One of the most common questions from new investors is how much money it takes to get started. The short answer on the minimum investment for PSX is that the Pakistan Stock Exchange does not set a minimum rupee amount, but the size of a standard trading lot, the share price you pick, your broker’s own requirements and fees all decide what a sensible first investment looks like. This guide walks through each of those, with worked examples using real closing prices from 2 November 2026.
Is there a minimum investment on PSX?
Not as a fixed rupee amount. The official PSX pages we checked on 2 November 2026, including the Sahulat account page, do not state a minimum deposit or minimum investment. What does exist is a standard trading unit. The PSX equity products page describes the regular lot as 500 shares, and an odd lot market for smaller quantities where “the minimum number of shares that can be traded is 1”.
There is one catch. The PSX trading hours page currently lists the odd lots market for ETFs only. So whether you can buy, say, 10 shares of an ordinary company in a single order depends on how your broker handles small orders at the time. Ask your broker before you fund the account.
Brokers set their own rules too. Some ask for a minimum opening deposit and some charge a minimum commission per trade, which can make very small orders expensive in percentage terms. These vary from broker to broker, so compare them when you choose one.
What a share actually costs: examples from 2 November 2026
The table shows what one share, 100 shares and one regular 500-share lot of ten well-known PSX companies would cost at their closing prices on 2 November 2026. These are gross amounts, before broker commission, exchange and clearing charges and taxes. The companies are picked only to show a range of prices, not as suggestions.
| Symbol | Company | Close (Rs) | 1 share (Rs) | 100 shares (Rs) | 500 shares (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KEL | K-Electric Ltd. | 5.64 | 5.64 | 564 | 2,820 |
| BOP | Bank of Punjab | 28.10 | 28.10 | 2,810 | 14,050 |
| PAEL | Pak Elektron Ltd. | 31.81 | 31.81 | 3,181 | 15,905 |
| FCCL | Fauji Cement Co. Ltd. | 53.81 | 53.81 | 5,381 | 26,905 |
| SYS | Systems Ltd. | 108.40 | 108.40 | 10,840 | 54,200 |
| HUBC | Hub Power Co. Ltd. | 195.28 | 195.28 | 19,528 | 97,640 |
| OGDC | Oil & Gas Development Co. Ltd. | 301.68 | 301.68 | 30,168 | 150,840 |
| LUCK | Lucky Cement Ltd. | 395.52 | 395.52 | 39,552 | 197,760 |
| FFC | Fauji Fertilizer Co. Ltd. | 564.66 | 564.66 | 56,466 | 282,330 |
| MARI | Mari Energies Limited | 651.40 | 651.40 | 65,140 | 325,700 |
The spread is wide. A 500-share lot of KEL cost about Rs 2,820, while the same lot of MARI cost about Rs 325,700. 4 of the ten stocks could be bought in a full 500-share lot for under Rs 50,000. A low share price does not make a stock cheap, though. What matters is the price compared with the company’s earnings, assets and dividends, which is what ratios like the P/E measure.
Three realistic starting budgets
Around Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000
At this level a single 500-share lot is only possible in low-priced shares, and fixed minimum fees take a bigger bite. Many beginners at this size start with a mutual fund instead. MUFAP, the mutual funds association, notes on its investor education page that funds suit investors without a lot of money and gives the example of adding PKR 1,000 to 5,000 a month. Each fund sets its own minimum, so check the fund’s offering document.
Around Rs 50,000 to Rs 100,000
This range is enough for one or two full lots in many mid-priced companies, or smaller positions in a few. Keeping the number of holdings small helps keep fees in check while you learn how orders, settlement and dividends work.
Rs 250,000 and above
Here spreading money over several sectors becomes practical, so one company’s bad quarter does not dominate your results. You can also invest in steps each month rather than all at once.
Sahulat account: a simpler account for small investors
PSX, NCCPL and CDC offer the Sahulat account, a simplified account for individual investors. Under PSX notice PSX/N-374 on Sahulat account reforms, dated 2 April 2026, “the per Sahulat Account limit shall be PKR 3 million”, and investors can now open Sahulat accounts with more than one broker, but only one with each broker. The older figures still shown on the PSX Sahulat page were superseded by that notice. The Sahulat page says the account is opened by a single individual with a copy of the CNIC through a brokerage house.
For the full account opening process and how to compare brokers, see our guide on how to open a CDC account and choose a stock broker.
Costs to plan for besides the share price
- Broker commission on each buy and sell, often with a minimum per trade.
- Exchange, clearing and CDC charges, plus sales tax on services, usually shown on your contract note.
- Taxes on dividends and capital gains, which depend on whether you are on the FBR Active Taxpayers List.
- Account maintenance fees, if your broker or CDC charges them.
Ask your broker for a full fee schedule in writing before your first trade.
Investing a fixed amount every month
You do not need a large lump sum. Many investors put in a fixed amount each month and buy when the balance is enough for a lot they are interested in, or add to a mutual fund on a set date. The SIP calculator in the Calculators section of the Market Pulse Hub dashboard shows how regular monthly amounts could add up under different return assumptions. Its results are illustrations, not promises.
Before choosing individual shares, read our step-by-step guide on how to invest in the Pakistan Stock Exchange and our explainer on the P/E ratio.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum investment on PSX?
PSX does not set a minimum rupee amount. The regular trading lot is 500 shares, so in practice your minimum depends on the share price you choose and any minimum deposit or commission your broker sets.
Can I buy just one share on PSX?
The PSX equity products page says the odd lot market allows trades from one share, but the current trading hours page lists the odd lots market for ETFs only. Ask your broker how it handles orders smaller than 500 shares.
How much does a 500-share lot cost?
It depends on the price. At closing prices on 2 November 2026, a 500-share lot of KEL cost about Rs 2,820 and a lot of MARI about Rs 325,700, before fees.
What is the limit on a Sahulat account?
Under PSX notice PSX/N-374 of 2 April 2026, the limit is PKR 3 million per Sahulat account, and an investor may hold one Sahulat account with each of several brokers.
Is it better to start with mutual funds or shares?
That depends on your budget, time and experience. Mutual funds let you start with smaller monthly amounts and give you a spread of holdings from day one, while direct shares give you control over each company but need more research and money per position. This is a personal decision, so consider speaking to a licensed adviser.
Want simple tools for building a first portfolio on PSX? Join the Market Pulse Hub waitlist for early access.
Bilal, Market Pulse Hub
Figures are from company results, exchange data and our calculations up to 2 November 2026 and will change as new data arrives. This article is for education only and is not investment advice.