All three stock-oriented TSP funds produced frightful returns in October, with the small company S find falling a whopping 10.06 percent on the month, the international stock I fund was down 7.94 percent and the common stock C fund down 6.84 percent.
The bond F fund also posted a loss, of 0.78 percent, while the government securities G fund gained 0.26 percent. The losses also dragged down the lifecycle L funds, all of which finished negative for the month: Income, -1.4 | L2020, -2.24 | L2030, -4.6 | L2040, -5.54 | L2050, -6.36.
For year-to-date, last-12-month returns and TSP insight, visit https://www.fedweek.com/thrift-savings-plan/
See also, Rough Month Continues for TSP Stock Funds, I Fund Down
In addition to rising interest rates in the United States affecting the C and S Funds, and Italy’s sovereign debt debate in Europe affecting the I Fund, mixed earnings reports from major companies have contributed to market turmoil this month. Some institutional investors bought stocks on October 31 to clear cash from balance sheets, helping soften the rout but volatility looks set to continue for a while.