MasterCard Inc said on Thursday that quarterly earnings rose 23 percent, as the world's No. 2 credit card network was helped by a rebound in plastic-based spending and a weaker U.S. dollar.

The company earned $294.4 million, or $2.24 per share, in the fourth quarter ended December 31, up from $239.4 million, or $1.83 per share, a year ago.

Revenue was up 6 percent at $1.30 billion, meeting the average analyst estimate, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

MasterCard said it logged an after-tax severance charge that shaved earnings by 19 cents per share.

(Reporting by Jonathan Spicer, editing by Gerald E. McCormick)

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