OriginaveLump sum vs DCA
Every year side by side — how $10,000 performed invested all at once versus as monthly dollar-cost averaging.
Ticker
VUGtracks the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index
Every year of VUG: 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
19
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) | +6.18% | $10,618 | +7.42% | $10,371 | Lump sum |
| 2025 | +19.40% | $11,940 | +13.49% | $11,349 | Lump sum |
| 2024 | +32.69% | $13,269 | +16.03% | $11,603 | Lump sum |
| 2023 | +46.83% | $14,683 | +20.13% | $12,013 | Lump sum |
| 2022 | -33.16% | $6,684 | -14.71% | $8,529 | DCA |
| 2021 | +27.35% | $12,735 | +15.45% | $11,545 | Lump sum |
| 2020 | +40.25% | $14,025 | +28.11% | $12,811 | Lump sum |
| 2019 | +37.03% | $13,703 | +15.36% | $11,536 | Lump sum |
| 2018 | -3.32% | $9,668 | -8.94% | $9,106 | Lump sum |
| 2017 | +27.72% | $12,772 | +12.42% | $11,242 | Lump sum |
| 2016 | +6.27% | $10,627 | +4.85% | $10,485 | Lump sum |
| 2015 | +3.24% | $10,324 | +0.84% | $10,084 | Lump sum |
| 2014 | +13.61% | $11,361 | +8.32% | $10,832 | Lump sum |
| 2013 | +32.48% | $13,248 | +17.67% | $11,767 | Lump sum |
| 2012 | +17.01% | $11,701 | +4.69% | $10,469 | Lump sum |
| 2011 | +1.82% | $10,182 | -0.83% | $9,917 | Lump sum |
| 2010 | +17.22% | $11,722 | +16.15% | $11,615 | Lump sum |
| 2009 | +36.14% | $13,614 | +25.34% | $12,534 | Lump sum |
| 2008 | -38.02% | $6,198 | -27.77% | $7,223 | DCA |
| 2007 | +12.52% | $11,252 | +5.45% | $10,545 | Lump sum |
| 2006 | +9.19% | $10,919 | +6.91% | $10,691 | Lump sum |
| 2005 | +5.02% | $10,502 | +5.37% | $10,537 | DCA |
| 2004 | +4.99% | $10,499 | +6.63% | $10,608 | DCA |