After a mixed session on Thursday, stock markets looked poised for further gains across the board on Friday. Once again, the Nasdaq Composite took the lead just after the opening bell, rising about a third of a percent to regain part of its lost ground from the previous day. Investors are generally pleased with how earnings season has gone and with economic data that could point to an end to higher interest rates from the Federal Reserve.

However, two key companies releasing their latest quarterly reports moved lower at the open. The declines for American Express (NYSE: AXP) and Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB) weren't huge, but they nevertheless highlighted some of the pressures that are still hitting parts of the global economy.

Shares of American Express moved lower by 4% at the opening bell. The financial services giant posted extremely strong quarterly results that included some new records, but investors focused on the moves that AmEx is making to prepare for potential economic turmoil ahead.

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Source Fool.com