FRANKFURT, Germany—The European Central Bank formally ended its 2.6 trillion euro crisis-fighting bond purchase scheme on Dec. 13 but promised to keep feeding stimulus for years into an economy struggling with an unexpected slowdown and political turmoil.
In a precarious balancing act, ECB President Mario Draghi signaled both confidence about growth and concern over rising uncertainty, justifying the end of asset purchases after four years and the promise of lengthy support.
