TSP numbers fall in February

The Thrift Savings Plan's C, S and I funds did not show investors any love in February, posting negative returns for the third consecutive month.

The C fund, which invests in common stocks, slipped 1.49 percent in February, after falling 2.67 percent in January. The fund, which performed poorly in 2002 and has gotten off to a slow start this year, has plummeted 22.65 percent in the last 12 months.

The S fund also decreased last month, dipping 2.56 percent after dropping 2.35 percent in January. The S fund, which invests in the stocks of small- and mid-sized companies, has tumbled 18.35 percent since March 2002.

The I fund, which invests in international stocks, dropped 2.29 percent in February, after falling 4.24 percent in January. The fund has declined 17.49 percent in the past year.

TSP's steady G fund rose 0.32 percent in February, after an increase of 0.35 percent in January. The fund, made up of government securities, has picked up 4.8 percent in the last 12 months.

February was also a favorable month for the F fund. The fund, which consists of fixed-income bonds, posted a positive return of 1.41 percent after a 0.1 percent increase in January. One of the TSP's most consistent performers, the fund has gone up 9.99 percent in the past year.

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.

February's rates of return appear below. The numbers in parentheses are negative.