S fund

[Wirikuta]

I'm 18 years into a 20-year career, and though I've liked the C fund, I find the S seems to be easier to work with. I typically look for pullbacks in the S and ride it back up before retreating to the G fund. Anyone doing the same thing? Although it doesn't tend to beat the fund over time it does produce a solid return and I spend much of the time avoiding downside risk.

[Jokerswild]

I'm 18 years into a 20-year career, and though I've liked the C fund, I find the S seems to be easier to work with. I typically look for pullbacks in the S and ride it back up before retreating to the G fund. Anyone doing the same thing? Although it doesn't tend to beat the fund over time it does produce a solid return and I spend much of the time avoiding downside risk.

If you are still fairly new to this site, go into the forums and find Seasonal Musings 2017 or Daily Seasonal Strategy. The C and S are great funds to invest into, but if you haven't considered a seasonal strategy, I would suggest it over just playing C to G. Now that we have uncovered some pretty solid data that supports the trends in funds over time, the gains you can make tend to outperform any singular fund annually. If you already knew this, I'll go back to my hole now

[Wirikuta]

I have started looking at those also, thanks.

[Octjan2]

I do the same thing. I invest almost entirely in the S fund...buy on the dips and sell when I think it has gone up 1 or 2 percent. It doesn't always work, but it does allow you to be a little more conservative and remain in the G fund more. I think my PIP is at around 15% in the TSP. Like you, I have a lot of time in service (over 20 years), so I don't like to buy and hold. BTW, I keep my fantasy TSP in the I fund only because that is where I currently invest my wife's TSP (she has a lot less time in than I do). I usually pull the trigger on my interfund transfers at 11:55 AM, which leaves me no time for the fantasy account.

[evilanne]

You have 10-15 minutes after 12:00 to update the Fantasy

[Octjan2]

Sticking with my plan, I Bought into the S fund today (was down .75%). It may go down more, but I will stay in until it goes up 1 or 2 percent.

[Wirikuta]

I also moved back into S fund.

[Jokerswild]

I also moved back into S fund.

If your fantasy account follows your real IFT, you will be buying into the S FUND at the end of Thurs prices. Hopefully it works out for you, but if you're trying to time the market hitting the low and hoping for a nice bounce, you'll need to consider the trend lines and make the IFT before noon. If the S FUND climbs up today, you might be in a bad position considering the data supports a potential decrease (market correction) in all stocks very soon. Hope it works for you though, I want everyone to make money

[Tomanyiron]

AKA, trying to catch a falling knife.

[n.shift]

The bull rages on. As much as I wanted to move into the f fund, I'm sticking it out in the s and c for awhile

[bad70nova]

Sticking to the plan of being in F. I have tried to follow the seasonal this year for the first time and still have not stuck to it completely, my fault still a little skeptical once I get a nice gain I jump out and miss more gains. I have vowed to stick to it the rest of the year faithfully. I want to move to the S or I fund, but sticking with it in the f Fund. My goal to make 12% a year if I can do that I will be totally happy. While others may make more than that if I can make that I will be thrilled.

[cashworth]

I entered hammock mode COB yesterday. 100%G. Up 15% for 12 month PIP and nearly 12% YTD. Time to lock it in and drink a corona!

[zmanpdx]

Jokerswild, can you elaborate on your earlier comment "the data supports a potential decrease (market correction) in all stocks very soon." What info are you referencing?

Thanks

[Octjan2]

You are correct, you can never time the market correctly all the time. However, as long as you're not planning on pulling all of your money out in the very near future history tells us it will always come back up. You just have to resist the temptation to sell for less than you bought. If and when tax reform is announced, I think the S fund will soar.

[Wirikuta]

As of 7/31 my 12 month performance is 11.09%. The month before was 13.67% 12 month performance. I'm always willing to learn new methods.