PIM Putnam Master Intermediate Income Trust

Putnam
Master Intermediate
Income Trust

Semiannual report
3 | 31 | 20

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Message from the Trustees

May 14, 2020

Dear Fellow Shareholder:

After a period of gains and relative tranquility, global financial markets encountered considerable challenges in early 2020 as COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, spread around the world. By mid-March, major U.S. indexes had fallen into bear market territory, defined as a 20% drop from a previous high. As often happens when stocks decline sharply, bonds generally provided better results. As investors rushed to safe havens, the yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note fell to historic lows.

Central banks and governments worldwide have enacted measures to inject liquidity into the markets and restore confidence. It is still unclear what the costs will be and how long the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic will last, but history has shown that markets recover from downturns. For investors, we believe the most important course of action is to remember your long-term goals and consult with your financial advisor. At Putnam, our investment professionals remain focused on actively managing fund portfolios with a research-intensive approach that includes risk management strategies.

We would like to take this opportunity to announce the arrival of Mona K. Sutphen to your fund’s Board of Trustees. Ms. Sutphen brings extensive professional and directorship experience to her role as a Trustee, and we are pleased to welcome her.

Thank you for investing with Putnam.

When Putnam Master Intermediate Income Trust was launched in 1988, its three-pronged focus on U.S. investment-grade bonds, high-yield corporate bonds, and non-U.S. bonds was considered innovative.

In the more than 30 years since then, the fixed-income landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation, but the spirit of ingenuity that helped launch the fund is still with it today.

A veteran portfolio management team

The fund’s managers strive to build a well-diversified portfolio that carefully balances risk and return, targeting opportunities in interest rates, credit, mortgages, and currencies from across the full spectrum of the global bond markets.

Allocations are shown as a percentage of the fund’s net assets as of 3/31/20. Cash and net other assets, if any, represent the market value weights of cash, derivatives, short-term securities, and other unclassified assets in the portfolio. Summary information may differ from the portfolio schedule included in the financial statements due to the inclusion of derivative securities, any interest accruals, the use of different classifications of securities for presentation purposes, and rounding.

Allocations may not total 100% because the table includes the notional value of certain derivatives (the economic value for purposes of calculating periodic payment obligations), in addition to the market value of securities. Holdings and allocations may vary over time.

Data are historical. Past performance does not guarantee future results. More recent returns may be less or more than those shown. Investment return and net asset value will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or a loss when you sell your shares. Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes. Fund returns in the bar chart are at NAV. See below and pages 11–12 for additional performance information, including fund returns at market price. Index and Lipper results should be compared with fund performance at NAV.

* The fund’s benchmark, the ICE BofA U.S. Treasury Bill Index, was introduced on 6/30/92, which post-dates the inception of the fund.

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

This comparison shows your fund’s performance in the context of broad market indexes for the six months ended 3/31/20. See above and pages 11–12 for additional fund performance information. Index descriptions can be found on pages 14–15.

Bill, what was the fund’s investment environment like during the reporting period?

For much of the period, the environment was generally favorable for corporate and mortgage credit, and risk assets overall. The U.S. Federal Reserve [Fed] followed its August 2019 interest-rate cut with additional reductions in September and October. Sentiment toward global trade improved as the United States and China agreed to cooperate on an initial round of trade measures. And uncertainty over Brexit was alleviated when U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservative party won a parliamentary majority.

The market environment changed dramatically in late February. Rapidly growing concerns about the economic impact of a coronavirus outbreak sparked a global sell-off in risk assets. The sharp turn in sentiment reverberated across markets, as global equities fell, developed-market government-bond yields declined, and credit spreads widened. A dispute between Russia and Saudi Arabia over oil production levels further unnerved investors. Due to heightened oil market uncertainty, U.S. crude prices dropped more than 66% during

Credit qualities are shown as a percentage of the fund’s net assets as of 3/31/20. A bond rated BBB or higher (A-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. To-be-announced (TBA) mortgage commitments, if any, are included based on their issuer ratings. Ratings may vary over time.

Cash, derivative instruments, and net other assets are shown in the not-rated category. Payables and receivables for TBA mortgage commitments are included in the not-rated category and may result in negative weights. The fund itself has not been rated by an independent rating agency.

the first quarter of 2020 to $20.48 per barrel on March 31. The rapid decline in oil prices added considerable pressure across corporate supply chains.

An escalating economic crisis elicited unprecedented measures from policy makers. The Trump administration signed a $2 trillion stimulus package into law — the largest economic relief package in U.S. history. The Fed quickly unveiled six new lending facilities designed to help corporations facing a cash flow crisis avoid defaulting on their debt. These programs also provide support for money market funds and commercial debt markets. Dozens of other central banks across Europe, Asia, and elsewhere also announced emergency stimulus measures. Markets that were most directly influenced by this policy support stabilized during the final week of March. Investors were hopeful that massive government stimulus programs would help reduce the severity and duration of an economic recession.

A flight-to-safety pushed the yields on U.S. Treasuries lower. The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield plunged to a closing low of 0.54% on March 9 and ended the six-month period at 0.70%, after beginning the period at 1.65%. The spreads on investment-grade bonds, or the risk premiums investors demand to hold these securities rather than U.S. Treasuries, widened to levels not seen since the financial crisis.

Which holdings and strategies hampered the fund’s performance?

Mortgage-credit investments were the biggest detractor for the period. Our exposure to commercial mortgage-backed securities [CMBS] — both cash bonds and synthetic exposure to the BBB-rated tranche within CMBX — performed poorly as spreads widened substantially. [Bond prices fall as spreads widen and rise as spreads tighten.] CMBX is an index

that references a basket of CMBS issued in a particular year. Investors became increasingly concerned that the escalating coronavirus pandemic could severely impact cash flows in various segments of the market, particularly retail and lodging. Public health policies that curtail shopping and travel for millions of people have been constraining the revenues for many malls and travel destinations.

In the residential mortgage market, our positions in agency credit-risk transfer securities [CRTs] struggled amid growing uncertainty about the effect of mortgage-payment forbearance on CRT cash flows.

Our corporate-credit holdings also worked against performance this period. As market sentiment soured, high-yield bond prices fell and spreads more than doubled, ending the period at about 9.6 percentage points over U.S. Treasuries. This was the highest spread level since early 2016 and was well above the 20-year average of 6.1 percentage points. Smaller allocations to convertible securities and investment-grade credit modestly detracted, as spreads also widened in those markets.

It was a similar story with emerging-market debt, as our positions in Mexico, Argentina, and Egypt were further notable detractors. The sector declined along with other risk assets.

Strategies targeting prepayment risk also dampened performance this period. Lower interest rates and indiscriminate selling by investors proved to be material headwinds for our positions in agency interest-only collateralized mortgage obligations [IO CMOs], inverse IO securities, and reverse-mortgage IOs. The negative result here was partially offset by favorable tactical mortgage basis positioning. Mortgage basis is a strategy that seeks to exploit the yield differential between 30-year agency pass-throughs and 30-year U.S. Treasuries.

This table shows the fund’s top holdings across three key sectors and the percentage of the fund’s net assets that each represented as of 3/31/20. Short-term investments, TBA commitments, and derivatives, if any, are excluded. Holdings may vary over time.

How did the fund’s interest-rate and yield-curve positioning fare during the period?

Our strategy here was the lone contributor for the period. During the fourth quarter of 2019, we shifted the portfolio’s duration to close to zero, then moved it to modestly positive during the first quarter of 2020. This positioning aided results as rates fell sharply across the curve during the latter part of the period.

How did you use derivatives during the period?

We used credit default swaps to gain exposure to CMBS via CMBX, and also to hedge the fund’s credit and market risks. We used bond futures and interest-rate swaps to take tactical positions at various points along the yield curve, and to hedge the risk associated with the fund’s curve positioning. We employed interest-rate swaps to gain exposure to rates in various countries. We also utilized options to hedge the fund’s interest-rate risk, to isolate the prepayment risk associated with our CMO holdings, and to help manage overall downside risk. In addition, we used total return swaps as a hedging tool and to help manage the portfolio’s sector exposure as well as its inflation risk. Lastly, we used currency forward contracts to hedge the foreign exchange risk associated with non-U.S. bonds and to efficiently gain exposure to foreign currencies.

What is your near-term outlook?

As the period concluded, the number of corona­virus infections was still rising worldwide. We think greater clarity regarding the trajectory of coronavirus infections and deaths is needed before the economic effects can be more clearly assessed. We will continue to monitor the impact of the pandemic on global supply chains and demand dynamics.

Given the overwhelming policy responses and dramatic actions by the Fed, we think U.S.

This chart shows how the fund’s security type weightings have changed over the past six months. Allocations are shown as a percentage of the fund’s net assets. Cash and net other assets, if any, represent the market value weights of cash, derivatives, short-term securities, and other unclassified assets in the portfolio. Current period summary information may differ from the portfolio schedule included in the financial statements due to the inclusion of derivative securities, any interest accruals, the use of different classifications of securities for presentation purposes, and rounding.

Allocations may not total 100% because the table includes the notional value of certain derivatives (the economic value for purposes of calculating periodic payment obligations), in addition to the market value of securities. Holdings and allocations may vary over time.

Treasury yields will remain low across the curve for an extended period. We also believe low oil prices will exert significant disinflationary pressure on the economy.

We plan to take a cautious approach to increasing portfolio risk over the near term. That said, given the compelling valuations resulting from substantially wider yield spreads, we will seek to capitalize on what we believe will be attractive investment opportunities once markets show signs of stabilizing.

How was the fund positioned as of March 31?

Prior to this period, we took steps to reduce risk in the portfolio on the view that volatility was likely to rise and valuations in certain sectors, particularly corporate credit, were becoming increasingly unattractive.

Reflecting the fund’s relatively cautious overall positioning, we continue to hold securities across sectors that have less price sensitivity to changes in yield spreads.

Within corporate credit, high yield remained the fund’s largest allocation. We also have modest allocations in investment-grade credit and convertible securities.

In CMBS, we continue to have exposure to CMBX tranches referencing bonds rated A and BBB-. In our view, hotel and retail properties will be negatively affected by the coronavirus and the public health measures intended to contain its spread. However, the portfolio’s CMBS exposure is diversified by property type, and we believe CMBX continues to offer the fund a unique investment opportunity.

Within prepayment-sensitive areas of the market, we plan to maintain the fund’s positions in agency IO CMOs and inverse

ABOUT DERIVATIVES

Derivatives are an increasingly common type of investment instrument, the performance of which is derived from an underlying security, index, currency, or other area of the capital markets. Derivatives employed by the fund’s managers generally serve one of two main purposes: to implement a strategy that may be difficult or more expensive to invest in through traditional securities, or to hedge unwanted risk associated with a particular position.

For example, the fund’s managers might use currency forward contracts to capitalize on an anticipated change in exchange rates between two currencies. This approach would require a significantly smaller outlay of capital than purchasing traditional bonds denominated in the underlying currencies. In another example, the managers may identify a bond that they believe is undervalued relative to its risk of default, but may seek to reduce the interest-rate risk of that bond by using interest-rate swaps, a derivative through which two parties “swap” payments based on the movement of certain rates.

Like any other investment, derivatives may not appreciate in value and may lose money. Derivatives may amplify traditional investment risks through the creation of leverage and may be less liquid than traditional securities. And because derivatives typically represent contractual agreements between two financial institutions, derivatives entail “counterparty risk,” which is the risk that the other party is unable or unwilling to pay. Putnam monitors the counterparty risks we assume. For example, Putnam often enters into collateral agreements that require the counterparties to post collateral on a regular basis to cover their obligations to the fund. Counterparty risk for exchange-traded futures and centrally cleared swaps is mitigated by the daily exchange of margin and other safeguards against default through their respective clearinghouses.

IOs backed by more seasoned loans. We believe this segment of these markets will have less sensitivity to refinancing risk in a low-interest-rate environment.

Thanks for your time and for bringing us up to date, Bill.

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

Please note that the holdings discussed in this report may not have been held by the fund for the entire period. Portfolio composition is subject to review in accordance with the fund’s investment strategy and may vary in the future. Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to risk. Statements in the Q&A concerning the fund’s performance or portfolio composition relative to those of the fund’s Lipper peer group may reference information produced by Lipper Inc. or through a third party.

HOW CLOSED-END FUNDS DIFFER

FROM OPEN-END FUNDS

Closed-end funds and open-end funds share many common characteristics but also have some key differences that you should understand as you consider your portfolio strategies.

More assets at work Open-end funds are subject to ongoing sales and redemptions that can generate transaction costs for long-term shareholders. Closed-end funds, however, are typically fixed pools of capital that do not need to hold cash in connection with sales and redemptions, allowing the funds to keep more assets actively invested.

Traded like stocks Closed-end fund shares are traded on stock exchanges and, as a result, their prices fluctuate because of the influence of several factors.

They have a market price Like an open-end fund, a closed-end fund has a per-share net asset value (NAV). However, closed-end funds also have a “market price” for their shares — which is how much you pay when you buy shares of the fund, and how much you receive when you sell them.

When looking at a closed-end fund’s performance, you will usually see that the NAV and the market price differ. The market price can be influenced by several factors that cause it to vary from the NAV, including fund distributions, changes in supply and demand for the fund’s shares, changing market conditions, and investor perceptions of the fund or its investment manager. A fund’s performance at market price typically differs from its results at NAV.

Your fund’s performance

This section shows your fund’s performance, price, and distribution information for periods ended March 31, 2020, the end of the first half of its current fiscal year. Performance should always be considered in light of a fund’s investment strategy. Data represent past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. More recent returns may be less or more than those shown. Investment return, net asset value, and market price will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or a loss when you sell your shares.

Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes.

Performance includes the deduction of management fees and administrative expenses.

Index and Lipper results should be compared with fund performance at net asset value. Lipper calculates performance differently than the closed-end funds it ranks, due to varying methods for determining a fund’s monthly reinvestment net asset value.

^* The fund’s benchmark, the ICE BofA U.S. Treasury Bill Index, was introduced on 6/30/92, which post-dates the inception of the fund.

^† The JPMorgan Global High Yield Index was introduced on 12/31/93, which post-dates the fund’s inception.

^‡ Over the 6-month, 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, 10-year, and life-of-fund periods ended 3/31/20, there were 49, 46, 30, 25, 15, and 4 funds, respectively, in this Lipper category.

The classification of distributions, if any, is an estimate. Final distribution information will appear on your year-end tax forms.

^* Most recent distribution, including any return of capital and excluding capital gains, annualized and divided by NAV or market price at end of period.

Consider these risks before investing

Emerging-market securities carry illiquidity and volatility risks. 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 generally greater for longer-term bonds, and credit risk is generally greater for below-investment-grade bonds. Unlike bonds, funds that invest in bonds have fees and expenses. The value of investments in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including general economic, political, or financial market conditions; investor sentiment and market perceptions; government actions or geopolitical events or changes; and factors related to a specific issuer, geography, industry, or sector. These and other factors may lead to increased volatility and reduced liquidity in the fund’s portfolio holdings. Funds that invest in government securities are not guaranteed. Mortgage-backed securities are subject to prepayment risk and the risk that they may increase in value less when interest rates decline and decline in value more when interest rates rise. International investing involves currency, economic, and political risks. You can lose money by investing in the fund. The fund’s shares trade on a stock exchange at market prices, which may be lower than the fund’s net asset value.

Terms and definitions

Important terms

Total return shows how the value of the fund’s shares changed over time, assuming you held the shares through the entire period and reinvested all distributions in the fund.

Net asset value (NAV) is the value of all your fund’s assets, minus any liabilities, divided by the number of outstanding shares.

Market price is the current trading price of one share of the fund. Market prices are set by transactions between buyers and sellers on exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange.

Fixed-income terms

Current rate is the annual rate of return earned from dividends or interest of an investment. Current rate is expressed as a percentage of the price of a security, fund share, or principal investment.

Mortgage-backed security (MBS), also known as a mortgage “pass-through,” is a type of asset-backed security that is secured by a mortgage or collection of mortgages. The following are types of MBSs:

• Agency credit-risk transfer security (CRT) is backed by a reference pool of agency mortgages. Unlike a regular agency pass-through, the principal invested in a CRT is not backed by a U.S. government agency. To compensate investors for this risk, a CRT typically offers a higher yield than conventional pass-through securities. Similar to a CMBS, a CRT is structured into various tranches for investors, offering different levels of risk and yield based on the underlying reference pool.

• Agency “pass-through” has its principal and interest backed by a U.S. government agency, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae), and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac).

• Collateralized mortgage obligation (CMO) represents claims to specific cash flows from pools of home mortgages. The streams of principal and interest payments on the mortgages are distributed to the different classes of CMO interests in “tranches.” Each tranche may have different principal balances, coupon rates, prepayment risks, and maturity dates. A CMO is highly sensitive to changes in interest rates and any resulting change in the rate at which homeowners sell their properties, refinance, or otherwise prepay loans. CMOs are subject to prepayment, market, and liquidity risks.

^_° Interest-only (IO) security is a type of CMO in which the underlying asset is the interest portion of mortgage, Treasury, or bond payments.

• Non-agency residential mortgage-backed security (RMBS) is an MBS not backed by Fannie Mae, Ginnie Mae, or Freddie Mac. One type of RMBS is an Alt-A mortgage-backed security.

• Commercial mortgage-backed security (CMBS) is secured by the loan on a commercial property.

Yield curve is a graph that plots the yields of bonds with equal credit quality against their differing maturity dates, ranging from shortest to longest. It is used as a benchmark for other debt, such as mortgage or bank lending rates.

Comparative indexes

Bloomberg Barclays Government/ Credit Bond Index is an unmanaged index of U.S. Treasuries, agency securities, and investment-grade corporate bonds.

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

CMBX Index tracks the performance of a basket of CMBS issued in a particular year.

ICE BofA (Intercontinental Exchange Bank of America) U.S. Treasury Bill Index is an unmanaged index that tracks the performance of U.S. dollar-denominated U.S. Treasury bills publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market. Qualifying securities must have a remaining term of at least one month to final maturity and a minimum amount outstanding of $1 billion.

FTSE Non-U.S. World Government Bond Index is an unmanaged index generally considered to be representative of the world bond market, excluding the United States.

JPMorgan Global High Yield Index is an unmanaged index that is designed to mirror the investable universe of the U.S. dollar global high-yield corporate debt market, including domestic (U.S.) and international (non-U.S.) issues. International issues comprise both developed and emerging markets.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of common stock performance.

Indexes assume reinvestment of all distributions and do not account for fees. Securities and performance of a fund and an index will differ. You cannot invest directly in an index.

ICE Data Indices, LLC (“ICE BofA”), used with permission. ICE BofA permits use of the ICE BofA indices and related data on an “as is” basis; makes no warranties regarding same; does not guarantee the suitability, quality, accuracy, timeliness, and/or completeness of the ICE BofA indices or any data included in, related to, or derived therefrom; assumes no liability in connection with the use of the foregoing; and does not sponsor, endorse, or recommend Putnam Investments, or any of its products or services.

FTSE Russell is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks, and copyrights related to the FTSE Indexes. FTSE^® is a trademark of FTSE Russell.

Lipper is a third-party industry-ranking entity that ranks mutual funds. Its rankings do not reflect sales charges. Lipper rankings are based on total return at net asset value relative to other funds that have similar current investment styles or objectives as determined by Lipper. Lipper may change a fund’s category assignment at its discretion. Lipper category averages reflect performance trends for funds within a category.

Other information for shareholders

Important notice regarding share repurchase program

In September 2019, the Trustees of your fund approved the renewal of a share repurchase program that had been in effect since 2005. This renewal allows your fund to repurchase, in the 356 days beginning October 10, 2019, up to 10% of the fund’s common shares outstanding as of October 9, 2019.

Important notice regarding delivery of shareholder documents

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

Proxy voting

Putnam is committed to managing our mutual funds in the best interests of our shareholders. The Putnam funds’ proxy voting guidelines and procedures, as well as information regarding how your fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30, 2019, are available in the Individual Investors section of putnam.com and on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. If you have questions about finding forms on the SEC’s website, you may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. You may also obtain the Putnam funds’ proxy voting guidelines and procedures at no charge by calling Putnam’s Shareholder Services at 1-800-225-1581.

Fund portfolio holdings

The fund will file a complete schedule of its portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may obtain the fund’s Form N-PORT on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Prior to its use of Form N-PORT, the fund filed its complete schedule of its portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-Q, which is available online at www.sec.gov.

Trustee and employee fund ownership

Putnam employees and members of the Board of Trustees place their faith, confidence, and, most importantly, investment dollars in Putnam mutual funds. As of March 31, 2020, Putnam employees had approximately $402,000,000 and the Trustees had approximately $66,000,000 invested in Putnam mutual funds. These amounts include investments by the Trustees’ and employees’ immediate family members as well as investments through retirement and deferred compensation plans.

Summary of Putnam Closed-End Funds’ Amended and Restated Dividend Reinvestment Plans

Putnam Managed Municipal Income Trust, Putnam Master Intermediate Income Trust, Putnam Municipal Opportunities Trust and Putnam Premier Income Trust (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) each offer a dividend reinvestment plan (each, a “Plan” and collectively, the “Plans”). If you participate in a Plan, all income dividends and capital gain distributions are automatically reinvested in Fund shares by the Fund’s agent, Putnam Investor Services, Inc. (the “Agent”). If you are not participating in a Plan, every month you will receive all dividends and other distributions in cash, paid by check and mailed directly to you.

Upon a purchase (or, where applicable, upon registration of transfer on the shareholder records of a Fund) of shares of a Fund by a registered shareholder, each such shareholder will be deemed to have elected to participate in that Fund’s Plan. Each such shareholder will have all distributions by a Fund automatically reinvested in additional shares, unless such shareholder elects to terminate participation in a Plan by instructing the Agent to pay future distributions in cash. Shareholders who were not participants in a Plan as of January 31, 2010, will continue to receive distributions in cash but may enroll in a Plan at any time by contacting the Agent.

If you participate in a Fund’s Plan, the Agent will automatically reinvest subsequent distributions, and the Agent will send you a confirmation in the mail telling you how many additional shares were issued to your account.

To change your enrollment status or to request additional information about the Plans, you may contact the Agent either in writing, at P.O. Box 8383, Boston, MA 02266-8383, or by telephone at 1-800-225-1581 during normal East Coast business hours.

How you acquire additional shares through a Plan If the market price per share for your Fund’s shares (plus estimated brokerage commissions) is greater than or equal to their net asset value per share on the payment date for a distribution, you will be issued shares of the Fund at a value equal to the higher of the net asset value per share on that date or 95% of the market price per share on that date.

If the market price per share for your Fund’s shares (plus estimated brokerage commissions) is less than their net asset value per share on the payment date for a distribution, the Agent will buy Fund shares for participating accounts in the open market. The Agent will aggregate open-market purchases on behalf of all participants, and the average price (including brokerage commissions) of all shares purchased by the Agent will be the price per share allocable to each participant. The Agent will generally complete these open-market purchases within five business days following the payment date. If, before the Agent has completed open-market purchases, the market price per share (plus estimated brokerage commissions) rises to exceed the net asset value per share on the payment date, then the purchase price may exceed the net asset value per share, potentially resulting in the acquisition of fewer shares than if the distribution had been paid in newly issued shares.

How to withdraw from a Plan Participants may withdraw from a Fund’s Plan at any time by notifying the Agent, either in writing or by telephone. Such withdrawal will be effective immediately if notice is received by the Agent with sufficient time prior to any distribution record date; otherwise, such withdrawal will be effective with respect to any subsequent distribution following notice of withdrawal. There is no penalty for withdrawing from or not participating in a Plan.

Plan administration The Agent will credit all shares acquired for a participant under a Plan to the account in which the participant’s common shares are held. Each participant will

be sent reasonably promptly a confirmation by the Agent of each acquisition made for his or her account.

About brokerage fees Each participant pays a proportionate share of any brokerage commissions incurred if the Agent purchases additional shares on the open market, in accordance with the Plans. There are no brokerage charges applied to shares issued directly by the Funds under the Plans.

About taxes and Plan amendments

Reinvesting dividend and capital gain distributions in shares of the Funds does not relieve you of tax obligations, which are the same as if you had received cash distributions. The Agent supplies tax information to you and to the IRS annually. Each Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate its Plan upon 30 days’ written notice. However, the Agent may assign its rights, and delegate its duties, to a successor agent with the prior consent of a Fund and without prior notice to Plan participants.

If your shares are held in a broker or nominee name If your shares are held in the name of a broker or nominee offering a dividend reinvestment service, consult your broker or nominee to ensure that an appropriate election is made on your behalf. If the broker or nominee holding your shares does not provide a reinvestment service, you may need to register your shares in your own name in order to participate in a Plan.

In the case of record shareholders such as banks, brokers or nominees that hold shares for others who are the beneficial owners of such shares, the Agent will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of shares certified by the record shareholder as representing the total amount registered in such shareholder’s name and held for the account of beneficial owners who are to participate in the Plan.

Financial statements

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

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

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

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

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

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