OriginaveLump sum vs DCA
Every year side by side — how $10,000 performed invested all at once versus as monthly dollar-cost averaging.
Ticker
QQQtracks the Nasdaq-100 Index
Every year of QQQ: 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
28
each with the same $10,000
Lump sum won
20
all in on day one
DCA won
8
spread over the months
| Year | Lump sum result | Lump sum end value | DCA result | DCA end value | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (so far) | +20.16% | $12,016 | +16.40% | $10,820 | Lump sum |
| 2025 | +20.77% | $12,077 | +14.04% | $11,404 | Lump sum |
| 2024 | +25.58% | $12,558 | +12.62% | $11,262 | Lump sum |
| 2023 | +54.86% | $15,486 | +22.83% | $12,283 | Lump sum |
| 2022 | -32.58% | $6,742 | -14.88% | $8,512 | DCA |
| 2021 | +27.42% | $12,742 | +15.59% | $11,559 | Lump sum |
| 2020 | +48.41% | $14,841 | +31.36% | $13,136 | Lump sum |
| 2019 | +38.96% | $13,896 | +17.50% | $11,750 | Lump sum |
| 2018 | -0.13% | $9,987 | -8.63% | $9,137 | Lump sum |
| 2017 | +32.66% | $13,266 | +13.74% | $11,374 | Lump sum |
| 2016 | +7.10% | $10,710 | +7.41% | $10,741 | DCA |
| 2015 | +9.44% | $10,944 | +5.03% | $10,503 | Lump sum |
| 2014 | +19.18% | $11,918 | +11.44% | $11,144 | Lump sum |
| 2013 | +36.63% | $13,663 | +21.45% | $12,145 | Lump sum |
| 2012 | +18.11% | $11,811 | +2.29% | $10,229 | Lump sum |
| 2011 | +3.48% | $10,348 | -0.72% | $9,928 | Lump sum |
| 2010 | +20.14% | $12,014 | +17.60% | $11,760 | Lump sum |
| 2009 | +54.68% | $15,468 | +31.49% | $13,149 | Lump sum |
| 2008 | -41.73% | $5,827 | -29.13% | $7,087 | DCA |
| 2007 | +19.03% | $11,903 | +8.80% | $10,880 | Lump sum |
| 2006 | +7.14% | $10,714 | +6.57% | $10,657 | Lump sum |
| 2005 | +1.57% | $10,157 | +6.14% | $10,614 | DCA |
| 2004 | +10.54% | $11,054 | +11.32% | $11,132 | DCA |
| 2003 | +49.67% | $14,967 | +25.72% | $12,572 | Lump sum |
| 2002 | -37.37% | $6,263 | -14.36% | $8,564 | DCA |
| 2001 | -33.34% | $6,666 | -7.37% | $9,263 | DCA |
| 2000 | -36.11% | $6,389 | -34.68% | $6,532 | DCA |
| 1999 | +78.95% | $17,895 | +58.70% | $14,892 | Lump sum |