Lump sum vs dollar-cost averaging
8,255 start dates, Jan 29, 1993 – Nov 12, 2025, Compared after 12 months
| Ahead | Median lead | Biggest lead | Below $10,000 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All at once | 79% | $816 | $5,513 | 18% |
| Spread over 12 months | 21% | $534 | $3,354 | 20% |
| Ahead | Median lead | Biggest lead | Below $10,000 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All at once | 79% | $816 | $5,513 | 18% |
| Spread over 12 months | 21% | $534 | $3,354 | 20% |
| All at once | Spread over 12 months | |
|---|---|---|
| Ahead | 79% | 21% |
| Median lead | $816 | $534 |
| Biggest lead | $5,513 | $3,354 |
| Below $10,000 | 18% | 20% |