New York, August 08 (QNA) - Major US stock indexes closed higher on Friday, with the S&P 500 reaching a record high as investors responded to weaker-than-expected US jobs data that reduced expectations of a Federal Reserve interest rate hike in September.

The S&P 500 rose 46.48 points, or 0.60%, to close at 7,756.44, capping a strong week of gains for the major indexes.

The Nasdaq Composite advanced 338.81 points, or 1.29%, to 26,690.62, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 151.33 points, or 0.28 percent, to close at 54,036.43.

The gains came after data showed that the US economy unexpectedly shed jobs in July, easing expectations that the Federal Reserve would raise interest rates at its September meeting. (QNA)