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 VHYL: 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
14
each with the same £10,000
Lump sum won
10
all in on day one
DCA won
4
spread over the months
YearLump sum resultLump sum end valueDCA resultDCA end valueWinner
2026 (so far)+12.85%£11,285+6.39%£10,320Lump sum
2025+18.22%£11,822+11.07%£11,107Lump sum
2024+11.23%£11,123+4.29%£10,429Lump sum
2023+5.26%£10,526+5.32%£10,532DCA
2022+5.95%£10,595+3.34%£10,334Lump sum
2021+19.24%£11,924+9.37%£10,937Lump sum
2020-3.74%£9,626+8.83%£10,883DCA
2019+17.00%£11,700+6.48%£10,648Lump sum
2018-6.59%£9,341-5.22%£9,478DCA
2017+8.80%£10,880+5.14%£10,514Lump sum
2016+32.59%£13,259+19.33%£11,933Lump sum
2015-0.71%£9,929-1.15%£9,885Lump sum
2014+8.22%£10,822+4.91%£10,491Lump sum
2013-1.85%£9,815+0.29%£10,020DCA