Market Pulse archive
BullishMay 16, 2026Daily report

Market Surge: 73% of Cards Gain Value as Mewtwo Soars 143%

Bullish sentiment dominates the Pokémon card market with significant upward momentum.

Tracked

39,446

Up

1,071

Down

395

Top move

+143.0%

Today in one read

The Pokémon card market is experiencing a bullish sentiment today, with 1,071 cards up (73%), 395 cards down, and 37,980 remaining flat. Total tracked cards stand at 39,446, indicating a robust trading environment. Historical context reveals a market averag...

Signal 1 / Signal read

Market Overview

Market signal

The Pokémon card market is experiencing a bullish sentiment today, with 1,071 cards up (73%), 395 cards down, and 37,980 remaining flat. Total tracked cards stand at 39,446, indicating a robust trading environment. Historical context reveals a market average 7-day change of +0.2% and a 30-day change of +0.6%, underscoring the current upward trend. Notably, 3% of cards have shown bullish momentum over the past week, signaling potential for sustained growth.

Signal 2 / Momentum leader

Top Movers

Top mover

Leading the charge this week is Mewtwo from the SV Scarlet and Violet 151 set, which has surged to $3.48, marking an impressive +143.0% increase. Bulbasaur from the ME Mega Evolution Promo has also made headlines, climbing to $44.12 with an 86.3% gain. Other notable gainers include Gothitelle at $5.07 (+65.7%), Leafeon ex at $3.75 (+63.7%), and Slowpoke at $20.16 (+54.5%).

Signal 3 / Volume watch

Volume Watch

Demand spike

Unusual trading activity is evident with several cards experiencing significant volume spikes. Pikachu from SWSH11 Lost Origin saw a 4.3x increase in volume, with 12 sales driving its price up by 61.5% to $6.51. Gardevoir from SWSH10 Astral Radiance Trainer Gallery also exhibited a 4.3x volume increase, resulting in a 9.4% price rise. This heightened demand signals strong collector interest and potential for further price increases.

Signal 4 / Sector map

Sector Analysis

Category read

7-Day Performance vs Market Average

Market Avg
+0.2%
SWSH10 Astral Rad...
+6.8%
Crown Zenith Gala...
+3.1%
ME Mega Evolution...
+3.0%
SWSH12 Silver Tem...
+2.6%
SWSH10 Astral Rad...
+2.3%

The SWSH10 Astral Radiance set is outperforming the overall market with a 7-day average price change of +6.8%, eclipsing the market average of +0.2% by 6.6%. With 351 cards tracked, this set shows a composite score of 2, and the top card, Luxray V (Full Art), is contributing to its strong performance. In contrast, the ME Mega Evolution Promo set, although showing a 7-day change of +3%, is underperforming relative to Astral Radiance, indicating that collectors may be favoring the latter for investment. The Crown Zenith Galarian Gallery set also outperformed the market with a 7-day change of +3.1%, suggesting a trend towards newer sets with higher sales volumes.

Signal 5 / Cooling tape

Notable Declines

Decliner

Several cards have seen declines that could present buying opportunities. Gengar ex from SV05 Temporal Forces has dropped to $6.24, down 29.6%, while Mega Venusaur ex from the Prize Pack Series is down 26.2% to $8.82. These price drops, coupled with their historical significance, may indicate potential for rebound, especially if market sentiment continues to strengthen.

Signal 6 / Set spotlight

Set Spotlight: SWSH10 Astral Radiance

Set signal

The SWSH10 Astral Radiance set, released in 2022, has shown a remarkable average 7-day price change of +6.8%. With a total of 351 cards tracked and an average composite score of 2, the set features Luxray V (Full Art) as its top card. The set's performance is buoyed by strong collector interest, reflected in its 1,145 sales over the past week, positioning it as a key player in the current market landscape.

Signal 7 / Grading watch

Grading Watch

Grade signal
PSA 10 Grading Premiums
CardPremiumRAW PricePSA 10 PricePSA 10 Sales
Mega Charizard X ex68.5x7.63522.404.00
Gengar56.4x5.50309.983.00
Mega Charizard Y ex53.0x7.18380.724.00
Dragonite36.6x5.55202.984.00
Charizard ex35.0x7.74270.5421.00
Chimchar27.8x8.99250.008.00

PSA 10 premiums continue to highlight significant ROI potential, with Mega Charizard X ex commanding a staggering 68.5x premium, priced at $522.40 from a raw value of just $7.63. Gengar also shows a strong premium at 56.4x, with PSA 10 prices reaching $309.98 from a $5.50 raw value. Investors should consider these high-premium cards for grading, as they represent some of the best opportunities for value appreciation.

Signal 8 / Fair value

Fair Value Buys

Value gap
Undervalued Cards — Fair Value Analysis
CardSignalUpside %ConfidenceFair ValueCurrent Price
NemonaSTRONG_BUY732.5084%57.616.92
Shining VolcanionSTRONG_BUY681.5051%59.867.66
Darkrai EXSTRONG_BUY670.6055%82.4510.70
Ho-Oh EXSTRONG_BUY599.2053%43.006.15
ArvenSTRONG_BUY519.3084%60.579.78
Silvally GXSTRONG_BUY428.4055%40.327.63

Several undervalued cards present compelling investment opportunities. Nemona, currently priced at $6.92, has a fair value of $57.61, indicating a potential upside of 732.5% and a STRONG_BUY signal with 84% confidence. Similarly, Shining Volcanion at $7.66 has a fair value of $59.86, suggesting a 681.5% upside. These cards are prime candidates for acquisition given their substantial undervaluation.

Signal 9 / Set spotlight

Set Value Tracker

Set signal
Set Value Changes (7 Day)
SetCards7d ChangeAvg PriceCard SalesTotal ValueSealed Sales
SV03 Obsidian Flames (2023)414.008.901.495,603614.7948.00
McDonalds Promos 2023 (2023)15.006.901.07105.0016.064.00
McDonalds Promos 2024 (2025)15.004.801.32563.0019.779.00
SV04 Paradox Rift (2023)436.004.602.776,1711,207.0815.00
SV01 Scarlet and Violet Base Set (2023)458.004.502.026,640926.0449.00
SV05 Temporal Forces (2024)362.004.403.464,6871,253.475.00

The SV03 Obsidian Flames set has gained the most total value this week, reaching $614.79, a +8.9% increase over 7 days. In contrast, the McDonalds Promos 2023 set has seen a modest total value of $16.06, reflecting a +6.9% change. The average card price in Obsidian Flames is $1.49, supported by strong demand with 5,603 sales, indicating a healthy market for sealed products.

Signal 10 / Pack tape

Pack Value Breakdown

Pack price
Best Pack Value — Sealed Product Comparison
SetPacksPrice$/PackProduct30d Sales
Trick or Trade BOOster Bundle 2024 (2024)6.001.690.28Trick or Trade BOOster Bundle 2024 - Mini Booster Pack14.00
ME03 Perfect Order (2026)36.00201.565.60Perfect Order Booster Box17.00
ME03 Perfect Order (2026)1.006.566.56Perfect Order Booster Pack17.00
SV09 Journey Together (2025)1.006.606.60Journey Together Booster Pack7.00
ME03 Perfect Order (2026)6.0041.426.90Perfect Order Booster Bundle28.00
ME01 Mega Evolution (2025)36.00250.006.94Mega Evolution Half Booster Box12.00

The Trick or Trade BOOster Bundle 2024 offers the best value at $1.69 for 6 packs, translating to just $0.28 per pack. In comparison, the Perfect Order Booster Box is priced at $201.56 for 36 packs, resulting in a higher cost of $5.60 per pack. Investors seeking entry-level sealed products should consider the Trick or Trade BOOster for optimal cost efficiency.

Signal 11 / Forward read

Looking Ahead

Outlook

As the market continues to show bullish sentiment, investors should monitor the SWSH10 Astral Radiance set for further price increases, given its strong performance metrics. Additionally, the arbitrage opportunities present a significant profit potential for those willing to act quickly. With several undervalued cards identified, now is an opportune time for strategic acquisitions to capitalize on future market growth.

Market Pulse is generated from PokeLoupe market data and AI-assisted analysis. It is a collector research aid, not financial advice. Verify condition, seller context, photos, and current marketplace pricing before buying.