OriginaveLump 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
SWDAtracks the MSCI World Index
Every year of SWDA: 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
18
each with the same £10,000
Lump sum won
14
all in on day one
DCA won
4
spread over the months
| Year | Lump sum result | Lump sum end value | DCA result | DCA end value | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (so far) | +10.56% | £11,056 | +8.49% | £10,425 | Lump sum |
| 2025 | +12.64% | £11,264 | +10.24% | £11,024 | Lump sum |
| 2024 | +21.11% | £12,111 | +10.45% | £11,045 | Lump sum |
| 2023 | +17.59% | £11,759 | +9.98% | £10,998 | Lump sum |
| 2022 | -8.33% | £9,167 | -2.85% | £9,715 | DCA |
| 2021 | +23.64% | £12,364 | +13.03% | £11,303 | Lump sum |
| 2020 | +12.25% | £11,225 | +13.88% | £11,388 | DCA |
| 2019 | +23.03% | £12,303 | +8.18% | £10,818 | Lump sum |
| 2018 | -3.78% | £9,622 | -5.63% | £9,437 | Lump sum |
| 2017 | +11.78% | £11,178 | +6.77% | £10,677 | Lump sum |
| 2016 | +29.59% | £12,959 | +18.82% | £11,882 | Lump sum |
| 2015 | +4.06% | £10,406 | +1.62% | £10,162 | Lump sum |
| 2014 | +12.58% | £11,258 | +8.95% | £10,895 | Lump sum |
| 2013 | +25.32% | £12,532 | +7.51% | £10,751 | Lump sum |
| 2012 | +9.19% | £10,919 | +3.47% | £10,347 | Lump sum |
| 2011 | -6.19% | £9,381 | -2.97% | £9,703 | DCA |
| 2010 | +14.57% | £11,457 | +12.29% | £11,229 | Lump sum |
| 2009 | -34.91% | £6,509 | -24.66% | £9,178 | DCA |