TSP Market Summary: Week of March 23, 2018

By Roy Weisert, PhD, CFP

Key Takeaways

  • Trade tensions with China intensified as both countries imposed new tariffs on each other's goods
  • I Fund broke below 200-day moving average for first time since late 2016, signaling weakness
  • S&P 500 approaching critical 200-day support level suggests further downside risk possible

This was a tough week for the markets which were under steady downward pressure with the S&P 500 closing Friday at 2588. Trade wars ensued with China hitting back with over 100 new tariffs on American goods in response to our steel tariff. Also, Facebook, a main component of the strong technology sector, lost 13 percent this week under concerns about data protection. From a technical perspective, the S&P 500 once again crossed below its 50 day moving average (MA) and is only a few points of falling below its 200 day MA. For TSP TIPS, the C, S and I funds have all been above their 200 day MA’s since 20 Dec 2016. However, this week the I fund broke that streak and as such, we recommend taking some funds off the table with a decrease in equity exposure (C/S/I) to 65 percent.

Recommended Allocation (Moderate Profile)

This is our historical recommendation from this date. For current recommendations, subscribe.

G FundF FundC FundS FundI Fund
35% 0% 25% 30% 10%