Pakistan Stock Market Today
KSE-100 Index, Top Stocks & Gold vs Stocks Comparison
Pakistan's equity market, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) is one of South Asia's oldest and most dynamic. The KSE-100 index has produced remarkable returns during bull cycles and brutal drawdowns during crises. Understanding how the stock market performs relative to gold is essential for any Pakistani investor building a diversified portfolio.
This page delivers live KSE-100 data, key sector movements, top-performing stocks, and a comprehensive head-to-head comparison of stocks versus gold so you can allocate your capital intelligently across both asset classes.
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) KSE-100 index is Pakistan's primary stock market benchmark, comprising the 100 largest companies by market capitalization. As of May 2026, the KSE-100 trades around 171,115 points. Over 10 years, the KSE-100 has returned approximately 12-15% annually in PKR terms but is subject to high volatility. Gold in the same period returned 8-12% annually with much lower volatility. Financial advisors in Pakistan typically recommend a portfolio split of 60% real assets (property + gold) and 40% equities for moderate-risk investors, adjusting based on individual risk tolerance and market conditions.
Interactive Market Trackers
PSX Listed Companies
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Trading Session Notice: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) runs from Monday to Friday (09:00 AM - 03:30 PM PKT). While the session is closed, prices represent the last recorded closing price. Live fluctuations stream continuously during open trading hours.
Pakistan Stock Exchange KSE-100 Live Summary
Overview of PSX indexes, daily volume, 52-week variations, and primary trading indicators.
PSX trading hours: Monday to Friday, 09:30 AM to 03:30 PM PKT. Pre-market trading: 09:15-09:30 AM. Market data updated throughout trading hours.
Top Performing Sectors Pakistan Stock Exchange
Weightings, year-to-date returns, average dividend outputs, and historical gold correlation ratings for the top 10 market sectors.
Sector returns are year-to-date (January to May 2026). Technology and Cement are the top-performing sectors in 2026, benefiting from infrastructure spending and digital expansion.
Top 15 Stocks by Market Capitalization PSX Today
Review key price levels and daily changes of the 15 largest listed entities inside the Pakistan Stock Exchange.
All prices as of the most recent trading session. Market capitalization figures are approximate and change with price movements throughout the day.
Gold vs Stocks in Pakistan The Definitive Comparison
The most common question Pakistani investors ask is: Should I invest in gold or stocks? The honest answer is both but the allocation depends on your risk tolerance, time horizon, and financial goals. Here is the most comprehensive comparison ever built for this question:
Historical Performance Comparison KSE-100 vs Gold (PKR)
Annual return percentage comparison from 2015 to 2026 YTD, displaying the performance changes over global financial cycles.
Key insight: Neither gold nor stocks consistently outperforms the other every year. A portfolio holding both would have outperformed a pure gold or pure stock portfolio in 9 of the last 12 years. This is the mathematical case for diversification.
Investment Portfolio Strategy Combining Stocks and Gold
Review balanced allocation profiles for different investor archetypes using physical gold and equities combined to maximize compounding.
The Conservative Portfolio
Suitable for: Retirees, near-retirement investors, those with low risk tolerance, sole breadwinners.
The Moderate Portfolio
Suitable for: Working professionals aged 30-50, investors with a 5-10 year horizon.
The Aggressive Portfolio
Suitable for: Young investors under 35, high income earners with a long time horizon.
PSX vs Gold Which to Choose in Different Market Conditions
Review capital allocation parameters based on standard macroeconomic triggers.
How to Start Investing in PSX Stocks in Pakistan
A simple structured path to establish your trading account and deploy assets in the Pakistani equity market safely.
Open a CDC Account
The Central Depository Company of Pakistan (CDC) holds your shares digitally. Required for all stock ownership.
Choose a Broker
Select an SBP and PSX-licensed broker. Options include AKD Securities, Topline Securities, JS Global, Foundation Securities, and others.
Complete KYC
Submit CNIC, bank account details, and income proof to your broker for regulatory compliance.
Fund Your Account
Transfer funds via bank transfer to your brokerage account. Minimum to start varies — some brokers accept as little as 5,000 PKR.
Start with Index ETFs
Beginners should consider KSE Meezan Index Fund or similar index products rather than individual stocks. These diversify automatically.
Diversify Across Sectors
Do not concentrate in one sector. Spread across banking, oil & gas, cement, and technology at minimum.
Reinvest Dividends
PSX stocks pay above-average dividends (5.2% average yield). Reinvesting dividends through DRIP or manually compounds returns significantly.
Monitor but Don't Over-trade
Check positions weekly, not hourly. Long-term investors outperform short-term traders in Pakistani equities.
Gold-Linked Stocks on PSX Unique Opportunity
While Pakistan has no dedicated gold mining companies listed on PSX, several sectors have indirect gold correlation worth noting for gold-oriented investors:
Jewelry Retailers
Not publicly listed in Pakistan, but international precedents show jewelry companies rise with gold awareness.
Currency Exchange Companies
Listed forex companies benefit from high volatility in USD/PKR rates, which is the same driver that moves gold prices.
Banks with Gold Schemes
HBL, MCB, and other banks offer gold saving products. Their stock performance partially correlates with gold market activity.
PMEX-linked Instruments
Pakistan Mercantile Exchange offers gold futures — not a stock, but an equity-adjacent way to gain gold exposure.
For pure gold-linked equity exposure, Pakistani investors sometimes purchase shares in international gold ETFs or mining companies through global brokerage platforms (where legally permissible under SBP regulations).
Risks of Stock Market Investing in Pakistan
Deep dive analysis of core risk categories and the ideal mitigation parameters for individual portfolios.
Frequently Asked Questions Pakistan Stocks
Is it safe to invest in Pakistan's stock market?
PSX is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and is a relatively well-governed market. However, Pakistani stocks carry higher political, currency, and economic risk than developed market equities. For long-term investors (5+ year horizon), the PSX has historically provided strong returns despite volatility. Never invest money you cannot afford to have locked up for several years.
What is the KSE-100 index?
The KSE-100 is Pakistan's flagship stock market index, representing the 100 largest companies listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange by market capitalization. It covers all major sectors including banking, oil and gas, fertilizer, cement, food, and technology. The KSE-100 is recalibrated twice annually to add or remove companies based on market cap changes. It is the primary benchmark for measuring PSX performance.
Which is better for 2026 gold or stocks in Pakistan?
Year-to-date 2026, gold is outperforming stocks (+32% vs +14% for KSE-100) driven by geopolitical tensions and global gold price records. However, if political stability improves and the IMF program continues, PSX could outperform gold in the second half of 2026. The safest approach is holding both 15-20% gold and 30-40% PSX equities within a diversified portfolio.
Can I buy US stocks from Pakistan?
Yes, through international brokerage platforms that accept Pakistani clients (Stake, eToro, Interactive Brokers, and others). However, SBP restrictions on foreign currency remittances apply. You must comply with SBP's limits on how much you can transfer abroad for investment purposes. Consult a financial advisor for current regulations before opening an international brokerage account.
What dividends do Pakistani stocks pay?
Pakistan's KSE-100 offers one of Asia's higher average dividend yields approximately 5.2% on a portfolio basis. Banking stocks (HBL, MCB, UBL) and oil & gas companies (OGDC, PPL) are the most consistent dividend payers, often yielding 6-8% annually. Cement and technology stocks typically pay lower dividends (1-3%) but offer higher capital appreciation.
How is stock profit taxed in Pakistan?
Capital gains tax (CGT) on PSX stocks is applied based on holding period: gains from securities held for less than 12 months are taxed at higher rates than longer-term holdings. Dividend income is taxed at 15% (withholding tax deducted at source). Exact rates change with each Finance Act, consult a tax advisor for the current year's schedule under Pakistan's Income Tax Ordinance.