Wal-Mart pulls Putnam options from 401(k)

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Bentonville, Ark., dropped two Putnam funds as investment options in its $1.5 billion 401(k) plan. Sharon Weber, Wal-Mart spokeswoman, said the Putnam International Growth Fund and Putnam New Opportunities Fund were dropped because of regulatory action against Putnam. Ms. Weber said she did not know how much was invested in each fund or whether a search would be conducted to replace the Putnam funds. The plan now has 13 options. Laura McNamara, Putnam spokeswoman, did not return a call seeking comment by press time.