** Oppenheimer initiates coverage of fintech firm WEX WEX.N with a "perform" rating

** Brokerage believes co's strong market position in fuel cards, corporate payments and benefits administration enables it to capture strong growth trends in its end markets

** Oppenheimer says WEX's diversified end-market exposure also provides some insulation to any potential sector-specific weakness

** Three of 15 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher, 12 "hold"; their median PT is $155.50 - data compiled by LSEG

** Including session's moves, stock down ~21.9% YTD

(Reporting by Prakhar Srivastava in Bengaluru)

((Prakhar.srivastava2@thomsonreuters.com))