Kenneth Chenault

American Express Co.'s third-quarter profit surged 71% as the No. 3 U.S. processor of credit-card sales benefited from a rebound in consumer and business spending as well as demand for the company's travel services.

CEOs who cut the most jobs during the recession earned an average of 42% more than their S&P 500 peers, according to a study by the Institute for Policy Studies. Top execs at the 50 firms that laid off the most workers since the economic crisis began averaged nearly $12 million in 2009.

Increased consumer spending helped boost second quarter earnings for credit card giant American Express Thursday, which reported a $1 billion profit, nearly tripling the $337 million it reported for the a year ago quarter.