Market Pulse archive
BullishMay 18, 2026Daily report

Mewtwo Surges 143% as Market Sentiment Hits 73% Gains

A bullish market signals strong demand for Pokémon cards with notable price movements.

Tracked

39,575

Up

1,052

Down

397

Top move

+143.0%

Today in one read

The Pokémon card market is currently experiencing a bullish sentiment, with 73% of tracked cards, or 1,052 cards, showing price increases. This contrasts sharply with the 397 cards that have declined in value, while 38,126 cards remain flat. Historical cont...

Signal 1 / Signal read

Market Overview

Market signal

The Pokémon card market is currently experiencing a bullish sentiment, with 73% of tracked cards, or 1,052 cards, showing price increases. This contrasts sharply with the 397 cards that have declined in value, while 38,126 cards remain flat. Historical context reveals that the market averaged a mere 0.2% increase over the last 7 days, but today's data indicates a significant uptick in demand, suggesting a potential shift in collector interest. Notably, the total number of tracked cards stands at 39,575, underscoring the vast landscape of investment opportunities available to serious collectors.

Signal 2 / Momentum leader

Top Movers

Top mover

Leading the charge this week is Mewtwo from the SV Scarlet and Violet 151 set, skyrocketing to $4.68, marking a staggering 143% increase. Pikachu from SWSH11 Lost Origin follows closely at $7.56, up 87.6%. Bulbasaur from the ME Mega Evolution Promo set also saw a notable rise, now priced at $44.11, reflecting a 77.1% gain. Other significant gainers include Gothitelle at $5.31 (+73.0%) and Slowpoke at $20.59 (+70.2%), indicating robust demand across various card types.

Signal 3 / Volume watch

Volume Watch

Demand spike

Pikachu from SWSH11 Lost Origin has experienced an unusual volume spike, with sales increasing to 12, representing a 4.3x surge compared to its average. This price increase of 87.6% signals heightened collector interest. Similarly, Gardevoir from SWSH10 Astral Radiance Trainer Gallery also saw a volume jump to 50 sales, up 4.3x from the norm, suggesting a growing demand for Trainer Gallery cards. Such spikes often precede sustained price increases, making these cards worth monitoring closely.

Signal 4 / Sector map

Sector Analysis

Category read

7-Day Performance vs Market Average

Market Avg
+0.2%
SWSH10 Astral Rad...
+6.7%
Crown Zenith Gala...
+3.1%
ME Mega Evolution...
+2.5%
SWSH11 Lost Origi...
+2.4%
SWSH10 Astral Rad...
+2.2%

The SWSH10 Astral Radiance set has outperformed the overall market with a 7-day price change of +6.7%, significantly better than the market average of +0.2%. This set features 351 cards and has recorded 1,137 sales, indicating strong collector engagement. The top gainer within this set, Registeel, has seen an astonishing increase of 2,289.7%, showcasing the potential for high returns within this sector. In contrast, the ME Mega Evolution Promo set, while gaining +2.5%, remains less dynamic with a composite score of 23 and 7-day sales of 7,103, indicating a more stable but less explosive market performance. Meanwhile, Crown Zenith Galarian Gallery has also performed well with a 7-day increase of +3.1%, outperforming the broader market by 2.9%.

Signal 5 / Cooling tape

Notable Declines

Decliner

Several cards have experienced notable declines, presenting potential buying opportunities for savvy investors. N's PP Up from ME Ascended Heroes has dropped to $3.26, a decrease of 37.7%, while Wooper from SV Scarlet and Violet Promo Cards fell by 33.3% to $6.94. Mega Venusaur ex from the Prize Pack Series has also seen a 24.0% decline, now priced at $8.82. Given the fair value context, these cards may be undervalued, particularly if market sentiment shifts back in their favor.

Signal 6 / Set spotlight

Set Spotlight: SWSH10 Astral Radiance

Set signal

The SWSH10 Astral Radiance set has shown remarkable resilience, with an average 7-day price change of +6.7%. This set includes 351 cards, with a composite score of 2, indicating a relatively stable market. The top card, Gardenia's Vigor (Full Art), has contributed to the set's performance, and with 1,137 total sales, it reflects a healthy demand. The set's ability to outperform the broader market by 6.5% highlights its potential for future growth.

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

The trend for PSA 10 premiums remains strong, with Mega Charizard X ex commanding a staggering 68.5x premium, rising from a raw price of $7.63 to $522.40. Gengar also shows a robust premium of 56.4x, with raw prices at $5.50 and PSA 10s fetching $309.98. These significant premiums indicate that cards with high grading potential can yield substantial returns, making them attractive targets for investment.

Signal 8 / Fair value

Fair Value Buys

Value gap
Undervalued Cards — Fair Value Analysis
CardSignalUpside %ConfidenceFair ValueCurrent Price
NemonaSTRONG_BUY730.5082%57.476.92
Shining VolcanionSTRONG_BUY695.0051%60.907.66
Darkrai EXSTRONG_BUY677.1055%82.9210.67
Ho-Oh EXSTRONG_BUY605.1053%43.016.10
ArvenSTRONG_BUY456.6085%54.949.87
Silvally GXSTRONG_BUY394.6055%40.618.21

Several undervalued cards present compelling investment opportunities. Nemona is currently priced at $6.92, with a fair value of $57.47, suggesting an upside of +730.5% and a STRONG_BUY signal with 82% confidence. Shining Volcanion at $7.66 has a fair value of $60.90, indicating a +695.0% upside. Darkrai EX, priced at $10.67, shows a fair value of $82.92, offering a +677.1% upside. These cards are poised for significant appreciation as market conditions evolve.

Signal 9 / Set spotlight

Set Value Tracker

Set signal
Set Value Changes (7 Day)
SetCards7d ChangeAvg PriceCard SalesTotal ValueSealed Sales
SV03 Obsidian Flames (2023)414.006.901.485,084613.1340.00
SV01 Scarlet and Violet Base Set (2023)458.004.602.036,514930.1521.00
McDonalds Promos 2023 (2023)15.004.501.08105.0016.164.00
SV Prismatic Evolutions (2025)447.004.2012.6613,5285,657.77263.00
SV04 Paradox Rift (2023)436.004.002.795,9941,214.9312.00
SWSH09 Brilliant Stars Trainer Gallery (2022)30.003.6023.223,086696.730

In the past week, the SV03 Obsidian Flames set gained a total value of $613.13, reflecting a 6.9% increase across its 414 cards. This set's average price per card stands at $1.48, with 5,084 card sales indicating strong demand. In contrast, the SV01 Scarlet and Violet Base Set saw a total value of $930.15, with a more modest 4.6% increase. The sealed product demand remains robust, particularly for the SV Prismatic Evolutions set, which has a total value of $5,657.77 and an average price of $12.66 per card, further emphasizing the potential for sealed products in the current market.

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)6.001.880.31Trick or Trade BOOster Bundle 2024 - Mini Booster Pack15.00
ME03 Perfect Order (2026)36.00208.375.79Perfect Order Booster Box19.00
ME03 Perfect Order (2026)1.006.536.53Perfect Order Sleeved Booster Pack19.00
ME03 Perfect Order (2026)1.006.596.59Perfect Order Booster Pack19.00
SV09 Journey Together (2025)1.006.646.64Journey Together Booster Pack7.00
ME01 Mega Evolution (2025)36.00250.006.94Mega Evolution Half Booster Box14.00

The Trick or Trade BOOster Bundle 2024 offers the best value, priced at $1.88 for 6 packs, translating to just $0.31 per pack. This low entry point, coupled with 15 sales in the last 30 days, makes it an attractive option for collectors. In contrast, the Perfect Order Booster Box from ME03 Perfect Order is priced at $208.37 for 36 packs, equating to $5.79 per pack, which, while higher, still offers decent value for those looking to invest in sealed products.

Signal 11 / Forward read

Looking Ahead

Outlook

As the market continues to show bullish sentiment, attention should be focused on cards with high momentum, particularly those exceeding 70. With the current landscape favoring sets like SWSH10 Astral Radiance, investors should monitor upcoming sales trends closely. The arbitrage opportunities present a lucrative avenue for profit, particularly for high-demand cards like Shining Charizard and various Charizard variants. Collectors should remain vigilant for undervalued cards that may soon see price corrections, particularly those with strong fair value indicators.

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.