Does the stock market affect card prices?

[Mountaineer1999]

I've just noticed I'm not as in a spending mood after seeing red day after day. I would think that would be the case for most card collectors who have money in the markets. To get a real pullback in card prices I would assume that we would need a major market correction where some in the hobby would actually start to sell their cards. How would card values hold up in a recession....

[Rich Klein]

Yet in 1987 when the market tanked; prices exploded on all cards old and new

[oldjudge]

Everyone is in a different situation. However a lower stock market should translate to a decline in average disposable funds, which should result in lower prices for all non-essential items.

[Yoda]

I believe there is a direct correlation between the two. If the market is up and people are feeling good about the financial future, then I imagine they are more willing to go after big $ cards up to a point. I know that is the way I operate and with the big drop since the first of the year I probably will be sitting on the sidelines for a while unless real value presents itself. I believe there is a higher percentage of Americans in the stock market through 401Ks and IRAs than many people imagine and market movements will inevitably affect spending. I believe it will be interesting to see final prices realized in the current auctions, Mile High and For the Love of the Game, to see if the market pullback has any affect. Just remember what Chairman Mao said, "May you live in interesting times."

[chipperhank44]

For me, the stock market has almost no affect on my spending as it has no direct correlation to my disposable income. Gas prices, however, have had a wonderful affect on my spending!

Also, today's been a pretty nice little day for the market, well, unless you're Best Buy.

[midmo]

[Econteachert205]

Personally speaking I would say it does for me.

[kailes2872]

For me, the stock market has almost no affect on my spending as it has no direct correlation to my disposable income. Gas prices, however, have had a wonderful affect on my spending!

I am waaay oversimplifying and am by every consideration, a novice on the financial markets. However, my advisor told me that it is a tad ironic with the oil price decline. The decline is causing a massive drop in energy stocks which (along with the China issue) is driving stock market declines. Meanwhile, it is driving much cheaper gas - especially when adjusted for inflation. So, the people that can "afford" gas prices in the upper $2 to low $3 range (not necessarily like it, but it doesn't change their lives), tend to have more money in the market - and the upside in cheap gas does not offset the downside in their net worth. The folks that need low gas prices, don't have the same level of market investment. You would think that increase in discretionary spending would make its way to retail shelves and drive earnings and share prices for companies - but we are not yet seeing that lag. In a way it reminds me of the way the market works with layoffs. When a company annouces 2000 layoffs, their stock price usually shoots up. However, when aggregate job losses are annouced on the quarter, the market dips. So, the street likes when companies have layoffs but when they all add up, they don't line the total decrease in jobs - as if they are separated from each other.

I've just noticed I'm not as in a spending mood after seeing red day after day. I would think that would be the case for most card collectors who have money in the markets.

^^^^ This for me. I have a junior in high school and his 529 portfolio was red for '15. It would have done better in a 1% savings account or buried in the back yard. I believe in market performance over time, but I am running out of months until he goes and I need the power of compound interest to offset the seemingly inelastic pricing of a college education. Knowing that monster is staring me in the eye (with 11 consecutive years with the younger two), it becomes a philosophical conversation with my wife if we are forced to cash flow college to keep from selling low on the investments in the early years - therefore, I try to be a responsible adult as much as I want to continue to grow the collection.

[ullmandds]

dow drops 300 point at open...i wont be buying any cards this morning!!!!!!

[Cozumeleno]

I am only in my 30s, so it doesn't affect what I do. If I were anywhere near retirement age, I am sure it would.

[Snapolit1]

I would have to think that many of the folks dabbling in ultra high end Mantle cards are banker/financial types. I think that would be the market to watch. If all of a sudden those cards start selling 20% of their highs of last year I think that would be pretty telling.

[begsu1013]

i would be more worried if oil hit fifteen bucks a barrel and the aftermath it would produce on our economy vs the stock market tanking.

as always, a diversified portfolio is a strategic and proven method to help beat the odds.

but as for the market itself:

a bad market = more cards i can buy on the cheap.
a great market = my collection is proverbially worth more.

win, win for me.