What is the flaw in the comparison?

The flaw is cherry-picking the best-performing rare cards and comparing them to the market average, while ignoring storage costs, insurance, and illiquidity.

Is investing in collectibles a good idea?

It can be risky, as most collectibles lose value over time, require storage and insurance costs, and may be difficult to sell quickly.

Pokémon Cards Beat S&P 500 by 2.5x, But the Math Is a Lie

A viral video claims that Pokémon cards have outperformed the S&P 500 by 2.5 times over 20 years. However, a financial advisor identified a fundamental flaw in the comparison, calling it a 'math crime.' The numbers only hold up if you never ask where they came from.

July 18, 2026

2 min read

Source: 24/7 Wall St.

The Viral Claim

A widely shared video clip claims that investing in collectible Pokémon cards has outperformed the S&P 500 by 2.5 times over 20 years. However, a financial advisor spotted a fundamental flaw in the comparison, calling it a "math crime."

Details

The original comparison used return data from a select group of rare Pokémon cards that appreciated significantly, ignoring the average performance of all cards. It also failed to account for storage costs, insurance, and low liquidity—essential factors in any real investment. According to the advisor, the numbers only hold up if you never ask where they came from.

Context

This type of misleading comparison is common in the investment world, where the best examples are cherry-picked to compare against market averages. While some rare Pokémon cards have delivered exceptional returns, the vast majority of cards lose value over time.

What It Means for Investors

Experts warn against relying on such selective comparisons for investment decisions. A fair comparison requires looking at the average returns across all cards, factoring in the costs and risks associated with investing in collectibles.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the claim is based on a selective comparison of rare cards, ignoring the average performance of all cards and associated costs.

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This article was rewritten in Wrqti's editorial style based on information from the original source above. Content is informational only — not investment advice.