I just hacked the DCA simulator to embody the adage "Sell in May and go away".

If we just avoided buying between 1 May and 31 October each year, and invested $200 each month otherwise:

✅ +04.57% 2023/12 Total investment is $195,970.00 Your total amount is $195,970.00 after 360 months

So slightly better than naïve DCA.

If we liquidate our entire holdings in May, then put all those proceeds (+$200) back in the market in a lump sum in November:

✅ +04.57% 2023/12 Total investment is $119,153.00 Your total amount is $119,153.00 after 360 months

Oof!

If we take the proceeds, then use DCA to re-invest over the following 6 months from November:

✅ +04.57% 2023/12 Total investment is $24,470.00 Your total amount is $24,470.00 after 360 months

Double-Oof!