TSP's C, S and I Funds continue to fall in August

The Thrift Savings Plan's C fund continued its summer swoon in August, according to the latest statistics from the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board. The C fund, which invests in common stocks, dipped 6.27 percent in August, its third consecutive losing month. The fund has declined by nearly 25 percent over the past 12 months. Both of the newest TSP investment options also lost ground in August. The S Fund, which invests in the stocks of small- and mid-sized companies, fell 4.32 percent in August. The S Fund had a slightly better month than its benchmark, the Wilshire 4500 Index, which dropped 4.77 percent during August. The I Fund, which invests in international stocks, lost 2.58 percent during the month, its fourth straight losing month since its debut in May. The F Fund, composed of fixed-income bonds, gained 1.20 percent in August, bringing its 12-month return to 12.50 percent. The G Fund (government securities) inched up 0.45 percent, after gaining 0.48 percent in July. The monthly C, F, G, 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.

August's rates of return are listed below. The numbers in parentheses are negative.