Pakistan Stock Crosses 191,000 Benchmark on Economic Optimism.
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The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) delivered a historic performance on Monday, January 26, 2026, as the KSE-100 index shattered the 191,000 milestone for the first time. The market climbed over 1,350 points to reach an intraday peak of 191,032, fueled by intense buying interest ahead of the State Bank of Pakistan’s Monetary Policy Committee meeting. Investors are aggressively positioning themselves in anticipation of a 50-100 basis point interest rate cut, which would further lower borrowing costs from the current 10.5% and continue the shift of institutional capital from bonds into high-performing equities.
This record-breaking rally is underpinned by a surge in the defense and energy sectors, following news of a projected $13 billion defense export pipeline and major new oil and gas discoveries. Strategic sector leaders like FFC, MARI, and OGDC are driving the index higher, supported by robust activity in the automobile and cement industries as inflation remains stable within the 5–7% range. Despite global volatility and gold hitting $5,000 per ounce, local investor confidence remains unshakable, bolstered by strengthening economic collaborations with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye and a steady decline in government bond yields.
