TSP Funds Lose Momentum in May

International stocks in the Thrift Savings Plan fell in May for the first time since February, according to the latest TSP figures.

The I Fund experienced a 3.12 percent decrease last month, but is up 6.46 percent overall since January. The fund gained 5.32 percent in April.

The TSP’s fixed income (F) fund also dipped in May, declining 1.78 percent. It’s down 0.76 percent overall since January.

TSP’s other offerings remained in the black, with the C Fund gaining 2.34 percent in May and 27.26 percent overall during the past 12 months. The C Fund, which increased 1.93 percent in April, is invested in common stocks.

The S Fund -- which is invested in small and midsize companies and tracks the Dow Jones Wilshire 4500 Index -- rose 2.71 percent in May and has increased 31.05 percent during the last 12 months, the highest overall return of all TSP offerings for that time. The fund’s 2.71 percent return in May also was the highest among the TSP’s offerings last month.

The TSP’s most stable offering, the government securities (G) fund, stayed almost the same in May as in April, increasing 0.12 percent after gaining 0.13 percent in January, February and March.

The lifecycle funds, designed to move investors to less risky portfolios as they near retirement, continued to grow in May, but at a slower rate. L Income -- for TSP participants who have already started withdrawing money -- earned 0.19 percent; L 2020 increased 0.33 percent; L 2030 was up 0.43 percent; L 2040 grew 0.51 percent; and L 2050 came in at 0.53 percent.

Lifecycle investments also have performed well for the past 12 months, with L Income gaining 6.5 percent, L 2020 up 15.78 percent, L 2030 increasing 19.66 percent, L 2040 bringing in 22.59 percent and L 2050 jumping 25.56 percent.

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