Carbon County’s retirement portfolio had an outstanding 2017, but the first quarter of 2018 is proving to be challenging.

On Thursday, Robert Crampsie, county controller and secretary to the retirement board, reported on the portfolio’s overall performance for last year.

The retirement portfolio, which pays out to approximately 340 county retirees, gained $10 million in 2017, ending at $78,841,782.

Crampsie said the increase represents a 14.1 percent rate of return.

“Anytime you have a return over the actuarial assumption of 7.5 percent, that’s a good year,” he said. “A return of 14.1 percent, that’s a great year. Last year performance-wise was very good to the fund.”

But so far 2018 hasn’t been all good news.

Crampsie said that the first quarter has been a “roller coaster” when it comes to the stock market. The retirement fund stood at $77,763,488 as of Feb. 28.

“We’re having our ups and downs and will have to continue monitoring how the portfolio is doing in this very volatile market,” he said.