Despite the weak national economy, this year could be the second most profitable year for New York City's securities industry and the average bonus may top last year's because so many bankers and brokers have been laid off, the state comptroller said in a report on Wednesday.

Wall Street earned $21.4 billion during the first three quarters of 2010, Comptroller Tom DiNapoli said. While much less than last year's record of $61.4 billion, which was fueled by federal assistance, the securities industry is on track in 2010 for the second-highest level of profitability on record, he said.

(Reporting by Joan Gralla; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)