U.S. stocks turned higher in late trading on Friday as gains in defensive sectors, including healthcare, offset declines after a weak jobs report.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 17.37 points, or 0.18 percent, at 9,749.90. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 2.59 points, or 0.25 percent, at 1,029.96. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 4.49 points, or 0.21 percent, at 2,105.85.

(Reporting by Caroline Valetkevitch; Editing by Kenneth Barry)

Healthcare