Dubai: Saudi Arabian stocks closed higher on Wednesday with nearly all banking stocks advancing taking their cue from the $1.9 trillion US stimulus signing into law and as prospects brightened for sooner reopening of economic activities around the world. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index notched up 0.8 per cent to 9,665 points. Riyad Bank, Alinma Bank, Samba Financial Group and Albilad all moved upward with Saudi British Bank shooting up 2.2 per cent after announcing the completion of Alawaal Bank merger and its full integration. Dividend factor Abdullah Al Othaim Markets rose 2.2 per cent after its board of directors recommended SR3 per share as half-year dividends. It had earlier reported a 16.3 per cent jump in fourth-quarter profits. Saudi Company for Hardware also ended the day higher by 1 per cent as its full-year profit soared 39 per cent and its board decided to hand out SR0.75 riyal per share dividend to shareholders.