Market Pulse archive
BullishMay 21, 2026Daily report

Market Surge: 69% of Cards Gain Value Amid Bullish Sentiment

Strong demand drives notable increases in card values across multiple sets.

Tracked

39,725

Up

1,009

Down

452

Top move

+143.0%

Today in one read

Today, 1,009 cards (69%) have increased in value, signaling a bullish market sentiment across the 39,725 tracked cards. In contrast, 452 cards have declined in value, while 38,264 remain flat. The overall market direction is positive, with an average 7-day...

Signal 1 / Signal read

Market Overview

Market signal

Today, 1,009 cards (69%) have increased in value, signaling a bullish market sentiment across the 39,725 tracked cards. In contrast, 452 cards have declined in value, while 38,264 remain flat. The overall market direction is positive, with an average 7-day price change of +0.2% and a 30-day change of +0.6%. Historical context shows that only 2% of cards have been bullish over the past week, indicating a strong shift in collector interest.

Signal 2 / Momentum leader

Top Movers

Top mover

Leading the charge this week is Mewtwo (SV Scarlet and Violet 151 #150/165), which surged to $3.77, marking a staggering +143.0% increase. Pikachu (SWSH11 Lost Origin #052/196) follows closely at $7.56, up +97.9%. Other significant gainers include Beautifly (ME Ascended Heroes #219/217) at $11.08 (+53.5%) and Leafeon ex (SV Prismatic Evolutions #006/131) at $4.95 (+63.7%).

Signal 3 / Volume watch

Volume Watch

Demand spike

Unusual trading activity has been observed in several cards, indicating heightened demand. Raticate (ME03 Perfect Order) experienced a volume spike of 3.9x its normal trading volume, with 55 sales compared to an average of 14, resulting in a price increase of +20.5%. Similarly, Tyrunt (ME Mega Evolution Promo) saw 256 sales, 3.0x its average volume, and a price jump of +31.5%, suggesting growing collector interest.

Signal 4 / Sector map

Sector Analysis

Category read

7-Day Performance vs Market Average

Market Avg
+0.2%
SWSH10 Astral Rad...
+6.6%
Crown Zenith Gala...
+4.2%
SWSH10 Astral Rad...
+2.3%
McDonalds Promos ...
-0.8%

SWSH10 Astral Radiance (2022) has outperformed the market with a 7-day average price change of +6.6%, exceeding the market average by 6.5%. This set has a composite score of 2 and includes 351 cards, with a notable top gainer, Registeel, which skyrocketed +2289.7%. In contrast, Crown Zenith Galarian Gallery (2023) shows a solid +4.2% change, outperforming the market average by 4%, indicating steady demand with 10,524 sales. However, the McDonalds Promos 2024 (2025) set underperformed, with a -0.8% change, highlighting a lack of collector interest compared to the broader market trends. The average composite score of 1 for this set suggests a need for strategic reevaluation.

Signal 5 / Cooling tape

Notable Declines

Decliner

Several cards have experienced significant drops, presenting potential buy opportunities. N's PP Up (ME Ascended Heroes #262/217) fell to $3.09, down -37.7%, while Bulbasaur (ME Mega Evolution Promo #037) decreased to $39.03, down -23.1%. These declines could signal undervaluation, especially given Bulbasaur's previous high demand. Investors should consider these cards for potential rebounds in value.

Signal 6 / Set spotlight

Set Spotlight: SWSH10 Astral Radiance

Set signal

SWSH10 Astral Radiance (2022) is highlighted this week, showcasing an average 7-day price change of +6.6% and a composite score of 2. The set includes 351 cards, with notable demand reflected in 1,091 sales. The top card, Gardenia's Vigor (Full Art), has shown resilience in the market, indicating strong collector interest in this set.

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
Starly28.7x11.32325.393.00

PSA 10 premiums continue to demonstrate significant returns. Mega Charizard X ex, with a raw price of $7.63, commands a PSA 10 price of $522.40, yielding a remarkable 68.5x premium. Gengar also shows a strong premium, moving from $5.50 raw to $309.98 in PSA 10, reflecting a 56.4x premium. Cards like Charizard ex and Dragonite also present solid grading ROI, making them attractive options for collectors considering grading.

Signal 8 / Fair value

Fair Value Buys

Value gap
Undervalued Cards — Fair Value Analysis
CardSignalUpside %ConfidenceFair ValueCurrent Price
NemonaSTRONG_BUY735.2084%57.966.94
Shining VolcanionSTRONG_BUY696.5051%61.177.68
Darkrai EXSTRONG_BUY675.8055%82.5510.64
Ho-Oh EXSTRONG_BUY600.8053%43.036.14
ArvenSTRONG_BUY455.8083%55.369.96
Flaaffy (Secret)STRONG_BUY391.5051%34.707.06

Several undervalued cards present strong buying opportunities. Nemona, currently priced at $6.94, has a fair value of $57.96, indicating a staggering +735.2% upside. Similarly, Shining Volcanion at $7.68 has a fair value of $61.17 (+696.5% upside), and Darkrai EX at $10.64 has a fair value of $82.55 (+675.8% upside). Each of these cards carries a STRONG_BUY signal, with confidence levels ranging from 51% to 84%.

Signal 9 / Set spotlight

Set Value Tracker

Set signal
Set Value Changes (7 Day)
SetCards7d ChangeAvg PriceCard SalesTotal ValueSealed Sales
ME02 Phantasmal Flames (2025)226.004.606.804,3371,537.72228.00
McDonalds Promos 2024 (2025)15.00-3.801.24521.0018.677.00
SV03 Obsidian Flames (2023)414.003.401.484,858613.0614.00
Crown Zenith Galarian Gallery (2023)70.003.4033.7010,5242,359.120
SV White Flare (2025)411.002.908.168,2223,354.79113.00
SV02 Paldea Evolved (2023)463.002.804.365,6072,017.038.00

This week, ME02 Phantasmal Flames (2025) gained total value, now at $1,537.72 (+4.6% 7d) with an average card price of $6.80, reflecting solid demand with 4,337 card sales. In contrast, McDonalds Promos 2024 (2025) lost total value, dropping to $18.67 (-3.8% 7d), highlighting weak collector interest in this set. The total value dynamics indicate a strong correlation between card sales and overall set performance.

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)6.001.930.32Trick or Trade BOOster Bundle 2024 - Mini Booster Pack13.00
ME03 Perfect Order (2026)36.00213.015.92Perfect Order Booster Box19.00
ME03 Perfect Order (2026)1.006.436.43Perfect Order Booster Pack19.00
SV09 Journey Together (2025)1.006.676.67Journey Together Booster Pack5.00
ME01 Mega Evolution (2025)36.00250.006.94Mega Evolution Half Booster Box16.00
ME03 Perfect Order (2026)1.006.996.99Perfect Order Sleeved Booster Pack19.00

The Trick or Trade BOOster Bundle 2024 offers the best value at $1.93 for 6 packs, averaging just $0.32 per pack. In comparison, the Perfect Order Booster Box (ME03 Perfect Order 2026) is priced at $213.01 for 36 packs, equating to $5.92 per pack. Investors should consider these options for cost-effective entry points into the market.

Signal 11 / Forward read

Looking Ahead

Outlook

The current bullish sentiment suggests a continued upward trajectory for many cards, particularly in sets like SWSH10 Astral Radiance and SV Scarlet and Violet. Investors should monitor top gainers and volume spikes closely, as they can indicate emerging trends. Additionally, the arbitrage opportunities present a lucrative avenue for profit, especially with eBay purchases. Keeping an eye on undervalued cards may yield significant returns in the coming weeks.

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.