TSP gains ground in October

All but one of the Thrift Savings Plan funds posted solid positive returns in October, a slight improvement over September, when two funds dipped into the negative.

The C Fund turned around in October, growing by 5.68 percent. Last month, the fund, which invests in common stocks, saw a 1.1 percent loss. The fund, which invests in common stocks, has increased by 20.64 percent since November 2002.

The S Fund also bounced back from a September dip, gaining 7.65 percent in October. The fund, which invests in stocks of small- and mid-sized companies, increased by 38.27 percent over the past year.

Continuing a six-month streak of positive monthly returns, the I fund gained 6.06 percent in October. The fund, made up of international stocks, grew by 26.66 percent since November 2002.

The G Fund, made up of government securities, boasted mild gains in October, growing by 0.30 percent. The fund increased by 4.05 percent in the past year.

The F Fund, consisting of fixed-income bonds, posted the sole negative returns in October, dipping by 1 percent. The fund grew 4.89 percent since November 2002.

The monthly G, F, C, S and I fund returns reflect net earnings on the amounts invested during the month.

For an index of the performance of the C, I and S funds that is updated each business day, see the "TSP Ticker" on the front page of GovExec.com.

October's rates of return appear below. Numbers in parentheses are negative.