OriginaveLump sum vs DCA
Every year side by side — how $10,000 performed invested all at once versus as monthly dollar-cost averaging.
Ticker
VTItracks the CRSP US Total Market Index
Every year of VTI: 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
26
each with the same $10,000
Lump sum won
21
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) | +11.04% | $11,104 | +8.38% | $10,419 | Lump sum |
| 2025 | +17.10% | $11,710 | +11.52% | $11,152 | Lump sum |
| 2024 | +23.81% | $12,381 | +10.76% | $11,076 | Lump sum |
| 2023 | +26.05% | $12,605 | +13.93% | $11,393 | Lump sum |
| 2022 | -19.52% | $8,048 | -6.69% | $9,331 | DCA |
| 2021 | +25.68% | $12,568 | +12.65% | $11,265 | Lump sum |
| 2020 | +21.08% | $12,108 | +23.44% | $12,344 | DCA |
| 2019 | +30.67% | $13,067 | +13.18% | $11,318 | Lump sum |
| 2018 | -5.23% | $9,477 | -8.56% | $9,144 | Lump sum |
| 2017 | +21.21% | $12,121 | +11.42% | $11,142 | Lump sum |
| 2016 | +12.82% | $11,282 | +9.56% | $10,956 | Lump sum |
| 2015 | +0.36% | $10,036 | -0.34% | $9,966 | Lump sum |
| 2014 | +12.55% | $11,255 | +7.61% | $10,761 | Lump sum |
| 2013 | +33.45% | $13,345 | +16.64% | $11,664 | Lump sum |
| 2012 | +16.45% | $11,645 | +5.81% | $10,581 | Lump sum |
| 2011 | +0.97% | $10,097 | -1.21% | $9,879 | Lump sum |
| 2010 | +17.43% | $11,743 | +15.30% | $11,530 | Lump sum |
| 2009 | +28.90% | $12,890 | +24.14% | $12,414 | Lump sum |
| 2008 | -36.99% | $6,301 | -26.31% | $7,369 | DCA |
| 2007 | +5.37% | $10,537 | +0.41% | $10,041 | Lump sum |
| 2006 | +15.70% | $11,570 | +9.65% | $10,965 | Lump sum |
| 2005 | +6.30% | $10,630 | +5.62% | $10,562 | Lump sum |
| 2004 | +12.78% | $11,278 | +9.80% | $10,980 | Lump sum |
| 2003 | +30.74% | $13,074 | +20.15% | $12,015 | Lump sum |
| 2002 | -20.48% | $7,952 | -10.42% | $8,958 | DCA |
| 2001 | -4.40% | $9,560 | +1.30% | $10,076 | DCA |