Are Pokémon Cards a Better Investment Than International Stocks?
People often wonder if collecting Pokémon cards beats putting money into international stocks. The answer depends on what you want from your investments, but data shows Pokémon cards have crushed stock market returns over long stretches while offering fun along the way.
Start with the big picture. The global trading card market, led by Pokémon, hit about $7.5 billion in value this year, with steady growth of 7 to 8 percent expected each year ahead.[3] Pokémon itself pulled in over $2.2 billion in sales last year, up 25 percent from before, thanks to huge print runs like 10.2 billion cards this year.[1] That kind of demand keeps the market buzzing.
Now compare returns. Since 2004, top Pokémon cards have delivered a whopping 3,821 percent return, way ahead of the S&P 500’s gains over the same time.[3] Real-world examples back this up. One investor shared their 2025 portfolio results: 72 percent overall gains by sticking to proven items like Celebrations booster packs and Obsidian Flames booster boxes, even in a so-called overpriced market.[2] Items like Pokémon Center ETBs and UPCs from sets like 151 or Crown Zenith have held steady or climbed back up after dips.[4]
Stocks, especially international ones, offer reliable growth but come with steady ups and downs tied to world events, company news, and economies. Pokémon cards flip that script. Their value comes from nostalgia, rare prints, and fan hype, not player stats or business reports. Blue-chip cards like first-edition Base Set or trophy pieces stay stable with low volatility, unlike sports cards that tank on injuries.[3] Modern hits from 2025, like the top 10 most expensive cards ever, prove chase cards can explode in price too.[6]
Of course, Pokémon investing has risks. Prices swing with reprints and hype cycles. Cards like Pikachu ex dropped 10 to 15 percent after early surges due to Wave 3 reprints cutting resale premiums by 15 to 20 percent.[1] New products like Collector Chests can even lose value short-term.[5] But smart plays win out: focus on vintage icons, anniversary sets like the 30th coming in 2026, or resilient modern special illustration rares that gained 45 percent this year.[1][2]
International stocks shine for diversification and dividends, but they lack the thrill of opening a pack or watching a card you bought cheap skyrocket. Pokémon cards mature fast into reliable assets, hitting blue-chip status in just 25 years.[3] For patient collectors who grade and store right, they mix profit with passion in ways stocks rarely do.
