The Tadawul All-Share Index (TASI) closed 1.34 percent down at 6,315.46 points, its lowest close since Feb. 14.

The Multi- Investment and Telecom & IT sectors gained 0.06 percent and 0.37 percent respectively. Otherwise, all other sectors were down with losses ranging from 0.05 percent in the Media & Publishing sector to a loss of 2.57 percent in the Cement sector. Overall market breadth was negative with 40 advancers and 90 decliners recording an AD ratio of 0.44, the Financial Transaction House (FTH) said in its daily market commentary.

Cement stocks made the strongest losses with the industry's index falling 2.6 percent while the heavier petrochemical stocks index shed 2.2 percent.

Petrochemical stocks meanwhile rely heavily on global demand, and Saudi industry players have recently said that Asian demand was offsetting declining demand elsewhere.

Petrochemical giant Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) fell 2.4 percent to SR90, its lowest share price since March 3.

Al-Rajhi Bank shed 1.58 percent to SR78.

Shares in Etihad Atheeb Telecommunication Co. closed 5.6 percent down after the Kingdom's first private fixed line operator reported disappointing earnings for the year to end-March, 2010.

The value of Saudi traded shares reached SR4.61 billion on Saturday.