* Ahmed Al-Rasheed from Riyadh
Saudi stocks edged lower, falling for a third straight session to close at 7802 points, down 44 points, or 0.6 percent, which is the lowest levels in a week.
The market value fell 0.7 percent by about 13 billion riyals to reach 1.85 trillion riyals.
The decline came under the pressure of banks led by "AlAhli".
The market was able to consolidate above the 21-day average at 7777 as it continuance will give a positive signal of the market's ability to perform better than last sessions, which increases risk appetite.
Traders are pushing the market to try to break through 7900 points again, which exceeding it will strengthen the upward trend to break through 8,000 points and trying to reach 8500 points.
Overall market performance
The index opened at 7846 points and made slight gains during the session while the lowest point was at 7784 points, losing 0.79%.
At the end of the session, the general index closed at 7802 points, losing 44 points, or 0.56 percent.
Liquidity rose 19 percent by about 479 million riyals to reach 2.9 billion riyals, or 26,000 riyals per transaction.
Traded shares increased 18 per cent by about 21 million shares to reach 138 million shares with a turnover rate of 0.25 per cent.
Deals rose 10 per cent by about 10000 deals to reach about 111,000 transactions.
Sector performance
Five sectors rose against the decline of the rest and the stability of "business and professional services."
The decline was led by "health care" by 2 per cent, followed by "food production" by 1.5 per cent, and then "insurance" by 1.5 per cent.
The highest turnovers were "basic materials" at 32 percent with a value of 946 million riyals, followed by "banks" at 20 per cent with a value of 596 million riyals, and "Insurance" at 8 per cent with a value of SR 246 million.
Stock performance
The rise was led by "SIECO" for the maximum high to close at 140.20 riyals, followed by "AlJazira REIT" by 8.8% to close at 15.90 riyals, and then "Swicorp Wabel REIT" at 7.3% to close at 9.39 riyals.
On the other hand, the decline was led by "Care" for the maximum to close at 41.40 riyals, followed by "Wafa Insurance" at 10 per cent to close at 10.62 riyals, and then "Tawuniya" at 4.3% to close at SAR 53.50.
SABIC had the highest turnover of SR 462 million at16 per cent, followed by "Alinma" with 13 per cent with a value of SR 384 million, and then "Dar Al-Arkan" at 4% with a turnover of SAR131 million.
* Economic Reports Unit
