American Express, the travel services and credit card company, reported second quarter earnings that surpassed Wall Street expectations citing strong credit card spending.

The New York-based firm, reported a income from continuing operations of $972 million, a 13 percent rise of $860 million a year ago. Its diluted earnings per share (EPS) were 78 cents, up 13 percent from the same period a year ago. The firm's EPS figure exceeded Wall Street estimates of 74 cents.

Consolidated revenue rose 14 percent to $6.9 billion, up from $6 billion a year ago. This again surpassed Wall Street estimates of $6.64 billion.

Quarterly income, however, fell 7 percent to $945 billion, or earnings of 76 cents share, down from $1.01 billion, or 81 cents per share a year ealier. The figures include its Ameriprise Financial Inc., which it sold off last September

The biggest division for the firm was its U.S. card services where its net profit grew 29 percent from $477 million to $616 million. This was attributed to growth in spending and borrowing by U.S consumers and small businesses. It was also helped by new U.S. legislation which makes it more difficult to get rid of debt by filing for bankruptcy.

"The second quarter results were driven by record spending on American Express cards with strong growth among consumers, small businesses and corporations,' said Kenneth I. Chenault, chairman and chief executive.

Income from the company's discontinued Brazil operations was included in the quarterly report.

New york city Citigroup American Express