Common stocks lead August TSP earnings

Common stocks in the Thrift Savings Plan made the strongest gains for August, while only international investments -- the leader for yearlong growth -- lost ground.

The C Fund, which tracks Standard & Poor's 500 Index of stocks in the largest domestic companies, gained 1.54 percent last month. That increase brought the C Fund's 12-month total growth to 15.21 percent.

The S Fund, which invests in small- and mid-sized companies by tracking the Dow Jones Wilshire 4500 Index, grew 1.38 percent in August, for a 12-month increase of 16.38 percent.

The fixed-income bonds in the F Fund posted gains for August as well, coming in at 1.23 percent. The fund's 12-month earnings stood at 5.32 percent.

The government securities (G) fund -- which is the most reliable TSP option, with a guaranteed small but steady growth -- earned 0.33 percent last month for a yearlong 4.86 percent gain.

The I Fund was the lone loser for August, dropping 0.71 percent. The fund, made up of international investments, still had the highest 12-month earnings, coming in at 18.79 percent.

Participants in the 401(k)-style federal employee retirement savings plan also can invest in five life cycle funds, made up of a mix of the underlying basic funds. The L funds shift investments from riskier to more conservative blends as participants age. L funds with riskier allocations posted the strongest gains for August.

L 2040, intended for employees with a target retirement date around the year 2040, gained 0.90 percent. The L 2030 Fund earned 0.88 percent; the L 2020 gained 0.80 percent; the L 2010 increased 0.73 percent; and the L Income, designed for those with planned retirements in the very near future, grew 0.61 percent.

The L funds with riskier allocations also earned more over 12 months. L 2040 gained 14.82 percent, L 2030 grew 13.65 percent, L 2020 gained 12.34 percent, L 2010 earned 9.99 percent and L Income made 7.28 percent.