WEX reported strong third-quarter income and increased its earnings guidance for the full year.

The South Portland-based company said its third-quarter income grew 17 percent to $60.1 million, $1.56 per share, compared to $52 million, or $1.33 a share during the same period last year, on a non-GAAP basis. The company, which specializes in credit card processing, particularly for corporate and government vehicle fleets, said the number of vehicles serviced and fuel transactions processed increased for the quarter ending Sept. 30.

Revenue increased 16 percent to $222.1 million from $191.5 million for the same period last year.

The company said it expects fourth-quarter income of $42 million to $45 million, or up to $1.14 per share, and full-year income of $198 million to $201 million, or $5.08 to $5.15 per share. Analysts surveyed by Morningstar had estimated full-year earnings of $4.84 per share.

“Just in general, WEX is thriving,” Melissa Smith, the company’s president and chief executive officer, said this morning.

Smith said income from domestic operations is growing as the U.S. economy recovers. Income from overseas operations is mostly new to the company, she said, so WEX expects positive results even if the global economy slows.

About 15 percent of the company’s revenue is from outside the U.S., she said.

WEX has about 700 employees in South Portland out of about 1,800 globally, she said, and overseas acquisitions have opened up opportunities for some of WEX’s Maine employees to work in Europe or Australia, she said. But Smith said Maine will remain the company’s base.

“Maine is our headquarters and we’re committed to Maine and that’s always going to be true,” she said.

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