NEW YORK >> After an E. coli outbreak that sickened more than 50 people, Chipotle is tweaking its methods.

Onions will be dipped in boiling water to kill germs before they’re chopped. Raw chicken will be marinated in resealable plastic bags, rather than in bowls. Cilantro will be added to freshly cooked rice so the heat gets rid of microbes.

The chain may be suffering from the traits that helped define it. In its annual report, the company noted it may be at a higher risk for foodborne illnesses because it uses fresh produce and meats rather than frozen, and it uses traditional cooking methods rather than “automation.”

The rest of us not sold on virtual reality

NEW YORK >> With the launch of Samsung’s Gear VR headset a few weeks ago, virtual reality for the masses is finally a thing. Now comes the next big challenge: Who, exactly, will care?

If you’re a gamer, the appeal of immersing yourself in a virtual world might be obvious. Early trends look promising: The $100 Gear VR briefly sold out at many retailers. Research firm TrendForce projects sales of 14 million VR devices in 2016, mostly for gaming.

The rest of us, though, still need convincing.

Consumer spending, personal income up

WASHINGTON >> U.S. consumer spending rebounded in November after a weak showing in October, while a key inflation gauge posted the fastest year-over-year increase in 11 months.

Spending increased 0.3 percent in November after an essentially flat reading in October and a 0.2 percent gain in September, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. Personal income rose a solid 0.3 percent in November, reflecting solid gains in wages and salaries.

More jobs, better pay boosts purchasing

WASHINGTON >> U.S. consumer sentiment rose in December to its highest level since July, lifted in part by low inflation, which has boosted Americans’ purchasing power.

The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index, released Wednesday, rose to 92.6 from 91.3 in November. That’s just below this year’s average of 92.9, the highest annual average in 11 years.

The mood of consumers has been boosted this year by steady hiring, which has brought the unemployment rate down to a seven-year low of 5 percent. There are also early signs that businesses are offering higher pay to attract and keep workers.

Home sales decline as year end nears

WASHINGTON >> Americans appear less inclined to buy new homes as the year ends. Sales improved in November only because fewer people bought new homes in October than initially reported.

The Commerce Department said Wednesday that new-home sales rose 4.3 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 490,000. But that increase was made possible mainly because the sales rate for October was revised sharply down to 470,000 from 495,000.

Crude futures, energy commodities rise

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 185.34 points, or 1.1 percent, to 17,602.61 on Wednesday. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 25.32 points, or 1.2 percent, to 2,064.29 and the Nasdaq composite rose 44.82 points, or 0.9 percent, to 5,045.93.

U.S. crude futures jumped $1.36, or 3.8 percent, to $37.50 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude, which is used to price international oils, added $1.25, or 3.5 percent, to $37.36 a barrel in London. In other energy commodities, heating oil rose 3.2 cents to $1.119 a gallon, wholesale gasoline rose 6.7 cents to $1.241 a gallon and natural gas rose 9.5 cents to $1.983 per thousand cubic feet.