On depleting stocks of better grades of lint, buyers remained in hunt for second grade of produce during trading session at cotton market, traders said. Buying for all grades kept general prices of lint in firm zone, traders at Karachi Cotton Association (KCA) said. KCA kept the spot rate at Rs 8,800 per maund in order to provide support to weak stakeholders of raw grade to ward off minimal price level, said floor brokers. During the trading session, buyers in Sindh and Punjab stations made forward deals for one month period on cautious note as grade issue was continued. They made deals for better grades at around Rs 8,550 per maund to Rs 8,600 per maund, floor brokers said. Ginners offered all grades of lint on bargaining rates at around Rs 8,075 per maund to Rs 8,725 per maund in order to capitalise maximum returns on their proceeds, floor brokers said. Mills remained cautious and only made deals according to their immediate need of lint on back of grade issue and in anticipation of decline in spot rate, they added. Secondary buyers in Sindh and Punjab stations bought stuff on competitive price at around Rs 7,625 per maund to Rs 7,800 per maund while private sector commercial exporters made deals for all grades in Punjab and Sindh stations at around Rs 7,575 per maund to Rs 7,700 per maund, traders said. The garment and spinning sector is facing dearth of better grades while import cost is not compatible at the moment on higher dollar value that would put positive impact on prices besides its market valuation, said Shakeel Ahmad a fibre analyst. The weather in cotton growing belt in Punjab remained suitable as monsoon rains would impact positive results. Due to grade issue in parts of Sindh and Punjab stations buyers made forward deals for all grades of lint at around Rs 8,300 per maund. More than 1,800 bales changed hands with more than 60 percent of Punjab’s share in trading. New York July Futures 2018 contract stood at around 85 cents per pound, October Futures 2018 contract at 85.18 cents per pound and Cotlook A Index was hovering around 92 cents per pound. Published in Daily Times, July 19th 2018.