Putnam Investments has over seventy years of investment experience and offers investors 78 mutual funds across a range of asset classes and investment styles. With over $113 billion in assets under management, it serves 190 institutional clients including the pension funds of several states and many large corporations. Putnam considers its seasoned portfolio managers to be its biggest assets and relies primarily on original, fundamental research on a global scale.
Below we will share with you 5 top rated Putnam funds. Each has earned a Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) as we expect the fund to outperform its peers in the future. To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all Putnam funds, then click here.
Putnam American Government Income A (PAGVX) seeks high current income with preservation of capital as a secondary objective. The majority of its assets are invested in U.S. government securities and a smaller share in asset-backed securities of private issuers. The fund returned 22.26% in 2009 and has a three year annualized return of 9.38%.
Robert A. Bloemker is the fund manager and has managed this Putnam fund since 2002.
Putnam Diversified Income A (PDINX) invests between 15% to 65% of its assets in investment grade and lower rated bonds issued by U.S companies, U.S government securities and bonds issued by foreign governments and corporations. The fund has a ten year annualized return of 5.57%.
This Putnam fund has an expense ratio of 1.08% compared to a category average of 1.17%.
George Putnam Fund of Boston A (PGEOX) seeks both capital appreciation and a steady income flow from a diversified portfolio of both stocks and bonds. It concentrates on investing in large and mid-cap companies and focuses on bonds with a minimum maturity period of three years. The fund returned 25.8% over the last one year period.
As of December 2009, this Putnam fund held 673 issues, with 2.61% of its total assets invested in Fannie Mae.
Putnam Global Income A (PGGIX) invests mainly in investment-grade debt, with an emphasis on bonds with a minimum maturity period of three years. It is non-diversified and seeks current income, with capital preservation and total return as secondary objectives. The fund has a ten year annualized return of 7.34%.
This Putnam fund has a minimum initial investment of $500 and an expense ratio of 1.22% compared to a category average of 1.13%.
Putnam Global Utilities A (PUGIX) seeks both current income and capital growth by investing in utilities companies worldwide. It seeks out large and mid-sized companies which it believes has the potential for growth and providing good returns. It is non-diversified and may also invest in companies with smaller market capitalizations. The fund returned 7.39% in 2009.
The Fund Manager is Michael R. Yogg and he has managed this Putnam fund since 2000.
To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all Putnam funds, then click here.
About Zacks Mutual Fund Rank
By applying the Zacks Rank to mutual funds, investors can find funds that not only outpaced the market in the past but are also expected to outperform going forward. Learn more about the Zacks Mutual Fund Rank at http://www.zacks.com/funds/mutualfund/
