American Express profit beats estimates as consumers shrug off slowdown fears

(Reuters) - Credit card issuer American Express Co reported a higher-than-expected quarterly profit that highlighted the health of the U.S. consumer even as fears mount that a manufacturing-led weakness could spread to the broader economy.U.S. retail sales fell for the first time in seven months in September, adding to concerns after data showed a moderation in job growth and services sector activity in the last month.New York-based AmEx, for long the preferred choice of affluent Americans for..