Stocks in Europe and on Wall St surged overnight to start the final month of the year with an optimistic view that central banks and policy makers were committed to shoring up economic growth.

Concern about Europe's fiscal crisis was at the forefront of investors' minds again as they sold equities, the euro and European government debt.

The directors of failed company Hanover Finance are to face questions as part of a Serious Fraud Office probe, the office confirmed yesterday.