KARACHI: Leading buyers bought all grades of lint to consolidate their inventories on depleting stocks amid firm physical prices during trading at lint market. Buyers made deals for better and second grade of cotton on premium price at around Rs 6,775 per maund and Rs 6,800 per maund respectively. The sellers remained steadfast on their asking price on back of shrinking quality and demand during trading session at major stations of Punjab and Sindh. Spinners purchased better cotton at around Rs 6,750 per maund while mills purchased commodity at around Rs 6,775 per maund in order to strengthen their long positions. Demand for better grades of lint would likely to keep sellers on driving seats until arrival of imported 150,000 cotton bales reaches. Buyers also made forward deals for a month delivery period in order to fortify their inventories during trading session at Punjab and Sindh stations. Secondary buyers made deals for normal quality of cotton at around Rs 6,275 per maund to Rs 6,300 per maund during trading session in Sindh and Punjab stations. Physical prices would remain firm on demand for all grades of cotton that would keep market’s sentiments in positive while bottom line prices likely to stand in firm frame. Private sector commercial exporters made deals at Rs 6,350 per maund to Rs 6,375 per maund. Raw grades of lint changed hands at Rs 5,975 per maund depending on trash level during trading session. Around 3,600 cotton bales changed hands while ex-gin price per maund remained firm at Rs 6,600 per maund. In Kerb market trading took place in a range of Rs 6,550 per maund to Rs 6,575 per maund. New York Cotton December Futures 2017 contract closed at around 74.90 cents per pound, March Future 2018 contract at 74.18 cents per pound and Cotlook A Index was hovering at 85 cents per pound. Published in Daily Times, December 13th 2017.