OriginaveLump sum vs DCA
Every year side by side — how $10,000 performed invested all at once versus as monthly dollar-cost averaging.
Ticker
SPHQtracks the S&P 500 Quality Index
Every year of SPHQ: 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
22
each with the same $10,000
Lump sum won
17
all in on day one
DCA won
5
spread over the months
| Year | Lump sum result | Lump sum end value | DCA result | DCA end value | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (so far) | +20.79% | $12,079 | +14.53% | $10,727 | Lump sum |
| 2025 | +13.25% | $11,325 | +7.28% | $10,728 | Lump sum |
| 2024 | +25.44% | $12,544 | +9.36% | $10,936 | Lump sum |
| 2023 | +24.83% | $12,483 | +12.47% | $11,247 | Lump sum |
| 2022 | -15.76% | $8,424 | -3.63% | $9,637 | DCA |
| 2021 | +27.59% | $12,759 | +14.58% | $11,458 | Lump sum |
| 2020 | +16.93% | $11,693 | +18.29% | $11,829 | DCA |
| 2019 | +33.63% | $13,363 | +14.68% | $11,468 | Lump sum |
| 2018 | -7.09% | $9,291 | -8.57% | $9,143 | Lump sum |
| 2017 | +19.10% | $11,910 | +10.59% | $11,059 | Lump sum |
| 2016 | +14.30% | $11,430 | +7.51% | $10,751 | Lump sum |
| 2015 | +1.64% | $10,164 | +1.51% | $10,151 | Lump sum |
| 2014 | +16.08% | $11,608 | +11.21% | $11,121 | Lump sum |
| 2013 | +32.73% | $13,273 | +15.42% | $11,542 | Lump sum |
| 2012 | +14.32% | $11,432 | +5.35% | $10,535 | Lump sum |
| 2011 | +6.28% | $10,628 | +2.61% | $10,261 | Lump sum |
| 2010 | +20.50% | $12,050 | +15.77% | $11,577 | Lump sum |
| 2009 | +12.59% | $11,259 | +13.91% | $11,391 | DCA |
| 2008 | -46.35% | $5,365 | -32.78% | $6,722 | DCA |
| 2007 | +16.77% | $11,677 | +7.68% | $10,768 | Lump sum |
| 2006 | +4.58% | $10,458 | +1.94% | $10,194 | Lump sum |
| 2005 | -2.05% | $9,795 | -2.05% | $9,983 | DCA |