson (H.F.) & Co. Ser. C, $2.10,
             dep. shs. pfd.                                   363,875
             20,000              Bank of Boston Corp. Ser. E, $2.15,
             dep. shs. pfd.                                   515,000
             60,000             BankAmerica Corp. Ser. H, $2.25, pfd.   1,567,500
             38,200          BankAmerica Corp. Ser. K, $2.09375, pfd.   983,650
             18,600   BankAmerica Corp. Ser. L, $2.04, dep. shs. pfd.   474,300
             70,000             Bankers Trust New York Corp. Ser. Q,
             $1.47475, Adjustable Rate Preferred (ARP)(TR)  1,452,500
             19,000         Chase Manhattan Corp. Ser. H, $2.44, pfd.   522,500
             25,100         Chase Manhattan Corp. Ser. I, $2.71, pfd.   753,000
             39,000         Chase Manhattan Corp. Ser. J, $2.27, pfd.   999,375
             33,800         Chase Manhattan Corp. Ser. M, $2.10, pfd.   866,125
             80,000        Chase Manhattan Corp. Ser. N, $1.4025, ARP   1,770,000
             28,000      Chemical Banking Corp. $1.98, dep. shs. pfd.   710,500
             46,262        Chemical Banking Corp. Ser. L, $5.444, ARP   4,099,970
             45,000                     Citicorp Ser. 19, $1.491, ARP   961,875
             13,000                       Citicorp Ser. 3, $7.00, ARP   1,235,000
             10,000                    Citicorp Ser. 8-B, $8.25, pfd.   975,000
             18,500                      Citicorp Ser. 9, $2.28, pfd.   469,438
             84,984                    First Chicago Corp. $3.50, ARP   4,206,708
             13,000             First Chicago Corp. Ser. E, $2.1125,
             dep. shs. pfd.                                   331,500
             58,300       First Interstate Bancorp Ser. F, $2.46875,
             dep. shs. pfd.                                 1,530,375
             26,100            Great Western Financial Corp. $2.075,
             dep. shs. pfd.                                   672,075
             40,000             Sumitomo Bank Ltd. Ser. A, $2.03125,
             dep. shs. pfd.                                   975,000
                                                                        ------------
                                                                        26,694,016
BROADCASTING (1.1%)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
             49,000       Newscorp Overseas Corp. Ser. A, $2.16, pfd.   1,206,625

COMBINED UTILITIES (8.0%)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
             10,000 Baltimore Gas & Electric Co. Ser. 93, $6.70, pfd.   956,250
             9,694        Baltimore Gas & Electric Co. Sinking Fund,
             Ser. 87, $6.75, pfd.                             911,236
             20,000         Cincinnati Gas & Electric Co. $9.15, pfd.   2,115,000
             77,000              New York State Electric & Gas Corp.
             Ser. B, $1.3675, ARP                           1,578,500
             7,000            Public Service of Colorado, $7.15, pfd.   600,250
             6,750      Public Service Electric & Gas Co. $6.92, pfd.   573,750
             5,000      Public Service Electric & Gas Co. $7.70, pfd.   495,000
             19,000                Public Service Electric & Gas Co.
             Sinking Fund, $7.44, pfd.                      1,859,625
                                                                        ------------
                                                                        9,089,611
<PAGE>
PREFERRED STOCKS
NUMBER OF SHARES                                                 VALUE

ELECTRIC UTILITIES (29.0%)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
             8,885                Arkansas Power & Light Co. Sinking
             Fund, $8.52, pfd.                           $    884,058
             4,950               Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co.
             Sinking Fund, Ser. M, $7.00, ARP                 465,300
             10,000            Commonwealth Edison Co. Sinking Fund,
             $9.00, pfd.                                    1,013,750
             50,000            Connecticut Light & Power Co. Sinking
             Fund, Ser. 92, $3.615, pfd.                    2,462,500
             140,000       Detroit Edison Co. $1.9375, dep. shs. pfd.   3,447,500
             8,500                     Detroit Edison Co. $7.45, pfd.   803,250
             6,600                  Duke Power Co. Ser. A, $5.50, ARP   589,875
             50,000                   Georgia Power Co. $1.9875, pfd.   1,256,250
             145,000        Georgia Power Co. Ser. 93-2, $1.3175, ARP   3,099,375
             8,916              Gulf States Utilities Co. $7.56, pfd.   722,196
             11,000                 Houston Light & Power $8.12, pfd.   1,091,750
             50,000           Long Island Lighting Co. Sinking Fund,
             Ser. NN, $1.95, pfd.                           1,000,000
             9,000                       Louisiana Power & Light Co.
             Sinking Fund, $7.00, pfd.                        884,250
             43,000       Mississippi Power Co. $1.58, dep. shs. pfd.   865,375
             20,000           Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. $2.375, pfd.   527,500
             15,200    Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. Ser. A, $1.625, ARP   304,000
             6,600      Northern States Power Co. Ser. A, $5.673, ARP   547,800
             14,100      Northern States Power Co. Ser. B, $5.52, ARP   1,214,363
             16,000                      PSI Energy, Inc. $1.86, pfd.   396,000
             13,300              PacifiCorp Sinking Fund, $7.12, pfd.   1,280,125
             72,000      Puget Sound Power & Light Co. $1.96875, pfd.   1,845,000
             147,700           Puget Sound Power & Light Co. Ser. B,
             $1.525, ARP                                    3,175,550
             66,000             Texas Utilities Electric Co. Ser. A,
             $1.875, dep. shs. pfd.                         1,534,500
             21,400   Texas Utilities Electric Co. Ser. B, $7.00, ARP   1,947,400
             6,180          Virginia Electric & Power Co. $7.20, pfd.   541,523
             13,604            Virginia Electric & Power Co. Sinking
             Fund, $7.30, pfd.                              1,271,973
                                                                        ------------
                                                                        33,171,163
FINANCE (2.3%)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
             40,000            Bear Stearns & Co. Ser. A, $3.025, ARP   1,640,000
             9,000   Bear Stearns & Co. Ser. B, $1.97, dep. shs. pfd.   218,250
             4,400          Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. Ser. A, $2.25,
             dep. shs. pfd.                                   121,000
             25,000         Morgan Stanley Inc. $2.22, dep. shs. pfd.   640,624
                                                                        ------------
                                                                        2,619,874
FOREST PRODUCTS (2.7%)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
             120,000              Boise Cascade Corp. Ser. F, $2.35,
             dep. shs. pfd.                                3,120,000

GAS UTILITIES (0.6%)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
             26,000              Phillips Gas Co. Ser. A, $2.33, pfd.   698,750

HEALTH CARE (0.8%)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
             10     Rhone Poulenc Rorer Ser. 3, $5.84, dep. shs. pfd.   960,000

INSURANCE (4.8%)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
             48,000          Progressive Corp. Ser. A, $2.34375, pfd.   1,224,000
             50,000             SunAmerica Inc. Ser. B, $2.3125, pfd.   1,306,250
             9,000                 SunAmerica Inc. Ser. C, $7.00, ARP   882,000
             80,000   Travelers Group Ser. D, $2.3125, dep. shs. pfd.   2,110,000
                                                                        ------------
                                                                        5,522,250
<PAGE>
PREFERRED STOCKS
NUMBER OF SHARES                                                 VALUE

OIL SERVICES (7.3%)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
             111,000                LASMO PLC ADS Ser. A, $2.50, pfd.   $  2,664,000
             190,537 McDermott Inc. Sinking Fund, Ser. B, $2.60, pfd.   5,668,475
                                                                        ------------
                                                                        8,332,475
PAPER (0.4%)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
             20,000 James River Corp. Ser. O, $2.0625, dep. shs. pfd.   487,500

STEEL (0.4%)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
             10,000                              USX Corp. $3.75, ARP   495,000

WATER UTILITIES (1.1%)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
             12,000             United Water Resources, Inc. Ser. B,
             $7.625, pfd.                                   1,197,000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                           TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS (cost $100,994,044)   $96,564,452
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------

COMMON STOCKS (7.3%)*
NUMBER OF SHARES                                                 VALUE

COMBINED UTILITIES (2.1%)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
             43,000                        Pacific Gas & Electric Co.   $  1,247,000
             56,000                    Rochester Gas & Electric Corp.   1,190,000
                                                                        ------------
                                                                        2,437,000
ELECTRIC UTILITIES (4.2%)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
             50,000                                     Entergy Corp.   1,206,250
             58,000                        Potomac Electric Power Co.   1,247,000
             41,000             Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.   1,137,750
             34,000                               Texas Utilities Co.   1,168,750
                                                                        ------------
                                                                        4,759,750
RETAIL (1.0%)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
             75,000                                      K mart Corp.   1,096,875
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (cost $7,997,024)   $  8,293,625
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------

CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS (1.9%)* (COST $2,080,000)
NUMBER OF SHARES                                                 VALUE

OILS (1.9%)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
             40,000                 Unocal Corp. $3.50, cv. pfd. 144A   $  2,110,000

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (5.8%)* (COST $6,682,154)
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT                                                 VALUE

             $6,681,000    Interest in $453,426,000 joint repurchase
             agreement dated June 30, 1995 with Lehman
             Brothers Inc., due July 3, 1995 with respect
             to various U.S Treasury obligations --
             maturity value of $6,684,463 for an effective
             yield of 6.22%                              $  6,682,154
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                             TOTAL INVESTMENTS (cost $117,753,222)***   $113,650,231
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>
NOTES
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
*    Percentages  indicated are based on net assets  of  $114,357,309,
     which correspond to a net asset value per share of $10.57.

***  The aggregate identified cost for federal income tax purposes  is
     $117,800,561  resulting  in  gross  unrealized  appreciation  and
     depreciation of $1,498,920, and $5,649,250, respectively, or  net
     unrealized depreciation of $4,150,330.

(TR) Bankers  Trust New York Corp. provides sub-custodian services  to
     the fund.

     144A  after  the  name of a security represents those  securities
     exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of
     1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt  from
     registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 1995
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                <C>
ASSETS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Investments in securities, at value
(identified cost $117,753,222) (Note 1)                   $113,650,231
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash                                                               267
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends receivable                                         1,000,416
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Receivable for securities sold                                 606,000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL ASSETS                                               115,256,914

LIABILITIES
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions payable to shareholders                          649,275
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable for compensation of Manager (Note 3)                   211,212
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable for administrative services (Note 3)                     2,387
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable for compensation of Trustees (Note 3)                      352
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable for investor servicing and custodian fees (Note 3)      25,316
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Other accrued expenses                                          11,063
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES                                              899,605
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSETS                                                $114,357,309
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
REPRESENTED BY
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Common shares, without par value; unlimited shares
authorized; 10,821,255 shares outstanding                 $122,964,096
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions in excess of net investment income             (522,331)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated net realized loss on investment transactions   (3,981,465)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net unrealized depreciation of investments                 (4,102,991)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL -- REPRESENTING NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO
CAPITAL SHARES OUTSTANDING                                $114,357,309
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPUTATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value per share ($114,357,309 divided
by 10,821,255 shares)                                           $10.57
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Year ended June 30, 1995
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends (net of foreign tax of $41,642)                   $9,418,202
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest                                                       189,930
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL INVESTMENT INCOME                                     9,608,132

EXPENSES:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Compensation of Manager (Note 3)                               923,842
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Investor servicing and custodian fees (Note 3)                  31,964
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Compensation of Trustees (Note 3)                               12,269
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Auditing                                                        47,461
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Legal                                                            7,456
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Postage                                                         42,444
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Administrative services (Note 3)                                 8,638
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Reports to shareholders                                         41,205
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Amortization of organization expenses (Note 1)                   2,840
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Preferred stock auction fees                                    57,418
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Other expenses                                                  33,352
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL EXPENSES                                               1,208,889
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME                                        8,399,243
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized loss on investments (Notes 1 and 4)           (3,908,559)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net unrealized appreciation of investments during the year   4,004,697
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
NET GAIN ON INVESTMENTS                                         96,138
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS        $8,495,381
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
<TABLE><CAPTION>
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>
                                                    Year ended June 30
                                        ------------------------------
                                                   1995           1994
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
DECREASE IN NET ASSETS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income                        $8,399,243    $12,168,367
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized gain (loss) on investments
and written options                         (3,908,559)      3,614,720
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments                                4,004,697   (15,083,349)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING
FROM OPERATIONS                               8,495,381        699,738
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions to auction preferred shareholders:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 From net investment income                    (93,670)    (1,705,478)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 From net realized gain on investments        (635,190)             --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions to common shareholders:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 From net investment income                 (8,465,986)   (11,297,391)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 From net realized gain on investments      (2,571,785)    (4,144,541)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Decrease from capital share transactions (Note 2):
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Auction preferred shares                   (25,000,000)   (49,000,000)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total decrease in net assets               (28,271,250)   (65,447,672)

NET ASSETS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Beginning of year                           142,628,559    208,076,231
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
END OF YEAR (including distributions in
excess of net investment income of
$522,331 and $703,381, respectively)       $114,357,309   $142,628,559

NUMBER OF FUND SHARES
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Common shares outstanding at beginning and
end of year                                  10,821,255     10,821,255
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Auction preferred shares outstanding at
beginning of year                                   250            740
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Preferred shares repurchased                      (250)          (490)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
AUCTION PREFERRED SHARES OUTSTANDING AT
END OF YEAR                                 --      250
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(For a share outstanding throughout the period)
<TABLE><CAPTION>
<S>                        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
                                         Year ended June 30
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                          1995      1994      1993      1992      1991
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE,
BEGINNING OF YEAR       $10.84    $12.39    $11.38    $10.21     10.26
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income      .78      1.13      1.35      1.49      1.65
Net realized and
unrealized gain (loss)
on investments             .01    (1.13)       .97      1.15       .05
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS                 .79        --      2.32      2.64      1.70
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:
Net investment income
To preferred shareholders(.01)     (.16)     (.21)     (.27)     (.49)
 To common shareholders  (.78)    (1.04)    (1.08)    (1.19)    (1.25)
Net realized gains
 To preferred shareholders(.06)       --        --        --        --
 To common shareholders  (.24)     (.38)        --        --        --
Paid-in capital: (a)
 To common shareholders     --        --        --        --     (.04)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS     (1.09)    (1.58)    (1.29)    (1.46)    (1.78)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in cumulative
undeclared dividends
on remarketed
preferred shares           .03       .03     (.02)     (.01)       .03
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE,
END OF YEAR             $10.57    $10.84    $12.39    $11.38    $10.21
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
MARKET VALUE,
END OF YEAR
(common shares)         $9.250    $9.750   $11.875   $12.000   $10.375
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL INVESTMENT
RETURN AT MARKET
VALUE (common
shares (%)(b)             5.82    (6.78)      8.27     28.71      8.41
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSETS,
END OF YEAR
(total fund)
(in thousands)        $114,357  $142,629  $208,076  $196,725  $182,003
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of expenses
to average net
assets (%)(c)             1.07      1.42      1.70      1.64      2.02
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of net
investment income
to average net
assets (%)(c)             7.39      8.06      9.65     11.14     11.67
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover
rate (%)                 27.39     73.63    166.44    160.44    197.67
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
(a)  See Note 1 to Financial statements.

(b)  Total  investment return assumes dividend reinvestment  and  does
     not reflect the effect of sales charges.

(c)  Ratios  reflect net assets available to common shares  only;  net
     investment  income  ratio also reflects  reduction  for  dividend
     payments to preferred shareholders.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 1995

NOTE 1
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The  fund  is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940,  as
amended,  as a diversified, closed-end management investment  company.
The  fund's  objective  is to seek high current  income  eligible  for
dividends  received  deduction  allowed  to  corporations  under   the
Internal  Revenue  Code, consistent with preservation  of  capital  by
investing  in  a portfolio of preferred and common equity  securities.
The  fund  will invest at least 65% of its total assets  in  dividend-
paying  securities. Preferred stocks will be rated "investment  grade"
at  the  time  of investment or, if not rated, will be  of  comparable
quality  as determined by Putnam Investment Management, Inc., ("Putnam
Management"), the fund's Manager, a wholly owned subsidiary of  Putnam
Investments, Inc. The fund may also use leverage by issuing  preferred
shares in an effort to increase the income to the common shares.

The   following  is  a  summary  of  significant  accounting  policies
consistently followed by the fund in the preparation of its  financial
statements.  The  policies are in conformity with  generally  accepted
accounting principles.

A   SECURITY  VALUATION  Investments for which market  quotations  are
readily  available  are stated at market value,  which  is  determined
using the last reported sale price, or, if no sales are reported -- as
in  the  case  of some securities traded over-the-counter--  the  last
reported  bid  price, except that certain U.S. government  obligations
are  stated  at the mean between the bid and asked prices.  Securities
whose  market quotations are not readily available are stated at  fair
value  on  the  basis  of  valuations furnished  by  pricing  services
approved  by  the  Trustees, which determine  valuations  for  normal,
institutional-size  trading  units of such  securities  using  methods
based  on  market transactions for comparable securities  and  various
relationships  between  securities that are  generally  recognized  by
institutional   traders.  Short-term  investments   having   remaining
maturities  of  60  days or less are stated at amortized  cost,  which
approximates  market value, and other investments are stated  at  fair
value following procedures approved by the Trustees.

B  JOINT TRADING ACCOUNT  Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the
Securities  and Exchange Commission, the fund may transfer  uninvested
cash  balances into a joint trading account, along with  the  cash  of
other  registered  investment companies managed by Putnam  Management,
and  certain other accounts. These balances may be invested in one  or
more repurchase agreements and/or short-term money market instruments.

C   REPURCHASE  AGREEMENTS  The fund, or any  joint  trading  account,
through  the  fund's custodian, receives delivery  of  the  underlying
securities,  the  market value of which at the  time  of  purchase  is
required  to  be  in  an amount at least equal to  the  resale  price,
including  accrued  interest.  Putnam Management  is  responsible  for
determining that the value of these underlying securities  is  at  all
times at least equal to the resale price, including accrued interest.
<PAGE>
D   DETERMINATION  OF NET ASSET VALUE Net asset value  of  the  common
shares  is determined by dividing the value of all assets of the  fund
(including  accrued  interest  and dividends),  less  all  liabilities
(including  accrued  expenses),  undeclared  dividends  on  remarketed
preferred   shares  and  the  liquidation  value  of  any  outstanding
remarketed  preferred  shares, by the total number  of  common  shares
outstanding.

E   SECURITY  TRANSACTIONS  AND RELATED  INVESTMENT  INCOME   Security
transactions  are accounted for on the trade date (date the  order  to
buy  or  sell is executed). Interest income is recorded on the accrual
basis and dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.

F   FEDERAL TAXES  It is the policy of the fund to distribute  all  of
its  income within the prescribed time and otherwise comply  with  the
provisions  of  the  Internal  Revenue Code  applicable  to  regulated
investment  companies.  It  is  also the  intention  of  the  fund  to
distribute an amount sufficient to avoid imposition of any excise  tax
under Section 4982 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Therefore, no
provision has been made for federal taxes on income, capital gains  or
unrealized  appreciation of securities held and excise tax  on  income
and capital gains.

At   June  30,  1995,  the  fund  had  a  capital  loss  carryover  of
approximately  $366,000,  which may be available  to  offset  realized
capital gains. This amount will expire on June 30, 2003. To the extent
that  the capital loss carryover is used to offset realized gains,  it
is   unlikely  that  the  gains  so  offset  will  be  distributed  to
shareholders, since any such distribution might be taxable as ordinary
income.

G    DISTRIBUTIONS  TO  SHAREHOLDERS   Distributions  to  common   and
preferred  shareholders are recorded by the fund  on  the  ex-dividend
date. At certain times, the fund may pay distributions at a level rate
even though, as a result of market conditions or investment decisions,
the  fund  may not achieve projected investment results  for  a  given
period. The amount and character of income and gains to be distributed
are  determined  in accordance with income tax regulations  which  may
differ   from   generally   accepted  accounting   principles.   These
differences include dividends payable, post October losses and capital
loss  carryover.  Reclassifications are made  to  the  fund's  capital
accounts  to  reflect income and gains available for distribution  (or
available  capital loss carryovers) under income tax regulations.  For
the  year  ended  June  30,  1995, the fund reclassified  $341,463  to
decrease distributions in excess of net investment income and $341,434
to increase accumulated net realized loss, with a decrease to paid-in-
capital of $29. The calculation of net investment income per share  in
the financial highlights excludes these adjustments.

H  UNAMORTIZED ORGANIZATION EXPENSES  Expenses incurred by the fund in
connection  with its organization aggregated $79,675.  These  expenses
have  been  amortized on a straight-line basis over  a  period  of  60
months from the date the fund commenced operations.
<PAGE>
NOTE 2
AUCTION PREFERRED SHARES

On  September 28, 1989, the fund issued 740 Auction Preferred  Shares,
Series  A.  Proceeds  to  the  fund  before  underwriting  expense  of
$1,295,000 and $308,080 of offering expenses, amounted to $74,000,000.
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1994, a total of 490 shares were
repurchased  at a value of $49,000,000. The remaining 250 shares  were
repurchased  by  the fund at a value of $25,000,000  during  the  year
ended  June  30,  1995.  There  were no undeclared  dividends  on  the
Preferred  Shares  for  the year ended June 30,  1995.  The  preferred
shares were redeemable at the option of the fund at a redemption price
of  $100,000  per  share,  plus  an  amount  equal  to  any  dividends
accumulated  on  a daily basis but unpaid through the redemption  date
(whether or not such dividends had been declared).

Under  the  Investment Company Act of 1940, the fund was  required  to
maintain asset coverage of at least 200% with respect to the auctioned
preferred  shares as of the last business day of each month  in  which
any  such shares were outstanding. Additionally, the fund was required
to  meet more stringent asset coverage requirements under the terms of
the  auctioned  preferred shares and the shares' rating agencies.  Had
these  requirements  not  been met, or had dividends  accrued  on  the
auctioned  preferred  shares not been paid, the  fund  may  have  been
restricted  in its ability to declare dividends to common shareholders
or may have been required to redeem certain of the auctioned preferred
shares. During the year ended June 30, 1995, no such restrictions were
placed on the fund.
<PAGE>
NOTE 3
MANAGEMENT FEE, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS

Compensation  of  Putnam  Management, for  management  and  investment
advisory services is paid quarterly based on the average net assets of
the  fund,  including proceeds from any auctioned preferred  offering.
Such  fee  is based on the following annual rates: 0.75% of the  first
$500  million  of average net assets, 0.65% of the next $500  million,
0.60%  of  the  next $500 million and 0.55% of any  amount  over  $1.5
billion.

If dividends payable on auctioned preferred shares during any dividend
payment  period plus any expenses attributable to auctioned  preferred
shares for that period exceeded the fund's net income attributable  to
the  proceeds  of the auctioned preferred shares during  that  period,
then the fee payable to Putnam for that period would have been reduced
by  the  amount  of  the  excess (but  not  more  than  0.85%  of  the
liquidation  preference  of the remarketed  auction  preferred  shares
outstanding during the period).

The  fund  also reimburses Putnam Management for the compensation  and
related  expenses of certain officers of the fund and their staff  who
provide  administrative services to the fund. The aggregate amount  of
all such reimbursements is determined annually by the Trustees.

Trustees  of the fund receive an annual Trustee's fee of $810  and  an
additional fee for each Trustees' meeting attended. Trustees  who  are
not  interested  persons  of  Putnam  Management  and  who  serve   on
committees  of the Trustees receive additional fees for attendance  at
certain committee meetings.

Custodial  functions  for the fund are provided  by  Putnam  Fiduciary
Trust Company (PFTC), a subsidiary of

<PAGE>
Putnam  Investments,  Inc.  Investor  servicing  agent  functions  are
provided by Putnam Investor Services, a division of PFTC.

Investor  servicing and custodian fees reported in  the  Statement  of
operations  for  the  year ended June 30, 1995 have  been  reduced  by
credits  allowed by PFTC. These credits amounted to $125,937  for  the
year ended June 30, 1995.

NOTE 4
PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES

During the year ended June 30, 1995, purchases and sales of investment
securities other than short-term investments aggregated $32,585,663
and $64,977,317, respectively. In determining the net gain or loss on
securities sold, the cost of securities has been determined on the
identified cost basis.

<PAGE>
SELECTED QUARTERLY DATA
(Unaudited)
<TABLE><CAPTION>
<S>                   <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
                                     AVAILABLE FOR COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                       INVESTMENT INCOME         NET INVESTMENT INCOME
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
QUARTER ENDED       TOTAL      PER SHARE          TOTAL      PER SHARE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
9/30/93        $3,910,999           $.36     $3,131,259           $.29
12/31/93       $3,742,849           $.34     $2,650,334           $.24
3/31/94        $3,397,147           $.32     $2,445,713           $.23
6/30/94        $2,962,961           $.28     $2,235,583           $.21
9/30/94        $2,647,044           $.24     $2,281,816           $.21
12/31/94       $2,480,140           $.23     $2,149,522           $.20
3/31/95        $2,264,210           $.21     $2,003,551           $.19
6/30/95        $2,216,738           $.21     $1,931,367           $.18
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
SELECTED QUARTERLY DATA (continued)
<TABLE><CAPTION>
            <C>     <C>            <C>     <C>            <C>      <C>
                                     AVAILABLE FOR COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
           NET REALIZED           NET INCREASE
         AND UNREALIZED          (DECREASE) IN
            GAIN (LOSS)             NET ASSETS           NET ASSETS AT
         ON INVESTMENTS        FROM OPERATIONS           end of period
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                    PER                    PER                     PER
          TOTAL   SHARE          TOTAL   SHARE          TOTAL    SHARE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
     $4,427,795    $.41     $7,559,054    $.70   $138,962,635   $12.84
   $(3,456,693)  $(.31)     $(806,359)  $(.07)   $129,714,179   $11.99
   $(7,942,482)  $(.75)   $(5,496,769)  $(.52)   $121,879,941   $11.26
   $(4,497,249)  $(.48)   $(2,261,666)  $(.27)   $117,326,104   $10.84
   $(1,372,663)  $(.12)       $909,153    $.09   $115,932,585   $10.71
   $(5,514,255)  $(.51)   $(3,364,733)  $(.31)   $107,443,034    $9.93
     $3,980,750    $.36     $5,984,301    $.55   $111,371,298   $10.29
     $3,002,306    $.28     $4,933,673    $.46   $114,357,309   $10.57
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
DIVIDEND POLICY

It is the fund's dividend policy to pay monthly distributions from net
investment  income  and any net realized short-term  gains  (including
gains  from options and futures transactions). Long-term capital gains
are  distributed  at least annually. In an effort to maintain  a  more
stable  level  of distributions, the fund's monthly distribution  rate
will be based on Putnam Management's projections of the net investment
income  and  net realized short-term capital gains that  the  fund  is
likely  to  earn over the long term. Such distributions at  times  may
exceed  the  current earnings of the fund, resulting in  a  nontaxable
return of capital to shareholders.

At  the  time of each distribution, shareholders are furnished  Putnam
Management's  current  estimate of the sources of  such  distribution.
These  estimates  are  subject to adjustment depending  on  investment
results for the fund's entire fiscal year. Final information regarding
such matters is furnished to shareholders in the fund's annual reports
and  in  tax  information provided following the end of each  calendar
year.
<PAGE>
FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION

The  fund  has  designated approximately 100% of the distributions  as
qualifying  for  the  dividends-received deduction  for  corporations.
Pursuant to Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, the fund  hereby
designates  $0.24 per share (or if different, the amount necessary  to
offset  capital  gain  income earned by  the  fund)  as  capital  gain
dividends for its taxable year ended June 30, 1995.

The  Form  1099  you will receive in January 1996 will  show  the  tax
status of all distributions paid to your account in calendar 1995.

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
RESULTS OF JUNE 1, 1995 SHAREHOLDER MEETING (UNAUDITED)

An annual meeting of shareholders of the fund was held on June 1,
1995. At the meeting, each of the nominees for Trustees was elected,
as follows:

<TABLE><CAPTION>
<S>                                            <C>                 <C>
                                         Votes for      Votes withheld
Jameson Adkins Baxter                    9,116,117             209,977
Hans H. Estin                            9,109,211             216,882
John A. Hill                             9,124,034             202,060
Elizabeth T. Kennan                      9,119,980             206,114
Lawrence J. Lasser                       9,121,206             204,887
Robert E. Patterson                      9,121,477             204,617
Donald S. Perkins                        9,136,152             189,941
William F. Pounds                        9,142,152             201,941
George Putnam                            9,125,495             200,598
George Putnam, III                       9,112,995             213,098
Eli Shapiro                              9,015,314             220,779
A.J.C. Smith                             9,118,777             207,317
W. Nicholas Thorndike                    9,122,806             203,287
</TABLE>

A  proposal  to  ratify the selection of Coopers & Lybrand  L.L.P.  as
auditors  for the fund was approved as follows: 9,085,879  votes  for,
and  43,548  votes against, with 196,666 abstentions and  broker  non-
votes. All tabulations have been rounded to the nearest whole number.
<PAGE>
FUND INFORMATION

INVESTMENT MANAGER
Putnam Investment
Management, Inc.
One Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02109

MARKETING SERVICES
Putnam Mutual Funds Corp.
One Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02109

CUSTODIAN
Putnam Fiduciary Trust Company

LEGAL COUNSEL
Ropes & Gray

INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.

TRUSTEES
George Putnam, Chairman
William F. Pounds, Vice Chairman
Jameson Adkins Baxter
Hans H. Estin
John A. Hill
Elizabeth T. Kennan
Lawrence J. Lasser
Robert E. Patterson
Donald S. Perkins
George Putnam, III
Eli Shapiro
A.J.C. Smith
W. Nicholas Thorndike

OFFICERS
George Putnam
President

Charles E. Porter
Executive Vice President

Patricia C. Flaherty
Senior Vice President

Lawrence J. Lasser
Vice President

Gordon H. Silver
Vice President

Peter Carman
Vice President

Thomas Reilly
Vice President

Jeanne Mockard
Vice President and Fund Manager

William N. Shiebler
Vice President

John R. Verani
Vice President

Paul M. O'Neil
Vice President

John D. Hughes
Vice President and Treasurer

Beverly Marcus
Clerk and Assistant Treasurer

Call  1-800-225-1581 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern Time  for
up-to-date  information about the fund's NAV or  to  request  Putnam's
quarterly Closed- End Fund Commentary.
<PAGE>
PUTNAM INVESTMENTS
THE PUTNAM FUNDS
One Post Office Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02109

                                                             Bulk Rate
                                                          U.S. Postage
                                                                  PAID
                                                                Putnam
                                                           Investments

19395-056
<PAGE>
APPENDIX TO FORM N-30D FILINGS TO DESCRIBE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PRINTED
AND EDGAR-FILED TEXTS.

(1)  Rule lines for tables are omitted.

(2)  Italic typefaces is displayed in normal type.

(3)  Boldface type is displayed in capital letters.

(4)  Headers (e.g. the names of the fund) and footers (e.g. page
     numbers and OThe accompanying notes are an integral part of these
     financial statementsO) are omitted.

(5)  Because the printed page breaks are not reflected, certain
     tabular and columnar headings and symbols are displayed
     differently in this filing.

(6)  Bullet points and similar graphic symbols are omitted.

(7)  Page numbering is different.



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