NEW YORK – Stocks began the final week of 2020 with more gains Monday, nudging the major U.S. indexes to record highs.

The S&P 500 climbed 0.9%, powered by gains in technology, communication services and consumer discretionary stocks.

Companies that were hit the hardest by the pandemic, including restaurants, airlines and cruise operators, were among the biggest gainers. Treasury yields were mixed.

The broad rally came as investors welcomed the decision by President Donald Trump to finally sign a $900 billion coronavirus economic aid package.

The package also includes $1.4 trillion to fund government agencies, averting a federal government shutdown that otherwise would have started Tuesday.

The latest gains add to what has been a strong, record-shattering run for the stock market in recent weeks amid cautious optimism that coronavirus vaccinations will pave the way in coming months for the economy to escape from the grip of the pandemic.

“By and large, it’s a kind of broad-based optimism, so-far-so-good on the vaccine rollout, and the stimulus bill to bridge the gap,” said Ross Mayfield, investment strategist at Baird.