Record 25,747 investors join PSX in October

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) attracted a record 25,747 new investors in October 2026, taking its total investor base to 681,965, according to figures provided by the exchange.

The number of new investors joining the stock market during October increased 66 per cent compared with the same month last year, while the overall investor base recorded annual growth of 56 per cent.

The growth momentum continued during the first 10 months of 2026, with 218,894 new investors joining the stock exchange between January and October.

The number of investors added during these 10 months alone exceeded the cumulative increase recorded over the preceding four years, highlighting the accelerating pace of participation in Pakistan’s equity market.

Young investors accounted for the bulk of the latest additions, with 85 per cent of new investors in October belonging to Generation Z and millennials.

The growing participation of younger investors reflects increasing interest in the country’s capital market, with digital platforms making access to stock market investments easier.

The latest figures follow a sustained expansion in retail investor participation during 2026. The PSX had added a record 25,281 investors in September, taking its investor base to 656,218 at the end of that month, according to figures previously reported by the Finance Ministry.

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has also been pursuing reforms to expand the investor base, improve financial literacy and facilitate digital onboarding, particularly among young people.

The expansion of the investor base is seen as an important development for Pakistan’s capital market, as wider retail participation can broaden investment opportunities and strengthen the domestic pool of savings available for businesses.

However, market experts have also stressed the importance of investor education, transparency and protection to sustain participation through market fluctuations.

Pakistan has climbed four places to 95th among 139 economies in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2026, regaining its status as an innovation “overperformer” for the fourth time, according to a report released by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).