** Shares of Boeing BA.N rise 2.4% to $203.29 per share, their highest level since March 1, 2024

** BA shares rose as much as 3.2% to $204.97; stock second-biggest gainer in the S&P 500 Aerospace & Defense (Industry) .SPLRCAED index

** U.S. and Saudi Arabia sign an economic partnership deal; Saudi Arabia's commitment includes a defense sales agreement worth nearly $142 billion

** AviLease, a jet lessor owned by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund PIF, places an order to buy up to 30 737 MAX jets

** BA also delivers 45 commercial jets, nearly twice of what it delivered a year ago

** BA shares are set for a fourth straight session of gains; up ~9% in four sessions

** De-escalation in U.S.-China trade conflict, Beijing lifting ban on Boeing deliveries and aircraft order by British Airways-parent IAG has supported the stock over the past four sessions

** BA shares up 15.3% this year, including the day's move

(Reporting by Sameer Manekar in Bengaluru)

((Sameer.Manekar@thomsonreuters.com;))