Compare Autotracker to actual PIP measures

[offroad]

Am trying to determine how close my AUTOTRACKER readings are to my: 1) PERSONAL INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE; and to 2) what I calculate for interest gained.

Think I am doing the math wrong.

1) take the PIP percentage, and it should match dollars in the account on 4/30/2013 divided by 4/30/2014 dollars. Of course minus the contribution dollars. I know interest compounds monthly, so the contribution amount will cause the interest gained to be higher in the PIP for the end of the year. But the math should be close.

My actual math is way off. which is kind of weird.

2) I know autotracker does calander year 2014 to date, so I need to make some adjustments to that.

What is the best way to make comparisons?

[nasa1974]

offroad, Smarter people than myself should be able to answer your questions but I'm not sure where your coming up with interest gained. To the best of my knowledge we do not gain interest. Our TSP account is dollar for dollar and share for share.

The Autotracker shows percentages not dollars so it doesn't factor your contributions. Therefore your TSP daily, monthly and yearly percentages should match the Autotracker percentages as long as you show any fund changes. There are some spreadsheets that a few of us have put out if your interested.

Good luck.

[nasa1974]

offroad, Are you using interest instead of profit/loss? Depending on price/share in the different funds, your daily and monthly profit/loss will vary. Example: the fund you are in ends the month at $26.0302 per/share (call it March) the end of the next month (April) the fund closes at $26.2899 per/share. That is a 1% profit for the month (April).

[offroad]

My AUTOTRAKER will not show the correct numbers, because I just started autotracker in Dec 2013. and do not have all last years numbers to match up with.

[nasa1974]

My AUTOTRAKER will not show the correct numbers, because I just started autotracker in Dec 2013. and do not have all last years numbers to match up with.

Everyone starts the new year in Autotracker with $100,00.00. If you showed that you have 50% in both "C" and "I" funds and that is what you have in your real TSP account then your daily, monthly and yearly percentages should be within .01% or .02% of your real TSP account percentages. I have never done the math to try to figure out my 12 month PRP. There are some folks out there that can give you the formula. Good Luck.

[PessOptimist]

offroad are you comparing the PIP on TSP.gov to the your autotracker percentage which starts on January first? The PIP you see for 4/30/14 is based on 12 months. It will not as you stated be the same. On 12/31/14 it ought to be close.

One other reason the autotracker percentage and your actual percentage may not match is the autoracker is based on your even percentages amongst the funds. In reality, the percentages you have in the funds varies daily based on gains and losses. The autotracker uses whatever you entered. It will be off some.

For everything you may never or ever have wanted to know about figuring it out see this thread:

http://www.tsptalk.com/mb/ta-tools/18517-introduction-measuring-risk-tsp-funds.html

PO

[Frixxxx]

..
One other reason the autotracker percentage and your actual percentage may not match is the autoracker is based on your even percentages amongst the funds. In reality, the percentages you have in the funds varies daily based on gains and losses. The autotracker uses whatever you entered. It will be off some.

.... PO
Good Link PO!

Notice my Signature line.....I call it out specifically. What autotracker has and what I really have.