Are Pokémon Cards Beating the S&P 500 Over Decades?
Many collectors wonder if holding onto rare Pokémon cards could outpace traditional stock market investments like the S&P 500. The short answer is yes, at least for top Pokémon cards over the past two decades, based on solid market data.
Let’s break it down with real numbers. Since 2004, Pokémon cards have delivered about 3,821 percent total returns, according to Card Ladder data. That crushes the S&P 500’s performance over the same stretch. For context, the S&P 500 is a broad index of 500 big U.S. companies, often used as a benchmark for stock market growth. Pokémon’s edge comes from iconic cards like 1st Edition Base Set holos, trophy cards, and stars such as Charizard or Pikachu.[2]
Why has this happened? Pokémon cards hit “blue-chip” status fast, in just 25 years. Their value sticks around because of fixed supply from early prints, tight control by The Pokémon Company, and steady fan demand. Unlike sports cards, which swing wildly with player injuries or careers, Pokémon’s top cards stay stable. No single event tanks their worth overnight.[2]
Take examples from big sales. A PSA 10 Gem Mint Shadowless 1st Edition Holo Charizard fetched $420,000. Logan Paul dropped $5.275 million on a PSA 10 Illustrator Pikachu in 2022. These aren’t flukes; the whole graded trading card market exploded 700 percent since 2020, per PSA reports, with Pokémon leading the charge.[3]
The trading card industry keeps growing too. It hit $44 billion in 2023 and could double to $98 billion by 2030, growing at 8.2 percent a year. Pokémon benefits from this boom, plus pandemic hobbies and celebrity buzz.[3]
One twist: The Pokémon Company’s finances show a slight negative link to S&P 500 moves. When stocks rise, signaling strong economy and investor confidence, it actually helps their credit profile and gaming sector stability. But for collectors, card prices don’t mirror company earnings directly. Vintage scarcity drives the gains.[1][2]
Not every card wins big. Modern sets spike short-term but fade; focus on preserved vintage icons for long-haul holds. Pokémon cards have proven they can beat the S&P 500 so far, blending fun collecting with real appreciation potential.
