Pakistan’s Stock Exchange (PSX) benchmark KSE-100 starts the new fiscal year with a strong gain, adding 3,748.40 points (2.08%) to close at 184,050.10 on Wednesday, keeping the index in positive territory throughout the session. The rally follows a recovery on Tuesday that pushed the market above 180,000 and helped the PSX end FY25-26 with a sharp yearly increase.
Analysts link the upbeat sentiment to June inflation data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. The consumer price index (CPI) rises 11.1% year-on-year in June, easing from 11.7% in May and staying within the government’s forecast range of 11%–12%. The CPI also falls 0.3% on a month-on-month basis. Research firms say the June reading is below market expectations and reinforces the view that inflationary pressures are easing, which supports expectations of monetary easing and an accommodative policy stance in FY27.
They also cite lower international crude oil prices, which helps reduce concerns about Pakistan’s import bill and further supports inflation expectations. Market activity improves, with traded volume rising to 941 million shares and traded value reaching Rs57 billion. Analysts say geopolitical developments and upcoming monetary policy signals remain key factors.