Definition
An event or development (e.g. corporate M&A, earnings release, regulatory approval) that drastically alters the market narrative and triggers price discovery in an asset.
In Panel Profits
Major entertainment studio developments, cinematic casting announcements, corporate M&A (e.g. Disney, WBD, Sony, Paramount), and trailer debuts that trigger trading volume in underlying 1st appearance comic keys.
Comic-market example
Marvel Studios announcing Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday acted as a major media catalyst, quadrupling trading volume in Fantastic Four #5.
Calculation
Catalyst Momentum = (7-Day Transaction Volume Post-Announcement) / (90-Day Baseline Volume)
Common mistakes
Do not treat speculative internet rumors as confirmed corporate equity catalysts.