KARACHI: Higher demand for better grades of cotton kept market sentiments firm while better grades of cotton fetched premium price during trading session at leading stations of lint market in Punjab and Sindh. Buyers bought better grades of cotton above Rs 7,675 per maund and deals for second grade of lint changed hands above Rs 7,375 per maund during trading session. Mills bought better grades of cotton at around Rs 7,300 per maund while spinners purchased better stocks at around Rs 7,325 per maund. The ginning units produced better grades of lint on demand while 3,900 bales changed hands during trading. Arrival of cottonseed would remain normal during next coming session. The secondary buyers made deals for all grades of cotton at around Rs 6,600 per maund and Rs 6,625 per maund. Demand for better grades of lint would keep market sentiments steady as import cost remained higher comparing to local prices of produce. Sindh and Punjab buyers made month-delivery forward deals for all grades of cotton at around Rs 6,625 per maund to Rs 6,675 per maund in anticipation of further increase in prices during next trading sessions. Physical prices would remain firm on demand for all grades of cotton that would keep sellers in driving seat while bottom line prices likely to stand firm. Private sector commercial exporters made deals at Rs 6,575 per maund to Rs 6,600 per maund. Raw grades of lint changed hands at Rs 5,975 per maund depending on trash level during trading session. Ex-gin price per maund remained firm at Rs 7,250 per maund. In Kerb market trading took place in a range of Rs 6,625 per maund to Rs 6,650 per maund. New York Cotton March Futures 2018 contract closed at around 81 cents per pound, May Future 2018 contract at 81.09 cents per pound and Cotlook A Index was hovering at 88 cents per pound. Published in Daily Times, January 14th 2018.