All TSP funds increase in November

The Thrift Savings Plan rebounded from a sluggish October, posting strong gains for all its funds during the past month.

The C Fund, which invests in common stocks of companies on the Standard & Poor's 500 Index, gained 6 percent in November, boosting its 2009 gains to 24.26 percent. The fund has grown 25.59 percent in the past 12 months, according to the TSP.

Another strong performer in November was the S Fund, which invests in small- and mid-size companies and tracks the Dow Jones Wilshire 4500 Index. Last month, it increased 3.85 percent, and since the beginning of the year it has risen 26.53 percent. The fund has grown 5 percent since the same period last year.

The I Fund, invested in overseas companies, has experienced the most growth during the past 12 months, gaining 38.02 percent in that period. It climbed 3.16 percent in November and 28.2 percent since the beginning of 2009.

The F Fund, invested in fixed-income funds, rose 1.3 percent last month, and has gained 7.67 percent so far this year. During the past 12 months, the fund has grown 11.69 percent. The G Fund, invested in government securities, also posted slight gains, with a 0.26 percent bump last month and a 2.72 percent increase so far this year. During the past 12 months, it has gained 2.97 percent.

The life-cycle funds, investments that mix the five core funds with the amount of risk based on the expected date of retirement, also posted positive returns in November. The L Income Fund rose 1.27 percent; the L 2010 Fund increased 1.47 percent; the L 2020 Fund grew 3 percent; the L 2030 Fund climbed 3.55 percent; and the L 2040 Fund experienced a 3.98 percent boost.

All those funds have managed to gain value since the beginning of 2009. The L Income Fund has increased 7.93 percent; the L 2010 Fund rose 9.27 percent; the L 2020 Fund has increased 17.38 percent; the L 2030 Fund has spiked 20.25 percent; and the L2040 has seen a 22.59 percent hike.

Those funds also have grown in value during the past 12 months. The L Income Fund rose 9.24 percent; the L 2010 Fund has increased 11.08 percent; the L 2020 Fund climbed 20.69 percent; the L 2030 Fund has spiked 24.15 percent; and the L 2040 Fund experienced a 27.04 percent hike.