How to Choose Between Dollar Cost Averaging and Lump-Sum Investing

What Is Dollar Cost Averaging?

Dollar cost averaging is the practice of investing equal amounts of money on a set schedule, regardless of market fluctuations. For example, automatically investing a portion of each paycheck into a retirement plan like a 401(k) or setting up automatic deposits into an IRA are two common ways investors practice dollar cost averaging.

Another way an investor could use dollar cost averaging is to invest a windfall, such as a work bonus, tax refund or an inheritance. Rather than investing the money in one large transaction, the investor could space out their investments in equal amounts over the course of many months.

In practice, an investor could schedule multiple buy orders for a given asset over the course of a year. You might do this by setting up a buy order through a brokerage for $500 in mutual fund shares each month, for example.

Pros of Dollar Cost Averaging

• You're less exposed to timing risk. Timing risk is the risk of buying an asset for a certain price only to watch its value decline tomorrow. Dollar cost averaging mitigates this risk by spreading out investments, aiming to balance out your average price per share between higher and lower share prices.
• It protects you from making impulsive decisions. One of the main benefits of dollar cost averaging is a psychological one: Investing gradually over time may help an investor feel less like they're betting all their chips at once by spreading out their investments. Investors sometimes make impulsive investing moves in the heat of the moment, which can easily lead to losses. Gradually investing according to a set schedule can help you maintain emotional distance from market fluctuations and avoid selling stocks at an inopportune time.

Cons of Dollar Cost Averaging

• Opportunity risk may limit your gains. Holding off on investing can mean missing out on growth. For example, if the market rose 10% in a given year and you were investing a sum of money in incremental amounts, you would have only partially benefited from the growth. On the other hand, incremental investing also shelters you from loss when the market is in decline.
• Dollar cost averaging requires discipline. Timing the market is risky and can lead to significant losses, so experts typically warn against this strategy. If you're planning to use dollar cost averaging to invest your money, it's important to stick with your investment plan regardless of market highs and lows to avoid falling into the trap of attempting to time the market.

What Is Lump-Sum Investing?

Lump-sum investing is investing a large sum of money all at once, rather than by making smaller investments over time. For example, using a windfall to buy many stock shares all at once is considered lump-sum investing.

Lump-sum investing can be most effective when done in combination with other smart investing moves. For example, funding an IRA or making a lump purchase of shares of a diversified fund are two ways to invest a large amount of money while limiting your exposure to risk. But remember that however you invest, you're taking on risk and should expect your account to fluctuate in value.

Lump-sum investing differs from dollar cost averaging in key ways. Here are the pros and cons of lump-sum investing.

Pros of Lump-Sum Investing

• You're more likely to end up with higher returns. Lump-sum investing outperforms dollar cost averaging almost 75% of the time, according to data from Northwestern Mutual, regardless of asset allocation. If you're comfortable with risk, then investing your money in one large sum could yield better results. Of course, there's no way to predict future market performance, and past data doesn't guarantee future results.
• You could see your investments pay off more quickly. In contrast to dollar cost averaging, lump-sum investing puts a large investment in the market at once. While this means more risk than holding some of your investment funds in cash, it also means more time to maximize returns.

Cons of Lump-Sum Investing

• It requires a stomach for market volatility. Market fluctuations are a given, and you should expect your portfolio to gain and lose value regularly. But if you're not sure you'll be able to stand watching your balance rise and fall, investing slowly while you gain experience and confidence is a good way to start investing.
• It's not a good alternative to investing on a regular cadence. Lump-sum investing is a good way to invest a windfall right away, but it's not a good ongoing strategy. Don't consider it an alternative to investing small amounts of money as you earn it, such as by deferring a portion of each paycheck into your 401(k).

How to Choose Between Dollar Cost Averaging and Lump-Sum Investing

Choosing between investing through dollar cost averaging and lump-sum investing comes down to balancing potential performance with your tolerance for risk and volatility.

Investing all at once through lump-sum investing can mean higher returns, so choose this method if your primary concern is performance. But dollar cost averaging can help you gradually increase your exposure to risk over time, which can help you lower stress and avoid regret. If you're nervous about investing your money all at once, investing slowly is a good alternative.

Whichever method you choose, investors often benefit most from starting off investing by fully funding any retirement accounts they have access to. Investing a windfall into a traditional or Roth IRA is a strong way to max out your tax-advantaged contributions for the year and save more for retirement.

Invest With a Plan

Regardless of how you choose to invest your money, coming up with a plan can help you make smart investment decisions and avoid acting out of impulse. Investing with a goal in mind can help you be intentional in how much risk you take on.

If you need help coming up with a plan for your money, a financial planner can help you create an investing strategy that takes into account your finances, goals and tolerance for risk.