Pakistan Stock Exchange Hits Record Investor Base Amid Volatility

The Pakistan Stock Exchange closed marginally higher on November 3, 2026, with the KSE-100 index gaining 154.81 points to settle at 166,564.07. The session remained volatile, initially dipping under selling pressure before recovering. This rebound was supported by a 4% drop in global oil prices, fueled by hopes for diplomatic progress in the US-Israel war with Iran, which lowered concerns regarding Pakistan's import costs.

Local refineries suffered significant losses during the session after the Government of Pakistan shifted higher petrol import costs onto the companies to maintain stable consumer prices. Despite this sector-specific pressure, the exchange reported a record investor base of 681,965. This growth includes 218,894 new investors who joined during the first ten months of 2026.

Khurram Schehzad, Advisor to the Finance Minister, stated that 85% of these new participants are Millennials and Generation Z. He noted that this demographic shift signals increased confidence in the macroeconomic stability of the country.