FLEETCOR earnings down slightly in Q1

Company encouraged by sales growth despite net revenue declines

(Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

Global commercial fuel-card and business payments company FLEETCOR Technologies Inc. (NYSE: FLT) on Wednesday reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.82 for the first quarter, a 6% decrease from adjusted EPS of $3 in the first quarter of 2020.

After better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings, FLEETCOR’s first-quarter net revenue was $609 million, an 8% year-over-year decrease.

“Although revenue and adjusted EPS were down, … we remain encouraged that new sales were up 7% over last year and retention continued to improve, which together will help drive our future growth,” Ron Clarke, chairman and CEO at FLEETCOR, said in a release

First-quarter sales were “nothing short of fantastic,” with 93% revenue-weighted volume retention, which is the best it’s been in years, Clarke noted during the earnings call.

The Atlanta-based company reported fuel transaction revenue of $262 million, 10% lower year-over-year. Fuel revenue was off modestly at $2.38 per transaction, a 3.6% year-over-year decrease.

“2021 is off to a good start, with first quarter revenue results in line with our expectations and adjusted net income per share slightly better than our original outlook, mostly due to credit performance,” Clarke said.

FLEETCOR on Monday announced it had refinanced its securitization and Term B credit facilities. The purpose was to lock in low rates at longer durations. Following the anticipated closing of the AFEX acquisition in the second quarter, the company will have nearly $2 billion in liquidity, according to Charles Freund, CFO at FLEETCOR.

2021 and second-quarter outlook

“We are maintaining our full year revenue guidance, and raising our adjusted net income per diluted share guidance $0.12 to $12.42 at the mid-point to reflect our first quarter results compared to our expectations. Volumes should continue to recover and build throughout the year as economies around the world reopen, and we expect to return to growth in both revenue and earnings per share next quarter,” Freund said.

The company expects adjusted net income per diluted share to fall between $2.80 and $3 for the second quarter of 2021.

Table: FLEETCOR’s key performance indicators

Click here for more FreightWaves articles by Alyssa Sporrer.

FLEETCOR Q4 earnings ‘better than expected’

The payment industry’s rebirth

HubTran is final piece for TriumphPay in buildout of a transportation payments network

Wex reports drop in first quarter revenue and earnings per share

Upcoming FreightWaves Events
Compliance

Brokerage Compliance Symposium

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Awards

F3 Awards Dinner

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
FreightTech

F3: Future of Freight Festival

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Compliance Brokerage Compliance Symposium Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
Awards F3 Awards Dinner Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now

Alyssa Sporrer

Alyssa is a staff writer at FreightWaves, covering sustainability news in the freight and supply chain industry, from low-carbon fuels to social sustainability, emissions & more. She graduated from Iowa State University with a double major in Marketing and Environmental Studies. She is passionate about all things environmental and enjoys outdoor activities such as skiing, ultimate frisbee, hiking, and soccer.