TSP’s C fund shows signs of life in March

The Thrift Savings Plan's C fund posted positive returns in March for the first time this year, according to the latest numbers from the plan.

The C fund, which invests in common stocks, increased 0.97 percent, after falling 1.49 percent in February. The fund, which performed poorly in 2002 and has gotten off to a slow start this year, has plunged 24.71 percent in the last 12 months.

The S fund also rallied last month, rising 1.55 percent after dipping 2.56 percent in February. The S fund, which invests in the stocks of small- and mid-sized companies, has tumbled 22.38 percent since April 2002.

The I fund, which invests in international stocks, continued to fall in March, dropping 1.90 percent. The fund, which decreased 2.29 percent in February, has declined 23.51 percent in the past year.

TSP's steady G fund rose 0.33 in March, after an increase of 0.32 percent in February. The fund, made up of government securities, has grown 4.69 percent in the last 12 months.

March was a lackluster month for the F fund. The fund, which consists of fixed-income bonds, slipped 0.05 percent last month, after posting a positive return of 1.41 percent in February. One of the TSP's most consistent performers, the fund picked up 11.79 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.

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