PSX starts 2026 at record high, KSE-100 gains over 2,300 points

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) kicked off the year on a positive note, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index closing at a new all-time high on Thursday.

The stock market opened on a firm note and quickly moved higher in early trade, indicating strong buying interest at the open.

The momentum persisted throughout the trading session as the index eventually settled close to the intraday peak.

At close, the benchmark index stood at 176,355.49, an increase of 2,301.17 points or 1.32%.

On a fiscal front, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) provisionally collected Rs6,154 billion during the first six months (July-December) 2025-26 against the target of Rs6,490 billion, reflecting a shortfall of Rs336 billion.

The shortfall in revenue collection during December 2025 may prompt the government to activate contingency measures as agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

On Wednesday, PSX closed lower following profit-taking on the last trading day of the year. The benchmark KSE-100 Index decreased by 418.45 points to settle at 174,054.32 points.

Internationally, Wall Street indexes closed lower on Wednesday, echoing their world counterparts amid light trading on the last day of 2025, while investors took some profits in precious metals as they crossed the finish line of a roller-coaster twelve months.

The three major US stock indexes ended well in negative territory, content to drift along just below record highs and bask in robust, double-digit annual gains.

While all three indexes registered quarterly gains, and the Dow logged a monthly advance, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq posted nominal monthly declines.

Wednesday’s modest moves cap a whipsaw year marked by geopolitical turbulence, on-again, off-again tariff threats, dollar weakness, and ongoing mania surrounding the artificial intelligence boom.

Volume on the all-share index increased to 1,402.64 million from 957.24 million recorded in the previous close. The value of shares improved to Rs48.42 billion from Rs44.23 billion in the previous session.

K-Electric Ltd was the volume leader with 372.71 million shares, followed by Pak Int.Bulk with 139.94 million shares, and Bank of Punjab with 55.42 million shares.

Shares of 485 companies were traded on Thursday, of which 337 registered an increase, 116 recorded a fall, and 32 remained unchanged.