TSP bounces back in September after end-of-summer slump

After tanking in August, all the funds in the Thrift Savings Plan bounced back last month, according to data from the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board...

After tanking in August, all the funds in the Thrift Savings Plan bounced back last month, according to data from the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board.

The I Fund, which tracks the performance of international stocks, posted the largest gains of the month — up 7.41 percent.

The C Fund, tracked to the stock performance of S&P 500 companies, and the S Fund, made up of smaller companies not included in that index, dug themselves out of negative territory the previous month to finish in the black in September. The C Fund was up 3.14 percent and the S Fund was up 5.89 percent.

In August, the C Fund and the S Fund posted the largest downturns among plans in the TSP.

The G Fund held steady in September — ticking up slightly 0.19 percent.

Even the F Fund, which has posted mostly negative returns throughout the summer, finished the month in positive territory — up nearly 1 percent. However, the fund’s long-term performance is murkier. Year-to-date, the F Fund, tracked to the bond market, is down 1.65 percent. That’s the only fund to trend negative for the year.

Other funds are seeing strong gains for the year, including the C Fund, which is up more than 19 percent, and the S Fund, which is up more than 30 percent.

However, it’s unclear whether September’s strong showing will continue into October. Market analysts expect the government shutdown, which began Oct. 1, as well as political upheaval in Congress about raising the debt ceiling will negatively impact Wall Street.

Thrift Savings Plan September 2013 returns

Fund September Year-to-Date Last 12 Months
G Fund 0.19% 1.32% 1.67%
F Fund 0.99% -1.65% -1.43%
C Fund 3.14% 19.83% 19.35%
S Fund 5.89% 27.39% 31.08%
I Fund 7.41% 15.53% 24.10%
L Income 1.12% 4.68% 5.42%
L 2020 2.71% 10.71% 12.39%
L 2030 3.40% 13.41% 15.46%
L 2040 3.90% 15.42% 17.76%
L 2050 4.42% 17.34% 20.06%

RELATED STORIES:

Markets jittery on US government shutdown

House bills to reopen parts of government fail

TSP tanks in weak August

TSP funds rebound thanks to strong July market

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