KARACHI: The benchmark KSE-100 index of Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) outperformed the major world stock market indices, with its market capitalisation reaching USD 59.23 billion as of March 31, 2026, according to Economic Survey of Pakistan released on Thursday.
This performance is supported by an improving macroeconomic environment, successful reviews under the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme, strengthening investor confidence, and continued financial inflows from bilateral and multilateral partners.
According to Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26, the performance of Pakistan’s capital markets, especially stock market remained encouraging during the first nine months of FY 2026. During July-March FY26, the KSE-100 index continued to strengthen supported by encouraging macroeconomic indicators, a favorable external account, lower inflation, and a fresh wave of investor confidence in the government’s reform agenda.
READ MORE: Daily traded value: Rs85bn turnover lifts PSX to 20-year high
During the period, the PSX’s benchmark KSE-100 index registered a significant growth of 18.4 percent from 125,627 to 148,743 points. During the period under review, the index closed at its highest level of 189,167 points on January 23, 2026, while the lowest level was observed at 128,199 points on July 01, 2025.
However, the momentum faded towards the beginning of the February 2026 as uncertainty emerged in the wake of tension with Afghanistan as well as escalating geopolitical tensions in the region, higher global oil prices, foreign selling, domestic profit-taking, and the seasonal slowdown during Ramadan.
PSX’s market capitalisation increased to 8.5 percent to reach Rs 16,534 billion (USD 59.23 billion) on March 31, 2026 compared to Rs15,237 billion (USD 53.00 billion) on June 30, 2025.
The average daily volume surged to 1206 million shares during July-March FY 2026, compared to 834 million shares in FY 2025. As of March 31, 2026, the number of listed companies stood at 536, with total listed capital of Rs 1,626 billion and market capitalisation of Rs 16,534 billion.
On the other hand, the major Asian markets’ performance remained mixed from end-June 2025 to end-March 2026. Korean Composite Stock Price Index-KOSPI remained the most attractive market for investors with an unprecedented increase of 64.5 percent followed by Set Index of Thailand (32.9 percent), VN30 Index of Vietnam (23.8 percent), FTSE Straits Times of Singapore (23.2 percent), KSE-100 (18.4 percent), and MSCI Emerging Market Index (13.8 percent). However, decline has been observed in the BSE Sensex 30 of India and the PSEi Composite of the Philippines.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
Comments