The TSP C Fund, or Common Stock Index Investment Fund, is a US large-cap stock index fund that tracks the S&P 500 index. It is a US stock index fund that invests in the common stocks of 500 large to medium-sized companies that comprise the Standard and Poor's 500 Index. The C Fund is one of the five basic funds of the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), a retirement investment program offered to federal employees and members of the uniformed services. The C Fund is known to be one of the more aggressive TSP funds, offering high returns in the long term but with high volatility in the short term.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Fund Name | TSP C Fund |
Other Names | Common Stock Index Investment Fund |
Type | Large cap stock index fund |
Index Tracked | S&P 500 |
Number of Companies Invested In | 500 |
Companies | Microsoft Corporation, Alphabet Inc., Meta Platforms Inc., Berkshire Hathaway Inc., JPMorgan Chase & Co., etc. |
Industries | Communications Services, Consumer Discretionary, Information Technology |
Annual Expense Ratio | 0.025% |
Assets | $339 billion |
Inception Date | 29/01/1988 |
Investment Manager | BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A., State Street Global Advisors Trust Company |
Volatility | High |
Returns | High in the long term |
What You'll Learn
The C Fund is a US stock index fund
The TSP C Fund, or Common Stock Index Investment Fund, is a US stock index fund. It is one of the five core investment funds available in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), a retirement investment program offered to US federal employees and members of the uniformed services.
The C Fund is a passively managed fund, meaning it remains fully invested during all market cycles and economic conditions. It is subject to stock market risk, as the prices of the stocks in the S&P 500 Index fluctuate with the market. The C Fund has experienced greater volatility than other TSP funds, such as the G and F Funds, but has also posted higher returns over time.
By investing in the C Fund, individuals have the opportunity to gain from the potential growth of the US economy and corporate profits, which is reflected in increasing stock prices and dividends. The C Fund offers a low-cost, diversified exposure to the US stock market, with an annual expense ratio of 0.025%.
The C Fund can be a good option for individuals who are early in their careers and seeking aggressive funds with high long-term returns. However, it may not be suitable for those approaching retirement, as it can be risky to withdraw money from the fund when the stock market is down.
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It tracks the S&P 500 index
The TSP C Fund, or Common Stock Index Investment Fund, is a US large-cap stock index fund that tracks the S&P 500 index. The S&P 500 index is composed of 500 large- to mid-sized US companies, spanning many different industries, and accounting for about 75% to 85% of the US stock market's value.
The C Fund's investment objective is tosection missing from source] match the performance of the S&P 500 index. The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board has chosen the S&P 500 as its benchmark, which tracks the performance of major US companies and industries. The C Fund holds all the stocks included in the S&P 500 index, in virtually the same weights that they have in the index. The performance of the C Fund is then evaluated based on how closely its returns match those of the S&P 500.
By tracking the S&P 500, the C Fund provides investors with exposure to a broad range of US stocks. Many of the stocks in the index are household names, such as Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta, JPMorgan Chase, and more. The C Fund offers a low-cost, diversified way to invest in the US stock market, with an annual expense ratio of just 0.025% to 0.048%.
The S&P 500 index is widely followed, and there are many other mutual funds and ETFs that also track it. Some popular examples include the Vanguard 500 Index Fund (VFINX) and the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). By investing in the C Fund, investors can gain exposure to a diverse range of large and mid-sized US companies, offering the potential for high returns over the long term.
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It is a low-cost way to gain diversified exposure to the US stock market
The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is a retirement investment program offered to US federal employees and members of the uniformed services. The TSP C Fund, or Common Stock Index Investment Fund, is a US large-cap stock index fund that tracks the S&P 500 index. It is invested in the common stocks of 500 large to medium-sized US companies that comprise the Standard and Poor's 500 Index. These companies, which include well-known names such as Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta, and JPMorgan Chase, represent a diverse range of industries and account for about 75% to 85% of the US stock market's value.
The C Fund offers a low-cost way to gain diversified exposure to the US stock market. With an annual expense ratio of just 0.025% to 0.048%, it is a cost-effective option for investors. By investing in the C Fund, individuals can gain access to a broad range of US stocks, reducing the risk associated with investing in individual companies. This diversification can help to lower the overall volatility of an investment portfolio.
The C Fund is a passive investment fund, meaning it remains fully invested during all market cycles and economic conditions. While this provides the potential for strong returns during bull markets, it also means that the fund is susceptible to market downturns. As such, the C Fund carries a higher level of risk compared to more conservative funds like the G Fund, which invests in low-risk government bonds.
The C Fund's performance is closely tied to the performance of the US stock market. Historically, the fund has delivered high long-term returns, with an average annual return of about 10.88% since its inception. However, it is important to note that these returns are not guaranteed, and the fund can experience significant fluctuations in the short term.
Overall, the TSP C Fund provides a low-cost, diversified investment option for those seeking exposure to the US stock market. While it carries a higher level of risk due to its passive nature and stock market fluctuations, it has the potential to deliver strong returns over the long term.
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The C Fund is the most conservative of the three stock funds in the TSP
The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is a retirement investment program offered exclusively to federal employees and members of the uniformed services. The TSP C Fund, or Common Stock Index Investment Fund, is one of the five core investment funds available in the TSP. It is considered the most conservative of the three stock funds in the TSP.
The TSP C Fund is a US stock index fund that invests in common stocks of 500 large to medium-sized companies in the Standard & Poor's 500 (S&P 500) Index. These companies represent a broad range of industries and account for about 75% to 85% of the US stock market's value. The C Fund aims to match the performance of the S&P 500 Index, which is a benchmark chosen by the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board. The fund's top holdings include well-known companies such as Microsoft Corporation, Alphabet Inc., and Meta Platforms Inc.
As a passively managed fund, the TSP C Fund remains fully invested during all market cycles and economic conditions. It is subject to stock market risk, as the prices of the stocks in the S&P 500 Index fluctuate during bull and bear markets. While investing in the C Fund offers the potential for growth in line with the US economy and corporate profits, there is no guarantee that it will outperform inflation or provide positive returns in the short term.
Compared to the other stock funds in the TSP, the C Fund has experienced greater volatility than the G Fund (Government Securities Investment Fund) and the F Fund (Fixed-Income Investment Index Fund). However, its higher returns over time reflect its higher risk-taking. The C Fund has a compound annual growth rate of 11.1% and an annualized standard deviation of 18.1%diversified exposure to the US stock market by tracking the performance of the S&P 500 Index. While it carries the inherent risks of stock market investments, the C Fund offers the potential for long-term growth by investing in a broad range of large and mid-sized US companies.
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It is a retirement killer to withdraw money from the C Fund when the stock market is down
The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is a direct-contribution retirement plan offered to US government employees. It is one of the simplest and most efficient retirement plans available today. The TSP C Fund, or Common Stock Index Investment Fund, is a US large-cap stock index fund that tracks the S&P 500 index. It is invested in common stocks of 500 large to medium-sized US companies, spanning many different industries and accounting for about 75% of the US stock market's value.
Withdrawing money from the C Fund when the stock market is down can be detrimental to your retirement savings for several reasons. Firstly, it locks in your losses. If you sell your stocks when their value is low, you realise a loss that could have been avoided by holding on until the market recovers. Secondly, by withdrawing funds during a market downturn, you miss out on the potential gains that could be achieved when the market rebounds. Stock markets have historically rebounded after downturns, and the US stock market is not expected to be an exception. Therefore, unless you believe that the American economy is doomed and will never recover, it is generally advisable to ride out the downturn and give your investments a chance to recover in value.
Additionally, the TSP has a weakness in that it does not allow you to choose which fund you withdraw your money from. If you need to withdraw funds during a market downturn, the money must come out proportionally from all the funds in which you are invested. This means that you would be forced to withdraw from the C Fund when its value is low, locking in your losses.
Finally, withdrawing money from your TSP account prematurely can have tax implications. Withdrawals from retirement accounts like the TSP are generally subject to taxes and early withdrawal penalties. Therefore, it is essential to carefully consider the timing of any withdrawals and the potential impact on your retirement savings.
In summary, withdrawing money from the TSP C Fund when the stock market is down can be a retirement killer because it locks in losses, causes you to miss out on potential gains from a market rebound, and may have tax consequences. It is generally advisable to consult a financial professional before making any hasty decisions about your retirement savings.
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Frequently asked questions
The TSP C Fund is a US stock index fund, also known as the Common Stock Index Investment Fund.
The TSP C Fund invests in common stocks of the 500 companies in the Standard & Poor's 500 (S&P 500) Index.
Some examples of companies the TSP C Fund invests in include Microsoft Corporation (MSFT), Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL and GOOG), Meta Platforms Inc (META), and JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM).
The investment objective of the TSP C Fund is to match the performance of the S&P 500 Index, which is a broad market index of stocks of 500 large to medium-sized US companies.
The TSP C Fund offers the potential for high returns over the long term, with an average annual return of 10.88% since its inception. It provides diversified exposure to the US stock market at a very low cost, with an annual expense ratio of 0.025%.