FORM N-PX
       ANNUAL REPORT OF PROXY VOTING RECORD OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT
                            INVESTMENT COMPANY

Investment Company Act file number: File No. 811-7658

Putnam Managed High Yield Trust
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  (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

One Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02109
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  (Address of principal executive offices)

Beth S. Mazor, Vice President
Putnam Managed High Yield Trust
One Post Office Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02109

Copy To:
John W. Gerstmayr, Esq.
Ropes & Gray LLP
One International Place
Boston, Massachusetts 02110

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  (Name and address of agent for service)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (617) 292-1000

Date of Fiscal year-end: 5/31

Date of reporting period: 7/1/2003 - 6/30/2004

   Item 1. Proxy Voting Record
   Account Number: Putnam Managed High Yield Trust





ISSUER NAME                                                 TICKER   CUSIP      MTG DATE       MTG TYPE
                                                                                Proposal Type  Voted?     Vote   For/Agnst Mgmt
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ALDERWOODS GROUP INC                                                 014383103  5/4/04         Annual
1.10   Elect Director Lloyd E. Campbell                                         MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.20   Elect Director Anthony G. Eames                                          MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.30   Elect Director Charles M. Elson                                          MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.40   Elect Director David R. Hilty                                            MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.50   Elect Director Paul A. Houston                                           MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.60   Elect Director Olivia F. Kirtley                                         MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.70   Elect Director John S. Lacey                                             MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.80   Elect Director William R. Riedl                                          MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.90   Elect Director W. Macdonald Snow, Jr.                                    MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
2.00   Ratify Auditors                                                          MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR

Covad Communications Group, Inc                             COVD     222814204  8/14/03        Annual
1.10   Elect Director Larry Irving                                              MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.20   Elect Director Richard A. Jalkut                                         MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.30   Elect Director Daniel C. Lynch                                           MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
2.00   Approve Employee Stock Purchase Plan                                     MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
3.00   Ratify Auditors                                                          MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR

Covad Communications Group, Inc                             COVD     222814204  6/10/04        Annual
1.10   Elect Director L. Dale Crandall                                          MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.20   Elect Director Hellene S. Runtagh                                        MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
2.00   Ratify Auditors                                                          MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR

Crown Castle International Corp.                            CCI      228227104  5/26/04        Annual
1.10   Elect Director Randall A. Hack                                           MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
1.20   Elect Director Edward C. Hutcheson, Jr.                                  MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
1.30   Elect Director J. Landis Martin                                          MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
2.00   Approve Omnibus Stock Plan                                               MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
3.00   Ratify Auditors                                                          MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
4.00   Implement MacBride Principles                                            SHLDR          YES        AGNST  FOR

Globix Corp.                                                GBIXQ    37957F200  2/24/04        Annual
1.10   Elect Director Peter K. Stevenson                                        MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
1.20   Elect Director Peter S. Brodsky                                          MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
1.30   Elect Director Peter L. Herzig                                           MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
1.40   Elect Director Steven Lampe                                              MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
1.50   Elect Director Steven G. Singer                                          MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
1.60   Elect Director Raymond Steele                                            MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
1.70   Elect Director Steven A. Van Dyke                                        MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
2.00   Amend Stock Option Plan                                                  MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST

Knology, Inc.                                               KNOL     499183804  5/4/04         Annual
1.10   Elect Director William Laverack, Jr.                                     MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.20   Elect Director Bret D. Pearlman                                          MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.30   Elect Director Alan A. Burgess                                           MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.40   Elect Director Donald W. Burton                                          MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.50   Elect Director William H. Scott, III                                     MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
2.00   Eliminate Class of Preferred Stock                                       MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
3.00   Amend Articles/Bylaws/Charter-Non-Routine                                MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
4.00   Restrict Right to Act by Written Consent                                 MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
5.00   Approve Repricing of Options                                             MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
6.00   Amend Omnibus Stock Plan                                                 MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST

Leucadia National Corp.                                     LUK      527288104  5/11/04        Annual
1.10   Elect Director Ian M. Cumming                                            MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.20   Elect Director Paul M. Dougan                                            MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.30   Elect Director Lawrence D. Glaubinger                                    MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.40   Elect Director Alan J. Hirschfield                                       MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.50   Elect Director James E. Jordan                                           MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.60   Elect Director Jeffrey C. Keil                                           MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.70   Elect Director Jesse Clyde Nichols III                                   MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.80   Elect Director Joseph S. Steinberg                                       MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
2.00   Amend Articles to Extend Provisions that Restrict
       Accumulation of 5% Common Stock                                          MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
3.00   Ratify Auditors                                                          MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR

Lodgian, Inc.                                               LGN      54021P205  4/8/04         Annual
1.10   Elect Director Sean F. Armstrong                                         MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.20   Elect Director Russel S. Bernard                                         MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.30   Elect Director Stewart J. Brown                                          MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.40   Elect Director Kenneth A. Caplan                                         MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.50   Elect Director Stephen P. Grathwohl                                      MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.60   Elect Director Jonathan D. Gray                                          MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
1.70   Elect Director Kevin C. McTavish                                         MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.80   Elect Director W. Thomas Parrington                                      MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
2.00   Amend Omnibus Stock Plan                                                 MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
3.00   Approve Reverse Stock Split                                              MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
4.00   Amend Articles/Bylaws/Charter-Organization-Related                       MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
5.00   Ratify Auditors                                                          MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR

Lodgian, Inc.                                               LGN      54021P304  4/8/04         Annual
1.00   Approve Reverse Stock Split                                              MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
2.00   Amend Articles                                                           MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR

Mariner Health Care, Inc.                                   MHCA     56845X108  7/30/03        Annual
1.10   Elect Director Victor L. Lund                                            MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
1.20   Elect Director C. Christian Winkle                                       MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
1.30   Elect Director Patrick H. Daugherty                                      MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
1.40   Elect Director Earl P. Holland                                           MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
1.50   Elect Director Philip L. Maslowe                                         MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
1.60   Elect Director Mohsin Y. Meghji                                          MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
1.70   Elect Director M. Edward Stearns                                         MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST

Metrocall Holdings, Inc.                                    MTOH     59164X105  9/24/03        Special
1.00   Increase Authorized Common Stock                                         MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
       Increase Authorized Common Stock
2.00   Amend Securities Transfer Restrictions                                   MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
       Amend Securities Transfer Restrictions
3.00   Amend Stock Option Plan                                                  MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
       Amend Stock Option Plan

Metrocall Holdings, Inc.                                    MTOH     59164X204  9/24/03        Special
1.00   Increase Authorized Common Stock                                         MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
       Increase Authorized Common Stock
2.00   Amend Securities Transfer Restrictions                                   MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
       Amend Securities Transfer Restrictions
3.00   Amend Stock Option Plan                                                  MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
       Amend Stock Option Plan

Microcell Telecommunication                                 MT.B                5/5/04         Special
1.00   Ratify Ernst & Young as Auditors and Authorise
       Board to Fix Remuneration of Auditors.                                   MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
2.00   The Resolution to Confirm the General By-Law of
       the Corporation.                                                         MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
3.00   Confirm the Expiration Time Under the Shareholder
       Rights Plan of the Corporation.                                          MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
4.00   Amend Stock Option Plan                                                  MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR

Pioneer Companies, Inc.                                     PONR     723643300  5/13/04        Annual
1.10   Elect Director David N. Weinstein                                        MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.20   Elect Director Michael Y. Mcgovern                                       MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.30   Elect Director Marvin E. Lesser                                          MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.40   Elect Director Gary L. Rosenthal                                         MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.50   Elect Director Charles L. Mears                                          MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
2.00   Ratify Auditors                                                          MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR

PTV Inc.                                                             62940R202  1/27/04        Special
1.00   Approve Reverse Stock Split                                              MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
2.00   Change Company Name                                                      MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR

Sirius Satellite Radio, Inc.                                SIRI     82966U103  11/25/03       Annual
1.10   Elect Director Leon D. Black                                             MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
1.20   Elect Director Joseph P. Clayton                                         MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
1.30   Elect Director Lawrence F. Gilberti                                      MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
1.40   Elect Director James P. Holden                                           MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
1.50   Elect Director Warren N. Lieberfarb                                      MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
1.60   Elect Director Michael J. McGuiness                                      MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
1.70   Elect Director James F. Mooney                                           MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
2.00   Amend Omnibus Stock Plan                                                 MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST

Sterling Chemicals, Inc.                                    SCHI     859166100  4/16/04        Annual
1.10   Elect Director Richard K. Crump                                          MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
       Elect Director Richard K. Crump
1.20   Elect Director Peter Ting Kai Wu                                         MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
       Elect Director Peter Ting Kai Wu
2.00   Ratify Auditors                                                          MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
       Ratify Auditors

Sterling Chemicals, Inc.                                    SCHI     859166AA8  4/16/04        Annual
1.10   Elect Director Richard K. Crump                                          MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
       Elect Director Richard K. Crump
1.20   Elect Director Peter Ting Kai Wu                                         MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
       Elect Director Peter Ting Kai Wu
2.00   Ratify Auditors                                                          MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
       Ratify Auditors

Sun Healthcare Group, Inc.                                  SUNH     866933401  5/19/04        Annual
1.10   Elect Director Gregory S. Anderson                                       MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.20   Elect Director Richard K. Matros                                         MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.30   Elect Director Bruce C. Vladeck, Ph.D.                                   MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
1.40   Elect Director Milton J. Walters                                         MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
2.00   Approve Omnibus Stock Plan                                               MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
3.00   Ratify Auditors                                                          MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR

Veltri Metal Products, Inc. (Formerly VS Holdings, Inc.)             918303108  8/13/03        Annual
1.10   Elect Director Joe Colonnetta                                            MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST
1.20   Elect Director Michael Veltri                                            MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST

Washington Group International Inc                          WGII     938862208  5/7/04         Annual
1.00   Declassify the Board of Directors                                        MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
2.10   Elect Director Stephen G. Hanks                                          MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
2.20   Elect Director Michael P. Monaco                                         MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
2.30   Elect Director Cordell Reed                                              MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
2.40   Elect Director Bettina M. Whyte                                          MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
3.00   Ratify Auditors                                                          MGMT           YES        FOR    FOR
4.00   Approve Omnibus Stock Plan                                               MGMT           YES        AGNST  AGNST




Any ballot marked 'Abstain' is considered to have been voted. Ballots
marked 'Abstain' are considered to have been voted against
management's recommendation, regardless of whether the recommendation
is 'For' or 'Against,' except where management has made no
recommendation or has recommended that shareholders 'Abstain.'

Where management has recommended that shareholders 'Abstain' from
voting on a ballot item: 1) a ballot market 'Abstain' is considered to
have been voted for management's recommendation to 'Abstain' and 2) a
ballot voted 'For" or 'Against' is considered to have been voted
against management's recommendation to 'Abstain.'

Where management has made no recommendation on a ballot item, the
abbreviation "N/A" is used to denote that there is no applicable
recommendation compared to which a vote may be 'For' or 'Against' the
recommendation of management.

SIGNATURES:

Pursuant to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Putnam Managed High Yield Trust
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       (Registrant)

By:   /s/ Charles E. Porter*, Executive Vice President,
      Associate Treasurer and Principal Executive Officer
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       (Signature & Title)


Date: August 23, 2004
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               * By Jonathan S. Horwitz,
                 pursuant to a Power-of-Attorney