KARACHI: Buyers remained busy in maintaining their inventories for better grades on slightly higher price at the cotton market besides struck down forward deals for month long period. Around 600 bales changed hands and Karachi Cotton Association (KCA) spot rate remained firm at Rs 6,450 per maund. Floor brokers said buyers and sellers entangled in price war while deals changed hands at around Rs 6,100 per maund to Rs 6,400 per maund at leading Sindh and Punjab stations. A senior trader, Ghulam Rabbani said sellers withholding better grades of lint remained in driving seat as buyers were in need of fine grades. The buying for second grade stuff remained in limelight and deals concluded at around Rs 6,425 per maund to Rs 6,475 per maund. The ginning units kept maintaining quality, as textile made-up sector was eager for better grades of lint for future needs. The market is in steady tones and spinners and mills are consolidating their long positions in making deals for fresh fine lots, he added. According to KCA, 200 bales of Multan changed hands at Rs 6,125 per maund, 200 bales of upper Sindh at Rs 6,275 per maund, 200 bales of southern Punjab at Rs 6,525 per maund and 200 bales of Rahimyar Khan at Rs 6,300 per maund. New York Future market remained stable as immediate March 2017 Futures is going to be in firm position and merger with May 2017 Futures and contract would likely to benefit. The ginners of Punjab offered cotton of all grades to buyers at around Rs 5,975 per maund to Rs 6,500 per maund while ginners of Sindh offered low-grade lint to buyers at around Rs 5,975 per maund. New York Cotton March 2017 Future closed at 72.27 cents per pound and May Future 2017 closed at 73 cents per pound.