Terms and definitions
Important terms
Total return shows how the value of the fund’s shares changed over time, assuming you held the shares through the entire period and reinvested all distributions in the fund.
Before sales charge, or net asset value, is the price, or value, of one share of a mutual fund, without a sales charge. Before-sales-charge figures fluctuate with market conditions. They are calculated by dividing the net assets of each class of shares by the number of outstanding shares in the class.
After sales charge is the price of a mutual fund share plus the maximum sales charge levied at the time of purchase. After-sales-charge performance figures shown here assume the 5.75% maximum sales charge for class A shares.
Contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) is generally a charge applied at the time of the redemption of class B or C shares and assumes redemption at the end of the period. Your fund’s class B CDSC declines over time from a 5% maximum during the first year to 1% during the sixth year. After the sixth year, the CDSC no longer applies. The CDSC for class C shares is 1% for one year after purchase.
Share classes
Class A shares are generally subject to an initial sales charge and no CDSC (except on certain redemptions of shares bought without an initial sales charge).
Class B shares are closed to new investments and are only available by exchange from class B shares of another Putnam fund or through dividend and/or capital gains reinvestment. They are not subject to an initial sales charge and may be subject to a CDSC.
Class C shares are not subject to an initial sales charge and are subject to a CDSC only if the shares are redeemed during the first year.
Class R shares are not subject to an initial sales charge or CDSC and are only available to employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Class R6 shares are not subject to an initial sales charge or CDSC and carry no 12b-1 fee. They are generally only available to employer-sponsored retirement plans, corporate and institutional clients, and clients in other approved programs.
Class Y shares are not subject to an initial sales charge or CDSC and carry no 12b-1 fee. They are generally only available to corporate and institutional clients and clients in other approved programs.
Comparative indexes
Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of U.S. investment-grade fixed-income securities.
ICE BofA (Intercontinental Exchange Bank of America) U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index is an unmanaged index that seeks to measure the performance of U.S. Treasury bills available in the marketplace.
MSCI Emerging Markets Index (ND) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure equity market performance in the global emerging markets. Calculated with net dividends (ND), this total return index reflects the reinvestment of dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties.
MSCI World Index (ND) is an unmanaged index of equity securities from developed countries. Calculated with net dividends (ND), this total return index reflects the reinvestment of dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties.
|
| Emerging Markets Equity Fund 13 |
| ASC 820 establishes a three-level hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of the fund’s investments. The three levels are defined as follows: |
Level 1: Valuations based on quoted prices for identical securities in active markets.
Level 2: Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3: Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.
| The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the fund’s net assets as of the close of the reporting period: |
|
| | | |
| | Valuation inputs |
| Investments in securities: | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 |
| Common stocks*: | | | |
| Communication services | $1,834,560 | $48,034,767 | $— |
| Consumer discretionary | 9,101,862 | 38,371,986 | — |
| Consumer staples | 21,627,948 | 19,588,207 | — |
| Energy | 9,945,183 | 16,004,894 | — |
| Financials | 13,359,315 | 77,584,117 | — |
| Health care | 3,518,011 | 19,987,454 | — |
| Industrials | 7,212,079 | 21,612,426 | — |
| Information technology | 24,744,904 | 128,923,189 | — |
| Materials | — | 16,433,289 | — |
| Real estate | — | 4,434,484 | — |
| Total common stocks | 91,343,862 | 390,974,813 | — |
| Investment companies | 5,888,967 | — | — |
| Short-term investments | — | 9,364,988 | — |
| Totals by level | $97,232,829 | $400,339,801 | $— |
| * Common stock classifications are presented at the sector level, which may differ from the fund’s portfolio presentation. |
| At the start and close of the reporting period, Level 3 investments in securities represented less than 1% of the fund’s net assets and were not considered a significant portion of the fund’s portfolio. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
| |
20 Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
Statement of assets and liabilities 2/28/22 (Unaudited)
| |
| ASSETS | |
| Investment in securities, at value, including $703,929 of securities on loan (Note 1): | |
| Unaffiliated issuers (identified cost $423,524,702) | $488,207,642 |
| Affiliated issuers (identified cost $9,364,988) (Notes 1 and 5) | 9,364,988 |
| Foreign currency (cost $933,839) (Note 1) | 928,674 |
| Dividends, interest and other receivables | 1,549,002 |
| Receivable for investments sold | 9,101,840 |
| Foreign tax reclaim | 232,067 |
| Receivable for shares of the fund sold | 738,455 |
| Prepaid assets | 59,743 |
| Total assets | 510,182,411 |
| |
| LIABILITIES | |
| Payable to custodian | 522,525 |
| Payable for investments purchased | 15,281,885 |
| Payable for shares of the fund repurchased | 551,410 |
| Payable for compensation of Manager (Note 2) | 51,583 |
| Payable for custodian fees (Note 2) | 123,702 |
| Payable for investor servicing fees (Note 2) | 174,624 |
| Payable for Trustee compensation and expenses (Note 2) | 194,859 |
| Payable for administrative services (Note 2) | 1,660 |
| Payable for distribution fees (Note 2) | 121,744 |
| Payable for foreign capital gains taxes | 2,267,122 |
| Collateral on securities loaned, at value (Note 1) | 1,222,548 |
| Other accrued expenses | 84,689 |
| Total liabilities | 20,598,351 |
| | |
| Net assets | $489,584,060 |
| |
| REPRESENTED BY | |
| Paid-in capital (Unlimited shares authorized) (Notes 1 and 4) | $473,228,655 |
| Total distributable earnings (Note 1) | 16,355,405 |
| Total — Representing net assets applicable to capital shares outstanding | $489,584,060 |
| |
| COMPUTATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND OFFERING PRICE | |
| Net asset value and redemption price per class A share | |
| ($254,652,029 divided by 18,248,498 shares) | $13.95 |
| Offering price per class A share (100/94.25 of $13.95)* | $14.80 |
| Net asset value and offering price per class B share ($1,940,466 divided by 148,417 shares)** | $13.07 |
| Net asset value and offering price per class C share ($9,962,007 divided by 766,394 shares)** | $13.00 |
| Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per class R share | |
| ($5,478,355 divided by 396,063 shares) | $13.83 |
| Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per class R6 share | |
| ($33,718,595 divided by 2,371,394 shares) | $14.22 |
| Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per class Y share | |
| ($183,832,608 divided by 12,968,417 shares) | $14.18 |
*On single retail sales of less than $50,000. On sales of $50,000 or more the offering price is reduced.
**Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
|
| Emerging Markets Equity Fund 21 |
Statement of operations Six months ended 2/28/22 (Unaudited)
| |
| INVESTMENT INCOME | |
| Dividends (net of foreign tax of $283,684) | $2,510,564 |
| Interest (including interest income of $1,058 from investments in affiliated issuers) (Note 5) | 1,058 |
| Securities lending (net of expenses) (Notes 1 and 5) | 16,679 |
| Total investment income | 2,528,301 |
| |
| EXPENSES | |
| Compensation of Manager (Note 2) | 2,871,932 |
| Investor servicing fees (Note 2) | 552,644 |
| Custodian fees (Note 2) | 182,509 |
| Trustee compensation and expenses (Note 2) | 11,495 |
| Distribution fees (Note 2) | 442,314 |
| Administrative services (Note 2) | 9,150 |
| Other | 195,393 |
| Fees waived and reimbursed by Manager (Note 2) | (752,722) |
| Total expenses | 3,512,715 |
| Expense reduction (Note 2) | (328) |
| Net expenses | 3,512,387 |
| | |
| Net investment loss | (984,086) |
| |
| REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) | |
| Net realized gain (loss) on: | |
| Securities from unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign tax of $2,177,114) (Notes 1 and 3) | (37,867,133) |
| Foreign currency transactions (Note 1) | (213,476) |
| Total net realized loss | (38,080,609) |
| Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: | |
| Securities from unaffiliated issuers (net of decrease in deferred foreign tax of $708,189) | (49,395,039) |
| Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | 2,491 |
| Total change in net unrealized depreciation | (49,392,548) |
| | |
| Net loss on investments | (87,473,157) |
| |
| Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations | $(88,457,243) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
|
| 22 Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
Statement of changes in net assets
| | |
| INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS | Six months ended 2/28/22* | Year ended 8/31/21 |
| Operations | | |
| Net investment loss | $(984,086) | $(13,535) |
| Net realized gain (loss) on investments | | |
| and foreign currency transactions | (38,080,609) | 38,430,952 |
| Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | |
| of investments and assets and liabilities | | |
| in foreign currencies | (49,392,548) | 37,801,184 |
| Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting | | |
| from operations | (88,457,243) | 76,218,601 |
| Distributions to shareholders (Note 1): | | |
| From ordinary income | | |
| Net investment income | | |
| Class A | — | (346,265) |
| Class B | — | — |
| Class C | — | — |
| Class R | — | (11,401) |
| Class R6 | — | (95,291) |
| Class Y | — | (323,005) |
| Net realized short-term gain on investments | | |
| Class A | (7,179,486) | (4,719,238) |
| Class B | (63,269) | (58,808) |
| Class C | (309,591) | (215,670) |
| Class R | (151,234) | (95,254) |
| Class R6 | (939,110) | (425,524) |
| Class Y | (5,485,460) | (1,942,679) |
| From net realized long-term gain on investments | | |
| Class A | (7,267,904) | — |
| Class B | (64,048) | — |
| Class C | (313,404) | — |
| Class R | (153,096) | — |
| Class R6 | (950,676) | — |
| Class Y | (5,553,014) | — |
| Increase (decrease) from capital share transactions (Note 4) | (26,587,892) | 173,523,205 |
| Total increase (decrease) in net assets | (143,475,427) | 241,508,671 |
| |
| NET ASSETS | | |
| Beginning of period | 633,059,487 | 391,550,816 |
| End of period | $489,584,060 | $633,059,487 |
*Unaudited.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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| Emerging Markets Equity Fund 23 |
Financial highlights (For a common share outstanding throughout the period)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | INVESTMENT OPERATIONS | LESS DISTRIBUTIONS | RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA |
| | | | | | | | | | | | Ratio | Ratio of net | |
| | Net asset | | Net realized | | | | | | | | of expenses | investment | |
| | value, | | and unrealized | Total from | From net | From | | Net asset | Total return | Net assets, | to average | income (loss) | Portfolio |
| | beginning | Net investment | gain (loss) | investment | investment | net realized gain | Total | value, end | at net asset | end of period | net assets | to average | turnover |
| Period ended | of period | income (loss)a | on investments | operations | income | on investments | distributions | of period | value (%)b | (in thousands) | (%)c,d | net assets (%)c | (%) |
| Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| February 28, 2022** | $17.25 | (.03) e | (2.45) | (2.48) | — | (.82) | (.82) | $13.95 | (14.73)* | $254,652 | .66* | (.22)*e | 58* |
| August 31, 2021 | 14.68 | (.01) | 2.86 | 2.85 | (.02) | (.26) | (.28) | 17.25 | 19.50 | 315,105 | 1.29 | (.07) | 124 |
| August 31, 2020 | 11.05 | .08f | 3.69 | 3.77 | (.14) | — | (.14) | 14.68 | 34.30 | 269,748 | 1.31 | .60f | 127 |
| August 31, 2019 | 11.75 | .09 | (.57) | (.48) | (.01) | (.21) | (.22) | 11.05 | (3.96) | 36,325 | 1.26 | .80 | 175 |
| August 31, 2018 | 11.82 | .08 | (.14) | (.06) | (.01) | — | (.01) | 11.75 | (.53) | 41,379 | 1.57 | .67 | 172 |
| August 31, 2017 | 9.54 | .05 | 2.31 | 2.36 | (.08) | — | (.08) | 11.82 | 25.07 | 28,408 | 1.63 | .55 | 137 |
| Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| February 28, 2022** | $16.28 | (.09)e | (2.30) | (2.39) | — | (.82) | (.82) | $13.07 | (15.06)* | $1,940 | 1.04* | (.61)*e | 58* |
| August 31, 2021 | 13.95 | (.13) | 2.72 | 2.59 | — | (.26) | (.26) | 16.28 | 18.65 | 2,993 | 2.04 | (.81) | 124 |
| August 31, 2020 | 10.52 | (.05) | 3.54 | 3.49 | (.06) | — | (.06) | 13.95 | 33.26 | 3,493 | 2.06 | (.43) | 127 |
| August 31, 2019 | 11.27 | .02 | (.56) | (.54) | — | (.21) | (.21) | 10.52 | (4.67) | 1,998 | 2.01 | .17 | 175 |
| August 31, 2018 | 11.41 | (.01) | (.13) | (.14) | — | — | — | 11.27 | (1.23) | 2,650 | 2.32 | (.09) | 172 |
| August 31, 2017 | 9.22 | (.02) | 2.23 | 2.21 | (.02) | — | (.02) | 11.41 | 24.07 | 2,054 | 2.38 | (.22) | 137 |
| Class C | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| February 28, 2022** | $16.19 | (.09)e | (2.28) | (2.37) | — | (.82) | (.82) | $13.00 | (15.01)* | $9,962 | 1.04* | (.60)*e | 58* |
| August 31, 2021 | 13.88 | (.13) | 2.70 | 2.57 | — | (.26) | (.26) | 16.19 | 18.60 | 13,498 | 2.04 | (.82) | 124 |
| August 31, 2020 | 10.48 | (.05) | 3.52 | 3.47 | (.07) | — | (.07) | 13.88 | 33.27 | 11,606 | 2.06 | (.47) | 127 |
| August 31, 2019 | 11.23 | .02 | (.56) | (.54) | — | (.21) | (.21) | 10.48 | (4.69) | 6,546 | 2.01 | .19 | 175 |
| August 31, 2018 | 11.37 | (.02) | (.12) | (.14) | — | — | — | 11.23 | (1.23) | 7,163 | 2.32 | (.12) | 172 |
| August 31, 2017 | 9.19 | (.02) | 2.22 | 2.20 | (.02) | — | (.02) | 11.37 | 24.07 | 4,475 | 2.38 | (.19) | 137 |
| Class R | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| February 28, 2022** | $17.13 | (.05)e | (2.43) | (2.48) | — | (.82) | (.82) | $13.83 | (14.83)* | $5,478 | .79* | (.34)*e | 58* |
| August 31, 2021 | 14.62 | (.06) | 2.86 | 2.80 | (.03) | (.26) | (.29) | 17.13 | 19.25 | 6,419 | 1.54 | (.35) | 124 |
| August 31, 2020 | 10.97 | .01 | 3.70 | 3.71 | (.06) | — | (.06) | 14.62 | 33.86 | 1,119 | 1.56 | .11 | 127 |
| August 31, 2019 | 11.68 | .08 | (.58) | (.50) | — | (.21) | (.21) | 10.97 | (4.16) | 1,093 | 1.51 | .74 | 175 |
| August 31, 2018 | 11.77�� | .04 | (.13) | (.09) | — | — | — | 11.68 | (.76) | 1,100 | 1.82 | .32 | 172 |
| August 31, 2017 | 9.53 | .04 | 2.29 | 2.33 | (.09) | — | (.09) | 11.77 | 24.69 | 1,010 | 1.88 | .36 | 137 |
| Class R6 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| February 28, 2022** | $17.53 | —e,g | (2.49) | (2.49) | — | (.82) | (.82) | $14.22 | (14.54)* | $33,719 | .46* | (.02)*e | 58* |
| August 31, 2021 | 14.88 | .05 | 2.92 | 2.97 | (.06) | (.26) | (.32) | 17.53 | 20.06 | 41,708 | .89 | .31 | 124 |
| August 31, 2020 | 11.22 | .10 | 3.77 | 3.87 | (.21) | — | (.21) | 14.88 | 34.81 | 22,945 | .89 | .76 | 127 |
| August 31, 2019 | 11.89 | .17 | (.61) | (.44) | (.02) | (.21) | (.23) | 11.22 | (3.55) | 10,143 | .82 | 1.47 | 175 |
| August 31, 2018 † | 13.13 | .12 | (1.36) | (1.24) | — | — | — | 11.89 | (9.44)* | 7,219 | .32* | .98 * | 172 |
See notes to financial highlights at the end of this section.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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| 24 Emerging Markets Equity Fund | Emerging Markets Equity Fund 25 |
Financial highlights cont.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | INVESTMENT OPERATIONS | LESS DISTRIBUTIONS | RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA |
| | | | | | | | | | | | Ratio | Ratio of net | |
| | Net asset | | Net realized | | | | | | | | of expenses | investment | |
| | value, | | and unrealized | Total from | From net | From | | Net asset | Total return | Net assets, | to average | income (loss) | Portfolio |
| | beginning | Net investment | gain (loss) | investment | investment | net realized gain | Total | value, end | at net asset | end of period | net assets | to average | turnover |
| Period ended | of period | income (loss)a | on investments | operations | income | on investments | distributions | of period | value (%)b | (in thousands) | (%)c,d | net assets (%)c | (%) |
| Class Y | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| February 28, 2022** | $17.49 | (.02)e | (2.47) | (2.49) | — | (.82) | (.82) | $14.18 | (14.58)* | $183,833 | .54* | (.11)*e | 58* |
| August 31, 2021 | 14.86 | .02 | 2.91 | 2.93 | (.04) | (.26) | (.30) | 17.49 | 19.84 | 253,336 | 1.04 | .13 | 124 |
| August 31, 2020 | 11.19 | .06 | 3.79 | 3.85 | (.18) | — | (.18) | 14.86 | 34.66 | 82,640 | 1.06 | .46 | 127 |
| August 31, 2019 | 11.88 | .13 | (.59) | (.46) | (.02) | (.21) | (.23) | 11.19 | (3.74) | 69,989 | 1.01 | 1.17 | 175 |
| August 31, 2018 | 11.94 | .13 | (.16) | (.03) | (.03) | — | (.03) | 11.88 | (.26) | 81,472 | 1.32 | 1.00 | 172 |
| August 31, 2017 | 9.64 | .10 | 2.31 | 2.41 | (.11) | — | (.11) | 11.94 | 25.34 | 22,882 | 1.38 | .94 | 137 |
* Not annualized.
** Unaudited.
† For the period May 22, 2018 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2018.
a Per share net investment income (loss) has been determined on the basis of the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return assumes dividend reinvestment and does not reflect the effect of sales charges.
c Reflects an involuntary contractual expense limitation in effect during the period. As a result of such limitation, the expenses of each class reflect a reduction of the following amounts as a percentage of the average net assets of each class (Note 2):
| | | | | | | |
| | 2/28/22 | 8/31/21 | 8/31/20 | 8/31/19 | 8/31/18 | 8/31/17 | |
| Class A | 0.13% | 0.27% | 0.48% | 0.45% | 0.21% | 0.43% | |
| Class B | 0.13 | 0.27 | 0.48 | 0.45 | 0.21 | 0.43 | |
| Class C | 0.13 | 0.27 | 0.48 | 0.45 | 0.21 | 0.43 | |
| Class R | 0.13 | 0.27 | 0.48 | 0.45 | 0.21 | 0.43 | |
| Class R6 | 0.13 | 0.27 | 0.48 | 0.45 | 0.06 | N/A | |
| Class Y | 0.13 | 0.27 | 0.48 | 0.45 | 0.21 | 0.43 | |
d Includes amounts paid through expense offset and/or brokerage/service arrangements, if any (Note 2). Also excludes acquired fund fees and expenses, if any.
e Reflects a dividend received by the fund from a single issuer which amounted to the following amounts:
| | | |
| | Per share | Percentage of average net assets | |
| Class A | $0.03 | 0.22% | |
| Class B | 0.03 | 0.20 | |
| Class C | 0.03 | 0.21 | |
| Class R | 0.03 | 0.22 | |
| Class R6 | 0.03 | 0.21 | |
| Class Y | 0.03 | 0.20 | |
f The net investment income ratio and per share amount shown for the period ending may not correspond with the expected class specific differences for the period due to the timing of subscriptions into the class.
g Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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| 26 Emerging Markets Equity Fund | Emerging Markets Equity Fund 27 |
Notes to financial statements 2/28/22 (Unaudited)
Within the following Notes to financial statements, references to “State Street” represent State Street Bank and Trust Company, references to “the SEC” represent the Securities and Exchange Commission, references to “Putnam Management” represent Putnam Investment Management, LLC, the fund’s manager, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Putnam Investments, LLC and references to “OTC”, if any, represent over-the-counter. Unless otherwise noted, the “reporting period” represents the period from September 1, 2021 through February 28, 2022.
Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund (the fund) is a diversified series of Putnam Funds Trust (the Trust), a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as an open-end management investment company. The goal of the fund is to seek long-term capital appreciation. The fund invests mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of emerging market companies of any size that Putnam Management believes have favorable investment potential. For example, the fund may purchase stocks of companies with stock prices that reflect a value lower than that which Putnam Management places on the company. Putnam Management may consider other factors that Putnam Management believes will cause the stock price to rise. Under normal circumstances, Putnam Management invests at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in equity securities of emerging market companies. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. Emerging markets include countries in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (ND) or that Putnam Management considers to be emerging markets based on Putnam Management’s evaluation of their level of economic development or the size and nature of their securities markets. Putnam Management may also consider, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell investments. The fund may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes.
The fund offers class A, class B, class C, class R, class R6 and class Y shares. Purchases of class B shares are closed to new and existing investors except by exchange from class B shares of another Putnam fund or through dividend and/or capital gains reinvestment. Class A shares are sold with a maximum front-end sales charge of 5.75%. Class A shares generally are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge, and class R, class R6 and class Y shares are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. Class B shares, which convert to class A shares after approximately eight years, are not subject to a front-end sales charge and are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge if those shares are redeemed within six years of purchase. Class C shares are subject to a one-year 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge and generally convert to class A shares after approximately eight years. Class R shares, which are not available to all investors, are sold at net asset value. The expenses for class A, class B, class C and class R shares may differ based on the distribution fee of each class, which is identified in Note 2. Class R6 and class Y shares, which are sold at net asset value, are generally subject to the same expenses as class A, class B, class C and class R shares, but do not bear a distribution fee, and in the case of class R6 shares, bear a lower investor servicing fee, which is identified in Note 2. Class R6 and class Y shares are not available to all investors.
In the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts that may include agreements to indemnify another party under given circumstances. The fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be, but have not yet been, made against the fund. However, the fund’s management team expects the risk of material loss to be remote.
The fund has entered into contractual arrangements with an investment adviser, administrator, distributor, shareholder servicing agent and custodian, who each provide services to the fund. Unless expressly stated otherwise, shareholders are not parties to, or intended beneficiaries of these contractual arrangements, and these contractual arrangements are not intended to create any shareholder right to enforce them against the service providers or to seek any remedy under them against the service providers, either directly or on behalf of the fund.
Under the fund’s Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, any claims asserted against or on behalf of the Putnam Funds, including claims against Trustees and Officers, must be brought in state and federal courts located within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Note 1: Significant accounting policies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The preparation of financial statements is in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations. Actual results could differ from those
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| 28 Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
estimates. Subsequent events after the Statement of assets and liabilities date through the date that the financial statements were issued have been evaluated in the preparation of the financial statements.
Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses and expenses of the fund are borne pro-rata based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the fund, except that each class bears expenses unique to that class (including the distribution fees applicable to such classes). Each class votes as a class only with respect to its own distribution plan or other matters on which a class vote is required by law or determined by the Trustees. If the fund were liquidated, shares of each class would receive their pro-rata share of the net assets of the fund. In addition, the Trustees declare separate dividends on each class of shares.
Security valuation Portfolio securities and other investments are valued using policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The Trustees have formed a Pricing Committee to oversee the implementation of these procedures and have delegated responsibility for valuing the fund’s assets in accordance with these procedures to Putnam Management. Putnam Management has established an internal Valuation Committee that is responsible for making fair value determinations, evaluating the effectiveness of the pricing policies of the fund and reporting to the Pricing Committee.
Investments for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the last reported sales price on their principal exchange, or official closing price for certain markets, and are classified as Level 1 securities under Accounting Standards Codification 820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (ASC 820). If no sales are reported, as in the case of some securities that are traded OTC, a security is valued at its last reported bid price and is generally categorized as a Level 2 security.
Investments in open-end investment companies (excluding exchange-traded funds), if any, which can be classified as Level 1 or Level 2 securities, are valued based on their net asset value. The net asset value of such investment companies equals the total value of their assets less their liabilities and divided by the number of their outstanding shares.
Many securities markets and exchanges outside the U.S. close prior to the scheduled close of the New York Stock Exchange and therefore the closing prices for securities in such markets or on such exchanges may not fully reflect events that occur after such close but before the scheduled close of the New York Stock Exchange. Accordingly, on certain days, the fund will fair value certain foreign equity securities taking into account multiple factors including movements in the U.S. securities markets, currency valuations and comparisons to the valuation of American Depository Receipts, exchange-traded funds and futures contracts. The foreign equity securities, which would generally be classified as Level 1 securities, will be transferred to Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy when they are valued at fair value. The number of days on which fair value prices will be used will depend on market activity and it is possible that fair value prices will be used by the fund to a significant extent. At the close of the reporting period, fair value pricing was used for certain foreign securities in the portfolio. Securities quoted in foreign currencies, if any, are translated into U.S. dollars at the current exchange rate. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less are valued using an independent pricing service approved by the Trustees, and are classified as Level 2 securities.
To the extent a pricing service or dealer is unable to value a security or provides a valuation that Putnam Management does not believe accurately reflects the security’s fair value, the security will be valued at fair value by Putnam Management in accordance with policies and procedures approved by the Trustees. Certain investments, including certain restricted and illiquid securities and derivatives, are also valued at fair value following procedures approved by the Trustees. These valuations consider such factors as significant market or specific security events such as interest rate or credit quality changes, various relationships with other securities, discount rates, U.S. Treasury, U.S. swap and credit yields, index levels, convexity exposures, recovery rates, sales and other multiples and resale restrictions. These securities are classified as Level 2 or as Level 3 depending on the priority of the significant inputs.
To assess the continuing appropriateness of fair valuations, the Valuation Committee reviews and affirms the reasonableness of such valuations on a regular basis after considering all relevant information that is reasonably available. Such valuations and procedures are reviewed periodically by the Trustees. The fair value of securities is generally determined as the amount that the fund could reasonably expect to realize from an orderly disposition of such securities over a reasonable period of time. By its nature, a fair value price is a good faith estimate of the value of a security in a current sale and does not reflect an actual market price, which may be different by a material amount.
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| Emerging Markets Equity Fund 29 |
Security transactions and related investment income Security transactions are recorded on the trade date (the date the order to buy or sell is executed). Gains or losses on securities sold are determined on the identified cost basis.
Interest income, net of any applicable withholding taxes, if any, is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income, net of any applicable withholding taxes, is recognized on the ex-dividend date except that certain dividends from foreign securities, if any, are recognized as soon as the fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded at the fair value of the securities received. Dividends representing a return of capital or capital gains, if any, are reflected as a reduction of cost and/or as a realized gain.
Foreign currency translation The accounting records of the fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. The fair value of foreign securities, currency holdings, and other assets and liabilities is recorded in the books and records of the fund after translation to U.S. dollars based on the exchange rates on that day. The cost of each security is determined using historical exchange rates. Income and withholding taxes are translated at prevailing exchange rates when earned or incurred. The fund does not isolate that portion of realized or unrealized gains or losses resulting from changes in the foreign exchange rate on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of the securities. Such gains and losses are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments. Net realized gains and losses on foreign currency transactions represent net realized exchange gains or losses on disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains and losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized appreciation and depreciation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies arise from changes in the value of assets and liabilities other than investments at the period end, resulting from changes in the exchange rate.
Securities lending The fund may lend securities, through its agent, to qualified borrowers in order to earn additional income. The loans are collateralized by cash in an amount at least equal to the fair value of the securities loaned. The fair value of securities loaned is determined daily and any additional required collateral is allocated to the fund on the next business day. The remaining maturities of the securities lending transactions are considered overnight and continuous. The risk of borrower default will be borne by the fund’s agent; the fund will bear the risk of loss with respect to the investment of the cash collateral. Income from securities lending, net of expenses, is included in investment income on the Statement of operations. Cash collateral is invested in Putnam Cash Collateral Pool, LLC, a limited liability company managed by an affiliate of Putnam Management. Investments in Putnam Cash Collateral Pool, LLC are valued at its closing net asset value each business day. There are no management fees charged to Putnam Cash Collateral Pool, LLC. At the close of the reporting period, the fund received cash collateral of $1,222,548 and the value of securities loaned amounted to $1,084,147. Certain of these securities were sold prior to the close of the reporting period and are included in Receivable for investments sold on the Statement of assets and liabilities.
Interfund lending The fund, along with other Putnam funds, may participate in an interfund lending program pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC. This program allows the fund to borrow from or lend to other Putnam funds that permit such transactions. Interfund lending transactions are subject to each fund’s investment policies and borrowing and lending limits. Interest earned or paid on the interfund lending transaction will be based on the average of certain current market rates. During the reporting period, the fund did not utilize the program.
Lines of credit The fund participates, along with other Putnam funds, in a $317.5 million unsecured committed line of credit and a $235.5 million unsecured uncommitted line of credit, both provided by State Street. Borrowings may be made for temporary or emergency purposes, including the funding of shareholder redemption requests and trade settlements. Interest is charged to the fund based on the fund’s borrowing at a rate equal to 1.25% plus the higher of (1) the Federal Funds rate and (2) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate for the committed line of credit and 1.30% plus the higher of (1) the Federal Funds rate and (2) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate for the uncommitted line of credit. A closing fee equal to 0.04% of the committed line of credit and 0.04% of the uncommitted line of credit has been paid by the participating funds. In addition, a commitment fee of 0.21% per annum on any unutilized portion of the committed line of credit is allocated to the participating funds based on their relative net assets and paid quarterly. During the reporting period, the fund had no borrowings against these arrangements.
Federal taxes It is the policy of the fund to distribute all of its taxable income within the prescribed time period and otherwise comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), applicable to regulated investment companies. It is also the intention of the fund to distribute an amount sufficient to avoid imposition of any excise tax under Section 4982 of the Code.
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| 30 Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
The fund is subject to the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification 740 Income Taxes (ASC 740). ASC 740 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The fund did not have a liability to record for any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. No provision has been made for federal taxes on income, capital gains or unrealized appreciation on securities held nor for excise tax on income and capital gains. Each of the fund’s federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
The fund may also be subject to taxes imposed by governments of countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on either income or gains earned or repatriated. The fund accrues and applies such taxes to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized gains as income and/or capital gains are earned. In some cases, the fund may be entitled to reclaim all or a portion of such taxes, and such reclaim amounts, if any, are reflected as an asset on the fund’s books. In many cases, however, the fund may not receive such amounts for an extended period of time, depending on the country of investment.
Tax cost of investments includes adjustments to net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) which may not necessarily be final tax cost basis adjustments, but closely approximate the tax basis unrealized gains and losses that may be realized and distributed to shareholders. The aggregate identified cost on a tax basis is $439,644,508, resulting in gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of $75,699,560 and $17,771,438, respectively, or net unrealized appreciation of $57,928,122.
Distributions to shareholders Distributions to shareholders from net investment income are recorded by the fund on the ex-dividend date. Distributions from capital gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually. The amount and character of income and gains to be distributed are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. Actual results may vary. Any non-taxable return of capital cannot be determined until final tax calculations are completed after the end of the fund’s fiscal year. Reclassifications are made to the fund’s capital accounts to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryovers) under income tax regulations.
Expenses of the Trust Expenses directly charged or attributable to any fund will be paid from the assets of that fund. Generally, expenses of the Trust will be allocated among and charged to the assets of each fund on a basis that the Trustees deem fair and equitable, which may be based on the relative assets of each fund or the nature of the services performed and relative applicability to each fund.
Note 2: Management fee, administrative services and other transactions
The fund pays Putnam Management a management fee (base fee) (based on the fund’s average net assets and computed and paid monthly) at annual rates that may vary based on the average of the aggregate net assets of all open-end mutual funds sponsored by Putnam Management (excluding net assets of funds that are invested in, or that are invested in by, other Putnam funds to the extent necessary to avoid “double counting” of those assets). Such annual rates may vary as follows:
| | | | |
| 1.080% | of the first $5 billion, | | 0.880% | of the next $50 billion, |
| 1.030% | of the next $5 billion, | | 0.860% | of the next $50 billion, |
| 0.980% | of the next $10 billion, | | 0.850% | of the next $100 billion and |
| 0.930% | of the next $10 billion, | | 0.845% | of any excess thereafter. |
In addition, the monthly management fee consists of the monthly base fee plus or minus a performance adjustment for the month. The performance adjustment is determined based on performance over the thirty-six month period then ended. Each month, the performance adjustment is calculated by multiplying the performance adjustment rate and the fund’s average net assets over the performance period and dividing the result by twelve. The resulting dollar amount is added to, or subtracted from the base fee for that month. The performance adjustment rate is equal to 0.03 multiplied by the difference between the fund’s annualized performance (measured by the fund’s class A shares) and the annualized performance of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net Dividends) each measured over the performance period. The maximum annualized performance adjustment rate is +/- 0.21%. The monthly base fee is determined based on the fund’s average net assets for the month, while the performance adjustment is determined based on the fund’s average net assets over the thirty-six month performance period. This means it is possible that, if the fund underperforms significantly over the performance period, and the fund’s assets have declined significantly over that period, the negative performance adjustment may exceed the base fee. In this event, Putnam Management would make a payment to the fund.
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| Emerging Markets Equity Fund 31 |
In connection with the merger of Putnam International Growth Fund (“acquired fund”) into the fund on May 18, 2020, the management contract was amended such that, after completion of the merger, the combined fund’s performance adjustment will be calculated based on the combined assets of the fund and the acquired fund for any portion of a performance period that is prior to the merger, unless the use of the combined assets results in a fee payable by the fund under the amended management contract that is higher than the management fee that would have been paid under the fund’s current management contract. Under those circumstances, Putnam Management has agreed to reduce its management fee to reflect the lower amount that would have been payable under the fund’s current fee schedule, which would only take into account the assets of the fund for the period prior to the closing of the mergers. As a result of these management contract changes, the fund’s shareholders may pay a lower management fee, but would never pay a higher management fee, under the amended management contract than they would have paid under the fund’s current management contract.
Because the performance adjustment is based on the fund’s performance relative to its applicable benchmark index, and not its absolute performance, the performance adjustment could increase Putnam Management’s fee even if the fund’s shares lose value during the performance period provided that the fund outperformed its benchmark index, and could decrease Putnam Management’s fee even if the fund’s shares increase in value during the performance period provided that the fund underperformed its benchmark index.
For the reporting period, the management fee represented an effective rate (excluding the impact of any expense waiver in effect) of 0.500% of the fund’s average net assets, which included an effective base fee of 0.451% and an increase of 0.049% ($279,440) based on performance.
Putnam Management has contractually agreed, through December 30, 2022, to waive fees and/or reimburse the fund’s expenses to the extent necessary to limit the cumulative expenses of the fund, exclusive of brokerage, interest, taxes, investment-related expenses, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and payments under the fund’s investor servicing contract, investment management contract and distribution plans, on a fiscal year-to-date basis to an annual rate of 0.20% of the fund’s average net assets over such fiscal year-to-date period. During the reporting period, the fund’s expenses were not reduced as a result of this limit.
Putnam Management has also contractually agreed to waive fees (and, to the extent necessary, bear other expenses) of the fund through December 30, 2022, to the extent that total expenses of the fund (before any applicable performance-based adjustment to the fund’s base management fee and excluding brokerage, interest, taxes, investment-related expenses, payments under distribution plans, extraordinary expenses, payments under the fund’s investor servicing contract and acquired fund fees and expenses, but including payments under the fund’s investment management contract) would exceed an annual rate of 0.78% of the fund’s average net assets. During the reporting period, the fund’s expenses were reduced by $752,722 as a result of this limit.
Putnam Investments Limited (PIL), an affiliate of Putnam Management, is authorized by the Trustees to manage a separate portion of the assets of the fund as determined by Putnam Management from time to time. PIL did not manage any portion of the assets of the fund during the reporting period. If Putnam Management were to engage the services of PIL, Putnam Management would pay a quarterly sub-management fee to PIL for its services at an annual rate of 0.35% of the average net assets of the portion of the fund managed by PIL.
The Putnam Advisory Company, LLC (PAC), an affiliate of Putnam Management, is authorized by the Trustees to manage a separate portion of the assets of the fund, as designated from time to time by Putnam Management or PIL. PAC did not manage any portion of the assets of the fund during the reporting period. If Putnam Management or PIL were to engage the services of PAC, Putnam Management or PIL, as applicable, would pay a quarterly sub-advisory fee to PAC for its services at the annual rate of 0.35% of the average net assets of the portion of the fund’s assets for which PAC is engaged as sub-adviser.
The fund reimburses Putnam Management an allocated amount for the compensation and related expenses of certain officers of the fund and their staff who provide administrative services to the fund. The aggregate amount of all such reimbursements is determined annually by the Trustees.
Custodial functions for the fund’s assets are provided by State Street. Custody fees are based on the fund’s asset level, the number of its security holdings and transaction volumes.
Putnam Investor Services, Inc., an affiliate of Putnam Management, provides investor servicing agent functions to the fund. Putnam Investor Services, Inc. received fees for investor servicing for class A, class B, class C, class R and class Y shares that included (1) a per account fee for each direct and underlying non-defined contribution account (retail account) of the fund; (2) a specified rate of the fund’s assets attributable to defined contribution plan accounts; and (3) a specified rate based on the average net assets in retail accounts. Putnam Investor Services, Inc. has agreed that the aggregate investor servicing fees for each fund’s retail and defined contribution
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| 32 Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
accounts for these share classes will not exceed an annual rate of 0.25% of the fund’s average assets attributable to such accounts.
Class R6 shares paid a monthly fee based on the average net assets of class R6 shares at an annual rate of 0.05%.
During the reporting period, the expenses for each class of shares related to investor servicing fees were as follows:
| | | | |
| Class A | $292,204 | | Class R6 | 9,508 |
| Class B | 2,456 | | Class Y | 230,441 |
| Class C | 11,968 | | Total | $552,644 |
| Class R | 6,067 | | | |
The fund has entered into expense offset arrangements with Putnam Investor Services, Inc. and State Street whereby Putnam Investor Services, Inc.’s and State Street’s fees are reduced by credits allowed on cash balances. For the reporting period, the fund’s expenses were reduced by $328 under the expense offset arrangements.
Each Independent Trustee of the fund receives an annual Trustee fee, of which $380, as a quarterly retainer, has been allocated to the fund, and an additional fee for each Trustees meeting attended. Trustees also are reimbursed for expenses they incur relating to their services as Trustees.
The fund has adopted a Trustee Fee Deferral Plan (the Deferral Plan) which allows the Trustees to defer the receipt of all or a portion of Trustees fees payable on or after July 1, 1995. The deferred fees remain invested in certain Putnam funds until distribution in accordance with the Deferral Plan.
The fund has adopted an unfunded noncontributory defined benefit pension plan (the Pension Plan) covering all Trustees of the fund who have served as a Trustee for at least five years and were first elected prior to 2004. Benefits under the Pension Plan are equal to 50% of the Trustee’s average annual attendance and retainer fees for the three years ended December 31, 2005. The retirement benefit is payable during a Trustee’s lifetime, beginning the year following retirement, for the number of years of service through December 31, 2006. Pension expense for the fund is included in Trustee compensation and expenses in the Statement of operations. Accrued pension liability is included in Payable for Trustee compensation and expenses in the Statement of assets and liabilities. The Trustees have terminated the Pension Plan with respect to any Trustee first elected after 2003.
The fund has adopted distribution plans (the Plans) with respect to the following share classes pursuant to Rule 12b–1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The purpose of the Plans is to compensate Putnam Retail Management Limited Partnership, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Putnam Investments, LLC, for services provided and expenses incurred in distributing shares of the fund. The Plans provide payments by the fund to Putnam Retail Management Limited Partnership at an annual rate of up to the following amounts (Maximum %) of the average net assets attributable to each class. The Trustees have approved payment by the fund at the following annual rate (Approved %) of the average net assets attributable to each class. During the reporting period, the class-specific expenses related to distribution fees were as follows:
| | | |
| | Maximum % | Approved % | Amount |
| Class A | 0.35% | 0.25% | $356,898 |
| Class B | 1.00% | 1.00% | 12,040 |
| Class C | 1.00% | 1.00% | 58,567 |
| Class R | 1.00% | 0.50% | 14,809 |
| Total | | | $442,314 |
For the reporting period, Putnam Retail Management Limited Partnership, acting as underwriter, received net commissions of $10,619 from the sale of class A shares and received no monies and $30 in contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of class B and class C shares, respectively.
A deferred sales charge of up to 1.00% is assessed on certain redemptions of class A shares. For the reporting period, Putnam Retail Management Limited Partnership, acting as underwriter, received $50 on class A redemptions.
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| Emerging Markets Equity Fund 33 |
Note 3: Purchases and sales of securities
During the reporting period, the cost of purchases and the proceeds from sales, excluding short-term investments, were as follows:
| | |
| | Cost of purchases | Proceeds from sales |
| Investments in securities (Long-term) | $329,125,608 | $388,289,327 |
| U.S. government securities (Long-term) | — | — |
| Total | $329,125,608 | $388,289,327 |
The fund may purchase or sell investments from or to other Putnam funds in the ordinary course of business, which can reduce the fund’s transaction costs, at prices determined in accordance with SEC requirements and policies approved by the Trustees. During the reporting period, purchases or sales of long-term securities from or to other Putnam funds, if any, did not represent more than 5% of the fund’s total cost of purchases and/or total proceeds from sales.
Note 4: Capital shares
At the close of the reporting period, there were an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest authorized. Transactions, including, if applicable, direct exchanges pursuant to share conversions, in capital shares were as follows:
| | | | |
| | SIX MONTHS ENDED 2/28/22 | YEAR ENDED 8/31/21 |
| Class A | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount |
| Shares sold | 688,112 | $10,658,207 | 2,198,690 | $37,323,590 |
| Shares issued in connection with | | | | |
| reinvestment of distributions | 921,455 | 13,821,819 | 295,157 | 4,837,395 |
| | 1,609,567 | 24,480,026 | 2,493,847 | 42,160,985 |
| Shares repurchased | (1,623,791) | (25,490,602) | (2,607,785) | (43,589,105) |
| Net decrease | (14,224) | $(1,010,576) | (113,938) | $(1,428,120) |
| |
| | SIX MONTHS ENDED 2/28/22 | YEAR ENDED 8/31/21 |
| Class B | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount |
| Shares sold | 105 | $1,668 | 14,472 | $232,575 |
| Shares issued in connection with | | | | |
| reinvestment of distributions | 8,914 | 125,508 | 3,698 | 57,509 |
| | 9,019 | 127,176 | 18,170 | 290,084 |
| Shares repurchased | (44,438) | (664,846) | (84,752) | (1,346,579) |
| Net increase (decrease) | (35,419) | $(537,670) | (66,582) | $(1,056,495) |
| |
| | SIX MONTHS ENDED 2/28/22 | YEAR ENDED 8/31/21 |
| Class C | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount |
| Shares sold | 56,516 | $835,487 | 282,772 | $4,587,681 |
| Shares issued in connection with | | | | |
| reinvestment of distributions | 44,515 | 622,762 | 13,938 | 215,482 |
| | 101,031 | 1,458,249 | 296,710 | 4,803,163 |
| Shares repurchased | (168,283) | (2,491,709) | (299,457) | (4,768,328) |
| Net increase (decrease) | (67,252) | $(1,033,460) | (2,747) | $34,835 |
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| 34 Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
| | | | |
| | SIX MONTHS ENDED 2/28/22 | YEAR ENDED 8/31/21 |
| Class R | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount |
| Shares sold | 38,009 | $597,514 | 408,566 | $6,411,265 |
| Shares issued in connection with | | | | |
| reinvestment of distributions | 20,445 | 304,229 | 6,527 | 106,451 |
| | 58,454 | 901,743 | 415,093 | 6,517,716 |
| Shares repurchased | (37,089) | (591,799) | (116,909) | (1,960,470) |
| Net increase | 21,365 | $309,944 | 298,184 | $4,557,246 |
| |
| | SIX MONTHS ENDED 2/28/22 | YEAR ENDED 8/31/21 |
| Class R6 | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount |
| Shares sold | 266,791 | $4,191,953 | 1,301,967 | $22,715,478 |
| Shares issued in connection with | | | | |
| reinvestment of distributions | 123,758 | 1,889,786 | 31,356 | 520,815 |
| | 390,549 | 6,081,739 | 1,333,323 | 23,236,293 |
| Shares repurchased | (398,501) | (6,281,943) | (495,468) | (8,442,369) |
| Net increase (decrease) | (7,952) | $(200,204) | 837,855 | $14,793,924 |
| |
| | SIX MONTHS ENDED 2/28/22 | YEAR ENDED 8/31/21 |
| Class Y | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount |
| Shares sold | 4,590,102 | $73,916,692 | 14,120,366 | $245,675,953 |
| Shares issued in connection with | | | | |
| reinvestment of distributions | 723,385 | 11,017,150 | 135,170 | 2,242,478 |
| | 5,313,487 | 84,933,842 | 14,255,536 | 247,918,431 |
| Shares repurchased | (6,829,228) | (109,049,768) | (5,332,589) | (91,296,616) |
| Net increase (decrease) | (1,515,741) | $(24,115,926) | 8,922,947 | $156,621,815 |
Note 5: Affiliated transactions
Transactions during the reporting period with any company which is under common ownership or control were as follows:
| | | | | |
| | | | | | Shares |
| | | | | | outstanding |
| | | | | | and fair |
| | Fair value as | Purchase | Sale | Investment | value as |
| Name of affiliate | of 8/31/21 | cost | proceeds | income | of 2/28/22 |
| Short-term investments | | | | | |
| Putnam Cash Collateral | | | | | |
| Pool, LLC* | $40,869,480 | $97,332,215 | $136,979,147 | $10,948 | $1,222,548 |
| Putnam Short Term | | | | | |
| Investment Fund** | 4,668,188 | 95,673,188 | 92,198,936 | 1,058 | 8,142,440 |
| Total Short-term | | | | | |
| investments | $45,537,668 | $193,005,403 | $229,178,083 | $12,006 | $9,364,988 |
* No management fees are charged to Putnam Cash Collateral Pool, LLC (Note 1). Investment income shown is included in securities lending income on the Statement of operations. There were no realized or unrealized gains or losses during the period.
** Management fees charged to Putnam Short Term Investment Fund have been waived by Putnam Management. There were no realized or unrealized gains or losses during the period.
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| Emerging Markets Equity Fund 35 |
Note 6: Market, credit and other risks
In the normal course of business, the fund trades financial instruments and enters into financial transactions where risk of potential loss exists due to changes in the market (market risk) or failure of the contracting party to the transaction to perform (credit risk). The fund may be exposed to additional credit risk that an institution or other entity with which the fund has unsettled or open transactions will default. Investments in foreign securities involve certain risks, including those related to economic instability, unfavorable political developments, and currency fluctuations.
Beginning in January 2020, global financial markets have experienced, and may continue to experience, significant volatility resulting from the spread of a virus known as Covid–19. The outbreak of Covid–19 has resulted in travel and border restrictions, quarantines, supply chain disruptions, lower consumer demand, and general market uncertainty. The effects of Covid–19 have adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, the global economy, the economies of certain nations, and individual issuers, all of which may negatively impact the fund’s performance.
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| 36 Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
Fund information
Founded over 80 years ago, Putnam Investments was built around the concept that a balance between risk and reward is the hallmark of a well-rounded financial program. We manage funds across income, value, blend, growth, sustainable, asset allocation, absolute return, and global sector categories.
| | |
| Investment Manager | Trustees | Richard T. Kircher |
| Putnam Investment | Kenneth R. Leibler, Chair | Vice President and BSA |
| Management, LLC | Liaquat Ahamed | Compliance Officer |
| 100 Federal Street | Ravi Akhoury | |
| Boston, MA 02110 | Barbara M. Baumann | Martin Lemaire |
| | Katinka Domotorffy | Vice President and |
| Investment Sub-Advisors | Catharine Bond Hill | Derivatives Risk Manager |
| Putnam Investments Limited | Paul L. Joskow | |
| 16 St James’s Street | George Putnam, III | Susan G. Malloy |
| London, England SW1A 1ER | Robert L. Reynolds | Vice President and |
| Manoj P. Singh | Assistant Treasurer |
| The Putnam Advisory Company, LLC | Mona K. Sutphen | |
| 100 Federal Street | | Alan G. McCormack |
| Boston, MA 02110 | Officers | Vice President and |
| Robert L. Reynolds | Derivatives Risk Manager |
| Marketing Services | President | |
| Putnam Retail Management | | Denere P. Poulack |
| Limited Partnership | James F. Clark | Assistant Vice President, |
| 100 Federal Street | Vice President, Chief Compliance | Assistant Clerk, and |
| Boston, MA 02110 | Officer, and Chief Risk Officer | Assistant Treasurer |
| | | |
| Custodian | Nancy E. Florek | Janet C. Smith |
| State Street Bank | Vice President, Director of | Vice President, |
| and Trust Company | Proxy Voting and Corporate | Principal Financial Officer, |
| Governance, Assistant Clerk, | Principal Accounting Officer, |
| Legal Counsel | and Assistant Treasurer | and Assistant Treasurer |
| Ropes & Gray LLP | | |
| | Michael J. Higgins | Stephen J. Tate |
| | Vice President, Treasurer, | Vice President and |
| | and Clerk | Chief Legal Officer |
| | | |
| | Jonathan S. Horwitz | Mark C. Trenchard |
| | Executive Vice President, | Vice President |
| Principal Executive Officer, | |
| | and Compliance Liaison | |
This report is for the information of shareholders of Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund. It may also be used as sales literature when preceded or accompanied by the current prospectus, the most recent copy of Putnam’s Quarterly Performance Summary, and Putnam’s Quarterly Ranking Summary. For more recent performance, please visit putnam.com. Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of a fund, which are described in its prospectus. For this and other information or to request a prospectus or summary prospectus, call 1-800-225-1581 toll free. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. The fund’s Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the fund’s Trustees and is available without charge upon request by calling 1-800-225-1581.
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| Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert: |
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| Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services: |
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| Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants |
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| Item 6. Schedule of Investments: |
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| The registrant’s schedule of investments in unaffiliated issuers is included in the report to shareholders in Item 1 above. |
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| Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures For Closed-End Management Investment Companies: |
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| Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Investment Companies |
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| Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Companies and Affiliated Purchasers: |
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| Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders: |
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| Item 11. Controls and Procedures: |
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| (a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded, based on their evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, that the design and operation of such procedures are generally effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the registrant in this report is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms. |
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| (b) Changes in internal control over financial reporting: Not applicable |
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| Item 12. Disclosures of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Investment Companies: |
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| Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. |
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| By (Signature and Title): |
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| /s/ Janet C. Smith
Janet C. Smith
Principal Accounting Officer
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| Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. |
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| By (Signature and Title): |
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| /s/ Jonathan S. Horwitz
Jonathan S. Horwitz
Principal Executive Officer
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| By (Signature and Title): |
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| /s/ Janet C. Smith
Janet C. Smith
Principal Financial Officer
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