American Express Q2 profit rises 8% to $4.53 a share, topping forecasts

American Express reported a 8% increase in second-quarter profit to $4.53 a share, driven by higher spending, fewer delinquencies, and growth in premium card sign-ups. The results exceeded analyst forecasts, and the company added 3 million customers, with 75% opting for annual-fee cards, despite rising competition and a 12% increase in quarterly expenses.