Petrochemical stocks lead Saudi shares to a higher close after Yanbu National Petrochemical Co (Yansab) rising 1.5 percent after it announced it would start full commercial production in March.

The all-share index ends 0.7 percent higher - its strongest one-day gain since January 17 - to 6,269.05 points powered mainly by a 1.43 percent rise in the petrochemical index.

Shares in Yansab end 7.1 percent higher at 34.9 riyals. Shares in its parent company Saudi Basic Industries Corp end 1.2 percent higher.-Reuters