Saudi Arabia's stock index fell Sunday as investors locked in gains from Saturday's rally. The main benchmark Tadawul All Share Index slipped 0.47 percent to 6,144.35 points, slipping from Saturday's six-week high. It had risen following an upbeat end to the trading week on global markets. Petrochemicals led declines, but banking stocks also ended lower despite advancing in early-trade. Bellwether Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) slipped 0.8 percent, Yanbu National Petrochemical Co. retreated 0.9 percent and Saudi Kayan Petrochemicals fell 1.2 percent. SAAB weighed on the banking sector, down 3.2 percent, while Banque Saudi Fransi dropped 4.1 percent. Elsewhere, Qatar's bullish economic outlook helped the gas exporter's share index ended at a two-week high, while Abu Dhabi's benchmark slumped to a four-week low as newly-listed Eshraq Properties declined. Qatar's measure rose 1 percent to 8,432 points, its highest close since Sept 4. Qatar is the best performing regional market this year, falling 2.9 percent. Islamic bank Masraf Al Rayan gained 1.4 percent, accounting for nearly half of all shares traded. Industries Qatar climbed 2.8 percent and Barwa Real Estate advanced 1.9 percent. "Qatar will likely continue to outperform the region – it is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and has a lot of liquidity in the system," said Shahid Hameed, Global Investment House head of asset management for the Gulf region. The Qatari government has allocated 40 percent of its budget between now and 2016 to infrastructure projects, including $11 billion on a new international airport, $5.5 billion on a deepwater seaport and $1 billion for a transport corridor in Doha. It will spend $20 billion on roads. Abu Dhabi's index fell 0.2 percent to 2,571 points, its lowest close since Aug. 22. Meanwhile, Dubai's measure gained 0.3 percent to close at 1,472 points, easing 1.4 percent so far in September. Kuwait's index ended 0.4 percent lower at 6,003 points, giving back early
