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Putnam
ESG High Yield ETF
Fund


Prospectus

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FUND SYMBOL Putnam ESG High Yield ETF
PHYD



 


Fund summary 2
Fund details 9
Investment details 9
Fund management 21
Shareholder information 22
Distribution plans and payments to intermediaries 26
Fund distributions and taxes 28
Principal U.S. Listing Exchange: NYSE Arca, Inc.




Investment Category: Taxable Income

This prospectus explains what you should know about this fund before you invest. Please read it carefully.

These securities have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) nor has the SEC passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any statement to the contrary is a crime.



 



Fund summary

Investment objective

Putnam ESG High Yield ETF seeks high current income. Capital growth is a secondary goal when consistent with achieving high current income.

Fees and expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.

Annual fund operating expenses
(expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Management fees Distribution and service (12b-1) fees Other expenses+ Total annual fund
operating expenses
0.55% 0.00% 0.00% 0.55%
+ Other expenses are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

Example

The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

1 year 3 years
$56 $176

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s portfolio turnover rate will be available after the fund completes its first fiscal year.

Principal investment strategies

The fund invests mainly in bonds that are below investment grade in quality (sometimes referred to as “junk bonds”) with a focus on companies or issuers that Putnam Investment Management, LLC (“Putnam Management”), the fund’s investment manager, believes meet relevant environmental, social or governance (“ESG”) criteria on a sector-specific basis (“ESG criteria”). The fund invests mainly in

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bonds that also have one or more of the following characteristics: (1) are obligations of U.S. companies or issuers and (2) have intermediate- to long-term maturities (three years or longer). The fund invests with a focus on companies or issuers that Putnam Management believes meet relevant environmental, social or governance (“ESG”) criteria on a sector-specific basis (“ESG criteria”). The fund may consider, among other factors, a company’s or issuer’s ESG criteria (as described below), credit, interest rate, liquidity and prepayment risks, as well as general market conditions, when deciding whether to buy or sell investments.

Under normal circumstances, the fund invests at least 80% of the value of its net assets in fixed-income securities rated below investment grade that meet Putnam Management’s ESG criteria. This policy is non-fundamental and may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. Putnam Management may not apply ESG criteria to investments that are not subject to the fund’s 80% policy and such investments may not meet Putnam Management’s ESG criteria.

In evaluating investments for the fund, Putnam Management identifies relevant ESG criteria on a sector-specific basis using an internally developed materiality map, which is informed by the ESG issues identified by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board as material to companies or issuers within a particular industry. A materiality map provides a guide to understanding which ESG criteria are more or less important for a given sector or subsector; it includes those ESG criteria that may be reasonably likely to influence investment decision-making. Putnam Management constructs the materiality map by evaluating the significance of specified ESG criteria (i.e., board structure and composition, diversity, equity and inclusion, or climate change risk, among others) in specific industries (i.e., consumer, healthcare, financials, etc.), subsectors, or countries. Putnam Management then categorizes the relevance of each ESG criteria for each industry, subsector, or country. As part of this analysis, Putnam Management may utilize metrics and information such as emissions data, carbon intensity, sources of energy used for operations, water use and re-use, water generation, waste diversion from landfill, employee safety and diversity data, supplier audits, product safety, board composition, and incentive compensation structures. After evaluating these criteria, Putnam Management will assign each company or issuer, as applicable, a proprietary ESG rating ranging from 1 to 4 (1 indicating the highest (best) ESG rating and 4 indicating the lowest (worst) ESG rating). In order to meet Putnam Management’s ESG criteria for purposes of the above-referenced non-fundamental investment policy, a company or issuer must be rated 2 or 1 by Putnam Management. While Putnam Management may consider independent third-party data as a part of its analytical process, the portfolio management team performs its own independent analysis of issuers and does not rely solely on third-party screens.

The fund’s approach to ESG investing incorporates fundamental research together with consideration of ESG criteria which may include, but are not limited to, those included in the following descriptions. Environmental criteria include, for example, a company’s or issuer’s carbon intensity and use of resources like water or minerals. ESG measures in this area might include plans to reduce waste, increase recycling, raise the proportion of energy supply from renewable sources, or improve product

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design to be less resource intensive. Social criteria include, for example, labor practices and supply chain management. ESG measures in this area might include programs to improve employee well-being, commitment to workplace equality and diversity, or improved stewardship of supplier relationships and working conditions. Corporate governance criteria include, for example, board composition and executive compensation, as well as bondholders’ rights. ESG measures in this area might include improvements in board independence or diversity, or alignment of management incentives with the company’s or issuer’s strategic ESG objectives.

Putnam Management uses a sector-specific approach in evaluating investments. In the corporate credit sector, Putnam Management combines fundamental analysis with relevant ESG insights with a forward-looking perspective. Putnam Management believes that this approach contributes to a more nuanced assessment of an issuer’s credit profile, which offers potential opportunity to limit tail risk in credit portfolios (i.e., the risk that the price of a portfolio may decrease by more than three standard deviations from its current price) and ratings volatility.

Putnam Management evaluates ESG considerations using independent third-party data (where available), and also uses company or issuer disclosures and public data sources. Putnam Management believes that ESG considerations are best analyzed in combination with a company’s or issuer’s fundamentals, including a company’s or issuer’s industry, location, strategic position, and key relationships.

In addition to bonds, the fund may also invest in other fixed-income instruments, including bank loans. In addition to the main investment strategies described above, the fund may make other types of investments, such as investments in equity securities, asset-backed, hybrid and structured bonds and notes, preferred securities that would be characterized as debt securities under applicable accounting standards and tax laws, and assignments of and participations in fixed and floating rate bank loans. The fund may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes.

Principal investment risks

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providers may be incomplete, inaccurate or unavailable, particularly with respect to companies in emerging market countries, which may adversely impact the investment process. The fund does not restrict its investments to “green bonds” (i.e., U.S. dollar-denominated bonds designated as “green” by the Climate Bonds Initiative) and does not restrict investments based solely on “negative screens”. In addition, a company’s or issuer’s business practices, products or services may change over time. As a result of these possibilities, among others, the fund may temporarily hold securities that are inconsistent with the fund’s ESG investment criteria. Regulatory changes or interpretations regarding the definitions and/or use of ESG criteria could have a material adverse effect on the fund’s ability to invest in accordance with its investment policies and/or achieve its investment objective, as well as the ability of certain classes of investors to invest in funds, such as the fund, whose strategies include ESG criteria. Because fixed-income investments generally represent a promise to pay principal and interest by an issuer, and not an ownership interest, and may involve complex structures, ESG-related investment considerations may have a more limited impact on risk and return (or may have an impact over a different investment time horizon) relative to other asset classes, and this may be particularly true for shorter-term investments. In addition, holders of fixed-income investments do not typically have voting rights, unlike holders of equity investments who have the right to vote on issuer proposals.

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The securities held by the fund may be traded in markets that close at a different time than the exchange on which the fund’s shares are listed. Liquidity in those securities may be reduced after the applicable closing times. Accordingly, during the time when the exchange is open but after the applicable market closing, fixing or settlement times, bid-ask spreads on the exchange and the corresponding premium or discount to the shares’ NAV may widen.

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counterparty), operational risk (e.g., settlement issues or system failure), and legal risk (e.g., insufficient legal documentation or contract enforceability issues).

An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

Performance

Performance information will be available after the fund completes a full calendar year of operation.

Your fund’s management

Investment advisor

Putnam Investment Management, LLC

Portfolio managers

Robert Salvin
Co-Head of Corporate and Tax-exempt Credit, portfolio manager of the fund since 2023

Norman Boucher
Portfolio Manager, portfolio manager of the fund since 2023

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Sub-advisor

Putnam Investments Limited*

* Though the investment advisor has retained the services of Putnam Investments Limited (PIL), PIL does not currently manage any assets of the fund.

Purchase and sale of fund shares

Shares of the fund are listed and traded on an exchange, and individual fund shares may only be bought and sold in the secondary market through a broker or dealer at market price. These transactions, which do not involve the fund, are made at market prices that may vary throughout the day, rather than at net asset value (NAV). Shares of the fund may trade at a price greater than the fund’s NAV (premium) or less than the fund’s NAV (discount). An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling fund shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Recent information, including information regarding the fund’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spread, is available at putnam.com.

Tax information

The fund’s distributions will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains unless you hold the shares through a tax-advantaged arrangement, in which case you will generally be taxed only upon withdrawal of monies from the arrangement.

Financial intermediary compensation

The fund and its related companies may pay intermediaries, which may include banks, broker/dealers, or financial professionals, for the sale of fund shares and related services. Please bear in mind that these payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker/dealer or other intermediary to recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your advisor or visit your advisor’s website for more information.

Fund details

Investment details

Investment objective

Putnam ESG High Yield ETF seeks high current income. Capital growth is a secondary goal when consistent with achieving high current income.

Principal investment strategies

The fund invests mainly in bonds that are below investment grade in quality (sometimes referred to as “junk bonds”) with a focus on companies or issuers that Putnam Investment Management, LLC (“Putnam Management”), the fund’s investment manager, believes meet relevant environmental, social or governance (“ESG”) criteria on a sector-specific basis (“ESG criteria”). The fund invests mainly in

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bonds that also have one or more of the following characteristics: (1) are obligations of U.S. companies or issuers and (2) have intermediate- to long-term maturities (three years or longer). The fund invests with a focus on companies or issuers that Putnam Management believes meet relevant ESG criteria. The fund may consider, among other factors, a company’s or issuer’s ESG criteria (as described below), credit, interest rate, liquidity and prepayment risks, as well as general market conditions, when deciding whether to buy or sell investments.

Under normal circumstances, the fund invests at least 80% of the value of its net assets in fixed-income securities rated below investment grade that meet Putnam Management’s ESG criteria. This policy is non-fundamental and may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. Putnam Management may not apply ESG criteria to investments that are not subject to the fund’s 80% policy and such investments may not meet Putnam Management’s ESG criteria.

These criteria are based on a proprietary materiality map that is informed by the ESG issues identified as material by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board. A materiality map provides a guide to understanding which ESG criteria are more or less important for a given sector or subsector; it includes those ESG criteria that may be reasonably likely to influence investment decision making. Putnam Management constructs the materiality map by evaluating the significance of specified ESG criteria (i.e., board structure and composition, diversity, equity and inclusion, or climate change risk, among others) in specific industries (i.e., consumer, healthcare, financials, etc.), subsectors, or countries. Putnam Management then categorizes the relevance of each ESG criteria for each industry, subsector, or country. After evaluating these criteria, Putnam Management will assign each company or issuer, as applicable, a proprietary ESG rating ranging from 1 to 4 (1 indicating the highest (best) ESG rating and 4 indicating the lowest (worst) ESG rating). In order to meet Putnam Management’s ESG criteria for purposes of the above-referenced non-fundamental investment policy, a company or issuer must be rated 2 or 1 by Putnam Management. While Putnam Management may consider independent third-party data as a part of its analytical process, the portfolio management team performs its own independent analysis of issuers and does not rely solely on third-party screens.

Putnam Management believes that analysis of ESG criteria is best utilized in combination with a strong understanding of a company’s or issuer’s fundamentals (including a company’s or issuer’s industry, location, strategic position, and key relationships). Relevant issues vary by sector, geography, asset class and specific company or issuer context. Therefore, the fund uses fundamental research of ESG criteria that is tailored to specific sectors, locations, asset classes and companies. Putnam Management’s approach to ESG analysis is intertwined with its fundamental research process.

The fund’s approach to ESG investing incorporates fundamental research together with consideration of ESG criteria. The integrated approach of the fund combines analysis of the growing body of ESG data and fundamental analysis and looks for companies or issuers that demonstrate strength on relevant ESG issues. ESG criteria that the fund may consider include:

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ESG measures in this area might include plans to reduce waste, increase recycling, raise the proportion of energy supply from renewable sources, or improve product design to be less resource intensive.
ESG measures in this area might include programs to improve employee well-being, commitment to workplace equality and diversity, or improved stewardship of supplier relationships and working conditions, and fair lending practices.
ESG measures in this area might include improvements in board independence or diversity, or alignment of management incentives with the company’s or issuer’s strategic ESG objectives and bondholder rights.

The fund’s portfolio managers believe that these ESG criteria are relevant and material to long-term business fundamentals. Putnam Management also believes that a forward-looking consideration of ESG criteria in the investment process for the fund may result in a more nuanced assessment of an issuer’s credit profile, which offers potential opportunity to limit ratings volatility as well as tail risk in credit portfolios (i.e., the risk that the price of a portfolio may decrease by more than three standard deviations from its current price). In addition, Putnam Management believes that the time horizon for ESG criteria varies by industry and can influence fundamental volatility.

Putnam Management uses a sector-specific approach in evaluating investments. In the corporate credit sector, Putnam Management combines fundamental analysis with relevant ESG insights with a forward-looking perspective. Putnam Management believes that this approach contributes to a more nuanced assessment of an issuer’s credit profile, which offers potential opportunity to limit tail risk in credit portfolios (i.e., the risk that the price of a portfolio may decrease by more than three standard deviations from its current price) and ratings volatility.

Putnam Management uses company disclosures, non-governmental organization or government disclosures, public data sources, and independent third-party data as inputs into its analytical processes. While Putnam Management may consider independent third-party data as a part of its analytical process, the portfolio management team performs its own independent analysis of issuers and does not rely solely on third-party screens.

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In addition to bonds, the fund may also invest in other fixed-income instruments, including bank loans. In addition to the main investment strategies described above, the fund may make other types of investments, such as investments in equity securities, asset-backed, hybrid and structured bonds and notes, preferred securities that would be characterized as debt securities under applicable accounting standards and tax laws, and assignments of and participations in fixed and floating rate bank loans. The fund may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes.

Shareholders should be aware that investments made by the fund and results achieved by the fund at any given time are not expected to be the same as those made by other funds for which Putnam Management acts as investment manager, including funds with names, investment objectives, and policies that are similar to the fund. The Trustees may change the fund’s goal, investment strategies and other policies set forth in this prospectus without shareholder approval, except as otherwise provided in the prospectus or Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”).

Principal investment risks

The principal and certain additional risks of investing in the fund are described below. These risks and other factors may adversely affect the fund’s NAV, market price and performance. When you sell your shares, they may be worth more or less than what you paid for them, which means that you could lose money as a result of your investment. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund may not achieve its investment objective, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. The fund’s SAI contains additional information about the fund’s investment policies and risks.

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U.S. dollar-denominated bonds designated as “green” by the Climate Bonds Initiative) and does not restrict investments based solely on “negative screens”. In addition, a company’s or issuer’s business practices, products or services may change over time. As a result of these possibilities, among others, the fund may temporarily hold securities that are inconsistent with the fund’s ESG investment criteria. Regulatory changes or interpretations regarding the definitions and/or use of ESG criteria could have a material adverse effect on the fund’s ability to invest in accordance with its investment policies and/or achieve its investment objective, as well as the ability of certain classes of investors to invest in funds, such as the fund, whose strategies include ESG criteria. There may be limitations with respect to availability of ESG data in certain sectors, as well as limited availability of investments with positive ESG assessments in certain sectors. Putnam Management's evaluation of ESG criteria may change over time.

Because fixed-income investments generally represent a promise to pay principal and interest by an issuer, and not an ownership interest, and may involve complex structures, ESG-related investment considerations may have a more limited impact on risk and return (or may have an impact over a different investment time horizon) relative to other asset classes, and this may be particularly true for shorter-term investments. Third-party ESG data regarding fixed-income investments is generally less available than ESG data for equity investments. In addition, holders of fixed-income investments do not typically have voting rights, unlike holders of equity investments who have the right to vote on issuer proposals.

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The market price of shares during the trading day, like the price of any exchange-traded security, includes a “bid/ask” spread charged by the exchange specialist, market makers, or other participants that trade the particular security. In times of severe market disruption or volatility, the bid/ask spread can increase significantly. At those times, shares are most likely to be traded at a discount to NAV, and the discount is likely to be greatest when the price of shares is falling fastest, which may be the time that you most want to sell your shares.

Only an authorized participant may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with the fund. There is no guarantee that the fund will be able to attract market makers and authorized participants. There are no obligations of market makers to make a market in the fund’s shares or of authorized participants to submit purchase or redemption orders for Creation Units.

The market prices of the fund’s shares are expected to fluctuate, in some cases materially, in response to changes in the fund’s NAV, the intraday value of the fund’s holdings and supply and demand for the fund’s shares. Putnam Management cannot predict whether the fund’s shares will trade above, below or at their NAV or the intraday value of the fund’s holdings. During such periods, investors may incur significant losses if they sell shares.

The securities held by the fund may be traded in markets that close at a different time than the exchange on which the fund’s shares are listed. Liquidity in those securities may be reduced after the applicable closing times. Accordingly, during the time when the exchange is open but after the applicable market closing, fixing or settlement times, bid-ask spreads on the exchange and the corresponding premium or discount to the shares’ NAV may widen.

In addition, trading of shares in the secondary market may be halted, for example, due to activation of market-wide “circuit breakers.” If trading halts or an unanticipated early closing of the listing exchange occurs, a shareholder may be unable to purchase or sell shares of the fund.

If the fund’s shares are delisted from the listing exchange, Putnam Management may seek to list the fund shares on another market, merge the fund with another exchange-traded fund or traditional mutual fund, or redeem the fund shares at NAV.

Shares of the fund, similar to shares of other issuers listed on a stock exchange, may be sold short and are therefore subject to the risk of increased volatility and price decreases associated with being sold short.

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experience high levels of shareholder redemptions, and may have to sell securities at times when it would otherwise not do so, and at unfavorable prices. These risks may be exacerbated during economic downturns or other periods of economic stress.

The novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic and efforts to contain its spread have negatively affected, and are likely to continue to negatively affect, the global economy, the economies of the United States and other individual countries, and the financial performance of individual issuers, sectors, industries, asset classes, and markets in significant and unforeseen ways. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant market volatility, exchange trading suspensions and closures, declines in global financial markets, higher default rates, and economic downturns and recessions, and these effects may continue for an extended period of time and may increase in severity over time. In addition, actions taken by governmental and quasi-governmental authorities and regulators throughout the world in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including significant fiscal and monetary policy changes, may affect the value, volatility, and liquidity of some securities and other assets. Given the significant uncertainty surrounding the magnitude, duration, reach, costs and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as actions that have been or could be taken by governmental authorities or other third parties, it is difficult to predict its potential impacts on the fund’s investments. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic also are likely to exacerbate other risks that apply to the fund, including the risks disclosed in this prospectus, which could negatively impact the fund’s performance and lead to losses on your investment in the fund.

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below CCC or its equivalent, at the time of purchase, by each rating agency rating such investments, or in unrated investments that Putnam Management believes are of comparable quality. This includes investments in the lowest rating category of the rating agency. The fund will not necessarily sell an investment if its rating is reduced after Putnam Management buys it. Investments rated below BBB or its equivalent are below-investment-grade in quality. This rating reflects a greater possibility that the issuers may be unable to make timely payments of interest and principal and thus default. If a default occurs, or is perceived as likely to occur, the value of the investment will usually be more volatile and could decrease. The value of a debt instrument may also be affected by changes in, or perceptions of, the financial condition of the issuer, borrower, counterparty, or other entity, or underlying collateral or assets, or changes in, or perceptions of, specific or general market, economic, industry, political, regulatory, geopolitical, environmental, public health, and other conditions. A default or expected default could also make it difficult for the fund to sell the investment at a price approximating the value Putnam Management had previously placed on it. Lower-rated debt usually has a more limited market than higher-rated debt, which may at times make it difficult for the fund to buy or sell certain debt instruments or to establish their fair values. Credit risk is generally greater for zero-coupon bonds and other investments that are issued at less than their face value and that are required to make interest payments only at maturity rather than at intervals during the life of the investment. Bond investments may be more susceptible to downgrades or defaults during economic downturns or other periods of economic stress, which can significantly strain the financial resources of debt issuers, including the issuers of the bonds in which the fund invests. This may make it less likely that those issuers can meet their financial obligations when due and may adversely impact the value of their bonds, which could negatively impact the performance of the fund. It is difficult to predict the level of financial stress and duration of such stress issuers may experience. Credit ratings are based largely on the issuer’s historical financial condition and the rating agencies’ investment analysis at the time of rating. The rating assigned to any particular investment does not necessarily reflect the issuer’s current financial condition, and does not reflect an assessment of the investment’s volatility or liquidity. Although Putnam Management considers credit ratings in making investment decisions, it performs its own investment analysis and does not rely only on ratings assigned by the rating agencies. Putnam Management’s success in achieving the fund’s goal may depend more on its own credit analysis when the fund buys lower-rated debt than when the fund buys investment-grade debt. The fund may have to participate in legal proceedings involving the issuer. This could increase the fund’s operating expenses and decrease its net asset value. Although investment-grade investments generally have lower credit risk, they may share some of the risks of lower-rated investments.

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investments, indexes or currencies. The fund may make use of “short” derivatives positions, the values of which typically move in the opposite direction from the price of the underlying investment, pool of investments, index or currency. The fund may use derivatives both for hedging and non-hedging purposes. For example, the fund may use derivatives to increase or decrease the fund’s exposure to long- or short-term interest rates (in the United States or abroad), adjust the term of the fund’s U.S. Treasury security exposure, adjust the fund’s positioning on the yield curve (a line that plots interest rates of bonds having equal credit quality but differing maturity dates) or to take tactical positions along the yield curve or to a particular currency or group of currencies, or as a substitute for a direct investment in the securities of one or more issuers. However, the fund may also choose not to use derivatives based on Putnam Management’s evaluation of market conditions or the availability of suitable derivatives. Investments in derivatives may be applied toward meeting a requirement to invest in a particular kind of investment if the derivatives have economic characteristics similar to that investment.

Derivatives involve special risks and may result in losses. The successful use of derivatives depends on Putnam Management’s ability to manage these sophisticated instruments. Some derivatives are “leveraged,” which means they provide the fund with investment exposure greater than the value of the fund’s investment in the derivatives. As a result, these derivatives may magnify or otherwise increase investment losses to the fund. The risk of loss from certain short derivatives positions is theoretically unlimited. The value of derivatives may move in unexpected ways due to unanticipated market movements, the use of leverage, imperfect correlation between the derivative instrument and the reference asset, or other factors, especially in unusual market conditions, and volatility in the value of derivatives could adversely affect the fund’s returns, obligations and exposures. Other risks arise from the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions. Derivatives may subject the fund to liquidity risk due to the obligation to make payments of margin, collateral, or settlement payments to counterparties. A liquid secondary market may not always exist for the fund’s derivatives positions. In fact, certain over-the-counter instruments (investments not traded on an exchange) may not be liquid. Over-the-counter instruments also involve the risk that the other party to the derivative transaction may not be willing or able to meet its obligations with respect to the derivative transaction. The risk of a party failing to meet its obligations may increase if the fund has significant exposure to that counterparty. Derivative transactions may also be subject to operational risk, including due to documentation and settlement issues, system failures, inadequate controls and human error and legal risk due to insufficient documentation, insufficient capacity or authority of a counterparty, or legality or enforceability of the derivative contract. For further information about additional types and risks of derivatives, see Miscellaneous Investments, Investment Practices and Risks in the SAI.

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are below-investment-grade in quality, many also are senior in rank in the event of bankruptcy to most other securities of the borrower, such as common stock or public bonds. Floating rate loans are also normally secured by specific collateral or assets of the borrower so that the holders of the loans will have a priority claim on those assets in the event of default or bankruptcy of the issuer. Floating rate loans generally are less sensitive to interest rate changes than obligations with fixed interest rates but may decline in value if their interest rates do not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest rates in general. Conversely, floating rate instruments will not generally increase in value if interest rates decline. Changes in interest rates will also affect the amount of interest income the fund earns on its floating rate investments. Most floating rate loans allow for prepayment of principal without penalty. If a borrower prepays a loan, the fund might have to reinvest the proceeds in an investment that may have lower yields than the yield on the prepaid loan or might not be able to take advantage of potential gains from increases in the credit quality of the issuer. The value of collateral, if any, securing a floating rate loan can decline, and may be insufficient to meet the borrower’s obligations or difficult to liquidate. In addition, the fund’s access to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy or other insolvency proceedings. Floating rate loans may not be fully collateralized and may decline in value. Loans may not be considered “securities,” and it is possible that the fund may not be entitled to rely on anti-fraud and other protections under the federal securities laws when it purchases loans.

Although the market for the types of floating rate loans in which the fund invests has become increasingly liquid over time, this market is still developing, and there can be no assurance that adverse developments with respect to this market or particular borrowers will not prevent the fund from selling these loans at their market values when Putnam Management considers such a sale desirable. In addition, the settlement period (the period between the execution of the trade and the delivery of cash to the purchaser) for floating rate loan transactions may be significantly longer than the settlement period for other investments, and in some cases longer than seven days. Requirements to obtain consent of borrower and/or agent can delay or impede the fund’s ability to sell the floating rate loans and can adversely affect the price that can be obtained. It is possible that sale proceeds from floating rate loan transactions will not be available to meet redemption obligations.

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foreign companies (including information related to companies’ ESG practices), particularly with respect to emerging market companies, than publicly-available information regarding U.S. companies. As a result, the fund’s ability to evaluate a foreign company, including with respect to its ESG or sustainability practices, may be more limited than its ability to evaluate a U.S. company. Certain of these risks may also apply to some extent to U.S.-traded investments that are denominated in foreign currencies, investments in U.S. companies or issuers that are traded in foreign markets, or investments in U.S. companies or issuers that have significant foreign operations.

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Other investments

In addition to the main investment strategies described above, the fund may make other types of investments, such as investments in equity securities, asset-backed, hybrid and structured bonds and notes, preferred securities that would be characterized as debt securities under applicable accounting standards and tax laws, and assignments of and participations in fixed and floating rate loans. The fund may also invest in cash or cash equivalents, including money market instruments or short-term instruments such as commercial paper, bank obligations (e.g., certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances), repurchase agreements, and U.S. Treasury bills or other government obligations. The fund may also from time to time invest a portion of its cash balances in money market and/or short-term bond funds advised by Putnam Management or its affiliates. The percentage of the fund invested in cash and cash equivalents and such money market and short-term bond funds is expected to vary over time and will depend on various factors, including market conditions, purchase and redemption activity by fund shareholders, and Putnam Management’s assessment of the cash level that is appropriate to allow the fund to pursue investment opportunities as they arise and to meet shareholder redemption requests. Large cash positions may dampen performance and may prevent the fund from achieving its goal. These practices may be subject to other risks, as described under Miscellaneous Investments, Investment Practices and Risks in the SAI.

Temporary defensive strategies

In response to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, Putnam Management may take temporary defensive positions, such as investing some or all of the fund’s assets in cash and cash equivalents that differ from the fund’s usual investment strategies. However, Putnam Management may choose not to use these temporary defensive strategies for a variety of reasons, even in very volatile market conditions. If Putnam Management does employ these strategies, the fund may miss out on investment opportunities and may not achieve its goal. Additionally, while temporary defensive strategies are mainly designed to limit losses, they may not work as intended.

Fund management

Investment manager

The Trustees have retained Putnam Management, which has managed mutual funds since 1937, to be the fund’s investment manager, responsible for making investment decisions for the fund and managing the fund’s other affairs and business.

The fund pays an annual all-inclusive management fee of 0.55% to Putnam Management based on the fund’s average daily net assets. The management fee is calculated and accrued daily. The management fee covers all of the other expenses of the fund with limited exceptions.

Putnam Management’s address is 100 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110.

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Putnam Management has retained its affiliate PIL to make investment decisions for such fund assets as may be designated from time to time for its management by Putnam Management. PIL is not currently managing any fund assets. If PIL were to manage any fund assets, Putnam Management (and not the fund) would pay a quarterly sub-management fee to PIL for its services at the annual rate of 0.20% of the average NAV of any fund assets managed by PIL. PIL, which provides a full range of international investment advisory services to institutional clients, is located at 16 St James’s Street, London, England, SW1A 1ER.

Pursuant to this arrangement, Putnam investment professionals who are based in foreign jurisdictions may serve as portfolio managers of the fund or provide other investment services, consistent with local regulations.

A discussion about the factors considered by the fund’s Board of Trustees and its conclusions in approving the investment management and sub-advisory agreements for the fund will appear in the fund’s annual report to shareholders for the period ended April 30, 2023.

Portfolio managers

The officers of Putnam Management identified below are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the fund’s portfolio.

Portfolio managers Joined fund Employer Positions over past five years
Robert Salvin 2023 Putnam Management
2000 - Present
Co-Head of Corporate and Tax-exempt Credit
Previously, Portfolio Manager
Norman Boucher 2023 Putnam Management
1998 - Present
Portfolio Manager

The SAI provides information about these individuals’ compensation, other accounts managed by these individuals and these individuals’ ownership of securities in the fund.

Shareholder information

Valuation of fund shares

The price of the fund’s shares is based on its NAV. The NAV per share of each class equals the total value of its assets, less its liabilities, divided by the number of its outstanding shares. Shares are only valued as of the scheduled close of regular trading on the NYSE each day the exchange is open.

The fund values its investments for which market quotations are readily available at market value. It values all other investments and assets at their fair value, which may differ from recent market prices. For example, the fund may value a stock traded on a U.S. exchange at its fair value when the exchange closes early or trading in the stock is suspended. It may also value a stock at fair value if recent transactions in the stock have been very limited or if, in the case of a security traded on a market that closes before the NYSE closes, material information about the issuer becomes available after the close of the relevant market.

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Market quotations are not considered to be readily available for many debt securities. These securities are generally valued at fair value on the basis of valuations provided by an independent pricing service approved by the fund’s Trustees or dealers selected by Putnam Management. Pricing services and dealers determine valuations for normal institutional-size trading units of such securities using information with respect to transactions in the bond being valued, market transactions for comparable securities and various relationships, generally recognized by institutional traders, between securities. To the extent a pricing service or dealer is unable to value a security or provides a valuation that Putnam Management does not believe accurately reflects the security’s fair value, the security will be valued at fair value by Putnam Management.

The fund translates prices for its investments quoted in foreign currencies into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates, which are generally determined as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time each day the NYSE is open. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar may affect the fund’s NAV. Because foreign markets may be open at different times than the NYSE, the value of the fund’s shares may change on days when shareholders are not able to buy or sell them. Many securities markets and exchanges outside the U.S. close before the close of the NYSE, and the closing prices for securities in those markets or exchanges may not reflect events that occur after the close but before the scheduled close of regular trading on the NYSE. As a result, the fund has adopted fair value pricing procedures, which, among other things, require the fund to fair value foreign equity securities if there has been a movement in the U.S. market, after the close of the foreign securities market, that exceeds a specified threshold that may change from time to time. If events materially affecting the values of the fund’s foreign fixed-income investments occur between the close of foreign markets and the scheduled close of regular trading on the NYSE, these investments will also be valued at their fair value. As noted above, the value determined for an investment using the fund’s fair value pricing procedures may differ from recent market prices for the investment.

Additional information about the fund

The fund is an actively managed ETF. Like other ETFs, shares of the fund are generally purchased and redeemed in creation unit aggregations through authorized participants, shares of the fund are listed and traded on a stock exchange, and individual investors can purchase or sell shares in less than creation unit sizes and for cash in the secondary market through a broker.

Derivative actions

The fund is a series of Putnam ETF Trust (the Trust). The Trust’s Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust imposes certain conditions on derivative actions that are not otherwise required by law, including, in the case of any claim not arising under the federal securities laws, a requirement that the holders of 10% or more of the total outstanding shares of the applicable fund join the request to commence the action. Although these conditions are intended to permit legitimate

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inquiries and claims while avoiding the time, expense, distraction, and other harm that can be caused to a fund or its shareholders as a result of spurious shareholder demands and derivative actions, they may make it more difficult or costly for fund shareholders to bring derivative actions on behalf of the Trust.

Buying and selling shares in the secondary market

Shares of the fund are listed and traded on an exchange, and individual fund shares may only be bought and sold in the secondary market through a broker. The fund does not impose any minimum investment for shares of the fund purchased on an exchange. These transactions are made at market prices that may vary throughout the day and may be greater than the fund’s NAV (premium) or less than the fund’s NAV (discount). As a result, you may pay more than NAV when you purchase shares, and receive less than NAV when you sell shares, in the secondary market. If you buy or sell shares in the secondary market, you will generally incur customary brokerage commissions and charges and you may also incur the cost of the spread between the price at which a dealer will buy fund shares and the somewhat higher price at which a dealer will sell shares. Due to such commissions and charges and spread costs, frequent trading may detract significantly from investment returns.

The fund is designed to offer investors an investment that can be bought and sold frequently in the secondary market without impact on the fund, and such trading activity is designed to enable the market price of fund shares to remain at or close to NAV. Accordingly, the Board of Trustees has not adopted policies and procedures designed to discourage excessive or short-term trading by these investors.

The fund accommodates frequent purchases and redemptions of creation units by authorized participants and does not place a limit on purchases or redemptions of creation units by these investors. The fund reserves the right, but does not have the obligation, to reject any purchase or redemption transaction (subject to legal and regulatory limits regarding redemption transactions) at any time. In addition, the fund reserves the right to impose restrictions on disruptive, excessive, or short-term trading.

Precautionary notes

Note to registered investment companies

Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act restricts investments by registered investment companies in the securities of other investment companies, including shares of the fund. Registered investment companies are permitted to invest in the fund beyond the limits set forth in Section 12(d)(1), subject to certain terms and conditions, including that such investment companies enter into an agreement with the fund.

Note to authorized participants regarding continuous offering

Certain legal risks may exist that are unique to authorized participants purchasing creation units directly from the fund. Because new creation units may be issued on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act of 1933 (the Securities Act), could be occurring. As a broker-dealer, certain activities

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that you perform may, depending on the circumstances, result in your being deemed a participant in a distribution, in a manner which could render you a statutory underwriter and subject you to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the Securities Act.

For example, you may be deemed a statutory underwriter if you purchase creation units from the fund, break them down into individual fund shares, and sell such shares directly to customers, or if you choose to couple the creation of a supply of new fund shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for fund shares. A determination of whether a person is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act depends upon all of the facts and circumstances pertaining to that person’s activities, and the examples mentioned here should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to a categorization as an underwriter.

Dealers who are not “underwriters” but are participating in a distribution (as opposed to engaging in ordinary secondary market transactions), and thus dealing with shares as part of an “unsold allotment” within the meaning of Section 4(a)(3)(C) of the Securities Act, will be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(a)(3) of the Securities Act. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(a)(3) of the Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. As a result, you should note that dealers who are not underwriters but are participating in a distribution (as opposed to engaging in ordinary secondary market transactions) and thus dealing with the shares that are part of an overallotment within the meaning of Section 4(a)(3)(A) of the Securities Act would be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(a)(3) of the Securities Act. Firms that incur a prospectus-delivery obligation with respect to shares of the fund are reminded that, under Rule 153 under the Securities Act, a prospectus delivery obligation under Section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Act owed to an exchange member in connection with a sale on an exchange is satisfied by the fact that the prospectus is available at the exchange upon request. The prospectus delivery mechanism provided in Rule 153 is only available with respect to transactions on an exchange.

Certain affiliates of the fund may purchase and resell fund shares pursuant to this prospectus.

Note to secondary market investors

The Depository Trust Company (DTC), a limited trust company and securities depository that facilitates the clearance and settlement of trades for its participating banks and broker-dealers, has executed an agreement with Foreside Fund Services, LLC (Foreside), the Fund’s distributor. DTC, or its nominee, is the registered owner of all outstanding shares of the fund. Putnam Management will not have any record of your ownership. Your ownership of shares will be shown on the records of DTC and the DTC participant broker through which you hold the shares. Your broker will provide you with account statements, confirmations of your purchases and sales,

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and tax information. Your broker will also be responsible for distributing income and capital gain distributions and for sending you shareholder reports and other information as may be required.

Costs associated with creations and redemptions

The fund generally imposes a creation transaction fee and a redemption transaction fee to offset transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of creation units of shares. Information about the procedures regarding creation and redemption of creation units and the applicable transaction fees is included in the SAI.

Distribution plans and payments to intermediaries

Principal distributor

Foreside distributes creation units for the fund on an agency basis, does not maintain a secondary market in shares of the fund, and has no role in determining the investment policies of the fund or the securities that are purchased or sold by the fund. Foreside is not affiliated with Putnam Management, PIL, or any other service provider for the fund.

Foreside’s address is Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101.

Intermediaries may receive from Putnam Management, Foreside, and/or their respective affiliates compensation for providing recordkeeping and administrative services, as well as other retirement plan expenses, and compensation for services intended to result in the sale of fund shares. These payments are described in more detail in this section and in the SAI.

Distribution and service plan

The fund has adopted a distribution and service plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act that authorizes the fund to pay distribution fees in connection with the sale and distribution of its shares and service fees in connection with the provision of ongoing shareholder support services. No Rule 12b-1 fees are currently paid by the fund, and there are no current plans to impose these fees. However, in the event Rule 12b-1 fees are charged in the future, because these fees are paid out of the fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, these fees will increase the cost of your investment in the fund.

No dealer, sales representative, or any other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations, other than those contained in this prospectus and in the related SAI, in connection with the offer contained in this prospectus. If given or made, such other information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the fund or Foreside. This prospectus and the related SAI do not constitute an offer by the fund or by Foreside to sell shares of the fund to or to buy shares of the fund from any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer.

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Payments to intermediaries

Investors may purchase shares of the fund on an exchange through intermediaries (including any broker, intermediary, bank, bank trust department, registered investment advisor, financial planner, retirement plan administrator and any other institution that offers shares of the fund to its customers). In addition to distribution and service plans, Putnam Management and its affiliates may make payments to intermediaries that do not increase your fund expenses, as described below.

Putnam Management and its affiliates also pay additional compensation to selected intermediaries in recognition of their marketing support and/or program servicing (each of which is described in more detail below). These payments may create an incentive for an intermediary firm or its representatives to recommend or offer shares of the fund or other Putnam funds to its customers. These additional payments are made by Putnam Management and its affiliates and do not increase the amount paid by you or the fund as shown under Fund summary — Fees and expenses. The additional payments to intermediaries by Putnam Management and its affiliates are generally based on one or more of the following factors: average net assets of a fund attributable to that intermediary, sales or net sales of a fund attributable to that intermediary, or reimbursement of ticket charges (fees that an intermediary firm charges its representatives for effecting transactions in fund shares), or on the basis of a negotiated lump sum payment for services provided.

Marketing support payments are generally available to most intermediaries engaging in significant sales of Putnam fund shares. These payments are individually negotiated with each intermediary firm, taking into account the marketing support services provided by the intermediary, including business planning assistance, educating intermediary personnel about the Putnam funds and shareholder financial planning needs, placement on the intermediary’s preferred or recommended fund company list, access to sales meetings, sales representatives and management representatives of the intermediary, market data, as well as the size of the intermediary’s relationship with Putnam Management.

Program servicing payments, which are paid in some instances to intermediaries in connection with investments in the fund through intermediary platforms and other investment programs. These payments are made for program or platform services provided by the intermediary, including shareholder recordkeeping, reporting, or transaction processing, as well as services rendered in connection with intermediary platform development and maintenance, fund/investment selection and monitoring, or other similar services.

You can find a list of all intermediaries to which Putnam made marketing support and/ or program servicing payments in the SAI, which is on file with the SEC and is also available on Putnam’s website at putnam.com. You can also find other details in the SAI about the payments made by Putnam Management and its affiliates and the services provided by your intermediary. Your intermediary may charge you fees or commissions in addition to those disclosed in this prospectus. You can also ask your intermediary about any payments it receives from Putnam Management and its

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affiliates and any services your intermediary provides, as well as about fees and/or commissions it charges.

Other payments

Putnam Management and its affiliates may make other payments (including payments in connection with educational seminars or conferences) or allow other promotional incentives to intermediaries to the extent permitted by SEC and NASD (as adopted by FINRA) rules and by other applicable laws and regulations.

Fund distributions and taxes

The fund earns dividends, interest, and other income from its investments, and distributes this income (less expenses) to shareholders as dividends. The fund also realizes capital gains from its investments and distributes these gains (less any losses) as capital gain distributions. If you purchased your shares in the secondary market, your broker is responsible for distributing the income and capital gain distributions to you. The fund normally distributes any net investment income and any net realized capital gains monthly.

For federal income tax purposes, distributions of net investment income are generally taxable to you as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long the fund owned (or is deemed to have owned) the investments that generated them, rather than by how long you have owned (or are deemed to have owned) your shares. Distributions that the fund properly reports to you as gains from investments that the fund owned for more than one year are generally taxable to you as long-term capital gains includible in net capital gain and taxed to individuals at long-term capital tax rates. Distributions of gains from investments that the fund owned for one year or less and gains on the sale of or payment on bonds characterized as market discount are generally taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions that the fund properly reports to you as “qualified dividend income” are taxable at the reduced rates applicable to your net capital gain provided that both you and the fund meet certain holding period and other requirements.

Distributions by the fund to retirement plans that qualify for tax-advantaged treatment under federal income tax laws will not be taxable. Special tax rules apply to investments through such plans. You should consult your tax advisor to determine the suitability of the fund as an investment through such a plan and the tax treatment of distributions (including distributions of amounts attributable to an investment in the fund) from such a plan.

Unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged retirement account (such as an IRA), you should consider avoiding a purchase of fund shares shortly before the fund makes a distribution because doing so may cost you money in taxes. Distributions are taxable to you even if they are paid from income or gains earned by the fund before your investment (and thus were included in the price you paid). Contact your financial representative to find out the distribution schedule for your fund.

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Investments in lower-rated securities may present special tax issues for the fund to the extent actual or anticipated defaults may be more likely with respect to those kinds of securities. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when an investor in such securities may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount, or market discount; when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities; how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income; and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a workout context are taxable.

The fund’s investments in certain debt obligations may cause the fund to recognize taxable income in excess of the cash generated by such obligations. Thus, the fund could be required at times to liquidate other investments, including when it is not advantageous to do so, in order to satisfy its distribution requirements.

The fund’s investments in foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding or other taxes. In that case, the fund’s return on those investments would be decreased. Shareholders generally will not be entitled to claim a credit or deduction with respect to these foreign taxes. In addition, the fund’s investments in foreign securities or foreign currencies may increase or accelerate the fund’s recognition of ordinary income and may affect the timing or amount of the fund’s distributions.

The fund’s use of derivatives, if any, may affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders and, therefore, may increase the amount of taxes payable by shareholders.

Other tax considerations

Unlike other ETFs, the securities exchanged for a creation unit will not correspond pro rata to the positions in the fund’s portfolio, and the fund will effect its creations and redemptions partially or wholly for cash rather than on an in-kind basis. Because of this, the fund may be unable to realize certain tax benefits associated with in-kind transfers of portfolio securities that may be realized by other ETFs. Shareholders may be subject to tax on gains they would not otherwise have been subject to and/or at an earlier date than if the fund had effected redemptions wholly on an in-kind basis. If investors buy shares when the fund has realized but not yet distributed income or capital gains, they will be “buying a dividend” by paying the full price for the shares and then receiving a portion of the price back in the form of a taxable distribution. Any taxable distributions investors receive will normally be taxable to them when they receive them.

Taxes on transactions

Purchases and sales of shares, as well as purchases and redemptions of creation units, may result in a capital gain or loss for federal tax purposes.

The above is a general summary of the tax implications of investing in the fund. Please refer to the SAI for further details. You should consult your tax advisor for more information on your own tax situation, including possible foreign, state and local taxes.

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Information about the Summary Prospectus, Prospectus, and SAI

The summary prospectus, prospectus, and SAI for a fund provide information concerning the fund. The summary prospectus, prospectus, and SAI are updated at least annually, and any information provided in a summary prospectus, prospectus, or SAI can be changed without a shareholder vote unless specifically stated otherwise. The summary prospectus, prospectus, and the SAI are not contracts between the fund and its shareholders, and do not give rise to any contractual rights or obligations or any shareholder rights other than any rights conferred explicitly by federal or state securities laws that may not be waived.

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For more information about
Putnam ESG High Yield ETF

The fund’s SAI includes, and the fund’s annual and semiannual reports to shareholders will include when available, additional information about the fund. The SAI is incorporated by reference into this prospectus, which means it is part of this prospectus for legal purposes. You may get free copies of these materials by contacting your financial representative, by visiting Putnam’s website at putnam.com/individual, or by calling Putnam toll-free at 1-833-228-5577. You may access reports (when available) and other information about the fund on the EDGAR Database on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You may get copies of this information, with payment of a duplication fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: [email protected]. You may need to refer to the fund’s file number.

Putnam Investments
100 Federal Street
Boston, MA 02110

1-833-228-5577

putnam.com





File No. 811-23643 SP850 332552 1/23