Wall Street is on pace to earn $19bn (€14bn), making 2010 its fourth-best year, according to a report by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.

But this year's earnings pale in comparison to the record $61.4bn logged last year as trading activity was brisk. This year, interest rates have continued to fall and stock trading has been muted, helping result in sharp declines in trading earnings at some investment banks.