OriginaveLump sum vs DCA
Every year side by side — how $10,000 performed invested all at once versus as monthly dollar-cost averaging.
Ticker
VTVtracks the CRSP US Large Cap Value Index
Every year of VTV: 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
23
each with the same $10,000
Lump sum won
18
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) | +15.30% | $11,530 | +8.79% | $10,439 | Lump sum |
| 2025 | +15.27% | $11,527 | +8.99% | $10,899 | Lump sum |
| 2024 | +15.95% | $11,595 | +5.22% | $10,522 | Lump sum |
| 2023 | +9.32% | $10,932 | +8.27% | $10,827 | Lump sum |
| 2022 | -2.09% | $9,791 | +2.10% | $10,210 | DCA |
| 2021 | +26.53% | $12,653 | +12.26% | $11,226 | Lump sum |
| 2020 | +2.33% | $10,233 | +15.66% | $11,566 | DCA |
| 2019 | +25.66% | $12,566 | +12.10% | $11,210 | Lump sum |
| 2018 | -5.47% | $9,453 | -6.75% | $9,325 | Lump sum |
| 2017 | +17.14% | $11,714 | +11.06% | $11,106 | Lump sum |
| 2016 | +17.10% | $11,710 | +12.42% | $11,242 | Lump sum |
| 2015 | -0.98% | $9,902 | +0.14% | $10,014 | DCA |
| 2014 | +13.17% | $11,317 | +7.86% | $10,786 | Lump sum |
| 2013 | +33.09% | $13,309 | +15.25% | $11,525 | Lump sum |
| 2012 | +15.18% | $11,518 | +6.27% | $10,627 | Lump sum |
| 2011 | +1.11% | $10,111 | -0.94% | $9,906 | Lump sum |
| 2010 | +14.54% | $11,454 | +12.80% | $11,280 | Lump sum |
| 2009 | +19.88% | $11,988 | +21.92% | $12,192 | DCA |
| 2008 | -35.89% | $6,411 | -24.44% | $7,556 | DCA |
| 2007 | -0.12% | $9,988 | -3.32% | $9,668 | Lump sum |
| 2006 | +22.38% | $12,238 | +13.02% | $11,302 | Lump sum |
| 2005 | +7.21% | $10,721 | +5.29% | $10,529 | Lump sum |
| 2004 | +13.85% | $11,385 | +11.25% | $11,031 | Lump sum |