With over seventy five years of investment experience, Putnam Investments offers investors 82 mutual funds across a range of asset classes and investment styles. The company has over $118 billion in assets under management and serves 110 institutional clients including the pension funds of several states and many large corporations. Putnam believes that its team of seasoned portfolio managers is one of its greatest 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, investors can click here to see the complete list of funds.

Putnam Investors A ( PINVX - MF report ) seeks capital appreciation over the long term and any growth in income flow as a result of this appreciation. The fund primarily invests in common stocks of domestic companies which possess investment potential. It may purchase either growth or value stocks or both. The fund has a three year annualized return of 19.48%

Gerard P. Sullivan is the fund manager and has managed this Putnam mutual fund since 2008.

Putnam International Value A ( PNGAX - MF report ) invests primarily in common stocks of foreign companies. The fund focuses on acquiring stocks which are attractively priced relative to their intrinsic value. It invests in companies regardless of their size and may purchase securities issued from both mature and emerging economies. This fund has a three year annualized return of 12.26%.

The Putnam mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $500 and an expense ratio of 1.37% compared to a category average of 1.37%.

Putnam Global Natural Resources A ( EBERX - MF report ) seeks capital growth. The fund invests heavily in domestic and foreign common stocks issued by energy and natural resources companies. The fund focuses on acquiring value stocks issued by mid-cap and large-cap firms, but may invest in smaller companies. This fund has a three year annualized return of 15.68%.

As of March 2012, this Putnam mutual fund held 133 issues, with 10.32% of its total assets invested in Exxon Mobil Corporation.

Putnam Multi-Cap Growth A ( PNOPX - MF report ) invests primarily in growth oriented domestic companies whose earnings are projected to increase in the future. The fund focuses on acquiring common stocks and invests in companies regardless of their size. The fund has a three year annualized return of 19.68%

Robert Brookby is the fund manager and has managed this Putnam mutual fund since 2010.

Putnam Tax-Free High Yield A ( PTHAX - MF report ) seeks high current income free from federal income tax. The majority of the fund’s assets are invested in bonds interest from which is exempt from federal income tax. It purchases securities rated investment grade as well as those of lower quality. The fund has a three year annualized return of 13.5%

The Putnam mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $500 and an expense ratio of 1.22% compared to a category average of 1.27%.

To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all Putnam mutual funds, investors can click here to see the complete list of funds.

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.