May 4, 2011 – Oct 2, 2026, TSP-C for the C Fund, FXAIX for FXAIX, FXAIX sets the start date
Growth of $10,000
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Key metrics
| Return | C Fund | FXAIX |
|---|---|---|
| Final balance | $76,038 | $75,314 |
| Total return | +660.38% | +653.14% |
| CAGR | +14.07% | +14.00% |
| Calendar years | C Fund | FXAIX |
|---|---|---|
| Best year | +32.45% | +32.38% |
| Worst year | −18.13% | −18.14% |
| Positive years | 12 of 14 | 12 of 14 |
| Risk | C Fund | FXAIX |
|---|---|---|
| Max drawdown | −33.83% | −33.79% |
| Longest drawdown | 1.9 years | 1.9 years |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.17% | 17.20% |
| Risk-adjusted | C Fund | FXAIX |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratio | 0.85 | 0.85 |
| Sortino ratio | 1.20 | 1.20 |
| Calmar ratio | 0.42 | 0.41 |
Trailing returns
| Period | C Fund | FXAIX | C Fund − FXAIX |
|---|---|---|---|
| YTD | +13.79% | +13.49% | +0.30% |
| 1Y | +16.34% | +16.03% | +0.31% |
| 3Y | +23.23% | +23.14% | +0.09% |
| 5Y | +13.71% | +13.67% | +0.05% |
| 10Y | +15.41% | +15.40% | +0.01% |
| 15Y | +15.75% | +15.72% | +0.04% |
Rolling returns
| Period | C Fund median | FXAIX median | More often ahead |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Y | +16.51% | +16.52% | C Fund 52% |
| 3Y | +13.24% | +13.23% | FXAIX 55% |
| 5Y | +13.85% | +13.83% | FXAIX 60% |
| 10Y | +13.37% | +13.38% | C Fund 60% |
Worst drawdowns · C Fund
| Decline | Peak | Bottom | Recovered | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| −33.8% | Feb 2020 | Mar 2020 | Aug 2020 | 6 months |
| −24.5% | Jan 2022 | Oct 2022 | Dec 2023 | 1.9 years |
| −19.4% | Sep 2018 | Dec 2018 | Apr 2019 | 7 months |
| −18.8% | Feb 2025 | Apr 2025 | Jun 2025 | 4 months |
| −18.4% | Jul 2011 | Oct 2011 | Feb 2012 | 7 months |
| Decline | Peak | Bottom | Recovered | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| −33.8% | Feb 2020 | Mar 2020 | Aug 2020 | 6 months |
| −24.5% | Jan 2022 | Oct 2022 | Dec 2023 | 1.9 years |
| −19.4% | Sep 2018 | Dec 2018 | Apr 2019 | 7 months |
| −18.8% | Jul 2011 | Oct 2011 | Feb 2012 | 7 months |
| −18.8% | Feb 2025 | Apr 2025 | Jun 2025 | 4 months |
Annual returns
| Year | C Fund | FXAIX | C Fund − FXAIX |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | +21.82% | +21.82% | 0.00% |
| 2018 | −4.41% | −4.43% | +0.02% |
| 2019 | +31.45% | +31.48% | −0.03% |
| 2020 | +18.31% | +18.42% | −0.11% |
| 2021 | +28.68% | +28.71% | −0.03% |
| 2022 | −18.13% | −18.14% | +0.01% |
| 2023 | +26.25% | +26.29% | −0.04% |
| 2024 | +24.96% | +25.01% | −0.05% |
| 2025 | +17.85% | +17.84% | 0.00% |
| 2026to Oct 2 | +13.79% | +13.49% | +0.30% |
About C Fund vs FXAIX
Both track the S&P 500. The C Fund is only available inside the Thrift Savings Plan. FXAIX is a Fidelity mutual fund, which can be held in an IRA, where TSP savings can be rolled over after leaving federal service.
The C Fund returned 14.1% a year from May 2011 to Oct 2026, against 14.0% for FXAIX. Both fell furthest in 2020, the C Fund by 33.8% and FXAIX by 33.8%. The C Fund beat FXAIX in 9 of 14 full years and in 60% of rolling 10-year periods.
Uses daily closing prices with dividends reinvested. Fund fees are included, but not taxes or trading costs. The comparison starts on May 4, 2011, when FXAIX's prices begin.