Saudi stocks fell the most in almost four weeks, led by Al Rajhi Bank and Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic), on the first day of trading after long holidays.
The main index Tadawul fell 1.06 per cent to 6,288.27 points after having opened down 2.3 per cent.
The Gulfs largest equities market sank 2.3 per cent when trading opened for the first time after the Eid Al Adha holiday break, but recovered and was off only 1.06 per cent at the close.
Among biggest losers are banks with AlRajhi Bank, the countrys biggest Islamic lender, last trading down 2.6 per cent. Samba Financial Group is down 3.2 per cent, while Banque Saudi Fransi ended down two per cent.
The decline comes after Saudi Arabia Central Bank Governor Muhammad Al Jasser said local banks exposure to Dubai World is very limited.
The session was the first since Dubai World requested a payment standstill on November 25 for $3.52 billion (Dh13bn) worth of Islamic bonds maturing this month as it looks to restructure $26bn worth of debt.
Heavyweight Saudi Basic Industries Corp (Sabic) fell 1.22 percent. Tadawul has been the best performing in the Gulf this year. It last traded on November 25 before the Eid Al Adha holiday.
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