As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
June 23, 1995
Registration No. 33-56339
811-7237
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM N-1A
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 / X /
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Pre-Effective Amendment No. / /
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Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 / X /
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY / X /
ACT OF 1940 ----
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Amendment No. 2 / X /
(Check appropriate box or boxes) ----
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PUTNAM INVESTMENT FUNDS
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
One Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02109
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code
(617) 292-1000
It is proposed that this filing will become effective
(check appropriate box)
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/ / immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
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/ X / on July 14, 1995 pursuant to paragraph (b)
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/ / 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
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/ / on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
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/ / 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
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<PAGE>
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/ / on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.
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If appropriate, check the following box:
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/ / this post-effective amendment designates a new
- ---- effective date for a previously filed post-effective
amendment.
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JOHN R. VERANI, Vice President
PUTNAM INVESTMENT FUNDS
One Post Office Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
(Name and address of agent for service)
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Copy to:
JOHN W. GERSTMAYR, Esquire
ROPES & GRAY
One International Place
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
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The Registrant has registered an indefinite number or
amount of securities under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to
Rule 24f-2. A Rule 24f-2 notice is not required to be filed
because the Registrant has not yet completed its initial fiscal
year.
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PUTNAM INVESTMENT FUNDS
CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
(as required by Rule 481(a))
Part A
N-1A Item No. Location
1. Cover Page....................... Cover Page
2. Synopsis......................... Expenses summary
3. Condensed Financial Information.. Financial
highlights; How
performance is shown
4. General Description of
Registrant........................ Objectives; How
objectives are pursued;
Organization and history
5. Management of the Trust........... Expenses summary; How
the funds are
managed; About Putnam
Investments, Inc.
5A. Management's Discussion of
Fund Performance.................. Not applicable
6. Capital Stock and Other
Securities........................ Cover Page; Organization
and history; How
distributions are made;
tax information
7. Purchase of Securities Being
Offered........................... How to buy shares;
Distribution
Plan; How to sell
shares; How to exchange
shares; How each
fund values its
shares
8. Redemption or Repurchase.......... How to buy shares; How
to sell shares; How to
exchange shares;
Organization and history
9. Pending Legal Proceedings......... Not Applicable
<PAGE>
Part B
N-1A Item No. Location
10. Cover Page........................ Cover Page
11. Table of Contents................. Cover Page
12. General Information and History... Organization and history
(Part A)
13. Investment Objectives and
Policies.......................... How objectives are
pursued (Part A);
Investment Restrictions
of the Trust;
Miscellaneous Investment
Practices
14. Management of the Registrant...... Management of the Trust
(Trustees; Officers);
Additional Officers of
the Trust
15. Control Persons and Principal
Holders of Securities............. Management of the Trust
(Trustees; Officers);
Fund Charges and
Expenses (Ownership of
Fund Shares)
16. Investment Advisory and Other
Services.......................... Management of the Trust
(Trustees; Officers; The
Management Contract;
Principal Underwriter;
Investor Servicing Agent
and Custodian) Fund
Charges and Expenses;
Distribution Plans;
Independent Accountants;
and Financial Statements
17. Brokerage Allocation.............. Management of the Trust
(Portfolio
Transactions); Fund
Charges and Expenses
<PAGE>
18. Capital Stock and Other
Securities........................ Organization and history
(Part A); How
distributions are made;
tax information (Part
A); Suspension of
Redemptions
19. Purchase, Redemption and Pricing
of Securities Being Offered....... How to buy shares (Part
A); How to sell shares
(Part A); How to
exchange shares (Part
A); How to Buy Shares;
Determination of Net
Asset Value; Suspension
of Redemptions
20. Tax Status........................ How distributions are
made; tax information
(Part A); Taxes
21. Underwriters...................... Management of the Trust
(Principal Underwriter);
Fund Charges and
Expenses
22. Calculation of Performance Data... How performance is shown
(Part A); Standard
Performance Measures
23. Financial Statements.............. Independent Accountants
and Financial Statements
Part C
Information required to be included in Part C is set forth
under the appropriate Item, so numbered, in Part C of the
Registration Statement.
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
July 14 , 1995
Putnam Basic Value Fund
INVESTMENT STRATEGY: GROWTH
Putnam Balanced Fund
Putnam Global Utilities Fund
Putnam Real Estate Opportunities Fund
INVESTMENT STRATEGY: GROWTH AND INCOME
This prospectus explains concisely what you should know
before investing in shares of Putnam Basic Value Fund, Putnam
Balanced Fund, Putnam Global Utilities Fund or Putnam Real
Estate Opportunities Fund (collectively, the
"funds " and each a
"fund") , each a portfolio of Putnam Investment Funds (the
"Trust"). Please read it carefully and keep it for future
reference. You can find more detailed information in the July
14, 1995 statement of additional information ("SAI") , as
amended from time to time. For a free copy of the SAI or
other information, call Putnam Investor Services at 1-800-225-
1581. The SAI has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and is incorporated into this
prospectus by reference.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY
STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
SHARES OF THE FUNDS ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR
GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY, ANY FINANCIAL INSTITUTION, ARE NOT
INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL
RESERVE BOARD OR ANY OTHER AGENCY, AND INVOLVE RISK, INCLUDING
THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
BOSTON * LONDON * TOKYO
<PAGE>
ABOUT THE FUNDS
Expenses summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Financial highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Objectives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How objectives are pursued. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How performance is shown. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How the funds are managed. . . . . . . . . . . .
Organization and history. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ABOUT YOUR INVESTMENT
How to buy shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Distribution Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to sell shares. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to exchange shares. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How each fund values its shares. . . . . . . . .
How distributions are made; tax information . . . . . .
ABOUT PUTNAM INVESTMENTS, INC.. . . . . . . . . . . . .
APPENDIX
Securities ratings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
<PAGE>
ABOUT THE FUNDS
EXPENSES SUMMARY
Expenses are one of several factors to consider when investing in
a fund . The following table summarizes your maximum
transaction costs from investing in a fund and
estimated expenses which each fund expects to incur
in its first fiscal year. The Example shows the estimated
cumulative expenses attributable to a hypothetical $1,000
investment over specified periods.
Shareholder Transaction Expenses
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed
on Purchases (as a percentage
of offering price) 5.75%
Deferred Sales Charge (as a
percentage of the lower of
original purchase price or
redemption proceeds) NONE*
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Global Real Estate
Basic Value Balanced Utilities Opportunities
Fund Fund Fund Fund
Management Fees 0% 0% 0% 0%
(after expense limitation)
Other Expenses 1.09% 0.79% 0.69% 1.09%
(after expense limitation)
Total Fund Operating
Expenses 1.09% 0.79% 0.69% 1.09%
(after expense limitation)
The table is provided to help you understand the expenses of
investing in a fund and your share of the operating
expenses that each fund expects to incur during its first
fiscal year. The estimated annual management fees and "other
expenses " shown in the table reflect an expense limitation
currently in effect. In the absence of the expense limitation,
management fees, "other expenses " and total fund operating
expenses would be as follows:
<PAGE>
Global Real
Estate
Basic Value BalancedUtilities
Opportunities
Fund FundFund Fund
Management Fees 0.70% 0.65% 0.80% 0.70%
Other Expenses 1.49% 1.49% 1.70% 1.49%
Total Fund
Operating Expenses 2.19% 2.14% 2.50% 2.19%
"Other expenses " are based on estimated amounts for each
fund's first fiscal year.
EXAMPLE
Your investment of $1,000 would incur the following expenses,
assuming 5% annual return and redemption at the end of each
period:
1 year 3 years
Basic Value Fund $68 $90
Balanced Fund $65 $81
Global Utilities Fund $64 $78
Real Estate Opportunities Fund $68 $90
The Example does not represent past or future expense levels.
Actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown. Federal
regulations require the Example to assume a 5% annual return, but
actual annual return will vary.
* A deferred sales charge of up to 1.00% is assessed
on certain redemptions of shares that were
purchased without an initial sales charge as part
of an investment of $1 million or more. See "How
to buy shares."
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The tables on the following pages present unaudited per share
financial information for the funds. The financial statements
included in each fund's Semi-Annual Report to shareholders for
the period ended February 28, 1995 for Putnam Basic Value Fund
and Putnam Real Estate Opportunities Fund and for the period
ended March 31, 1995 for Putnam Balanced Fund and Putnam Global
Utilities Fund are incorporated by reference into this
prospectus.
<PAGE>
PUTNAM BASIC VALUE FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(For a share outstanding throughout the period)
January 3, 1995
(commencement
of operations)
to February 28,
1995*+
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $8.50
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income .04(a)
Net realized and unrealized
gain on investments .30
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS .34(a)
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Net investment income
Net realized gain on investments
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD $8.84
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN AT
NET ASSET VALUE (%)(b) 4.00(c)
NET ASSETS, END OF PERIOD (in thousands) $1,750
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%) .20(a)(c)
Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets (%) .49(a)(c)
Portfolio turnover (%) 30.87(c)
* Unaudited.
+ Per share net investment income for the period January 3, 1995
(commencement of operations) to February 28, 1995 has been
determined on the basis of the weighted average number
of shares outstanding during the period.
(a) Reflects an expense limitation in effect during the period.
As a result of such limitation, expenses for the fund reflect a
reduction of $0.01 per share.
(b) Total investment return assumes dividend reinvestment and
does not reflect the effects of sales charges.
(c) Not annualized.
<PAGE>
PUTNAM BALANCED FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(For a share outstanding throughout the period)
JANUARY 9, 1995
(COMMENCEMENT
OF OPERATIONS) to
MARCH 31, 1995*+
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $8.51
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income
.06(a)
Net realized and unrealized
gain on investments
.60
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
.66(a)
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:
Net investment income
Net realized gain on investments
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD
$9.17
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN AT
NET ASSET VALUE (%)(b) 7.76(c)
NET ASSETS, END OF PERIOD (in thousands)
$1,693
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%)
.18(a)(c)
Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets (%)
.77(a)(c)
Portfolio turnover (%)
35.35(c)
* Unaudited.
+ Per share net investment income for the period January 9,
1995 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 1995 has been
determined on the basis of the weighted average number of shares
outstanding during the period.
(a) Reflects an expense limitation in effect during the period.
As a result of such limitation, expenses for the fund reflect a
reduction of $0.05 per share.
(b) Total investment return assumes dividend reinvestment and
does not reflect the effects of sales charges.
(c) Not annualized.
PUTNAM GLOBAL UTILITIES FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(For a share outstanding throughout the period)
January 11, 1995
(commencement
of operations) to
March 31, 1995*+
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $8.05
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income .06(a)
Net realized and unrealized
loss on investments
.34(a)**
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS .40(a)
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD
$8.45
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN AT
NET ASSET VALUE (%)(b)
4.97(c)
NET ASSETS, END OF PERIOD (in thousands)
$1,553
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%)
.01(c)
Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets (%)
.70(c)
Portfolio turnover (%)
8.84(c)
* Unaudited.
** The per share amount does not correspond with the net realized
and unrealized gain for the period due to the timing of the
sales of Fund shares and the amount of per share
realized and unrealized gains and losses at such time.
+ Per share net investment income for the period January 11,
1995 (commencement of operations) to March 31, 1995 has been
determined on the basis of the weighted average number of shares
outstanding during the period.
(a) Reflects an expense limitation in effect during the period.
As a result of such limitation, expenses for the fund reflect a
reduction of $0.02 per share.
(b) Total investment return assumes dividend reinvestment and
does not reflect the effects of sales charges.
(c) Not annualized.
<PAGE>
PUTNAM REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITIES FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(For a share outstanding throughout the period)
January 3, 1995
(commencement
of operations)
to February 28,
1995*+
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $8.50
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income .06
Net realized and unrealized
loss on investments (.09)(a)
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS (.03)(a)
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Net investment income
Net realized gain on investments
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD $8.47
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN AT
NET ASSET VALUE (%)(b) (.35)
NET ASSETS, END OF PERIOD (in thousands) $1,557
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%) .08(a)(c)
Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets (%) .71(a)(c)
Portfolio turnover (%) 33.64(c)
* Unaudited.
+ Per share net investment income for the period January 3,
1995 (commencement of operations) to February 28, 1995 has been
determined on the basis of the weighted average number of shares
outstanding during the period.
(a) Reflects an expense limitation in effect during the period.
As a result of such limitation, expenses for the fund reflect a
reduction of $0.02 per share.
(b) Total investment return assumes dividend reinvestment and
does not reflect the effects of sales charges.
(c) Not annualized.<PAGE>
OBJECTIVES
Putnam Basic Value Fund seeks long-term capital
appreciation.
Putnam Balanced Fund seeks capital growth and current
income.
Putnam Global Utilities Fund seeks capital growth and
current income. The fund concentrates its investments in
securities issued by companies in the utilities industries.
Putnam Real Estate Opportunities Fund seeks capital
growth and current income. The fund concentrates its
investments in securities issued by companies in the real estate
industries.
Each fund is represented by a separate series of shares of
beneficial interest and pursues its investment objective through
its separate investment policies. For more information about the
investment strategies employed by the funds , see "Common
investment policies and techniques" below. None of the
funds is intended to be a complete investment program, and
there is no assurance that any fund will achieve its
objective.
HOW OBJECTIVES ARE PURSUED
Putnam Basic Value Fund
The fund will invest primarily in common stocks which
Putnam Investment Management, Inc., the Trust's investment
manager ("Putnam Management"), believes are undervalued at the
time of purchase and have the potential for long-term capital
appreciation. The fund is unlike most equity mutual funds
in that its investments will be comprised of a relatively small
number of issuers (currently expected to be approximately 40 to
50). Because Putnam Management evaluates securities for the
fund based on their long-term potential for capital
appreciation, the fund's investments may not appreciate or
yield significant income over the shorter term, and as a result
the fund's total return over certain periods may be less
than that of other equity mutual funds. Putnam Management's
investment decisions may be contrary to those of most other
investors.
In selecting common stocks for the fund , Putnam Management
will consider, among other things, an issuer's financial
strength, competitive position and projected future earnings.
The fund's investments may include widely-traded common
stocks of larger companies as well as common stocks of smaller,
less well known companies. Small to medium-sized companies may
present greater opportunities for capital appreciation, but may
also involve greater risk. They may have limited product lines,
markets or financial resources, or may depend on a limited
management group. Their securities 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, these securities
may fluctuate in value more than those of larger, more
established companies.
Common stocks and other equity securities are normally the
fund's main investments. However, the fund may
purchase preferred stocks, debt securities and convertible
securities (both bonds and preferred stocks) if Putnam Management
believes they would help achieve the fund's objective of
long-term capital appreciation. These securities may include
securities in the lower-rated categories. Securities in the
lower-rated categories are considered to be primarily speculative
and may be in default. The fund may invest up to 35% of
its assets in securities in the lower-rated categories, and is
not subject to any other limitation based on securities ratings.
The fund may also invest in securities principally traded
in foreign markets, engage in foreign currency exchange
transactions and transactions in futures contracts and options,
enter into repurchase agreements, loan its portfolio securities
and purchase securities for future delivery. See "Common
investment policies and techniques" below. The fund may
also hold a portion of its assets in cash or high-quality money
market instruments.
Putnam Balanced Fund
The fund will invest in a combination of equity and fixed-
income securities. The portion of the fund's assets
invested in equity securities and fixed-income securities will
vary from time to time in light of the fund's investment
objective, changes in interest rates, and economic and other
factors. However, under normal market conditions the fund
expects to invest at least 25% of its total assets in fixed-
income securities, which for this purpose includes debt
securities, preferred stocks and that portion of the value of
convertible securities attributable to the fixed-income
characteristics of those securities. The fund may also
hold a portion of its assets in cash or high-quality money market
instruments.
In selecting equity securities for the fund's portfolio,
Putnam Management focuses on securities which it believes are
attractively priced and have good financial strength as well as
above average earnings potential. Although the fund's
equity investments will typically emphasize issuers with market
capitalizations in excess of $1 billion, the fund may also
invest in small to medium-sized companies, which generally have a
proprietary product or profitable market niche and the potential
to grow very rapidly. Such companies may present greater
opportunities for capital appreciation, but may also involve
greater risk. They may have limited product lines, markets or
financial resources, or may depend on a limited management group.
Their securities 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, these securities may fluctuate
in value more than those of larger, more established companies.
In selecting fixed-income securities for the fund's
portfolio, Putnam Management may take full advantage of the
entire range of fixed-income securities and may adjust the
average maturity of the fund's fixed-income investments
from time to time depending on its assessment of relative yields
on securities of different maturities and types and its
expectations on future changes in interest rates. The
fund's investments in fixed-income securities may include
both government and corporate obligations. Consistent with the
fund's investment objective, the fund may invest
without limit in fixed-income securities rated at the time of
purchase at least B by Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") or
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), or in unrated
securities determined by Putnam Management to be of comparable
quality. Securities in the lower-rated categories are considered
to be primarily speculative and may be in default. See "Common
investment policies and techniques -- Lower-rated fixed-income
securities" below.
The fund may also invest in securities principally traded
in foreign markets, engage in foreign currency exchange
transactions and transactions in futures contracts and options,
enter into repurchase agreements, loan its portfolio securities
and purchase securities for future delivery. See "Common
investment policies and techniques" below.
Putnam Global Utilities Fund
The fund seeks its objective by investing under normal
market conditions at least 65% of its total assets in equity
securities of companies principally engaged in the utilities
industries. The fund may at times invest up to 100% of
its assets in securities principally traded in securities markets
outside the United States, and will under normal market
conditions invest its assets in at least three different
countries, one of which may be the United States. The
fund presently expects that it will invest a significant
portion of its assets in less developed and developing nations,
whose securities markets are sometimes referred to as "emerging
securities markets." See "Common investment practices and
techniques" below. In unusual market circumstances where Putnam
Management believes that foreign investing may involve undue
risks, 100% of the fund's assets may be invested in the
United States.
Companies in the utilities industries include companies engaged
in the manufacture, production, generation, transmission, sale or
distribution of electric or gas energy or other types of energy
and companies engaged in telecommunications, including telephone,
telegraph, satellite, microwave, cable and other communications
media. Putnam Management deems a particular company to be
"principally engaged" in the utilities industries if at the time
of investment Putnam Management determines that at least 50% of
the company's assets, revenues or profits are derived from one or
more of those industries. The fund may also invest in
securities of issuers in other industries if Putnam Management
believes they will help achieve the fund's objective.
Common stocks and other equity securities are normally the
fund's main investments. However, the fund may
purchase preferred stocks, debt securities and convertible
securities (both bonds and preferred stocks) if Putnam Management
believes they would help achieve the fund's objective.
These securities may include securities in the lower-rated
categories. Securities in the lower-rated categories are
considered to be primarily speculative and may be in default.
The fund may also engage in foreign currency exchange
transactions and transactions in futures contracts and options,
enter into repurchase agreements, loan its portfolio securities
and purchase securities for future delivery. See "Common
investment policies and techniques" below. The fund may also
hold a portion of its assets in cash or high-quality money market
instruments.
Risk factors. Since the fund's investments are
concentrated in the utilities industries, the value of its shares
can be expected to change in light of factors affecting those
industries, and may fluctuate more widely than the value of
shares of a portfolio that invests in a broader range of
industries. Many utility companies, especially electric, gas and
other energy-related utility companies, have historically been
subject to risks of increases in fuel and other operating costs,
changes in interest rates on borrowings for capital improvement
programs, changes in applicable laws and regulations, changes in
technology which may render existing plants, equipment or
products obsolete, the effects of energy conservation and
operating constraints, and increased costs and delays associated
with compliance with environmental regulations. In particular,
regulatory changes with respect to nuclear and conventionally-
fueled power generating facilities could increase costs or impair
the ability of utility companies to operate such facilities or
obtain adequate return on invested capital. Generally, prices
charged by utilities are regulated in the United States and in
foreign countries with the intention of protecting the public
while ensuring that utility companies earn a return sufficient to
allow them to attract capital in order to grow and continue to
provide appropriate services. There can be no assurance that
such pricing policies or rates of return will continue in the
future.
In recent years, regulatory changes in the United States have
increasingly allowed utility companies to provide services and
products outside their traditional geographic areas and lines of
business, creating new areas of competition within the utilities
industries. This trend toward deregulation and the emergence of
new entrants have caused non-regulated providers of utility
services to become a significant part of the utilities
industries. Putnam Management believes that the emergence of
competition and deregulation will result in certain utility
companies being able to earn more than their traditional
regulated rates of return, while others may be forced to defend
their core business from increased competition and may be less
profitable. Although Putnam Management seeks to take advantage
of favorable investment opportunities that may arise from these
structural changes, there can be no assurance that the
fund will benefit from any such changes.
Foreign utility companies may also be subject to regulation,
which may differ substantially from that in the United States.
Foreign utility companies may be more heavily regulated than U.S.
utility companies and, as in the United States, generally are
required to seek government approval for rate increases. In
addition, many foreign utilities use fuels that cause more
pollution than those used in the United States, which may require
such utilities to invest in pollution control equipment or switch
to more expensive fuels to meet any future pollution
restrictions. Foreign regulatory systems vary from country to
country and may evolve in ways different from regulation in the
United States.
Securities of foreign utility companies often have lower dividend
yields than securities of U.S. utility companies, although such
securities may have greater potential for capital appreciation.
In addition, the markets for such securities are often less
liquid and more volatile than U.S. markets. There is currently a
relatively limited amount of such securities available for
investment by the fund, and the fund's ability to
invest its assets outside the United States may therefore be
limited. The fund's investments in foreign issuers may
include recently privatized enterprises. The ability of foreign
entities, such as the fund , to participate in
privatization may be limited by local law, or the price or terms
on which the fund may be able to participate may be less
advantageous than for local investors. Moreover, there can be no
assurance that governments that have embarked on privatization
programs will continue to divest their ownership of state
enterprises, that proposed privatizations will be successful or
that governments will not re-nationalize enterprises that have
been privatized. Furthermore, in the case of certain of the
enterprises in which the fund may invest, large blocks of
the stock of those enterprises may be held by a small group of
stockholders, even after the initial equity offerings by those
enterprises. The sale of some portion or all of those blocks
could have an adverse effect on the price of the stock of any
such enterprise.
Putnam Real Estate Opportunities Fund
Under normal market conditions, the fund will invest at
least 65% of its total assets in securities of companies
principally engaged in the real estate industries. Examples of
companies in the real estate industries include real estate
investment trusts (REITs), real estate developers, mortgage
lenders and servicers, construction companies and building
material suppliers. Putnam Management deems a particular company
to be "principally engaged" in the real estate industries if at
the time of investment Putnam Management determines that at least
50% of the company's assets, revenues or profits are derived from
businesses related to real estate.
The fund expects to invest primarily in common stocks that
have the potential for capital appreciation, current income, or
both. However, the fund may purchase preferred stocks,
debt securities, convertible securities (both bonds and preferred
stocks) and warrants if Putnam Management believes they would
help achieve the fund's objective. These securities may
include securities in the lower-rated categories. Securities in
the lower-rated categories are considered to be primarily
speculative and may be in default. The fund may also
invest in securities principally traded in foreign markets,
engage in foreign currency exchange transactions and transactions
in futures contracts and options, enter into repurchase
agreements, loan its portfolio securities and purchase securities
for future delivery. See "Common investment policies and
techniques" below. The fund may also hold a portion of
its assets in cash or high-quality money market instruments.
Risk factors. Since the fund's investments are
concentrated in the real estate industries, the value of its
shares can be expected to change in light of factors affecting
those industries, and may fluctuate more widely than the value of
shares of a portfolio that invests in a broader range of
industries. Factors affecting the performance of real estate
ventures or securities issued by companies engaged in businesses
related to real estate may include excess supply of real property
in certain markets, changes in zoning laws, completion of
construction, changes in real estate value and property taxes,
sufficient level of occupancy, adequate rent to cover operating
expenses, and local and regional markets for competing assets.
In addition, like the performance of other commercial ventures or
the securities issued by companies in industries unrelated to
real estate, the performance of real estate ventures and
securities issued by companies in the real estate industries may
be affected by changes in interest rates, prudent management of
insurance risks, adequacy of financing available in capital
markets, competent management, changes in applicable laws and
governmental regulations (including taxes), and social and
economic trends.
It is currently expected that equity REITs, which own real estate
directly, will represent a substantial portion of the
fund's investments in REITs. The fund may also
invest in mortgage REITs, which make construction, development or
long-term mortgage loans, and hybrid REITs, which share
characteristics of equity REITs and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs
will be affected by changes in the value of the underlying
property owned by the REITs, while mortgage REITs will be
affected by the value of the properties to which they have
extended credit. REITs are dependent upon the skill of each
REIT's management, may not be diversified and are subject to the
risks of financing projects.
The fund could under certain circumstances own real estate
directly as a result of a default on debt securities it owns. If
the fund has rental income or income from the direct
disposition of real property, the receipt of such income may
adversely affect its ability to retain its tax status as a
regulated investment company. See "Distribution and taxes"
below. REITs are also subject to substantial cash flow
dependency, defaults by borrowers, self-liquidation and the risk
of failing to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under
the Internal Revenue Code and/or to maintain exemption from the
Investment Company Act of 1940. By investing in REITs indirectly
through the fund , a shareholder bears not only a
proportionate share of the expenses of the fund , but also,
indirectly, similar expenses of the REITs.
Common investment policies and techniques
Foreign investments. Each of Putnam Basic Value Fund, Putnam
Balanced Fund and Putnam Real Estate Opportunities Fund may
invest up to 20% of its assets in securities principally traded
in foreign markets. Each such fund may also purchase
Eurodollar certificates of deposit without regard to the 20%
limit. Putnam Global Utilities Fund may invest
without limit in securities principally traded in foreign
markets.
Since foreign securities are normally denominated and traded in
foreign currencies, the value of a fund's assets may be
affected favorably or unfavorably by currency exchange rates and
exchange control regulations. There may be less information
publicly available about a foreign company than about a U.S.
company, and foreign companies are not generally subject to
accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and
practices comparable to those in the United States. The
securities of some foreign companies are less liquid and at times
more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies.
Foreign brokerage commissions and other fees are also generally
higher than in the United States. Foreign settlement procedures
and trade regulations may involve certain risks (such as delay in
payment or delivery of securities or in the recovery of a
fund's assets held abroad) and expenses not present in the
settlement of domestic investments.
In addition, there may be a possibility of nationalization or
expropriation of assets, imposition of currency exchange
controls, confiscatory taxation, political or financial
instability and diplomatic developments which could affect the
value of a fund's investments in certain foreign
countries. Legal remedies available to investors in certain
foreign countries may be more limited than those available with
respect to investments in the United States or in other foreign
countries. The laws of some foreign countries may limit a
fund's ability to invest in securities of certain issuers
located in those foreign countries. Special tax considerations
apply to foreign securities.
The risks described above, including the risks of nationalization
or expropriation of assets, are typically increased to the extent
that a fund invests in issuers located in less developed
and developing nations, whose securities markets are sometimes
referred to as "emerging securities markets." Investments in
securities located in such countries are speculative and subject
to certain special risks. Political and economic structures in
many of these countries may be in their infancy and developing
rapidly, and such countries may lack the social, political and
economic stability characteristic of more developed countries.
Certain of these countries have in the past failed to recognize
private property rights and have at times nationalized or
expropriated the assets of private companies. In addition,
unanticipated political or social developments may affect the
values of the fund's investments in these countries and
the availability to the fund of additional investments in
these countries. The small size, limited trading volume and
relative inexperience of the securities markets in these
countries may make the fund's investments in such
countries illiquid and more volatile than investments in more
developed countries, and the fund may be required to
establish special custodial or other arrangements before making
investments in these countries. There may be little financial or
accounting information available with respect to issuers located
in these countries, and it may be
difficult as a result to assess the value or prospects of an
investment in such issuers.
A more detailed explanation of foreign investments, and the risks
and special tax considerations associated with them, is included
in the SAI .
Foreign currency exchange transactions. Putnam Management may
engage in foreign currency exchange transactions to protect
against uncertainty in the level of future exchange rates.
Putnam Management may engage in foreign currency exchange
transactions in connection with the purchase and sale of
portfolio securities ("transaction hedging") and to protect the
value of specific portfolio positions ("position hedging").
Each fund may engage in transaction hedging to protect
against a change in the foreign currency exchange rate between
the date on which the fund contracts to purchase or sell
the security and the settlement date, or to "lock in" the U.S.
dollar equivalent of a dividend or interest payment in a foreign
currency. Each fund may purchase or sell a foreign
currency on a spot (or cash) basis at the prevailing spot rate as
part of its transaction hedging strategies. If conditions
warrant, each fund may also enter into contracts to
purchase or sell foreign currencies at a future date ("forward
contracts") and may purchase and sell foreign currency futures
contracts as part of its transaction hedging strategies. A
foreign currency forward contract is a negotiated agreement to
exchange currency at a future time at a rate or rates that may be
higher or lower than the spot rate. Foreign currency futures
contracts are standardized exchange-traded contracts and have
margin requirements. Each fund may also purchase
exchange-listed and over-the-counter call and put options on
foreign currency futures contracts and on foreign currencies.
Each fund may engage in "position hedging" to protect
against the decline in the value relative to the U.S. dollar of
the currencies in which its portfolio securities are denominated
or quoted (or an increase in the value of the foreign currencies
for securities which the fund intends to buy, when the
fund holds cash reserves or short-term investments). For
position hedging purposes, each fund may purchase or sell
foreign currency futures contracts, foreign currency forward
contracts, and put and call options on foreign currency futures
contracts and on foreign currencies on exchanges or over-the-
counter markets. In connection with position hedging, each
fund may also purchase or sell foreign currencies on a
spot basis.
Each fund's currency hedging transactions may call for the
delivery of one foreign currency in exchange for another foreign
currency and may at times involve currencies other than those in
which its portfolio securities are then denominated. Putnam
Management will engage in such "cross hedging" activities when it
believes that such transactions provide significant hedging
opportunities for a fund . Cross hedging transactions by a
fund involve the risk of imperfect correlation between
changes in the values of the currencies to which such
transactions relate and changes in the value of the currency or
other asset or liability which is the subject of the hedge.
Hedging transactions involve costs and may result in losses.
There is no assurance that appropriate foreign currency exchange
transactions will be available with respect to all currencies in
which a fund's investments may be denominated. A
fund's ability to engage in hedging transactions may be
limited by tax considerations. A fund's hedging
transactions may affect the character or amount of its
distributions.
Lower-rated fixed-income securities. Lower-rated fixed-income
securities are generally regarded as those rated below Baa by
Moody's or BBB by S&P or securities of comparable quality as
determined by Putnam Management. These securities are often
referred to as "junk bonds." Securities rated Baa or BBB, while
considered investment-grade, are more vulnerable to adverse
economic conditions than securities in the higher rating
categories and have speculative elements. Although the values of
fixed-income securities generally fluctuate with movements in
interest rates, the values of lower-rated fixed-income securities
generally fluctuate more than those of higher-rated fixed-income
securities. In addition, the lower rating reflects a greater
possibility that the financial condition of the issuer, or
adverse changes in general economic conditions, or both, may
impair the ability of the issuer to make payments of interest and
repayments of principal. The rating services' descriptions of
fixed-income securities are included in the Appendix to this
prospectus. A fund will not necessarily dispose of
a security when its rating is reduced below its rating at the
time of purchase, although Putnam Management will monitor the
investment to determine whether continued investment in the
security will assist in meeting the fund's investment
objective.
At times, some or all of each fund's fixed-income
investments may include securities as to which that fund ,
by itself or together with other funds and accounts managed by
Putnam Management and its affiliates, holds a major portion or
all of such securities. Under adverse market or economic
conditions or in the event of adverse changes in the financial
condition of the issuer, a fund could find it more
difficult to sell such securities when Putnam Management believes
it advisable to do so or may be able to sell such securities only
at prices lower than if such securities were more widely held.
Under such circumstances, it may also be more difficult to
determine the fair value of such securities for purposes of
computing a fund's net asset value. In order to enforce
its rights in the event of a default under such securities, the
fund may be required to take possession of and manage
assets securing the issuer's obligations on such securities,
which may increase the fund's operating expenses and
adversely affect the fund's net asset value.
Putnam Management seeks to minimize the risks of investing in
lower-rated securities through investment analysis and attention
to current developments in interest rates and economic
conditions. The lower ratings of certain fixed-income securities
held by a fund reflect a greater possibility that adverse
changes in the financial condition of their issuers, or in
general economic conditions, or both, or an unanticipated rise in
interest rates, may impair the ability of their issuers to make
payments of interest and principal. In addition, under such
circumstances the values of such securities may be more volatile,
and the markets for such securities may be less liquid, than
those for higher-rated securities, and the fund may as a
result find it more difficult to determine the fair value of such
securities. When a fund invests in fixed-income
securities in the lower rating categories, the achievement of its
goals is more dependent on Putnam Management's investment
analysis than would be the case if the fund were investing
in fixed-income securities in the higher rating categories.
Each fund may at times invest in so-called "zero-coupon"
bonds and "payment-in-kind" bonds. Zero-coupon bonds are issued
at a significant discount from their principal amount and pay
interest only at maturity rather than at intervals during the
life of the security. Payment-in-kind bonds allow the issuer, at
its option, to make current interest payments on the bonds either
in cash or in additional bonds. The value of zero-coupon bonds
is subject to greater fluctuation in response to changes in
market interest rates than bonds which pay interest currently.
Both zero-coupon bonds and payment-in-kind bonds allow an issuer
to avoid the need to generate cash to meet current interest
payments. Accordingly, such bonds may involve greater credit
risks than bonds paying interest currently. Even though such
bonds do not pay current interest in cash, a fund is
nonetheless required to accrue interest income on such
investments and to distribute such amounts at least
annually to shareholders. Thus, a fund could be required
at times to liquidate other investments in order to satisfy its
distribution requirements.
Certain securities held by a fund may permit the issuer at
its option to "call , " or redeem, its securities.
If an issuer were to redeem securities held by a fund
during a time of declining interest rates, the fund might
not be able to reinvest the proceeds in securities providing the
same investment return as the securities redeemed.
For additional information concerning the risks associated with
investment by a fund in securities in the lower rating
categories, see the SAI .
Portfolio turnover. The length of time a fund has held a
particular security is not generally a consideration in
investment decisions. A change in the securities held by a
fund is known as "portfolio turnover." As a result of a
fund's investment policies, under certain market
conditions a fund's portfolio turnover rate may be higher
than that of other mutual funds. Portfolio turnover generally
involves some expense to a fund , including brokerage
commissions or dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the
sale of securities and reinvestment in other securities. Such
transactions may result in realization of taxable capital gains.
Portfolio turnover rates for the life of each fund are
shown in the section "Financial highlights."
Defensive strategies. At times Putnam Management may judge that
conditions in the securities markets make pursuing the basic
investment strategy of one or more of the funds
inconsistent with the best interests of such fund's
shareholders. At such times Putnam Management may temporarily
use alternative strategies, primarily designed to reduce
fluctuations in the value of such fund's assets. In
implementing these "defensive" strategies, a fund may
invest without limit in cash or money market instruments,
preferred stocks, debt securities issued by the U.S. government
or its agencies or instrumentalities, or in any other securities
Putnam Management considers consistent with such defensive
strategies. In addition, when pursuing such defensive
strategies, Putnam Global Utilities Fund may invest
without limit in securities primarily traded in U.S. markets. It
is impossible to predict when, or for how long, any of the
funds will use alternative strategies.
Diversification. Each fund is a "diversified" investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. This means
that with respect to 75% of its total assets each fund may
not invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of
any one issuer (except U.S. government securities). The
remaining 25% of each fund's total assets is not subject
to this restriction. To the extent a fund invests a
significant portion of its assets in the securities of a
particular issuer, such fund will be subject to an
increased risk of loss if the market value of such issuer's
securities declines.
Financial futures and related options. Each fund may buy
and sell financial futures contracts on stock indexes and foreign
currencies, and each fund (other than Putnam Basic Value
Fund) may buy and sell financial futures contracts on
U.S. Government securities and foreign fixed-income securities.
A futures contract is a contract to buy or sell units of a
particular stock index (an "Index Future"), or a certain amount
of a U.S. Government security, foreign fixed-income security or
foreign currency, at an agreed price on a specified future date.
Depending on the change in value of the index, security or
currency between the time when a fund enters into and
terminates a futures contract, such fund realizes a gain
or loss. Each fund may purchase and sell futures
contracts for hedging purposes and to adjust its exposure to the
relevant stock or bond markets. For example, when Putnam
Management wants to increase Putnam Balanced Fund's exposure to
equity securities, it may do so by taking long positions in
futures contracts on equity indices such as futures contracts on
the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price
Index. Similarly, when Putnam Management wants to increase the
fund's exposure to fixed-income securities, it may do so
by taking long positions in futures contracts relating to fixed-
income securities such as futures contracts on U.S. Treasury
bonds or notes. Each fund may buy and sell call and put
options on futures contracts or on stock indices in addition to
or as an alternative to purchasing or selling futures contracts
or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to earn additional
income.
Futures and options transactions involve costs and may result in
losses. Certain risks arise because of the possibility of
imperfect correlations between movements in the prices of
financial futures and options and movements in the prices of the
underlying stock index, securities, or currencies or of the
securities or currencies which are the subject of the hedge. The
successful use of futures and options further depends on Putnam
Management's ability to forecast market or interest rate
movements correctly. Other risks arise from a fund's
potential inability to close out its futures or related options
positions, and there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary
market will exist for any futures contract or option at a
particular time. A fund's ability to terminate option
positions established in the over-the-counter market may be more
limited than for exchange-traded options and may also involve the
risk that securities dealers participating in such transactions
would fail to meet their obligations to the fund . The use
of futures and options on futures for purposes other than hedging
may be regarded as speculative. Because the markets for options
and futures on foreign fixed-income securities and foreign
currencies are relatively new and still developing, each
fund's ability to engage in such transactions may be
limited. Certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and
certain regulatory requirements may also limit a fund's
ability to engage in futures and options transactions.
A more detailed explanation of futures and options transactions,
including the risks associated with them, is included in the
SAI .
Options. Each fund may seek to increase its current
return by writing covered call and put options on securities it
owns or in which it may invest. A fund receives a premium
from writing a call or put option, which increases the
fund's return if the option expires unexercised or is
closed out at a net profit. When a 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, a 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.
A fund may terminate an option that it has written prior
to its expiration by entering into a closing purchase transaction
in which it purchases an option having the same terms as the
option written. Each fund may also buy and sell put and
call options for hedging purposes. Each fund may also
from time to time buy and sell combinations of put and call
options on the same underlying security to earn additional
income. The aggregate value of the securities underlying the
options may not exceed 25% of a fund's assets. Each
fund's use of these strategies may be limited by
applicable law.
Securities loans, repurchase agreements and forward commitments.
Each fund may lend portfolio securities amounting to not
more than 25% of its assets to broker-dealers and may enter into
repurchase agreements on up to 25% of its assets. These
transactions must be fully collateralized at all times. Each
fund may also purchase securities for future delivery,
which may increase its overall investment exposure and involves a
risk of loss if the value of the securities declines prior to the
settlement date. These transactions involve some risk to a
fund if the other party should default on its obligation
and such fund is delayed or prevented from recovering the
collateral or completing the transaction.
Limiting investment risk. Specific investment restrictions help
each fund limit investment risks for its shareholders.
These restrictions prohibit each fund from investing more
than: (a) with respect to 75% of its total assets, 5% of its
total assets in securities of any one issuer, other than the U.S.
government, its agencies or instrumentalities;* (b) 25% of its
total assets in any one industry, except that under normal market
conditions Putnam Real Estate Opportunities Fund will invest more
than 25% of its total assets in issuers in the real estate group
of industries and Putnam Global Utilities Fund will invest more
than 25% of its total assets in issuers in the utilities group of
industries;* or (c) 15% of its net assets in any combination of
securities that are not readily marketable, in securities
restricted as to resale (excluding securities determined by the
Trust's Trustees (or the person designated by the Trust's
Trustees to make such determinations) to be readily marketable),
and in repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days.
Restrictions marked with an asterisk (*) above are summaries of
fundamental investment policies. See the SAI for the full
text of these policies and the funds' other fundamental
investment policies. Except for investment policies designated
as fundamental in this prospectus or the SAI , the
investment policies described in this prospectus and in
the SAI are not fundamental policies. The Trustees may
change any non-fundamental investment policies without
shareholder approval. As a matter of policy, the Trustees would
not materially change a fund's investment objective
without shareholder approval.
HOW PERFORMANCE IS SHOWN
A fund's investment performance may from time to time be
included in advertisements about the fund . "Yield" is
calculated by dividing the annualized net investment income per
share during a recent 30-day period by the maximum public
offering price per share on the last day of the period. Yield
reflects the deduction of the maximum initial sales charge.
"Total return" for the one-, five- and ten-year periods (or
for the life of a class, if shorter) through the most recent
calendar quarter represents the average annual compounded rate of
return on an investment of $1,000 in a fund invested at
the maximum public offering price. Total return may also be
presented for other periods or based on investment at reduced
sales charge levels. Any quotation of investment performance not
reflecting the maximum initial sales charge would be reduced if
such sales charge were used.
All data is based on each fund's past investment results
and does not predict future performance. Investment performance,
which will vary, is based on many factors, including market
conditions, the composition of a fund's portfolio, a
fund's operating expenses and which class of shares you
purchase. Investment performance also often reflects the risks
associated with each fund's investment objective and
policies. These factors should be considered when comparing a
fund's investment results to those of other mutual funds
and other investment vehicles. Quotations of investment
performance for any period when an expense limitation was in
effect will be greater than if the limitation had not been in
effect. Each fund's performance may be compared to
various indices. See the SAI .
<PAGE>
HOW THE FUNDS ARE MANAGED
The Trustees of the Trust are responsible for generally
overseeing the conduct of each fund's business. Subject
to such policies as the Trustees may determine, Putnam Management
furnishes a continuing investment program for each fund
and makes investment decisions on its behalf. Subject to the
control of the Trustees, Putnam Management also manages the
funds' other affairs and business. David L. King, Senior
Vice President of Putnam Management and Vice President of the
Trust, is primarily responsible for the day-to-day operations of
Putnam Basic Value Fund. Mr. King has been employed by Putnam
Management since 1983. Kenneth J. Taubes, Senior
Vice President of Putnam Management and David J. Santos, Vice
President of Putnam Management, each a Vice President of the
Trust, are primarily responsible for the day-to-day operations of
Putnam Balanced Fund. Mr. Taubes has been employed by
Putnam Management since June, 1991. Prior to June ,
1991, Mr. Taubes was Senior Vice President of the Finance
Division of U.S. Trust Company. Mr. Santos has been employed
by Putnam Management since 1986. Sheldon N. Simon, Senior
Vice President of Putnam Management and Vice President of the
Trust, is primarily responsible for the day-to-day operations of
Putnam Global Utilities Fund. Mr. Simon has been employed by
Putnam Management since 1984 . Jeanne L. Mockard, Senior
Vice President of Putnam Management and Vice President of the
Trust, is primarily responsible for the day-to-day operations of
Putnam Real Estate Opportunities Fund. Ms. Mockard has been
employed by Putnam Management since 1990 . Under a
Management Contract dated December 2, 1994, the Trust pays a
quarterly fee to Putnam Management based on the average net
assets of each fund , as determined at the close of each
business day during the quarter, at the following annual rates,
expressed as a percentage of each fund's average net
assets: Putnam Balanced Fund - 0.65% of the first $500 million,
0.55% of the next $500 million, 0.50% of the next $500 million,
0.45% of the next $5 billion, 0.425% of the next $5 billion,
0.405% of the next $5 billion, 0.39% of the next $5 billion, and
0.38% thereafter; Putnam Real Estate Opportunities Fund and
Putnam Basic Value Fund - 0.70% of the first $500 million, 0.60%
of the next $500 million, 0.55% of the next $500 million, 0.50%
of the next $5 billion, 0.475% of the next $5 billion, 0.455% of
the next $5 billion, 0.44% of the next $5 billion, and 0.43%
thereafter; and Putnam Global Utilities Fund - 0.80% of
the first $500 million, 0.70% of the next $500 million, 0.65% of
the next $500 million, 0.60% of the next $5 billion, 0.575% of
the next $5 billion, 0.555% of the next $5 billion, 0.54% of the
next $5 billion, and 0.53% thereafter .
In order to limit the funds' expenses during their start-
up period , Putnam Management has agreed to limit its
compensation (and, to the extent necessary, bear other expenses)
through December 31, 1995, to the extent that expenses of a
fund (exclusive of brokerage, interest, taxes, deferred
organizational and extraordinary expense, and payments under the
Trust's Distribution Plan) would exceed the following annual
rates, expressed as a percentage of each fund's average
net assets: Putnam Basic Value Fund and Putnam Real Estate
Opportunities Fund, 1.00%; Putnam Balanced Fund, 0.70%;
and Putnam Global Utilities Fund, 0.60% . For the
purpose of determining any such limitation on Putnam Management's
compensation, fund expenses shall not reflect the
application of commissions or cash management credits that may
reduce designated fund expenses. With Trustee approval,
this expense limitation may be terminated earlier, in which event
shareholders would be notified and this prospectus would
be revised.
Each fund pays its share of all expenses of the Trust not
assumed by Putnam Management, including Trustees' fees, auditing,
legal, custodial, investor servicing and shareholder reporting
expenses, and payments under its Distribution Plan. Expenses of
the Trust directly charged or attributable to a fund will
be paid from the assets of the fund . General expenses of
the Trust will be allocated among the funds on a basis
that the Trustees deem fair and equitable, which may be based on
the relative assets of the funds or the nature of the
services performed and relative applicability to a fund.
Each fund also reimburses Putnam Management for its share
of the compensation and related expenses of certain officers of
the Trust and their staff who provide administrative services to
the funds . The total reimbursement is determined annually
by the Trustees.
Putnam Management places all orders for purchases and sales of
the funds' securities. In selecting broker-dealers,
Putnam Management may consider research and brokerage services
furnished to it and its affiliates. Subject to seeking the most
favorable price and execution available, Putnam Management may
consider sales of shares of the funds (and, if permitted
by law, of the other Putnam funds) as a factor in the selection
of broker-dealers.
ORGANIZATION AND HISTORY
The Trust is a Massachusetts business trust organized on
October 31, 1994. A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of
Trust, which is governed by Massachusetts law, is on file with
the Secretary of State of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. As
of May 31, 1995, Putnam Investments, Inc. owned more
than 25% of the shares of each of the funds and
therefore may be deemed to "control" each of the
funds . Prior to January 6, 1995, the Trust was known as
Putnam Equity Funds.
The Trust is an open-end, diversified, management investment
company with an unlimited number of authorized shares of
beneficial interest. Shares of the Trust may, without
shareholder approval, be divided into two or more series of
shares representing separate investment portfolios and are
currently divided into five series of shares . Only
Putnam Basic Value Fund, Putnam Balanced Fund, Putnam Global
Utilities Fund and Putnam Real Estate Opportunities Fund are
offered by this prospectus. Any such series of shares may be
further divided without shareholder approval into two or more
classes of shares having such preferences and special or relative
rights and privileges as the Trustees determine. The Trustees
currently have authorized the issuance of four classes of shares.
Only class A shares are currently being offered.
Each share has one vote, with fractional shares voting
proportionally. Shares of each fund vote together as a
single class, except when required by law or as determined by the
Trustees. Shares are freely transferable, are entitled to
dividends as declared by the Trustees, and, if a fund were
liquidated, would receive the net assets of that fund.
The funds may suspend the sale of shares at any time and
may refuse any order to purchase shares. Although the Trust is
not required to hold annual meetings of its shareholders,
shareholders holding at least 10% of the outstanding shares
entitled to vote have the right to call a meeting to elect or
remove Trustees, or to take other actions as provided in the
Agreement and Declaration of Trust.
If you own fewer shares than a minimum amount set by the Trustees
(presently 20 shares), a fund may choose to redeem your
shares and pay you for them. You will receive at least 30 days'
written notice before a fund redeems your shares, and you
may purchase additional shares at any time to avoid a redemption.
A fund may also redeem shares if you own shares above a
maximum amount set by the Trustees. There is presently no
maximum, but the Trustees may establish one at any time, which
could apply to both present and future shareholders.
The Trust's Trustees: George Putnam,* Chairman. President of the
Putnam funds. Chairman and Director of Putnam Management and
Putnam Mutual Funds Corp. ("Putnam Mutual Funds"). Director,
Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.; William F. Pounds, Vice
Chairman. Professor of Management, Alfred P. Sloan School of
Management, M.I.T.; Jameson Adkins Baxter, President, Baxter
Associates, Inc.; Hans H. Estin, Vice Chairman, North American
Management Corp.; John A. Hill, Principal and Managing Director,
First Reserve Corporation; Elizabeth T. Kennan,
President Emeritus, and Professor Mount Holyoke College;
Lawrence J. Lasser,* Vice President of the Putnam funds.
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Putnam
Investments, Inc. and Putnam Management. Director, Marsh &
McLennan Companies, Inc.; Robert E. Patterson, Executive Vice
President, Cabot Partners Limited Partnership; Donald S.
Perkins, * Chairman of the Board and Director of Kmart
Corporation and Director of various corporations, including
AT&T and Time Warner Inc.; George Putnam, III,* President,
New Generation Research, Inc. ; Eli Shapiro, Alfred P. Sloan
Professor of Management, Emeritus, Alfred P. Sloan School of
Management, M.I.T. ; A.J.C. Smith,* Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer and Director, Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.; and W.
Nicholas Thorndike, Director of various corporations and
charitable organizations, including Data General Corporation,
Bradley Real Estate, Inc. and Providence Journal Co. Also,
Trustee of Massachusetts General Hospital and Eastern
Utilities Associates. The Trust's Trustees are also Trustees of
the other Putnam funds. Those marked with an asterisk (*) are
or may be deemed to be "interested persons" of the Trust,
Putnam Management or Putnam Mutual Funds.
ABOUT YOUR INVESTMENT
HOW TO BUY SHARES
You can open a fund account with as little as $500 and
make additional investments at any time with as little as $50.
You can buy fund shares three ways - through most
investment dealers, through Putnam Mutual Funds (at 1-800-225-
1581), or through a systematic investment plan. If you do not
have a dealer, Putnam Mutual Funds can refer you to one.
Buying shares through Putnam Mutual Funds. Complete an order
form and return it with a check payable to the fund to
Putnam Mutual Funds, which will act as your agent in purchasing
shares through your designated investment dealer.
Buying shares through systematic investing. You can make regular
investments of $25 or more per month through automatic deductions
from your bank checking account. Application forms are available
from your investment dealer or through Putnam Investor Services.
Shares are sold at the public offering price based on the net
asset value next determined after Putnam Investor Services
receives your order. In most cases, in order to receive that
day's public offering price, Putnam Investor Services must
receive your order before the close of regular trading on the New
York Stock Exchange. If you buy shares through your investment
dealer, the dealer must receive your order before the close of
regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange to receive that
day's public offering price.
The public offering price of shares is the net asset value plus a
sales charge. The fund in which you are investing
receives the net asset value. The sales charge varies depending
on the size of your purchase and is allocated between your
investment dealer and Putnam Mutual Funds. The current sales
charges are: <PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Sales charge Amount of
as a percentage of: sales charge
----------------------------- reallowed
Net to dealers
Amount of transaction amount Offering as a percentage
at offering price invested price of offering price*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Less than $50,000 6.10% 5.75% 5.00%
$50,000 but less than 100,000 4.71 4.50 4.00
100,000 but less than 250,000 3.63 3.50 3.00
250,000 but less than 500,000 2.56 2.50 2.25
500,000 but less than 1,000,000 2.04 2.00 1.75
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* At the discretion of Putnam Mutual Funds, however, the entire sales charge may at
times be reallowed to dealers. The Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission
has indicated that dealers who receive more than 90% of the sales charge may be
considered underwriters.
</TABLE> There is no initial sales charge on purchases of shares of $1
million or more. However, a contingent deferred sales charge
("CDSC") of 1.00% or 0.50%, respectively, is imposed on
redemptions of such shares within the first or second year after
purchase, based on the lower of the shares' cost and current net
asset value. Any shares acquired by reinvestment of
distributions will be redeemed without a CDSC. In addition,
shares purchased by certain investors investing $1 million or
more that have made arrangements with Putnam Mutual Funds and
whose dealer of record waived the commission as described
below are not subject to the CDSC. In determining whether
a CDSC is payable, a fund will first redeem shares not
subject to any charge. Putnam Mutual Funds receives the entire
amount of any CDSC you pay. See the SAI for more
information about the CDSC.
Except as stated below, Putnam Mutual Funds pays investment
dealers of record commissions on sales of shares of $1
million or more based on an investor's cumulative purchases
during the one-year period beginning with the date of the initial
purchase at net asset value . Each subsequent one-year
measuring period for these purposes will begin with
the first net asset value purchase following the end of the prior
period. Such commissions are paid at the rate of 1.00% of the
amount under $3 million, 0.50% of the next $47 million and 0.25%
thereafter. On sales at net asset value to a participant-
directed qualified retirement plan initially investing less than
$20 million in Putnam funds and other investments managed by
Putnam Management or its affiliates (including a plan sponsored
by an employer with more than 750 employees), Putnam Mutual Funds
pays commissions on cumulative purchases during the life of the
account at the rate of 1.00% of the amount under $3 million and
0.50% thereafter. On sales at net asset value to all other
participant-directed qualified retirement plans, Putnam Mutual
Funds pays commissions on the initial investment and on
subsequent net quarterly sales at the rate of 0.15%.
General
You may be eligible to buy shares at reduced sales charges.
Consult your investment dealer or Putnam Mutual Funds for details
about Putnam's Combined Purchase Privilege, Cumulative Quantity
Discount, Statement of Intention, Group Sales Plan, Employee
Benefit Plans and other plans. Descriptions are also included in
the order form and in the SAI .
Each fund may sell shares at net asset value without an
initial sales charge or a CDSC to the current and retired
Trustees (and their families), current and retired employees (and
their families) of Putnam Management and affiliates, registered
representatives and other employees (and their families) of
broker-dealers having sales agreements with Putnam Mutual Funds,
employees (and their families) of financial institutions having
sales agreements with Putnam Mutual Funds (or otherwise having an
arrangement with a broker-dealer or financial institution with
respect to sales of fund shares), financial institution
trust departments investing an aggregate of $1 million or more in
Putnam funds, clients of certain administrators of tax-qualified
plans, employee benefit plans of companies with more than 750
employees, tax-qualified plans when proceeds from repayments of
loans to participants are invested (or reinvested) in Putnam
funds, "wrap accounts" for the benefit of clients of broker-
dealers, financial institutions or financial planners adhering to
certain standards established by Putnam Mutual Funds, and
investors meeting certain requirements who sold shares of certain
Putnam closed-end funds pursuant to a tender offer by the
closed-end fund. In addition, a fund may sell shares at
net asset value without an initial sales charge or a CDSC in
connection with the acquisition by a fund of assets of an
investment company or personal holding company, and the CDSC will
be waived on redemptions of shares arising out of death or
disability or in connection with certain withdrawals from IRA or
other retirement plans. See the SAI .
Shareholders of other Putnam funds may be entitled to exchange
their shares for, or reinvest distributions from their funds in,
shares of the funds at net asset value.
If you are considering redeeming or exchanging shares or
transferring shares to another person shortly after purchase, you
should pay for those shares with a certified check to avoid any
delay in redemption, exchange or transfer. Otherwise a
fund may delay payment until the purchase price of those
shares has been collected or, if you redeem by telephone, until
15 calendar days after the purchase date.
To eliminate the need for safekeeping, no fund will issue
share certificates. Putnam Mutual Funds will from time to
time at its expense provide additional promotional
incentives or payments to dealers that sell shares of the Putnam
funds. Such incentives or payments may include payments for
travel expenses, including lodging, incurred in connection with
trips taken by invited registered representatives and their
guests to locations within and outside the United States for
meetings or seminars of a business nature. In some instances,
these incentives or payments may be offered only to certain
dealers who have sold or may sell significant amounts of shares.
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
The Trust has adopted a Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, although the Trust is
not currently making any payments pursuant to the Plan. The
purpose of the Plan is to permit the Trust to compensate Putnam
Mutual Funds for services provided and expenses incurred by it in
promoting the sale of shares of the funds , reducing
redemptions, or maintaining or providing services provided to
shareholders by Putnam Mutual Funds or dealers. The Plan
provides for payments by the funds to Putnam Mutual Funds
at the annual rate of up to 0.35% of a fund's average net
assets, subject to the authority of the Trustees to reduce the
amount of payments or to suspend the Plan for such periods as
they may determine. Subject to these limitations, the amount of
such payments and the specific purposes for which they are made
shall be determined by the Trustees. Should the Trustees decide
in the future to approve payments under the Plan, shareholders
will be notified and this prospectus will be revised.
HOW TO SELL SHARES
You can sell your shares to a fund any day the New York
Stock Exchange is open, either directly to a fund or
through your investment dealer. A fund will only redeem
shares for which it has received payment.
Selling shares directly to a fund . Send a signed letter
of instruction or stock power form to Putnam Investor Services.
The price you will receive is the next net asset value calculated
after a fund receives your request in proper form less any
applicable CDSC. In order to receive that day's net asset value,
Putnam Investor Services must receive your request before the
close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange. If you
sell shares having a net asset value of $100,000 or more, the
signatures of registered owners or their legal representatives
must be guaranteed by a bank, broker-dealer or certain other
financial institutions. See the SAI for more information
about where to obtain a signature guarantee. Stock power forms
are available from your investment dealer, Putnam Investor
Services and many commercial banks. If you want your redemption
proceeds sent to an address other than your address as it appears
on Putnam's records, a signature guarantee is required. Putnam
Investor Services usually requires additional documentation for
the sale of shares by a corporation, partnership, agent or
fiduciary, or a surviving joint owner. Contact Putnam Investor
Services for details.
A fund generally sends you payment for your shares the
business day after your request is received. Under unusual
circumstances, a fund may suspend redemptions, or postpone
payment for more than seven days, as permitted by federal
securities law.
You may use Putnam's Telephone Redemption Privilege to redeem
shares valued up to $100,000 from your account unless you have
notified Putnam Investor Services of an address change within the
preceding 15 days. Unless an investor indicates otherwise on the
Account Application, Putnam Investor Services will be authorized
to act upon redemption and transfer instructions received by
telephone from a shareholder, or any person claiming to act as
his or her representative, who can provide Putnam Investor
Services with his or her account registration and address as it
appears on Putnam Investor Services' records. Putnam Investor
Services will employ these and other reasonable procedures to
confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are
genuine;
if it fails to employ reasonable procedures, Putnam Investor
Services may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or
fraudulent instructions. For information, consult Putnam
Investor Services. During periods of unusual market changes and
shareholder activity, you may experience delays in contacting
Putnam Investor Services by telephone in which case you may wish
to submit a written redemption request, as described above, or
contact your investment dealer, as described below. The
Telephone Redemption Privilege may be modified or terminated
without notice.
Selling shares through your investment dealer. Your dealer must
receive your request before the close of regular trading on the
New York Stock Exchange to receive that day's net asset value.
Your dealer will be responsible for furnishing all necessary
documentation to Putnam Investor Services, and may charge
you for its services.
HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES
You can exchange your shares for shares of certain other Putnam
funds at net asset value beginning 15 days after purchase. To
exchange your shares, simply complete an Exchange Authorization
Form and send it to Putnam Investor Services. Exchange
Authorization Forms are available by calling or writing Putnam
Investor Services. For federal income tax purposes, an exchange
is treated as a sale of shares and generally results in a capital
gain or loss. A Telephone Exchange Privilege is currently
available for amounts up to $500,000. Putnam Investor Services'
procedures for telephonic transactions are described above under
"How to sell shares." Ask your investment dealer or Putnam
Investor Services for prospectuses of other Putnam funds. Shares
of certain Putnam funds are not available to residents of all
states.
The exchange privilege is not intended as a vehicle for short-
term trading. Excessive exchange activity may interfere with
portfolio management and have an adverse effect on all
shareholders. In order to limit excessive exchange activity and
in other circumstances where Putnam Management or the Trustees
believe doing so would be in the best interests of a fund,
a fund reserves the right to revise or terminate the
exchange privilege, limit the amount or number of exchanges or
reject any exchange. Shareholders would be notified of any such
action to the extent required by law. Consult Putnam Investor
Services before requesting an exchange. See the SAI to
find out more about the exchange privilege.
HOW EACH FUND VALUES ITS SHARES
Each fund calculates the net asset value of a share by
dividing the total value of its assets, less liabilities, by the
number of its shares outstanding. Shares are valued as of the
close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange each day
the exchange is open. Portfolio securities for which market
quotations are readily available are valued at market
value. Short-term investments that will mature in 60 days or
less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates
market value. All other securities and assets are valued at
their fair value following procedures approved by the Trustees.
<PAGE>
HOW DISTRIBUTIONS ARE MADE; TAX INFORMATION
Putnam Basic Value Fund distributes any net investment
income and any net realized capital gains at least annually.
Putnam Balanced Fund, Putnam Global Utilities Fund and Putnam
Real Estate Opportunities Fund distribute any net investment
income at least quarterly and any net realized capital gains at
least annually. Any net capital gains will be distributed at
least annually. Capital gains distributions are made after
applying any available capital loss carryovers.
You can choose from three distribution options: (1) reinvest all
distributions from a fund in additional shares of that
fund without a sales charge; (2) receive distributions
from net investment income in cash while reinvesting net capital
gains distributions in additional shares of that fund
without a sales charge; or (3) receive all distributions in cash.
You can change your distribution option by notifying Putnam
Investor Services in writing. If you do not select an option
when you open your account, all distributions will be reinvested.
You will receive a statement confirming reinvestment of
distributions from a fund in additional shares of that
fund (or in shares of other Putnam funds for Dividends
Plus accounts) promptly following the quarter in which the
reinvestment occurs.
If a check representing a fund distribution is not cashed
within a specified period, Putnam Investor Services will notify
you that you have the option of requesting another check or
reinvesting the distribution in the fund or in another
Putnam fund. If Putnam Investor Services does not receive your
election, the distribution will be reinvested in the fund .
Similarly, if correspondence sent by a fund or Putnam
Investor Services is returned as "undeliverable," fund
distributions will automatically be reinvested in that
fund or in another Putnam fund.
Each fund intends to qualify as a "regulated investment
company" for federal income tax purposes and to meet all other
requirements that are necessary for it to be relieved of federal
taxes on income and gains it distributes to shareholders. Each
fund will distribute substantially all of its ordinary
income and capital gain net income on a current basis.
Each fund's distributions will be taxable to you as
ordinary income, except that any distributions of net long-term
capital gains will be taxable as such, regardless of how long you
have held the shares. Distributions will be taxable as described
above whether received in cash or in shares through the
reinvestment of distributions.
Early in each year your fund will notify you of the amount
and tax status of distributions paid to you by the fund
for the preceding year.
<PAGE>
A fund's transactions in foreign currencies and hedging
activities may produce a difference between its book income and
taxable income. This difference may cause a portion of the
fund's income distributions to constitute a return of
capital for tax purposes or require the fund to make
distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regulated
investment company.
If at the end of each fiscal year of a fund , more than 50%
of the value of the fund's total assets is represented by
securities of foreign corporations, each fund intends to
make an election permitted by the Internal Revenue Code so that
shareholders who are U.S. citizens or U.S. corporations may claim
a foreign tax credit or deduction (but not both) on their U.S.
income tax returns.
For corporate shareholders, any distributions received by Putnam
Real Estate Opportunities Fund from real estate investment trusts
will not qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction.
Putnam Real Estate Opportunities Fund's investments in REIT
equity securities may require the fund to accrue and
distribute income not yet received. In order to generate
sufficient cash to make the requisite distributions, the
fund may be required to sell securities in its portfolio
that it otherwise would have continued to hold. The
fund's investments in REIT equity securities may at other
times result in the fund's receipt of cash in excess of
the REIT's earnings; if the fund distributes such amounts,
such distribution would constitute a return of capital to
fund shareholders for federal income tax purposes.
The foregoing is a summary of certain federal income tax
consequences of investing in a fund . You should consult
your tax adviser to determine the precise effect of an investment
in a fund on your particular tax situation (including
possible liability for state and local taxes).
ABOUT PUTNAM INVESTMENTS, INC.
Putnam Management has been managing mutual funds since 1937.
Putnam Mutual Funds is the principal underwriter of the
funds and of other Putnam funds. Putnam Fiduciary Trust
Company is the funds' custodian. Putnam Investor
Services, a division of Putnam Fiduciary Trust Company, is the
funds' investor servicing and transfer agent.
Putnam Management, Putnam Mutual Funds, and Putnam Fiduciary
Trust Company are subsidiaries of Putnam Investments, Inc., which
is wholly owned by Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., a publicly-
owned holding company whose principal businesses are
international insurance and reinsurance brokerage, employee
benefit consulting and investment management.<PAGE>
APPENDIX
Securities ratings. The rating services' descriptions of
corporate bonds are:
Moody's Investors Service, Inc.:
Aaa--Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best
quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and
are generally referred to as "gilt-edge." Interest payments are
protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and
principal is secure. While the various protective elements are
likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most
unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such
issues.
Aa--Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by
all standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what
are generally known as high grade bonds. They are rated lower
than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as
large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements
may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements
present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger
than in Aaa securities.
A--Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment
attributes and are to be considered as upper medium grade
obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest
are considered adequate but elements may be present which suggest
a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
Baa--Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade
obligations, i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly
secured. Interest payments and principal security appear
adequate for the present, but certain protective elements may be
lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment
characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as
well.
Ba--Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative
elements; their future cannot be considered as well assured.
Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be
very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during other good
and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
B--Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the
desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal
payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over
any long period of time may be small.
Caa--Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues
may be in default or there may be present elements of danger with
respect to principal or interest.
Ca--Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are
speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default
or have other marked shortcomings.
C--Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds
and issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor
prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.
Standard & Poor's Corporation:
AAA--Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard &
Poor's. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is
extremely strong.
AA--Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and
repay principal and differ from the highest rated issues only in
small degree.
A--Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal although they are somewhat more susceptible to the
adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic
conditions than debt in higher-rated categories.
BBB--Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to
pay interest and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits
adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or
changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened
capacity to pay interest and repay principal for debt in this
category than for bonds in higher-rated categories.
BB-B-CCC-CC-C--Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C is regarded, on
balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to the
issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal in
accordance with the terms of the obligation. While such debt
will likely have some quality and protective characteristics,
these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk
exposures to adverse conditions.
D--Debt rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is
used when interest payments or principal payments are not made on
the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired,
unless Standard & Poor's believes that such payments will be made
during such grace period. The D rating also will be used on the
filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are
jeopardized.<PAGE>
PUTNAM BASIC VALUE FUND
PUTNAM BALANCED FUND
PUTNAM GLOBAL UTILITIES FUND
PUTNAM REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITIES FUND
One Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02109
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
INVESTOR SERVICING AGENT
Putnam Investor Services
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 41203
Providence, RI 02940-1203
CUSTODIAN
Putnam Fiduciary Trust Company
One Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02109
LEGAL COUNSEL
Ropes & Gray
One International Place
Boston, MA 02110
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
One Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02109
PUTNAMINVESTMENTS
One Post Office Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Toll-free 1-800-225-1581<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
July 14, 1995
Putnam International New Opportunities Fund
Class A, Class B and Class M shares
INVESTMENT STRATEGY: GROWTH
This prospectus explains concisely what you should know
before investing in class A, class B or class M shares of
Putnam International New Opportunities Fund (the
"fund"), a portfolio of Putnam Investment Funds (the
"Trust"). Please read it carefully and keep it for future
reference. You can find more detailed information in the July
14, 1995 statement of additional information ("SAI") , as
amended from time to time. For a free copy of the SAI or
other information, call Putnam Investor Services at 1-800-225-
1581. The SAI has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and is incorporated into this
prospectus by reference.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY
STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR
GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY, ANY FINANCIAL INSTITUTION, ARE NOT
INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL
RESERVE BOARD OR ANY OTHER AGENCY, AND INVOLVE RISK, INCLUDING
THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
BOSTON * LONDON * TOKYO
<PAGE>
ABOUT THE FUND
Expenses summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Financial highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Objective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How objective is pursued . . . . . . . . . . . .
How performance is shown. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How the fund is managed. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Organization and history. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ABOUT YOUR INVESTMENT
How to buy shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Distribution Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to sell shares. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to exchange shares. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How the fund values its shares . . . . . . . . .
How distributions are made; tax information . . . . . .
ABOUT PUTNAM INVESTMENTS, INC.. . . . . . . . . . . . .
<PAGE>
ABOUT THE FUND
EXPENSES SUMMARY
Expenses are one of several factors to consider when investing in
the fund . The following table summarizes your maximum
transaction costs from investing in the fund and
estimated expenses which the fund expects to incur
in its first fiscal year. The Example shows the estimated
cumulative expenses attributable to a hypothetical $1,000
investment over specified periods.
Class A Class B Class
M
Shares Shares Shares
Shareholder Transaction
Expenses
Maximum Sales Charge
Imposed on Purchases
(as a percentage of
offering price) 5.75% NONE* 3.50%*
Deferred Sales Charge 5.0% in the first
(as a percentage year, declining
of the lower of to 1.0% in the
original purchase sixth year, and
price or redemption eliminated
proceeds) NONE* * thereafter NONE
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(as a percentage of average
net assets)
Management Fees
(after expense limitation) 1.15%
1.15% 1.15%
12b-1 Fees 0.25% 1.00% 0.75%
Other Expenses 0.63% 0.63%
0.63%
Total Fund Operating Expenses
(after expense limitation) 2.03%
2.78% 2.53%
The table is provided to help you understand the expenses of
investing in the fund and your share of the operating
expenses that the fund expects to incur during its first
fiscal year. The 12b-1 fees shown in the table reflect
the amount to which the Trustees currently limit
payments under the Class A and Class M Distribution Plans and the
maximum amount permitted under the Class B Distribution Plan.
The estimated annual management fees and "other expenses" shown
in the table have been restated to reflect an increase in the
expense limitation, proposed to become effective August 1, 1995,
to be voted on by Trustees at a meeting currently scheduled for
July 14, 1995. If the proposed increase is not approved by the
Trustees, this Prospectus will be revised accordingly . In
the absence of the expense limitation, management fees for each
class would be 1.20%, and total fund operating expenses for
Class A, Class B and Class M shares would be 2.08%, 2.83%
and 2.58%, respectively . "Other expenses " are based
on estimated amounts for the fund's first fiscal year.
EXAMPLES
Your investment of $1,000 would incur the following expenses,
assuming 5% annual return and redemption at the end of each
period:
1 year 3 years
Class A $77 $119
Class B $79 $118
Class M $60 $112
Your investment of $1,000 would incur the following expenses,
assuming 5% annual return but no redemption:
1 year 3 years
Class A $77 $119
Class B $29 $88
Class M $60 $112
The Examples does not represent past or future expense
levels. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown.
Federal regulations require the Example to assume a 5% annual
return, but actual annual return will vary.
* The higher 12b-1 fees borne by class B and class M shares
may cause long-term shareholders to pay more than the
economic equivalent of the maximum permitted front-end
sales charge on class A shares.
* * A deferred sales charge of up to
1.00% is assessed on certain
redemptions of class A
shares that were purchased
without an initial sales charge
as part of an investment of $1
million or more. See "How to buy
shares - Class A shares. "
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The table on the following page presents unaudited per share
financial information for class A shares. No class B shares or
class M shares were outstanding during the period. The financial
statements included in the fund's Semi-Annual Report to
shareholders for the period ended March 31, 1995 are incorporated
by reference into this prospectus.
<PAGE>
PUTNAM INTERNATIONAL NEW OPPORTUNITIES FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(For a share outstanding throughout the period)
January 6, 1995
(commencement
of operations) to
March 31, 1995*+
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
$8.50
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income .09(a)
Net realized and unrealized
gain on investments
.36
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
.45
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD
$8.95
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN AT
NET ASSET VALUE (%)(b)
5.29(c)
NET ASSETS, END OF PERIOD (in thousands)
$1,772
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%) (a)
Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets (%)
.72(a)(c)
Portfolio turnover (%)
2.56(c)
* Unaudited.
+ Per share net investment income for the period January 6, 1995
(commencement of operations) to March 31, 1995 has been
determined on the basis of the weighted average number of shares
outstanding during the period.
(a) Reflects an expense limitation in effect during the period.
As a result of such limitation, expenses for the fund reflect a
reduction of $0.02 per share.
(b) Total investment return assumes dividend reinvestment and
does not reflect the effects of sales charges.
(c) Not annualized.<PAGE>
OBJECTIVE
Putnam International New Opportunities Fund seeks long-term
capital appreciation. The fund is not intended to be a
complete investment program, and there is no assurance that the
fund will achieve its objective.
HOW OBJECTIVE IS PURSUED
The fund seeks to invest in companies that have above-
average growth prospects due to the fundamental growth of their
market sector. Under normal market conditions, the fund
will invest at least 90% of its total assets in common stocks and
other equity securities principally traded in securities markets
outside the United States. The fund will normally
diversify its investments among a number of different countries
and, except when investing for defensive purposes as described
below, will invest in at least three different countries other
than the United States.
Putnam Investment Management , Inc., the fund's
investment manager ("Putnam Management"), believes that
different market sectors in different countries will experience
different rates of growth depending on the state of economic
development of each country. As a result, Putnam Management
seeks to identify those market sectors which will experience
above-average growth in three broad categories of economies:
less developed economies, developing economies that have
experienced sustained growth over the recent past, and mature
economies. Within the identified growth sectors of each type of
economy, Putnam Management seeks to invest in particular
companies that offer above-average growth prospects. The sectors
in which the fund will invest are likely to change over
time and may include a variety of industries. Subject to the
fund's investment restrictions, the fund may invest
up to one-half of its assets in any one particular sector. The
fund's emphasis on particular sectors may make the value
of the fund's shares more susceptible to any single
economic, political or regulatory development than the shares of
an investment company which is more widely diversified. As a
result, the value of the fund's shares may fluctuate more
than the value of the shares of such an investment company. The
fund may also invest a portion of its assets in market
sectors other than those that Putnam Management believes will
experience above-average growth if Putnam Management believes
that such investments are consistent with the fund's
investment objective of long-term capital appreciation.
The securities markets of less developed economies and of many
developing economies are sometimes referred to as "emerging
securities markets." Although the amount of the fund's
assets invested in emerging securities markets will vary over
time, Putnam Management currently expects that a substantial
portion of the fund's assets will be invested in emerging
securities markets. These markets are generally characterized by
limited trading volume and greater volatility and, as a result,
the fund may be subject to greater risks to the extent of
its investments in such markets. For a discussion of these
risks, see "Risk factors" below.
Companies in the fund's portfolio may include small,
rapidly growing companies. Small to medium-sized companies may
present greater opportunities for capital appreciation, but may
also involve greater risk. They may have limited product lines,
markets or financial resources, or may depend on a limited
management group. Their securities 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, these securities
may fluctuate in value more than those of larger, more
established companies. Because Putnam Management evaluates
securities for the fund based on their long-term potential
for capital appreciation, the fund's investments may not
appreciate or yield significant income over the shorter term,
and , as a result, the fund's total return over
certain periods may be less than that of other equity mutual
funds.
The fund invests primarily in common stocks and other
equity securities, but may also invest in convertible bonds,
convertible preferred stocks, preferred stocks and debt
securities if Putnam Management believes they would help achieve
the fund's objective of long-term capital
appreciation. The fund may invest up to 35% of its assets
in securities in the lower-rated categories, and is not subject
to any other limitation based on securities ratings. Securities
in the lower-rated categories are considered to be predominantly
speculative and may be in default. The fund may also hold
a portion of its assets in cash or high-quality money market
instruments.
Risk factors
Foreign investments. The fund may invest without limit in
securities principally traded in foreign markets. Since
foreign securities are normally denominated and traded in foreign
currencies, the value of the fund's assets may be affected
favorably or unfavorably by currency exchange rates and exchange
control regulations. There may be less information publicly
available about a foreign company than about a U.S. company, and
foreign companies are not generally subject to accounting,
auditing and financial reporting standards and practices
comparable to those in the United States. The securities of some
foreign companies are less liquid and at times more volatile than
securities of comparable U.S. companies. Foreign brokerage
commissions and other fees are also generally higher than in the
United States. Foreign settlement procedures and trade
regulations may involve certain risks (such as delay in payment
or delivery of securities or in the recovery of the fund's
assets held abroad) and expenses not present in the settlement of
domestic investments.
In addition, there may be a possibility of nationalization or
expropriation of assets, imposition of currency exchange
controls, confiscatory taxation, political or financial
instability and diplomatic developments which could affect the
value of the fund's investments in certain foreign
countries. Legal remedies available to investors in certain
foreign countries may be more limited than those available with
respect to investments in the United States or in other foreign
countries. The laws of some foreign countries may limit the
fund's ability to invest in securities of certain issuers
located in those foreign countries. Special tax considerations
apply to foreign securities.
The risks described above, including the risks of nationalization
or expropriation of assets, are typically increased to the extent
that the fund invests in issuers located in less developed
and developing nations, whose securities markets are sometimes
referred to as "emerging securities markets." Investments in
securities located in such countries are speculative and subject
to certain special risks. Political and economic structures in
many of these countries may be in their infancy and developing
rapidly, and such countries may lack the social, political and
economic stability characteristic of more developed countries.
Certain of these countries have in the past failed to recognize
private property rights and have at times nationalized or
expropriated the assets of private companies. In addition,
unanticipated political or social developments may affect the
values of the fund's investments in these countries and
the availability to the fund of additional investments in
these countries. The small size, limited trading volume and
relative inexperience of the securities markets in these
countries may make the fund's investments in such
countries illiquid and more volatile than investments in more
developed countries, and the fund may be required to
establish special custodial or other arrangements before making
investments in these countries. There may be little financial or
accounting information available with respect to issuers located
in these countries, and it may be difficult as a result to assess
the value or prospects of an investment in such issuers.
A more detailed explanation of foreign investments, and the risks
and special tax considerations associated with them, is included
in the SAI .
Foreign currency exchange transactions. Putnam Management may
engage in foreign currency exchange transactions to protect
against uncertainty in the level of future exchange rates.
Putnam Management may engage in foreign currency exchange
transactions in connection with the purchase and sale of
portfolio securities ("transaction hedging") and to protect the
value of specific portfolio positions ("position hedging").
The fund may engage in transaction hedging to protect
against a change in the foreign currency exchange rate between
the date on which the fund contracts to purchase or sell
the security and the settlement date, or to "lock in" the U.S.
dollar equivalent of a dividend or interest payment in a foreign
currency. The fund may purchase or sell a foreign
currency on a spot (or cash) basis at the prevailing spot rate as
part of its transaction hedging strategies. If conditions
warrant, the fund may also enter into contracts to
purchase or sell foreign currencies at a future date ("forward
contracts") and may purchase and sell foreign currency futures
contracts as part of its transaction hedging strategies. A
foreign currency forward contract is a negotiated agreement to
exchange currency at a future time at a rate or rates that may be
higher or lower than the spot rate. Foreign currency futures
contracts are standardized exchange-traded contracts and have
margin requirements. The fund may also purchase exchange-
listed and over-the-counter call and put options on foreign
currency futures contracts and on foreign currencies.
The fund may engage in "position hedging" to protect
against the decline in the value relative to the U.S. dollar of
the currencies in which its portfolio securities are denominated
or quoted (or an increase in the value of the foreign currencies
for securities which the fund intends to buy, when the
fund holds cash reserves or short-term investments). For
position hedging purposes, the fund may purchase or sell
foreign currency futures contracts, foreign currency forward
contracts, and put and call options on foreign currency futures
contracts and on foreign currencies on exchanges or over-the-
counter markets. In connection with position hedging, the
fund may also purchase or sell foreign currencies on a spot
basis.
The fund's currency hedging transactions may call for the
delivery of one foreign currency in exchange for another foreign
currency and may at times involve currencies other than those in
which its portfolio securities are then denominated. Putnam
Management will engage in such "cross hedging" activities when it
believes that such transactions provide significant hedging
opportunities for the fund . Cross hedging transactions by
the fund involve the risk of imperfect correlation between
changes in the values of the currencies to which such
transactions relate and changes in the value of the currency or
other asset or liability which is the subject of the hedge.
Hedging transactions involve costs and may result in losses.
There is no assurance that appropriate foreign currency exchange
transactions will be available with respect to all currencies in
which the fund's investments may be denominated. The
fund's ability to engage in hedging transactions may be
limited by tax considerations. The fund's hedging
transactions may affect the character or amount of its
distributions.
Lower-rated fixed-income securities. Lower-rated fixed-income
securities are generally regarded as those rated below Baa by
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (Moody's) or BBB by
Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") or securities of
comparable quality as determined by Putnam Management. These
securities are often referred to as "junk bonds." Securities
rated Baa or BBB, while considered investment-grade, are more
vulnerable to adverse economic conditions than securities in the
higher rating categories and have speculative elements.
Although the values of fixed-income securities generally
fluctuate with movements in interest rates, the values of lower-
rated fixed-income securities generally fluctuate more than those
of higher-rated fixed-income securities. In addition, the lower
rating reflects a greater possibility that the financial
condition of the issuer, or adverse changes in general economic
conditions, or both, may impair the ability of the issuer to make
payments of interest and repayments of principal. The
fund will not necessarily dispose of a security when its
rating is reduced below its rating at the time of purchase,
although Putnam Management will monitor the investment to
determine whether continued investment in the security will
assist in meeting the fund's investment objective.
At times, some or all of the fund's fixed-income
investments may include securities as to which the fund ,
by itself or together with other funds and accounts managed by
Putnam Management and its affiliates, holds a major portion or
all of such securities. 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 such securities when Putnam Management believes
it advisable to do so or may be able to sell such securities only
at prices lower than if such securities were more widely held.
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. In order to enforce
its rights in the event of a default under such securities, the
fund may be required to take possession of and manage
assets securing the issuer's obligations on such securities,
which may increase the fund's operating expenses and
adversely affect the fund's net asset value.
Putnam Management seeks to minimize the risks of investing in
lower-rated securities through investment analysis and attention
to current developments in interest rates and economic
conditions. The lower ratings of certain fixed-income securities
held by the fund reflect a greater possibility that
adverse changes in the financial condition of their issuers, or
in general economic conditions, or both, or an unanticipated rise
in interest rates, may impair the ability of their issuers to
make payments of interest and principal. In addition, under such
circumstances the values of such securities may be more volatile,
and the markets for such securities may be less liquid, than
those for higher-rated securities, and the fund may as a
result find it more difficult to determine the fair value of such
securities. When the fund invests in fixed-income
securities in the lower rating categories, the achievement of its
goals is more dependent on Putnam Management's investment
analysis than would be the case if the fund were investing
in fixed-income securities in the higher rating categories.
The fund may at times invest in so-called "zero-coupon"
bonds and "payment-in-kind" bonds. Zero-coupon bonds are issued
at a significant discount from their principal amount and pay
interest only at maturity rather than at intervals during the
life of the security. Payment-in-kind bonds allow the issuer, at
its option, to make current interest payments on the bonds either
in cash or in additional bonds. The value of zero-coupon bonds
is subject to greater fluctuation in response to changes in
market interest rates than bonds which pay interest currently.
Both zero-coupon bonds and payment-in-kind bonds allow an issuer
to avoid the need to generate cash to meet current interest
payments. Accordingly, such bonds may involve greater credit
risks than bonds paying interest currently. Even though such
bonds do not pay current interest in cash, the fund is
nonetheless required to accrue interest income on such
investments and to distribute such amounts at least
annually to shareholders. Thus, the fund could be
required at times to liquidate other investments in order to
satisfy its distribution requirements.
Certain securities held by the fund may permit the issuer
at its option to "call", or redeem, its securities. If an issuer
were to redeem securities held by the fund during a time
of declining interest rates, the fund might not be able to
reinvest the proceeds in securities providing the same investment
return as the securities redeemed.
For additional information concerning the risks associated with
investment by the fund in securities in the lower rating
categories, see the SAI .
Portfolio turnover. The length of time the fund has held
a particular security is not generally a consideration in
investment decisions. A change in the securities held by the
fund is known as "portfolio turnover." As a result of the
fund's investment policies, under certain market conditions
the fund's portfolio turnover rate may be higher than that
of other mutual funds. Portfolio turnover generally involves
some expense to the fund , including brokerage commissions
or dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of
securities and reinvestment in other securities. Such
transactions may result in realization of taxable capital gains.
Portfolio turnover rate for the life of the fund is
shown in the section "Financial highlights."
Defensive strategies. At times Putnam Management may judge that
conditions in the securities markets make pursuing the basic
investment strategy of the fund inconsistent with
the best interests of the fund's shareholders. At such
times Putnam Management may temporarily use alternative
strategies, primarily designed to reduce fluctuations in the
value of the fund's assets. In implementing these
"defensive" strategies, the fund may invest without limit
in cash or money market instruments, preferred stocks, debt
securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or
instrumentalities, or in any other securities Putnam Management
considers consistent with such defensive strategies. In
addition, when pursuing such defensive strategies, the
fund may invest without limit in securities primarily traded
in U.S. markets. It is impossible to predict when, or for how
long, the fund will use alternative strategies.
Diversification. The fund is a "diversified" investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. This means
that with respect to 75% of its total assets the fund may
not 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. To the extent the fund invests a
significant portion of its assets in the securities of a
particular issuer, the fund will be subject to an
increased risk of loss if the market value of such issuer's
securities declines.
Financial futures and related options. The fund may buy
and sell financial futures contracts on stock indexes and foreign
currencies . A futures contract is a contract to buy or
sell units of a particular stock index (an "Index Future"), or a
certain amount of a foreign currency, at an agreed price
on a specified future date. Depending on the change in value of
the index or currency between the time when the
fund enters into and terminates a futures contract, the
fund realizes a gain or loss. The fund may purchase
and sell futures contracts for hedging purposes and to adjust its
exposure to relevant markets. The fund
may buy and sell call and put options on futures contracts or on
stock indices in addition to or as an alternative to purchasing
or selling futures contracts or, to the extent permitted by
applicable law, to earn additional income.
Futures and options transactions involve costs and may result in
losses. Certain risks arise because of the possibility of
imperfect correlations between movements in the prices of
financial futures and options and movements in the prices of the
underlying stock index, securities, or currencies or of the
securities or currencies which are the subject of the hedge. The
successful use of futures and options further depends on Putnam
Management's ability to forecast market or interest rate
movements correctly. Other risks arise from the fund's
potential inability to close out its futures or related options
positions, and there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary
market will exist for any futures contract or option at a
particular time. The fund's ability to terminate option
positions established in the over-the-counter market may be more
limited than for exchange-traded options and may also involve the
risk that securities dealers participating in such transactions
would fail to meet their obligations to the fund . The use
of futures and options on futures for purposes other than hedging
may be regarded as speculative. Because the markets for options
and futures on foreign currencies are relatively new and
still developing, the fund's ability to engage in such
transactions may be limited. Certain provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code and certain regulatory requirements may also limit
the fund's ability to engage in futures and options
transactions.
A more detailed explanation of futures and options transactions,
including the risks associated with them, is included in the
SAI .
Options. The fund may seek to increase its current return
by writing covered call and put options on securities it owns or
in which it may invest. The fund receives a premium from
writing a call or put option, which increases the fund's
return if the option expires unexercised or is closed out at a
net profit. 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
may terminate an option that it has written prior to its
expiration by entering into a closing purchase transaction in
which it purchases an option having the same terms as the option
written. The fund may also buy and sell put and call
options for hedging purposes. The fund may also from time
to time buy and sell combinations of put and call options on the
same underlying security to earn additional income. The
aggregate value of the securities underlying the options may not
exceed 25% of the fund's assets. The fund's use of
these strategies may be limited by applicable law.
Securities loans, repurchase agreements and forward commitments.
The fund may lend portfolio securities amounting to not
more than 25% of its assets to broker-dealers and may enter into
repurchase agreements on up to 25% of its assets. These
transactions must be fully collateralized at all times. The
fund may also purchase securities for future delivery, which
may increase its overall investment exposure and involves a risk
of loss if the value of the securities declines prior to the
settlement date. These transactions involve some risk to the
fund if the other party should default on its obligation and
the fund is delayed or prevented from recovering the
collateral or completing the transaction.
Limiting investment risk. Specific investment restrictions help
the fund limit investment risks for its shareholders.
These restrictions prohibit the fund from investing more
than: (a) with respect to 75% of its total assets, 5% of its
total assets in securities of any one issuer, other than the U.S.
government, its agencies or instrumentalities;* (b) 25% of its
total assets in any one industry ;* or (c) 15% of its net
assets in any combination of securities that are not readily
marketable, in securities restricted as to resale (excluding
securities determined by the Trust's Trustees (or the person
designated by the Trust's Trustees to make such determinations)
to be readily marketable), and in repurchase agreements maturing
in more than seven days.
Restrictions marked with an asterisk (*) above are summaries of
fundamental investment policies. See the SAI for the full
text of these policies and the fund's other fundamental
investment policies. Except for investment policies designated
as fundamental in this prospectus or the SAI , the
investment policies described in this prospectus and in
the SAI are not fundamental policies. The Trustees may
change any non-fundamental investment policies without
shareholder approval. As a matter of policy, the Trustees would
not materially change the fund's investment objective
without shareholder approval.
HOW PERFORMANCE IS SHOWN
The fund's investment performance may from time to time be
included in advertisements about the fund. "Yield" for
each class of shares is calculated by dividing the annualized
net investment income per share during a recent 30-day period by
the maximum public offering price per share of such class
on the last day of that period. Yield reflects the
deduction of the maximum initial sales charge in the case of
class A and class M shares, but does not reflect the deduction of
any contingent deferred sales charge in the case of class B
shares .
"Total return" for the one-, five- and ten-year periods (or
for the life of a class, if shorter) through the most recent
calendar quarter represents the average annual compounded rate of
return on an investment of $1,000 in the fund invested at
the maximum public offering price (in the case of class A and
class M shares) or reflecting the deduction of any applicable
contingent deferred sales charge (in the case of class B
shares) . Total return may also be presented for other
periods or based on investment at reduced sales charge levels.
Any quotation of investment performance not reflecting the
maximum initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales
charge would be reduced if such sales charge were used.
All data is based on the fund's past investment results
and does not predict future performance. Investment performance,
which will vary, is based on many factors, including market
conditions, the composition of the fund's portfolio,
the fund's operating expenses and which class of shares
you purchase. Investment performance also often reflects the
risks associated with the fund's investment objective and
policies. These factors should be considered when comparing
the fund's investment results to those of other mutual
funds and other investment vehicles. Quotations of investment
performance for any period when an expense limitation was in
effect will be greater than if the limitation had not been in
effect. The fund's performance may be compared to various
indices. See the SAI .
HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED
The Trustees of the fund are responsible for generally
overseeing the conduct of the fund's business. Subject to
such policies as the Trustees may determine, Putnam Management
furnishes a continuing investment program for the fund and
makes investment decisions on its behalf. Subject to the control
of the Trustees, Putnam Management also manages the fund's
other affairs and business. Justin M. Scott , Senior Vice
President of Putnam Management and Vice President of the Trust,
is primarily responsible for the day-to-day operations of the
fund's portfolio. Mr. Scott has been employed by Putnam
Management since 1988.
Under a Management Contract dated December 2, 1994, the
fund pays a quarterly fee to Putnam Management based on
the average net assets of the fund , as determined at the
close of each business day during the quarter, at an
annual rate , expressed as a percentage of the
fund's average net assets , of 1.20% of the first $500
million, 1.10% of the next $500 million, 1.05% of the next $500
million, 1.00% of the next $5 billion, 0.975% of the next $5
billion, 0.955% of the next $5 billion, 0.94% of the next $5
billion, and 0.93% thereafter.
In order to limit the fund's expenses during its
start-up period , Putnam Management has agreed to limit its
compensation (and, to the extent necessary, bear other expenses)
through December 31, 1995 . Effective August 1, 1995 ,
subject to the vote of the Trustees at a meeting currently
scheduled for July 14, 1995, the expenses payable to Putnam
Management will be limited to the extent that expenses of
the fund (exclusive of brokerage, interest, taxes,
deferred organizational and extraordinary expense, and payments
under the fund's Distribution Plans) would exceed
the annual rate of 1.75% of the average net assets of
the Class A, Class B and Class M shares of the fund. If the
proposed increase is not approved by the Trustees, this
prospectus will be revised accordingly . For the purpose of
determining any such limitation on Putnam Management's
compensation, fund expenses shall not reflect the
application of commissions or cash management credits that may
reduce designated fund expenses. With Trustee approval,
this expense limitation may be terminated earlier, in which event
shareholders would be notified and this prospectus would
be revised.
The fund pays its share of all expenses of the Trust not
assumed by Putnam Management, including Trustees' fees, auditing,
legal, custodial, investor servicing and shareholder reporting
expenses, and payments under its Distribution Plans .
Expenses of the Trust directly charged or attributable to the
fund will be paid from the assets of the fund .
General expenses of the Trust will be allocated to the
fund on a basis that the Trustees deem fair and equitable,
which may be based on the relative assets of the fund and the
other funds of the Trust or the nature of the services
performed and relative applicability to the fund and such
other funds. The fund also reimburses Putnam Management for
its share of the compensation and related expenses of certain
officers of the Trust and their staff who provide administrative
services to the Trust . The total reimbursement is
determined annually by the Trustees.
Putnam Management places all orders for purchases and sales of
the fund's securities. In selecting broker-dealers,
Putnam Management may consider research and brokerage services
furnished to it and its affiliates. Subject to seeking the most
favorable price and execution available, Putnam Management may
consider sales of shares of the fund (and, if permitted by
law, of the other Putnam funds) as a factor in the selection of
broker-dealers.
ORGANIZATION AND HISTORY
The fund is a series of Putnam Investment Funds, a
Massachusetts business trust organized on October 31, 1994. A
copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, which is governed
by Massachusetts law, is on file with the Secretary of State of
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. As of May 31, 1995,
Putnam Investments, Inc. owned more than 25% of the shares
of the fund and therefore may be deemed to "control" the
fund . Prior to January 6, 1995, the Trust was known as
Putnam Equity Funds.
The Trust is an open-end, diversified, management investment
company with an unlimited number of authorized shares of
beneficial interest. Shares of the Trust may, without
shareholder approval, be divided into two or more series of
shares representing separate investment portfolios and are
currently divided into five series of shares . Only
Putnam International New Opportunities Fund is offered by this
prospectus. Any such series of shares may be further divided
without shareholder approval into two or more classes of shares
having such preferences and special or relative rights and
privileges as the Trustees determine. The fund's shares
are currently divided into three classes of shares.
Each share has one vote, with fractional shares voting
proportionally. Shares of the fund vote together as a
single class, except when required by law or as determined by the
Trustees. Shares are freely transferable, are entitled to
dividends as declared by the Trustees, and, if a fund were
liquidated, would receive the net assets of that fund.
The fund may suspend the sale of shares at any time and
may refuse any order to purchase shares. Although the Trust is
not required to hold annual meetings of its shareholders,
shareholders holding at least 10% of the outstanding shares
entitled to vote have the right to call a meeting to elect or
remove Trustees, or to take other actions as provided in the
Agreement and Declaration of Trust.
If you own fewer shares than a minimum amount set by the Trustees
(presently 20 shares), the fund may choose to redeem your
shares and pay you for them. You will receive at least 30 days'
written notice before the fund redeems your shares, and
you may purchase additional shares at any time to avoid a
redemption. The fund may also redeem shares if you own
shares above a maximum amount set by the Trustees. There is
presently no maximum, but the Trustees may establish one at any
time, which could apply to both present and future shareholders.
The Trust's Trustees: George Putnam,* Chairman. President of the
Putnam funds. Chairman and Director of Putnam Management and
Putnam Mutual Funds Corp. ("Putnam Mutual Funds"). Director,
Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.; William F. Pounds, Vice
Chairman. Professor of Management, Alfred P. Sloan School of
Management, M.I.T.; Jameson Adkins Baxter, President, Baxter
Associates, Inc.; Hans H. Estin, Vice Chairman, North American
Management Corp.; John A. Hill, Principal and Managing Director,
First Reserve Corporation; Elizabeth T. Kennan,
President Emeritus, and Professor Mount Holyoke College;
Lawrence J. Lasser,* Vice President of the Putnam funds.
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Putnam
Investments, Inc. and Putnam Management. Director, Marsh &
McLennan Companies, Inc.; Robert E. Patterson, Executive Vice
President, Cabot Partners Limited Partnership; Donald S.
Perkins, * Chairman of the Board and Director of Kmart
Corporation and Director of various corporations, including
AT&T and Time Warner Inc.; George Putnam, III,* President,
New Generation Research, Inc. ; Eli Shapiro, Alfred P. Sloan
Professor of Management, Emeritus, Alfred P. Sloan School of
Management, M.I.T. ; A.J.C. Smith,* Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer and Director, Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.; and W.
Nicholas Thorndike, Director of various corporations and
charitable organizations, including Data General Corporation,
Bradley Real Estate, Inc. and Providence Journal Co. Also,
Trustee of Massachusetts General Hospital and Eastern
Utilities Associates. The Trust's Trustees are also Trustees of
the other Putnam funds. Those marked with an asterisk (*) are
or may be deemed to be "interested persons" of the Trust,
Putnam Management or Putnam Mutual Funds.
About Your Investment
ALTERNATIVE SALES ARRANGEMENTS
This prospectus offers investors three classes of shares which
bear sales charges in different forms and amounts and which bear
different levels of expenses:
Class A shares. An investor who purchases class A shares pays a
sales charge at the time of purchase. As a result, class A
shares are not subject to any charges when they are redeemed
(except for sales at net asset value in excess of $1 million
which are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge).
Certain purchases of class A shares qualify for reduced sales
charges. Class A shares currently bear a lower 12b-1 fee at the
annual rate of 0.25% of the fund's average net assets
attributable to class A shares. See "How to buy shares -- Class
A shares."
Class B shares. Class B shares are sold without an initial sales
charge, but are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of
up to 5% if redeemed within six years. Class B shares also bear
a higher 12b-1 fee than class A, currently at the annual rate of
1.00% of the fund's average net assets attributable to class B
shares. Class B shares will automatically convert into class A
shares, based on relative net asset value, approximately eight
years after purchase. Class B shares provide an investor the
benefit of putting all of the investor's dollars to work from the
time the investment is made, but (until conversion) will have a
higher expense ratio and pay lower dividends than class A shares
due to the higher 12b-1 fee. See "How to buy shares -- Class B
shares."
<PAGE>
Class M shares. An investor who purchases class M shares pays a
sales charge at the time of purchase which is lower than the
sales charge applicable to class A shares. Class M shares are
not subject to any contingent deferred sales charge when they are
redeemed. Certain purchases of class M shares qualify for
reduced sales charges. Class M shares currently bear a 12b-1 fee
at the annual rate of 0.75% of the fund's average net assets
attributable to class M shares. See "How to buy shares -- Class
M shares."
Which arrangement is better for you? The decision as to which
class of shares provides a more suitable investment for an
investor depends on a number of factors, including the amount and
intended length of the investment. Investors making investments
that qualify for reduced sales charges might consider class A or
class M shares. Investors who prefer not to pay an initial sales
charge might consider class B shares. Orders for class B shares
for $250,000 or more will be treated as orders for class A shares
or declined. For more information about these sales
arrangements, consult your investment dealer or Putnam Investor
Services. Sales personnel may receive different compensation
depending on which class of shares they sell. Shares may only be
exchanged for shares of the same class of another Putnam fund.
See "How to exchange shares."
HOW TO BUY SHARES
You can open a fund account with as little as $500 and
make additional investments at any time with as little as $50.
You can buy fund shares three ways - through most
investment dealers, through Putnam Mutual Funds (at 1-800-225-
1581), or through a systematic investment plan. If you do not
have a dealer, Putnam Mutual Funds can refer you to one.
Buying shares through Putnam Mutual Funds. Complete an order
form and return it with a check payable to the fund to
Putnam Mutual Funds, which will act as your agent in purchasing
shares through your designated investment dealer.
Buying shares through systematic investing. You can make regular
investments of $25 or more per month through automatic deductions
from your bank checking account. Application forms are available
from your investment dealer or through Putnam Investor Services.
<PAGE>
Shares are sold at the public offering price based on the net
asset value next determined after Putnam Investor Services
receives your order. In most cases, in order to receive that
day's public offering price, Putnam Investor Services must
receive your order before the close of regular trading on the New
York Stock Exchange. If you buy shares through your investment
dealer, the dealer must receive your order before the close of
regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange to receive that
day's public offering price.
Class A shares
The public offering price of class A shares is the net
asset value plus a sales charge. The fund receives the
net asset value. The sales charge varies depending on the size
of your purchase and is allocated between your investment dealer
and Putnam Mutual Funds. The current sales charges are: <PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Sales charge Amount of
as a percentage of: sales charge
----------------------------- reallowed
Net to dealers
Amount of transaction amount Offering as a percentage
at offering price invested price of offering price*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Less than $50,000 6.10% 5.75% 5.00%
$50,000 but less than 100,000 4.71 4.50 4.00
100,000 but less than 250,000 3.63 3.50 3.00
250,000 but less than 500,000 2.56 2.50 2.25
500,000 but less than 1,000,000 2.04 2.00 1.75
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* At the discretion of Putnam Mutual Funds, however, the entire sales charge may at
times be reallowed to dealers. The Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission
has indicated that dealers who receive more than 90% of the sales charge may be
considered underwriters.
</TABLE> There is no initial sales charge on purchases of class
A shares of $1 million or more. However, a contingent
deferred sales charge ("CDSC") of 1.00% or 0.50%, respectively,
is imposed on redemptions of such shares within the first or
second year after purchase, based on the lower of the shares'
cost and current net asset value. Any shares acquired by
reinvestment of distributions will be redeemed without a CDSC.
In addition, shares purchased by certain investors investing $1
million or more that have made arrangements with Putnam Mutual
Funds and whose dealer of record waived the commission as
described below are not subject to the CDSC. In
determining whether a CDSC is payable, the fund will first
redeem shares not subject to any charge. Putnam Mutual Funds
receives the entire amount of any CDSC you pay. See the
SAI for more information about the CDSC.
Except as stated below, Putnam Mutual Funds pays investment
dealers of record commissions on sales of class A shares
of $1 million or more based on an investor's cumulative purchases
during the one-year period beginning with the date of the initial
purchase at net asset value . Each subsequent one-year
measuring period for these purposes will begin with
the first net asset value purchase following the end of the prior
period. Such commissions are paid at the rate of 1.00% of the
amount under $3 million, 0.50% of the next $47 million and 0.25%
thereafter. On sales at net asset value to a participant-
directed qualified retirement plan initially investing less than
$20 million in Putnam funds and other investments managed by
Putnam Management or its affiliates (including a plan sponsored
by an employer with more than 750 employees), Putnam Mutual Funds
pays commissions on cumulative purchases during the life of the
account at the rate of 1.00% of the amount under $3 million and
0.50% thereafter. On sales at net asset value to all other
participant-directed qualified retirement plans, Putnam Mutual
Funds pays commissions on the initial investment and on
subsequent net quarterly sales at the rate of 0.15%.
Class B shares
Class B shares are sold without an initial sales charge, although
a CDSC will be imposed if you redeem shares within six years of
purchase. The following types of shares may be redeemed without
charge at any time: (i) shares acquired by reinvestment of
distributions and (ii) shares otherwise exempt from the CDSC, as
described in "How to buy shares--General" below. For other
shares, the amount of the charge is determined as a percentage of
the lesser of the current market value or the cost of the shares
being redeemed. The amount of the CDSC will depend on the
number of years since you invested and the dollar amount being
redeemed, according to the following table:
<PAGE>
Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge as a
Percentage of
Years Since Purchase Dollar Amount
Payment Made Subject to Charge
- ------------------- -------------------
0-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5.0%
1-2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4.0%
2-3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3.0%
3-4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3.0%
4-5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.0%
5-6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.0%
6 and thereafter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .NONE
In determining whether a CDSC is payable on any redemption, the
fund will first redeem shares not subject to any charge, and then
shares held longest during the six-year period. For this
purpose, the amount of any increase in a share's value above its
initial purchase price is not regarded as a share exempt from the
CDSC. Thus, when a share that has appreciated in value is
redeemed during the six-year period, a CDSC is assessed on its
initial purchase price. For information on how sales charges are
calculated if you exchange your shares, see "How to exchange
shares." Putnam Mutual Funds receives the entire amount of any
CDSC you pay.
Conversion of class B shares. Class B shares will automatically
convert into class A shares at the end of the month eight years
after the purchase date, except as noted below. Class B shares
acquired by exchanging class B shares of another Putnam fund will
convert into class A shares based on the time of the initial
purchase. Class B shares acquired through reinvestment of
distributions will convert into class A shares based on the date
of the initial purchase to which such shares relate. For this
purpose, class B shares acquired through reinvestment of
distributions will be attributed to particular purchases of class
B shares in accordance with such procedures as the Trustees may
determine from time to time. The conversion of class B shares to
class A shares is subject to the continuing availability of a
ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of counsel
that such conversions will not constitute taxable events for
Federal tax purposes. There can be no assurance that such ruling
or opinion will be available, and the conversion of class B
shares to class A shares will not occur if such ruling or opinion
is not available. In such event, class B shares would continue
to be subject to higher expenses than class A shares for an
indefinite period.
<PAGE>
Class M shares
The public offering price of class M shares is the net asset
value plus a sales charge. The fund receives the net asset
value. The sales charge varies depending on the size of your
purchase and is allocated between your investment dealer and
Putnam Mutual Funds. The current sales charges are:
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Sales charge
as a percentage of: Amount of sales
------------------- charge reallowed
Net to dealers
Amount of transaction amount Offering as a percentage of
at offering price invested price offering price*
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Less than $ 50,000 3.63% 3.50% 3.00%
$ 50,000 but less than 100,000 2.56 2.50 2.00
100,000 but less than 250,000 1.52 1.50 1.00
250,000 but less than 500,000 1.01 1.00 1.00
500,000 and above None None None
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* At the discretion of Putnam Mutual Funds, however, the
entire sales charge may at times be reallowed to dealers.
The Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission has
indicated that dealers who receive more than 90% of the
sales charge may be considered underwriters.
Class M shares do not convert into any other class of shares.
General
You may be eligible to buy class A shares and class M
shares at reduced sales charges. Consult your investment dealer
or Putnam Mutual Funds for details about Putnam's Combined
Purchase Privilege, Cumulative Quantity Discount, Statement of
Intention, Group Sales Plan, Employee Benefit Plans and other
plans. Descriptions are also included in the order form and in
the SAI. In addition, sales charges will not apply to class M
shares purchased with redemption proceeds received within the
prior ninety days from non-Putnam mutual funds on which the
investor paid a front-end or contingent deferred sales
charge .
The fund may sell class A, class B and class M
shares at net asset value without an initial sales charge or a
CDSC to the fund's current and retired Trustees (and their
families), current and retired employees (and their families) of
Putnam Management and affiliates, registered representatives and
other employees (and their families) of broker - dealers
having sales agreements with Putnam Mutual Funds, employees (and
their families) of financial institutions having sales agreements
with Putnam Mutual Funds (or otherwise having an arrangement with
a broker-dealer or financial institution with respect to sales of
fund shares), financial institution trust departments
investing an aggregate of $1 million or more in Putnam funds,
clients of certain administrators of tax-qualified plans,
employee benefit plans of companies with more than 750 employees,
tax-qualified plans when proceeds from repayments of loans to
participants are invested (or reinvested) in Putnam funds, "wrap
accounts" for the benefit of clients of broker-dealers, financial
institutions or financial planners adhering to certain standards
established by Putnam Mutual Funds, and investors meeting
certain requirements who sold shares of certain Putnam closed-end
funds pursuant to a tender offer by the closed-end fund. In
addition, the fund may sell shares at net asset value
without an initial sales charge or a CDSC in connection with the
acquisition by the fund of assets of an investment company
or personal holding company, and the CDSC will be waived on
redemptions of shares arising out of death or disability or in
connection with certain withdrawals from IRA or other retirement
plans. Up to 12% of the value of class B shares subject to a
Systematic Withdrawal Plan may also be redeemed each year without
a CDSC. See the SAI.
<PAGE>
Shareholders of other Putnam funds may be entitled to exchange
their shares for, or reinvest distributions from their funds in,
shares of the fund at net asset value.
If you are considering redeeming or exchanging shares or
transferring shares to another person shortly after purchase, you
should pay for those shares with a certified check to avoid any
delay in redemption, exchange or transfer. Otherwise the
fund may delay payment until the purchase price of those
shares has been collected or, if you redeem by telephone, until
15 calendar days after the purchase date.
To eliminate the need for safekeeping, the fund will
not issue certificates for your shares unless
you request them . Putnam Mutual Funds will from time to
time at its expense provide additional promotional
incentives or payments to dealers that sell shares of the Putnam
funds. Such incentives or payments may include payments for
travel expenses, including lodging, incurred in connection with
trips taken by invited registered representatives and their
guests to locations within and outside the United States for
meetings or seminars of a business nature. In some
instances, these incentives or payments may be offered only to
certain dealers who have sold or may sell significant amounts of
shares. Certain dealers may not sell all classes of
shares.
DISTRIBUTION PLANS
Class A Distribution Plan. The class A
Plan provides for payments by the fund to Putnam Mutual
Funds at the annual rate of up to 0.35% of the fund's
average net assets attributable to class A shares. The
Trustees currently limit payments under the class A
Plan to the annual rate of 0.25% of such assets . Should the
Trustees decide in the future to approve payments in excess of
this amount , shareholders will be notified and this
prospectus will be revised.
In order to compensate investment dealers (including, for this
purpose, certain financial institutions) for services provided in
connection with sales of class A shares and the maintenance of
shareholder accounts, Putnam Mutual Funds makes quarterly
payments to qualifying dealers based on the average net asset
value of class A shares of the fund which are attributable to
shareholders for whom the dealers are designated as the dealer of
record. This calculation excludes until one year after purchase
shares purchased at net asset value by shareholders investing $1
million or more and by participant-directed qualified retirement
plans sponsored by employers with more than 750 employees ("NAV
Shares"), except for shares owned by certain investors investing
$1 million or more that have made arrangements with Putnam Mutual
Funds and whose dealer of record waived the sales commission.
Except as stated below, Putnam Mutual Funds makes such payments
at the annual rate of 0.25% of such average net asset value for
class A shares (including shares acquired through reinvestment of
distributions). For participant-directed qualified retirement
plans initially investing less than $20 million in Putnam funds
and other investments managed by Putnam Management or its
affiliates, Putnam Mutual Funds' payments to qualifying dealers
on NAV Shares are 100% of the rate stated above if average plan
assets in Putnam funds (excluding money market funds) during the
quarter are less than $20 million, 60% of the stated rate if
average plan assets are at least $20 million but less than $30
million, and 40% of the stated rate if average plan assets are
$30 million or more. For all other participant-directed
qualified retirement plans purchasing NAV Shares, Putnam Mutual
Funds makes quarterly payments to qualifying dealers at the
annual rate of 0.10% of the average net asset value of such
shares.
Class B and Class M Distribution Plans. The class B and the
class M Plans provide for payments by the fund to Putnam Mutual
Funds at the annual rate of up to 1.00% of the fund's average net
assets attributable to class B shares and class M shares, as the
case may be. The Trustees currently limit payments under the
class M plan to the annual rate of 0.75% of such assets. Should
the Trustees decide in the future to approve payments in excess
of this amount, shareholders will be notified and this prospectus
will be revised.
Although class B shares are sold without an initial sales charge,
Putnam Mutual Funds pays a sales commission equal to 4.00% of the
amount invested to dealers who sell class B shares. These
commissions are not paid on exchanges from other Putnam funds and
sales to investors exempt from the CDSC. The amount paid to
dealers at the time of the sale of class M shares is set forth
above under "How to buy shares -- Class M shares." In addition,
in order to further compensate dealers (including, for this
purpose, certain financial institutions) for services provided in
connection with sales of class B shares and class M shares and
the maintenance of shareholder accounts, Putnam Mutual Funds
makes quarterly payments to qualifying dealers based on the
average net asset value of class B shares and class M shares
which are attributable to shareholders for whom the dealers are
designated as the dealer of record. Putnam Mutual Funds makes
such payments at an annual rate of 0.25% of such average net
asset value of class B shares and class M shares, as the case may
be. Putnam Mutual Funds also pays to dealers, as additional
compensation with respect to the sale of class M shares, 0.40% of
such average net asset value of class M shares. For class M
shares, the total annual payment to dealers equals 0.65% of such
average net asset value.
<PAGE>
General. Payments under the Plans are intended to compensate
Putnam Mutual Funds for services provided and expenses incurred
by it as principal underwriter of the fund's shares, including
the payments to dealers mentioned above. Putnam Mutual Funds may
suspend or modify such payments to dealers. Such payments are
also subject to the continuation of the relevant Distribution
Plan, the terms of Service Agreements between dealers and Putnam
Mutual Funds, and any applicable limits imposed by the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
HOW TO SELL SHARES
You can sell your shares to the fund any day the New York
Stock Exchange is open, either directly to the fund or
through your investment dealer. The fund will only redeem
shares for which it has received payment.
Selling shares directly to the fund . Send a signed letter
of instruction or stock power form to Putnam Investor
Services , along with any certificates that represent shares
you want to sell . The price you will receive is the next net
asset value calculated after the fund receives your
request in proper form less any applicable CDSC. In order to
receive that day's net asset value, Putnam Investor Services must
receive your request before the close of regular trading on the
New York Stock Exchange. If you sell shares having a net asset
value of $100,000 or more, the signatures of registered owners or
their legal representatives must be guaranteed by a bank, broker-
dealer or certain other financial institutions. See the
SAI for more information about where to obtain a signature
guarantee. Stock power forms are available from your investment
dealer, Putnam Investor Services and many commercial banks. If
you want your redemption proceeds sent to an address other than
your address as it appears on Putnam's records, a signature
guarantee is required. Putnam Investor Services usually requires
additional documentation for the sale of shares by a corporation,
partnership, agent or fiduciary, or a surviving joint owner.
Contact Putnam Investor Services for details.
The fund generally sends you payment for your shares the
business day after your request is received. Under unusual
circumstances, the fund may suspend redemptions, or
postpone payment for more than seven days, as permitted by
federal securities law.
You may use Putnam's Telephone Redemption Privilege to redeem
shares valued up to $100,000 from your account unless you have
notified Putnam Investor Services of an address change within the
preceding 15 days. Unless an investor indicates otherwise on the
Account Application, Putnam Investor Services will be authorized
to act upon redemption and transfer instructions received by
telephone from a shareholder, or any person claiming to act as
his or her representative, who can provide Putnam Investor
Services with his or her account registration and address as it
appears on Putnam Investor Services' records. Putnam Investor
Services will employ these and other reasonable procedures to
confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine;
if it fails to employ reasonable procedures, Putnam Investor
Services may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or
fraudulent instructions. For information, consult Putnam
Investor Services. During periods of unusual market changes and
shareholder activity, you may experience delays in contacting
Putnam Investor Services by telephone in which case you may wish
to submit a written redemption request, as described above, or
contact your investment dealer, as described below. The
Telephone Redemption Privilege is not available if you were
issued certificates for your shares which remain outstanding.
The Telephone Redemption Privilege may be modified or terminated
without notice.
Selling shares through your investment dealer. Your dealer must
receive your request before the close of regular trading on the
New York Stock Exchange to receive that day's net asset value.
Your dealer will be responsible for furnishing all necessary
documentation to Putnam Investor Services, and may charge
you for its services.
HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES
You can exchange your shares for shares of the same class of
certain other Putnam funds at net asset value beginning 15 days
after purchase. Not all Putnam funds offer all classes of shares.
If you exchange shares subject to a CDSC, the transaction will
not be subject to the CDSC. However, when you redeem the shares
acquired through the exchange, the redemption may be subject to
the CDSC, depending upon when you originally purchased the shares
and using the schedule of any fund into or from which you have
exchanged your shares that would result in your paying the
highest CDSC applicable to your class of shares. For purposes of
computing the CDSC, the length of time you have owned your shares
will be measured from the date of original purchase and will not
be affected by any exchange.
To exchange your shares, simply complete an Exchange
Authorization Form and send it to Putnam Investor Services.
Exchange Authorization Forms are available by calling or writing
Putnam Investor Services. For federal income tax purposes, an
exchange is treated as a sale of shares and generally results in
a capital gain or loss. A Telephone Exchange Privilege is
currently available for amounts up to $500,000. Putnam Investor
Services' procedures for telephonic transactions are described
above under "How to sell shares." The Telephone Exchange
Privilege is not available if you were issued certificates for
shares which remain outstanding. Ask your investment dealer
or Putnam Investor Services for prospectuses of other Putnam
funds. Shares of certain Putnam funds are not available to
residents of all states.
The exchange privilege is not intended as a vehicle for short-
term trading. Excessive exchange activity may interfere with
portfolio management and have an adverse effect on all
shareholders. In order to limit excessive exchange activity and
in other circumstances where Putnam Management or the Trustees
believe doing so would be in the best interests of the fund,
the fund reserves the right to revise or terminate the
exchange privilege, limit the amount or number of exchanges or
reject any exchange. Shareholders would be notified of any such
action to the extent required by law. Consult Putnam Investor
Services before requesting an exchange. See the SAI to
find out more about the exchange privilege.
HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES
The fund calculates the net asset value of a share of
each class by dividing the total value of its assets, less
liabilities, by the number of its shares outstanding. Shares are
valued as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock
Exchange each day the exchange is open. Portfolio securities for
which market quotations are readily available are valued
at market value. Short-term investments that will mature in 60
days or less are valued at amortized cost, which
approximates market value. All other securities and assets are
valued at their fair value following procedures approved by the
Trustees.
HOW DISTRIBUTIONS ARE MADE; TAX INFORMATION
The fund distributes any net investment income and any net
realized capital gains at least annually. Capital gains
distributions are made after applying any available capital loss
carryovers. Distributions paid by the fund with respect to
class A shares will generally be greater than those paid with
respect to class B and class M shares because expenses
attributable to class B and class M shares will generally be
higher.
You can choose from three distribution options: (1) reinvest all
distributions in additional shares without a
sales charge; (2) receive distributions from net investment
income in cash while reinvesting net capital gains distributions
in additional shares without a sales charge; or (3)
receive all distributions in cash. You can change your
distribution option by notifying Putnam Investor Services in
writing. If you do not select an option when you open your
account, all distributions will be reinvested. All
distributions not paid in cash will be reinvested in shares of
the class on which the distributions are paid. You will
receive a statement confirming reinvestment of distributions
in additional shares (or in shares of other Putnam
funds for Dividends Plus accounts) promptly following the quarter
in which the reinvestment occurs.
If a check representing a fund distribution is not cashed
within a specified period, Putnam Investor Services will notify
you that you have the option of requesting another check or
reinvesting the distribution in the fund or in another
Putnam fund. If Putnam Investor Services does not receive your
election, the distribution will be reinvested in the fund .
Similarly, if correspondence sent by the fund or Putnam
Investor Services is returned as "undeliverable," fund
distributions will automatically be reinvested in the fund
or in another Putnam fund.
The fund intends to qualify as a "regulated investment
company" for federal income tax purposes and to meet all other
requirements that are necessary for it to be relieved of federal
taxes on income and gains it distributes to shareholders. The
fund will distribute substantially all of its ordinary income
and capital gain net income on a current basis.
All fund distributions will be taxable to you as ordinary
income, except that any distributions of net long-term capital
gains will be taxable as such, regardless of how long you have
held the shares. Distributions will be taxable as described
above whether received in cash or in shares through the
reinvestment of distributions.
Early in each year the fund will notify you of the amount
and tax status of distributions paid to you by the fund
for the preceding year.
The fund's transactions in foreign currencies and hedging
activities may produce a difference between its book income and
taxable income. This difference may cause a portion of the
fund's income distributions to constitute a return of
capital for tax purposes or require the fund to make
distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regulated
investment company.
If at the end of each fiscal year of the fund , more than
50% of the value of the fund's total assets is represented
by securities of foreign corporations, the fund intends to
make an election permitted by the Internal Revenue Code so that
shareholders who are U.S. citizens or U.S. corporations may claim
a foreign tax credit or deduction (but not both) on their U.S.
income tax returns.
The foregoing is a summary of certain federal income tax
consequences of investing in the fund . You should consult
your tax adviser to determine the precise effect of an investment
in the fund on your particular tax situation (including
possible liability for state and local taxes).<PAGE>
ABOUT PUTNAM INVESTMENTS, INC.
Putnam Management has been managing mutual funds since 1937.
Putnam Mutual Funds is the principal underwriter of the
fund and of other Putnam funds. Putnam Fiduciary Trust
Company is the fund's custodian. Putnam Investor
Services, a division of Putnam Fiduciary Trust Company, is the
fund's investor servicing and transfer agent.
Putnam Management, Putnam Mutual Funds, and Putnam Fiduciary
Trust Company are subsidiaries of Putnam Investments, Inc., which
is wholly owned by Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., a publicly-
owned holding company whose principal businesses are
international insurance and reinsurance brokerage, employee
benefit consulting and investment management.<PAGE>
PUTNAM INTERNATIONAL NEW OPPORTUNITIES FUND
One Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02109
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
INVESTOR SERVICING AGENT
Putnam Investor Services
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 41203
Providence, RI 02940-1203
CUSTODIAN
Putnam Fiduciary Trust Company
One Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02109
LEGAL COUNSEL
Ropes & Gray
One International Place
Boston, MA 02110
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
One Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02109
PUTNAMINVESTMENTS
One Post Office Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Toll-free 1-800-225-1581
<PAGE>
PUTNAM INVESTMENT FUNDS (THE "TRUST")
PUTNAM BASIC VALUE FUND
PUTNAM BALANCED FUND
PUTNAM GLOBAL UTILITIES FUND
PUTNAM REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITIES FUND
(EACH REFERRED TO HEREIN AS A "FUND")
FORM N-1A
PART B
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ("SAI")
JULY 14, 1995
This SAI is not a prospectus and is only authorized
for distribution when accompanied or preceded by the
prospectus of the Trust for the above-referenced funds
dated July 14 , 1995, as revised from time to time. This
SAI contains information which may be useful to investors
but which is not included in the prospectus . If the Trust
has more than one form of current prospectus for the above-
referenced funds , each reference to the prospectus in
this SAI shall include all the Trust's prospectuses for
the above referenced funds , unless otherwise noted. The
SAI should be read together with the applicable
prospectus . Investors may obtain a free copy of the
applicable prospectus from Putnam Investor Services,
Mailing address: P.O. Box 41203, Providence, RI 02940-1203.
Part I of this SAI contains specific information about the
funds . Part II includes information about the
funds and the other Putnam funds.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS OF THE TRUST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I-3
FUND CHARGES AND EXPENSES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I-6
ADDITIONAL OFFICERS OF THE TRUST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I-7
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . .I-8
PART II
MISCELLANEOUS INVESTMENT PRACTICES . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II-1
TAXES.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-22
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-27
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-36
HOW TO BUY SHARES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-38
DISTRIBUTION PLAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-49
INVESTOR SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II- 49
SIGNATURE GUARANTEES . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II- 55
SUSPENSION OF REDEMPTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II- 55
SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II- 55
STANDARD PERFORMANCE MEASURES. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II- 56
COMPARISON OF PORTFOLIO PERFORMANCE. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . II- 57
DEFINITIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II- 62
<PAGE>
SAI
PART I
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS OF THE TRUST
As fundamental investment restrictions, which may not be changed
with respect to a fund without a vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of such fund , the Trust may
not and will not with respect to a fund :
(1) Borrow money in excess of 10% of the value (taken at the
lower of cost or current value) of its total assets (not
including the amount borrowed) at the time the borrowing is made,
and then only from banks as a temporary measure to facilitate the
meeting of redemption requests (not for leverage) which might
otherwise require the untimely disposition of portfolio
investments or for extraordinary or emergency purposes. Such
borrowings will be repaid before any additional investments are
purchased.
(2) Underwrite securities issued by other persons except to the
extent that, in connection with the disposition of its portfolio
investments, it may be deemed to be an underwriter under certain
federal securities laws.
(3) 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.
(4) Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, except
that the fund may purchase and sell financial futures
contracts and options.
(5) Make loans, except by purchase of debt obligations in which
the fund may invest consistent with its investment
policies, by entering into repurchase agreements with respect to
not more than 25% of its total assets (taken at current value) or
through the lending of its portfolio securities with respect to
not more than 25% of its total assets (taken at current value).
<PAGE>
(6) With respect to 75% of its total assets, invest in
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 political subdivisions.
(7) With respect to 75% of its total assets, acquire more than
10% of the voting securities of any issuer.
(8) 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, except that Putnam Real
Estate Opportunities Fund may invest more than 25% of its total
assets in securities of issuers in any industry in the real
estate group of industries and Putnam Global Utilities Fund may
invest more than 25% of its total assets in securities of issuers
in any industry in the utilities group of industries.
(9) Issue any class of securities which is senior to the
fund's shares of beneficial interest.
It is contrary to each fund's present policy, which may be
changed without shareholder approval, to:
(1) Invest in (a) securities which at the time of such
investment are not readily marketable, (b) securities restricted
as to resale (excluding securities determined by the Trustees of
the Trust (or the person designated by the Trustees of the Trust
to make such determinations) to be readily marketable), and (c)
repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days, if, as a
result, more than 15% of the fund's net assets (taken at
current value) would be invested in securities described in (a),
(b) and (c) above.
(2) (Not applicable to Putnam Global Utilities Fund.)
Invest in warrants (other than warrants acquired by a fund
as part of a unit or attached to securities at the time of
purchase) if, as a result, such investments (valued at the lower
of cost or market) would exceed 5% of the value of the
fund's net assets; provided that not more than 2% of the
fund's net assets may be invested in warrants not listed
on the New York or American Stock Exchanges.
<PAGE>
(3) 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 or dispose of such leases, rights,
or contracts acquired through the exercise of its rights as a
holder of debt obligations secured thereby.
(4) Invest in securities of registered open-end investment
companies, except as they may be acquired as part of a merger or
consolidation or acquisition of assets or by purchases in the
open market involving only customary brokers' commissions.
(5) Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position
for the account of the fund unless at all times when a
short position is open it owns an equal amount of such securities
or owns securities which, without payment of any further
consideration, are convertible into or exchangeable for
securities of the same issue as, and in equal amount to, the
securities sold short.
(6) Purchase or sell real property (including limited
partnership interests), except that the fund may (a)
purchase or sell readily marketable interests in real estate
investment trusts or readily marketable securities of companies
which invest in real estate, (b) purchase or sell securities that
are secured by interests in real estate or interests therein, or
(c) acquire real estate through exercise of its rights as a
holder of obligations secured by real estate or interests therein
or sell real estate so acquired.
(7) Invest in securities of any issuer, if, to the knowledge of
the fund , officers and Trustees of the Trust and officers
and directors of Putnam Management who beneficially own more than
0.5% of the securities of that issuer together own more than 5%
of such securities.
(8) 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.
<PAGE>
Although certain of the Trust's investment restrictions permit
the funds to borrow money to a limited extent, the
funds do not currently intend to do so. For the purpose
of fundamental investment restriction 8 above, the Trust will
consider securities backed by the credit of different foreign
governments as representing separate industries.
---------------------
All percentage limitations on investments will apply at the time
of the making of an investment and shall not be considered
violated unless an excess or deficiency occurs or exists
immediately after and as a result of such investment.
The Investment Company Act of 1940 provides that a "vote of the
majority of the outstanding voting securities" of a fund
means the affirmative vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of
the outstanding shares of that fund , or (2) 67% or more of
the shares of that fund present at a meeting if more than
50% of the outstanding shares are represented at the meeting in
person or by proxy.
FUND CHARGES AND EXPENSES
Management Fees
Under a Management Contract dated December 2, 1994, the Trust
pays a quarterly fee to Putnam Management based on the average
net assets of each fund , as determined at the close of
each business day during the quarter, at the following annual
rates, expressed as a percentage of each fund's average
net assets: Putnam Balanced Fund - 0.65% of the first $500
million, 0.55% of the next $500 million, 0.50% of the next $500
million, 0.45% of the next $5 billion, 0.425% of the next $5
billion, 0.405% of the next $5 billion, 0.39% of the next $5
billion, and 0.38% thereafter; Putnam Real Estate Opportunities
Fund and Putnam Basic Value Fund - 0.70% of the first $500
million, 0.60% of the next $500 million, 0.55% of the next $500
million, 0.50% of the next $5 billion, 0.475% of the next $5
billion, 0.455% of the next $5 billion, 0.44% of the next $5
billion, and 0.43% thereafter and Putnam Global Utilities
Fund - 0.80% of the first $500 million, 0.70% of the next $500
million, 0.65% of the next $500 million, 0.60% of the next $5
billion, 0.575% of the next $5 billion, 0.555% of the next $5
billion, 0.54% of the next $5 billion, and 0.53%
thereafter .
<PAGE>
Expense Limitation. In order to limit a fund's expenses
, Putnam Management has agreed to limit its compensation
(and, to the extent necessary, bear other expenses) through
December 31, 1995, to the extent that expenses of a fund
(exclusive of brokerage, interest, taxes, deferred organizational
and extraordinary expense, and payments under the Trust's
class A Distribution Plan) would exceed the following
annual rates, expressed as a percentage of each fund's
average net assets: Putnam Basic Value Fund and Putnam Real
Estate Opportunities Fund, 1.00%; Putnam Balanced Fund, 0.70%;
and Putnam Global Utilities Fund, 0.60% . For the
purpose of determining any such limitation on Putnam Management's
compensation, fund expenses shall not reflect the
application of commissions or cash management credits that may
reduce designated fund expenses. With Trustee approval,
this expense limitation may be terminated earlier, in which event
shareholders would be notified and this SAI would be
revised.
Trustee Fees
Each Trustee a fee for his or her services. Each Trustee also
receives fees for serving as Trustee of 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 Trustees meet monthly over a
two-day period, except in August. The Compensation Committee,
which consists solely of Trustees not affiliated with Putnam
Management and is responsible for recommending Trustee
compensation, estimates that Committee and Trustee meeting time
together with the appropriate preparation requires the equivalent
of at least three business days per Trustee meeting. The
following table shows the year each Trustee was first elected a
Trustee of the Putnam funds, the estimated fees to be paid to
each Trustee by the Trust for fiscal 1995 and the fees paid to
each Trustee by all of the Putnam funds during the calendar year
1994.
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION TABLE
Year first
elected as Estimated Total
a Trustee aggregate compensation
of the compensation from all
Trustees Putnam funds from the Trust* Putnam funds**
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Jameson A. Baxter 1994 $456 $135,850
Hans H. Estin 1972 $456 141,850
John A. Hill 1985 $456 143,850
Elizabeth T. Kennan 1992 $456 141,850
Lawrence J. Lasser 1992 $456 141,850
Robert E. Patterson 1984 $456 144,850
Donald S. Perkins 1982 $456 139,850
William F. Pounds 1971 $456 143,850
George Putnam 1957 $456 141,850
George Putnam, III 1984 $456 141,850
Eli Shapiro*** 1995 $456 N/A
A.J.C. Smith 1986 $456 137,850
W. Nicholas Thorndike 1992 $456 144,850
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
* Reflects estimated amounts to be paid for fiscal year August
31, 1995 for the Basic Value Fund and Real Estate
Opportunities Fund and fiscal year September 30, 1995 for
the Balanced Fund and the Global Utilities Fund. 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, 1994,
there were 86 funds in the Putnam family.
*** Elected as a Trustee in April 1995. For the calendar year
ended December 31, 1994 Dr. Shapiro received $38,577 in
retirement benefits from the Putnam funds in respect of his
prior service as a Trustee from 1984 to 1990, which benefits
terminated at the end of 1994.
The 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 1994 and was eligible to receive
benefits under these Guidelines would have received an annual
benefit of $60,425, 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 concerning the Trustees, see
"Management of the Fund" in Part II of this SAI .
Ownership of Trust Shares
At May 31, 1995, the officers and Trustees of the Trust as a
group owned 6,373.092 (3.45%) of the outstanding shares of Putnam
Balanced Fund, 17,069.442 (7.25%) of the outstanding shares of
Putnam Basic Value Fund, 6,735.976 (3.66%) of the outstanding
shares of Putnam Global Utilities Fund, and 12,647.461 (6.60%) of
the outstanding shares of Putnam Real Estate Opportunities Fund,
and to the knowledge of the Trust no person owned of record or
beneficially 5% or more of the shares of any fund of the Trust,
except that Putnam Investments, Inc. owned of record and
beneficially 95.40% of Putnam Balanced Fund, 84.90% of Putnam
Basic Value Fund, 96.00% of Putnam Global Utilities Fund, and
92.10% of Putnam Real Estate Opportunities Fund. Putnam
Investments, Inc. is incorporated in Massachusetts, and its
parent corporation, Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., is
incorporated in Delaware. The address of Putnam Investments,
Inc. is One Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02109.
ADDITIONAL OFFICERS OF THE TRUST
In addition to the persons listed as officers of the Trust in
Part II of this Statement, the following persons are also
officers of the Trust. Officers of Putnam Management hold the
same offices in Putnam Management's parent company, Putnam
Investments, Inc.
Peter Carman, Vice President. Senior Managing Director of Putnam
Management. Vice President of certain of the Putnam funds.
Prior to August 1, 1993, Mr. Carman was Chief Investment Officer,
Chairman of the U.S. Equity Investment Policy Committee and a
Director of Sanford C. Bernstein & Company, Inc.
David L. King, Vice President. Senior Vice President of
Putnam Management. Vice President of certain of the Putnam
funds.
Jeanne L. Mockard, Vice President. Senior Vice President of
Putnam Management. Vice President of certain of the Putnam
funds.
John J. Morgan, Jr., Vice President. Managing Director of Putnam
Management. Vice President of certain of the Putnam funds.
Anthony W. Regan, Vice President. Senior Managing Director of
Putnam Management. Director of Putnam Investments, Inc. Vice
President of certain of the Putnam funds.
Thomas V. Reilly, Vice President. Managing Director of Putnam
Management. Vice President of certain of the Putnam funds.
David J. Santos, Vice President. Vice President of Putnam
Management. Vice President of certain of the Putnam funds.
Justin M. Scott, Vice President. Senior Vice President of Putnam
Management. Vice President of certain of the Putnam funds.
Sheldon N. Simon, Vice President. Senior Vice President of
Putnam Management. Vice President of certain of the Putnam
funds.
Kenneth J. Taubes, Vice President. Senior Vice President of
Putnam Management and Vice President of certain of the Putnam
funds. Prior to July, 1991, Mr. Taubes was Senior Vice President
of the Finance Division of U.S. Trust Company.
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. , One Post Office Square, Boston, MA
02109, are the Trust's independent accountants, providing
audit services, tax return review and other tax consulting
services and assistance and consultation in connection with the
review of various Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
The unaudited financial statements included in each fund's
Semi-Annual Report for the period ended February 28, 1995 for
Putnam Basic Value Fund and Putnam Real Estate Opportunities
Fund, filed electronically on May 1, 1995 and for the period
ended March 31, 1995 for Putnam Balanced Fund and Putnam Global
Utilities Fund, filed electronically on May 30, 1995 (811-7237),
are incorporated by reference into this SAI.
<PAGE>
The following Report of Independent Accountants and Statement of
Assets and Liabilities have been included in this SAI in
reliance upon the report of the independent accountants, given on
their authority as experts in auditing and accounting.
As of the date of the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
below , the Trust was named Putnam Equity Funds. The
Statement of Assets and Liabilities reflects this former
name.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Shareholder and Board of Trustees of Putnam Equity Funds
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and
liabilities of Putnam Basic Value Fund, Putnam Balanced Fund,
Putnam Global Utilities Fund and Putnam Real Estate
Opportunities Fund (the "Funds") of Putnam Equity Funds (the
"Trust"), as of December 13, 1994. These statements are the
responsibility of the Funds' management. Our responsibility is
to express an opinion on the financial statements based on our
audit.
We conducted our audit 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 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 cash owned as of December 13,
1994 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 audit
provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position
of the Funds of the Trust as of December 13, 1994, in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
Boston, Massachusetts
December 15, 1994
<PAGE>
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
PUTNAM BALANCED FUND
(A series of Putnam Equity Funds)
December 13, 1994
Assets:
Cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20,000.00
Estimated deferred organization expenses
(Note 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,425.00
--------
Total assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26,425.00
Liabilities:
Estimated organization expenses payable
(Note 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,425.00
--------
Commitments (Notes 1, 2 and 3)
Net assets applicable to 2,352.941 Class A
shares outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20,000
=======
Computation of net asset value, redemption and offering
price per share:
Net asset value and redemption price per share
($20,000 divided by 2,352.941 shares). . . . . . . $8.50
======
Offering price per Class A share (100/94.25 of $8.50),
reduced on sales of $50,000 or more and in certain
other circumstances -- see "HOW TO BUY SHARES" . . $9.02
=====
See Notes to Statement of Assets and Liabilities<PAGE>
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
PUTNAM BASIC VALUE FUND
(A series of Putnam Equity Funds)
December 13, 1994
Assets:
Cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20,000.00
Estimated deferred organization expenses
(Note 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,425.00
--------
Total assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26,425.00
Liabilities:
Estimated organization expenses payable
(Note 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,425.00
--------
Commitments (Notes 1, 2 and 3)
Net assets applicable to 2,352.941 Class A
shares outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20,000
========
Computation of net asset value, redemption and offering
price per share:
Net asset value and redemption price per share
($20,000 divided by 2,352.941 shares). . . . . . . $8.50
======
Offering price per Class A share (100/94.25 of $8.50),
reduced on sales of $50,000 or more and in certain
other circumstances -- see "HOW TO BUY SHARES" . . $9.02
======
See Notes to Statement of Assets and Liabilities<PAGE>
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
PUTNAM GLOBAL UTILITIES FUND
(A series of Putnam Equity Funds)
December 13, 1994
Assets:
Cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20,000.00
Estimated deferred organization expenses
(Note 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,425.00
---------
Total assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26,425.00
Liabilities:
Estimated organization expenses payable
(Note 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,425.00
----------
Commitments (Notes 1, 2 and 3)
Net assets applicable to 2,352.941 Class A
shares outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20,000
========
Computation of net asset value, redemption and offering
price per share:
Net asset value and redemption price per share
($20,000 divided by 2,352.941 shares). . . . . . . $8.50
=======
Offering price per Class A share (100/94.25 of $8.50),
reduced on sales of $50,000 or more and in certain
other circumstances -- see "HOW TO BUY SHARES" . . $9.02
=======
See Notes to Statement of Assets and Liabilities<PAGE>
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
PUTNAM REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITIES FUND
(A series of Putnam Equity Funds)
December 13, 1994
Assets:
Cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20,000.00
Estimated deferred organization expenses
(Note 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,425.00
----------
Total assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26,425.00
Liabilities:
Estimated organization expenses payable
(Note 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,425.00
----------
Commitments (Notes 1, 2 and 3)
Net assets applicable to 2,352.941 Class A
shares outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20,000
========
Computation of net asset value, redemption and offering
price per share:
Net asset value and redemption price per share
($20,000 divided by 2,352.941 shares). . . . . . . $8.50
======
Offering price per Class A share (100/94.25 of $8.50),
reduced on sales of $50,000 or more and in certain
other circumstances -- see "HOW TO BUY SHARES" . . $9.02
======
See Notes to Statement of Assets and Liabilities<PAGE>
Notes to Statements of Assets and Liabilities
Note 1. Organization
The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust under
an Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated October 31, 1994,
and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, as an open-end, diversified, management investment
company, consisting of a series of investment portfolios
(the "Funds") , each of which is represented by a separate
series of shares of beneficial interest. The Trust currently
consists of five Funds . Financial Statements for only
Putnam Balanced Fund, Putnam Basic Value Fund, Putnam Global
Utilities Fund and Putnam Real Estate Opportunities Fund
are contained in this SAI . Each Fund offers Class A
shares. The Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust permits
the issuance of an unlimited number of shares. The Trust has had
no operations other than those relating to organizational matters
and the initial capital contribution of $100,000 to the Trust.
Each Fund's outstanding shares are owned by Putnam Investments,
Inc.
Upon the sale of its shares to the public, the Trust will become
liable for registration fees payable to the Securities and
Exchange Commission and for not more than $125,000 of expenses in
connection with its organization and the initial public offering
of its shares. Putnam Investment Management, Inc. ("Putnam
Management"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Putnam
Investments, Inc., will pay any such expenses in excess of that
amount and will pay all such expenses in the event that the
initial public offering is withdrawn. At December 13, 1994,
estimated deferred organization expenses for each Fund are
$6,425.00 based upon estimated registration, legal and accounting
costs. Each Fund will amortize such expenses borne by it over
its first five years of operation based upon projected net asset
levels. Putnam Investments, Inc. has agreed that if any of the
initial shares of any Fund are redeemed during such amortization
period by any holder thereof, the redemption proceeds will be
reduced by the amount of the then unamortized organization
expenses in the same ratio as the number of shares redeemed bears
to the number of initial shares held at the time of redemption.
Note 2. Management Contract
The Trust has entered into a Management Contract with Putnam
Management. As compensation for the services rendered,
facilities furnished, and expenses borne by Putnam Management,
the Trust will pay Putnam Management a fee, computed and paid
quarterly based on the average net assets of each Fund for the
quarter. Such fee is based on the following annual rates: Putnam
Balanced Fund - 0.65% of the first $500 million, 0.55% of the
next $500 million, 0.50% of the next $500 million, 0.45% of the
next $5 billion, 0.425% of the next $5 billion, 0.405% of the
next $5 billion, 0.39% of the next $5 billion, and 0.38%
thereafter; Putnam Real Estate Opportunities Fund and Putnam
Basic Value Fund - 0.70% of the first $500 million, 0.60% of the
next $500 million, 0.55% of the next $500 million, 0.50% of the
next $5 billion, 0.475% of the next $5 billion, 0.455% of the
next $5 billion, 0.44% of the next $5 billion, and 0.43%
thereafter; and Putnam Global Utilities Fund - 0.80% of
the first $500 million, 0.70% of the next $500 million, 0.65% of
the next $500 million, 0.60% of the next $5 billion, 0.575% of
the next $5 billion, 0.555% of the next $5 billion, 0.54% of the
next $5 billion, and 0.53% thereafter .
Note 3. Distribution Plan
The Trust has entered into a Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule
12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 relating to its
Class A shares. Each Fund will, upon the approval of such
payments by the Trustees of such Fund, pay Putnam Mutual Funds
Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Putnam Investments,
Inc., a quarterly distribution fee at the annual rate of up to
0.35% of the average net assets of the Fund represented by
Class A shares. No payments are presently being made under the
Distribution Plan.<PAGE>
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MISCELLANEOUS INVESTMENT PRACTICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II-1
TAXES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-22
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-27
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-36
HOW TO BUY SHARES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-38
DISTRIBUTION PLAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-49
INVESTOR SERVICES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-49
SIGNATURE GUARANTEES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-55
SUSPENSION OF REDEMPTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-55
SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-55
STANDARD PERFORMANCE MEASURES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-56
COMPARISON OF PORTFOLIO PERFORMANCE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-57
DEFINITIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-62
<PAGE>
THE PUTNAM FUNDS
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ("SAI")
PART II
The following information applies generally to your Fund and to
the other Putnam funds. In certain cases the discussion applies
to some but not all of the funds or their shareholders, and you
should refer to your Prospectus to determine whether the matter
is applicable to you or your Fund. You will also be referred to
Part I for certain information applicable to your particular
Fund. Shareholders who purchase shares at net asset value
through employer-sponsored defined contribution plans should also
consult their employer for information about the extent to which
the matters described below apply to them.
MISCELLANEOUS INVESTMENT PRACTICES
YOUR FUND'S PROSPECTUS STATES WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING INVESTMENT
PRACTICES ARE AVAILABLE TO YOUR FUND. THE FACT THAT YOUR FUND IS
AUTHORIZED TO ENGAGE IN A PARTICULAR PRACTICE DOES NOT
NECESSARILY MEAN THAT IT WILL ACTUALLY DO SO. YOU SHOULD
DISREGARD ANY PRACTICE DESCRIBED BELOW WHICH IS NOT MENTIONED IN
THE PROSPECTUS.
SHORT-TERM TRADING
In seeking the Fund's objective, Putnam Management will buy or
sell portfolio securities whenever Putnam Management believes it
appropriate to do so. In deciding whether to sell a portfolio
security, Putnam Management does not consider how long the Fund
has owned the security. From time to time the Fund will buy
securities intending to seek short-term trading profits. A
change in the securities held by the Fund is known as "portfolio
turnover" and generally involves some expense to the Fund. These
expenses may include brokerage commissions or dealer mark-ups and
other transaction costs on both the sale of securities and the
reinvestment of the proceeds in other securities. If sales of
portfolio securities cause the Fund to realize net short-term
capital gains, such gains will be taxable as ordinary income. As
a result of the Fund's investment policies, under certain market
conditions the Fund's portfolio turnover rate may be higher than
that of other mutual funds. Portfolio turnover rate for a fiscal
year is the ratio of the lesser of purchases or sales of
portfolio securities to the monthly average of the value of
portfolio securities -- excluding securities whose maturities at
acquisition were one year or less. The Fund's portfolio turnover
rate is not a limiting factor when Putnam Management considers a
change in the Fund's portfolio.
<PAGE>
LOWER-RATED SECURITIES
The Fund may invest in lower-rated fixed-income securities
(commonly known as "junk bonds"), to the extent described in the
Prospectus. The lower ratings of certain securities held by the
Fund reflect a greater possibility that adverse changes in the
financial condition of the issuer or in general economic
conditions, or both, or an unanticipated rise in interest rates,
may impair the ability of the issuer to make payments of interest
and principal. The inability (or perceived inability) of issuers
to make timely payment of interest and principal would likely
make the values of securities held by the Fund more volatile and
could limit the Fund's ability to sell its securities at prices
approximating the values the Fund had placed on such securities.
In the absence of a liquid trading market for securities held by
it, the Fund may be unable at times to establish the fair value
of such securities. The rating assigned to a security by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Corporation (or by
any other nationally recognized securities rating organization)
does not reflect an assessment of the volatility of the
security's market value or the liquidity of an investment in the
security. See the Prospectus or Part I of this Statement for a
description of security ratings.
Like those of other fixed-income securities, the values of
lower-rated securities fluctuate in response to changes in
interest rates. Thus, a decrease in interest rates will
generally result in an increase in the value of the Fund's
assets. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, the
value of the Fund's assets will generally decline. In addition,
the values of such securities are also affected by changes in
general economic conditions and business conditions affecting the
specific industries of their issuers. Changes by recognized
rating services in their ratings of any fixed-income security and
in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and
principal may also affect the value of these investments.
Changes in the value of portfolio securities generally will not
affect cash income derived from such securities, but will affect
the Fund's net asset value. The Fund will not necessarily
dispose of a security when its rating is reduced below its rating
at the time of purchase, although Putnam Management will monitor
the investment to determine whether its retention will assist in
meeting the Fund's investment objective.
At times, a substantial portion of the Fund's assets may be
invested in securities as to which the Fund, by itself or
together with other funds and accounts managed by Putnam
Management and its affiliates, holds a major portion or all of
such securities. Although Putnam Management generally considers
such securities to be liquid because of the availability of an
institutional market for such securities, it is possible that,
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 such securities when
Putnam Management believes it advisable to do so or may be able
to sell such securities only at prices lower than if such
securities were more widely held. 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.
In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default under
such securities, the Fund may be required to take possession of
and manage assets securing the issuer's obligations on such
securities, which may increase the Fund's operating expenses and
adversely affect the Fund's net asset value. In the case of
tax-exempt funds, any income derived from the Fund's ownership or
operation of such assets would not be tax-exempt. In addition,
the Fund's intention to qualify as a "regulated investment
company" under the Internal Revenue Code may limit the extent to
which the Fund may exercise its rights by taking possession of
such assets.
Certain securities held by the Fund may permit the issuer at its
option to "call", or redeem, its securities. If an issuer were
to redeem securities held by the Fund during a time of declining
interest rates, the Fund may not be able to reinvest the proceeds
in securities providing the same investment return as the
securities redeemed.
If the Fund's Prospectus describes so-called "zero-coupon" bonds
and "payment-in-kind" bonds as possible investments, the Fund may
invest without limit in such bonds unless otherwise specified in
the Prospectus. Zero-coupon bonds are issued at a significant
discount from their principal amount in lieu of paying interest
periodically. Payment-in-kind bonds allow the issuer, at its
option, to make current interest payments on the bonds either in
cash or in additional bonds. Because zero-coupon bonds do not
pay current interest, their value is subject to greater
fluctuation in response to changes in market interest rates than
bonds which pay interest currently. Both zero-coupon and
payment-in-kind bonds allow an issuer to avoid the need to
generate cash to meet current interest payments. Accordingly,
such bonds may involve greater credit risks than bonds paying
interest currently. Even though such bonds do not pay current
interest in cash, the Fund is nonetheless required to accrue
interest income on such investments and to distribute such
amounts at least annually to shareholders. Thus, the Fund could
be required at times to liquidate investments in order to satisfy
its dividend requirements.
The amount of information about the financial condition of an
issuer of tax exempt securities may not be as extensive as that
which is made available by corporations whose securities are
publicly traded. Therefore, to the extent the Fund invests in
tax exempt securities in the lower rating categories, the
achievement of the Fund's goals is more dependent on Putnam
Management's investment analysis than would be the case if the
Fund were investing in securities in the higher rating
categories.
INVESTMENTS IN MISCELLANEOUS FIXED INCOME SECURITIES
Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus or elsewhere in this
SAI, if the Fund may invest in inverse floating obligations,
premium securities, or interest-only or principal-only classes of
mortgage-backed securities, it may do so without limit. The
Fund, however, currently does not intend to invest more than 15%
of its assets in inverse floating obligations under normal market
conditions.
SECURITIES LOANS
The Fund may make secured loans of its portfolio securities, on
either a short-term or long-term basis, amounting to not more
than 25% of its total assets, thereby realizing additional
income. The risks in lending portfolio securities, as with other
extensions of credit, consist of possible delay in recovery of
the securities or possible loss of rights in the collateral
should the borrower fail financially. As a matter of policy,
securities loans are made to broker-dealers pursuant to
agreements requiring that loans be continuously secured by
collateral consisting of cash or short-term debt obligations at
least equal at all times to the value of the securities on loan,
"marked-to-market" daily. The borrower pays to the Fund an
amount equal to any dividends or interest received on securities
lent. The Fund retains all or a portion of the interest received
on investment of the cash collateral or receives a fee from the
borrower. Although voting rights, or rights to consent, with
respect to the loaned securities pass to the borrower, the Fund
retains the right to call the loans at any time on reasonable
notice, and it will do so to enable the Fund to exercise voting
rights on any matters materially affecting the investment. The
Fund may also call such loans in order to sell the securities.
FORWARD COMMITMENTS
The Fund may enter into contracts to purchase securities for a
fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time
("forward commitments") if the Fund holds, and maintains until
the settlement date in a segregated account, cash or high-grade
debt obligations in an amount sufficient to meet the purchase
price, or if the Fund enters into offsetting contracts for the
forward sale of other securities it owns. In the case of to-be-
announced ("TBA") purchase commitments, the unit price and the
estimated principal amount are established when the Fund enters
into a contract, with the actual principal amount being within a
specified range of the estimate. Forward commitments may be
considered securities in themselves, and involve a risk of loss
if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to
the settlement date, which risk is in addition to the risk of
decline in the value of the Fund's other assets. Where such
purchases are made through dealers, the Fund relies on the dealer
to consummate the sale. The dealer's failure to do so may result
in the loss to the Fund of an advantageous yield or price.
Although the Fund will generally enter into forward commitments
with the intention of acquiring securities for its portfolio or
for delivery pursuant to options contracts it has entered into,
the Fund may dispose of a commitment prior to settlement if
Putnam Management deems it appropriate to do so. The Fund may
realize short-term profits or losses upon the sale of forward
commitments.
The Fund may enter into TBA sale commitments to hedge its
portfolio positions or to sell mortgage-backed securities it owns
under delayed delivery arrangements. Proceeds of TBA sale
commitments are not received until the contractual settlement
date. During the time a TBA sale commitment is outstanding,
equivalent deliverable securities, or an offsetting TBA purchase
commitment deliverable on or before the sale commitment date, are
held as "cover" for the transaction. Unsettled TBA sale
commitments are valued at current market value of the underlying
securities. If the TBA sale commitment is closed through the
acquisition of an offsetting purchase commitment, the Fund
realizes a gain or loss on the commitment without regard to any
unrealized gain or loss on the underlying security. If the Fund
delivers securities under the commitment, the Fund realizes a
gain or loss from the sale of the securities based upon the unit
price established at the date the commitment was entered into.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements up to the limit
specified in the Prospectus. A repurchase agreement is a
contract under which the Fund acquires a security for a
relatively short period (usually not more than one week) subject
to the obligation of the seller to repurchase and the Fund to
resell such security at a fixed time and price (representing the
Fund's cost plus interest). It is the Fund's present intention
to enter into repurchase agreements only with commercial banks
and registered broker-dealers and only with respect to
obligations of the U.S. government or its agencies or
instrumentalities. Repurchase agreements may also be viewed as
loans made by the Fund which are collateralized by the securities
subject to repurchase. Putnam Management will monitor such
transactions to ensure that the value of the underlying
securities will be at least equal at all times to the total
amount of the repurchase obligation, including the interest
factor. If the seller defaults, the Fund could realize a loss on
the sale of the underlying security to the extent that the
proceeds of sale including accrued interest are less than the
resale price provided in the agreement including interest. In
addition, if the seller should be involved in bankruptcy or
insolvency proceedings, the Fund may incur delay and costs in
selling the underlying security or may suffer a loss of principal
and interest if the Fund is treated as an unsecured creditor and
required to return the underlying collateral to the seller's
estate.
Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the Securities and
Exchange Commission, the Fund may transfer uninvested cash
balances into a joint account, along with cash of other Putnam
funds and certain other accounts. These balances may be invested
in one or more repurchase agreements and/or short-term money
market instruments.
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES
WRITING COVERED OPTIONS. The Fund may write covered call options
and covered put options on optionable securities held in its
portfolio, when in the opinion of Putnam Management such
transactions are consistent with the Fund's investment objectives
and policies. Call options written by the Fund give the
purchaser the right to buy the underlying securities from the
Fund at a stated exercise price; put options give the purchaser
the right to sell the underlying securities to the Fund at a
stated price.
The Fund may write only covered options, which means that, so
long as the Fund is obligated as the writer of a call option, it
will own the underlying securities subject to the option (or
comparable securities satisfying the cover requirements of
securities exchanges). In the case of put options, the Fund will
hold cash and/or high-grade short-term debt obligations equal to
the price to be paid if the option is exercised. In addition,
the Fund will be considered to have covered a put or call option
if and to the extent that it holds an option that offsets some or
all of the risk of the option it has written. The Fund may write
combinations of covered puts and calls on the same underlying
security.
The Fund will receive a premium from writing a put or call
option, which increases the Fund's return on the underlying
security in the event the option expires unexercised or is closed
out at a profit. The amount of the premium reflects, among other
things, the relationship between the exercise price and the
current market value of the underlying security, the volatility
of the underlying security, the amount of time remaining until
expiration, current interest rates, and the effect of supply and
demand in the options market and in the market for the underlying
security. By writing a call option, the Fund limits its
opportunity to profit from any increase in the market value of
the underlying security above the exercise price of the option
but continues to bear the risk of a decline in the value of the
underlying security. By writing a put option, the Fund assumes
the risk that it may be required to purchase the underlying
security for an exercise price higher than its then-current
market value, resulting in a potential capital loss unless the
security subsequently appreciates in value.
The Fund may terminate an option that it has written prior to its
expiration by entering into a closing purchase transaction, in
which it purchases an offsetting option. The Fund realizes a
profit or loss from a closing transaction if the cost of the
transaction (option premium plus transaction costs) is less or
more than the premium received from writing the option. Because
increases in the market price of a call option generally reflect
increases in the market price of the security underlying the
option, any loss resulting from a closing purchase transaction
may be offset in whole or in part by unrealized appreciation of
the underlying security owned by the Fund.
If the Fund writes a call option but does not own the underlying
security, and when it writes a put option, the Fund may be
required to deposit cash or securities with its broker as
"margin", or collateral, for its obligation to buy or sell the
underlying security. As the value of the underlying security
varies, the Fund may have to deposit additional margin with the
broker. Margin requirements are complex and are fixed by
individual brokers, subject to minimum requirements currently
imposed by the Federal Reserve Board and by stock exchanges and
other self-regulatory organizations.
PURCHASING PUT OPTIONS. The Fund may purchase put options to
protect its portfolio holdings in an underlying security against
a decline in market value. Such protection is provided during
the life of the put option since the Fund, as holder of the
option, is able to sell the underlying security at the put
exercise price regardless of any decline in the underlying
security's market price. In order for a put option to be
profitable, the market price of the underlying security must
decline sufficiently below the exercise price to cover the
premium and transaction costs. By using put options in this
manner, the Fund will reduce any profit it might otherwise have
realized from appreciation of the underlying security by the
premium paid for the put option and by transaction costs.
PURCHASING CALL OPTIONS. The Fund may purchase call options to
hedge against an increase in the price of securities that the
Fund wants ultimately to buy. Such hedge protection is provided
during the life of the call option since the Fund, as holder of
the call option, is able to buy the underlying security at the
exercise price regardless of any increase in the underlying
security's market price. In order for a call option to be
profitable, the market price of the underlying security must rise
sufficiently above the exercise price to cover the premium and
transaction costs.
RISK FACTORS IN OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS
The successful use of the Fund's options strategies depends on
the ability of Putnam Management to forecast correctly interest
rate and market movements. For example, if the Fund were to
write a call option based on Putnam Management's expectation that
the price of the underlying security would fall, but the price
were to rise instead, the Fund could be required to sell the
security upon exercise at a price below the current market price.
Similarly, if the Fund were to write a put option based on Putnam
Management's expectation that the price of the underlying
security would rise, but the price were to fall instead, the Fund
could be required to purchase the security upon exercise at a
price higher than the current market price.
When the Fund purchases an option, it runs the risk that it will
lose its entire investment in the option in a relatively short
period of time, unless the Fund exercises the option or enters
into a closing sale transaction before the option's expiration.
If the price of the underlying security does not rise (in the
case of a call) or fall (in the case of a put) to an extent
sufficient to cover the option premium and transaction costs, the
Fund will lose part or all of its investment in the option. This
contrasts with an investment by the Fund in the underlying
security, since the Fund will not realize a loss if the
security's price does not change.
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.
If a secondary market in options were to become unavailable, the
Fund could no longer engage in closing transactions. Lack of
investor interest might adversely affect the liquidity of the
market for particular options or series of options. A market may
discontinue trading of a particular option or options generally.
In addition, a market could become temporarily unavailable if
unusual events -- such as volume in excess of trading or clearing
capability -- were to interrupt its normal operations.
A market may at times find it necessary to impose restrictions on
particular types of options transactions, such as opening
transactions. For example, if an underlying security ceases to
meet qualifications imposed by the market or the Options Clearing
Corporation, new series of options on that security will no
longer be opened to replace expiring series, and opening
transactions in existing series may be prohibited. If an options
market were to become unavailable, the Fund as a holder of an
option would be able to realize profits or limit losses only by
exercising the option, and the Fund, as option writer, would
remain obligated under the option until expiration or exercise.
Disruptions in the markets for the securities underlying options
purchased or sold by the Fund could result in losses on the
options. If trading is interrupted in an underlying security,
the trading of options on that security is normally halted as
well. As a result, the Fund as purchaser or writer of an option
will be unable to close out its positions until options trading
resumes, and it may be faced with considerable losses if trading
in the security reopens at a substantially different price. In
addition, the Options Clearing Corporation or other options
markets may impose exercise restrictions. If a prohibition on
exercise is imposed at the time when trading in the option has
also been halted, the Fund as purchaser or writer of an option
will be locked into its position until one of the two
restrictions has been lifted. If the Options Clearing
Corporation were to determine that the available supply of an
underlying security appears insufficient to permit delivery by
the writers of all outstanding calls in the event of exercise, it
may prohibit indefinitely the exercise of put options. The Fund,
as holder of such a put option, could lose its entire investment
if the prohibition remained in effect until the put option's
expiration.
Special risks are presented by internationally-traded options.
Because of time differences between the United States and various
foreign countries, and because different holidays are observed in
different countries, foreign options markets may be open for
trading during hours or on days when U.S. markets are closed. As
a result, option premiums may not reflect the current prices of
the underlying interest in the United States.
Over-the-counter ("OTC") options purchased by the Fund and assets
held to cover OTC options written by the Fund may, under certain
circumstances, be considered illiquid securities for purposes of
any limitation on the Fund's ability to invest in illiquid
securities.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND RELATED OPTIONS
Subject to applicable law, and unless otherwise specified in the
Prospectus, the Fund may invest without limit in the types of
futures contracts and related options identified in the
Prospectus. A financial futures contract sale creates an
obligation by the seller to deliver the type of financial
instrument called for in the contract in a specified delivery
month for a stated price. A financial futures contract purchase
creates an obligation by the purchaser to take delivery of the
type of financial instrument called for in the contract in a
specified delivery month at a stated price. The specific
instruments delivered or taken, respectively, at settlement date
are not determined until on or near that date. The determination
is made in accordance with the rules of the exchange on which the
futures contract sale or purchase was made. Futures contracts
are traded in the United States only on commodity exchanges or
boards of trade -- known as "contract markets" -- approved for
such trading by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the
"CFTC"), and must be executed through a futures commission
merchant or brokerage firm which is a member of the relevant
contract market.
Although futures contracts (other than index futures) by their
terms call for actual delivery or acceptance of commodities or
securities, in most cases the contracts are closed out before the
settlement date without the making or taking of delivery.
Closing out a futures contract sale is effected by purchasing a
futures contract for the same aggregate amount of the specific
type of financial instrument or commodity with the same delivery
date. If the price of the initial sale of the futures contract
exceeds the price of the offsetting purchase, the seller is paid
the difference and realizes a gain. Conversely, if the price of
the offsetting purchase exceeds the price of the initial sale,
the seller realizes a loss. Similarly, the closing out of a
futures contract purchase is effected by the purchaser's entering
into a futures contract sale. If the offsetting sale price
exceeds the purchase price, the purchaser realizes a gain, and if
the purchase price exceeds the offsetting sale price, he realizes
a loss. In general 40% of the gain or loss arising from the
closing out of a futures contract traded on an exchange approved
by the CFTC is treated as short-term gain or loss, and 60% is
treated as long-term gain or loss.
Unlike when the Fund purchases or sells a security, no price is
paid or received by the Fund upon the purchase or sale of a
futures contract. Upon entering into a contract, the Fund is
required to deposit with its custodian in a segregated account in
the name of the futures broker an amount of cash and/or U.S.
Government Securities. This amount is known as "initial margin."
The nature of initial margin in futures transactions is different
from that of margin in security transactions in that futures
contract margin does not involve the borrowing of funds to
finance the transactions. Rather, initial margin is similar to a
performance bond or good faith deposit which is returned to the
Fund upon termination of the futures contract, assuming all
contractual obligations have been satisfied. Futures contracts
also involve brokerage costs.
Subsequent payments, called "variation margin" or "maintenance
margin", to and from the broker (or the custodian) are made on a
daily basis as the price of the underlying security or commodity
fluctuates, making the long and short positions in the futures
contract more or less valuable, a process known as "marking to
the market." For example, when the Fund has purchased a futures
contract on a security and the price of the underlying security
has risen, that position will have increased in value and the
Fund will receive from the broker a variation margin payment
based on that increase in value. Conversely, when the Fund has
purchased a security futures contract and the price of the
underlying security has declined, the position would be less
valuable and the Fund would be required to make a variation
margin payment to the broker.
The Fund may elect to close some or all of its futures positions
at any time prior to their expiration in order to reduce or
eliminate a hedge position then currently held by the Fund. The
Fund may close its positions by taking opposite positions which
will operate to terminate the Fund's position in the futures
contracts. Final determinations of variation margin are then
made, additional cash is required to be paid by or released to
the Fund, and the Fund realizes a loss or a gain. Such closing
transactions involve additional commission costs.
OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS. The Fund may purchase and write
call and put options on futures contracts it may buy or sell and
enter into closing transactions with respect to such options to
terminate existing positions. Options on future contracts give
the purchaser the right in return for the premium paid to assume
a position in a futures contract at the specified option exercise
price at any time during the period of the option. The Fund may
use options on futures contracts in lieu of writing or buying
options directly on the underlying securities or purchasing and
selling the underlying futures contracts. For example, to hedge
against a possible decrease in the value of its portfolio
securities, the Fund may purchase put options or write call
options on futures contracts rather than selling futures
contracts. Similarly, the Fund may purchase call options or
write put options on futures contracts as a substitute for the
purchase of futures contracts to hedge against a possible
increase in the price of securities which the Fund expects to
purchase. Such options generally operate in the same manner as
options purchased or written directly on the underlying
investments.
As with options on securities, the holder or writer of an option
may terminate his position by selling or purchasing an offsetting
option. There is no guarantee that such closing transactions can
be effected.
The Fund will be required to deposit initial margin and
maintenance margin with respect to put and call options on
futures contracts written by it pursuant to brokers' requirements
similar to those described above in connection with the
discussion of futures contracts.
RISKS OF TRANSACTIONS IN FUTURES CONTRACTS AND RELATED OPTIONS.
Successful use of futures contracts by the Fund is subject to
Putnam Management's ability to predict movements in the direction
of interest rates and other factors affecting securities markets.
For example, if the Fund has hedged against the possibility of
decline in the values of its investments and the values of its
investments increase instead, the Fund will lose part or all of
the benefit of the increase through payments of daily maintenance
margin. The Fund may have to sell investments at a time when it
may be disadvantageous to do so in order to meet margin
requirements.
Compared to the purchase or sale of futures contracts, the
purchase of call or put options on futures contracts involves
less potential risk to the Fund because the maximum amount at
risk is the premium paid for the options (plus transaction
costs). However, there may be circumstances when the purchase of
a call or put option on a futures contract would result in a loss
to the Fund when the purchase or sale of a futures contract would
not, such as when there is no movement in the prices of the
hedged investments. The writing of an option on a futures
contract involves risks similar to those risks relating to the
sale of futures contracts.
There is no assurance that higher than anticipated trading
activity or other unforeseen events might not, at times, render
certain market clearing facilities inadequate, and thereby result
in the institution by exchanges of special procedures which may
interfere with the timely execution of customer orders.
To reduce or eliminate a hedge position held by the Fund, the
Fund may seek to close out a position. The ability to establish
and close out positions will be subject to the development and
maintenance of a liquid secondary market. It is not certain that
this market will develop or continue to exist for a particular
futures contract or option. Reasons for the absence of a liquid
secondary market on an exchange include the following: (i) there
may be insufficient trading interest in certain contracts or
options; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on
opening transactions or closing transactions or both; (iii)
trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed
with respect to particular classes or series of contracts or
options, or underlying securities; (iv) unusual or unforeseen
circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v)
the facilities of an exchange or a clearing corporation may not
at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or
(vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons,
decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the
trading of contracts or options (or a particular class or series
of contracts or options), in which event the secondary market on
that exchange for such contracts or options (or in the class or
series of contracts or options) would cease to exist, although
outstanding contracts or options on the exchange that had been
issued by a clearing corporation as a result of trades on that
exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with
their terms.
U.S. TREASURY SECURITY FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS. If the
Fund invests in tax-exempt securities issued by a governmental
entity, the Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts and
related options on U.S. Treasury securities when, in the opinion
of Putnam Management, price movements in Treasury security
futures and related options will correlate closely with price
movements in the tax-exempt securities which are the subject of
the hedge. U.S. Treasury security futures contracts require the
seller to deliver, or the purchaser to take delivery of, the type
of U.S. Treasury security called for in the contract at a
specified date and price. Options on U.S. Treasury security
futures contracts give the purchaser the right in return for the
premium paid to assume a position in a U.S. Treasury security
futures contract at the specified option exercise price at any
time during the period of the option.
Successful use of U.S. Treasury security futures contracts by the
Fund is subject to Putnam Management's ability to predict
movements in the direction of interest rates and other factors
affecting markets for debt securities. For example, if the Fund
has sold U.S. Treasury security futures contracts in order to
hedge against the possibility of an increase in interest rates
which would adversely affect tax-exempt securities held in its
portfolio, and the prices of the Fund's tax-exempt securities
increase instead as a result of a decline in interest rates, the
Fund will lose part or all of the benefit of the increased value
of its securities which it has hedged because it will have
offsetting losses in its futures positions. In addition, in such
situations, if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to
sell securities to meet daily maintenance margin requirements at
a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.
There is also a risk that price movements in U.S. Treasury
security futures contracts and related options will not correlate
closely with price movements in markets for tax-exempt
securities. For example, if the Fund has hedged against a
decline in the values of tax-exempt securities held by it by
selling Treasury security futures and the values of Treasury
securities subsequently increase while the values of its
tax-exempt securities decrease, the Fund would incur losses on
both the Treasury security futures contracts written by it and
the tax-exempt securities held in its portfolio. Putnam
Management will seek to reduce this risk by monitoring movements
in markets for U.S. Treasury security futures and options and for
tax-exempt securities closely. The Fund will only purchase or
sell Treasury security futures or related options when, in the
opinion of Putnam Management, price movements in Treasury
security futures and related options will correlate closely with
price movements in tax-exempt securities in which the Fund
invests.
INDEX FUTURES CONTRACTS. An index futures contract is a contract
to buy or sell units of an index at a specified future date at a
price agreed upon when the contract is made. Entering into a
contract to buy units of an index is commonly referred to as
buying or purchasing a contract or holding a long position in
the index. Entering into a contract to sell units of an index is
commonly referred to as selling a contract or holding a short
position. A unit is the current value of the index. The Fund
may enter into stock index futures contracts, debt index futures
contracts, or other index futures contracts appropriate to its
objective. The Fund may also purchase and sell options on index
futures contracts.
For example, the Standard & Poor's Composite 500 Stock Price
Index ("S&P 500") is composed of 500 selected common stocks, most
of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The S&P 500
assigns relative weightings to the common stocks included in the
Index, and the value fluctuates with changes in the market values
of those common stocks. In the case of the S&P 500, contracts
are to buy or sell 500 units. Thus, if the value of the S&P 500
were $150, one contract would be worth $75,000 (500 units x
$150). The stock index futures contract specifies that no
delivery of the actual stocks making up the index will take
place. Instead, settlement in cash must occur upon the
termination of the contract, with the settlement being the
difference between the contract price and the actual level of the
stock index at the expiration of the contract. For example, if
the Fund enters into a futures contract to buy 500 units of the
S&P 500 at a specified future date at a contract price of $150
and the S&P 500 is at $154 on that future date, the Fund will
gain $2,000 (500 units x gain of $4). If the Fund enters into a
futures contract to sell 500 units of the stock index at a
specified future date at a contract price of $150 and the S&P 500
is at $152 on that future date, the Fund will lose $1,000 (500
units x loss of $2).
There are several risks in connection with the use by the Fund of
index futures as a hedging device. One risk arises because of
the imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of the
index futures and movements in the prices of securities which are
the subject of the hedge. Putnam Management will, however,
attempt to reduce this risk by buying or selling, to the extent
possible, futures on indices the movements of which will, in its
judgment, have a significant correlation with movements in the
prices of the securities sought to be hedged.
Successful use of index futures by the Fund for hedging purposes
is also subject to Putnam Management's ability to predict
movements in the direction of the market. It is possible that,
where the Fund has sold futures to hedge its portfolio against a
decline in the market, the index on which the futures are written
may advance and the value of securities held in the Fund's
portfolio may decline. If this occurred, the Fund would lose
money on the futures and also experience a decline in value in
its portfolio securities. It is also possible that, if the Fund
has hedged against the possibility of a decline in the market
adversely affecting securities held in its portfolio and
securities prices increase instead, the Fund will lose part or
all of the benefit of the increased value of those securities it
has hedged because it will have offsetting losses in its futures
positions. In addition, in such situations, if the Fund has
insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities to meet daily
variation margin requirements at a time when it is
disadvantageous to do so.
In addition to the possibility that there may be an imperfect
correlation, or no correlation at all, between movements in the
index futures and the portion of the portfolio being hedged, the
prices of index futures may not correlate perfectly with
movements in the underlying index due to certain market
distortions. First, all participants in the futures market are
subject to margin deposit and maintenance requirements. Rather
than meeting additional margin deposit requirements, investors
may close futures contracts through offsetting transactions which
could distort the normal relationship between the index and
futures markets. Second, margin requirements in the futures
market are less onerous than margin requirements in the
securities market, and as a result the futures market may attract
more speculators than the securities market does. Increased
participation by speculators in the futures market may also cause
temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of price
distortions in the futures market and also because of the
imperfect correlation between movements in the index and
movements in the prices of index futures, even a correct forecast
of general market trends by Putnam Management may still not
result in a successful hedging transaction over a short time
period.
OPTIONS ON STOCK INDEX FUTURES. Options on index futures are
similar to options on securities except that options on index
futures give the purchaser the right, in return for the premium
paid, to assume a position in an index futures contract (a long
position if the option is a call and a short position if the
option is a put) at a specified exercise price at any time during
the period of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the
delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to
the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the
accumulated balance in the writer's futures margin account which
represents the amount by which the market price of the index
futures contract, at exercise, exceeds (in the case of a call) or
is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the
option on the index future. If an option is exercised on the
last trading day prior to its expiration date, the settlement
will be made entirely in cash equal to the difference between the
exercise price of the option and the closing level of the index
on which the future is based on the expiration date. Purchasers
of options who fail to exercise their options prior to the
exercise date suffer a loss of the premium paid.
OPTIONS ON INDICES
As an alternative to purchasing call and put options on index
futures, the Fund may purchase and sell call and put options on
the underlying indices themselves. Such options would be used in
a manner identical to the use of options on index futures.
INDEX WARRANTS
The Fund may purchase put warrants and call warrants whose values
vary depending on the change in the value of one or more
specified securities indices ("index warrants"). Index warrants
are generally issued by banks or other financial institutions and
give the holder the right, at any time during the term of the
warrant, to receive upon exercise of the warrant a cash payment
from the issuer based on the value of the underlying index at the
time of exercise. In general, if the value of the underlying
index rises above the exercise price of the index warrant, the
holder of a call warrant will be entitled to receive a cash
payment from the issuer upon exercise based on the difference
between the value of the index and the exercise price of the
warrant; if the value of the underlying index falls, the holder
of a put warrant will be entitled to receive a cash payment from
the issuer upon exercise based on the difference between the
exercise price of the warrant and the value of the index. The
holder of a warrant would not be entitled to any payments from
the issuer at any time when, in the case of a call warrant, the
exercise price is greater than the value of the underlying index,
or, in the case of a put warrant, the exercise price is less than
the value of the underlying index. If the Fund were not to
exercise an index warrant prior to its expiration, then the Fund
would lose the amount of the purchase price paid by it for the
warrant.
The Fund will normally use index warrants in a manner similar to
its use of options on securities indices. The risks of the
Fund's use of index warrants are generally similar to those
relating to its use of index options. Unlike most index options,
however, index warrants are issued in limited amounts and are not
obligations of a regulated clearing agency, but are backed only
by the credit of the bank or other institution which issues the
warrant. Also, index warrants generally have longer terms than
index options. Although the Fund will normally invest only in
exchange-listed warrants, index warrants are not likely to be as
liquid as certain index options backed by a recognized clearing
agency. In addition, the terms of index warrants may limit the
Fund's ability to exercise the warrants at such time, or in such
quantities, as the Fund would otherwise wish to do.
FOREIGN SECURITIES
Under its current policy, which may be changed without
shareholder approval, the Fund may invest up to the limit of its
total assets specified in its Prospectus in securities
principally traded in markets outside the United States.
Eurodollar certificates of deposit are excluded for purposes of
this limitation. Foreign investments can be affected favorably
or unfavorably by changes in currency exchange rates and in
exchange control regulations. There may be less publicly
available information about a foreign company than about a U.S.
company, and foreign companies may not be subject to accounting,
auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements
comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. Securities of
some foreign companies are less liquid or more volatile than
securities of U.S. companies, and foreign brokerage commissions
and custodian fees are generally higher than in the United
States. Investments in foreign securities can involve other
risks different from those affecting U.S. investments, including
local political or economic developments, expropriation or
nationalization of assets and imposition of withholding taxes on
dividend or interest payments. To hedge against possible
variations in foreign exchange rates, the Fund may purchase and
sell forward foreign currency contracts. These represent
agreements to purchase or sell specified currencies at specified
dates and prices. The Fund will only purchase and sell forward
foreign currency contracts in amounts Putnam Management deems
appropriate to hedge existing or anticipated portfolio positions
and will not use such forward contracts for speculative purposes.
Foreign securities, like other assets of the Fund, will be held
by the Fund's custodian or by a subcustodian.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus, the Fund may engage
without limit in currency exchange transactions, as well as
foreign currency forward and futures contracts, to protect
against uncertainty in the level of future currency exchange
rates. In addition, the Fund may write covered call and put
options on foreign currencies for the purpose of increasing its
current return.
Generally, the Fund may engage in both "transaction hedging" and
"position hedging". When it engages in transaction hedging, the
Fund enters into foreign currency transactions with respect to
specific receivables or payables, generally arising in connection
with the purchase or sale of portfolio securities. The Fund will
engage in transaction hedging when it desires to "lock in" the
U.S. dollar price of a security it has agreed to purchase or
sell, or the U.S. dollar equivalent of a dividend or interest
payment in a foreign currency. By transaction hedging the Fund
will attempt to protect itself against a possible loss resulting
from an adverse change in the relationship between the U.S.
dollar and the applicable foreign currency during the period
between the date on which the security is purchased or sold, or
on which the dividend or interest payment is earned, and the date
on which such payments are made or received.
The Fund may purchase or sell a foreign currency on a spot (or
cash) basis at the prevailing spot rate in connection with the
settlement of transactions in portfolio securities denominated in
that foreign currency. The Fund may also enter into contracts to
purchase or sell foreign currencies at a future date ("forward
contracts") and purchase and sell foreign currency futures
contracts.
For transaction hedging purposes the Fund may also purchase
exchange-listed and over-the-counter call and put options on
foreign currency futures contracts and on foreign currencies. A
put option on a futures contract gives the Fund the right to
assume a short position in the futures contract until the
expiration of the option. A put option on a currency gives the
Fund the right to sell the currency at an exercise price until
the expiration of the option. A call option on a futures
contract gives the Fund the right to assume a long position in
the futures contract until the expiration of the option. A call
option on a currency gives the Fund the right to purchase the
currency at the exercise price until the expiration of the
option.
When it engages in position hedging, the Fund enters into foreign
currency exchange transactions to protect against a decline in
the values of the foreign currencies in which its portfolio
securities are denominated (or an increase in the value of
currency for securities which the Fund expects to purchase, when
the Fund holds cash or short-term investments). In connection
with position hedging, the Fund may purchase put or call options
on foreign currency and on foreign currency futures contracts and
buy or sell forward contracts and foreign currency futures
contracts. The Fund may also purchase or sell foreign currency
on a spot basis.
The precise matching of the amounts of foreign currency exchange
transactions and the value of the portfolio securities involved
will not generally be possible since the future value of such
securities in foreign currencies will change as a consequence of
market movements in the value of those securities between the
dates the currency exchange transactions are entered into and the
dates they mature.
It is impossible to forecast with precision the market value of
portfolio securities at the expiration or maturity of a forward
or futures contract. Accordingly, it may be necessary for the
Fund to purchase additional foreign currency on the spot market
(and bear the expense of such purchase) if the market value of
the security or securities being hedged is less than the amount
of foreign currency the Fund is obligated to deliver and a
decision is made to sell the security or securities and make
delivery of the foreign currency. Conversely, it may be
necessary to sell on the spot market some of the foreign currency
received upon the sale of the portfolio security or securities if
the market value of such security or securities exceeds the
amount of foreign currency the Fund is obligated to deliver.
Transaction and position hedging do not eliminate fluctuations in
the underlying prices of the securities which the Fund owns or
intends to purchase or sell. They simply establish a rate of
exchange which one can achieve at some future point in time.
Additionally, although these techniques tend to minimize the risk
of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency,
they tend to limit any potential gain which might result from the
increase in value of such currency.
The Fund may seek to increase its current return or to offset
some of the costs of hedging against fluctuations in current
exchange rates by writing covered call options and covered put
options on foreign currencies. The Fund receives a premium from
writing a call or put option, which increases the Fund's current
return if the option expires unexercised or is closed out at a
net profit. The Fund may terminate an option that it has written
prior to its expiration by entering into a closing purchase
transaction in which it purchases an option having the same terms
as the option written.
The Fund's currency hedging transactions may call for the
delivery of one foreign currency in exchange for another foreign
currency and may at times not involve currencies in which its
portfolio securities are then denominated. Putnam Management
will engage in such "cross hedging" activities when it believes
that such transactions provide significant hedging opportunities
for the Fund. Cross hedging transactions by the Fund involve the
risk of imperfect correlation between changes in the values of
the currencies to which such transactions relate and changes in
the value of the currency or other asset or liability which is
the subject of the hedge.
CURRENCY FORWARD AND FUTURES CONTRACTS. A forward foreign
currency contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a
specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number
of days from the date of the contract as agreed by the parties,
at a price set at the time of the contract. In the case of a
cancelable forward contract, the holder has the unilateral right
to cancel the contract at maturity by paying a specified fee.
The contracts are traded in the interbank market conducted
directly between currency traders (usually large commercial
banks) and their customers. A forward contract generally has no
deposit requirement, and no commissions are charged at any stage
for trades. A foreign currency futures contract is a
standardized contract for the future delivery of a specified
amount of a foreign currency at a future date at a price set at
the time of the contract. Foreign currency futures contracts
traded in the United States are designed by and traded on
exchanges regulated by the CFTC, such as the New York Mercantile
Exchange.
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts differ from foreign
currency futures contracts in certain respects. For example, the
maturity date of a forward contract may be any fixed number of
days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties,
rather than a predetermined date in a given month. Forward
contracts may be in any amounts agreed upon by the parties rather
than predetermined amounts. Also, forward foreign exchange
contracts are traded directly between currency traders so that no
intermediary is required. A forward contract generally requires
no margin or other deposit.
At the maturity of a forward or futures contract, the Fund either
may accept or make delivery of the currency specified in the
contract, or at or prior to maturity enter into a closing
transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting
contract. Closing transactions with respect to forward contracts
are usually effected with the currency trader who is a party to
the original forward contract. Closing transactions with respect
to futures contracts are effected on a commodities exchange; a
clearing corporation associated with the exchange assumes
responsibility for closing out such contracts.
Positions in the foreign currency futures contracts may be closed
out only on an exchange or board of trade which provides a
secondary market in such contracts. Although the Fund intends to
purchase or sell foreign currency futures contracts only on
exchanges or boards of trade where there appears to be an active
secondary market, there is no assurance that a secondary market
on an exchange or board of trade will exist for any particular
contract or at any particular time. In such event, it may not be
possible to close a futures position and, in the event of adverse
price movements, the Fund would continue to be required to make
daily cash payments of variation margin.
FOREIGN CURRENCY OPTIONS. In general, options on foreign
currencies operate similarly to options on securities and are
subject to many similar risks. Foreign currency options are
traded primarily in the over-the-counter market, although options
on foreign currencies have recently been listed on several
exchanges. Options are traded not only on the currencies of
individual nations, but also on the European Currency Unit
("ECU"). The ECU is composed of amounts of a number of
currencies, and is the official medium of exchange of the
European Community's European Monetary System.
The Fund will only purchase or write foreign currency options
when Putnam Management believes that a liquid secondary market
exists for such options. There can be no assurance that a liquid
secondary market will exist for a particular option at any
specific time. Options on foreign currencies are affected by all
of those factors which influence foreign exchange rates and
investments generally.
The value of any currency, including U.S. dollars and foreign
currencies, may be affected by complex political and economic
factors applicable to the issuing country. In addition, the
exchange rates of foreign currencies (and therefore the values
of foreign currency options) may be affected significantly,
fixed, or supported directly or indirectly by U.S. and foreign
government actions. Government intervention may increase risks
involved in purchasing or selling foreign currency options, since
exchange rates may not be free to fluctuate in response to other
market forces.
The value of a foreign currency option reflects the value of an
exchange rate, which in turn reflects relative values of two
currencies, the U.S. dollar and the foreign currency in question.
Because foreign currency transactions occurring in the interbank
market involve substantially larger amounts than those that may
be involved in the exercise of foreign currency options,
investors may be disadvantaged by having to deal in an odd lot
market for the underlying foreign currencies in connection with
options at prices that are less favorable than for round lots.
Foreign governmental restrictions or taxes could result in
adverse changes in the cost of acquiring or disposing of foreign
currencies.
There is no systematic reporting of last sale information for
foreign currencies and there is no regulatory requirement that
quotations available through dealers or other market sources be
firm or revised on a timely basis. Available quotation
information is generally representative of very large round-lot
transactions in the interbank market and thus may not reflect
exchange rates for smaller odd-lot transactions (less than $1
million) where rates may be less favorable. The interbank market
in foreign currencies is a global, around-the-clock market. To
the extent that options markets are closed while the markets for
the underlying currencies remain open, significant price and rate
movements may take place in the underlying markets that cannot be
reflected in the options markets.
SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES. Settlement procedures relating to the
Fund's investments in foreign securities and to the Fund's
foreign currency exchange transactions may be more complex than
settlements with respect to investments in debt or equity
securities of U.S. issuers, and may involve certain risks not
present in the Fund's domestic investments. For example,
settlement of transactions involving foreign securities or
foreign currency may occur within a foreign country, and the Fund
may be required to accept or make delivery of the underlying
securities or currency in conformity with any applicable U.S. or
foreign restrictions or regulations, and may be required to pay
any fees, taxes or charges associated with such delivery. Such
investments may also involve the risk that an entity involved in
the settlement may not meet its obligations.
FOREIGN CURRENCY CONVERSION. Although foreign exchange dealers
do not charge a fee for currency conversion, they do realize a
profit based on the difference (the "spread") between prices at
which they are buying and selling various currencies. Thus, a
dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency to the Fund at one
rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the Fund
desire to resell that currency to the dealer.
RESTRICTED SECURITIES
The SEC Staff currently takes the view that any designation by
the Trustees of the authority to determine that a restricted
security is readily marketable (as described in the investment
restrictions of the Funds) must be pursuant to written procedures
established by the Trustees. It is the present intention of the
Funds' Trustees that, if the Trustees decide to delegate such
determinations to Putnam Management or another person, they would
do so pursuant to written procedures, consistent with the Staff's
position. Should the Staff modify its position in the future,
the Trustees would consider what action would be appropriate in
light of the Staff's position at that time.
TAXES
TAXATION OF THE FUND. The Fund intends to qualify each year as a
regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). In order so to
qualify and to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded
regulated investment companies and their shareholders, the Fund
must, among other things:
(a) Derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends,
interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, and
gains from the sale of stock, securities and foreign currencies,
or other income (including but not limited to gains from options,
futures, or forward contracts) derived with respect to its
business of investing in such stock, securities, or currencies;
(b) derive less than 30% of its gross income from the sale or
other disposition of certain assets (including stock or
securities and certain options, futures contracts, forward
contracts and foreign currencies) held for less than three
months;
(c) distribute with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of
the sum of its taxable net investment income, its net tax-exempt
income, and the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gains
over net long-term capital losses for such year; and
(d) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each fiscal
quarter, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund's
assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. Government
securities, securities of other regulated investment companies,
and other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to a
value not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets
and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of
such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its
assets is invested in the securities (other than those of the
U.S. Government or other regulated investment companies) of any
one issuer or of two or more issuers which the Fund controls and
which are engaged in the same, similar, or related trades or
businesses.
If the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company that is
accorded special tax treatment, the Fund will not be subject to
federal income tax on income paid to its shareholders in the form
of dividends (including capital gain dividends).
If the Fund failed to qualify as a regulated investment company
accorded special tax treatment in any taxable year, the Fund
would be subject to tax on its taxable income at corporate rates,
and all distributions from earnings and profits, including any
distributions of net tax-exempt income and net long-term capital
gains, would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. In
addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized
gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial
distributions before requalifying as a regulated investment
company that is accorded special tax treatment.
If the Fund fails to distribute in a calendar year substantially
all of its ordinary income for such year and substantially all of
its capital gain net income for the one-year period ending
October 31 (or later if the Fund is permitted so to elect and so
elects), plus any retained amount from the prior year, the Fund
will be subject to a 4% excise tax on the undistributed amounts.
A dividend paid to shareholders by the Fund in January of a year
generally is deemed to have been paid by the Fund on December 31
of the preceding year, if the dividend was declared and payable
to shareholders of record on a date in October, November or
December of that preceding year. The Fund intends generally to
make distributions sufficient to avoid imposition of the 4%
excise tax.
EXEMPT-INTEREST DIVIDENDS. The Fund will be qualified to pay
exempt-interest dividends to its shareholders only if, at the
close of each quarter of the Fund's taxable year, at least 50% of
the total value of the Fund's assets consists of obligations the
interest on which is exempt from federal income tax.
Distributions that the Fund properly designates as exempt-
interest dividends are treated by shareholders as interest
excludable from their gross income for federal income tax
purposes but may be taxable for federal alternative minimum tax
purposes and for state and local purposes. If the Fund intends
to be qualified to pay exempt-interest dividends, the Fund may be
limited in its ability to enter into taxable transactions
involving forward commitments, repurchase agreements, financial
futures, and options contracts on financial futures, tax-exempt
bond indices, and other assets.
Part or all of the interest on indebtedness, if any, incurred or
continued by a shareholder to purchase or carry shares of a Fund
paying exempt-interest dividends is not deductible. The portion
of interest that is not deductible is equal to the total interest
paid or accrued on the indebtedness, multiplied by the percentage
of the Fund's total distributions (not including distributions
from net long-term capital gains) paid to the shareholder that
are exempt-interest dividends. Under rules used by the Internal
Revenue Service for determining when borrowed funds are
considered used for the purpose of purchasing or carrying
particular assets, the purchase of shares may be considered to
have been made with borrowed funds even though such funds are not
directly traceable to the purchase of shares.
In general, exempt-interest dividends, if any, attributable to
interest received on certain private activity obligations and
certain industrial development bonds will not be tax-exempt to
any shareholders who are "substantial users" of the facilities
financed by such obligations or bonds or who are "related
persons" of such substantial users.
A Fund which is qualified to pay exempt-interest dividends will
inform investors within 60 days of the Fund's fiscal year-end of
the percentage of its income distributions designated as
tax-exempt. The percentage is applied uniformly to all
distributions made during the year. The percentage of income
designated as tax-exempt for any particular distribution may be
substantially different from the percentage of the Fund's income
that was tax-exempt during the period covered by the
distribution.
HEDGING TRANSACTIONS. If the Fund engages in transactions,
including hedging transactions in options, futures contracts, and
straddles, or other similar transactions, it will be subject to
special tax rules (including mark-to-market, straddle, wash sale,
and short sale rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate
income to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, cause adjustments
in the holding periods of the Fund's securities, or convert
short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These
rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of
distributions to shareholders. The Fund will endeavor to make
any available elections pertaining to such transactions in a
manner believed to be in the best interests of the Fund.
Under the 30% of gross income test described above (see "Taxation
of the Fund"), the Fund will be restricted in selling assets held
or considered under Code rules to have been held for less than
three months, and in engaging in certain hedging transactions
(including hedging transactions in options and futures) that in
some circumstances could cause certain Fund assets to be treated
as held for less than three months.
Certain of the Fund's hedging activities (including its
transactions, if any, in foreign currencies or foreign
currency-denominated instruments) are likely to produce a
difference between its book income and its taxable income. If
the Fund's book income exceeds its taxable income, the
distribution (if any) of such excess will be treated as a
dividend to the extent of the Fund's remaining earnings and
profits (including earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt
income), and thereafter as a return of capital or as gain from
the sale or exchange of a capital asset, as the case may be. If
the Fund's book income is less than its taxable income, the Fund
could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to
qualify as a regulated investment company that is accorded
special tax treatment.
RETURN OF CAPITAL DISTRIBUTIONS. If the Fund makes a
distribution to you in excess of its current and accumulated
"earnings and profits" in any taxable year, the excess
distribution will be treated as a return of capital to the extent
of your tax basis in your shares, and thereafter as capital gain.
A return of capital is not taxable, but it reduces your tax basis
in your shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on
a subsequent taxable disposition by you of your shares.
SECURITIES ISSUED OR PURCHASED AT A DISCOUNT. The Fund's
investment in securities issued at a discount and certain other
obligations will (and investments in securities purchased at a
discount may) require the Fund to accrue and distribute income
not yet received. In order to generate sufficient cash to make
the requisite distributions, the Fund may be required to sell
securities in its portfolio that it otherwise would have
continued to hold.
CAPITAL LOSS CARRYOVER. The amounts and expiration dates of any
capital loss carryovers available to the Fund are shown in Note 1
(Federal income taxes) to the financial statements included in
Part I of this Statement or incorporated by reference into this
Statement.
FOREIGN CURRENCY-DENOMINATED SECURITIES AND RELATED HEDGING
TRANSACTIONS. The Fund's transactions in foreign currencies,
foreign currency-denominated debt securities and certain foreign
currency options, futures contracts, and forward contracts (and
similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to
the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the
value of the foreign currency concerned.
If more than 50% of the Fund's assets at year end consists of the
debt and equity securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may
elect to permit shareholders to claim a credit or deduction on
their income tax returns for their pro rata portion of qualified
taxes paid by the Fund to foreign countries. In such a case,
shareholders will include in gross income from foreign sources
their pro rata shares of such taxes. A shareholder's ability to
claim a foreign tax credit or deduction in respect of foreign
taxes paid by the Fund may be subject to certain limitations
imposed by the Code, as a result of which a shareholder may not
get a full credit or deduction for the amount of such taxes.
Shareholders who do not itemize on their federal income tax
returns may claim a credit (but no deduction) for such foreign
taxes.
Investment by the Fund in certain "passive foreign investment
companies" could subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax or
other charge on the proceeds from the sale of its investment in
such a company; however, this tax can be avoided by making an
election to mark such investments to market annually or to treat
the passive foreign investment company as a "qualified electing
fund."
SALE OR REDEMPTION OF SHARES. The sale, exchange or redemption
of Fund shares may give rise to a gain or loss. In general, any
gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares will
be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have
been held for more than 12 months, and otherwise as short-term
capital gain or loss. However, if a shareholder sells shares at
a loss within six months of purchase, any loss will be disallowed
for Federal income tax purposes to the extent of any exempt-
interest dividends received on such shares. In addition, any
loss (not already disallowed as provided in the preceding
sentence) realized upon a taxable disposition of shares held for
six months or less will be treated as long-term, rather than
short-term, to the extent of any long-term capital gain
distributions received by the shareholder with respect to the
shares. All or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable
disposition of Fund shares will be disallowed if other Fund
shares are purchased within 30 days before or after the
disposition. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased
shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.
SHARES PURCHASED THROUGH TAX-QUALIFIED PLANS. Special tax rules
apply to investments though defined contribution plans and other
tax-qualified plans. Shareholders should consult their tax
adviser to determine the suitability of shares of a fund as an
investment through such plans and the precise effect of an
investment on their particular tax situation.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING. The Fund generally is required to withhold
and remit to the U.S. Treasury 31% of the taxable dividends and
other distributions paid to any individual shareholder who fails
to furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number
(TIN), who has underreported dividends or interest income, or who
fails to certify to the Fund that he or she is not subject to
such withholding. Shareholders who fail to furnish their currect
TIN are subject to a penalty of $50 for each such failure unless
the failure is due to reasonable cause and not wilful neglect.
An individual's taxpayer identification number is his or her
social security number.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
TRUSTEES
*+GEORGE PUTNAM, Chairman and President. Chairman and Director
of Putnam Management and Putnam Mutual Funds. Director, The
Boston Company, Inc., Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company,
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc., General Mills, Inc., Houghton Mifflin
Company, Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. and Rockefeller Group,
Inc.
+WILLIAM F. POUNDS, Vice Chairman. Professor of Management,
Alfred P. Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology. Director of EG&G, Inc., Fisher Price, Inc., IDEXX,
M/A-COM, Inc., and Sun Company, Inc.
JAMESON A. BAXTER, Trustee. President, Baxter Associates, Inc.
(consultants to management). Director of Avondale Federal Savings
Bank, ASHTA Chemicals, Inc. and Banta Corporation. Chairman of
the Board of Trustees, Mount Holyoke College.
+HANS H. ESTIN, Trustee. Vice Chairman, North American
Management Corp. (a registered investment adviser). Director of
The Boston Company, Inc. and Boston Safe Deposit and Trust
Company.
ELIZABETH T. KENNAN, Trustee. President Emeritus and Professor,
Mount Holyoke College. Director, the Kentucky Home Life
Insurance Companies, NYNEX Corporation, Northeast Utilities and
Talbots and Trustee of the University of Notre Dame.
*LAWRENCE J. LASSER, Trustee and Vice President. President,
Chief Executive Officer and Director of Putnam Investments, Inc.
and Putnam Investment Management, Inc. Director of Marsh &
McLennan Companies, Inc. Vice President of the Putnam funds.
JOHN A. HILL, Trustee. Chairman and Managing Director, First
Reserve Corporation (a registered investment adviser). Director,
Lantana Corporation, Maverick Tube Corporation, Snyder Oil
Corporation and various First Reserve Funds.
+ROBERT E. PATTERSON, Trustee. Executive Vice President, Cabot
Partners Limited Partnership (a registered investment adviser).
*DONALD S. PERKINS, Trustee. Chairman of the Board and Director,
Kmart Corporation. Director of various corporations, including
American Telephone & Telegraph Company, AON Corp., Cummins Engine
Company, Inc., Illinois Power Company, Inland Steel Industries,
Inc., LaSalle Street Fund, Inc., Springs Industries, Inc., TBG,
Inc. and Time Warner Inc.
*#GEORGE PUTNAM, III, Trustee. President, New Generation
Research, Inc. (publisher of bankruptcy information). Director,
World Environment Center.
ELI SHAPIRO, Trustee. Alfred P. Sloan Professor of Management,
Emeritus, Alfred P. Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology. Director of Nomura Dividend Fund, Inc.
(a privately held registered investment company managed by Putnam
Management) and former Trustee of the Putnam funds (1984-1990).
*A.J.C. SMITH, Trustee. Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
Director, Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.
W. NICHOLAS THORNDIKE, Trustee. Director of various corporations
and charitable organizations, including Courier Corporation and
Providence Journal Co. Also, Trustee and President of
Massachusetts General Hospital and Trustee of Bradley Real Estate
Trust and Eastern Utilities Associates.
<PAGE>
OFFICERS
CHARLES E. PORTER, Executive Vice President. Managing Director
of Putnam Investments, Inc. and Putnam Investment Management,
Inc. Executive Vice President of the Putnam funds.
PATRICIA C. FLAHERTY, Senior Vice President. Senior Vice
President of Putnam Investments, Inc. and Putnam Investment
Management, Inc.
WILLIAM N. SHIEBLER, Vice President. Director and Senior
Managing Director of Putnam Investments, Inc. President, Chief
Operating Officer and Director of Putnam Mutual Funds. Vice
President of the Putnam funds.
GORDON H. SILVER, Vice President. Senior Managing Director of
Putnam Investments, Inc. and Putnam Investment Management, Inc.
Director, Putnam Investments, Inc. and Putnam Investment
Management, Inc. Vice President of the Putnam funds.
JOHN R. VERANI, Vice President. Senior Vice President of Putnam
Investments, Inc. and Putnam Investment Management, Inc. Vice
President of the Putnam funds.
PAUL M. O'NEIL, Vice President. Vice President of Putnam
Investments, Inc. and Putnam Investment Management, Inc. Vice
President of the Putnam funds.
JOHN D. HUGHES, Vice President and Treasurer. Vice President and
Treasurer of the Putnam funds.
KATHERINE HOWARD, Assistant Vice President. Assistant Vice
President of the Putnam funds.
BEVERLY MARCUS, Clerk and Assistant Treasurer. Clerk and
Assistant Treasurer of the Putnam funds.
*Trustees who are or may be deemed to be "interested persons" (as
defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940) of the Fund,
Putnam Management or Putnam Mutual Funds.
+Members of the Executive Committee of the Trustees. The
Executive Committee meets between regular meetings of the
Trustees as may be required to review investment matters and
other affairs of the Fund and may exercise all of the powers of
the Trustees.
#George Putnam, III is the son of George Putnam.
-----------------
Certain other officers of Putnam Management are officers of your
Fund. SEE "ADDITIONAL OFFICERS OF THE FUND" IN PART I OF THIS
STATEMENT. The mailing address of each of the officers and
Trustees is One Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Except as stated below, the principal occupations of the officers
and Trustees for the last five years have been with the employers
as shown above, although in some cases they have held different
positions with such employers. Prior to January, 1992, Ms.
Baxter was Vice President and Principal, Regency Group, Inc. and
Consultant, The First Boston Corporation. Prior to May, 1991,
Dr. Pounds was Senior Advisor to the Rockefeller Family and
Associates, Chairman of Rockefeller Trust Company and Director of
Rockefeller Group, Inc. During the past five years Dr. Shapiro
has provided economic and financial consulting services to
various clients. Prior to November, 1990, Mr. Shiebler was
President and Chief Operating Officer of the Intercapital
Division of Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc., Vice President of the
Dean Witter Funds and Director of Dean Witter Trust Company.
Each Trustee of the Fund receives an annual fee 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 and for special services rendered
in that connection. All of the Trustees are Trustees of all the
Putnam funds and each receives fees for his or her services. FOR
DETAILS OF TRUSTEES' FEES PAID BY THE FUND, SEE "FUND CHARGES AND
EXPENSES" IN PART I OF THIS STATEMENT.
The Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the 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 by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith,
gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties. The
Fund, at its expense, provides liability insurance for the
benefit of its Trustees and officers.
Putnam Management, Putnam Mutual Funds and Putnam Fiduciary Trust
Company are subsidiaries of Putnam Investments, Inc., a holding
company which is in turn wholly owned by Marsh & McLennan
Companies, Inc., a publicly owned holding company whose principal
operating subsidiaries are international insurance and
reinsurance brokers, investment managers and management
consultants.
Trustees and officers of the Fund who are also officers of Putnam
Management or its affiliates or who are stockholders of Marsh &
McLennan Companies, Inc. will benefit from the advisory fees,
sales commissions, distribution fees (if any), custodian fees and
transfer agency fees paid or allowed by the Fund.
PUTNAM MANAGEMENT
Putnam Management is one of America's oldest and largest money
management firms. Putnam Management's staff of experienced
portfolio managers and research analysts selects securities and
constantly supervises the Fund's portfolio. By pooling an
investor's money with that of other investors, a greater variety
of securities can be purchased than would be the case
individually; the resulting diversification helps reduce
investment risk. Putnam Management has been managing mutual funds
since 1937. Today, the firm serves as the investment manager for
the funds in the Putnam Family, with over $67 billion in assets
in over 4.1 million shareholder accounts at December 31, 1994.
An affiliate, The Putnam Advisory Company, Inc., manages domestic
and foreign institutional accounts and mutual funds, including
the accounts of many Fortune 500 companies. Another affiliate,
Putnam Fiduciary Trust Company, provides investment advice to
institutional clients under its banking and fiduciary powers. At
December 31, 1994, Putnam Management and its affiliates managed
over $95 billion in assets, including over $15 billion in tax
exempt securities and over $36 billion in retirement plan assets.
THE MANAGEMENT CONTRACT
Under a Management Contract between the Fund and Putnam
Management, subject to such policies as the Trustees may
determine, Putnam Management, at its expense, furnishes
continuously an investment program for the Fund and makes
investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Subject to the
control of the Trustees, Putnam Management also manages,
supervises and conducts the other affairs and business of the
Fund, furnishes office space and equipment, provides bookkeeping
and clerical services (including determination of the Fund's net
asset value, but excluding shareholder accounting services) and
places all orders for the purchase and sale of the Fund's
portfolio securities. Putnam Management may place Fund portfolio
transactions with broker-dealers which furnish Putnam Management,
without cost to it, certain research, statistical and quotation
services of value to Putnam Management and its affiliates in
advising the Fund and other clients. In so doing, Putnam
Management may cause the Fund to pay greater brokerage
commissions than it might otherwise pay.
FOR DETAILS OF PUTNAM MANAGEMENT'S COMPENSATION UNDER THE
MANAGEMENT CONTRACT, SEE "FUND CHARGES AND EXPENSES" IN PART I OF
THIS STATEMENT. Putnam Management's compensation under the
Management Contract may be reduced in any year if the Fund's
expenses exceed the limits on investment company expenses imposed
by any statute or regulatory authority of any jurisdiction in
which shares of the Fund are qualified for offer or sale. The
term "expenses" is defined in the statutes or regulations of such
jurisdictions, and generally, excludes brokerage commissions,
taxes, interest, extraordinary expenses and, if the Fund has a
Distribution Plan, payments made under such Plan. The only such
limitation as of the date of this Statement (applicable to any
Fund registered for sale in California) was 2.5% of the first $30
million of average net assets, 2% of the next $70 million and
1.5% of any excess over $100 million.
Under the Management Contract, Putnam Management may reduce its
compensation to the extent that the Fund's expenses exceed such
lower expense limitation as Putnam Management may, by notice to
the Fund, declare to be effective. The expenses subject to this
limitation are exclusive of brokerage commissions, interest,
taxes, deferred organizational and extraordinary expenses and,
if the Fund has a Distribution Plan, payments required under such
Plan. THE TERMS OF ANY EXPENSE LIMITATION FROM TIME TO TIME IN
EFFECT ARE DESCRIBED IN EITHER THE PROSPECTUS OR PART I OF THIS
STATEMENT.
In addition to the fee paid to Putnam Management, the Fund
reimburses Putnam Management for the compensation and related
expenses of certain officers of the Fund and their assistants who
provide certain administrative services for the Fund and the
other funds in the Putnam Family, each of which bears an
allocated share of the foregoing costs. The aggregate amount of
all such payments and reimbursements is determined annually by
the Trustees. THE AMOUNT OF THIS REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE FUND'S
MOST RECENT FISCAL YEAR IS INCLUDED IN "FUND CHARGES AND
EXPENSES" IN PART I OF THIS STATEMENT. Putnam Management pays
all other salaries of officers of the Fund. The Fund pays all
expenses not assumed by Putnam Management including, without
limitation, auditing, legal, custodial, investor servicing and
shareholder reporting expenses. The Fund pays the cost of
typesetting for its Prospectuses and the cost of printing and
mailing any Prospectuses sent to its shareholders. Putnam Mutual
Funds pays the cost of printing and distributing all other
Prospectuses.
The Management Contract provides that Putnam Management shall not
be subject to any liability to the Fund or to any shareholder of
the Fund for any act or omission in the course of or connected
with rendering services to the Fund in the absence of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of
its duties on the part of Putnam Management.
The Management Contract may be terminated without penalty by vote
of the Trustees or the shareholders of the Fund, or by Putnam
Management, on 30 days' written notice. It may be amended only
by a vote of the shareholders of the Fund. The Management
Contract also terminates without payment of any penalty in the
event of its assignment. The Management Contract provides that
it will continue in effect only so long as such continuance is
approved at least annually by vote of either the Trustees or the
shareholders, and, in either case, by a majority of the Trustees
who are not "interested persons" of Putnam Management or the
Fund. In each of the foregoing cases, the vote of the
shareholders is the affirmative vote of a "majority of the
outstanding voting securities" as defined in the Investment
Company Act of 1940.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
INVESTMENT DECISIONS. Investment decisions for the Fund and for
the other investment advisory clients of Putnam Management and
its affiliates are made with a view to achieving their respective
investment objectives. Investment decisions are the product of
many factors in addition to basic suitability for the particular
client involved. Thus, a particular security may be bought or
sold for certain clients even though it could have been bought or
sold for other clients at the same time. Likewise, a particular
security may be bought for one or more clients when one or more
other clients are selling the security. In some instances, one
client may sell a particular security to another client. It also
sometimes happens that two or more clients simultaneously
purchase or sell the same security, in which event each day's
transactions in such security are, insofar as possible, averaged
as to price and allocated between such clients in a manner which
in Putnam Management's opinion is equitable to each and in
accordance with the amount being purchased or sold by each.
There may be circumstances when purchases or sales of portfolio
securities for one or more clients will have an adverse effect on
other clients.
BROKERAGE AND RESEARCH SERVICES. Transactions on U.S. stock
exchanges, commodities markets and futures markets and other
agency transactions involve the payment by the Fund of negotiated
brokerage commissions. Such commissions vary among different
brokers. A particular broker may charge different commissions
according to such factors as the difficulty and size of the
transaction. Transactions in foreign investments often involve
the payment of fixed brokerage commissions, which may be higher
than those in the United States. There is generally no stated
commission in the case of securities traded in the
over-the-counter markets, but the price paid by the Fund usually
includes an undisclosed dealer commission or mark-up. In
underwritten offerings, the price paid by the Fund includes a
disclosed, fixed commission or discount retained by the
underwriter or dealer. It is anticipated that most purchases and
sales of securities by funds investing primarily in tax-exempt
securities and certain other fixed-income securities will be with
the issuer or with underwriters of or dealers in those
securities, acting as principal. Accordingly, those funds would
not ordinarily pay significant brokerage commissions with respect
to securities transactions. SEE "FUND CHARGES AND EXPENSES" IN
PART I OF THIS STATEMENT FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING COMMISSIONS
PAID BY THE FUND.
It has for many years been a common practice in the investment
advisory business for advisers of investment companies and other
institutional investors to receive brokerage and research
services (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "1934 Act")) from broker-dealers that execute
portfolio transactions for the clients of such advisers and from
third parties with which such broker-dealers have arrangements.
Consistent with this practice, Putnam Management receives
brokerage and research services and other similar services from
many broker-dealers with which Putnam Management places the
Fund's portfolio transactions and from third parties with which
these broker-dealers have arrangements. These services include
such matters as general economic and market reviews, industry and
company reviews, evaluations of investments, recommendations as
to the purchase and sale of investments, newspapers, magazines,
pricing services, quotation services, news services and personal
computers utilized by Putnam Management's managers and analysts.
Where the services referred to above are not used exclusively by
Putnam Management for research purposes, Putnam Management, based
upon its own allocations of expected use, bears that portion of
the cost of these services which directly relates to their
non-research use. Some of these services are of value to Putnam
Management and its affiliates in advising various of their
clients (including the Fund), although not all of these services
are necessarily useful and of value in managing the Fund. The
management fee paid by the Fund is not reduced because Putnam
Management and its affiliates receive these services even though
Putnam Management might otherwise be required to purchase some of
these services for cash.
Putnam Management places all orders for the purchase and sale of
portfolio investments for the Fund and buys and sells investments
for the Fund through a substantial number of brokers and dealers.
In so doing, Putnam Management uses its best efforts to obtain
for the Fund the most favorable price and execution available,
except to the extent it may be permitted to pay higher brokerage
commissions as described below. In seeking the most favorable
price and execution, Putnam Management, having in mind the Fund's
best interests, considers all factors it deems relevant,
including, by way of illustration, price, the size of the
transaction, the nature of the market for the security or other
investment, the amount of the commission, the timing of the
transaction taking into account market prices and trends, the
reputation, experience and financial stability of the
broker-dealer involved and the quality of service rendered by the
broker-dealer in other transactions.
As permitted by Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act, and by the
Management Contract, Putnam Management may cause the Fund to pay
a broker-dealer which provides "brokerage and research services"
(as defined in the 1934 Act) to Putnam Management an amount of
disclosed commission for effecting securities transactions on
stock exchanges and other transactions for the Fund on an agency
basis in excess of the commission which another broker-dealer
would have charged for effecting that transaction. Putnam
Management's authority to cause the Fund to pay any such greater
commissions is also subject to such policies as the Trustees may
adopt from time to time. Putnam Management does not currently
intend to cause the Fund to make such payments. It is the
position of the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission
that Section 28(e) does not apply to the payment of such greater
commissions in "principal" transactions. Accordingly Putnam
Management will use its best effort to obtain the most favorable
price and execution available with respect to such transactions,
as described above.
The Management Contract provides that commissions, fees,
brokerage or similar payments received by Putnam Management or an
affiliate in connection with the purchase and sale of portfolio
investments of the Fund, less any direct expenses approved by the
Trustees, shall be recaptured by the Fund through a reduction of
the fee payable by the Fund under the Management Contract.
Putnam Management seeks to recapture for the Fund soliciting
dealer fees on the tender of the Fund's portfolio securities in
tender or exchange offers. Any such fees which may be recaptured
are likely to be minor in amount.
Consistent with the Rules of Fair Practice of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and subject to seeking
the most favorable price and execution available and such other
policies as the Trustees may determine, Putnam Management may
consider sales of shares of the Fund (and, if permitted by law,
of the other Putnam funds) as a factor in the selection of
broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund.
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
Putnam Mutual Funds is the principal underwriter of shares of the
Fund and the other continuously offered Putnam funds. Putnam
Mutual Funds is not obligated to sell any specific amount of
shares of the Fund and will purchase shares for resale only
against orders for shares. SEE "FUND CHARGES AND EXPENSES" IN
PART I OF THIS STATEMENT FOR INFORMATION ON SALES CHARGES AND
OTHER PAYMENTS RECEIVED BY PUTNAM MUTUAL FUNDS.
INVESTOR SERVICING AGENT AND CUSTODIAN
Putnam Investor Services, a division of Putnam Fiduciary Trust
Company ("PFTC"), is the Fund's investor servicing agent
(transfer, plan and dividend disbursing agent), for which it
receives fees which are paid monthly by the Fund as an expense of
all its shareholders. The fee paid to Putnam Investor Services
is determined by the Trustees taking into account the number of
shareholder accounts and transactions. Putnam Investor Services
has won the DALBAR Quality Tested Service Seal every year since
the award's 1990 inception. Over 10,000 tests of 38 separate
shareholders service components demonstrated that Putnam Investor
Services exceeded the industry standard in all categories.
PFTC is the custodian of the Fund's assets. In carrying out its
duties under its custodian contract, PFTC may employ one or more
subcustodians whose responsibilities will include safeguarding
and controlling the Fund's cash and securities, handling the
receipt and delivery of securities and collecting interest and
dividends on the Fund's investments. PFTC and any subcustodians
employed by it have a lien on the securities of the Fund (to the
extent permitted by the Fund's investment restrictions) to secure
charges and any advances made by such subcustodians at the end of
any day for the purpose of paying for securities purchased by the
Fund. The Fund expects that such advances will exist only in
unusual circumstances. Neither PFTC nor any subcustodian
determines the investment policies of the Fund or decides which
securities the Fund will buy or sell. PFTC pays the fees and
other charges of any subcustodians employed by it. The Fund may
from time to time pay custodial expenses in full or in part
through the placement by Putnam Management of the Fund's
portfolio transactions with the subcustodians or with a third-
party broker having an agreement with the subcustodians. The
Fund pays PFTC an annual fee based on the Fund's assets,
securities transactions and securities holdings and reimburses
PFTC for certain out-of-pocket expenses incurred by it or any
subcustodian employed by it in performing custodial services.
SEE "FUND CHARGES AND EXPENSES" IN PART I OF THIS STATEMENT FOR
INFORMATION ON FEES AND REIMBURSEMENTS FOR INVESTOR SERVICING AND
CUSTODY RECEIVED BY PFTC. THE FEES MAY BE REDUCED BY CREDITS
ALLOWED BY PFTC.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The Fund determines the net asset value per share of each class
of shares once each day the New York Stock Exchange (the
"Exchange") is open. Currently, the Exchange is closed
Saturdays, Sundays and the following holidays: New Year's Day,
Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July,
Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Fund determines net
asset value as of the close of regular trading on the Exchange,
currently 4:00 p.m. However, equity options held by the Fund are
priced as of the close of trading at 4:10 p.m., and futures
contracts on U.S. Government securities and index options held by
the Fund are priced as of their close of trading at 4:15 p.m.
Securities for which market quotations are readily available are
valued at prices which, in the opinion of the Trustees or Putnam
Management, most nearly represent the market values of such
securities. Currently, such prices are 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 securities are
stated at the mean between the last reported bid and asked
prices. Short-term investments having remaining maturities of 60
days or less are stated at amortized cost, which approximates
market value. All other securities and assets are valued at
their fair value following procedures approved by the Trustees.
Liabilities are deducted from the total, and the resulting amount
is divided by the number of shares of the class outstanding.
Reliable market quotations are not considered to be readily
available for long-term corporate bonds and notes, certain
preferred stocks, tax-exempt securities, and certain foreign
securities. These investments 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 which are generally
recognized by institutional traders.
If any securities held by the Fund are restricted as to resale,
Putnam Management determines their fair value following
procedures approved by the Trustees. The fair value of such
securities is generally determined as the amount which the Fund
could reasonably expect to realize from an orderly disposition of
such securities over a reasonable period of time. The valuation
procedures applied in any specific instance are likely to vary
from case to case. However, consideration is generally given to
the financial position of the issuer and other fundamental
analytical data relating to the investment and to the nature of
the restrictions on disposition of the securities (including any
registration expenses that might be borne by the Fund in
connection with such disposition). In addition, specific factors
are also generally considered, such as the cost of the
investment, the market value of any unrestricted securities of
the same class, the size of the holding, the prices
of any recent transactions or offers with respect to such
securities and any available analysts' reports regarding the
issuer.
Generally, trading in certain securities (such as foreign
securities) is substantially completed each day at various times
prior to the close of the Exchange. The values of these
securities used in determining the net asset value of the Fund's
shares are computed as of such times. Also, because of the
amount of time required to collect and process trading
information as to large numbers of securities issues, the values
of certain securities (such as convertible bonds, U.S. Government
securities, and tax-exempt securities) are determined based on
market quotations collected earlier in the day at the latest
practicable time prior to the close of the Exchange.
Occasionally, events affecting the value of such securities may
occur between such times and the close of the Exchange which will
not be reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset
value. If events materially affecting the value of such
securities occur during such period, then these securities will
be valued at their fair value following procedures approved by
the Trustees.
Money market funds generally value their portfolio securities at
amortized cost according to Rule 2a-7 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
General
The Prospectus contains a general description of how investors
may buy shares of the Fund and states whether the Fund offers
more than one class of shares. This Statement contains
additional information which may be of interest to investors.
Class A shares and Class M shares are sold with a sales charge
payable at the time of purchase (except for Class A shares and
Class M shares of money market funds). As used in this Statement
and unless the context requires otherwise, the term "Class A
shares" includes shares of Funds that offer only one class of
shares. The Prospectus contains a table of applicable sales
charges. For information about how to purchase Class A shares of
a Putnam fund at net asset value through an employer's defined
contribution plan, please consult your employer. Certain
purchases of Class A shares and Class M shares may be exempt from
a sales charge or, in the case of Class A shares, may be subject
to a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC"). See "General--
Sales without sales charges or contingent deferred sales
charges", "Additional Information About Class A and Class M
Shares", and "Contingent Deferred Sales Charges--Class A shares".
Class B shares and Class C shares are sold subject to a CDSC
payable upon redemption within a specified period after purchase.
The Prospectus contains a table of applicable CDSCs.
Class Y shares, which are available only to employer-sponsored
defined contribution plans initially investing at least $250
million in a combination of Putnam funds and other investments
managed by Putnam Management or its affiliates, are not subject
to sales charges or a CDSC.
Certain purchase programs described below are not available to
defined contribution plans. Consult your employer for
information on how to purchase shares through your plan.
The Fund is currently making a continuous offering of its shares.
The Fund receives the entire net asset value of shares sold. The
Fund will accept unconditional orders for shares to be executed
at the public offering price based on the net asset value per
share next determined after the order is placed. In the case of
Class A shares and Class M shares, the public offering price is
the net asset value plus the applicable sales charge, if any. No
sales charge is included in the public offering price of other
classes of shares. In the case of orders for purchase of shares
placed through dealers, the public offering price will be based
on the net asset value determined on the day the order is placed,
but only if the dealer receives the order before the close of
regular trading on the Exchange. If the dealer receives the
order after the close of the Exchange, the price will be based on
the net asset value next determined. If funds for the purchase
of shares are sent directly to Putnam Investor Services, they
will be invested at the public offering price based on the net
asset value next determined after receipt. Payment for shares of
the Fund must be in U.S. dollars; if made by check, the check
must be drawn on a U.S. bank.
Initial and subsequent purchases must satisfy the minimums stated
in the Prospectus, except that (i) individual investments under
certain employee benefit plans or Tax Qualified Retirement Plans
may be lower, (ii) persons who are already shareholders may make
additional purchases of $50 or more by sending funds directly to
Putnam Investor Services (see "Your Investing Account" below),
and (iii) for investors participating in systematic investment
plans and military allotment plans, the initial and subsequent
purchases must be $25 or more. Information about these plans is
available from investment dealers or from Putnam Mutual Funds.
As a convenience to investors, shares may be purchased through a
systematic investment plan. Preauthorized monthly bank drafts
for a fixed amount (at least $25) are used to purchase Fund
shares at the applicable public offering price next determined
after Putnam Mutual Funds receives the proceeds from the draft
(normally the 20th of each month, or the next business day
thereafter). Further information and application forms are
available from investment dealers or from Putnam Mutual Funds.
Except for Putnam funds that declare a distribution daily,
distributions to be reinvested are reinvested without a sales
charge in shares of the same class as of the ex-dividend date
using the net asset value determined on that date, and are
credited to a shareholder's account on the payment date.
Dividends for Putnam money market funds are credited to a
shareholder's account on the payment date. Distributions for
Putnam Tax-Free Income Trust and Putnam Preferred Income Fund are
reinvested without a sales charge as of the last day of the
period for which distributions are paid using the net asset value
determined on that date, and are credited to a shareholder's
account on the payment date. Distributions for all other Putnam
funds that declare a distribution daily are reinvested without a
sales charge as of the next day following the period for which
distributions are paid using the net asset value determined on
that date, and are credited to a shareholder's account on the
payment date.
PAYMENT IN SECURITIES. In addition to cash, the Fund may accept
securities as payment for Fund shares at the applicable net asset
value. Generally, the Fund will only consider accepting
securities to increase its holdings in a portfolio security, or
if Putnam Management determines that the offered securities are a
suitable investment for the Fund and in a sufficient amount for
efficient management.
While no minimum has been established, it is expected that the
Fund would not accept securities with a value of less than
$100,000 per issue as payment for shares. The Fund may reject in
whole or in part any or all offers to pay for purchases of Fund
shares with securities, may require partial payment in cash for
such purchases to provide funds for applicable sales charges, and
may discontinue accepting securities as payment for Fund shares
at any time without notice. The Fund will value accepted
securities in the manner described in the section "Determination
of Net Asset Value" for valuing shares of the Fund. The Fund
will only accept securities which are delivered in proper form.
The Fund will not accept options or restricted securities as
payment for shares. The acceptance of securities by certain
Funds in exchange for Fund shares are subject to additional
requirements. In the case of Putnam American Government Income
Fund, Putnam Asia Pacific Growth Fund, Putnam Asset Allocation
Funds: Balanced Portfolio, Putnam Asset Allocation Funds:
Conservative Portfolio, Putnam Asset Allocation Funds: Growth
Portfolio, Putnam Capital Appreciation Fund, Putnam Preferred
Income Fund, Putnam Diversified Equity Trust, Putnam Equity
Income Fund, Putnam Europe Growth Fund, The Putnam Fund for
Growth & Income, Putnam Global Governmental Income Trust, Putnam
Growth and Income Fund II, Putnam High Yield Advantage Fund,
Putnam Investment Funds, Putnam Intermediate Tax Exempt Fund,
Putnam Investment-Grade Bond Fund, Putnam Municipal Income Fund,
Putnam Natural Resources Fund, Putnam OTC Emerging Growth Fund,
Putnam Overseas Growth Fund, Putnam Tax Exempt Income Fund and
Putnam Tax-Free Income Trust, transactions involving the issuance
of Fund shares for securities or assets other than cash will be
limited to a bona-fide re-organization or statutory merger and to
other acquisitions of portfolio securities that meet all the
following conditions: (a) such securities meet the investment
objectives and policies of the Fund; (b) such securities are
acquired for investment and not for resale; (c) such securities
are liquid securities which are not restricted as to transfer
either by law or liquidity of market; and (d) such securities
have a value which is readily ascertainable, as evidenced by a
listing on the American Stock Exchange, the New York Stock
Exchange or NASDAQ. In addition, Putnam Global Governmental
Income Trust may accept only investment grade bonds with prices
regularly stated in publications generally accepted by investors,
such as the London Financial Times and the Association of
International Bond Dealers manual, or securities listed on the
New York or American Stock Exchanges or with NASDAQ, and Putnam
Diversified Income Trust may accept only bonds with prices
regularly stated in publications generally accepted by investors.
For federal income tax purposes, a purchase of Fund shares with
securities will be treated as a sale or exchange of such
securities on which the investor will realize a taxable gain or
loss. The processing of a purchase of Fund shares with
securities involves certain delays while the Fund considers the
suitability of such securities and while other requirements are
satisfied. For information regarding procedures for payment in
securities, contact Putnam Mutual Funds. Investors should not
send securities to the Fund except when authorized to do so and
in accordance with specific instructions received from Putnam
Mutual Funds.
SALES WITHOUT SALES CHARGES OR CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES.
The Fund may sell shares without a sales charge or CDSC to:
(i) current and retired Trustees of the Fund; officers of
the Fund; directors and current and retired U.S. full-time
employees of Putnam Management, Putnam Mutual Funds, their
parent corporations and certain corporate affiliates;
family members of and employee benefit plans for the
foregoing; and partnerships, trusts or other entities in
which any of the foregoing has a substantial interest;
(ii) employee benefit plans, for the repurchase of shares
in connection with repayment of plan loans made to plan
participants (if the sum loaned was obtained by redeeming
shares of a Putnam fund sold with a sales charge) (not
offered by tax-exempt funds);
(iii) clients of administrators of tax-qualified employee
benefit plans which have entered into agreements with
Putnam Mutual Funds (not offered by tax-exempt funds);
(iv) registered representatives and other employees of
broker-dealers having sales agreements with Putnam Mutual
Funds; employees of financial institutions having sales
agreements with Putnam Mutual Funds or otherwise having an
arrangement with any such broker-dealer or financial
institution with respect to sales of Fund shares; and
their spouses and children under age 21 (Putnam Mutual
Funds is regarded as the dealer of record for all such
accounts);
(v) investors meeting certain requirements who sold shares
of certain Putnam closed-end funds pursuant to a tender
offer by such closed-end fund;
(vi) a trust department of any financial institution
purchasing shares of the Fund in its capacity as trustee
of any trust, if the value of the shares of the Fund and
other Putnam funds purchased or held by all such trusts
exceeds $1 million in the aggregate; and
(vii) "wrap accounts" maintained for clients of broker-
dealers, financial institutions or financial planners who
have entered into agreements with Putnam Mutual Funds with
respect to such accounts.
In addition, the Fund may issue its shares at net asset value in
connection with the acquisition of substantially all of the
securities owned by other investment companies or personal
holding companies.
PAYMENTS TO DEALERS. Putnam Mutual Funds may, at its expense,
pay concessions in addition to the payments disclosed in the
Prospectus to dealers which satisfy certain criteria established
from time to time by Putnam Mutual Funds relating to increasing
net sales of shares of the Putnam funds over prior periods, and
certain other factors.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT CLASS A AND CLASS M SHARES
The underwriter's commission is the sales charge shown in the
Prospectus less any applicable dealer discount. Putnam Mutual
Funds will give dealers ten days' notice of any changes in the
dealer discount. Putnam Mutual Funds retains the entire sales
charge on any retail sales made by it.
Putnam Mutual Funds offers several plans by which an investor may
obtain reduced sales charges on purchases of Class A shares and
Class M shares. The variations in sales charges reflect the
varying efforts required to sell shares to separate categories of
purchasers. These plans may be altered or discontinued at any
time.
COMBINED PURCHASE PRIVILEGE. The following persons may qualify
for the sales charge reductions or eliminations shown in the
Prospectus by combining into a single transaction the purchase of
Class A shares or Class M shares with other purchases of any
class of shares:
(i) an individual, or a "company" as defined in Section
2(a)(8) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (which
includes corporations which are corporate affiliates of
each other);
(ii) an individual, his or her spouse and their children
under twenty-one, purchasing for his, her or their own
account;
(iii) a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing for a single
trust estate or single fiduciary account (including a
pension, profit-sharing, or other employee benefit trust
created pursuant to a plan qualified under Section 401 of
the Internal Revenue Code);
(iv) tax-exempt organizations qualifying under Section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (not including
403(b) plans); and
(v) employee benefit plans of a single employer or of
affiliated employers, other than 403(b) plans.
A combined purchase currently may also include shares of any
class of other continuously offered Putnam funds (other than
money market funds) purchased at the same time through a single
investment dealer, if the dealer places the order for such shares
directly with Putnam Mutual Funds.
CUMULATIVE QUANTITY DISCOUNT (RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION). A
purchaser of Class A shares or Class M shares may qualify for a
cumulative quantity discount by combining a current purchase (or
combined purchases as described above) with certain other shares
of any class of Putnam funds already owned. The applicable sales
charge is based on the total of:
(i) the investor's current purchase; and
(ii) the maximum public offering price (at the close of
business on the previous day) of:
(a) all shares held by the investor in all of the
Putnam funds (except money market funds); and
(b) any shares of money market funds acquired by
exchange from other Putnam funds; and
(iii) the maximum public offering price of all shares
described in paragraph (ii) owned by another shareholder
eligible to participate with the investor in a "combined
purchase" (see above).
To qualify for the combined purchase privilege or to obtain the
cumulative quantity discount on a purchase through an investment
dealer, when each purchase is made the investor or dealer must
provide Putnam Mutual Funds with sufficient information to verify
that the purchase qualifies for the privilege or discount. The
shareholder must furnish this information to Putnam Investor
Services when making direct cash investments.
STATEMENT OF INTENTION. Investors may also obtain the reduced
sales charges for Class A shares or Class M shares shown in the
Prospectus for investments of a particular amount by means of a
written Statement of Intention, which expresses the investor's
intention to invest that amount (including certain "credits," as
described below) within a period of 13 months in shares of any
class of the Fund or any other continuously offered Putnam fund
(excluding money market funds). Each purchase of Class A shares
or Class M shares under a Statement of Intention will be made at
the public offering price applicable at the time of such purchase
to a single transaction of the total dollar amount indicated in
the Statement. A Statement of Intention may include purchases of
shares made not more than 90 days prior to the date that an
investor signs a Statement; however, the 13-month period during
which the Statement is in effect will begin on the date of the
earliest purchase to be included.
An investor may receive a credit toward the amount indicated in
the Statement equal to the maximum public offering price as of
the close of business on the previous day of all shares he or she
owns on the date of the Statement which are eligible for purchase
under a Statement (plus any shares of money market funds acquired
by exchange of such eligible shares). Investors do not receive
credit for shares purchased by the reinvestment of distributions.
Investors qualifying for the "combined purchase privilege" (see
above) may purchase shares under a single Statement of Intention.
The Statement of Intention is not a binding obligation upon the
investor to purchase the full amount indicated. The minimum
initial investment under a Statement of Intention is 5% of such
amount, and must be invested immediately. Class A shares or
Class M shares purchased with the first 5% of such amount will be
held in escrow to secure payment of the higher sales charge
applicable to the shares actually purchased if the full amount
indicated is not purchased. When the full amount indicated has
been purchased, the escrow will be released. If an investor
desires to redeem escrowed shares before the full amount has been
purchased, the shares will be released from escrow only if the
investor pays the sales charge that, without regard to the
Statement of Intention, would apply to the total investment made
to date.
To the extent that an investor purchases more than the dollar
amount indicated on the Statement of Intention and qualifies for
a further reduced sales charge, the sales charge will be adjusted
for the entire amount purchased at the end of the 13-month
period, upon recovery from the investor's dealer of its portion
of the sales charge adjustment. Once received from the dealer,
which may take a period of time or may never occur, the sales
charge adjustment will be used to purchase additional shares at
the then current offering price applicable to the actual amount
of the aggregate purchases. These additional shares will not be
considered as part of the total investment for the purpose of
determining the applicable sales charge pursuant to the Statement
of Intention. No sales charge adjustment will be made unless and
until the investor's dealer returns any excess commissions
previously received.
To the extent that an investor purchases less than the dollar
amount indicated on the Statement of Intention within the 13-
month period, the sales charge will be adjusted upward for the
entire amount purchased at the end of the 13-month period. This
adjustment will be made by redeeming shares from the account to
cover the additional sales charge, the proceeds of which will be
paid to the investor's dealer and Putnam Mutual Funds in
accordance with the Prospectus. If the account exceeds an amount
that would otherwise qualify for a reduced sales charge, that
reduced sales charge will be applied.
Statements of Intention are not available for certain employee
benefit plans.
Statement of Intention forms may be obtained from Putnam Mutual
Funds or from investment dealers. Interested investors should
read the Statement of Intention carefully.
REDUCED SALES CHARGE FOR GROUP PURCHASES OF CLASS A SHARES.
Members of qualified groups may purchase Class A shares of the
Fund at a group sales charge rate of 4.5% of the public offering
price (4.71% of the net amount invested). The dealer discount on
such sales is 3.75% of the offering price.
To receive the group rate, group members must purchase Class A
shares through a single investment dealer designated by the
group. The designated dealer must transmit each member's initial
purchase to Putnam Mutual Funds, together with payment and
completed application forms. After the initial purchase, a
member may send funds for the purchase of Class A shares directly
to Putnam Investor Services. Purchases of Class A shares are
made at the public offering price based on the net asset value
next determined after Putnam Mutual Funds or Putnam Investor
Services receives payment for the shares. The minimum investment
requirements described above apply to purchases by any group
member. Only Class A shares are included in calculating the
purchased amount.
Qualified groups include the employees of a corporation or a sole
proprietorship, members and employees of a partnership or
association, or other organized groups of persons (the members of
which may include other qualified groups) provided that: (i) the
group has at least 25 members of which at least 10 members
participate in the initial purchase; (ii) the group has been in
existence for at least six months; (iii) the group has some
purpose in addition to the purchase of investment company shares
at a reduced sales charge; (iv) the group's sole organizational
nexus or connection is not that the members are credit card
holders of a company, policy holders of an insurance company,
customers of a bank or broker-dealer, clients of an investment
adviser or security holders of a company; (v) the group agrees to
provide its designated investment dealer access to the group's
membership by means of written communication or direct
presentation to the membership at a meeting on not less
frequently than an annual basis; (vi) the group or its investment
dealer will provide annual certification in form satisfactory to
Putnam Investor Services that the group then has at least 25
members and that at least ten members participated in group
purchases during the immediately preceding 12 calendar months;
and (vii) the group or its investment dealer will provide
periodic certification in form satisfactory to Putnam Investor
Services as to the eligibility of the purchasing members of the
group.
Members of a qualified group include: (i) any group which meets
the requirements stated above and which is a constituent member
of a qualified group; (ii) any individual purchasing for his or
her own account who is carried on the records of the group or on
the records of any constituent member of the group as being a
good standing employee, partner, member or person of like status
of the group or constituent member; or (iii) any fiduciary
purchasing shares for the account of a member of a qualified
group or a member's beneficiary. For example, a qualified group
could consist of a trade association which would have as its
members individuals, sole proprietors, partnerships and
corporations. The members of the group would then consist of the
individuals, the sole proprietors and their employees, the
members of the partnerships and their employees, and the
corporations and their employees, as well as the trustees of
employee benefit trusts acquiring Class A shares for the benefit
of any of the foregoing.
A member of a qualified group may, depending upon the value of
Class A shares of the Fund owned or proposed to be purchased by
the member, be entitled to purchase Class A shares of the Fund at
non-group sales charge rates shown in the Prospectus which may be
lower than the group sales charge rate, if the member qualifies
as a person entitled to reduced non-group sales charges. Such a
group member will be entitled to purchase at the lower rate if,
at the time of purchase, the member or his or her investment
dealer furnishes sufficient information for Putnam Mutual Funds
or Putnam Investor Services to verify that the purchase qualifies
for the lower rate.
Interested groups should contact their investment dealer or
Putnam Mutual Funds. The Fund reserves the right to revise the
terms of or to suspend or discontinue group sales at any time.
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS; INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNT PLANS. The term
"employee benefit plan" means any plan or arrangement, whether or
not tax-qualified, which provides for the purchase of Class A
shares. The term "affiliated employer" means employers who are
affiliated with each other within the meaning of Section
2(a)(3)(C) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. The term
"individual account plan" means any employee benefit plan whereby
(i) Class A shares are purchased through payroll deductions or
otherwise by a fiduciary or other person for the account of
participants who are employees (or their spouses) of an employer,
or of affiliated employers, and (ii) a separate Investing Account
is maintained in the name of such fiduciary or other person for
the account of each participant in the plan.
The table of sales charges in the Prospectus applies to sales to
employee benefit plans, except that the Fund may sell Class A
shares at net asset value to employee benefit plans, including
individual account plans, of employers or of affiliated employers
which have at least 750 employees to whom such plan is made
available, in connection with a payroll deduction system of plan
funding (or other system acceptable to Putnam Investor Services)
by which contributions or account information for plan
participation are transmitted to Putnam Investor Services by
methods acceptable to Putnam Investor Services. The Fund may
also sell Class A shares at net asset value to employee benefit
plans of employers or of affiliated employers which have at least
750 employees, if such plans are qualified under Section 401 of
the Internal Revenue Code.
Additional information about employee benefit plans and
individual account plans is available from investment dealers or
from Putnam Mutual Funds.
<PAGE>
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES
CLASS A SHARES. Class A shares purchased at net asset value by
shareholders investing $1 million or more, including purchases
pursuant to any Combined Purchase Privilege, Right of
Accumulation or Statement of Intention, are subject to a CDSC of
1.00% or 0.50%, respectively, if redeemed within the first or
second year after purchase. The Class A CDSC is imposed on the
lower of the cost and the current net asset value of the shares
redeemed. The CDSC does not apply to shares sold without a sales
charge through participant-directed qualified retirement plans
and shares purchased by certain investors investing $1 million or
more that have made arrangements with Putnam Mutual Funds and
whose dealer of record waived the commission described in the
next paragraph.
Except as stated below, Putnam Mutual Funds pays investment
dealers of record commissions on sales of Class A shares of $1
million or more based on an investor's cumulative purchases of
such shares, including purchases pursuant to any Combined
Purchase Privilege, Right of Accumulation or Statement of
Intention, during the one-year period beginning with the date of
the initial purchase at net asset value and each subsequent one-
year period beginning with the first net asset value purchase
following the end of the prior period. Such commissions are paid
at the rate of 1.00% of the amount under $3 million, 0.50% of the
next $47 million and 0.25% thereafter. On sales at net asset
value to a participant-directed qualified retirement plan
initially investing less than $20 million in Putnam funds and
other investments managed by Putnam Management or its affiliates
(including a plan sponsored by an employer with more than 750
employees), Putnam Mutual Funds pays commissions on cumulative
purchases during the life of the account at the rate of 1.00% of
the amount under $3 million and 0.50% thereafter. On sales at
net asset value to all other participant-directed qualified
retirement plans, Putnam Mutual Funds pays commissions on the
initial investment and on subsequent net quarterly sales (gross
sales minus gross redemptions during the quarter) at the rate of
0.15%. Money market fund shares are excluded from all commission
calculations, except for determining the amount initially
invested by a participant-directed qualified retirement plan.
Commissions on sales at net asset value to such plans are subject
to Putnam Mutual Funds' right to reclaim such commissions if the
shares are redeemed within two years.
Different CDSC and commission rates may apply to shares purchased
before April 1, 1994.
CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES. Investors who set up an Automatic
Cash Withdrawal Plan (ACWP) for a Class B and Class C share
account (see "Plans Available To Shareholders -- Automatic Cash
Withdrawal Plan") may withdraw through the ACWP up to 12% of the
net asset value of the account (calculated as set forth below)
each year without incurring any CDSC. Shares not subject to a
CDSC (such as shares representing reinvestment of distributions)
will be redeemed first and will count toward the 12% limitation.
If there are insufficient shares not subject to a CDSC, shares
subject to the lowest CDSC liability will be redeemed next until
the 12% limit is reached. The 12% figure is calculated on a pro
rata basis at the time of the first payment made pursuant to a
ACWP and recalculated thereafter on a pro rata basis at the time
of each ACWP payment. Therefore, shareholders who have chosen a
ACWP based on a percentage of the net asset value of their
account of up to 12% will be able to receive ACWP payments
without incurring a CDSC. However, shareholders who have chosen
a specific dollar amount (for example, $100 per month from a fund
that pays income distributions monthly) for their periodic ACWP
payment should be aware that the amount of that payment not
subject to a CDSC may vary over time depending on the net asset
value of their account. For example, if the net asset value of
the account is $10,000 at the time of payment, the shareholder
will receive $100 free of the CDSC (12% of $10,000 divided by 12
monthly payments). However, if at the time of the next payment
the net asset value of the account has fallen to $9,400, the
shareholder will receive $94 free of any CDSC (12% of $9,400
divided by 12 monthly payments) and $6 subject to the lowest
applicable CDSC. This ACWP privilege may be revised or
terminated at any time.
ALL SHARES. No CDSC is imposed on shares of any class subject to
a CDSC ("CDSC Shares") to the extent that the CDSC Shares
redeemed (i) are no longer subject to the holding period
therefor, (ii) resulted from reinvestment of distributions on
CDSC Shares, or (iii) were exchanged for shares of another Putnam
fund, provided that the shares acquired in such exchange or
subsequent exchanges (including shares of a Putnam money market
fund) will continue to remain subject to the CDSC, if applicable,
until the applicable holding period expires. In determining
whether the CDSC applies to each redemption of CDSC Shares, CDSC
Shares not subject to a CDSC are redeemed first.
The Fund will waive any CDSC on redemptions, in the case of
individual or Uniform Transfers to Minors Act accounts, in case
of death or disability or for the purpose of paying benefits
pursuant to tax-qualified retirement plans. Such payments
currently include, without limitation, (1) distributions from an
IRA due to death or disability, (2) a return of excess
contributions to an IRA or 401(k) plan, and (3) distributions
from retirement plans qualified under section 401(a) or section
403(b)(7) (a "403(b) plan") of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code"), due to death, disability, retirement or
separation from service. The Fund will also waive any CDSC in
the case of the death of one joint tenant. These waivers may be
changed at any time. Additional waivers may apply to IRA
accounts opened prior to February 1, 1994.
<PAGE>
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
If the Fund or a class of shares of the Fund has adopted a
Distribution Plan, the Prospectus describes the principal
features of the Plan. This Statement contains additional
information which may be of interest to investors.
Continuance of a Plan is subject to annual approval by a vote of
the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not
interested persons of the Fund and who have no direct or indirect
interest in the Plan or related arrangements (the "Qualified
Trustees"), cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose.
All material amendments to a Plan must be likewise approved by
the Trustees and the Qualified Trustees. No Plan may be amended
in order to increase materially the costs which the Fund may bear
for distribution pursuant to such Plan without also being
approved by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of
the Fund or the relevant class of the Fund, as the case may be.
A Plan terminates automatically in the event of its assignment
and may be terminated without penalty, at any time, by a vote of
a majority of the Qualified Trustees or by a vote of a majority
of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund or the relevant
class of the Fund, as the case may be.
If Plan payments are made to reimburse Putnam Mutual Funds for
payments to dealers based on the average net asset value of Fund
shares attributable to shareholders for whom the dealers are
designated as the dealer of record, "average net asset value"
attributable to a shareholder account means the product of (i)
the Fund's average daily share balance of the account and (ii)
the Fund's average daily net asset value per share (or the
average daily net asset value per share of the class, if
applicable). For administrative reasons, Putnam Mutual Funds may
enter into agreements with certain dealers providing for the
calculation of "average net asset value" on the basis of assets
of the accounts of the dealer's customers on an established day
in each quarter.
Financial institutions receiving payments from Putnam Mutual
Funds as described above may be required to comply with various
state and federal regulatory requirements, including among others
those regulating the activities of securities brokers or dealers.
INVESTOR SERVICES
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
Each time shareholders buy or sell shares, they will receive a
statement confirming the transaction and listing their current
share balance. (Under certain investment plans, a statement may
only be sent quarterly.) Shareholders will receive a statement
confirming reinvestment of distributions in additional Fund
shares (or in shares of other Putnam funds for Dividends Plus
accounts) promptly following the quarter in which the
reinvestment occurs. To help shareholders take full advantage of
their Putnam investment, they will receive a Welcome Kit and a
periodic publication covering many topics of interest to
investors. The Fund also sends annual and semiannual reports
that keep shareholders informed about its portfolio and
performance, and year-end tax information to simplify their
recordkeeping. Easy-to-read, free booklets on special subjects
such as the Exchange Privilege and IRAs are available from Putnam
Investor Services. Shareholders may call Putnam Investor
Services toll-free weekdays at 1-800-225-1581 between 8:30 a.m.
and 7:00 p.m. Boston time for more information, including account
balances.
YOUR INVESTING ACCOUNT
The following information provides more detail concerning the
operation of a Putnam Investing Account. For further information
or assistance, investors should consult Putnam Investor Services.
Shareholders who purchase shares through a defined contribution
plan should note that not all of the services or features
described below may be available to them, and they should contact
their employer for details.
A shareholder may reinvest a recent cash distribution without a
front-end sales charge or without the reinvested shares being
subject to a CDSC, as the case may be, by delivering to Putnam
Investor Services the uncashed distribution check, endorsed to
the order of the Fund. Putnam Investor Services must receive the
properly endorsed check within 30 days after the date of the
check. Upon written notice to shareholders, the Fund may permit
shareholders who receive cash distributions to reinvest amounts
representing returns of capital without a sales charge or without
being subject to the CDSC.
The Investing Account also provides a way to accumulate shares of
the Fund. In most cases, after an initial investment of $500, a
shareholder may send checks to Putnam Investor Services for $50
or more, made payable to the Fund, to purchase additional shares
at the applicable public offering price next determined after
Putnam Investor Services receives the check. For Putnam
Preferred Income Fund, the minimum initial investment is $25,000
and the minimum subsequent investment is $5,000. Checks must be
drawn on a U.S. bank and must be payable in U.S. dollars.
Putnam Investor Services acts as the shareholder's agent whenever
it receives instructions to carry out a transaction on the
shareholder's account. Upon receipt of instructions that shares
are to be purchased for a shareholder's account, shares will be
purchased through the investment dealer designated by the
shareholder. Shareholders may change investment dealers at any
time by written notice to Putnam Investor Services, provided the
new dealer has a sales agreement with Putnam Mutual Funds.
Shares credited to an account are transferable upon written
instructions in good order to Putnam Investor Services and may be
sold to the Fund as described under "How to buy shares, sell
shares and exchange shares" in the Prospectus. Money market
funds and certain other funds will not issue share certificates.
A shareholder may send any certificates which have been
previously issued to Putnam Investor Services for safekeeping at
no charge to the shareholder.
Putnam Mutual Funds, at its expense, may provide certain
additional reports and administrative material to qualifying
institutional investors with fiduciary responsibilities to assist
these investors in discharging their responsibilities.
Institutions seeking further information about this service
should contact Putnam Mutual Funds, which may modify or terminate
this service at any time.
Putnam Investor Services may make special services available to
shareholders with investments exceeding $1,000,000. Contact
Putnam Investor Services for details.
The Fund pays Putnam Investor Services' fees for maintaining
Investing Accounts.
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE
An investor who has redeemed shares to the Fund may reinvest
(within 1 year) the proceeds of such sale in shares of the same
class of the Fund, or may be able to reinvest (within 1 year) the
proceeds in shares of the same class of one of the other
continuously offered Putnam funds (through the Exchange Privilege
described in the Prospectus), including, in the case of shares
subject to a CDSC, the amount of CDSC charged on the redemption.
Any such reinvestment would be at the net asset value of the
shares of the fund(s) the investor selects, next determined after
Putnam Mutual Funds receives a Reinstatement Authorization. The
time that the previous investment was held will be included in
determining any applicable CDSC due upon redemptions and, in the
case of Class B shares, the eight-year period for conversion to
Class A shares. Shareholders will receive from Putnam Mutual
Funds the amount of any CDSC paid at the time of redemption as
part of the reinstated investment, which may be treated as
capital gains to the shareholder for tax purposes. Exercise of
the Reinstatement Privilege does not alter the federal income tax
treatment of any capital gains realized on a sale of Fund shares,
but to the extent that any shares are sold at a loss and the
proceeds are reinvested in shares of the Fund, some or all of the
loss may be disallowed as a deduction. Consult your tax adviser.
Investors who desire to exercise this Privilege should contact
their investment dealer or Putnam Investor Services.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
Except as otherwise set forth in this section, by calling Putnam
Investor Services, investors may exchange shares valued up to
$500,000 between accounts with identical registrations, provided
that no certificates are outstanding for such shares and no
address change has been made within the preceding 15 days.
During periods of unusual market changes and shareholder
activity, shareholders may experience delays in contacting Putnam
Investor Services by telephone to exercise the Telephone Exchange
Privilege.
Putnam Investor Services also makes exchanges promptly after
receiving a properly completed Exchange Authorization Form and,
if issued, share certificates. If the shareholder is a
corporation, partnership, agent, or surviving joint owner, Putnam
Investor Services will require additional documentation of a
customary nature. Because an exchange of shares involves the
redemption of Fund shares and reinvestment of the proceeds in
shares of another Putnam fund, completion of an exchange may be
delayed under unusual circumstances if the Fund were to suspend
redemptions or postpone payment for the Fund shares being
exchanged, in accordance with federal securities laws. Exchange
Authorization Forms and prospectuses of the other Putnam funds
are available from Putnam Mutual Funds or investment dealers
having sales contracts with Putnam Mutual Funds. The prospectus
of each fund describes its investment objective(s) and policies,
and shareholders should obtain a prospectus and consider these
objectives and policies carefully before requesting an exchange.
Shares of certain Putnam funds are not available to residents of
all states. The Fund reserves the right to change or suspend the
Exchange Privilege at any time. Shareholders would be notified
of any change or suspension. Additional information is available
from Putnam Investor Services.
Shares of the Fund must be held at least 15 days by the
shareholder requesting an exchange. There is no holding period
if the shareholder acquired the shares to be exchanged through
reinvestment of distributions, transfer from another shareholder,
prior exchange or certain employer-sponsored defined contribution
plans. In all cases, the shares to be exchanged must be
registered on the records of the Fund in the name of the
shareholder requesting the exchange.
Shareholders of other Putnam funds may also exchange their shares
at net asset value for shares of the Fund, as set forth in the
current prospectus of each fund.
For federal income tax purposes, an exchange is a sale on which
the investor generally will realize a capital gain or loss
depending on whether the net asset value at the time of the
exchange is more or less than the investor's basis. The Exchange
Privilege may be revised or terminated at any time. Shareholders
would be notified of any such change or suspension.
DIVIDENDS PLUS
Shareholders may invest the Fund's distributions of net
investment income or distributions combining net investment
income and short-term capital gains in shares of the same class
of another continuously offered Putnam fund (the "receiving
fund") using the net asset value per share of the receiving fund
determined on the date the Fund's distribution is payable. No
sales charge or CDSC will apply to the purchased shares unless
the Fund is a money market fund. The prospectus of each fund
describes its investment objective(s) and policies, and
shareholders should obtain a prospectus and consider these
objective(s) and policies carefully before investing their
distributions in the receiving fund. Shares of certain Putnam
funds are not available to residents of all states.
The minimum account size requirement for the receiving fund will
not apply if the current value of your account in this Fund is
more than $5,000.
Shareholders of other Putnam funds (except for money market
funds, whose shareholders must pay a sales charge or become
subject to a CDSC) may also use their distributions to purchase
shares of the Fund at net asset value.
For federal tax purposes, distributions from the Fund which are
reinvested in another fund are treated as paid by the Fund to the
shareholder and invested by the shareholder in the receiving fund
and thus, to the extent comprised of taxable income and deemed
paid to a taxable shareholder, are taxable.
The Dividends PLUS program may be revised or terminated at any
time.
PLANS AVAILABLE TO SHAREHOLDERS
The Plans described below are fully voluntary and may be
terminated at any time without the imposition by the Fund or
Putnam Investor Services of any penalty. All Plans provide for
automatic reinvestment of all distributions in additional shares
of the Fund at net asset value. The Fund, Putnam Mutual Funds or
Putnam Investor Services may modify or cease offering these Plans
at any time.
AUTOMATIC CASH WITHDRAWAL PLAN. An investor who owns or buys
shares of the Fund valued at $10,000 or more at the current
public offering price may open a Withdrawal Plan and have a
designated sum of money ($50 or more) paid monthly, quarterly,
semi-annually or annually to the investor or another person.
(Payments from the Fund can be combined with payments from other
Putnam funds into a single check through a Designated Payment
Plan.) Shares are deposited in a Plan account, and all
distributions are reinvested in additional shares of the Fund at
net asset value (except where the Plan is utilized in connection
with a charitable remainder trust). Shares in a Plan account are
then redeemed at net asset value to make each withdrawal payment.
Payment will be made to any person the investor designates;
however, if shares are registered in the name of a trustee or
other fiduciary, payment will be made only to the fiduciary,
except in the case of a profit-sharing or pension plan where
payment will be made to a designee. As withdrawal payments may
include a return of principal, they cannot be considered a
guaranteed annuity or actual yield of income to the investor.
The redemption of shares in connection with a Withdrawal Plan
generally will result in a gain or loss for tax purposes. Some
or all of the losses realized upon redemption may be disallowed
pursuant to the so-called wash sale rules if shares of the same
fund from which shares were redeemed are purchased (including
through the reinvestment of fund distributions) within a period
beginning 30 days before, and ending 30 days after, such
redemption. In such a case, the basis of the replacement shares
will be increased to reflect the disallowed loss. Continued
withdrawals in excess of income will reduce and possibly exhaust
invested principal, especially in the event of a market decline.
The maintenance of a Withdrawal Plan concurrently with purchases
of additional shares of the Fund would be disadvantageous to the
investor because of the sales charge payable on such purchases.
For this reason, the minimum investment accepted while a
Withdrawal Plan is in effect is $1,000, and an investor may not
maintain a Plan for the accumulation of shares of the Fund (other
than through reinvestment of distributions) and a Withdrawal Plan
at the same time. The cost of administering these Plans for the
benefit of those shareholders participating in them is borne by
the Fund as an expense of all shareholders. The Fund, Putnam
Mutual Funds or Putnam Investor Services may terminate or change
the terms of the Withdrawal Plan at any time. A Withdrawal Plan
will be terminated if communications mailed to the shareholder
are returned as undeliverable.
Investors should consider carefully with their own financial
advisers whether the Plan and the specified amounts to be
withdrawn are appropriate in their circumstances. The Fund and
Putnam Investor Services make no recommendations or
representations in this regard.
TAX QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS; 403(B) AND SEP PLANS. (NOT
OFFERED BY FUNDS INVESTING PRIMARILY IN TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES.)
Investors may purchase shares of the Fund through the following
Tax Qualified Retirement Plans, available to qualified
individuals or organizations:
Standard and variable profit-sharing (including 401(k))
and money purchase pension plans; and
Individual Retirement Account Plans (IRAs).
Each of these Plans has been qualified as a prototype plan by the
Internal Revenue Service. Putnam Investor Services will furnish
services under each plan at a specified annual cost. Putnam
Fiduciary Trust Company serves as trustee under each of these
Plans.
Forms and further information on these Plans are available from
investment dealers or from Putnam Mutual Funds. In addition,
specialized professional plan administration services are
available on an optional basis; contact Putnam Defined
Contribution Plan Services at 1-800-225-2465, extension 8600.
A 403(b) Retirement Plan is available for employees of public
school systems and organizations which meet the requirements of
Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Forms and
further information on the 403(b) Plan are also available from
investment dealers or from Putnam Mutual Funds. Shares of the
Fund may also be used in simplified employee pension (SEP) plans.
For further information on the Putnam prototype SEP plan, contact
an investment dealer or Putnam Mutual Funds.
Consultation with a competent financial and tax adviser regarding
these Plans and consideration of the suitability of Fund shares
as an investment under the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, or otherwise, is recommended.
SIGNATURE GUARANTEES
Redemption requests for shares having a net asset value of
$100,000 or more must be signed by the registered owners or their
legal representatives and must be guaranteed by a bank,
broker/dealer, municipal securities dealer or broker, government
securities dealer or broker, credit union, national securities
exchange, registered securities association, clearing agency,
savings association or trust company, provided such institution
is acceptable under and conforms with Putnam Fiduciary Trust
Company's signature guarantee procedures. A copy of such
procedures is available upon request. If you want your
redemption proceeds sent to an address other than your address as
it appears on Putnam's records, you must provide a signature
guarantee. Putnam Investor Services usually requires additional
documentation for the sale of shares by a corporation,
partnership, agent or fiduciary, or a surviving joint owner.
Contact Putnam Investor Services for details.
SUSPENSION OF REDEMPTIONS
The Fund may not suspend shareholders' right of redemption, or
postpone payment for more than seven days, unless the New York
Stock Exchange is closed for other than customary weekends or
holidays, or if permitted by the rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission during periods when trading on the Exchange
is restricted or during any emergency which makes it
impracticable for the Fund to dispose of its securities or to
determine fairly the value of its net assets, or during any other
period permitted by order of the Commission for protection of
investors.
SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of
the Fund. However, the Agreement and Declaration of Trust
disclaims shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the
Fund and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in each
agreement, obligation, or instrument entered into or executed by
the Fund or the Trustees. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust
provides for indemnification out of Fund property for all loss
and expense of any shareholder held personally liable for the
obligations of the Fund. Thus, the risk of a shareholder
incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is
limited to circumstances in which the Fund would be unable to
meet its obligations. The likelihood of such circumstances is
remote.
STANDARD PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Yield and total return data for the Fund may from time to time be
presented in Part I of this Statement and in advertisements. In
the case of funds with more than one class of shares, all
performance information is calculated separately for each class.
The data is calculated as follows.
Total return for one-, five- and ten-year periods (or for such
shorter periods as the Fund has been in operation or shares of
the relevant class have been outstanding) is determined by
calculating the actual dollar amount of investment return on a
$1,000 investment in the Fund made at the beginning of the
period, at the maximum public offering price for Class A shares
and Class M shares and net asset value for other classes of
shares, and then calculating the annual compounded rate of return
which would produce that amount. Total return for a period of
one year is equal to the actual return of the Fund during that
period. Total return calculations assume deduction of the Fund's
maximum sales charge or CDSC, if applicable, and reinvestment of
all Fund distributions at net asset value on their respective
reinvestment dates.
The Fund's yield is presented for a specified thirty-day period
(the "base period"). Yield is based on the amount determined by
(i) calculating the aggregate amount of dividends and interest
earned by the Fund during the base period less expenses accrued
for that period, and (ii) dividing that amount by the product of
(A) the average daily number of shares of the Fund outstanding
during the base period and entitled to receive dividends and (B)
the per share maximum public offering price for Class A shares or
Class M shares, as appropriate and net asset value for other
classes of shares on the last day of the base period. The result
is annualized on a compounding basis to determine the yield. For
this calculation, interest earned on debt obligations held by the
Fund is generally calculated using the yield to maturity (or
first expected call date) of such obligations based on their
market values (or, in the case of receivables-backed securities
such as GNMA's, based on cost). Dividends on equity securities
are accrued daily at their stated dividend rates.
If the Fund is a money market fund, yield is computed by
determining the percentage net change, excluding capital changes,
in the value of an investment in one share over the seven-day
period for which yield is presented (the "base period"), and
multiplying the net change by 365/7 (or approximately 52 weeks).
Effective yield represents a compounding of the yield by adding 1
to the number representing the percentage change in value of the
investment during the base period, raising that sum to a power
equal to 365/7, and subtracting 1 from the result.
If the Fund is a tax-exempt fund, the tax-equivalent yield during
the base period may be presented for shareholders in one or more
stated tax brackets. Tax-equivalent yield is calculated by
adjusting the tax-exempt yield by a factor designed to show the
approximate yield that a taxable investment would have to earn to
produce an after-tax yield equal, for that shareholder, to the
tax-exempt yield. The tax-equivalent yield will differ for
shareholders in other tax brackets.
At times, Putnam Management may reduce its compensation or assume
expenses of the Fund in order to reduce the Fund's expenses. The
per share amount of any such fee reduction or assumption of
expenses during the Fund's past ten fiscal years (or for the life
of the Fund, if shorter) is reflected in the table in the section
entitled "Financial history" in the Prospectus. Any such fee
reduction or assumption of expenses would increase the Fund's
yield and total return during the period of the fee reduction or
assumption of expenses.
All data are based on past performance and do not predict future
results.
COMPARISON OF PORTFOLIO PERFORMANCE
Independent statistical agencies measure the Fund's investment
performance and publish comparative information showing how the
Fund, and other investment companies, performed in specified time
periods. Three agencies whose reports are commonly used for such
comparisons are set forth below. From time to time, the Fund may
distribute these comparisons to its shareholders or to potential
investors. THE AGENCIES LISTED BELOW MEASURE PERFORMANCE BASED
ON THEIR OWN CRITERIA RATHER THAN ON THE STANDARDIZED
PERFORMANCE MEASURES DESCRIBED IN THE PRECEDING SECTION.
LIPPER ANALYTICAL SERVICES, INC. distributes mutual fund
rankings monthly. The rankings are based on total return
performance calculated by Lipper, reflecting generally
changes in net asset value adjusted for reinvestment of
capital gains and income dividends. They do not reflect
deduction of any sales charges. Lipper rankings cover a
variety of performance periods, for example year-to-date,
1-year, 5-year, and 10-year performance. Lipper
classifies mutual funds by investment objective and asset
category.
MORNINGSTAR, INC. distributes mutual fund ratings twice a
month. The ratings are divided into five groups:
highest, above average, neutral, below average and lowest.
They represent a fund's historical risk/reward ratio
relative to other funds with similar objectives. The
performance factor is a weighted-average assessment of the
Fund's 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year total return
performance (if available) reflecting deduction of
expenses and sales charges. Performance is adjusted using
quantitative techniques to reflect the risk profile of the
fund. The ratings are derived from a purely quantitative
system that does not utilize the subjective criteria
customarily employed by rating agencies such as Standard &
Poor's Corporation and Moody's Investor Service, Inc.
CDA/WIESENBERGER'S MANAGEMENT RESULTS publishes mutual
fund rankings and is distributed monthly. The rankings
are based entirely on total return calculated by
Weisenberger for periods such as year-to-date, 1-year,
3-year, 5-year and 10-year. Mutual funds are ranked in
general categories (e.g., international bond,
international equity, municipal bond, and maximum capital
gain). Weisenberger rankings do not reflect deduction of
sales charges or fees.
Independent publications may also evaluate the Fund's
performance. Certain of those publications are listed below, at
the request of Putnam Mutual Funds, which bears full
responsibility for their use and the descriptions appearing
below. From time to time the Fund may distribute evaluations by
or excerpts from these publications to its shareholders or to
potential investors. The following illustrates the types of
information provided by these publications.
BUSINESS WEEK publishes mutual fund rankings in its
Investment Figures of the Week column. The rankings are
based on 4-week and 52-week total return reflecting
changes in net asset value and the reinvestment of all
distributions. They do not reflect deduction of any sales
charges. Funds are not categorized; they compete in a
large universe of over 2000 funds. The source for
rankings is data generated by Morningstar, Inc.
INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY publishes mutual fund rankings
on a daily basis. The rankings are depicted as the top 25
funds in a given category. The categories are based
loosely on the type of fund, e.g., growth funds, balanced
funds, U.S. government funds, GNMA funds, growth and
income funds, corporate bond funds, etc. Performance
periods for sector equity funds can vary from 4 weeks to
39 weeks; performance periods for other fund groups vary
from 1 year to 3 years. Total return performance reflects
changes in net asset value and reinvestment of dividends
and capital gains. The rankings are based strictly on
total return. They do not reflect deduction of any sales
charges. Performance grades are conferred from A+ to E.
An A+ rating means that the fund has performed within the
top 5% of a general universe of over 2000 funds; an A
rating denotes the top 10%; an A- is given to the top 15%,
etc.
BARRON'S periodically publishes mutual fund rankings. The
rankings are based on total return performance provided by
Lipper Analytical Services. The Lipper total return data
reflects changes in net asset value and reinvestment of
distributions, but does not reflect deduction of any sales
charges. The performance periods vary from short-term
intervals (current quarter or year-to-date, for example)
to long-term periods (five-year or ten-year performance,
for example). Barron's classifies the funds using the
Lipper mutual fund categories, such as Capital
Appreciation Funds, Growth Funds, U.S. Government Funds,
Equity Income Funds, Global Funds, etc. Occasionally,
Barron's modifies the Lipper information by ranking the
funds in asset classes. "Large funds" may be those with
assets in excess of $25 million; "small funds" may be
those with less than $25 million in assets.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL publishes its Mutual Fund
Scorecard on a daily basis. Each Scorecard is a ranking
of the top-15 funds in a given Lipper Analytical Services
category. Lipper provides the rankings based on its total
return data reflecting changes in net asset value and
reinvestment of distributions and not reflecting any sales
charges. The Scorecard portrays 4-week, year-to-date,
one-year and 5-year performance; however, the ranking is
based on the one-year results. The rankings for any given
category appear approximately once per month.
FORTUNE magazine periodically publishes mutual fund
rankings that have been compiled for the magazine by
Morningstar, Inc. Funds are placed in stock or bond fund
categories (for example, aggressive growth stock funds,
growth stock funds, small company stock funds, junk bond
funds, Treasury bond funds, etc.), with the top-10 stock
funds and the top-5 bond funds appearing in the rankings.
The rankings are based on 3-year annualized total return
reflecting changes in net asset value and reinvestment of
distributions and not reflecting sales charges.
Performance is adjusted using quantitative techniques to
reflect the risk profile of the fund.
MONEY magazine periodically publishes mutual fund rankings
on a database of funds tracked for performance by Lipper
Analytical Services. The funds are placed in 23 stock or
bond fund categories and analyzed for five-year risk
adjusted return. Total return reflects changes in net
asset value and reinvestment of all dividends and capital
gains distributions and does not reflect deduction of any
sales charges. Grades are conferred (from A to E): the
top 20% in each category receive an A, the next 20% a B,
etc. To be ranked, a fund must be at least one year old,
accept a minimum investment of $25,000 or less and have
had assets of at least $25 million as of a given date.
FINANCIAL WORLD publishes its monthly Independent
Appraisals of Mutual Funds, a survey of approximately 1000
mutual funds. Funds are categorized as to type, e.g.,
balanced funds, corporate bond funds, global bond funds,
growth and income funds, U.S. government bond funds, etc.
To compete, funds must be over one year old, have over $1
million in assets, require a maximum of $10,000 initial
investment, and should be available in at least 10 states
in the United States. The funds receive a composite past
performance rating, which weighs the intermediate- and
long-term past performance of each fund versus its
category, as well as taking into account its risk, reward
to risk, and fees. An A+ rated fund is one of the best,
while a D-rated fund is one of the worst. The source for
Financial World rating is Schabacker investment management
in Rockville, MD.
FORBES magazine periodically publishes mutual fund ratings
based on performance over at least two bull and bear
market cycles. The funds are categorized by type,
including stock and balanced funds, taxable bond funds,
municipal bond funds, etc. Data sources include Lipper
Analytical Services and CDA Investment Technologies. The
ratings are based strictly on performance at net asset
value over the given cycles. Funds performing in the top
5% receive an A+ rating; the top 15% receive an A rating;
and so on until the bottom 5% receive an F rating. Each
fund exhibits two ratings, one for performance in "up"
markets and another for performance in "down" markets.
KIPLINGER'S PERSONAL FINANCE MAGAZINE (formerly Changing
Times), periodically publishes rankings of mutual funds
based on one-, three- and five-year total return
performance reflecting changes in net asset value and
reinvestment of dividends and capital gains and not
reflecting deduction of any sales charges. Funds are
ranked by tenths: a rank of 1 means that a fund was among
the highest 10% in total return for the period; a rank of
10 denotes the bottom 10%. Funds compete in categories of
similar funds--aggressive growth funds, growth and income
funds, sector funds, corporate bond funds, global
governmental bond funds, mortgage-backed securities funds,
etc. Kiplinger's also provides a risk-adjusted grade in
both rising and falling markets. Funds are graded against
others with the same objective. The average weekly total
return over two years is calculated. Performance is
adjusted using quantitative techniques to reflect the risk
profile of the fund.
U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT periodically publishes mutual
fund rankings based on an overall performance index (OPI)
devised by Kanon Bloch Carre & Co., a Boston research
firm. Over 2000 funds are tracked and divided into 10
equity, taxable bond and tax-free bond categories. Funds
compete within the 10 groups and three broad categories.
The OPI is a number from 0-100 that measures the relative
performance of funds at least three years old over the
last 1, 3, 5 and 10 years and the last six bear markets.
Total return reflects changes in net asset value and the
reinvestment of any dividends and capital gains
distributions and does not reflect deduction of any sales
charges. Results for the longer periods receive the most
weight.
THE 100 BEST MUTUAL FUNDS YOU CAN BUY (1992), authored by
Gordon K. Williamson. The author's list of funds is
divided into 12 equity and bond fund categories, and the
100 funds are determined by applying four criteria.
First, equity funds whose current management teams have
been in place for less than five years are eliminated.
(The standard for bond funds is three years.) Second, the
author excludes any fund that ranks in the bottom 20
percent of its category's risk level. Risk is determined
by analyzing how many months over the past three years the
fund has underperformed a bank CD or a U.S. Treasury bill.
Third, a fund must have demonstrated strong results for
current three-year and five-year performance. Fourth, the
fund must either possess, in Mr. Williamson's judgment,
"excellent" risk-adjusted return or "superior" return with
low levels of risk. Each of the 100 funds is ranked in
five categories: total return, risk/volatility,
management, current income and expenses. The rankings
follow a five-point system: zero designates "poor"; one
point means "fair"; two points denote "good"; three points
qualify as a "very good"; four points rank as "superior";
and five points mean "excellent."
In addition, Putnam Mutual Funds may distribute to shareholders
or prospective investors illustrations of the benefits of
reinvesting tax-exempt or tax-deferred distributions over
specified time periods, which may include comparisons to fully
taxable distributions. These illustrations use hypothetical
rates of tax-advantaged and taxable returns and are not intended
to indicate the past or future performance of any fund.
<PAGE>
DEFINITIONS
"Putnam Management" -- Putnam Investment Management,
Inc., the Fund's investment
manager.
"Putnam Mutual Funds" -- Putnam Mutual Funds Corp., the
Fund's principal underwriter.
"Putnam Fiduciary Trust -- Putnam Fiduciary Trust Company,
Company" the Fund's custodian.
"Putnam Investor Services" -- Putnam Investor Services, a
division of Putnam Fiduciary
Trust Company, the Fund's
investor servicing agent.
<PAGE>
PUTNAM INTERNATIONAL NEW OPPORTUNITIES FUND
(a series of Putnam Investment Funds (the "Trust")
FORM N-1A
PART B
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ("SAI")
JULY 14, 1995
This SAI is not a prospectus and is only authorized
for distribution when accompanied or preceded by the
prospectus of the fund dated July 14 , 1995,
as revised from time to time. This SAI contains
information which may be useful to investors but which is not
included in the prospectus. If the fund has more
than one form of current prospectus , each reference to the
prospectus in this SAI shall include all the
fund's prospectuses , unless otherwise noted. The
SAI should be read together with the applicable
prospectus . Investors may obtain a free copy of the
applicable prospectus from Putnam Investor Services,
Mailing address: P.O. Box 41203, Providence, RI 02940-1203.
Part I of this SAI contains specific information about the
fund . Part II includes information about the funds
and the other Putnam funds.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS OF THE FUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I-3
FUND CHARGES AND EXPENSES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I-6
ADDITIONAL OFFICERS OF THE FUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I-7
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . .I-8
PART II
MISCELLANEOUS INVESTMENT PRACTICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II-1
TAXES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-22
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-27
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-36
HOW TO BUY SHARES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-38
DISTRIBUTION PLAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-49
INVESTOR SERVICES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II- 49
SIGNATURE GUARANTEES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II- 55
SUSPENSION OF REDEMPTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II- 55
SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II- 55
STANDARD PERFORMANCE MEASURES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II- 56
COMPARISON OF PORTFOLIO PERFORMANCE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II- 57
DEFINITIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II- 62
<PAGE>
SAI
PART I
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS OF THE FUND
As fundamental investment restrictions, which may not be changed
with respect to the fund without a vote of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of the fund, the fund
may not and will not with respect to the fund :
(1) Borrow money in excess of 10% of the value (taken at the
lower of cost or current value) of its total assets (not
including the amount borrowed) at the time the borrowing is made,
and then only from banks as a temporary measure to facilitate the
meeting of redemption requests (not for leverage) which might
otherwise require the untimely disposition of portfolio
investments or for extraordinary or emergency purposes. Such
borrowings will be repaid before any additional investments are
purchased.
(2) Underwrite securities issued by other persons except to the
extent that, in connection with the disposition of its portfolio
investments, it may be deemed to be an underwriter under certain
federal securities laws.
(3) 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.
(4) Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, except
that the fund may purchase and sell financial futures
contracts and options.
(5) Make loans, except by purchase of debt obligations in which
the fund may invest consistent with its investment
policies, by entering into repurchase agreements with respect to
not more than 25% of its total assets (taken at current value) or
through the lending of its portfolio securities with respect to
not more than 25% of its total assets (taken at current value).
<PAGE>
(6) With respect to 75% of its total assets, invest in
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 political subdivisions.
(7) With respect to 75% of its total assets, acquire more than
10% of the voting securities of any issuer.
(8) 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 .
(9) Issue any class of securities which is senior to the
fund's shares of beneficial interest.
It is contrary to the fund's present policy, which may be
changed without shareholder approval, to:
(1) Invest in (a) securities which at the time of such
investment are not readily marketable, (b) securities restricted
as to resale (excluding securities determined by the Trustees of
the Trust (or the person designated by the Trustees of the Trust
to make such determinations) to be readily marketable), and (c)
repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days, if, as a
result, more than 15% of the fund's net assets (taken at
current value) would be invested in securities described in (a),
(b) and (c) above.
(2) 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 or dispose of such leases,
rights, or contracts acquired through the exercise of its rights
as a holder of debt obligations secured thereby.
(3) Invest in securities of registered open-end
investment companies, except as they may be acquired as part of a
merger or consolidation or acquisition of assets or by purchases
in the open market involving only customary brokers' commissions.
<PAGE>
(4) Make short sales of securities or maintain a short
position for the account of the fund unless at all times
when a short position is open it owns an equal amount of such
securities or owns securities which, without payment of any
further consideration, are convertible into or exchangeable for
securities of the same issue as, and in equal amount to, the
securities sold short.
(5) Purchase or sell real property (including limited
partnership interests), except that the fund may (a)
purchase or sell readily marketable interests in real estate
investment trusts or readily marketable securities of companies
which invest in real estate, (b) purchase or sell securities that
are secured by interests in real estate or interests therein, or
(c) acquire real estate through exercise of its rights as a
holder of obligations secured by real estate or interests therein
or sell real estate so acquired.
(6) Invest in securities of any issuer, if, to the
knowledge of the fund , officers and Trustees of the Trust
and officers and directors of Putnam Management who beneficially
own more than 0.5% of the securities of that issuer together own
more than 5% of such securities.
(7) 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.
Although certain of the fund's investment restrictions
permit the funds to borrow money to a limited extent, the
funds does not currently intend to do so. For the purpose
of fundamental investment restriction 8 above, the fund
will consider securities backed by the credit of different
foreign governments as representing separate industries.
---------------------
All percentage limitations on investments will apply at the time
of the making of an investment and shall not be considered
violated unless an excess or deficiency occurs or exists
immediately after and as a result of such investment.
The Investment Company Act of 1940 provides that a "vote of the
majority of the outstanding voting securities" of the fund
means 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 are represented at the meeting in
person or by proxy.
FUND CHARGES AND EXPENSES
Management Fees
Under a Management Contract dated December 2, 1994, the
fund pays a quarterly fee to Putnam Management based on
the average net assets of the fund , as determined at the
close of each business day during the quarter at an annual
rate , expressed as a percentage of the fund's
average net assets , of 1.20% of the first $500 million,
1.10% of the next $500 million, 1.05% of the next $500 million,
1.00% of the next $5 billion, 0.975% of the next $5 billion,
0.955% of the next $5 billion, 0.94% of the next $5 billion, and
0.93% thereafter.
Expense Limitation. In order to limit the fund's expenses
during its start-up period , Putnam Management has
agreed to limit its compensation (and, to the extent necessary,
bear other expenses) through December 31, 1995 . Effective
August 1, 1995 , subject to the vote of the Trustees at a
meeting currently scheduled for July 14, 1995, the expenses
payable to Putnam Management will be limited to the extent
that expenses of the fund (exclusive of brokerage,
interest, taxes, deferred organizational and extraordinary
expense, and payments under the fund's class A
Distribution Plan) would exceed the annual rate of 1.75% of
the average net assets of the Class A, Class B and Class M
shares of the fund. If the proposed increase is not approved by
the Trustees, this propspectus will be revised accordingly .
For the purpose of determining any such limitation on Putnam
Management's compensation, fund expenses shall not reflect
the application of commissions or cash management credits that
may reduce designated fund expenses. With Trustee
approval, this expense limitation may be terminated earlier, in
which event shareholders would be notified and this SAI
would be revised.
Trustee Fees
Each Trustee a fee for his or her services. Each Trustee also
receives fees for serving as Trustee of 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 Trustees meet monthly over a
two-day period, except in August. The Compensation Committee,
which consists solely of Trustees not affiliated with Putnam
Management and is responsible for recommending Trustee
compensation, estimates that Committee and Trustee meeting time
together with the appropriate preparation requires the equivalent
of at least three business days per Trustee meeting. The
following table shows the year each Trustee was first elected a
Trustee of the Putnam funds, the estimated fees to be paid to
each Trustee by the Trust for fiscal 1995 and the fees paid to
each Trustee by all of the Putnam funds during the calendar year
1994.
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION TABLE
Year first
elected as Estimated Total
a Trustee aggregate compensation
of the compensation from all
Trustees Putnam funds from the fund* Putnam funds**
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Jameson A. Baxter 1994 $114 $135,850
Hans H. Estin 1972 $114 141,850
John A. Hill 1985 $114 143,850
Elizabeth T. Kennan 1992 $114 141,850
Lawrence J. Lasser 1992 $114 141,850
Robert E. Patterson 1984 $114 144,850
Donald S. Perkins 1982 $114 139,850
William F. Pounds 1971 $114 143,850
George Putnam 1957 $114 141,850
George Putnam, III 1984 $114 141,850
Eli Shapiro*** 1995 $114 N/A
A.J.C. Smith 1986 $114 137,850
W. Nicholas Thorndike 1992 $114 144,850
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
* Reflects estimated amounts to be paid for its fiscal year
September 30, 1995. 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, 1994,
there were 86 funds in the Putnam family.
*** Elected as a Trustee in April 1995. For the calendar year
ended December 31, 1994 Dr. Shapiro received $38,577 in
retirement benefits from the Putnam funds in respect of his
prior service as a Trustee from 1984 to 1990, which benefits
terminated at the end of 1994.
The 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 1994 and was eligible to receive
benefits under these Guidelines would have received an annual
benefit of $60,425, 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 concerning the Trustees, see
"Management of the Fund" in Part II of this SAI.
Ownership of Fund Shares
At May 31, 1995, the officers and Trustees of the Trust as a
group owned 6,473.729 (3.20%) of the outstanding shares of Putnam
International New Opportunities Fund, and to the knowledge of the
fund no person owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the
shares of the fund, except that Putnam Investments, Inc.
owned of record and beneficially 87.20% of the
fund . Putnam Investments, Inc. is incorporated in
Massachusetts, and its parent corporation, Marsh & McLennan
Companies, Inc., is incorporated in Delaware. The address of
Putnam Investments, Inc. is One Post Office Square, Boston, MA
02109.
ADDITIONAL OFFICERS OF THE TRUST
In addition to the persons listed as officers of the Trust in
Part II of this Statement, the following persons are also
officers of the Trust. Officers of Putnam Management hold the
same offices in Putnam Management's parent company, Putnam
Investments, Inc.
Peter Carman, Vice President. Senior Managing Director of Putnam
Management. Vice President of certain of the Putnam funds.
Prior to August 1, 1993, Mr. Carman was Chief Investment Officer,
Chairman of the U.S. Equity Investment Policy Committee and a
Director of Sanford C. Bernstein & Company, Inc.
David L. King, Vice President. Senior Vice President of Putnam
Management. Vice President of certain of the Putnam funds.
Jeanne L. Mockard, Vice President. Senior Vice President of
Putnam Management. Vice President of certain of the Putnam
funds.
John J. Morgan, Jr., Vice President. Managing Director of Putnam
Management. Vice President of certain of the Putnam funds.
Anthony W. Regan, Vice President. Senior Managing Director of
Putnam Management. Director of Putnam Investments, Inc. Vice
President of certain of the Putnam funds.
Thomas V. Reilly, Vice President. Managing Director of Putnam
Management. Vice President of certain of the Putnam funds.
David J. Santos, Vice President. Vice President of Putnam
Management. Vice President of certain of the Putnam funds.
Justin M. Scott, Vice President. Senior Vice President of Putnam
Management. Vice President of certain of the Putnam funds.
Sheldon N. Simon, Vice President. Senior Vice President of
Putnam Management. Vice President of certain of the Putnam
funds.
Kenneth J. Taubes, Vice President. Senior Vice President of
Putnam Management and Vice President of certain of the Putnam
funds. Prior to July, 1991, Mr. Taubes was Senior Vice President
of the Finance Division of U.S. Trust Company.
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. , One Post Office Square, Boston, MA
02109, are the fund's independent accountants,
providing audit services, tax return review and other tax
consulting services and assistance and consultation in connection
with the review of various Securities and Exchange Commission
filings. The unaudited financial statements included in the
fund's Semi-Annual Report for the period ended March 31, 1995,
filed electronically on May 23, 1995 (811-7237), are
incorporated by reference into this SAI.
The following Report of Independent Accountants and Statement of
Assets and Liabilities have been included in this SAI in
reliance upon the report of the independent accountants, given on
their authority as experts in auditing and accounting.
As of the date of the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
below , the Trust was named Putnam Equity funds. The SAI
of Assets and Liabilities reflects this former name. <PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Shareholder and Board of Trustees of Putnam Equity
funds
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and
liabilities of Putnam International New Opportunities
Fund (the "fund") one in a series of Putnam Equity
funds (the "Trust"), as of December 13, 1994. This
statement is the responsibility of the fund's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the
financial statement based on our audit.
We conducted our audit 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 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 cash owned as of December 13,
1994 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 audit
provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statement referred to above
presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of the fund of the Trust as of December 13, 1994,
in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
Boston, Massachusetts
December 15, 1994
<PAGE>
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
PUTNAM INTERNATIONAL NEW OPPORTUNITIES FUND
(A series of Putnam Equity funds)
December 13, 1994
Assets:
Cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20,000.00
Estimated deferred organization expenses
(Note 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,425.00
--------
--
Total assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26,425.00
Liabilities:
Estimated organization expenses payable
(Note 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,425.00
--------
--
Commitments (Notes 1, 2 and 3)
Net assets applicable to 2,352.941 Class A
shares outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20,000
========
Computation of net asset value, redemption and offering
price per share:
Net asset value and redemption price per share
($20,000 divided by 2,352.941 shares). . . . . . . $8.50
======
Offering price per Class A share (100/94.25 of $8.50),
reduced on sales of $50,000 or more and in certain
other circumstances -- see "HOW TO BUY SHARES" . . $9.02
======
See Notes to Statement of Assets and Liabilities<PAGE>
Notes to Statements of Assets and Liabilities
Note 1. Organization
The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust under
an Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated October 31, 1994,
and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, as an open-end, diversified, management investment
company, consisting of a series of investment portfolios ,
each of which is represented by a separate series of shares of
beneficial interest. The Trust currently consists of five
funds. Financial Statements for only Putnam International
New Opportunities Fund is contained in this SAI . The
Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust permits the issuance
of an unlimited number of shares. The Trust has had no
operations other than those relating to organizational matters
and the initial capital contribution of $100,000 to the Trust.
The fund's outstanding shares are owned by Putnam
Investments, Inc.
Upon the sale of its shares to the public, the Trust will become
liable for registration fees payable to the Securities and
Exchange Commission and for not more than $125,000 of expenses in
connection with its organization and the initial public offering
of its shares. Putnam Investment Management, Inc. ("Putnam
Management"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Putnam
Investments, Inc., will pay any such expenses in excess of that
amount and will pay all such expenses in the event that the
initial public offering is withdrawn. At December 13, 1994,
estimated deferred organization expenses for the fund are
$6,425.00 based upon estimated registration, legal and accounting
costs. The fund will amortize such expenses borne by it
over its first five years of operation based upon projected net
asset levels. Putnam Investments, Inc. has agreed that if any of
the initial shares of any funds are redeemed during such
amortization period by any holder thereof, the redemption
proceeds will be reduced by the amount of the then unamortized
organization expenses in the same ratio as the number of shares
redeemed bears to the number of initial shares held at the time
of redemption.
Note 2. Management Contract
The fund has entered into a Management Contract with
Putnam Management. As compensation for the services rendered,
facilities furnished, and expenses borne by Putnam Management,
the fund will pay Putnam Management a fee, computed and
paid quarterly based on the average net assets for the
quarter. Such fee is based on the following annual rates:
1.20% of the first $500 million, 1.10% of the next $500
million, 1.05% of the next $500 million, 1.00% of the next $5
billion, 0.975% of the next $5 billion, 0.955% of the next $5
billion, 0.94% of the next $5 billion, and 0.93% thereafter.
<PAGE>
Note 3. Distribution Plan
The fund has entered into a Distribution Plan pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 relating to
its Class A shares. The fund will, upon the approval of
such payments by the Trustees of such funds , pay Putnam
Mutual Funds Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Putnam
Investments, Inc., a quarterly distribution fee at the annual
rate of up to 0.35% of the average net assets of the funds
represented by Class A shares. No payments are presently being
made under the Distribution Plan.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MISCELLANEOUS INVESTMENT PRACTICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II-1
TAXES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-22
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-27
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-36
HOW TO BUY SHARES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-38
DISTRIBUTION PLAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-49
INVESTOR SERVICES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-49
SIGNATURE GUARANTEES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-55
SUSPENSION OF REDEMPTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-55
SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-55
STANDARD PERFORMANCE MEASURES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-56
COMPARISON OF PORTFOLIO PERFORMANCE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-57
DEFINITIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .II-62
<PAGE>
THE PUTNAM FUNDS
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ("SAI")
PART II
The following information applies generally to your Fund and to
the other Putnam funds. In certain cases the discussion applies
to some but not all of the funds or their shareholders, and you
should refer to your Prospectus to determine whether the matter
is applicable to you or your Fund. You will also be referred to
Part I for certain information applicable to your particular
Fund. Shareholders who purchase shares at net asset value
through employer-sponsored defined contribution plans should also
consult their employer for information about the extent to which
the matters described below apply to them.
MISCELLANEOUS INVESTMENT PRACTICES
YOUR FUND'S PROSPECTUS STATES WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING INVESTMENT
PRACTICES ARE AVAILABLE TO YOUR FUND. THE FACT THAT YOUR FUND IS
AUTHORIZED TO ENGAGE IN A PARTICULAR PRACTICE DOES NOT
NECESSARILY MEAN THAT IT WILL ACTUALLY DO SO. YOU SHOULD
DISREGARD ANY PRACTICE DESCRIBED BELOW WHICH IS NOT MENTIONED IN
THE PROSPECTUS.
SHORT-TERM TRADING
In seeking the Fund's objective, Putnam Management will buy or
sell portfolio securities whenever Putnam Management believes it
appropriate to do so. In deciding whether to sell a portfolio
security, Putnam Management does not consider how long the Fund
has owned the security. From time to time the Fund will buy
securities intending to seek short-term trading profits. A
change in the securities held by the Fund is known as "portfolio
turnover" and generally involves some expense to the Fund. These
expenses may include brokerage commissions or dealer mark-ups and
other transaction costs on both the sale of securities and the
reinvestment of the proceeds in other securities. If sales of
portfolio securities cause the Fund to realize net short-term
capital gains, such gains will be taxable as ordinary income. As
a result of the Fund's investment policies, under certain market
conditions the Fund's portfolio turnover rate may be higher than
that of other mutual funds. Portfolio turnover rate for a fiscal
year is the ratio of the lesser of purchases or sales of
portfolio securities to the monthly average of the value of
portfolio securities -- excluding securities whose maturities at
acquisition were one year or less. The Fund's portfolio turnover
rate is not a limiting factor when Putnam Management considers a
change in the Fund's portfolio.
<PAGE>
LOWER-RATED SECURITIES
The Fund may invest in lower-rated fixed-income securities
(commonly known as "junk bonds"), to the extent described in the
Prospectus. The lower ratings of certain securities held by the
Fund reflect a greater possibility that adverse changes in the
financial condition of the issuer or in general economic
conditions, or both, or an unanticipated rise in interest rates,
may impair the ability of the issuer to make payments of interest
and principal. The inability (or perceived inability) of issuers
to make timely payment of interest and principal would likely
make the values of securities held by the Fund more volatile and
could limit the Fund's ability to sell its securities at prices
approximating the values the Fund had placed on such securities.
In the absence of a liquid trading market for securities held by
it, the Fund may be unable at times to establish the fair value
of such securities. The rating assigned to a security by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Corporation (or by
any other nationally recognized securities rating organization)
does not reflect an assessment of the volatility of the
security's market value or the liquidity of an investment in the
security. See the Prospectus or Part I of this Statement for a
description of security ratings.
Like those of other fixed-income securities, the values of
lower-rated securities fluctuate in response to changes in
interest rates. Thus, a decrease in interest rates will
generally result in an increase in the value of the Fund's
assets. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, the
value of the Fund's assets will generally decline. In addition,
the values of such securities are also affected by changes in
general economic conditions and business conditions affecting the
specific industries of their issuers. Changes by recognized
rating services in their ratings of any fixed-income security and
in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and
principal may also affect the value of these investments.
Changes in the value of portfolio securities generally will not
affect cash income derived from such securities, but will affect
the Fund's net asset value. The Fund will not necessarily
dispose of a security when its rating is reduced below its rating
at the time of purchase, although Putnam Management will monitor
the investment to determine whether its retention will assist in
meeting the Fund's investment objective.
At times, a substantial portion of the Fund's assets may be
invested in securities as to which the Fund, by itself or
together with other funds and accounts managed by Putnam
Management and its affiliates, holds a major portion or all of
such securities. Although Putnam Management generally considers
such securities to be liquid because of the availability of an
institutional market for such securities, it is possible that,
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 such securities when
Putnam Management believes it advisable to do so or may be able
to sell such securities only at prices lower than if such
securities were more widely held. 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.
In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default under
such securities, the Fund may be required to take possession of
and manage assets securing the issuer's obligations on such
securities, which may increase the Fund's operating expenses and
adversely affect the Fund's net asset value. In the case of
tax-exempt funds, any income derived from the Fund's ownership or
operation of such assets would not be tax-exempt. In addition,
the Fund's intention to qualify as a "regulated investment
company" under the Internal Revenue Code may limit the extent to
which the Fund may exercise its rights by taking possession of
such assets.
Certain securities held by the Fund may permit the issuer at its
option to "call", or redeem, its securities. If an issuer were
to redeem securities held by the Fund during a time of declining
interest rates, the Fund may not be able to reinvest the proceeds
in securities providing the same investment return as the
securities redeemed.
If the Fund's Prospectus describes so-called "zero-coupon" bonds
and "payment-in-kind" bonds as possible investments, the Fund may
invest without limit in such bonds unless otherwise specified in
the Prospectus. Zero-coupon bonds are issued at a significant
discount from their principal amount in lieu of paying interest
periodically. Payment-in-kind bonds allow the issuer, at its
option, to make current interest payments on the bonds either in
cash or in additional bonds. Because zero-coupon bonds do not
pay current interest, their value is subject to greater
fluctuation in response to changes in market interest rates than
bonds which pay interest currently. Both zero-coupon and
payment-in-kind bonds allow an issuer to avoid the need to
generate cash to meet current interest payments. Accordingly,
such bonds may involve greater credit risks than bonds paying
interest currently. Even though such bonds do not pay current
interest in cash, the Fund is nonetheless required to accrue
interest income on such investments and to distribute such
amounts at least annually to shareholders. Thus, the Fund could
be required at times to liquidate investments in order to satisfy
its dividend requirements.
The amount of information about the financial condition of an
issuer of tax exempt securities may not be as extensive as that
which is made available by corporations whose securities are
publicly traded. Therefore, to the extent the Fund invests in
tax exempt securities in the lower rating categories, the
achievement of the Fund's goals is more dependent on Putnam
Management's investment analysis than would be the case if the
Fund were investing in securities in the higher rating
categories.
INVESTMENTS IN MISCELLANEOUS FIXED INCOME SECURITIES
Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus or elsewhere in this
SAI, if the Fund may invest in inverse floating obligations,
premium securities, or interest-only or principal-only classes of
mortgage-backed securities, it may do so without limit. The
Fund, however, currently does not intend to invest more than 15%
of its assets in inverse floating obligations under normal market
conditions.
SECURITIES LOANS
The Fund may make secured loans of its portfolio securities, on
either a short-term or long-term basis, amounting to not more
than 25% of its total assets, thereby realizing additional
income. The risks in lending portfolio securities, as with other
extensions of credit, consist of possible delay in recovery of
the securities or possible loss of rights in the collateral
should the borrower fail financially. As a matter of policy,
securities loans are made to broker-dealers pursuant to
agreements requiring that loans be continuously secured by
collateral consisting of cash or short-term debt obligations at
least equal at all times to the value of the securities on loan,
"marked-to-market" daily. The borrower pays to the Fund an
amount equal to any dividends or interest received on securities
lent. The Fund retains all or a portion of the interest received
on investment of the cash collateral or receives a fee from the
borrower. Although voting rights, or rights to consent, with
respect to the loaned securities pass to the borrower, the Fund
retains the right to call the loans at any time on reasonable
notice, and it will do so to enable the Fund to exercise voting
rights on any matters materially affecting the investment. The
Fund may also call such loans in order to sell the securities.
FORWARD COMMITMENTS
The Fund may enter into contracts to purchase securities for a
fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time
("forward commitments") if the Fund holds, and maintains until
the settlement date in a segregated account, cash or high-grade
debt obligations in an amount sufficient to meet the purchase
price, or if the Fund enters into offsetting contracts for the
forward sale of other securities it owns. In the case of to-be-
announced ("TBA") purchase commitments, the unit price and the
estimated principal amount are established when the Fund enters
into a contract, with the actual principal amount being within a
specified range of the estimate. Forward commitments may be
considered securities in themselves, and involve a risk of loss
if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to
the settlement date, which risk is in addition to the risk of
decline in the value of the Fund's other assets. Where such
purchases are made through dealers, the Fund relies on the dealer
to consummate the sale. The dealer's failure to do so may result
in the loss to the Fund of an advantageous yield or price.
Although the Fund will generally enter into forward commitments
with the intention of acquiring securities for its portfolio or
for delivery pursuant to options contracts it has entered into,
the Fund may dispose of a commitment prior to settlement if
Putnam Management deems it appropriate to do so. The Fund may
realize short-term profits or losses upon the sale of forward
commitments.
The Fund may enter into TBA sale commitments to hedge its
portfolio positions or to sell mortgage-backed securities it owns
under delayed delivery arrangements. Proceeds of TBA sale
commitments are not received until the contractual settlement
date. During the time a TBA sale commitment is outstanding,
equivalent deliverable securities, or an offsetting TBA purchase
commitment deliverable on or before the sale commitment date, are
held as "cover" for the transaction. Unsettled TBA sale
commitments are valued at current market value of the underlying
securities. If the TBA sale commitment is closed through the
acquisition of an offsetting purchase commitment, the Fund
realizes a gain or loss on the commitment without regard to any
unrealized gain or loss on the underlying security. If the Fund
delivers securities under the commitment, the Fund realizes a
gain or loss from the sale of the securities based upon the unit
price established at the date the commitment was entered into.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements up to the limit
specified in the Prospectus. A repurchase agreement is a
contract under which the Fund acquires a security for a
relatively short period (usually not more than one week) subject
to the obligation of the seller to repurchase and the Fund to
resell such security at a fixed time and price (representing the
Fund's cost plus interest). It is the Fund's present intention
to enter into repurchase agreements only with commercial banks
and registered broker-dealers and only with respect to
obligations of the U.S. government or its agencies or
instrumentalities. Repurchase agreements may also be viewed as
loans made by the Fund which are collateralized by the securities
subject to repurchase. Putnam Management will monitor such
transactions to ensure that the value of the underlying
securities will be at least equal at all times to the total
amount of the repurchase obligation, including the interest
factor. If the seller defaults, the Fund could realize a loss on
the sale of the underlying security to the extent that the
proceeds of sale including accrued interest are less than the
resale price provided in the agreement including interest. In
addition, if the seller should be involved in bankruptcy or
insolvency proceedings, the Fund may incur delay and costs in
selling the underlying security or may suffer a loss of principal
and interest if the Fund is treated as an unsecured creditor and
required to return the underlying collateral to the seller's
estate.
Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the Securities and
Exchange Commission, the Fund may transfer uninvested cash
balances into a joint account, along with cash of other Putnam
funds and certain other accounts. These balances may be invested
in one or more repurchase agreements and/or short-term money
market instruments.
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES
WRITING COVERED OPTIONS. The Fund may write covered call options
and covered put options on optionable securities held in its
portfolio, when in the opinion of Putnam Management such
transactions are consistent with the Fund's investment objectives
and policies. Call options written by the Fund give the
purchaser the right to buy the underlying securities from the
Fund at a stated exercise price; put options give the purchaser
the right to sell the underlying securities to the Fund at a
stated price.
The Fund may write only covered options, which means that, so
long as the Fund is obligated as the writer of a call option, it
will own the underlying securities subject to the option (or
comparable securities satisfying the cover requirements of
securities exchanges). In the case of put options, the Fund will
hold cash and/or high-grade short-term debt obligations equal to
the price to be paid if the option is exercised. In addition,
the Fund will be considered to have covered a put or call option
if and to the extent that it holds an option that offsets some or
all of the risk of the option it has written. The Fund may write
combinations of covered puts and calls on the same underlying
security.
The Fund will receive a premium from writing a put or call
option, which increases the Fund's return on the underlying
security in the event the option expires unexercised or is closed
out at a profit. The amount of the premium reflects, among other
things, the relationship between the exercise price and the
current market value of the underlying security, the volatility
of the underlying security, the amount of time remaining until
expiration, current interest rates, and the effect of supply and
demand in the options market and in the market for the underlying
security. By writing a call option, the Fund limits its
opportunity to profit from any increase in the market value of
the underlying security above the exercise price of the option
but continues to bear the risk of a decline in the value of the
underlying security. By writing a put option, the Fund assumes
the risk that it may be required to purchase the underlying
security for an exercise price higher than its then-current
market value, resulting in a potential capital loss unless the
security subsequently appreciates in value.
The Fund may terminate an option that it has written prior to its
expiration by entering into a closing purchase transaction, in
which it purchases an offsetting option. The Fund realizes a
profit or loss from a closing transaction if the cost of the
transaction (option premium plus transaction costs) is less or
more than the premium received from writing the option. Because
increases in the market price of a call option generally reflect
increases in the market price of the security underlying the
option, any loss resulting from a closing purchase transaction
may be offset in whole or in part by unrealized appreciation of
the underlying security owned by the Fund.
If the Fund writes a call option but does not own the underlying
security, and when it writes a put option, the Fund may be
required to deposit cash or securities with its broker as
"margin", or collateral, for its obligation to buy or sell the
underlying security. As the value of the underlying security
varies, the Fund may have to deposit additional margin with the
broker. Margin requirements are complex and are fixed by
individual brokers, subject to minimum requirements currently
imposed by the Federal Reserve Board and by stock exchanges and
other self-regulatory organizations.
PURCHASING PUT OPTIONS. The Fund may purchase put options to
protect its portfolio holdings in an underlying security against
a decline in market value. Such protection is provided during
the life of the put option since the Fund, as holder of the
option, is able to sell the underlying security at the put
exercise price regardless of any decline in the underlying
security's market price. In order for a put option to be
profitable, the market price of the underlying security must
decline sufficiently below the exercise price to cover the
premium and transaction costs. By using put options in this
manner, the Fund will reduce any profit it might otherwise have
realized from appreciation of the underlying security by the
premium paid for the put option and by transaction costs.
PURCHASING CALL OPTIONS. The Fund may purchase call options to
hedge against an increase in the price of securities that the
Fund wants ultimately to buy. Such hedge protection is provided
during the life of the call option since the Fund, as holder of
the call option, is able to buy the underlying security at the
exercise price regardless of any increase in the underlying
security's market price. In order for a call option to be
profitable, the market price of the underlying security must rise
sufficiently above the exercise price to cover the premium and
transaction costs.
RISK FACTORS IN OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS
The successful use of the Fund's options strategies depends on
the ability of Putnam Management to forecast correctly interest
rate and market movements. For example, if the Fund were to
write a call option based on Putnam Management's expectation that
the price of the underlying security would fall, but the price
were to rise instead, the Fund could be required to sell the
security upon exercise at a price below the current market price.
Similarly, if the Fund were to write a put option based on Putnam
Management's expectation that the price of the underlying
security would rise, but the price were to fall instead, the Fund
could be required to purchase the security upon exercise at a
price higher than the current market price.
When the Fund purchases an option, it runs the risk that it will
lose its entire investment in the option in a relatively short
period of time, unless the Fund exercises the option or enters
into a closing sale transaction before the option's expiration.
If the price of the underlying security does not rise (in the
case of a call) or fall (in the case of a put) to an extent
sufficient to cover the option premium and transaction costs, the
Fund will lose part or all of its investment in the option. This
contrasts with an investment by the Fund in the underlying
security, since the Fund will not realize a loss if the
security's price does not change.
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.
If a secondary market in options were to become unavailable, the
Fund could no longer engage in closing transactions. Lack of
investor interest might adversely affect the liquidity of the
market for particular options or series of options. A market may
discontinue trading of a particular option or options generally.
In addition, a market could become temporarily unavailable if
unusual events -- such as volume in excess of trading or clearing
capability -- were to interrupt its normal operations.
A market may at times find it necessary to impose restrictions on
particular types of options transactions, such as opening
transactions. For example, if an underlying security ceases to
meet qualifications imposed by the market or the Options Clearing
Corporation, new series of options on that security will no
longer be opened to replace expiring series, and opening
transactions in existing series may be prohibited. If an options
market were to become unavailable, the Fund as a holder of an
option would be able to realize profits or limit losses only by
exercising the option, and the Fund, as option writer, would
remain obligated under the option until expiration or exercise.
Disruptions in the markets for the securities underlying options
purchased or sold by the Fund could result in losses on the
options. If trading is interrupted in an underlying security,
the trading of options on that security is normally halted as
well. As a result, the Fund as purchaser or writer of an option
will be unable to close out its positions until options trading
resumes, and it may be faced with considerable losses if trading
in the security reopens at a substantially different price. In
addition, the Options Clearing Corporation or other options
markets may impose exercise restrictions. If a prohibition on
exercise is imposed at the time when trading in the option has
also been halted, the Fund as purchaser or writer of an option
will be locked into its position until one of the two
restrictions has been lifted. If the Options Clearing
Corporation were to determine that the available supply of an
underlying security appears insufficient to permit delivery by
the writers of all outstanding calls in the event of exercise, it
may prohibit indefinitely the exercise of put options. The Fund,
as holder of such a put option, could lose its entire investment
if the prohibition remained in effect until the put option's
expiration.
Special risks are presented by internationally-traded options.
Because of time differences between the United States and various
foreign countries, and because different holidays are observed in
different countries, foreign options markets may be open for
trading during hours or on days when U.S. markets are closed. As
a result, option premiums may not reflect the current prices of
the underlying interest in the United States.
Over-the-counter ("OTC") options purchased by the Fund and assets
held to cover OTC options written by the Fund may, under certain
circumstances, be considered illiquid securities for purposes of
any limitation on the Fund's ability to invest in illiquid
securities.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND RELATED OPTIONS
Subject to applicable law, and unless otherwise specified in the
Prospectus, the Fund may invest without limit in the types of
futures contracts and related options identified in the
Prospectus. A financial futures contract sale creates an
obligation by the seller to deliver the type of financial
instrument called for in the contract in a specified delivery
month for a stated price. A financial futures contract purchase
creates an obligation by the purchaser to take delivery of the
type of financial instrument called for in the contract in a
specified delivery month at a stated price. The specific
instruments delivered or taken, respectively, at settlement date
are not determined until on or near that date. The determination
is made in accordance with the rules of the exchange on which the
futures contract sale or purchase was made. Futures contracts
are traded in the United States only on commodity exchanges or
boards of trade -- known as "contract markets" -- approved for
such trading by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the
"CFTC"), and must be executed through a futures commission
merchant or brokerage firm which is a member of the relevant
contract market.
Although futures contracts (other than index futures) by their
terms call for actual delivery or acceptance of commodities or
securities, in most cases the contracts are closed out before the
settlement date without the making or taking of delivery.
Closing out a futures contract sale is effected by purchasing a
futures contract for the same aggregate amount of the specific
type of financial instrument or commodity with the same delivery
date. If the price of the initial sale of the futures contract
exceeds the price of the offsetting purchase, the seller is paid
the difference and realizes a gain. Conversely, if the price of
the offsetting purchase exceeds the price of the initial sale,
the seller realizes a loss. Similarly, the closing out of a
futures contract purchase is effected by the purchaser's entering
into a futures contract sale. If the offsetting sale price
exceeds the purchase price, the purchaser realizes a gain, and if
the purchase price exceeds the offsetting sale price, he realizes
a loss. In general 40% of the gain or loss arising from the
closing out of a futures contract traded on an exchange approved
by the CFTC is treated as short-term gain or loss, and 60% is
treated as long-term gain or loss.
Unlike when the Fund purchases or sells a security, no price is
paid or received by the Fund upon the purchase or sale of a
futures contract. Upon entering into a contract, the Fund is
required to deposit with its custodian in a segregated account in
the name of the futures broker an amount of cash and/or U.S.
Government Securities. This amount is known as "initial margin."
The nature of initial margin in futures transactions is different
from that of margin in security transactions in that futures
contract margin does not involve the borrowing of funds to
finance the transactions. Rather, initial margin is similar to a
performance bond or good faith deposit which is returned to the
Fund upon termination of the futures contract, assuming all
contractual obligations have been satisfied. Futures contracts
also involve brokerage costs.
Subsequent payments, called "variation margin" or "maintenance
margin", to and from the broker (or the custodian) are made on a
daily basis as the price of the underlying security or commodity
fluctuates, making the long and short positions in the futures
contract more or less valuable, a process known as "marking to
the market." For example, when the Fund has purchased a futures
contract on a security and the price of the underlying security
has risen, that position will have increased in value and the
Fund will receive from the broker a variation margin payment
based on that increase in value. Conversely, when the Fund has
purchased a security futures contract and the price of the
underlying security has declined, the position would be less
valuable and the Fund would be required to make a variation
margin payment to the broker.
The Fund may elect to close some or all of its futures positions
at any time prior to their expiration in order to reduce or
eliminate a hedge position then currently held by the Fund. The
Fund may close its positions by taking opposite positions which
will operate to terminate the Fund's position in the futures
contracts. Final determinations of variation margin are then
made, additional cash is required to be paid by or released to
the Fund, and the Fund realizes a loss or a gain. Such closing
transactions involve additional commission costs.
OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS. The Fund may purchase and write
call and put options on futures contracts it may buy or sell and
enter into closing transactions with respect to such options to
terminate existing positions. Options on future contracts give
the purchaser the right in return for the premium paid to assume
a position in a futures contract at the specified option exercise
price at any time during the period of the option. The Fund may
use options on futures contracts in lieu of writing or buying
options directly on the underlying securities or purchasing and
selling the underlying futures contracts. For example, to hedge
against a possible decrease in the value of its portfolio
securities, the Fund may purchase put options or write call
options on futures contracts rather than selling futures
contracts. Similarly, the Fund may purchase call options or
write put options on futures contracts as a substitute for the
purchase of futures contracts to hedge against a possible
increase in the price of securities which the Fund expects to
purchase. Such options generally operate in the same manner as
options purchased or written directly on the underlying
investments.
As with options on securities, the holder or writer of an option
may terminate his position by selling or purchasing an offsetting
option. There is no guarantee that such closing transactions can
be effected.
The Fund will be required to deposit initial margin and
maintenance margin with respect to put and call options on
futures contracts written by it pursuant to brokers' requirements
similar to those described above in connection with the
discussion of futures contracts.
RISKS OF TRANSACTIONS IN FUTURES CONTRACTS AND RELATED OPTIONS.
Successful use of futures contracts by the Fund is subject to
Putnam Management's ability to predict movements in the direction
of interest rates and other factors affecting securities markets.
For example, if the Fund has hedged against the possibility of
decline in the values of its investments and the values of its
investments increase instead, the Fund will lose part or all of
the benefit of the increase through payments of daily maintenance
margin. The Fund may have to sell investments at a time when it
may be disadvantageous to do so in order to meet margin
requirements.
Compared to the purchase or sale of futures contracts, the
purchase of call or put options on futures contracts involves
less potential risk to the Fund because the maximum amount at
risk is the premium paid for the options (plus transaction
costs). However, there may be circumstances when the purchase of
a call or put option on a futures contract would result in a loss
to the Fund when the purchase or sale of a futures contract would
not, such as when there is no movement in the prices of the
hedged investments. The writing of an option on a futures
contract involves risks similar to those risks relating to the
sale of futures contracts.
There is no assurance that higher than anticipated trading
activity or other unforeseen events might not, at times, render
certain market clearing facilities inadequate, and thereby result
in the institution by exchanges of special procedures which may
interfere with the timely execution of customer orders.
To reduce or eliminate a hedge position held by the Fund, the
Fund may seek to close out a position. The ability to establish
and close out positions will be subject to the development and
maintenance of a liquid secondary market. It is not certain that
this market will develop or continue to exist for a particular
futures contract or option. Reasons for the absence of a liquid
secondary market on an exchange include the following: (i) there
may be insufficient trading interest in certain contracts or
options; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on
opening transactions or closing transactions or both; (iii)
trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed
with respect to particular classes or series of contracts or
options, or underlying securities; (iv) unusual or unforeseen
circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v)
the facilities of an exchange or a clearing corporation may not
at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or
(vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons,
decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the
trading of contracts or options (or a particular class or series
of contracts or options), in which event the secondary market on
that exchange for such contracts or options (or in the class or
series of contracts or options) would cease to exist, although
outstanding contracts or options on the exchange that had been
issued by a clearing corporation as a result of trades on that
exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with
their terms.
U.S. TREASURY SECURITY FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS. If the
Fund invests in tax-exempt securities issued by a governmental
entity, the Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts and
related options on U.S. Treasury securities when, in the opinion
of Putnam Management, price movements in Treasury security
futures and related options will correlate closely with price
movements in the tax-exempt securities which are the subject of
the hedge. U.S. Treasury security futures contracts require the
seller to deliver, or the purchaser to take delivery of, the type
of U.S. Treasury security called for in the contract at a
specified date and price. Options on U.S. Treasury security
futures contracts give the purchaser the right in return for the
premium paid to assume a position in a U.S. Treasury security
futures contract at the specified option exercise price at any
time during the period of the option.
Successful use of U.S. Treasury security futures contracts by the
Fund is subject to Putnam Management's ability to predict
movements in the direction of interest rates and other factors
affecting markets for debt securities. For example, if the Fund
has sold U.S. Treasury security futures contracts in order to
hedge against the possibility of an increase in interest rates
which would adversely affect tax-exempt securities held in its
portfolio, and the prices of the Fund's tax-exempt securities
increase instead as a result of a decline in interest rates, the
Fund will lose part or all of the benefit of the increased value
of its securities which it has hedged because it will have
offsetting losses in its futures positions. In addition, in such
situations, if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to
sell securities to meet daily maintenance margin requirements at
a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.
There is also a risk that price movements in U.S. Treasury
security futures contracts and related options will not correlate
closely with price movements in markets for tax-exempt
securities. For example, if the Fund has hedged against a
decline in the values of tax-exempt securities held by it by
selling Treasury security futures and the values of Treasury
securities subsequently increase while the values of its
tax-exempt securities decrease, the Fund would incur losses on
both the Treasury security futures contracts written by it and
the tax-exempt securities held in its portfolio. Putnam
Management will seek to reduce this risk by monitoring movements
in markets for U.S. Treasury security futures and options and for
tax-exempt securities closely. The Fund will only purchase or
sell Treasury security futures or related options when, in the
opinion of Putnam Management, price movements in Treasury
security futures and related options will correlate closely with
price movements in tax-exempt securities in which the Fund
invests.
INDEX FUTURES CONTRACTS. An index futures contract is a contract
to buy or sell units of an index at a specified future date at a
price agreed upon when the contract is made. Entering into a
contract to buy units of an index is commonly referred to as
buying or purchasing a contract or holding a long position in
the index. Entering into a contract to sell units of an index is
commonly referred to as selling a contract or holding a short
position. A unit is the current value of the index. The Fund
may enter into stock index futures contracts, debt index futures
contracts, or other index futures contracts appropriate to its
objective. The Fund may also purchase and sell options on index
futures contracts.
For example, the Standard & Poor's Composite 500 Stock Price
Index ("S&P 500") is composed of 500 selected common stocks, most
of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The S&P 500
assigns relative weightings to the common stocks included in the
Index, and the value fluctuates with changes in the market values
of those common stocks. In the case of the S&P 500, contracts
are to buy or sell 500 units. Thus, if the value of the S&P 500
were $150, one contract would be worth $75,000 (500 units x
$150). The stock index futures contract specifies that no
delivery of the actual stocks making up the index will take
place. Instead, settlement in cash must occur upon the
termination of the contract, with the settlement being the
difference between the contract price and the actual level of the
stock index at the expiration of the contract. For example, if
the Fund enters into a futures contract to buy 500 units of the
S&P 500 at a specified future date at a contract price of $150
and the S&P 500 is at $154 on that future date, the Fund will
gain $2,000 (500 units x gain of $4). If the Fund enters into a
futures contract to sell 500 units of the stock index at a
specified future date at a contract price of $150 and the S&P 500
is at $152 on that future date, the Fund will lose $1,000 (500
units x loss of $2).
There are several risks in connection with the use by the Fund of
index futures as a hedging device. One risk arises because of
the imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of the
index futures and movements in the prices of securities which are
the subject of the hedge. Putnam Management will, however,
attempt to reduce this risk by buying or selling, to the extent
possible, futures on indices the movements of which will, in its
judgment, have a significant correlation with movements in the
prices of the securities sought to be hedged.
Successful use of index futures by the Fund for hedging purposes
is also subject to Putnam Management's ability to predict
movements in the direction of the market. It is possible that,
where the Fund has sold futures to hedge its portfolio against a
decline in the market, the index on which the futures are written
may advance and the value of securities held in the Fund's
portfolio may decline. If this occurred, the Fund would lose
money on the futures and also experience a decline in value in
its portfolio securities. It is also possible that, if the Fund
has hedged against the possibility of a decline in the market
adversely affecting securities held in its portfolio and
securities prices increase instead, the Fund will lose part or
all of the benefit of the increased value of those securities it
has hedged because it will have offsetting losses in its futures
positions. In addition, in such situations, if the Fund has
insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities to meet daily
variation margin requirements at a time when it is
disadvantageous to do so.
In addition to the possibility that there may be an imperfect
correlation, or no correlation at all, between movements in the
index futures and the portion of the portfolio being hedged, the
prices of index futures may not correlate perfectly with
movements in the underlying index due to certain market
distortions. First, all participants in the futures market are
subject to margin deposit and maintenance requirements. Rather
than meeting additional margin deposit requirements, investors
may close futures contracts through offsetting transactions which
could distort the normal relationship between the index and
futures markets. Second, margin requirements in the futures
market are less onerous than margin requirements in the
securities market, and as a result the futures market may attract
more speculators than the securities market does. Increased
participation by speculators in the futures market may also cause
temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of price
distortions in the futures market and also because of the
imperfect correlation between movements in the index and
movements in the prices of index futures, even a correct forecast
of general market trends by Putnam Management may still not
result in a successful hedging transaction over a short time
period.
OPTIONS ON STOCK INDEX FUTURES. Options on index futures are
similar to options on securities except that options on index
futures give the purchaser the right, in return for the premium
paid, to assume a position in an index futures contract (a long
position if the option is a call and a short position if the
option is a put) at a specified exercise price at any time during
the period of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the
delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to
the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the
accumulated balance in the writer's futures margin account which
represents the amount by which the market price of the index
futures contract, at exercise, exceeds (in the case of a call) or
is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the
option on the index future. If an option is exercised on the
last trading day prior to its expiration date, the settlement
will be made entirely in cash equal to the difference between the
exercise price of the option and the closing level of the index
on which the future is based on the expiration date. Purchasers
of options who fail to exercise their options prior to the
exercise date suffer a loss of the premium paid.
OPTIONS ON INDICES
As an alternative to purchasing call and put options on index
futures, the Fund may purchase and sell call and put options on
the underlying indices themselves. Such options would be used in
a manner identical to the use of options on index futures.
INDEX WARRANTS
The Fund may purchase put warrants and call warrants whose values
vary depending on the change in the value of one or more
specified securities indices ("index warrants"). Index warrants
are generally issued by banks or other financial institutions and
give the holder the right, at any time during the term of the
warrant, to receive upon exercise of the warrant a cash payment
from the issuer based on the value of the underlying index at the
time of exercise. In general, if the value of the underlying
index rises above the exercise price of the index warrant, the
holder of a call warrant will be entitled to receive a cash
payment from the issuer upon exercise based on the difference
between the value of the index and the exercise price of the
warrant; if the value of the underlying index falls, the holder
of a put warrant will be entitled to receive a cash payment from
the issuer upon exercise based on the difference between the
exercise price of the warrant and the value of the index. The
holder of a warrant would not be entitled to any payments from
the issuer at any time when, in the case of a call warrant, the
exercise price is greater than the value of the underlying index,
or, in the case of a put warrant, the exercise price is less than
the value of the underlying index. If the Fund were not to
exercise an index warrant prior to its expiration, then the Fund
would lose the amount of the purchase price paid by it for the
warrant.
The Fund will normally use index warrants in a manner similar to
its use of options on securities indices. The risks of the
Fund's use of index warrants are generally similar to those
relating to its use of index options. Unlike most index options,
however, index warrants are issued in limited amounts and are not
obligations of a regulated clearing agency, but are backed only
by the credit of the bank or other institution which issues the
warrant. Also, index warrants generally have longer terms than
index options. Although the Fund will normally invest only in
exchange-listed warrants, index warrants are not likely to be as
liquid as certain index options backed by a recognized clearing
agency. In addition, the terms of index warrants may limit the
Fund's ability to exercise the warrants at such time, or in such
quantities, as the Fund would otherwise wish to do.
FOREIGN SECURITIES
Under its current policy, which may be changed without
shareholder approval, the Fund may invest up to the limit of its
total assets specified in its Prospectus in securities
principally traded in markets outside the United States.
Eurodollar certificates of deposit are excluded for purposes of
this limitation. Foreign investments can be affected favorably
or unfavorably by changes in currency exchange rates and in
exchange control regulations. There may be less publicly
available information about a foreign company than about a U.S.
company, and foreign companies may not be subject to accounting,
auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements
comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. Securities of
some foreign companies are less liquid or more volatile than
securities of U.S. companies, and foreign brokerage commissions
and custodian fees are generally higher than in the United
States. Investments in foreign securities can involve other
risks different from those affecting U.S. investments, including
local political or economic developments, expropriation or
nationalization of assets and imposition of withholding taxes on
dividend or interest payments. To hedge against possible
variations in foreign exchange rates, the Fund may purchase and
sell forward foreign currency contracts. These represent
agreements to purchase or sell specified currencies at specified
dates and prices. The Fund will only purchase and sell forward
foreign currency contracts in amounts Putnam Management deems
appropriate to hedge existing or anticipated portfolio positions
and will not use such forward contracts for speculative purposes.
Foreign securities, like other assets of the Fund, will be held
by the Fund's custodian or by a subcustodian.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus, the Fund may engage
without limit in currency exchange transactions, as well as
foreign currency forward and futures contracts, to protect
against uncertainty in the level of future currency exchange
rates. In addition, the Fund may write covered call and put
options on foreign currencies for the purpose of increasing its
current return.
Generally, the Fund may engage in both "transaction hedging" and
"position hedging". When it engages in transaction hedging, the
Fund enters into foreign currency transactions with respect to
specific receivables or payables, generally arising in connection
with the purchase or sale of portfolio securities. The Fund will
engage in transaction hedging when it desires to "lock in" the
U.S. dollar price of a security it has agreed to purchase or
sell, or the U.S. dollar equivalent of a dividend or interest
payment in a foreign currency. By transaction hedging the Fund
will attempt to protect itself against a possible loss resulting
from an adverse change in the relationship between the U.S.
dollar and the applicable foreign currency during the period
between the date on which the security is purchased or sold, or
on which the dividend or interest payment is earned, and the date
on which such payments are made or received.
The Fund may purchase or sell a foreign currency on a spot (or
cash) basis at the prevailing spot rate in connection with the
settlement of transactions in portfolio securities denominated in
that foreign currency. The Fund may also enter into contracts to
purchase or sell foreign currencies at a future date ("forward
contracts") and purchase and sell foreign currency futures
contracts.
For transaction hedging purposes the Fund may also purchase
exchange-listed and over-the-counter call and put options on
foreign currency futures contracts and on foreign currencies. A
put option on a futures contract gives the Fund the right to
assume a short position in the futures contract until the
expiration of the option. A put option on a currency gives the
Fund the right to sell the currency at an exercise price until
the expiration of the option. A call option on a futures
contract gives the Fund the right to assume a long position in
the futures contract until the expiration of the option. A call
option on a currency gives the Fund the right to purchase the
currency at the exercise price until the expiration of the
option.
When it engages in position hedging, the Fund enters into foreign
currency exchange transactions to protect against a decline in
the values of the foreign currencies in which its portfolio
securities are denominated (or an increase in the value of
currency for securities which the Fund expects to purchase, when
the Fund holds cash or short-term investments). In connection
with position hedging, the Fund may purchase put or call options
on foreign currency and on foreign currency futures contracts and
buy or sell forward contracts and foreign currency futures
contracts. The Fund may also purchase or sell foreign currency
on a spot basis.
The precise matching of the amounts of foreign currency exchange
transactions and the value of the portfolio securities involved
will not generally be possible since the future value of such
securities in foreign currencies will change as a consequence of
market movements in the value of those securities between the
dates the currency exchange transactions are entered into and the
dates they mature.
It is impossible to forecast with precision the market value of
portfolio securities at the expiration or maturity of a forward
or futures contract. Accordingly, it may be necessary for the
Fund to purchase additional foreign currency on the spot market
(and bear the expense of such purchase) if the market value of
the security or securities being hedged is less than the amount
of foreign currency the Fund is obligated to deliver and a
decision is made to sell the security or securities and make
delivery of the foreign currency. Conversely, it may be
necessary to sell on the spot market some of the foreign currency
received upon the sale of the portfolio security or securities if
the market value of such security or securities exceeds the
amount of foreign currency the Fund is obligated to deliver.
Transaction and position hedging do not eliminate fluctuations in
the underlying prices of the securities which the Fund owns or
intends to purchase or sell. They simply establish a rate of
exchange which one can achieve at some future point in time.
Additionally, although these techniques tend to minimize the risk
of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency,
they tend to limit any potential gain which might result from the
increase in value of such currency.
The Fund may seek to increase its current return or to offset
some of the costs of hedging against fluctuations in current
exchange rates by writing covered call options and covered put
options on foreign currencies. The Fund receives a premium from
writing a call or put option, which increases the Fund's current
return if the option expires unexercised or is closed out at a
net profit. The Fund may terminate an option that it has written
prior to its expiration by entering into a closing purchase
transaction in which it purchases an option having the same terms
as the option written.
The Fund's currency hedging transactions may call for the
delivery of one foreign currency in exchange for another foreign
currency and may at times not involve currencies in which its
portfolio securities are then denominated. Putnam Management
will engage in such "cross hedging" activities when it believes
that such transactions provide significant hedging opportunities
for the Fund. Cross hedging transactions by the Fund involve the
risk of imperfect correlation between changes in the values of
the currencies to which such transactions relate and changes in
the value of the currency or other asset or liability which is
the subject of the hedge.
CURRENCY FORWARD AND FUTURES CONTRACTS. A forward foreign
currency contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a
specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number
of days from the date of the contract as agreed by the parties,
at a price set at the time of the contract. In the case of a
cancelable forward contract, the holder has the unilateral right
to cancel the contract at maturity by paying a specified fee.
The contracts are traded in the interbank market conducted
directly between currency traders (usually large commercial
banks) and their customers. A forward contract generally has no
deposit requirement, and no commissions are charged at any stage
for trades. A foreign currency futures contract is a
standardized contract for the future delivery of a specified
amount of a foreign currency at a future date at a price set at
the time of the contract. Foreign currency futures contracts
traded in the United States are designed by and traded on
exchanges regulated by the CFTC, such as the New York Mercantile
Exchange.
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts differ from foreign
currency futures contracts in certain respects. For example, the
maturity date of a forward contract may be any fixed number of
days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties,
rather than a predetermined date in a given month. Forward
contracts may be in any amounts agreed upon by the parties rather
than predetermined amounts. Also, forward foreign exchange
contracts are traded directly between currency traders so that no
intermediary is required. A forward contract generally requires
no margin or other deposit.
At the maturity of a forward or futures contract, the Fund either
may accept or make delivery of the currency specified in the
contract, or at or prior to maturity enter into a closing
transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting
contract. Closing transactions with respect to forward contracts
are usually effected with the currency trader who is a party to
the original forward contract. Closing transactions with respect
to futures contracts are effected on a commodities exchange; a
clearing corporation associated with the exchange assumes
responsibility for closing out such contracts.
Positions in the foreign currency futures contracts may be closed
out only on an exchange or board of trade which provides a
secondary market in such contracts. Although the Fund intends to
purchase or sell foreign currency futures contracts only on
exchanges or boards of trade where there appears to be an active
secondary market, there is no assurance that a secondary market
on an exchange or board of trade will exist for any particular
contract or at any particular time. In such event, it may not be
possible to close a futures position and, in the event of adverse
price movements, the Fund would continue to be required to make
daily cash payments of variation margin.
FOREIGN CURRENCY OPTIONS. In general, options on foreign
currencies operate similarly to options on securities and are
subject to many similar risks. Foreign currency options are
traded primarily in the over-the-counter market, although options
on foreign currencies have recently been listed on several
exchanges. Options are traded not only on the currencies of
individual nations, but also on the European Currency Unit
("ECU"). The ECU is composed of amounts of a number of
currencies, and is the official medium of exchange of the
European Community's European Monetary System.
The Fund will only purchase or write foreign currency options
when Putnam Management believes that a liquid secondary market
exists for such options. There can be no assurance that a liquid
secondary market will exist for a particular option at any
specific time. Options on foreign currencies are affected by all
of those factors which influence foreign exchange rates and
investments generally.
The value of any currency, including U.S. dollars and foreign
currencies, may be affected by complex political and economic
factors applicable to the issuing country. In addition, the
exchange rates of foreign currencies (and therefore the values
of foreign currency options) may be affected significantly,
fixed, or supported directly or indirectly by U.S. and foreign
government actions. Government intervention may increase risks
involved in purchasing or selling foreign currency options, since
exchange rates may not be free to fluctuate in response to other
market forces.
The value of a foreign currency option reflects the value of an
exchange rate, which in turn reflects relative values of two
currencies, the U.S. dollar and the foreign currency in question.
Because foreign currency transactions occurring in the interbank
market involve substantially larger amounts than those that may
be involved in the exercise of foreign currency options,
investors may be disadvantaged by having to deal in an odd lot
market for the underlying foreign currencies in connection with
options at prices that are less favorable than for round lots.
Foreign governmental restrictions or taxes could result in
adverse changes in the cost of acquiring or disposing of foreign
currencies.
There is no systematic reporting of last sale information for
foreign currencies and there is no regulatory requirement that
quotations available through dealers or other market sources be
firm or revised on a timely basis. Available quotation
information is generally representative of very large round-lot
transactions in the interbank market and thus may not reflect
exchange rates for smaller odd-lot transactions (less than $1
million) where rates may be less favorable. The interbank market
in foreign currencies is a global, around-the-clock market. To
the extent that options markets are closed while the markets for
the underlying currencies remain open, significant price and rate
movements may take place in the underlying markets that cannot be
reflected in the options markets.
SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES. Settlement procedures relating to the
Fund's investments in foreign securities and to the Fund's
foreign currency exchange transactions may be more complex than
settlements with respect to investments in debt or equity
securities of U.S. issuers, and may involve certain risks not
present in the Fund's domestic investments. For example,
settlement of transactions involving foreign securities or
foreign currency may occur within a foreign country, and the Fund
may be required to accept or make delivery of the underlying
securities or currency in conformity with any applicable U.S. or
foreign restrictions or regulations, and may be required to pay
any fees, taxes or charges associated with such delivery. Such
investments may also involve the risk that an entity involved in
the settlement may not meet its obligations.
FOREIGN CURRENCY CONVERSION. Although foreign exchange dealers
do not charge a fee for currency conversion, they do realize a
profit based on the difference (the "spread") between prices at
which they are buying and selling various currencies. Thus, a
dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency to the Fund at one
rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the Fund
desire to resell that currency to the dealer.
RESTRICTED SECURITIES
The SEC Staff currently takes the view that any designation by
the Trustees of the authority to determine that a restricted
security is readily marketable (as described in the investment
restrictions of the Funds) must be pursuant to written procedures
established by the Trustees. It is the present intention of the
Funds' Trustees that, if the Trustees decide to delegate such
determinations to Putnam Management or another person, they would
do so pursuant to written procedures, consistent with the Staff's
position. Should the Staff modify its position in the future,
the Trustees would consider what action would be appropriate in
light of the Staff's position at that time.
TAXES
TAXATION OF THE FUND. The Fund intends to qualify each year as a
regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). In order so to
qualify and to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded
regulated investment companies and their shareholders, the Fund
must, among other things:
(a) Derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends,
interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, and
gains from the sale of stock, securities and foreign currencies,
or other income (including but not limited to gains from options,
futures, or forward contracts) derived with respect to its
business of investing in such stock, securities, or currencies;
(b) derive less than 30% of its gross income from the sale or
other disposition of certain assets (including stock or
securities and certain options, futures contracts, forward
contracts and foreign currencies) held for less than three
months;
(c) distribute with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of
the sum of its taxable net investment income, its net tax-exempt
income, and the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gains
over net long-term capital losses for such year; and
(d) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each fiscal
quarter, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund's
assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. Government
securities, securities of other regulated investment companies,
and other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to a
value not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets
and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of
such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its
assets is invested in the securities (other than those of the
U.S. Government or other regulated investment companies) of any
one issuer or of two or more issuers which the Fund controls and
which are engaged in the same, similar, or related trades or
businesses.
If the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company that is
accorded special tax treatment, the Fund will not be subject to
federal income tax on income paid to its shareholders in the form
of dividends (including capital gain dividends).
If the Fund failed to qualify as a regulated investment company
accorded special tax treatment in any taxable year, the Fund
would be subject to tax on its taxable income at corporate rates,
and all distributions from earnings and profits, including any
distributions of net tax-exempt income and net long-term capital
gains, would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. In
addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized
gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial
distributions before requalifying as a regulated investment
company that is accorded special tax treatment.
If the Fund fails to distribute in a calendar year substantially
all of its ordinary income for such year and substantially all of
its capital gain net income for the one-year period ending
October 31 (or later if the Fund is permitted so to elect and so
elects), plus any retained amount from the prior year, the Fund
will be subject to a 4% excise tax on the undistributed amounts.
A dividend paid to shareholders by the Fund in January of a year
generally is deemed to have been paid by the Fund on December 31
of the preceding year, if the dividend was declared and payable
to shareholders of record on a date in October, November or
December of that preceding year. The Fund intends generally to
make distributions sufficient to avoid imposition of the 4%
excise tax.
EXEMPT-INTEREST DIVIDENDS. The Fund will be qualified to pay
exempt-interest dividends to its shareholders only if, at the
close of each quarter of the Fund's taxable year, at least 50% of
the total value of the Fund's assets consists of obligations the
interest on which is exempt from federal income tax.
Distributions that the Fund properly designates as exempt-
interest dividends are treated by shareholders as interest
excludable from their gross income for federal income tax
purposes but may be taxable for federal alternative minimum tax
purposes and for state and local purposes. If the Fund intends
to be qualified to pay exempt-interest dividends, the Fund may be
limited in its ability to enter into taxable transactions
involving forward commitments, repurchase agreements, financial
futures, and options contracts on financial futures, tax-exempt
bond indices, and other assets.
Part or all of the interest on indebtedness, if any, incurred or
continued by a shareholder to purchase or carry shares of a Fund
paying exempt-interest dividends is not deductible. The portion
of interest that is not deductible is equal to the total interest
paid or accrued on the indebtedness, multiplied by the percentage
of the Fund's total distributions (not including distributions
from net long-term capital gains) paid to the shareholder that
are exempt-interest dividends. Under rules used by the Internal
Revenue Service for determining when borrowed funds are
considered used for the purpose of purchasing or carrying
particular assets, the purchase of shares may be considered to
have been made with borrowed funds even though such funds are not
directly traceable to the purchase of shares.
In general, exempt-interest dividends, if any, attributable to
interest received on certain private activity obligations and
certain industrial development bonds will not be tax-exempt to
any shareholders who are "substantial users" of the facilities
financed by such obligations or bonds or who are "related
persons" of such substantial users.
A Fund which is qualified to pay exempt-interest dividends will
inform investors within 60 days of the Fund's fiscal year-end of
the percentage of its income distributions designated as
tax-exempt. The percentage is applied uniformly to all
distributions made during the year. The percentage of income
designated as tax-exempt for any particular distribution may be
substantially different from the percentage of the Fund's income
that was tax-exempt during the period covered by the
distribution.
HEDGING TRANSACTIONS. If the Fund engages in transactions,
including hedging transactions in options, futures contracts, and
straddles, or other similar transactions, it will be subject to
special tax rules (including mark-to-market, straddle, wash sale,
and short sale rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate
income to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, cause adjustments
in the holding periods of the Fund's securities, or convert
short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These
rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of
distributions to shareholders. The Fund will endeavor to make
any available elections pertaining to such transactions in a
manner believed to be in the best interests of the Fund.
Under the 30% of gross income test described above (see "Taxation
of the Fund"), the Fund will be restricted in selling assets held
or considered under Code rules to have been held for less than
three months, and in engaging in certain hedging transactions
(including hedging transactions in options and futures) that in
some circumstances could cause certain Fund assets to be treated
as held for less than three months.
Certain of the Fund's hedging activities (including its
transactions, if any, in foreign currencies or foreign
currency-denominated instruments) are likely to produce a
difference between its book income and its taxable income. If
the Fund's book income exceeds its taxable income, the
distribution (if any) of such excess will be treated as a
dividend to the extent of the Fund's remaining earnings and
profits (including earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt
income), and thereafter as a return of capital or as gain from
the sale or exchange of a capital asset, as the case may be. If
the Fund's book income is less than its taxable income, the Fund
could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to
qualify as a regulated investment company that is accorded
special tax treatment.
RETURN OF CAPITAL DISTRIBUTIONS. If the Fund makes a
distribution to you in excess of its current and accumulated
"earnings and profits" in any taxable year, the excess
distribution will be treated as a return of capital to the extent
of your tax basis in your shares, and thereafter as capital gain.
A return of capital is not taxable, but it reduces your tax basis
in your shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on
a subsequent taxable disposition by you of your shares.
SECURITIES ISSUED OR PURCHASED AT A DISCOUNT. The Fund's
investment in securities issued at a discount and certain other
obligations will (and investments in securities purchased at a
discount may) require the Fund to accrue and distribute income
not yet received. In order to generate sufficient cash to make
the requisite distributions, the Fund may be required to sell
securities in its portfolio that it otherwise would have
continued to hold.
CAPITAL LOSS CARRYOVER. The amounts and expiration dates of any
capital loss carryovers available to the Fund are shown in Note 1
(Federal income taxes) to the financial statements included in
Part I of this Statement or incorporated by reference into this
Statement.
FOREIGN CURRENCY-DENOMINATED SECURITIES AND RELATED HEDGING
TRANSACTIONS. The Fund's transactions in foreign currencies,
foreign currency-denominated debt securities and certain foreign
currency options, futures contracts, and forward contracts (and
similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to
the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the
value of the foreign currency concerned.
If more than 50% of the Fund's assets at year end consists of the
debt and equity securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may
elect to permit shareholders to claim a credit or deduction on
their income tax returns for their pro rata portion of qualified
taxes paid by the Fund to foreign countries. In such a case,
shareholders will include in gross income from foreign sources
their pro rata shares of such taxes. A shareholder's ability to
claim a foreign tax credit or deduction in respect of foreign
taxes paid by the Fund may be subject to certain limitations
imposed by the Code, as a result of which a shareholder may not
get a full credit or deduction for the amount of such taxes.
Shareholders who do not itemize on their federal income tax
returns may claim a credit (but no deduction) for such foreign
taxes.
Investment by the Fund in certain "passive foreign investment
companies" could subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax or
other charge on the proceeds from the sale of its investment in
such a company; however, this tax can be avoided by making an
election to mark such investments to market annually or to treat
the passive foreign investment company as a "qualified electing
fund."
SALE OR REDEMPTION OF SHARES. The sale, exchange or redemption
of Fund shares may give rise to a gain or loss. In general, any
gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares will
be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have
been held for more than 12 months, and otherwise as short-term
capital gain or loss. However, if a shareholder sells shares at
a loss within six months of purchase, any loss will be disallowed
for Federal income tax purposes to the extent of any exempt-
interest dividends received on such shares. In addition, any
loss (not already disallowed as provided in the preceding
sentence) realized upon a taxable disposition of shares held for
six months or less will be treated as long-term, rather than
short-term, to the extent of any long-term capital gain
distributions received by the shareholder with respect to the
shares. All or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable
disposition of Fund shares will be disallowed if other Fund
shares are purchased within 30 days before or after the
disposition. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased
shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.
SHARES PURCHASED THROUGH TAX-QUALIFIED PLANS. Special tax rules
apply to investments though defined contribution plans and other
tax-qualified plans. Shareholders should consult their tax
adviser to determine the suitability of shares of a fund as an
investment through such plans and the precise effect of an
investment on their particular tax situation.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING. The Fund generally is required to withhold
and remit to the U.S. Treasury 31% of the taxable dividends and
other distributions paid to any individual shareholder who fails
to furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number
(TIN), who has underreported dividends or interest income, or who
fails to certify to the Fund that he or she is not subject to
such withholding. Shareholders who fail to furnish their currect
TIN are subject to a penalty of $50 for each such failure unless
the failure is due to reasonable cause and not wilful neglect.
An individual's taxpayer identification number is his or her
social security number.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
TRUSTEES
*+GEORGE PUTNAM, Chairman and President. Chairman and Director
of Putnam Management and Putnam Mutual Funds. Director, The
Boston Company, Inc., Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company,
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc., General Mills, Inc., Houghton Mifflin
Company, Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. and Rockefeller Group,
Inc.
+WILLIAM F. POUNDS, Vice Chairman. Professor of Management,
Alfred P. Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology. Director of EG&G, Inc., Fisher Price, Inc., IDEXX,
M/A-COM, Inc., and Sun Company, Inc.
JAMESON A. BAXTER, Trustee. President, Baxter Associates, Inc.
(consultants to management). Director of Avondale Federal Savings
Bank, ASHTA Chemicals, Inc. and Banta Corporation. Chairman of
the Board of Trustees, Mount Holyoke College.
+HANS H. ESTIN, Trustee. Vice Chairman, North American
Management Corp. (a registered investment adviser). Director of
The Boston Company, Inc. and Boston Safe Deposit and Trust
Company.
ELIZABETH T. KENNAN, Trustee. President Emeritus and Professor,
Mount Holyoke College. Director, the Kentucky Home Life
Insurance Companies, NYNEX Corporation, Northeast Utilities and
Talbots and Trustee of the University of Notre Dame.
*LAWRENCE J. LASSER, Trustee and Vice President. President,
Chief Executive Officer and Director of Putnam Investments, Inc.
and Putnam Investment Management, Inc. Director of Marsh &
McLennan Companies, Inc. Vice President of the Putnam funds.
JOHN A. HILL, Trustee. Chairman and Managing Director, First
Reserve Corporation (a registered investment adviser). Director,
Lantana Corporation, Maverick Tube Corporation, Snyder Oil
Corporation and various First Reserve Funds.
+ROBERT E. PATTERSON, Trustee. Executive Vice President, Cabot
Partners Limited Partnership (a registered investment adviser).
*DONALD S. PERKINS, Trustee. Chairman of the Board and Director,
Kmart Corporation. Director of various corporations, including
American Telephone & Telegraph Company, AON Corp., Cummins Engine
Company, Inc., Illinois Power Company, Inland Steel Industries,
Inc., LaSalle Street Fund, Inc., Springs Industries, Inc., TBG,
Inc. and Time Warner Inc.
*#GEORGE PUTNAM, III, Trustee. President, New Generation
Research, Inc. (publisher of bankruptcy information). Director,
World Environment Center.
ELI SHAPIRO, Trustee. Alfred P. Sloan Professor of Management,
Emeritus, Alfred P. Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology. Director of Nomura Dividend Fund, Inc.
(a privately held registered investment company managed by Putnam
Management) and former Trustee of the Putnam funds (1984-1990).
*A.J.C. SMITH, Trustee. Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
Director, Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.
W. NICHOLAS THORNDIKE, Trustee. Director of various corporations
and charitable organizations, including Courier Corporation and
Providence Journal Co. Also, Trustee and President of
Massachusetts General Hospital and Trustee of Bradley Real Estate
Trust and Eastern Utilities Associates.
<PAGE>
OFFICERS
CHARLES E. PORTER, Executive Vice President. Managing Director
of Putnam Investments, Inc. and Putnam Investment Management,
Inc. Executive Vice President of the Putnam funds.
PATRICIA C. FLAHERTY, Senior Vice President. Senior Vice
President of Putnam Investments, Inc. and Putnam Investment
Management, Inc.
WILLIAM N. SHIEBLER, Vice President. Director and Senior
Managing Director of Putnam Investments, Inc. President, Chief
Operating Officer and Director of Putnam Mutual Funds. Vice
President of the Putnam funds.
GORDON H. SILVER, Vice President. Senior Managing Director of
Putnam Investments, Inc. and Putnam Investment Management, Inc.
Director, Putnam Investments, Inc. and Putnam Investment
Management, Inc. Vice President of the Putnam funds.
JOHN R. VERANI, Vice President. Senior Vice President of Putnam
Investments, Inc. and Putnam Investment Management, Inc. Vice
President of the Putnam funds.
PAUL M. O'NEIL, Vice President. Vice President of Putnam
Investments, Inc. and Putnam Investment Management, Inc. Vice
President of the Putnam funds.
JOHN D. HUGHES, Vice President and Treasurer. Vice President and
Treasurer of the Putnam funds.
KATHERINE HOWARD, Assistant Vice President. Assistant Vice
President of the Putnam funds.
BEVERLY MARCUS, Clerk and Assistant Treasurer. Clerk and
Assistant Treasurer of the Putnam funds.
*Trustees who are or may be deemed to be "interested persons" (as
defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940) of the Fund,
Putnam Management or Putnam Mutual Funds.
+Members of the Executive Committee of the Trustees. The
Executive Committee meets between regular meetings of the
Trustees as may be required to review investment matters and
other affairs of the Fund and may exercise all of the powers of
the Trustees.
#George Putnam, III is the son of George Putnam.
-----------------
Certain other officers of Putnam Management are officers of your
Fund. SEE "ADDITIONAL OFFICERS OF THE FUND" IN PART I OF THIS
STATEMENT. The mailing address of each of the officers and
Trustees is One Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Except as stated below, the principal occupations of the officers
and Trustees for the last five years have been with the employers
as shown above, although in some cases they have held different
positions with such employers. Prior to January, 1992, Ms.
Baxter was Vice President and Principal, Regency Group, Inc. and
Consultant, The First Boston Corporation. Prior to May, 1991,
Dr. Pounds was Senior Advisor to the Rockefeller Family and
Associates, Chairman of Rockefeller Trust Company and Director of
Rockefeller Group, Inc. During the past five years Dr. Shapiro
has provided economic and financial consulting services to
various clients. Prior to November, 1990, Mr. Shiebler was
President and Chief Operating Officer of the Intercapital
Division of Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc., Vice President of the
Dean Witter Funds and Director of Dean Witter Trust Company.
Each Trustee of the Fund receives an annual fee 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 and for special services rendered
in that connection. All of the Trustees are Trustees of all the
Putnam funds and each receives fees for his or her services. FOR
DETAILS OF TRUSTEES' FEES PAID BY THE FUND, SEE "FUND CHARGES AND
EXPENSES" IN PART I OF THIS STATEMENT.
The Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the 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 by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith,
gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties. The
Fund, at its expense, provides liability insurance for the
benefit of its Trustees and officers.
Putnam Management, Putnam Mutual Funds and Putnam Fiduciary Trust
Company are subsidiaries of Putnam Investments, Inc., a holding
company which is in turn wholly owned by Marsh & McLennan
Companies, Inc., a publicly owned holding company whose principal
operating subsidiaries are international insurance and
reinsurance brokers, investment managers and management
consultants.
Trustees and officers of the Fund who are also officers of Putnam
Management or its affiliates or who are stockholders of Marsh &
McLennan Companies, Inc. will benefit from the advisory fees,
sales commissions, distribution fees (if any), custodian fees and
transfer agency fees paid or allowed by the Fund.
PUTNAM MANAGEMENT
Putnam Management is one of America's oldest and largest money
management firms. Putnam Management's staff of experienced
portfolio managers and research analysts selects securities and
constantly supervises the Fund's portfolio. By pooling an
investor's money with that of other investors, a greater variety
of securities can be purchased than would be the case
individually; the resulting diversification helps reduce
investment risk. Putnam Management has been managing mutual funds
since 1937. Today, the firm serves as the investment manager for
the funds in the Putnam Family, with over $67 billion in assets
in over 4.1 million shareholder accounts at December 31, 1994.
An affiliate, The Putnam Advisory Company, Inc., manages domestic
and foreign institutional accounts and mutual funds, including
the accounts of many Fortune 500 companies. Another affiliate,
Putnam Fiduciary Trust Company, provides investment advice to
institutional clients under its banking and fiduciary powers. At
December 31, 1994, Putnam Management and its affiliates managed
over $95 billion in assets, including over $15 billion in tax
exempt securities and over $36 billion in retirement plan assets.
THE MANAGEMENT CONTRACT
Under a Management Contract between the Fund and Putnam
Management, subject to such policies as the Trustees may
determine, Putnam Management, at its expense, furnishes
continuously an investment program for the Fund and makes
investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Subject to the
control of the Trustees, Putnam Management also manages,
supervises and conducts the other affairs and business of the
Fund, furnishes office space and equipment, provides bookkeeping
and clerical services (including determination of the Fund's net
asset value, but excluding shareholder accounting services) and
places all orders for the purchase and sale of the Fund's
portfolio securities. Putnam Management may place Fund portfolio
transactions with broker-dealers which furnish Putnam Management,
without cost to it, certain research, statistical and quotation
services of value to Putnam Management and its affiliates in
advising the Fund and other clients. In so doing, Putnam
Management may cause the Fund to pay greater brokerage
commissions than it might otherwise pay.
FOR DETAILS OF PUTNAM MANAGEMENT'S COMPENSATION UNDER THE
MANAGEMENT CONTRACT, SEE "FUND CHARGES AND EXPENSES" IN PART I OF
THIS STATEMENT. Putnam Management's compensation under the
Management Contract may be reduced in any year if the Fund's
expenses exceed the limits on investment company expenses imposed
by any statute or regulatory authority of any jurisdiction in
which shares of the Fund are qualified for offer or sale. The
term "expenses" is defined in the statutes or regulations of such
jurisdictions, and generally, excludes brokerage commissions,
taxes, interest, extraordinary expenses and, if the Fund has a
Distribution Plan, payments made under such Plan. The only such
limitation as of the date of this Statement (applicable to any
Fund registered for sale in California) was 2.5% of the first $30
million of average net assets, 2% of the next $70 million and
1.5% of any excess over $100 million.
Under the Management Contract, Putnam Management may reduce its
compensation to the extent that the Fund's expenses exceed such
lower expense limitation as Putnam Management may, by notice to
the Fund, declare to be effective. The expenses subject to this
limitation are exclusive of brokerage commissions, interest,
taxes, deferred organizational and extraordinary expenses and,
if the Fund has a Distribution Plan, payments required under such
Plan. THE TERMS OF ANY EXPENSE LIMITATION FROM TIME TO TIME IN
EFFECT ARE DESCRIBED IN EITHER THE PROSPECTUS OR PART I OF THIS
STATEMENT.
In addition to the fee paid to Putnam Management, the Fund
reimburses Putnam Management for the compensation and related
expenses of certain officers of the Fund and their assistants who
provide certain administrative services for the Fund and the
other funds in the Putnam Family, each of which bears an
allocated share of the foregoing costs. The aggregate amount of
all such payments and reimbursements is determined annually by
the Trustees. THE AMOUNT OF THIS REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE FUND'S
MOST RECENT FISCAL YEAR IS INCLUDED IN "FUND CHARGES AND
EXPENSES" IN PART I OF THIS STATEMENT. Putnam Management pays
all other salaries of officers of the Fund. The Fund pays all
expenses not assumed by Putnam Management including, without
limitation, auditing, legal, custodial, investor servicing and
shareholder reporting expenses. The Fund pays the cost of
typesetting for its Prospectuses and the cost of printing and
mailing any Prospectuses sent to its shareholders. Putnam Mutual
Funds pays the cost of printing and distributing all other
Prospectuses.
The Management Contract provides that Putnam Management shall not
be subject to any liability to the Fund or to any shareholder of
the Fund for any act or omission in the course of or connected
with rendering services to the Fund in the absence of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of
its duties on the part of Putnam Management.
The Management Contract may be terminated without penalty by vote
of the Trustees or the shareholders of the Fund, or by Putnam
Management, on 30 days' written notice. It may be amended only
by a vote of the shareholders of the Fund. The Management
Contract also terminates without payment of any penalty in the
event of its assignment. The Management Contract provides that
it will continue in effect only so long as such continuance is
approved at least annually by vote of either the Trustees or the
shareholders, and, in either case, by a majority of the Trustees
who are not "interested persons" of Putnam Management or the
Fund. In each of the foregoing cases, the vote of the
shareholders is the affirmative vote of a "majority of the
outstanding voting securities" as defined in the Investment
Company Act of 1940.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
INVESTMENT DECISIONS. Investment decisions for the Fund and for
the other investment advisory clients of Putnam Management and
its affiliates are made with a view to achieving their respective
investment objectives. Investment decisions are the product of
many factors in addition to basic suitability for the particular
client involved. Thus, a particular security may be bought or
sold for certain clients even though it could have been bought or
sold for other clients at the same time. Likewise, a particular
security may be bought for one or more clients when one or more
other clients are selling the security. In some instances, one
client may sell a particular security to another client. It also
sometimes happens that two or more clients simultaneously
purchase or sell the same security, in which event each day's
transactions in such security are, insofar as possible, averaged
as to price and allocated between such clients in a manner which
in Putnam Management's opinion is equitable to each and in
accordance with the amount being purchased or sold by each.
There may be circumstances when purchases or sales of portfolio
securities for one or more clients will have an adverse effect on
other clients.
BROKERAGE AND RESEARCH SERVICES. Transactions on U.S. stock
exchanges, commodities markets and futures markets and other
agency transactions involve the payment by the Fund of negotiated
brokerage commissions. Such commissions vary among different
brokers. A particular broker may charge different commissions
according to such factors as the difficulty and size of the
transaction. Transactions in foreign investments often involve
the payment of fixed brokerage commissions, which may be higher
than those in the United States. There is generally no stated
commission in the case of securities traded in the
over-the-counter markets, but the price paid by the Fund usually
includes an undisclosed dealer commission or mark-up. In
underwritten offerings, the price paid by the Fund includes a
disclosed, fixed commission or discount retained by the
underwriter or dealer. It is anticipated that most purchases and
sales of securities by funds investing primarily in tax-exempt
securities and certain other fixed-income securities will be with
the issuer or with underwriters of or dealers in those
securities, acting as principal. Accordingly, those funds would
not ordinarily pay significant brokerage commissions with respect
to securities transactions. SEE "FUND CHARGES AND EXPENSES" IN
PART I OF THIS STATEMENT FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING COMMISSIONS
PAID BY THE FUND.
It has for many years been a common practice in the investment
advisory business for advisers of investment companies and other
institutional investors to receive brokerage and research
services (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "1934 Act")) from broker-dealers that execute
portfolio transactions for the clients of such advisers and from
third parties with which such broker-dealers have arrangements.
Consistent with this practice, Putnam Management receives
brokerage and research services and other similar services from
many broker-dealers with which Putnam Management places the
Fund's portfolio transactions and from third parties with which
these broker-dealers have arrangements. These services include
such matters as general economic and market reviews, industry and
company reviews, evaluations of investments, recommendations as
to the purchase and sale of investments, newspapers, magazines,
pricing services, quotation services, news services and personal
computers utilized by Putnam Management's managers and analysts.
Where the services referred to above are not used exclusively by
Putnam Management for research purposes, Putnam Management, based
upon its own allocations of expected use, bears that portion of
the cost of these services which directly relates to their
non-research use. Some of these services are of value to Putnam
Management and its affiliates in advising various of their
clients (including the Fund), although not all of these services
are necessarily useful and of value in managing the Fund. The
management fee paid by the Fund is not reduced because Putnam
Management and its affiliates receive these services even though
Putnam Management might otherwise be required to purchase some of
these services for cash.
Putnam Management places all orders for the purchase and sale of
portfolio investments for the Fund and buys and sells investments
for the Fund through a substantial number of brokers and dealers.
In so doing, Putnam Management uses its best efforts to obtain
for the Fund the most favorable price and execution available,
except to the extent it may be permitted to pay higher brokerage
commissions as described below. In seeking the most favorable
price and execution, Putnam Management, having in mind the Fund's
best interests, considers all factors it deems relevant,
including, by way of illustration, price, the size of the
transaction, the nature of the market for the security or other
investment, the amount of the commission, the timing of the
transaction taking into account market prices and trends, the
reputation, experience and financial stability of the
broker-dealer involved and the quality of service rendered by the
broker-dealer in other transactions.
As permitted by Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act, and by the
Management Contract, Putnam Management may cause the Fund to pay
a broker-dealer which provides "brokerage and research services"
(as defined in the 1934 Act) to Putnam Management an amount of
disclosed commission for effecting securities transactions on
stock exchanges and other transactions for the Fund on an agency
basis in excess of the commission which another broker-dealer
would have charged for effecting that transaction. Putnam
Management's authority to cause the Fund to pay any such greater
commissions is also subject to such policies as the Trustees may
adopt from time to time. Putnam Management does not currently
intend to cause the Fund to make such payments. It is the
position of the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission
that Section 28(e) does not apply to the payment of such greater
commissions in "principal" transactions. Accordingly Putnam
Management will use its best effort to obtain the most favorable
price and execution available with respect to such transactions,
as described above.
The Management Contract provides that commissions, fees,
brokerage or similar payments received by Putnam Management or an
affiliate in connection with the purchase and sale of portfolio
investments of the Fund, less any direct expenses approved by the
Trustees, shall be recaptured by the Fund through a reduction of
the fee payable by the Fund under the Management Contract.
Putnam Management seeks to recapture for the Fund soliciting
dealer fees on the tender of the Fund's portfolio securities in
tender or exchange offers. Any such fees which may be recaptured
are likely to be minor in amount.
Consistent with the Rules of Fair Practice of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and subject to seeking
the most favorable price and execution available and such other
policies as the Trustees may determine, Putnam Management may
consider sales of shares of the Fund (and, if permitted by law,
of the other Putnam funds) as a factor in the selection of
broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund.
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
Putnam Mutual Funds is the principal underwriter of shares of the
Fund and the other continuously offered Putnam funds. Putnam
Mutual Funds is not obligated to sell any specific amount of
shares of the Fund and will purchase shares for resale only
against orders for shares. SEE "FUND CHARGES AND EXPENSES" IN
PART I OF THIS STATEMENT FOR INFORMATION ON SALES CHARGES AND
OTHER PAYMENTS RECEIVED BY PUTNAM MUTUAL FUNDS.
INVESTOR SERVICING AGENT AND CUSTODIAN
Putnam Investor Services, a division of Putnam Fiduciary Trust
Company ("PFTC"), is the Fund's investor servicing agent
(transfer, plan and dividend disbursing agent), for which it
receives fees which are paid monthly by the Fund as an expense of
all its shareholders. The fee paid to Putnam Investor Services
is determined by the Trustees taking into account the number of
shareholder accounts and transactions. Putnam Investor Services
has won the DALBAR Quality Tested Service Seal every year since
the award's 1990 inception. Over 10,000 tests of 38 separate
shareholders service components demonstrated that Putnam Investor
Services exceeded the industry standard in all categories.
PFTC is the custodian of the Fund's assets. In carrying out its
duties under its custodian contract, PFTC may employ one or more
subcustodians whose responsibilities will include safeguarding
and controlling the Fund's cash and securities, handling the
receipt and delivery of securities and collecting interest and
dividends on the Fund's investments. PFTC and any subcustodians
employed by it have a lien on the securities of the Fund (to the
extent permitted by the Fund's investment restrictions) to secure
charges and any advances made by such subcustodians at the end of
any day for the purpose of paying for securities purchased by the
Fund. The Fund expects that such advances will exist only in
unusual circumstances. Neither PFTC nor any subcustodian
determines the investment policies of the Fund or decides which
securities the Fund will buy or sell. PFTC pays the fees and
other charges of any subcustodians employed by it. The Fund may
from time to time pay custodial expenses in full or in part
through the placement by Putnam Management of the Fund's
portfolio transactions with the subcustodians or with a third-
party broker having an agreement with the subcustodians. The
Fund pays PFTC an annual fee based on the Fund's assets,
securities transactions and securities holdings and reimburses
PFTC for certain out-of-pocket expenses incurred by it or any
subcustodian employed by it in performing custodial services.
SEE "FUND CHARGES AND EXPENSES" IN PART I OF THIS STATEMENT FOR
INFORMATION ON FEES AND REIMBURSEMENTS FOR INVESTOR SERVICING AND
CUSTODY RECEIVED BY PFTC. THE FEES MAY BE REDUCED BY CREDITS
ALLOWED BY PFTC.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The Fund determines the net asset value per share of each class
of shares once each day the New York Stock Exchange (the
"Exchange") is open. Currently, the Exchange is closed
Saturdays, Sundays and the following holidays: New Year's Day,
Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July,
Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Fund determines net
asset value as of the close of regular trading on the Exchange,
currently 4:00 p.m. However, equity options held by the Fund are
priced as of the close of trading at 4:10 p.m., and futures
contracts on U.S. Government securities and index options held by
the Fund are priced as of their close of trading at 4:15 p.m.
Securities for which market quotations are readily available are
valued at prices which, in the opinion of the Trustees or Putnam
Management, most nearly represent the market values of such
securities. Currently, such prices are 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 securities are
stated at the mean between the last reported bid and asked
prices. Short-term investments having remaining maturities of 60
days or less are stated at amortized cost, which approximates
market value. All other securities and assets are valued at
their fair value following procedures approved by the Trustees.
Liabilities are deducted from the total, and the resulting amount
is divided by the number of shares of the class outstanding.
Reliable market quotations are not considered to be readily
available for long-term corporate bonds and notes, certain
preferred stocks, tax-exempt securities, and certain foreign
securities. These investments 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 which are generally
recognized by institutional traders.
If any securities held by the Fund are restricted as to resale,
Putnam Management determines their fair value following
procedures approved by the Trustees. The fair value of such
securities is generally determined as the amount which the Fund
could reasonably expect to realize from an orderly disposition of
such securities over a reasonable period of time. The valuation
procedures applied in any specific instance are likely to vary
from case to case. However, consideration is generally given to
the financial position of the issuer and other fundamental
analytical data relating to the investment and to the nature of
the restrictions on disposition of the securities (including any
registration expenses that might be borne by the Fund in
connection with such disposition). In addition, specific factors
are also generally considered, such as the cost of the
investment, the market value of any unrestricted securities of
the same class, the size of the holding, the prices
of any recent transactions or offers with respect to such
securities and any available analysts' reports regarding the
issuer.
Generally, trading in certain securities (such as foreign
securities) is substantially completed each day at various times
prior to the close of the Exchange. The values of these
securities used in determining the net asset value of the Fund's
shares are computed as of such times. Also, because of the
amount of time required to collect and process trading
information as to large numbers of securities issues, the values
of certain securities (such as convertible bonds, U.S. Government
securities, and tax-exempt securities) are determined based on
market quotations collected earlier in the day at the latest
practicable time prior to the close of the Exchange.
Occasionally, events affecting the value of such securities may
occur between such times and the close of the Exchange which will
not be reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset
value. If events materially affecting the value of such
securities occur during such period, then these securities will
be valued at their fair value following procedures approved by
the Trustees.
Money market funds generally value their portfolio securities at
amortized cost according to Rule 2a-7 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
General
The Prospectus contains a general description of how investors
may buy shares of the Fund and states whether the Fund offers
more than one class of shares. This Statement contains
additional information which may be of interest to investors.
Class A shares and Class M shares are sold with a sales charge
payable at the time of purchase (except for Class A shares and
Class M shares of money market funds). As used in this Statement
and unless the context requires otherwise, the term "Class A
shares" includes shares of Funds that offer only one class of
shares. The Prospectus contains a table of applicable sales
charges. For information about how to purchase Class A shares of
a Putnam fund at net asset value through an employer's defined
contribution plan, please consult your employer. Certain
purchases of Class A shares and Class M shares may be exempt from
a sales charge or, in the case of Class A shares, may be subject
to a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC"). See "General--
Sales without sales charges or contingent deferred sales
charges", "Additional Information About Class A and Class M
Shares", and "Contingent Deferred Sales Charges--Class A shares".
Class B shares and Class C shares are sold subject to a CDSC
payable upon redemption within a specified period after purchase.
The Prospectus contains a table of applicable CDSCs.
Class Y shares, which are available only to employer-sponsored
defined contribution plans initially investing at least $250
million in a combination of Putnam funds and other investments
managed by Putnam Management or its affiliates, are not subject
to sales charges or a CDSC.
Certain purchase programs described below are not available to
defined contribution plans. Consult your employer for
information on how to purchase shares through your plan.
The Fund is currently making a continuous offering of its shares.
The Fund receives the entire net asset value of shares sold. The
Fund will accept unconditional orders for shares to be executed
at the public offering price based on the net asset value per
share next determined after the order is placed. In the case of
Class A shares and Class M shares, the public offering price is
the net asset value plus the applicable sales charge, if any. No
sales charge is included in the public offering price of other
classes of shares. In the case of orders for purchase of shares
placed through dealers, the public offering price will be based
on the net asset value determined on the day the order is placed,
but only if the dealer receives the order before the close of
regular trading on the Exchange. If the dealer receives the
order after the close of the Exchange, the price will be based on
the net asset value next determined. If funds for the purchase
of shares are sent directly to Putnam Investor Services, they
will be invested at the public offering price based on the net
asset value next determined after receipt. Payment for shares of
the Fund must be in U.S. dollars; if made by check, the check
must be drawn on a U.S. bank.
Initial and subsequent purchases must satisfy the minimums stated
in the Prospectus, except that (i) individual investments under
certain employee benefit plans or Tax Qualified Retirement Plans
may be lower, (ii) persons who are already shareholders may make
additional purchases of $50 or more by sending funds directly to
Putnam Investor Services (see "Your Investing Account" below),
and (iii) for investors participating in systematic investment
plans and military allotment plans, the initial and subsequent
purchases must be $25 or more. Information about these plans is
available from investment dealers or from Putnam Mutual Funds.
As a convenience to investors, shares may be purchased through a
systematic investment plan. Preauthorized monthly bank drafts
for a fixed amount (at least $25) are used to purchase Fund
shares at the applicable public offering price next determined
after Putnam Mutual Funds receives the proceeds from the draft
(normally the 20th of each month, or the next business day
thereafter). Further information and application forms are
available from investment dealers or from Putnam Mutual Funds.
Except for Putnam funds that declare a distribution daily,
distributions to be reinvested are reinvested without a sales
charge in shares of the same class as of the ex-dividend date
using the net asset value determined on that date, and are
credited to a shareholder's account on the payment date.
Dividends for Putnam money market funds are credited to a
shareholder's account on the payment date. Distributions for
Putnam Tax-Free Income Trust and Putnam Preferred Income Fund are
reinvested without a sales charge as of the last day of the
period for which distributions are paid using the net asset value
determined on that date, and are credited to a shareholder's
account on the payment date. Distributions for all other Putnam
funds that declare a distribution daily are reinvested without a
sales charge as of the next day following the period for which
distributions are paid using the net asset value determined on
that date, and are credited to a shareholder's account on the
payment date.
PAYMENT IN SECURITIES. In addition to cash, the Fund may accept
securities as payment for Fund shares at the applicable net asset
value. Generally, the Fund will only consider accepting
securities to increase its holdings in a portfolio security, or
if Putnam Management determines that the offered securities are a
suitable investment for the Fund and in a sufficient amount for
efficient management.
While no minimum has been established, it is expected that the
Fund would not accept securities with a value of less than
$100,000 per issue as payment for shares. The Fund may reject in
whole or in part any or all offers to pay for purchases of Fund
shares with securities, may require partial payment in cash for
such purchases to provide funds for applicable sales charges, and
may discontinue accepting securities as payment for Fund shares
at any time without notice. The Fund will value accepted
securities in the manner described in the section "Determination
of Net Asset Value" for valuing shares of the Fund. The Fund
will only accept securities which are delivered in proper form.
The Fund will not accept options or restricted securities as
payment for shares. The acceptance of securities by certain
Funds in exchange for Fund shares are subject to additional
requirements. In the case of Putnam American Government Income
Fund, Putnam Asia Pacific Growth Fund, Putnam Asset Allocation
Funds: Balanced Portfolio, Putnam Asset Allocation Funds:
Conservative Portfolio, Putnam Asset Allocation Funds: Growth
Portfolio, Putnam Capital Appreciation Fund, Putnam Preferred
Income Fund, Putnam Diversified Equity Trust, Putnam Equity
Income Fund, Putnam Europe Growth Fund, The Putnam Fund for
Growth & Income, Putnam Global Governmental Income Trust, Putnam
Growth and Income Fund II, Putnam High Yield Advantage Fund,
Putnam Investment Funds, Putnam Intermediate Tax Exempt Fund,
Putnam Investment-Grade Bond Fund, Putnam Municipal Income Fund,
Putnam Natural Resources Fund, Putnam OTC Emerging Growth Fund,
Putnam Overseas Growth Fund, Putnam Tax Exempt Income Fund and
Putnam Tax-Free Income Trust, transactions involving the issuance
of Fund shares for securities or assets other than cash will be
limited to a bona-fide re-organization or statutory merger and to
other acquisitions of portfolio securities that meet all the
following conditions: (a) such securities meet the investment
objectives and policies of the Fund; (b) such securities are
acquired for investment and not for resale; (c) such securities
are liquid securities which are not restricted as to transfer
either by law or liquidity of market; and (d) such securities
have a value which is readily ascertainable, as evidenced by a
listing on the American Stock Exchange, the New York Stock
Exchange or NASDAQ. In addition, Putnam Global Governmental
Income Trust may accept only investment grade bonds with prices
regularly stated in publications generally accepted by investors,
such as the London Financial Times and the Association of
International Bond Dealers manual, or securities listed on the
New York or American Stock Exchanges or with NASDAQ, and Putnam
Diversified Income Trust may accept only bonds with prices
regularly stated in publications generally accepted by investors.
For federal income tax purposes, a purchase of Fund shares with
securities will be treated as a sale or exchange of such
securities on which the investor will realize a taxable gain or
loss. The processing of a purchase of Fund shares with
securities involves certain delays while the Fund considers the
suitability of such securities and while other requirements are
satisfied. For information regarding procedures for payment in
securities, contact Putnam Mutual Funds. Investors should not
send securities to the Fund except when authorized to do so and
in accordance with specific instructions received from Putnam
Mutual Funds.
SALES WITHOUT SALES CHARGES OR CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES.
The Fund may sell shares without a sales charge or CDSC to:
(i) current and retired Trustees of the Fund; officers of
the Fund; directors and current and retired U.S. full-time
employees of Putnam Management, Putnam Mutual Funds, their
parent corporations and certain corporate affiliates;
family members of and employee benefit plans for the
foregoing; and partnerships, trusts or other entities in
which any of the foregoing has a substantial interest;
(ii) employee benefit plans, for the repurchase of shares
in connection with repayment of plan loans made to plan
participants (if the sum loaned was obtained by redeeming
shares of a Putnam fund sold with a sales charge) (not
offered by tax-exempt funds);
(iii) clients of administrators of tax-qualified employee
benefit plans which have entered into agreements with
Putnam Mutual Funds (not offered by tax-exempt funds);
(iv) registered representatives and other employees of
broker-dealers having sales agreements with Putnam Mutual
Funds; employees of financial institutions having sales
agreements with Putnam Mutual Funds or otherwise having an
arrangement with any such broker-dealer or financial
institution with respect to sales of Fund shares; and
their spouses and children under age 21 (Putnam Mutual
Funds is regarded as the dealer of record for all such
accounts);
(v) investors meeting certain requirements who sold shares
of certain Putnam closed-end funds pursuant to a tender
offer by such closed-end fund;
(vi) a trust department of any financial institution
purchasing shares of the Fund in its capacity as trustee
of any trust, if the value of the shares of the Fund and
other Putnam funds purchased or held by all such trusts
exceeds $1 million in the aggregate; and
(vii) "wrap accounts" maintained for clients of broker-
dealers, financial institutions or financial planners who
have entered into agreements with Putnam Mutual Funds with
respect to such accounts.
In addition, the Fund may issue its shares at net asset value in
connection with the acquisition of substantially all of the
securities owned by other investment companies or personal
holding companies.
PAYMENTS TO DEALERS. Putnam Mutual Funds may, at its expense,
pay concessions in addition to the payments disclosed in the
Prospectus to dealers which satisfy certain criteria established
from time to time by Putnam Mutual Funds relating to increasing
net sales of shares of the Putnam funds over prior periods, and
certain other factors.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT CLASS A AND CLASS M SHARES
The underwriter's commission is the sales charge shown in the
Prospectus less any applicable dealer discount. Putnam Mutual
Funds will give dealers ten days' notice of any changes in the
dealer discount. Putnam Mutual Funds retains the entire sales
charge on any retail sales made by it.
Putnam Mutual Funds offers several plans by which an investor may
obtain reduced sales charges on purchases of Class A shares and
Class M shares. The variations in sales charges reflect the
varying efforts required to sell shares to separate categories of
purchasers. These plans may be altered or discontinued at any
time.
COMBINED PURCHASE PRIVILEGE. The following persons may qualify
for the sales charge reductions or eliminations shown in the
Prospectus by combining into a single transaction the purchase of
Class A shares or Class M shares with other purchases of any
class of shares:
(i) an individual, or a "company" as defined in Section
2(a)(8) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (which
includes corporations which are corporate affiliates of
each other);
(ii) an individual, his or her spouse and their children
under twenty-one, purchasing for his, her or their own
account;
(iii) a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing for a single
trust estate or single fiduciary account (including a
pension, profit-sharing, or other employee benefit trust
created pursuant to a plan qualified under Section 401 of
the Internal Revenue Code);
(iv) tax-exempt organizations qualifying under Section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (not including
403(b) plans); and
(v) employee benefit plans of a single employer or of
affiliated employers, other than 403(b) plans.
A combined purchase currently may also include shares of any
class of other continuously offered Putnam funds (other than
money market funds) purchased at the same time through a single
investment dealer, if the dealer places the order for such shares
directly with Putnam Mutual Funds.
CUMULATIVE QUANTITY DISCOUNT (RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION). A
purchaser of Class A shares or Class M shares may qualify for a
cumulative quantity discount by combining a current purchase (or
combined purchases as described above) with certain other shares
of any class of Putnam funds already owned. The applicable sales
charge is based on the total of:
(i) the investor's current purchase; and
(ii) the maximum public offering price (at the close of
business on the previous day) of:
(a) all shares held by the investor in all of the
Putnam funds (except money market funds); and
(b) any shares of money market funds acquired by
exchange from other Putnam funds; and
(iii) the maximum public offering price of all shares
described in paragraph (ii) owned by another shareholder
eligible to participate with the investor in a "combined
purchase" (see above).
To qualify for the combined purchase privilege or to obtain the
cumulative quantity discount on a purchase through an investment
dealer, when each purchase is made the investor or dealer must
provide Putnam Mutual Funds with sufficient information to verify
that the purchase qualifies for the privilege or discount. The
shareholder must furnish this information to Putnam Investor
Services when making direct cash investments.
STATEMENT OF INTENTION. Investors may also obtain the reduced
sales charges for Class A shares or Class M shares shown in the
Prospectus for investments of a particular amount by means of a
written Statement of Intention, which expresses the investor's
intention to invest that amount (including certain "credits," as
described below) within a period of 13 months in shares of any
class of the Fund or any other continuously offered Putnam fund
(excluding money market funds). Each purchase of Class A shares
or Class M shares under a Statement of Intention will be made at
the public offering price applicable at the time of such purchase
to a single transaction of the total dollar amount indicated in
the Statement. A Statement of Intention may include purchases of
shares made not more than 90 days prior to the date that an
investor signs a Statement; however, the 13-month period during
which the Statement is in effect will begin on the date of the
earliest purchase to be included.
An investor may receive a credit toward the amount indicated in
the Statement equal to the maximum public offering price as of
the close of business on the previous day of all shares he or she
owns on the date of the Statement which are eligible for purchase
under a Statement (plus any shares of money market funds acquired
by exchange of such eligible shares). Investors do not receive
credit for shares purchased by the reinvestment of distributions.
Investors qualifying for the "combined purchase privilege" (see
above) may purchase shares under a single Statement of Intention.
The Statement of Intention is not a binding obligation upon the
investor to purchase the full amount indicated. The minimum
initial investment under a Statement of Intention is 5% of such
amount, and must be invested immediately. Class A shares or
Class M shares purchased with the first 5% of such amount will be
held in escrow to secure payment of the higher sales charge
applicable to the shares actually purchased if the full amount
indicated is not purchased. When the full amount indicated has
been purchased, the escrow will be released. If an investor
desires to redeem escrowed shares before the full amount has been
purchased, the shares will be released from escrow only if the
investor pays the sales charge that, without regard to the
Statement of Intention, would apply to the total investment made
to date.
To the extent that an investor purchases more than the dollar
amount indicated on the Statement of Intention and qualifies for
a further reduced sales charge, the sales charge will be adjusted
for the entire amount purchased at the end of the 13-month
period, upon recovery from the investor's dealer of its portion
of the sales charge adjustment. Once received from the dealer,
which may take a period of time or may never occur, the sales
charge adjustment will be used to purchase additional shares at
the then current offering price applicable to the actual amount
of the aggregate purchases. These additional shares will not be
considered as part of the total investment for the purpose of
determining the applicable sales charge pursuant to the Statement
of Intention. No sales charge adjustment will be made unless and
until the investor's dealer returns any excess commissions
previously received.
To the extent that an investor purchases less than the dollar
amount indicated on the Statement of Intention within the 13-
month period, the sales charge will be adjusted upward for the
entire amount purchased at the end of the 13-month period. This
adjustment will be made by redeeming shares from the account to
cover the additional sales charge, the proceeds of which will be
paid to the investor's dealer and Putnam Mutual Funds in
accordance with the Prospectus. If the account exceeds an amount
that would otherwise qualify for a reduced sales charge, that
reduced sales charge will be applied.
Statements of Intention are not available for certain employee
benefit plans.
Statement of Intention forms may be obtained from Putnam Mutual
Funds or from investment dealers. Interested investors should
read the Statement of Intention carefully.
REDUCED SALES CHARGE FOR GROUP PURCHASES OF CLASS A SHARES.
Members of qualified groups may purchase Class A shares of the
Fund at a group sales charge rate of 4.5% of the public offering
price (4.71% of the net amount invested). The dealer discount on
such sales is 3.75% of the offering price.
To receive the group rate, group members must purchase Class A
shares through a single investment dealer designated by the
group. The designated dealer must transmit each member's initial
purchase to Putnam Mutual Funds, together with payment and
completed application forms. After the initial purchase, a
member may send funds for the purchase of Class A shares directly
to Putnam Investor Services. Purchases of Class A shares are
made at the public offering price based on the net asset value
next determined after Putnam Mutual Funds or Putnam Investor
Services receives payment for the shares. The minimum investment
requirements described above apply to purchases by any group
member. Only Class A shares are included in calculating the
purchased amount.
Qualified groups include the employees of a corporation or a sole
proprietorship, members and employees of a partnership or
association, or other organized groups of persons (the members of
which may include other qualified groups) provided that: (i) the
group has at least 25 members of which at least 10 members
participate in the initial purchase; (ii) the group has been in
existence for at least six months; (iii) the group has some
purpose in addition to the purchase of investment company shares
at a reduced sales charge; (iv) the group's sole organizational
nexus or connection is not that the members are credit card
holders of a company, policy holders of an insurance company,
customers of a bank or broker-dealer, clients of an investment
adviser or security holders of a company; (v) the group agrees to
provide its designated investment dealer access to the group's
membership by means of written communication or direct
presentation to the membership at a meeting on not less
frequently than an annual basis; (vi) the group or its investment
dealer will provide annual certification in form satisfactory to
Putnam Investor Services that the group then has at least 25
members and that at least ten members participated in group
purchases during the immediately preceding 12 calendar months;
and (vii) the group or its investment dealer will provide
periodic certification in form satisfactory to Putnam Investor
Services as to the eligibility of the purchasing members of the
group.
Members of a qualified group include: (i) any group which meets
the requirements stated above and which is a constituent member
of a qualified group; (ii) any individual purchasing for his or
her own account who is carried on the records of the group or on
the records of any constituent member of the group as being a
good standing employee, partner, member or person of like status
of the group or constituent member; or (iii) any fiduciary
purchasing shares for the account of a member of a qualified
group or a member's beneficiary. For example, a qualified group
could consist of a trade association which would have as its
members individuals, sole proprietors, partnerships and
corporations. The members of the group would then consist of the
individuals, the sole proprietors and their employees, the
members of the partnerships and their employees, and the
corporations and their employees, as well as the trustees of
employee benefit trusts acquiring Class A shares for the benefit
of any of the foregoing.
A member of a qualified group may, depending upon the value of
Class A shares of the Fund owned or proposed to be purchased by
the member, be entitled to purchase Class A shares of the Fund at
non-group sales charge rates shown in the Prospectus which may be
lower than the group sales charge rate, if the member qualifies
as a person entitled to reduced non-group sales charges. Such a
group member will be entitled to purchase at the lower rate if,
at the time of purchase, the member or his or her investment
dealer furnishes sufficient information for Putnam Mutual Funds
or Putnam Investor Services to verify that the purchase qualifies
for the lower rate.
Interested groups should contact their investment dealer or
Putnam Mutual Funds. The Fund reserves the right to revise the
terms of or to suspend or discontinue group sales at any time.
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS; INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNT PLANS. The term
"employee benefit plan" means any plan or arrangement, whether or
not tax-qualified, which provides for the purchase of Class A
shares. The term "affiliated employer" means employers who are
affiliated with each other within the meaning of Section
2(a)(3)(C) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. The term
"individual account plan" means any employee benefit plan whereby
(i) Class A shares are purchased through payroll deductions or
otherwise by a fiduciary or other person for the account of
participants who are employees (or their spouses) of an employer,
or of affiliated employers, and (ii) a separate Investing Account
is maintained in the name of such fiduciary or other person for
the account of each participant in the plan.
The table of sales charges in the Prospectus applies to sales to
employee benefit plans, except that the Fund may sell Class A
shares at net asset value to employee benefit plans, including
individual account plans, of employers or of affiliated employers
which have at least 750 employees to whom such plan is made
available, in connection with a payroll deduction system of plan
funding (or other system acceptable to Putnam Investor Services)
by which contributions or account information for plan
participation are transmitted to Putnam Investor Services by
methods acceptable to Putnam Investor Services. The Fund may
also sell Class A shares at net asset value to employee benefit
plans of employers or of affiliated employers which have at least
750 employees, if such plans are qualified under Section 401 of
the Internal Revenue Code.
Additional information about employee benefit plans and
individual account plans is available from investment dealers or
from Putnam Mutual Funds.
<PAGE>
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES
CLASS A SHARES. Class A shares purchased at net asset value by
shareholders investing $1 million or more, including purchases
pursuant to any Combined Purchase Privilege, Right of
Accumulation or Statement of Intention, are subject to a CDSC of
1.00% or 0.50%, respectively, if redeemed within the first or
second year after purchase. The Class A CDSC is imposed on the
lower of the cost and the current net asset value of the shares
redeemed. The CDSC does not apply to shares sold without a sales
charge through participant-directed qualified retirement plans
and shares purchased by certain investors investing $1 million or
more that have made arrangements with Putnam Mutual Funds and
whose dealer of record waived the commission described in the
next paragraph.
Except as stated below, Putnam Mutual Funds pays investment
dealers of record commissions on sales of Class A shares of $1
million or more based on an investor's cumulative purchases of
such shares, including purchases pursuant to any Combined
Purchase Privilege, Right of Accumulation or Statement of
Intention, during the one-year period beginning with the date of
the initial purchase at net asset value and each subsequent one-
year period beginning with the first net asset value purchase
following the end of the prior period. Such commissions are paid
at the rate of 1.00% of the amount under $3 million, 0.50% of the
next $47 million and 0.25% thereafter. On sales at net asset
value to a participant-directed qualified retirement plan
initially investing less than $20 million in Putnam funds and
other investments managed by Putnam Management or its affiliates
(including a plan sponsored by an employer with more than 750
employees), Putnam Mutual Funds pays commissions on cumulative
purchases during the life of the account at the rate of 1.00% of
the amount under $3 million and 0.50% thereafter. On sales at
net asset value to all other participant-directed qualified
retirement plans, Putnam Mutual Funds pays commissions on the
initial investment and on subsequent net quarterly sales (gross
sales minus gross redemptions during the quarter) at the rate of
0.15%. Money market fund shares are excluded from all commission
calculations, except for determining the amount initially
invested by a participant-directed qualified retirement plan.
Commissions on sales at net asset value to such plans are subject
to Putnam Mutual Funds' right to reclaim such commissions if the
shares are redeemed within two years.
Different CDSC and commission rates may apply to shares purchased
before April 1, 1994.
CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES. Investors who set up an Automatic
Cash Withdrawal Plan (ACWP) for a Class B and Class C share
account (see "Plans Available To Shareholders -- Automatic Cash
Withdrawal Plan") may withdraw through the ACWP up to 12% of the
net asset value of the account (calculated as set forth below)
each year without incurring any CDSC. Shares not subject to a
CDSC (such as shares representing reinvestment of distributions)
will be redeemed first and will count toward the 12% limitation.
If there are insufficient shares not subject to a CDSC, shares
subject to the lowest CDSC liability will be redeemed next until
the 12% limit is reached. The 12% figure is calculated on a pro
rata basis at the time of the first payment made pursuant to a
ACWP and recalculated thereafter on a pro rata basis at the time
of each ACWP payment. Therefore, shareholders who have chosen a
ACWP based on a percentage of the net asset value of their
account of up to 12% will be able to receive ACWP payments
without incurring a CDSC. However, shareholders who have chosen
a specific dollar amount (for example, $100 per month from a fund
that pays income distributions monthly) for their periodic ACWP
payment should be aware that the amount of that payment not
subject to a CDSC may vary over time depending on the net asset
value of their account. For example, if the net asset value of
the account is $10,000 at the time of payment, the shareholder
will receive $100 free of the CDSC (12% of $10,000 divided by 12
monthly payments). However, if at the time of the next payment
the net asset value of the account has fallen to $9,400, the
shareholder will receive $94 free of any CDSC (12% of $9,400
divided by 12 monthly payments) and $6 subject to the lowest
applicable CDSC. This ACWP privilege may be revised or
terminated at any time.
ALL SHARES. No CDSC is imposed on shares of any class subject to
a CDSC ("CDSC Shares") to the extent that the CDSC Shares
redeemed (i) are no longer subject to the holding period
therefor, (ii) resulted from reinvestment of distributions on
CDSC Shares, or (iii) were exchanged for shares of another Putnam
fund, provided that the shares acquired in such exchange or
subsequent exchanges (including shares of a Putnam money market
fund) will continue to remain subject to the CDSC, if applicable,
until the applicable holding period expires. In determining
whether the CDSC applies to each redemption of CDSC Shares, CDSC
Shares not subject to a CDSC are redeemed first.
The Fund will waive any CDSC on redemptions, in the case of
individual or Uniform Transfers to Minors Act accounts, in case
of death or disability or for the purpose of paying benefits
pursuant to tax-qualified retirement plans. Such payments
currently include, without limitation, (1) distributions from an
IRA due to death or disability, (2) a return of excess
contributions to an IRA or 401(k) plan, and (3) distributions
from retirement plans qualified under section 401(a) or section
403(b)(7) (a "403(b) plan") of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code"), due to death, disability, retirement or
separation from service. The Fund will also waive any CDSC in
the case of the death of one joint tenant. These waivers may be
changed at any time. Additional waivers may apply to IRA
accounts opened prior to February 1, 1994.
<PAGE>
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
If the Fund or a class of shares of the Fund has adopted a
Distribution Plan, the Prospectus describes the principal
features of the Plan. This Statement contains additional
information which may be of interest to investors.
Continuance of a Plan is subject to annual approval by a vote of
the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not
interested persons of the Fund and who have no direct or indirect
interest in the Plan or related arrangements (the "Qualified
Trustees"), cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose.
All material amendments to a Plan must be likewise approved by
the Trustees and the Qualified Trustees. No Plan may be amended
in order to increase materially the costs which the Fund may bear
for distribution pursuant to such Plan without also being
approved by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of
the Fund or the relevant class of the Fund, as the case may be.
A Plan terminates automatically in the event of its assignment
and may be terminated without penalty, at any time, by a vote of
a majority of the Qualified Trustees or by a vote of a majority
of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund or the relevant
class of the Fund, as the case may be.
If Plan payments are made to reimburse Putnam Mutual Funds for
payments to dealers based on the average net asset value of Fund
shares attributable to shareholders for whom the dealers are
designated as the dealer of record, "average net asset value"
attributable to a shareholder account means the product of (i)
the Fund's average daily share balance of the account and (ii)
the Fund's average daily net asset value per share (or the
average daily net asset value per share of the class, if
applicable). For administrative reasons, Putnam Mutual Funds may
enter into agreements with certain dealers providing for the
calculation of "average net asset value" on the basis of assets
of the accounts of the dealer's customers on an established day
in each quarter.
Financial institutions receiving payments from Putnam Mutual
Funds as described above may be required to comply with various
state and federal regulatory requirements, including among others
those regulating the activities of securities brokers or dealers.
INVESTOR SERVICES
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
Each time shareholders buy or sell shares, they will receive a
statement confirming the transaction and listing their current
share balance. (Under certain investment plans, a statement may
only be sent quarterly.) Shareholders will receive a statement
confirming reinvestment of distributions in additional Fund
shares (or in shares of other Putnam funds for Dividends Plus
accounts) promptly following the quarter in which the
reinvestment occurs. To help shareholders take full advantage of
their Putnam investment, they will receive a Welcome Kit and a
periodic publication covering many topics of interest to
investors. The Fund also sends annual and semiannual reports
that keep shareholders informed about its portfolio and
performance, and year-end tax information to simplify their
recordkeeping. Easy-to-read, free booklets on special subjects
such as the Exchange Privilege and IRAs are available from Putnam
Investor Services. Shareholders may call Putnam Investor
Services toll-free weekdays at 1-800-225-1581 between 8:30 a.m.
and 7:00 p.m. Boston time for more information, including account
balances.
YOUR INVESTING ACCOUNT
The following information provides more detail concerning the
operation of a Putnam Investing Account. For further information
or assistance, investors should consult Putnam Investor Services.
Shareholders who purchase shares through a defined contribution
plan should note that not all of the services or features
described below may be available to them, and they should contact
their employer for details.
A shareholder may reinvest a recent cash distribution without a
front-end sales charge or without the reinvested shares being
subject to a CDSC, as the case may be, by delivering to Putnam
Investor Services the uncashed distribution check, endorsed to
the order of the Fund. Putnam Investor Services must receive the
properly endorsed check within 30 days after the date of the
check. Upon written notice to shareholders, the Fund may permit
shareholders who receive cash distributions to reinvest amounts
representing returns of capital without a sales charge or without
being subject to the CDSC.
The Investing Account also provides a way to accumulate shares of
the Fund. In most cases, after an initial investment of $500, a
shareholder may send checks to Putnam Investor Services for $50
or more, made payable to the Fund, to purchase additional shares
at the applicable public offering price next determined after
Putnam Investor Services receives the check. For Putnam
Preferred Income Fund, the minimum initial investment is $25,000
and the minimum subsequent investment is $5,000. Checks must be
drawn on a U.S. bank and must be payable in U.S. dollars.
Putnam Investor Services acts as the shareholder's agent whenever
it receives instructions to carry out a transaction on the
shareholder's account. Upon receipt of instructions that shares
are to be purchased for a shareholder's account, shares will be
purchased through the investment dealer designated by the
shareholder. Shareholders may change investment dealers at any
time by written notice to Putnam Investor Services, provided the
new dealer has a sales agreement with Putnam Mutual Funds.
Shares credited to an account are transferable upon written
instructions in good order to Putnam Investor Services and may be
sold to the Fund as described under "How to buy shares, sell
shares and exchange shares" in the Prospectus. Money market
funds and certain other funds will not issue share certificates.
A shareholder may send any certificates which have been
previously issued to Putnam Investor Services for safekeeping at
no charge to the shareholder.
Putnam Mutual Funds, at its expense, may provide certain
additional reports and administrative material to qualifying
institutional investors with fiduciary responsibilities to assist
these investors in discharging their responsibilities.
Institutions seeking further information about this service
should contact Putnam Mutual Funds, which may modify or terminate
this service at any time.
Putnam Investor Services may make special services available to
shareholders with investments exceeding $1,000,000. Contact
Putnam Investor Services for details.
The Fund pays Putnam Investor Services' fees for maintaining
Investing Accounts.
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE
An investor who has redeemed shares to the Fund may reinvest
(within 1 year) the proceeds of such sale in shares of the same
class of the Fund, or may be able to reinvest (within 1 year) the
proceeds in shares of the same class of one of the other
continuously offered Putnam funds (through the Exchange Privilege
described in the Prospectus), including, in the case of shares
subject to a CDSC, the amount of CDSC charged on the redemption.
Any such reinvestment would be at the net asset value of the
shares of the fund(s) the investor selects, next determined after
Putnam Mutual Funds receives a Reinstatement Authorization. The
time that the previous investment was held will be included in
determining any applicable CDSC due upon redemptions and, in the
case of Class B shares, the eight-year period for conversion to
Class A shares. Shareholders will receive from Putnam Mutual
Funds the amount of any CDSC paid at the time of redemption as
part of the reinstated investment, which may be treated as
capital gains to the shareholder for tax purposes. Exercise of
the Reinstatement Privilege does not alter the federal income tax
treatment of any capital gains realized on a sale of Fund shares,
but to the extent that any shares are sold at a loss and the
proceeds are reinvested in shares of the Fund, some or all of the
loss may be disallowed as a deduction. Consult your tax adviser.
Investors who desire to exercise this Privilege should contact
their investment dealer or Putnam Investor Services.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
Except as otherwise set forth in this section, by calling Putnam
Investor Services, investors may exchange shares valued up to
$500,000 between accounts with identical registrations, provided
that no certificates are outstanding for such shares and no
address change has been made within the preceding 15 days.
During periods of unusual market changes and shareholder
activity, shareholders may experience delays in contacting Putnam
Investor Services by telephone to exercise the Telephone Exchange
Privilege.
Putnam Investor Services also makes exchanges promptly after
receiving a properly completed Exchange Authorization Form and,
if issued, share certificates. If the shareholder is a
corporation, partnership, agent, or surviving joint owner, Putnam
Investor Services will require additional documentation of a
customary nature. Because an exchange of shares involves the
redemption of Fund shares and reinvestment of the proceeds in
shares of another Putnam fund, completion of an exchange may be
delayed under unusual circumstances if the Fund were to suspend
redemptions or postpone payment for the Fund shares being
exchanged, in accordance with federal securities laws. Exchange
Authorization Forms and prospectuses of the other Putnam funds
are available from Putnam Mutual Funds or investment dealers
having sales contracts with Putnam Mutual Funds. The prospectus
of each fund describes its investment objective(s) and policies,
and shareholders should obtain a prospectus and consider these
objectives and policies carefully before requesting an exchange.
Shares of certain Putnam funds are not available to residents of
all states. The Fund reserves the right to change or suspend the
Exchange Privilege at any time. Shareholders would be notified
of any change or suspension. Additional information is available
from Putnam Investor Services.
Shares of the Fund must be held at least 15 days by the
shareholder requesting an exchange. There is no holding period
if the shareholder acquired the shares to be exchanged through
reinvestment of distributions, transfer from another shareholder,
prior exchange or certain employer-sponsored defined contribution
plans. In all cases, the shares to be exchanged must be
registered on the records of the Fund in the name of the
shareholder requesting the exchange.
Shareholders of other Putnam funds may also exchange their shares
at net asset value for shares of the Fund, as set forth in the
current prospectus of each fund.
For federal income tax purposes, an exchange is a sale on which
the investor generally will realize a capital gain or loss
depending on whether the net asset value at the time of the
exchange is more or less than the investor's basis. The Exchange
Privilege may be revised or terminated at any time. Shareholders
would be notified of any such change or suspension.
DIVIDENDS PLUS
Shareholders may invest the Fund's distributions of net
investment income or distributions combining net investment
income and short-term capital gains in shares of the same class
of another continuously offered Putnam fund (the "receiving
fund") using the net asset value per share of the receiving fund
determined on the date the Fund's distribution is payable. No
sales charge or CDSC will apply to the purchased shares unless
the Fund is a money market fund. The prospectus of each fund
describes its investment objective(s) and policies, and
shareholders should obtain a prospectus and consider these
objective(s) and policies carefully before investing their
distributions in the receiving fund. Shares of certain Putnam
funds are not available to residents of all states.
The minimum account size requirement for the receiving fund will
not apply if the current value of your account in this Fund is
more than $5,000.
Shareholders of other Putnam funds (except for money market
funds, whose shareholders must pay a sales charge or become
subject to a CDSC) may also use their distributions to purchase
shares of the Fund at net asset value.
For federal tax purposes, distributions from the Fund which are
reinvested in another fund are treated as paid by the Fund to the
shareholder and invested by the shareholder in the receiving fund
and thus, to the extent comprised of taxable income and deemed
paid to a taxable shareholder, are taxable.
The Dividends PLUS program may be revised or terminated at any
time.
PLANS AVAILABLE TO SHAREHOLDERS
The Plans described below are fully voluntary and may be
terminated at any time without the imposition by the Fund or
Putnam Investor Services of any penalty. All Plans provide for
automatic reinvestment of all distributions in additional shares
of the Fund at net asset value. The Fund, Putnam Mutual Funds or
Putnam Investor Services may modify or cease offering these Plans
at any time.
AUTOMATIC CASH WITHDRAWAL PLAN. An investor who owns or buys
shares of the Fund valued at $10,000 or more at the current
public offering price may open a Withdrawal Plan and have a
designated sum of money ($50 or more) paid monthly, quarterly,
semi-annually or annually to the investor or another person.
(Payments from the Fund can be combined with payments from other
Putnam funds into a single check through a Designated Payment
Plan.) Shares are deposited in a Plan account, and all
distributions are reinvested in additional shares of the Fund at
net asset value (except where the Plan is utilized in connection
with a charitable remainder trust). Shares in a Plan account are
then redeemed at net asset value to make each withdrawal payment.
Payment will be made to any person the investor designates;
however, if shares are registered in the name of a trustee or
other fiduciary, payment will be made only to the fiduciary,
except in the case of a profit-sharing or pension plan where
payment will be made to a designee. As withdrawal payments may
include a return of principal, they cannot be considered a
guaranteed annuity or actual yield of income to the investor.
The redemption of shares in connection with a Withdrawal Plan
generally will result in a gain or loss for tax purposes. Some
or all of the losses realized upon redemption may be disallowed
pursuant to the so-called wash sale rules if shares of the same
fund from which shares were redeemed are purchased (including
through the reinvestment of fund distributions) within a period
beginning 30 days before, and ending 30 days after, such
redemption. In such a case, the basis of the replacement shares
will be increased to reflect the disallowed loss. Continued
withdrawals in excess of income will reduce and possibly exhaust
invested principal, especially in the event of a market decline.
The maintenance of a Withdrawal Plan concurrently with purchases
of additional shares of the Fund would be disadvantageous to the
investor because of the sales charge payable on such purchases.
For this reason, the minimum investment accepted while a
Withdrawal Plan is in effect is $1,000, and an investor may not
maintain a Plan for the accumulation of shares of the Fund (other
than through reinvestment of distributions) and a Withdrawal Plan
at the same time. The cost of administering these Plans for the
benefit of those shareholders participating in them is borne by
the Fund as an expense of all shareholders. The Fund, Putnam
Mutual Funds or Putnam Investor Services may terminate or change
the terms of the Withdrawal Plan at any time. A Withdrawal Plan
will be terminated if communications mailed to the shareholder
are returned as undeliverable.
Investors should consider carefully with their own financial
advisers whether the Plan and the specified amounts to be
withdrawn are appropriate in their circumstances. The Fund and
Putnam Investor Services make no recommendations or
representations in this regard.
TAX QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS; 403(B) AND SEP PLANS. (NOT
OFFERED BY FUNDS INVESTING PRIMARILY IN TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES.)
Investors may purchase shares of the Fund through the following
Tax Qualified Retirement Plans, available to qualified
individuals or organizations:
Standard and variable profit-sharing (including 401(k))
and money purchase pension plans; and
Individual Retirement Account Plans (IRAs).
Each of these Plans has been qualified as a prototype plan by the
Internal Revenue Service. Putnam Investor Services will furnish
services under each plan at a specified annual cost. Putnam
Fiduciary Trust Company serves as trustee under each of these
Plans.
Forms and further information on these Plans are available from
investment dealers or from Putnam Mutual Funds. In addition,
specialized professional plan administration services are
available on an optional basis; contact Putnam Defined
Contribution Plan Services at 1-800-225-2465, extension 8600.
A 403(b) Retirement Plan is available for employees of public
school systems and organizations which meet the requirements of
Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Forms and
further information on the 403(b) Plan are also available from
investment dealers or from Putnam Mutual Funds. Shares of the
Fund may also be used in simplified employee pension (SEP) plans.
For further information on the Putnam prototype SEP plan, contact
an investment dealer or Putnam Mutual Funds.
Consultation with a competent financial and tax adviser regarding
these Plans and consideration of the suitability of Fund shares
as an investment under the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, or otherwise, is recommended.
SIGNATURE GUARANTEES
Redemption requests for shares having a net asset value of
$100,000 or more must be signed by the registered owners or their
legal representatives and must be guaranteed by a bank,
broker/dealer, municipal securities dealer or broker, government
securities dealer or broker, credit union, national securities
exchange, registered securities association, clearing agency,
savings association or trust company, provided such institution
is acceptable under and conforms with Putnam Fiduciary Trust
Company's signature guarantee procedures. A copy of such
procedures is available upon request. If you want your
redemption proceeds sent to an address other than your address as
it appears on Putnam's records, you must provide a signature
guarantee. Putnam Investor Services usually requires additional
documentation for the sale of shares by a corporation,
partnership, agent or fiduciary, or a surviving joint owner.
Contact Putnam Investor Services for details.
SUSPENSION OF REDEMPTIONS
The Fund may not suspend shareholders' right of redemption, or
postpone payment for more than seven days, unless the New York
Stock Exchange is closed for other than customary weekends or
holidays, or if permitted by the rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission during periods when trading on the Exchange
is restricted or during any emergency which makes it
impracticable for the Fund to dispose of its securities or to
determine fairly the value of its net assets, or during any other
period permitted by order of the Commission for protection of
investors.
SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of
the Fund. However, the Agreement and Declaration of Trust
disclaims shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the
Fund and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in each
agreement, obligation, or instrument entered into or executed by
the Fund or the Trustees. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust
provides for indemnification out of Fund property for all loss
and expense of any shareholder held personally liable for the
obligations of the Fund. Thus, the risk of a shareholder
incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is
limited to circumstances in which the Fund would be unable to
meet its obligations. The likelihood of such circumstances is
remote.
STANDARD PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Yield and total return data for the Fund may from time to time be
presented in Part I of this Statement and in advertisements. In
the case of funds with more than one class of shares, all
performance information is calculated separately for each class.
The data is calculated as follows.
Total return for one-, five- and ten-year periods (or for such
shorter periods as the Fund has been in operation or shares of
the relevant class have been outstanding) is determined by
calculating the actual dollar amount of investment return on a
$1,000 investment in the Fund made at the beginning of the
period, at the maximum public offering price for Class A shares
and Class M shares and net asset value for other classes of
shares, and then calculating the annual compounded rate of return
which would produce that amount. Total return for a period of
one year is equal to the actual return of the Fund during that
period. Total return calculations assume deduction of the Fund's
maximum sales charge or CDSC, if applicable, and reinvestment of
all Fund distributions at net asset value on their respective
reinvestment dates.
The Fund's yield is presented for a specified thirty-day period
(the "base period"). Yield is based on the amount determined by
(i) calculating the aggregate amount of dividends and interest
earned by the Fund during the base period less expenses accrued
for that period, and (ii) dividing that amount by the product of
(A) the average daily number of shares of the Fund outstanding
during the base period and entitled to receive dividends and (B)
the per share maximum public offering price for Class A shares or
Class M shares, as appropriate and net asset value for other
classes of shares on the last day of the base period. The result
is annualized on a compounding basis to determine the yield. For
this calculation, interest earned on debt obligations held by the
Fund is generally calculated using the yield to maturity (or
first expected call date) of such obligations based on their
market values (or, in the case of receivables-backed securities
such as GNMA's, based on cost). Dividends on equity securities
are accrued daily at their stated dividend rates.
If the Fund is a money market fund, yield is computed by
determining the percentage net change, excluding capital changes,
in the value of an investment in one share over the seven-day
period for which yield is presented (the "base period"), and
multiplying the net change by 365/7 (or approximately 52 weeks).
Effective yield represents a compounding of the yield by adding 1
to the number representing the percentage change in value of the
investment during the base period, raising that sum to a power
equal to 365/7, and subtracting 1 from the result.
If the Fund is a tax-exempt fund, the tax-equivalent yield during
the base period may be presented for shareholders in one or more
stated tax brackets. Tax-equivalent yield is calculated by
adjusting the tax-exempt yield by a factor designed to show the
approximate yield that a taxable investment would have to earn to
produce an after-tax yield equal, for that shareholder, to the
tax-exempt yield. The tax-equivalent yield will differ for
shareholders in other tax brackets.
At times, Putnam Management may reduce its compensation or assume
expenses of the Fund in order to reduce the Fund's expenses. The
per share amount of any such fee reduction or assumption of
expenses during the Fund's past ten fiscal years (or for the life
of the Fund, if shorter) is reflected in the table in the section
entitled "Financial history" in the Prospectus. Any such fee
reduction or assumption of expenses would increase the Fund's
yield and total return during the period of the fee reduction or
assumption of expenses.
All data are based on past performance and do not predict future
results.
COMPARISON OF PORTFOLIO PERFORMANCE
Independent statistical agencies measure the Fund's investment
performance and publish comparative information showing how the
Fund, and other investment companies, performed in specified time
periods. Three agencies whose reports are commonly used for such
comparisons are set forth below. From time to time, the Fund may
distribute these comparisons to its shareholders or to potential
investors. THE AGENCIES LISTED BELOW MEASURE PERFORMANCE BASED
ON THEIR OWN CRITERIA RATHER THAN ON THE STANDARDIZED
PERFORMANCE MEASURES DESCRIBED IN THE PRECEDING SECTION.
LIPPER ANALYTICAL SERVICES, INC. distributes mutual fund
rankings monthly. The rankings are based on total return
performance calculated by Lipper, reflecting generally
changes in net asset value adjusted for reinvestment of
capital gains and income dividends. They do not reflect
deduction of any sales charges. Lipper rankings cover a
variety of performance periods, for example year-to-date,
1-year, 5-year, and 10-year performance. Lipper
classifies mutual funds by investment objective and asset
category.
MORNINGSTAR, INC. distributes mutual fund ratings twice a
month. The ratings are divided into five groups:
highest, above average, neutral, below average and lowest.
They represent a fund's historical risk/reward ratio
relative to other funds with similar objectives. The
performance factor is a weighted-average assessment of the
Fund's 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year total return
performance (if available) reflecting deduction of
expenses and sales charges. Performance is adjusted using
quantitative techniques to reflect the risk profile of the
fund. The ratings are derived from a purely quantitative
system that does not utilize the subjective criteria
customarily employed by rating agencies such as Standard &
Poor's Corporation and Moody's Investor Service, Inc.
CDA/WIESENBERGER'S MANAGEMENT RESULTS publishes mutual
fund rankings and is distributed monthly. The rankings
are based entirely on total return calculated by
Weisenberger for periods such as year-to-date, 1-year,
3-year, 5-year and 10-year. Mutual funds are ranked in
general categories (e.g., international bond,
international equity, municipal bond, and maximum capital
gain). Weisenberger rankings do not reflect deduction of
sales charges or fees.
Independent publications may also evaluate the Fund's
performance. Certain of those publications are listed below, at
the request of Putnam Mutual Funds, which bears full
responsibility for their use and the descriptions appearing
below. From time to time the Fund may distribute evaluations by
or excerpts from these publications to its shareholders or to
potential investors. The following illustrates the types of
information provided by these publications.
BUSINESS WEEK publishes mutual fund rankings in its
Investment Figures of the Week column. The rankings are
based on 4-week and 52-week total return reflecting
changes in net asset value and the reinvestment of all
distributions. They do not reflect deduction of any sales
charges. Funds are not categorized; they compete in a
large universe of over 2000 funds. The source for
rankings is data generated by Morningstar, Inc.
INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY publishes mutual fund rankings
on a daily basis. The rankings are depicted as the top 25
funds in a given category. The categories are based
loosely on the type of fund, e.g., growth funds, balanced
funds, U.S. government funds, GNMA funds, growth and
income funds, corporate bond funds, etc. Performance
periods for sector equity funds can vary from 4 weeks to
39 weeks; performance periods for other fund groups vary
from 1 year to 3 years. Total return performance reflects
changes in net asset value and reinvestment of dividends
and capital gains. The rankings are based strictly on
total return. They do not reflect deduction of any sales
charges. Performance grades are conferred from A+ to E.
An A+ rating means that the fund has performed within the
top 5% of a general universe of over 2000 funds; an A
rating denotes the top 10%; an A- is given to the top 15%,
etc.
BARRON'S periodically publishes mutual fund rankings. The
rankings are based on total return performance provided by
Lipper Analytical Services. The Lipper total return data
reflects changes in net asset value and reinvestment of
distributions, but does not reflect deduction of any sales
charges. The performance periods vary from short-term
intervals (current quarter or year-to-date, for example)
to long-term periods (five-year or ten-year performance,
for example). Barron's classifies the funds using the
Lipper mutual fund categories, such as Capital
Appreciation Funds, Growth Funds, U.S. Government Funds,
Equity Income Funds, Global Funds, etc. Occasionally,
Barron's modifies the Lipper information by ranking the
funds in asset classes. "Large funds" may be those with
assets in excess of $25 million; "small funds" may be
those with less than $25 million in assets.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL publishes its Mutual Fund
Scorecard on a daily basis. Each Scorecard is a ranking
of the top-15 funds in a given Lipper Analytical Services
category. Lipper provides the rankings based on its total
return data reflecting changes in net asset value and
reinvestment of distributions and not reflecting any sales
charges. The Scorecard portrays 4-week, year-to-date,
one-year and 5-year performance; however, the ranking is
based on the one-year results. The rankings for any given
category appear approximately once per month.
FORTUNE magazine periodically publishes mutual fund
rankings that have been compiled for the magazine by
Morningstar, Inc. Funds are placed in stock or bond fund
categories (for example, aggressive growth stock funds,
growth stock funds, small company stock funds, junk bond
funds, Treasury bond funds, etc.), with the top-10 stock
funds and the top-5 bond funds appearing in the rankings.
The rankings are based on 3-year annualized total return
reflecting changes in net asset value and reinvestment of
distributions and not reflecting sales charges.
Performance is adjusted using quantitative techniques to
reflect the risk profile of the fund.
MONEY magazine periodically publishes mutual fund rankings
on a database of funds tracked for performance by Lipper
Analytical Services. The funds are placed in 23 stock or
bond fund categories and analyzed for five-year risk
adjusted return. Total return reflects changes in net
asset value and reinvestment of all dividends and capital
gains distributions and does not reflect deduction of any
sales charges. Grades are conferred (from A to E): the
top 20% in each category receive an A, the next 20% a B,
etc. To be ranked, a fund must be at least one year old,
accept a minimum investment of $25,000 or less and have
had assets of at least $25 million as of a given date.
FINANCIAL WORLD publishes its monthly Independent
Appraisals of Mutual Funds, a survey of approximately 1000
mutual funds. Funds are categorized as to type, e.g.,
balanced funds, corporate bond funds, global bond funds,
growth and income funds, U.S. government bond funds, etc.
To compete, funds must be over one year old, have over $1
million in assets, require a maximum of $10,000 initial
investment, and should be available in at least 10 states
in the United States. The funds receive a composite past
performance rating, which weighs the intermediate- and
long-term past performance of each fund versus its
category, as well as taking into account its risk, reward
to risk, and fees. An A+ rated fund is one of the best,
while a D-rated fund is one of the worst. The source for
Financial World rating is Schabacker investment management
in Rockville, MD.
FORBES magazine periodically publishes mutual fund ratings
based on performance over at least two bull and bear
market cycles. The funds are categorized by type,
including stock and balanced funds, taxable bond funds,
municipal bond funds, etc. Data sources include Lipper
Analytical Services and CDA Investment Technologies. The
ratings are based strictly on performance at net asset
value over the given cycles. Funds performing in the top
5% receive an A+ rating; the top 15% receive an A rating;
and so on until the bottom 5% receive an F rating. Each
fund exhibits two ratings, one for performance in "up"
markets and another for performance in "down" markets.
KIPLINGER'S PERSONAL FINANCE MAGAZINE (formerly Changing
Times), periodically publishes rankings of mutual funds
based on one-, three- and five-year total return
performance reflecting changes in net asset value and
reinvestment of dividends and capital gains and not
reflecting deduction of any sales charges. Funds are
ranked by tenths: a rank of 1 means that a fund was among
the highest 10% in total return for the period; a rank of
10 denotes the bottom 10%. Funds compete in categories of
similar funds--aggressive growth funds, growth and income
funds, sector funds, corporate bond funds, global
governmental bond funds, mortgage-backed securities funds,
etc. Kiplinger's also provides a risk-adjusted grade in
both rising and falling markets. Funds are graded against
others with the same objective. The average weekly total
return over two years is calculated. Performance is
adjusted using quantitative techniques to reflect the risk
profile of the fund.
U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT periodically publishes mutual
fund rankings based on an overall performance index (OPI)
devised by Kanon Bloch Carre & Co., a Boston research
firm. Over 2000 funds are tracked and divided into 10
equity, taxable bond and tax-free bond categories. Funds
compete within the 10 groups and three broad categories.
The OPI is a number from 0-100 that measures the relative
performance of funds at least three years old over the
last 1, 3, 5 and 10 years and the last six bear markets.
Total return reflects changes in net asset value and the
reinvestment of any dividends and capital gains
distributions and does not reflect deduction of any sales
charges. Results for the longer periods receive the most
weight.
THE 100 BEST MUTUAL FUNDS YOU CAN BUY (1992), authored by
Gordon K. Williamson. The author's list of funds is
divided into 12 equity and bond fund categories, and the
100 funds are determined by applying four criteria.
First, equity funds whose current management teams have
been in place for less than five years are eliminated.
(The standard for bond funds is three years.) Second, the
author excludes any fund that ranks in the bottom 20
percent of its category's risk level. Risk is determined
by analyzing how many months over the past three years the
fund has underperformed a bank CD or a U.S. Treasury bill.
Third, a fund must have demonstrated strong results for
current three-year and five-year performance. Fourth, the
fund must either possess, in Mr. Williamson's judgment,
"excellent" risk-adjusted return or "superior" return with
low levels of risk. Each of the 100 funds is ranked in
five categories: total return, risk/volatility,
management, current income and expenses. The rankings
follow a five-point system: zero designates "poor"; one
point means "fair"; two points denote "good"; three points
qualify as a "very good"; four points rank as "superior";
and five points mean "excellent."
In addition, Putnam Mutual Funds may distribute to shareholders
or prospective investors illustrations of the benefits of
reinvesting tax-exempt or tax-deferred distributions over
specified time periods, which may include comparisons to fully
taxable distributions. These illustrations use hypothetical
rates of tax-advantaged and taxable returns and are not intended
to indicate the past or future performance of any fund.
<PAGE>
DEFINITIONS
"Putnam Management" -- Putnam Investment Management,
Inc., the Fund's investment
manager.
"Putnam Mutual Funds" -- Putnam Mutual Funds Corp., the
Fund's principal underwriter.
"Putnam Fiduciary Trust -- Putnam Fiduciary Trust Company,
Company" the Fund's custodian.
"Putnam Investor Services" -- Putnam Investor Services, a
division of Putnam Fiduciary
Trust Company, the Fund's
investor servicing agent.
<PAGE>
PUTNAM
INVESTMENT FUNDS
FORM N-1A
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(a) Index to Financial Statements and Supporting
Schedules:
(1) Financial Statements:
Statements of assets and liabilities --
December 13, 1994 (audited) (a).
Notes to statement of assets and liabilities
(audited) (a).
Putnam Basic Value Fund and Putnam Real
Estate Opportunities Fund:
Statements of assets and liabilities --
February 28, 1995 (unaudited) (a).
Statements of operations -- period ended
February 28, 1995 (unaudited) (a).
Statements of changes in net assets -- period
ended February 28, 1995 (unaudited) (a).
Financial highlights (unaudited) (a)(b).
Notes to financial statements (unaudited)
(a) .
(2) Supporting Schedules:
Schedules I -- Portfolios of investments
owned -- February 28, 1995 (unaudited)
(a).
Schedules II through IX omitted
because the required matter is not present.
(a) Incorporated by reference into Parts
A and B.
Putnam Balanced Fund, Putnam International
New Opportunities Fund and Putnam Global
Utilities Fund:
<PAGE>
Statements of assets and liabilities --
March 31, 1995 (unaudited) (a).
Statements of operations -- period ended
March 31, 1995 (unaudited) (a).
Statements of changes in net assets -- period
ended March 31, 1995 (unaudited) (a).
Financial highlights (unaudited) (a)(b).
Notes to financial statements (unaudited)
(a).
(2) Supporting Schedules:
Schedules I -- Portfolios of investments
owned -- March 31, 1995 (unaudited) (a).
Schedules II through IX omitted because the
required matter is not present.
-----------------
(a) Incorporated by reference into
Parts A and B.
(b) Included in Part A.
(b) Exhibits:
1. Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated
October 31, 1994 -- Incorporated by reference
to Registrant's Initial Registration
Statement.
2. By-Laws -- Incorporated by reference to
Registrant's Initial Registration Statement.
3. Not applicable.
4a. Form of Specimen share certificate --
Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's
Registration Statement.
4b. Portions of Agreement and Declaration of
Trust Relating to Shareholders' Rights --
Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's
Registration Statement.
4c. Portions of By-Laws Relating to Shareholders'
Rights -- Incorporated by reference to
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the
Registrant's Registration Statement.
5. Copy of Management Contract dated December 2,
1994 -- Incorporated by reference to Pre-
Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's
Registration Statement.
<PAGE>
6a. Copy of Distributor's Contract dated December
2, 1994-- Incorporated by reference to
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the
Registrant's Registration Statement.
6b. Copy of Specimen Dealer Sales Contract --
Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's
Registration Statement.
6c. Copy of Specimen Financial Institution Sales
Contract -- Incorporated by reference to
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the
Registrant's Registration Statement.
7. Not applicable.
8. Copy of Custodian Agreement with Putnam
Fiduciary Trust Company dated May 3, 1991 as
amended July 13, 1992 -- Incorporated by
reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to
the Registrant's Registration Statement.
9. Copy of Investor Servicing Agreement dated
June 3, 1991 with Putnam Fiduciary Trust
Company -- Incorporated by reference to
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the
Registrant's Registration Statement.
10. Opinion of Ropes & Gray, including consent --
Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's
Registration Statement.
11. Not applicable.
12. Not applicable.
13. Investment Letter from Putnam Investments,
Inc. to the Registrant -- Incorporated by
reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to
the Registrant's Registration Statement.
14a. Copy of Prototype Individual Retirement
Account Plan -- Incorporated by reference
to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the
Registrant's Registration Statement.
14b. Copy of Prototype Basic Plan Documents and
related Plan Agreements -- Incorporated by
reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to
the Registrant's Registration Statement.
15a. Copy of Class A Distribution Plan and
Agreement dated December 2, 1994 --
Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's
Registration Statement.
15b. Copy of Class B Distribution Plan and
Agreement dated December 2, 1994 --
Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's
Registration Statement.
<PAGE>
15c. Copy of Class M Distribution Plan and
Agreement dated December 2, 1994 --
Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's
Registration Statement.
15d. Copy of Specimen Dealer Service Agreement --
Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's
Registration Statement.
15e. Copy of Specimen Financial Institution
Service Agreement -- Incorporated by
reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to
the Registrant's Registration Statement.
16. Not applicable.
17a. Financial Data Schedule for Putnam
Balanced Fund -- Exhibit 1.
17b. Financial Data Schedule for Putnam Basic
Value Fund -- Exhibit 2.
17c. Financial Data Schedule for Putnam Global
Utilities Fund -- Exhibit 3.
17d. Financial Data Schedule for Putnam
International New Opportunities Fund --
Exhibit 4.
17e. Financial Data Schedule for Putnam Real
Estate Opportunities Fund -- Exhibit 5.
Item 25. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with
Registrant
As of May 31, 1995 , Putnam Investments, Inc. owned
95.40%, 84.90%, 96.00%, 87.20% and 92.10%, respectively,
of the outstanding shares of Putnam Balanced Fund, Putnam
Basic Value Fund, Putnam Global Utilities Fund, Putnam
International New Opportunities Fund and Putnam Real Estate
Opportunities Fund . Also, as of May 31, 1995 , Putnam
Investments, Inc. owned all of the outstanding shares of Putnam
Investment-Grade Bond Fund, 33.90% of the outstanding
shares of Putnam Asset Allocation Funds -- Balanced
Portfolio's Class A shares, 100% of the outstanding shares of
Putnam Florida Tax Exempt Income Fund, Putnam Minnesota Tax
Exempt Income Fund II, Putnam New Jersey Tax Exempt Income Fund,
Putnam Ohio Tax Exempt Income Fund II, and Putnam Tax-Free
Insured Fund Class M shares, 81.10% of the outstanding shares
of Putnam Growth Fund's Class A shares, and 26.30% of the
outstanding shares of Putnam Overseas Growth Fund's Class A
shares and may be deemed to control such Funds.
<PAGE>
Item 26. Number of Holders of Securities
As of May 31, 1995, the number of record holders of the
Registrant's class A shares of beneficial interest were as
follows:
Fund name Number of shares
Basic Value Fund 43
Balanced Fund 8
Global Utilities 12
International New Opportunities Fund 127
Real Estate Opportunities Fund 17
Item 27. Indemnification
The information required by this item is incorporated
herein by reference from the Registrant's initial Registration
Statement on Form N-1A under the Investment Company Act of 1940
(File No. 811-7237).
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
Item 28. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
Except as set forth below, the directors and officers
of the Registrant's investment adviser have been engaged during
the past two fiscal years in no business, vocation or employment
of a substantial nature other than as directors or officers of
the investment adviser or certain of its corporate affiliates.
Certain officers of the investment adviser serve as officers of
some or all of the Putnam funds. The address of the investment
adviser, its corporate affiliates and the Putnam Funds is One
Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
NAME NON-PUTNAM BUSINESS AND OTHER
CONNECTIONS
John V. Adduci Prior to July, 1993, Human Resources
Assistant Vice President Manager, First Security Services, 80
Main St., Reading, MA 01867
Gail S. Attridge Prior to November, 1993, International
Vice President Analyst, Keystone Custodian Funds,
200 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA
02116
James D. Babcock Prior to June, 1994, Interest
Assistant Vice President Supervisor, Salomon Brothers, Inc.
7 World Trade Center, New York, NY
10048
Prior to June, 1993, Audit Manager,
Coopers & Lybrand, One Sylvan Way,
Parsipanny, NJ 07054
Robert K. Baumbach Prior to August, 1994, Vice President
Vice President and Analyst, Keystone Custodian
Funds, 200 Berkeley St., Boston, MA
02110
Sharon A. Berka Prior to January, 1994, Vice
Vice President President - Compensation Manager,
BayBanks, Inc., 175 Federal Street,
Boston, MA 02110
Matthew G. Bevin Prior to February, 1995, Consultant,
Assistant Vice President SEI Corporation, 680 East Swedesford
Road, Wayne, PA 19807
Thomas Bogan Prior to November, 1994, Analyst
Senior Vice President Lord, Abbett & Co., 767 Fifth
Avenue, New York, NY 10153
<PAGE>
Michael F. Bouscaren Prior to May, 1994, President and
Senior Vice President Chairman of the Board of Directors
at Salomon Series Funds, Inc. and a
Director of Salomon Brothers Asset
Management, 7 World Trade Center,
New York, NY 10048
Brett Browchuk Prior to April, 1994, Managing
Managing Director Director, Fidelity Investments, 82
Devonshire St., Boston, MA 02109
Carolyn S. Bunten Prior to July, 1993, Assistant Trader,
Assistant Vice President Scudder Stevens & Clark, Inc., 175
Federal St., Boston, MA 02110
Andrea Burke Prior to August, 1994, Vice President
Vice President and Portfolio Manager, Back Bay
Advisors, 399 Boylston St., Boston,
MA 02116
Peter Carman Prior to August, 1993, Chief
Senior Managing Director Investment Officer, Chairman, U.S.
Equity Investment Policy Committee,
Member of Board of Directors,
Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., Inc.,
767 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10153
Joseph M. Carrabes Prior to June, 1993, Senior Financial
Vice President Services Officer, The Boston
Company, Inc., One Boston Place,
Boston, MA
Steven Cheshire Prior to January, 1994, Assistant
Vice President Vice President, Wellington
Management, 75 State Street, Boston,
MA 02109
Kenneth L. Daly Prior to August, 1993, Vice
Senior Vice President President, Fidelity Investments,
82 Devonshire St., Boston, MA 02109
John A. DeTore Prior to January, 1994, Director of
Managing Director Quantitative Portfolio Management,
Wellington Management, 75 State
Street, Boston, MA 02109
Theodore J. Deutz Prior to January, 1995, Senior Vice
Vice President President, Metropolitan West
Securities, Inc. 10880 Wilshire
Blvd., Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA
90024
Michael G. Dolan Prior to February, 1994, Senior
Assistant Vice President Financial Analyst, General Electric
Company, 1000 Western Ave., Lynn, MA
01905
Joseph J. Eagleeye Prior to August, 1994, Associate,
Assistant Vice President David Taussig & Associates, 424
University Ave., Sacramento, CA
95813
Michael T. Fitzgerald Prior to September, 1994, Senior
Senior Vice President Vice President, Vantage Global
Advisers, 1201 Morningside Dr.,
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Roland Gillis Prior to March, 1995, Vice President
Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager,
Keystone Group, Inc., 200 Berkeley
St., Boston, MA 02116
Mark D. Goodwin Prior to May, 1994, Manager, Audit &
Assistant Vice President Operations Analysis, Mitre
Corporation, 202 Burlington Rd.,
Bedford, MA 01730
Stephen A. Gorman Prior to July, 1994, Financial
Assistant Vice President Analyst, Boston Harbor Trust
Company, 100 Federal St., Boston, MA
02110
Jill Grossberg Prior to March, 1995, Associate
Assistant Vice President Counsel, 440 Financial Group of
and Associate Counsel Worcester, Inc., 440 Lincoln St.,
Worcester, MA 01653; Prior to
November, 1993, Counsel, Berman
DeValerio & Pease, One Liberty
Square, Boston, MA 02109
Deborah R. Healey Prior to June, 1994, Senior Equity
Senior Vice President Trader, Fidelity Management &
Research Company, 82 Devonshire St.,
Boston, MA 02109
Lisa A. Heitman Prior to July, 1994, Securities
Senior Vice President Analyst, Lord, Abbett & Company, 767
Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10153
Michael F. Hotchkiss Prior to May, 1994, Vice President,
Vice President Massachusetts Financial Services,
500 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116
<PAGE>
Walter Hunnewell, Jr. Prior to April, 1994, Managing
Vice President Director, Veronis, Suhler &
Associates, 350 Park Avenue, New
York, NY 10022
Joseph Joseph Prior to October, 1994, Managing
Vice President Director, Vert Independent Capital
Research, 53 Wall St., New York, NY
10052
Prior to August, 1993, Manager,
Price Waterhouse, 6th Avenue, New
York, NY 10036
Mary E. Kearney Prior to February, 1995, Partner,
Managing Director Price Waterhouse, 160 Federal St.,
Boston, MA 02110
D. William Kohli Prior to September, 1994, Executive
Senior Vice President Vice President and Co-Director of
Global Bond Management; Prior to
1993, Portfolio Manager, Franklin
Advisors/Templeton Investment
Counsel, 777 Mariners Island Blvd.,
San Mateo, CA 94404
Karen R. Korn Prior to June, 1994, Vice President,
Vice President Assistant to the President, Designs,
Inc. 1244 Boylston St., Chestnut
Hill, MA 02167
Peter B. Krug Prior to January, 1995, Owner and
Vice President Director, Griswold Special Care, 42
Ethan Allen Drive, Acton, MA 01720
Lawrence J. Lasser Director, Marsh & McLennan Companies,
President, Director Inc., 1221 Avenue of the Americas,
and Chief Executive New York, NY 10020
Officer Director, INROADS/Central New England,
Inc., 99 Bedford St., Boston,
MA 02111
Jeffrey R. Lindsey Prior to April, 1994, Vice President
Vice President and Board Member, Strategic
Portfolio Management, 900 Ashwood
Parkway, Suite 290, Atlanta, GA
30338
James W. Lukens Prior to February, 1995, Vice
Senior Vice President President of Institutional
Marketing, Keystone Group, Inc., 200
Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116
Michael Martino Prior to January, 1994, Executive
Managing Director Vice President and Chief Investment
Officer until 1992
Susan A. McCormack Prior to May, 1994, Associate
Vice President Investment Banker, Merrill Lynch &
Co., 350 South Grand Ave., Suite
2830, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Carol McMullen Prior to June, 1995, Senior Vice,
Managing Director President and Senior Portfolio
Manager, Baring Asset Management,
125 High Street, Boston, MA 02110
Maziar Minovi Prior to January, 1995, Associate
Vice President Privatization Specialist, The
International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development, 1818
H St. N.W., Washington, DC 20433
Michael J. Mufson Prior to June, 1993, Senior Equity
Senior Vice President Analyst, Stein Roe & Farnham,
One South Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL
60606
Paul G. Murphy Prior to January, 1995, Section
Assistant Vice President Manager, First Data Corp., 53 State
Street, Boston, MA 02109
Warren S. Naphtal Prior to January, 1994, Managing
Senior Vice President Director, Continental Bank, 231
So. Lasalle St., Chicago, IL 60697
C. Patrick O'Donnell, Jr. Prior to May, 1994, President,
Managing Director Exeter Research, Inc., 163 Water
Street, Exeter, New Hampshire, 03833
Brian O'Keefe Prior to December, 1993, Vice
Vice President President - Foreign Exchange Trader,
Bank of Boston, 100 Federal Street,
Boston, MA 02109
Margaret Pietropaolo Prior to January, 1994, Data Base/
Assistant Vice President Production Analyst, Wellington
Management, 75 State Street, Boston,
MA 02109
Jane E. Price Prior to February, 1995, Associate
Assistant Vice President ERISA Attorney, Hale & Dorr,
60 State St., Boston, MA 02109
George Putnam Chairman and Director, Putnam Mutual
Chairman and Director Funds Corp.
Director, The Boston Company, Inc.,
One Boston Place, Boston, MA 02108
Director, Boston Safe Deposit and
Trust Company, One Boston Place,
Boston, MA 02108
Director, Freeport-McMoRan, Inc., 200
Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166
Director, General Mills, Inc., 9200
Wayzata Boulevard, Minneapolis,
MN 55440
Director, Houghton Mifflin Company,
One Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108
Director, Marsh & McLennan Companies,
Inc., 1221 Avenue of the Americas,
New York, NY 10020
Director, Rockefeller Group, Inc.,
1230 Avenue of the Americas,
New York, NY 10020
Thomas Rosalanko Prior to February, 1995, Senior
Senior Vice President Account Manager, SEI Corporation,
680 East Swedesford Road, Wayne, PA
19807
Michael Scanlon Prior to February, 1995, Senior
Assistant Vice President Financial Analyst, Massachusetts
Financial Services, 500 Boylston
St., Boston, MA 02116
Robert M. Shafto Prior to January, 1995, Account
Assistant Vice President Manager, IBM Corporation, 404 Wyman
St., Waltham, MA 02254
Mark J. Siegel Prior to June, 1993, Vice President,
Senior Vice President Salomon Brothers International,
Ltd., Victoria Plaza, 111 Buckingham
Palace Road, London SW1W 0SB,
England
Karen F. Smith Prior to May, 1994, Consultant and
Assistant Vice President Portfolio Manager, Wyatt Asset
Services, Inc., 1211 W.W. 5th Ave.,
Portland, OR 97204
Joanne Soja Prior to June, 1993, Managing
Senior Vice President Director/Portfolio Manager,
Chancellor Capital Management,
153 East 53rd Street, New York, NY
10002
Steven Spiegel Prior to December, 1994, Managing
Senior Managing Director Director/Retirement, Lehman
Brothers, Inc., 200 Vesey St., World
Financial Center, New York, NY 10285
George W. Stairs Prior to July, 1994, Equity Research
Vice President Analyst, ValueQuest Limited,
Roundy's Hill, Marblehead, MA 01945
Roger Sullivan Prior to December, 1994, Vice
Senior Vice President President, State Street Research &
Management Co., One Financial
Center, Boston, MA 02111
Jerry H. Tempelman Prior to May, 1994, Senior Money
Assistant Vice President Market Trader, State Street Bank &
Trust Co., 225 Franklin, Street,
Boston, MA 02110
Hillary F. Till Prior to May, 1994, Fixed-Income
Vice President Derivative Trader, Bank of Boston,
100 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02109
Prior to December, 1993, Equity
Analyst, Harvard Management Company,
600 Atlantic St., Boston, MA 02109
Elizabeth A. Underhill Prior to August, 1994, Vice President
Senior Vice President and Senior Equity Analyst, State
Street Bank and Trust Company, 225
Franklin St., Boston, MA 02110
Charles C. Van Vleet Prior to August, 1994, Vice President
Senior Vice President and Fixed-Income Manager, Alliance
Capital Management, 1345 Avenue of
the Americas, New York, NY 10105
Francis P. Walsh Prior to November, 1994, Research
Vice President Analyst, Furman, Selz, Inc. 230 Park
Avenue, New York, NY 10169
Prior to December, 1993, Strategic
Marketing Analyst, Lotus
Development, Corporation 55
Cambridge Parkway, Cambridge, MA
02142
Michael R. Weinstein Prior to March, 1994, Management
Vice President Consultant, Arthur D. Little, Acorn
Park, Cambridge, MA 02140
<PAGE>
Item 29. Principal Underwriter
(a) Putnam Mutual Funds Corp. is the principal underwriter for
each of the following investment companies, including the
Registrant:
Putnam Adjustable Rate U.S. Government Fund, Putnam American
Government Income Fund, Putnam Arizona Tax Exempt Income Fund,
Putnam Asia Pacific Growth Fund, Putnam Asset Allocation Funds,
Putnam Balanced Retirement Fund, Putnam California Tax Exempt
Income Trust, Putnam California Tax Exempt Money Market Fund,
Putnam Capital Appreciation Fund, Putnam Capital Manager Trust,
Putnam Convertible Income-Growth Trust, Putnam Diversified Equity
Trust, Putnam Diversified Income Trust, Putnam Dividend Growth
Fund, Putnam Equity Income Fund, Putnam Europe Growth Fund,
Putnam Federal Income Trust, Putnam Florida Tax Exempt Income
Fund, The Putnam Fund for Growth and Income, The George Putnam
Fund of Boston, Putnam Global Governmental Income Trust, Putnam
Global Growth Fund, Putnam Growth Fund, Putnam Growth and Income
Fund II, Putnam Health Sciences Trust, Putnam High Yield Trust,
Putnam High Yield Advantage Fund, Putnam Income Fund, Putnam
Intermediate Tax Exempt Income Fund, Putnam Intermediate U.S.
Government Income Fund, Putnam Investment Funds, Putnam
Investment-Grade Bond Fund, Putnam Investors Fund, Putnam
Massachusetts Tax Exempt Income Fund II, Putnam Michigan Tax
Exempt Income Fund II, Putnam Minnesota Tax Exempt Income Fund
II, Putnam Money Market Fund, Putnam Municipal Income Fund,
Putnam Natural Resources Fund, Putnam New Jersey Tax Exempt
Income Fund, Putnam New Opportunities Fund, Putnam New York Tax
Exempt Income Trust, Putnam New York Tax Exempt Money Market
Fund, Putnam New York Tax Exempt Opportunities Fund, Putnam Ohio
Tax Exempt Income Fund II, Putnam OTC Emerging Growth Fund,
Putnam Overseas Growth Fund, Putnam Pennsylvania Tax Exempt
Income Fund, Putnam Preferred Income Fund, Putnam Tax Exempt
Income Fund, Putnam Tax Exempt Money Market Fund, Putnam Tax-Free
Income Trust, Putnam U.S. Government Income Trust, Putnam
Utilities Growth and Income Fund, Putnam Vista Fund, Putnam
Voyager Fund
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(b) The directors and officers of the Registrant's principal underwriter are:
Positions and Offices Positions and Offices
Name with Underwriter with Registrant
<C> <C> <C>
John V. Adduci Assistant Vice President None
Christopher S. Alpaugh Vice President None
Paulette C. Amisano Vice President None
Ronald J. Anwar Vice President None
Karen M. Apatow Assistant Vice President None
Steven E. Asher Senior Vice President None
Scott A. Avery Vice President None
Hallie L. Baron Assistant Vice President None
Ira G. Baron Senior Vice President None
John L. Bartlett Senior Vice President None
Steven M. Beatty Vice President None
Matthew F. Beaudry Vice President None
John J. Bent Vice President None
Thomas A. Beringer Vice President None
Sharon A. Berka Vice President None
Suzanne J. Bessett Vice President None
Maureen L. Boisvert Vice President None
Keith R. Bouchard Vice President None
Linda M. Brady Assistant Vice President None
Leslee R. Bresnahan Senior Vice President None
James D. Brockelman Senior Vice President None
Scott C. Brown Vice President None
Gail D. Buckner Senior Vice President None
Robert W. Burke Senior Managing Director None
Susan Dwyer Cabana Vice President None
Ellen S. Callahan Vice President None
Thomas C. Callahan Assistant Vice President None
Peter J. Campagna Vice President None
William A. Campagna Senior Vice President None
Charles A. Carey Vice President None
Patricia A. Cartwright Assistant Vice President None
Janet Casale-Sweeney Vice President None
Stephen J. Chaput Assistant Vice President None
Daniel J. Church Vice President None
James E. Clinton Assistant Vice President None
Kathleen M. Collman Managing Director None
Mark L. Coneeny Vice President None
Donald A. Connelly Senior Vice President None
Anna Coppola Vice President None
F. Nicholas Corvinus Senior Vice President None
Chad H. Cristo Assistant Vice President None
Lisa M. D'Allesandro Assistant vice President None
Jessica E. Dahill Vice President None
Kenneth L. Daly Senior Vice President None
Edward H. Dane Vice President None
Nancy M. Days Assistant Vice President None
Pamela De Oliveira-Smith Assistant Vice President None
Joseph C. DeSimone Assistant Vice President None
Daniel J. Delianedis Vice President None
Teresa F. Dennehy Assistant Vice President None
J. Thomas Despres Senior Vice President None
Michael G. Dolan Assistant Vice President None
Scott M. Donaldson Vice President None
Emily J. Durbin Vice President None
David B. Edlin Senior Vice President None
James M. English Senior Vice President None
Vincent Esposito Managing Director None
Mary K. Farrell Assistant Vice President None
Michael J. Fechter Vice President None
Susan H. Feldman Vice President None
Paul F. Fichera Senior Vice President None
C. Nancy Fisher Senior Vice President None
Mitchell B. Fishman Senior Vice President None
Joseph C. Fiumara Vice President None
Patricia C. Flaherty Senior Vice President None
Judy P. Frodigh Vice President None
Samuel F. Gagliardi Vice President None
Judy S. Gates Vice President None
Richard W. Gauger Assistant Vice President None
Joseph P. Gennaco Vice President None
Stephen E. Gibson Managing Director None
Mark P. Goodfellow Assistant Vice President None
Robert Goodman Managing Director None
Mark D. Goodwin Assistant Vice President None
Anthony J. Grace Assistant Vice President None
Linda K. Grace Assistant Vice President None
Robert G. Greenly Vice President None
Jill Grossberg Assistant Vice President None
Jeffrey P. Gubala Vice President None
James E. Halloran Vice President None
Thomas W. Halloran Vice President None
Bruce D. Harrington Assistant Vice President None
Marilyn M. Hausammann Senior Vice President None
Howard W. Hawkins, III Vice President None
Deanna R. Hayes-Castro Vice President None
Paul P. Heffernan Vice President None
Susan M. Heimanson Vice President None
Joanne Heyman Assistant Vice President None
Bess J.M. Hochstein Vice President None
Maureen A. Holmes Assistant Vice President None
Paula J. Hoyt Assistant Vice President None
William J. Hurley Senior Vice President None
Gregory E. Hyde Senior Vice President None
Dwight D. Jacobsen Senior Vice President None
Douglas B. Jamieson Senior Managing Director, Director None
Jay M. Johnson Vice President None
Kevin M. Joyce Senior Vice President None
Karen R. Kay Senior Vice President None
Mary E. Kearney Managing Director None
John P. Keating Vice President None
A. Siobahn Kelly Assistant Vice President None
Brian J. Kelly Vice President None
Deborah H. Kirk Senior Vice President None
Jill A. Koontz Assistant Vice President None
Linda G. Kraunelis Assistant Vice President None
Howard H. Kreutzberg Senior Vice President None
Marjorie B. Krieger Assistant Vice President None
Charles Lacasia Assistant Vice President None
Arthur B. Laffer, Jr. Vice President None
James D. Lathrop Vice President None
Edward V. Lewandowski Senior Vice President None
Edward V. Lewandowski, Jr. Vice President None
Samuel L. Lieberman Vice President None
David M. Lifsitz Assistant Vice President None
Ann Marie Linehan Assistant Vice President None
Maura A. Lockwood Vice President None
Rufino R. Lomba Vice President None
Robert F. Lucey Senior Managing Director, Director None
Kathryn A. Lucier Assistant Vice President None
Alana Madden Vice President None
Ann Malatos Assistant Vice President None
Renee L. Maloof Assistant Vice President None
Frederick S. Marius Assistant Vice President None
Karen E. Marotta Vice President None
Kathleen M. McAnulty Assistant Vice President None
Anne B. McCarthy Assistant Vice President None
Paul McConville Vice President None
Marla J. McDougall Assistant Vice President None
Walter S. McFarland Vice President None
Mark J. McKenna Senior Vice President None
Gregory J. McMillan Vice President None
Robert E. McMurtrie Vice President None
Claye A. Metelmann Vice President None
J. Chris Meyer Senior Vice President None
Douglas W. Miller Vice President None
Jeffery M. Miller Senior Vice President None
Ronald K. Mills Vice President None
Peter M. Moore Assistant Vice President None
Timothy P. Moran Treasurer None
Mitchell Moret Senior Vice President None
Donald E. Mullen Vice President None
Paul G. Murphy Assistant Vice President None
Brendan R. Murray Vice President None
Robert Nadherny Vice President None
Alexander L. Nelson Managing Director None
Jane M. Nickodemus Vice President None
John P. Nickodemus Vice President None
Michael C. Noonis Assistant Vice President None
Kristen P. O'Brien Vice President None
Kevin L. O'Shea Senior Vice President None
Nathan D. O'Steen Assistant Vice President None
Joseph R. Palombo Managing Director None
Scott A. Papes Vice President None
Cynthia O. Parr Vice President None
John D. Pataccoli Vice President None
John G. Phoenix Vice President None
Joseph Phoenix Senior Vice President None
Jeffrey E. Place Senior Vice President None
Keith Plapinger Vice President None
Jane E. Price Assistant Vice President None
Douglas H. Powell Vice President None
Susannah Psomas Vice President None
George Putnam Director Chairman & President
Debra V. Rothman Vice President None
Robert B. Rowe Vice President None
Kevin A. Rowell Senior Vice President None
Thomas C. Rowley Vice President None
Charles A. Ruys de Perez Senior Vice President None
Deborah A. Ryan Assistant Vice President None
Robert M. Santosuosso Assistant Vice President None
Debra J. Sarkisian Assistant Vice President None
Catherine A. Saunders Senior Vice President None
Robbin L. Saunders Assistant Vice President None
Karl W. Saur Vice President None
Michael Scanlon Assistant Vice President None
Christine A. Scordato Vice President None
Joseph W. Scott Assistant Vice President None
John B. Shamburg Vice President None
Kathleen G. Sharpless Managing Director None
John F. Sharry Managing Director None
Vincent P. Sheehan Vice President None
Stuart D. Sheppard Assistant Vice President None
William N. Shiebler Director and President Vice President
Daniel S. Shore Vice President None
Mark J. Siebold Assistant Vice President None
Gordon H. Silver Senior Managing Director Vice President
John Skistimas, Jr. Assistant Vice President None
Barry Sommers Vice President None
Steven Spiegel Senior Managing Director None
Nicholas T. Stanojev Senior Vice President None
Brian L. Sullivan Vice President None
Kevin J. Sullivan Vice President None
Moira Sullivan Vice President None
James S. Tambone Managing Director None
B. Iris Tanner Assistant Vice President None
Louis Tasiopoulos Managing Director None
David S. Taylor Vice President None
John R. Telling Vice President None
Richard B. Tibbetts Senior Vice President None
Patrice M. Tirado Vice President None
Janet E. Tosi Assistant Vice President None
John C. Tredinnick Vice President None
Bonnie L. Troped Vice President None
Christine M. Twigg Assistant Vice Presient None
Larry R. Unger Vice President None
Douglas J. Vander Linde Senior Vice President None
Edward F. Whalen Vice President None
Robert J. Wheeler Senior Vice President None
John B. White Vice President None
Kirk E. Williamson Senior Vice President None
Leigh T. Williamson Vice President None
Benjamin I. Woloshin Vice President None
William H. Woolverton Senior Vice President None
Timothy R. Young Vice President None
SooHee L. Zebedee Vice President None
Laura J. Zografos Vice President None
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
The principal business address of each person listed above is One
Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02109, except for:
Mr. Alpaugh, 5980 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, VA 22303
Mr. Anwar, 3000 Valley Forge Circle, King of Prussia, PA 19406
Mr. Avery, 7031 Spring Ridge Rd., Cary NC 27511
Mr. Baron, 31 Cala Moreya, Laguna Niguel, CA 92667
Mr. Bartlett, 7 Fairfield St., Boston, MA 02116
Mr. Beringer, 3722 West 50th St., Edina,MN 55410
Ms. Besset, 1140 North LaSalle Blvd, Chicago, IL 60610
Mr. Bouchard, 18 Brice Rd., Annapolis, MD 21401
Mr. Brown, 2012 West Grove Drive, Gibson, PA 15044
Ms. Buckner, 8338 Timber Trail, Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Mr. Busher, 12005 Ridge Knoll Drive, Fairfax, VA 22033
Mr. Campagna, 2179-D Lake Park Drive, Smyrna, GA 30080
Ms. Castro, 26 Gould Road, Andover, MA 01810
Mr. Church, 4504 Sir Winston Place, Charlotte, NC 28211
Mr. Cristo, 11 Schenck Ave., Great Neck, NY 11021
Mr. Connelly, 4634 Mirada Way, Sarasota, FL 34238
Mr. Corvinus, 208 Water St., Newburyport, MA 01950
Ms. Dahill, 270-1C Iven Ave., St David's, PA 19087
Mr. Deliandis, 206 Promontory Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Mr. Edlin, 7 River Road, 305 Palmer Point, Cos Cob, CT 06807
Mr. English, 1184 Pintail Circle, Boulder, CO 80303
Mr. Goodman, 14 Clover Place, Cos Cob, CT 06807
Mr. Gubala, 490 Beacon Knoll Lane, Ft. Mill, SC 29715
Mr. J. Halloran, 978 W. Creek Lane, Westlake Village, CA 91362
Mr. T. Halloran, 19449 Misty Lake Dr., Strongsville, OH 44136
Mr. Hyde, 3305 Sulky, Marietta, GA 30067
Mr. Jacobsen, 2744 Joyce Ridge Drive, Chesterfield, MO 63017
Mr. Johnson, 200 Clock Tower Place, Carmel, CA 93923
Mr. Keating, 5521 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75206
Ms. Kirk, 124 Rivermist Dr., Buffalo, NY 14202
Mr. Lathrop, 14814 Straub Hill Lane, Chesterfield, MO 63017
Mr. Lewandowski, 805 Darrell Road, Hillsborough, CA 94010
Mr. Lewandowski, Jr., 2120 The Strand, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Mr. Lieberman, 200 Roy St., Seattle, WA 98199
Ms. Madden, 8649 North Himes Avenue, Tampa, FL 33614
Mr. McConville, 515 S. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington
Heights, IL 6005
Mr. McFarland, 8012 Dancing Fern Trail, Chattanooga, TN 37421
Mr. McMillan, 203 D. Zigler St., Zelienople, PA 16063
Mr. McMurtrie, 14529 Glastonbury, Detroit, MI 48223
Mr. Miller, 70 Williams St., Greenwich, CT 06830
Mr. Moret, 4519 Lawn Avenue, Western Springs, IL 60558
Mr. Murray, 13 Ridge Court, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Mr. Nadherny, 9714 Marmount Drive, Seattle, WA 98117
Mr. and Mrs. Nickodemus, 463 Village Oaks Court, Ann Arbor,
MI 48103
Mr. Padgett, Jr., 7709 Charleston Drive, Bethesda, MD 20817
Mr. Papes, 3102 Wood View Bridge Drive, Kansas City, KS 66103
Mr. Pataccoli, 1500 Bay Rd., Miami, FL 33139
Mr. Phoenix, 1426 Asbury Avenue, Hubbard Woods, IL 60093
Mr. Place, 4211 Loch Highland Parkway, Roswell, GA 30075
Mr. Powell, 1508 Ruth Lane, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Mr. Rowe, 109 Shore Drive, Longwood, FL 32779
Mr. Rowell, 1508 Ruth Lane, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Mr. Rowley, 237 Peeke Avenue, Kirkwood, MO 63122
Ms. Saunders, 39939 Stevenson Common, Freemont, CA 94538
Mr. Shamburg, 10603 N. 100th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Mr. Sheehan, Parkway Center, 1150 Galapago, Denver, CO 80204
Mr. Shore, 2870 Pharr Court South, N.W., Atlanta, GA 30305
Mr. Sommers, 397 North Little Tour, New City, NY 10956
Mr. B. Sullivan, 777 Pinoake Road, Mt. Lebanon, PA 15243
Ms. M. Sullivan, 493 Zinfandel Lane, St. Helena, CA 94574
Ms. Sweeney, 8 Surf Street, Marblehead, MA 01945
Mr. Syring, 7540 Mandarian Dr., Boca Raton, FL 33433
Mr. Tambone, 10 Commercial Wharf, Boston, MA 02110
Mr. Tredinnick, 2995 Glenwood Drive, Boulder, CO 80301
Mr. Telling, 1995 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, NY 14216
Mr. Unger, 212 E. Broadway, New York, NY 10002
Mr. Vessels, 7 Riverview Drive, Norwalk, CT 06850
Mr. Williamson, 640-4 Tete L'Ours, Mandeville, LA 70471
Mr. White, 10 Mannion Place, Littleton, MA 01460
Mr. Woloshin, 730 North Bundy Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049
<PAGE>
Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records
Persons maintaining physical possession of accounts, books
and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of
the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules promulgated
thereunder are Registrant's Clerk, Beverly Marcus; Registrant's
investment adviser, Putnam Investment Management, Inc.;
Registrant's principal underwriter, Putnam Mutual Funds Corp.;
Registrant's custodian, Putnam Fiduciary Trust Company ("PFTC");
and Registrant's transfer and dividend disbursing agent, Putnam
Investor Services, a division of PFTC. The address of the Clerk,
investment adviser, principal underwriter, custodian and transfer
and dividend disbursing agent is One Post Office Square, Boston,
Massachusetts 02109.
Item 31. Management Services
None.
Item 32. Undertakings
(a) The Registrant undertakes to furnish to each person to
whom a prospectus of the Registrant is delivered a copy of the
Registrant's latest annual report to shareholders, upon request
and without charge.
(b) Registrant hereby undertakes, if requested to do
so by the holders of at least 10% of its outstanding shares, to
call a meeting of shareholders for the purposes of voting upon
the question of removal of a Trustee or Trustees and to assist in
communications with other shareholders as required by Section
16(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940.
<PAGE>
----------------------------
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the use in the Statement of
Additional Information constituting part of this Post -
Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement
on Form N-1A (File No. 33-56339) of our report dated
December 15, 1994, relating to the statement of assets and
liabilities of Putnam Equity Funds , now known as Putnam
Investment Funds, which appears in such Statement of
Additional Information . We also consent to
the reference to us under the heading "Independent
Accountants and Financial Statements" in
such Statement of Additional Information.
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
Boston, Massachusetts
June 22, 1995
--------------------------
NOTICE
A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of Putnam
Investment Funds, formerly known as Putnam Equity Funds is
on file with the Secretary of State of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, and notice is hereby given that this instrument is
executed on behalf of the Registrant by an officer of the
Registrant as an officer and not individually and the obligations
of or arising out of this instrument are not binding upon any of
the Trustees, officers or shareholders individually but are
binding only upon the assets and property of the relevant series
of the Registrant.
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, the undersigned Trustee of Putnam
Investment Funds, hereby severally constitute and appoint
George Putnam, Charles E. Porter, Gordon H. Silver, Edward A.
Benjamin, Timothy W. Diggins and John W. Gerstmayr, and each of
them singly, my true and lawful attorneys, with full power
to them and each of them, to sign for me, and in my
name and in the capacities indicated below, the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A of Putnam Investment Funds and any
and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to said
Registration Statement and to file the same with all exhibits
thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto my said
attorneys, and each of them acting alone, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to
all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in
person, and hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys or
any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
thereof.
WITNESS my hand and common seal on the date set forth
below.
Signature Title Date
/s/
Eli Shapiro Trustee April 19, 1995<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of
1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant
certifies that it meets all of the requirements for
effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to Rule
485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused
this Amendment to its Registration Statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City
of Boston, and The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the
23 day of June, 1995.
PUTNAM INVESTMENT FUNDS
By: Gordon H. Silver, Vice President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933,
this Amendment to the Registration Statement of Putnam
Investment Funds has been signed below by the following
persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Signature Title
George Putnam President and Chairman of the
Board; Principal Executive
Officer; Trustee
William F. Pounds Vice Chairman; Trustee
John D. Hughes Vice President; Treasurer and
Principal Financial Officer
Paul G. Bucuvalas Assistant Treasurer and
Principal Accounting Officer
Jameson A. Baxter Trustee
Hans H. Estin Trustee
John A. Hill Trustee
Elizabeth T. Kennan Trustee
Lawrence J. Lasser Trustee
Robert E. Patterson Trustee
Donald S. Perkins Trustee
George Putnam, III Trustee
Eli Shapiro Trustee
A.J.C. Smith Trustee
W. Nicholas Thorndike Trustee
By: Gordon H. Silver,
as Attorney- in-Fact
June 23, 1995
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM Putnam Balanced Fund AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> SEMI
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1,564,624
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1,654,057
<RECEIVABLES> 94,027
<ASSETS-OTHER> 4,985
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,753,069
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 42,019
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 17,583
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 59,602
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1,571,087
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 184,665
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 12,277
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 9,996
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 100,107
<NET-ASSETS> 1,693,467
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 3,915
<INTEREST-INCOME> 11,263
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 2,901
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 12,277
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 9,996
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 100,107
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 122,380
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 8,194
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 0
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 193,467
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 2,515
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 2,901
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 1,604,640
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 8.51
<PER-SHARE-NII> .06
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> .60
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 9.17
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .18
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM Putnam Basic Value Fund AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> SEMI
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1995
<PERIOD-END> FEB-28-1994
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1,791,215
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1,847,309
<RECEIVABLES> 7,001
<ASSETS-OTHER> 6,748
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,861,058
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 101,888
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 9,665
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 111,553
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1,685,716
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 197,843
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 7,918
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (223)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 56,094
<NET-ASSETS> 1,749,505
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 9,392
<INTEREST-INCOME> 1,702
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 3,176
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 7,918
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (223)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 56,094
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 63,789
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 195,490
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 0
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 1,729,505
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 1,806
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 3,176
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 1,620,825
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 8.50
<PER-SHARE-NII> .04
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> .30
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 8.84
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .20
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM Putnam Global Utilities Fund AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> SEMI
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1,573,602
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1,572,464
<RECEIVABLES> 7,882
<ASSETS-OTHER> 2,142
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 6,150
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,588,638
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 22,685
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 12,804
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 35,489
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1,559,969
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 183,768
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 10,363
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> (16,045)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (1,138)
<NET-ASSETS> 1,533,149
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 8,229
<INTEREST-INCOME> 2,271
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 9,560
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 10,363
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (16,045)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (1,138)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> (6,820)
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 7,309
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 12
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 53,149
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 2,875
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 137
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 1,490,648
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 8.05
<PER-SHARE-NII> .06
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> .34
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 8.45
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .01
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM Putnam International New Opportunities Fund AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1,997,193
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 2,071,686
<RECEIVABLES> 11,119
<ASSETS-OTHER> 41,388
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,124,193
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 343,490
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 8,511
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 352,001
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1,684,070
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 197,923
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 12,714
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 893
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 74,515
<NET-ASSETS> 1,772,192
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 2,104
<INTEREST-INCOME> 10,229
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (381)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 12,714
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 893
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 74,515
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 88,122
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 21,642
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 190
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 272,192
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 4,663
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 7,058
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 1,617,428
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 8.50
<PER-SHARE-NII> .09
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> .36
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 8.95
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM Putnam Real Estate Opportunities Fund AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> SEMI
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1995
<PERIOD-END> FEB-28-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1,619,690
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1,603,571
<RECEIVABLES> 5,605
<ASSETS-OTHER> 6,370
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,615,546
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 49,306
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 9,612
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 58,918
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1,561,954
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 183,865
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 10,736
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 57
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (16,119)
<NET-ASSETS> 1,556,628
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 9,871
<INTEREST-INCOME> 2,086
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 1,221
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 10,736
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 57
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (16,119)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> (5,326)
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 181,512
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 0
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 1,536,628
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 1,620
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1,221
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 1,510,407
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 8.50
<PER-SHARE-NII> .06
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (.09)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 8.47
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .08
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
