Stocks: Positive start to November?

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NEW YORK (CNNMoney)

U.S. stock futures edged slightly higher, while stocks in Europe dipped in early trading.

The muted gains suggest some caution from investors against pushing stocks to new record highs, following a stellar run-up in October.

There are no major economic releases on the U.S. calendar Friday, and limited earnings results to provide market direction.

Chevron (CVX, Fortune 500) is due to report its quarterly results before the opening bell.

Various major automakers will release their October sales figures through the course of the day.

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On the other side of the world, Sony (SNE) shares fell by more than 11% Friday after the Japanese electronics maker posted a loss for the second quarter and said profits for the year would be 40% lower than forecast.

Shares in the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) slid around 4% in London after the U.K. bank reported far worse than expected quarterly figures.

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Avon (AVP, Fortune 500) shares were declining in pre-market trading, extending Thursday's 22% plunge. The U.S. cosmetics giant has been trying to stage a turnaround but posted much weaker-than-expected quarterly results on Thursday.

On the upside, First Solar (FSLR) stock surged in after-hours trading after the firm reported quarterly earnings beat expectations.

Overall, U.S. stocks fell Thursday.

European markets were in the red in morning trading.

Asian markets ended with mixed results. The major indexes in China got a boost as a new report showed factory activity in the country picked up speed in October. Japan's Nikkei lost 1%.