Petrochemical and banking stocks lead Saudi shares to a higher close on Saturday, after a rise in US crude futures on Friday. Saudi's petrochemical index gained 1.44 per cent to 6,478.29 points while the all-share rose 0.99 per cent to 6,563.58 points.

Shares in Petrochemical giant Saudi Basic Industries Corp climbed 1.69 per cent.

The banking index rose by 0.76 percent, led by gains in heavyweight Al-Rajhi Bank which added 0.95 per cent.

Shares in investment firm Kingdom Holding rose by 6.41 per cent after it announced plans to pay an annual dividend of $146 million from accumulated retained earnings.-Reuters