KARACHI: Demand for better grades of lint kept prices firm during trading at the cotton market while grade-conscious buyers made deals on slightly higher prices, according to traders at Karachi Cotton Association (KCA). KCA kept the spot rate intact at Rs 6,650 per maund in order to provide support to weak stakeholders of raw grade to ward off the minimal price level, said floor brokers adding that during the trading session, mills in Sindh and Punjab stations purchased better grades to fortify their inventories for rainy days. Spinners made 1-month forward deals for better grades of lint at around Rs 6,650 per maund to Rs 6,675 per maund while traders offered all grades of lint on bargaining rates at around Rs 5,975 per maund to Rs 6,675 per maund in order to capitalise maximum returns on their proceeds. Secondary buyers bought all grades of lint according to their immediate needs on the back of grade issue and in anticipation of a decline in the spot rate. Traders shared that sellers withholding better grades of old crop stocks offered the stuff to buyers at around Rs 6,575 per maund to Rs 6,625 per maund. The textile sector is facing a dearth of better grades that would put positive impact on general prices besides its market valuation, stated fibre analyst, Shakeel Ahmad. The recent weather in the cotton growing belt of Punjab put cottonseed picking at slow pace. Due to grade issue in parts of Sindh and Punjab stations, buyers made forward deals for all grades of lint at around Rs 6,225 per maund to Rs 6,475 per maund. Over 600 bales changed hands with more than 60 percent of Punjab’s share in trading. New York March 2017 Futures stood at around 74 cents per pound, May 2017 Futures at 74.80 cents per pound and Cotlook A index was hovering around 82 cents per pound.