Putnam Closed-End Funds Stay Shut

Putnam shareholders, in the face of a reported pending acquisition of the company, voted Thursday to keep the Putnam High Income Securities, Putnam Master Income Trust and Putnam Premiere Income Trust closed. The funds’ governing documents state that if the funds’ shares trade below a certain proportion of the net asset vale during the last 12 weeks of the fiscal year, shareholders must be asked to vote to open it. Trustees of the funds recommended that they remain closed, as their status offers potential advantages. Fewer than 14% of shareholders voted against the recommendation. Shareholders also re-elected all 12 trustees, according to the statement issued by Putnam.