The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) recorded a significant increase in investor participation during the first 10 months of 2026, adding 218,894 investors between January and October.
The investor base grew by 47.3%, rising from 463,071 at the beginning of the year to 681,965 by the end of October.
The exchange opened 26,843 new accounts in October, including 26,801 individual accounts and 42 corporate accounts. The net increase in its investor base during the month stood at 25,747.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Mercantile Exchange (PMEX) registered 1,077 new accounts in October, taking its total investor base to 61,915.
Young Investors Drive Market Participation
Young people accounted for the largest share of new individual accounts at PSX.
Investors aged 18–30 opened 14,634 accounts, representing 54.6% of the monthly individual total. Those in the 31–45 age group opened another 9,290 accounts, accounting for 34.7%.
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Together, these two age groups contributed 23,924 accounts, or 89.3% of all new individual accounts during October.
Men Account for 85.4% of New Accounts
Men opened 22,878 new accounts, representing 85.4% of individual registrations. Women opened 3,923 accounts, making up the remaining 14.6%.
Punjab led provincial registrations with 14,891 new accounts, followed by Sindh with 7,643. Together, the two provinces accounted for 83.9% of all accounts opened during the month.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded 1,894 new accounts, while Islamabad registered 1,419. Balochistan added 370 accounts, Azad Jammu and Kashmir 340, Gilgit-Baltistan 150 and overseas investors 136.
SECP Targets Stronger Investor Confidence
Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Chairman Dr Kabir Ahmed Sidhu said simplifying access to investment opportunities and protecting investors’ rights remained key priorities for the regulator.
He emphasised that transparency and effective supervision would play an important role in strengthening investor confidence.
The SECP is also conducting a nationwide awareness campaign to support its target of expanding Pakistan’s stock-market investor base to 2.5 million.
Market Growth Supports Investor Expansion
The increase in investor participation follows a 43.5% rise in the benchmark KSE-100 Index during FY2025–26.
The SECP also approved 14 initial public offerings (IPOs) during the same fiscal year, reflecting continued efforts to broaden investment opportunities in Pakistan’s capital market.
