All but one of the funds in the federal employee Thrift Savings Plan gained ground in October, reversing a decline the previous month.
The S Fund, invested in small and midsize companies, was up the most in October, growing 4.11 percent. It has increased 5.34 percent so far in 2014.
The common stocks in the C Fund had the second-strongest showing in last month, growing 2.45 percent. The C Fund has earned 11.06 percent for the year to date.
The G and F funds had much more modest growth in October. The fixed income bonds in the F Fund inched up 0.96 percent, while the government securities in the G Fund gained 0.20 percent. The F Fund is up 5.73 percent for the year, while the G Fund has earned 1.95 percent.
International stocks were the sole losers in October, dropping 0.63 percent for the month. The fund is also down for 2014, by 1.69 percent.
The plan’s lifecycle offerings -- which move participants to a more conservative mix of investments as they near retirement – all boasted positive returns last month. L Income, for those who have already started withdrawing money, was up 0.61 percent for the month; L 2020 increased 1.09 percent; L 2030, 1.36 percent; L 2040, 1.58 percent; and L 2050, 1.7 percent.
The lifecycle funds are well into the black for the year-to-date as well. L Income is up 3.24 percent, L 2020 has gained 4.51 percent, L 2030 has increased 5.12 percent, L 2040 has grown 5.53 percent, and L 2050 is up 5.73 percent.
(Image via Sai Yeung Chan / Shutterstock.com)