OriginaveLump sum vs DCA
Every year side by side — how $10,000 performed invested all at once versus as monthly dollar-cost averaging.
Ticker
SPYtracks the S&P 500 Index
Every year of SPY: 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
34
each with the same $10,000
Lump sum won
27
all in on day one
DCA won
6
spread over the months
| Year | Lump sum result | Lump sum end value | DCA result | DCA end value | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (so far) | +10.09% | $11,009 | +7.72% | $10,386 | Lump sum |
| 2025 | +17.72% | $11,772 | +11.75% | $11,175 | Lump sum |
| 2024 | +24.89% | $12,489 | +10.96% | $11,096 | Lump sum |
| 2023 | +26.18% | $12,618 | +13.67% | $11,367 | Lump sum |
| 2022 | -18.18% | $8,182 | -6.20% | $9,380 | DCA |
| 2021 | +28.73% | $12,873 | +15.14% | $11,514 | Lump sum |
| 2020 | +18.33% | $11,833 | +20.28% | $12,028 | DCA |
| 2019 | +31.22% | $13,122 | +13.79% | $11,379 | Lump sum |
| 2018 | -4.57% | $9,543 | -7.85% | $9,215 | Lump sum |
| 2017 | +21.71% | $12,171 | +11.59% | $11,159 | Lump sum |
| 2016 | +12.00% | $11,200 | +8.70% | $10,870 | Lump sum |
| 2015 | +1.23% | $10,123 | +0.70% | $10,070 | Lump sum |
| 2014 | +13.46% | $11,346 | +8.20% | $10,820 | Lump sum |
| 2013 | +32.31% | $13,231 | +16.18% | $11,618 | Lump sum |
| 2012 | +15.99% | $11,599 | +5.39% | $10,539 | Lump sum |
| 2011 | +1.89% | $10,189 | -0.54% | $9,946 | Lump sum |
| 2010 | +15.06% | $11,506 | +13.90% | $11,390 | Lump sum |
| 2009 | +26.35% | $12,635 | +22.91% | $12,291 | Lump sum |
| 2008 | -36.80% | $6,320 | -25.89% | $7,411 | DCA |
| 2007 | +5.15% | $10,515 | +0.45% | $10,045 | Lump sum |
| 2006 | +15.85% | $11,585 | +9.93% | $10,993 | Lump sum |
| 2005 | +4.83% | $10,483 | +4.51% | $10,451 | Lump sum |
| 2004 | +10.70% | $11,070 | +8.42% | $10,842 | Lump sum |
| 2003 | +28.18% | $12,818 | +18.84% | $11,884 | Lump sum |
| 2002 | -21.58% | $7,842 | -10.82% | $8,918 | DCA |
| 2001 | -11.76% | $8,824 | -3.64% | $9,636 | DCA |
| 2000 | -9.74% | $9,026 | -7.82% | $9,218 | DCA |
| 1999 | +20.39% | $12,039 | +12.95% | $11,295 | Lump sum |
| 1998 | +28.69% | $12,869 | +17.05% | $11,705 | Lump sum |
| 1997 | +33.47% | $13,347 | +15.37% | $11,537 | Lump sum |
| 1996 | +22.50% | $12,250 | +12.80% | $11,280 | Lump sum |
| 1995 | +38.05% | $13,805 | +17.62% | $11,762 | Lump sum |
| 1994 | +0.40% | $10,040 | +0.39% | $10,039 | Tie |
| 1993 | +8.71% | $10,871 | +4.50% | $10,412 | Lump sum |