Stocks on Wall Street were up as investors' confidence was underpinned by better-than-expected US earnings and international support for Europe's debt.

It's time now for corporate America to confirm the optimism that has led shares on Wall Street to six weeks of gains.

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.

While refusing to focus on the Pike River mine's future today, CEO Peter Whittall did reveal it's future worth.