Dull trading prevailed at the cotton market on Thursday on slow buying owing to depressed demand for cotton yarn and fabric. The spot rates remained firm at Rs6,650/maund (37.324kg) and Rs7,127/40kg. Ex-Karachi rates also remained unchanged at Rs6,785/maund and Rs7,272/40kg after an addition of Rs135 and Rs145 as upcountry expenses, respectively.

According to analyst, the prices of lint across the globe are at the peak of the season that had also left an impact over cotton prices in Pakistan which is worrying the textile industry. Consequently, the buyers are reluctant to enter into big deals.

Moreover, the current cotton se¬¬a¬son is expected to end mu¬ch earlier than normal due to short crop, which was another reason for sla¬ck cotton trade, brokers said.

KCE recorded three transactions of around 2,500 bales in between Rs6,800 to Rs7,000/maund.

The following deals on the ready counter were repor¬ted to have changed hands were: 1,600 bales from Sadiqabad at Rs7,000, 200 bales from Khanewal at Rs6,800 and 400 bales from Fort Abbas at Rs6,800.

The New York cotton market once again came under profit-selling and closed easy for all the future contracts. Indian markets are also going up, while China is stable.