Friday's TSP close

Stocks had a strong Friday. Every stock-based TSP fund gained, while the bond and government funds barely moved.

The S Fund led at +3.57% to $104.7706. The C Fund rose 1.97% to $111.0064, and the I Fund gained 1.96% to $59.6342. The F Fund slipped 0.01% to $20.9849, and the G Fund added 0.01% to $19.6733.

Why the funds moved as they did

Each fund follows its benchmark, so the pattern is easy to read.

The C Fund tracks the S&P 500, which rose 1.97% to 6932.3. The match is nearly exact, as it should be. The S Fund follows the Dow Jones U.S. Completion index, which covers mid-sized and smaller companies outside the S&P 500. Its 3.57% gain was the day's biggest, though I don't have the index data to say what drove it. The I Fund follows MSCI ACWI ex-US ex-China and gained 1.96%.

The F Fund tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate bond index and was essentially flat, which fits a quiet bond market. The G Fund earns a Treasury-based rate, so it ticks up a hair each day and doesn't react to stock swings.

Moves over 1%

Several funds cleared the 1% mark:

  • S Fund: +3.57%
  • L 2055 through L 2075: +2.15% each
  • C Fund: +1.97%
  • I Fund: +1.96%
  • L 2050: +1.77%
  • L 2045: +1.66%
  • L 2040: +1.56%
  • L 2035: +1.43%
  • L 2030: +1.24%

The L Funds blend the five individual funds. The later-dated ones hold more stock, so they gained more. L Income, which is mostly G and F money, rose a smaller 0.60% to $29.6473.

The weekly numbers add context. The C Fund is down 0.08% over five days even after Friday's 1.97% jump, which means the first four days of the week were down roughly 2%. The I Fund is up 1.44% for the week, and the S Fund is up 1.89%. Year to date, the I Fund leads at 6.43%, followed by the S Fund at 3.05% and the C Fund at 1.15%.

What moved IRA index funds and ETFs

The index figures below are labeled as the prior session close in my data, but the S&P 500's 1.97% gain matches the C Fund's move exactly. I'm treating them as the same rally.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.47% to 50,115.672, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 2.18% to 23,031.211. The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) rose 2.11% to $340.96. The Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) rose 2.22% to $81.05, slightly ahead of U.S. stocks.

The Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) was flat at $74.23, up 0.01%. The 10-year Treasury yield was 4.206%, down 0.10% on the day. The data doesn't include a news catalyst, so I won't guess at one. What it does show is a broad move across large companies, tech, small and mid-sized companies, and international stocks, with bonds standing still.

What it means for your plan

One strong day doesn't change a retirement plan, just as one weak day wouldn't. Friday's gain mostly made up for a soft week, and the C Fund is still close to flat over five days. A jump of 3.57% in the S Fund is a reminder that stock funds can move a lot in either direction. The G Fund and bond funds barely noticed.

If your allocation matched your timeline and comfort with risk before Friday, it still does. Checking your mix once or twice a year is usually enough. This recap is general information, not personal advice.