KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) wrapped up the first month of calendar year 2026 on a firm footing, scaling fresh all-time highs. However, a sharp sell-off in the final week dragged the benchmark lower as investors booked profits amid mounting economic concerns and geopolitical tensions.

According to Topline Securities Ltd, the KSE-100 index extended its upward momentum during January, gaining 10,120 points, or 5.8 per cent, month-on-month, mainly on the back of fresh equity allocations typically seen at the start of the year.

However, sentiment weakened towards the end of the month after the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) kept its policy rate unchanged at 10.5pc, contrary to market expectations of a 50-75 basis points cut.

Key macroeconomic developments during the month offered a mixed picture. Consumer price inflation eased to 5.61pc in December 2025, down from 6.15pc a month earlier. Workers’ remittances rose to $3.6 billion, marking a 17pc increase year-on-year and 13pc growth month-on-month. Car sales reported by the Pakistan Automotive........

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