With the recent surge in Pokemon card prices, collecting has transformed from a childhood pastime into a significant market for collectors and investors.
Historically, Pokemon cards were primarily seen as toys or game pieces.
However, rare cards like the 1st Edition Charizard or Pikachu Illustrator card have sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars at auctions, underscoring a growing recognition of Pokemon cards as valuable collectibles similar to fine art or rare coins.
For instance, in 2020, a mint condition Charizard card sold for more than $300,000, attracting interest from traditional collectors, celebrities and investors.
The Guinness world record for the “most expensive Pokemon trading card sold at a private sale” was set in Dubai last year, with a Pikachu PSA 10 Illustrator card sold for $5,275,000 to YouTuber Logan Paul.
Diversifying your investments is a key strategy, and adding Pokemon cards might help balance out more traditional investments like stocks and bonds.
During the uncertainties of the Covid-19 pandemic, demand for rare Pokemon cards went up, suggesting they could offer some protection when other investments are struggling. But it's important to be cautious.
The value of the cards can fluctuate significantly and is often influenced by trends in the collecting world.
It's important to do thorough research and consult experts in collectibles before investing heavily in Pokemon cards.
As with any investment, there are risks and potential investors should consider these carefully against their financial goals and risk tolerance.
The sustainability of the current hype around Pokemon cards is uncertain. The recent surge in prices might be driven by nostalgia and social media, leading to temporary spikes in demand.
Historically, markets like those for comic books have experienced similar trends where initial excitement was followed by a decline in value.
On the other hand, Pokemon has maintained a strong and growing fan base for more than 25 years, which could suggest a more stable interest.
The brand's strategic releases and collaborations, as well as the continuing popularity of its games and media, contribute to continued demand.
Several factors determine the value of Pokemon cards, making some far more valuable than others.
First and foremost is rarity. Cards that were printed in limited numbers or were part of special events tend to be much more sought after.
For example, the Pikachu Illustrator card is extremely rare and highly prized due to its unique history and limited distribution.
The condition of a card is another crucial factor. Cards that have been kept in pristine condition, free from damage or wear, are significantly more valuable.
Dubai-based collector breaks world record for biggest Pokemon card sale – in pictures
Collectors often seek out cards that have been professionally graded by companies like PSA or Beckett, which provide a reliable assessment of a card’s condition.
The age of the card also plays a significant role. Cards from the original 1999 base set, especially the 1st Edition ones, are highly valued because they represent the beginning of the Pokemon card phenomenon.
These cards have a nostalgic appeal and are often considered cornerstones of any serious collection.
The popularity of the Pokemon featured on the card can greatly influence its value as well. Iconic characters like Charizard, Pikachu and Mewtwo are favourites among collectors, and cards featuring them often fetch higher prices.
Current trends and the broader popularity of Pokemon as a brand can impact card values. When Pokemon media, such as new games or movies, captures the public’s attention, interest in the cards tends to increase.
This means that staying informed about the latest Pokemon developments can be beneficial for potential investors.
Additionally, they should consider regularly visiting pop culture stores to keep an eye out for the latest editions.
As with any investment, potential investors must weigh the risks and rewards, stay informed about market dynamics, and perhaps most importantly, maintain a genuine appreciation for the rich history and cultural significance of Pokemon cards.
Hassan Tamimi is the chief executive of The Little Things ME
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Cinco in numbers
Dh3.7 million
The estimated cost of Victoria Swarovski’s gem-encrusted Michael Cinco wedding gown
46
The number, in kilograms, that Swarovski’s wedding gown weighed.
1,000
The hours it took to create Cinco’s vermillion petal gown, as seen in his atelier [note, is the one he’s playing with in the corner of a room]
50
How many looks Cinco has created in a new collection to celebrate Ballet Philippines’ 50th birthday
3,000
The hours needed to create the butterfly gown worn by Aishwarya Rai to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.
1.1 million
The number of followers that Michael Cinco’s Instagram account has garnered.
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ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
On racial profiling at airports
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, which can lead to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer.
There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E.
Hepatitis C is mostly transmitted through exposure to infective blood. This can occur through blood transfusions, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injecting drugs. Sexual transmission is also possible, but is much less common.
People infected with hepatitis C experience few or no symptoms, meaning they can live with the virus for years without being diagnosed. This delay in treatment can increase the risk of significant liver damage.
There are an estimated 170 million carriers of Hepatitis C around the world.
The virus causes approximately 399,000 fatalities each year worldwide, according to WHO.
