(REUTERS) - The S&P 500 ended slightly higher on Friday, led by gains in defensive names after a weaker-than-expected payrolls report raised new questions about both the strength of the economy and the aggressiveness of the Federal Reserve's stimulus.

Based on the latest available data, the Dow Jones industrial average fell 7.71 points or 0.05 per cent, to end unofficially at 16,437.05. The S&P 500 gained 4.24 points or 0.23 per cent, to close unofficially at 1,842.37. The Nasdaq Composite added 18.471 points or 0.44 per cent, to close unofficially at 4,174.665.