U.S. consumers grew more confident in the economy in late November and early December, with many expecting the economic conditions to improve when the country begins to exit from the pandemic.

The Senate passed a stopgap measure funding the government for one week, giving lawmakers more time to negotiate a broader spending package and a coronavirus-aid agreement.

The European Central Bank scaled up its bond-buying program and unveiled a new batch of ultracheap loans for banks, a move aimed at backstopping the region’s governments and businesses.