Karachi: The benchmark KSE-100 index of Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) outperformed major world equity markets, with its market capitalisation reaching USD 59.23 billion as of 31 March 2026, according to the Economic Survey of Pakistan released on Thursday.
This result reflects an improving macroeconomic backdrop, successful reviews under the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme, heightened investor confidence, and sustained inflows from bilateral and multilateral partners.
According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2025‑26, the performance of Pakistan’s capital markets, particularly its equity market, remained encouraging during the first nine months of fiscal year 2026. From July through March 2026, the KSE‑100 index continued to strengthen, supported by positive macroeconomic indicators, a favourable external balance, lower inflation, and renewed investor enthusiasm for the government’s reform agenda.
During this period, the KSE‑100 index rose 18.4 percent, moving from 125,627 points to 148,743 points. It reached a peak of 189,167 points on 23 January 2026 and a low of 128,199 points on 1 July 2025.
The upward momentum waned in early February 2026, as uncertainty grew amid tensions with Afghanistan, rising regional geopolitical risks, higher global oil prices, foreign sell‑offs, domestic profit‑taking, and the typical seasonal slowdown associated with Ramadan.
PSX’s market capitalisation rose 8.5 percent, reaching Rs 16,534 billion (USD 59.23 billion) on 31 March 2026, up from Rs 15,237 billion (USD 53.00 billion) on 30 June 2025.
Average daily trading volume rose to 1,206 million shares in the July‑March FY 2026 period, compared with 834 million shares in FY 2025. As of 31 March 2026, 536 companies were listed, with total listed capital of Rs 1,626 billion and a market capitalisation of Rs 16,534 billion.
Performance across major Asian markets varied from end‑June 2025 to end‑March 2026. The Korean Composite Index (KOSPI) posted an unprecedented 64.5 percent gain, followed by Thailand’s SET Index (32.9 percent), Vietnam’s VN30 (23.8 percent), Singapore’s FTSE Straits Times (23.2 percent), the KSE‑100 (18.4 percent), and the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (13.8 percent). Meanwhile, India’s BSE Sensex 30 and the Philippines’ PSEi Composite recorded declines.