Around 40 percent of users on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) practice trading platform hold just one stock, while commercial banks remain the most popular sector among members, according to data published by the exchange.
Another 15 percent of users hold two stocks, while 11 percent have three stocks in their portfolios. Around 15 percent hold four to five stocks, and 16 percent have between six and 10 stocks.
Banks lead sector preferences, with 38 percent of members holding stocks from the sector. Cement stocks rank second at 20 percent, followed by fertilizer at 19 percent, oil and gas exploration at 18 percent, and refineries at 15 percent.
Among individual companies, Attock Refinery (ATRL) is the most widely held stock, appearing in 14 percent of members’ portfolios. 786 Investments Limited and Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC) follow at 13 percent each.
Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC) appears in 11 percent of portfolios, while Meezan Bank (MEBL) accounts for 10 percent.
The performance figures show that 72 percent of practice portfolios have losses of up to 10 percent. Another 7 percent are down by more than 10 percent, while 20 percent have gains of up to 10 percent. Only 1 percent have returns between 10 and 25 percent, and fewer than 1 percent have gained more than 25 percent.
Students make up 51 percent of platform members, making them the largest group. Other employees and professionals account for 17 percent, while people who are unemployed, retired or in other categories represent 16 percent. Business owners and self-employed individuals account for 7 percent, and finance, banking and accounting professionals make up 6 percent.
Geographically, Karachi accounts for 25 percent of members, Lahore for 19 percent, and Islamabad/Rawalpindi for 15 percent. Together, the three areas represent 59 percent of the platform’s user base.
The PSX practice trading platform lets users test investment strategies with virtual money using real end-of-day stock prices. Its figures represent simulated portfolios and do not necessarily reflect the holdings or performance of actual stock market investors.
