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How did stocks fare in January? Very well indeed, thank you.

For the broader stock market averages, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 both had their biggest monthly gains since October 2015. The S&P 500 went up 7.9% in January. This is its best start to the year since 1987.

The best return for this month was the S fund with a return of 11.64%. All of the TSP funds were up in January.

Best January Return Ever for the C Fund

For Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) investors there is also good news. The C fund is based on the S&P 500 index. The C fund went up 8.01% in January. For those who may be wondering when the C fund last went up at least 8% in January, don’t spend a lot of time looking. It has never gone up 8% in January.

The best return for the C fund in January was 7.14% and that was in 1989. For those who like to engage in wishful thinking or believe the past is prologue to the future, in 1989 the C fund for the year was up more than 31%. That is not the highest yearly return the C fund has experienced but it is near the top. (The highest yearly return for the C fund was 37.4% in 1995.)

Comparing January Returns to “Best Ever” Monthly Returns

What are the best monthly returns for the C and the S funds? While January 2019 was very good, these two funds have performed a little better. Overall, the best monthly return for the C fund was 11.4% in December 1991.

The best monthly performance for the S fund was 15% in April 2009.

For those looking for a little cheer this winter, this may help. In 1991, when the C fund had its best monthly return, that fund had a yearly return of 30.77%.

In 2009, when the S fund had its best monthly return of all time, that fund returned 34.85% for the year.

Will 2019 bring similar good news to TSP investors? We have no idea. All we know is that 2019 is off to a good start for those with money in the TSP.

Monthly and 12 Month TSP Returns

G Fund F Fund C Fund S Fund I Fund Month 0.23% 1.07% 8.01% 11.64% 6.6% YTD 0.23% 1.07% 8.01% 11.64% 6.6% 12 Month 2.94% 2.39% -2.34% -1.98% -12.11%

L Income L 2020 L 2030 L 2040 L 2050 Month 1.83% 2.53% 4.92% 5.86% 6.67% YTD 1.83% 2.53% 4.92% 5.86% 6.67% 12 Month 1.44% 0.32% -1.89% -2.87% -3.74%

TSP Transfers in December: Surge into G Fund

January was a good month for the stock market although 2018 was not a profitable year for stocks overall. TSP investors apparently anticipated further drops in the stock market during December.

About 6.2 billion was transferred into the G fund during December. Almost $2.9 billion was transferred out of the C fund and about $1.9 billion was transferred out of the S fund. $1.4 billion was transferred out of the lifecycle funds and $442 million was transferred out of the I fund.

Loans and Hardship Withdrawals

The TSP was involved in activity changes as a result of the partial government shutdown.

Since December 26, 2018, compared to data for the previous year, loans increased by 5% and hardship withdrawals increased by 26%.

Also, the TSP “contact centers” experienced an increase during the shutdown of about 5% in call volumes, email and written correspondence. As much as 80% of all contacts had a question or made reference to the partial government shutdown.

Summary

January 2019 stock market returns are off to a great start. We wish all TSP investors many happy returns throughout the year.