TSP funds grow in May

All five of the funds in the 401k-style Thrift Savings Plan increased in May, marking the second month of positive returns for the funds this year.

The C fund increased 5.26 percent in May, after an 8.26 percent increase in April. The fund, which invests in common stocks, performed poorly in 2002 and has declined by 7.97 percent since June 2002.

TSP's S fund, which invests in the stocks of small- and mid-sized companies, rose 9.42 percent last month, after increasing 8.31 percent in April. The fund has declined 4.74 percent in the last 12 months.

The I fund saw a 6.07 percent jump in May. The fund invests in international stocks and has decreased 12.25 percent over the past year.

The G fund rose 0.34 percent last month, up slightly from its 0.33 percent increase in April. The fund is made up of government securities and has increased by 4.43 percent in the past 12 months.

The F fund, which consists of fixed-income bonds, climbed 1.87 percent last month, after growing 0.83 percent in April. The fund has increased 11.72 percent since June 2002.

The monthly G, F, C, 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.

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