OriginaveLump sum vs DCA
Every year side by side — how $10,000 performed invested all at once versus as monthly dollar-cost averaging.
Ticker
SCHDtracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index
Every year of SCHD: 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
16
each with the same $10,000
Lump sum won
12
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) | +17.51% | $11,751 | +4.87% | $10,244 | Lump sum |
| 2025 | +4.34% | $10,434 | +3.49% | $10,349 | Lump sum |
| 2024 | +11.66% | $11,166 | +4.19% | $10,419 | Lump sum |
| 2023 | +4.54% | $10,454 | +6.83% | $10,683 | DCA |
| 2022 | -3.26% | $9,674 | +2.44% | $10,244 | DCA |
| 2021 | +29.88% | $12,988 | +13.40% | $11,340 | Lump sum |
| 2020 | +15.03% | $11,503 | +21.73% | $12,173 | DCA |
| 2019 | +27.29% | $12,729 | +12.53% | $11,253 | Lump sum |
| 2018 | -5.56% | $9,444 | -5.75% | $9,425 | Lump sum |
| 2017 | +20.85% | $12,085 | +14.05% | $11,405 | Lump sum |
| 2016 | +16.45% | $11,645 | +9.38% | $10,938 | Lump sum |
| 2015 | -0.30% | $9,970 | +1.36% | $10,136 | DCA |
| 2014 | +11.68% | $11,168 | +7.39% | $10,739 | Lump sum |
| 2013 | +32.88% | $13,288 | +14.82% | $11,482 | Lump sum |
| 2012 | +11.39% | $11,139 | +4.13% | $10,413 | Lump sum |
| 2011 | +5.31% | $10,531 | +3.32% | $10,083 | Lump sum |