Hot Wheels Vs. Stock Market: Collectibles Outperforming Traditional Investments

In the ever-changing world of finance and volatile markets, it’s easy to assume that traditional investments like stocks are the primary path to growth. However, recent findings show that collectibles like Hot Wheels and rare trading cards are quietly outperforming traditional investments in annual ROIs (usually 10% per year).  

Our latest study looked into the unconventional world of alternative investments, analyzing over 85 different products. The results? Unusual items have demonstrated staggering annual return rates, leaving the stock market far behind and uncovering how seemingly ordinary collectibles have quietly transformed into extraordinary assets.

Key Findings:

• Hot Wheels take the top spot with the highest average annual return rate across all categories
• Hot Wheels’ “Super Treasure Hunt 2023 Datsun Bluebird Wagon 510” tops the charts with a jaw-dropping 5567% annual return rate 

• The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 trading card has appreciated from just 10 cents in 1952 to a staggering $12.6 million in 2024, marking it as the highest total growth in dollar value 

Top 10 Categories by Average Annual Return Rates (%):

Here are the top 10 categories with the highest average annual return rates, showcasing the surprising profitability of these unconventional investments. From Hot Wheels to LEGO, these categories have proven to deliver impressive returns year after year.

1.) Hot Wheels: 1178.8%

2.) Action Figures: 154.7%

3.) Funko Pop!: 151.7%

4.) Sneakers: 52.8%

5.) Trading Cards: 50.0%

6.) Video Games: 33.1%

7.) Comic Books: 28.6%

8.) Bearbrick: 27.1%

9.) First/Rare Edition Books: 25.3%

10.) LEGO: 24.6%

Top 10 Products With Highest Annual Return Rates (%):

It might be surprising, but collectibles like Hot Wheels and trading cards are delivering impressive returns. Here’s a look at other categories that are generating remarkable annual return rates.

1.) Hot Wheels “Super Treasure Hunt 2023 Datsun Bluebird Wagon 510”: 5566.7% 

2.) Hot Wheels “Super Treasure Hunt 2023 82 Toyota Supra”: 3366.7% 

3.) Hot Wheels “Super Treasure Hunt 2023 Porsche 935”: 1233.3% 

4.) Hot Wheels “Super Treasure Hunt 2022 99 Honda Civic Type R (EK9)”: 758.3% 

5.) Funko Pop! “Rides One Piece Luffy with Thousand Sunny 2022 CCXP Exclusive Figure #114”: 451.9% 

6.) Funko Pop! Marvel Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse Spider-Punk Funko Shop Exclusive Figure #1231″: 366.7%

7.) Action Figures “Monster High Skullector Elvira Doll”: 360% 

8.) Action Figures “Mattel Monster High Lagoona Blue Reproduction Doll”: 248.5% 

9.) Action Figures “Mattel Monster High Haunt Couture Draculaura Doll”: 158.2% 

10.) Hot Wheels “Hot Wheels Super Treasure Hunt 2020 Lamborghini Sesto Elemento”: 156.6% 

Top 10 Products With Highest Total Growth (In Dollar Value):

These collectibles have truly stood the test of time, delivering impressive returns. Here’s a look at the top 10 products that have seen the highest total growth in dollar value, turning modest initial investments into remarkable profits.

1.) Trading Cards – 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 SGC Mint+ 9.5 – 1985 Rosen Find – “Finest Known Example!” (1952)
Original Price: $0.10
Current Value: $12,600,000
Total Growth: $12,600,000

2.) Comic Books – Action Comics #1 Kansas City Pedigree (1938)
Original Price: $0.10
Current Value: $6,000,000
Total Growth: $6,000,000

3.) Trading Cards – Stephen Curry Rookie Card #206 signed (2009)
Original Price: $5.00
Current Value: $5,900,000
Total Growth: $5,899,995

4.) Comic Books – Amazing Fantasy #15 (Marvel, 1962) CGC NM+ 9.6
Original Price: $0.12
Current Value: $3,600,000
Total Growth: $3,600,000

5.) Comic Books – Marvel Super-Heroes Secret Wars #8 Story Page 25 Black Costume/Venom Original Art (1984)
Original Price: $1.25
Current Value: $3,360,000
Total Growth: $3,359,999

6.) Comic Books – Action Comics #1 Rocket Copy (1938) CGC FN 6.0
Original Price: $0.10
Current Value: $3,180,000
Total Growth: $3,180,000

7.) Comic Books – Captain America Comics #1 San Francisco Pedigree (1941) CGC NM 9.4
Original Price: $0.10
Current Value: $3,120,000
Total Growth: $3,120,000

8.) Comic Books – Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #1 Cover Original Art (1986)
Original Price: $1.50
Current Value: $2,400,000
Total Growth: $2,399,999

9.) Comic Books – Superman #1 (DC, 1939) CGC FN/VF 7.0
Original Price: $0.10
Current Value: $2,340,000
Total Growth: $2,340,000

10.) Comic Books – Batman #1 (DC, 1940) CGC NM 9.4
Original Price: $0.10
Current Value: $2,220,000
Total Growth: $2,220,000

Conclusion & Full Data Set

This study shows that unexpected items like Hot Wheels and trading cards are outperforming traditional investments, delivering impressive returns over time. It also highlights how value can be found in the most surprising places, turning small investments into significant gains.

View full data set here.

The data set above includes release dates, original retail prices, current values, annual return rates, and total growth.  

Methodology

This data was collected in August 2024.

Following the recent stock market volatility, we explored alternative investments with higher annual return rates, than the average stock. The study looked the the following factors: Release dates, retail prices, current values, annual return rates, and total growth ($).

To find the annual return rates, the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) formula was used.

Fair use 

Feel free to use the data or visuals on this page for non-commercial purposes. Please be sure to include proper attribution linking back to this page to give credit to the authors.  

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