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.

Ticker

Every year of IWFV: 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
9
all in on day one
DCA won
4
spread over the months
YearLump sum resultLump sum end valueDCA resultDCA end valueWinner
2026 (so far)+33.94%£13,394+21.11%£11,056Lump sum
2025+30.69%£13,069+19.22%£11,922Lump sum
2024+6.85%£10,685+2.10%£10,210Lump sum
2023+13.02%£11,302+7.96%£10,796Lump sum
2022+0.95%£10,095+1.32%£10,132DCA
2021+21.60%£12,160+8.90%£10,890Lump sum
2020-6.91%£9,309+7.79%£10,779DCA
2019+14.69%£11,469+6.01%£10,601Lump sum
2018-9.34%£9,066-8.85%£9,115DCA
2017+12.04%£11,204+8.18%£10,818Lump sum
2016+29.68%£12,968+21.76%£12,176Lump sum
2015+1.33%£10,133-1.24%£9,876Lump sum
2014-34.90%£6,510-10.85%£9,729DCA