Asian shares were mixed Wednesday ahead of a decision on interest rates by the U.S. Federal Reserve. U.S. futures edged higher while oil prices declined. Japan reported that it logged a trade surplus in February,

One of the reasons the U.S. stock market’s sell-off in recent weeks has “so far been orderly,” with the epicenter remaining within tech, may be because of faith that the Fed can protect Wall Street, according to strategists at Barclays. If conditions were to deteriorate quickly, the Fed could cut rates to support the economy.

Stocks in Asia were set to follow declines on Wall Street, after heavy selling resumed in the largest technology companies in a sign investors are paring exposure in US risk assets. Gold climbed to a fresh record.