Asian shares advanced Friday after most U.S. stocks rose as the Federal Reserve cut interest rates again to ease pressure on the economy. Oil prices fell while U.S. futures edged higher. Regional investors were watching for much-anticipated steps by Beijing to rev up the slowing Chinese economy as the top body of the national legislature wrapped up a meeting this week.

Shares are mostly higher in Europe and Asia after U.S. stocks stormed to records as investors considered what Donald Trump’s return to the White House will mean for the economy and the world. Investors were also turning their attention to the Federal Reserve's decision on interest rates later Thursday.

U.S. stocks are ticking higher Thursday, ahead of the Federal Reserve’s announcement coming in the afternoon about what it will do with interest rates. The S&P 500 was up 0.5% in morning trading, though momentum slowed sharply from its surge a day before following Donald Trump’s presidential victory.

U.S. stocks ticked higher ahead of the Federal Reserve’s announcement about what it will do with interest rates

U.S. stock futures edged higher ahead of an interest-rate decision by the Federal Reserve on Thursday, building on a sharp rally set off by Donald Trump's stunning comeback as U.S. president for a second time.

Chinese shares also climbed. Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 0.9% to 20,729.01. The Shanghai Composite index also was 0.9% higher, at 3,413.47. Trump has promised to slap blanket 60% tariffs on all Chinese imports,