Trading remained firm on back of demand for fine and second grade lint besides buyers made forward deals in all grades that kept market in firm zone past week, traders at Karachi Cotton Association (KCA) said on Saturday. The KCA kept making adjustments in spot rate that stayed at Rs 8,300 per maund while fine grade fetched better prices at around Rs 8,475 per maund on higher demand. Trading at major stations in Punjab and Sindh remained grade issue on account of demand from leading buyers besides production of lint remained moderate in major ginning units in the country. Activities in cotton growing belts remained moderate and ginning activities remained normal at leading stations in Sindh and Punjab stations. During trading sessions buyers made deals on back of shrinking stocks of all grades at around Rs 7,500 per maund to Rs 8,400 per maund in Sindh and Punjab stations. The physical prices of all grades are still on firm footing as demand for cloth and yarn is on higher side from the buyers of these commodities. During past week the demand for fine lint remained on higher side and sellers withholding fine grades asked even more than Rs 8,575 per maund. During past week ginning units produced fine and other grades at around 12,000 bales besides buyers and sellers in Sindh and Punjab stations remained entangled in price war and secondary buyers made deals for all grades on competitive price at around Rs 7,000 per maund to Rs 7,975 per maund. Majority of mills and spinners made forward deals in all grades at Rs 8,175 per maund to Rs 8,225 per maund in order to store stocks for rainy days. Besides private sector commercial exporters purchased all grades at Rs 7,025 per maund to Rs 7,750 per maund. The New York October Futures 2018 closed at around 85 cents per pound, December Futures 2018 at 85.10 and Cotlook A index was hovering around 93 cents per pound. Published in Daily Times, September 16th 2018.