Dollar-Cost Averaging versus Lump Sum – What is the Best Investment Strategy for Chinese Stock Markets?

Parichat Jantori; Polkit Meepien

Authors

Parichat Jantori Integrated Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree Program, Thammasat Business School, Thammasat University, Thailand
Polkit Meepien Integrated Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree Program, Thammasat Business School, Thammasat University, Thailand

Keywords:

Dollar-Cost Averaging, Lump Sum, Investment Strategy, Chinese Stock Market

Abstract

Today, investment is no longer confined to domestic markets, as an increasing number of investors are turning to international markets to diversify risk and enhance return potential. China as the second-largest economy globally, is considered attractive by many investors for several strategic and economic reasons. This study analyzes two widely used investment strategies—Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA) and Lump Sum (LS)—applied to the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 Index and the Hang Seng China 50 Index. The objective is to determine which strategy generates higher returns, minimizes the duration of continuous losses, and outperforms risk-free investments, such as 1-year Thai government bonds. Data from 2006 to 2023 was collected on the indices and bond returns. Finding reveals that within the parameters of this research, only the Lump Sum strategy in the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 Index produced higher returns compared to risk-free assets and had the shortest continuous loss period of 4 months.

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