Feb 5 (Reuters) - Business payments firm Corpay ( CPAY )

reported an 18% jump in its fourth-quarter profit on Wednesday,

driven by a strong performance in the corporate and lodging

segments as customers ramped up spending.

The lodging unit offers tools that help the company's

customers manage hotel booking expenses for employees on

business trips.

Through its corporate segment, the company offers tools that

allow businesses to make payments to their vendors.

Businesses maintained robust budgets, encouraged by a

resilient U.S. economy and hopes of favorable policies such as

tax cuts under President Donald Trump.

The Atlanta, Georgia-based company reported 38% growth in

revenue in its corporate payments unit, while lodging payments

posted a 1% rise.

Excluding one-time costs, it earned $383.2 million, or $5.36

per share, for the three months ended December 31, compared with

$326.1 million, or $4.44 per share, a year earlier.