N-CSRS 1 a_internationalequity.htm PUTNAM INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND a_internationalequity.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES




Investment Company Act file number: (811-06190)
Exact name of registrant as specified in charter: Putnam International Equity Fund
Address of principal executive offices: One Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Name and address of agent for service: Robert T. Burns, Vice President
One Post Office Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Copy to:         Bryan Chegwidden, Esq.
Ropes & Gray LLP
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (617) 292-1000
Date of fiscal year end: June 30, 2016
Date of reporting period: July 1, 2015 – December 31, 2015



Item 1. Report to Stockholders:

The following is a copy of the report transmitted to stockholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940:




Putnam
International Equity
Fund

Semiannual report
12 | 31 | 15

Message from the Trustees  1 

About the fund  2 

Performance snapshot  4 

Interview with your fund’s portfolio manager  5 

Your fund’s performance  10 

Your fund’s expenses  12 

Terms and definitions  14 

Other information for shareholders  15 

Financial statements  16 

 

Consider these risks before investing: International investing involves currency, economic, and political risks. Emerging-market securities carry illiquidity and volatility risks. Investments in small and/or midsize companies increase the risk of greater price fluctuations. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. Stock prices may fall or fail to rise over time for a variety of reasons, including general financial market conditions and factors related to a specific issuer or industry. Risks associated with derivatives include increased investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) and, in the case of over-the-counter instruments, the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations. You can lose money by investing in the fund.



Message from the Trustees

Dear Fellow Shareholder:

As 2016 gets under way, a number of factors in today’s markets stand out. Last year, the U.S. Federal Reserve announced a liftoff in short-term interest rates. The first increase took place in December, but the Fed has said that future hikes will likely occur at a gradual pace. Meanwhile, central banks in Europe and Japan continue to run accommodative monetary policies. China’s economy, the world’s second largest, is slowing, with global ramifications. In addition, the price of a barrel of oil is testing multi-year lows.

This combination of factors tempered the performance of stocks in 2015 after a string of solid annual gains over the previous three years. Should the economy continue to grow, stocks could rise, but it would be prudent to be prepared for bouts of volatility in the months ahead.

Managing downside risk while pursuing returns in today’s investing environment poses a challenge. Putnam’s experienced portfolio managers are constantly seeking innovative ways to maneuver in today’s markets, relying on a proprietary global research framework to guide their investment decisions. The interview on the following pages provides an overview of your fund’s performance for the reporting period ended December 31, 2015, as well as an outlook for the coming months.

We also encourage you to consult your financial advisor to ensure that your portfolio is in line with your investment goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance.

As always, thank you for investing with Putnam.







Current performance may be lower or higher than the quoted past performance, which cannot guarantee future results. Share price, principal value, and return will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or a loss when you sell your shares. Performance of class A shares assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes. Fund returns in the bar chart do not reflect a sales charge of 5.75%; had they, returns would have been lower. See pages 5 and 10–11 for additional performance information. For a portion of the periods, the fund had expense limitations, without which returns would have been lower. To obtain the most recent month-end performance, visit putnam.com.

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

4   International Equity Fund 

 



Interview with your fund’s portfolio manager


Putnam International Equity Fund’s semiannual reporting period, which ended December 31, 2015, was a challenging six months for non-U.S. markets. What factors caused the widespread weakness?

Key factors included China’s economic slowdown, uncertainty about the strength of the U.S. economic recovery, and weakness in the global commodity complex. Emerging markets felt the repercussions of China’s slowdown most acutely, but developed markets, including Europe and Japan, were not immune to the ripple effects of this slowdown.

Despite this general market weakness, were you able to find attractive investment opportunities during the period?

Although absolute and relative performance results were disappointing during the six-month period, we found a variety of what we consider to be attractive investment opportunities in non-U.S. stock markets. While there are many other areas of the global markets where one can find what we believe to be cheap stocks today — the global energy and basic materials sectors, and the emerging markets are examples — many stocks in these categories could stay cheap for a long time, in our view. So we also looked for valuation support combined with catalysts for positive change. In Europe, in particular, we think there are many individual


This comparison shows your fund’s performance in the context of broad market indexes for the six months ended 12/31/15. See pages 4 and 10–11 for additional fund performance information. Index descriptions can be found on page 14.

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stock opportunities that have such catalysts, and the earnings momentum we expect makes forward valuations for many European stocks look attractive.

With accommodative monetary and fiscal policies helping to foster the continuing economic recovery of Europe and Japan, we think there are positive underlying conditions for a variety of investment opportunities. In addition, merger and acquisition activity set a record year in 2015, and though it may not go on to achieve new highs in 2016, we think favorable financing conditions suggest this activity could continue to help companies find new economies of scale and otherwise unlock value for shareholders.

How did China’s economic slowdown affect the global markets during the period?

For most of the fund’s six-month reporting period, China’s slowing growth had ripple effects across a variety of emerging and developed markets. When China was stronger, the internal fragilities in a country like Brazil — including problems of corruption and poor governance — were hidden by the country’s powerful commodity-focused trade with China. Once China’s demand for commodities fell, commodity price declines exposed the fault lines in Brazil’s economy and currency. Indonesia is another commodity-exporting economy that has suffered in the wake of China’s growth slowdown.

Developed economies have suffered as well. Australia, for example, has experienced no small amount of economic and currency-related pain due to the price decline of key exports — iron ore, copper, and coal. The economy of the eurozone, too, was and continues to be at risk from a slowdown in China and other emerging markets, given that these are key export markets for European companies.


Allocations are shown as a percentage of the fund’s net assets as of 12/31/15. Cash and net other assets, if any, represent the market value weights of cash, derivatives, short-term securities, and other unclassified assets in the portfolio. Summary information may differ from the information in the portfolio schedule notes included in the financial statements due to the inclusion of derivative securities, any interest accruals, and the exclusion of as-of trades, if any. Holdings and allocations may vary over time.

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What was your approach to emerging markets during the period?

As 2015 came to a close, the fund’s emerging-markets exposure represented about 5.5% of the fund’s total portfolio. This exposure was all out-of-benchmark, as the benchmark MSCI EAFE Index [ND] contains no emerging-market stocks. Historically, this is lower than the fund’s long-term average exposure. In general, we find that emerging markets tend to struggle when the U.S. dollar strengthens and U.S. interest rates rise. In aggregate, this exposure detracted from benchmark-relative returns because of generalized weakness in emerging markets.

What were some of the top contributors to the fund’s relative results?

The largest contributor to relative results was the stock of a France-domiciled water and waste company, Veolia. This global company had suffered for a long time under an inefficient management team that wasted capital on a series of poor acquisitions. Veolia underwent an important management change a few years ago, however, that led to improved operational efficiency and much more disciplined corporate investment practice. During the period, investors responded favorably to the stock, as Veolia’s profit margins improved on the back of cost-cutting and restructuring, and investors also recognized that the company would likely be a beneficiary of a cyclical economic recovery in Europe.

Another top contributor was the stock of Challenger, an Australia-based provider of annuities — retirement-oriented investment products that historically have played only


This table shows the fund’s top 10 holdings by percentage of the fund’s net assets as of 12/31/15. Short-term investments and derivatives, if any, are excluded. Holdings will vary over time.

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a small role in Australia’s retirement system. Accordingly, the company is one of the few businesses focused on annuities in Australia, so it faces less competition in this business niche. During the period, the company did well because its stock was perceived to be cheap relative to Australian bank stocks, and because the local demand for annuity products grew.

SABMiller was another large contributor to relative results. During the period, this multinational brewing and beverage company, which is based in England, became an acquisition target of the world’s largest beverage company, Anheuser-Busch InBev. As a result, our overweight position in SABMiller contributed to the fund’s outperformance versus the index, and we sold the stock by the period-end.

What were some of the largest detractors from relative results?

The largest detractor was Genel Energy, an oil exploration and production company with operations in Iraq. Our thesis on Genel was that it owned and operated substantial oil and gas fields at the very low end of the cost curve, and so it could generate profits and cash flow even at low oil prices. Notwithstanding this, its shares were not immune to the rapid and substantial drop in the price of crude. Given that the company operates in Iraqi Kurdistan, it also faces various political risks — for example, whether the Iraqi government would permit Kurdish authorities to receive payments for oil shipments, and whether Kurdish authorities would pass these payments on to Genel in a timely manner. In both issues we believed that the outcome would be favorable.

Local political and economic factors resulted in the Kurdish government receiving payment for the oil, as we expected. However, fiscal strains on the Kurdish government, not least the need to fund its Peshmerga forces fighting against the Islamic State, led to


This chart shows the fund’s largest allocation shifts, by percentage, over the past six months. Allocations are shown as a percentage of the fund’s net assets. Current period summary information may differ from the portfolio schedule included in the financial statements due to the inclusion of derivative securities, any interest accruals, the exclusion of as-of trades, if any, and the use of different classifications of securities for presentation purposes. Holdings and allocations may vary over time.

8   International Equity Fund 

 



significant delays in these payments being passed on to Genel. This was another factor that caused the price of the company’s shares to decline. More fundamentally, delay in these payments appears to have undermined the company’s ability to invest in its assets, leading to production declines and the potential for writedowns. Since the period-end, we have recognized that our original thesis was undermined by these recent developments and we have sold the stock.

The stock of Japan-based Nintendo, which we overweighted relative to the benchmark, also was a drag on performance during the period. We believed the stock was significantly undervalued, given the substantial amount of cash on its balance sheet and by virtue of the upside potential that we saw in the company’s prospects for expanding into mobile gaming. The company lagged other players in this space as Nintendo’s development of its first mobile game was delayed and because it was released under a new title that did not leverage the company’s existing game franchises. We continued to hold the stock at period-end, however, as we remain confident in Nintendo’s ability to leverage its management and game-development expertise in the burgeoning mobile industry.

Atresmedia, a Spanish broadcasting company that detracted from the fund’s relative results, had what we considered a strong growth story. The stock had a good run in 2014, but it disappointed investors in 2015. In the wake of the financial crisis and a substantial decline in advertising prices spurred by Spain’s public TV station’s aggressive pricing behavior, the Spanish broadcasting industry shrank from four major private players to two, including Atresmedia. Given the reduced number of broadcasters, and because the public TV stations are no longer permitted to air paid advertising, we believed Atresmedia’s earnings had a long runway for growth. This thesis played out in 2014, resulting in strong share price appreciation. In 2015, however, programming costs came in higher than expected, and this led to disappointing performance. As such, we sold the position before period-end and put the proceeds of that sale in another European media position.

What is your outlook for international stocks?

We are cautiously optimistic that non-U.S. developed market stocks will prove their worth to investors in 2016. With valuations on the international stage more compelling, in our view, than U.S. stocks, and with regions such as Europe still to benefit from macroeconomic recovery, we think conditions bode well for non-U.S. stock investors.

In the fund, our goal is to seek capital appreciation by giving investors diversified exposures to the best companies we can find in the international markets. We think our global equity research experience puts us in good stead to identify those companies that will perform well, exhibit attractive growth potential, and surpass their peers — before the market recognizes the opportunity.

Thank you, Sam, for this update on the fund.

The views expressed in this report are exclusively those of Putnam Management and are subject to change. They are not meant as investment advice.

Please note that the holdings discussed in this report may not have been held by the fund for the entire period. Portfolio composition is subject to review in accordance with the fund’s investment strategy and may vary in the future. Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to risk.

Portfolio Manager Simon Davis is Co-Head of International Equities at Putnam. He has a B.A. from Oxford University. Simon joined Putnam in 2000 and has been in the investment industry since 1988.

International Equity Fund   9 

 



Your fund’s performance

This section shows your fund’s performance, price, and distribution information for periods ended December 31, 2015, the end of the first half of its current fiscal year. In accordance with regulatory requirements for mutual funds, we also include expense information taken from the fund’s current prospectus. Performance should always be considered in light of a fund’s investment strategy. Data represent past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. More recent returns may be less or more than those shown. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or a loss when you sell your shares. Performance information does not reflect any deduction for taxes a shareholder may owe on fund distributions or on the redemption of fund shares. For the most recent month-end performance, please visit the Individual Investors section at putnam.com or call Putnam at 1-800-225-1581. Class R, R5, R6, and Y shares are not available to all investors. See the Terms and Definitions section in this report for definitions of the share classes offered by your fund.

Fund performance Total return for periods ended 12/31/15

  Class A  Class B  Class C  Class M  Class R  Class R5  Class R6  Class Y 
(inception dates)  (2/28/91)  (6/1/94)  (7/26/99)  (12/1/94)  (1/21/03)  (7/2/12)  (7/2/12)  (7/12/96) 

  Before  After          Before  After  Net  Net  Net  Net 
sales   sales   Before   After   Before   After   sales   sales   asset   asset   asset   asset 
  charge  charge  CDSC  CDSC  CDSC  CDSC  charge  charge  value  value  value  value 

Annual average                         
(life of fund)  7.19%  6.94%  6.91%  6.91%  6.39%  6.39%  6.65%  6.50%  6.93%  7.42%  7.43%  7.41% 

10 years  29.78  22.32  22.15  22.15  20.32  20.32  23.41  19.09  26.47  33.39  33.89  33.04 
Annual average  2.64  2.03  2.02  2.02  1.87  1.87  2.13  1.76  2.38  2.92  2.96  2.90 

5 years  22.72  15.66  18.24  16.24  18.17  18.17  19.70  15.51  21.18  24.56  25.03  24.23 
Annual average  4.18  2.95  3.41  3.06  3.40  3.40  3.66  2.93  3.92  4.49  4.57  4.44 

3 years  19.36  12.50  16.65  13.65  16.64  16.64  17.51  13.40  18.38  20.41  20.82  20.23 
Annual average  6.08  4.00  5.27  4.36  5.26  5.26  5.53  4.28  5.79  6.39  6.51  6.33 

1 year  0.17  –5.59  –0.61  –5.49  –0.66  –1.64  –0.35  –3.83  –0.12  0.41  0.51  0.39 

6 months  –7.08  –12.43  –7.44  –11.99  –7.48  –8.38  –7.30  –10.55  –7.23  –6.96  –6.90  –6.95 

 

Current performance may be lower or higher than the quoted past performance, which cannot guarantee future results. After-sales-charge returns for class A and M shares reflect the deduction of the maximum 5.75% and 3.50% sales charge, respectively, levied at the time of purchase. Class B share returns after contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) reflect the applicable CDSC, which is 5% in the first year, declining over time to 1% in the sixth year, and is eliminated thereafter. Class C share returns after CDSC reflect a 1% CDSC for the first year that is eliminated thereafter. Class R, R5, R6, and Y shares have no initial sales charge or CDSC. Performance for class B, C, M, R, and Y shares before their inception is derived from the historical performance of class A shares, adjusted for the applicable sales charge (or CDSC) and the higher operating expenses for such shares, except for class Y shares, for which 12b-1 fees are not applicable. Performance for class R5 and R6 shares prior to their inception is derived from the historical performance of class Y shares and has not been adjusted for the lower investor servicing fees applicable to class R5 and R6 shares; had it, returns would have been higher.

Recent performance may have benefited from one or more legal settlements.

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

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

10  International Equity Fund 

 



Comparative index returns For periods ended 12/31/15

    Lipper International 
    Multi-Cap Core Funds 
  MSCI EAFE Index (ND)  category average* 

Annual average (life of fund)  4.87%  5.40% 

10 years  34.79  32.56 
Annual average  3.03  2.75 

5 years  19.37  16.17 
Annual average  3.60  2.99 

3 years  15.81  12.40 
Annual average  5.01  3.92 

1 year  –0.81  –1.66 

6 months  –6.01  –7.04 

 

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

* Over the 6-month, 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, 10-year, and life-of-fund periods ended 12/31/15, there were 441, 412, 342, 290, 153, and 7 funds, respectively, in this Lipper category.

Fund price and distribution information For the six-month period ended 12/31/15

Distributions  Class A  Class B  Class C  Class M  Class R  Class R5  Class R6  Class Y 

Number  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1 

Income  $0.593  $0.401  $0.429  $0.468  $0.498  $0.669  $0.692  $0.665 

Capital gains                 

Total  $0.593  $0.401  $0.429  $0.468  $0.498  $0.669  $0.692  $0.665 

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

6/30/15  $24.31  $25.79  $23.14  $23.47  $23.64  $24.50  $23.87  $24.66  $24.69  $24.61 

12/31/15  22.00  23.34  21.02  21.29  21.45  22.23  21.65  22.28  22.30  22.24 

 

The classification of distributions, if any, is an estimate. Before-sales-charge share value and current dividend rate for class A and M shares, if applicable, do not take into account any sales charge levied at the time of purchase. After-sales-charge share value, current dividend rate, and current 30-day SEC yield, if applicable, are calculated assuming that the maximum sales charge (5.75% for class A shares and 3.50% for class M shares) was levied at the time of purchase. Final distribution information will appear on your year-end tax forms.

 

International Equity Fund   11 

 



Your fund’s expenses

As a mutual fund investor, you pay ongoing expenses, such as management fees, distribution fees (12b-1 fees), and other expenses. Using the following information, you can estimate how these expenses affect your investment and compare them with the expenses of other funds. You may also pay one-time transaction expenses, including sales charges (loads) and redemption fees, which are not shown in this section and would have resulted in higher total expenses. For more information, see your fund’s prospectus or talk to your financial representative.

Expense ratios

  Class A  Class B  Class C  Class M  Class R  Class R5  Class R6  Class Y 

Total annual operating expenses for                 
the fiscal year ended 6/30/15  1.26%  2.01%  2.01%  1.76%  1.51%  0.96%  0.86%  1.01% 

Annualized expense ratio for                 
the six-month period ended                 
12/31/15*  1.27%  2.02%  2.02%  1.77%  1.52%  0.97%  0.87%  1.02% 

 

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.

* Includes an increase of 0.05% from annualizing the performance fee adjustment for the six months ended 12/31/15.

Expenses per $1,000

The following table shows the expenses you would have paid on a $1,000 investment in each class of the fund from 7/1/15 to 12/31/15. 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 R5  Class R6  Class Y 

Expenses paid per $1,000*†  $6.16  $9.78  $9.78  $8.57  $7.37  $4.71  $4.22  $4.95 

Ending value (after expenses)  $929.20  $925.60  $925.20  $927.00  $927.70  $930.40  $931.00  $930.50 

 

* Expenses for each share class are calculated using the fund’s annualized expense ratio for each class, which represents the ongoing expenses as a percentage of average net assets for the six months ended 12/31/15. 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.

12  International Equity Fund 

 



Estimate the expenses you paid

To estimate the ongoing expenses you paid for the six months ended 12/31/15, use the following calculation method. To find the value of your investment on 7/1/15, 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 R5  Class R6  Class Y 

Expenses paid per $1,000*†  $6.44  $10.23  $10.23  $8.97  $7.71  $4.93  $4.42  $5.18 

Ending value (after expenses)  $1,018.75  $1,014.98  $1,014.98  $1,016.24  $1,017.50  $1,020.26  $1,020.76  $1,020.01 

 

* Expenses for each share class are calculated using the fund’s annualized expense ratio for each class, which represents the ongoing expenses as a percentage of average net assets for the six months ended 12/31/15. The expense ratio may differ for each share class.

† Expenses are calculated by multiplying the expense ratio by the average account value for the six-month period; then multiplying the result by the number of days in the six-month period; and then dividing that result by the number of days in the year.

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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.

Before sales charge , or net asset value, is the price, or value, of one share of a mutual fund, without a sales charge. Before-sales-charge figures fluctuate with market conditions, and are calculated by dividing the net assets of each class of shares by the number of outstanding shares in the class.

After sales charge is the price of a mutual fund share plus the maximum sales charge levied at the time of purchase. After-sales-charge performance figures shown here assume the 5.75% maximum sales charge for class A shares and 3.50% for class M shares.

Contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) is generally a charge applied at the time of the redemption of class B or C shares and assumes redemption at the end of the period. Your fund’s class B CDSC declines over time from a 5% maximum during the first year to 1% during the sixth year. After the sixth year, the CDSC no longer applies. The CDSC for class C shares is 1% for one year after purchase.

Share classes

Class A shares are generally subject to an initial sales charge and no CDSC (except on certain redemptions of shares bought without an initial sales charge).

Class B shares are not subject to an initial sales charge and may be subject to a CDSC.

Class C shares are not subject to an initial sales charge and are subject to a CDSC only if the shares are redeemed during the first year.

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

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

Class R5 and R6 shares are not subject to an initial sales charge or CDSC, and carry no 12b-1 fee. They are only available to employer-sponsored retirement plans.

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

BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index is an unmanaged index that seeks to measure the performance of U.S. Treasury bills available in the marketplace.

MSCI EAFE Index (ND) is an unmanaged index of equity securities from developed countries in Western Europe, the Far East, and Australasia.

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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Other information for shareholders

Important notice regarding delivery of shareholder documents

In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations, Putnam sends a single copy of annual and semiannual shareholder reports, prospectuses, and proxy statements to Putnam shareholders who share the same address, unless a shareholder requests otherwise. If you prefer to receive your own copy of these documents, please call Putnam at 1-800-225-1581, and Putnam will begin sending individual copies within 30 days.

Proxy voting

Putnam is committed to managing our mutual funds in the best interests of our shareholders. The Putnam funds’ proxy voting guidelines and procedures, as well as information regarding how your fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30, 2015, are available in the Individual Investors section of putnam.com, and on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. If you have questions about finding forms on the SEC’s website, you may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. You may also obtain the Putnam funds’ proxy voting guidelines and procedures at no charge by calling Putnam’s Shareholder Services at 1-800-225-1581.

Fund portfolio holdings

The fund will file a complete schedule of its portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Shareholders may obtain the fund’s Form N-Q on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, the fund’s Form N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. You may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for information about the SEC’s website or the operation of the Public Reference Room.

Trustee and employee fund ownership

Putnam employees and members of the Board of Trustees place their faith, confidence, and, most importantly, investment dollars in Putnam mutual funds. As of December 31, 2015, Putnam employees had approximately $494,000,000 and the Trustees had approximately $129,000,000 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

A guide to financial statements

These sections of the report, as well as the accompanying Notes, constitute the fund’s financial statements.

The fund’s portfolio lists all the fund’s investments and their values as of the last day of the reporting period. Holdings are organized by asset type and industry sector, country, or state to show areas of concentration and diversification.

Statement of assets and liabilities shows how the fund’s net assets and share price are determined. All investment and non-investment assets are added together. Any unpaid expenses and other liabilities are subtracted from this total. The result is divided by the number of shares to determine the net asset value per share, which is calculated separately for each class of shares. (For funds with preferred shares, the amount subtracted from total assets includes the liquidation preference of preferred shares.)

Statement of operations shows the fund’s net investment gain or loss. This is done by first adding up all the fund’s earnings — from dividends and interest income — and subtracting its operating expenses to determine net investment income (or loss). Then, any net gain or loss the fund realized on the sales of its holdings — as well as any unrealized gains or losses over the period — is added to or subtracted from the net investment result to determine the fund’s net gain or loss for the fiscal period.

Statement of changes in net assets shows how the fund’s net assets were affected by the fund’s net investment gain or loss, by distributions to shareholders, and by changes in the number of the fund’s shares. It lists distributions and their sources (net investment income or realized capital gains) over the current reporting period and the most recent fiscal year-end. The distributions listed here may not match the sources listed in the Statement of operations because the distributions are determined on a tax basis and may be paid in a different period from the one in which they were earned. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. Actual results may vary. Any non-taxable return of capital cannot be determined until final tax calculations are completed after the end of the fund’s fiscal year.

Financial highlights provide an overview of the fund’s investment results, per-share distributions, expense ratios, net investment income ratios, and portfolio turnover in one summary table, reflecting the five most recent reporting periods. In a semiannual report, the highlights table also includes the current reporting period.

16  International Equity Fund 

 



The fund’s portfolio 12/31/15 (Unaudited)

COMMON STOCKS (97.5%)*  Shares  Value 

 
Australia (1.2%)     
Challenger, Ltd.  1,826,428  $11,513,874 

  11,513,874 
Belgium (1.8%)   
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV  135,239  16,705,400 

  16,705,400 
Brazil (0.1%)   
FabFurnish GmbH (acquired 8/2/13, cost $20) (Private) †∆∆ F  15  12 

Global Fashion Holding SA (acquired 8/2/13, cost $1,009,308)     
(Private) †∆∆ F  23,826  603,519 

New Bigfoot Other Assets GmbH (acquired 8/2/13, cost $20)     
(Private) †∆∆ F  15  12 

New Middle East Other Assets GmbH (acquired 8/2/13, cost $8)     
(Private) †∆∆ F  6  5 

  603,548 
Canada (1.3%)   
Intact Financial Corp.  119,000  7,626,595 

Suncor Energy, Inc.  191,400  4,940,961 

  12,567,556 
China (2.9%)   
China Mobile, Ltd.  598,500  6,707,650 

Ctrip.com International, Ltd. ADR † S   133,000  6,161,890 

Skyworth Digital Holdings, Ltd.  9,103,976  5,888,026 

Tencent Holdings, Ltd.  431,100  8,409,919 

  27,167,485 
France (12.2%)   
Accor SA  243,471  10,502,114 

Airbus Group SE  207,331  13,920,923 

Alcatel-Lucent †  3,169,526  12,572,358 

Natixis SA  1,710,922  9,670,960 

Numericable-SFR  230,989  8,386,741 

Sanofi  171,600  14,641,902 

Societe Generale SA  250,652  11,561,945 

Total SA  317,761  14,151,753 

Veolia Environnement SA  845,443  20,039,734 

  115,448,430 
Germany (3.2%)   
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Preference)  127,650  14,229,406 

RIB Software AG S   162,266  1,984,549 

Siemens AG  144,140  13,984,617 

  30,198,572 
Hong Kong (0.6%)   
WH Group, Ltd. 144A †  10,496,000  5,817,528 

  5,817,528 
India (1.5%)   
Bharti Infratel, Ltd.  1,275,091  8,215,979 

Tata Motors, Ltd. †  1,050,592  6,177,953 

  14,393,932 
Ireland (4.8%)   
Bank of Ireland †  26,986,294  9,890,443 

CRH PLC  295,450  8,540,034 

Kerry Group PLC Class A  137,185  11,352,719 

 

International Equity Fund  17 

 



COMMON STOCKS (97.5%)* cont.  Shares  Value 

 
Ireland cont.     
Permanent TSB Group Holdings PLC †  1,447,023  $7,226,043 

Smurfit Kappa Group PLC  334,694  8,541,777 

  45,551,016 
Italy (3.3%)   
Luxottica Group SpA  144,555  9,423,454 

Mediaset SpA  2,165,011  8,966,429 

Telecom Italia SpA RSP  12,817,351  13,109,921 

  31,499,804 
Japan (21.6%)   
Astellas Pharma, Inc.  946,800  13,448,543 

Daikin Industries, Ltd.  153,600  11,178,649 

Electric Power Development Co., Ltd.  281,000  9,999,831 

Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.  256,800  9,196,385 

Japan Tobacco, Inc.  449,700  16,511,698 

Kao Corp.  199,500  10,237,621 

KDDI Corp.  628,600  16,272,548 

LIXIL Group Corp.  434,900  9,652,142 

Shinsei Bank, Ltd.  4,976,000  9,153,614 

Nintendo Co., Ltd.  83,800  11,536,063 

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.  242,400  9,623,724 

NSK, Ltd.  978,100  10,608,489 

Panasonic Corp.  853,400  8,661,070 

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.  459,900  17,348,483 

Toyota Motor Corp.  462,700  28,400,547 

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.  540,300  12,107,461 

  203,936,868 
Netherlands (4.4%)   
Akzo Nobel NV  160,761  10,737,791 

ING Groep NV GDR  1,170,700  15,758,845 

Unilever NV ADR  347,379  15,050,405 

  41,547,041 
New Zealand (1.1%)   
Spark New Zealand, Ltd.  4,757,218  10,722,239 

 
Singapore (0.4%)    10,722,239 
Ezion Holdings, Ltd. S   8,150,100  3,472,653 

  3,472,653 
Spain (2.6%)   
Cellnex Telecom SAU 144A  395,223  7,368,710 

Grifols SA ADR  208,907  6,768,587 

International Consolidated Airlines Group SA  1,113,471  9,937,561 

  24,074,858 
Sweden (2.2%)   
Assa Abloy AB Class B  490,388  10,271,021 

Com Hem Holding AB  1,156,344  10,450,499 

  20,721,520 
Switzerland (4.4%)   
Credit Suisse Group AG  515,972  11,151,878 

Novartis AG  293,219  25,063,362 

Syngenta AG  12,530  4,918,076 

    41,133,316 

 

18  International Equity Fund 

 



COMMON STOCKS (97.5%)* cont.    Shares  Value 

 
United Arab Emirates (0.8%)       
Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC    4,302,692  $7,196,579 

  7,196,579 
United Kingdom (25.0%)     
Associated British Foods PLC    302,717  14,900,692 

AstraZeneca PLC    231,367  15,642,485 

Centrica PLC    3,893,005  12,504,402 

Compass Group PLC    868,508  15,031,964 

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV †    847,910  11,675,413 

Genel Energy PLC †    1,434,389  3,555,311 

Imperial Tobacco Group PLC    193,779  10,191,914 

Lloyds Banking Group PLC    11,175,352  12,028,247 

Metro Bank PLC (acquired 1/15/14, cost $2,770,188) (Private) †∆∆ F  130,140  3,995,326 

Persimmon PLC    608,771  18,180,274 

Prudential PLC    801,893  17,952,705 

Rio Tinto PLC    268,416  7,822,355 

Royal Dutch Shell PLC Class A    581,444  13,063,015 

Shire PLC    182,376  12,498,925 

Sports Direct International PLC †    638,113  5,410,391 

St James’s Place PLC    631,047  9,307,588 

Virgin Money Holdings UK PLC    1,314,544  7,370,718 

Vodafone Group PLC    4,042,575  13,075,808 

Wolseley PLC    154,687  8,408,608 

Worldpay Group PLC †    2,036,911  9,235,768 

WPP PLC    609,051  14,018,961 

  235,870,870 
United States (2.1%)     
Alphabet, Inc. Class C †    15,811  11,998,652 

KKR & Co. LP    474,700  7,400,576 

      19,399,228 
Total common stocks (cost $892,723,031)      $919,542,317 
 
 
PREFERRED STOCKS (0.9%)*    Shares  Value 

 
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. zero % cum. pfd.    9,456  $8,751,438 

Total preferred stocks (cost $9,518,357)      $8,751,438 
 
 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (2.9%)*  Principal amount/shares  Value 

 
Putnam Cash Collateral Pool, LLC 0.44% d   Shares   9,656,686  $9,656,686 

Putnam Short Term Investment Fund 0.33% L   Shares   15,430,811  15,430,811 

SSgA Prime Money Market Fund Class N 0.19% P   Shares   1,080,000  1,080,000 

U.S. Treasury Bills 0.26%, April 21, 2016     $153,000  152,905 

U.S. Treasury Bills 0.08%, April 14, 2016    180,000  179,907 

U.S. Treasury Bills 0.17%, February 18, 2016     191,000  190,973 

U.S. Treasury Bills 0.16%, February 11, 2016     887,000  886,877 

Total short-term investments (cost $27,578,132)      $27,578,159 
 
 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS       

Total investments (cost $929,819,520)      $955,871,914 

 

International Equity Fund  19 

 



Key to holding’s abbreviations

ADR  American Depository Receipts: represents ownership of foreign securities on deposit with a 
  custodian bank 
GDR  Global Depository Receipts: represents ownership of foreign securities on deposit with a custodian bank 
PJSC  Public Joint Stock Company 

 

Notes to the fund’s portfolio

Unless noted otherwise, the notes to the fund’s portfolio are for the close of the fund’s reporting period, which ran from July 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015 (the reporting period). Within the following notes to the portfolio, references to “ASC 820” represent Accounting Standards Codification 820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures and references to “OTC”, if any, represent over-the-counter.

* Percentages indicated are based on net assets of $943,599,414.

† This security is non-income-producing.

∆∆ This security is restricted with regard to public resale. The total fair value of this security and any other restricted securities (excluding 144A securities), if any, held at the close of the reporting period was $4,598,874, or 0.5% of net assets.

This security, in part or in entirety, was pledged and segregated with the custodian for collateral on certain derivative contracts at the close of the reporting period.

d Affiliated company. See Note 1 to the financial statements regarding securities lending. The rate quoted in the security description is the annualized 7-day yield of the fund at the close of the reporting period.

F This security is valued at fair value following procedures approved by the Trustees. Securities may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 for ASC 820 based on the securities’ valuation inputs. At the close of the reporting period, fair value pricing was also used for certain foreign securities in the portfolio (Note 1).

L Affiliated company (Note 5). The rate quoted in the security description is the annualized 7-day yield of the fund at the close of the reporting period.

P This security was pledged, or purchased with cash that was pledged, to the fund for collateral on certain derivative contracts. The rate quoted in the security description is the annualized 7-day yield of the fund at the close of the reporting period (Note 1).

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

At the close of the reporting period, the fund maintained liquid assets totaling $435,699 to cover certain derivative contracts and the settlement of certain securities.

Unless otherwise noted, the rates quoted in Short-term investments security descriptions represent the weighted average yield to maturity.

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.

The fund had the following sector concentrations greater than 10% at the close of the reporting period (as a percentage of net assets):

Financials  18.7% 
Consumer discretionary  18.0 
Consumer staples  12.2 
Industrials  10.3 
Telecommunication services  10.1 

 

20  International Equity Fund 

 



FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACTS at 12/31/15 (aggregate face value $272,447,241) (Unaudited)

          Unrealized 
  Contract  Delivery    Aggregate  appreciation/ 
Counterparty  Currency  type  date  Value  face value  (depreciation) 

Bank of America N.A.            
Euro  Buy  3/16/16  $64,124  $64,483  $(359) 

Barclays Bank PLC            
Canadian Dollar  Buy  1/20/16  7,619,213  7,962,959  (343,746) 

Hong Kong Dollar  Sell  2/17/16  258,103  258,091  (12) 

Japanese Yen  Sell  2/17/16  6,427,003  6,482,474  55,471 

Swiss Franc  Buy  3/16/16  6,384,287  6,227,910  156,377 

Citibank, N.A.            
Australian Dollar  Buy  1/20/16  5,046,871  4,952,012  94,859 

Danish Krone  Buy  3/16/16  17,184,668  16,831,099  353,569 

Euro  Buy  3/16/16  3,657,811  3,694,315  (36,504) 

Japanese Yen  Sell  2/17/16  2,009,833  2,006,750  (3,083) 

Credit Suisse International            
Australian Dollar  Buy  1/20/16  4,558,197  4,397,838  160,359 

British Pound  Sell  3/16/16  9,036,591  9,244,092  207,501 

Chinese Yuan           
(Offshore)  Sell  2/17/16  26,134,335  26,143,652  9,317 

Euro  Sell  3/16/16  10,465,772  10,242,373  (223,399) 

Japanese Yen  Buy  2/17/16  429,600  428,818  782 

New Zealand Dollar  Sell  1/20/16  5,353,103  4,989,862  (363,241) 

Norwegian Krone  Buy  3/16/16  422,862  432,711  (9,849) 

Swedish Krona  Sell  3/16/16  59,281  58,935  (346) 

Swiss Franc  Buy  3/16/16  4,625,685  4,321,818  303,867 

Deutsche Bank AG            
Australian Dollar  Buy  1/20/16  5,793,246  5,752,440  40,806 

British Pound  Sell  3/16/16  14,937,334  15,274,526  337,192 

Euro  Sell  3/16/16  7,371,145  7,212,151  (158,994) 

Japanese Yen  Sell  2/17/16  1,241,936  1,239,834  (2,102) 

New Zealand Dollar  Sell  1/20/16  4,556,315  4,248,261  (308,054) 

Goldman Sachs International            
British Pound  Buy  3/16/16  101,584  103,669  (2,085) 

Japanese Yen  Sell  2/17/16  2,902,905  2,897,911  (4,994) 

HSBC Bank USA, National Association         
British Pound  Sell  3/16/16  6,639,700  6,792,604  152,904 

Euro  Sell  3/16/16  6,001,562  5,664,248  (337,314) 

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.            
British Pound  Sell  3/16/16  172,944  176,752  3,808 

Canadian Dollar  Sell  1/20/16  1,264,038  1,401,281  137,243 

Euro  Sell  3/16/16  9,481,479  9,277,001  (204,478) 

Japanese Yen  Buy  2/17/16  10,913,610  10,817,932  95,678 

Norwegian Krone  Buy  3/16/16  4,989,718  5,105,044  (115,326) 

Singapore Dollar  Buy  2/17/16  8,850,416  8,942,905  (92,489) 

South Korean Won  Sell  2/17/16  7,044,491  7,245,221  200,730 

 

International Equity Fund  21 

 



FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACTS at 12/31/15 (aggregate face value $272,447,241) (Unaudited) cont.

            Unrealized 
    Contract  Delivery    Aggregate  appreciation/ 
Counterparty  Currency  type  date  Value  face value  (depreciation) 

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. cont.           
  Swedish Krona  Buy  3/16/16  $6,729,381  $6,488,313  $241,068 

  Swiss Franc  Buy  3/16/16  8,045,252  7,852,033  193,219 

State Street Bank and Trust Co.           
  Australian Dollar  Buy  1/20/16  688,776  661,696  27,080 

  British Pound  Sell  3/16/16  8,444,482  8,637,127  192,645 

  Euro  Sell  3/16/16  11,742,924  11,487,073  (255,851) 

  Israeli Shekel  Buy  1/20/16  7,046,522  6,989,412  57,110 

  Norwegian Krone  Buy  3/16/16  6,774  6,930  (156) 

  Swedish Krona  Sell  3/16/16  179,908  174,826  (5,082) 

  Swiss Franc  Buy  3/16/16  4,649,619  4,541,235  108,384 

UBS AG             
  Australian Dollar  Sell  1/20/16  21,335  18,970  (2,365) 

  British Pound  Sell  3/16/16  13,652,417  13,966,834  314,417 

  Euro  Sell  3/16/16  7,510,607  7,475,601  (35,006) 

  Swiss Franc  Buy  3/16/16  3,197,151  3,121,242  75,909 

WestPac Banking Corp.           
  Japanese Yen  Buy  2/17/16  134,386  133,977  409 

Total            $1,015,869 

 

22  International Equity Fund 

 



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

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

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

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

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

    Valuation inputs  

Investments in securities:  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3 

Common stocks:       

Australia  $—­  $11,513,874  $—­ 

Belgium    16,705,400   

Brazil      603,548 

Canada  12,567,556     

China  6,161,890  21,005,595   

France  12,572,358  102,876,072   

Germany    30,198,572   

Hong Kong    5,817,528   

India    14,393,932   

Ireland    45,551,016   

Italy    31,499,804   

Japan    203,936,868   

Netherlands    41,547,041   

New Zealand    10,722,239   

Singapore    3,472,653   

Spain  6,768,587  17,306,271   

Sweden    20,721,520   

Switzerland    41,133,316   

United Arab Emirates    7,196,579   

United Kingdom    231,875,544  3,995,326 

United States  19,399,228     

Total common stocks  57,469,619  857,473,824  4,598,874 
 
Preferred stocks    8,751,438   

Short-term investments  16,510,811  11,067,348   

Totals by level  $73,980,430  $877,292,610  $4,598,874 
 
    Valuation inputs  

Other financial instruments:  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3 

Forward currency contracts  $—­  $1,015,869  $—­ 

Totals by level  $—­  $1,015,869  $—­ 

 

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

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

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

International Equity Fund  23 

 



Statement of assets and liabilities 12/31/15 (Unaudited)

ASSETS   

Investment in securities, at value, including $9,048,671 of securities on loan (Note 1):   
Unaffiliated issuers (identified cost $904,732,023)  $930,784,417 
Affiliated issuers (identified cost $25,087,497) (Notes 1 and 5)  25,087,497 

Dividends, interest and other receivables  1,566,021 

Receivable for shares of the fund sold  1,256,140 

Receivable for investments sold  913,593 

Unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts (Note 1)  3,520,704 

Prepaid assets  69,046 

Total assets  963,197,418 
 
LIABILITIES   

Payable to custodian  584,369 

Payable for shares of the fund repurchased  3,501,906 

Payable for compensation of Manager (Note 2)  584,842 

Payable for custodian fees (Note 2)  63,580 

Payable for investor servicing fees (Note 2)  242,320 

Payable for Trustee compensation and expenses (Note 2)  656,958 

Payable for administrative services (Note 2)  7,276 

Payable for distribution fees (Note 2)  540,671 

Unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts (Note 1)  2,504,835 

Collateral on securities loaned, at value (Note 1)  9,656,686 

Collateral on certain derivative contracts, at value (Note 1)  1,080,000 

Other accrued expenses  174,561 

Total liabilities  19,598,004 
 
Net assets  $943,599,414 

 
REPRESENTED BY   

Paid-in capital (Unlimited shares authorized) (Notes 1 and 4)  $2,144,712,620 

Distributions in excess of net investment income (Note 1)  (6,315,558) 

Accumulated net realized loss on investments and foreign currency transactions (Note 1)  (1,221,781,456) 

Net unrealized appreciation of investments and assets and liabilities in foreign currencies  26,983,808 

Total — Representing net assets applicable to capital shares outstanding  $943,599,414 

 

(Continued on next page)

 

24  International Equity Fund 

 



Statement of assets and liabilities (Continued)

COMPUTATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND OFFERING PRICE   

Net asset value and redemption price per class A share   
($725,333,471 divided by 32,976,142 shares)  $22.00 

Offering price per class A share (100/94.25 of $22.00)*  $23.34 

Net asset value and offering price per class B share ($12,402,906 divided by 590,130 shares)**  $21.02 

Net asset value and offering price per class C share ($53,922,323 divided by 2,532,184 shares)**  $21.29 

Net asset value and redemption price per class M share ($13,058,902 divided by 608,874 shares)  $21.45 

Offering price per class M share (100/96.50 of $21.45)*  $22.23 

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per class R share   
($2,903,199 divided by 134,094 shares)  $21.65 

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per class R5 share   
($19,467,708 divided by 873,642 shares)  $22.28 

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per class R6 share   
($18,807,404 divided by 843,349 shares)  $22.30 

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per class Y share   
($97,703,501 divided by 4,393,572 shares)  $22.24 

 

* 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.

International Equity Fund  25 

 



Statement of operations Six months ended 12/31/15 (Unaudited)

INVESTMENT INCOME   

Dividends (net of foreign tax of $198,949)  $8,698,719 

Interest (including interest income of $9,050 from investments in affiliated issuers) (Note 5)  9,172 

Securities lending (Note 1)  46,679 

Total investment income  8,754,570 
 
EXPENSES   

Compensation of Manager (Note 2)  3,684,346 

Investor servicing fees (Note 2)  960,697 

Custodian fees (Note 2)  85,844 

Trustee compensation and expenses (Note 2)  37,924 

Distribution fees (Note 2)  1,386,570 

Administrative services (Note 2)  16,326 

Other  264,861 

Total expenses  6,436,568 
 
Expense reduction (Note 2)  (84,891) 

Net expenses  6,351,677 
 
Net investment income  2,402,893 

 
Net realized loss on investments (Notes 1 and 3)  (23,732,950) 

Net realized gain on foreign currency transactions (Note 1)  3,059,293 

Net unrealized depreciation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies during the period  (527,670) 

Net unrealized depreciation of investments during the period  (55,975,762) 

Net loss on investments  (77,177,089) 
 
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations  $(74,774,196) 

 

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

 

26  International Equity Fund 

 



Statement of changes in net assets

DECREASE IN NET ASSETS  Six months ended 12/31/15*  Year ended 6/30/15 

Operations:     
Net investment income  $2,402,893  $11,927,381 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments     
and foreign currency transactions  (20,673,657)  69,671,698 

Net unrealized depreciation of investments and assets     
and liabilities in foreign currencies  (56,503,432)  (120,520,488) 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations  (74,774,196)  (38,921,409) 

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

Class A  (19,145,626)  (7,318,368) 

Class B  (231,606)  (8,116) 

Class C  (1,071,608)  (99,934) 

Class M  (279,828)  (67,156) 

Class R  (65,021)  (29,098) 

Class R5  (567,566)  (96,950) 

Class R6  (553,438)  (216,948) 

Class Y  (2,873,661)  (820,119) 

Decrease from capital share transactions (Note 4)  (14,653,593)  (7,959,184) 

Total decrease in net assets  (114,216,143)  (55,537,282) 
 
NET ASSETS     

Beginning of period  1,057,815,557  1,113,352,839 

End of period (including distributions in excess of net     
investment income of $6,315,558 and undistributed net     
investment income of $16,069,903, respectively)  $943,599,414  $1,057,815,557 

 

* Unaudited.

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

International Equity Fund  27 

 



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

INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: LESS DISTRIBUTIONS: RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

                            Ratio   
  Net asset    Net realized                    Ratio  of net investment   
  value,    and unrealized  Total from  From            Total return  Net assets,  of expenses  income (loss)   
  beginning  Net investment  gain (loss)  investment  net investment  From  Total  Redemption  Non-recurring  Net asset value,  at net asset  end of period  to average  to average  Portfolio 
Period ended­  of period­  income (loss)a  on investments­  operations­  income­  return of capital­  distributions  fees  reimbursements  end of period­  value (%)b  (in thousands)  net assets (%)c  net assets (%)  turnover (%) 

Class A­                               
December 31, 2015**  $24.31­  .06­  (1.78)  (1.72)  (.59)  —­  (.59)  —­  —­  $22.00­  (7.08)*   $725,333­  .64*  .25*  36* 
June 30, 2015­  25.33­  .29­  (1.09)  (.80)  (.22)  —­  (.22)  —­  —­  24.31­  (3.12)  834,109­  1.26­  1.19­  69­ 
June 30, 2014­  20.26­  .20­  5.01­  5.21­  (.17)  —­  (.17)  —­  .03­e  25.33­  25.92­  919,776­  1.30­  .83­  67­ 
June 30, 2013­  16.78­  .20­  3.47­  3.67­  (.19)  —­  (.19)  —­  —­  20.26­  21.92­  800,600­  1.32­  1.06­  86­ 
June 30, 2012­  20.93­  .23­  (3.72)  (3.49)  (.89)  (.07)  (.96)  —­  .30­g,h  16.78­  (14.98)  785,933­  1.36­  1.32­  67­ 
June 30, 2011­  15.80­  .21­  5.28­  5.49­  (.41)  —­  (.41)  i  .05j,k,l  20.93­  35.21­  1,159,510­  1.37­  1.06­  80­ 

Class B­                               
December 31, 2015**  $23.14­  (.03)  (1.69)  (1.72)  (.40)  —­  (.40)  —­  —­  $21.02­  (7.44)*   $12,403­  1.01*  (.13)*   36* 
June 30, 2015­  24.08­  .09­  (1.02)  (.93)  (.01)  —­  (.01)  —­  —­  23.14­  (3.86)  14,821­  2.01­  .39­  69­ 
June 30, 2014­  19.27­  .01­  4.77­  4.78­  —­  —­  —­  —­  .03­e  24.08­  24.96­  20,183­  2.05­  .03­  67­ 
June 30, 2013­  15.95­  .05­  3.30­  3.35­  (.03)  —­  (.03)  —­  —­  19.27­  21.04­  21,761­  2.07­  .27­  86­ 
June 30, 2012­  19.85­  .08­  (3.51)  (3.43)  (.71)  (.05)  (.76)  —­  .29­g,h  15.95­  (15.60)  25,547­  2.11­  .50­  67­ 
June 30, 2011­  14.96­  .03­  5.02­  5.05­  (.21)  —­  (.21)  i  .05j,k,l  19.85­  34.20­  50,180­  2.12­  .18­  80­ 

Class C­                               
December 31, 2015**  $23.47­  (.03)  (1.72)  (1.75)  (.43)  —­  (.43)  —­  —­  $21.29­  (7.48)*   $53,922­  1.01*  (.12)*   36* 
June 30, 2015­  24.45­  .11­  (1.05)  (.94)  (.04)  —­  (.04)  —­  —­  23.47­  (3.83)  59,397­  2.01­  .46­  69­ 
June 30, 2014­  19.58­  .02­  4.83­  4.85­  (.01)  —­  (.01)  —­  .03­e  24.45­  24.93­  61,686­  2.05­  .08­  67­ 
June 30, 2013­  16.22­  .06­  3.35­  3.41­  (.05)  —­  (.05)  —­  —­  19.58­  21.03­  53,981­  2.07­  .31­  86­ 
June 30, 2012­  20.23­  .10­  (3.60)  (3.50)  (.74)  (.06)  (.80)  —­  .29­g,h  16.22­  (15.64)  53,807­  2.11­  .57­  67­ 
June 30, 2011­  15.27­  .06­  5.11­  5.17­  (.26)  —­  (.26)  i  .05j,k,l  20.23­  34.29­  80,648­  2.12­  .31­  80­ 

Class M­                               
December 31, 2015**  $23.64­  i  (1.72)  (1.72)  (.47)  —­  (.47)  —­  —­  $21.45­  (7.30)*   $13,059­  .89*  —*m  36* 
June 30, 2015­  24.64­  .15­  (1.05)  (.90)  (.10)  —­  (.10)  —­  —­  23.64­  (3.65)  15,078­  1.76­  .66­  69­ 
June 30, 2014­  19.72­  .08­  4.88­  4.96­  (.07)  —­  (.07)  —­  .03­e  24.64­  25.30­  18,269­  1.80­  .33­  67­ 
June 30, 2013­  16.34­  .10­  3.37­  3.47­  (.09)  —­  (.09)  —­  —­  19.72­  21.26­  16,006­  1.82­  .55­  86­ 
June 30, 2012­  20.38­  .14­  (3.62)  (3.48)  (.79)  (.06)  (.85)  —­  .29­g,h  16.34­  (15.39)  16,826­  1.86­  .83­  67­ 
June 30, 2011­  15.38­  .10­  5.16­  5.26­  (.31)  —­  (.31)  i  .05j,k,l  20.38­  34.65­  24,507­  1.87­  .51­  80­ 

Class R                               
December 31, 2015**  $23.87­  .02­  (1.74)  (1.72)  (.50)  —­  (.50)  —­  —­  $21.65­  (7.23)*   $2,903­  .76*  .07*  36* 
June 30, 2015­  24.90­  .23­  (1.08)  (.85)  (.18)  —­  (.18)  —­  —­  23.87­  (3.37)  4,454­  1.51­  .99­  69­ 
June 30, 2014­  19.94­  .14­  4.92­  5.06­  (.13)  —­  (.13)  —­  .03­e  24.90­  25.57­  3,478­  1.55­  .59­  67­ 
June 30, 2013­  16.52­  .16­  3.40­  3.56­  (.14)  —­  (.14)  —­  —­  19.94­  21.62­  2,743­  1.57­  .84­  86­ 
June 30, 2012­  20.61­  .16­  (3.64)  (3.48)  (.84)  (.07)  (.91)  —­  .30­g,h  16.52­  (15.17)  2,261­  1.61­  .94­  67­ 
June 30, 2011­  15.57­  .17­  5.19­  5.36­  (.37)  —­  (.37)  i  .05j,k,l  20.61­  34.90­  4,583­  1.62­  .85­  80­ 

Class R5­                               
December 31, 2015**  $24.66­  .10­  (1.81)  (1.71)  (.67)  —­  (.67)  —­  —­  $22.28­  (6.96)*   $19,468­  .49*  .41*  36* 
June 30, 2015­  25.72­  .44­  (1.19)  (.75)  (.31)  —­  (.31)  —­  —­  24.66­  (2.84)  19,900­  .96­  1.79­  69­ 
June 30, 2014­  20.58­  .63­d  4.73­  5.36­  (.26)  —­  (.26)  —­  .04­e  25.72­  26.28­  8,002­  .98­  2.48­d  67­ 
June 30, 2013†  17.12­  .29­  3.38­  3.67­  (.21)  —­  (.21)  —­  —­  20.58­  21.51*  12­  .94*  1.49*  86­ 

Class R6­                               
December 31, 2015**  $24.69­  .11­  (1.81)  (1.70)  (.69)  —­  (.69)  —­  —­  $22.30­  (6.90)*   $18,807­  .44*  .47*  36* 
June 30, 2015­  25.74­  .39­  (1.12)  (.73)  (.32)  —­  (.32)  —­  —­  24.69­  (2.75)  17,443­  .86­  1.61­  69­ 
June 30, 2014­  20.59­  .31­  5.08­  5.39­  (.28)  —­  (.28)  —­  .04­e  25.74­  26.44­  17,762­  .88­  1.28­  67­ 
June 30, 2013†  17.12­  .56f  3.13­  3.69­  (.22)  —­  (.22)  —­  —­  20.59­  21.62*  13,856­  .84*  2.63*f  86­ 

 

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

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

28   International Equity Fund  International Equity Fund  29 

 



Financial highlights (Continued)

INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: LESS DISTRIBUTIONS: RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

                            Ratio   
  Net asset    Net realized                    Ratio  of net investment   
  value,    and unrealized  Total from  From            Total return  Net assets,  of expenses  income (loss)   
  beginning  Net investment  gain (loss)  investment  net investment  From  Total  Redemption  Non-recurring  Net asset value,  at net asset  end of period  to average  to average  Portfolio 
Period ended­  of period­  income (loss)a  on investments­  operations­  income­  return of capital­  distributions  fees  reimbursements  end of period­  value (%)b  (in thousands)  net assets (%)c  net assets (%)  turnover (%) 

Class Y­                               
December 31, 2015**  $24.61­  .09­  (1.79)  (1.70)  (.67)  —­  (.67)  —­  —­  $22.24­  (6.95)*   $97,704­  .51*  .40*  36* 
June 30, 2015­  25.66­  .36­  (1.12)  (.76)  (.29)  —­  (.29)  —­  —­  24.61­  (2.91)  92,613­  1.01­  1.49­  69­ 
June 30, 2014­  20.52­  .26­  5.07­  5.33­  (.23)  —­  (.23)  —­  .04­e  25.66­  26.21­  64,196­  1.05­  1.09­  67­ 
June 30, 2013­  17.00­  .24­  3.52­  3.76­  (.24)  —­  (.24)  —­  —­  20.52­  22.19­  53,813­  1.07­  1.27­  86­ 
June 30, 2012­  21.20­  .28­  (3.77)  (3.49)  (.94)  (.07)  (1.01)  —­  .30­g,h  17.00­  (14.74)  57,769­  1.11­  1.56­  67­ 
June 30, 2011­  16.00­  .27­  5.34­  5.61­  (.46)  —­  (.46)  i  .05j,k,l  21.20­  35.55­  81,394­  1.12­  1.38­  80­ 

 

* Not annualized.

** Unaudited.

† For the period July 3, 2012 (commencement of operations) to June 30, 2013.

a Per share net investment income (loss) has been determined on the basis of the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period.

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

c Includes amounts paid through expense offset and brokerage/service arrangements, if any (Note 2). Also excludes acquired fund fees and expenses, if any.

d The net investment income ratio and per share amount shown for the period ended June 30, 2014 may not correspond with the expected class specific differences for the period due to the timing of subscriptions into the class.

e Reflects a non-recurring reimbursement pursuant to a settlement between the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and Morgan Stanley & Co. which amounted to the following per share outstanding on November 27, 2013.

  Per share 

Class A  $0.03 

Class B  0.03 

Class C  0.03 

Class M  0.03 

Class R  0.03 

Class R5  0.04 

Class R6  0.04 

Class Y  0.04 

 

f The net investment income ratio and per share amount shown for the period ended June 30, 2013 may not correspond with the expected class specific differences for the period due to the timing of subscriptions into the class.

g Reflects a non-recurring reimbursement pursuant to a settlement between the SEC and Canadian Imperial Holdings, Inc. and CIBC World Markets Corp. which amounted to $0.03 per share outstanding on November 29, 2011.

h Reflects a non-recurring reimbursement related to restitution amounts in connection with a distribution plan approved by the SEC, which amounted to the following per share outstanding on July 21, 2011:

  Per share 

Class A  $0.27 

Class B  0.26 

Class C  0.26 

Class M  0.26 

Class R  0.27 

Class Y  0.27 

 

This payment resulted in an increase to total returns of 1.36% for the year ended June 30, 2012.

i Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

j Reflects a non-recurring reimbursement pursuant to a settlement between the SEC and Zurich Capital Markets, which amounted to less than $0.01 per share outstanding as of December 21, 2010.

k Reflects a non-recurring reimbursement related to short-term trading related lawsuits, which amounted to $0.01 per share outstanding on May 11, 2011.

l Reflects a non-recurring reimbursement pursuant to a settlement between the SEC and Prudential Securities, Inc., which amounted to $0.04 per share outstanding as of May 16, 2011.

m Amount represents less than 0.01%.

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

 

30  International Equity Fund  International Equity Fund   31 

 



Notes to financial statements 12/31/15 (Unaudited)

Within the following Notes to financial statements, references to “State Street” represent State Street Bank and Trust Company, references to “the SEC” represent the Securities and Exchange Commission, references to “Putnam Management” represent Putnam Investment Management, LLC, the fund’s manager, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Putnam Investments, LLC and references to “OTC”, if any, represent over-the-counter. Unless otherwise noted, the “reporting period” represents the period from July 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015.

Putnam International Equity Fund (the fund) is a Massachusetts business trust, which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a diversified open-end management investment company. The goal of the fund is to seek capital appreciation. The fund invests mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies outside the United States that Putnam Management believes have favorable investment potential. For example, the fund may purchase stocks of companies with stock prices that reflect a value lower than that which Putnam Management places on the company. Under normal circumstances, the fund invests at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in equity investments. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. Putnam Management may also consider other factors that it believes will cause the stock price to rise. The fund invests mainly in developed countries, but may invest in emerging markets. Putnam Management may consider, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell investments.

The fund offers class A, class B, class C, class M, class R, class R5, class R6 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. Class A shares generally do not pay a contingent deferred sales charge and class M shares do not pay a contingent deferred sales charge. Prior to November 1, 2015, class M shares were able to pay a contingent deferred sales charge. Class B shares, which convert to class A shares after approximately eight years, do not pay a front-end sales charge and are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge if those shares are redeemed within six years of purchase. Class C shares have a one-year 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge and do not convert to class A shares. Class R shares, which are not available to all investors, are sold at net asset value. The expenses for class A, class B, class C, class M and class R shares may differ based on the distribution fee of each class, which is identified in Note 2. Class R5, class R6 and class Y shares, which are sold at net asset value, are generally subject to the same expenses as class A, class B, class C, class M and class R shares, but do not bear a distribution fee and in the case of class R5 and class R6 shares, bear a lower investor servicing fee, which is identified in Note 2. Class R5, class R6 and class Y shares are not available to all investors.

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

Note 1: Significant accounting policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The preparation of financial statements is in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Subsequent events after the Statement of assets and liabilities date through the date that the financial statements were issued have been evaluated in the preparation of the financial statements.

Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses and expenses of the fund are borne pro-rata based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the fund, except that each class bears expenses unique to that class (including the distribution fees applicable to such classes). Each class votes as a class only with respect to its own distribution plan or other matters on which a class vote is required by law or determined by the Trustees. If the fund were liquidated, shares of each class would receive their pro-rata share of the net assets of the fund. In addition, the Trustees declare separate dividends on each class of shares.

Security valuation Portfolio securities and other investments are valued using policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The Trustees have formed a Pricing Committee to oversee the implementation of these procedures and have delegated responsibility for valuing the fund’s assets in accordance with these procedures to

32  International Equity Fund 

 



Putnam Management. Putnam Management has established an internal Valuation Committee that is responsible for making fair value determinations, evaluating the effectiveness of the pricing policies of the fund and reporting to the Pricing Committee.

Investments for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the last reported sales price on their principal exchange, or official closing price for certain markets, and are classified as Level 1 securities under Accounting Standards Codification 820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure s (ASC 820). If no sales are reported, as in the case of some securities that are traded OTC, a security is valued at its last reported bid price and is generally categorized as a Level 2 security.

Investments in open-end investment companies (excluding exchange-traded funds), if any, which can be classified as Level 1 or Level 2 securities, are valued based on their net asset value. The net asset value of such investment companies equals the total value of their assets less their liabilities and divided by the number of their outstanding shares.

Market quotations are not considered to be readily available for certain debt obligations and other investments; such investments are valued on the basis of valuations furnished by an independent pricing service approved by the Trustees or dealers selected by Putnam Management. Such services or dealers determine valuations for normal institutional-size trading units of such securities using methods based on market transactions for comparable securities and various relationships, generally recognized by institutional traders, between securities (which consider such factors as security prices, yields, maturities and ratings). These securities will generally be categorized as Level 2. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value, and are classified as Level 2 securities.

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, currency valuations and comparisons to the valuation of American Depository Receipts, exchange-traded funds and futures contracts. These securities, which would generally be classified as Level 1 securities, will be transferred to Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy when they are valued at fair value. The number of days on which fair value prices will be used will depend on market activity and it is possible that fair value prices will be used by the fund to a significant extent. At the close of the reporting period, fair value pricing was used for certain foreign securities in the portfolio. Securities quoted in foreign currencies, if any, are translated into U.S. dollars at the current exchange rate.

To the extent a pricing service or dealer is unable to value a security or provides a valuation that Putnam Management does not believe accurately reflects the security’s fair value, the security will be valued at fair value by Putnam Management in accordance with policies and procedures approved by the Trustees. Certain investments, including certain restricted and illiquid securities and derivatives, are also valued at fair value following procedures approved by the Trustees. These valuations consider such factors as significant market or specific security events such as interest rate or credit quality changes, various relationships with other securities, discount rates, U.S. Treasury, U.S. swap and credit yields, index levels, convexity exposures, recovery rates, sales and other multiples and resale restrictions. These securities are classified as Level 2 or as Level 3 depending on the priority of the significant inputs.

To assess the continuing appropriateness of fair valuations, the Valuation Committee reviews and affirms the reasonableness of such valuations on a regular basis after considering all relevant information that is reasonably available. Such valuations and procedures are reviewed periodically by the Trustees. The fair value of securities is generally determined as the amount that the fund could reasonably expect to realize from an orderly disposition of such securities over a reasonable period of time. By its nature, a fair value price is a good faith estimate of the value of a security in a current sale and does not reflect an actual market price, which may be different by a material amount.

Security transactions and related investment income Security transactions are recorded on the trade date (the date the order to buy or sell is executed). Gains or losses on securities sold are determined on the identified cost basis.

Interest income, net of any applicable withholding taxes, is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income, net of any applicable withholding taxes, is recognized on the ex-dividend date except that certain dividends from foreign securities, if any, are recognized as soon as the fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded at the fair value of the securities received. Dividends representing a return of capital or capital gains, if any, are reflected as a reduction of cost and/or as a realized gain.

International Equity Fund  33 

 



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

Foreign currency translation The accounting records of the fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. The fair value of foreign securities, currency holdings, and other assets and liabilities is recorded in the books and records of the fund after translation to U.S. dollars based on the exchange rates on that day. The cost of each security is determined using historical exchange rates. Income and withholding taxes are translated at prevailing exchange rates when earned or incurred. The fund does not isolate that portion of realized or unrealized gains or losses resulting from changes in the foreign exchange rate on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of the securities. Such gains and losses are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments. Net realized gains and losses on foreign currency transactions represent net realized exchange gains or losses on 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.

Forward currency contracts The fund buys and sells forward currency contracts, which are agreements between two parties to buy and sell currencies at a set price on a future date. These contracts are used to hedge foreign exchange risk.

The U.S. dollar value of forward currency contracts is determined using current forward currency exchange rates supplied by a quotation service. The fair value of the contract will fluctuate with changes in currency exchange rates. The contract is marked to market daily and the change in fair value is recorded as an unrealized gain or loss. The fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed when the contract matures or by delivery of the currency. The fund could be exposed to risk if the value of the currency changes unfavorably, if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts or if the fund is unable to enter into a closing position. Risks may exceed amounts recognized on the Statement of assets and liabilities.

Forward currency contracts outstanding at period end, if any, are listed after the fund’s portfolio.

Master agreements The fund is a party to ISDA (International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc.) Master Agreements (Master Agreements) with certain counterparties that govern OTC derivative and foreign exchange contracts entered into from time to time. The Master Agreements may contain provisions regarding, among other things, the parties’ general obligations, representations, agreements, collateral requirements, events of default and early termination. With respect to certain counterparties, in accordance with the terms of the Master Agreements, collateral 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, is presented in the fund’s portfolio. Collateral posted to the fund which cannot be sold or repledged totaled $230,451 at the close of the reporting period.

Collateral pledged by the fund is segregated by the fund’s custodian and identified in the fund’s portfolio. Collateral can be in the form of cash or debt securities issued by the U.S. Government or related agencies or other securities as agreed to by the fund and the applicable counterparty. Collateral requirements are determined based on the fund’s net position with each counterparty.

Termination events applicable to the fund may occur upon a decline in the fund’s net assets below a specified threshold over a certain period of time. Termination events applicable to counterparties may occur upon a decline in the counterparty’s long-term and short-term credit ratings below a specified level. In each case, upon occurrence, the other party may elect to terminate early and cause settlement of all derivative and foreign exchange contracts outstanding, including the payment of any losses and costs resulting from such early termination, as reasonably determined by the terminating party. Any decision by one or more of the fund’s counterparties to elect early termination could impact the fund’s future derivative activity.

At the close of the reporting period, the fund had a net liability position of $414,910 on open derivative contracts subject to the Master Agreements. Collateral posted by the fund at period end for these agreements totaled $499,842 and may include amounts related to unsettled agreements.

Securities lending The fund may lend securities, through its agent, to qualified borrowers in order to earn additional income. The loans are collateralized by cash in an amount at least equal to the fair value of the securities loaned. The fair value of securities loaned is determined daily and any additional required collateral is allocated to the fund on the next business day. The remaining maturities of the securities lending transactions are considered overnight

34  International Equity Fund 

 



and continuous. The risk of borrower default will be borne by the fund’s agent; the fund will bear the risk of loss with respect to the investment of the cash collateral. Income from securities lending is included in investment income on the Statement of operations. Cash collateral is invested in Putnam Cash Collateral Pool, LLC, a limited liability company managed by an affiliate of Putnam Management. Investments in Putnam Cash Collateral Pool, LLC are valued at its closing net asset value each business day. There are no management fees charged to Putnam Cash Collateral Pool, LLC. At the close of the reporting period, the fund received cash collateral of $9,048,671 and the value of securities loaned amounted to $9,656,686.

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

Lines of credit The fund participates, along with other Putnam funds, in a $392.5 million syndicated unsecured committed line of credit provided by State Street ($292.5 million) and Northern Trust Company ($100 million) and a $235.5 million unsecured uncommitted line of credit provided by State Street. Borrowings may be made for temporary or emergency purposes, including the funding of shareholder redemption requests and trade settlements. Interest is charged to the fund based on the fund’s borrowing at a rate equal to the higher of (1) the Federal Funds rate and (2) the overnight LIBOR plus 1.25% for the committed line of credit and the Federal Funds rate plus 1.30% for the uncommitted line of credit. A closing fee equal to 0.04% of the committed line of credit and 0.04% of the uncommitted line of credit has been paid by the participating funds. In addition, a commitment fee of 0.16% per annum on any unutilized portion of the committed line of credit is allocated to the participating funds based on their relative net assets and paid quarterly. During the reporting period, the fund had no borrowings against these arrangements.

Federal taxes It is the policy of the fund to distribute all of its taxable income within the prescribed time period and otherwise comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), applicable to regulated investment companies. It is also the intention of the fund to distribute an amount sufficient to avoid imposition of any excise tax under Section 4982 of the Code.

The fund is subject to the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification 740 Income Taxes (ASC 740). ASC 740 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The fund did not have a liability to record for any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. No provision has been made for federal taxes on income, capital gains or unrealized appreciation on securities held nor for excise tax on income and capital gains. Each of the fund’s federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.

The fund may also be subject to taxes imposed by governments of countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on either income or gains earned or repatriated. The fund accrues and applies such taxes to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized gains as income and/or capital gains are earned. In some cases, the fund may be entitled to reclaim all or a portion of such taxes, and such reclaim amounts, if any, are reflected as an asset on the fund’s books. In many cases, however, the fund may not receive such amounts for an extended period of time, depending on the country of investment.

At June 30, 2015, the fund had a capital loss carryover of $1,190,812,939 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:

Loss carryover 

Short-term  Long-term  Total  Expiration 

$215,742,590  N/A  $215,742,590  June 30, 2017 

975,070,349  N/A  975,070,349  June 30, 2018 

 

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, the fund will be permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an unlimited period. However, any losses incurred will be required to be utilized prior to the losses incurred in pre-enactment tax years. As a result of this ordering rule, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused. Additionally, post-enactment capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under previous law.

 

International Equity Fund  35 

 



Pursuant to federal income tax regulations applicable to regulated investment companies, the fund has elected to defer $10,178,523 of certain losses recognized during the period from November 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015 to its fiscal year ending June 30, 2016.

The aggregate identified cost on a tax basis is $929,935,857, resulting in gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of $103,494,424 and $77,558,367, respectively, or net unrealized appreciation of $25,936,057.

Distributions to shareholders Distributions to shareholders from net investment income are recorded by the fund on the ex-dividend date. Distributions from capital gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually. The amount and character of income and gains to be distributed are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. Actual results may vary. Any non-taxable return of capital cannot be determined until final tax calculations are completed after the end of the fund’s fiscal year. Reclassifications are made to the fund’s capital accounts to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryovers) under income tax regulations.

Note 2: Management fee, administrative services and other transactions

The fund pays Putnam Management a management fee (base fee) (based on the fund’s average net assets and computed and paid monthly) at annual rates that may vary based on the average of the aggregate net assets of most open-end funds, as defined in the fund’s management contract, sponsored by Putnam Management. Such annual rates may vary as follows:

0.850%  of the first $5 billion,  0.650%  of the next $50 billion, 


0.800%  of the next $5 billion,  0.630%  of the next $50 billion, 


0.750%  of the next $10 billion,  0.620%  of the next $100 billion and 


0.700%  of the next $10 billion,  0.615%  of any excess thereafter. 


 

In addition, the monthly management fee consists of the monthly base fee plus or minus a performance adjustment for the month. The performance adjustment is determined based on performance over the thirty-six month period then ended. Each month, the performance adjustment is calculated by multiplying the performance adjustment rate and the fund’s average net assets over the performance period and the result is divided by twelve. The resulting dollar amount is added to, or subtracted from the base fee for that month. The performance adjustment rate is equal to 0.03 multiplied by the difference between the fund’s annualized performance (measured by the fund’s class A shares) and the annualized performance of the MSCI EAFE Index (Net Dividends), each measured over the performance period. The maximum annualized performance adjustment rates are +/– 0.15%. The monthly base fee is determined based on the fund’s average net assets for the month, while the performance adjustment is determined based on the fund’s average net assets over the performance period of up to thirty-six months. This means it is possible that, if the fund underperforms significantly over the performance period, and the fund’s assets have declined significantly over that period, the negative performance adjustment may exceed the base fee. In this event, Putnam Management would make a payment to the fund.

Because the performance adjustment is based on the fund’s performance relative to its applicable benchmark index, and not its absolute performance, the performance adjustment could increase Putnam Management’s fee even if the fund’s shares lose value during the performance period provided that the fund outperformed its benchmark index, and could decrease Putnam Management’s fee even if the fund’s shares increase in value during the performance period provided that the fund underperformed its benchmark index.

For the reporting period, the base fee represented an effective rate (excluding the impact from any expense waivers in effect) of 0.347% of the fund’s average net assets before an increase of $241,025 (0.024% of the fund’s average net assets) based on performance.

Putnam Management has contractually agreed, through October 30, 2016, to waive fees or reimburse the fund’s expenses to the extent necessary to limit the cumulative expenses of the fund, exclusive of brokerage, interest, taxes, investment-related expenses, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and payments under the fund’s investor servicing contract, investment management contract and distribution plans, on a fiscal year-to-date basis to an annual rate of 0.20% of the fund’s average net assets over such fiscal year-to-date period. During the reporting period, the fund’s expenses were not reduced as a result of this limit.

Putnam Investments Limited (PIL), an affiliate of Putnam Management, is authorized by the Trustees to manage a separate portion of the assets of the fund as determined by Putnam Management from time to time. Putnam

36  International Equity Fund 

 



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.

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.

The fund reimburses Putnam Management an allocated amount for the compensation and related expenses of certain officers of the fund and their staff who provide administrative services to the fund. The aggregate amount of all such reimbursements is determined annually by the Trustees.

Custodial functions for the fund’s assets are provided by State Street. Custody fees are based on the fund’s asset level, the number of its security holdings and transaction volumes.

Putnam Investor Services, Inc., an affiliate of Putnam Management, provides investor servicing agent functions to the fund. Putnam Investor Services, Inc. received fees for investor servicing (except for class R5 and R6 shares) that included (1) a per account fee for each direct and underlying non-defined contribution account (“retail account”) of the fund and each of the other funds in its specified category, which was totaled and then allocated to each fund in the category based on its average daily net assets; (2) a specified rate of the fund’s assets attributable to defined contribution plan accounts; and (3) a specified rate based on the average net assets in retail accounts. Putnam Investor Services has agreed that the aggregate investor servicing fees for each fund’s retail and defined contribution accounts will not exceed an annual rate of 0.320% of the fund’s average assets attributable to such accounts. Class R5 shares paid a monthly fee based on the average net assets of class R5 shares at an annual rate of 0.15%. Class R6 shares paid a monthly fee based on the average net assets of class R6 shares at an annual rate of 0.05%. During the reporting period, the expenses for each class of shares related to investor servicing fees were as follows:

Class A  $760,409  Class R5  14,607 


Class B  13,248  Class R6  4,327 


Class C  55,770  Class Y  95,244 


Class M  13,886  Total  $960,697 


Class R  3,206     

 

 

The fund has entered into expense offset arrangements with Putnam Investor Services, Inc. and State Street whereby Putnam Investor Services, Inc.’s and State Street’s fees are reduced by credits allowed on cash balances. The fund also reduced expenses through brokerage/service arrangements. For the reporting period, the fund’s expenses were reduced by $715 under the expense offset arrangements and by $84,176 under the brokerage/service arrangements.

Each Independent Trustee of the fund receives an annual Trustee fee, of which $601, as a quarterly retainer, has been allocated to the fund, and an additional fee for each Trustees meeting attended. Trustees also are reimbursed for expenses they incur relating to their services as Trustees.

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

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

The fund has adopted distribution plans (the Plans) with respect to 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, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Putnam Investments, LLC, for services provided and expenses incurred in distributing shares of the fund. The Plans provide for payments

International Equity Fund  37 

 



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. During the reporting period, the class specific expenses related to distribution fees were as follows:

Class A  $972,193  Class M  53,251 


Class B  67,766  Class R  8,236 


Class C  285,124  Total  $1,386,570 


 

For the reporting period, Putnam Retail Management Limited Partnership, acting as underwriter, received net commissions of $29,975 and $174 from the sale of class A and class M shares, respectively, and received $4,814 and $735 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% (no longer applicable effective November 1, 2015) is assessed on certain redemptions of class  A and class  M shares, respectively. For the reporting period, Putnam Retail Management Limited Partnership, acting as underwriter, received no monies on class A and class M redemptions.

Note 3: Purchases and sales of securities

During the reporting period, the cost of purchases and the proceeds from sales, excluding short-term investments, were as follows:

  Cost of purchases  Proceeds from sales 

Investments in securities (Long-term)  $354,565,652  $361,955,066 

U.S. government securities (Long-term)     

Total  $354,565,652  $361,955,066 

 

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

Note 4: Capital shares

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

  Six months ended 12/31/15  Year ended 6/30/15 

Class A  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount 

Shares sold  1,196,407  $27,656,254  3,144,367  $76,533,839 

Shares issued in connection with         
reinvestment of distributions  800,783  17,761,370  298,992  6,831,977 

  1,997,190  45,417,624  3,443,359  83,365,816 

Shares repurchased  (3,334,510)  (76,635,174)  (5,442,250)  (129,676,737) 

Net decrease  (1,337,320)  $(31,217,550)  (1,998,891)  $(46,310,921) 

 
  Six months ended 12/31/15  Year ended 6/30/15 

Class B  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount 

Shares sold  32,297  $714,172  57,299  $1,313,490 

Shares issued in connection with         
reinvestment of distributions  10,465  221,851  355  7,752 

  42,762  936,023  57,654  1,321,242 

Shares repurchased  (93,207)  (2,065,150)  (255,263)  (5,790,744) 

Net decrease  (50,445)  $(1,129,127)  (197,609)  $(4,469,502) 

 

38  International Equity Fund 

 



  Six months ended 12/31/15  Year ended 6/30/15 

Class C  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount 

Shares sold  163,188  $3,654,944  318,500  $7,457,465 

Shares issued in connection with         
reinvestment of distributions  42,758  918,437  3,856  85,407 

  205,946  4,573,381  322,356  7,542,872 

Shares repurchased  (204,815)  (4,547,412)  (313,935)  (7,215,631) 

Net increase  1,131  $25,969  8,421  $327,241 

 
  Six months ended 12/31/15  Year ended 6/30/15 

Class M  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount 

Shares sold  27,022  $593,744  36,738  $856,025 

Shares issued in connection with         
reinvestment of distributions  12,214  264,196  2,660  59,295 

  39,236  857,940  39,398  915,320 

Shares repurchased  (68,068)  (1,526,692)  (143,247)  (3,289,406) 

Net decrease  (28,832)  $(668,752)  (103,849)  $(2,374,086) 

 
  Six months ended 12/31/15  Year ended 6/30/15 

Class R  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount 

Shares sold  48,424  $1,093,047  98,719  $2,306,677 

Shares issued in connection with         
reinvestment of distributions  2,413  52,670  1,225  27,522 

  50,837  1,145,717  99,944  2,334,199 

Shares repurchased  (103,371)  (2,323,565)  (53,033)  (1,237,049) 

Net increase (decrease)  (52,534)  $(1,177,848)  46,911  $1,097,150 

 
  Six months ended 12/31/15  Year ended 6/30/15 

Class R5  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount 

Shares sold  78,077  $1,838,046  534,388  $12,310,957 

Shares issued in connection with         
reinvestment of distributions  25,259  567,566  4,188  96,950 

  103,336  2,405,612  538,576  12,407,907 

Shares repurchased  (36,605)  (857,953)  (42,729)  (1,040,659) 

Net increase  66,731  $1,547,659  495,847  $11,367,248 

 
  Six months ended 12/31/15  Year ended 6/30/15 

Class R6  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount 

Shares sold  173,976  $4,058,678  105,358  $2,562,894 

Shares issued in connection with         
reinvestment of distributions  24,608  553,438  9,363  216,948 

  198,584  4,612,116  114,721  2,779,842 

Shares repurchased  (61,601)  (1,443,597)  (98,313)  (2,359,309) 

Net increase  136,983  $3,168,519  16,408  $420,533 

 

International Equity Fund  39 

 



  Six months ended 12/31/15  Year ended 6/30/15 

Class Y  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount 

Shares sold  1,590,247  $37,357,836  2,082,573  $51,519,832 

Shares issued in connection with         
reinvestment of distributions  116,649  2,615,264  33,603  776,571 

  1,706,896  39,973,100  2,116,176  52,296,403 

Shares repurchased  (1,075,947)  (25,175,563)  (855,148)  (20,313,250) 

Net increase  630,949  $14,797,537  1,261,028  $31,983,153 

 

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

 

  Shares owned  Percentage of ownership  Value 

Class R5  623  0.1%  $13,880 

Class R6  624  0.1  13,915 

 

Note 5: Affiliated transactions

Transactions during the reporting period with Putnam Short Term Investment Fund, which is under common ownership and control, were as follows:

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

Putnam Short Term           
Investment Fund*  $41,184,807  $143,556,315  $169,310,311  $9,050  $15,430,811 

Totals  $41,184,807  $143,556,315  $169,310,311  $9,050  $15,430,811 

 

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

Note 6: Market, credit and other risks

In the normal course of business, the fund trades financial instruments and enters into financial transactions where risk of potential loss exists due to changes in the market (market risk) or failure of the contracting party to the transaction to perform (credit risk). The fund may be exposed to additional credit risk that an institution or other entity with which the fund has unsettled or open transactions will default. Investments in foreign securities involve certain risks, including those related to economic instability, unfavorable political developments, and currency fluctuations.

Note 7: Summary of derivative activity

The volume of activity for the reporting period for any derivative type that was held during the period is listed below and was based on an average of the holdings at the end of each fiscal quarter:

Forward currency contracts (contract amount)  $345,700,000 

 

Fair value of derivative instruments as of the close of the reporting period

 

  Asset derivatives  Liability derivatives 

Derivatives not         
accounted for as  Statement of    Statement of   
hedging instruments  assets and    assets and   
under ASC 815  liabilities location  Fair value  liabilities location  Fair value 

Foreign exchange         
contracts  Receivables  $3,520,704  Payables  $2,504,835 

Total    $3,520,704    $2,504,835 

 

40  International Equity Fund 

 



The following is a summary of realized and change in unrealized gains or losses of derivative instruments in the Statement of operations for the reporting period (see Note 1):

Amount of realized gain or (loss) on derivatives recognized in net gain or (loss) on investments

Derivatives not accounted for as hedging  Forward currency   
instruments under ASC 815  contracts  Total 

Foreign exchange contracts  $3,313,482  $3,313,482 

Total  $3,313,482  $3,313,482 

 

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

 

Derivatives not accounted for as hedging  Forward currency   
instruments under ASC 815  contracts  Total 

Foreign exchange contracts  $(535,453)  $(535,453) 

Total  $(535,453)  $(535,453) 

 

International Equity Fund  41 

 



Note 8: Offsetting of financial and derivative assets and liabilities

The following table summarizes any derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, at the end of the reporting period, that are subject to an enforceable master netting agreement or similar agreement. For securities lending transactions or borrowing transactions associated with securities sold short, if any, see Note 1. For financial reporting purposes, the fund does not offset financial assets and financial liabilities that are subject to the master netting agreements in the Statement of assets and liabilities.

  Bank of America N.A.  Barclays Bank PLC  Citibank, N.A.  Credit Suisse International  Deutsche Bank AG  Goldman Sachs International  HSBC Bank USA, National Association  JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.  State Street Bank and Trust Co.  UBS AG  WestPac Banking Corp.  Total 

Assets:                         

Forward currency contracts#  $—  $211,848  $448,428  $681,826  $377,998  $—  $152,904  $871,746  $385,219  $390,326  $409  $3,520,704 

Total Assets  $—  $211,848  $448,428  $681,826  $377,998  $—  $152,904  $871,746  $385,219  $390,326  $409  $3,520,704 

Liabilities:                         

Forward currency contracts#  359  343,758  39,587  596,835  469,150  7,079  337,314  412,293  261,089  37,371    2,504,835 

Total Liabilities  $359  $343,758  $39,587  $596,835  $469,150  $7,079  $337,314  $412,293  $261,089  $37,371  $—  $2,504,835 

Total Financial and Derivative Net Assets  $(359)  $(131,910)  $408,841  $84,991  $(91,152)  $(7,079)  $(184,410)  $459,453  $124,130  $352,955  $409  $1,015,869 

Total collateral received (pledged)†##  $—  $—  $408,841  $—  $(91,152)  $—  $(184,410)  $459,453  $—  $230,451  $—   

Net amount  $(359)  $(131,910)  $—  $84,991  $—  $(7,079)  $—  $—  $124,130  $122,504  $409   

 

Additional collateral may be required from certain brokers based on individual agreements.

# Covered by master netting agreement (Note 1).

## Any over-collateralization of total financial and derivative net assets is not shown. Collateral may include amounts related to unsettled agreements.

42  International Equity Fund  International Equity Fund  43 

 



Services for shareholders

Investor services

Systematic investment plan Tell us how much you wish to invest regularly — weekly, semimonthly, or monthly — and the amount you choose will be transferred automatically from your checking or savings account. There’s no additional fee for this service, and you can suspend it at any time. This plan may be a great way to save for college expenses or to plan for your retirement.

Please note that regular investing does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss in a declining market. Before arranging a systematic investment plan, consider your financial ability to continue making purchases in periods when prices are low.

Systematic exchange You can make regular transfers from one Putnam fund to another Putnam fund. There are no additional fees for this service, and you can cancel or change your options at any time.

Dividends PLUS You can choose to have the dividend distributions from one of your Putnam funds automatically reinvested in another Putnam fund at no additional charge.

Free exchange privilege You can exchange money between Putnam funds free of charge, as long as they are the same class of shares. A signature guarantee is required if you are exchanging more than $500,000. The fund reserves the right to revise or terminate the exchange privilege.

Reinstatement privilege If you’ve sold Putnam shares or received a check for a dividend or capital gain, you may reinvest the proceeds with Putnam within 90 days of the transaction and they will be reinvested at the fund’s current net asset value — with no sales charge. However, reinstatement of class B shares may have special tax consequences. Ask your financial or tax representative for details.

Check-writing service You have ready access to many Putnam accounts. It’s as simple as writing a check, and there are no special fees or service charges. For more information about the check-writing service, call Putnam or visit our website.

Dollar cost averaging When you’re investing for long-term goals, it’s time, not timing, that counts. Investing on a systematic basis is a better strategy than trying to figure out when the markets will go up or down. This means investing the same amount of money regularly over a long period. This method of investing is called dollar cost averaging. When a fund’s share price declines, your investment dollars buy more shares at lower prices. When it increases, they buy fewer shares. Over time, you will pay a lower average price per share.

For more information

Visit the Individual Investors section at putnam.com A secure section of our website contains complete information on your account, including balances and transactions, updated daily. You may also conduct transactions, such as exchanges, additional investments, and address changes. Log on today to get your password.

Call us toll free at 1-800-225-1581 Ask a helpful Putnam representative or your financial advisor for details about any of these or other services, or see your prospectus.

44  International Equity Fund 

 



Fund information

Founded over 75 years ago, Putnam Investments was built around the concept that a balance between risk and reward is the hallmark of a well-rounded financial program. We manage over 100 funds across income, value, blend, growth, asset allocation, absolute return, and global sector categories.

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

 

This report is for the information of shareholders of Putnam International Equity Fund. It may also be used as sales literature when preceded or accompanied by the current prospectus, the most recent copy of Putnam’s Quarterly Performance Summary, and Putnam’s Quarterly Ranking Summary. For more recent performance, please visit putnam.com. Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of a fund, which are described in its prospectus. For this and other information or to request a prospectus or summary prospectus, call 1-800-225-1581 toll free. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. The fund’s Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the fund’s Trustees and is available without charge upon request by calling 1-800-225-1581.

 




Item 2. Code of Ethics:
Not applicable
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert:
Not applicable
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services:
Not applicable
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants
Not applicable
Item 6. Schedule of Investments:
The registrant’s schedule of investments in unaffiliated issuers is included in the report to shareholders in Item 1 above.

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures For Closed-End Management Investment Companies:

Not applicable
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Investment Companies
Not Applicable
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Companies and Affiliated Purchasers:

Not applicable
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders:
Not applicable
Item 11. Controls and Procedures:
(a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded, based on their evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, that the design and operation of such procedures are generally effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the registrant in this report is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms.

(b) Changes in internal control over financial reporting: Not applicable
Item 12. Exhibits:
(a)(1) Not applicable
(a)(2) Separate certifications for the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, are filed herewith.

(b) The certifications required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, are filed herewith.

Putnam International Equity Fund
By (Signature and Title):
/s/ Janet C. Smith
Janet C. Smith
Principal Accounting Officer

Date: February 26, 2016
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

By (Signature and Title):
/s/ Jonathan S. Horwitz
Jonathan S. Horwitz
Principal Executive Officer

Date: February 26, 2016
By (Signature and Title):
/s/ Steven D. Krichmar
Steven D. Krichmar
Principal Financial Officer

Date: February 26, 2016