| UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION | ||
| Washington, D.C. 20549 | ||
FORM N-CSR | ||
| CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES | ||
| Investment Company Act file number: | (811-06190) |
| Exact name of registrant as specified in charter: | Putnam International Equity Fund |
| Address of principal executive offices: | 100 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110 |
| Name and address of agent for service: | Stephen Tate, Vice President 100 Federal Street Boston, Massachusetts 02110 |
| Copy to: | Bryan Chegwidden, Esq. Ropes & Gray LLP 1211 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10036 |
| Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: | (617) 292-1000 |
| Date of fiscal year end: | June 30, 2023 |
| Date of reporting period: | July 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022 |
Item 1. Report to Stockholders: |
| The following is a copy of the report transmitted to stockholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940: | |||
Putnam
International Equity
Fund
Semiannual report
12 | 31 | 22
Message from the Trustees
February 9, 2023
Dear Fellow Shareholder:
As an investor, you might be happy to see 2022 in the rearview mirror. High inflation and aggressive interest-rate increases from the U.S. Federal Reserve contributed to market volatility and negative returns for stocks and bonds. Fortunately, toward the end of the year, we saw both inflation levels and Fed actions begin to moderate somewhat.
Although we still face high inflation and uncertainty on how much the economy will slow because of higher interest rates, we believe financial market performance might be better in 2023 as compared with 2022. Historically, stocks and bonds have recovered from bear markets like the one we are experiencing. Be assured that our investment teams are actively researching securities with attractive potential and working to keep portfolio risks in check.
Thank you for investing with Putnam.
Current performance may be lower or higher than the quoted past performance, which cannot guarantee future results. Share price, principal value, and return will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or a loss when you sell your shares. Performance of class A shares assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes. Fund returns in the bar chart do not reflect a sales charge of 5.75%; had they, returns would have been lower. See below and pages 7–8 for additional performance information. For a portion of the periods, the fund had expense limitations, without which returns would have been lower. To obtain the most recent month-end performance, visit putnam.com.
Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
Lipper peer group median is provided by Lipper, a Refinitiv company.
This comparison shows your fund’s performance in the context of broad market indexes for the six months ended 12/31/22. See above and pages 7–8 for additional fund performance information. Index descriptions can be found on pages 11–12.
All Bloomberg indices are provided by Bloomberg Index Services Limited.
| 2 International Equity Fund |
Vivek, please describe investing conditions over the six-month reporting period.
High inflation, supply chain bottlenecks, geopolitical tensions, and central bank tightening contributed to a risk-averse investing environment. At the start of the period, the U.S. Federal Reserve, the Bank of England, the European Central Bank, and other world banks began to raise interest rates more aggressively to counter multidecade-high inflation.
In Europe, the Russia-Ukraine War continued to wreak havoc on supply chains and commodity prices. Food and energy prices rose across the eurozone. In the U.K., political turmoil also caused market turbulence. In four short months, the British government cycled through three prime ministers and four chancellors of the exchequer [equal to the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury]. On October 25, Rishi Sunak was appointed U.K. prime minister. Conservative Party Leader Sunak promised fiscal prudence, which helped stabilize Britain’s economy and currency.
After posting losses for much of the period, international stocks rallied strongly in the fourth quarter of calendar 2022. As inflation showed signs of improvement, investors pinned their
| International Equity Fund 3 |
Allocations are shown as a percentage of the fund’s net assets as of 12/31/22. Cash and net other assets, if any, represent the market value weights of cash, derivatives, short-term securities, and other unclassified assets in the portfolio. Summary information may differ from the information in the portfolio schedule notes included in the financial statements due to the inclusion of derivative securities, any interest accruals, the exclusion of as-of trades, if any, and rounding. Holdings and allocations may vary over time.
This table shows the fund’s top 10 holdings by percentage of the fund’s net assets as of 12/31/22. Short-term investments and derivatives, if any, are excluded. Holdings may vary over time.
| 4 International Equity Fund |
hopes on more moderate central bank policy. The U.S. dollar weakened relative to other global currencies. Despite broad macro-driven volatility, all international stock indexes, including those in Europe, Japan, the U.K., and Australia, outperformed U.S. stocks for the six-month reporting period.
How did the fund perform for the reporting period?
The fund returned 7.80%, outperforming its benchmark, the MSCI EAFE Index [ND], which returned 6.36% for the reporting period.
What were some of the fund’s top contributors to performance?
Our investment in Bank of Ireland Group, one of Ireland’s largest retail and commercial banks, was the fund’s top contributor. Bank of Ireland operates in the fastest-growing economy in the eurozone, where the banking industry is undergoing a massive consolidation. In this environment, Bank of Ireland has established a dominant position through strategic acquisitions and organic growth. Higher interest rates also improved the bank’s profit margins.
The stock has rallied strongly [up 75% since early 2022] and has further room for upside, in our view. The industry’s consolidation has reduced the bank’s competition, and its recent acquisitions will continue to generate synergies in the near term, in our view. We believe the company is on track to surpass earnings estimates and return excess capital to shareholders this year.
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group [MUFG], one of the largest banking institutes in Japan, was another top performer. With signs of increasing inflation in Japan, Bank of Japan was pressured to begin tightening its ultra-loose monetary policy. Any move in that direction would help expand MUFG’s interest income. Like other Japanese banks, MUFG has struggled to generate a reasonable interest margin in the country’s near-zero interest-rate environment. On December 20, Bank of Japan made changes that led to a jump in the yields of its 10-year Treasury bonds. Markets took this as a sign that interest rates would start to rise. MUFG’s stock price rallied, along with those of other Japanese banks.
What were some top detractors from fund performance for the reporting period?
CK Hutchison Holdings, based in Hong Kong, was the fund’s top detractor. CK Hutchison is a global conglomerate with diversified assets. The firm’s portfolio includes mobile operations, infrastructure assets, retailers, and world-leading terminals and port services in over 25 countries. Despite trading at a large discount to its underlying asset value, CK Hutchison’s stock came under pressure when Hong Kong faced Covid-19 lockdowns. The Chinese government’s regulatory crackdown on big companies also dampened investor interest, and valuations of many Greater China-listed stocks declined.
In November 2022, CK Hutchison sold its U.K. mobile tower assets for a sizeable amount. Still, the company trades at a discount relative to its intrinsic value, in our view. We expect the company to use proceeds from the tower sale to further reduce its leverage and for share buybacks. We believe the latter should help lift the stock’s discounted price. Additionally, China has begun reopening, which we believe should help improve valuations of Chinese stocks. For these reasons, we continue to own CK Hutchison.
Rheinmetall, a German automotive and defense manufacturer, also was a drag on performance. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Germany began to scale up its defense budget. Rheinmetall was well-positioned to take advantage of this trend since it has multiyear contracts to supply the German military with its equipment. However, reports of a defect in one batch of Rheinmetall’s tanks in late 2022
| International Equity Fund 5 |
began to caution investors. We believe this will be a temporary setback for the company. Rheinmetall’s fundamentals remain strong, in our view, and we continue to own the stock.
What is your outlook for the economy and the fund?
At the start of the period, recessionary fears were high. Investors broadly sold off stocks. Company valuations declined as the market priced in multiple, aggressive interest-rate hikes from the world’s central banks. By the end of the period, economic conditions were better than the markets feared, in our view. Still, we believe the global economy has much room for improvement this year. Global inflation remains high, and market volatility may continue for some time, in our view.
On the upside, China’s reopening may provide a tailwind for international stocks. Cross-border travel and tourism, along with a rebound in the manufacturing sector, may help lift the Chinese economy and expectations for global growth. Despite structural, geopolitical, and macroeconomic headwinds, the U.K., Europe, and Japan have shown resilience over the past year and will experience higher-than-expected growth rates in calendar 2023, in our view.
For the fund, we focus on investing in companies, not countries. Our portfolio comprises high-quality companies that serve large, global markets. Through fundamental, bottom-up research, we invest in companies that we believe have durable business models, competitive moats, and managements with integrity, operational excellence, and a clear stakeholder focus.
While macroeconomic risks are important to consider, the portfolio focuses on identifying stock-specific risks. We believe this can help protect the portfolio from broader market uncertainties. We continue to actively manage the fund with the goal of achieving long-term capital appreciation.
Thank you, Vivek, for your time and insights today.
The views expressed in this report are exclusively those of Putnam Management and are subject to change. They are not meant as investment advice.
Please note that the holdings discussed in this report may not have been held by the fund for the entire period. Portfolio composition is subject to review in accordance with the fund’s investment strategy and may vary in the future. Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to risk.
This table shows the fund’s largest allocation shifts, by percentage, over the past six months. Allocations are shown as a percentage of the fund’s net assets. Current period summary information may differ from the portfolio schedule included in the financial statements due to the inclusion of derivative securities, any interest accruals, the exclusion of as-of trades, if any, the use of different classifications of securities for presentation purposes, and rounding. Holdings and allocations may vary over time.
| 6 International Equity Fund |
Your fund’s performance
This section shows your fund’s performance, price, and distribution information for periods ended December 31, 2022, the end of the first half of its current fiscal year. In accordance with regulatory requirements for mutual funds, we also include expense information taken from the fund’s current prospectus. Performance should always be considered in light of a fund’s investment strategy. Data represent past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. More recent returns may be less or more than those shown. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or a loss when you sell your shares. Performance information does not reflect any deduction for taxes a shareholder may owe on fund distributions or on the redemption of fund shares. For the most recent month-end performance, please visit the Individual Investors section at putnam.com or call Putnam at 1-800-225-1581. Class R, R5, R6, and Y shares are not available to all investors. See the Terms and definitions section in this report for definitions of the share classes offered by your fund.
Annualized fund performance Total return for periods ended 12/31/22
| Life of fund | 10 years | 5 years | 3 years | 1 year | 6 months | |
| Class A (2/28/91) | ||||||
| Before sales charge | 6.41% | 4.40% | 0.93% | 1.15% | –14.81% | 7.80% |
| After sales charge | 6.22 | 3.78 | –0.26 | –0.83 | –19.71 | 1.60 |
| Class B (6/1/94) | ||||||
| Before CDSC | 6.20 | 3.77 | 0.18 | 0.39 | –15.46 | 7.38 |
| After CDSC | 6.20 | 3.77 | –0.15 | –0.48 | –19.69 | 2.38 |
| Class C (7/26/99) | ||||||
| Before CDSC | 6.21 | 3.77 | 0.17 | 0.39 | –15.47 | 7.34 |
| After CDSC | 6.21 | 3.77 | 0.17 | 0.39 | –16.32 | 6.34 |
| Class R (1/21/03) | ||||||
| Net asset value | 6.15 | 4.13 | 0.68 | 0.89 | –15.04 | 7.68 |
| Class R5 (7/2/12) | ||||||
| Net asset value | 6.66 | 4.73 | 1.26 | 1.47 | –14.56 | 7.97 |
| Class R6 (7/2/12) | ||||||
| Net asset value | 6.70 | 4.84 | 1.35 | 1.57 | –14.47 | 7.98 |
| Class Y (7/12/96) | ||||||
| Net asset value | 6.64 | 4.66 | 1.18 | 1.40 | –14.61 | 7.93 |
Current performance may be lower or higher than the quoted past performance, which cannot guarantee future results. After-sales-charge returns for class A shares reflect the deduction of the maximum 5.75% sales charge levied at the time of purchase. Class B share returns after contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) reflect the applicable CDSC, which is 5% in the first year, declining over time to 1% in the sixth year, and is eliminated thereafter. Class C share returns after CDSC reflect a 1% CDSC for the first year that is eliminated thereafter. Class R, R5, R6, and Y shares have no initial sales charge or CDSC. Performance for class B, C, R, and Y shares before their inception is derived from the historical performance of class A shares, adjusted for the applicable sales charge (or CDSC) and the higher operating expenses for such shares, except for class Y shares, for which 12b-1 fees are not applicable. Performance for class R5 and R6 shares prior to their inception is derived from the historical performance of class Y shares and has not been adjusted for the lower investor servicing fees applicable to class R5 and R6 shares; had it, returns would have been higher.
Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
For a portion of the periods, the fund had expense limitations, without which returns would have been lower.
The fund has had performance fee adjustments that may have had a positive or negative impact on returns.
Class B and C share performance reflects conversion to class A shares after eight years.
| International Equity Fund 7 |
Comparative annualized index returns For periods ended 12/31/22
| Life of fund | 10 years | 5 years | 3 years | 1 year | 6 months | |
| MSCI EAFE Index (ND) | 4.79% | 4.67% | 1.54% | 0.87% | –14.45% | 6.36% |
| Lipper International | ||||||
| Multi-Cap Core Funds | ||||||
| category median* | 6.50 | 4.25 | 1.00 | 0.57 | –15.22 | 4.66 |
Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
Index and Lipper results should be compared with fund performance before sales charge, before CDSC, or at net asset value.
Lipper peer group median is provided by Lipper, a Refinitiv company.
* Over the 6-month, 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, 10-year, and life-of-fund periods ended 12/31/22, there were 350, 334, 301, 251, 164, and 4 funds, respectively, in this Lipper category.
Fund price and distribution information For the six-month period ended 12/31/22
| Distributions | Class A | Class B | Class C | Class R | Class R5 | Class R6 | Class Y | |
| Before | After | Net | Net | Net | Net | Net | Net | |
| sales | sales | asset | asset | asset | asset | asset | asset | |
| Share value | charge | charge | value | value | value | value | value | value |
| 6/30/22 | $20.01 | $21.23 | $18.84 | $19.34 | $19.67 | $20.70 | $20.42 | $20.31 |
| 12/31/22 | 21.57 | 22.89 | 20.23 | 20.76 | 21.18 | 22.35 | 22.05 | 21.92 |
The classification of distributions, if any, is an estimate. Before-sales-charge share value and current dividend rate for class A shares, if applicable, do not take into account any sales charge levied at the time of purchase. After-sales-charge share value, current dividend rate, and current 30-day SEC yield, if applicable, are calculated assuming that the maximum sales charge (5.75% for class A shares) was levied at the time of purchase. Final distribution information will appear on your year-end tax forms.
The fund made no distributions during the period.
As a mutual fund investor, you pay ongoing expenses, such as management fees, distribution fees (12b-1 fees), and other expenses. Using the following information, you can estimate how these expenses affect your investment and compare them with the expenses of other funds. You may also pay one-time transaction expenses, including sales charges (loads) and redemption fees, which are not shown in this section and would have resulted in higher total expenses. For more information, see your fund’s prospectus or talk to your financial representative.
Expense ratios
| Class A | Class B | Class C | Class R | Class R5 | Class R6 | Class Y | |
| Total annual operating expenses for the | |||||||
| fiscal year ended 6/30/22* | 1.25% | 2.00% | 2.00% | 1.50% | 0.94% | 0.84% | 1.00% |
| Annualized expense ratio for the | |||||||
| six-month period ended 12/31/22† | 1.29% | 2.04% | 2.04% | 1.54% | 0.95% | 0.85% | 1.04% |
Fiscal year expense information in this table is taken from the most recent prospectus, is subject to change, and may differ from that shown for the annualized expense ratio and in the financial highlights of this report.
Expenses are shown as a percentage of average net assets.
* Restated to reflect current fees.
† Includes an increase of 0.01% from annualizing the performance fee adjustment for the six months ended 12/31/22.
| 8 International Equity Fund |
Expenses per $1,000
The following table shows the expenses you would have paid on a $1,000 investment in each class of the fund from 7/1/22 to 12/31/22. It also shows how much a $1,000 investment would be worth at the close of the period, assuming actual returns and expenses.
| Class A | Class B | Class C | Class R | Class R5 | Class R6 | Class Y | |
| Expenses paid per $1,000*† | $6.76 | $10.66 | $10.66 | $8.06 | $4.98 | $4.46 | $5.45 |
| Ending value (after expenses) | $1,078.00 | $1,073.80 | $1,073.40 | $1,076.80 | $1,079.70 | $1,079.80 | $1,079.30 |
* Expenses for each share class are calculated using the fund’s annualized expense ratio for each class, which represents the ongoing expenses as a percentage of average net assets for the six months ended 12/31/22. The expense ratio may differ for each share class.
† Expenses are calculated by multiplying the expense ratio by the average account value for the period; then multiplying the result by the number of days in the period (184); and then dividing that result by the number of days in the year (365).
Estimate the expenses you paid
To estimate the ongoing expenses you paid for the six months ended 12/31/22, use the following calculation method. To find the value of your investment on 7/1/22, call Putnam at 1-800-225-1581.
Compare expenses using the SEC’s method
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has established guidelines to help investors assess fund expenses. Per these guidelines, the following table shows your fund’s expenses based on a $1,000 investment, assuming a hypothetical 5% annualized return. You can use this information to compare the ongoing expenses (but not transaction expenses or total costs) of investing in the fund with those of other funds. All mutual fund shareholder reports will provide this information to help you make this comparison. Please note that you cannot use this information to estimate your actual ending account balance and expenses paid during the period.
| Class A | Class B | Class C | Class R | Class R5 | Class R6 | Class Y | |
| Expenses paid per $1,000*† | $6.56 | $10.36 | $10.36 | $7.83 | $4.84 | $4.33 | $5.30 |
| Ending value (after expenses) | $1,018.70 | $1,014.92 | $1,014.92 | $1,017.44 | $1,020.42 | $1,020.92 | $1,019.96 |
* Expenses for each share class are calculated using the fund’s annualized expense ratio for each class, which represents the ongoing expenses as a percentage of average net assets for the six months ended 12/31/22. The expense ratio may differ for each share class.
† Expenses are calculated by multiplying the expense ratio by the average account value for the six-month period; then multiplying the result by the number of days in the six-month period (184); and then dividing that result by the number of days in the year (365).
| International Equity Fund 9 |
Consider these risks before investing
International investing involves currency, economic, and political risks. Emerging market securities carry illiquidity and volatility risks. Investments focused in a single region may be affected by common economic forces and other factors. In addition, events in any one country within the region may impact the other countries or the region as a whole. Because the fund currently, and may in the future, invest significantly in European companies, the fund is particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory, or other events or conditions affecting issuers in Europe.
European financial markets have in recent years experienced increased volatility due to concerns with some countries’ high levels of sovereign debt, budget deficits, and unemployment. Investments in small and/or midsize companies increase the risk of greater price fluctuations. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. The value of investments in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including general economic, political, or financial market conditions; investor sentiment and market perceptions; government actions; geopolitical events or changes; and factors related to a specific issuer, geography, industry, or sector. These and other factors may lead to increased volatility and reduced liquidity in the fund’s portfolio holdings. Risks associated with derivatives include increased investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) and, in the case of over-the-counter instruments, the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations.
Our investment techniques, analyses, and judgments may not produce the outcome we intend. The investments we select for the fund may not perform as well as other securities that we do not select for the fund. We, or the fund’s other service providers, may experience disruptions or operating errors that could have a negative effect on the fund. You can lose money by investing in the fund.
| 10 International Equity Fund |
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 R5 shares are not subject to an initial sales charge or CDSC and carry no 12b-1 fee. They 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 EAFE Index (ND) is an unmanaged index of equity securities from developed countries in Western Europe, the Far East, and Australasia. 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.
S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged index of common stock performance.
Indexes assume reinvestment of all distributions and do not account for fees. Securities and performance of a fund and an index will differ. You cannot invest directly in an index.
| International Equity Fund 11 |
BLOOMBERG® is a trademark and service mark of Bloomberg Finance L.P. and its affiliates (collectively “Bloomberg”). Bloomberg or Bloomberg’s licensors own all proprietary rights in the Bloomberg Indices. Neither Bloomberg nor Bloomberg’s licensors approve or endorse this material, or guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information herein, or make any warranty, express or implied, as to the results to be obtained therefrom, and to the maximum extent allowed by law, neither shall have any liability or responsibility for injury or damages arising in connection therewith.
ICE Data Indices, LLC (“ICE BofA”), used with permission. ICE BofA permits use of the ICE BofA indices and related data on an “as is” basis; makes no warranties regarding same; does not guarantee the suitability, quality, accuracy, timeliness, and/or completeness of the ICE BofA indices or any data included in, related to, or derived therefrom; assumes no liability in connection with the use of the foregoing; and does not sponsor, endorse, or recommend Putnam Investments, or any of its products or services.
Lipper, a Refinitiv company, is a third-party industry-ranking entity that ranks mutual funds. Its rankings do not reflect sales charges. Lipper rankings are based on total return at net asset value relative to other funds that have similar current investment styles or objectives as determined by Lipper. Lipper may change a fund’s category assignment at its discretion. Lipper category medians reflect performance trends for funds within a category.
| 12 International Equity Fund |
Other information for shareholders
Important notice regarding delivery of shareholder documents
In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations, Putnam sends a single notice of internet availability, or a single printed copy, of annual and semiannual shareholder reports, prospectuses, and proxy statements to Putnam shareholders who share the same address, unless a shareholder requests otherwise. If you prefer to receive your own copy of these documents, please call Putnam at 1-800-225-1581, and Putnam will begin sending individual copies within 30 days.
Proxy voting
Putnam is committed to managing our mutual funds in the best interests of our shareholders. The Putnam funds’ proxy voting guidelines and procedures, as well as information regarding how your fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30, 2022, are available in the Individual Investors section of putnam.com and on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. If you have questions about finding forms on the SEC’s website, you may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. You may also obtain the Putnam funds’ proxy voting guidelines and procedures at no charge by calling Putnam’s Shareholder Services at 1-800-225-1581.
Fund portfolio holdings
The fund will file a complete schedule of its portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT within 60 days of the end of such fiscal quarter. Shareholders may obtain the fund’s Form N-PORT on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Prior to its use of Form N-PORT, the fund filed its complete schedule of its portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-Q, which is available online at www.sec.gov.
Trustee and employee fund ownership
Putnam employees and members of the Board of Trustees place their faith, confidence, and, most importantly, investment dollars in Putnam mutual funds. As of December 31, 2022, Putnam employees had approximately $454,000,000 and the Trustees had approximately $61,000,000 invested in Putnam mutual funds. These amounts include investments by the Trustees’ and employees’ immediate family members as well as investments through retirement and deferred compensation plans.
| International Equity Fund 13 |
Financial statements
These sections of the report, as well as the accompanying Notes, constitute the fund’s financial statements.
The fund’s portfolio lists all the fund’s investments and their values as of the last day of the reporting period. Holdings are organized by asset type and industry sector, country, or state to show areas of concentration and diversification.
Statement of assets and liabilities shows how the fund’s net assets and share price are determined. All investment and non-investment assets are added together. Any unpaid expenses and other liabilities are subtracted from this total. The result is divided by the number of shares to determine the net asset value per share, which is calculated separately for each class of shares. (For funds with preferred shares, the amount subtracted from total assets includes the liquidation preference of preferred shares.)
Statement of operations shows the fund’s net investment gain or loss. This is done by first adding up all the fund’s earnings — from dividends and interest income — and subtracting its operating expenses to determine net investment income (or loss). Then, any net gain or loss the fund realized on the sales of its holdings — as well as any unrealized gains or losses over the period — is added to or subtracted from the net investment result to determine the fund’s net gain or loss for the fiscal period.
Statement of changes in net assets shows how the fund’s net assets were affected by the fund’s net investment gain or loss, by distributions to shareholders, and by changes in the number of the fund’s shares. It lists distributions and their sources (net investment income or realized capital gains) over the current reporting period and the most recent fiscal year-end. The distributions listed here may not match the sources listed in the Statement of operations because the distributions are determined on a tax basis and may be paid in a different period from the one in which they were earned. 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 period.
Financial highlights provide an overview of the fund’s investment results, per-share distributions, expense ratios, net investment income ratios, and portfolio turnover in one summary table, reflecting the five most recent reporting periods. In a semiannual report, the highlights table also includes the current reporting period.
| 14 International Equity Fund |
| The fund’s portfolio 12/31/22 (Unaudited) | ||
| COMMON STOCKS (99.3%)* | Shares | Value |
| Australia (2.2%) | ||
| BHP Group, Ltd. (ASE Exchange) | 481,353 | $14,954,286 |
| 14,954,286 | ||
| Canada (3.6%) | ||
| Canadian National Railway Co. | 112,300 | 13,339,979 |
| Thomson Reuters Corp. | 94,378 | 10,766,341 |
| 24,106,320 | ||
| France (15.6%) | ||
| AXA SA | 403,476 | 11,253,172 |
| BNP Paribas SA | 115,319 | 6,573,349 |
| Capgemini SE | 60,443 | 10,090,149 |
| LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA | 27,290 | 19,861,624 |
| Publicis Groupe SA | 64,131 | 4,079,123 |
| Sanofi | 177,287 | 17,049,546 |
| Thales SA | 97,948 | 12,508,413 |
| TotalEnergies SE | 200,089 | 12,561,960 |
| Worldline SA/France † | 261,947 | 10,243,050 |
| 104,220,386 | ||
| Germany (6.3%) | ||
| Deutsche Boerse AG | 70,550 | 12,188,962 |
| Merck KGaA | 100,238 | 19,410,519 |
| Rheinmetall AG | 53,683 | 10,691,352 |
| 42,290,833 | ||
| Hong Kong (2.1%) | ||
| CK Hutchison Holdings, Ltd. | 2,372,500 | 14,240,258 |
| 14,240,258 | ||
| Ireland (6.6%) | ||
| Bank of Ireland Group PLC | 1,469,855 | 14,003,309 |
| CRH PLC | 380,348 | 15,068,374 |
| Flutter Entertainment PLC † | 58,760 | 8,020,180 |
| ICON PLC † S | 35,700 | 6,934,725 |
| 44,026,588 | ||
| Japan (21.1%) | ||
| Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd. | 383,700 | 12,042,520 |
| Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. | 333,600 | 8,561,146 |
| Hoya Corp. | 60,500 | 5,856,846 |
| ITOCHU Corp. | 409,700 | 12,942,824 |
| Japan Exchange Group, Inc. | 654,000 | 9,455,692 |
| Minebea Mitsumi, Inc. | 578,700 | 8,691,083 |
| Mitsubishi Corp. | 573,600 | 18,719,360 |
| Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. | 3,575,700 | 24,221,253 |
| Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | 119,700 | 6,008,714 |
| Pan Pacific International Holdings Corp. | 351,600 | 6,571,737 |
| Renesas Electronics Corp. † | 1,311,200 | 11,824,179 |
| Sony Group Corp. | 138,300 | 10,574,829 |
| TechnoPro Holdings, Inc. | 198,300 | 5,326,177 |
| 140,796,360 |
International Equity Fund 15 | |
| COMMON STOCKS (99.3%)* cont. | Shares | Value |
| Netherlands (4.2%) | ||
| Universal Music Group NV | 683,108 | $16,460,046 |
| Wolters Kluwer NV | 111,198 | 11,636,553 |
| 28,096,599 | ||
| Norway (1.4%) | ||
| DNB Bank ASA | 471,749 | 9,363,424 |
| 9,363,424 | ||
| Portugal (1.1%) | ||
| Jeronimo Martins SGPS SA | 342,244 | 7,393,042 |
| 7,393,042 | ||
| Singapore (2.4%) | ||
| DBS Group Holdings, Ltd. | 640,300 | 16,215,452 |
| 16,215,452 | ||
| South Korea (1.7%) | ||
| Hana Financial Group, Inc. | 340,045 | 11,307,942 |
| 11,307,942 | ||
| Spain (2.5%) | ||
| Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC | 303,900 | 16,811,748 |
| 16,811,748 | ||
| Switzerland (5.5%) | ||
| Lonza Group AG | 20,090 | 9,844,567 |
| Nestle SA | 139,426 | 16,155,412 |
| Partners Group Holding AG | 11,893 | 10,505,816 |
| 36,505,795 | ||
| United Arab Emirates (1.0%) | ||
| Network International Holdings PLC † | 1,856,709 | 6,689,112 |
| 6,689,112 | ||
| United Kingdom (19.5%) | ||
| Anglo American PLC (London Exchange) | 233,283 | 9,127,820 |
| AstraZeneca PLC | 188,178 | 25,520,705 |
| Diageo PLC | 332,458 | 14,670,267 |
| Experian PLC | 468,948 | 15,947,874 |
| InterContinental Hotels Group PLC | 146,535 | 8,404,162 |
| JD Sports Fashion PLC | 5,910,593 | 9,014,190 |
| London Stock Exchange Group PLC | 143,589 | 12,387,521 |
| Prudential PLC | 1,355,625 | 18,478,406 |
| Shell PLC (London Exchange) | 596,878 | 16,784,316 |
| 130,335,261 | ||
| United States (2.5%) | ||
| Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp. | 52,300 | 5,466,396 |
| Linde PLC | 35,309 | 11,544,940 |
| 17,011,336 | ||
| Total common stocks (cost $627,747,484) | $664,364,742 | |
| U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS (0.2%)* | Principal amount | Value |
| U.S. Treasury Notes | ||
| 3.25%, 6/30/27 i | $229,000 | $225,469 |
| 3.25%, 8/31/24 i | 187,000 | 185,237 |
| 2.25%, 11/15/25 i | 357,000 | 338,929 |
| 1.75%, 11/15/29 i | 146,000 | 127,957 |
16 International Equity Fund | |
| U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS (0.2%)* cont. | Principal amount | Value |
| U.S. Treasury Notes | ||
| 1.75%, 3/15/25 i | $118,000 | $112,142 |
| 1.625%, 5/15/31 i | 585,000 | 493,202 |
| Total U.S. treasury obligations (cost $1,482,936) | $1,482,936 | |
| SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (1.7%)* | Principal amount/ shares | Value | |
| Putnam Cash Collateral Pool, LLC 4.62% d | Shares | 7,085,750 | $7,085,750 |
| Putnam Short Term Investment Fund Class P 4.53% L | Shares | 1,715,540 | 1,715,540 |
| State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Premier Class 4.12% P | Shares | 250,000 | 250,000 |
| U.S. Treasury Bills 18.795%, 1/10/23 ∆ | $22,000 | 21,985 | |
| U.S. Treasury Bills 3.948%, 1/17/23 ∆ | 800,000 | 798,856 | |
| U.S. Treasury Bills 3.788%, 1/12/23 ∆ | 521,000 | 520,548 | |
| U.S. Treasury Bills 3.782%, 1/24/23 ∆ | 700,000 | 698,430 | |
| U.S. Treasury Bills 4.336%, 1/3/23 ∆ | 69,000 | 69,000 | |
| Total short-term investments (cost $11,159,684) | $11,160,109 | ||
| TOTAL INVESTMENTS | ||
| Total investments (cost $640,390,104) | $677,007,787 | |
| Notes to the fund’s portfolio | |||
| Unless noted otherwise, the notes to the fund’s portfolio are for the close of the fund’s reporting period, which ran from July 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022 (the reporting period). Within the following notes to the portfolio, 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 “ASC 820” represent Accounting Standards Codification 820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. | |||
| * | Percentages indicated are based on net assets of $669,164,360. | ||
| † | This security is non-income-producing. | ||
| ∆ | This security, in part or in entirety, was pledged and segregated with the custodian for collateral on certain derivative contracts at the close of the reporting period. Collateral at period end totaled $1,479,451 and is included in Investments in securities on the Statement of assets and liabilities (Notes 1 and 8). | ||
| d | Affiliated company. See Notes 1 and 5 to the financial statements regarding securities lending. The rate quoted in the security description is the annualized 7-day yield of the fund at the close of the reporting period. | ||
| i | This security was pledged, or purchased with cash that was pledged, to the fund for collateral on certain derivative contracts (Note 1). | ||
| L | Affiliated company (Note 5). The rate quoted in the security description is the annualized 7-day yield of the fund at the close of the reporting period. | ||
| P | This security was pledged, or purchased with cash that was pledged, to the fund for collateral on certain derivative contracts. The rate quoted in the security description is the annualized 7-day yield of the fund at the close of the reporting period. | ||
| S | Security on loan, in part or in entirety, at the close of the reporting period (Note 1). | ||
| Unless otherwise noted, the rates quoted in Short-term investments security descriptions represent the weighted average yield to maturity. | |||
| The dates shown on debt obligations are the original maturity dates. | |||
| The fund had the following sector concentrations greater than 10% at the close of the reporting period (as a percentage of net assets): | |||
| Financials | 23.3% | ||
| Industrials | 21.0 | ||
| Health care | 13.9 | ||
| Consumer staples | 10.0 | ||
International Equity Fund 17 | |
| FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACTS at 12/31/22 (aggregate face value $249,909,423) (Unaudited) | ||||||
| Counterparty | Currency | Contract type* | Delivery date | Value | Aggregate face value | Unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) |
| Bank of America N.A. | ||||||
| Australian Dollar | Buy | 1/18/23 | $9,330,675 | $8,938,727 | $391,948 | |
| Canadian Dollar | Sell | 1/18/23 | 9,259,978 | 9,200,075 | (59,903) | |
| Hong Kong Dollar | Buy | 2/15/23 | 3,912,524 | 3,891,384 | 21,140 | |
| Japanese Yen | Sell | 2/15/23 | 3,715,944 | 3,918,969 | 203,025 | |
| Swedish Krona | Buy | 3/15/23 | 2,431,545 | 2,433,711 | (2,166) | |
| Swiss Franc | Buy | 3/15/23 | 287,913 | 282,248 | 5,665 | |
| Barclays Bank PLC | ||||||
| Euro | Sell | 3/15/23 | 2,472,659 | 2,430,896 | (41,763) | |
| Swedish Krona | Buy | 3/15/23 | 1,106,063 | 1,106,461 | (398) | |
| Swiss Franc | Buy | 3/15/23 | 8,038,456 | 7,877,588 | 160,868 | |
| Citibank, N.A. | ||||||
| Australian Dollar | Buy | 1/18/23 | 259,823 | 247,208 | 12,615 | |
| Danish Krone | Buy | 3/15/23 | 17,802,115 | 17,278,064 | 524,051 | |
| Goldman Sachs International | ||||||
| British Pound | Sell | 3/15/23 | 5,270,623 | 5,320,312 | 49,689 | |
| Chinese Yuan (Offshore) | Buy | 2/15/23 | 180,531 | 171,649 | 8,882 | |
| Japanese Yen | Buy | 2/15/23 | 4,528,148 | 4,072,283 | 455,865 | |
| South Korean Won | Sell | 2/15/23 | 5,458,943 | 4,895,890 | (563,053) | |
| Swiss Franc | Buy | 3/15/23 | 7,129,384 | 6,986,693 | 142,691 | |
| HSBC Bank USA, National Association | ||||||
| Australian Dollar | Buy | 1/18/23 | 6,984,296 | 6,643,812 | 340,484 | |
| British Pound | Sell | 3/15/23 | 7,733,784 | 7,805,518 | 71,734 | |
| Swedish Krona | Buy | 3/15/23 | 2,128,255 | 2,128,970 | (715) | |
| Swiss Franc | Sell | 3/15/23 | 503,793 | 516,760 | 12,967 | |
| JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. | ||||||
| Hong Kong Dollar | Buy | 2/15/23 | 1,753,362 | 1,746,545 | 6,817 | |
| New Zealand Dollar | Buy | 1/18/23 | 1,556,867 | 1,391,764 | 165,103 | |
| Singapore Dollar | Sell | 2/15/23 | 1,730,623 | 1,642,599 | (88,024) | |
| South Korean Won | Sell | 2/15/23 | 7,009,119 | 5,797,221 | (1,211,898) | |
| Swedish Krona | Buy | 3/15/23 | 5,933,975 | 5,939,883 | (5,908) | |
| Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC | ||||||
| Canadian Dollar | Buy | 1/18/23 | 3,220,175 | 3,283,467 | (63,292) | |
| Euro | Sell | 3/15/23 | 6,558,264 | 6,389,682 | (168,582) | |
| Japanese Yen | Sell | 2/15/23 | 1,919,494 | 1,806,353 | (113,141) | |
| New Zealand Dollar | Buy | 1/18/23 | 1,213,070 | 1,084,275 | 128,795 | |
| Norwegian Krone | Sell | 3/15/23 | 4,053,350 | 4,004,951 | (48,399) | |
| Swedish Krona | Buy | 3/15/23 | 2,720,902 | 2,711,680 | 9,222 | |
| NatWest Markets PLC | ||||||
| Canadian Dollar | Sell | 1/18/23 | 3,482,454 | 3,454,468 | (27,986) | |
| Danish Krone | Buy | 3/15/23 | 1,890,698 | 1,860,337 | 30,361 | |
| New Zealand Dollar | Sell | 1/18/23 | 1,266,983 | 1,124,834 | (142,149) | |
| Swedish Krona | Buy | 3/15/23 | 6,219,398 | 6,222,184 | (2,786) | |
| Swiss Franc | Buy | 3/15/23 | 5,980,239 | 5,861,988 | 118,251 | |
18 International Equity Fund | |
| FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACTS at 12/31/22 (aggregate face value $249,909,423) (Unaudited) cont. | ||||||
| Counterparty | Currency | Contract type* | Delivery date | Value | Aggregate face value | Unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) |
| State Street Bank and Trust Co. | ||||||
| Australian Dollar | Sell | 1/18/23 | $1,455,664 | $1,359,971 | $(95,693) | |
| Chinese Yuan (Offshore) | Buy | 2/15/23 | 2,031,953 | 1,933,475 | 98,478 | |
| Euro | Sell | 3/15/23 | 10,835,861 | 10,640,410 | (195,451) | |
| Israeli Shekel | Buy | 1/18/23 | 4,662,121 | 4,681,701 | (19,580) | |
| Japanese Yen | Buy | 2/15/23 | 3,149,787 | 2,832,679 | 317,108 | |
| Toronto-Dominion Bank | ||||||
| Canadian Dollar | Sell | 1/18/23 | 5,554,318 | 5,509,380 | (44,938) | |
| Euro | Sell | 3/15/23 | 3,986,221 | 3,914,535 | (71,686) | |
| Singapore Dollar | Sell | 2/15/23 | 4,844,460 | 4,599,108 | (245,352) | |
| Swiss Franc | Buy | 3/15/23 | 4,609,765 | 4,519,058 | 90,707 | |
| UBS AG | ||||||
| British Pound | Sell | 3/15/23 | 4,396,970 | 4,438,585 | 41,615 | |
| Canadian Dollar | Sell | 1/18/23 | 5,669,023 | 5,621,983 | (47,040) | |
| Euro | Sell | 3/15/23 | 2,593,340 | 2,549,545 | (43,795) | |
| Swiss Franc | Buy | 3/15/23 | 11,930,183 | 11,681,265 | 248,918 | |
| WestPac Banking Corp. | ||||||
| Australian Dollar | Buy | 1/18/23 | 10,812,702 | 10,286,693 | 526,009 | |
| British Pound | Sell | 3/15/23 | 9,484,118 | 9,579,270 | 95,152 | |
| Canadian Dollar | Sell | 1/18/23 | 3,139,297 | 3,113,985 | (25,312) | |
| Euro | Sell | 3/15/23 | 4,998,022 | 4,929,322 | (68,700) | |
| Japanese Yen | Sell | 2/15/23 | 1,642,104 | 1,417,991 | (224,113) | |
| Swiss Franc | Sell | 3/15/23 | 5,886,629 | 5,831,018 | (55,611) | |
| Unrealized appreciation | 4,278,160 | |||||
| Unrealized (depreciation) | (3,677,434) | |||||
| Total | $600,726 | |||||
| * The exchange currency for all contracts listed is the United States Dollar. | ||||||
International Equity Fund 19 | |
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.
| Valuation inputs | |||
| Investments in securities: | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 |
| Common stocks: | |||
| Australia | $14,954,286 | $— | $— |
| Canada | 24,106,320 | — | — |
| France | 104,220,386 | — | — |
| Germany | 42,290,833 | — | — |
| Hong Kong | 14,240,258 | — | — |
| Ireland | 44,026,588 | — | — |
| Japan | 140,796,360 | — | — |
| Netherlands | 28,096,599 | — | — |
| Norway | 9,363,424 | — | — |
| Portugal | 7,393,042 | — | — |
| Singapore | 16,215,452 | — | — |
| South Korea | 11,307,942 | — | — |
| Spain | 16,811,748 | — | — |
| Switzerland | 36,505,795 | — | — |
| United Arab Emirates | 6,689,112 | — | — |
| United Kingdom | 130,335,261 | — | — |
| United States | 17,011,336 | — | — |
| Total common stocks | 664,364,742 | — | — |
| U.S. treasury obligations | — | 1,482,936 | — |
| Short-term investments | 250,000 | 10,910,109 | — |
| Totals by level | $664,614,742 | $12,393,045 | $— |
| Valuation inputs | |||
| Other financial instruments: | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 |
| Forward currency contracts | $— | $600,726 | $— |
| Totals by level | $— | $600,726 | $— |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
20 International Equity Fund | |
Statement of assets and liabilities 12/31/22 (Unaudited)
| ASSETS | |
| Investment in securities, at value, including $6,798,750 of securities on loan (Note 1): | |
| Unaffiliated issuers (identified cost $631,588,814) | $668,206,497 |
| Affiliated issuers (identified cost $8,801,290) (Notes 1 and 5) | 8,801,290 |
| Foreign currency (cost $457,202) (Note 1) | 429,750 |
| Dividends, interest and other receivables | 1,101,750 |
| Foreign tax reclaim | 1,671,847 |
| Receivable for shares of the fund sold | 126,421 |
| Receivable for investments sold | 659,918 |
| Unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts (Note 1) | 4,278,160 |
| Prepaid assets | 55,484 |
| Total assets | 685,331,117 |
| LIABILITIES | |
| Payable for investments purchased | 683,161 |
| Payable for shares of the fund repurchased | 1,250,071 |
| Payable for compensation of Manager (Note 2) | 401,876 |
| Payable for custodian fees (Note 2) | 29,648 |
| Payable for investor servicing fees (Note 2) | 249,117 |
| Payable for Trustee compensation and expenses (Note 2) | 596,522 |
| Payable for administrative services (Note 2) | 8,193 |
| Payable for distribution fees (Note 2) | 330,620 |
| Unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts (Note 1) | 3,677,434 |
| Collateral on securities loaned, at value (Note 1) | 7,085,750 |
| Collateral on certain derivative contracts, at value (Notes 1 and 8) | 1,732,936 |
| Other accrued expenses | 121,429 |
| Total liabilities | 16,166,757 |
| Net assets | $669,164,360 |
| REPRESENTED BY | |
| Paid-in capital (Unlimited shares authorized) (Notes 1 and 4) | $690,698,296 |
| Total distributable earnings (Note 1) | (21,533,936) |
| Total — Representing net assets applicable to capital shares outstanding | $669,164,360 |
(Continued on next page)
| International Equity Fund 21 |
Statement of assets and liabilities cont.
| COMPUTATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND OFFERING PRICE | |
| Net asset value and redemption price per class A share | |
| ($532,457,377 divided by 24,688,927 shares) | $21.57 |
| Offering price per class A share (100/94.25 of $21.57)* | $22.89 |
| Net asset value and offering price per class B share ($1,589,378 divided by 78,575 shares)** | $20.23 |
| Net asset value and offering price per class C share ($6,832,672 divided by 329,103 shares)** | $20.76 |
| Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per class R share | |
| ($902,063 divided by 42,599 shares) | $21.18 |
| Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per class R5 share | |
| ($10,145 divided by 454 shares) | $22.35 |
| Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per class R6 share | |
| ($27,733,282 divided by 1,257,581 shares) | $22.05 |
| Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per class Y share | |
| ($99,639,443 divided by 4,545,469 shares) | $21.92 |
*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.
| 22 International Equity Fund |
Statement of operations Six months ended 12/31/22 (Unaudited)
| INVESTMENT INCOME | |
| Dividends (net of foreign tax of $453,258) | $6,395,215 |
| Interest (including interest income of $149,010 from investments in affiliated issuers) (Note 5) | 204,607 |
| Securities lending (net of expenses) (Notes 1 and 5) | 6,496 |
| Total investment income | 6,606,318 |
| EXPENSES | |
| Compensation of Manager (Note 2) | 2,307,117 |
| Investor servicing fees (Note 2) | 751,740 |
| Custodian fees (Note 2) | 45,342 |
| Trustee compensation and expenses (Note 2) | 13,353 |
| Distribution fees (Note 2) | 699,693 |
| Administrative services (Note 2) | 14,420 |
| Other | 224,951 |
| Total expenses | 4,056,616 |
| Expense reduction (Note 2) | (4,060) |
| Net expenses | 4,052,556 |
| Net investment income | 2,553,762 |
| REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) | |
| Net realized gain (loss) on: | |
| Securities from unaffiliated issuers (Notes 1 and 3) | (34,564,637) |
| Foreign currency transactions (Note 1) | 74,179 |
| Forward currency contracts (Note 1) | (5,055,259) |
| Total net realized loss | (39,545,717) |
| Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: | |
| Securities from unaffiliated issuers | 81,147,263 |
| Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | 96,648 |
| Forward currency contracts | 3,913,800 |
| Total change in net unrealized appreciation | 85,157,711 |
| Net gain on investments | 45,611,994 |
| Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | $48,165,756 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
| International Equity Fund 23 |
Statement of changes in net assets
| INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS | Six months ended 12/31/22* | Year ended 6/30/22 |
| Operations | ||
| Net investment income | $2,553,762 | $15,740,729 |
| Net realized loss on investments | ||
| and foreign currency transactions | (39,545,717) | (873,458) |
| Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | ||
| of investments and assets and liabilities | ||
| in foreign currencies | 85,157,711 | (192,468,005) |
| Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting | ||
| from operations | 48,165,756 | (177,600,734) |
| Distributions to shareholders (Note 1): | ||
| From ordinary income | ||
| Net investment income | ||
| Class A | — | (9,877,499) |
| Class B | — | (20,335) |
| Class C | — | (63,054) |
| Class R | — | (16,682) |
| Class R5 | — | (505) |
| Class R6 | — | (542,380) |
| Class Y | — | (2,168,575) |
| Net realized short-term gain on investments | ||
| Class A | — | (38,227,563) |
| Class B | — | (204,123) |
| Class C | — | (694,384) |
| Class R | — | (79,245) |
| Class R5 | — | (1,607) |
| Class R6 | — | (1,623,951) |
| Class Y | — | (7,051,679) |
| From return of capital | ||
| Class A | — | (810,967) |
| Class B | — | (4,330) |
| Class C | — | (14,731) |
| Class R | — | (1,681) |
| Class R5 | — | (34) |
| Class R6 | — | (34,451) |
| Class Y | — | (149,596) |
| From net realized long-term gain on investments | ||
| Class A | — | (37,545,385) |
| Class B | — | (200,481) |
| Class C | — | (681,993) |
| Class R | — | (77,830) |
| Class R5 | — | (1,578) |
| Class R6 | — | (1,594,971) |
| Class Y | — | (6,925,841) |
| Increase (decrease) from capital share transactions (Note 4) | (39,512,349) | 52,207,542 |
| Total increase (decrease) in net assets | 8,653,407 | (234,008,643) |
| NET ASSETS | ||
| Beginning of period | 660,510,953 | 894,519,596 |
| End of period | $669,164,360 | $660,510,953 |
*Unaudited.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
| 24 International Equity Fund |
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| International Equity Fund 25 |
Financial highlights
(For a common share outstanding throughout the period)
| INVESTMENT OPERATIONS | LESS DISTRIBUTIONS | RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA | |||||||||||||
| Ratio of net | |||||||||||||||
| Net asset | Net | Net realized | From | Ratio of | investment | ||||||||||
| value, | investment | and unrealized | Total from | From | net realized | Non-recurring | Net asset | Total return | Net assets, | expenses | income (loss) | ||||
| beginning | income | gain (loss) on | investment | net investment | gain on | From | Total | reimburse- | value, end | at net asset | end of period | to average | to average | Portfolio | |
| Period ended | of period | (loss)a | investments | operations | income | investments | return of capital | distributions | ments | of period | value (%)b | (in thousands) | net assets (%)c | net assets (%) | turnover (%) |
| Class A | |||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022** | $20.01 | .08 | 1.48 | 1.56 | — | — | — | — | — | $21.57 | 7.80* | $532,457 | .65* | .37* | 30 * |
| June 30, 2022 | 28.93 | .48d | (5.81) | (5.33) | (.41) | (3.15) | (.03) | (3.59) | — | 20.01 | (20.88) | 526,727 | 1.26e | 1.87d | 89 |
| June 30, 2021 | 22.21 | .19 | 7.21 | 7.40 | (.30) | (.38) | — | (.68) | — | 28.93 | 33.64 | 716,014 | 1.23 | .72 | 91 |
| June 30, 2020 | 23.07 | .22 | (.69) | (.47) | (.34) | — | (.05) | (.39) | — | 22.21 | (2.20) | 591,165 | 1.20 | .97 | 84 |
| June 30, 2019 | 25.36 | .35 | (1.36) | (1.01) | (.44) | (.80) | (.04) | (1.28) | —f | 23.07 | (3.04) | 673,425 | 1.21g | 1.55 | 77 |
| June 30, 2018 | 23.80 | .30 | 1.35 | 1.65 | (.09) | — | — | (.09) | — | 25.36 | 6.90 | 663,773 | 1.22 | 1.15 | 61 |
| Class B | |||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022** | $18.84 | —i | 1.39 | 1.39 | — | — | — | — | — | $20.23 | 7.38* | $1,589 | 1.02* | (.01)* | 30 * |
| June 30, 2022 | 27.38 | .25d | (5.45) | (5.20) | (.16) | (3.15) | (.03) | (3.34) | — | 18.84 | (21.45) | 2,119 | 2.01e | 1.02d | 89 |
| June 30, 2021 | 21.03 | (.02) | 6.84 | 6.82 | (.09) | (.38) | — | (.47) | — | 27.38 | 32.62 | 4,127 | 1.98 | (.07) | 91 |
| June 30, 2020 | 21.89 | .05 | (.67) | (.62) | (.21) | — | (.03) | (.24) | — | 21.03 | (2.94) | 4,752 | 1.95 | .22 | 84 |
| June 30, 2019 | 24.05 | .16 | (1.27) | (1.11) | (.21) | (.80) | (.04) | (1.05) | —f | 21.89 | (3.79) | 7,041 | 1.96g | .73 | 77 |
| June 30, 2018 | 22.66 | .08 | 1.31 | 1.39 | — | — | — | — | — | 24.05 | 6.13 | 6,606 | 1.97 | .33 | 61 |
| Class C | |||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022** | $19.34 | —i | 1.42 | 1.42 | — | — | — | — | — | $20.76 | 7.34* | $6,833 | 1.02* | (.01)* | 30 * |
| June 30, 2022 | 28.00 | .26d | (5.60) | (5.34) | (.14) | (3.15) | (.03) | (3.32) | — | 19.34 | (21.44) | 7,679 | 2.01e | 1.03d | 89 |
| June 30, 2021 | 21.51 | (.02) | 6.99 | 6.97 | (.10) | (.38) | — | (.48) | — | 28.00 | 32.63 | 14,722 | 1.98 | (.07) | 91 |
| June 30, 2020 | 22.40 | .05 | (.68) | (.63) | (.23) | — | (.03) | (.26) | — | 21.51 | (2.94) | 15,288 | 1.95 | .23 | 84 |
| June 30, 2019 | 24.35 | .16 | (1.24) | (1.08) | (.03) | (.80) | (.04) | (.87) | —f | 22.40 | (3.78) | 20,888 | 1.96g | .72 | 77 |
| June 30, 2018 | 22.94 | .03h | 1.38 | 1.41 | — | — | — | — | — | 24.35 | 6.15 | 15,737 | 1.97 | .12h | 61 |
| Class R | |||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022** | $19.67 | .05 | 1.46 | 1.51 | — | — | — | — | — | $21.18 | 7.68* | $902 | .77* | .24* | 30 * |
| June 30, 2022 | 28.49 | .40d | (5.71) | (5.31) | (.33) | (3.15) | (.03) | (3.51) | — | 19.67 | (21.08) | 789 | 1.51e | 1.54d | 89 |
| June 30, 2021 | 21.83 | .11 | 7.10 | 7.21 | (.17) | (.38) | — | (.55) | — | 28.49 | 33.26 | 1,553 | 1.48 | .43 | 91 |
| June 30, 2020 | 22.66 | .16 | (.68) | (.52) | (.27) | — | (.04) | (.31) | — | 21.83 | (2.44) | 1,688 | 1.45 | .71 | 84 |
| June 30, 2019 | 24.88 | .28 | (1.32) | (1.04) | (.34) | (.80) | (.04) | (1.18) | —f | 22.66 | (3.26) | 2,796 | 1.46g | 1.25 | 77 |
| June 30, 2018 | 23.37 | .22 | 1.34 | 1.56 | (.05) | — | — | (.05) | — | 24.88 | 6.66 | 3,446 | 1.47 | .87 | 61 |
| Class R5 | |||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022** | $20.70 | .11 | 1.54 | 1.65 | — | — | — | — | — | $22.35 | 7.97* | $10 | .48* | .54* | 30 * |
| June 30, 2022 | 29.80 | .58d | (6.00) | (5.42) | (.50) | (3.15) | (.03) | (3.68) | — | 20.70 | (20.62) | 23 | .95e | 2.21d | 89 |
| June 30, 2021 | 22.65 | .22 | 7.45 | 7.67 | (.14) | (.38) | — | (.52) | — | 29.80 | 34.07 | 30 | .90 | .86 | 91 |
| June 30, 2020 | 23.48 | .33 | (.75) | (.42) | (.36) | — | (.05) | (.41) | — | 22.65 | (1.93) | 370 | .86 | 1.41 | 84 |
| June 30, 2019 | 25.81 | .45 | (1.42) | (.97) | (.52) | (.80) | (.04) | (1.36) | —f | 23.48 | (2.73) | 1,641 | .87g | 1.93 | 77 |
| June 30, 2018 | 24.15 | .41 | 1.36 | 1.77 | (.11) | — | — | (.11) | — | 25.81 | 7.30 | 1,946 | .89 | 1.57 | 61 |
See notes to financial highlights at the end of this section.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
| 26 International Equity Fund | International Equity Fund 27 |
Financial highlights cont.
| INVESTMENT OPERATIONS | LESS DISTRIBUTIONS | RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA | |||||||||||||
| Ratio of net | |||||||||||||||
| Net asset | Net | Net realized | From | Ratio of | investment | ||||||||||
| value, | investment | and unrealized | Total from | From | net realized | Non-recurring | Net asset | Total return | Net assets, | expenses | income (loss) | ||||
| beginning | income | gain (loss) on | investment | net investment | gain on | From | Total | reimburse- | value, end | at net asset | end of period | to average | to average | Portfolio | |
| Period ended | of period | (loss)a | investments | operations | income | investments | return of capital | distributions | ments | of period | value (%)b | (in thousands) | net assets (%)c | net assets (%) | turnover (%) |
| Class R6 | |||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022** | $20.42 | .12 | 1.51 | 1.63 | — | — | — | — | — | $22.05 | 7.98* | $27,733 | .43* | .59* | 30 * |
| June 30, 2022 | 29.45 | .60d | (5.92) | (5.32) | (.53) | (3.15) | (.03) | (3.71) | — | 20.42 | (20.53) | 23,487 | .85e | 2.31d | 89 |
| June 30, 2021 | 22.59 | .30 | 7.35 | 7.65 | (.41) | (.38) | — | (.79) | — | 29.45 | 34.22 | 29,354 | .80 | 1.11 | 91 |
| June 30, 2020 | 23.45 | .33 | (.72) | (.39) | (.42) | — | (.05) | (.47) | — | 22.59 | (1.83) | 27,486 | .76 | 1.42 | 84 |
| June 30, 2019 | 25.78 | .47 | (1.41) | (.94) | (.55) | (.80) | (.04) | (1.39) | —f | 23.45 | (2.60) | 96,661 | .77g | 2.01 | 77 |
| June 30, 2018 | 24.19 | .43 | 1.36 | 1.79 | (.20) | — | — | (.20) | — | 25.78 | 7.36 | 107,395 | .79 | 1.64 | 61 |
| Class Y | |||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022** | $20.31 | .10 | 1.51 | 1.61 | — | — | — | — | — | $21.92 | 7.93* | $99,639 | .52* | .50* | 30 * |
| June 30, 2022 | 29.32 | .56d | (5.90) | (5.34) | (.49) | (3.15) | (.03) | (3.67) | — | 20.31 | (20.68) | 99,686 | 1.01e | 2.14d | 89 |
| June 30, 2021 | 22.50 | .26 | 7.30 | 7.56 | (.36) | (.38) | — | (.74) | — | 29.32 | 33.95 | 128,719 | .98 | .99 | 91 |
| June 30, 2020 | 23.35 | .28 | (.70) | (.42) | (.38) | — | (.05) | (.43) | — | 22.50 | (1.96) | 90,755 | .95 | 1.23 | 84 |
| June 30, 2019 | 25.67 | .39 | (1.37) | (.98) | (.50) | (.80) | (.04) | (1.34) | —f | 23.35 | (2.81) | 121,179 | .96g | 1.66 | 77 |
| June 30, 2018 | 24.09 | .40 | 1.34 | 1.74 | (.16) | — | — | (.16) | — | 25.67 | 7.19 | 180,977 | .97 | 1.53 | 61 |
* Not annualized.
** Unaudited.
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 Includes amounts paid through expense offset and brokerage/service arrangements, if any (Note 2). Also excludes acquired fund fees and expenses, if any.
d 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 | $0.22 | 0.87% | ||
| Class B | 0.22 | 0.90 | ||
| Class C | 0.22 | 0.89 | ||
| Class R | 0.24 | 0.95 | ||
| Class R5 | 0.23 | 0.89 | ||
| Class R6 | 0.23 | 0.87 | ||
| Class Y | 0.23 | 0.87 |
e Includes one-time proxy cost of 0.01%.
f Reflects a non-recurring reimbursement pursuant to a settlement between the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and Canadian Imperial Holdings, Inc. and CIBC World Markets Corp., which amounted to less than $0.01 per share outstanding on March 6, 2019.
g Includes one time merger costs of 0.03%.
h The net investment income ratio and per share amount shown for the period ended June 30, 2018 may not correspond with the expected class specific differences for the period due to the timing of redemptions out of the class.
i Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
| 28 International Equity Fund | International Equity Fund 29 |
Notes to financial statements 12/31/22 (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 July 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022.
Putnam International Equity Fund (the fund) is a Massachusetts business trust, which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a diversified open-end management investment company. The goal of the fund is to seek capital appreciation. The fund invests mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies outside the United States 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. Under normal circumstances, Putnam Management invests at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in equity investments. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. The fund invests mainly in developed countries but may invest in emerging markets. Putnam Management may 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. Putnam Management may also consider other factors that it believes will cause the stock price to rise. At times Putnam Management also uses derivatives, which are expected to include certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes. For example, we typically use foreign currency forward contracts in connection with the fund’s investments in foreign securities in order to hedge the fund’s currency exposure relative to the fund’s benchmark index.
The fund offers the following share classes. The expenses for each class of shares may differ based on the distribution and investor servicing fees of each class, which are identified in Note 2.
| Share class | Sales charge | Contingent deferred sales charge | Conversion feature |
| 1.00% on certain redemptions of shares | |||
| Class A | Up to 5.75% | bought with no initial sales charge | None |
| Converts to class A shares | |||
| Class B* | None | 5.00% phased out over six years | after 8 years |
| Converts to class A shares | |||
| Class C | None | 1.00% eliminated after one year | after 8 years |
| Class R† | None | None | None |
| Class R5† | None | None | None |
| Class R6† | None | None | None |
| Class Y† | None | None | None |
* 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.
† 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.
| 30 International Equity Fund |
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 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.
Market quotations are not considered to be readily available for certain debt obligations (including short-term investments with remaining maturities of 60 days or less) and other investments; such investments are valued on the basis of valuations furnished by an independent pricing service approved by the Trustees or dealers selected by Putnam Management. Such services or dealers determine valuations for normal institutional-size trading units of such securities using methods based on market transactions for comparable securities and various relationships, generally recognized by institutional traders, between securities (which consider such factors as security prices, yields, maturities and ratings). These securities will generally be categorized as Level 2.
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. Securities quoted in foreign currencies, if any, are translated into U.S. dollars at the current exchange rate.
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.
| International Equity Fund 31 |
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.
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. Amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on debt securities, 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.
Forward currency contracts The fund buys and sells forward currency contracts, which are agreements between two parties to buy and sell currencies at a set price on a future date. These contracts are used to hedge foreign exchange risk.
The U.S. dollar value of forward currency contracts is determined using current forward currency exchange rates supplied by a quotation service. The fair value of the contract will fluctuate with changes in currency exchange rates. The contract is marked to market daily and the change in fair value is recorded as an unrealized gain or loss. The fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed when the contract matures or by delivery of the currency. The fund could be exposed to risk if the value of the currency changes unfavorably, if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts or if the fund is unable to enter into a closing position. Risks may exceed amounts recognized on the Statement of assets and liabilities.
Forward currency contracts outstanding at period end, if any, are listed after the fund’s portfolio.
Master agreements The fund is a party to ISDA (International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc.) Master Agreements (Master Agreements) with certain counterparties that govern OTC derivative and foreign exchange contracts entered into from time to time. The Master Agreements may contain provisions regarding, among other things, the parties’ general obligations, representations, agreements, collateral requirements, events of default and early termination. With respect to certain counterparties, in accordance with the terms of the Master Agreements, collateral pledged to the fund is held in a segregated account by the fund’s custodian and, with respect to those amounts which can be sold or repledged, is presented in the fund’s portfolio. Collateral pledged to the fund which cannot be sold or repledged totaled $133,744 at the close of the reporting period.
Collateral pledged by the fund is segregated by the fund’s custodian and identified in the fund’s portfolio. Collateral can be in the form of cash or debt securities issued by the U.S. Government or related agencies or other securities as agreed to by the fund and the applicable counterparty. Collateral requirements are determined based on the fund’s net position with each counterparty.
| 32 International Equity Fund |
Termination events applicable to the fund may occur upon a decline in the fund’s net assets below a specified threshold over a certain period of time. Termination events applicable to counterparties may occur upon a decline in the counterparty’s long-term and short-term credit ratings below a specified level. In each case, upon occurrence, the other party may elect to terminate early and cause settlement of all derivative and foreign exchange contracts outstanding, including the payment of any losses and costs resulting from such early termination, as reasonably determined by the terminating party. Any decision by one or more of the fund’s counterparties to elect early termination could impact the fund’s future derivative activity.
At the close of the reporting period, the fund had a net liability position of $1,684,885 on open derivative contracts subject to the Master Agreements. Collateral pledged by the fund at period end for these agreements totaled $1,479,451 and may include amounts related to unsettled agreements.
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 $7,085,750 and the value of securities loaned amounted to $6,798,750.
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 $100 million ($317.5 million prior to October 14, 2022) 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.
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.
| International Equity Fund 33 |
Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, the fund will be permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred for an unlimited period and the carry forwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. At June 30, 2022, the fund had the following capital loss carryovers available, to the extent allowed by the Code, to offset future net capital gain, if any:
| Loss carryover | ||
| Short-term | Long-term | Total |
| $9,324,920 | $— | $9,324,920 |
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 $641,520,630, resulting in gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of $68,389,218 and $32,301,335, respectively, or net unrealized appreciation of $36,087,883.
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.
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:
| 0.850% | of the first $5 billion, | 0.650% | of the next $50 billion, | |
| 0.800% | of the next $5 billion, | 0.630% | of the next $50 billion, | |
| 0.750% | of the next $10 billion, | 0.620% | of the next $100 billion and | |
| 0.700% | of the next $10 billion, | 0.615% | 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 EAFE Index (Net Dividends) measured over the performance period. The maximum annualized performance adjustment rate is +/- 0.15%. 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.
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.
| 34 International Equity Fund |
For the reporting period, the management fee represented an effective rate (excluding the impact of any expense waiver in effect) of 0.355% of the fund’s average net assets, which included an effective base fee of 0.348% and an increase of 0.007% ($45,693) based on performance.
Putnam Management has contractually agreed, through October 30, 2023, 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 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. Putnam Management pays a quarterly sub-management fee to PIL for its services at an annual rate of 0.25% 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 0.25% 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 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 R5 shares paid a monthly fee based on the average net assets of class R5 shares at an annual rate of 0.15%.
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 | $618,576 | Class R5 | 21 | |
| Class B | 2,213 | Class R6 | 6,229 | |
| Class C | 8,338 | Class Y | 115,373 | |
| Class R | 990 | Total | $751,740 |
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 $4,060 under the expense offset arrangements.
Each Independent Trustee of the fund receives an annual Trustee fee, of which $530, 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.
| International Equity Fund 35 |
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% | $653,066 |
| Class B | 1.00% | 1.00% | 9,334 |
| Class C | 1.00% | 1.00% | 35,201 |
| Class R | 1.00% | 0.50% | 2,092 |
| Total | $699,693 |
For the reporting period, Putnam Retail Management Limited Partnership, acting as underwriter, received net commissions of $8,823 from the sale of class A shares and received $27 and $27 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 $122 on class A redemptions.
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) | $192,007,880 | $200,241,007 |
| U.S. government securities (Long-term) | — | — |
| Total | $192,007,880 | $200,241,007 |
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.
| 36 International Equity Fund |
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 12/31/22 | YEAR ENDED 6/30/22 | |||
| Class A | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount |
| Shares sold | 348,590 | $6,974,244 | 1,049,024 | $26,723,519 |
| Shares issued in connection with | ||||
| reinvestment of distributions | — | — | 3,279,790 | 81,830,774 |
| 348,590 | 6,974,244 | 4,328,814 | 108,554,293 | |
| Shares repurchased | (1,983,037) | (39,470,176) | (2,758,908) | (69,621,838) |
| Net increase (decrease) | (1,634,447) | $(32,495,932) | 1,569,906 | $38,932,455 |
| SIX MONTHS ENDED 12/31/22 | YEAR ENDED 6/30/22 | |||
| Class B | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount |
| Shares sold | — | $— | 490 | $11,127 |
| Shares issued in connection with | ||||
| reinvestment of distributions | — | — | 16,717 | 394,178 |
| — | — | 17,207 | 405,305 | |
| Shares repurchased | (33,916) | (644,254) | (55,448) | (1,332,492) |
| Net decrease | (33,916) | $(644,254) | (38,241) | $(927,187) |
| SIX MONTHS ENDED 12/31/22 | YEAR ENDED 6/30/22 | |||
| Class C | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount |
| Shares sold | 17,328 | $347,870 | 31,447 | $780,069 |
| Shares issued in connection with | ||||
| reinvestment of distributions | — | — | 58,422 | 1,413,817 |
| 17,328 | 347,870 | 89,869 | 2,193,886 | |
| Shares repurchased | (85,382) | (1,651,163) | (218,492) | (5,425,121) |
| Net decrease | (68,054) | $(1,303,293) | (128,623) | $(3,231,235) |
| SIX MONTHS ENDED 12/31/22 | YEAR ENDED 6/30/22 | |||
| Class R | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount |
| Shares sold | 3,416 | $66,407 | 12,880 | $355,705 |
| Shares issued in connection with | ||||
| reinvestment of distributions | — | — | 6,874 | 168,836 |
| 3,416 | 66,407 | 19,754 | 524,541 | |
| Shares repurchased | (947) | (19,290) | (34,150) | (883,503) |
| Net increase (decrease) | 2,469 | $47,117 | (14,396) | $(358,962) |
| SIX MONTHS ENDED 12/31/22 | YEAR ENDED 6/30/22 | |||
| Class R5 | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount |
| Shares sold | 611 | $13,462 | 85 | $2,445 |
| Shares issued in connection with | ||||
| reinvestment of distributions | — | — | 145 | 3,724 |
| 611 | 13,462 | 230 | 6,169 | |
| Shares repurchased | (1,286) | (29,051) | (93) | (2,514) |
| Net increase (decrease) | (675) | $(15,589) | 137 | $3,655 |
| International Equity Fund 37 |
| SIX MONTHS ENDED 12/31/22 | YEAR ENDED 6/30/22 | |||
| Class R6 | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount |
| Shares sold | 214,159 | $4,477,955 | 160,308 | $4,273,758 |
| Shares issued in connection with | ||||
| reinvestment of distributions | — | — | 143,350 | 3,641,090 |
| 214,159 | 4,477,955 | 303,658 | 7,914,848 | |
| Shares repurchased | (107,002) | (2,268,386) | (150,075) | (3,834,572) |
| Net increase | 107,157 | $2,209,569 | 153,583 | $4,080,276 |
| SIX MONTHS ENDED 12/31/22 | YEAR ENDED 6/30/22 | |||
| Class Y | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount |
| Shares sold | 381,958 | $7,893,245 | 873,230 | $22,599,437 |
| Shares issued in connection with | ||||
| reinvestment of distributions | — | — | 594,109 | 15,025,018 |
| 381,958 | 7,893,245 | 1,467,339 | 37,624,455 | |
| Shares repurchased | (744,059) | (15,203,212) | (949,971) | (23,915,915) |
| Net increase (decrease) | (362,101) | $(7,309,967) | 517,368 | $13,708,540 |
At the close of the reporting period, Putnam Investments, LLC owned 454 class R5 shares of the fund (100% of class R5 shares outstanding), valued at $10,145.
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 6/30/22 | cost | proceeds | income | of 12/31/22 |
| Short-term investments | |||||
| Putnam Cash Collateral | |||||
| Pool, LLC* | $— | $24,298,290 | $17,212,540 | $48,158 | $7,085,750 |
| Putnam Short Term | |||||
| Investment Fund** | 24,253,996 | 104,551,111 | 127,089,567 | 149,010 | 1,715,540 |
| Total Short-term | |||||
| investments | $24,253,996 | $128,849,401 | $144,302,107 | $197,168 | $8,801,290 |
* 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.
| 38 International Equity Fund |
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.
The Covid-19 pandemic and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in, among other effects, significant market volatility, exchange trading suspensions and closures, declines in global financial markets, higher default rates, significant changes in fiscal and monetary policies, and economic downturns and recessions. The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have negatively affected, and may continue to negatively affect, the global economy, the economies of the United States and other individual countries, the financial performance of individual issuers, sectors, industries, asset classes, and markets, and the value, volatility, and liquidity of particular securities and other assets. The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic also are likely to exacerbate other risks that apply to the fund, which could negatively impact the fund’s performance and lead to losses on your investment in the fund. The duration of the Covid-19 pandemic and its effects cannot be determined with certainty.
Note 7: Summary of derivative activity
The volume of activity for the reporting period for any derivative type that was held during the period is listed below and was based on an average of the holdings at the end of each fiscal quarter:
| Forward currency contracts (contract amount) | $315,800,000 |
The following is a summary of the fair value of derivative instruments as of the close of the reporting period:
| Fair value of derivative instruments as of the close of the reporting period | ||||
| ASSET DERIVATIVES | LIABILITY DERIVATIVES | |||
| Derivatives not | ||||
| accounted for as | Statement of | Statement of | ||
| hedging instruments | assets and | assets and | ||
| under ASC 815 | liabilities location | Fair value | liabilities location | Fair value |
| Foreign exchange | ||||
| contracts | Receivables | $4,278,160 | Payables | $3,677,434 |
| Total | $4,278,160 | $3,677,434 | ||
The following is a summary of realized and change in unrealized gains or losses of derivative instruments in the Statement of operations for the reporting period (Note 1):
| Amount of realized gain or (loss) on derivatives recognized in net gain or (loss) on investments | ||
| Derivatives not accounted for as | Forward currency | |
| hedging instruments under ASC 815 | contracts | Total |
| Foreign exchange contracts | $(5,055,259) | $(5,055,259) |
| Total | $(5,055,259) | $(5,055,259) |
| Change in unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) on derivatives recognized in net gain or (loss) | ||
| on investments | ||
| Derivatives not accounted for as | Forward currency | |
| hedging instruments under ASC 815 | contracts | Total |
| Foreign exchange contracts | $3,913,800 | $3,913,800 |
| Total | $3,913,800 | $3,913,800 |
| International Equity Fund 39 |
Note 8: Offsetting of financial and derivative assets and liabilities
The following table summarizes any derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, at the end of the reporting period, that are subject to an enforceable master netting agreement or similar agreement. For securities lending transactions or borrowing transactions associated with securities sold short, if any, see Note 1. For financial reporting purposes, the fund does not offset financial assets and financial liabilities that are subject to the master netting agreements in the Statement of assets and liabilities.
| Bank of America N.A. | Barclays Bank PLC | Citibank, N.A. | Goldman Sachs International | HSBC Bank USA, National Association | JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. | Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC | NatWest Markets PLC | State Street Bank and Trust Co. | Toronto- Dominion Bank | UBS AG | WestPac Banking Corp. | Total | |
| Assets: | |||||||||||||
| Forward currency contracts# | $621,778 | $160,868 | $536,666 | $657,127 | $425,185 | $171,920 | $138,017 | $148,612 | $415,586 | $90,707 | $290,533 | $621,161 | $4,278,160 |
| Total Assets | $621,778 | $160,868 | $536,666 | $657,127 | $425,185 | $171,920 | $138,017 | $148,612 | $415,586 | $90,707 | $290,533 | $621,161 | $4,278,160 |
| Liabilities: | |||||||||||||
| Forward currency contracts# | 62,069 | 42,161 | — | 563,053 | 715 | 1,305,830 | 393,414 | 172,921 | 310,724 | 361,976 | 90,835 | 373,736 | 3,677,434 |
| Total Liabilities | $62,069 | $42,161 | $— | $563,053 | $715 | $1,305,830 | $393,414 | $172,921 | $310,724 | $361,976 | $90,835 | $373,736 | $3,677,434 |
| Total Financial and Derivative Net Assets | $559,709 | $118,707 | $536,666 | $94,074 | $424,470 | $(1,133,910) | $(255,397) | $(24,309) | $104,862 | $(271,269) | $199,698 | $247,425 | $600,726 |
| Total collateral received (pledged)†## | $559,709 | $118,707 | $410,706 | $10,000 | $338,929 | $(1,113,977) | $(192,699) | $— | $104,862 | $(172,775) | $199,698 | $— | |
| Net amount | $— | $— | $125,960 | $84,074 | $85,541 | $(19,933) | $(62,698) | $(24,309) | $— | $(98,494) | $— | $247,425 | |
| Controlled collateral received (including | |||||||||||||
| TBA commitments)** | $605,344 | $130,000 | $410,706 | $10,000 | $338,929 | $— | $— | $— | $127,957 | $— | $110,000 | $— | $1,732,936 |
| Uncontrolled collateral received | $— | $— | $— | $— | $— | $— | $— | $— | $— | $— | $133,744 | $— | $133,744 |
| Collateral (pledged) (including TBA | |||||||||||||
| commitments)** | $— | $— | $— | $— | $— | $(1,113,977) | $(192,699) | $— | $— | $(172,775) | $— | $— | $(1,479,451) |
** Included with Investments in securities on the Statement of assets and liabilities.
† Additional collateral may be required from certain brokers based on individual agreements.
# Covered by master netting agreement (Note 1).
##Any over-collateralization of total financial and derivative net assets is not shown. Collateral may include amounts related to unsettled agreements.
| 40 International Equity Fund | International Equity Fund 41 |
Putnam family of funds
The following is a list of Putnam’s open-end mutual funds offered to the public. Investors should carefully consider the investment objective, risks, charges, and expenses of a fund before investing. For a prospectus, or a summary prospectus if available, containing this and other information for any Putnam fund or product, contact your financial advisor or call Putnam Investor Services at 1-800-225-1581. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.
| Blend | Income |
| Core Equity Fund | Convertible Securities Fund |
| Emerging Markets Equity Fund | Core Bond Fund |
| Focused Equity Fund | Diversified Income Trust |
| Focused International Equity Fund | Floating Rate Income Fund |
| International Capital Opportunities Fund | Global Income Trust |
| International Equity Fund | Government Money Market Fund* |
| Research Fund | High Yield Fund |
| Income Fund | |
| Global Sector | Money Market Fund† |
| Global Health Care Fund | Mortgage Opportunities Fund |
| Global Technology Fund | Mortgage Securities Fund |
| Short Duration Bond Fund | |
| Growth | Ultra Short Duration Income Fund |
| Growth Opportunities Fund | |
| Small Cap Growth Fund | Tax-free Income |
| Sustainable Future Fund | Intermediate-Term Municipal Income Fund |
| Sustainable Leaders Fund | Short-Term Municipal Income Fund |
| Strategic Intermediate Municipal Fund | |
| Value | Tax Exempt Income Fund |
| International Value Fund | Tax-Free High Yield Fund |
| Large Cap Value Fund | |
| Small Cap Value Fund | State tax-free income funds:‡ |
| California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, | |
| New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania |
| 42 International Equity Fund |
| Asset Allocation | Asset Allocation (cont.) |
| George Putnam Balanced Fund | Retirement Advantage Maturity Fund |
| Retirement Advantage 2065 Fund | |
| Dynamic Asset Allocation Balanced Fund | Retirement Advantage 2060 Fund |
| Dynamic Asset Allocation Conservative Fund | Retirement Advantage 2055 Fund |
| Dynamic Asset Allocation Growth Fund | Retirement Advantage 2050 Fund |
| Retirement Advantage 2045 Fund | |
| Multi-Asset Income Fund | Retirement Advantage 2040 Fund |
| Retirement Advantage 2035 Fund | |
| Retirement Advantage 2030 Fund | |
| Retirement Advantage 2025 Fund | |
| Sustainable Retirement Maturity Fund | |
| Sustainable Retirement 2065 Fund | |
| Sustainable Retirement 2060 Fund | |
| Sustainable Retirement 2055 Fund | |
| Sustainable Retirement 2050 Fund | |
| Sustainable Retirement 2045 Fund | |
| Sustainable Retirement 2040 Fund | |
| Sustainable Retirement 2035 Fund | |
| Sustainable Retirement 2030 Fund | |
| Sustainable Retirement 2025 Fund |
* You could lose money by investing in the fund. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the fund at any time.
† You could lose money by investing in the fund. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. The fund may impose a fee upon sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the fund’s liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the fund at any time.
‡ Not available in all states.
Check your account balances and the most recent month-end performance in the Individual Investors section at putnam.com.
| International Equity Fund 43 |
Services for shareholders
Investor services
Systematic investment plan Tell us how much you wish to invest regularly — weekly, semimonthly, or monthly — and the amount you choose will be transferred automatically from your checking or savings account. There’s no additional fee for this service, and you can suspend it at any time. This plan may be a great way to save for college expenses or to plan for your retirement.
Please note that regular investing does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss in a declining market. Before arranging a systematic investment plan, consider your financial ability to continue making purchases in periods when prices are low.
Systematic exchange You can make regular transfers from one Putnam fund to another Putnam fund. There are no additional fees for this service, and you can cancel or change your options at any time.
Dividends PLUS You can choose to have the dividend distributions from one of your Putnam funds automatically reinvested in another Putnam fund at no additional charge.
Free exchange privilege You can exchange money between Putnam funds free of charge, as long as they are the same class of shares. A signature guarantee is required if you are exchanging more than $500,000. The fund reserves the right to revise or terminate the exchange privilege.
Reinstatement privilege If you’ve sold Putnam shares or received a check for a dividend or capital gain, you may reinvest the proceeds with Putnam within 90 days of the transaction and they will be reinvested at the fund’s current net asset value — with no sales charge. However, reinstatement of class B shares may have special tax consequences. Ask your financial or tax representative for details.
Check-writing service You have ready access to many Putnam accounts. It’s as simple as writing a check, and there are no special fees or service charges. For more information about the check-writing service, call Putnam or visit our website.
Dollar cost averaging When you’re investing for long-term goals, it’s time, not timing, that counts. Investing on a systematic basis is a better strategy than trying to figure out when the markets will go up or down. This means investing the same amount of money regularly over a long period. This method of investing is called dollar cost averaging. When a fund’s share price declines, your investment dollars buy more shares at lower prices. When it increases, they buy fewer shares. Over time, you will pay a lower average price per share.
For more information
Visit the Individual Investors section at putnam.com A secure section of our website contains complete information on your account, including balances and transactions, updated daily. You may also conduct transactions, such as exchanges, additional investments, and address changes. Log on today to get your password.
Call us toll free at 1-800-225-1581 Ask a helpful Putnam representative or your financial advisor for details about any of these or other services, or see your prospectus.
| 44 International Equity Fund |
Fund information
Founded over 85 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, and asset allocation categories.
| Investment Manager | Trustees | Richard T. Kircher |
| Putnam Investment | Kenneth R. Leibler, Chair | Vice President and |
| Management, LLC | Barbara M. Baumann, Vice Chair | BSA Compliance Officer |
| 100 Federal Street | Liaquat Ahamed | |
| Boston, MA 02110 | Katinka Domotorffy | Martin Lemaire |
| Catharine Bond Hill | Vice President and | |
| Investment Sub-Advisors | Jennifer Williams Murphy | Derivatives Risk Manager |
| Putnam Investments Limited | Marie Pillai | |
| 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 International 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.
| Item 2. Code of Ethics: |
| Not applicable |
| Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert: |
| Not applicable |
| Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services: |
| Not applicable |
| Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants |
| Not applicable |
| Item 6. Schedule of Investments: |
| The registrant’s schedule of investments in unaffiliated issuers is included in the report to shareholders in Item 1 above. |
| Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures For Closed-End Management Investment Companies: |
| Not applicable |
| Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Investment Companies |
| Not Applicable |
| Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Companies and Affiliated Purchasers: |
| Not applicable |
| Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders: |
| Not applicable |
| Item 11. Controls and Procedures: |
| (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. |
| (b) Changes in internal control over financial reporting: Not applicable |
| Item 12. Disclosures of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Investment Companies: |
| Not Applicable |
| Item 13. Exhibits: |
| (a)(1) Not applicable |
| (b) The certifications required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, are filed herewith. |
| SIGNATURES |
| 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. |
| Putnam International Equity Fund |
| By (Signature and Title): |
| /s/ Janet C. Smith Janet C. Smith Principal Accounting Officer |
| Date: February 28, 2023 |
| 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. |
| By (Signature and Title): |
| /s/ Jonathan S. Horwitz Jonathan S. Horwitz Principal Executive Officer |
| Date: February 28, 2023 |
| By (Signature and Title): |
| /s/ Janet C. Smith Janet C. Smith Principal Financial Officer |
| Date: February 28, 2023 |