MasterCard posts $747 mln loss on Amex settlement

NEW YORK, July 31 (Reuters) - MasterCard Inc (MA.N) posted a $747 million second-quarter loss on a $1 billion after-tax charge related to a settlement of antitrust litigation with American Express Co (AXP.N).

The Purchase, New York-based company said the loss was $5.74 per share and compared with earnings of $252.3 million, or $1.85 a share in the same quarter a year earlier.

Excluding the charge, MasterCard earned $276 million, or $2.11 a share. (Reporting by Dan Wilchins; Editing by Steve Orlofsky)