TSP’s C, S and I funds take a hit in September

The Thrift Savings Plan's three most volatile investment funds, the C, S and I funds, all took a hit in September, according to the latest statistics from the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board. The C Fund, which invests in common stocks, dipped 8.05 percent, its fourth consecutive losing month. The fund has dropped 26.57 percent over the past 12 months. The S Fund suffered losses in September as well, falling 12.5 percent. One of the newest members of the TSP family, the S Fund invests in the stocks of small- and mid-sized companies. The S Fund had a slightly better month than its benchmark, the Wilshire 4500 Index, which dropped 12.86 percent during September. The I Fund, which invests in international stocks, lost 9.95 percent during the month, its fifth straight losing month since its debut in May. The F Fund, composed of fixed-income bonds, gained 1.15 percent in September, bringing its 12-month return to 13.07 percent. The G Fund (government securities) inched up 0.43 percent and has gained 5.67 percent in the last 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.

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