Investing
Dollar-cost averaging
Investing a fixed amount on a regular schedule, regardless of price.
Also known as: DCA, pound-cost averaging
Updated June 2026
Dollar-cost averaging (DCA) means investing the same amount at regular intervals — say €200 every month — instead of trying to time a lump sum.
What it does
When prices fall, your fixed amount buys more units; when they rise, it buys fewer. Over time this smooths your average entry price and removes the pressure of “is now the right moment?”
The honest caveat
DCA reduces regret and timing risk, not necessarily total return — historically, lump-sum investing wins more often because markets rise over time. DCA wins on behaviour: it keeps you investing through volatility.