Market Pulse archive
BullishMay 20, 2026Daily report

Market Surges 71% with Mewtwo Leading 143% Gain

Bullish sentiment drives significant price movements in key Pokémon cards.

Tracked

39,675

Up

1,020

Down

422

Top move

+143.0%

Today in one read

Today, the Pokémon card market demonstrates a robust bullish sentiment, with 71% of the 39,675 tracked cards experiencing price increases. The market has seen a total of 1,020 cards gain value, while only 422 cards declined, indicating strong demand and inv...

Signal 1 / Signal read

Market Overview

Market signal

Today, the Pokémon card market demonstrates a robust bullish sentiment, with 71% of the 39,675 tracked cards experiencing price increases. The market has seen a total of 1,020 cards gain value, while only 422 cards declined, indicating strong demand and investor confidence. Historical context reveals that the market average has only changed by +0.2% over the past week, highlighting the current surge as a significant outlier. The total sales volume over the past 30 days reached 282,892, with 58,166 sales occurring in the last week, further emphasizing the active trading environment.

Signal 2 / Momentum leader

Top Movers

Top mover

Leading the charge this week is Mewtwo from the SV Scarlet and Violet 151 set, now priced at $4.68 after a staggering 143.0% increase. Pikachu from SWSH11 Lost Origin follows closely with a price of $7.56, up 102.7%. Leafeon ex from SV Prismatic Evolutions has surged to $3.84, marking a 63.7% increase, while Meowth from ME02 Phantasmal Flames reached $34.47, up 48.0%. Bulbasaur from ME Mega Evolution Promo also saw a notable rise of 50.7%, now valued at $37.37.

Signal 3 / Volume watch

Volume Watch

Demand spike

Several cards are exhibiting unusual trading volumes, indicating heightened demand. Notably, Lycanroc from SV09 Journey Together has seen a 3.3x increase in volume, with 75 sales compared to an average of 23. Raticate from ME03 Perfect Order experienced a 3.9x volume spike, now priced at $6.40, suggesting strong collector interest. These spikes signal potential price adjustments as demand continues to rise.

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...
+4.0%
SWSH10 Astral Rad...
+2.3%
SWSH11 Lost Origi...
+1.3%
SV White Flare
+1.2%

The SWSH10 Astral Radiance set is outperforming the overall market with a 7-day price change of +6.7%, significantly higher than the market average of +0.2%. This set, with a composite score of 2, has 351 cards tracked and 1,104 sales, indicating a healthy trading environment. The top card, Gardenia's Vigor (Full Art), reflects this trend, showcasing the set's strength. In contrast, the Crown Zenith Galarian Gallery set, while also positive at +4%, is not keeping pace with Astral Radiance, despite a composite score of 29 and 10,706 sales. This indicates that collectors are favoring cards from Astral Radiance over those from Crown Zenith at this time. The SWSH10 Astral Radiance set's performance is further bolstered by the top gainer, Registeel, which skyrocketed by 2289.7%.

Signal 5 / Cooling tape

Notable Declines

Decliner

Several cards are experiencing notable declines, presenting potential buy opportunities. Wooper from SV Scarlet and Violet Promo Cards has dropped to $6.83, down 33.7%, while Luxray V (Full Art) from SWSH10 Astral Radiance has decreased by 20.1%, now priced at $6.58. These declines may offer entry points for collectors, especially given their historical value and potential for recovery in the market.

Signal 6 / Set spotlight

Set Spotlight: SWSH10 Astral Radiance (2022)

Set signal

SWSH10 Astral Radiance has shown remarkable resilience, with an average 7-day price change of +6.7%. The set features 351 cards and has a total of 1,104 sales, indicating strong collector interest. The top card, Gardenia's Vigor (Full Art), exemplifies the set's appeal, while the overall composite score remains low at 2. The set's performance is underscored by the top gainer, Registeel, which has increased by an astonishing 2289.7%, highlighting the 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 ex52.5x7.25380.724.00
Charizard ex35.0x7.74270.5419.00
Dragonite34.4x5.99205.963.00
Popplio25.2x7.73194.983.00

PSA 10 premiums remain robust, with Mega Charizard X ex commanding a staggering 68.5x premium, currently priced at $522.40 from a raw value of $7.63. Gengar also shows strong potential, with a 56.4x premium, priced at $309.98 from a raw value of $5.50. Collectors should consider these cards for grading, as they offer significant returns on investment, particularly in a market where graded cards are increasingly in demand.

Signal 8 / Fair value

Fair Value Buys

Value gap
Undervalued Cards — Fair Value Analysis
CardSignalUpside %ConfidenceFair ValueCurrent Price
NemonaSTRONG_BUY730.4085%57.636.94
Shining VolcanionSTRONG_BUY698.8051%61.037.64
Darkrai EXSTRONG_BUY673.8055%82.5610.67
Ho-Oh EXSTRONG_BUY600.7053%43.026.14
ArvenSTRONG_BUY456.0084%55.049.90
Silvally GXSTRONG_BUY398.1055%40.358.10

Several undervalued cards present strong buying opportunities. Nemona, currently priced at $6.94, has a fair value of $57.63, indicating a potential upside of 730.4%. Similarly, Shining Volcanion at $7.64 has a fair value of $61.03, suggesting a 698.8% upside. Darkrai EX, priced at $10.67, shows a fair value of $82.56, representing a 673.8% upside. These cards are flagged with STRONG_BUY signals, reflecting their potential for significant appreciation.

Signal 9 / Set spotlight

Set Value Tracker

Set signal
Set Value Changes (7 Day)
SetCards7d ChangeAvg PriceCard SalesTotal ValueSealed Sales
ME02 Phantasmal Flames (2025)226.00-4.906.174,4941,393.4228.00
SV03 Obsidian Flames (2023)414.003.801.484,934610.7127.00
SV01 Scarlet and Violet Base Set (2023)458.003.202.046,218932.4920.00
SV White Flare (2025)411.003.208.158,3363,350.06120.00
SV Black Bolt (2025)411.003.009.008,0313,700.72191.00
Crown Zenith Galarian Gallery (2023)70.002.8033.4410,7062,340.770

In the past week, ME02 Phantasmal Flames has seen a total value decline of 4.9%, now at $1,393.40. This set, with an average card price of $6.17, has 4,494 card sales, indicating a drop in demand. Conversely, SV03 Obsidian Flames has gained 3.8% in total value, reaching $610.71, with an average card price of $1.48. The total value of SV01 Scarlet and Violet Base Set has also increased by 3.2%, now at $932.49, showcasing its stability 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 Pack14.00
ME03 Perfect Order (2026)36.00220.156.12Perfect Order Booster Box19.00
ME03 Perfect Order (2026)1.006.186.18Perfect Order Booster Pack19.00
SV09 Journey Together (2025)1.006.746.74Journey Together Booster Pack6.00
ME03 Perfect Order (2026)1.006.866.86Perfect Order Sleeved Booster Pack19.00
ME01 Mega Evolution (2025)36.00250.006.94Mega Evolution Half Booster Box15.00

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. In contrast, the Perfect Order Booster Box from ME03 Perfect Order 2026 is priced at $220.15 for 36 packs, resulting in a higher cost of $6.12 per pack. Collectors should consider the Trick or Trade BOOster Bundle for the most economical entry point into the market.

Signal 11 / Forward read

Looking Ahead

Outlook

As the market continues to exhibit bullish trends, investors should monitor the SWSH10 Astral Radiance set for further gains, given its strong performance relative to the market average. Additionally, the arbitrage opportunities present a lucrative avenue for profit, particularly with cards like Shining Charizard and Charizard VMAX. Collectors should also keep an eye on undervalued cards like Nemona and Shining Volcanion, which could see significant appreciation as market dynamics shift.

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.