Thrift Savings Plan funds grow slightly after losses in July

The Thrift Savings Plan's funds stayed even or slightly gained value in August, according to figures released last week by the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board.

Three of the funds-C, S and I-each lost more than 3 percent of their value last month. Over the past year, only April saw more funds lose value. During August, however, the C and I funds regained some ground while the S Fund stayed even. All three have increased their value during the past year by at least 11 percent. The I Fund has grown by almost 23 percent over the past 12 months.

Investors in the TSP, a 401(k)-style retirement plan for federal employees, can invest in five funds. The Thrift plan has more than 3.2 million participants and $135 billion in assets.

For the second month in a row, the largest gainer was the F Fund, which is invested in fixed income securities. The F Fund grew by 1.9 percent in August, following a 1 percent gain in July. The fund earned a 6.1 percent return over the past 12 months. Last month, the F Fund showed only a 4.9 percent return over the past year.

The G Fund, which is invested in government securities, grew by 0.4 percent for the fourth consecutive month. The fund rose by 4.4 percent over the past year.

The C Fund, which consists of common stocks, gained 0.3 percent in August. The fund dropped 3.2 percent last month, but is up 11.3 percent over the past year.

The I Fund, which invests in international stocks, bounced back in August-with a 1 percent return-after a 3.2 percent drop in July. The fund has continued to show the largest 12-month gain, with a 22.9 percent return.

The S Fund, which invests in the stock of small and mid-size companies, remained even for August, one month after dropping more than 5 percent of its value. For the past year, the S Fund has grown by 12.2 percent.

For an index of the performance of the S, C and I funds that is updated each business day, see the TSP Ticker on the front page of GovExec.com.