TSP's C Fund recovers from August drop

The Thrift Saving's Plan's C Fund has recovered from August's 14.5 percent drop, gaining 6.3 percent in September.

The August decline in the C Fund--which invests in common stocks--was the biggest one-month fall since the creation of the TSP in 1988. A relatively more stable September stock market enabled this month's gain.

The F Fund (fixed-income bonds) went up 2.7 percent in August, after a 1.7 percent increase in September. The G Fund (Treasury securities) remained stable last month with a return rate of 0.4 percent.

The monthly C, F and G Fund returns reflect net earnings on the changing balances invested during the month.

Over the past year, the C Fund has increased by 8.8 percent, the F fund by 11.5 percent and the G Fund by 6.1 percent.

The next open season for TSP investments runs from Nov. 15 until Jan. 31, 1999. During that period, federal employees will be able to start contributing to their TSP accounts or to change the amount they contribute to their accounts. Participants can also change the way future payroll contributions are invested in the three TSP funds.