Position cost
DCA return & breakeven calculator
Is your recurring plan in the green? How big a rise gets you back to breakeven, and how many periods until a target return under an assumed rate?
Plan P&L
+1,392.65
+5.80%（theoretical value under the assumed rate）
Total principal
24,000
Current value
25,392.65
Breakeven gap
Already above breakeven by 5.48%
Value needed for target
26,400.00
Gap from today
+3.97%
Periods needed (est.)
≈ 0.9 months
Forward curve under the assumed rate
| Periods | Value | Contributed | P&L |
|---|---|---|---|
| +6 | 32,216.82 | 30,000 | +2,216.82 |
| +12 | 39,242.74 | 36,000 | +3,242.74 |
| +24 | 53,923.83 | 48,000 | +5,923.83 |
| +36 | 69,485.79 | 60,000 | +9,485.79 |
| +60 | 103,466.88 | 84,000 | +19,466.88 |
Breakeven is about market value, not NAV
A DCA plan's cost is the cumulative principal. When underwater, the breakeven rise is principal ÷ current value − 1. Invested 24,000 against a 20,000 value means a 20% climb to breakeven — the deeper the drawdown, the steeper the required rise.
The forward curve assumes contributions continue at a constant per-period return: value after k periods = current ×(1+r)^k + amount ×((1+r)^k −1)/r. It is a scenario, not a promise.
Frequently asked
How is the plan's return computed?
Cumulative return = (current value − total principal) ÷ total principal. Enter the current market value directly, or supply an assumed annualized return and the tool derives a theoretical value.
What does 'rise to breakeven' mean?
The percentage the current value must climb to equal the invested principal. It measures drawdown depth — dividends and fees are already inside your market value.
Does weekly vs monthly matter?
The interval only sets the meaning of 'per period' and how the assumed annual rate is split (52/12/4/1 compounding periods). Match the installment amount to the interval you pick.
How does the target return field work?
Enter a target like 10% to see the market value it requires and the gap from today's value; with an assumed rate it also estimates the periods needed.
Projections assume a constant rate — real DCA returns move with the market. Estimates only, not investment advice.