3 Top Putnam Mutual Funds for Strong Returns and Long-Term Growth

Putnam Investments is one of the oldest U.S. asset managers, known for its mutual funds and retirement investment products. Founded in 1937 and based in Boston, the firm has a history of managing a wide range of equity, fixed-income and multi-asset portfolios for individual and institutional investors. It has long been a prominent name in the U.S. mutual fund industry.

In 2024, Franklin Resources, the parent of Franklin Templeton, completed the acquisition of Putnam from Great-West Lifeco. The deal strengthened Franklin Templeton’s asset-management platform while allowing Putnam to expand its global distribution and investment capabilities under the new ownership. Putnam managed around $162.3 billion in assets as of December 2025.

Below, we share with you three Putnam Funds, namely, Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund PEMYX, Putnam Large Cap Value Fund PEQLX and Putnam U.S. Research Fund PURYX. Each has earned a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and is expected to outperform its peers in the future. Investors can click here to see the complete list of Putnam Mutual Funds.

Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund invests most of its net assets in common stocks of emerging market companies, of any size, that, according to the fund advisor, have favorable investment potential. PEMYX advisors invest in common stocks with either growth or value or both characteristics.

Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund has a three-year annualized return of 25.1%. As of the end of November 2025, PEMYX had invested 13% of its net assets in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing.

Putnam Large Cap Value Fund seeks capital growth along with current income by investing most of its net assets in stocks of companies that its advisors consider to be undervalued by the market. PEQLX advisors also consider factors like a company's valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends to buy or sell stock.

Putnam Large Cap Value Fund has three-year annualized returns of 19.5%. PEQLX has an expense ratio of 0.6%.

Putnam U.S. Research Fund invests most of its net assets, along with borrowings, if any, in equity securities of domestic companies. PURYX advisors can make changes to its policy only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders.

Putnam U.S. Research Fund has returned 23.49% in the past three years. Matthew J. LaPlant has been one of the fund managers of PURYX since February 2023.

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

Want key mutual fund info delivered straight to your inbox?

Zacks' free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing mutual funds, each week. Get it free >>

Beyond Nvidia: AI's Second Wave Is Here

The AI revolution has already minted millionaires. But the stocks everyone knows about aren't likely to keep delivering the biggest profits. Little-known AI firms tackling the world's biggest problems may be more lucrative in the coming months and years.

See

View All Zacks #1 Ranked Mutual Funds

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

Get Your Free (PEQLX): Fund Analysis Report

Get Your Free (PEMYX): Fund Analysis Report

Get Your Free (PURYX): Fund Analysis Report

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research