TSP funds post positive returns in July

All the funds in the Thrift Savings Plan posted positive returns in July, except for the F fund, which consists of fixed-income bonds, according to the latest numbers from the plan.

The C fund, which grew by 1.78 percent last month, got off to a slow start this year, but has posted positive returns since March. The C fund invests in common stocks and has increased by 10.55 percent since August 2002.

The S fund, which invests in the stocks of small- and mid-sized companies, rose 4.60 percent in July, after a 2.20 percent boost in June. The S fund has climbed 21.13 percent in the past year.

The I fund also grew, rising 2.35 percent in the last year. The fund invests in international stocks and has picked up 6.18 percent since August 2002.

July brought an increase of 0.30 percent to the G fund, which is made up of government securities. The typically reliable G fund has posted positive returns every month since August 2002 and has risen by 4.06 percent over the past 12 months.

Only the F fund took a dip in July, falling 3.41 percent. It was also the only fund in June to post a negative return, declining 0.30 percent. The F fund has risen 5.29 percent over the past 12 months.

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.

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