Floating Rate Income Fund (PFLRX)

An income fund that can benefit from higher interest rates

Pictured:
Paul D. Scanlon, CFA
(investing since 1986)

Fund price

 Yesterday's close 52-week high 52-week low
Net asset value $8.97
0.00% ( $0.00 )		 $9.04
(05/09/13) 		$8.88
(06/27/13)
 
Historical
(Optional)

Management team

Strategy and process

  • Floating-rate bank loans: The fund invests in bank loans with yields that are set at a margin above short-term interest rates and adjust when rates change.
  • Protection from interest rates: Bank loans have historically performed well amid rising interest rates because their yields adjust higher and become more attractive.
  • Backed by team research: The fund's experienced managers select a diverse range of loans using careful credit research.

Current performance may be lower or higher than the quoted past performance, which cannot guarantee future results. Share price, principal value, and return will vary, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell your shares. To obtain the most recent month-end performance, visit putnam.com.

Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes. Returns before sales charge do not reflect the current maximum sales charges as indicated below. Had the sales charge been reflected, returns would be lower. Returns at public offering price (after sales charge) for class A and class M shares reflect the current maximum initial sales charges of 5.75% and 3.50% for equity funds and Putnam Absolute Return 500 Fund and 700 Fund, and 4.00% and 3.25% for income funds (1.00% and 0.75% for Putnam Floating Rate Income Fund, Putnam Absolute Return 100 Fund and 300 Fund, and Putnam Short-Term Municipal Income Fund), respectively. Class B share returns reflect the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), which is 5% in the first year, declining to 1% in the sixth year, and is eliminated thereafter (except for Putnam Floating Rate Income Fund, Putnam Absolute Return 100 Fund and 300 Fund, and Putnam Short-Term Municipal Income Fund, which is 1% in the first year, declining to 0.5% in the second year, and is eliminated thereafter). Class C shares reflect a 1% CDSC the first year that is eliminated thereafter. Performance for class B, C, M, R, T, and Y shares prior to their inception is derived from the historical performance of class A shares, adjusted for the applicable sales charge (or CDSC) and, except for class Y shares, the higher operating expenses for such shares (with the exception of Putnam Tax-Free High Yield Fund and Putnam AMT-Free Municipal Fund, which are based on the historical performance of class B shares). Performance for Class R5/R6 shares before their inception are derived from the historical performance of class Y shares, which have not been adjusted for the lower expenses; had they, returns would have been higher. Class A, M, and T shares of Putnam money market funds have no initial sales charge. For a portion of the period, some funds had expenses limitations or had been sold on a limited basis with limited assets and expenses, without which returns would be lower.

Yield more closely reflects current performance than total return.

Barclays U.S. High Yield Loan Index is an unmanaged index that provides broad and comprehensive total return metrics of the universe of U.S. dollar denominated, syndicated term loans. The S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Index (LLI) is an unmanaged index of U.S. leveraged loans. You cannot invest directly in an index.

Consider these risks before investing: Maturity detail includes only cash bonds and cash equivalents.

Lower-rated bonds may offer higher yields in return for more risk. Bond investments are subject to interest-rate risk (the risk of bond prices falling if interest rates rise) and credit risk (the risk of an issuer defaulting on interest or principal payments). Interest-rate risk is greater for longer-term bonds, and credit risk is greater for below-investment-grade bonds. Unlike bonds, funds that invest in bonds have fees and expenses. Bond prices may fall or fail to rise over time for several 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. Floating rate loans may reduce, but not eliminate, interest-rate risk. These loans are typically secured by specific collateral or assets of the issuer. (Holders of the loan, such as the fund, have a priority claim on those assets in the event of the issuer's default or bankruptcy.) Value of collateral may be insufficient to meet the issuer's obligations, and the fund's access to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. You can lose money by investing in the fund. Credit qualities are shown as a percentage of net assets as of the date indicated above. A bond rated Baa or higher (Prime-3 or higher, for short-term debt) is considered investment grade. This chart reflects the highest security rating provided by one or more of Standard & Poor`s, Moody`s and Fitch. Short-term cash bonds are included in the net cash category. Ratings and portfolio credit quality will vary over time. Credit quality includes the fixed-income portion of the portfolio. Derivative instruments, including currency forwards, are only included to the extent of any unrealized gain or loss on such instruments and are shown in the net cash category. The fund itself has not been rated by an independent rating agency.

You can lose money by investing in a fund. Any given fund may not achieve its goal, and is not intended as a complete investment program. All funds have risk. The value and/or returns of a portfolio will fluctuate with market conditions. You may have more or less than the original amount invested when you redeem your shares.