Lump sum vs DCA

Every year side by side — how £10,000 performed invested all at once versus as monthly dollar-cost averaging.

Every figure here is in pounds — what you'd actually pocket buying on the London Stock Exchange. Fund fact sheets usually headline returns in US dollars, which can look very different in years when the pound moves against the dollar. Here's the full story, year by year.

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Every year of IWFM: lump sum vs DCA

For every year, the same £10,000 invested two ways: everything on day one (lump sum) or in twelve monthly parts (dollar-cost averaging). Percentages are measured on the money actually paid in, dividends included.

Years compared
13
each with the same £10,000
Lump sum won
10
all in on day one
DCA won
3
spread over the months
YearLump sum resultLump sum end valueDCA resultDCA end valueWinner
2026 (so far)+29.24%£12,924+23.86%£11,193Lump sum
2025+12.72%£11,272+8.50%£10,850Lump sum
2024+32.62%£13,262+11.57%£11,157Lump sum
2023+5.85%£10,585+8.06%£10,806DCA
2022-8.21%£9,179-0.05%£9,995DCA
2021+15.58%£11,558+9.37%£10,937Lump sum
2020+24.16%£12,416+16.09%£11,609Lump sum
2019+23.25%£12,325+6.97%£10,697Lump sum
2018+1.62%£10,162-5.01%£9,499Lump sum
2017+20.40%£12,040+10.77%£11,077Lump sum
2016+25.05%£12,505+14.75%£11,475Lump sum
2015+8.82%£10,882+4.61%£10,461Lump sum
2014-32.51%£6,749-8.73%£9,782DCA