Petrochemical shares in Saudi Arabia climbed 2.5 per cent in early trading, lifting the Saudi index as crude prices hit a six month high above $87 a barrel.

Saudi Arabia's index gained one per cent to 6,409.66 points and the petrochemical index rose to 6,174.70 points.

Heavyweight Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) rose 2.54 per cent to its highest point since May. Shares in the banking index also rose, gaining 0.19 per cent. Al-Rajhi Bank added 0.65 per cent.-Reuters