Dollar-cost averaging

Investierenab 9 J.

The English term for the cost-average effect: investing the same amount every month, regardless of whether prices are high or low. Statistically the second-best strategy (after a lump-sum investment).

Dollar cost averaging (DCA) is the English technical term for regularly investing a fixed amount – in German often called the "Cost-Average-Effekt" or simply "Sparplan" (savings plan).

Why DCA is so popular:

✅ No timing needed: you don't have to guess when the "right" moment is
✅ Emotions out: an automatic savings plan takes away the fear
✅ Crashes become buying opportunities: at low prices you buy more units
✅ Discipline: regularity beats perfection

Statistically: lump-sum investing beats DCA in approx. 68% of cases. BUT: DCA is psychologically much easier – and "invested, but suboptimally" is infinitely better than "waiting for the perfect moment and never investing".

Did you know? Historically, a lump-sum investment would have been better than a savings plan in 68% of cases. Still, the savings plan is psychologically smart – because it builds discipline.

→ ETF-Rechner

Something missing or could the translation be better?

← Dividendenstrategie Doppelbesteuerungsabkommen →

📚 Dollar-cost averaging understood?

Deepen your financial knowledge with 60 free learning modules and 16 calculators.

📚 To the learning paths →

🧮 Calculators 📖 Glossary

📅 Stand: 17. Juli 2026✔️ Redaktionell geprüftÜber SaveFoxy FAQ Fehler melden? Im Lexikon mitmachen