Saudi Arabia's main share index finished the session down 171.56 points at 9,952.06, with trading worth SAR 3.8 billion and 263 million shares changing hands, according to SPA's daily market bulletin.

Decliners far outnumbered gainers, with 244 companies falling and 21 rising. Azm, National Steel (Hadeed Watani), Al Masar Al Shamel, Advanced and GO Telecom led the gainers, while Tihama, Yansab, Wafrah, Arabia Insurance and Salama were the biggest losers. Moves ranged between 3.86% and 8.29%.

By volume, National Steel, Ladun, Saudi Aramco, Arabian Sea and Americana were the most active stocks; by value, Al Rajhi, Saudi Aramco, Etihad Etisalat (Mobily), National Steel and SNB led trading.

The parallel market index, Nomu, closed 100.92 points lower at 21,866.72, with trading worth more than SAR 14 million and over 3.2 million shares traded.