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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:

(811-07513)

Exact name of registrant as specified in charter:

Putnam Funds Trust

Address of principal executive offices:

100 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110

Name and address of agent for service:

Stephen Tate, Vice President

100 Federal Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02110

Copy to:

Bryan Chegwidden, Esq.

Ropes & Gray LLP

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10036

James E. Thomas, Esq.

Ropes & Gray LLP

800 Boylston Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02199

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(617) 292-1000

Date of fiscal year end:

August 31, 2025

Date of reporting period:

September 1, 2024 – February 28, 2025

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 Emerging Markets Equity Fund
image
Class A [PEMMX]
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report |  February 28, 2025
image
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund for the period September 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025.
You can find additional information about the Fund at https://www.franklintempleton.com/regulatory-fund-documents. You can also request this information by contacting us at (800) 225-1581.
WHAT WERE THE FUND COSTS FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS? (based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
Class Name
Costs of a $10,000 investment
Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment*,
Class A
$61
1.23%
* Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, without which expenses would have been higher.
Annualized.
KEY FUND STATISTICS (as of February 28, 2025)
Total Net Assets
$372,893,754
Total Number of Portfolio Holdings*
62
Portfolio Turnover Rate
41%
* Includes derivatives, if applicable.
WHAT DID THE FUND INVEST IN? (as of February 28, 2025)
Portfolio Composition (% of Total Net Assets)
image
Cash and Equivalents, if any, represent the market value weights of cash, derivatives, short-term securities, and other unclassified assets in the portfolio. Holdings and allocations may vary over time.
image
WHERE CAN I FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND?
Additional information is available on https://www.franklintempleton.com/regulatory-fund-documents, including its:
• prospectus • proxy voting information • financial information • holdings • tax information
Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund  PAGE 1  39111-STSA-0425
25.419.013.76.56.44.54.03.72.11.61.51.31.31.20.81.75.3

 
Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund
image
Class C [PEMZX]
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report |  February 28, 2025
image
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund for the period September 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025.
You can find additional information about the Fund at https://www.franklintempleton.com/regulatory-fund-documents. You can also request this information by contacting us at (800) 225-1581.
WHAT WERE THE FUND COSTS FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS? (based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
Class Name
Costs of a $10,000 investment
Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment*,
Class C
$99
1.98%
* Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, without which expenses would have been higher.
Annualized.
KEY FUND STATISTICS (as of February 28, 2025)
Total Net Assets
$372,893,754
Total Number of Portfolio Holdings*
62
Portfolio Turnover Rate
41%
* Includes derivatives, if applicable.
WHAT DID THE FUND INVEST IN? (as of February 28, 2025)
Portfolio Composition (% of Total Net Assets)
image
Cash and Equivalents, if any, represent the market value weights of cash, derivatives, short-term securities, and other unclassified assets in the portfolio. Holdings and allocations may vary over time.
image
WHERE CAN I FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND?
Additional information is available on https://www.franklintempleton.com/regulatory-fund-documents, including its:
• prospectus • proxy voting information • financial information • holdings • tax information
Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund  PAGE 1  39111-STSC-0425
25.419.013.76.56.44.54.03.72.11.61.51.31.31.20.81.75.3

 
Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund
image
Class R [PEMLX]
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report |  February 28, 2025
image
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund for the period September 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025.
You can find additional information about the Fund at https://www.franklintempleton.com/regulatory-fund-documents. You can also request this information by contacting us at (800) 225-1581.
WHAT WERE THE FUND COSTS FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS? (based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
Class Name
Costs of a $10,000 investment
Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment*,
Class R
$74
1.48%
* Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, without which expenses would have been higher.
Annualized.
KEY FUND STATISTICS (as of February 28, 2025)
Total Net Assets
$372,893,754
Total Number of Portfolio Holdings*
62
Portfolio Turnover Rate
41%
* Includes derivatives, if applicable.
WHAT DID THE FUND INVEST IN? (as of February 28, 2025)
Portfolio Composition (% of Total Net Assets)
image
Cash and Equivalents, if any, represent the market value weights of cash, derivatives, short-term securities, and other unclassified assets in the portfolio. Holdings and allocations may vary over time.
image
WHERE CAN I FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND?
Additional information is available on https://www.franklintempleton.com/regulatory-fund-documents, including its:
• prospectus • proxy voting information • financial information • holdings • tax information
Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund  PAGE 1  39111-STSR-0425
25.419.013.76.56.44.54.03.72.11.61.51.31.31.20.81.75.3

 
Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund
image
Class R6 [PEMQX]
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report |  February 28, 2025
image
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund for the period September 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025.
You can find additional information about the Fund at https://www.franklintempleton.com/regulatory-fund-documents. You can also request this information by contacting us at (800) 225-1581.
WHAT WERE THE FUND COSTS FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS? (based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
Class Name
Costs of a $10,000 investment
Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment*,
Class R6
$41
0.82%
* Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, without which expenses would have been higher.
Annualized.
KEY FUND STATISTICS (as of February 28, 2025)
Total Net Assets
$372,893,754
Total Number of Portfolio Holdings*
62
Portfolio Turnover Rate
41%
* Includes derivatives, if applicable.
WHAT DID THE FUND INVEST IN? (as of February 28, 2025)
Portfolio Composition (% of Total Net Assets)
image
Cash and Equivalents, if any, represent the market value weights of cash, derivatives, short-term securities, and other unclassified assets in the portfolio. Holdings and allocations may vary over time.
image
WHERE CAN I FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND?
Additional information is available on https://www.franklintempleton.com/regulatory-fund-documents, including its:
• prospectus • proxy voting information • financial information • holdings • tax information
Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund  PAGE 1  39111-STSR6-0425
25.419.013.76.56.44.54.03.72.11.61.51.31.31.20.81.75.3

 
Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund
image
Class Y [PEMYX]
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report |  February 28, 2025
image
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund for the period September 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025.
You can find additional information about the Fund at https://www.franklintempleton.com/regulatory-fund-documents. You can also request this information by contacting us at (800) 225-1581.
WHAT WERE THE FUND COSTS FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS? (based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
Class Name
Costs of a $10,000 investment
Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment*,
Class Y
$49
0.98%
* Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, without which expenses would have been higher.
Annualized.
KEY FUND STATISTICS (as of February 28, 2025)
Total Net Assets
$372,893,754
Total Number of Portfolio Holdings*
62
Portfolio Turnover Rate
41%
* Includes derivatives, if applicable.
WHAT DID THE FUND INVEST IN? (as of February 28, 2025)
Portfolio Composition (% of Total Net Assets)
image
Cash and Equivalents, if any, represent the market value weights of cash, derivatives, short-term securities, and other unclassified assets in the portfolio. Holdings and allocations may vary over time.
image
WHERE CAN I FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND?
Additional information is available on https://www.franklintempleton.com/regulatory-fund-documents, including its:
• prospectus • proxy voting information • financial information • holdings • tax information
Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund  PAGE 1  39111-STSY-0425
25.419.013.76.56.44.54.03.72.11.61.51.31.31.20.81.75.3

 

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. Investments:

The registrant’s schedule of investments in unaffiliated issuers is included in the Financial Statements and Other Important Information in Item 7 below.

Item 7. Financial Statements and Financial Highlights for Open-End Management Investment Companies.

 

 

 

 

 





frontcoverartcoverlogo.jpg

 

Putnam
Emerging Markets Equity
Fund


Financial Statements and Other Important Information

Semi-Annual | February 28, 2025


frontcoverartcoverbar.jpg

Table of Contents

 
The fund's portfolio 1
Financial statements 5
Financial highlights 8
Notes to financial statements 10
Changes in and disagreements with accountants 16
Results of any shareholder votes 16
Remuneration paid to directors, officers, and others 16
Board approval of management and subadvisory agreements 17










  Financial Statements and Other Important Information—Semi-Annual franklintempleton.com



 






The fund’s portfolio 2/28/25 (Unaudited)

  COMMON STOCKS (87.5%)* Shares Value
  Automobiles (5.2%)    
  BYD Co., Ltd. Class H (China) 211,000 $10,111,269
  Kia Corp. (South Korea) 65,995 4,220,310
  Mahindra & Mahindra, Ltd. (India) 177,192 5,258,502
      19,590,081
  Banks (17.4%)    
  Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank PJSC (United Arab Emirates) 1,950,968 9,030,415
  Al Rajhi Bank (Saudi Arabia) 363,738 9,680,900
  Banco do Brasil SA (Brazil) 1,185,000 5,496,650
  Bank Central Asia Tbk PT (Indonesia) 12,532,100 6,386,303
  Bank of China, Ltd. Class H (China) 21,479,000 12,203,860
  Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV Class O (Mexico) 636,400 4,484,586
  Grupo Financiero Galicia SA ADR (Argentina) † S 25,531 1,460,884
  ICICI Bank, Ltd. (India) 907,607 12,590,524
  National Bank of Greece SA (Greece) 370,724 3,442,216
      64,776,338
  Broadline retail (4.6%)    
  Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. (China) 453,700 7,501,791
  Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. ADR (China) 12,450 1,649,750
  JD.com, Inc. ADR (China) 105,417 4,416,972
  MercadoLibre, Inc. (Brazil)  1,715 3,639,007
      17,207,520
  Capital markets (1.2%)    
  HDFC Asset Management Co., Ltd. (India) 107,028 4,457,332
      4,457,332
  Construction and engineering (0.8%)    
  Gamuda Bhd (Malaysia) 2,921,800 2,864,563
      2,864,563
  Construction materials (0.7%)    
  UltraTech Cement, Ltd. (India) 23,886 2,775,516
      2,775,516
  Consumer finance (0.8%)    
  Bajaj Finance, Ltd. (India) 28,729 2,816,027
      2,816,027
  Consumer staples distribution and retail (1.6%)    
  Shoprite Holdings, Ltd. (South Africa) 332,435 4,837,720
  Sumber Alfaria Trijaya Tbk PT (Indonesia) 9,655,600 1,281,201
      6,118,921
  Electrical equipment (0.4%)    
  KEI Industries, Ltd. (India) 44,418 1,567,358
      1,567,358
  Electronic equipment, instruments, and components (0.4%)    
  Elite Material Co., Ltd. (Taiwan) 77,000 1,460,212
      1,460,212
  Entertainment (0.8%)    
  Sea, Ltd. ADR (Singapore)  22,000 2,799,940
      2,799,940
  Financial services (1.5%)    
  Meritz Financial Group, Inc. (South Korea) 67,039 5,557,770
      5,557,770
  Health care providers and services (1.0%)    
  Apollo Hospitals Enterprise, Ltd. (India) 51,360 3,564,182
      3,564,182
  Hotels, restaurants, and leisure (3.4%)    
  Indian Hotels Co., Ltd. (India) 650,806 5,353,115
  MakeMyTrip, Ltd. (India) † S 22,936 2,207,819
  Meituan Class B (China)  119,900 2,503,396
  Zomato, Ltd. (India)  1,086,127 2,774,084
      12,838,414
       
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
1




 





  COMMON STOCKS (87.5%)* cont. Shares Value
  Household durables (0.4%)    
  Amber Enterprises India, Ltd. (India)  24,177 $1,563,767
      1,563,767
  Independent power and renewable electricity producers (1.2%)    
  NTPC, Ltd. (India) 1,279,712 4,580,670
      4,580,670
  Interactive media and services (9.3%)    
  NAVER Corp. (South Korea) 25,925 3,683,279
  Tencent Holdings, Ltd. (China) 502,400 30,920,965
      34,604,244
  IT Services (2.0%)    
  Tata Consultancy Services, Ltd. (India) 188,614 7,540,890
      7,540,890
  Machinery (0.4%)    
  HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (South Korea)  6,550 1,324,663
      1,324,663
  Metals and mining (1.5%)    
  Zijin Mining Group Co., Ltd. Class H (China) 2,946,000 5,565,337
      5,565,337
  Oil, gas, and consumable fuels (2.0%)    
  PetroChina Co., Ltd. Class H (China) 9,752,000 7,295,304
      7,295,304
  Pharmaceuticals (0.9%)    
  Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. (India) 179,593 3,275,368
      3,275,368
  Professional services (0.6%)    
  Benefit Systems SA (Poland) 3,061 2,194,455
      2,194,455
  Real estate management and development (2.2%)    
  Emaar Properties PJSC (United Arab Emirates)  1,276,598 4,715,612
  Phoenix Mills, Ltd. (The) (India) 205,948 3,657,177
      8,372,789
  Semiconductors and semiconductor equipment (13.4%)    
  MediaTek, Inc. (Taiwan) 196,000 8,766,918
  SK Hynix, Inc. (South Korea) 23,837 3,163,428
  Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Taiwan) 1,242,889 37,909,349
      49,839,695
  Software (0.2%)    
  Kingdee International Software Group Co., Ltd. (China)  472,000 775,601
      775,601
  Specialty retail (0.6%)    
  JUMBO SA (Greece) 78,906 2,181,906
      2,181,906
  Technology hardware, storage, and peripherals (5.0%)    
  Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (South Korea) 165,197 6,181,732
  Wiwynn Corp. (Taiwan) 32,000 1,870,266
  Xiaomi Corp. Class B (China)  1,593,200 10,665,700
      18,717,698
  Textiles, apparel, and luxury goods (1.5%)    
  PRADA SpA (Italy) 675,200 5,764,777
      5,764,777
  Transportation infrastructure (1.3%)    
  International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (Philippines) 815,430 4,918,522
      4,918,522
  Water utilities (0.5%)    
  Cia de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo — SABESP (Brazil) 112,800 1,819,698
      1,819,698
       
2
Emerging Markets Equity Fund




 





  COMMON STOCKS (87.5%)* cont. Shares Value
  Wireless telecommunication services (4.7%)    
  Bharti Airtel, Ltd. (India) 339,613 $6,121,658
  Etihad Etisalat Co. (Saudi Arabia) 298,435 4,933,731
  Far EasTone Telecommunications Co., Ltd. (Taiwan) 287,000 782,571
  TIM SA/Brazil (Brazil) 2,104,500 5,779,853
      17,617,813
  Total common stocks (cost $267,252,503) $326,347,371
  INVESTMENT COMPANIES (6.4%)* Shares Value
  iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF S 288,541 $15,419,631
  Xtrackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares ETF S 314,303 8,351,031
  Total investment companies (cost $24,899,008) $23,770,662
  SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (11.8%)* Shares Value
  Putnam Cash Collateral Pool, LLC 4.50% d 24,008,038 $24,008,038
  Putnam Short Term Investment Fund Class P 4.50% L 19,904,877 19,904,877
  Total short-term investments (cost $43,912,915) $43,912,915
  TOTAL INVESTMENTS
  Total investments (cost $336,064,426) $394,030,948
  Key to holding’s abbreviations
  ADR American Depository Receipts: Represents ownership of foreign securities on deposit with a custodian bank.
  ETF Exchange Traded Fund
  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 September 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025 (the reporting period). Within the following notes to the portfolio, references to “Putnam Management” represent Putnam Investment Management, LLC, the fund’s investment manager, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc., and references to “ASC 820” represent Accounting Standards Codification 820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.
 * Percentages indicated are based on net assets of $372,893,754.
  This security is non-income-producing.
 d Affiliated company. See Notes 1 and 5 to the financial statements regarding securities lending. The rate quoted in the security description is the annualized 7-day yield of the fund at the close of the reporting period.
 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.
 S Security on loan, in part or in entirety, at the close of the reporting period (Note 1).
  DIVERSIFICATION BY COUNTRY
  Distribution of investments by country of risk at the close of the reporting period, excluding collateral received, if any (as a percentage of Portfolio Value):
  China 25.3%   Greece 1.5%
  India 18.9     Philippines 1.3  
  Taiwan 13.7     South Africa 1.3  
  United States 11.8     Mexico 1.2  
  South Korea 6.5     Malaysia 0.8  
  Brazil 4.5     Singapore 0.8  
  Saudi Arabia 4.0     Poland 0.6  
  United Arab Emirates 3.7     Argentina 0.4  
  Indonesia 2.1     Total 100.0%
  Italy 1.6        

 

Emerging Markets Equity Fund
3




 





  ASC 820 establishes a three-level hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of the fund’s investments. The three levels are defined as follows:
  Level 1: Valuations based on quoted prices for identical securities in active markets.
  Level 2: Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.
  Level 3: Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.
  The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the fund’s net assets as of the close of the reporting period:
    Valuation inputs
  Investments in securities: Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
  Common stocks*:      
  Communication services $13,513,524 $41,508,473 $—
  Consumer discretionary 11,913,548 47,232,917
  Consumer staples 1,281,201 4,837,720
  Energy 7,295,304
  Financials 20,472,535 57,134,932
  Health care 6,839,550
  Industrials 7,112,977 5,756,584
  Information technology 78,334,096
  Materials 8,340,853
  Real estate 8,372,789
  Utilities 1,819,698 4,580,670
  Total common stocks 56,113,483 270,233,888
  Investment companies 23,770,662
  Short-term investments 43,912,915
  Totals by level $79,884,145 $314,146,803 $—
* Common stock classifications are presented at the sector level, which may differ from the fund’s portfolio presentation.

 

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

4
Emerging Markets Equity Fund



 






Financial statements

Statement of assets and liabilities

2/28/25 (Unaudited)

ASSETS  
Investment in securities, at value, including $23,296,772 of securities on loan (Note 1):  
Unaffiliated issuers (identified cost $292,151,511) $350,118,033
Affiliated issuers (identified cost $43,912,915) (Notes 1 and 5) 43,912,915
Foreign currency (cost $5,051) (Note 1) 4,214
Dividends, interest and other receivables 1,052,650
Receivable for shares of the fund sold 4,123,199
Receivable for investments sold 2,183,639
Foreign tax reclaim 131,573
Prepaid assets 47,729
Total assets 401,573,952
   
LIABILITIES  
Payable for investments purchased 2,093,247
Payable for shares of the fund repurchased 658,568
Payable for compensation of Manager (Note 2) 83,964
Payable for custodian fees (Note 2) 212,018
Payable for investor servicing fees (Note 2) 125,885
Payable for Trustee compensation and expenses (Note 2) 142,384
Payable for administrative services (Note 2) 1,010
Payable for distribution fees (Note 2) 44,432
Collateral on securities loaned, at value (Note 1) 24,008,038
Other accrued expenses 1,310,652
Total liabilities 28,680,198
Net assets $372,893,754
   
Represented by  
Paid-in capital (Unlimited shares authorized) (Notes 1 and 4) $364,793,508
Total distributable earnings (Note 1) 8,100,246
Total — Representing net assets applicable to capital shares outstanding $372,893,754
   
COMPUTATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND OFFERING PRICE  
Net asset value and redemption price per class A share ($198,875,398 divided by 13,978,610 shares) $14.23
Offering price per class A share (100/94.25 of $14.23)* $15.10
Net asset value and offering price per class C share ($4,522,084 divided by 343,975 shares)** $13.15
Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per class R share ($4,685,093 divided by 333,150 shares) $14.06
Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per class R6 share ($14,678,205 divided by 1,007,225 shares) $14.57
Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per class Y share ($150,132,974 divided by 10,353,735 shares) $14.50
* On single retail sales of less than $50,000. On sales of $50,000 or more the offering price is reduced.
** Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.

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

Emerging Markets Equity Fund 5



 



Statement of operations

Six months ended 2/28/25 (Unaudited)

Investment income  
Dividends (net of foreign tax of $408,415) (including dividend income of $311,757 from investments in affiliated issuers) (Note 5) $2,841,581
Interest 3
Securities lending (net of expenses) (Notes 1 and 5) 14,284
Total investment income 2,855,868
   
EXPENSES  
Compensation of Manager (Note 2) 1,705,485
Investor servicing fees (Note 2) 386,032
Custodian fees (Note 2) 168,400
Trustee compensation and expenses (Note 2) 6,587
Distribution fees (Note 2) 289,188
Administrative services (Note 2) 4,219
Other 154,789
Fees waived and reimbursed by Manager (Note 2) (570,363)
Total expenses 2,144,337
Expense reduction (Note 2) (2,419)
Net expenses 2,141,918
Net investment income 713,950
   
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)  
Net realized gain (loss) on:  
Securities from unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign tax of $1,428,926) (Notes 1 and 3) 26,053,366
Foreign currency transactions (Note 1) (157,917)
Total net realized gain 25,895,449
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:  
Securities from unaffiliated issuers (net of decrease in deferred foreign taxes of $3,982,446) (20,520,601)
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies (60,859)
Total change in net unrealized depreciation (20,581,460)
Net gain on investments 5,313,989
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations $6,027,939

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

6 Emerging Markets Equity Fund



 



Statement of changes in net assets 

  Six months ended 2/28/25* Year ended 8/31/24
Increase (decrease) in net assets    
Operations    
Net investment income $713,950 $5,165,033
Net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions 25,895,449 35,597,282
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and assets and liabilities in foreign currencies (20,581,460) 33,403,632
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations 6,027,939 74,165,947
Distributions to shareholders (Note 1):    
From ordinary income    
Net investment income    
Class A (3,212,731) (1,513,002)
Class B
Class C (43,685) (1,834)
Class R (61,032) (29,663)
Class R6 (488,749) (350,852)
Class Y (2,699,056) (1,294,801)
Decrease from capital share transactions (Note 4) (18,995,168) (51,259,588)
Total increase (decrease) in net assets (19,472,482) 19,716,207
Net assets    
Beginning of period 392,366,236 372,650,029
End of period $372,893,754 $392,366,236
*Unaudited.

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

Emerging Markets Equity Fund 7



 






Financial highlights

(For a common share outstanding throughout the period)

INVESTMENT OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Period ended Net asset value, beginning of period Net investment income (loss)a Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments Total from investment operations From net investment income From net realized gain on investments Total distributions Net asset value, end of period Total return at net asset value (%)b Net assets, end of period (in thousands) Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%)c,d Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (%)c Portfolio turnover (%)
Class A
February 28, 2025** $14.24 .02 .20 .22 (.23) (.23) $14.23 1.54* $198,875 .61* .13* 41*
August 31, 2024 11.76 .16 2.42 2.58 (.10) (.10) 14.24 22.07 206,120 1.19 1.28 55
August 31, 2023 11.28 .10 .38 .48 11.76 4.26 187,270 1.25 .90 63
August 31, 2022 17.25 .05 (5.20) (5.15) (.01) (.81) (.82) 11.28 (31.05) 197,474 1.33 .38 127
August 31, 2021 14.68 (.01) 2.86 2.85 (.02) (.26) (.28) 17.25 19.50 315,105 1.29 (.07) 124
August 31, 2020 11.05 .08e 3.69 3.77 (.14) (.14) 14.68 34.30 269,748 1.31 .60e 127
Class C
February 28, 2025** $13.12 (.03) .18 .15 (.12) (.12) $13.15 1.16* $4,522 .98* (.24)* 41*
August 31, 2024 10.84 .06 2.22 2.28 f f 13.12 21.08 5,169 1.94 .49 55
August 31, 2023 10.47 .01 .36 .37 10.84 3.53 5,542 2.00 .13 63
August 31, 2022 16.19 (.06) (4.84) (4.90) (.01) (.81) (.82) 10.47 (31.55) 7,088 2.08 (.42) 127
August 31, 2021 13.88 (.13) 2.70 2.57 (.26) (.26) 16.19 18.60 13,498 2.04 (.82) 124
August 31, 2020 10.48 (.05) 3.52 3.47 (.07) (.07) 13.88 33.27 11,606 2.06 (.47) 127
Class R
February 28, 2025** $14.05 f .20 .20 (.19) (.19) $14.06 1.40* $4,685 .73* *g 41*
August 31, 2024 11.62 .12 2.38 2.50 (.07) (.07) 14.05 21.65 5,022 1.44 .99 55
August 31, 2023 11.17 .07 .38 .45 11.62 4.03 4,660 1.50 .65 63
August 31, 2022 17.13 .02 (5.16) (5.14) (.01) (.81) (.82) 11.17 (31.21) 4,510 1.58 .17 127
August 31, 2021 14.62 (.06) 2.86 2.80 (.03) (.26) (.29) 17.13 19.25 6,419 1.54 (.35) 124
August 31, 2020 10.97 .01 3.70 3.71 (.06) (.06) 14.62 33.86 1,119 1.56 .11 127
Class R6
February 28, 2025** $14.61 .06 .19 .25 (.29) (.29) $14.57 1.70* $14,678 .40* .38* 41*
August 31, 2024 12.07 .21 2.48 2.69 (.15) (.15) 14.61 22.53 24,965 .76 1.60 55
August 31, 2023 11.52 .16 .39 .55 12.07 4.77 27,784 .81 1.33 63
August 31, 2022 17.53 .11 (5.30) (5.19) (.01) (.81) (.82) 11.52 (30.77) 27,655 .91 .81 127
August 31, 2021 14.88 .05 2.92 2.97 (.06) (.26) (.32) 17.53 20.06 41,708 .89 .31 124
August 31, 2020 11.22 .10 3.77 3.87 (.21) (.21) 14.88 34.81 22,945 .89 .76 127
Class Y
February 28, 2025** $14.52 .04 .20 .24 (.26) (.26) $14.50 1.69* $150,133 .48* .25* 41*
August 31, 2024 12.00 .20 2.44 2.64 (.12) (.12) 14.52 22.22 150,854 .94 1.55 55
August 31, 2023 11.48 .13 .39 .52 12.00 4.53 146,736 1.00 1.13 63
August 31, 2022 17.49 .08 (5.27) (5.19) (.01) (.81) (.82) 11.48 (30.84) 137,553 1.08 .60 127
August 31, 2021 14.86 .02 2.91 2.93 (.04) (.26) (.30) 17.49 19.84 253,336 1.04 .13 124
August 31, 2020 11.19 .06 3.79 3.85 (.18) (.18) 14.86 34.66 82,640 1.06 .46 127

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

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

8
Emerging Markets Equity Fund



 



Financial highlights cont.

* Not annualized.
** Unaudited.
a Per share net investment income (loss) has been determined on the basis of the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return assumes dividend reinvestment and does not reflect the effect of sales charges.
c Reflects an involuntary contractual expense limitation in effect during the period. As a result of such limitation, the expenses of each class reflect a reduction of the following amounts (Note 2):
  Percentage of average net assets
February 28, 2025    0.15%
August 31, 2024    0.30   
August 31, 2023    0.31   
August 31, 2022    0.29   
August 31, 2021    0.27   
August 31, 2020    0.48   
d Includes amounts paid through expense offset and/or brokerage/service arrangements, if any (Note 2). Also excludes acquired fund fees and expenses, if any.
e The net investment income ratio and per share amount shown for the period ending may not correspond with the expected class specific differences for the period due to the timing of subscriptions into or redemptions out of the class.
f Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.
g Amount represents less than 0.01% as a percentage of the average net assets of the class.

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

Emerging Markets Equity Fund
9



 






Notes to financial statements 2/28/25 (Unaudited)

Unless otherwise noted, the “reporting period” represents the period from September 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025. The following table defines commonly used references within the Notes to financial statements:

References to Represent
1940 Act Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
Franklin Advisers Franklin Advisers, Inc., a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Franklin Templeton
Franklin Distributors Franklin Distributors, LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Franklin Templeton
Franklin Templeton Franklin Resources, Inc.
Franklin Templeton Services Franklin Templeton Services, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Franklin Templeton
FTIML Franklin Templeton Investment Management Limited
JPMorgan JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
OTC Over-the-counter
PAC The Putnam Advisory Company, LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Franklin Templeton
PIL Putnam Investments Limited, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Franklin Templeton
PSERV Putnam Investor Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Franklin Templeton
Putnam Management Putnam Investment Management, LLC, the fund’s investment manager, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Franklin Templeton
SEC Securities and Exchange Commission
State Street State Street Bank and Trust Company

Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund (the fund) is a non-diversified series of Putnam Funds Trust (the Trust), a Massachusetts business trust registered under the 1940 Act as an open-end management investment company. The goal of the fund is to seek long-term capital appreciation. The fund invests mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of emerging market companies of any size that the fund’s investment manager 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 the fund’s investment manager places on the company. The fund’s investment manager may also consider other factors that the fund’s investment manager believes will cause the stock price to rise. Under normal circumstances, the fund’s investment manager invests at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in equity securities of emerging market companies. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. Emerging markets include countries in the MSCI Emerging Market Index or that the fund’s investment manager considers to be emerging markets based on the fund’s investment manager’s evaluation of their level of economic development or the size and nature of their securities markets. The fund’s investment manager 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 may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes. The fund is “non-diversified,” which means it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified” fund.

The fund offers the following share classes. The expenses for each class of shares may differ based on the distribution and investor servicing fees of each class, which are identified in Note 2.

Share class Sales charge Contingent deferred sales charge Conversion feature
Class A Up to 5.75% 1.00% on certain redemptions of shares bought with no initial sales charge None
Class C None 1.00% eliminated after one year Converts to class A shares after 8 years
Class R None None None
Class R6 None None None
Class Y None None None
Not available to all investors.

Effective September 5, 2024, the fund converted all of its class B shares into class A shares, and subsequently terminated its class B shares as a fund offering.

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

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

Under the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, any claims asserted by a shareholder against or on behalf of the Trust (or its series), including claims against Trustees and Officers, must be brought in courts located within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Note 1: Significant accounting policies

The fund follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies (ASC 946) and applies the specialized accounting and reporting guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP), including, but not limited to, ASC 946. 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.

 

 

10
Emerging Markets Equity Fund



 





Security valuation Portfolio securities and other investments are valued using policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees (Trustees). The Trustees have formed a Pricing Committee to oversee the implementation of these procedures. Under compliance policies and procedures approved by the Trustees, the Trustees have designated the fund’s investment manager as the valuation designee and has responsibility for oversight of valuation.  The investment manager is assisted by the fund’s administrator in performing this responsibility, including leading the cross-functional Valuation Committee (VC). The VC is responsible for making fair value determinations, evaluating the effectiveness of the pricing policies of the fund and reporting to the Trustees.

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

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

Many securities markets and exchanges outside the U.S. close prior to the scheduled close of the New York Stock Exchange and therefore the closing prices for securities in such markets or on such exchanges may not fully reflect events that occur after such close but before the scheduled close of the New York Stock Exchange. Reliable prices are not readily available for equity securities in these circumstances, where the value of a security has been affected by events after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, but before the fund calculates its net asset value. To address this, the fund will fair value these securities as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Trustees. This includes using an independent third-party pricing service to adjust the value of such securities to the latest indications of fair value at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). 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. At the close of the reporting period, fair value pricing was used for certain foreign securities in the portfolio. Securities quoted in foreign currencies, if any, are translated into U.S. dollars at the current exchange rate. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less are valued using an independent pricing service approved by the Trustees, and are classified as Level 2 securities.

To the extent a pricing service or dealer is unable to value a security or provides a valuation that the fund’s investment manager does not believe accurately reflects the security’s fair value, the security will be valued at fair value by the fund’s investment manager, which has been designated as valuation designee pursuant to Rule 2a–5 under the 1940 Act, 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, if any, is recorded on the accrual basis. Amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on debt securities, if any, is recorded on the accrual basis.

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

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

Securities lending The fund may lend securities, through its agent, to qualified borrowers in order to earn additional income. The loans are collateralized by cash in an amount at least equal to the fair value of the securities loaned. The fair value of securities loaned is determined daily and any additional required collateral is allocated to the fund on the next business day. The remaining maturities of the securities lending transactions are considered overnight and continuous. The risk of borrower default will be borne by the fund’s agent; the fund will bear the risk of loss with respect to the investment of the cash collateral. Income from securities lending, if any, is net of expenses and is included in investment income on the Statement of operations. Cash collateral is invested in Putnam Cash Collateral Pool, LLC, a limited liability company that is 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 $24,008,038 and the value of securities loaned amounted to $23,296,772.

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 Effective January 31, 2025, the fund, together with other U.S. registered and foreign investment funds (collectively, Borrowers) managed by an affiliate of Franklin Templeton, are borrowers in a joint syndicated senior unsecured credit facility totaling $2.995 billion (Global Credit Facility) which matures on January 30, 2026. This Global Credit Facility provides a source of funds to the Borrowers for temporary and emergency purposes, including the ability to meet future unanticipated or unusually large redemption requests.

Under the terms of the Global Credit Facility, the fund shall, in addition to interest charged on any borrowings made by the fund and other costs incurred by the fund, pay their share of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the implementation and maintenance of the Global Credit Facility, based upon their relative share of the aggregate net assets of all of the Borrowers, including an annual commitment fee of 0.15% based upon the unused portion of the Global Credit Facility. These fees are reflected in Other expenses in the Statements of operations. During the reporting period, the fund did not use the Global Credit Facility.

Prior to January 31, 2025, the fund participated, along with other Putnam funds, in a $320 million syndicated unsecured committed line of credit, provided by State Street ($160 million) and JPMorgan ($160 million), and a $235.5 million unsecured uncommitted line of credit, provided by State Street. Borrowings may have been made for temporary or emergency purposes, including the funding of shareholder redemption requests and trade settlements. Interest was charged to the fund

 

Emerging Markets Equity Fund
11



 





based on the fund’s borrowings. A closing fee equal to 0.04% of the committed line of credit and 0.04% of the uncommitted line of credit was paid by the participating funds and a $75,000 fee was paid by the participating funds to State Street as agent of the syndicated committed line of credit. In addition, a commitment fee of 0.21% per annum on any unutilized portion of the committed line of credit was 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 and other income 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.

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, the fund will be permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred for an unlimited period and the carry forwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. At August 31, 2024, the fund had the following capital loss carryovers available, to the extent allowed by the Code, to offset future net capital gain, if any:

Loss carryover
Short-term Long-term Total
$68,464,853 $— $68,464,853

Tax cost of investments includes adjustments to net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) which may not necessarily be final tax cost basis adjustments, but closely approximate the tax basis unrealized gains and losses that may be realized and distributed to shareholders. The aggregate identified cost on a tax basis is $343,498,924, resulting in gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of $62,796,759 and $12,264,735, respectively, or net unrealized appreciation of $50,532,024.

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

Expenses of the Trust Expenses directly charged or attributable to any fund will be paid from the assets of that fund. Generally, expenses of the Trust will be allocated among and charged to the assets of each fund on a basis that the Trustees deem fair and equitable, which may be based on the relative assets of each fund or the nature of the services performed and relative applicability to each fund.

Note 2: Management fee, administrative services and other transactions

The fund pays Putnam Management a management fee (base fee) (based on the fund’s average net assets and computed and paid monthly) at annual rates that may vary based on the average of the aggregate net assets of all open-end mutual funds sponsored by Putnam Management (including open-end funds managed by affiliates of Putnam Management that have been deemed to be sponsored by Putnam Management for this purpose) (excluding net assets of funds that are invested in, or that are invested in by, other Putnam funds to the extent necessary to avoid “double counting” of those assets). Such annual rates may vary as follows:

1.080% of the first $5 billion,
1.030% of the next $5 billion,
0.980% of the next $10 billion,
0.930% of the next $10 billion,
0.880% of the next $50 billion,
0.860% of the next $50 billion,
0.850% of the next $100 billion and
0.845% of any excess thereafter.

In addition, the monthly management fee consists of the monthly base fee plus or minus a performance adjustment for the month. The performance adjustment is determined based on performance over the thirty-six month period then ended. Each month, the performance adjustment is calculated by multiplying the performance adjustment rate and the fund’s average net assets over the performance period and dividing the result by twelve. The resulting dollar amount is added to, or subtracted from the base fee for that month. The performance adjustment rate is equal to 0.03 multiplied by the difference between the fund’s annualized performance (measured by the fund’s class A shares) and the annualized performance of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net Returns) each measured over the performance period. The maximum annualized performance adjustment rate is +/- 0.21%. The monthly base fee is determined based on the fund’s average net assets for the month, while the performance adjustment is determined based on the fund’s average net assets over the thirty-six month performance period. This means it is possible that, if the fund underperforms significantly over the performance period, and the fund’s assets have declined significantly over that period, the negative performance adjustment may exceed the base fee. In this event, Putnam Management would make a payment to the fund.

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

For the reporting period, the management fee represented an effective rate (excluding the impact of any expense waiver in effect) of 0.441% of the fund’s average net assets, which included an effective base fee of 0.448% and a decrease of 0.007% ($28,706) based on performance.

Putnam Management has contractually agreed, through December 30, 2025, to waive fees and/or reimburse the fund’s expenses to the extent necessary to limit the cumulative expenses of the fund, exclusive of brokerage, interest, taxes, investment-related expenses, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and payments under the fund’s investor servicing contract, investment management contract and distribution plans, on a fiscal year-to-date basis to an annual rate of 0.20% of the fund’s average net assets over such fiscal year-to-date period. During the reporting period, the fund’s expenses were not reduced as a result of this limit.

Putnam Management has also contractually agreed to waive fees (and, to the extent necessary, bear other expenses) of the fund through December 30, 2025, to the extent that total expenses of the fund (before any applicable performance-based adjustment to the fund’s base management fee and excluding brokerage, interest, taxes, investment-related expenses, payments under distribution plans, extraordinary expenses, payments under the fund’s investor servicing contract and acquired fund fees and expenses, but including payments under the fund’s investment management contract) would exceed an annual rate of 0.78% of the fund’s average net assets. During the reporting period, the fund’s expenses were reduced by $570,363 as a result of this limit.

Putnam Management has retained Franklin Advisers as a sub-advisor for the fund pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement. Pursuant to the agreement, Franklin Advisers provides certain advisory and related services. Putnam Management pays a monthly fee to Franklin Advisers based on the costs of Franklin Advisers in providing these services to the fund, which may include a mark-up not to exceed 15% over such costs.

Effective November 1, 2024, FTIML 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. FTIML did not manage any portion of the assets of the fund during the reporting period. If Putnam Management were to engage the services of FTIML,

 

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Emerging Markets Equity Fund



 





Putnam Management (and not the fund) would pay a monthly sub-management fee to FTIML for its services at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average net assets of the portion of the fund managed by FTIML.

Prior to November 1, 2024, PIL was authorized by the Trustees to manage a separate portion of the assets of the fund as determined by Putnam Management from time to time. PIL did not manage any portion of the assets of the fund during the reporting period. If Putnam Management had engaged the services of PIL, Putnam Management (and not the fund) would have paid a quarterly sub-management fee to PIL for its services at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average net assets of the portion of the fund managed by PIL. Effective November 1, 2024, PIL merged into FTIML, and PIL investment professionals became employees of FTIML.

PAC 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 (prior to November 1, 2024). PAC did not manage any portion of the assets of the fund during the reporting period. If Putnam Management were to engage the services of PAC, Putnam Management (and not the fund) would pay a monthly sub-advisory fee to PAC for its services at the annual rate of 0.25% of the average net assets of the portion of the fund’s assets for which PAC is engaged as sub-advisor.

Franklin Templeton Services provides certain administrative services to the fund. The fee for those services is paid by the fund’s investment manager based on the fund’s average daily net assets and is not an additional expense of the fund.

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.

PSERV, an affiliate of Putnam Management, provides investor servicing agent functions to the fund. PSERV received fees for investor servicing for class A, class B, class C, class R and class Y shares that included (1) a per account fee for each direct and underlying non-defined contribution account (retail account) of the fund; (2) a specified rate of the fund’s assets attributable to defined contribution plan accounts; and (3) a specified rate based on the average net assets in retail accounts. PSERV has agreed that the aggregate investor servicing fees for each fund’s retail and defined contribution accounts for these share classes will not exceed an annual rate of 0.25% of the fund’s average assets attributable to such accounts.

Class 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 $213,287
Class B 6
Class C 5,046
Class R 5,058
Class R6 5,648
Class Y 156,987
Total $386,032

The fund has entered into expense offset arrangements with PSERV and State Street whereby PSERV’s and State Street’s fees are reduced by credits allowed on cash balances. For the reporting period, the fund’s expenses were reduced by $2,419 under the expense offset arrangements.

Each Independent Trustee of the fund receives an annual Trustee fee, of which $253, 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 from July 1, 1995 through December 31, 2023. The deferred fees remain invested in certain Putnam funds until distribution in accordance with the Deferral Plan.

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

The fund has adopted distribution plans (the Plans) with respect to the following share classes pursuant to Rule 12b–1 under the 1940 Act. The purpose of the Plans is to compensate Franklin Distributors for services provided and expenses incurred in distributing shares of the fund. The Plans provide payments by the fund to Franklin Distributors at an annual rate of up to the following amounts (Maximum %) of the average net assets attributable to each class. The Trustees have approved payment by the fund at the following annual rate (Approved %) of the average net assets attributable to each class. During the reporting period, the class-specific expenses related to distribution fees were as follows:

  Maximum % Approved % Amount
Class A 0.35% 0.25% $253,067
Class B 1.00% 1.00% $32
Class C 1.00% 1.00% $24,095
Class R 1.00% 0.50% $11,994
Total     $289,188

For the reporting period, Franklin Distributors, acting as underwriter, received net commissions of $5,460 from the sale of class A shares and received no monies and $173 in contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of class B and class C shares, respectively.

A deferred sales charge of up to 1.00% is assessed on certain redemptions of class A shares. For the reporting period, Franklin Distributors acting as underwriter, received no monies on class A redemptions.

Note 3: Purchases and sales of securities

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

  Cost of purchases Proceeds from sales
Investments in securities (Long-term) $153,248,454 $188,776,693
U.S. government securities (Long-term)
Total $153,248,454 $188,776,693

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

Note 4: Capital shares

At the close of the reporting period, there were an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest authorized. Transactions, including, if applicable, direct exchanges pursuant to share conversions, in capital shares were as follows:

  SIX MONTHS ENDED 2/28/25 YEAR ENDED 8/31/24
Class A Shares Amount Shares Amount
Shares sold 398,350 $5,778,003 934,348 $11,999,262
Shares issued in connection with reinvestment of distributions 216,364 3,061,655 119,644 1,442,956
  614,714 8,839,658 1,053,992 13,442,218
Shares repurchased (1,113,159) (15,988,560) (2,495,077) (31,767,686)
Net decrease (498,445) $(7,148,902) (1,441,085) $(18,325,468)

 

 

Emerging Markets Equity Fund
13



 





  SIX MONTHS ENDED 2/28/25 * YEAR ENDED 8/31/24
Class B Shares Amount Shares Amount
Shares sold $— $—
Shares issued in connection with reinvestment of distributions
 
Shares repurchased (17,900) (230,999) (42,426) (487,766)
Net decrease (17,900) $(230,999) (42,426) $(487,766)
  SIX MONTHS ENDED 2/28/25 YEAR ENDED 8/31/24
Class C Shares Amount Shares Amount
Shares sold 14,585 $192,605 26,305 $307,212
Shares issued in connection with reinvestment of distributions 3,336 43,669 164 1,834
  17,921 236,274 26,469 309,046
Shares repurchased (68,076) (904,039) (143,849) (1,662,507)
Net decrease (50,155) $(667,765) (117,380) $(1,353,461)
  SIX MONTHS ENDED 2/28/25 YEAR ENDED 8/31/24
Class R Shares Amount Shares Amount
Shares sold 55,193 $780,029 87,040 $1,082,184
Shares issued in connection with reinvestment of distributions 4,363 61,032 2,486 29,663
  59,556 841,061 89,526 1,111,847
Shares repurchased (83,791) (1,177,117) (133,304) (1,694,779)
Net decrease (24,235) $(336,056) (43,778) $(582,932)
  SIX MONTHS ENDED 2/28/25 YEAR ENDED 8/31/24
Class R6 Shares Amount Shares Amount
Shares sold 166,233 $2,437,159 479,766 $6,146,829
Shares issued in connection with reinvestment of distributions 33,396 483,577 28,419 350,687
  199,629 2,920,736 508,185 6,497,516
Shares repurchased (901,612) (13,084,939) (1,101,623) (14,323,912)
Net decrease (701,983) $(10,164,203) (593,438) $(7,826,396)
  SIX MONTHS ENDED 2/28/25 YEAR ENDED 8/31/24
Class Y Shares Amount Shares Amount
Shares sold 1,343,686 $19,556,856 2,697,293 $35,179,941
Shares issued in connection with reinvestment of distributions 185,816 2,679,470 105,034 1,289,823
  1,529,502 22,236,326 2,802,327 36,469,764
Shares repurchased (1,562,019) (22,683,569) (4,649,117) (59,153,329)
Net decrease (32,517) $(447,243) (1,846,790) $(22,683,565)

* Effective September 5, 2024, the fund has terminated its class B shares.

Note 5: Affiliated transactions

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

Name of affiliate Fair value as of 8/31/24 Purchase cost Sale proceeds Investment income Shares outstanding and fair value as of 2/28/25
Short-term investments          
Putnam Cash Collateral Pool, LLC* $6,220,095 $121,909,920 $104,121,977 $129,056 $24,008,038
Putnam Short Term Investment Fund Class P 11,916,582 92,052,506 84,064,211 311,757 19,904,877
Total Short-term investments $18,136,677 $213,962,426 $188,186,188 $440,813 $43,912,915
* No management fees are charged to Putnam Cash Collateral Pool, LLC (Note 1). Investment income shown is included in securities lending income on the Statement of operations. There were no realized or unrealized gains or losses during the period.
Management fees charged to Putnam Short Term Investment Fund have been waived by Putnam Management. There were no realized or unrealized gains or losses during the period.

 

 

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Emerging Markets Equity Fund



 





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: Operating segments

The fund has adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2023–07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280) – Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The update is limited to disclosure requirements and does not impact the fund’s financial position or results of operations.

The fund operates as a single operating segment, which is an investment portfolio. The fund’s investment manager serves as the Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM), evaluating fund-wide results and performance under a unified investment strategy. The CODM uses these measures to assess fund performance and allocate resources effectively. Internal reporting provided to the CODM aligns with the accounting policies and measurement principles used in the financial statements.

For information regarding segment assets, segment profit or loss, and significant expenses, refer to the Statement of assets and liabilities and the Statement of operations, along with the related notes to the financial statements. The fund’s portfolio provides details of the fund’s investments that generate returns such as interest, dividends, and realized and unrealized gains or losses. Performance metrics, including portfolio turnover and expense ratios, are disclosed in the Financial highlights.

 

 

Emerging Markets Equity Fund
15



 





Changes in and disagreements with accountants

Not applicable

Results of any shareholder votes

Not applicable

Remuneration paid to directors, officers, and others

Remuneration paid to directors, officers, and others is included in the Notes to financial statements above.

 

 

16
Emerging Markets Equity Fund



 





Board approval of management and subadvisory agreements (Unaudited)

At its meeting on September 27, 2024, the Board of Trustees of your fund, including all of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as this term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) of the Putnam mutual funds, closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds (collectively, the “funds”) (the “Independent Trustees”), approved a new Sub-Advisory Agreement with respect to your fund (the “New FTIML Sub-Advisory Agreement”) between Putnam Investment Management, LLC (“Putnam Management”) and its affiliate, Franklin Templeton Investment Management Limited (“FTIML”), and an amended and restated Sub-Advisory Contract with respect to your fund (the “Amended PAC Sub-Advisory Contract”) between Putnam Management and its affiliate, The Putnam Advisory Company, LLC (“PAC”). Putnam Management, FTIML, and PAC are each direct or indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. (“Franklin Templeton”). (Because FTIML and PAC are affiliates of Putnam Management and Putnam Management remains fully responsible for all services provided by FTIML and PAC, the Trustees did not attempt to evaluate FTIML and PAC as separate entities.)

The Board of Trustees, with the assistance of its Contract Committee (which consists solely of Independent Trustees) and its independent legal counsel (as that term is defined in Rule 0-1(a)(6)(i) under the 1940 Act), requested and evaluated all information it deemed reasonably necessary under the circumstances in connection with its review of the New FTIML Sub-Advisory Agreement and the Amended PAC Sub-Advisory Contract. At its September 2024 meeting, the Contract Committee met with representatives of Putnam Management and Franklin Templeton, and separately in executive session, to consider the information provided. At the September 2024 Board of Trustees’ meetings, the Contract Committee also met in executive session with the other Independent Trustees to discuss its observations and recommendations. Throughout this process, the Contract Committee was assisted by the members of the Board of Trustees’ independent staff and by independent legal counsel for the Independent Trustees.

Considerations in connection with the Trustees’ approval of the New FTIML Sub-Advisory Agreement

The Trustees considered the proposed New FTIML Sub-Advisory Agreement in connection with the planned November 1, 2024 merger (the “Merger”) of Putnam Investments Limited (“PIL”), an affiliate of Putnam Management and a sub-adviser to your fund prior to the Merger, with and into FTIML. The Trustees considered that, in connection with the Merger, PIL investment professionals would become employees of FTIML, and, upon consummation of the Merger, PIL would cease to exist as a separate legal entity. The Trustees noted that Franklin Templeton viewed the Merger as a further step in the integration of the legacy Putnam and Franklin Templeton organizations, offering potential operational efficiencies and enhanced investment resources for the funds. The Trustees also considered, among other factors, that:

• The Merger and the New FTIML Sub-Advisory Agreement would not result in any reduction or material change in the nature or the level of the sub-advisory services provided to the funds;

• The PIL portfolio managers who are responsible for the day-to-day management of the applicable funds would be the same immediately prior to, and immediately after, the Merger, and these investment personnel would have access to the same research and other resources to support their respective investment advisory functions and operate under the same conditions both immediately before and after the Merger;

• Despite a change in the sub-advisory fee structure for certain funds, the New FTIML Sub-Advisory Agreement would not result in an increase in the advisory fee rates payable by each fund, as Putnam Management would be responsible for overseeing the investment advisory services provided to the applicable funds by FTIML under the New FTIML Sub-Advisory Agreement and would compensate FTIML for such services out of the fees it receives under each fund’s Management Contract with Putnam Management (each, a “Current Management Contract”); and

• The terms of the New FTIML Sub-Advisory Agreement were substantially similar to those under the sub-management contract between Putnam Management and PIL with respect to the fund (the “PIL Sub-Management Contract”). 1

The Trustees also considered that, prior to the Merger, counsel to Putnam Management and FTIML had provided a legal opinion that the Merger and the appointment of FTIML as sub-adviser to the funds would not result in an “assignment” under the 1940 Act of the PIL Sub-Management Contract and that the New FTIML Sub-Advisory Agreement did not require shareholder approval.

In addition, the Trustees considered that, in connection with their review of your fund’s Current Management Contract and the PIL Sub-Management Contract over the course of several months ending in June 2023, they had considered information regarding the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the fund, the fund’s performance, the fund’s management fees and expense ratios, the profitability of Putnam Management and its affiliates in providing services to the fund, whether there had been economies of scale with respect to the management of the fund and other benefits received by Putnam Management and its affiliates as a result of their relationships with the fund. Because, other than the parties to the contract, the revised sub-advisory fee structure for certain funds, and certain other non-substantive changes to contractual terms, the New FTIML Sub-Advisory Agreement was substantially similar to the PIL Sub-Management Contract, the Trustees relied to a considerable extent on their previous approval of the PIL Sub-Management Contract in connection with their consideration of the New FTIML Sub-Advisory Agreement.

The Trustees also considered information received as part of the review process ending in June 2024 in connection with their consideration of a new Sub-Advisory Agreement for your fund (the “Franklin Advisers Sub-Advisory Agreement”) between Putnam Management and Franklin Advisers, Inc., an affiliate of Putnam Management and FTIML, including updated information regarding the profitability of Putnam Management and its affiliates, potential economies of scale, other benefits received by Putnam Management and its affiliates as a result of their relationships with the funds, and the performance and expenses of the funds. The Trustees also considered other information received in connection with their review of the Franklin Advisers Sub-Advisory Agreement, including certain performance information for Franklin Templeton’s fixed income and investment solutions investment strategies and information regarding the revenues, expenses and profitability of Franklin Templeton’s global investment management business and its U.S.

 

 

1 The New PIL Sub-Management Contract was operative until the effective date of the Merger, November 1, 2024, and was replaced by the New FTIML Sub-Advisory Agreement effective as of that date.

 

Emerging Markets Equity Fund
17



 





registered investment company business, which included the financial results of FTIML.

Considerations in connection with the Trustees’ approval of the Amended PAC Sub-Advisory Contract

With respect to the proposed Amended PAC Sub-Advisory Contract, the Trustees considered that the contract was being amended and restated to remove PIL as a party to the contract, revise the sub-advisory fee structure for certain funds, and make certain other non-substantive changes to contractual terms. The Trustees noted that removing PIL from the sub-advisory contract with respect to the fund among Putnam Management, PIL, and PAC (the “PAC Sub-Advisory Contract”) would have no impact on the management of the funds, since Putnam Management, and not PIL, had been (under the PAC Sub-Advisory Contract), and would continue to be (under the Amended PAC Sub-Advisory Contract), responsible for overseeing any services provided by PAC to the applicable funds. The Trustees also considered that the Amended PAC Sub-Advisory Contract would not result in an increase in the advisory fee rates payable by each fund, as Putnam Management would compensate PAC for such services out of the fees it receives under each fund’s Current Management Contract.

Board of Trustees’ Conclusions

After considering the factors described above, as well as other factors, the Board of Trustees, including all of the Independent Trustees, concluded that the fees payable under the New FTIML Sub-Advisory Agreement and the Amended PAC Sub-Advisory Contract represented reasonable compensation in light of the nature and quality of the services that would be provided to the funds, and determined to approve the New FTIML Sub-Advisory Agreement and the Amended PAC Sub-Advisory Contract for your fund. These conclusions were based on a comprehensive consideration of all information provided to the Trustees and were not the result of any single factor.

 

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backcoverartbackcoverlogo.jpg

 

   
© 2025 Franklin Templeton. All rights reserved. 39111-SFSOI    4/25

 

 

Item 8. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants for Open-End Management Investment Companies.

Included in Item 7 above.

Item 9. Proxy Disclosure for Open-End Management Investment Companies.

Included in Item 7 above.

Item 10. Remuneration Paid to Directors, Officers, and Others of Open-End Management Investment Companies.

Included in Item 7 above.

Item 11. Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Investment Advisory Contract.

Included in Item 7 above.

Item 12. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures For Closed-End Management Investment Companies:

Not applicable

Item 13. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Investment Companies

Not Applicable

Item 14. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Companies and Affiliated Purchasers:

Not applicable

Item 15. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders:

Not applicable

Item 16. 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 17. Disclosures of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Investment Companies:

Not Applicable

Item 18. Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation.

Not Applicable

Item 19. Exhibits:

(a)(1) Not applicable

(a)(2) Not applicable

(a)(3) A separate certification for each principal executive and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)), are filed herewith.

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

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Putnam Funds Trust

By (Signature and Title):

/s/ Jeffrey White

Jeffrey White
Principal Accounting Officer

Date: April 28, 2025

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: April 28, 2025

By (Signature and Title):

/s/ Jeffrey White

Jeffrey White
Principal Financial Officer

Date: April 28, 2025