N-CSR 1 a_globalequity.htm PUTNAM GLOBAL EQUITY FUND
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: (811-07615)   
 
Exact name of registrant as specified in charter: Putnam Global Equity Fund
 
Address of principal executive offices: One Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02109 
 
Name and address of agent for service:    Beth S. Mazor, Vice President 
  One Post Office Square 
  Boston, Massachusetts 02109 
 
Copy to:    John W. Gerstmayr, Esq. 
  Ropes & Gray LLP 
  One International Place 
  Boston, Massachusetts 02110 
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (617) 292-1000 
 
Date of fiscal year end: October 31, 2009     
 
Date of reporting period: November 1, 2008 — October 31, 2009 

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:





A BALANCED APPROACH

Since 1937, when George Putnam created a diverse mix of stocks and bonds in a single, professionally managed portfolio, Putnam has championed the balanced approach.

A WORLD OF INVESTING

Today, we offer investors a world of equity, fixed-income, multi-asset, and absolute-return portfolios to suit a range of financial goals.

A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE

Our portfolio managers seek superior results over time, backed by original, fundamental research on a global scale. We believe in the value of experienced financial advice, in providing exemplary service, and in putting clients first in all we do.

Putnam   
Global Equity   
Fund   
 
Annual report   
10 |31 |09   
 
 
 
 
Message from the Trustees  1 
About the fund  2 
Performance and portfolio snapshots  4 
Interview with your fund’s portfolio manager  5 
Your fund’s performance  8 
Your fund’s expenses  9 
Terms and definitions  11 
Trustee approval of management contract  12 
Other information for shareholders  19 
Financial statements  20 
Federal tax information  35 
About the Trustees  36 
Officers  40 



Message from the Trustees

Dear Fellow Shareholder:

The stock market’s performance since March has helped restore investor confidence and rebuild portfolios. While this upward trend is welcome, investors should not be surprised if this rate of appreciation levels off in coming months. Time-tested investment principles, such as diversification, asset allocation, and a long-term perspective, apply now more than ever.

In this improved climate, we are pleased to report that many Putnam mutual funds have delivered strong and competitive results over the past year. This performance reflects the intense efforts of an investment team infused with a determination to excel and strengthened by the arrival of several senior portfolio managers, research analysts, and traders.

In another development, Charles E. “Ed” Haldeman, Jr. has stepped down as President of the Putnam Funds and as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Funds to become Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC), also known as Freddie Mac. Effective July 2009, Robert L. Reynolds, President and Chief Executive Officer of Putnam Investments and a Trustee of the Putnam Funds, replaced Mr. Haldeman as President of the Putnam Funds.

We would like to thank all shareholders who took the time to vote by proxy on a number of issues, including shareholder-friendly fee changes, at this fall’s Putnam Funds’ shareholder meetings. We also would like to take this opportunity to welcome new shareholders to the fund and to thank all our investors for your continued confidence in Putnam.



About the fund
Seeking the benefits of investing in stocks around the world

Just as free trade has opened the U.S. economy to world imports in recent years, the world has also opened to U.S. investors. Putnam Global Equity Fund targets solid companies throughout the world to offer investors a globally diversified stock portfolio.

With a global mandate, the fund invests across developed markets such as the United States, the European Union, and Japan. It also invests a portion of its assets in emerging markets. Though they have greater risk of volatility and illiquid securities, markets such as Brazil, Russia, India, and China may offer more robust economic growth.

The fund’s portfolio manager selects portfolio holdings from thousands of stocks worldwide, with a strategy that seeks quality companies without a bias toward either growth- or value-style stocks. The manager seeks to buy the stocks of these companies when they are priced below what he determines to be their true worth.

While the fund typically favors large, blue-chip companies, it can also invest in midsize and small companies. Although the stocks of smaller companies can be more volatile, they may offer stronger growth potential as well.

The fund has the flexibility to invest in top global competitors wherever they are based. To gather information about this wide variety of companies and markets, the manager draws on in-house research by Putnam analysts based in Boston, London, and Singapore.

While investing in companies that operate under different economic and political systems involves risk, the fund may let your money grow when there is a downturn in the U.S. economy. That may be because international economies, which can follow a different business cycle, might be growing while the U.S. economy is sluggish.

In addition, investing in securities denominated in foreign currencies provides another type of diversification.

While the euro, the yen, and other currencies fluctuate in value, the fund can benefit when these currencies strengthen against the U.S. dollar. The manager diligently monitors risk, seeking to sell fund holdings and to hedge currencies that may offer more risk than reward.

Since 1994, the fund has offered investors the opportunity to benefit from the investment potential of diverse companies around the world.

Consider these risks before investing: International investing involves certain risks, such as currency fluctuations, economic instability, and political developments. Additional risks may be associated with emerging-market securities, including illiquidity and volatility. The fund invests some or all of its assets in small and/or midsize companies. Such investments increase the risk of fluctuations in the value of your investment.

Stock selection stresses
fundamental analysis

In selecting holdings for the fund, the portfolio manager looks for stocks that have multiple sources of strength working in their favor.

To consider a wide range of possible strengths, he uses a disciplined research process that stresses fundamental analysis. The process has three stages:

Screening: With support from a team of stock analysts, the manager screens companies around the world to focus on 100–200 stocks that he wants to consider buying for the portfolio.

Analysis: To determine which stocks to favor and which to reject, the manager and analysts meet with company management and their competitors, customers, and suppliers.

Portfolio construction: The manager regularly reviews and monitors the fund’s holdings, seeking to build and maintain a portfolio that offers a balance of return and risk.

Developments that have expanded opportunities for global investing



Performance and
portfolio snapshots

Average annual total return (%) comparison as of 10/31/09


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 pages 5 and 8–9 foradditional performance information. For a portion of the periods, this fund may have limited expenses, without which returns would have been lower. Due to market volatility, current performance may be higher or lower than performance shown. A 1% short-term trading fee may apply. To obtain the most recent month-end performance, visit putnam.com.

“After hitting lows in March, stocks staged
a remarkable recovery across global
markets — surging at a much faster pace
than many expected.”
Shigeki Makino, Portfolio Manager, Putnam Global Equity Fund

The top 10 country allocations represent 83.6% of the fund’s portfolio value. The remaining balance of the fund’s portfolio is invested in 17 other countries. Data excludes short-term investments held as collateral for loaned securities and also excludes exposure to some countries achieved through various derivative instruments. Weightings will vary over time.


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Interview with your
fund’s portfolio manager

Shigeki Makino

Shigeki, how did Putnam Global Equity Fund perform for its fiscal year, which ended on October 31, 2009?

I’m pleased to report that the fund delivered a solid return for the period, gaining 19.13% as world stock markets recovered from one of their most difficult downturns in decades. The fund outperformed its benchmark, the MSCI World Index, which returned 18.42%, but slightly lagged the average return of its peers, which was 20.12% for the 12-month period.

During the period, conditions changed considerably in world markets.

Yes, we witnessed two dramatically different market environments. The period began amidst great turbulence and historic declines, as the financial crisis took its toll on global stock markets and the global economy. After hitting lows in March, stocks staged a remarkable recovery across global markets — surging at a much faster pace than many expected. Investors shifted from avoiding any risk-taking to regaining their appetites for risk. These conditions posed a challenge for positioning the fund’s portfolio. If we had positioned the fund too defensively, we would not have been able to capitalize on the recovery. It was important to be relatively aggressive in terms of the sectors and regions we targeted, as well as the types of stocks we owned.

How did the fund’s positioning affect performance?

Our country allocations added value during the period, but some of our sector allocations detracted somewhat because we weren’t focused enough on industries that benefited from the recovery. One example was the fund’s underweight position in the financials sector when these stocks were rebounding significantly. In terms of regions, our investments in emerging-market stocks contributed, particularly relative to our benchmark, which doesn’t include emerging markets. Among the strongest performers were companies in China, South Africa, and Taiwan.

What were some stocks that contributed to performance?

Grupo Mexico, a holding company specializing in mining, transportation, and infrastructure, was a highlight. We were able to capitalize on the stock’s attractive price, which had declined when investors became concerned about the company’s battle for control over Asarco, a bankrupt copper mining company. As the issue was resolved and copper prices


This comparison shows your fund’s performance in the context of broad market indexes for the 12 months ended 10/31/09. See the previous page and pages 8–9 for additional fund performance information. Index descriptions can be found on page 11.

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rose, Grupo Mexico shares performed well. By the close of the period, this stock had been sold from the portfolio.

RR Donnelley & Sons, a U.S.-based publishing and communications company, also contributed significantly. Its shares became exceedingly cheap, in our view, as investors worried about the impact of the recession on its business. As the economy and investor confidence began to recover, RR Donnelley shares rebounded considerably.

Another top contributor was Addax Petroleum, a Switzerland-based oil and gas exploration and production company. When we added this stock to the portfolio, we believed the company’s assets and large reserves were underappreciated by investors. Addax was acquired by China Petrochemical Corporation in August, and was no longer in the portfolio at the close of the period.

The fund also benefited from our investment in Bank of China. One of the largest banks in the world, it has strong franchises in a market that will require a significant amount of capital to meet its growing needs. The bank also benefited from tremendous loan growth following the launch of a stimulus plan in China.

IN THE NEWS

The value of the U.S. dollar against most major currencies has plummeted since March. However, it is unclear whether policymakers are finding cause for concern. After all, a weak dollar encourages consumers to buy American at home and encourages U.S. exports. For some investors in the United States, a weaker greenback also has enhanced returns when returns on international securities get translated back into U.S. dollars. On the other hand, a devalued currency — coupled with historically low interest rates and soaring budget deficits — makes U.S. government debt less attractive to foreign investors. With unemployment at a 26-year high and increased government spending on the horizon, it is unlikely the dollar will gain strength anytime soon.

Which holdings detracted from returns?

The top detractor was Apollo Group, a provider of online and on-campus educational programs and services. Apollo experienced a slow decline throughout 2009, as investors viewed this as a relatively defensive stock and focused on more aggressive investments. In addition, the stock retreated sharply following an announcement that the Securities and Exchange Commission had an informal inquiry into Apollo’s revenue recognition practices. Despite these setbacks, the stock remained in the portfolio at the close of the period. We believe Apollo has a sound business model and continues to offer attractive long-term growth potential.

Although we sold it from the portfolio in the first half of the period, Royal Bank of Scotland was still a top detractor from

Top 10 holdings

Holding (percentage of fund’s net assets)  COUNTRY  SECTOR/INDUSTRY 
Royal Dutch Shell PLC class A (3.3%)  United Kingdom  Energy/Oil and gas 
Pfizer, Inc. (2.9%)  United States  Health care/Pharmaceuticals 
Banco Santander Central Hispano SA (2.6%)  Spain  Financials/Banking 
Zurich Financial Services AG (2.6%)  Switzerland  Financials/Insurance 
StatoilHydro ASA (2.5%)  Norway  Energy/Oil and gas 
Ingram Micro, Inc. class A (2.5%)  United States  Technology/Technology services 
Archer Daniels Midland Co. (2.4%)  United States  Basic materials/Agriculture 
Philip Morris International, Inc. (2.2%)  United States  Consumer staples/Tobacco 
RadioShack Corp. (2.2%)  United States  Consumer cyclicals/Retail 
RR Donnelley & Sons Co. (2.1%)  United States  Consumer cyclicals/Publishing 

This table shows the fund’s top 10 holdings and the percentage of the fund’s net assets that each represented as 10/31/09. Short-term holdings are excluded. Holdings will vary over time.

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the fund’s overall performance for the fiscal year. This U.K.-based bank was partially nationalized last year after receiving a taxpayer-funded bailout, which severely diluted existing shareholders’ stake in the company. Given the challenges facing the company, we believed that it was not likely to recover quickly and we sold our position to seek opportunities in other financial stocks. Another detractor that we sold early in the period was Panasonic, the Japan-based manufacturer of electronic products previously known as Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. We believed this stock was an attractive opportunity based on its share price and the company’s efforts to cut costs and make structural improvements. However, the stock performed poorly as global consumption weakened and the yen strengthened, hurting exports.

What is your outlook for the global economy?

I think many investors do not appreciate just how depressed a lot of economic indicators remain. From inventory levels and GDP growth to housing starts and hotel rate occupancies, many major economic factors are deeply depressed by historical standards. Therefore, I believe we may be underestimating how much of an improvement we might continue to see in the global economy. Certainly we’ve seen strength in China and other Asian markets, but many other regions have been showing early signs of improvement, and the long-awaited recovery in demand is starting to take place. I think we will continue to see a cyclical recovery, with markets moving higher over time, but at a more measured pace than we’ve seen over the past year.

Thanks for your time, Shigeki.

The views expressed in this report are exclusively those of Putnam Management. They are not meant as investmentadvice.

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.

Of special interest

We are pleased to report that the fund benefited during the period as a result of a court-ordered settlement distribution made to eligible holders of Tyco International, Ltd. common stock. The fund received $8,298,139 in March 2009.


Portfolio Manager Shigeki Makino is Head of Global Large Cap Equities at Putnam. He has an M.B.A. from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a B.S. from the University of Illinois. Shigeki joined Putnam in 2000 and has been in the investment industry since 1989.

Comparison of top sector weightings


This chart shows how the fund’s top weightings have changed over the past six months. Weightings are shown as a percentage of net assets. Holdings will vary over time.

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Your fund’s performance

This section shows your fund’s performance, price, and distribution information for periods ended October 31, 2009, the end of its most recent fiscal year. In accordance with regulatory requirements for mutual funds, we also include performance 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 represents 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 Y shares are generally only available to corporate and institutional clients and clients in other approved programs. 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 10/31/09

  Class A  Class B  Class C  Class M  Class R  Class Y 
(inception dates)  (7/1/94)  (7/1/94)  (2/1/99)  (7/3/95)  (1/21/03)  (9/23/02) 
  NAV  POP  NAV  CDSC  NAV  CDSC  NAV  POP  NAV  NAV 
Annual average (life of fund)  7.14%  6.73%  6.40%  6.40%  6.40%  6.40%  6.67%  6.42%  6.88%  7.26% 
10 years  3.62  –2.38  –3.85  –3.85  –3.76  –3.76  –1.32  –4.81  1.18  5.30 
Annual average  0.36  –0.24  –0.39  –0.39  –0.38  –0.38  –0.13  –0.49  0.12  0.52 
5 years  6.53  0.43  2.53  0.54  2.67  2.67  3.88  0.26  5.30  7.73 
Annual average  1.27  0.09  0.50  0.11  0.53  0.53  0.76  0.05  1.04  1.50 
3 years  –23.42  –27.83  –25.18  –27.36  –25.10  –25.10  –24.54  –27.17  –24.01  –22.91 
Annual average  –8.51  –10.30  –9.22  –10.11  –9.18  –9.18  –8.96  –10.03  –8.75  –8.31 
1 year  19.13  12.27  18.18  13.18  18.21  17.21  18.57  14.40  18.83  19.34 

Current performance may be lower or higher than the quoted past performance, which cannot guarantee future results. After-sales-charge returns (public offering price, or POP) for class A and M shares reflect a maximum 5.75% and 3.50% load, respectively. Class B share returns reflect the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), which is 5% in the first year, declining to 1% in the sixth year, and is eliminated thereafter. Class C shares reflect a 1% CDSC for the first year that is eliminated thereafter. Class R and Y shares have no initial sales charge or CDSC. Performance for class 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, except for class Y shares, the higher operating expenses for such shares.

For a portion of the periods, this fund may have limited expenses, without which returns would have been lower.

Due to market volatility, current performance may be higher or lower than performance shown. A 1% short-term trading fee may be applied to shares exchanged or sold within 90 days of purchase.

Recent performance benefited from the receipt of a Tyco International, Ltd. class action settlement pertaining to investments made prior to 2003.

Change in the value of a $10,000 investment ($9,425 after sales charge) Cumulative total return from 10/31/99 to 10/31/09

Past performance does not indicate future results. At the end of the same time period, a $10,000 investment in the fund’s class B and class C shares would have been valued at $9,615 and $9,624, respectively, and no contingent deferred sales charges would apply. A $10,000 investment in the fund’s class M shares ($9,650 after sales charge) would have been valued at $9,519 at public offering price. A $10,000 investment in the fund’s class R and class Y shares would have been valued at $10,118 and $10,530, respectively.

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Comparative index returns For periods ended 10/31/09   
    Lipper Global Large-Cap Core Funds 
  MSCI World Index  category average* 
Annual average (life of fund)  5.58%  6.11% 
10 years  2.33  13.92 
Annual average  0.23  1.09 
5 years  13.92  17.70 
Annual average  2.64  3.23 
3 years  –17.10  –13.56 
Annual average  –6.06  –4.82 
1 year  18.42  20.12 

Index and Lipper results should be compared to fund performance at net asset value.

* Over the 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, 10-year, and life-of-fund periods ended 10/31/09, there were 104, 91, 76, 40, and 18 funds, respectively, in this Lipper category.

Fund price and distribution information For the 12-month period ended 10/31/09

Distributions  Class A Class B  Class C  Class M Class R  Class Y 
Number  1 —  —  — —  1 
Income  $0.010 —  —  — —  $0.037 
Capital gains  — —  —  — —  — 
Total  $0.010 —  —  — —  $0.037 
Share value  NAV  POP  NAV  NAV  NAV  POP  NAV  NAV 
10/31/08  $6.55  $6.95  $5.94  $6.26  $6.30  $6.53  $6.48  $6.76 
10/31/09  7.79  8.27  7.02  7.40  7.47  7.74  7.70  8.02 

The classification of distributions, if any, is an estimate. Final distribution information will appear on your year-end tax forms.

Fund performance as of most recent calendar quarter Total return for periods ended 9/30/09

  Class A  Class B  Class C  Class M  Class R  Class Y 
(inception dates)  (7/1/94)  (7/1/94)  (2/1/99)  (7/3/95)  (1/21/03)  (9/23/02) 
  NAV  POP  NAV  CDSC  NAV  CDSC  NAV  POP  NAV  NAV 
Annual average (life of fund)  7.45%  7.04%  6.72%  6.72%  6.71%  6.71%  6.99%  6.74%  7.20%  7.57% 
10 years  13.26  6.76  5.27  5.27  5.30  5.30  8.10  4.27  10.83  15.25 
Annual average  1.25  0.66  0.51  0.51  0.52  0.52  0.78  0.42  1.03  1.43 
5 years  12.97  6.50  8.93  6.92  8.74  8.74  10.27  6.35  11.72  14.47 
Annual average  2.47  1.27  1.73  1.35  1.69  1.69  1.97  1.24  2.24  2.74 
3 years  –16.38  –21.21  –18.11  –20.49  –18.23  –18.23  –17.48  –20.34  –16.86  –15.68 
Annual average  –5.79  –7.64  –6.44  –7.36  –6.49  –6.49  –6.20  –7.30  –5.97  –5.53 
1 year  –2.96  –8.54  –3.56  –8.38  –3.63  –4.60  –3.36  –6.72  –3.14  –2.68 

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. In the most recent six-month period, your fund limited these expenses; had it not done so, expenses would have been higher. 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.

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Expense ratios             
  Class A  Class B  Class C  Class M  Class R  Class Y 
Total annual operating expenses for the fiscal year             
ended 10/31/08  1.46%  2.21%  2.21%  1.96%  1.71%  1.21% 
Annualized expense ratio for the six-month period             
ended 10/31/09*†  1.45%  2.20%  2.20%  1.95%  1.70%  1.20% 

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.

* For the fund’s most recent fiscal half year; may differ from expense ratios based on one-year data in the financial highlights.

† Includes interest accrued in connection with certain terminated derivatives contracts, which amounted to less than 0.01% of average net assets for the six months ended 10/31/09.

Expenses per $1,000

The following table shows the expenses you would have paid on a $1,000 investment in Putnam Global Equity Fund from May 1, 2009, to October31, 2009. 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 M  Class R  Class Y 
Expenses paid per $1,000*†  $8.31  $12.57  $12.57  $11.15  $9.73  $6.88 
Ending value (after expenses)  $1,272.90  $1,267.20  $1,267.10  $1,268.30  $1,270.60  $1,273.00 

* 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 10/31/09. 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 October 31, 2009, use the following calculation method. To find the value of your investment on May 1, 2009, 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 M  Class R  Class Y 
Expenses paid per $1,000*†  $7.37  $11.17  $11.17  $9.91  $8.64  $6.11 
Ending value (after expenses)  $1,017.90  $1,014.12  $1,014.12  $1,015.38  $1,016.64  $1,019.16 

* 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 10/31/09. 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.

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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.

Net asset value (NAV) is the price, or value, of one share of a mutual fund, without a sales charge. NAVs fluctuate with market conditions. NAV is calculated by dividing the net assets of each class of shares by the number of outstanding shares in the class.

Public offering price (POP) is the price of a mutual fund share plus the maximum sales charge levied at the time of purchase. POP 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 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 not subject to an initial sales charge. They 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 M shares have a lower initial sales charge and a higher 12b-1 fee than class A shares and no CDSC (except on certain redemptions of shares bought without an initial sales charge).

Class R shares are not subject to an initial sales charge or CDSC and are available only to certain defined contribution 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.

Comparative indexes

Barclays Capital 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.

Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) World Index is an unmanaged index of equity securities from developed countries.

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.

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Trustee approval of management contract

General conclusions

The Board of Trustees of the Putnam funds oversees the management of each fund and, as required by law, determines annually whether to approve the continuance of your fund’s management contract with Putnam Investment Management (“Putnam Management”), the sub-management contract, with respect to your fund, between Putnam Management and its affiliate, Putnam Investments Limited (“PIL”), and the sub-advisory contract among Putnam Management, PIL, and another affiliate, Putnam Advisory Company (“PAC”).

In this regard, the Board of Trustees, with the assistance of its Contract Committee consisting solely of Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of the Putnam funds (the “Independent Trustees”), requests and evaluates all information it deems reasonably necessary under the circumstances. Over the course of several months ending in June 2009, the Contract Committee met several times to consider the information provided by Putnam Management and other information developed with the assistance of the Board’s independent counsel and independent staff. The Contract Committee reviewed and discussed key aspects of this information with all of the Independent Trustees. At the Trustees’ June 12, 2009 meeting, the Contract Committee recommended, and the Independent Trustees approved, the continuance of your fund’s management, sub-management and sub-advisory contracts, effective July 1, 2009. (Because PIL and PAC are affiliates of Putnam Management and Putnam Management remains fully responsible for all services provided by PIL and PAC, the Trustees have not evaluated PIL or PAC as separate entities, and all subsequent references to Putnam Management below should be deemed to include reference to PIL and PAC as necessary or appropriate in the context.)

The Independent Trustees’ approval was based on the following conclusions:

• That the fee schedule in effect for your fund represented reasonable compensation in light of the nature and quality of the services being provided to the fund, the fees paid by competitive funds and the costs incurred by Putnam Management in providing such services, and

• That such fee schedule represented an appropriate sharing between fund shareholders and Putnam Management of such economies of scale as may exist in the management of the fund at current assetlevels.

These conclusions were based on a comprehensive consideration of all information provided to the Trustees, were subject to the continued application of certain expense reductions and waivers pending other considerations noted below, and were not the result of any single factor. Some of the factors that figured particularly in the Trustees’ deliberations and how the Trustees considered these factors are described below, although individual Trustees may have evaluated the information presented differently, giving different weights to various factors. It is also important to recognize that the fee arrangements for your fund and the other Putnam funds are the result of many years of review and discussion between the Independent Trustees and Putnam Management, that certain aspects of the arrangements may receive greater scrutiny in some years than others, and that the Trustees’ conclusions may be based, in part, on their consideration of these same arrangements in prior years.

Consideration of strategic
pricing proposal

The Trustees considered that the Contract Committee had been engaged in a detailed review of Putnam Management’s strategic pricing proposal that was first presented to the Committee at its May 2009 meeting. The proposal included proposed changes to the basic structure of the management fees in place for all open-end funds (except the Putnam RetirementReady® Funds and Putnam Money Market Liquidity Fund), including implementation of a breakpoint structure based on the aggregate net assets of all such funds in lieu of the individual breakpoint structures in place for each fund, as well as implementation of performance fees for certain funds. In addition, the proposal recommended substituting separate expense limitations on investor servicing fees and on other expenses as a group in lieu of the total expense limitations in place for many funds.

While the Contract Committee noted the likelihood that the Trustees and Putnam Management would reach agreement on the strategic pricing matters in later months, the terms of the management contracts required that the Trustees approve the continuance of the contracts in order to prevent their expiration at June 30, 2009. The Contract Committee’s recommendations in June reflect its conclusion that the terms of the contractual arrangements for your fund continued to be appropriate for the upcoming term, absent any possible agreement with respect to the matters addressed in Putnam Management’s proposal.

The Trustees were mindful of the significant changes that had occurred at Putnam Management in the past two years, including a change of ownership, the installation of a new senior management team at Putnam Management, the substantial decline in assets under management resulting from extraordinary market forces as well as continued net redemptions in many funds, the introduction of new fund products representing novel investment strategies and the introduction of performance fees for certain new funds. The Trustees were also mindful that many other leading firms in the industry had also been experiencing significant challenges due to the changing financial and competitive environment. For these reasons, even though the Trustees believed that the current contractual arrangements in place between the funds and Putnam Management and its affiliates have served shareholders well and continued

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to be appropriate for the near term, the Trustees believed that it was an appropriate time to reconsider the current structure of the funds’ contractual arrangements with Putnam Management with a view to possible changes that might better serve the interests of shareholders in this new environment. The Trustees concluded their review of Putnam Management’s strategic pricing proposal in July 2009, and their considerations regarding the proposal are discussed below under the heading “Subsequent approval of strategic pricing proposal.” With the exception of the discussion under this heading, the following discussion generally addresses only the Trustees’ reasons for recommending the continuance of the current contractual arrangements as, at the time the Trustees determined to make this recommendation, the Trustees had not yet reached any conclusions with respect to the strategic pricing proposal.

Management fee schedules and categories; total expenses

The Trustees reviewed the management fee schedules in effect for all Putnam funds, including fee levels and breakpoints, and the assignment of funds to particular fee categories. The general fee structure has been carefully developed over the years and re-examined on many occasions and adjusted where appropriate. In this regard, the Trustees noted that shareholders of all funds voted by overwhelming majorities in 2007 to approve new management contracts containing identical fee schedules.

In reviewing fees and expenses, the Trustees generally focused their attention on material changes in circumstances — for example, changes in a fund’s size or investment style, changes in Putnam Management’s operating costs, or changes in competitive practices in the mutual fund industry — that suggest that consideration of fee changes might be warranted. The Trustees concluded that the circumstances did not warrant changes to the management fee structure of your fund at that time but, as indicated above, based on their detailed review of the current fee structure, were prepared to consider possible changes to this arrangement that might better serve the interests of shareholders in the future. The Trustees focused on two areas of particular interest, as discussed further below:

• Competitiveness. The Trustees reviewed comparative fee and expense information for competitive funds, which indicated that, in a custom peer group of competitive funds selected by Lipper Inc., your fund ranked in the 19th percentile in management fees and in the 29th percentile in total expenses (less any applicable 12b-1 fees) as of December31, 2008 (the first percentile being the least expensive funds and the 100th percentile being the most expensive funds).

The Trustees noted that expense ratios for a number of Putnam funds, which show the percentage of fund assets used to pay for management and administrative services, distribution (12b-1) fees (as applicable) and other expenses, had been increasing recently as a result of declining net assets and the natural operation of fee breakpoints. The Trustees expressed their intention to monitor the funds’ percentile rankings in management fees and in total expenses to ensure that fees and expenses of the funds continue to meet evolving competitive standards.

The Trustees noted that the expense ratio increases described above were being controlled by expense limitations initially implemented in January 2004. These expense limitations give effect to a commitment by Putnam Management that the expense ratio of each open-end fund would be no higher than the average expense ratio of the competitive funds included in the fund’s relevant Lipper universe (exclusive of any applicable 12b-1 charges in each case). The Trustees observed that this commitment to limit fund expenses has served shareholders well since its inception and, while the Contract Committee was reviewing proposed alternative expense limitation arrangements as noted above, the Trustees received a commitment from Putnam Management and its parent company to continue this program through at least June 30, 2010, or such earlier time as the Trustees and Putnam Management reach agreement on alternative arrangements.

In order to ensure that the expenses of the Putnam funds continue to meet evolving competitive standards, the Trustees requested, and Putnam Management agreed, to extend for the twelve months beginning July 1, 2009, or until such earlier time as the Trustees and Putnam Management reach agreement on alternative expense limitation arrangements, an additional expense limitation for certain funds at an amount equal to the average expense ratio (exclusive of 12b-1 charges) of a custom peer group of competitive funds selected by Lipper to correspond to the size of the fund. This additional expense limitation is applicable to those open-end funds that had above-average expense ratios (exclusive of 12b-1 charges) based on the custom peer group data for the period ended December 31, 2007. This additional expense limitation was not applied to your fund because it had a below-average expense ratio relative to its custom peer group.

• Economies of scale. Your fund currently has the benefit of breakpoints in its management fee that provide shareholders with significant economies of scale, which means that the effective management fee rate of the fund (as a percentage of fund assets) declines as the fund grows in size and crosses specified asset thresholds. Conversely, as the fund shrinks in size — as has been the case for many Putnam funds in recent years — these breakpoints result in increasing fee levels. In recent years, the Trustees have examined the operation of the existing breakpoint structure during periods of both growth and decline in asset levels. The Trustees concluded that the fee schedule in effect for your fund represented an appropriate sharing of economies of scale at that time but, as noted above, were in the process of reviewing a proposal to eliminate individual fund breakpoints for all of the open-end funds (except for the Putnam RetirementReady® Funds and Putnam Money Market Liquidity Fund) in favor of a breakpoint structure based on the aggregate net assets of all such funds.

In connection with their review of the management fees and total expenses of the Putnam funds, the Trustees also reviewed

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the costs of the services provided and profits realized by Putnam Management and its affiliates from their contractual relationships with the funds. This information included trends in revenues, expenses and profitability of Putnam Management and its affiliates relating to the investment management and distribution services provided to the funds. In this regard, the Trustees also reviewed an analysis of Putnam Management’s revenues, expenses and profitability with respect to the funds’ management contracts, allocated on a fund-by-fund basis.

Investment performance

The quality of the investment process provided by Putnam Management represented a major factor in the Trustees’ evaluation of the quality of services provided by Putnam Management under your fund’s management contract. The Trustees were assisted in their review of the Putnam funds’ investment process and performance by the work of the Investment Oversight Coordinating Committee of the Trustees and the Investment Oversight Committees of the Trustees, which had met on a regular monthly basis with the funds’ portfolio teams throughout the year. The Trustees concluded that Putnam Management generally provides a high-quality investment process — as measured by the experience and skills of the individuals assigned to the management of fund portfolios, the resources made available to such personnel, and in general the ability of Putnam Management to attract and retain high-quality personnel — but also recognized that this does not guarantee favorable investment results for every fund in every time period. The Trustees considered the investment performance of each fund over multiple time periods and considered information comparing each fund’s performance with various benchmarks and with the performance of competitive funds.

The Trustees noted the disappointing investment performance of many of the funds for periods ended March 31, 2009. They discussed with senior management of Putnam Management the factors contributing to such underperformance and the actions being taken to improve performance. The Trustees recognized that, in recent years, Putnam Management has taken steps to strengthen its investment personnel and processes to address areas of underperformance, including Putnam Management’s continuing efforts to strengthen the equity research function, recent changes in portfolio managers including increased accountability of individual managers rather than teams, recent changes in Putnam Management’s approach to incentive compensation, including emphasis on top quartile performance over a rolling three-year period, and the recent arrival of a new chief investment officer. The Trustees also recognized the substantial improvement in performance of many funds since the implementation of those changes. The Trustees indicated their intention to continue to monitor performance trends to assess the effectiveness of these efforts and to evaluate whether additional changes to address areas of underperformance are warranted.

In the case of your fund, the Trustees considered that your fund’s class A share cumulative total return performance at net asset value was in the following percentiles of its Lipper Inc. peer group (Lipper Global Large-Cap Core Funds) for the one-year, three-year and five-year periods ended March 31, 2009 (the first percentile being the best-performing funds and the 100th percentile being the worst-performing funds):

One-year period  92nd 
Three-year period  92nd 
Five-year period  77th 

Over the one-year, three-year and five-year periods ended March 31, 2009, there were 59, 57 and 54 funds, respectively, in your fund’s Lipper peer group. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

The Trustees noted the disappointing performance for certain funds, as well as certain circumstances that may have contributed to that performance and the actions taken by Putnam Management to address these funds’ performance. The Trustees also considered the four broad initiatives that Putnam Management has implemented to improve its investment approach, to reduce the likelihood of fourth quartile results, and to deliver on its long-term investment goals. Specifically, Putnam Management has:

1. Increased accountability and reduced complexity in the portfolio management process for the Putnam equity funds by replacing a team management structure with a decision-making process that vests full authority and responsibility with individual portfolio managers;

2. Clarified Putnam Management’s investment process by affirming a fundamental-driven approach to investing, with quantitative analysis providing additional input for investment decisions;

3. Strengthened Putnam Management’s large-cap equity research capability by adding multiple new investment personnel to the team and by bringing U.S. and international research under common leadership; and

4. Realigned compensation structure for portfolio managers and research analysts so that only those who achieve top-quartile returns over a rolling three-year basis are eligible for full bonuses.

The Trustees noted the disappointing performance for your fund for the one-year, three-year and five-year periods ended March 31, 2009. In this regard, in addition to initiatives 1 through 4 described above, the Trustees considered that in November 2008, an existing portfolio manager took over sole responsibility for managing the fund’s investments.

As a general matter, the Trustees believe that cooperative efforts between the Trustees and Putnam Management represent the most effective way to address investment performance problems. The Trustees noted that investors in the Putnam funds have, in effect, placed their trust in the Putnam organization, under the oversight of the funds’ Trustees, to make appropriate decisions regarding the management of the funds. Based on the responsiveness of Putnam Management in the recent past to Trustee concerns about investment performance, the Trustees concluded that it is preferable to seek change within Putnam

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Management to address performance shortcomings. In the Trustees’ view, the alternative of engaging a new investment adviser for an underperforming fund would entail significant disruptions and would not provide any greater assurance of improved investment performance.

Brokerage and soft-dollar
allocations; other benefits

The Trustees considered various potential benefits that Putnam Management may receive in connection with the services it provides under the management contract with your fund. These include benefits related to brokerage and soft-dollar allocations, whereby a portion of the commissions paid by a fund for brokerage may be used to acquire research services that may be useful to Putnam Management in managing the assets of the fund and of other clients. The Trustees considered a change made, at Putnam Management’s request, to the Putnam funds’ brokerage allocation policy commencing in 2009, which increased the permitted soft dollar allocation to third-party services over what had been authorized in previous years. The Trustees noted that a portion of available soft dollars continue to be allocated to the payment of fund expenses, although the amount allocated for this purpose has declined in recent years. The Trustees indicated their continued intent to monitor regulatory developments in this area with the assistance of their Brokerage Committee and also indicated their continued intent to monitor the potential benefits associated with the allocation of fund brokerage and trends in industry practice to ensure that the principle of seeking best price and execution remains paramount in the portfolio trading process.

The Trustees’ annual review of your fund’s management contract also included the review of the investor servicing agreement with Putnam Investor Services, Inc. (“PSERV”), which agreement provides benefits to an affiliate of Putnam Management. The Trustees considered that effective January 1, 2009, the Trustees, PSERV and Putnam Fiduciary Trust Company entered into a new fee schedule that includes for the open-end funds (other than funds of Putnam Variable Trust and Putnam Money Market Liquidity Fund) an expense limitation but, as noted above, also considered that this expense limitation is subject to review as part of the Trustees’ pending review of Putnam’s strategic pricing proposal.

In the case of your fund, the Trustees’ annual review of the fund’s management contract also included the review of the fund’s distributor’s contract and distribution plans with Putnam Retail Management Limited Partnership, which contract and plans also provide benefits to an affiliate of Putnam Management.

Comparison of retail and
institutional fee schedules

The information examined by the Trustees as part of their annual contract review has included for many years information regarding fees charged by Putnam Management and its affiliates to institutional clients such as defined benefit pension plans, college endowments, etc. This information included comparisons of such fees with fees charged to the funds, as well as a detailed assessment of the differences in the services provided to these two types of clients. The Trustees observed, in this regard, that the differences in fee rates between institutional clients and mutual funds are by no means uniform when examined by individual asset sectors, suggesting that differences in the pricing of investment management services to these types of clients reflect to a substantial degree historical competitive forces operating in separate market places. The Trustees considered the fact that fee rates across different asset classes are typically higher on average for mutual funds than for institutional clients, as well as the differences between the services that Putnam Management provides to the Putnam funds and those that it provides to institutional clients of the firm, but did not rely on such comparisons to any significant extent in concluding that the management fees paid by your fund are reasonable.

Subsequent approval of strategic
pricing proposal

As mentioned above, at a series of meetings beginning in May 2009 and ending on July 10, 2009, the Contract Committee and the Trustees engaged in a detailed review of Putnam Management’s strategic pricing proposal. Following this review, the Trustees of each fund, including all of the Independent Trustees, voted unanimously on July 10, 2009 to approve proposed management contracts reflecting the proposal, as modified based on discussions between the Independent Trustees and Putnam Management, for each fund. In considering the proposed contracts, the Independent Trustees focused largely on the specific proposed changes described below relating to management fees. They also took into account the factors that they considered in connection with their most recent annual approval on June 12, 2009 of the continuance of the funds’ current management contracts and the extensive materials that they had reviewed in connection with that approval process, as described above.

At a meeting held on November 19, 2009, shareholders approved the proposed management contract for your fund. Subject to shareholder approval of similar management contracts for substantially all of the other Putnam funds, the new management contract is expected to be implemented on January 1, 2010 (but no later than February 1, 2010).

• Considerations relating to Fund Family fee rate calculations. The Independent Trustees considered that the proposed management contracts would change the manner in which fund shareholders share in potential economies of scale associated with the management of the funds. Under the current management contracts, shareholders of a fund (other than Putnam Money Market Liquidity Fund and the Putnam RetirementReady® Funds) benefit from increased fund size through reductions in the effective management fee paid to Putnam Management once the fund’s net assets exceed the first breakpoint in the fund’s fee schedule ($500 million for most funds).

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Conversely, in the case of funds with net assets above the level of the first breakpoint, the effective management fee increases as the fund’s average net assets decline below a breakpoint. These breakpoints are measured solely by the net assets of each individual fund and are not affected by possible growth (or decline) of net assets of other funds in the Fund Family. (“Fund Family” for purposes of this discussion refers to all open-end mutual funds sponsored by Putnam Management, except for the Putnam RetirementReady® Funds and Putnam Money Market Liquidity Fund.) Under the proposed management contracts, potential economies of scale would be shared ratably among shareholders of all funds, regardless of their size. The management fees paid by a fund (and indirectly by shareholders) would no longer be affected by the growth (or decline) of assets of the particular fund, but rather would be affected solely by the growth (or decline) of the aggregate net assets of all funds in the Fund Family, regardless of whether the net assets of the particular fund are growing or declining.

The table below shows the proposed effective management fee rate for your fund, based on June 30, 2009 net assets of the Fund Family ($52.3 billion). This table also shows the effective management fee rate payable by your fund under its current management contract, based on the net assets of the fund as of June 30, 2009. Finally, this table shows the difference in the effective management fees, based on net assets as of June 30, 2009, between the proposed management contract and the current contract.

Name of Fund  Proposed Effective Contractual Rate  Current Effective Contractual Rate  Difference 
Putnam Global Equity Fund  0.712 %  0.758%  (0.046)% 

As shown in the foregoing table, based on June 30, 2009 net asset levels, the proposed management contract would provide for payment of a management fee rate that is lower for your fund than the management fee rate payable under the current management contract. For a small number of funds (although not your fund), the management fee rate would be slightly higher under the proposed contract at these asset levels, but by only immaterial amounts. In the aggregate, the financial impact on Putnam Management of implementing this proposed change for all funds at June 30, 2009 net asset levels is a reduction in annual management fee revenue of approximately $24.0 million. (Putnam Management has already incurred a significant portion of this revenue reduction through the waiver of a portion of its current management fees for certain funds pending shareholder consideration of the proposed management contracts. Putnam is not obliged to continue such waivers beyond July 31, 2010 in the event that the proposed contracts are not approved by shareholders.) The Independent Trustees carefully considered the implications of this proposed change under a variety of economic circumstances. They considered the fact that at current asset levels the management fees paid by the funds under the proposed contract would be lower for almost all funds, and would not be materially higher for any fund. They considered the possibility that under some circumstances, the current management contract could result in a lower fee for a particular fund than the proposed management contract. Such circumstances might occur, for example, if the aggregate net assets of the Fund Family remain largely unchanged and the net assets of an individual fund grew substantially, or if the net assets of an individual fund remain largely unchanged and the aggregate net assets of the Fund Family declined substantially.

The Independent Trustees noted that future changes in the net assets of individual funds are inherently unpredictable and that experience has shown that funds often grow in size and decline in size over time depending on market conditions and the changing popularity of particular investment styles and asset classes. They noted that, while the aggregate net assets of the Fund Family have changed substantially over time, basing a management fee on the aggregate level of assets of the Fund Family would likely reduce fluctuations in costs paid by individual funds and lead to greater stability and predictability of fund operating costs over time.

The Independent Trustees considered that the proposed management contract would likely be advantageous for newly organized funds that have yet to attract significant assets and for funds in specialty asset classes that are unlikely to grow to a significant size. In each case, such funds would participate in the benefits of scale made possible by the aggregate size of the Fund Family to an extent that would not be possible based solely on their individual size.

The Independent Trustees also considered that for funds that have achieved or are likely to achieve considerable scale on their own, the proposed management contract could result in sharing of economies which might lead to slightly higher costs under some circumstances, but they noted that any such increases are immaterial at current asset levels and that over time such funds are likely to realize offsetting benefits from their opportunity to participate, both through the exchange privilege and through the Fund Family breakpoint fee structure, in the improved growth prospects of a diversified Fund Family able to offer competitively priced products.

The Independent Trustees noted that the implementation of the proposed management contracts would result in a reduction in aggregate fee revenues for Putnam Management at current asset levels. They also noted that applying various projections of growth equally to the aggregate net assets of the Fund Family and to the net assets of individual funds also showed revenue reductions for Putnam Management. They recognized, however, the possibility that under some scenarios Putnam Management might realize greater future revenues, with respect to certain funds, under the proposed contracts than under the current contracts, but considered such circumstances to be both less likely and inherently unpredictable.

The Independent Trustees considered the extent to which Putnam Management may realize economies of

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scale in connection with the management of the funds. In this regard, they considered the possibility that such economies of scale as may exist in the management of mutual funds may be associated more closely with the size of the aggregate assets of the mutual fund complex than with the size of any individual fund. In this regard the Independent Trustees considered the financial information provided to them by Putnam Management over a period of many years regarding the allocation of costs involved in calculating the profitability of its mutual fund business as a whole and the profitability of individual funds. The Independent Trustees noted that the methodologies for such cost allocations had been reviewed on a number of occasions in the past by independent financial consultants engaged by the Independent Trustees. The Independent Trustees noted that these methodologies support Putnam Management’s assertion that many of its operating costs and any associated economies of scale are related more to the aggregate net assets under management in various sectors of its business than to the size of individual funds. They noted that on a number of occasions in the past the Independent Trustees had separately considered the possibility of calculating management fees in whole or in part based on aggregate net assets of the Putnam funds.

The Independent Trustees considered the fact that the proposed contracts would result in a sharing among the affected funds of economies of scale that for the most part are now enjoyed by the larger funds, without materially increasing the current costs of any of the larger funds. They concluded that this sharing of economies among funds was appropriate in light of the diverse investment opportunities available to shareholders of all funds through the existence of the exchange privilege. They also considered that the proposed change in management fee structure would allow Putnam Management to introduce new investment products at more attractive pricing levels than may be currently be the case.

After considering all of the foregoing, the Independent Trustees concluded that the proposed calculation of management fees based on the aggregate net assets of the Fund Family represented a fair and reasonable means of sharing possible economies of scale among the shareholders of all funds.

• Considerations relating to addition of fee rate adjustments based on investment performance for certain funds. The Independent Trustees considered that Putnam’s proposal to add fee rate adjustments based on investment performance to the management contracts of certain funds reflected a desire by Putnam Management to align its fee revenues more closely with investment performance in the case of certain funds. They noted that Putnam Management already has a significant financial interest in achieving good performance results for the funds it manages. Putnam Management’s fees are based on the assets under its management (whether calculated on an individual fund or complex-wide basis). Good performance results in higher asset levels and therefore higher revenues to Putnam Management. Moreover, good performance also tends to attract additional investors to particular funds or the complex generally, also resulting in higher revenues. Nevertheless, the Independent Trustees concluded that adjusting management fees based on performance for certain selected funds could provide additional benefits to shareholders.

The Independent Trustees noted that Putnam Management proposed the addition of performance adjustments only for certain of the funds and considered whether similar adjustments might be appropriate for other funds. In this regard, they considered Putnam Management’s belief that the addition of performance adjustments would be most appropriate for shareholders of U.S. growth funds, international equity funds and your fund. They also considered Putnam Management’s view that it would continue to monitor whether performance fees would be appropriate for other funds. Accordingly, the Independent Trustees concluded that it would be desirable to gain further experience with the operation of performance adjustments for certain funds and the market’s receptivity to such fee structures before giving further consideration to whether similar performance adjustments would be appropriate for other funds as well.

• Considerations relating to standardization of payment terms. The proposed management contracts for all funds provide that management fees will be computed and paid monthly within 15 days after the end of each month. The current contracts of the funds contain quarterly computation and payment terms in some cases. These differences largely reflect practices in place at earlier times when many of the funds were first organized. Under the proposed contract, certain funds would make payments to Putnam Management earlier than they do under their current contract. This would reduce a fund’s opportunity to earn income on accrued but unpaid management fees by a small amount, but would not have a material effect on a fund’s operating costs.

The Independent Trustees considered the fact that standardizing the payment terms for all funds would involve an acceleration in the timing of payments to Putnam Management for some funds and a corresponding loss of a potential opportunity for such funds to earn income on accrued but unpaid management fees. The Independent Trustees did not view this change as having a material impact on shareholders of any fund. In this regard, the Independent Trustees noted that the proposed contracts conform to the payment terms included in management contracts for all Putnam funds organized in recent years and that standardizing payment terms across all funds would reduce administrative burdens for both the funds and Putnam Management.

• Considerations relating to comparisons with management fees and total expenses of competitive funds. As part of their evaluation of the proposed management contracts, the Independent Trustees also reviewed the general approach taken by Putnam Management and the Independent Trustees in recent years in imposing appropriate limits on total fund expenses. As part of the annual contract review process in recent years, Putnam Management agreed to waive fees as needed to limit total fund

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expenses to a maximum level equal to the average total expenses of comparable competitive funds in the mutual fund industry. In connection with its proposal to implement new management contracts, Putnam Management also proposed, and the Independent Trustees approved, certain changes in this approach that shift the focus from controlling total expenses to imposing separate limits on certain categories of expenses, as required. As a general matter, Putnam Management and the Independent Trustees concluded that management fees for the Putnam funds are competitive with the fees charged by comparable funds in the industry. Nevertheless, the Independent Trustees considered specific management fee waivers proposed to be implemented as of August 1, 2009 by Putnam Management with respect to the current management fees of certain funds, as well as projected reductions in management fees for almost all funds that would result under the proposed contracts. Putnam Management and the Independent Trustees also agreed to impose separate expense limitations of 37.5 basis points on the general category of shareholder servicing expenses and 20 basis points on the general category of other ordinary operating expenses. These new expense limitations, as well as the fee waivers, were implemented for all funds effective as of August 1, 2009, replacing the expense limitation referred to above.

These changes resulted in lower total expenses for many funds, but in the case of some funds total expenses increased after application of the new waivers and expense limitations (as compared with the results obtained using the expense limitation method previously in place). In this regard, the Independent Trustees considered the likelihood that total expenses for most of these funds would have increased in any event in the normal course under the previous expense limitation arrangement, as the reported total expense levels of many competitive funds increased in response to the major decline in asset values that began in September 2008. These new waivers and expense limitations will continue in effect until at least July 31, 2010 and will be re-evaluated by the Independent Trustees as part of the annual contract review process prior to their scheduled expiration. However, the management fee waivers referred to above would largely become permanent reductions in fees as a result of the implementation of the proposed management contracts.

Under these new expense limitation arrangements effective August 1, 2009, your fund is subject to expense limitations of 37.5 basis points on the category of shareholder servicing fees and 20 basis points on the general category of other ordinary operating expenses.

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Other information for shareholders

Putnam’s policy on confidentiality

In order to conduct business with our shareholders, we must obtain certain personal information such as account holders’ addresses, telephone numbers, Social Security numbers, and the names of their financial representatives. We use this information to assign an account number and to help us maintain accurate records of transactions and account balances. It is our policy to protect the confidenti-ality of your information, whether or not you currently own shares of our funds, and, in particular, 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. Under certain circumstances, we share this information with outside vendors who provide services to us, such as mailing and proxy solicitation. In those 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. We may also share this information with our Putnam affiliates to service your account or provide you with information about other Putnam products or services. It is also our policy to share account information with your financial representative, if you’ve listed one 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.

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, 2009, are available in the Individual Investors section at putnam.com, and on the SEC’s Web site, www.sec.gov. If you have questions about finding forms on the SEC’s Web site, 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 Forms N-Q on the SEC’s Web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, the fund’s Forms 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 Web site 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, confi-dence, and, most importantly, investment dollars in Putnam mutual funds. As of October 31, 2009, Putnam employees had approximately $303,000,000 and the Trustees had approximately $40,000,000 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.

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Financial statements

These sections of the report, as well as the accompanying Notes, preceded by the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, 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 noninvestment 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 year.

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.

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 semian-nual report, the highlight table also includes the current reporting period.

20


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Trustees and Shareholders
Putnam Global Equity Fund:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Putnam Global Equity Fund (the “fund”), including the fund’s portfolio, as of October 31, 2009, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform our audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2009 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Putnam Global Equity Fund as of October 31, 2009, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.


Boston, Massachusetts
December 14, 2009

21


The fund’s portfolio 10/31/09

COMMON STOCKS (97.4%)*  Shares  Value 
Aerospace and defense (3.3%)     
BAE Systems PLC (United Kingdom)  1,816,988  $9,368,808 
Bombardier, Inc. (Canada)  699,000  2,842,095 
L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.  248,600  17,971,294 
    30,182,197 
Agriculture (3.0%)     
Archer Daniels Midland Co. S  721,700  21,737,604 
Wilmar International, Ltd. (Singapore)  1,264,000  5,566,476 
    27,304,080 
Airlines (1.8%)     
Qantas Airways, Ltd. (Australia)  2,242,000  5,505,138 
Singapore Airlines, Ltd. (Singapore)  1,198,000  11,489,344 
    16,994,482 
Automotive (0.4%)     
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (Japan)  545,200  3,878,389 
    3,878,389 
Banking (8.7%)     
Banco Santander Central Hispano SA     
(Spain)  1,501,000  24,177,011 
Bank of China Ltd. (China)  9,259,000  5,337,491 
DBS Group Holdings, Ltd. (Singapore)  706,000  6,447,661 
National Bank of Greece SA (Greece) †  496,000  18,023,539 
Societe Generale (France)  147,843  9,826,127 
State Street Corp.  392,200  16,464,556 
    80,276,385 
Basic materials (1.4%)     
Antofagasta PLC (United Kingdom)  532,860  6,753,891 
Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. (Japan)  385,000  6,026,250 
    12,780,141 
Biotechnology (0.8%)     
Amgen, Inc. †  140,397  7,543,531 
    7,543,531 
Broadcasting (0.5%)     
Mediaset SpA (Italy)  759,882  4,948,194 
    4,948,194 
Cable television (0.3%)     
DISH Network Corp. Class A †  180,600  3,142,440 
    3,142,440 
Chemicals (0.6%)     
Cabot Corp.  259,200  5,684,256 
    5,684,256 
Commercial and consumer services (1.0%)     
AerCap Holdings NV (Netherlands) †  209,748  1,757,688 
Daito Trust Construction Co., Ltd. (Japan)  55,700  2,329,628 
Swire Pacific, Ltd. (Hong Kong)  277,500  3,388,033 
TUI Travel PLC (United Kingdom)  537,648  2,058,012 
    9,533,361 
Computers (2.8%)     
Fujitsu, Ltd. (Japan)  511,000  2,972,330 
Lexmark International, Inc.     
Class A † S  211,000  5,380,500 
Western Digital Corp. † S  527,800  17,776,304 
    26,129,134 
Conglomerates (2.0%)     
Mitsubishi Corp. (Japan)  305,900  6,537,456 
Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (Japan)  191,300  2,469,920 
Noble Group, Ltd. (Hong Kong)  3,271,000  5,972,895 
Vivendi SA (France)  130,998  3,630,735 
    18,611,006 
Construction (0.5%)     
Buzzi Unicem SpA (Italy)  157,500  2,641,598 
HeidelbergCement AG 144A (Germany)  35,509  2,116,803 
    4,758,401 
Consumer goods (1.2%)     
Colgate-Palmolive Co. S  141,600  11,134,008 
    11,134,008 

COMMON STOCKS (97.4%)* cont.  Shares  Value 
Electric utilities (2.2%)     
E.ON AG (Germany)  260,000  $9,944,573 
RWE AG (Germany)  122,926  10,770,654 
    20,715,227 
Electronics (6.2%)     
AU Optronics Corp. (Taiwan)  2,241,000  1,992,841 
Compal Electronics, Inc. (Taiwan)  1,997,000  2,504,719 
Coretronic Corporation (Taiwan)  3,930,000  4,321,504 
Garmin, Ltd. S  195,800  5,924,908 
Intel Corp. S  684,400  13,078,884 
LG Display Co., Ltd. (South Korea)  126,000  3,037,485 
Media Tek, Inc. (Taiwan)  551,000  7,802,202 
Quanta Computer, Inc. (Taiwan)  2,761,000  5,246,965 
Texas Instruments, Inc. S  576,800  13,525,960 
    57,435,468 
Engineering and construction (0.5%)     
Aveng, Ltd. (South Africa)  822,109  4,349,601 
    4,349,601 
Financial (1.5%)     
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.  110,700  2,303,667 
Discover Financial Services  622,000  8,795,080 
ORIX Corp. (Japan)  47,990  3,129,414 
    14,228,161 
Gaming and lottery (1.1%)     
Greek Organization of Football     
Prognostics (OPAP) SA (Greece)  405,065  10,356,254 
    10,356,254 
Health-care services (1.7%)     
CIGNA Corp. S  217,700  6,060,768 
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.  362,400  9,404,280 
    15,465,048 
Insurance (7.1%)     
Aflac, Inc. S  150,400  6,240,096 
Allied World Assurance Company     
Holdings, Ltd. (Bermuda)  83,600  3,741,936 
AXA SA (France)  566,930  14,097,970 
ING Groep NV (Netherlands) †  629,002  8,137,755 
PartnerRe, Ltd.  70,900  5,422,432 
UnumProvident Corp.  186,200  3,714,690 
Zurich Financial Services AG     
(Switzerland)  104,848  24,028,754 
    65,383,633 
Investment banking/Brokerage (1.9%)     
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)  100,400  17,085,068 
    17,085,068 
Machinery (0.3%)     
Timken Co.  122,900  2,707,487 
    2,707,487 
Metals (4.4%)     
ArcelorMittal South Africa, Ltd.     
(South Africa)  165,505  2,217,595 
BHP Billiton, Ltd. (Australia)  110,630  3,632,575 
Boliden AB (Sweden)  523,700  6,455,369 
Inmet Mining Corp. (Canada)  186,700  9,915,141 
Quadra Mining, Ltd. (Canada) †  341,200  4,765,487 
Tokyo Steel Manufacturing Co., Ltd.     
(Japan)  708,900  9,294,940 
Voestalpine AG (Austria)  127,856  4,360,705 
    40,641,812 
Natural gas utilities (0.2%)     
UGI Corp.  91,300  2,180,244 
    2,180,244 
Office equipment and supplies (1.4%)     
Canon, Inc. (Japan)  353,300  13,263,037 
    13,263,037 

22


COMMON STOCKS (97.4%)* cont.  Shares  Value 
Oil and gas (10.2%)     
BP PLC (United Kingdom)  597,980  $5,642,776 
Cairn Energy PLC (United Kingdom) †  60,846  2,635,843 
Dragon Oil PLC (United Arab     
Emirates) †  507,000  3,412,607 
Marathon Oil Corp.  282,700  9,037,919 
OMV AG (Austria)  334,500  13,833,152 
Petroleo Brasileiro SA ADR (Brazil)  65,500  3,027,410 
Royal Dutch Shell PLC Class A     
(United Kingdom)  1,035,000  30,802,890 
StatoilHydro ASA (Norway)  986,350  23,423,724 
Valero Energy Corp.  132,860  2,404,766 
    94,221,087 
Pharmaceuticals (9.4%)     
Astellas Pharma, Inc. (Japan)  197,900  7,248,151 
AstraZeneca PLC (United Kingdom)  221,672  9,983,291 
Eli Lilly & Co. S  457,300  15,552,773 
Forest Laboratories, Inc. †  81,900  2,266,173 
Johnson & Johnson  188,200  11,113,210 
Pfizer, Inc. S  1,554,363  26,470,802 
Roche Holding AG (Switzerland)  88,439  14,185,069 
    86,819,469 
Publishing (2.5%)     
R. R. Donnelley & Sons Co. S  944,200  18,959,536 
Yellow Pages Income Fund     
(Unit) (Canada)  779,300  3,868,712 
    22,828,248 
Real estate (1.3%)     
Hospitality Properties Trust R  230,100  4,443,231 
HRPT Properties Trust R  710,643  4,995,820 
Japan Retail Fund Investment Corp.     
(Japan) R  461  2,189,184 
    11,628,235 
Regional Bells (0.5%)     
Verizon Communications, Inc. S  141,500  4,186,985 
    4,186,985 
Retail (3.4%)     
Barnes & Noble, Inc. S  235,600  3,913,316 
Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M) Class B (Sweden)  112,691  6,483,671 
RadioShack Corp. S  1,213,017  20,487,857 
    30,884,844 

COMMON STOCKS (97.4%)* cont.  Shares  Value 
Schools (1.7%)     
Apollo Group, Inc. Class A † S  268,400  $15,325,640 
    15,325,640 
Semiconductor (0.5%)     
Macronix International (Taiwan)  8,209,159  4,182,574 
    4,182,574 
Shipping (0.8%)     
D/S Norden (Denmark)  184,525  6,922,091 
    6,922,091 
Software (0.5%)     
Oracle Corp.  198,300  4,184,130 
    4,184,130 
Technology services (2.9%)     
Computer Sciences Corp. †  88,000  4,462,480 
Ingram Micro, Inc. Class A †  1,283,900  22,660,835 
    27,123,315 
Telephone (3.2%)     
Nippon Telegraph & Telephone     
(NTT) Corp. (Japan)  383,100  15,833,354 
Qwest Communications     
International, Inc. S  3,752,300  13,470,757 
    29,304,111 
Tobacco (3.1%)     
Altria Group, Inc.  430,200  7,790,922 
Philip Morris International, Inc.  432,600  20,487,937 
    28,278,859 
Toys (0.2%)     
Nintendo Co., Ltd. (Japan)  8,000  2,040,800 
    2,040,800 
Transportation (0.4%)     
DP World, Ltd. (United Arab Emirates)  6,356,000  3,146,220 
Genesis Lease, Ltd. ADR (Ireland)  36,372  301,888 
    3,448,108 
 
Total common stocks (cost $926,320,978)    $898,089,541 
 
 
INVESTMENT COMPANIES (0.5%)*  Shares  Value 
iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund  42,799  $2,281,187 
S&P 500 Index Depository Receipts     
(SPDR Trust Series 1) S  23,811  2,465,867 
Total investment companies (cost $4,732,886)    $4,747,054 

WARRANTS (—%)* †  Expiration date  Strike Price  Warrants  Value 
First Gulf Bank 144A         
(Luxembourg)  10/7/10  $0.00001  69,935  $357,983 
Total warrants (cost $366,753)        $357,983 
   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (10.4%)*  Principal amount/shares  Value 
Putnam Money Market Liquidity Fund e  489,250  $489,250 
Short-term investments held as collateral for loaned securities with yields ranging from 0.02% to 0.35%     
and a due date of November 2, 2009 d  $93,622,389  93,620,577 
SSgA Prime Money Market Fund i  140,000  140,000 
U.S. Treasury Bills for an effective yield of zero %, December 17, 2009 i  290,000  290,000 
U.S. Treasury Bills for effective yields ranging from 0.38% to 0.40%, February 11, 2010 ##  310,000  309,643 
U.S. Treasury Cash Management Bills for effective yields ranging from 0.37% to 0.44%, April 1, 2010 ##  1,155,000  1,152,699 
Total short-term investments (cost $96,002,435)    $96,002,169 
 
 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS     
Total investments (cost $1,027,423,052)    $999,196,747 

23


Key to holding’s abbreviations

ADR American Depository Receipts

* Percentages indicated are based on net assets of $921,781,529.

† Non-income-producing security.

## These securities, in part or in entirety, were pledged and segregated with the custodian for collateral on certain derivative contracts at October 31, 2009.

d See Note 1 to the financial statements.

e See Note 6 to the financial statements regarding investments in Putnam Money Market Liquidity Fund.

i Securities purchased with cash or securities received, that were pledged to the fund for collateral on certain derivative contracts (Note 1).

R Real Estate Investment Trust.

S Securities on loan, in part or in entirety, at October 31, 2009.

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

ADR after the name of a foreign holding represents ownership of foreign securities on deposit with a custodian bank.

DIVERSIFICATION BY COUNTRY

Distribution of investments by country of risk at October 31, 2009 (as a percentage of Portfolio Value):

United States  46.6%  Singapore  2.6%  Australia  1.0% 
 
 
 
Japan  8.5  Norway  2.6  Italy  0.8 
 
 
 
United Kingdom  7.4  Germany  2.5  Denmark  0.8 
 
 
 
Switzerland  4.2  Canada  2.4  South Africa  0.7 
 
 
 
Greece  3.1  Austria  2.0  United Arab Emirates  0.7 
 
 
 
France  3.0  Sweden  1.4  China  0.6 
 
 
 
Taiwan  2.9  Netherlands  1.1  Other  1.4 
 
 
 
Spain  2.7  Hong Kong  1.0  Total  100.0% 
 
 
 

FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACTS TO BUY at 10/31/09    Aggregate  Delivery  Unrealized appreciation/ 
(aggregate face value $161,753,704)  Value  face value  date  (depreciation) 
Australian Dollar  $35,617,322  $34,711,527  11/18/09  $905,795 
British Pound  30,276,173  29,309,997  11/18/09  966,176 
Canadian Dollar  22,343,821  22,514,588  11/18/09  (170,767) 
Euro  34,164,990  33,901,311  11/18/09  263,679 
Hong Kong Dollar  2,128,066  2,128,238  11/18/09  (172) 
Japanese Yen  22,512,886  22,598,531  11/18/09  (85,645) 
Norwegian Krone  4,185,513  4,195,134  11/18/09  (9,621) 
Swedish Krona  4,546,217  4,576,634  11/18/09  (30,417) 
Swiss Franc  7,819,264  7,817,744  11/18/09  1,520 
Total        $1,840,548 
 
 
FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACTS TO SELL at 10/31/09    Aggregate  Delivery  Unrealized appreciation/ 
(aggregate face value $129,530,415)  Value  face value  date  (depreciation) 
Australian Dollar  $6,266,419  $6,108,041  11/18/09  $(158,378) 
British Pound  3,588,619  3,474,312  11/18/09  (114,307) 
Danish Krone  3,466,228  3,453,262  11/18/09  (12,966) 
Euro  39,670,817  39,357,473  11/18/09  (313,344) 
Japanese Yen  11,579,844  11,712,610  11/18/09  132,766 
Norwegian Krone  22,825,173  22,872,861  11/18/09  47,688 
Singapore Dollar  23,746,497  23,902,642  11/18/09  156,145 
Swedish Krona  6,039,281  6,084,990  11/18/09  45,709 
Swiss Franc  12,564,751  12,564,224  11/18/09  (527) 
Total        $(217,214) 

24


In September 2006, Accounting Standards Codification ASC 820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”) was issued. ASC 820 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. While the adoption of ASC 820 does not have a material effect on the fund’s net asset value, it does require additional disclosures about fair value measurements. 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 October 31, 2009:

    Valuation inputs   
Investments in securities:  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3 
Common stocks:       
Basic materials  $42,102,488  $49,066,202  $— 
Capital goods  23,520,876  26,981,446  — 
Communication services  20,800,182  15,833,354  — 
Conglomerates  —  18,611,006  — 
Consumer cyclicals  48,987,109  35,482,981  — 
Consumer staples  54,738,507  —  — 
Energy  14,470,095  79,750,992  — 
Financials  73,206,576  115,394,906  — 
Health care  78,411,537  31,416,511  — 
Technology  86,994,001  32,060,620  — 
Transportation  3,448,108  23,916,573  — 
Utilities and power  2,180,244  20,715,227  — 
Total common stocks  448,859,723  449,229,818  — 
Investment companies  4,747,054  —  — 
Warrants  —  357,983  — 
Short-term investments  629,250  95,372,919  — 
Totals by level  $454,236,027  $544,960,720  $— 
  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3 
Other financial instruments:  $—  $1,623,334  $(504,440) 

Other financial instruments include receivable purchase agreement and forward contracts.

The following is a reconciliation of Level 3 assets as of October 31, 2009:

        Change in net       
  Balance as of  Accrued    unrealized    Net transfers in  Balance as of 
  October 31,  discounts/  Realized gain/  appreciation/  Net purchases/  and/or out of  October 31, 
  2008††  premiums  (loss)  (depreciation)†  sales  Level 3  2009†† 
Other financial instruments:  $(565,558)  $—  $—  $61,118  $—  $—  $(504,440) 

† Includes $61,118 related to Level 3 securities still held at period end. Total change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for securities (including Level 1 and Level 2) can be found in the Statement of operations.

†† Includes amount payable under receivable purchase agreement.

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

25


Statement of assets and liabilities 10/31/09   
 
ASSETS   
Investment in securities, at value, including $88,615,649   
of securities on loan (Note 1):   
Unaffiliated issuers (identified cost $1,026,933,802)  $998,707,497 
Affiliated issuers (identified cost $489,250) (Note 6)  489,250 
Cash  290,347 
Foreign currency (cost $765,529) (Note 1)  762,866 
Dividends, interest and other receivables  1,556,589 
Foreign tax reclaim  1,060,540 
Receivable for shares of the fund sold  174,393 
Receivable for investments sold  35,137,762 
Unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts   
(Note 1)  2,568,903 
Total assets  1,040,748,147 
LIABILITIES   
Payable for investments purchased  18,939,805 
Payable for shares of the fund repurchased  2,487,233 
Payable for compensation of Manager (Note 2)  618,524 
Payable for investor servicing fees (Note 2)  302,686 
Payable for custodian fees (Note 2)  27,390 
Payable for Trustee compensation and expenses (Note 2)  423,608 
Payable for administrative services (Note 2)  6,204 
Payable for distribution fees (Note 2)  249,855 
Unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts (Note 1)  945,569 
Payable for receivable purchase agreement (Note 2)  504,440 
Interest payable (Note 2)  17,524 
Collateral on securities loaned, at value (Note 1)  93,620,577 
Collateral on certain derivative contracts, at value (Note 1)  430,000 
Other accrued expenses  393,203 
Total liabilities  118,966,618 
 
Net assets  $921,781,529 

REPRESENTED BY   
Paid-in capital (Unlimited shares authorized)   
(Notes 1 and 4)  $2,119,774,382 
Undistributed net investment income (Note 1)  22,600,904 
Accumulated net realized loss on investments and   
foreign currency transactions (Note 1)  (1,194,685,980) 
Net unrealized depreciation of investments and   
assets and liabilities in foreign currencies  (25,907,777) 
Total — Representing net assets applicable to   
capital shares outstanding  $921,781,529 
 
COMPUTATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND OFFERING PRICE   
Net asset value and redemption price per class A share   
($821,585,813 divided by 105,521,581 shares)  $7.79 
Offering price per class A share (100/94.25 of $7.79)*  $8.27 
Net asset value and offering price per class B share   
($48,621,032 divided by 6,923,811 shares)**  $7.02 
Net asset value and offering price per class C share   
($14,315,292 divided by 1,935,683 shares)**  $7.40 
Net asset value and redemption price per class M share   
($14,006,782 divided by 1,875,992 shares)  $7.47 
Offering price per class M share (100/96.50 of $7.47)*  $7.74 
Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per   
class R share ($1,484,025 divided by 192,728 shares)  $7.70 
Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per   
class Y share ($21,768,585 divided by 2,712,606 shares)  $8.02 

* On single retail sales of less than $50,000. On sales of $50,000 or more the offering price is reduced.

** Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.

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

26


Statement of operations Year ended 10/31/09

INVESTMENT INCOME   
Dividends (net of foreign tax of $2,037,438)  $30,257,278 
Interest (net of foreign tax of $9,512) (including interest   
income of $13,158 from investments in affiliated   
issuers) (Note 6)  135,007 
Securities lending  469,060 
Total investment income  30,861,345 
 
EXPENSES   
Compensation of Manager (Note 2)  6,483,955 
Investor servicing fees (Note 2)  3,516,628 
Custodian fees (Note 2)  81,323 
Trustee compensation and expenses (Note 2)  66,520 
Administrative services (Note 2)  41,640 
Distribution fees — Class A (Note 2)  1,882,061 
Distribution fees — Class B (Note 2)  530,375 
Distribution fees — Class C (Note 2)  134,252 
Distribution fees — Class M (Note 2)  95,967 
Distribution fees — Class R (Note 2)  6,228 
Interest expense (Note 2)  17,524 
Other  750,189 
Fees waived and reimbursed by Manager (Note 2)  (1,001,202) 
Total expenses  12,605,460 
 
Expense reduction (Note 2)  (284,247) 
Net expenses  12,321,213 
 
Net investment income  18,540,132 
Net realized loss on investments (Notes 1 and 3)  (284,282,665) 
Net increase from payments by affiliates (Note 2)  146,184 
Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions (Note 1)  (2,984,723) 
Net unrealized appreciation of assets and liabilities in   
foreign currencies during the year  8,684,038 
Net unrealized appreciation of investments and   
receivable purchase agreement during the year  401,784,951 
Net gain on investments  123,347,785 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations  $141,887,917 

Statement of changes in net assets   
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS     
  Year ended  Year ended 
  10/31/09  10/31/08 
Operations:     
Net investment income  $18,540,132  $20,636,145 
Net realized loss on investments and     
foreign currency transactions  (287,121,204)  (262,310,586) 
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)     
of investments and assets and liabilities in     
foreign currencies  410,468,989  (769,272,757) 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets     
resulting from operations  141,887,917  (1,010,947,198) 
Distributions to shareholders (Note 1):     
From ordinary income     
Net investment income     
Class A  (1,224,610)  (46,703,682) 
Class B  —  (4,473,135) 
Class C  —  (735,970) 
Class M  —  (707,703) 
Class R  —  (59,948) 
Class Y  (126,090)  (1,276,355) 
Increase in capital from settlement payments  271,158  — 
Redemption fees (Note 1)  13,310  35,507 
Decrease from capital share transactions     
(Note 4)  (180,276,347)  (261,853,564) 
Total decrease in net assets  (39,454,662)  (1,326,722,048) 
 
NET ASSETS     
Beginning of year  961,236,191  2,287,958,239 
End of year (including undistributed net     
investment income of $22,600,904     
and $8,125,037, respectively)  $921,781,529  $961,236,191 

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

27


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

INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: LESS DISTRIBUTIONS: RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:  
                          Ratio ofnet   
      Net realized and              Total return  Net assets,  Ratio ofexpenses  investment income   
  Net asset value,  Net investment  unrealized gain (loss)  Total from investment  From net  Total  Redemption  Non-recurring  Net asset value,  atnet asset  endof period  toaverage  (loss) toaverage  Portfolio 
Period ended  beginning ofperiod  income (loss) a  on investments  operations  investment income  distributions  fees b  reimbursements  endof period  value (%) c  (inthousands)  netassets (%) d,e  netassets (%) d  turnover (%) 
Class A                             
October 31, 2009  $6.55  .15  1.10 f  1.25  (.01)  (.01)  —  — b, g, h  $7.79  19.13 f  $821,586  1.42  2.22  104.61 
October 31, 2008  13 .13   .13  (6.39)  (6.26)  (.32)  (.3 2)  —  —  6.55  (48.72)  83 4,994  1.30  1.31  96.13 
October 31, 2007  10.64  .11  2.56  2.67  (.18)  (.18)  —  —  13 .13   25.3 6  1,923 ,100  1.25  .90  84.00 
October 31, 2006  8.76  .10 i  1.86  1.96  (.08)  (.08)  —  —  10.64  22.46  1,666,3 3 1  1.23 i  1.02 i  87.79 
October 31, 2005  7.73   .09 j  .96  1.05  (.02)  (.02)  —  —  8.76  13 .60 j  1,895,204  1.26  1.01 j  82.06 
Class B                             
October 31, 2009  $5.94  .09  .99 f  1.08  —  —  —  — b, g, h  $7.02  18.18 f  $48,621  2.17  1.52  104.61 
October 31, 2008  11.92  .05  (5.81)  (5.76)  (.22)  (.22)  —  —  5.94  (49.13 )  71,660  2.05  .49  96.13 
October 31, 2007  9.67  .02  2.33  2.3 5  (.10)  (.10)  —  —  11.92  24.44  255,746  2.00  .15  84.00 
October 31, 2006  7.96  .02 i  1.69  1.71  — b  —b  —  —  9.67  21.54  296,523   1.98 i  .24 i  87.79 
October 31, 2005  7.06  .02 j  .88  .90  —  —  —  —  7.96  12.75 j  3 53 ,745  2.01  .31 j  82.06 
Class C                             
October 31, 2009  $6.26  .09  1.05 f  1.14  —  —  —  — b, g, h  $7.40  18.21 f  $14,3 15  2.17  1.48  104.61 
October 31, 2008  12.56  .05  (6.11)  (6.06)  (.24)  (.24)  —  —  6.26  (49.08)  15,3 85  2.05  .55  96.13 
October 31, 2007  10.19  .02  2.45  2.47  (.10)  (.10)  —  —  12.56  24.44  3 8,13 8  2.00  .15  84.00 
October 31, 2006  8.3 9  .02 i  1.79  1.81  (.01)  (.01)  —  —  10.19  21.55  3 1,684  1.98 i  .25 i  87.79 
October 31, 2005  7.44  .02j  .93  .95  —  —  —  —  8.3 9  12.77 j  3 1,13 5  2.01  .28 j  82.06 
Class M                             
October 31, 2009  $6.3 0  .11  1.06 f  1.17  —  —  —  — b, g, h  $7.47  18.57 f  $14,007  1.92  1.72  104.61 
October 31, 2008  12.64  .08  (6.16)  (6.08)  (.26)  (.26)  —  —  6.3 0  (48.99)  14,015  1.80  .81  96.13 
October 31, 2007  10.25  .05  2.46  2.51  (.12)  (.12)  —  —  12.64  24.75  3 4,459  1.75  .40  84.00 
October 31, 2006  8.44  .05i  1.79  1.84  (.03)  (.03 )  —  —  10.25  21.84  3 0,816  1.73 i  .50 i  87.79 
October 31, 2005  7.47  .04 j  .93  .97  —  —  —  —  8.44  12.99 j  3 1,93 8  1.76  .52 j  82.06 
Class R                             
October 31, 2009  $6.48  .13  1.09 f  1.22  —  —  —  — b, g, h  $7.70  18.83 f  $1,484  1.67  1.94  104.61 
October 31, 2008  13 .02  .11  (6.34)  (6.23 )  (.31)  (.3 1)  —  —  6.48  (48.86)  1,195  1.55  1.08  96.13 
October 31, 2007  10.57  .08  2.54  2.62  (.17)  (.17)  —  —  13 .02  25.06  1,266  1.50  .66  84.00 
October 31, 2006  8.72  .08 i  1.84  1.92  (.07)  (.07)  —  —  10.57  22.11  1,144  1.48 i  .82 i  87.79 
October 31, 2005  7.71  .04 j  1.00  1.04  (.03)  (.03 )  —  —  8.72  13 .48 j  271  1.51  .51 j  82.06 
Class Y                             
October 31, 2009  $6.76  .17  1.13 f  1.3 0  (.04)  (.04)  —  — b, g, h  $8.02  19.3 4 f  $21,769  1.16  2.51  104.61 
October 31, 2008  13 .54  .17  (6.60)  (6.43 )  (.35)  (.3 5)  —  —  6.76  (48.59)  23 ,986  1.05  1.59  96.13 
October 31, 2007  10.97  .14  2.63  2.77  (.20)  (.20)  —  —  13 .54  25.65  3 5,250  1.00  1.16  84.00 
October 31, 2006  9.03   .12 i  1.92  2.04  (.10)  (.10)  —  —  10.97  22.75  26,681  .98 i  1.25 i  87.79 
October 31, 2005  7.97  .11 j  .99  1.10  (.04)  (.04)  —  —  9.03   13 .85 j  24,149  1.01  1.31 j  82.06 

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 Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

c Total return assumes dividend reinvestment and does not reflect the effect of sales charges.

d Reflects an involuntary contractual expense limitation in effect during the period. For periods prior to October 31, 2009, certain fund expenses were waived in connection with the fund’s investment in Putnam Prime Money Market Fund. As a result of such limitation and/or waivers, the expenses of each class reflect a reduction of the following amounts (Note 2):

  Percentage of average net assets 
October 31, 2009  0.12% 
October 31, 2008  0.01 
October 31, 2007  <0.01 
October 31, 2006  <0.01 
October 31, 2005  <0.01 

e Includes amounts paid through expense offset and brokerage/service arrangements (Note 2).

f Reflects a non-recurring litigation payment received by the fund from Tyco International, Ltd. which amounted to $0.06 per class share outstanding on March 13, 2009.

This payment resulted in an increase to total returns of 0.92% for the year ended October 21, 2009.

g Reflects a non-recurring reimbursement pursuant to a settlement received from Millenium Partners, L.P., Millenium Management, L.L.C. and Millenium International Management, L.L.C. which amounted to less than $0.01 per share outstanding on June 23, 2009. 

h Reflects a non-recurring reimbursement pursuant to a settlement received from Bear, Stearns & Co., Inc. and Bear, Stearns Securities Corp. which amounted to less than $0.01 per share outstanding on May 21, 2009.

i Reflects a non-recurring reimbursement from Putnam Investments relating to the calculation of certain amounts paid by the fund to Putnam in previous years for transfer agent services, which amounted to less than $0.01 per share and 0.05% of average net assets for the period ended October 31, 2006.

j Reflects a non-recurring accrual related to Putnam Management’s settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) regarding brokerage allocation practices, which amounted to the following amounts:

    Percentage 
    of average 
  Per share  net assets 
Class A  $0.01  0.07% 
Class B  0.01  0.07 
Class C  0.01  0.07 
Class M  0.01  0.07 
Class R  0.01  0.06 
Class Y  0.01  0.08 

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

28  29 


Notes to financial statements 10/31/09

Note 1: Significant accounting policies

Putnam Global Equity Fund (the “fund”), 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 investment objective of the fund is to seek capital appreciation by investing primarily in common stocks issued by large and midsize companies worldwide that Putnam Investment Management, LLC (“Putnam Management”), the fund’s manager, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Putnam Investments, LLC, believes have favorable investment potential.

The fund offers class A, class B, class C, class M, class R and class Y shares. Class A and class M shares are sold with a maximum front-end sales charge of 5.75% and 3.50%, respectively, and generally do not pay a contingent deferred sales charge. Class B shares, which convert to class A shares after approximately six years, do not pay a front-end sales charge and are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge, if those shares are redeemed within eight years of purchase. Class C shares have a one-year 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge and do not convert to class A shares. Class R shares, which are offered to qualified employee-benefit plans, 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 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. Class Y shares are generally only available to corporate and institutional clients and clients in other approved programs.

A 1.00% redemption fee may apply on any shares that are redeemed (either by selling or exchanging into another fund) within 90 days of purchase. The redemption fee is accounted for as an addition to paid-in-capital.

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.

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 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 during the reporting period. 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, December 14, 2009, have been evaluated in the preparation of the financial statements.

A) Security valuation 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. If no sales are reported — as in the case of some securities traded over-the-counter — a security is valued at its last reported bid price. Many securities markets and exchanges outside the U.S. close prior to the 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 close of the New York Stock Exchange. Accordingly, on certain days, the fund will fair value foreign equity securities taking into account multiple factors, including movements in the U.S. securities markets. The number of days on which fair value prices will be used will depend on market activity and it is possible that fair value prices will be used by the fund to a significant extent. At October 31, 2009, fair value pricing was used for certain foreign securities in the portfolio. Securities quoted in foreign currencies, if any, are translated into U.S. dollars at the current exchange rate. 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. Certain investments, including certain restricted and illiquid securities and derivatives, are also valued at fair value following procedures approved by the Trustees. 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.

B) Joint trading account Pursuant to an exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the fund may transfer uninvested cash balances, including cash collateral received under security lending arrangements, into a joint trading account along with the cash of other registered investment companies and certain other accounts managed by Putnam Management. These balances may be invested in issues of short-term investments having maturities of up to 397 days for collateral received under security lending arrangements and up to 90 days for other cash investments.

C) 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 is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income, net of 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 market 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.

D) Foreign currency translation The accounting records of the fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. The market value of foreign securities, currency holdings, and other assets and liabilities is recorded in the books and records of the fund after translation to U.S. dollars based on the exchange rates on that day. The cost of each security is determined using historical exchange rates. Income and withholding taxes are translated at prevailing exchange rates when earned or incurred. The fund does not isolate that portion of realized or unrealized gains or losses resulting from changes in the foreign exchange rate on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of the securities. Such gains and losses are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments. Net realized gains and losses on foreign currency transactions represent net realized exchange gains or losses on closed forward currency contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains and losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized appreciation and depreciation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies arise from changes in the value of open forward currency contracts and assets and liabilities other than investments at the period end, resulting from changes in the exchange rate. Investments in foreign securities involve certain risks, including those related to economic

30


instability, unfavorable political developments, and currency fluctuations, not present with domestic investments.

E) Futures and options contracts The fund may use futures and options contracts to hedge against changes in the values of securities the fund owns, owned or expects to purchase, or for other investment purposes. The fund may also write options on swaps or securities it owns or in which it may invest to increase its current returns.

The potential risk to the fund is that the change in value of futures and options contracts may not correspond to the change in value of the hedged instruments. In addition, losses may arise from changes in the value of the underlying instruments, if there is an illiquid secondary market for the contracts, if interest or exchange rates move unexpectedly or if the counterparty to the contract is unable to perform. With futures, there is minimal counterparty credit risk to the fund since futures are exchange traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as counterparty to all exchange traded futures, guarantees the futures against default. Risks may exceed amounts recognized on the Statement of assets and liabilities. When the contract is closed, the fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. Realized gains and losses on purchased options are included in realized gains and losses on investment securities. If a written call option is exercised, the premium originally received is recorded as an addition to sales proceeds. If a written put option is exercised, the premium originally received is recorded as a reduction to the cost of investments.

Futures contracts are valued at the quoted daily settlement prices established by the exchange on which they trade. The fund and the broker agree to exchange an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the futures contract. Such receipts or payments are known as “variation margin.” Exchange traded options are valued at the last sale price or, if no sales are reported, the last bid price for purchased options and the last ask price for written options. Options traded over-the-counter are valued using prices supplied by dealers. Futures and written option contracts outstanding at period end, if any, are listed after the fund’s portfolio. For the year ended October 31, 2009, the transaction volume of Purchased options contracts was minimal. The fund had no futures or written options contracts during the year ended October 31, 2009.

F) Forward currency contracts The fund may buy and sell forward currency contracts, which are agreements between two parties to buy and sell currencies at a set price on a future date. These contracts are used to protect against a decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar of the currencies in which its portfolio securities are denominated or quoted (or an increase in the value of a currency in which securities a fund intends to buy are denominated, when a fund holds cash reserves and short term investments), or for other investment purposes. The U.S. dollar value of forward currency contracts is determined using current forward currency exchange rates supplied by a quotation service. The market value of the contract will fluctuate with changes in currency exchange rates. The contract is marked to market daily and the change in market value is recorded as an unrealized gain or loss. When the contract is closed, the fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. The fund could be exposed to risk if the value of the currency changes unfavorably, if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts or if the fund is unable to enter into a closing position. Risks may exceed amounts recognized on the Statement of assets and liabilities. Forward currency contracts outstanding at period end, if any, are listed after the fund’s portfolio. Outstanding contracts on Forward currency contracts at the year ended October 31, 2009 are indicative of the volume of activity during the year.

G) Master agreements The fund is a party to ISDA (International Swap and Derivatives Association, Inc.) Master Agreements (“Master Agreements”) with certain counterparties that govern over the counter derivative and foreign exchange contracts entered into from time to time. The Master Agreements may contain provisions regarding, among other things, the parties’ general obligations, representations, agreements, collateral requirements, events of default and early termination. With respect to certain counterparties, in accordance with the terms of the Master Agreements, collateral posted to the fund is held in a segregated account by the fund’s custodian and with respect to those amounts which can be sold or repledged, are presented in the fund’s portfolio. Collateral posted to the fund which can not be sold or repledged totaled $741,063 at October31, 2009. Collateral pledged by the fund is segregated by the fund’s custodian and identified in the fund’s portfolio. Collateral can be in the form of cash or debt securities issued by the U.S. Government or related agencies or other securities as agreed to by the fund and the applicable counterparty. Collateral requirements are determined based on the fund’s net position with each counterparty. Termination events applicable to the fund may occur upon a decline in the fund’s net assets below a specified threshold over a certain period of time. Termination events applicable to counterparties may occur upon a decline in the counterparty’s long-term and short-term credit ratings below a specified level. In each case, upon occurrence, the other party may elect to terminate early and cause settlement of all derivative and foreign exchange contracts outstanding, including the payment of any losses and costs resulting from such early termination, as reasonably determined by the terminating party. Any decision by one or more of the fund’s counterparties to elect early termination could impact the fund’s future derivative activity.

At October 31, 2009, the fund had a net liability position of $338,649 on derivative contracts subject to the Master Agreements. Collateral posted by the fund totaled $457,151.

H) Securities lending The fund may lend securities, through its agents, to qualified borrowers in order to earn additional income. The loans are collateralized by cash and/or securities in an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. The market value of securities loaned is determined daily and any additional required collateral is allocated to the fund on the next business day. The risk of borrower default will be borne by the fund’s agents; the fund will bear the risk of loss with respect to the investment of the cash collateral. Income from securities lending is included in investment income on the Statement of operations. At October 31, 2009, the value of securities loaned amounted to $88,615,649. The fund received cash collateral of $93,620,577 which is pooled with collateral of other Putnam funds into 2 issues of short-term investments.

I) Federal taxes It is the policy of the fund to distribute all of its taxable income within the prescribed time 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 ASC 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 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 and state departments of revenue.

At October 31, 2009, the fund had a capital loss carryover of $1,194,485,195 available to the extent allowed by the Code to offset future net capital gain, if any. The amounts of the carryovers and the expiration dates are:

31


Loss Carryover  Expiration 
$652,543,262  October 31, 2010 
31,494,804  October 31, 2011 
224,492,177  October 31, 2016 
285,954,952  October 31, 2017 

J) 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. These differences include temporary and/or permanent differences of foreign currency gains and losses, the expiration of a capital loss carryover and receivable purchase agreements. Reclassifications are made to the fund’s capital accounts to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryovers) under income tax regulations. For the year ended October 31, 2009, the fund reclassified $2,713,565 to decrease undistributed net investment income and $677,315,159 to decrease paid-in-capital, with a decrease to accumulated net realized losses of $680,028,724.

The tax basis components of distributable earnings and the federal tax cost as of October 31, 2009 were as follows:

Unrealized appreciation  $83,598,430 
Unrealized depreciation  (112,025,519) 
Net unrealized depreciation  (28,427,089) 
Undistributed ordinary income  24,098,756 
Capital loss carryforward  (1,194,485,195) 
Cost for federal income tax purposes  $1,027,623,836 

Note 2: Management fee, administrative services and
other transactions

The fund pays Putnam Management for management and investment advisory services monthly based on the average net assets of the fund. Such fee is based on the following annual rates: 0.80% of the first $500 million of average net assets, 0.70% of the next $500 million, 0.65% of the next $500 million, 0.60% of the next $5 billion, 0.575% of the next $5 billion, 0.555% of the next $5 billion, 0.54% of the next $5 billion, 0.53% of the next $5 billion, 0.52% of the next $5 billion, 0.51% of the next $5 billion, 0.50% of the next $5 billion, 0.49% of the next $5 billion, 0.48% of the next $8.5 billion and 0.47% thereafter.

Putnam Management had agreed to waive fees and reimburse expenses of the fund through July 31, 2009 to the extent necessary to ensure that the fund’s expenses do not exceed the simple average of the expenses of all front-end load funds viewed by Lipper Inc. as having the same investment classification or objective as the fund. The expense reimbursement is based on a comparison of the fund’s expenses with the average annualized operating expenses of the funds in its Lipper peer group for each calendar quarter during the fund’s last fiscal year, excluding 12b-1 fees and without giving effect to any expense offset and brokerage/service arrangements that may reduce fund expenses. During the year ended October 31, 2009, the fund’s expenses were reduced by $1,001,202 as a result of this limit.

Effective August 1, 2009 through July 31, 2010, Putnam Management has also contractually agreed to 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 and payments under the fund’s investor servicing contract, investment management contract and distribution plans, on a fiscal year-to-date basis (or from August 1, 2009 through the fund’s next fiscal year end, as applicable), to an annual rate of 0.20% of the fund’s average net assets over such fiscal year-to-date period (or since August 1, 2009, as applicable). During the year ended October 31, 2009, the fund’s expenses were not reduced as a result of this limit.

Putnam Investments Limited (“PIL”), an affiliate of Putnam Management, is authorized by the Trustees to manage a separate portion of the assets of the fund as determined by Putnam Management from time to time. Putnam Management pays a quarterly sub-management fee to PIL for its services at an annual rate of 0.35% of the average net assets of the portion of the fund managed by PIL.

Effective February 28, 2009, The Putnam Advisory Company, LLC (“PAC”), an affiliate of Putnam Management, is authorized by the Trustees to manage a separate portion of the assets of the fund, as designated from time to time by Putnam Management or PIL. Putnam Management or PIL, as applicable, pays a quarterly sub-advisory fee to PAC for its services at the annual rate of 0.35% of the average net assets of the portion of the fund’s assets for which PAC is engaged as sub-adviser.

Putnam Management voluntarily reimbursed the fund $146,184 for a trading error which occurred during the period. The effect of the loss incurred and the reimbursement by Putnam Management of such amounts had no impact on total return.

On September 15, 2008, the fund terminated its outstanding derivatives contracts with Lehman Brothers Special Financing, Inc. (“LBSF”) in connection with the bankruptcy filing of LBSF’s parent company, Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. On September 26, 2008, the fund entered into a receivable purchase agreement (“Agreement”) with another registered investment company (the “Seller”) managed by Putnam Management. Under the Agreement, the Seller sold to the fund the right to receive, in the aggregate, $2,194,515 in net payments from LBSF in connection with certain terminated derivatives transactions (the “Receivable”), in exchange for an initial payment plus (or minus) additional amounts based on the fund’s ultimate realized gain (or loss) with respect to the Receivable. The Receivable will be offset against the fund’s net payable to LBSF and is included in the Statement of assets and liabilities in Payable for investments purchased. Future payments under the Agreement are valued at fair value following procedures approved by the Trustees and are included in the Statement of assets and liabilities. All remaining payments under the Agreement will be recorded as realized gain or loss. The fund’s net payable to LBSF was calculated in accordance with the fund’s master contract with LBSF. The fund has accrued interest on the net payable, which is included in the Statement of operations in Interest expense. Putnam Management currently is in discussions with LBSF regarding resolution of amounts payable to LBSF. Amounts recorded are estimates and final payments may differ from these estimates by a material amount.

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 Bank and Trust Company (“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, provided investor servicing agent functions to the fund. Prior to December31, 2008, these services were provided by Putnam Investor Services, a division of Putnam Fiduciary Trust Company (“PFTC”), which is an affiliate of Putnam Management. Putnam Investor Services, Inc. and Putnam Investor Services received fees for investor servicing, subject to certain limitations, based on the fund’s retail asset level, the number of shareholder accounts in the fund and the level of defined contribution plan assets in the fund. The amounts incurred for investor servicing agent functions provided by affiliates of Putnam Management during the year ended October 31, 2009 are included in Investor servicing fees in the Statement of operations.

The fund has entered into expense offset arrangements with PFTC and State Street whereby PFTC’s and State Street’s fees are reduced by credits allowed on cash balances. The fund also reduced expenses through brokerage/

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service arrangements. For the year ended October 31, 2009, the fund’s expenses were reduced by $3,352 under the expense offset arrangements and by $280,895 under the brokerage/service arrangements.

Each independent Trustee of the fund receives an annual Trustee fee, of which $723, as a quarterly retainer, has been allocated to the fund, and an additional fee for each Trustees meeting attended. Trustees receive additional fees for attendance at certain committee meetings and industry seminars and for certain compliance-related matters. 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 its class A, class B, class C, class M and class R 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, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Putnam Investments, LLC and Putnam Retail Management GP, Inc., for services provided and expenses incurred in distributing shares of the fund. The Plans provide for payments by the fund to Putnam Retail Management Limited Partnership at an annual rate of up to 0.35%, 1.00%, 1.00%, 1.00% and 1.00% of the average net assets attributable to class A, class B, class C, class M and class R shares, respectively. The Trustees have approved payment by the fund at an annual rate of 0.25%, 1.00%, 1.00%, 0.75% and 0.50% of the average net assets attributable to class A, class B, class C, class M and class R shares, respectively.

For the year ended October 31, 2009, Putnam Retail Management Limited Partnership, acting as underwriter, received net commissions of $37,652 and $1,320 from the sale of class A and class M shares, respectively, and received $62,088 and $606 in contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of class B and class C shares, respectively.

A deferred sales charge of up to 1.00% and 0.65% is assessed on certain redemptions of class A and class M shares, respectively. For the year ended October 31, 2009, Putnam Retail Management Limited Partnership, acting as underwriter, received $294 and no monies on class A and class M redemptions, respectively.

Note 3: Purchases and sales of securities

During the year ended October 31, 2009, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities other than short-term investments aggregated $888,928,070 and $1,038,107,410, respectively. There were no purchases or sales of U.S. government securities.

Note 4: Capital shares

At October 31, 2009, there was an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest authorized. Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

  Year ended 10/31/09  Year ended 10/31/08 
Class A  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount 
Shares sold  6,775,251  $43,752,675  12,272,729  $128,890,907 
Shares issued in         
connection with         
reinvestment of         
distributions  188,253  1,142,693  3,798,016  43,753,147 
  6,963,504  44,895,368  16,070,745  172,644,054 
Shares         
repurchased  (28,964,435)  (184,312,975)   (35,048,552)  (350,682,374) 
Net decrease  (22,000,931)   $(139,417,607)   (18,977,807)  $(178,038,320) 
 
  Year ended 10/31/09  Year ended 10/31/08 
Class B  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount 
Shares sold  607,885  $3,526,019  1,167,428  $11,276,720 
Shares issued in         
connection with         
reinvestment of         
distributions  —  —  404,248  4,252,689 
  607,885  3,526,019  1,571,676  15,529,409 
Shares         
repurchased  (5,745,903)  (33,137,243)   (10,965,550)  (103,433,993) 
Net decrease  (5,138,018)  $(29,611,224)  (9,393,874)  $(87,904,584) 
 
  Year ended 10/31/09  Year ended 10/31/08 
Class C  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount 
Shares sold  209,176  $1,286,817  374,242  $3,883,316 
Shares issued in         
connection with         
reinvestment of         
distributions  —  —  59,943  664,163 
  209,176  1,286,817  434,185  4,547,479 
Shares         
repurchased  (732,791)  (4,420,223)  (1,011,528)  (9,673,372) 
Net decrease  (523,615)  $(3,133,406)  (577,343)  $(5,125,893) 
 
  Year ended 10/31/09  Year ended 10/31/08 
Class M  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount 
Shares sold  100,910  $625,420  132,129  $1,338,052 
Shares issued in         
connection with         
reinvestment of         
distributions  —  —  61,114  680,201 
  100,910  625,420  193,243  2,018,253 
Shares         
repurchased  (449,182)  (2,756,321)  (695,013)  (6,366,602) 
Net decrease  (348,272)  $(2,130,901)  (501,770)  $(4,348,349) 
 
  Year ended 10/31/09  Year ended 10/31/08 
Class R  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount 
Shares sold  53,828  $344,828  154,820  $1,726,346 
Shares issued in         
connection with         
reinvestment of         
distributions  —  —  5,220  59,612 
  53,828  344,828  160,040  1,785,958 
Shares         
repurchased  (45,563)  (291,697)  (72,850)  (696,404) 
Net increase  8,265  $53,131  87,190  $1,089,554 

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  Year ended 10/31/09  Year ended 10/31/08 
Class Y  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount 
Shares sold  422,022  $2,732,027  1,695,365  $19,970,308 
Shares issued in         
connection with         
reinvestment of         
distributions  20,204  126,070  107,618  1,276,355 
  442,226  2,858,097  1,802,983  21,246,663 
Shares         
repurchased  (1,277,536)  (8,894,437)  (857,800)  (8,772,635) 
Net increase         
(decrease)  (835,310)  $(6,036,340)  945,183  $12,474,028 

Note 5: Summary of derivative activity

The following is a summary of the market values of derivative instruments as of October 31, 2009:

  Asset derivatives  Liability derivatives 
Derivatives         
not accounted  Statement of    Statement of   
for as hedging  assets and    assets and   
instruments under  liabilities  Market  liabilities  Market 
ASC 815  location  value  location  value 
Foreign exchange         
contracts  Receivables  $2,568,903  Payables  $945,569 
Total    $2,568,903    $945,569 

The following is a summary of realized and unrealized gains or losses of derivative instruments on the Statement of operations for the year ended October 31, 2009 (see Note 1):

Amount of Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income

Derivatives not accounted    Forward   
for as hedging instruments    currency   
under ASC 815  Options  contracts  Total 
Foreign exchange contracts  $—  $(2,727,779)  $(2,727,779) 
Equity contracts  (88,451)  —  (88,451) 
Total  $(88,451)  $(2,727,779)  $(2,816,230) 

Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) on Derivatives Recognized in Income

  Forward   
Derivatives not accounted for as hedging  currency   
instruments under ASC 815  contracts  Total 
Foreign exchange contracts  $8,464,605  $8,464,605 
Total  $8,464,605  $8,464,605 

Note 6: Investment in Putnam Money Market Liquidity Fund

The fund invested in Putnam Money Market Liquidity Fund, an open-end management investment company managed by Putnam Management. Investments in Putnam Money Market Liquidity Fund are valued at its closing net asset value each business day. Income distributions earned by the fund are recorded as interest income in the Statement of operations and totaled $13,158 for the year ended October 31, 2009. During the year ended October 31, 2009, cost of purchases and proceeds of sales of investments in Putnam Money Market Liquidity Fund aggregated $186,871,505 and $186,382,255, respectively. Management fees charged to Putnam Money Market Liquidity Fund have been waived by Putnam Management.

Note 7: Regulatory matters and litigation

In late 2003 and 2004, Putnam Management settled charges brought by the SEC and the Massachusetts Securities Division in connection with excessive short-term trading in Putnam funds. Distribution of payments from Putnam Management to certain open-end Putnam funds and their shareholders is expected to be completed in the next several months. These allegations and related matters have served as the general basis for certain lawsuits, including purported class action lawsuits against Putnam Management and, in a limited number of cases, some Putnam funds. Putnam Management believes that these lawsuits will have no material adverse effect on the funds or on Putnam Management’s ability to provide investment management services. In addition, Putnam Management has agreed to bear any costs incurred by the Putnam funds as a result of these matters.

Note 8: Other

At a meeting held on November 19, 2009, shareholders approved a new management contract for your fund. Subject to shareholder approval of similar management contracts for substantially all of the other Putnam funds, the new management contract is expected to be implemented on January 1, 2010 (but no later than February 1, 2010). Under the new management contract, management fee breakpoints would be determined by reference to the assets of all of the open-end Putnam funds, rather than only the assets of the fund. In addition, commencing with the fund’s thirteenth whole calendar month of operation under the new management contract, the monthly management fee will be subject to an adjustment based on the fund’s performance relative to a benchmark.

Note 9: Market and credit risk

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.

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Federal tax information (unaudited)

For the period, interest and dividends from foreign countries were $19,092,521 or $0.16 per share (for all classes of shares). Taxes paid to foreign countries were $2,037,438 or $0.02 per share (for all classes of shares).

The fund designated 49.39% of ordinary income distributions as qualifying for the dividends received deduction for corporations.

For its tax year ended October 31, 2009, the fund hereby designates 100.00%, or the maximum amount allowable, of its taxable ordinary income distributions as qualified dividends taxed at the individual net capital gain rates.

For the tax year ended October 31, 2009, pursuant to §871(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, the fund hereby designates $64,563 of distributions paid as qualifying to be taxed as interest-related dividends, and no monies to be taxed as short-term capital gain dividends for nonresident alien shareholders.

The Form 1099 you receive in January 2010 will show the tax status of all distributions paid to your account in calendar 2009.

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About the Trustees

Ravi Akhoury

Born 1947, Trustee since 2009

Mr. Akhoury serves as Advisor to New York Life Insurance Company. He is also a Director of Jacob Ballas Capital India (a non-banking finance company focused on private equity advisory services) and is a member of its Compensation Committee. He also serves as a Trustee of American India Foundation and of the Rubin Museum.

Previously, Mr. Akhoury was a Director and on the Compensation Committee of MaxIndia/New York Life Insurance Company in India. He was also Vice President and Investment Policy Committee Member of Fischer, Francis, Trees and Watts (a fixed-income portfolio management firm). He has also served on the Board of Bharti Telecom (an Indian telecommunications company), serving as a member of its Audit and Compensation committees, and as a member of the Audit Committee on the Board of Thompson Press (a publishing company). From 1992 to 2007, he was Chairman and CEO of MacKay Shields, a multi-product investment management firm with over $40 billion in assets under management.

Mr. Akhoury graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Engineering and obtained an M.S. in Quantitative Methods from SUNY at Stony Brook.

Jameson A. Baxter

Born 1943, Trustee since 1994 and
Vice Chairman since 2005

Ms. Baxter is the President of Baxter Associates, Inc., a private investment firm.

Ms. Baxter serves as a Director of ASHTA Chemicals, Inc., and the Mutual Fund Directors Forum. Until 2007, she was a Director of Banta Corporation (a printing and supply chain management company), Ryerson, Inc. (a metals service corporation), and Advocate Health Care. Until 2004, she was a Director of BoardSource (formerly the National Center for Nonprofit Boards), and until 2002, she was a Director of Intermatic Corporation (a manufacturer of energy control products). She is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees of Mount Holyoke College, having served as Chairman for five years.

Ms. Baxter has held various positions in investment banking and corporate finance, including Vice President of and Consultant to First Boston Corporation and Vice President and Principal of the Regency Group. She is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College.

Charles B. Curtis

Born 1940, Trustee since 2001

Mr. Curtis is President and Chief Operating Officer of the Nuclear Threat Initiative (a private foundation dealing with national security issues), and serves as Senior Advisor to the United Nations Foundation.

Mr. Curtis is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the National Petroleum Council. He also serves as Director of Edison International and Southern California Edison. Until 2006, Mr. Curtis served as a member of the Trustee Advisory Council of the Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University.

From August 1997 to December 1999, Mr. Curtis was a Partner at Hogan & Hartson LLP, an international law firm headquartered in Washington, D.C. Prior to May 1997, Mr. Curtis was Deputy Secretary of Energy and Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy. He was a founding member of the law firm of Van Ness Feldman. Mr. Curtis served as Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission from 1977 to 1981 and has held positions on the staff of the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Treasury Department, and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Robert J. Darretta

Born 1946, Trustee since 2007

Mr. Darretta serves as Director of United-Health Group, a diversified health-care company.

Until April 2007, Mr. Darretta was Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Johnson & Johnson, one of the world’s largest and most broadly based health-care companies. Prior to 2007, he had responsibility for Johnson & Johnson’s finance, investor relations, information technology, and procurement function. He served as Johnson & Johnson Chief Financial Officer for a decade, prior to which he spent two years as Treasurer of the corporation and over ten years leading various Johnson & Johnson operating companies.

Mr. Darretta received a B.S. in Economics from Villanova University.

Myra R. Drucker

Born 1948, Trustee since 2004

Ms. Drucker is Chair of the Board of Trustees of Commonfund (a not-for-profit firm managing assets for educational endowments and foundations), Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of Sarah Lawrence College, and a member of the Investment Committee of the Kresge Foundation (a charitable trust). She is also a Director of Interactive Data Corporation (a provider of financial market data and analytics to financial institutions and investors).

Ms. Drucker is an ex-officio member of the New York Stock Exchange Pension Managers Advisory Committee, having served as Chair for seven years. She serves as an advisor to RCM Capital Management (an investment management firm) and to the Employee Benefits Investment Committee of The Boeing Company (an aerospace firm).

From November 2001 until August 2004, Ms. Drucker was Managing Director and a member of the Board of Directors of General Motors Asset Management and Chief Investment Officer of General Motors Trust Bank. From December 1992 to November 2001, Ms. Drucker served as Chief Investment Officer of Xerox Corporation (a document company).

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Prior to December 1992, Ms. Drucker was Staff Vice President and Director of Trust Investments for International Paper (a paper and packaging company).

Ms. Drucker received a B.A. in Literature and Psychology from Sarah Lawrence College and pursued graduate studies in economics, statistics, and portfolio theory at Temple University.

John A. Hill

Born 1942, Trustee since 1985 and
Chairman since 2000

Mr. Hill is founder and Vice-Chairman of First Reserve Corporation, the leading private equity buyout firm specializing in the worldwide energy industry, with offices in Greenwich, Connecticut; Houston, Texas; London, England; and Shanghai, China. The firm’s investments on behalf of some of the nation’s largest pension and endowment funds are currently concentrated in 31 companies with annual revenues in excess of $15 billion, which employ over 100,000 people in 23 countries.

Mr. Hill is a Director of Devon Energy Corporation and various private companies owned by First Reserve, and serves as a Trustee of Sarah Lawrence College where he serves as Chairman and also chairs the Investment Committee. He is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Millstein Center for Corporate Governance and Performance at the Yale School of Management.

Prior to forming First Reserve in 1983, Mr. Hill served as President of F. Eberstadt and Company, an investment banking and investment management firm. Between 1969 and 1976, Mr. Hill held various senior positions in Washington, D.C. with the federal government, including Deputy Associate Director of the Office of Management and Budget and Deputy Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration during the Ford Administration.

Born and raised in Midland, Texas, he received his B.A. in Economics from Southern Methodist University and pursued graduate studies as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow.

Paul L. Joskow

Born 1947, Trustee since 1997

Dr. Joskow is an economist and President of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation (a philanthropic institution focused primarily on research and education on issues related to science, technology, and economic performance). He is on leave from his position as the Elizabeth and James Killian Professor of Economics and Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he has been on the faculty since 1972. Dr. Joskow was the Director of the Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research at MIT from 1999 through 2007.

Dr. Joskow serves as a Trustee of Yale University, as a Director of TransCanada Corporation (an energy company focused on natural gas transmission and power services) and of Exelon Corporation (an energy company focused on power services), and as a member of the Board of Overseers of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Prior to August 2007, he served as a Director of National Grid (a UK-based holding company with interests in electric and gas transmission and distribution and telecommunications infrastructure). Prior to July 2006, he served as President of the Yale University Council. Prior to February 2005, he served on the board of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research (a non-profit research institution). Prior to February 2002, he was a Director of State Farm Indemnity Company (an automobile insurance company), and prior to March 2000, he was a Director of New England Electric System (a public utility holding company).

Dr. Joskow has published six books and numerous articles on industrial organization, government regulation of industry, and competition policy. He is active in industry restructuring, environmental, energy, competition, and privatization policies —serving as an advisor to governments and corporations worldwide. Dr. Joskow holds a Ph.D. and M.Phil. from Yale University and a B.A. from Cornell University.

Elizabeth T. Kennan

Born 1938, Trustee since 1992

Dr. Kennan is a Partner of Cambus-Kenneth Farm (thoroughbred horse and cattle breeding). She is President Emeritus of Mount Holyoke College.

Dr. Kennan served as Chairman and is now Lead Director of Northeast Utilities. She is a Trustee of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and of Centre College. Until 2006, she was a member of The Trustees of Reservations. Prior to 2001, Dr. Kennan served on the oversight committee of the Folger Shakespeare Library. Prior to June 2005, she was a Director of Talbots, Inc., and she has served as Director on a number of other boards, including Bell Atlantic, Chastain Real Estate, Shawmut Bank, Berkshire Life Insurance, and Kentucky Home Life Insurance. Dr. Kennan has also served as President of Five Colleges Incorporated and as a Trustee of the University of Notre Dame, and is active in various educational and civic associations.

As a member of the faculty of Catholic University for twelve years, until 1978, Dr. Kennan directed the post-doctoral program in Patristic and Medieval Studies, taught history, and published numerous articles and two books. Dr. Kennan holds a Ph.D. from the University of Washington in Seattle, an M.A. from Oxford University, and an A.B. from Mount Holyoke College. She holds several honorary doctorates.

Kenneth R. Leibler

Born 1949, Trustee since 2006

Mr. Leibler is a founder and former Chairman of the Boston Options Exchange, an electronic marketplace for the trading of derivative securities.

Mr. Leibler currently serves as a Trustee of Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston. He is also Lead Director of Ruder Finn Group, a global communications and advertising firm, and a Director of Northeast Utilities, which operates New

37


England’s largest energy delivery system. Prior to December 2006, he served as a Director of the Optimum Funds group. Prior to October 2006, he served as a Director of ISO New England, the organization responsible for the operation of the electric generation system in the New England states. Prior to 2000, Mr. Leibler was a Director of the Investment Company Institute in Washington, D.C.

Prior to January 2005, Mr. Leibler served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Boston Stock Exchange. Prior to January 2000, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Financial Companies, a publicly traded diversified asset management organization. Prior to June 1990, Mr. Leibler served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the American Stock Exchange (AMEX), and at the time was the youngest person in AMEX history to hold the title of President. Prior to serving as AMEX President, he held the position of Chief Financial Officer, and headed its management and marketing operations. Mr. Leibler graduated with a degree in Economics from Syracuse University.

Robert E. Patterson

Born 1945, Trustee since 1984

Mr. Patterson is Senior Partner of Cabot Properties, LP and Chairman of Cabot Properties, Inc. (a private equity firm investing in commercial real estate).

Mr. Patterson serves as Chairman Emeritus and Trustee of the Joslin Diabetes Center. Prior to June 2003, he was a Trustee of the Sea Education Association. Prior to December 2001, Mr. Patterson was President and Trustee of Cabot Industrial Trust (a publicly traded real estate investment trust). Prior to February 1998, he was Executive Vice President and Director of Acquisitions of Cabot Partners Limited Partnership (a registered investment adviser involved in institutional real estate investments). Prior to 1990, he served as Executive Vice President of Cabot, Cabot & Forbes Realty Advisors, Inc. (the predecessor company of Cabot Partners).

Mr. Patterson practiced law and held various positions in state government, and was the founding Executive Director of the Massachusetts Industrial Finance Agency. Mr. Patterson is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School.

George Putnam, III

Born 1951, Trustee since 1984

Mr. Putnam is Chairman of New Generation Research, Inc. (a publisher of financial advisory and other research services), and President of New Generation Advisors, LLC (a registered investment adviser to private funds). Mr. Putnam founded the New Generation companies in 1986.

Mr. Putnam is a Director of The Boston Family Office, LLC (a registered investment adviser). He is a Trustee of St. Mark’s School, a Trustee of Epiphany School, and a Trustee of the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Until 2006, he was a Trustee of Shore Country Day School, and until 2002, was a Trustee of the Sea Education Association.

Mr. Putnam previously worked as an attorney with the law firm of Dechert LLP (formerly known as Dechert Price & Rhoads) in Philadelphia. He is a graduate of Harvard College, Harvard Business School, and Harvard Law School.

Robert L. Reynolds*

Born 1952, Trustee since 2008
and President of the Putnam Funds since
July 2009

Mr. Reynolds is President and Chief Executive Officer of Putnam Investments, a member of Putnam Investments’ Executive Board of Directors, and President of the Putnam Funds. He has more than 30 years of investment and financial services experience.

Prior to joining Putnam Investments in 2008, Mr. Reynolds was Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Fidelity Investments from 2000 to 2007. During this time, he served on the Board of Directors for FMR Corporation, Fidelity Investments Insurance Ltd., Fidelity Investments Canada Ltd., and Fidelity Management Trust Company. He was also a Trustee of the Fidelity Family of Funds. From 1984 to 2000, Mr. Reynolds served in a number of increasingly responsible leadership roles at Fidelity.

Mr. Reynolds serves on several not-for-profit boards, including those of the West Virginia University Foundation, Concord Museum, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Lahey Clinic, and Initiative for a Competitive Inner City in Boston. He is a member of the Chief Executives Club of Boston, the National Innovation Initiative, and the Council on Competitiveness.

Mr. Reynolds received a B.S. in Business Administration/Finance from West Virginia University.

W. Thomas Stephens

Born 1942, Trustee since 2009

Mr. Stephens retired as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Boise Cascade, L.L.C. (a paper, forest products and timberland assets company) in December 2008.

Mr. Stephens is a Director of TransCanada Pipelines, Ltd. (an energy infrastructure company). From 1997 to 2008, Mr. Stephens served as a Trustee on the Board of the Putnam Funds, which he rejoined as a Trustee in 2009. Until 2004, Mr. Stephens was a Director of Xcel Energy Incorporated (a public utility company), Qwest Communications and Norske Canada, Inc. (a paper manufacturer). Until 2003, Mr. Stephens was a Director of Mail-Well, Inc. (a diversified printing company). He served as Chairman of Mail-Well until 2001 and as CEO of MacMillan-Bloedel, Ltd. (a forest products company) until 1999.

Prior to 1996, Mr. Stephens was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Johns Manville Corporation. He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Arkansas.

Richard B. Worley

Born 1945, Trustee since 2004

Mr. Worley is Managing Partner of Permit Capital LLC, an investment management firm.

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Mr. Worley serves as a Trustee of the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (a philanthropic organization devoted to health-care issues), and the National Constitution Center. He is also a Director of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (a historical preservation organization), and the Philadelphia Orchestra Association. Mr. Worley also serves on the investment committees of Mount Holyoke College and World Wildlife Fund (a wildlife conservation organization).

Prior to joining Permit Capital LLC in 2002, Mr. Worley served as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Investment Officer of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and as a Managing Director of Morgan Stanley, a financial services firm. Mr. Worley also was the Chairman of Miller Anderson & Sherrerd, an investment management firm that was acquired by Morgan Stanley in 1996.

Mr. Worley holds a B.S. degree from the University of Tennessee and pursued graduate studies in economics at the University of Texas.

The address of each Trustee is One Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02109.

As of October 31, 2009, there were over 100 Putnam funds. All Trustees serve as Trustees of all Putnam funds. Each Trustee serves for an indefinite term, until his or her resignation, retirement at age 72, death, or removal.

* Trustee who is an “interested person” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940) of the fund, Putnam Management, and/or Putnam Retail Management. Mr. Reynolds is President and Chief Executive Officer of Putnam Investments, as well as the President of your fund and each of the other Putnam funds.

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Officers

In addition to Robert L. Reynolds, the other officers of the fund are shown below:

Charles E. Porter (Born 1938)  James P. Pappas (Born 1953)  Wanda M. McManus (Born 1947) 
Executive Vice President, Principal  Vice President  Vice President, Senior Associate 
Executive Officer, Associate Treasurer,  Since 2004  Treasurer and Assistant Clerk 
and Compliance Liaison  Managing Director, Putnam Investments  Since 2005 
Since 1989  and Putnam Management 
Nancy E. Florek (Born 1957) 
Jonathan S. Horwitz (Born 1955)  Francis J. McNamara, III (Born 1955)  Vice President, Assistant Clerk, 
Senior Vice President and Treasurer  Vice President and Chief Legal Officer  Assistant Treasurer and Proxy Manager 
Since 2004  Since 2004  Since 2005 
Senior Managing Director, Putnam 
Steven D. Krichmar (Born 1958)  Investments, Putnam Management and   
Vice President and  Putnam Retail Management   
Principal Financial Officer   
Since 2002  Robert R. Leveille (Born 1969)   
Senior Managing Director,  Vice President and   
Putnam Investments  Chief Compliance Officer   
Since 2007 
Janet C. Smith (Born 1965)  Managing Director, Putnam Investments,   
Vice President, Principal Accounting  Putnam Management, and Putnam   
Officer and Assistant Treasurer  Retail Management   
Since 2007   
Managing Director, Putnam Investments  Mark C. Trenchard (Born 1962)   
and Putnam Management  Vice President and   
BSA Compliance Officer 
Susan G. Malloy (Born 1957)  Since 2002   
Vice President and Assistant Treasurer  Managing Director, Putnam Investments   
Since 2007   
Managing Director, Putnam Investments  Judith Cohen (Born 1945)   
Vice President, 
Beth S. Mazor (Born 1958)  Clerk and Assistant Treasurer   
Vice President  Since 1993   
Since 2002   
Managing Director, Putnam Investments     

The principal occupations of the officers for the past five years have been with the employers as shown above although in some cases, they have held different positions with such employers. The address of each Officer is One Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02109.

40


The 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 containing this and other information for any Putnam fund or product, call your financial advisor at 1-800-225-1581 and ask for a prospectus. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

Growth
Growth Opportunities Fund
International New Opportunities Fund*
New Opportunities Fund
Small Cap Growth Fund*
Vista Fund
Voyager Fund

Blend
Asia Pacific Equity Fund*
Capital Opportunities Fund*
Capital Spectrum Fund‡
Emerging Markets Equity Fund*
Equity Spectrum Fund‡
Europe Equity Fund*
Global Equity Fund*
International Capital Opportunities Fund*
International Equity Fund*
Investors Fund
Research Fund

Value
Convertible Income-Growth Trust
Equity Income Fund
The George Putnam Fund of Boston
The Putnam Fund for Growth and Income
International Growth and Income Fund*
Mid Cap Value Fund
Small Cap Value Fund*

Income
American Government Income Fund
Diversified Income Trust
Floating Rate Income Fund
Global Income Trust*
High Yield Advantage Fund*
High Yield Trust*
Income Fund
Money Market Fund†
U.S. Government Income Trust

Tax-free income
AMT-Free Municipal Fund
Tax Exempt Income Fund
Tax Exempt Money Market Fund†
Tax-Free High Yield Fund

State tax-free income funds:
Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania

Absolute Return
Absolute Return 100 Fund
Absolute Return 300 Fund
Absolute Return 500 Fund
Absolute Return 700 Fund

Global Sector*
Global Consumer Fund
Global Energy Fund
Global Financials Fund
Global Health Care Fund**
Global Industrials Fund
Global Natural Resources Fund
Global Technology Fund
Global Telecommunications Fund
Global Utilities Fund††

Asset allocation
Income Strategies Fund
Putnam Asset Allocation Funds — three investment portfolios that spread your money across a variety of stocks, bonds, and money market investments.

The three portfolios:
Asset Allocation: Balanced Portfolio
Asset Allocation: Conservative Portfolio
Asset Allocation: Growth Portfolio

Putnam RetirementReady®

Putnam RetirementReady Funds — 10 investment portfolios that offer diversification among stocks, bonds, and money market instruments and adjust to become more conservative over time based on a target date for withdrawing assets.

The 10 funds:
Putnam RetirementReady 2050 Fund
Putnam RetirementReady 2045 Fund
Putnam RetirementReady 2040 Fund
Putnam RetirementReady 2035 Fund
Putnam RetirementReady 2030 Fund
Putnam RetirementReady 2025 Fund
Putnam RetirementReady 2020 Fund
Putnam RetirementReady 2015 Fund
Putnam RetirementReady 2010 Fund
Putnam RetirementReady Maturity Fund

* A 1% redemption fee on total assets redeemed or exchanged within 90 days of purchase may be imposed for all share classes of these funds.

† An investment in a money market fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund.

‡ A 1% redemption fee on total assets redeemed or exchanged within 30 days of purchase may be imposed for all share classes of these funds.

** Prior to January 2, 2009, the fund was known as Putnam Health Sciences Trust.

†† Prior to January 2, 2009, the fund was known as Putnam Utilities Growth and Income Fund.

With the exception of money market funds, a 1% redemption fee may be applied to shares exchanged or sold within 7 days of purchase (90 days, for certain funds).

Check your account balances and the most recent month-end performance in the Individual Investors section at putnam.com.

41


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.

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 Web site.

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 Web site 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.

42


Fund information

Founded over 70 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  Janet C. Smith 
Putnam Investment  John A. Hill, Chairman  Vice President, Principal Accounting 
Management, LLC  Jameson A. Baxter, Vice Chairman  Officer and Assistant Treasurer 
One Post Office Square  Ravi Akhoury  Susan G. Malloy  
Boston, MA 02109   Charles B. Curtis  Vice President and Assistant Treasurer 
  Robert J. Darretta   
Investment Sub-Manager  Myra R. Drucker   Beth S. Mazor  
Putnam Investments Limited   Paul L. Joskow  Vice President 
57-59 St James’s Street  Elizabeth T. Kennan    
London, England SW1A 1LD   Kenneth R. Leibler  James P. Pappas 
Robert E. Patterson   Vice President 
Investment Sub-Advisor   George Putnam, III 
The Putnam Advisory  Robert L. Reynolds  Francis J. McNamara, III  
Company, LLC  W. Thomas Stephens  Vice President and Chief Legal Officer 
One Post Office Square  Richard B. Worley 
Boston, MA 02109  Robert R. Leveille 
Officers Vice President and 
Marketing Services     Chief Compliance Officer 
Putnam Retail Management  Robert L. Reynolds 
One Post Office Square  President  Mark C. Trenchard 
Boston, MA 02109    Vice President and BSA Compliance Officer  
  Charles E. Porter 
Custodian  Executive Vice President, Principal  Judith Cohen 
State Street Bank and Trust Company  Executive Officer, Associate Treasurer and  Vice President, Clerk and Assistant 
  Compliance Liaison  Treasurer  
Legal Counsel   
Ropes & Gray LLP  Jonathan S. Horwitz  Wanda M. McManus 
  Senior Vice President and Treasurer  Vice President, Senior Associate Treasurer  
Independent Registered Public    and Assistant Clerk 
Accounting Firm   Steven D. Krichmar    
KPMG LLP  Vice President and  Nancy E. Florek 
Principal Financial Officer  Vice President, Assistant Clerk, Assistant 
  Treasurer and Proxy Manager 

43


This report is for the information of shareholders of Putnam Global Equity Fund. It may also be used as sales literature when preceded or accompanied by the current prospectus, the most recent copy of Putnam’s Quarterly Performance Summary, and Putnam’s Quarterly Ranking Summary. For more recent performance, please visit putnam.com. Investors should carefully consider the investment objective, risks, charges, and expenses of a fund, which are described in its prospectus. For this and other information or to request a 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.

44




Item 2. Code of Ethics:

(a) The fund’s principal executive, financial and accounting officers are employees of Putnam Investment Management, LLC, the Fund's investment manager. As such they are subject to a comprehensive Code of Ethics adopted and administered by Putnam Investments which is designed to protect the interests of the firm and its clients. The Fund has adopted a Code of Ethics which incorporates the Code of Ethics of Putnam Investments with respect to all of its officers and Trustees who are employees of Putnam Investment Management, LLC. For this reason, the Fund has not adopted a separate code of ethics governing its principal executive, financial and accounting officers.

(c) In May 2008, the Code of Ethics of Putnam Investment Management, LLC was updated in its entirety to include the amendments adopted in August 2007 as well as a several additional technical, administrative and non-substantive changes. In May of 2009, the Code of Ethics of Putnam Investment Management, LLC was amended to reflect that all employees will now be subject to a 90-day blackout restriction on holding Putnam open-end funds, except for portfolio managers and their supervisors (and each of their immediate family members), who will be subject to a one-year blackout restriction on the funds that they manage or supervise.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert:

The Funds' Audit and Compliance Committee is comprised solely of Trustees who are "independent" (as such term has been defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") in regulations implementing Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (the "Regulations")). The Trustees believe that each of the members of the Audit and Compliance Committee also possess a combination of knowledge and experience with respect to financial accounting matters, as well as other attributes, that qualify them for service on the Committee. In addition, the Trustees have determined that each of Mr. Patterson, Mr. Leibler, Mr. Hill, Mr. Darretta and Mr. Stephens qualifies as an "audit committee financial expert" (as such term has been defined by the Regulations) based on their review of his pertinent experience and education. The SEC has stated that the designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert pursuant to this Item 3 of Form N-CSR does not impose on such person any duties, obligations or liability that are greater than the duties, obligations and liability imposed on such person as a member of the Audit and Compliance Committee and the Board of Trustees in the absence of such designation or identification.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services:

The following table presents fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for services rendered to the fund by the fund’s independent auditor:

Fiscal    Audit-     
year  Audit  Related  Tax  All Other 
ended  Fees  Fees  Fees  Fees 
  
October 31, 2009  $52,755  $--  $4,300  $- 
October 31, 2008  $54,050  $--  $4,450  $- 

For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2009 and October 31, 2008, the fund’s independent auditor billed aggregate non-audit fees in the amounts of $ 4,300 and $ 73,183 respectively, to the fund, Putnam Management and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with Putnam Management that provides ongoing services to the fund.


Audit Fees represent fees billed for the fund's last two fiscal years relating to the audit and review of the financial statements included in annual reports and registration statements, and other services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.

Audit-Related Fees represent fees billed in the fund’s last two fiscal years for services traditionally performed by the fund’s auditor, including accounting consultation for proposed transactions or concerning financial accounting and reporting standards and other audit or attest services not required by statute or regulation.

Tax Fees represent fees billed in the fund’s last two fiscal years for tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice services. Tax planning and tax advice services include assistance with tax audits, employee benefit plans and requests for rulings or technical advice from taxing authorities.

Pre-Approval Policies of the Audit and Compliance Committee. The Audit and Compliance Committee of the Putnam funds has determined that, as a matter of policy, all work performed for the funds by the funds’ independent auditors will be pre-approved by the Committee itself and thus will generally not be subject to pre-approval procedures.

The Audit and Compliance Committee also has adopted a policy to pre-approve the engagement by Putnam Management and certain of its affiliates of the funds’ independent auditors, even in circumstances where pre-approval is not required by applicable law. Any such requests by Putnam Management or certain of its affiliates are typically submitted in writing to the Committee and explain, among other things, the nature of the proposed engagement, the estimated fees, and why this work should be performed by that particular audit firm as opposed to another one. In reviewing such requests, the Committee considers, among other things, whether the provision of such services by the audit firm are compatible with the independence of the audit firm.

The following table presents fees billed by the fund’s independent auditor for services required to be approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

Fiscal  Audit-    All  Total 
year  Related  Tax  Other  Non-Audit 
ended  Fees  Fees  Fees  Fees 
  
October 31, 2009  $ -  $ -  $ -  $ - 
October 31, 2008  $ -  $ -  $ -  $ - 

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) The Code of Ethics of The Putnam Funds, which incorporates the Code of Ethics of Putnam Investments, is filed herewith.

(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 Global Equity Fund

By (Signature and Title):

/s/Janet C. Smith
Janet C. Smith
Principal Accounting Officer

Date: December 30, 2009


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/Charles E. Porter
Charles E. Porter
Principal Executive Officer

Date: December 30, 2009

By (Signature and Title):

/s/Steven D. Krichmar
Steven D. Krichmar
Principal Financial Officer

Date: December 30, 2009