News Summary: MasterCard 3Q income rises strongly

The Associated Press

OVERSEAS BOON: MasterCard's net income rose strongly in the third quarter as its overseas business continued to grow. Outside the U.S., the amount of money spent using MasterCard plastic leapt 15 percent. Growth in the U.S. was a still-respectable 7 percent.

INCOME GROWTH: The payments network's net income rose to $772 million, or $6.17 per share, from $717 million, or $5.63 per share in the same period a year earlier.

CONSUMER BOOST: Payments companies are enjoying a boost from consumers' improving views of the economy. Consumer spending in September grew both the most since February, the government said this week.