TSP tanks in weak August

Funds in the Thrift Savings Plan took a plunge last month. With the exception of the government-securities G Fund, all the funds in the Thrift Savings Plan fini...

Funds in the Thrift Savings Plan took a plunge last month. With the exception of the government-securities G Fund, all the funds in the Thrift Savings Plan finished August in negative territory, according to data from the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board.

The ever-reliable G Fund held steady at 0.18 percent.

The C Fund, tracked to the performance of stocks of S&P 500 companies, posted the biggest drop — down 2.89 percent over last month. That was followed by the S Fund, made up of smaller company stocks, down 2.76 percent.

The I Fund, made up of international stocks, finished the month down 1.31 percent.

The F Fund was down only slightly — 0.48 percent — but the fund, which is tracked to the bond market, has had a stagnant year. It’s down 2.62 percent since January and nearly as much over the past 12 months.

All five L Funds, a mix of the five regular funds targeted around an employee’s retirement date — all posted in the red for August. The L Income Fund, the target-date fund for retirees currently drawing on their TSP accounts, was down 0.39 percent. The L 2050 was down more than 2 percent.

Overall, the S&P 500 index fell 3.1 percent in August — the worst month on Wall Street since May of last year, according to the Associated Press. However, 2013 has otherwise been a strong year for stocks; the index is up 15 percent since January.

That’s translated to strong showings, year-to-date, for many TSP Funds. The G Fund is up 1.12 percent for the year. The C Fund has risen more than 16 percent since the start of the year, while the S Fund is up more than 20 percent since January.

Thrift Savings Plan August 2013 returns

Fund August Year-to-Date Last 12 Months
G Fund 0.18% 1.12% 1.58%
F Fund -0.48% -2.62% -2.25%
C Fund -2.89% 16.18% 18.69%
S Fund -2.76% 20.30% 26.89%
I Fund -1.31% 7.56% 18.96%
L Income -0.39% 3.52% 4.90%
L 2020 -1.22% 7.79% 11.09%
L 2030 -1.60% 9.68% 13.75%
L 2040 -1.87% 11.08% 15.75%
L 2050 -2.11% 12.37% 17.72%

RELATED STORIES:

TSP funds rebound thanks to strong July market

TSP takes a tumble in June

TSP gains lag in May

Copyright © 2024 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Kevin Moss

    2025 Open Season: Consumers’ Checkbook’s Kevin Moss on how a little planning can offset rise in premium costs

    Read more
    Getty Images/iStockphoto/mohd izzuanFEHB, OPM, GAO costs, Stethoscope and money on wooden table representing health care, FEHB plans.

    Suspension on long-term care insurance enrollments will last until at least 2026

    Read more
    Laurie Bodenheimer OPM

    2025 Open Season Exchange: OPM’s Laurie Bodenheimer on what PSHB enrollees can expect

    Read more