N-CSRS 1 a_convertiblesecurities.htm PUTNAM CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES FUND a_convertiblesecurities.htm


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: (811-02280)
Exact name of registrant as specified in charter: Putnam Convertible Securities Fund
Address of principal executive offices: One Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Name and address of agent for service: Robert T. Burns, Vice President
One Post Office Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
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: October 31, 2017
Date of reporting period: November 1, 2016 — April 30, 2017



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 Convertible Securities Fund

Semiannual report
4 | 30 | 17

 

Consider these risks before investing: Convertible securities prices may fall or fail to rise over time for several reasons, including general financial market conditions, changing market perceptions (including perceptions about the risk of default and expectations about monetary policy or interest rates), changes in government intervention in the financial markets and factors related to a specific issuer or industry. These and other factors may also lead to increased volatility and reduced liquidity in the fund’s portfolio holdings. These risks are generally greater for convertible securities issued by small and/or midsize companies. Convertible securities’ prices may be adversely affected by underlying common stock price changes. While convertible securities tend to provide higher yields than common stocks, the higher yield may not protect against the risk of loss or mitigate any loss associated with a convertible security’s price decline. Convertible securities are subject to credit risk, which is the risk that an issuer of the fund’s investments may default on payment of interest or principal. Credit risk is greater for below-investment-grade convertible securities. Convertible securities may be less sensitive to interest-rate changes than non-convertible bonds because of their structural features (e.g., convertibility, “put” features). Interest-rate risk is generally greater, however, for longer-term bonds and convertible securities whose underlying stock price has fallen significantly below the conversion price. You can lose money by investing in the fund.



Message from the Trustees

June 9, 2017

Dear Fellow Shareholder:

An impressive level of investor optimism has helped to fuel financial markets through most of 2017’s first half. Global stock and bond markets have generally fared well, with many stock market indexes achieving new record highs with relatively low volatility. At the same time, however, investors worldwide are monitoring a number of macroeconomic and political risks that could disrupt the positive momentum.

While calm markets are generally welcome, we believe investors should continue to remember time-tested strategies: maintain a well-diversified portfolio, keep a long-term view, and do not overreact to short-term market fluctuations. We also believe it is a good idea to speak regularly with your financial advisor to help ensure that your portfolio is aligned with your goals. In the following pages, you will find an overview of your fund’s performance for the reporting period as well as an outlook for the coming months.

We would also like to take this opportunity to announce the arrival of Catharine Bond Hill and Manoj P. Singh to your fund’s Board of Trustees. Dr. Hill and Mr. Singh bring extensive professional and directorship experience to their role as Trustees, and we are pleased to welcome them.

Thank you for investing with Putnam.





Two different investment objectives — seeking current income and seeking capital appreciation potential — typically dictate an investor’s preference for bonds or stocks. But with Putnam Convertible Securities Fund, investors can pursue both of these objectives at the same time.

Hybrid securities with the characteristics of stocks and bonds

Typically issued as bonds or preferred stock, convertibles offer investors the ability to “convert” their convertible shares into shares of common stock. This feature allows investors to profit from the potential price appreciation of the convertible issuer’s underlying stock. At the same time, convertibles offer both income potential and downside protection through their fixed-income characteristics.


Source: Putnam, as of 12/31/16. All returns are annualized. Index performance is not indicative of Putnam fund performance or a guarantee of future results. You cannot invest in an index.

2   Convertible Securities Fund 

 




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 9–11 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.

* The fund’s benchmark, the BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. Convertible Index, was introduced on 12/31/87, which post-dates the inception of the fund’s class A shares.

Returns for the six-month period are not annualized, but cumulative.

 


This comparison shows your fund’s performance in the context of broad market indexes for the six months ended 4/30/17. See above and pages 9–11 for additional fund performance information. Index descriptions can be found on page 14.

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Eric N. Harthun, CFA
Portfolio Manager

Eric has an M.B.A. from the Booth School of Business, University of Chicago, and a B.S. from San Diego State University. He joined Putnam in 2000 and has been in the investment industry since 1994.


Robert L. Salvin
Portfolio Manager

Rob has an M.B.A. from the Booth School of Business, University of Chicago, and a B.S. from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He joined Putnam in 2000 and has been in the investment industry since 1986.

How was the market environment for U.S. convertible securities during the six months ended April 30, 2017?

ERIC Convertible securities gained ground during the reporting period — helped in large measure by their underlying equity sensitivity. Despite the uncertainty around the effects of President Trump’s policies on the U.S. economy, speculation that his administration and a Republican-controlled Congress would pursue pro-growth policies helped many stock market indexes achieve all-time highs. In this environment, investors’ appetite for riskier assets generally rose, despite some pauses, as the markets questioned whether geopolitical developments would tarnish an improving global economic outlook.

The fixed-income markets faced headwinds as the improving economic outlook and the inflationary pressure and higher deficits that could result from President Trump’s pro-growth agenda increased expectations for continued tightening by the Federal Reserve. With the unemployment rate below 5% and consumer and business confidence improving, the Fed raised its benchmark interest rate to 0.75% on December 14, 2016, and to 1% on March 15,

4   Convertible Securities Fund 

 




Allocations are shown as a percentage of the fund’s net assets as of 4/30/17. 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 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.


This table shows the fund’s top 10 individual holdings and the percentage of the fund’s net assets that each represented as of 4/30/17. Short-term investments and derivatives, if any, are excluded. Holdings may vary over time.

Convertible Securities Fund   5 

 



2017. While these increases were widely expected, the markets were looking for hints about the future pace of rate increases in 2017. In her March press conference, Fed Chair Janet Yellen stated that the “simple message is that the economy is doing well.” The markets reacted positively, as her comments did not appear to signal a faster pace of rate increases for the balance of the year, suggesting that the Fed hadn’t fallen behind in its effort to contain inflation.

How did the fund perform in this environment?

ROB For the six months ended April 30, 2017, the fund delivered positive performance that outperformed its Lipper peer group average but underperformed its benchmark, the BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. Convertible Index.

Positive security selection within communication services contributed strongly to the fund’s positive performance. Security selection within financials also added to gains.

Security selection within technology was the largest detractor relative to the benchmark, as the sector was one of the best performing within the index for the reporting period. Underweight positioning in more growth-oriented companies such as Advanced Micro Devices and Nvidia detracted on a relative basis. Security selection in health care and consumer staples also negatively affected relative performance.

What holdings helped the fund’s performance relative to the benchmark during the reporting period?

ERIC Within the health-care sector, Ariad Pharmaceuticals, an innovator in targeted oncology therapies, saw a steep rise in its underlying stock due to a $4.6 billion takeover by Takeda Pharmaceutical, a Japanese company. This represented a 75% premium to Ariad’s stock price on the trading day preceding the takeover offer. As a result, the fund’s overweight position in this biotechnology firm contributed to performance.


Our decision to maintain an underweight position in fiber optic cable/communications company Frontier Communications also was beneficial for performance. The company has a large amount of scheduled debt maturities approaching, which led management to announce a reduction in its common stock dividend just after the close of the reporting period. Our position in Frontier Communications was sold in the reporting period.

The fund’s overweight positioning to T-Mobile benefited performance due to strong operating performance and the increased likelihood of a merger with Sprint. In February, Sprint’s parent company, Softbank Group, reported that they would be willing to give up partial control of Sprint, dependent upon the merger.

What holdings detracted most from the fund’s performance relative to the benchmark during the reporting period?

ROB The top detractor for the period was an out-of-benchmark position in Teva Pharmaceuticals. Early in the period, on the heels of a drug pricing probe and the disputed validity of a drug patent, Teva’s profit and revenue expectations declined. As a result, the price of the underlying stock declined, and our position in Teva Pharmaceuticals was sold by period-end.

After a period of strong appreciation, we trimmed the fund’s position in Advanced Micro Devices, a manufacturer of video/graphic microchips. However, the company’s solid fourth-quarter results in 2016 and excitement about expected new product launches led to outperformance of the underlying stock. As such, the fund’s reduced exposure to this holding dampened performance for the period.

6   Convertible Securities Fund 

 



An underweight position in biopharmaceutical company Incyte also held back fund returns. The underlying stock soared on news that Incyte will collaborate with Merck on a clinical development program to test the combination of their two cancer drugs.

What is your outlook, and how does it influence the fund’s positioning going forward?

ERIC Despite the growing uncertainty regarding President Trump’s ability to implement his proposed policies and their effect on the U.S. economy, the convertibles market continued to advance during the period. Although we believe it is unlikely that we will see any economic effects of policy changes in the near term, the economy’s underlying pace of demand should help keep 2017 gross domestic product on pace for approximately 2%, in our opinion. In addition, the first-quarter 2017 earnings season was the strongest since 2011, with year-over-year earnings up 15%. Against this backdrop, we believe that convertibles could benefit from upside stock appreciation but also provide downside protection if volatility rises.

Economic data have strengthened the argument that more Fed interest-rate hikes could be in store in 2017. If interest rates continue to rise, we expect convertible securities’ naturally shorter duration will support the asset class, which has historically performed well in rising-rate environments. Since the Fed’s announcement of an interest-rate hike at its March meeting, convertibles demonstrated this tendency, remaining in positive territory and outperforming the S&P 500 Index and the Russell 2000 Index.

We have seen a surge in convertible issuance due to improved market sentiment during the period, which has led issuers to take advantage of rising equity prices to offer aggressively priced convertible securities with terms that are favorable for issuers. On a year-over-year basis, new issuance for April 2017 reflected an increase of 82%, and is a sign of an active and a healthy convertibles market, in our opinion.

In terms of positioning, we expect to continue to harvest securities in which the stock prices underlying convertibles see sharp appreciation in value. We have typically replaced these


This chart shows how the fund’s top weightings have changed 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.

Convertible Securities Fund   7 

 



highly equity-sensitive positions with more balanced convertibles that trade closer to par. Additionally, with few common stocks or straight corporate bonds in the fund, we believe the fund’s pure-play convertible portfolio sets it apart from its peers.

Thank you, gentlemen, 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.

8   Convertible Securities Fund 

 



Your fund’s performance

This section shows your fund’s performance, price, and distribution information for periods ended April 30, 2017, the end of the first half of its current fiscal year. In accordance with regulatory requirements for mutual funds, we also include performance information as of the most recent calendar quarter-end and 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 I, R, 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.

Fund performance Total return for periods ended 4/30/17

  Annual                 
  average    Annual    Annual    Annual     
  (life of fund)   10 years  average 5 years  average 3 years  average 1 year 6 months

Class A (6/29/72)                   
Before sales charge  9.71%  70.42%  5.48%  51.75%  8.70%  13.87%  4.42%  17.41%  9.76% 

After sales charge  9.56  60.62  4.85  43.02  7.42  7.32  2.38  10.66  3.44 

Class B (7/15/93)                   
Before CDSC  9.51  60.51  4.85  46.20  7.89  11.29  3.63  16.48  9.31 

After CDSC  9.51  60.51  4.85  44.20  7.59  8.34  2.71  11.48  4.31 

Class C (7/26/99)                   
Before CDSC  8.88  58.09  4.69  46.16  7.89  11.28  3.63  16.50  9.31 

After CDSC  8.88  58.09  4.69  46.16  7.89  11.28  3.63  15.50  8.31 

Class I (3/3/15)                   
Net asset value  9.83  75.25  5.77  54.13  9.04  15.02  4.78  17.82  9.96 

Class M (3/13/95)                   
Before sales charge  9.05  62.11  4.95  48.01  8.16  12.13  3.89  16.77  9.46 

After sales charge  8.96  56.43  4.58  42.83  7.39  8.20  2.66  12.68  5.63 

Class R (12/1/03)                   
Net asset value  9.43  66.22  5.21  49.81  8.42  12.94  4.14  17.06  9.58 

Class Y (12/30/98)                   
Net asset value  9.82  74.69  5.74  53.64  8.97  14.66  4.66  17.62  9.86 

 

Current performance may be lower or higher than the quoted past performance, which cannot guarantee future results. After-sales-charge returns for class A and M shares reflect the deduction of the maximum 5.75% and 3.50% sales charge, respectively, 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 I, R, and Y shares have no initial sales charge or CDSC. Performance for class B, C, M, 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 I 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 I shares; had it, returns would have been higher.

For a portion of the periods, the fund had expense limitations, without which returns would have been lower.

Class B share performance reflects conversion to class A shares after eight years.

Convertible Securities Fund   9 

 



Comparative index returns For periods ended 4/30/17

  Annual                 
  average    Annual    Annual    Annual     
  (life of fund)  10 years  average  5 years  average  3 years  average  1 year  6 months 

BofA Merrill Lynch                   
U.S. Convertible    89.54%  6.60%  64.59%  10.48%  19.74%  6.19%  17.71%  10.53% 
Index                   

Lipper Convertible                   
Securities Funds  9.70%  62.31  4.89  45.05  7.66  12.22  3.88  14.19  8.83 
category average*                   

 

Index and Lipper results should be compared with fund performance before sales charge, before CDSC, or at net asset value.

* Over the 6-month, 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, 10-year, and life-of-fund periods ended 4/30/17, there were 94, 94, 76, 71, 39, and 1 fund(s), respectively, in this Lipper category.

The fund’s benchmark, the BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. Convertible Index, was introduced on 12/31/87, which post-dates the inception of the fund’s class A shares.

Fund price and distribution information For the six-month period ended 4/30/17

Distributions  Class A  Class B  Class C  Class I  Class M  Class R  Class Y 

Number  2  2  2  2  2  2  2 

Income  $0.240  $0.152  $0.150  $0.285  $0.184  $0.212  $0.271 

Capital gains               

Total  $0.240  $0.152  $0.150  $0.285  $0.184  $0.212  $0.271 

  Before  After  Net  Net  Net  Before  After  Net  Net 
  sales  sales  asset  asset  asset  sales  sales  asset  asset 
Share value  charge  charge  value  value  value  charge  charge  value  value 

10/31/16  $22.55  $23.93  $22.10  $22.29  $22.55  $22.31  $23.12  $22.45  $22.54 

4/30/17  24.50  25.99  24.00  24.21  24.50  24.23  25.11  24.38  24.48 

  Before  After  Net  Net  Net  Before  After  Net  Net 
Current rate  sales  sales  asset  asset  asset  sales  sales  asset  asset 
(end of period)  charge  charge  value  value  value  charge  charge  value  value 

Current dividend                   
rate1  1.96%  1.85%  1.25%  1.24%  2.35%  1.50%  1.45%  1.77%  2.22% 

Current 30-day                   
SEC yield2  N/A  0.95  0.28  0.28  1.42  N/A  0.50  0.76  1.25 

 

The classification of distributions, if any, is an estimate. Before-sales-charge share value and current dividend rate for class A and M 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 and 3.50% for class M shares) was levied at the time of purchase. Final distribution information will appear on your year-end tax forms.

1 Most recent distribution, including any return of capital and excluding capital gains, annualized and divided by NAV or market price at end of period.

2 Based only on investment income and calculated using the maximum offering price for each share class, in accordance with SEC guidelines.

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Fund performance as of most recent calendar quarter Total return for periods ended 3/31/17

  Annual                 
  average    Annual    Annual    Annual     
  (life of fund)  10 years average 5 years average 3 years average 1 year 6 months

 
Class A (6/29/72)                 
Before sales charge  9.69%  72.43%  5.60%  46.88%  7.99%  11.79%  3.79%  16.88%  6.21% 

After sales charge  9.55  62.52  4.98  38.43  6.72  5.36  1.76  10.16  0.10 

Class B (7/15/93)                   
Before CDSC  9.49  62.34  4.96  41.52  7.19  9.32  3.01  16.03  5.84 

After CDSC  9.49  62.34  4.96  39.52  6.89  6.42  2.09  11.03  0.84 

Class C (7/26/99)                   
Before CDSC  8.87  59.85  4.80  41.47  7.18  9.28  3.00  15.96  5.83 

After CDSC  8.87  59.85  4.80  41.47  7.18  9.28  3.00  14.96  4.83 

Class I (3/3/15)                   
Net asset value  9.81  77.32  5.90  49.18  8.33  12.97  4.15  17.34  6.45 

Class M (3/13/95)                   
Before sales charge  9.03  64.00  5.07  43.27  7.46  10.11  3.26  16.27  5.93 

After sales charge  8.95  58.26  4.70  38.25  6.69  6.25  2.04  12.20  2.22 

Class R (12/1/03)                   
Net asset value  9.42  68.09  5.33  45.05  7.72  10.92  3.51  16.57  6.06 

Class Y (12/30/98)                   
Net asset value  9.80  76.75  5.86  48.70  8.26  12.61  4.04  17.14  6.35 

 

See the discussion following the fund performance table on page 9 for information about the calculation of fund performance.

Your fund’s expenses

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 I  Class M  Class R  Class Y 

 
Total annual operating expenses for the               
fiscal year ended 10/31/16  1.09%*  1.84%*  1.84%*  0.69%  1.59%*  1.34%*  0.84%* 

Annualized expense ratio for the               
six-month period ended 4/30/17  1.07%  1.82%  1.82%  0.69%  1.57%  1.32%  0.82% 

 

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 resulting from a change to the fund’s investor servicing arrangements effective 9/1/16.

Convertible Securities Fund   11 

 



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 11/1/16 to 4/30/17. 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 I  Class M  Class R  Class Y 

Expenses paid per $1,000 *†  $5.56  $9.45  $9.45  $3.59  $8.15  $6.86  $4.27 

Ending value (after expenses)  $1,097.60  $1,093.10  $1,093.10  $1,099.60  $1,094.60  $1,095.80  $1,098.60 

 

* 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 4/30/17. 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; and then dividing that result by the number of days in the year.

Estimate the expenses you paid

To estimate the ongoing expenses you paid for the six months ended 4/30/17, use the following calculation method. To find the value of your investment on 11/1/16, 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 I  Class M  Class R  Class Y 

Expenses paid per $1,000 *†  $5.36  $9.10  $9.10  $3.46  $7.85  $6.61  $4.11 

Ending value (after expenses)  $1,019.49  $1,015.77  $1,015.77  $1,021.37  $1,017.01  $1,018.25  $1,020.73 

 

* 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 4/30/17. 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; and then dividing that result by the number of days in the year.

12   Convertible Securities 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, and 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 and 3.50% for class M 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 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 I shares are not subject to an initial sales charge or CDSC, and carry no 12b-1 fee. They are only available to institutional clients and other investors who meet minimum investment requirements.

Class M shares have a lower initial sales charge and a higher 12b-1 fee than class A shares and no CDSC.

Class R shares are not subject to an initial sales charge or CDSC and are only available to employer-sponsored retirement plans.

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.

Fixed-income terms

Current rate is the annual rate of return earned from dividends or interest of an investment. Current rate is expressed as a percentage of the price of a security, fund share, or principal investment.

Mortgage-backed security (MBS), also known as a mortgage “pass-through,” is a type of asset-backed security that is secured by a mortgage or collection of mortgages. The following are types of MBSs:

Agency “pass-through” has its principal and interest backed by a U.S. government agency, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae), and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac).

Collateralized mortgage obligation (CMO) represents claims to specific cash flows from pools of home mortgages. The streams of principal and interest payments on the mortgages are distributed to the different classes of CMO interests in “tranches.” Each tranche may have different principal balances, coupon rates,

Convertible Securities Fund   13 

 



prepayment risks, and maturity dates. A CMO is highly sensitive to changes in interest rates and any resulting change in the rate at which homeowners sell their properties, refinance, or otherwise prepay loans. CMOs are subject to prepayment, market, and liquidity risks.

Interest-only (IO) security is a type of CMO in which the underlying asset is the interest portion of mortgage, Treasury, or bond payments.

Non-agency residential mortgage-backed security (RMBS) is an MBS not backed by Fannie Mae, Ginnie Mae, or Freddie Mac. One type of RMBS is an Alt-A mortgage-backed security.

Commercial mortgage-backed security (CMBS) is secured by the loan on a commercial property.

Yield curve is a graph that plots the yields of bonds with equal credit quality against their differing maturity dates, ranging from shortest to longest. It is used as a benchmark for other debt, such as mortgage or bank lending rates.

Comparative indexes

Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of U.S. investment-grade fixed-income securities.

BofA Merrill Lynch 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.

BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. Convertible Index is an unmanaged index of high-yield U.S. convertible securities.

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.

Lipper 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 averages reflect performance trends for funds within a category.

14   Convertible Securities 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 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, 2016, 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-Q. Shareholders may obtain the fund’s Form N-Q on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, the fund’s Form N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. You may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for information about the SEC’s website or the operation of the Public Reference Room.

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 April 30, 2017, Putnam employees had approximately $494,000,000 and the Trustees had approximately $139,000,000 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.

Convertible Securities Fund   15 

 



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 year.

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.

16   Convertible Securities Fund 

 



The fund’s portfolio 4/30/17 (Unaudited)

  Principal   
CONVERTIBLE BONDS AND NOTES (73.1%)*  amount  Value 

Aerospace and defense (0.8%)     

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. 144A cv. sr. unsec. sub. notes     
2.25%, 12/15/23  $5,168,000  $5,691,260 

    5,691,260 

Automotive (1.5%)     

Navistar International Corp. cv. sr. unsec. sub. bonds     
4.75%, 4/15/19  6,436,000  6,275,100 

Tesla Motors, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. sub. notes 1.25%, 3/1/21  4,045,000  4,191,631 

    10,466,731 

Biotechnology (3.9%)     

BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. sub. notes     
1.50%, 10/15/20  4,469,000  5,538,767 

Emergent BioSolutions, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. unsub. bonds     
2.875%, 1/15/21  4,725,000  5,702,484 

Incyte Corp. cv. sr. unsec. notes 1.25%, 11/15/20  1,115,000  2,728,266 

Medicines Co. (The) 144A cv. sr. unsec. unsub. notes 2.75%, 7/15/23  4,225,000  5,128,094 

Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. unsub. notes     
4.50%, 7/15/20  2,734,000  2,346,114 

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. 144A cv. sr. unsec. notes     
2.25%, 5/15/24  4,785,000  4,964,438 

    26,408,163 

Broadcasting (2.6%)     

Liberty Media Corp. cv. sr. unsec. bonds 1.375%, 10/15/23  10,576,000  11,917,830 

Liberty Media Corp. 144A cv. sr. unsec. unsub. bonds     
2.25%, 9/30/46  5,100,000  5,555,813 

    17,473,643 

Cable television (2.2%)     

DISH Network Corp. 144A cv. sr. unsec. bonds 3.375%, 8/15/26  12,182,000  14,907,723 

    14,907,723 

Capital goods (1.3%)     

Dycom Industries, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. notes 0.75%, 9/15/21  7,235,000  9,138,709 

    9,138,709 

Commercial and consumer services (5.8%)     

Euronet Worldwide, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. bonds 1.50%, 10/1/44  6,134,000  7,598,493 

Huron Consulting Group, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. unsub. notes     
1.25%, 10/1/19  3,521,000  3,369,157 

Macquarie Infrastructure Corp. cv. sr. unsec. unsub. notes     
2.00%, 10/1/23  7,614,000  7,518,825 

Priceline Group, Inc. (The) cv. sr. unsec. Bonds 0.90%, 9/15/21  2,485,000  2,828,241 

Priceline Group, Inc. (The) cv. sr. unsec. unsub. notes     
1.00%, 3/15/18  7,031,000  13,701,661 

Square, Inc. 144A cv. sr. unsec. notes 0.375%, 3/1/22  4,591,000  4,854,983 

    39,871,360 

Communications equipment (0.5%)     

Ciena Corp. 144A cv. sr. unsec. notes 3.75%, 10/15/18  2,574,000  3,296,329 

    3,296,329 

Components (0.6%)     

Finisar Corp. cv. sr. unsec. unsub. bonds 0.50%, 12/15/36  4,510,000  4,199,938 

    4,199,938 

 

Convertible Securities Fund   17 

 



  Principal   
CONVERTIBLE BONDS AND NOTES (73.1%)* cont.  amount  Value 

Computers (4.8%)     

Avid Technology, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. notes 2.00%, 6/15/20  $5,874,000  $4,306,376 

Citrix Systems, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. notes 0.50%, 4/15/19  5,540,000  6,783,038 

Electronics For Imaging, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. unsub. bonds     
0.75%, 9/1/19  6,885,000  7,315,313 

Inseego Corp. cv. sr. unsec. sub. notes 5.50%, 6/15/22  2,166,000  1,908,788 

ServiceNow, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. unsub. bonds zero %, 11/1/18  4,600,000  6,187,000 

Synchronoss Technologies, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. notes 0.75%, 8/15/19  3,164,000  2,697,310 

Verint Systems, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. notes 1.50%, 6/1/21  3,559,000  3,427,762 

    32,625,587 

Conglomerates (0.9%)     

Siemens Financieringsmaatschappij NV cv. company guaranty sr.     
unsec. bonds 1.65%, 8/16/19 (Netherlands)  4,750,000  6,054,113 

    6,054,113 

Construction (0.8%)     

Cemex SAB de CV cv. unsec. sub. notes 3.72%, 3/15/20 (Mexico)  4,700,000  5,355,063 

    5,355,063 

Consumer finance (0.5%)     

Encore Capital Group, Inc. cv. company guaranty sr. unsec. bonds     
3.00%, 7/1/20  3,688,000  3,570,445 

    3,570,445 

Electronics (11.1%)     

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. unsub. notes     
2.125%, 9/1/26  2,010,000  3,700,913 

GT Advanced Technologies, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. sub. notes     
3.00%, 12/15/20 F   2,944,000  294 

Inphi Corp. 144A cv. sr. unsec. notes 0.75%, 9/1/21  4,215,000  4,312,472 

Intel Corp. cv. jr. unsec. sub. notes 3.25%, 8/1/39  7,690,000  13,447,888 

Microchip Technology, Inc. 144A cv. sr. unsec. sub. notes     
1.625%, 2/15/27  16,882,000  17,282,948 

Micron Technology, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. bonds 3.00%, 11/15/43  6,270,000  6,771,600 

Micron Technology, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. bonds Ser. E, 1.625%, 2/15/33  2,683,000  6,759,483 

NXP Semiconductors NV cv. sr. unsec. bonds 1.00%, 12/1/19  4,624,000  5,389,850 

ON Semiconductor Corp. cv. company guaranty sr. unsec. unsub.     
notes 1.00%, 12/1/20  8,015,000  8,450,816 

OSI Systems, Inc. 144A cv. sr. unsec. unsub. notes 1.25%, 9/1/22  5,990,000  5,933,844 

TTM Technologies, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. notes 1.75%, 12/15/20  2,155,000  3,919,406 

    75,969,514 

Energy (oil field) (0.5%)     

SEACOR Holdings, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. unsub. bonds 2.50%, 12/15/27  3,108,000  3,117,713 

    3,117,713 

Entertainment (0.6%)     

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. bonds 2.50%, 5/15/19  3,738,000  4,163,198 

    4,163,198 

Health-care services (2.0%)     

Brookdale Senior Living, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. unsub. notes     
2.75%, 6/15/18  2,412,000  2,381,850 

HealthSouth Corp. cv. sr. unsec. sub. notes 2.00%, 12/1/43  5,304,000  6,951,555 

Medidata Solutions, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. notes 1.00%, 8/1/18  3,638,000  4,472,466 

    13,805,871 

 

18  Convertible Securities Fund 

 



  Principal   
CONVERTIBLE BONDS AND NOTES (73.1%)* cont.  amount  Value 

Investment banking/Brokerage (0.7%)     

Hercules Capital, Inc. 144A cv. sr. unsec. notes 4.375%, 2/1/22  $4,904,000  $5,087,900 

    5,087,900 

Manufacturing (0.8%)     

Greenbrier Cos., Inc. (The) 144A cv. sr. unsec. notes 2.875%, 2/1/24  4,873,000  5,183,654 

    5,183,654 

Media (1.6%)     

Liberty Interactive, LLC 144A cv. sr. unsec. bonds 1.75%, 9/30/46  9,315,000  10,939,303 

    10,939,303 

Medical technology (2.3%)     

China Medical Technologies, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. bonds Ser. CMT,     
4.00%, 8/15/17 (China) (In default) F  3,213,000  205,632 

China Medical Technologies, Inc. 144A cv. sr. unsec. notes 6.25%,     
12/15/17 (China) (In default) F  3,544,000  198,464 

Hologic, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. unsub. notes stepped-coupon 2.00%     
(zero %, 3/1/18) 3/1/42 ††  4,390,000  6,406,656 

Nevro Corp. cv. sr. unsec. unsub. notes 1.75%, 6/1/21  1,968,000  2,393,580 

Wright Medical Group, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. notes 2.00%, 2/15/20  5,606,000  6,566,028 

    15,770,360 

Oil and gas (2.7%)     

Chesapeake Energy Corp. 144A cv. sr. unsec. bonds 5.50%, 9/15/26  7,451,000  7,329,921 

Oasis Petroleum, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. notes 2.625%, 9/15/23  3,649,000  4,428,974 

Whiting Petroleum Corp. cv. company guaranty sr. unsec. unsub.     
notes 1.25%, 4/1/20  7,667,000  6,775,711 

    18,534,606 

Pharmaceuticals (5.3%)     

Clovis Oncology, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. notes 2.50%, 9/15/21  3,915,000  4,771,406 

Impax Laboratories, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. notes 2.00%, 6/15/22  5,405,000  4,557,091 

Jazz Investments I, Ltd. cv. company guaranty sr. unsec. sub.     
bonds 1.875%, 8/15/21 (Ireland)  11,131,000  12,327,583 

Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Delaware) 144A cv. sr. unsec. sub.     
notes 2.375%, 4/1/22  5,536,000  5,882,000 

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. notes     
3.25%, 12/15/21  5,149,000  4,955,913 

Teligent, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. notes 3.75%, 12/15/19  3,620,000  3,644,888 

    36,138,881 

Real estate (3.2%)     

Blackstone Mortgage Trust, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. unsub. notes     
5.25%, 12/1/18 R   7,500,000  8,526,563 

Colony Starwood Homes 144A cv. sr. unsec. notes 3.50%, 1/15/22 R   4,662,000  5,017,478 

Starwood Property Trust, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. unsub. notes     
4.00%, 1/15/19 R   7,045,000  8,040,106 

    21,584,147 

Semiconductor (5.6%)     

Cypress Semiconductor Corp. 144A cv. sr. unsec. notes     
4.50%, 1/15/22  4,016,000  4,942,190 

Integrated Device Technology, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. unsub. notes     
0.875%, 11/15/22  6,485,000  6,594,434 

Jazz US Holdings, Inc. cv. company guaranty sr. unsec. notes     
8.00%, 12/31/18  1,523,000  3,318,236 

 

Convertible Securities Fund   19 

 



  Principal   
CONVERTIBLE BONDS AND NOTES (73.1%)* cont.  amount  Value 

Semiconductor cont.     

Novellus Systems, Inc. cv. company guaranty sr. unsec. notes     
2.625%, 5/15/41  $3,600,000  $15,405,750 

Teradyne, Inc. 144A cv. sr. unsec. notes 1.25%, 12/15/23  6,610,000  8,295,550 

    38,556,160 

Shipping (0.9%)     

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. bonds     
2.25%, 6/1/22  3,212,000  3,511,118 

Scorpio Tankers, Inc. 144A cv. sr. unsec. sub. notes 2.375%, 7/1/19  3,171,000  2,838,045 

    6,349,163 

Software (2.2%)     

Nice Systems, Inc. 144A cv. company guaranty sr. unsec. notes     
1.25%, 1/15/24  4,673,000  4,830,714 

Red Hat, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. unsub. bonds 0.25%, 10/1/19  5,045,000  6,631,022 

Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. bonds 5.25%, 5/15/18  3,545,000  3,607,038 

    15,068,774 

Technology services (4.9%)     

Fidelity National Financial, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. unsub. notes     
4.25%, 8/15/18  2,625,000  6,009,609 

J2 Cloud Services, LLC cv. sr. unsec. notes 3.25%, 6/15/29  5,965,000  8,477,756 

Proofpoint, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. unsub. notes 0.75%, 6/15/20  6,117,000  6,984,849 

salesforce.com, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. unsub. notes 0.25%, 4/1/18  6,380,000  8,461,475 

Twitter, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. unsub. bonds 1.00%, 9/15/21  4,015,000  3,688,781 

    33,622,470 

Telecommunications (0.6%)     

CalAmp Corp. cv. sr. unsec. notes 1.625%, 5/15/20  3,800,000  3,838,000 

Powerwave Technologies, Inc. cv. unsec. sub. notes 3.875%,     
10/1/27 (In default) †F  5,121,000  512 

    3,838,512 

Tobacco (0.9%)     

Vector Group, Ltd. cv. sr. unsec. sub. notes 1.75%, 4/15/20  5,295,000  6,072,703 

    6,072,703 

Transportation services (0.5%)     

Echo Global Logistics, Inc. cv. sr. unsec. notes 2.50%, 5/1/20  3,441,000  3,217,335 

    3,217,335 

Trucks and parts (0.5%)     

Horizon Global Corp. cv. sr. unsec. unsub. notes 2.75%, 7/1/22  4,018,000  3,721,673 

    3,721,673 

Total convertible bonds and notes (cost $451,864,873)    $499,801,001 

 
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS (19.8%)*  Shares  Value 

Banking (2.4%)     

Bank of America Corp. Ser. L, 7.25% cv. pfd.  4,925  $5,971,563 

Wells Fargo & Co. Ser. L, 7.50% cv. pfd.  8,048  10,210,900 

    16,182,463 

Electric utilities (2.8%)     

DTE Energy Co. $3.25 cv. pfd.  142,710  7,699,205 

Great Plains Energy, Inc. cv. pfd. zero %  76,700  4,149,470 

NextEra Energy, Inc. $3.06 cv. pfd.  142,740  7,479,576 

    19,328,251 

 

20   Convertible Securities Fund 

 



CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS (19.8%)* cont.  Shares  Value 

Financial (1.2%)     

AMG Capital Trust II $2.575 cv. pfd. S   141,220  $8,049,540 

    8,049,540 

Food (0.6%)     

Tyson Foods, Inc. $2.375 cv. pfd.  61,638  4,273,363 

    4,273,363 

Health-care services (1.1%)     

Anthem, Inc. $2.63 cv. pfd.  149,899  7,685,322 

    7,685,322 

Investment banking/Brokerage (0.9%)     

Mandatory Exchangeable Trust 144A $5.75 cv. pfd.  45,439  6,247,408 

    6,247,408 

Manufacturing (1.9%)     

Belden, Inc. $6.75 cv. pfd.  65,921  6,462,236 

Rexnord Corp. $2.88 cv. pfd.  113,603  6,401,529 

    12,863,765 

Oil and gas (1.5%)     

Hess Corp. $2.00 cv. pfd.  119,075  7,102,824 

Southwestern Energy Co. Ser. B, $3.125 cv. pfd.  163,443  3,020,427 

    10,123,251 

Pharmaceuticals (1.9%)     

Allergan PLC Ser. A, 5.50% cv. pfd.  15,225  13,181,501 

    13,181,501 

Power producers (0.2%)     

Dynegy, Inc. $7.00 cv. pfd.  32,928  1,685,914 

    1,685,914 

Real estate (1.7%)     

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. Ser. D, $1.75 cv. pfd. R   145,767  5,113,229 

iStar, Inc. $2.25 cv. pfd. R   118,715  6,132,817 

    11,246,046 

Regional Bells (—%)     

Cincinnati Bell, Inc. Ser. B, $3.378 cum. cv. pfd.  190  9,500 

    9,500 

Telecommunications (3.6%)     

American Tower Corp. $5.50 cv. pfd. R   104,505  12,096,454 

T-Mobile US, Inc. Ser. A, $2.75 cv. pfd.  110,511  12,102,060 

    24,198,514 

Total convertible preferred stocks (cost $123,884,760)    $135,074,838 

 
COMMON STOCKS (3.5%)*  Shares  Value 

Alphabet, Inc. Class C   1,740  $1,576,370 

Bank of America Corp.  115,275  2,690,519 

Comcast Corp. Class A  44,500  1,743,955 

Danaher Corp.  20,025  1,668,683 

GT Advanced Technologies, Inc. F   476  5 

JPMorgan Chase & Co.  30,120  2,620,440 

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.   67,405  2,167,745 

NVIDIA Corp.  69,120  7,209,216 

Stone Energy Corp. S   32,868  688,256 

Xilinx, Inc. S   56,710  3,578,954 

Total common stocks (cost $19,323,737)    $23,944,143 

 

Convertible Securities Fund   21 

 



      Principal   
CORPORATE BONDS AND NOTES (0.2%)*      amount  Value 

Stone Energy Corp. company guaranty notes 7.50%, 5/31/22    $1,088,508  $1,050,410 

Total corporate bonds and notes (cost $1,248,845)      $1,050,410 

 
  Expiration  Strike     
WARRANTS (—%)*   date  price  Warrants  Value 

GT Advanced Technologies, Inc. F   3/17/19  $0.00  487  $5 

GT Advanced Technologies, Inc. F   3/17/19  0.00  331  3 

Total warrants (cost $91,926)        $8 

 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (5.0%)*      Shares  Value 

Putnam Cash Collateral Pool, LLC 1.05% d       10,541,375  $10,541,375 

Putnam Short Term Investment Fund 0.87% L       23,665,670  23,665,670 

Total short-term investments (cost $34,207,045)      $34,207,045 

 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS         

Total investments (cost $630,621,186)        $694,077,445 

 

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 November 1, 2016 through April 30, 2017 (the reporting period). Within the following notes to the portfolio, references to “ASC 820” represent Accounting Standards Codification 820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures and references to “OTC”, if any, represent over-the-counter.

* Percentages indicated are based on net assets of $683,882,580.

This security is non-income-producing.

The interest rate and date shown parenthetically represent the new interest rate to be paid and the date the fund will begin accruing interest at this rate.

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.

F This security is valued by Putnam Management at fair value following procedures approved by the Trustees. Securities may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 for ASC 820 based on the securities’ valuation inputs (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.

R Real Estate Investment Trust.

S Security on loan, in part or in entirety, at the close of the reporting period (Note 1).

Debt obligations are considered secured unless otherwise indicated.

144A after the name of an issuer represents securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers.

The dates shown on debt obligations are the original maturity dates.

22   Convertible Securities Fund 

 



ASC 820 establishes a three-level hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of the fund’s investments. The three levels are defined as follows:

Level 1: Valuations based on quoted prices for identical securities in active markets.

Level 2: Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3: Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the fund’s net assets as of the close of the reporting period:

    Valuation inputs

Investments in securities:  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3 

Common stocks *:       

Communication services  $1,743,955  $—­  $—­ 

Conglomerates  1,668,683  —­  —­ 

Consumer cyclicals  2,167,745  —­  —­ 

Energy  688,256  —­  —­ 

Financials  5,310,959  —­  —­ 

Technology  12,364,540  —­  5 

Total common stocks  23,944,138  —­  5 
 
Convertible bonds and notes  —­  499,396,099  404,902 

Convertible preferred stocks  14,272,721  120,802,117  —­ 

Corporate bonds and notes  —­  1,050,410  —­ 

Warrants  —­  —­  8 

Short-term investments  23,665,670  10,541,375  —­ 

Totals by level  $61,882,529  $631,790,001  $404,915 

 

* Common stock classifications are presented at the sector level, which may differ from the fund’s portfolio presentation.

During the reporting period, transfers within the fair value hierarchy, if any (other than certain transfers involving non-U.S. equity securities as described in Note 1), did not represent, in the aggregate, more than 1% of the fund’s net assets measured as of the end of the period. Transfers are accounted for using the end of period pricing valuation method.

At the start and close of the reporting period, Level 3 investments in securities and other financial instruments represented less than 1% of the fund’s net assets and were not considered a significant portion of the fund’s portfolio.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

Convertible Securities Fund   23 

 



Statement of assets and liabilities 4/30/17 (Unaudited)

ASSETS   

Investment in securities, at value, including $10,256,940 of securities on loan (Note 1):   
Unaffiliated issuers (identified cost $596,414,141)  $659,870,400 
Affiliated issuers (identified cost $34,207,045) (Notes 1 and 5)  34,207,045 

Dividends, interest and other receivables  3,015,901 

Receivable for shares of the fund sold  1,488,746 

Receivable for investments sold  2,571,480 

Prepaid assets  58,290 

Total assets  701,211,862 

 
LIABILITIES   

Payable for investments purchased  4,844,365 

Payable for shares of the fund repurchased  937,211 

Payable for compensation of Manager (Note 2)  347,150 

Payable for custodian fees (Note 2)  10,725 

Payable for investor servicing fees (Note 2)  156,989 

Payable for Trustee compensation and expenses (Note 2)  263,274 

Payable for administrative services (Note 2)  2,596 

Payable for distribution fees (Note 2)  131,915 

Collateral on securities loaned, at value (Note 1)  10,541,375 

Other accrued expenses  93,682 

Total liabilities  17,329,282 
 
Net assets  $683,882,580 

 
REPRESENTED BY   

Paid-in capital (Unlimited shares authorized) (Notes 1 and 4)  $620,864,207 

Undistributed net investment income (Note 1)  10,271,540 

Accumulated net realized loss on investments (Note 1)  (10,709,426) 

Net unrealized appreciation of investments  63,456,259 

Total — Representing net assets applicable to capital shares outstanding  $683,882,580 

 

(Continued on next page)

24   Convertible Securities Fund 

 



Statement of assets and liabilities cont.

COMPUTATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND OFFERING PRICE   

Net asset value and redemption price per class A share   
($403,314,769 divided by 16,465,050 shares)  $24.50 

Offering price per class A share (100/94.25 of $24.50)*  $25.99 

Net asset value and offering price per class B share ($8,499,969 divided by 354,160 shares)**  $24.00 

Net asset value and offering price per class C share ($46,277,858 divided by 1,911,514 shares)** $24.21 

Net asset value and offering price per class I share ($10,627 divided by 434 shares)  $24.50 

Net asset value and redemption price per class M share ($3,743,038 divided by 154,461 shares)  $24.23 

Offering price per class M share (100/96.50 of $24.23)*  $25.11 

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per class R share   
($5,168,143 divided by 211,949 shares)  $24.38 

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per class Y share   
($216,868,176 divided by 8,857,301 shares)  $24.48 

 

* 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.

Net asset value may not recalculate due to rounding of fractional shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

Convertible Securities Fund   25 

 



Statement of operations Six months ended 4/30/17 (Unaudited)

INVESTMENT INCOME   

Dividends (net of foreign tax of $18,212)  $4,890,670 

Interest (including interest income of $85,251 from investments in affiliated issuers) (Note 5)  3,497,833 

Securities lending (net of expenses) (Notes 1 and 5)  21,272 

Total investment income  8,409,775 
 
EXPENSES   

Compensation of Manager (Note 2)  2,076,505 

Investor servicing fees (Note 2)  477,155 

Custodian fees (Note 2)  8,556 

Trustee compensation and expenses (Note 2)  19,709 

Distribution fees (Note 2)  810,715 

Administrative services (Note 2)  12,098 

Other  143,649 

Total expenses  3,548,387 
 
Expense reduction (Note 2)  (907) 

Net expenses  3,547,480 
 
Net investment income  4,862,295 

 
Net realized gain on investments (Notes 1 and 3)  10,102,427 

Net unrealized appreciation of investments during the period  47,194,144 

Net gain on investments  57,296,571 
 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations  $62,158,866 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

26   Convertible Securities Fund 

 



Statement of changes in net assets

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS  Six months ended 4/30/17*  Year ended 10/31/16 

Operations     

Net investment income  $4,862,295  $11,140,740 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments  10,102,427  (5,835,246) 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments  47,194,144  (678,068) 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations  62,158,866  4,627,426 

Distributions to shareholders (Note 1):     
From ordinary income     
Net investment income     

Class A  (4,093,266)  (9,161,647) 

Class B  (57,686)  (140,515) 

Class C  (306,608)  (813,337) 

Class I  (123)  (237) 

Class M  (29,263)  (60,684) 

Class R  (44,976)  (90,919) 

Class Y  (2,291,112)  (4,806,908) 

From net realized long-term gain on investments     
Class A    (18,198,242) 

Class B    (417,431) 

Class C    (2,554,123) 

Class I    (342) 

Class M    (143,679) 

Class R    (181,132) 

Class Y    (8,615,448) 

Decrease from capital share transactions (Note 4)  (33,085,516)  (168,822,982) 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets  22,250,316  (209,380,200) 

 
NET ASSETS     

Beginning of period  661,632,264  871,012,464 

End of period (including undistributed net investment     
income of $10,271,540 and $12,232,279, respectively)  $683,882,580  $661,632,264 

 

* Unaudited.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

Convertible Securities Fund   27 

 



Financial highlights (For a common share outstanding throughout the period)

  INVESTMENT OPERATIONS      LESS DISTRIBUTIONS          RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA   
 
                        Ratio  Ratio of net   
  Net asset    Net realized      From            of expenses  investment   
  value,    and unrealized  Total from  From  net realized      Net asset  Total return  Net assets,  to average  income (loss)  Portfolio 
  beginning  Net investment  gain (loss)  investment  net investment  gain on  Total  Redemption  value, end  at net asset  end of period  net assets  to average  turnover 
Period ended­  of period­  income (loss) a  on investments­  operations­  income­  investments  distributions  fees  of period­  value (%) b  (in thousands)  (%) c  net assets (%)  (%) 

Class A­                             

April 30, 2017**   $22.55­  .17­  2.02­  2.19­  (.24)  —­  (.24)  —­  $24.50­  9.76*  $403,315­  .53*  .73*  35* 

October 31, 2016­  23.37­  .35­  .17­  .52­  (.49)  (.85)  (1.34)  —­  22.55­  2.49­  404,101­  1.09 ­d  1.59­ d  49­ 

October 31, 2015­  25.60­  .26­  (.93)  (.67)  (.52)  (1.04)  (1.56)  —­  23.37­  (2.86)  517,495­  1.06­  1.04­  67­ 

October 31, 2014­  23.57­  .18­  2.42­  2.60­  (.57)  —­  (.57)  —­  25.60­  11.10­  578,716­  1.06­  .72­  63­ 

October 31, 2013­  20.09­  .37­  3.71­  4.08­  (.60)  —­  (.60)  ­e  23.57­  20.62­  556,643­  1.08­  1.69­  72­ 

October 31, 2012­  18.97­  .36­  1.33­  1.69­  (.57)  —­  (.57)  ­e  20.09­  9.07­  466,910­  1.11­  1.87­  59­ 

Class B­                             

April 30, 2017**   $22.10­  .08­  1.97­  2.05­  (.15)  —­  (.15)  —­  $24.00­  9.31*  $8,500­  .91*  .36*  35* 

October 31, 2016­  22.93­  .18­  .15­  .33­  (.31)  (.85)  (1.16)  —­  22.10­  1.72­  9,018­  1.84 ­d  .84­ d  49­ 

October 31, 2015­  25.13­  .07­  (.90)  (.83)  (.33)  (1.04)  (1.37)  —­  22.93­  (3.55)  11,374­  1.81­  .29­  67­ 

October 31, 2014­  23.15­  (.01)  2.38­  2.37­  (.39)  —­  (.39)  —­  25.13­  10.27­  13,228­  1.81­  (.04)  63­ 

October 31, 2013­  19.75­  .20­  3.64­  3.84­  (.44)  —­  (.44)  ­e  23.15­  19.68­  12,009­  1.83­  .95­  72­ 

October 31, 2012­  18.66­  .21­  1.30­  1.51­  (.42)  —­  (.42)  ­e  19.75­  8.22­  10,315­  1.86­  1.10­  59­ 

Class C­                             

April 30, 2017**   $22.29­  .08­  1.99­  2.07­  (.15)  —­  (.15)  —­  $24.21­  9.31*  $46,278­  .91*  .36*  35* 

October 31, 2016­  23.11­  .18­  .16­  .34­  (.31)  (.85)  (1.16)  —­  22.29­  1.72­  50,827­  1.84­d  .84­ d  49­ 

October 31, 2015­  25.32­  .07­  (.91)  (.84)  (.33)  (1.04)  (1.37)  —­  23.11­  (3.54)  72,536­  1.81­  .30­  67­ 

October 31, 2014­  23.33­  (.01)  2.39­  2.38­  (.39)  —­  (.39)  —­  25.32­  10.27­  73,451­  1.81­  (.06)  63­ 

October 31, 2013­  19.90­  .20­  3.67­  3.87­  (.44)  —­  (.44)  ­e  23.33­  19.68­  50,931­  1.83­  .93­  72­ 

October 31, 2012­  18.79­  .21­  1.32­  1.53­  (.42)  —­  (.42)  ­e  19.90­  8.24­  38,875­  1.86­  1.10­  59­ 

Class I­                             

April 30, 2017**   $22.55­  .22­  2.02­  2.24­  (.29)  —­  (.29)  —­  $24.50­  9.96*  $11­  .34*  .91*  35* 

October 31, 2016­  23.38­  .43­  .15­  .58­  (.56)  (.85)  (1.41)  —­  22.55­  2.87­  10­  .69­ d  1.95­ d  49­ 

October 31, 2015  25.33­  .25­  (1.77)  (1.52)  (.43)  —­  (.43)  —­  23.38­  (6.05)*    .45*  .98 *  67­ 

Class M­                             

April 30, 2017**   $22.31­  .11­  1.99­  2.10­  (.18)    (.18)  —­  $24.23­  9.46*  $3,743­  .78*  .48*  35* 

October 31, 2016­  23.14­  .23­  .16­  .39­  (.37)  (.85)  (1.22)  —­  22.31­  1.95­  3,590­  1.59­d  1.07­d  49­ 

October 31, 2015­  25.35­  .13­  (.91)  (.78)  (.39)  (1.04)  (1.43)  —­  23.14­  (3.32)  3,951­  1.56­  .54­  67­ 

October 31, 2014­  23.35­  .05­  2.40­  2.45­  (.45)  —­  (.45)  —­  25.35­  10.54­  4,583­  1.56­  .21­  63­ 

October 31, 2013­  19.91­  .26­  3.67­  3.93­  (.49)  —­  (.49)  —­e  23.35­  20.01­  3,885­  1.58­  1.20­  72­ 

October 31, 2012­  18.81­  .26­  1.31­  1.57­  (.47)  —­  (.47)  —­e  19.91­  8.49­  3,406­  1.61­  1.36­  59­ 

Class R­                             

April 30, 2017**   $22.45­  .14­  2.00­  2.14­  (.21)  —­  (.21)  —­  $24.38­  9.58*  $5,168­  .66*  .60*  35* 

October 31, 2016­  23.28­  .29­  .16­  .45­  (.43)  (.85)  (1.28)  —­  22.45­  2.21­  4,898­  1.34­d  1.32­ d  49­ 

October 31, 2015­  25.50­  .20­  (.93)  (.73)  (.45)  (1.04)  (1.49)  —­  23.28­  (3.09)  4,972­  1.31­  .79­  67­ 

October 31, 2014­  23.48­  .12­  2.41­  2.53­  (.51)  —­  (.51)  —­  25.50­  10.83­  6,569­  1.31­  .46­  63­ 

October 31, 2013­  20.02­  .31­  3.70­  4.01­  (.55)  —­  (.55)  —­e  23.48­  20.30­  5,617­  1.33­  1.43­  72­ 

October 31, 2012­  18.91­  .31­  1.32­  1.63­  (.52)  —­  (.52)  —­e  20.02­  8.78­  4,059­  1.36­  1.61­  59­ 

 

See notes to financial highlights at the end of this section.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

28   Convertible Securities Fund  Convertible Securities Fund   29 

 



Financial highlights cont.

  INVESTMENT OPERATIONS      LESS DISTRIBUTIONS          RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA   
 
                        Ratio  Ratio of net   
  Net asset    Net realized      From            of expenses  investment   
  value,    and unrealized  Total from  From  net realized      Net asset  Total return  Net assets,  to average  income (loss)  Portfolio 
  beginning  Net investment  gain (loss)  investment  net investment  gain on  Total  Redemption  value, end  at net asset  end of period  net assets  to average  turnover 
Period ended­  of period­  income (loss) a  on investments­  operations­  income­  investments  distributions  fees  of period­  value (%) b  (in thousands)  (%) c  net assets (%)  (%) 

Class Y­                             

 
April 30, 2017**   $22.54­  .20­  2.01­  2.21­  (.27)  —­  (.27)  —­  $24.48­  9.86*  $216,868­  .41*  .84*  35* 

October 31, 2016­  23.37­  .40­  .17­  .57­  (.55)  (.85)  (1.40)  —­  22.54­  2.71­  189,190­  .84 ­d  1.84­ d  49­ 

October 31, 2015­  25.59­  .32­  (.92)  (.60)  (.58)  (1.04)  (1.62)  —­  23.37­  (2.57)  260,676­  .81­  1.30­  67­ 

October 31, 2014­  23.56­  .24­  2.42­  2.66­  (.63)  —­  (.63)  —­  25.59­  11.38­  273,693­  .81­  .95­  63­ 

October 31, 2013­  20.08­  .42­  3.72­  4.14­  (.66)  —­  (.66)  ­e  23.56­  20.93­  196,399­  .83­  1.89­  72­ 

October 31, 2012­  18.97­  .41­  1.32­  1.73­  (.62)  —­  (.62)  ­e  20.08­  9.28­  106,584­  .86­  2.12­  59­ 

 

* Not annualized.

** Unaudited.

For the period March 3, 2015 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2015.

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/or brokerage/service arrangements, if any (Note 2). Also excludes acquired fund fees and expenses, if any.

d Reflects a voluntary waiver of certain fund expenses in effect during the period. As a result of such waivers, the expenses of each class reflect a reduction of less than 0.01% as a percentage of average net assets.

e Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

30   Convertible Securities Fund  Convertible Securities Fund   31 

 



Notes to financial statements 4/30/17 (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 November 1, 2016 through April 30, 2017.

Putnam Convertible Securities 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 objective of the fund is to seek, with equal emphasis, current income and capital appreciation. The fund’s secondary objective is conservation of capital. The fund invests mainly in convertible securities of U.S. companies. Under normal circumstances, the fund invests at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in convertible securities. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. Convertible securities combine the investment characteristics of bonds and common stocks. Convertible securities include bonds, preferred stocks and other instruments that can be converted into or exchanged for common stock or equivalent value. A significant portion of the convertible securities the fund buys are below-investment-grade (sometimes referred to as “junk bonds”). The convertible bonds the fund buys usually have intermediate-to long-term stated maturities (i.e. three years or longer), but often contain “put” features, which allow bondholders to sell the bond back to the company under specified circumstances, that result in shorter effective maturities. When deciding whether to buy or sell investments, Putnam Management may consider, among other factors: (i) a security’s structural features, such as its position in a company’s capital structure and “put” and “call” features (a company’s right to repurchase the security under specified circumstances is a “call” feature); (ii) credit and prepayment risks; and (iii) with respect to a company’s common stock underlying a convertible security, the stock’s valuation and the company’s financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends.

The fund offers class A, class B, class C, class I, class M, class R and class Y shares. The fund registered class T shares in February 2017, however, as of the date of this report, class T shares had not commenced operations and are not available for purchase. Effective April 1, 2017, purchases of class B shares are closed to new and existing investors except by exchange from class B shares of another Putnam fund or through dividend and/or capital gains reinvestment. Class A and class M shares are sold with a maximum front-end sales charge of 5.75% and 3.50%, respectively. Class A shares generally are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge, and class I, class M, class R and class Y shares are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. Class B shares, which convert to class A shares after approximately eight years, are not subject to a front-end sales charge and are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge if those shares are redeemed within six years of purchase. Class C shares are subject to a one-year 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge and do not convert to class A shares. Class R shares, which are not available to all investors, are sold at net asset value. The expenses for class A, class B, class C, class M and class R shares may differ based on the distribution fee of each class, which is identified in Note 2. Class I and class Y shares, which are sold at net asset value, are generally subject to the same expenses as class A, class B, class C, class M and class R shares, but do not bear a distribution fee and in the case of class I shares, bear a lower investor servicing fee, which is identified in Note 2. Class I and class Y shares are not available to all investors.

In the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts that may include agreements to indemnify another party under given circumstances. The fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be, but have not yet been, made against the fund. However, the fund’s management team expects the risk of material loss to be remote.

The fund has entered into contractual arrangements with an investment adviser, administrator, distributor, shareholder servicing agent and custodian, who each provide services to the fund. Unless expressly stated otherwise, shareholders are not parties to, or intended beneficiaries of these contractual arrangements, and these contractual arrangements are not intended to create any shareholder right to enforce them against the service providers or to seek any remedy under them against the service providers, either directly or on behalf of the fund.

Under the fund’s 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.

32   Convertible Securities 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.

Convertible Securities Fund   33 

 



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, 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.

All premiums/discounts are amortized/accreted on a yield-to-maturity basis.

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 $10,541,375 and the value of securities loaned amounted to $10,256,940.

Interfund lending The fund, along with other Putnam funds, may participate in an interfund lending program pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC. This program allows the fund to borrow from or lend to other Putnam funds that permit such transactions. Interfund lending transactions are subject to each fund’s investment policies and borrowing and lending limits. Interest earned or paid on the interfund lending transaction will be based on the average of certain current market rates. During the reporting period, the fund did not utilize the program.

Lines of credit The fund participates, along with other Putnam funds, in a $317.5 million unsecured committed line of credit and a $235.5 million unsecured uncommitted line of credit, both provided by State Street. Borrowings may be made for temporary or emergency purposes, including the funding of shareholder redemption requests and trade settlements. Interest is charged to the fund based on the fund’s borrowing at a rate equal to the higher of (1) the Federal Funds rate and (2) the overnight LIBOR plus 1.25% for the committed line of credit and the Federal Funds rate plus 1.30% for the uncommitted line of credit. A closing fee equal to 0.04% of the committed line of credit plus a $25,000 flat fee 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.

34   Convertible Securities Fund 

 



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 October 31, 2016, 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 

$11,085,528  $—  $11,085,528 

 

The aggregate identified cost on a tax basis is $640,347,512, resulting in gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of $82,230,968 and $28,501,035, respectively, or net unrealized appreciation of $53,729,933.

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 (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:

0.780%  of the first $5 billion,  0.580%  of the next $50 billion, 


0.730%  of the next $5 billion,  0.560%  of the next $50 billion, 


0.680%  of the next $10 billion,  0.550%  of the next $100 billion and 


0.630%  of the next $10 billion,  0.545%  of any excess thereafter. 


 

For the reporting period, the management fee represented an effective rate (excluding the impact from any expense waivers in effect) of 0.310% of the fund’s average net assets.

Putnam Management has contractually agreed, through February 28, 2018, to waive fees 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. PIL did not manage any portion of the assets of the fund during the reporting period. If Putnam Management were to engage the services of PIL, Putnam Management would pay a quarterly sub-management fee to PIL for its services at an annual rate of 0.35% of the average net assets of the portion of the fund managed by PIL.

The 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 M, 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

Convertible Securities Fund   35 

 



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 I shares paid a monthly fee based on the average net assets of class I shares at an annual rate of 0.01%.

During the reporting period, the expenses for each class of shares related to investor servicing fees were as follows:

Class A  $288,868  Class M  2,649 


Class B  6,307  Class R  3,532 


Class C  34,476  Class Y  141,322 


Class I  1  Total  $477,155 

 

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. The fund also reduced expenses through brokerage/service arrangements. For the reporting period, the fund’s expenses were reduced by $907 under the expense offset arrangements and by no monies under the brokerage/ service arrangements.

Each Independent Trustee of the fund receives an annual Trustee fee, of which $514, as a quarterly retainer, has been allocated to the fund, and an additional fee for each Trustees meeting attended. Trustees also are reimbursed for expenses they incur relating to their services as Trustees.

The fund has adopted a Trustee Fee Deferral Plan (the Deferral Plan) which allows the Trustees to defer the receipt of all or a portion of Trustees fees payable on or after July 1, 1995. The deferred fees remain invested in certain Putnam funds until distribution in accordance with the Deferral Plan.

The fund has adopted an unfunded noncontributory defined benefit pension plan (the Pension Plan) covering all Trustees of the fund who have served as a Trustee for at least five years and were first elected prior to 2004. Benefits under the Pension Plan are equal to 50% of the Trustee’s average annual attendance and retainer fees for the three years ended December 31, 2005. The retirement benefit is payable during a Trustee’s lifetime, beginning the year following retirement, for the number of years of service through December 31, 2006. Pension expense for the fund is included in Trustee compensation and expenses in the Statement of operations. Accrued pension liability is included in Payable for Trustee compensation and expenses in the Statement of assets and liabilities. The Trustees have terminated the Pension Plan with respect to any Trustee first elected after 2003.

The fund has adopted distribution plans (the Plans) with respect to the following class shares 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%  $501,472 

Class B  1.00%  1.00%  43,794 

Class C  1.00%  1.00%  239,364 

Class M  1.00%  0.75%  13,806 

Class R  1.00%  0.50%  12,279 

Total      $810,715 

 

For the reporting period, Putnam Retail Management Limited Partnership, acting as underwriter, received net commissions of $10,831 and $56 from the sale of class A and class M shares, respectively, and received $2,449 and $27 in contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of class B and class C shares, respectively.

36   Convertible Securities Fund 

 



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 no monies 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)  $221,996,840  $240,006,374 

U.S. government securities (Long-term)     

Total  $221,996,840  $240,006,374 

 

The fund may purchase or sell investments from or to other Putnam funds in the ordinary course of business, which can reduce the fund’s transaction costs, at prices determined in accordance with SEC requirements and policies approved by the Trustees. During the reporting period, purchases or sales of long-term securities from or to other Putnam funds, if any, did not represent more than 5% of the fund’s total cost of purchases and/or total proceeds from sales.

Note 4: Capital shares

At the close of the reporting period, there were an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest authorized. Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

  SIX MONTHS ENDED 4/30/17  YEAR ENDED 10/31/16 
Class A  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount 

Shares sold  614,111  $14,506,367  1,286,491  $28,362,087 

Shares issued in connection with         
reinvestment of distributions  160,628  3,788,736  1,180,569  25,489,758 

  774,739  18,295,103  2,467,060  53,851,845 

Shares repurchased  (2,230,318)  (52,584,143)  (6,686,319)  (143,338,958) 

Net decrease  (1,455,579)  $(34,289,040)  (4,219,259)  $(89,487,113) 
 
  SIX MONTHS ENDED 4/30/17  YEAR ENDED 10/31/16 
Class B  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount 

Shares sold  10,584  $240,137  42,602  $922,818 

Shares issued in connection with         
reinvestment of distributions  1,740  40,211  17,773  376,178 

  12,324  280,348  60,375  1,298,996 

Shares repurchased  (66,265)  (1,531,871)  (148,330)  (3,135,601) 

Net decrease  (53,941)  $(1,251,523)  (87,955)  $(1,836,605) 
 
  SIX MONTHS ENDED 4/30/17  YEAR ENDED 10/31/16 
Class C  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount 

Shares sold  49,619  $1,154,153  175,173  $3,770,151 

Shares issued in connection with         
reinvestment of distributions  9,702  226,339  112,921  2,409,648 

  59,321  1,380,492  288,094  6,179,799 

Shares repurchased  (428,360)  (9,921,901)  (1,146,332)  (24,471,301) 

Net decrease  (369,039)  $(8,541,409)  (858,238)  $(18,291,502) 

 

Convertible Securities Fund   37 

 



  SIX MONTHS ENDED 4/30/17  YEAR ENDED 10/31/16 
Class I  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount 

Shares sold    $—    $— 

Shares issued in connection with         
reinvestment of distributions  5  123  27  578 

  5  123  27  578 

Shares repurchased         

Net increase  5  $123  27  $578 
 
  SIX MONTHS ENDED 4/30/17  YEAR ENDED 10/31/16 
Class M  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount 

Shares sold  13,912  $325,160  10,515  $219,796 

Shares issued in connection with         
reinvestment of distributions  1,226  28,619  9,459  202,137 

  15,138  353,779  19,974  421,933 

Shares repurchased  (21,586)  (507,429)  (29,791)  (635,166) 

Net decrease  (6,448)  $(153,650)  (9,817)  $(213,233) 
 
  SIX MONTHS ENDED 4/30/17  YEAR ENDED 10/31/16 
Class R  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount 

Shares sold  30,266  $715,716  58,758  $1,265,333 

Shares issued in connection with         
reinvestment of distributions  1,651  38,804  11,233  241,582 

  31,917  754,520  69,991  1,506,915 

Shares repurchased  (38,134)  (889,988)  (65,408)  (1,411,597) 

Net increase (decrease)  (6,217)  $(135,468)  4,583  $95,318 
 
  SIX MONTHS ENDED 4/30/17  YEAR ENDED 10/31/16 
Class Y  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount 

Shares sold  1,784,523  $42,197,685  2,417,132  $52,513,689 

Shares issued in connection with         
reinvestment of distributions  75,203  1,774,139  480,361  10,367,362 

  1,859,726  43,971,824  2,897,493  62,881,051 

Shares repurchased  (1,395,507)  (32,686,373)  (5,660,259)  (121,971,476) 

Net increase (decrease)  464,219  $11,285,451  (2,762,766)  $(59,090,425) 

 

At the close of the reporting period, Putnam Investments, LLC owned the following shares of the fund:

  Shares owned  Percentage of ownership  Value 

Class I  434  100%  $10,627 

 

38   Convertible Securities Fund 

 



Note 5: Affiliated transactions

Transactions during the reporting period with any company which is under common ownership or control were as follows:

  Fair value at         
  the beginning        Fair value at 
  of the        the end of the 
  reporting      Investment  reporting 
Name of affiliate  period  Purchase cost  Sale proceeds  income  period 

Putnam Cash Collateral           
Pool, LLC*  $9,165,600  $75,797,659  $74,421,884  $45,798  $10,541,375 

Putnam Short Term           
Investment Fund**  37,483,736  100,745,413  114,563,479  85,251  23,665,670 

Totals  $46,649,336  $176,543,072  $188,985,363  $131,049  $34,207,045 

 

* 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.

** Management fees charged to Putnam Short Term Investment Fund have been waived by Putnam Management.

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.

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:

 
Warrants (number of warrants)  800 

 

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  Statement of    Statement of   
accounted for as  assets and    assets and   
hedging instruments  liabilities    liabilities   
under ASC 815  location  Fair value  location  Fair value 

Equity contracts  Investments  $8  Payables  $— 

Total    $8    $— 

 

The following is a summary of change in unrealized gains or losses of derivative instruments on the Statement of operations for the reporting period (Note 1) (there were no realized gains or losses on derivative instruments):

Change in unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) on derivatives recognized in net gain or (loss)   
on investments     

Derivatives not accounted for as     
hedging instruments under ASC 815  Warrants  Total 

Equity contracts  $—  $— 

Total  $—  $— 

 

Convertible Securities Fund   39 

 



Note 8: New pronouncements

In October 2016, the SEC adopted amendments to rules under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“final rules”) intended to modernize the reporting and disclosure of information by registered investment companies. The final rules amend Regulation S-X and require funds to provide standardized, enhanced derivative disclosure in fund financial statements in a format designed for individual investors. The amendments to Regulation S-X also update the disclosures for other investments and investments in and advances to affiliates and amend the rules regarding the general form and content of fund financial statements. The compliance date for the amendments to Regulation S-X is August 1, 2017. Putnam Management have evaluated the amendments and their impact, if any, on the fund’s financial statements.

40   Convertible Securities Fund 

 



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.

Growth  Income 
Growth Opportunities Fund  American Government Income Fund 
International Growth Fund  Diversified Income Trust 
Multi-Cap Growth Fund  Emerging Markets Income Fund 
Small Cap Growth Fund  Floating Rate Income Fund 
  Global Income Trust
Blend  Government Money Market Fund*
Capital Opportunities Fund  High Yield Advantage Fund
Capital Spectrum Fund  High Yield Trust
Emerging Markets Equity Fund  Income Fund
Equity Spectrum Fund  Money Market Fund
Europe Equity Fund  Short Duration Income Fund
Global Equity Fund  U.S. Government Income Trust
International Capital Opportunities Fund   
International Equity Fund  Tax-free Income 
Investors Fund  AMT-Free Municipal Fund 
Low Volatility Equity Fund  Intermediate-Term Municipal Income Fund 
Multi-Cap Core Fund  Short-Term Municipal Income Fund 
Research Fund  Tax Exempt Income Fund 
  Tax-Free High Yield Fund
Value   
Convertible Securities Fund  State tax-free income funds: 
Equity Income Fund  Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Michigan, 
Global Dividend Fund  Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, 
The Putnam Fund for Growth and Income  and Pennsylvania. 
International Value Fund   
Multi-Cap Value Fund   
Small Cap Value Fund   

 

Convertible Securities Fund   41 

 



Absolute Return  Retirement Income Fund Lifestyle 1 — a portfolio 
Absolute Return 100 Fund®  with managed allocations to stocks, bonds, 
Absolute Return 300 Fund®  and money market investments to generate 
Absolute Return 500 Fund®  retirement income. 
Absolute Return 700 Fund®   
  RetirementReady® Funds — portfolios with
Global Sector  adjusting allocations to stocks, bonds, and 
Global Consumer Fund  money market instruments, becoming more 
Global Energy Fund  conservative over time. 
Global Financials Fund
Global Health Care Fund RetirementReady® 2060 Fund 
Global Industrials Fund RetirementReady® 2055 Fund 
Global Natural Resources Fund RetirementReady® 2050 Fund 
Global Sector Fund RetirementReady® 2045 Fund 
Global Technology Fund RetirementReady® 2040 Fund 
Global Telecommunications Fund RetirementReady® 2035 Fund 
Global Utilities Fund RetirementReady® 2030 Fund 
  RetirementReady® 2025 Fund 
Asset Allocation  RetirementReady® 2020 Fund 
George Putnam Balanced Fund   
 
Global Asset Allocation Funds — four   
investment portfolios that spread your money   
across a variety of stocks, bonds, and money   
market instruments.   
 
Dynamic Asset Allocation Balanced Fund   
Dynamic Asset Allocation Conservative Fund   
Dynamic Asset Allocation Growth Fund   
Dynamic Risk Allocation 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.

42   Convertible Securities Fund 

 



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.

Convertible Securities Fund   43 

 



Putnam’s commitment to confidentiality

In order to conduct business with our shareholders, we must obtain certain personal information such as account holders’ names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth. Using this information, we are able to maintain accurate records of accounts and transactions.

It is our policy to protect the confidentiality of our shareholder information, whether or not a shareholder currently owns shares of our funds. In particular, it is our policy not to sell information about you or your accounts to outside marketing firms. We have safeguards in place designed to prevent unauthorized access to our computer systems and procedures to protect personal information from unauthorized use.

Within the Putnam organization, your information is shared with those who need it to service your account or provide you with information about other Putnam products or services. Under certain circumstances, we must also share account information with outside vendors who provide services to us, such as mailings and proxy solicitations. In these cases, the service providers enter into confidentiality agreements with us, and we provide only the information necessary to process transactions and perform other services related to your account. It is also our policy to share account information with your financial advisor, if you've provided us with information about your advisor and that person is listed on your Putnam account.

If you would like clarification about our confidentiality policies or have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us at 1-800-225-1581, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

44   Convertible Securities Fund 

 



Fund information

Founded over 75 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 over 100 funds across income, value, blend, growth, asset allocation, absolute return, and global sector categories.

Investment Manager  Trustees  James F. Clark 
Putnam Investment  Jameson A. Baxter, Chair  Vice President and 
Management, LLC  Kenneth R. Leibler, Vice Chair  Chief Compliance Officer 
One Post Office Square  Liaquat Ahamed   
Boston, MA 02109  Ravi Akhoury  Michael J. Higgins 
  Barbara M. Baumann  Vice President, Treasurer, 
Investment Sub-Advisor  Robert J. Darretta  and Clerk 
Putnam Investments Limited Katinka Domotorffy  
57–59 St James’s Street Catharine Bond Hill Janet C. Smith 
London, England SW1A 1LD John A. Hill Vice President, 
  Paul L. Joskow Principal Financial Officer, 
Marketing Services  Robert E. Patterson Principal Accounting Officer, 
Putnam Retail Management  George Putnam, III and Assistant Treasurer 
One Post Office Square  Robert L. Reynolds  
Boston, MA 02109  Manoj P. Singh Susan G. Malloy 
  W. Thomas Stephens Vice President and 
Custodian    Assistant Treasurer 
State Street Bank  Officers  
and Trust Company  Robert L. Reynolds Mark C. Trenchard 
  President Vice President and 
Legal Counsel    BSA Compliance Officer 
Ropes & Gray LLP Jonathan S. Horwitz  
Executive Vice President, Nancy E. Florek 
  Principal Executive Officer, Vice President, Director of 
  and Compliance Liaison Proxy Voting and Corporate 
    Governance, Assistant Clerk, 
  Robert T. Burns and Associate Treasurer 
  Vice President and   
  Chief Legal Officer   

 

This report is for the information of shareholders of Putnam Convertible Securities 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. Exhibits:
(a)(1) Not applicable
(a)(2) Separate certifications for the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, are filed herewith.
(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 Convertible Securities Fund
By (Signature and Title):
/s/ Janet C. Smith
Janet C. Smith
Principal Accounting Officer

Date: June 27, 2017
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: June 27, 2017
By (Signature and Title):
/s/ Janet C. Smith
Janet C. Smith
Principal Financial Officer

Date: June 27, 2017