Core Insights - The return rate of art investments is currently at a 70-year low, with projections indicating a continued decline in 2023 and 2024, reaching -0.9% and -1.4% respectively [2][5] - In contrast, the S&P 500 index has shown consistent double-digit growth annually since 2018, highlighting a significant disparity in long-term returns between art and stocks [2] - Despite the current downturn, there are signs of market recovery, suggesting a potential historic opportunity for art collectors [2] Art Market Indices - The newly released MM Intercontinental Art Price Index shows that the Asian, African, and Oceanian art index has increased from 1 at the end of 2000 to 6.21 by spring 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7% [5] - The European art index has risen from 1 to 1.73 over the same period, with a much lower CAGR of 2.3% [5] - The American art index has grown from 1 to 2.88, reflecting a CAGR of 4.4%, but still shows a 15% decline from its peak in 2021 [5] Chinese Art Market Performance - The MM Chinese Art Price Index has shown a significant increase from 1 at the end of 2000 to 8.55 by spring 2025, with a CAGR of 9.2% [6] - After a decline of 48.2% from its peak in 2020, the Chinese art market rebounded with a 9% increase in spring 2025 [7] - The performance of Chinese art has outpaced Impressionist and contemporary art indices, which have CAGRs of 3.2% and 5.1% respectively [7] Market Sentiment and Future Outlook - The MM Chinese Art Sentiment Index indicates a recovery in collector confidence for the autumn 2024 auction, although the spring 2025 market remains subdued [8] - The sentiment index has reached new lows in spring 2020 and spring 2024, reflecting the impact of various factors on market dynamics [8] - Future pricing of Chinese art is expected to fluctuate as major asset classes like real estate and stocks undergo revaluation [7]